Important Reasons Why Your Pets Need A Good Dental Regimen

 

Dental problems are common among pet cats and dogs.  Proper dental hygiene and frequent visits to the vet clinic prevent these problems. There most common dental condition is periodontal disease.  It causes pain and discomfort and affects the appetite and behavior of pets. Also, the bacteria in the plaque and tartar can enter the bloodstream, especially if your dog has irritated gums. This bacteria makes its way through the bloodstream and reaches the heart, kidneys, liver, and even sometimes the brain that can cause serious complications. Dental care is an important part of routine pet care.  Daily brushing is one of the best ways to prevent dental problems. Start as early as possible to your pets to accustom them to the brushing process. Pets should learn how to tolerate tooth brushing and mouth examination. Use toothpaste and toothbrush that is made especially for pets. Human toothpaste is not advisable because it may contain toxic ingredients. 

Your pet will benefit from regular dental checks and professional cleaning at your animal care hospital Marion IA area.

Keeping your dog in your backyard

Your dog needs you to think about the ideal ways to keep her safe in your care and a big part of this will likely be trying to keep her within the security of your backyard. How can you keep her within this space?

Your dog needs you to give her reminders as to where your property ends. This will help her stay within its boundaries because she won’t forget where her personal space is. This may be a physical boundary, like a fence, that keeps her inside. It may also be repetition that teaches her to stay in this area and plenty of supervision to ensure she is following your guidelines. Make sure her needs are met and that she has plenty of activities to occupy her time within this area. For additional information, please contact your local vet clinic Marion, IA area

What To Do If Your Cat Eats String

Cats can develop a condition called pica which is characterized by eating non-edible things. The behavior can be triggered by a variety of reasons such as boredom, stress, or it can be an attention-seeking behavior. It can also be a play behavior or the cat simply finds the object tasty or smelling good.

When a cat eats a string or any similar to it, it is referred to as a linear foreign body. In most cases, the cat passes the string with the feces within 10-24 hours. However, there are instances when the string bunches up and binds as a result of the muscular contractions (called peristalsis) of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). This can eventually lead to the intestines becoming blocked, pulled, or torn.

A cat that has ingested string that gets stuck in the GIT may exhibit the following symptoms:

l  Vomiting which can increase a cat’s risk to dehydration

l  Decreased or loss of appetite

l  Straining in an attempt to defecate or the cat may have diarrhea

l  Pain in the abdomen or belly

l  Depression or lethargy

l  Fever

If you saw your cat eating string, call your animal hospital Marion, IA to find out what course of action your should take.

Are Rabbits Territorial?

Like most pets, rabbits can be territorial at times. Rabbits may feel threatened by the other rabbit and even lash out in an attempt to keep his home safe. If your rabbit is used to being on his own and then another one is added he may also be territorial when it comes to food. Your rabbit is used to his routine and his food bowl. When another rabbit is introduced he may fight to protect that food bowl and push the other rabbit away. If your rabbit is on his own and is territorial with you then you need to address it. If he lashes out for food, hold the food back until he calms down. Feed at the same time every day so he won’t think he has to fight for it. Talk to your veterinarian Marion, IA for more tips on how to recognize and address territorial habits in your rabbit.

Sudden Weight Loss In Cats

Sudden or explained weight loss in cats is not something to be taken lightly by cat owners. Identifying the underlying cause is very important so the problem can be addressed in an appropriate manner. There are many conditions that can cause rapid weight loss in cats; here are two of them:

Heavy parasite load

Gastrointestinal parasites can compete with the nutrients that a cat should have gotten from his daily diet. The heavier the parasite load, the more competition a cat has to valuable nutrients. Regular deworming can help ensure that cats are free from parasites and are able to utilize all the essential nutrients from their food intake. Always ask your vet Marion, IA for an effective deworming product that can be safely used for your pet.

Stress

Cats can be very sensitive to certain stressors in their environment. Chronic exposure can wreak havoc on their physical and emotional health. 

Keeping Your Dog Safe During Football Season - Keep These Foods Away From Your Pet

Many people love throwing a party during a big game. With so much food around, make sure your dog does not have any access to these foods that can pose a risk to their health and well-being.

l  Cocktail sausages and other tupes of food that are placed in toothpicks or skewers. Meat that is left on the toothpick or skewers is very appealing to dogs and ingestion can cause injuries and/or puncture wounds to the mouth or any part of the gastrointestinal tract. A toothpick or skewer can also get stuck in the mouth or cause obstruction.

l  Any food that contain grapes and raisins can be potentially toxic to dogs. In fact, consumption has been linked to kidney failure.

l  Any type of chocolate – white, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, baker’s chocolate—is potentially harmful to dogs.  The severity of the reaction generally depends on several factors including the type of chocolate and the amount consumed in relation to the dog’s weight.

Take your pet to your Marion, IA if you know or think that he has ingested something that is potentially toxic. Don’t wait for your pet to show any signs of toxicity.