Can Cats Digest Milk ?

As a rule of thumb, it is always best to consult the vet before feeding your cat anything that she has not tried before. This is mostly true for dairy food products such as cheese, bread, milk, etc. Because cats are known to be lactose intolerant, there is a high chance that their digestive system could not tolerate food that is rich in milk or dairy.

If an animal is lactose intolerant, that means its body may not produce enough enzymes that are responsible for digesting milk and dairy. In most cases, when a cat is given milk or other similar products in their diet, the cat may show signs of digestive issues such as an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, swelling of the tummy area, etc.

Take note that these conditions can be fatal so it is never advisable to feed your cat any type of food without making sure it is safe for your cat.

If you have any concerns about your pet's health and/or behavior, make an appointment with an animal hospital Wichita, KS.

Signs Of Illness In Pet Snakes

If you are a novice owner of a pet snake, you may be surprised to know that your snake can get sick too. The interesting thing is, since snakes move slowly, it may be hard for you to determine when they are sick as most often than not, they will not show signs right away.

The signs and symptoms may be different according to the type of snake that you have. You will have to be observant of your snake’s behavior to prevent any serious medical issues that may arise.

In general, you can tell your snake is sick if he shows one or more of the following signs:

●Listless and coils up, hides, or buries himself.

●Loss of appetite and weight loss

●Dry skin, deep, sunken eyes

●Incomplete shedding of the skin

●Swelling and soreness near the mouth

To know more, contact your local vet Wichita KS.

 

Irish Red And White Setter

 

Irish Red-and-white Setters, considered today a distinguished breed, almost went extinct when breeders focused on the all-red type. Training may take some time with these gundogs, but they turn out to be loyal, reliable hunters. In addition, they excel as family companions, but these highly energetic dogs need a lot of exercise— apartment life and owners who can't satisfy their activity needs aren't suitable for them. But with lots of physical and mental stimulation, this breed's the best.

Irish Setters back then could be red or red-and-white until breeders started to focus on red Irish Setters, which almost caused the extinction of Red-and-white Setters. Fortunately, the variety was saved and considered a different breed from their red cousins.

These pups take their time to learn until they eventually become reliable hunters. They have amazing enthusiasm in life, plus they're excellent companions to bigger children who can already keep up with the dog's rambunctiousness. Overall, all they need are enough space to run around, consistency, and patience.

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

How To Keep Your Turtle’s Shell Clean

 

In most cases, turtles live in water. So, if you decide to bring home one to be your pet, be sure to ready a huge tank where you can place him. Your turtle may also need an area to stay and linger and to get off the water once in a while. The same tank can also serve as your turtle’s drinking pot and soaking bowl.

Now, you may wonder about the temperature of your turtle’s water tank. Is there any recommendation? Yes, there is. 

Keep in mind that the water temperature depends on the kind of turtle you have. If you are not familiar yet with it, ask your vet. If you have the common red-eared slider turtle, the water must be kept at a temperature of mid-to-low-70s°F.

You must install a water heater in the tank of your turtles if you live in a cold area. You should also use a filtering system that maintains the water tank clean and free from any debris.

Regularly clean the tank and change the water to keep your turtles healthy and happy.

Any sign of illness exhibited by your pet should require a visit to your veterinary health center Wichita, KS for proper medical attention.

Getting to Know the Miniature Long-Haired Dachshund

Don’t be fooled by these short-legged dogs as they are still muscular, powerful, and strong. They have highly developed forelegs and broad chests, keys to their strength and power. 

Among the hound dogs, the miniature long-haired dachshunds are the smallest. Their size is measured by chest girth, and these miniatures have an average chest girth of around 31-35 cm. They can weigh up to 5 kg only.

The miniature long-haired dachshund is known as an independent and intelligent dog. When a dog has a mind of its own, it can be assumed that training sessions will be a little bit challenging. You need to be firm with your approach to achieve your training goals.

The miniature long-haired dachshund is the friendliest among the dachshunds. They love to be around people and are affectionate. They also enjoy the company of other dogs and animals.

Consult your vet Wichita, KS about the best ways to protect your pet from various health issues.

Curved Bills in Conures

Did you know that like most parrots, the Conure has a curved bill or beak; however, it is shaped differently? The conure’s bill or beak is different than the typically pointed beak found in other birds. Your vet can tell you that the curved bills are designed to give the Conure the ability to climb things like trees and large shrubs. In the wild, Conures are accustomed to climbing trees and using their bill as an aid. They stick their bill into the tree and the curve serves as a hook providing a secure hold for the Conure to climb. This is a key point to remember when holding your Conure. If he feels uncomfortable in any way, he may use his bill to latch on to your finger! In addition to climbing, the bill also helps the Conure eat a variety of foods including different types of seed and nuts. For additional information, call your vet clinic Wichita KS.

Cats and Dogs at Hotels

 

Do you travel with your cat or dog? It’s becoming pretty popular to travel with dogs and cats and stay overnight in hotels. Dogs often travel more often but cats have been known to travel and stay in hotels with their owners as well. What hotels allow pets? You can find out by calling your favorite hotel ahead of your planned visit. You can also look online at websites that are devoted to the listing dog and cat-friendly hotels. If you’re traveling with your cat or dog it may be a good idea to map out your hotel stays ahead of time so there are no surprises along the way. Your pup or feline may need to be in a carrier or on a leash at check-in. For cats in carriers, make sure you ask to make sure the cat is allowed to come out of the carrier once in the room. Always ask your animal hospital Wichita, KS for copies of pet medical records for traveling.

Tips To Keep Senior Cats Mentally Alert

 

FCD or Feline Cognitive Dysfunction is a condition linked with age that can affect quite a number of cats.  It is fortunate that keeping your cat active with mental and physical stimulation helps in delaying or even outright preventing the onset of FCD.  Being overweight or obese is one other result of a cat living a sedentary lifestyle.  Cats are natural hunters, therefore, they require activities that will stimulate them to display predatory behaviors.  Frequent physical activities will maintain their alertness and will keep them active.  In addition to postponing mental aging, keeping an active routine will benefit a pet cat in staving off health risks.

One good way in encouraging your cat to be on her toes is to hide several of her most liked treats about the house.  The treats should be hidden in locations that are strategic enough so that your cat will be all-around your home, climbing and walking, all the while figuring out ways to locate the treats giving her mental exercise as well.

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

Conjunctivitis in Dogs Like the Beagle

Dogs can be prone to pink eye or conjunctivitis in much the same way people are. If you’re familiar with pink eye in people then you have a head start on the illness in dogs such as the Beagle. Conjunctivitis can be bacterial, viral or an allergic reaction referred to as red eye or pink eye. If you believe your Beagle may have conjunctivitis, call your vet right away. Symptoms of conjunctivitis includes redness, puffy eyelids, discharge, watery eyes, scratching at eyes, squinting, and even the sticking together of the eyelids. Conjunctivitis causes an itchy irritation to the eye and most often involves a discharge of a thick gummy substance. Common causes include allergic reactions to allergies in the air or other allergens. It can also occur as a result of a cold, upper respiratory infection or sore throat. Consult with your vets Wichita, KS to learn more about treatment options.

Transmission of Heartworms in Black Sable Ferrets

 

Ferrets like the Black Sable ferret can be susceptible to heartworms in much the same way as dogs and cats? The disease; however, is more serious for ferrets due to their size. A heartworm is usually a foot-long worm that is capable of invading the heart, lungs and blood vessels of your ferret. The disease can be fatal as it can cause permanent damage to your ferret’s heart and lungs. Unlike dogs and cats, it only takes a single heartworm to cause permanent damage to your ferret’s organs. Heartworm disease is transmitted in ferrets from mosquitoes. Adult female heartworms produce baby worms that circulate in the bloodstream. The mosquito picks up these baby worms when it sucks the blood from the infected ferret. It takes 10 to 14 days for the baby worms to enter the infective stage. Larvae are then deposited when the mosquito bites another ferret. Learn more or call your animal hospital Wichita KS.

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.

Eye Health in Birds

Did you know that birds can have different types of eye related health conditions? Watching out for your bird and taking note of regular behavior and habits can help you identify when things aren’t going as usual for your pet bird. For example, an irritation to the eye can cause your bird to act much differently especially if he’s in pain or if the eye is itching or just bothering him. Eye irritations are probably the most common as they can often come from the dust in the cage or the bedding used in the cage. Your bird’s eye may become slightly puffy, watery or appear red or inflamed. You should always call your vet when there’s an eye issue as it could escalate quickly. Other type of eye illnesses may include cataracts, tumors, abscesses, or eye lacerations, or simple scratches to the eye. Click here to learn more or visit your vet Wichita, KS.