Including your pet in family activities

Your pet is a big part of your life and you want this to be reflected in your day to day activities. This means that you will do your best to include her in things you do with the rest of the family.

To help make this happen, you will need to evaluate what your family does and seek out activities that your pet naturally can be brought into. Alter others when appropriate to make them pet-friendly and then encourage her participation. You can always come up with new things you can do together as well. Try to help your pet comfortably socialize by making sure her needs are met in all of these situations, offering proper supervision, and alerting those participating in them of your pet’s personal preferences. Your best pet clinic New Orleans, LA can offer additional suggestions.

How Often Should Vaccinations Be Given In Pets?

There are several important factors that are often considered when it comes to the frequency of vaccination in pets. These factors include the animal’s lifestyle, medical history, the type of vaccine that will be given, the animal’s age, and environment. For puppies, a series of vaccinations are given from when they are 6-8 weeks old. Three vaccinations are given by a veterinarian at 3-4 week intervals. The final dose of this initial vaccination series should be given at 16 weeks old. For adults dogs, Certain vaccines are given annually, while there are vaccines that are administered every 3 years or longer. For kittens, A series of vaccines is given around 6-8 weeks old at 3-4 week intervals until kittens are 16 weeks old. For adult cats, re-vaccination (booster shots) are given annually or every 3 years.

Your veterinarian Greater Cincinnati is a valuable source of information about your pet’s health and well-being.

Arthritis In Pet Rabbits

Rabbits can get arthritis, too. It is a painful condition brought about by years of wear and tear of a joint. The inflammation can cause mobility problems. Arthritis in rabbits usually affect those that are in their middle and senior years. Rabbits that are well past 6 years of age tend to have some form of arthritis, although the problem can occur pretty much earlier. Giant breed rabbits have been observed to develop the problem earlier than smaller breeds. The joints that are commonly affected include the hips, knees, and elbows, but other joints can be affected, too. Rabbits try their best to show any signs of pain, an instinct they have as prey creatures. Thus, rabbit owners frequently miss the symptoms until the problem is well-advanced, when pain and mobility problems are already present. The best way to take a proactive approach to your pet’s health and well-being is to get annual checkups with the veterinarian Norfolk, VA. Schedule an appointment today!

Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?

Even if dogs are often considered carnivores, they really need the fiber from grass and other plant sources in order to promote a healthy digestive system. Eating grass can actually help get rid of an irritant in the dog’s upper digestive tract, such as in the esophagus or stomach. The fiber also helps improve the process of digestion, eliminate intestinal worms, and correct some nutritional imbalance.

“Grazing” in dogs is an instinct to self-medicate, a trait that domestic dogs have inherited from their ancestors that lived and survived the harsh conditions of the wild. For some dogs, eating grass is associated with pica, a behavior characterized by eating non-food items. Dogs that suffer specific nutritional imbalances may also turn to eating grass in an effort to meet their needs and correct the deficiency. 

Your vet Norfolk, VA is a valuable source of information about your pet’s health and/or behavior.

Dog Flu

Dog flu is caused by a virus. Although the symptoms that are manifested are quite similar to flu in humans, the strain of the virus differs between species. Dogs suffering from flu suffer from a runny nose, fever, and may be coughing or sneezing. They may also appear lethargic. However, there are also ill dogs that don’t show any symptoms (asymptomatic). While many dogs recover from flu, fatalities are often caused by complications such as severe respiratory infections and pneumonia. Young puppies and geriatric dogs have higher risks of developing complications; puppies, because their immune system is still developing, and senior dogs because of their deteriorating immune system function due to aging. Brachycephalic dogs (short-nosed breeds) tend to have a hard time with the flu because of the anatomy of their upper respiratory tract.

Talk with your veterinarian Norfolk, VA about the best way to protect your pet against canine influenza.

Urine Crystals In Dogs

There are many possible reasons for the formation of urine crystals in dogs. These include the following: 

• A diet that contains high quantities of grains 
• Low quality pet food with lots of fillers 
• Dog food that is highly-processed 
• Urine pH imbalance 
• Crystallogenic substances (crystal-forming substances) low urine solubility 
• Abnormal mineral concentration associated with changes in the concentration of urine 
• Certain types of medications or diagnostic agents that are eliminated through the urine 

The time of urine collection can also affect the concentration of urine crystals. Urine samples that are obtained after a meal often have higher concentrations. This is one important reason why your veterinarian may recommend fasting in dogs that need their urine examined. Urinalysis can detect the presence of urine crystals. If crystals are present, these are analyzed so the pH and the mineral content can be determined.  

If your pet has been found to have urine crystals, ask your veterinarian Norfolk, VA about treatment options that are available including the pros and cons of each.

Dogs and Mites

Mites are not a good thing for dogs. They are a pest and a nuisance. If you notice your dog is constantly scratching at his ears, shaking his head, or is even shedding more than usual then he could have some type of mite or skin parasite. The best thing to do is notify your vet and take your dog in for a quick exam. Mites in dogs usually come in different types. The most common is the Cheyletiella mite. This mite is highly contagious. It is a parasite that feeds on the layers of a dog’s skin. If your dog has mites you should check your other pets for mites as well as yourself and other family members. Mites can actually live off of the host and they can be transmitted to people. Mite infestations can be similar to flea infestations. Your vet may recommend flea removal treatments to treat your home for a mite infestation. Learn more here or call your veterinary clinic Lewisville, TX for help.