Did you know
that there are a variety of flowers that cats like the American Curl can play
with and even eat? Likewise, there are also several types of flowers that are
toxic and can hurt your cat if he plays with them or even eats them. Your vet
can provide a list of both safe and toxic plants. On the list of toxic plants
you may be surprised to find the Buttercup. This is a beautiful flower and is
often used to decorate homes inside and outside. However, it’s deadly for cats.
If your cat eats this plant, he may start to vomit, develop diarrhea, appear
depressed, lose his appetite, become anorexic, develop hyper-salivation and
even a wobbly gait. If your cat has any of these symptoms and you have this
particular flower in or around your home, please call your Crown Point, IN
veterinarian right away. Learn more here.
Hypothyroidism
is a common illness that most often occurs in medium to large size dogs like
the American Water Spaniel. It generally affects dogs between the ages of 4 and
10 years old and most often occurs when the thyroid gland is unable to produce
needed T4 and T3 hormones. Without these hormones, your pup is unable to
maintain a healthy metabolism. Symptoms associated with hypothyroidism often
include lethargy, weight gain, weakness, hair loss or poor hair growth, mental
or brain fog, skin infections that don’t heal well, seizures and even
infertility. If your dog has any of these signs, notify your vet right away. He
will need to see your dog to run tests and make an accurate diagnosis. These
symptoms don’t always point to hypothyroidism. Only your vet can tell you
whether the illness is the cause or not. For more information, consult with
your Crown Point, IN veterinary clinic.
Guests maybe quite sure there is a cat in the house because of a
distinct cat urine odor. Household members may have become desensitized to it
and they can no longer smell all but the most pungent odors. The biggest cause
of bad cat odors is the litter box. To reduce odor, scoop the litter box daily.
Completely change the litter about once every three weeks or more often if
needed. Placing a room deodorizer near the litter box can help keep the room
air fresh. There may be other odors caused by remnants of urine in places where
your cat peed outside the litter box. Clean up the urine since it will become
more concentrated over time. Commercial cleaners formulated for pet odors may
neutralize the odor or you can try vinegar or baking soda. You may need to repeat the treatment or
even replace your carpets if the odor is very strong. Learn more from your
Roanoke, VA veterinary clinic.
Your cat can become very ill if she runs
into a dangerous spider. She may not be able to resist the creeping movement of
a spider.Thus your cat will pounce and possibly try to eat the spider. The
spider could bite your cat too. This is especially dangerous if your cat
tussles with a venomous spider. Your cat could experience symptoms of a
venomous spider bite such as paralysis, muscle tremors, pain, and trouble
breathing. If you see your cat experiences these symptoms, seek medical
attention immediately. Your cat may vomit, or suffer from diarrhea and
excessive salivation if she eats a non-venomous spider. It is difficult to
identify spiders so seek medical attention if there are any symptoms. Clear
away any spiders and their webs in your home. Seal up openings to avoid contact with spiders.
Don’t allow your cat play with any spiders. Contact your Roanoke, VA vet to
learn more.
Your cat communicates using her body language and vocalizations. You
can understand how your cat is feeling by watching her tail. Your cat is happy
and may be really happy to see you if she approaches with an upright tail and a
relaxed or curious posture. She may also weave in and out of your legs and purr
at you. If your cat is interested in what she is looking at, she may become
alert and twitch her tail a little. However, she may be irritated and not want
to be touched if she swishes and thrashes her tail. An angry cat will fluff up
her fur, especially her tail, and she may arch her back. Your cat may be afraid
if she keeps her tail down and pins back her ears. Take your cat’s warnings
seriously so she doesn’t lash out and scratch or bite you. For more information,
contact your Roanoke, VA veterinarian.
Shelter dogs need help outside the shelter
environment to get them ready to go to the their forever home. That’s where fostering
comes in. By having a dog in your home, he can adjust to a less clinical
setting. Select the dog you feel you can best foster under the guidance of your
local animal shelter or a rescue group. Ask about your responsibilities while
fostering a dog especially your financial obligations. Examine your household
environment and routine to determine whether a foster dog will thrive there.When
selecting a foster dog, consider the size, temperament and breed. Consider any
resident pets and how a foster dog will affect them. Ask about behavior issues,
fears or special needs. When you bring a foster dog home, establish a routine.
Work on obedience training.Schedule time for exercise and play sessions with
your foster dog. Most importantly, be patient and kind. Learn more about Roanoke VA pet clinic.
