Leptospirosis Prevention and Treatment In Pets

 

Considering that leptospirosis is an infection that is zoonotic, it is advisable to take additional precautions in safeguarding you and your pet from being infected. Aggressive early treatment is necessary to have an improved outcome and also to avoid critical impairment to the kidneys or liver. Treatment procedures normally include antibiotic administration and supportive attention and care.

Currently, there are vaccines available to protect dogs effectively. But for optimal protection, it must be administered yearly. The once-a-year booster shot is definitely advised for pet dogs that live in riskier areas. If you know about possible infection sources, it can help in reducing your pet’s odds of infection and exposure. If your pet dog has already contracted leptospirosis, the following safety measures must be observed in order to safeguard the entire home, human and pets included, from being infected as well:

• Administer antibiotics based only on the prescribed dosage as provided by your vet.

• Should the infected dog urinate inside the house, avoid touching the urine. When cleaning the area, wear gloves and use a disinfectant to destroy any pathogen that may exist.

• Make sure that your dog urinates far from any water sources or any water that pools in your yard or lawn. The same goes for other places that are frequented by other animals and people.

• Make sure that you wash thoroughly your hands using water and soap after cleaning up pee or handling your dog.

For any concerns and/or questions you may have regarding leptospirosis in dogs, contact your vet San Diego, CA.

Why is My Dog Eating Grass?

 

Have you ever seen your dog eat grass? It’s a relatively common behavior amongst our canine friends. The question is, what possesses dogs to do this? And is it safe?

There are a variety of theories as to why dogs eat grass, although no one knows for sure. Many believe that dogs do it to make themselves vomit, perhaps to alleviate a gassy or upset stomach. It’s also possible that your dog simply likes the texture of grass and is trying to add a little roughage to their diet. Also, there could be medical reasons for grass-eating behavior. Pica is a condition in which dogs crave and ingest non-food items. It’s also possible for a dog suffering from a nutritional deficiency to eat grass in an attempt to add missing nutrients to their diet.

If your dog’s grass eating won’t stop, it’s time to call the vet. Contact your vet clinic Tipp City, OH right away.

Basset Hounds and Their Dense Bone Structure

 

Did you know that the Basset hound is one of six recognized Basset breeds in France? The breed was first developed in France as a hunting dog. One of the most recognized features of the Basset is his small stature, short and stubby legs, long ears, long muzzle and his overall sturdy and stocky build. The Basset has very dense bones. It is said if you place a Basset in deep water he will simply sink like a rock. The Basset’s bones are so heavy that at 14 inches tall, he can easily weigh as much as a 22 inch tall Labrador. Because of this unique structure, the Basset is prone to a few health conditions specifically related to stature. For instance, his front legs are so farm his back legs that the bone structure in the middle receives little support creating significant back problems for some Bassets. Click to learn more from your vets Louisville, CO.

Petting-Induced Aggression In Cats

 

Cats tend to be very sensitive creatures.  Yes, they like cuddling with their owners, but they can only tolerate a specific level of tactile stimulation.  Too much stimulation can incite aggression, and this is something cat owners have to be aware of.  Your cat could like being cuddled and being pet for now, but after reaching her max tolerance, you will see signs before ultimately swipes or nips at your fingers.  Therefore, if you wish to cuddle with your kitty cat, be conscious and alert for specific changes in her body language, like ears flickering, tail lashing, skin twitching, a low growling sound, and ears laid flat upon her head.  Your cat could also change her position with no warning, stop purring, or perhaps even glare at you.  If you see any of these signs, stop petting her and move back slowly.

If you have concerns about your pet’s behavior and/or health, make an appointment with your animal clinic Washington DC.

Dog Flu

Dog flu, or canine influenza, is an illness brought about by a virus of the influenza A-type.  It is a highly transmissible illness and dogs have a high probability of getting infected through direct contact with an infected dog.  There are other transmission vectors like exposure to surfaces and objects that are contaminated, secretions from the nose that get released when infected dogs cough, bark, or sneeze, and by persons who have had contact with a dog that is infected, and then moves over to a dog that is uninfected without taking steps to sanitize.

Dog flu symptoms are very similar to kennel cough (or infectious tracheobronchitis) symptoms.  Afflicted dogs have a cough that is very persistent, and there could be a fever, and thick discharge coming from the nose.  The infected dog could also seem lethargic and have some kind of discharge coming from the eyes.  The illness can have varying degrees of severity ranging from severe to mild.  It is also possible for some infected dogs not to display symptoms of the disease at all, but are very much contagious.

Dog flu patients usually recover after two to three weeks, but then there are some dogs that have resulting secondary infections, leading to pneumonia, thereby exacerbating the seriousness of the issue.  

Consult your vet clinic Washington DC about the best way to protect your pet from dog flu and other important health issues.

Does My Cat Absolutely Require A Booster Vaccination?

 

In your kitten’s first twelve months of being alive, she is to be administered the supposedly called ‘core’ vaccines for her protection against certain contagious illnesses that are critical and fatal. Before, it was thought that the vaccinations administered in that first year should be boosted with annual additional shots to keep the protection active. However, recent study evidence says that not every vaccine needs to get boosted annually. In addition, it cannot be proven that yearly booster shots are a benefit to all cats. To make sure that your pet cat’s protection against a certain illness is still active, your veterinarian could perform tests on her blood, measuring the levels of antibodies (antibody titer), determining if your pet needs a booster shot. One thing about these tests on antibody titer is that they tend to be more costly than the booster shots. It could stress out your pet cat too. Then, there is the possibility that high antibody levels do not necessarily mean that your pet is protected enough if exposed to a more potent mutation of the illness.

Seek the expertise of your vet Columbia, MD should any concerns and/or questions regarding vaccines cross your mind. Click their site and make an appointment.

Possible Causes of Seizures in Golden Hamsters

 

Over the course of its lifetime, some hamsters like the Golden hamster may experience seizure activity. If you own a Golden hamster you may want to talk to your vet about the possibility of seizures. Most hamsters will not present abrupt or strong outward symptoms like convulsions or fits. Instead, you may see your hamster tilting his head, walking in circles, having trouble walking, or falling on his back. If this occurs, call your vet right away. In most cases, a hamster may go into seizures of minor convulsions as a result of diabetes, brain injury, brain defects, poisoning, stroke, or even an inner ear infection. The inner ear, especially, is what helps control your hamster’s balance. If the inner ear is infected you will notice your hamster having extreme difficulty walking around. Click here to contact your animal hospital Marion, IA and learn more about possible seizure causes in hamsters like the Golden hamster.