How Hypothermia Can Affect Your Cat

Hypothermia is defined as the decrease in body temperature by 95F. This is a medical emergency that needs prompt medical attention. There will be fatal consequences if help is not immediately given.

The extremely cold weather is the primary factor for hypothermia. The cat’s body temperature is 100.5-102.5 F. If her temperature drops below this range due to the cold weather, then she will suffer from hypothermia. Frostbite and body organ failure will occur if the cat is not given immediate medical attention.

 

Sometimes, losing body heat is another reason for hypothermia. This is a common occurrence among kittens, sickly cats, and older cats. Hypothyroidism is another factor for hypothermia. 

To help identify if hypothermia has developed check the following signs and symptoms:

• Shivering of the body
• Experiencing muscle stiffness
• Lethargic
• Difficulty in breathing
• Pupils are dilated
• Low heartbeat
• Low respiratory rates
• Comatose

If the weather is extremely cold, and your pet shows any of these symptoms, it is best to bring her to the animal hospital Murrieta CA immediately.

What Can Happen When Dogs Eat Cat Litter?

 

Does your dog have the offensive habit of eating cat litter? Luck’s on your side if you managed to catch your dog just inches from making a ruckus in the litter box, but better luck next time if you were too late. Nothing is comparable to a grinning dog with evidence of cat poop left in his teeth.

When your dog consumes too much litter, it might get lodged in the stomach and may require surgery to remove the stuck litter. So if your dog suddenly presents with symptoms such as arching the back in pain or vomiting, bring him immediately to the nearest vet clinic.

If you have an indoor cat that does not go to the veterinarian yearly for fecal tests, parasites might be of concern. If you’re a pet owner that lets their cats go outside, those cats have a higher chance of accumulating intestinal parasites and might pass them unknowingly to your dog if they went to the litter box to have a feast. Contrary to popular belief, most cat owners would not really know when their pets have parasites.

If you have concerns about your pet’s health and/or behavior, make an appointment with your animal hospital Frisco, TX.

Dogs Can Drown - Tips To Protect Your Dog From Drowning

 

Contrary to popular belief, dogs are not natural swimmers. Known as dog paddling, dogs tread the water instinctively if they fall in it, but this however does not actually equate to knowing to swim. With this, dogs should be introduced properly to water.

Obedience training is the most crucial first step. The rationale for this is because when dogs do not follow your orders on land, they will most certainly not in all bodies of water. After obedience training, the advice below should be followed to ensure your dog’s safety.

Protect Against Drowning

• You should know your pet well. There are other breeds that are better with water. Boston Terriers, English Bulldogs, and Pugs, among other breeds that have short snouts, are better on land and may not be suited for swimming.

• Throwing your pet in any body of water is strictly not advised.

• Don’t leave your pet unattended near water. If you have a pool, make sure to fence it.

• Teach your dog how to exit the pool using the stairs if you have one. First practice getting out together until your dog gradually understands where he can exit and how to exit in case he accidentally falls in the pool.

• A dog is more prone to drowning since this is very tiring. It will depend on you to let your dog rest often or get him out of the pool. Taking CPR classes for dogs and buying a life vest for dogs will be a great idea.

Your vet Plano, TX is a valuable source of information about your pet’s health and well-being.

Ticks In Dogs

 

Ticks are one of the most prolific external parasitic arachnids that can infest your dog.  Mature ticks subsist on their host’s blood and if the infestation is heavy enough, it could cause anemia.  Ticks are also prolific carriers of illnesses, quite a number of which are transmittable to people.  Tick season usually runs from spring all the way through autumn, however, they are active all-year-round.

Ticks can be found on bushes and shrubs.  They tend to quickly latch themselves on passers-by, both humans, and dogs, therefore, bringing them to the household, possibly infecting others.  Performing a search for ticks must happen whenever your pet has gone on an outdoor romp.  Be particularly attentive to your pet’s ears and in-between his toes.  Should you locate a tick, awareness of the proper removal is a must, because incorrect extraction might leave behind tick body parts still stuck in your pet’s skin, possibly causing irritation, infection, and inflammation.

Working with your veterinarian Salisbury, NC in creating a preventative program against ticks is a must, and the program should cover prevention throughout the year, not only during peak tick season.

Symptoms Of Feline Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)

 

Cats afflicted with FLUTD urinate with difficulty.  Quite a number of conditions may be contributing to FLUTD.  Some of these conditions include infections of the urinary tract, bladder inflammation (cystitis), polyps in the bladder, bladder stones, stress, urethral plug, and perhaps even urinary tract cancer.  Even though there are a number of causes for FLUTD occurring, manifested symptoms are pretty much similar.

FLUTD symptoms

●Urination is painful

●No urine gets passed or very little urine even though the animal is already straining when peeing

●Inappropriate urination

●Urine has blood

●Licks the butt excessively

●Noticeable behavior changes

If you see your cat exhibit any of the symptoms above, make an appointment with your animal hospital Ellicott City, MD as soon as possible.  If a cat is not able to urinate, it can lead to complications.  Without effective and proper intervention and treatment, a blockage in the animal can be fatal.

Why Cats Should Be Kept Well-Groomed

 

Even though cats are known to be fussy when it comes to grooming themselves, getting help with grooming can still add benefits to their well-being. The following are significant reasons to having your cat professionally groomed:

• There are some medical problems that require specialized grooming. One good example would be a diabetic cat. These cats tend to sport extra greasy hair coats that could have everything to gain from professional assistance with grooming. This can also apply to cats with joint pain.

• Overweight or obese cats, and also senior cats might have limited flexibility and mobility. This reduced capacity of movement makes it so that there is difficulty in grooming certain areas in the body.

• A special hypoallergenic bath is able to eliminate allergies and also soothe irritated skin.

• A cat’s nails can be very risky to trim. This is most evident if your pet does not get regular nail trimming at home.

• Cat breeds with long hair coats, such as the Main Coon, the Himalayan, or the Persian cat, are susceptible to matted hair.

A sudden change in your pet’s grooming habits should prompt a visit to your animal hospital Castle Hills TX sooner rather than later. Visit this site for more information.

Why Pets Should Have Wellness Checks

 

Taking your pets once a year to a trusted, local veterinary clinic for check-ups regarding their overall wellness will make sure that your fur babies are nimble and healthy. Updated vaccinations of your pets are essential as well. Aside from that, healthy and clean gums and teeth are important for your fur babies’ health. Take your pets as soon as possible to a near vet clinic if they are manifesting signs and/or symptoms of illness.

Attending to your pet’s grooming needs regularly will also keep your pets happy and healthy. Fur that is matted can be unhealthy and painful for dogs. It can also make them unsightly to look at. Hair brushing, bathing, removing fleas or ticks, and trimming nails are essential to your pet’s health and well-being. Ear inspection should also be done regularly. If there are any signs of parasite infestation, infection, or inflammation, make an appointment with your vet clinic San Antonio, TX.