Is My Goat Pregnant or Not?

Taking care of a goat can be a lot like taking care of a dog. They need exercise, food, water, and affection just like any other animal. And when they're pregnant, they need even more of these things, but how can you tell if your goat is pregnant or not?

The first thing you’ll want to look for is a change in behavior. A pregnant goat will often become more affectionate and seek out human contact, much like a dog does. They may also become less active than usual. 

The next thing to look for is a change in weight. A pregnant goat will usually gain around 25 pounds during their pregnancy. If you don’t see any changes in behavior or weight gain, then it’s safe to assume that your goat isn’t pregnant. 

If you think your goat might be pregnant, but it’s still too early to tell, then you should look at the teats of your goat. The teats should be swollen and circular in shape. If they are not, then it’s likely that she isn’t pregnant yet.

And if you have more questions or wish to schedule your goat for a checkup, feel free to call us, your local vet clinic Wichita KS, anytime!

Care Tips For Belgian Malinois

 

The Belgian Malinois thrives even in smaller spaces provided that they get enough stimulation. Although they like to be in a cool environment more, these dogs can also get accustomed to warm climates. Take note that Belgian Malinoises must be treated as a part of your family, thus requiring to be sheltered inside the house.

Jogging and long walks are a must. And if you can, it will also help if you let your dog exercise in a well-fenced space. These dogs won't be easily satisfied with routine walks; they need an activity that lasts 20 minutes 3-4 times each day. These dogs were made for action, so they thrive best with hiking or jogging enthusiasts. You may also train your dog for agility and obedience competitions. Whatever activity you choose, the important thing is that you keep your pooch active. Belgian Malinoises may run in circles in the yard— something they get from their history in herding.

Your pet will benefit from regular health and wellness checks at your pet hospital Wichita, KS.

Pet Cats And Children

 

Do you have wonderful kids? Do your little ones want to have a pet cat? Or are you the one who has been itching to adopt a kitten or a cat? Hey, stop thinking about it and wondering whether it is safe for you and your kids to have cats at home. 

When it comes to safety and security, you do not have anything to worry about bringing home a furry feline (or two). Experts say that it is up to you, parents, to familiarize your children with how they should treat or properly handle the pet cats

Facts show that children generally develop a good relationship with felines. Most kids understand the proper care of cats and why they should respect the rights of these animals. Be sure to inform your kids of the guidelines or rules they must follow before you bring home your new family member. Encourage your kids to help you take care of your new pet. It will be a great bonding time for you and your entire family.

However, do not consider getting a feline when you have a baby or a toddler at home. Babies and toddlers are too young to learn how they should behave with pets around.

Your veterinarian Wichita, KS is a valuable resource when it comes to issues that affect your pet’s health and behavior.

Why Horses Become Underweight

Is weight an issue among humans alone? No. Other living beings, like horses, experience issues with their weight as well. The majority of the horses suffer from being overweight, while the other half needs improvement regarding the scale of their body condition.

Your horses need to maintain a good weight scale — not too heavy, not too light — just the right measure. When your horses are underweight, they may have difficulty maintaining a normal body temperature during the cold months. 

Listed below are the common reasons how you can help your horses gain an ideal body weight:

Dental pain - This issue commonly occurs among horses and is a usual culprit of being underweight among them. How can you tell that your horses have dental pain? When you see them chew food on one side of their mouth, when they avoid drinking cold water, and when they spit out food often.

Internal problems - When your horses develop issues in the internal part of their body, such as intestinal parasites or gastric ulcers, their weight might be affected.

Active lifestyle - Some horses burn large amounts of calories because of their activeness in work or athletic encounters. Some horses also have fast metabolism.

If you want to make some adjustments to the daily diet of your horses, consult with your vet for a recommendation. You may also ask for suggestions regarding the activities to be done for weight improvement.

Any concern you may have about the diet of your horse should be brought to the attention of your reputed veterinary clinic Wichita KS.

Tips For Making The Beach A Happy And Safe Place For Your Dog

If you have a puppy, or your dog is short-legged or brachycephalic, or just has not learned to properly swim yet, think about getting him a life jacket for dogs.  He can wear this so he avoids becoming overly tired when in water.  Be sure to supervise your pet when he goes out to the water, be wary of deep water, riptides, and sharks.

Saltwater can irritate your pet’s paws and skin.  Therefore, rinse your dog with freshwater ideally before you leave the beach.  If this is not possible, rinse him as soon as you get home.  This helps in keeping him comfortable and his coat and skin healthy.

Lastly, bring along lots of towels and a thick blanket so you can line your car’s seat, specifically where the dog will sit during your ride home.  He may fall asleep along the way, which makes your day at the beach worth it.

Call your pet clinic Wichita KS to make sure that your pet’s preventatives and vaccinations are up to date before taking your pet on outdoor excursions.

When to Buy your Horse a New Rain Sheet

Some horse owners blanket their horses in the rain while others do not. A lot depends on where the horse lives, temperatures, age of horse, etc. It’s a decision up to the owner. If you do use rain sheets, a good sign that it’s time buy your horse a new rain sheet is when you remove the sheet after a day in the rain and find your horse is soaked. Water proof and water resistant materials on your horse’s blanket do not last for the lifetime of the blanket. In fact, if you wash your blanket with regular detergent you could strip the water resistant properties right off the blanket. You have a couple of options when your rain sheet is no longer protecting your horse from the rain. You can buy a new one, you can apply a water resisting spray yourself, or you can have it treated professionally. Learn more from your vet clinic Wichita KS.

Timeline for Weaning Puppies Like Golden Retrievers

If you’re caring for a litter of Golden Retriever pups then you may be wandering when you should start the weaning process. Contact your vet for help in setting up a weaning schedule and to learn the steps that are involved. Typically, weaning takes place when you gradually reduce a Golden Retriever puppy’s dependence or access to his mother’s milk and her care. Weaning typically begins at three or four weeks of age and should be complete by the time the Golden Retriever puppy reaches seven or eight weeks of age. The Golden puppies will need time to learn certain behaviors before weaning. For instance, they will learn how to interpret signs of dominance, restrain their own biting habits, and submit to more dominant dogs during their time with their siblings and mother. Talk with other puppy owners that have gone through similar processes and always feel free to consult with your animal hospital Derby.

Cutting Your Dog's Nails

 

If your dog makes a clicking noise when he walks across the floor, he may need his claws clipped. Long claws can actually cause quite a few problems for your pet. They'll make it hard for him to get traction on slippery surfaces. Plus, they'll be more likely to snag and tear on things, which can lead to tears and infections.

If you've never cut your dog's nails before, ask your vet to demonstrate proper techniques. You don't want to cut too far. If you do, you may cut the quick, which is where Fido's nerves and blood vessels end. That can be quite painful for your pet.

Clippers that have sensors in them can be very helpful with this, as they will indicate where to cut. You may also want to do some desensitization training. Teach your furry pal that he will get a treat for letting you handle his feet.

You can also schedule a nail trim with your vet clinic Wichita, KS. This can be worked into your dog's regular appointments or scheduled by itself.

Cow Myth: Only Bulls Have Horns

 

Have you always been under the impression that all cows with horns are bulls? If so, you may be surprised to know that is not quite true. Contrary to popular belief, both bulls (males) and heifers (females) can be born with horns. Farmers tend to remove the horns of cows when they are young calves in order to prevent them from hurting themselves or other cows or people around them. Cows that are born without horns or have their horns removed are referred to as being polled. Almost all breeds of cows are born with horns. Breeds with horns that grow out and then curve up include the Texas Longhorn, Florida Cracker/Pineywoods, Corriente and Scottish Highland. The only breed with horns growing downward is the English Longhorn. Hornless or polled breeds include the Black Angus and the Belted Galloway among several other breeds. Learn more from your vet Wichita, KS.

How to Feed Alfalfa Cubes

 

If you’re interested in feeding alfalfa cubes to your horse, donkey, cattle, livestock, etc., make sure you talk with your vet first. Alfalfa cubes are quantities of alfalfa hay that have been made into a cube form. Most alfalfa cubes are considered long stem forage due to the size of the particles of hay within the cube. If your livestock has never had alfalfa cubes make sure you introduce them slowly into their diet and watch to make sure each animal is able to chew and digest them. For animals such as older horses and older cows, the cubes will need to be soaked ahead of time for easy digestion. If you are using these cubes as a replacement for hay make sure you replace every one pound of hay with one pound of cubes. If your livestock has any history of choke, do not serve the alfalfa cubes dry. Click for more details from your vets Wichita, KS.