Pet Hospital of Penasquitos-Veterinary Specialist

01/14/2025

🐾 Happy National Dress Up Your Pet Day from your friends at the Pet Hospital of Penasquitos! 🐾

It's time to celebrate your furry, feathered, & scaly friend's fashionable side! Whether it's a cute costume, a festive sweater, or some adorable booties, today's the day to let their style shine. ✨

But remember, safety first! Here are some important tips to keep in mind when dressing up your pet:

• Make sure the clothing fits properly and doesn’t interfere with their sight, hearing, breathing, or movement.
• Avoid clothing with pieces that can be tripped over or chewed off.
• Never leave your pet unsupervised while dressed up.
• If your pet rejects the clothing, don’t force it.
• If your furry pet has a thick coat, choose a lightweight costume to prevent overheating.

We hope you and your companions have a fun and safe celebration! If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call us at 858-484-3490.

01/13/2025

01/13/2025

Ever wonder how frogs swallow their food? 🤔 It's a pretty eye-opening process! (Pun intended 😉) Frogs actually use their eyes to help them swallow! When they blink, their eyeballs push down into the roof of their mouth, helping to force food down their throat. Some frogs can even retract their eyes further into their head for extra help! 🐸

Fun frog fact: Frogs don't drink water like we do. They absorb it through their skin! 💧

If you have any questions about your pet's health (not just frogs!), give us a call at 858-484-3490. We're here to help!

01/12/2025

🐾🐱🐰🐦🦎🌟 Happy Kiss a Ginger Day! 🌟🦎🐦🐰🐱🐾

Celebrate this purrfect holiday with your fiery-furred, feathered, or scaled friends! Whether you have a ginger cat, copper-coated canine, radiant rabbit, brilliant bird, or a resplendent reptile, today is all about showering them with extra love and affection. Here are some fun ways to celebrate:

• Cuddle Time: Give your ginger pet some extra snuggles and kisses.

• Treat Hunt: Hide some delicious treats around the house for a fun treasure hunt.

•bPhoto Shoot: Capture the charm of your ginger furball, feathered friend, fluffy companion, or scaly buddy with a mini photo session.

• Play Date: Spend some quality playtime with their favorite toys or activities.

• Special Meal: Treat them to a special homemade meal or their favorite goodies.

Don't forget, we're here for all your pet care needs! Call us at 858-484-3490.

01/11/2025

Ever wonder how Rudolph navigates those snowy skies? 🤔 Reindeer have a super cool trick: their eyes change color with the seasons! ✨ In summer, their eyes shine gold, but as winter approaches, they turn a brilliant blue! 💙 This is all thanks to a special reflective layer called the Tapetum Lucidum, which helps them see in the dark. So, next time you see a reindeer, remember they've got some seriously impressive peepers! 👀

Have questions about your pet's eyesight? Give us a call at 858-484-3490!

01/11/2025

01/10/2025

Join us in wishing Dr. Caron farewell as she begins a new adventure in New Jersey! Dr. Caron, originally from France and a 2020 graduate of Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, brought a wealth of experience to Pet Hospital of Penasquitos. From her Small Animal Rotating Internship in Boston (with a focus on emergency and exotic pet medicine) to her dedicated work as our Reptile & Amphibian resident, her passion for animal welfare has shone brightly. Her international experience in wildlife medicine and presentations at conferences like ExoticsCon further demonstrate her commitment to the field. Her last day is tomorrow, January 11th. Stop by today or tomorrow to say goodbye, or call us at 858-484-3490. We wish her all the best!

01/09/2025

01/09/2025

🐙 Octopuses are incredibly fascinating creatures with not one, but three hearts! 💖💖💖

Two hearts pump blood through their gills, enabling them to breathe underwater, while the third heart circulates the oxygen-rich blood to the rest of their body. Interestingly, octopus blood is blue due to a copper-rich protein called hemocyanin, which is more efficient at transporting oxygen in cold, low-oxygen environments. These intelligent beings can also regenerate lost limbs and possess remarkable problem-solving abilities, making them one of the most captivating animals in the ocean. 🌊

Curious to learn more fun animal facts? Contact the Pet Hospital of Penasquitos at 858-484-3490.

01/08/2025

🔥 RED FLAG WARNING! 🔥

San Diego is under a red flag warning for wildfires. Keep your pets safe! 🐾

✅ Pet Safety Checklist:

• Evacuation Plan: Know your evacuation routes and have a designated safe space for your pets.
• Identification: Ensure your pets have up-to-date ID tags and microchips.
• Leash: Keep your pets leashed during evacuations to prevent them from running off.
• Carrier: Have a carrier readily available for easy transport.
• Emergency Kit: Pack essentials like food, water, medications, and comfort items.

Call us at 858-484-3490 if you have any questions.

01/08/2025

01/08/2025

🐔💕 Happy National Snuggle a Chicken Day! 💕🐔

Did you know that chickens are social animals and love a good snuggle? Today, on January 8th, we celebrate these feathery friends with National Snuggle a Chicken Day! It's the perfect time to show your backyard chickens some extra love and appreciation. Here are a few fun ways to celebrate:

• Snuggle Time: Spend some quality time cuddling with your chickens and enjoying their company.

• Photo Session: Capture adorable moments with your chickens and share the love online.

• Healthy Treats: Treat your chickens to some nutritious snacks like fruits, veggies, or specially made chicken treats.

🐔 Feel free to share your snuggle moments with us by tagging and !

📞 Contact us at 858-484-3490 for any questions or to schedule a check-up for your feathery friends. Happy snuggling!

01/06/2025

🐾 Happy National Cuddle Day! 🐾

What better way to celebrate than with some quality snuggle time with your furry (or not-so-furry) friends? At Pet Hospital of Penasquitos, we believe that every pet deserves some extra love and affection today. Here are some creative ways to celebrate with your pets:

For Dogs: 🐶
• Enjoy a cozy movie night on the couch with your pup and some healthy treats.
• Take a long, relaxing walk and end it with a cuddle under the stars.

For Cats: 🐱
• Build a comfy blanket fort and let your kitty explore and snuggle inside.
• Have a purrfect cuddle session with a warm blanket and some gentle petting.

For Birds: 🦜
• Spend some extra time talking and bonding with your feathered friend.
• Create a cozy perch with soft materials where they can relax and feel safe.

For Small Pets (Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, etc.): 🐰🐹
• Set up a special cuddle corner with soft bedding where they can feel secure.
• Gently hold them and give them some gentle pets and strokes.

For Reptiles & Amphibians: 🐢🐸
• Create a warm and comfortable basking spot where they can relax.
• Spend some time handling them gently, ensuring they feel safe and secure.

Remember, a little bit of cuddle time can go a long way in showing your pets how much you care. If you have any questions or need advice on how to make this day special for your pets, give us a call at 858-484-3490.

01/05/2025

Happy National Bird Day from your friends at Pet Hospital of Penasquitos! 🐦 Did you know birds are vital to our ecosystem, acting as pollinators, seed spreaders, and natural pest control? They're also incredibly diverse! There are over 10,000 known bird species worldwide! National Bird Day, celebrated every January 5th, reminds us to appreciate these amazing creatures. If you have a feathered friend at home and have any concerns, don't hesitate to contact us at 858-484-3490.

01/04/2025

🐾📏💖 Attention Pet Parents! 📏💖🐾

Today is National Weigh-In Day! Obesity can severely affect our pets, increasing the risk of conditions like diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. Did you know that over 50% of pets in the U.S. are overweight? This not only shortens their lifespan but reduces their quality of life. Let’s keep our furry, feathered, & scaly friends healthy and happy with a balanced diet and regular exercise.

Call us at 858-484-3490 to schedule a wellness check and discuss a tailored health plan for your pet.

01/03/2025

Researchers found of the 12 reintroduced populations, nine showed evidence of successful breeding and reproduction.

01/03/2025

🐢❄️ Brrr, it's cold out there! Ever wonder how some animals survive the icy grip of winter? Check out the amazing alligator snapping turtle! These ancient-looking reptiles have some incredible adaptations that allow them to survive under ice for over 100 DAYS! 🤯

Here's the lowdown:

• Brumation: Like a super-powered nap, their metabolism slows way down, conserving energy.
• Unique Oxygen Absorption: They can absorb oxygen through their skin and through a specialized opening called the cloaca, allowing them to “breathe” underwater even when oxygen levels are low.
• Chemical Wizardry: They can even survive for short periods without oxygen by using a process that creates lactic acid, but they have a way of buffering that acid to protect their bodies!

So, while your pets are snuggled up inside, these turtles are having their own winter adventure under the ice! Pretty impressive, right?

If you have any questions about your pet's winter care, don't hesitate to give us a call at 858-484-3490! We're always here to help.