Solving Litter Box Issues

 

Cats will persistently refuse to make use of their litter boxes if these are not up to their standards or preferences. We have listed down some of the well-known litter box issues that cat owners should recognize and take note of.

The depth and shallowness of the litter is a matter of preference for cats. There will be quite a few cats that would favor a shallower litter layer but, there are also those that enjoy a deeper litter layer. Deep litter layers give cats the luxury to dig around and bury their poop as they please. Placing a lining inside the litter box can lessen the inconvenience of cleaning it. However, cats aren’t fans of the lining’s texture, which is made of plastic, especially when they try to bury their poop.

A sudden change in your pet’s elimination habits should warrant a visit to your best animal hospital Bossier City LA.

Hot Spots On Dogs

 

Pyotraumatic dermatitis, better known in layman’s terms as “hot spots”, is a skin condition induced by self-inflicted trauma such as excessive scratching, biting, licking. Any part of a dog’s body can be affected by this skin condition. However, common or usual sites of predilection include their hip, chest, and head. Pyotraumatic and moist dermatitis are often used interchangeably in diagnosing this skin condition. Dogs would typically manifest with a reddish lesion on their skin. These hot spots are pruritic, oozing, and painful. It’s easier to notice these hot spots if there are bald spots or areas devoid of any hair. If the dog would lick and scratch the lesions non-stop, the hot spots can grow bigger and become severe in a matter of hours. A lesion that started as a few centimeters big in the morning, can rapidly grow to the size of a human palm come evening. In some dogs, matted hair can conceal the location of the lesion and owners won’t be able to recognize the severity of the skin condition because of this. Dogs suffering from pyotraumatic dermatitis would refuse to be touched in any sites where there are lesions because these can be painful for them. Their natural response would be to growl, bite, and snap at their owners if they do try to pet or touch them.

Contact a vet immediately, or rush to the nearest animal hospital Dallas, GA if your pet manifests with any of the symptoms of hot spots. Click this website The Ark Animal Hospital to learn more.

Is Smoking Weed Around Dogs Dangerous?

 

Second-hand smoke from marijuana use can wreak havoc on your dog’s respiratory system since it can cause lung damage especially if your dog is kept in a poorly-ventilated room. Dogs will inhale marijuana smoke in enclosed spaces and can be at risk of marijuana intoxication. Their lung tissues and respiratory lining are susceptible to damage from marijuana. The effect of secondhand smoke from regular cigarettes alone can severely impair your dog’s respiratory function. Daily marijuana or weed exposure for your dogs may be more detrimental and can cause serious complications. Intoxicated pet owners would lack sound judgment in taking care of their pet’s health and needs.

Marijuana is derived from a plant that contains the compound cannabinoids. There are several methods of exposure that can intoxicate pets. They can get intoxicated by inhaling secondhand smoke, ingesting the substance, and eating products mixed with marijuana. A dog’s brain has plenty of cannabinoid receptors that can make them more vulnerable to the toxic effects of marijuana even in small amounts.

Exposure to marijuana is harmful to your dogs. Take your dog to your best animal hospital Columbia, MD if he had any exposure to the substance.

Possible Signs Insulinoma in Ferrets

Did you know that ferrets can have various health conditions that can only be diagnosed by your vet? This is why it’s important to make sure your ferret has a vet and keeps routine checkups. Insulinoma is a disease that causes an over production of insulin in ferrets. The disease often occurs when the cells in the pancreas produce tumors or nodules that in turn cause an increase in insulin production or hypoglycemia. The tumors can be as big as 1 cm and recurring as individuals or in groups. Symptoms of Insulinoma include blank expressions or staring into space, depression, weight loss, foaming and pawing at the mouth, lack of appetite, lethargy, excessive salivation, difficulty using hind legs, seizures, and coma. As the disease progresses the symptoms will become more severe. If you notice any of these symptoms in your ferret, call your veterinarian North Dallas, TX.

Causes Of Deafness In Cats

 

Cats have a very keen sense of hearing, unfortunately, it’s also the first sense that goes. In cats, deafness may be congenital, meaning it’s present at birth, or the condition can be acquired. Some cases of deafness may be reversible when the underlying cause can be treated. However, other causes can be permanent. 

Loss of hearing in cats can be age-related. Deafness can take place gradually over time as a cat ages, therefore it often goes unnoticed. Age-relate deafness is a consequence of eardrums that thicken and become less flexible as cats age. The inner ears’ delicate structures also lose their sensitivity to vibration. In senior cats, loss of hearing is usually caused by a combination of the fusing of the bones of the inner ear and nerve damage. 

Being exposed to loud noises, such as firecrackers or loud music, have also been implicated in hearing loss in cats. 

Congenital deafness usually affects white cats with blue eyes. However, not all white cats or white cats with blue or green eyes are deaf. 

Any sign of an ear problem should warrant an appointment with your animal hospital Coral Springs, FL.

Keeping Your Pet Safe When Applying Pest Control

 

To keep homes and gardens pest-free, many pet owners apply pest control techniques that could have a bad impact on their pets. Pest control products may be sprayed, laid as traps, or sprinkled as bait in areas that could be easily accessed by pets. Before applying pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, etc. it is important that you make sure the products won’t cause any adverse effects on your pet. Even when you hire professional pest control companies, it is always good to ask about the safety of using any product around the pets. Most liquid products tend to be safe after they have dried, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Before pesticides are applied on your lawn or garden, make sure that your pet is confined indoors so it won’t have any access to the area until the pesticide has dried completely. 

Call your animal hospital Roanoke, VA immediately if your pet has been exposed to pesticides even if he is not showing any signs of toxicity.

Probiotic Brands for Cats and Dogs

 

There are different types of probiotic brands available for cats and dogs. Your vet may recommend a particular brand if your pet needs a probiotic. One such brand available is FortiFlora. Has your pet been prescribed this probiotic before? Make sure you talk with your vet thoroughly to understand why the probiotic has been prescribed and what it should do for your pet. In general, FortiFlora is a type of probiotic produced by Purina a producer of dog and cat food. This particular probiotic is used as a nutritional supplement to help cats with liver health, intestinal health and balance, management of diarrhea related to diet, and promoting healthy immune systems. For dogs, FortiFlora is often recommended to help with liver health, intestinal health and balance, management of dietary diarrhea as well as help reduce gas. Although some probiotics for pets are available over the counter, please check with your vets Bourne, MA before giving them to your pet. Visit this website Sandwich Animal Hospital Inc. for more information.