Aspen Ridge Animal Hospital

06/24/2026

Today is Cat World Domination Day! Post a picture of your favorite feline that would take over the World!

06/23/2026

As temperatures rise, remember to:
🐾 Never leave pets in parked cars
🐾 Provide plenty of fresh water
🐾 Avoid walking on hot pavement
🐾 Watch for signs of heat exhaustion

If your pet seems lethargic, is panting excessively, or has difficulty breathing, contact your veterinarian right away.

Stay safe and enjoy the summer with your furry family members! ❤️

06/20/2026

⛈️🎆 Prepare Your Pets for Monsoon Season and Fourth of July Fireworks! 🎆⛈️

With monsoon storms and Fourth of July celebrations just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning ahead for pets that experience anxiety from thunder, lightning, fireworks, and other loud noises.

For mild to moderate stress, nutraceutical calming supplements such as Soliquin® are available over the counter and can help support relaxation during stressful events. No appointment is needed—simply stop by our lobby during business hours to pick some up for your pet.

For pets that experience more significant anxiety, prescription medications may be recommended. If you think your pet may benefit from prescription calming medications, please contact us well in advance of anticipated storms or fireworks displays.

📞 Important Reminder:
Prescription medications require a current veterinarian-client-patient relationship and an up-to-date annual wellness examination. If your pet's exam is not current, we may need to schedule an appointment before medications can be prescribed.

Don't wait until the day of the storm or the Fourth of July! Planning ahead can help keep your pet safe, comfortable, and stress-free during the season.

Call us with any questions or to discuss the best options for your pet. 🐾❤️

06/18/2026

🎓 Congratulations and Best Wishes! 🎓

This month, we're celebrating a very special milestone as our amazing veterinary assistant graduates from high school and begins an exciting new chapter in college!

Over the years, she has been an invaluable part of our team, bringing compassion, dedication, and a positive attitude to our patients, clients, and staff every day. From helping care for your beloved pets to lending a hand wherever needed, she has made a lasting impact.

While we're excited to see all the incredible things she will accomplish in the future, we will certainly miss her smiling face and hard work around the hospital.

Please join us in congratulating her on her graduation and wishing her the very best as she heads off to college. We are so proud of you and grateful for the time you've spent with us!

Congratulations, and good luck on your next adventure!

06/17/2026

⚠️ VETERINARY ALERT: NEW WORLD SCREWWORM UPDATE ⚠️

Arizona pet owners, livestock producers, and animal caretakers should be aware of the ongoing New World Screwworm (NWS) outbreak affecting Mexico and the recent confirmed cases in Texas and New Mexico. While no cases have been reported in Arizona, awareness and early detection are critical.

🪰 What is New World Screwworm?
New World Screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae (maggots) feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. Unlike typical maggots that consume dead tissue, screwworm larvae invade healthy tissue, causing severe wounds, infections, suffering, and potentially death if left untreated.

🐾 Animals at Risk:
• Cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and other livestock
• Dogs and cats
• Wildlife
• Rarely, humans can also be affected

🔍 Signs to Watch For:
• Non-healing or rapidly worsening wounds
• Foul-smelling lesions
• Visible maggots in wounds
• Excessive licking or irritation
• Depression, lethargy, or decreased appetite

Recent U.S. cases have been confirmed in cattle, a goat, and a dog in Texas and New Mexico, prompting increased surveillance and response efforts.

✅ Prevention Tips:
• Check pets and livestock regularly for wounds.
• Promptly clean and treat any cuts, surgical sites, or injuries.
• Keep pets on veterinarian-recommended parasite prevention year-round.
• For dogs, products such as NexGard® and NexGard PLUS® contain afoxolaner, which has been shown to kill New World Screwworm larvae and may provide an additional layer of protection for dogs in areas of concern or for those traveling to affected regions.
• Seek veterinary care immediately for wounds that worsen, have an odor, or contain larvae.
• Report suspicious cases to your veterinarian or state animal health officials.

✈️ Traveling to Mexico with Your Pet?

If you plan to travel to Mexico with your dog, cat, horse, or other animals, take extra precautions due to the ongoing New World Screwworm outbreak.

Before returning to the United States:
• Thoroughly inspect your animal for any wounds, cuts, or skin lesions.
• Avoid allowing pets to roam unsupervised, especially in rural or livestock areas.
• Keep your dog current on veterinarian-recommended preventatives, including products such as NexGard® or NexGard PLUS® when appropriate.
• Seek veterinary attention immediately for any wound that is not healing normally.
• Be aware that animals returning from affected areas may be subject to additional inspection requirements at U.S. ports of entry.

Arizona remains free of New World Screwworm, but our proximity to affected regions and frequent travel between Arizona and Mexico make vigilance important. Early detection and prompt treatment are essential to protecting our pets, livestock, and wildlife.

Learn about New World Screwworm life cycle, eradication methods, surveillance, and how you can help control its spread.

06/15/2026

Summer is here, and it’s the perfect time to make sure your pets are happy, healthy, and ready for all the season's adventures! 🐾

As temperatures rise, remember to:
💧 Keep fresh water available at all times
🌳 Provide plenty of shade during outdoor activities
🚗 Never leave pets unattended in a vehicle
🦟 Stay up to date on flea, tick, and heartworm prevention

Whether you're planning vacations, backyard barbecues, or long walks in the sunshine, we're here to help keep your furry family members safe and healthy all summer long.

📞 Contact us today to schedule a wellness exam or discuss your pet's seasonal health needs.

06/13/2026

🐾 June Is National Microchipping Month

Did you know that microchipping greatly increases the chances of a lost pet being reunited with its family?

A microchip is quick, safe, and permanent identification that can help bring your pet home if they ever become lost.

Contact us to learn more about microchipping your furry friend. ❤️

06/10/2026

🐶 Which summer activity does your pet love most?
👍 Swimming
❤️ Hiking
😆 Sunbathing
🥰 Playing fetch
Vote with a picture of your pet enjoying this activity!

06/08/2026

🐾 Celebrate your pet, your most loyal best friend! Share a photo of your furry companion in the comments and tell us what makes them special. ❤️

06/03/2026

🐾 Parvovirus Awareness: Early Treatment Saves Lives 🐾

This sweet puppy was recently hospitalized and received intensive care for canine parvovirus (parvo). While parvo can be a frightening diagnosis, prompt veterinary treatment gives puppies the best chance for recovery.

What is Parvo?
Parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that primarily affects puppies and unvaccinated dogs. It attacks the intestinal tract and immune system, causing severe illness.

Common Signs of Parvo:
🔹 Vomiting
🔹 Severe diarrhea (often bloody)
🔹 Loss of appetite
🔹 Lethargy and weakness
🔹 Dehydration
🔹 Fever or low body temperature

Why Hospitalization is Important
Dogs with parvo often require:
💉 Intravenous fluids to combat dehydration
💊 Medications to control nausea and prevent secondary infections
🩺 Close monitoring and supportive nursing care

Prevention is Key
The best protection against parvo is proper vaccination. Puppies should receive their vaccine series on schedule and avoid high-risk areas until fully vaccinated.

Our team is committed to giving this little one the care and support needed on the road to recovery. Please help us spread awareness about the importance of vaccinations and early treatment.

🐶💕 Wishing this brave puppy strength and healing as they continue their fight against parvo.

🐾❤️