Tips for Checking on a Friend’s Cat

 

You are doing your friend a real favor by checking in on their cat while they’re away, but that doesn’t mean their furry friend thinks so!

If you want to make your check ins more pleasant, try and come at the same time every day. It’s even better if you can come at the same time the cat is used to getting fed. Their kitty will start to expect you, and knowing you’re going to feed him, he’s likely to come running when you open the door.

Treats can help a lot too. If your friend’s cat likes to hide when you come over, try luring him out with treats.

Make sure you play with the cat so he gets a little bit of exercise while your friend is gone. Scooping the litter box is a good idea too!

For more tips on taking care of someone else’s cat, call your animal hospital Oconomowoc WI.

Heartworm Testing In Dogs

Experts recommend heartworm testing for dogs during late spring or early summer. It is during this time of the year when mosquitoes are very active and are able to transmit the organism that causes heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis. There are 3 developmental stages in the lifecycle of heartworms - adults, microfilariae, and larvae. The adults live in the pulmonary artery and the heart while the microfilariae are present in the peripheral blood. When a mosquito bites an infected animal, they can pick up the microfilariae which eventually mature to stage 3 larvae inside the body of the mosquito. This maturation usually takes about 3 weeks during warmer weather. When the infected mosquito feeds on a susceptible dog, it injects the stage 3 larvae. Inside the body of the dog, it will take 6-7 months for the stage 3 larvae to mature into adult worms. Before a dog is placed on heartworm preventatives, they should undergo testing for heartworm. Ask your veterinarians Oconomowoc, WI about the best way to protect your pet against heartworm disease.