Sunnyside Veterinary Hospital

05/05/2026

https://www.trupanion.com/pet-blog

Pet Parenting is the pet blog from the dog and cat experts at Trupanion. Get care tips, pet insurance insights, and more for animal lovers everywhere.

05/05/2026

05/05/2026

Why did the dog wear a watch?

He wanted to be a Watch Dog😂🤣😂

05/05/2026

🤣Why did the dog sit in the shade?
Because he didn't want to be a Hot dog🤣

05/05/2026

Know Your Ticks

There are more than 800 species of ticks on this planet (that we know of).

Ticks belong to the Arachnida class—other friendly critters in this class include, but are not limited to mites, spiders, and scorpions.

There are 2 families of ticks: Ixodidae and Argasidae. Ixodidae are commonly known as hard ticks (because of their hard dorsal scutum, or shield), and Argasidae is usually referred to as soft ticks (as they have a soft exoskeleton and no scutum).

If you’re bitten by a tick in the continental United States, it is usually a hard tick.

The majority of ticks use 3 hosts, feeding on a different host for the larvae, nymph, and adult life stages, respectively.

There are anti-inflammatory and anesthetic compounds in the saliva of hard ticks that make it less likely for their host(s) to notice that they’ve been bitten.

The saliva of hard ticks contains proteins with changing compositions, making it difficult for a host’s immune system to detect a threat. This decreases the likelihood that the host’s immune system will even recognize that it’s being compromised.

While feeding on a host, certain ticks contain a neurotoxin in their saliva that can induce “tick paralysis.” This condition progresses gradually (usually starting 5 to 9 days after attachment), however, the symptoms dissipate soon after the tick is (properly) removed.

Hard ticks have a very long single feeding session, whereas soft ticks have several feeding sessions separated by a few hours.

After feeding, female hard ticks swell up much more than female soft ticks.

No time for cuddling—male ticks dies right after mating.

05/05/2026

Flea and ticks are gross, annoying, and potentially harmful to your pet's health. Turns out, however, that they're also quite fascinating.

25 Insane Facts about Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks are dreadful creatures that feed on your pet’s blood and can potentially spread life-threatening diseases to both pets and humans. This article delves deep and reveals all the dirty little secrets about these parasitic bloodsuckers. These tick and flea facts are verified by experts and they will not only help you garner a better understanding of these creatures but also allow you to start interesting conversations with other pet enthusiasts.

Freaky Flea Facts

Fleas are wingless insects that get onto hosts by jumping.

Fleas have been on this planet for approximately 100 million years.

There are over 2,000 species and subspecies of fleas (that we know of).

In almost all species of fleas, the females are larger than the males.

In the continental United States, the Cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) is responsible for nearly all of the fleas found on both cats and dogs.

If you find a flea on your cat or dog, there could be an infestation on your pets and around your home. Adult fleas are only a small percentage of the total population of a given infestation.

A female flea can consume 15 times its body weight (in the blood) on a daily basis.

A female flea lays eggs within 35 to 48 hours of its first blood meal.

Flea eggs are usually laid directly on a host, often falling off the host’s body and spreading the infestation to the surrounding environment.

A female flea can lay about 2,000 eggs over the course of its life but is incapable of laying eggs until after its first meal.

Once adult fleas emerge from their puparium, they have approximately 7 days to find a blood meal or they die.
Your average flea will have a 2 to 3-month lifespan.

If it doesn’t have to move around much, a flea can live anywhere between 2 months and 100 days between meals.

If they were human-sized athletes participating in the long jump in the Olympics, certain fleas could break the current world record by approximately 970 feet.

05/05/2026

Its full-blown Tick season. Make sure your pet is protected.

Ticks require blood meals at each stage of life to survive.

05/01/2026

Physical Therapy vs. Acupuncture vs. Chiropractic vs. Massage: What’s the Difference?
Not all treatments work the same, and that’s a good thing. Each approach supports your dog’s health in a different way.

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Physical Therapy

Physical therapists specialize in movement. They assess strength, range of motion, balance, and joint mobility, then recommend exercises, stretches, lifestyle changes, and equipment like braces or wheelchairs. They use hands-on techniques like kinesiotaping and joint mobilizations, plus modalities such as cold laser and TENS to ease symptoms. They also screen for medical issues that may need further care.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and works by balancing the body’s vital energy, called qi. By stimulating specific points—using needles, heat, or pressure, it helps improve overall health. Studies show acupuncture can relieve pain, arthritis, and other conditions by restoring energy flow.

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Chiropractic

Chiropractors focus on spinal alignment using hands-on joint mobilizations and specialized tools. They also provide soft tissue therapy, exercises, and kinesiotaping. Chiropractic care is often used for joint pain, muscle aches, arthritis, and neck or back issues.

Acupuncture

Massage therapists work on muscles, tendons, and soft tissues to reduce stress, ease muscle pain, and improve tightness. Massage helps promote relaxation and comfort during recovery.

04/15/2026

In choking emergencies, rapid assessment and intervention are critical. Clinical indicators may include pawing at the mouth, gagging or retching, respiratory distress, cyanosis, or abnormal airway noises. Prompt recognition and appropriate action can significantly improve outcomes. Share this infographic with pet owners, then click to refresh your knowledge: https://bit.ly/4dH4YhB

04/15/2026

Dimi and Sissi are ready for their close ups! have shaggy coats, and as the largest cat breed, they need precise nutrition to help keep their coats shiny and bones and joints strong. Our precise nutrition supports the unique needs of this breed.

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