Gearing Up for Flea and Tick Season

Among the parasites in cats and dogs, fleas and ticks are two of the most common. Taking steps to protect your pet from tick or flea infestations is very important. This is because they do not just suck blood from your pet; ticks and fleas can also be vectors of diseases that can affect both pets and humans.  A very heavy flea and tick infestation in a very young puppy or kitten can bring about anemia, and eventually, death.

A flea bite can, for the most part, only cause slight skin irritation in some pets.  Then some pets are hypersensitive to bites from fleas and can induce dermatitis from a flea allergy.  Your pet might have extreme itching on its skin, causing irritation and persistent scratching that can lead to significant hair loss and infect open skin wounds.  These wounds can form scabs all over the body, as well as raw patches of skin that becomes irritated.  Removing the fleas that are on your pet and preventing a future infestation is still the primary way to combat flea allergy dermatitis.

Be careful not to use dog flea and tick products on cats, unless specifically advised by your local vet Carolina Forest SC.

Canine collar needs

Your dog is a big part of your life and bringing home the right pet supplies for her is important to you. This includes picking out a collar for your little fur ball that will allow her to make the most of her time in your care.

To do this, you will need to understand that there are a lot of different collars out there, so you will have a lot to choose from. Your pet’s collar needs will likely be met by finding the right size for her and then looking into any special features that are available. You want to find the time to determine the right weight, thickness, material, and options. Be sure to choose a collar that will house her identification tags and will allow you to securely hook her leash to it if you don’t plan on utilizing a harness. For more information, please contact your local animal hospital Carolina Forest SC.

Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs

Have you ever experienced a UTI or Urinary Tract Infection? They can be very painful and most often require a visit to the doctor for antibiotics and pain relievers. The same is true for dogs. If your dog has a UTI then chances are he’s in a lot of pain. Signs of a possible UTI in dogs include the dog’s inability to urinate or passing small amounts at a time, blood in the urine, leaking of urine, frequent urination, increased water consumption, and fever. Call your veterinarian right away to schedule an exam. Your vet will most likely want to run blood work and take a urine sample to run a urinary analysis. If possible, you may want to try and collect that sample at home in case your dog can’t go at the vet. UTIs are common in dogs of all ages breeds and sex. Your vet Carolina Forest, SC can share more information.

What Causes Arthritis In Dogs

Arthritis in dogs is often an age-related condition. It can occur when the cartilage in the joint deteriorates and wears down exposing the bone underneath. Affected dogs suffer from pain and mobility problems. There are many reasons why the joint cartilage deteriorates. These include:

•  Congenital conditions that affect the joints. Common examples include hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia.

•  Joint degeneration occurs with age.

•  Carrying excess weight can put unnecessary pressure on the weight-supporting joints of the body which can accelerate the degeneration of the joint.

•  Injury of the joint or ligament supporting the joint that causes abnormal conformation and movement of the joint.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis. The treatment regimen is aimed at pain alleviation and slowing the progress of the problem by supporting joint health. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is a common medication prescribed for pain relief. But these should not be given to dogs without consulting a veterinarian Carolina Forest, SC because of its potential side effects. Joint supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin have been shown to help slow down the deterioration of the joint and support joint health. Learn more here.

Abscess In Dogs And Cats

Wounds that become infected and given no proper treatment can worsen and form an abscess as bacteria continue to multiply and invade the skin tissues. An abscess can develop in any part of the body where injuries or wounds have been infected by bacteria. The most common bacteria that is present in many skin infection are Pasteurella multocida and Staphylococcus sp. These bacteria can be eliminated with common antibacterial ointments. However, these bacteria are capable of penetrating the deeper layers of the skin if the wound remains untreated. An abscess is formed in response to the invasion of the bacteria. In order to determine what type of bacteria is present, your veterinarian Carolina Forest, SC will take a swab of the infected area and have it cultured in the laboratory. The result of the test will serve as a guide to selecting an appropriate treatment regimen.