How to Keep Your Blind Dog Safe

Blind dogs and those that are gradually losing their vision tend to adapt to their disability, but they would cope a lot better with the support of their owners. The following tips can help you improve your dog's journey through this "new normal":

• As much as possible, maintain status quo in terms of the positioning of furniture and other relevant items in your house. For instance, put your dog's items (food, water bowl, sleeping couch, etc.) at the same spot before your pet’s vision problems.
• Discard hazardous things that could harm your dog, such as items that are sharp or prone to breakage. Add barricades wherever necessary.
• Help your dog navigate faster by adding landmarks like rugs with varying textures. During the first few weeks or months, you might need to train and support your dog by putting him on a leash to help him with navigation.
• Keep your dog close to you during leash walks.

Remember to visit your veterinarian Bend OR for regular wellness checkups.

Balinese basics

There are a lot of cats out there with their own unique look and interesting personality. What sets the Balinese apart from the rest? 

The Balinese may be known for their elegant appearance, but their personalities will draw you in as well. These cats look sophisticated with long, sleek bodies and silky fur, which is what primarily sets them apart from the Siamese cat breed. They may have a regal look to them, but they will also make you laugh at their daring antics and fascinating activity choices. They can be rather comical, and this personality trait combined with their high intelligence level can lead to some interesting days in households that look after them. In fact, it is this that often attracts people to the breed. Your local vet clinic Rochester, NY can help you care for your pet. Visit this site for more information.

Keeping your home clean with a cat sharing this space

You have a cat in your life who spends most of her time in your living space with you. How can you keep this area clean so you can both stay comfortable within it?

It’s important to accept the fact that your pet will make some messes, as anyone will when spending so much time in one area. This means that she will need you to help minimize these when possible by keeping a close eye on her and working on preventing big issues. This may be as simple as brushing her often to remove shed fur before it falls out of her coat around your home. She will also need you to clean up messes appropriately, so be sure to take the time to seek out pet-friendly cleaning products and to address issues right away. Your local vet clinic Rochester, NY can offer additional guidance.

Tips To Help Cats With Winter Blues

Cats can get winter blues, too. Experts call it Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The low level of light during the winter season can cause low production of melatonin and serotonin in the body. When this happens, cats tend to feel sleepy, relaxed, or even appear depressed. Here are ways to help your furball chase the winter blues away:

• Place the kitty bed in an elevated spot by the window where natural light streams through. A cat that spends a lot of time in his bed can bask under the warm rays of the sun.

• Install a full-spectrum light bulb and aim for an hour of play with your cat everyday under the bulb.

• A cat that is leash-trained can be brought outdoors when the sun is actually out. Make sure that he is well-protected from the cold or if the weather isn’t too cold.

However, if your cat still appears sad or depressed, you should contact your vet London, ON right away. Learn more here.

Ensuring Pet Health: Protect Your Pet from House Poison

Common household products such as pesticides, insecticides, and other chemicals can be deadly to your dog (even a very small amount of such products could prove toxic when ingested or absorbed through the skin). Hence, it's imperative that you keep your pet away when you are dealing with these products or any other chemical. 

For instance, snail or slug baits contain organophosphates or metaldehydes which poison thousands of dogs each year. Snail bait manufacturers advertise their products as "pet friendly" because these products contain a bittering agent which is used to prevent accidental consumption by pets and even people. Despite having such an ingredient, many pets still get curious enough to taste these baits, so be wary. 

A more common household product is rat or mice poisons. The accidental ingestion of rat poison or even eating dead rats or other rodents could prove fatal to your pet. Rat and mouse poison could cause your pet to show poisoning symptoms such as weakness, seizures, internal or external bleeding, loss of appetite, kidney failure, or paralysis.

Bring your pet immediately to the nearest pet clinic London, ON, along with the box of poison involved, if you suspect any poisoning.

Cats and Gum Disease

Did you know that gum disease can happen in cats just like it does in people, dogs and other animals? Cats can get gum disease from tartar and plaque buildup on their teeth. It’s important for your cat to have its teeth cleaned either by you on a weekly routine or by a professional veterinarian at least every six to twelve months. If you brush at home, use a vet approved toothbrush and toothpaste. You can also use teeth wipes which are designed to allow you to simply wipe down the teeth. These wipes can be found in pet stores and online. You can also use a piece of cloth or gauze to wipe down the teeth. One of the first signs of gum disease like gingivitis is extreme bad breath or halitosis. If your cat has bad breath that isn’t getting better, please call your veterinary clinic Mt. Airy MD.

Facial Abscesses in Llamas

Do you own a llama? If so, did you know that facial abscesses can occur in llamas? Your vet may tell you that they can be a common problem for llamas. One way to spot if your llama has or is developing some type of facial abscess is to take a look at the llama’s face. If there is swelling on the side then you should call your vet. An abscess is a pocket of pus that contains fluid, bacteria and in some cases a foreign object that may actually be the cause of the bacteria or infection itself. The abscess ruptures to release the pus and bacteria which is a way for the abscess to heal itself. However, there are occasions when the abscess may need additional treatment. For instance, if the foreign mass is in the abscess then it may need to be removed. Talk to your Vet Westminster MD to learn more.