What Does Gum Disease Look Like In Dogs?

 

It is already known that periodontal disease is regarded as one of the most prevalent medical issues among dogs, but do you know what are the telltale signs that your dog has this condition? Continue reading below for more information.

One of the first signs that your dog has a dental health issue is when he has swollen gums. Oftentimes, his gums would also bleed and red. A healthy gum should not be bleeding and must be pinkish.

Usually, gum disease in dogs is also manifested by drooling and bloodstained saliva. This is brought about by the inflammation of the gums which is also normally accompanied by swelling and wounds. In most cases, a dog with dental health issues would also be losing some teeth, or his teeth are unsteady and may look like they will fall anytime.

Taking care of your dog's dental health is as important as caring for other aspects of his body. Take him to a local vet Burlington, ON if you notice any signs that he may have a dental problem.

Keeping Your Cat From Tracking in Dirt

If you own a cat like the American Curl or another feline breed then you probably already known how cats often track in dirt after spending the day playing, pouncing, digging, etc. If this is what you deal with on a routine basis then you may want to ask your vet about using pet wipes to keep your American Curl clean. You can purchase pet wipes at most pet stores and possibly in your local super market stores as well. Pet wipes work a lot like baby wipes for kids. You can use them to quickly clean up a little or a lot of dirt. Try keeping a box of pet wipes by the door. When your American Curl comes inside, detain her long enough to gently wipe her paws. Don’t overly wipe her legs or other parts of her body as she will most likely take care of grooming herself later. Learn more from your vets Burlington, ON.

Which Vaccines Does Your Kitten Need?

Every pet kitten has to be given the FVRCP vaccine - Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia.  These three viruses set off upper respiratory illnesses in cats, and they can have effects ranging from mild to fatal.

For full protection, a kitten requires three vaccinations administered three to four weeks apart.  Many veterinarians suggest that the vaccinations are given when the animal is about eight weeks old, then repeated when she is twelve weeks old, and the last one at sixteen weeks.  This pattern may be altered slightly if your kitten is ill because it is known that vaccines are not as effective in boosting the already ill animal’s immune response.

Every cat will need to get the rabies vaccine.  Many veterinarians will recommend that this is done when the kitten is sixteen weeks old.

Factoring in where you live with your kitten and whether she will be allowed outdoors, your veterinarian might suggest also getting vaccinations as protection from feline leukemia.  There is no known cure for the disease, but if you plan on keeping your pet exclusively indoors, the vaccine might not be needed because the odds of an indoor cat getting it are zero.

Your pet will benefit from regular health and wellness checks at your vet clinic Burlington, ON. Click here to know more about their services. 

Is It True That Large Dogs Do Not Live As Long As Small Dogs?

 

Generally, smaller dogs do have longer lifespans than large dog breeds.  Large dogs can be considered senior dogs at around seven years old, as opposed to a Chihuahua, who at about an equal age would most likely be experiencing mid-life.  When Dr. Cornelia Kraus from Germany's Göttingen University researched the subject, the findings show that life expectancy and the size of the dog had significant links.  The findings indicate that every 4.4 lbs of the dog’s body weight decrease the life expectancy by one month.  It was also suggested by the research that bigger dog breeds had more cancer-related deaths when compared to the much smaller breeds.  This is because the larger dogs have a tendency to grow much faster, and this may be linked with unusually fast growth in cells that accelerate the aging process.  Also, bigger dogs most often have more hazardous lifestyles when compared to their smaller, pampered cousins.

Your vet Burlington, ON is an essential information source regarding your pet’s wellbeing and health.

Tips For Handling Your Dog's Feet

Does your dog hate having his feet handled? Sometimes dogs get wary because they remember a previous incident. Perhaps once Fido's nails got cut too short, and he remembers that 'ouch.' Or, he could just be a bit ticklish. However, it's important that you be able to touch your pet's paws. You'll need to handle them, for clipping his nails, checking for ticks, or managing injuries.

Desensitization training will go a long way towards helping your pet become more comfortable having his feet held. Your best weapon in this case may very well be a bag of treats and a jar of natural peanut butter. Give Fido a yummy snack when he lets you handle his foot. Keep doing this, and you should see your pet's opinion of having his feet handled miraculously change.

For more information on caring for your dog's feet, contact your veterinary clinic Burlington, ON.

Beagles and Mites

 

Did you know that dogs like the Beagle can get mites? Mites are similar to ticks in that they are both small arthropods that belong to the same scientific family. The typical mite also known as the Cheyletiella mite is a highly contagious parasite that feeds on the layers of a dog’s skin. If your Beagle has mites you should check your other pets for mites as well as yourself and other family members. Mites are known to live off of other hosts and are transmittable to humans. If you are faced with an infestation of mites you should treat it similar to a flea infestation. Your vet may recommend mite treating products, which are most often the same ones used to treat fleas. You should also ask for recommendations on treating your home, bedding, pet’s bedding, etc. Learn more here or call your vets Burlington, ON.

Why your pet wants your undivided attention

Your pet tends to seek out your undivided attention. Why is this so important to her?

Your pet loves you and wants to enjoy her time in your care. A big part of this will be bonding with you and making sure your relationship stays strong. Because of this, she will want you to give her the same focus that she gives you. In order to really engage in an activity with your pet, you will need to give her your full attention so she can see that you are enjoying yourself as well. This will make a big difference in how she views your interactions, as it will help her understand that she is in fact a priority in your life. This sense of importance helps her understand that she will be cared for, which allows her to relax in your care. Your local vets Burlington, ON can offer additional suggestions.

Dogs and Rocks

Rocks can be dangerous for dogs. Not necessarily the big rocks. Those just get in the way. It’s the small rocks that can fit in a dog’s mouth that you should watch out for. Dogs that like to explore by putting things in their mouth tend to pick up rocks to explore and sometimes end up chocking on the rocks or swallowing them. Rocks do not digest and can sit in the stomach causing damage to the stomach or even the intestines if the rock tries to exit. If you think your dog has swallowed rocks, call your vet to schedule an exam right away. X-rays will most likely need to be taken to determine the presence of rocks, where they’re at and how many there are. Surgery may be prescribed to remove the rocks. Your veterinarian Burlington, ON can tell you that some dogs eat rocks out of curiosity or boredom.

How to Care for Your Cat’s Ears

Some cats don’t require a lot of grooming. You may find that you only need to brush your cat’s coat once a week or once every other week. This is quite common. While sticking to this grooming or brushing routine, you should also add ear cleaning to the routine which is also common and necessary. Cats may not be able to keep their ears as clean as they should. The ears can pick up dirt, dust, gnats, bugs and other debris and need to be wiped down. The ears also need to be checked for any signs of wax buildup, hair overgrowth, infection, discharge, etc. If your cat is shaking her head or scratching at her ears, check her ears for signs of irritation. You may smell an odor which is common for buildup or infection. If you do smell an odor or see something, do not self treat. Instead, call your veterinarians Burlington, ON.