Kennel Cough

Kennel cough causes a dog’s voice box and windpipe to become inflamed as a result of a viral or bacterial infection. The problem is highly contagious between dogs. Prominent symptoms include a dry cough that sounds like a honking goose, gagging, nasal discharge, coughing up white foamy phlegm. There are several ways by which dogs can acquire kennel cough--

• Aerosols from infected dogs can be inhaled by susceptible dogs, or it could contaminate objects and surfaces.
• Kennel cough can easily spread in areas that are enclosed, such as in kennels or animal shelters, because of poor air ventilation.
• Direct contact with infected animals is also a viable mode of transmission.

Most dog kennels require a proof of recent vaccination against kennel cough (Bordetella and parainfluenza) before dogs are accepted for boarding. If you are not sure whether your pet’s vaccination is up-to-date, you should call your veterinarian Hyattsville, MD. Or make an appointment at this link: https://metrodcvet.com/

How To Wean Puppies

For the first 4 weeks of life, puppies derive nutrition from their milk of their mother. Thus, during this time, the need for additional food or milk may not be needed especially if the mother is healthy and producing enough milk for all the pups in the litter. However, if the mother dog becomes ill or there is not enough milk produced during this period, or if the mother dog dies and leave her puppies orphaned, providing a commercial milk replacer for puppies may be necessary. 

After the fourth week, the puppies are weaned from their mother’s milk. Weaning should be a gradual process and should take place over a period of several weeks. This will provide adequate time for the drying up of the mother’s milk and for the puppies to learn important behaviors. It is also during this time that mother dogs start to curb undesirable behaviors shown by puppies such as nipping. Puppy food should be gradually introduced when puppies are around 3-4 weeks old. 

Be sure to contact your vet Hyattsville, MD before making any changes in your pet’s diet.

Preventing Your Dog from Begging for Food

Your dog can be really annoying if he begs for food. But it’s not his fault. Your dog will beg because it works. He begs and you give him food. Thus the first big step in preventing your dog from begging is to never give him food when he begs. Ensure that all family members and friends follow this simple rule too. Insist that your dog sit or lie down while you are eating so he is below the table level. You may need to move him to the other side of the room or another place in the house if the whining gets to be too much at first. Consider feeding your dog his food in his own bowl while you eat. This makes it that your dog gets to eat without the begging. Praise your dog any time he gets through mealtime without begging. Learn more from your vets clinic Santa Rosa, CA.

Caring for a cat scratch

If your cat has claws, he’s going to scratch. That’s especially the case if you also have young children. The important thing is to know how to care for a scratch so it doesn’t get infected.

Make sure you clean the wound right away. Cat claws can be dirty. They dig around in a litter box, after all!

Once cleaned, put some antibacterial ointment on the scratch. Not only will it help heal the scratch, it can also minimize pain.

If the scratch is in a convenient area, you can put on a bandage. However, a bandage may not be an option if the scratch is on the face, of if there are multiple scratches in a small area.

If the scratch is deep, you should visit a doctor. You should also schedule an appointment with a vet Anderson, IN. They can provide you with advice on how to prevent scratches in the future.

How to Register Your Cat with the CFA

Do you own a purebred cat? If so, you may want to register him with the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) which is one of the world’s largest cat registries of pedigreed cats. You can start the process by logging on to the CFA’s website or calling them directly. Follow the instructions online. You may also want to register yourself as a member of the CFA. This will give you even more access to resources for cat owners. In addition, if you want to show your cat in a CFA sanctioned show then you will need to be a member and have your cat registered. For registration of your cat you will need to have paperwork showing your cat’s pedigree. This should have been given to you at the time of purchase. If your cat has been adopted then you may need to do a little digging and enlist the help of your pet clinic Webster, NY to track down paperwork. Visit this website for more details.

Can Cats Travel by Train?

More and more trains are allowing pets to travel. While they are becoming more open to pet travel they still have different requirements that must be met prior to boarding. The best way to prepare for a train trip with your cat is to call the train line ahead of time and speak with a representative about requirements for travel. You need to know if your cat will be required to stay in a carrier the entire time. Ask if there are specifications for the size of the carrier and if there is a weight limit for the cat and carrier separate or together. If your trip requires you to change trains, make sure the connecting train also allows cats to travel. Most importantly, make sure your cat can travel by train and won’t get motion sickness. Or at least contact your animal hospital Webster, NY and request medication to carry in case your cat does get sick on the train.

Natural Ways to Treat Arthritis in Cats

If your cat has developed arthritis then he may be showing signs of immobility in the backend. He could move slower when getting up and down or start to have difficulties getting in and out of the litter box. Arthritis causes inflammation to the joints. It often occurs as a cat ages, but it can also occur when a cat is younger. Most treatment plans include NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, if you don’t want to give medication, talk with your vet or a homeopathic vet about herbal and supplemental options. Some veterinarians will suggest adding supplement such as Glucosamine, Omega Fatty Acids, Vitamin E, Selenium, and MSM to the diet to decrease inflammation. Herbal based medications may also be prescribed. You will need to be the judge of whether your cat is showing signs of improvement or not on these alternative treatments. Remember to always consult with your pet clinic Rochester, NY before giving meds to your cat.

Learn more here: https://rochestercatvet.com/