Two Basic Dog Training Regimens You Can Do At Home

Training any breed of dog could be initially intimidating.  The bond between a human and a pet is quite beautiful and when you get to teach your pet dog obedience, it becomes a great bonding activity and lets you get to know your pet’s personality too.  The activity also gives your pet some time to familiarize himself with you becoming his human companion.

Leash Training

One essential obedience ability that every dog needs to know while young is leash training.  Teaching your puppy to not pull on his leash or not go running off when offered some slack is very important.  This is for your pet’s well-being and safety.  Leash training shows your new pet that you are his boss and how to properly act when he walks with you.

Crate Training

A lot of dog owners have busy lives.  Their lives might not always allow them to house train their new pet.  Crate training is an important part of the entire house training process.  This becomes useful if you get stuck working all day, leaving no one to allow your pet outdoors if he needs to do his business.

So in place of that, your pet becomes familiar with utilizing his crate as a temporary bathroom if needed.  He will understand that he can only do his business outdoors or inside his crate.  A lot of pet dogs can be initially crate trained so that you can progress further as you potty train them.

If you have concerns about your pet’s behavior, contact your veterinary hospital Oconomowoc, WI.

Arthritis versus Osteoarthritis in Cats Like the Japanese Bobtail

 

Do you own a Japanese Bobtail? Is your cat suffering from some type of joint pain or having mobility difficulties? If so, please call your vet to schedule an exam. Your cat could have joint pain coming from arthritis or Osteoarthritis. Arthritis typically refers to the painful inflammation of a cat’s joints. This is not the same as Osteoarthritis or DJD, which stands for Degenerative Joint Disease. DJD occurs when the joints deteriorate completely. Both of these conditions can occur in a cat at any age, but they are more common in older cats. These conditions are also more common in cats that are already prone to conditions such as hip dysplasia. Symptoms of arthritis may include your Japanese Bobtail having trouble getting up and down or even losing balance or coordination. X-rays may be required to make a full diagnosis. Consult with your vet Oconomowoc, WI for a diagnosis and treatment suggestions.

Bring Your Pet Cat To The Beach

Contrary to belief, some cats love to go to the ocean or beach to play in the water. If your cat is the water-loving type, you might be planning to go on an excursion at the beach.

Before going on a trip, be sure to check if the beach allows cats. Some beaches allow entry to dogs, but not to cats. But other beaches do not restrict entry to all pets. So you should check beforehand.

Some establishments are open to pets during fall and winter, where there are not a lot of people. Expect that during spring and summer, the ocean or beach will be off-limits to pets. You can also lookup if the beach that you want to go to has any restrictions.  If there are none, remember to bring along food and treats. You must also bring bags to put the trash away and to clean up after your pet.

Be sure to have your pet’s preventatives and vaccinations updated before going on outdoor excursions together. Bring your pet to your vet Oconomowoc, WI.

What is FeLV in Cats Like the Birman Cat?

 

There are different kinds of health conditions that can affect cats. One of those is FeLV or the Feline Leukemia Virus. This virus can affect all breeds of felines including those like the Birman. FeLV is the second largest cause of death among cats. The virus can cause anemia or lymphoma as well as suppress the immune system making cats highly susceptible to infections. Although the virus is a leading cause of death, it doesn’t have to be. When cats are vaccinated they have a stronger chance of resisting the deadly virus. In fact, research has found that 70% of cats that came in contact with FeLV were able to either resist the infection or overcome it on their own. FeLV affects cats only and is not contagious to dogs, people, or other animals. Talk to your vet Oconomowoc, WI about FeLV and how it could affect your cat.

Playing With Your Dog

Dogs are very playful, which is why they are such fun pets. Playing with your pup daily is very good for him. It helps get him moving, and provides a great doggy workout. A fun play session also gives your pet a chance to work off any stress or anxiety he feels. Plus, he'll feel closer to you.

Try to get into the habit of playing with your dog every day. Even a few minutes of playtime will be beneficial. There are a few things to keep in mind, though. Some dogs can get a bit too involved with certain types of toys. If your dog gets too serious about Tug O War, it could bring out any prey drive or aggressive tendencies he has. It's also important to choose suitable playthings. Every dog is different, so offer your pup a variety and see what he likes best.

Ask your veterinarian Oconomowoc WI for more tips on playing with your canine buddy.

Types of Canine Mange

Have you noticed your dog excessively itching at his skin? What about uncommon hairloss? Your dog could have a skin allergy, irritation, inflammation or even mange. You should contact your vet to schedule a checkup to find the cause of the itching, etc. Mange is a skin disease caused by mites. It is highly contagious. Demodectic mange affects most canines. There are actually different types of this particular mange. The first type is localized which occurs when mites breed in one or two confined areas. This may cause bald patches to appear often on the face. It is common for puppies to have and it generally clears on its own. The second is generalized which affects larger areas of the dog’s body and sometimes the entire body. A bacterial infection often develops with this type as well. The final form is demodectic pododermatitis, which is most resistant and most often confined to the foot.  Learn more here or call your reputed vet clinic Oconomowoc WI.

Symptoms of Epilepsy in Mastiffs

Did you know that dogs like the English Mastiff and other breeds can develop epilepsy over the course of their lifetime? Like humans, epilepsy can affect dogs by causing sporadic seizures in the form of sudden fits and convulsions. The seizures are either caused by a genetic disorder that causes miscommunications in the brain or the seizures are caused by another underlying medical condition. Seizures with undetermined causes are called idiopathic seizures. Symptomatic seizures are those that have a cause that can be treated. Your vet will need to discover the cause in order to best treat the seizures. Common signs or symptoms of seizures include fits and convulsions sometimes accompanied by howling or whimpering, excessive salivating, chomping, chewing, involuntary urination and involuntary defecation. Even if you don’t see the actual seizure, call your veterinarians Oconomowoc, WI when you see any of the accompanying symptoms.