Increasing Your Shih-Tzu’s Life Expectancy

 

Increasing the lifespan of pets is possible. When it comes to Shih Tzu, here are some of the things that can lengthen their lifespan:

· Purchase from a breeder with a good reputation – Other breeders disregard the health conditions of their pets. This will not benefit your dog in the long run. Symptoms might not show during his early age, but they will show up once he ages. The best way to avoid future health issues because of your dog’s genes is to buy from reputable pet shops or breeders.

· Regularly visit the clinic – Visiting your vet regularly will ensure that your Shih Tzu is not suffering from any hidden condition. Sometimes, dogs hide their symptoms, and they are good at it. They should also get the proper vaccination for more immunity against diseases.

· Avoid too much heat exposure – As much as possible, keep your Shih Tzu at home. He can be susceptible to heat, and it will not be good for him to stay outside for too long.

These tips do not only work for the Shih Tzu breed. They work for all types of dogs. When you take good care of your pet, you can make him stay with you longer.

 Any concerns you may have about your pet’s health and/or behavior should be brought to the attention of your local veterinarian Burlington, ON. 

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.

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.

How to Give Your Dog His Pill

 

It’s safe to say that at one point or another, you’ll need to give your dog medication in pill form. And that can often be easier said than done. Our canine friends don’t usually like taking pills because of their bitter taste. Here are some tips to give your dog a pill successfully: 

● Hide the pill in food. Try pushing it into a glob of wet dog food or wrapping it in a bit of deli meat. Your dog might scarf down the morsel without realizing there was medicine inside. 

● Crush or grind the pill. Then, you can sprinkle it over Fido’s meals. Always ask your vet before doing this, though, because it could render medicine ineffective.

● Administer it manually. Open your dog’s jaws and put the pill as far back on the tongue as possible. Close the jaws and stroke Fido’s throat to stimulate swallowing.

Consult your veterinarian Burlington, ON for more advice.

Preventing Your Dog from Escaping Your Yard

If your dog gets out of your yard, he could get hurt, lost, hit by a car, or exposed to diseases from other animals. Thus it is important that you secure your yard. Check the perimeter fence for any breaches where your dog can slip through. Be especially diligent for any signs of digging since your dog could get under the fence too. You may need to bury chicken wire or cinder blocks at the fence line to prevent digging. Examine the gate and ensure that it is closed and secure at all times. Your dog may want to escape to breed, eat food or garbage, or play with other dogs or children. The most prevalent reason for escape attempts is that your dog is bored. Give him plenty of things to play with while in the yard. Don’t leave your dog alone in the yard for long periods of time. For more information, contact your veterinarian Burlington, ON.

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.