Dangers Ticks Pose For Cats

 

Ticks are parasites that suck blood from pets, like cats and dogs. These parasites are considered by professionals as creepy crawlers that are difficult to remove from your pets’ skin. Be wary that ticks do not only endanger or harm your pets but also you and your entire family. 

Yes, that is right. Ticks can become a problem for your home because they are carriers of numerous illnesses that may affect everyone in your household. For this reason, you must do your best to search for effective ways that can help find, remove, and prevent ticks.

Normally, cats acquire ticks when they go outdoors. Ticks exist in shady and moist places, like low shrubs and tall grasses. Thus, when you give your cat a few minutes of playtime in your yard, she may be exposed to these parasites. 

What illnesses can your cats develop from ticks? Some of them are as follows:

Lyme disease (affects humans) 

Hemobartonellosis (may affect humans)

Bobcat fever (only affects cats)

Tularemia

Cytauxzoonosis

Ehrlichiosis

Babesiosis

Consult your veterinarian Kerrville TX about the best way to eliminate ticks from your pet and for protection from future infestations.

Hair Coat Color And Grooming Needs Of Bulldogs

Bulldogs have fine, straight, short, glossy, and smooth coats. The skin on their heads, shoulders, and necks is especially loose, and their heads have wrinkles. Their throat has 2 loose folds, forming a dewlap. Soli black coats aren't common in Bulldogs, but instead, you will most likely see:

●Fawn

●Solid red

●Solid white

●Red brindle (or other colors of brindle)

●Fallow

●Pale yellow

●Yellow red

●Large spots of more than one color (also called piebald)

Brushing should be done every week using firm bristle brushes. To clean their nose and wrinkles:

●Wipe their face daily using damp cloths, ensuring that it's well-dried afterward. You may also use baby wipes with aloe vera and lanolin in wiping.

●If irritation inside the wrinkles occurs, consult a vet for an ointment.

●Wash your pet's nose and put petroleum jelly. This will help keep your Bulldog's nose soft and ensure that it will not become flaky and dry over time.

Excessive hair loss or other skin and hair coat issues should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian Kerrville TX.

Hip Dysplasia in Pit Bulls

 

Hip Dysplasia is a developmental condition in dogs that happens during the growth stage when the ball and socket do not develop properly. Instead of sliding smoothly, this loose hip joint rubs and grinds, making it difficult and painful for dogs to move about causing further damage, which is the wear and tear of the joints. Later on, this may cause osteoarthritis in older dogs.

Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease that is affected by multiple factors such as environment, diet, exercise, growth rate, and hormones. This is especially common in larger dog breeds such as pit bulls. 

Knowing that your pit bull is genetically predisposed to hip and joint-related health concerns later on, you should know the symptoms to watch out for. Here are some of them:

• Lack of activity
• Reluctance jumping, running, climbing stairs
• Lameness of back leg
• Odd gait
• Signs of pain

If you have concerns about your pet's health and/or behavior, make an appointment with your veterinary hospital Kerrville TX.

Do Cats Get Cold?

 

Cats are versatile when it comes to adapting to their environment. However, they also succumb to hazardous health issues such as frostbite and hypothermia if temperatures drop too low. Many cat owners question how to determine if the weather is already too cold for their cats, especially during winter. Whether you have a cat that enjoys snuggling in the bed or one that likes chasing prey in the snow, it is essential to know how to protect it from the chilly weather.

Cold temperatures are not a problem for most cats. Cats that spend lots of time outside know when to return inside the house. However, it is best not to leave your cat outside overnight when the temperature drops to prevent frostbite and hypothermia. Veterinarians do not recommend letting pet cats outdoors without adequate protection from the freezing weather and predators. You may provide shelter in your yard should your cat desire to remain outside the house.

If your pet is showing signs of hypothermia, contact your veterinary hospital Kerrville TX immediately. 

Are White-Coated Cats Prone To Deafness?

 

This question has been looked into by numerous studies throughout the years. People from around the world have assumed that white felines with blue eyes are mostly deaf or are prone to becoming one.

But, the researchers have found out that:

About thirty-one percent of these felines have a normal sense of hearing.

7% of white cats with yellow peepers are deaf.

Thirty-seven percent of white cats that possess blue eyes are deaf. This finding is way below the population that thinks that all white cats cannot hear.

Note that different cat breeds with pure white fur coats and that have varied colors of eyes have risks of becoming deaf. 

What are these cat breeds? The list includes Devon Rex, American shorthair, Turkish Angora, Main Coon, and Cornish Rex. Because of their fur color and eye quality, most people think these cats are born without hearing. But, this is not a reality in all cases. It still depends on several factors.

Any sign of illness exhibited by your pet should require a visit to your veterinary hospital Kerrville TX for proper medical attention. To know more, look at their profile.

Which Is The Best Dog Leash To Buy? – Tips and Recommendations

When selecting a leash, consider where and how you're going to use it. Is it for everyday use, indoor, outdoor, or distance command training?

Indoors

It's advisable to use the one made of long, thin, and rounded nylon. It's lightweight and not likely to get caught up on your furniture.

Outdoors

A nylon leash about 8-10 feet long is the best. But for distance command, 30-50 feet long is better. Either way, nylon webbing leashes are the best. Wear gloves to avoid having rope burns that result from slipping your hands through the cord when you and your dog pull the leash against each other.

Everyday Use

Get the traditional 6-foot long nylon/leather leash. Its length is just right to let your dog move freely while keeping him close and controllable. Leather and nylon are both excellent choices, but rubber and cloth are not since these materials aren't durable and strong enough.

Make sure that your pet’s preventatives and vaccines are up to date before outdoor excursions. Call your animal hospital Kerrville TX for more information. 

Food Allergies In Cats

 

Be keen on these signs to hint you if your cat has food allergies:

●itchy skin

●chronic ear infection

●gastrointestinal irritation

●vomiting

●diarrhea

●too much gassiness

The vet may prescribe a specific diet to accommodate your cat's allergy. You'll know that it's a food allergy if your cat stops showing the symptoms.

Your cat may suffer from food allergies whether you've been using the same food brand for a long time or not. You may try a hypoallergenic or a novel-ingredient diet to confirm food allergies.

On the other hand, there are rare cases of drug allergies in cats. The symptoms are almost similar to the signs of food allergies - itching, fever, hair loss, hives, etc. If the allergy is severe, your cat may experience anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis includes difficulty in breathing, seizures, collapse, or even death. 

If your pet is showing any signs of illness, make an appointment with your animal hospital Kerrville TX. 

Dogs And Socks: Are You Encouraging Your Dog's Behavior?

 

 

All dog owners want their pets to be loved, supported, and safe. We would also like it if our pet dogs remain healthy and in good condition. When you give your pet some socks, it will help him deal with some emotional issues. They will also feel safe and secure.

In effect, you are encouraging your dog to chew on socks because you give them to him. But there are consequences in allowing your dog to chew socks.

You should put away your dirty laundry in places where your dog is unable to go. This should be your solution if you don’t want your pet messing with your stuff. Instead, you should give a toy that will substitute for the sock.

On the other hand, you should still keep an eye on your dog if you want to encourage him to chew socks. There might be some pieces of clothing that might fall off and your dog might ingest it. You might also make sure that there are no toxic substances on the sock.

If you have concerns about your pet’s behavior, contact your vet clinic Kerrville TX. Learn more here.

Are You Co-Sleeping With Your Pet Dog?

 

There are various opinions on whether the dog should co-sleep with its owner. Some owners think that the dog should sleep in his bed or crate but be in the same room.

On the other hand, some dog owners feel that it is acceptable for the pet dog to share the bed. Doing so has some advantages.

When the owner and dog co-sleep, they form a stronger bond. The two can also spend more time, especially if the owner is away most of the time.

The dog will also feel safe and secure when he is with his human. The dog can also relax when he is in the presence of his owner.

The owner can get warmth from their dog. It would be nice to be a bed companion especially when it is cold.

Co-sleeping should be a fun experience for both. If you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s behavior, don’t hesitate to contact your animal hospital Kerrville TX.

Attention-Seeking Habits Of Cats

Pet cats are known to display habits to capture their owner’s attention.  Spending some time playing with your pet will allow you to distinguish habits and behaviors that indicate she is anxious or ill and those that just simply means she wants your attention.

Sickness

●If your cat starts to meow that seems to sound distraught and alarmed, it might indicate health issues like thirst, hunger, pain, or various other conditions.  Visiting your animal clinic is the recommendation here.

Attention-seeking habits

●Pet cats also want companionship even if it seems that they are not as friendly as dogs.  Cats will wail and become annoying, wanting some playtime with you.  If you ignore her, she could just continue meowing, louder even.  Now, these attention-seeking cat tactics might seem adorable, but be careful not to reinforce them.  Doing so could lead to your cat developing unwanted behaviors that become too difficult to unlearn.

Any sudden change to your cat’s behavior must be brought to the attention of your professional animal hospital Kerrville TX.