Preventing Your Dog from Jumping Up on People

Your dog most likely jumps up on people because he was encouraged to as a puppy. However, now that he is a grown dog, jumping up isn’t fun for people at all. Thus, you need to prevent this behavior and encourage your dog to do something more appropriate. Anytime your dog starts to jump up on you, turn around quickly so that he drops to the ground. Don’t make a fuss and don’t punish him as he learns. Be patient and praise your dog and give him food treats when all four feet are on the ground. Practice this maneuver as often as needed and encourage other family members and trusted guests to help too. Anticipate when your dog will jump up and insist, he sit by you instead. If he is sitting quietly by your side, he can’t be misbehaving. Learn more from your vet clinic Santa Rosa, CA.

Environmental Causes Of Ear Infections In Pets

Environmental conditions exert an important influence on an animal’s risk to developing ear infections. Heat and humid conditions provide a favorable environment for bacteria and/or yeast to grow and multiply and start an infection. There are also certain particles from the environment that can easily get inside the ear canal of pets and cause irritation. These include dirt, parts of plants, or water. The presence of a foreign material along any part of the ear triggers defensive response of the body that involves swelling which can create a blockage of the ear canal and possibly loss of hearing. The irritation causes the animal to scratch at their ears eventually leading to infection. Hypersensitivity to certain allergens in the environment can also increase an animal’s risk to suffering from ear infections. 

If your pet has been diagnosed with an ear infection, speak with your veterinarian Mt. Airy, MD regarding treatment options that are available.

Set an appointment here: https://mtairyvets.com/

How Much Litter Is To Be Placed In A Litter Box?

Cats are such fussy creatures and even the amount of litter inside their litter boxes can make or break their toilet habits. Too much litter can end up being kicked out of the litter box and soiling the immediate surroundings. They’ll also get tracked everywhere. With too much litter, they’ll surely find their way into your floor or carpet. Putting in too much litter is also a waste of resources. The litter needs to be replaced regularly and even if your pet’s litter box is filled with litter, it won’t free you from the task of scooping or cleaning the litter box. Not putting in enough litter is an important predisposing factor of litter box aversion. With less litter to absorb urine, you have to deal with odor problems, making the litter box less inviting to your kitty. As a general rule, a 3-4 inch layer of litter is enough to give your kitty enough depth for digging and covering their waste after every use of the box. 

Sudden changes in your pet’s elimination habits should be brought to the attention of a veterinarian Mt. Airy, MD.

Tips To Protect Your Pet Hamster From Tyzzer's Disease

Tyzzer’s disease can be fatal for pet hamsters if prompt medical intervention is not given. It is highly contagious thus hamster owners should know how to protect their pets against the disease. Here are some preventive measures to protect pet hamsters from Tyzzer’s disease:

• Keep the hamster’s enclosure and immediate environment clean. Bedding should be removed and disposed of properly and replaced with a new layer after the enclosure has been cleaned and dried. This should be done at least once a week.  

• The hamster’s enclosure should be cleaned thoroughly and disinfected at least once a month. This should complement the weekly removal and replacement of bedding.  

• Avoid exposing your pet hamsters to stressful environments. Stressed hamsters have higher risks of getting sick. Loud noises, frequent and/or rough handling, and not getting enough sleep, are just some of the common stressors of pet hamsters. 

Consult with your veterinarian Bourne, MA if you have any questions and/or concerns about your pet’s health and well-being. Read more here.

Cats and Constipation

Constipation can happen on occasion in people and in animals including cats. Signs that your cat may be constipated include your cat straining to poop, leaving small or hard clips of poop in the litter box, or even just living small liquid pieces in the litter box. This could be a clue that your cat has something going on. You should call your vet and schedule an exam. Cats should have one bowel movement a day. If your cat doesn’t have a bowel movement one day then wait to make sure the cat has one the next day. If not then call the vet. Other signs of constipation may include mucous or blood covered stools, loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, abdominal discomfort and even lack of self grooming. Low fiber diets, dehydration, excessive grooming and numerous hairballs can all be causes for constipation. Learn more here or call your vet Anderson, IN.

Urinary Tract Disease In Cats

Is your cat urinating in various spots other than the litter box? Inappropriate elimination may indicate the presence of serious underlying issues that could possibly be behavior or medical in nature.

One of the common causes of inappropriate elimination in cats is feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). It is actually a condition that involves several diseases affecting the lower urinary tract, including the bladder and urethra of cats. Signs of FLUTD include:

• Difficulty in urinating

The cat appears to be straining in an effort to urinate. This may be caused by inflammation of the urinary bladder (cystitis). The problem is more common in male cats than their female counterparts.

• Pain and discomfort while urinating

The cat may cry out in pain while trying to urinate. They may lick their behind and their abdomen in an effort to alleviate the pain.

• Frequent urge to pass urine

While the urge to urinate seems to be constant, only a small amount of urine is expelled each time the cat tries to pee.

• Blood-tinged urine

The problem is more common among female cats than in males.

A cat showing any of these symptoms should be brought to an animal hospital Bourne, MA immediately. Visit this link to learn more: https://sandwichvets.com/

Foreign Body Ingestion In Pet Ferrets

Ferrets are such curious creatures and they love to chew! Ingestion of foreign bodies is a common problem especially in ferrets less than a year old as they love to use their sense of taste to learn more about their environment. Before letting your pet ferret out of their enclosure, make sure that the room has been ferret-proofed to prevent any unfortunate circumstances. These include anything made of plastic, rubber, foam, rubber bands, headphones, or anything that can possibly cause obstruction along any part of the gastrointestinal tract when ingested. A blockage can mean expensive surgery to remove which can also be life-threatening. Unfortunately, many ferret owners are unable to know that their pets have swallowed something except if they have seen it with their own eyes. Also, many types of foreign objects can be difficult to identify during routine x-rays. A ferret that has ingested a foreign object have vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, lethargy, and unexplained weight loss. The presence of a complete obstruction along any part of the GIT often cause “vomiting of a severe, projectile nature”. 

Sudden changes in your pet’s health and/or behavior should be brought to the attention of a vet Auburn Hills, MI. Click this website Orion Animal Care Center for additional details.