Can Cats Swim?

 

You might be fully aware of the fact that your furry felines hate water. From taking a bath to drinking water, cats do not like to engage themselves with moisture or water itself. 

Thus, most cat owners incorporate wet foods into the daily diet of their beloved felines. Doing so will at least give the cats an ample amount of water or moisture in their body.

But, why do these cats hate water? The predecessors of these animals resided in the desert, which made them elusive to water. Such less exposure to moisture continued in the succeeding races of felines — influencing them to need only a minimal amount of water or to not like water at all.

However, do not be surprised to learn that some cats can swim. These felines have an instinct to fight for their survival and do even the most unusual just for them to survive and live on.

Call your veterinarian Portland OR to make sure that your pet’s preventatives and vaccinations are up to date before taking your pet on outdoor excursions.

Keeping Your Dog’s Claws Well-Trimmed

Dogs spending most of their time inside the house should get regular nail clipping sessions to prevent the nails from becoming excessively long, curled, and uncomfortable. Long claws will also result in "quick", a nail portion that contains nerves and blood vessels. When cutting your dog's nails, accidentally striking the quick can cause bleeding and pain. The majority of dogs dislike getting their claws clipped. It is best to start trimming your dog's feet while young to accustom it to the procedure. Some dogs will willingly sit while you cut their nails. However, you may need to tie up dogs that will resist. You may have observed that a claw is growing further up, which is known as a "declaw." It resembles the thumb located on both legs. When dewclaws are malformed or interfere with the dog's everyday activity, a veterinarian might surgically remove them. Long dewclaws may readily become entangled and inflict severe injuries. Dewclaws that are still attached should be part of your dog's regular nail-cutting regimen. 

Any skin and/or hair coat issue exhibited by your pet should warrant an appointment with your animal hospital Portland OR.

How Hot Is Too Hot For Dogs?

 

Except for the sweltering heat, summer is wonderful.  Keeping your dog cool will make him happy. It is usually safe for pet dogs even if the heat is around 90 F, so long as there is enough water, air circulation, and some shade where your pet can stay.  If the temperature goes up too high, then you really should keep your pet away from the direct sun and look for ways of cooling him down. With such extremely high temperatures, panting can only do very little to help your pet.  Some dogs have it worse than others.  However, in general, you have to try your best and keep your pet cool when the weather heats up. There are dog breeds that find it challenging to breathe when the weather is hot and have a tendency to be quite aggressive towards visitors.  But moods like these could be adjusted, so after the dog feels comfortable once again, he will revert to his sweet and bubbly self.

A sudden change in your pet’s behavior should warrant a visit to your animal hospital Portland, OR. Visit their website to know more about their services.

Take Advantage Of Your Dog’s Denning Instincts

Crate training will become easier if you take advantage of your dog’s denning nature.  A crate that is adequately sized can function as your pet’s den where he will feel secure and rest comfortably.  Crate training your dog is likely an early training regimen your puppy will go through as it is an essential tool when young dogs are being housetrained.  A dog will keep his crate/den clean on instinct, therefore, he will try his very best to not do his business when inside that den.  Just ensure that his crate is big enough for the animal to be able to lay down, but not too large to allow him to dedicate a corner as the potty area.  If your puppy is successful in crate training, then he will have better chances of completing housetraining.  This can also be an ideal way of keeping your dog from getting into trouble in case you are away or are busy and there is no one else available to watch him.

Schedule an appointment to see your pet clinic Portland OR to get more information about your pet’s needs.

Anesthesia And Your Pet

If your pet needs to have a medical procedure wherein general anesthesia is required, there are some things that you may want to know about anesthetics, indications, and the side effects that could possibly happen.  For medical veterinary procedures, general anesthesia is normally indicated under the following conditions:

●If the patient needs a procedure that will be painful.

●If the patient is required to lay perfectly still while the procedure is ongoing.

●If the patient’s airway needs to be protected.

●If the procedure happens over a length of time where there is a possibility of complication occurrence.

●if regional anesthetic, local anesthetic, or sedation would not be the appropriate choice for the procedure

●In controlling severe and extreme seizures

Anesthesia has possible side effects that include hypothermia, reduced blood pressure, drug reactions, heart arrhythmia, and/or respiratory depression.

Your animal hospital Portland OR should be able to provide you the information you need and address your concerns and questions regarding general anesthesia.

Three Important Reasons To Bring Your Cat To The Vet

 

You will need to bring your cat to the vet plenty of times throughout your pet’s entire lifetime. Your vet needs to see your pet cat for wellness checkups, vaccination, deworming, and to address illness. Among the many reasons for regular visits to the vet are dental problems and ear infections. 

Dental problems. When your cat is experiencing tooth and gum problems, it’s time to see the vet. Or you can also prevent this from happening in the first place by getting regular dental checkups.

Ear infection. Your pet cat could be suffering from an ear infection if she is head-shaking. The ear passages are favorite places for bacteria and fungi to thrive and cause infection. Foreign materials inside the ear may also cause irritation paving the way for infection. When an ear infection is not treated early, it may lead to loss of hearing.

Your pet will benefit from regular health and wellness checks at your animal hospital Portland OR.

Plague In Cats

 

The bacterial species Yersinia pestis has already caused three (3) types of plague in cats. The most recent plague reported took place in the US, in the state of Colorado back in 2017 when a cat got infected by the bacteria. Although a plague can be life-threatening, with prompt treatment, its serious complications can be averted.

Transmission of the plague often occurs through the bite of an infected flea. These infected fleas will usually feed on rodents which serve as reservoirs of the disease. Humans can acquire the bacterial species if bitten by a rodent flea carrying the plague. Another way that humans get infected by the plague bacterium is when handling tissues and body fluids of a plague-infected animal.       

A cat’s predatory habits increase its chances of acquiring the disease. Hunting for its prey in the wilderness places it at risk of contracting the bacterium by feasting on plague-infected animals. Veterinarians advise cat owners to keep their cats indoors to protect them from the plague. Since fleas transmit the plague, establishing a flea preventive program can ensure protection for pet cats all year-round.

Any sign of illness should be brought to the attention of your animal hospital Portland OR.

Day Camp for your Cat

Looking for a place for your cat during the day? Dry a cat daycare or kennel facility. If you’re not sure where to start then give your vet a call and ask for a list of references. Some doggie daycares will accept cats. They often have a small area for cats on the opposite side of the facility away from the canines. Visit the kennel first and take a tour. Have your cat stay for one day or for one night to see how he does. Make sure you check into the extra options for daycare including the cost for group time, special walks, or one on one time. Most places offer one on one time for cats, but may not offer any group time or walks. If you can’t find a place for your cat, ask your Wildwood animal hospital if he is willing to keep your cat.