Responsible pet ownership is no small achievement. Every single day, there are dozens of choices that either support a pet’s health and well-being or fall short of meeting their needs. Of all the things owners can do to care for their pets, including providing the best food, exercise, and bonding experiences, taking care of their teeth and gums is a hugely important choice. This task not only keeps their mouth free of bacteria, plaque, and tartar, but prioritizing pet dental health could add years to their life!

A treat is just a treat unless, that is, it’s working to lift unhealthy plaque off the surface of the teeth. Then it’s more like medicine, although your dog doesn’t need to know that. While many dental chews are worth the money, not all dog dental treats provide the same health benefits. We’ll help you decide if dog dental treats are something to consider, or whether they’re not worth all the hype.

Ontario law requires all dogs and cats be immunized against rabies starting around 14 weeks of age, with re-vaccination at one year old. Boosters are scheduled annually or every three years, depending on the vaccine and local regulations. This goes a long way toward protecting our companion animals from this dreaded disease, but rabies is far from eradicated. Whether your pet gets into a scuffle with wildlife or another pet, it’s critical to proceed as if your pet was exposed to rabies. 

As we head into the summer, certain pests like ticks become more prevalent in our wooded areas. The beautiful weather makes it hard to avoid the outdoors with our pets, but the increased risk for ticks makes it more important to be vigilant. Lyme disease in dogs is a serious infection that could cause significant health issues. Keep reading to learn more about this disease and how to spot it:

We all want our furry family members to be healthy and live long, happy lives. Thankfully, with proactive pet wellness care and modern veterinary medicine, Parkside Animal Hospital is more equipped than ever to deliver on this. Keep reading to learn about pet vaccines and what role they play in keeping your beloved four-legged family safe and healthy. 

Cold and flu season is here, and while you can’t pass your “people cold” onto your dog, he can still catch a case of the canine sniffles. 

Dog health is important to us at Parkside Animal Hospital, and we’re here to help diagnose your dog’s symptoms so that you know if it’s just a common cold virus or something more serious. 

Are your dog’s days punctuated by bouts of intense scratching or sneezing? If so, he might have allergies. Experts estimate that nearly 20 percent of dogs will develop an allergy to something over the course of their lifetimes, and at Parkside Animal Hospital,  we take dermatology and pet allergies very seriously. Dr. Bertrand, Dr. Holden, or Dr. Hansford will inspect your pet’s skin at every preventive care visit, but please contact us between appointments if you suspect that your pet has an allergy. 

Parasites are common concerns for pet owners, and sometimes, in spite of our best efforts, these nasty little pests take up residence on our pets. When they do, they cause extreme discomfort, spread diseases, and inflict damage to the skin. 

Part of our pet preventive care at Parkside Animal Hospital is recommending safe, effective parasite protection for our patients at every wellness visit. 

Use this guide between appointments to help you spot and remove external parasites.

Got cabin fever? If you’re eager for new surroundings and pet-friendly family adventures, a little pre-planning can make traveling with your pet safer—and far more enjoyable. If it’s been a while since your pet’s last wellness and preventive care visit, a checkup may be in order to ensure that your pet is sufficiently protected from communicable diseases as well as fleas, ticks, and other parasites that he or she may encounter in a new environment.

Whether you intend to load up the RV, jam-pack a Prius or fly the friendly skies, here are some tips for safe pet travel from the team at Parkside Animal Hospital.

Dog kisses—some humans love them, while others cringe and turn away. There are those dogs, those especially drooly, slobbery dogs, that nobody wants to get near for a sloppy kiss. Why do some dogs slobber so much?

Dogs Drool for the Same Reasons People Drool

Think about a lemon or a sour pickle. Right away, saliva begins to accumulate in your mouth. You have to swallow to get rid of it (don’t spit!). When you aren’t thinking about sour foods, your mouth still stays wet from saliva.