Dogs and Bloat

If you’re a dog owner or a fan of dogs then you may be familiar with canine bloat. This is a very dangerous and deadly disease that affects canines no matter their age, sex or breed. It’s important to understand what bloat is and how to recognize it in order to help save a canine that has the disease. First, canine bloat is also known as Gastric Dilation-Volvulus. It is serious and needs immediate treatment. It is often fatal even with treatment. It happens when the stomach fills with gas, food or fluid causing the stomach to expand. The stomach continues to expand and applies pressure on the surrounding organs causing a stop in blood flow. A tear in the stomach can even occur. It can cause difficulty breathing, change in heart rate, and even shock. Talk to your veterinarians Metairie, LA to learn more about this disease.

Why Is My Neutered Cat Spraying?

Spraying in neutered cats is a common concern among cat parents who thought that having their cat fixed can stop the behavior. In most cases, it may take a month or so after neutering for the hormonal activity of the cat to calm down. However, since spraying is not always sexually-related, it can also be triggered by certain activities or situations. So, if your kitty still keeps on engaging in the behavior, there is a need to dig in deeper to find out any underlying issues that may be causing your pet to behave this way. Aside from having become a deeply-ingrained habit, spraying can be triggered when a cat catches a whiff of scent spots. Stress can also be an important predisposing factor of spray marking. Correcting the behavior can take time, patience, and effort. It is also recommended that you see a vet Aurora, CO to make sure that it is not caused by a health issue. 

Important Things To Know About Vaccination In Cats

Vaccination can reduce the risk of acquiring certain medical conditions and their serious consequences in pet cats. Here are some important things that cat parents should know about vaccination in cats.

l  The possibility of side effects is always present but is very rare. And most of these side effects are usually mild and resolve within a day or two. The most common side effects include lethargy, fever, or swelling at the site of injection.

l  Vaccination is the perfect example of the adage ‘an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure’. When an unvaccinated cat contracts a serious illness which they could have been vaccinated from, the cost of treatment can possibly reach a thousand dollars; compare that to a few dollars for the cost of a vaccine.

l  Although the efficacy of vaccines is not 100% when it comes to disease prevention, vaccination can significantly reduce the level of severity in case the cat gets sick.

Consult your vets Aurora, CO if you have questions and/or concerns about vaccines and vaccination of cats.

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.

How to Care for Your Cat’s Ears

Some cats don’t require a lot of grooming. You may find that you only need to brush your cat’s coat once a week or once every other week. This is quite common. While sticking to this grooming or brushing routine, you should also add ear cleaning to the routine which is also common and necessary. Cats may not be able to keep their ears as clean as they should. The ears can pick up dirt, dust, gnats, bugs and other debris and need to be wiped down. The ears also need to be checked for any signs of wax buildup, hair overgrowth, infection, discharge, etc. If your cat is shaking her head or scratching at her ears, check her ears for signs of irritation. You may smell an odor which is common for buildup or infection. If you do smell an odor or see something, do not self treat. Instead, call your veterinarians Burlington, ON.

Why You Should Leave Wiggle Room in Your Cat’s Routine

Developing a routine with your cat is part of building a relationship and bond with your cat. You eat meals together, take walks and exercise together, you may even have a little routine that you do before leaving for work. This is great and it helps build stability for your cat. However, sticking to a precise routine and schedule all of the time can also create stress and anxiety. What if you’re sick one morning and you can’t eat together. Will your cat decide not to eat? What if you’re late for work and skip the goodbye routine? Your cat may panic or become anxious. If you don’t arrive home at the same time every day your cat could become upset or even mad and tear stuff up. Leave wiggle room and don’t keep things so set that there’s no room for a detour every now and again. Talk to your veterinarians Plano, TX for more tips.

Should I Cut Back on My Senior’s Cat Food?

If your senior cat sleeps all day and doesn’t move around a lot and she is starting to gain weight and become obese then it’s probably a good time to start reducing her senior cat food and even treats if you’re giving them. However, if your senior cat is still pretty active then she most likely doesn’t need to cut back. She’ll need the suggested serving size to maintain her active and healthy lifestyle. If your cat is underweight or acts hungry even after eating then you may want to increase the amount of food she gets. But, before you do this, give your vet a call and discuss the options over the phone. You may need to schedule an office exam as well. Your cat’s health plays a role in what she eats and how much. Deciding to change food, increase or decrease should be done with the help of your veterinarian Frisco, TX.