Westside Animal Clinic

04/25/2025

Blake’s Busy Schedule… Rudely Interrupted

In a rare moment of coordination (and possibly bribery), we managed to wrangle Dr. Howe, Dr. Green, and future vet Ashley (a former Westside veterinary technician now off conquering vet school) into the same room for one very important mission: examining Blake.

Naturally, Blake was not thrilled to be pulled away from his daily duties of causing chaos, supervising staff, and knocking things off counters. But the dream team got the job done—with only minimal eye-rolls from our resident mischief maker.

Thanks for visiting, Ashley—we’re so proud of you (and Blake promises revenge in the form of mysteriously missing pens).

04/21/2025

Happy Veterinary Receptionists Week!

This week, we’re celebrating the incredible front-line team at Westside Animal Clinic — our amazing Veterinary Receptionists: Joanne, Tish, Beth, Karissa, and Renee!

These five extraordinary ladies are the heart of our clinic. They’re the first to greet you with a warm smile, the calm and reassuring voices on the phone, and the ones who keep everything running behind the scenes — all while showing endless compassion and patience.

In a fast-paced, high-stress environment, they handle every challenge with grace, empathy, and unwavering positivity. From scheduling appointments to supporting pet parents during difficult times, they do it all with heart.

We are so grateful for your dedication and the vital role you play on our team. Westside Animal Clinic wouldn’t be the same without you.

Thank you, Joanne, Tish, Beth, Karissa, and Renee — you are truly appreciated!

04/18/2025

Easter Ham: A Tasty Treat for You, But Dangerous for Your Pet!

As we prepare for Easter celebrations, Westside Animal Clinic wants to remind pet parents about a common holiday hazard — the Easter ham!

While it may be a favorite on your dinner table, ham and other rich, fatty foods can be dangerous for pets, even in small amounts. Sharing a bite may seem harmless, but it can lead to serious conditions like pancreatitis and gastroenteritis.

Keep an eye out for these clinical signs:
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Abdominal pain (restlessness, a hunched posture, or reluctance to move)
• Fever

Pancreatitis is a painful and potentially life-threatening condition that we often see spike around holidays due to table scraps and fatty leftovers. Gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines) is also common and can leave your pet feeling miserable.

To keep your pets safe this Easter:
• Don’t feed them ham or other fatty, salty foods
• Keep trash secured and out of reach
• Remind guests not to share table food with pets

If your pet shows any signs of illness, don’t wait — call Westside Animal Clinic right away.

Wishing you and your furry family members a safe and happy Easter!
— Your friends at Westside Animal Clinic

04/17/2025

Those Easter Baskets May Look Adorable — But They’re Not Pet-Friendly!

While you’re putting together colorful baskets for the kiddos, your curious pets might be eyeing them too—and that can spell trouble!
At Westside Animal Clinic, we want to make sure your Easter is filled with joy, not vet visits.

Why are they dangerous?
Many pets are attracted to shiny, stringy, or crinkly items like plastic grass, and plastic eggs can be fun to bat around—but if swallowed, they can lead to a foreign body obstruction in the stomach or intestines, which may require emergency surgery.

Signs your pet may have swallowed something they shouldn’t include:
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Abdominal pain or bloating
• Straining to defecate
• Gagging or attempts to vomit without success
• Restlessness or hiding behavior

If you see any of these symptoms—or suspect your pet got into the Easter basket—don’t wait.
📞 Call Westside Animal Clinic immediately at 352-683-1512
If it’s after hours, reach out to your local emergency vet clinic. Early treatment can make all the difference!

Keep baskets up high and decorations out of paw’s reach to ensure a safe, happy Easter for every member of the family (furry ones included!).

04/16/2025

Easter Warning for Cat Owners: Lilies Can Be Deadly!

As we celebrate the Easter season with beautiful flowers and festive decorations, Westside Animal Clinic wants to remind all cat owners:
Lilies and cats don’t mix.

Many lilies commonly used in Easter bouquets and arrangements are extremely toxic to cats—and even a small nibble or contact with the pollen can cause acute kidney failure.

Dangerous lily species include:
• Easter Lily
• Tiger Lily
• Asiatic Lily
• Daylily
• Stargazer Lily
• Japanese Show Lily

Symptoms of lily toxicity in cats may include:
• Vomiting
• Drooling
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Increased or decreased urination
• Seizures or tremors (in advanced cases)

This is not something to wait and watch—lily toxicity is a medical emergency.
If you suspect your cat has come into contact with a lily:
📞 Call Westside Animal Clinic immediately at 352-683-1512

If it’s after hours, contact your local emergency veterinary clinic right away—every second counts.

This Easter, choose pet-safe flowers—and help us spread the word. A beautiful bouquet should never come at the cost of your cat’s health.

From all of us at Westside Animal Clinic, stay safe and have a happy, cat-friendly Easter!

04/15/2025

Easter is sweet — but it can be dangerous for your dog!
With chocolate bunnies, eggs, and candy everywhere this time of year, it’s important to remember: chocolate is toxic to dogs — and even small amounts can cause big problems.

What makes chocolate dangerous?
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which dogs cannot process effectively.
The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is:
• Milk chocolate has lower theobromine levels, but can still be harmful in moderate amounts.
• Dark chocolate and baking chocolate contain much higher concentrations and are far more toxic — even small quantities can be life-threatening, especially for small dogs.

Signs of chocolate toxicity may include:
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Restlessness or hyperactivity
• Rapid breathing or panting
• Increased heart rate
• Muscle tremors or seizures
• In severe cases: collapse or death

What should you do if your dog eats chocolate?
Contact us right away — try to estimate how much and what type of chocolate was eaten.
📞Phone: (352) 683-1512
💌Email: [email protected]

If it’s after our regular hours, please contact your nearest emergency animal clinic immediately — time is critical when it comes to chocolate ingestion.

Let’s keep Easter safe and sweet — for humans only!
Keep all candy and chocolate well out of paw’s reach, and remind guests not to share with your furry family.

🩵Westside Animal Clinic

04/14/2025

Hoppy Easter, pet parents!
Easter fun is right around the corner, but did you know some of those festive goodies can be not-so-sweet for your furry friends?

This week, we’re going all in with daily posts about the hidden dangers of Easter for pets — think chocolate bunnies 🍫, plastic grass 🌿, and more sneaky culprits!

BUT WAIT — there’s more!
Check out our Facebook Stories for fun pop quizzes all week long! 🐾 Test your pet safety smarts and maybe learn a thing or two (no judgment — we’re all here to keep those tails waggin’ safely).

Questions or pet concerns?
Give us a call at (352) 683-1512 or email us anytime at [email protected] — we’re here to help!

Follow along, share with your fellow pet lovers, and let’s hop into a safe and happy Easter together! 🐰🌸🥚

— Your friends at Westside Animal Clinic

04/11/2025

Don’t let Dylan’s calm face fool you—he’s holding a Red-shouldered Hawk! 🦅😎
Chaz might look fierce (and with those talons, he is), but he was an absolute gentleman during his visit.
He’s a resident at Weeki Wachee Springs, but stopped by the clinic for a check-up—and handled it like a pro.
Red-shouldered hawks are known for their loud calls and bold personalities, but Chaz was all class today—and Dylan? Cool as ever.
Just another day at the clinic!

Arm pictured: Dr. Green maintaining a safe distance and listening to Chaz’s heart and lungs.
📸Thank you Holly for the fantastic photos!

04/09/2025

Wishing the very best of luck to our amazing technician Mackenzie as she heads out on maternity leave! 🤰👶
Your Westside Animal Clinic family is so excited for you and this next chapter. We’ll miss your kindness, hard work, and the joy you bring to the clinic every day — but we know you’re about to start your most important and rewarding job yet. Can’t wait to meet your little one! 🎊

04/08/2025

Meet Blake: Guardian of the Pharmacy

If you’ve ever wondered who’s really in charge at Westside Animal Clinic, it’s not the doctors—it’s Blake.

Our resident feline takes his job very seriously. Like a dragon guarding its treasure, Blake watches over the pharmacy shelves with a steely gaze and a twitch of his tail. No pill bottle goes uninspected. No treat stash is left unguarded.

Come for the veterinary care, stay for a glimpse of our majestic pharmacy dragon. Just don’t try to sneak past him—Blake sees all.

04/04/2025

🦸‍♂️ A New Hero in the Fight Against Parvo! 🦸‍♀️

Parvovirus is a dangerous villain, striking puppies with severe illness and life-threatening symptoms—but now, we have a powerful new defender! 💥

Introducing Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody Therapy, the breakthrough treatment that targets and neutralizes parvo, helping sick puppies recover faster, with fewer complications and lower treatment costs! 🦾🐶

But even heroes need sidekicks! The best defense against parvo is prevention. Make sure your pup is protected with the DHLPP vaccine, their ultimate shield against this deadly disease. 🛡️💉

If your puppy is at risk, showing symptoms, or needs their vaccinations, don’t wait!
Call us today at (352) 683-1512 or visit wacspringhill.com to learn more. Together, we can defeat parvo! 🦸‍♂️🐾

04/02/2025

🌸 Spring Allergies & Itchy Dogs – We Can Help! 🐶

Spring is here, and while we love the sunshine and blooming flowers, it can be a tough season for our furry friends! Just like humans, dogs can suffer from seasonal allergies, leading to itchy skin, excessive scratching, red paws, ear infections, and even hair loss.

Common signs of spring allergies in dogs:
🌸 Excessive licking, chewing, or scratching
🌸 Red, irritated skin or rashes
🌸 Watery eyes or sneezing
🌸 Frequent ear infections
🌸 Paw chewing or face rubbing

At Westside Animal Clinic, we offer effective solutions to help your pup feel their best! Apoquel tablets and Cytopoint injections provide fast, long-lasting relief from itching and inflammation caused by allergies. We also offer allergy testing, medicated shampoos, and other treatments tailored to your pet’s needs.

Don’t let allergies take the fun out of spring! Call us today to schedule an appointment and find the best relief for your dog. 🌿🐾

03/31/2025

🐶 Keep Your Puppy Healthy with Essential Vaccines! 💉

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but keeping them protected is key! At Westside Animal Clinic, we follow a standard vaccine protocol to safeguard your pup from serious diseases.

Here’s what your puppy’s vaccine schedule should look like:

✅ 6-8 weeks – Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza (DHPP), Bordetella (kennel cough), & Leptospirosis
✅ 10-12 weeks – DHPP booster & Leptospirosis booster
✅ 14-16 weeks – Final DHPP booster, Leptospirosis booster, and Rabies (required by law)
✅ Optional Vaccines – Lyme disease & Canine Influenza, based on lifestyle and risk

Following this schedule helps build strong immunity and keeps your puppy safe from preventable illnesses. Give your pup the best start—call us today to schedule their vaccines! 📞🐾

📍 Westside Animal Clinic
📞 (352) 683-1512
🌐 wacspringhill.com

03/20/2025

Jeff would like to wish everyone a happy first day of Spring!!
We hope you and your pets enjoy the beautiful weather outside.
Visit the link below from ASPCA for safe tips for your pets during this wonderful time of year.

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/springtime-safety-tips

02/12/2025

While enjoying your favorite candy on Valentine's Day, remember to keep your pets safe from Chocolate and other candy that may be toxic to them. Visit the link below from ASPCA for more safe tips and enjoy this delicious holiday.

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/valentines-day-safety-tips

12/13/2024

12/12/2024

We will be closing at 12pm on Tuesday, December 24 and closed Wednesday the 25 to celebrate Christmas. If your pet has an emergency please contact Animal Emergency of Hernando at 352-666-0904 or Animal Emergency of Pasco at 727-841-6575.
We wish you and your furry family a very Merry Christmas