Asthma In Cats

Feline asthma is a chronic condition affecting the bronchial airways of cats. The primary culprit is exposure to specific allergens that cause inflammation in the airways and lungs. The disease process is slow but progressive. While it is difficult to treat, the symptoms can be controlled with medications. Some potential allergens that can trigger asthma in cats include cigarette smoke, pollens, strong-smelling cleaner or perfumes, air freshener, dusty cat litter, and molds to name a few. Cats that harbor heartworms also have a higher risk of manifesting chronic asthma symptoms. While mild cases of asthma in cats are usually self-limiting and characterized only by coughing, more serious cases can cause difficulty breathing as cats find it difficult to get oxygen throughout the body. Affected cats can suffer fainting spells and collapse. This is brought about by the severe inflammation and narrowing of the smaller airways of the lungs. If your cat is prone to bouts of asthma attacks, be sure to follow the instructions of your veterinarians Ellicott City, MD regarding the dosage and frequency of medications to prevent potential complications.

Symptoms of Addison’s Disease In Dogs And Cats

Addison’s disease is an endocrine disorder characterized by a deficiency of the adrenal hormones cortisol and/or aldosterone associated with faulty signals from the pituitary gland to the adrenal glands or by a problem in the adrenal glands. Deficiencies of cortisol and aldosterone can cause abnormal levels of sodium and potassium in the body. One important concern of Addison’s disease in cats and dogs is that it can be difficult to diagnose. Some breeds of dogs like rottweilers, standard poodles, great Danes, wheaten terriers, west highland white terriers, and Portuguese water dogs tend to have higher incidence of Addison’s disease. The adrenal hormones are important in maintaining optimum kidney filtration, normal blood pressure, and support good heart health among others. Affected pets will vomit and become weak. There is abnormal beating of the heart, trembling, and dehydration. Without proper treatment, a dog or cat with Addison’s disease can may die. There are several tests that your veterinarians Hendersonville, NC can perform to confirm the presence of Addison’s disease. 

How many treats should you offer your dog each day?

You want to make sure you are helping your dog form healthy habits. To do this, you will need to be mindful of what you offer her, like when it’s time for a treat. How many treats should you be giving your pet on a daily basis?

The number of treats you give your pet will depend on your dog’s individual needs and the treats you are offering. It will also be influenced by what your pet has eaten that day and how you are utilizing the treats you have on hand. For example, if you are offering treats that are supplementing her diet, you may want to make sure you give her enough to equal the serving her veterinarian has recommended while treats that are just for something fun to munch on would likely be utilized a bit more sparingly. Your veterinarian Savannah, GA can help you care for your pet. Learn more click here. https://westchathamvet.com/

Demodectic Mange in Dogs

Demodectic mange is an itchy skin condition that is caused by mites living in the hair follicles of pets. Most healthy pets are carriers of Demodex mites as the mites usually transfer from the mother dogs to their litter shortly after birth. Symptoms are seen when the animal’s immune system is compromised, thus failing to keep the population of mites under control. As the mites increase in number, the dog suffers from intense itching. As the dog keeps on scratching all over his body, raw areas of skin will soon become infected with bacteria. Secondary bacterial infection can lead to areas of irritated skin that are oozing with pus. Soon hairs fall out, leaving the infected areas bald, reddish, and weepy. Without prompt and proper intervention, the affected skin can become leathery in appearance and texture. If you notice your pet itching all over, you should make an appointment with your animal hospital Broken Arrow OK sooner rather than later. 

Keeping your dog’s paws in top shape

You have a dog in your life who is always moving throughout your household. This means that his paws get quite a workout and you want to help him keep them in good working order. How can you help your pet’s paws stay in top shape?

While they may be able to put up with a lot, your pet’s paw pads are actually rather sensitive and will therefore require a bit of care to stay healthy. This means that you will need to help your pet prevent issues by keeping him away from rough terrain, areas that experience extreme temperatures, and other hazards. It also means tending to them as they need attention to ensure you are offering him the care he needs. For more information on caring for a pet like this, please contact your local vet clinic Murietta, CA.

How to Teach Your Cat to Sit

Some cats love to learn tricks and can be taught tricks quite easily. For instance, the Abyssinian, American Shorthair, Bengal, Savannah, and Siamese are just a few of the top breeds that learn tricks really well. If you own one of these breeds or even a different breed, you can try and teach him the most basic trick or command such as learning to sit. Start by verbally telling your cat to sit. At the same time, apply slight pressure to the backend until she sits. You may also want to point to the back end when you say sit. Reward your cat with a treat immediately when she sits. Practice this again and again several times a day until your cat is able to sit on verbal command alone. If you need further assistance or training tips, give your veterinarian Folsom, CA a call.

Managing a Dominant Dog

Dominant behavior in dogs is pretty obvious. You may see growling and biting, but your dominant dog may act pushy and stubborn. He may bark or to suit his needs and insist on attention from you. Your dominant dog may drag you by the leash on walks. And your dominant dog resists training. Each dog has a distinct personality, but your dog needs to look to you to be the boss. Insist that he obeys all your training commands and train him with confidence. Deterrents and redirection work well to train your dog on what he isn’t supposed to do. Your dog may challenge your authority, but your training must remain consistent. Insist that rules are meant to be followed. Love your dog, be patient and treat him with kindness while establishing your role as leader. For more information, contact your vet clinic Matthews, NC.