Protecting Your Pet Cat Or Dog From Skin Cancer

The risk factors for skin cancer in cats or dogs include exposure to the UV rays of the sun and breed predisposition. Thin-haired pets and light-colored breeds are also more prone to developing skin cancer because their skin is more exposed to the sun. Basset hounds, bloodhounds, and certain other breeds are genetically predisposed to developing squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.

Preventing excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays is one way to protect your pet from skin cancer. You can also let your pet wear shirts or any type of protective clothing if they have very thin hair coats, just make sure that they are comfortable wearing it. You can also apply sunscreen to certain areas of the animal’s body such as the nose and including the bridge of the nose. Make sure that you are using sunscreen that is safe for use in pets. You should consult your veterinarian for any recommendations. Sunscreen that contains zinc oxide and/or para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) should NOT be used in pets because these chemicals are toxic to them.

If your pet cat or dog belongs to the breeds that are more prone to developing skin cancer, you must be vigilant in detecting early signs of cancer. Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment can help improve the prognosis. Any bump or lump on your pet’s body that wasn’t there before should be brought to the attention of an animal hospital Jacksonville, FL.

Myths About Dog Ear Infections Busted

Ear infections are very common problems in dogs. Although signs are not hard to miss, it can be tricky to make ear infections go away and never come back. A dog with infection of the outer ear may appear to be shaking his head persistently, there’s redness and swelling within the ears, scratching at the ears, and a foul-smelling discharge from the ears. Here are some common myths about ear infections that have been busted:

Myth: Ear infections can be cured by apple cider vinegar.

Fact: Apple cider vinegar can be used as one of the ingredients in making an ear-cleaning solution. However, this type of solutions are discouraged because it can actually increase the risk of infection.

Myth:  Leftover medication from a previous infection should never be used.

Fact: It’s important to have your dog examined by a veterinarian before any treatment is provided. Even if you are tempted, using leftover medication should never be done, even if the problem appears to be similar to the previous one.

Myth: Infection can occur from cleaning your dog’s ears.

Fact: Ear infections in dogs usually develop as a result of an underlying condition. It may be caused by bacteria, yeast, allergies, trauma, tumors, foreign material, and hormonal problems. There are also certain breeds of dogs that are more prone to developing ear infections because of the anatomy of their ears.

Any signs of ear problems should be brought to the attention of a veterinarian Century West, OR.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Ways To Treat Dental Disease In Pets

Dental disease in pet cats and dogs is more than just plaque, tartar, and tooth loss. It also involves infection, pain, and inflammation which, when left untreated can possibly lead to serious problems in the heart, liver, and kidney as pathogens from the mouth reach major body organs via the bloodstream.

If a cat or dog is found to be suffering from tooth and gum problems, a veterinarian have several treatment options to choose from depending on the existing problem and its severity, as well as the health status of the patient. These options include the following:

Dental prophylaxis

The procedure involves placing a cat or dog under general anesthesia so the mouth and its associated structures can be examined thoroughly, any plaque and tartar removed, sealants may be applied if needed, etc.

Periodontal surgery

This may be necessary when there are deeper than normal periodontal pockets around the animal’s teeth. There is a need to keep the tooth root surface smooth and clean to encourage reattachment of gum tissue. There may be a need to make a periodontal flap so all affected parts of a tooth can be accessed. In severe cases, bone grafts may be necessary.

Tooth extraction

Teeth that are severely compromised need to be removed if the vet thinks this is the only way to cure advanced or severe cases of periodontal disease.

Home care

The most important way to keep your pet’s teeth healthy is to provide regular home dental care. Ideally, brushing of your pet’s teeth should be done everyday.

Your pet will benefit from regular wellness checks and dental visits at your pet clinic Scottsdale, AZ.

Obesity Is An Important Reason to Change Your Pet’s Food

The nutritional needs of dogs vary individually. These will depend on a variety of factors such as the dog’s lifestage, lifestyle, activity level, health status, etc. There are so many premium-quality pet food options that are now available and getting the right food for your pet is very important to the animal’s health and well-being. One of the important reasons to consider changing your pet’s food is when the animal is carrying excess weight. A dog that is overweight or obese can be prone to a variety of serious health issues. It can also have a negative impact on their quality of life. There are many reasons for weight gain in pets, such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease. But in most cases, the dog may be consuming more calories that what he’s burning, causing the extra calories to be stored as fat. Talk to a vet Bend, OR to know more about your pet’s dietary needs.

How Skin Allergy Testing In Dogs Is Performed

There are several types of allergy testing that is performed in dogs and one of these is skin allergy testing. The procedure is more invasive compared to blood allergy testing. The dog needs to be sedated because there is a need to keep the patient still during the test. Once the dog is sedated, it is placed on its side and a small area on its side is shaved. Next several test allergens are injected in tiny amounts via individual small needles. The allergens are injected in a specific pattern and order just under the skin of the patient so the allergen can be identified if there is a small raised reaction on the dog’s skin. The skin is usually examined after a few hours to determine if there is a reaction and which allergens elicited a response. Based on the results, your vet Scottsdale, AZ can prescribe an appropriate treatment protocol. 

Do All Pets Need Vaccines?

Yes, all pets need to be adequately protected against specific illnesses that are serious, life-threatening, and some of which can be transmitted to humans. There are states that has laws requiring certain vaccinations. While rules and regulations tend to vary, one type of vaccination that appears to be mandatory throughout the world is rabies. However, there are other types of vaccinations that depends on the advice of the veterinarian or the owner.

Core and non-core vaccines

Core vaccines for diseases that can cause serious illness or death, easily transmissible, or pose a significant risk to humans. On the other hand, non-core vaccines are indicated for disease that pose a risk to certain animals.

When deciding whether your pet needs a certain vaccine or not, you should openly discuss the lifestyle of your pet with your vet Newmarket, ON who will be asking you several questions to assess your pet’s need for a particular vaccine. Click here for more information.

Tips To Keep Your Pet’s Immune System Healthy

The immune system plays a very important role in protecting your pet from illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, allergens, and other pathogens. While there is no magic pill to keep the immune system integrity and function at their optimum, there are certain lifestyle choices that you can make to help keep your pet’s immune system healthy. These include:

Regular physical activity

Exercise is an excellent immunity booster. It can do wonders to your pet’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Also, exercise helps reduce inflammation.

Healthy diet

Feed your pet on a premium quality diet for the lifestage he is in. Quality pet food meets AAFCO standards and ensures a complete and balanced diet for pets.

Healthy weight

A pet that is overweight or obese have higher risks of developing serious health issues. Excess weight increases the body’s susceptibility to inflammation.

Bathing

Dogs with allergies benefit from being bathed regularly, every 2-4 weeks or so.

Vaccination, preventatives, worming, etc.

These are important components of preventive health and can help the immune system fight off potential pathogens and illnesses. Talk to your veterinarian Seminole, FL about the best way to protect your pet against diseases.