Category Archives: Pets Care

Tips for Air Travel with Pets

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Thinking of traveling with your pet? If you’re going by airplane, there are a few considerations to make. It’s not as easy as taking a road trip! Your veterinarian Murrieta, CA tells you more below.

Check the Airline Policies

First, make sure to check the pet policy of the airline you’re flying with. Not every airline allows pets on board, and those that do may have certain restrictions based on size, type of pet, breed, etc. Know what you’re getting into before booking your flight.

Prepare Your Pet for Flight

Before takeoff, take your pet to the vet’s office for a full examination. Your veterinarian can determine whether or not your pet is healthy enough for air travel and give your recommendations on keeping your pet calm during the entire process. After all, air travel can prove quite stressful for dogs and cats!

Check Your Destination

Check with your destination before leaving home—whether it’s a hotel, resort, or a friend or family member’s home—to make sure pets are welcome. You don’t want to arrive to find out that your pet isn’t allowed there!

Want more tips on traveling with pets by air? Call your animal hospital Murrieta, CA.

Vaccines for Cats and Dogs

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A key part of any healthy pet’s care routine is vaccination. How much do you know about your pet’s vaccination needs? Here, your veterinarian New Orleans, LA goes over the basics of vaccines for your dog or cat.

Core Vaccines

All pets need what are called the core vaccines. They’re named this because they’ve considered essential for just about every pet thanks to the dangerous and/or contagious nature of the diseases they protect against. Some examples of core vaccines include the distemper, feline leukemia, hepatitis, and rabies vaccines.

Non-Core Vaccines

As you can probably guess, non-core vaccines aren’t considered essential for every pet. But they might help your companion based on factors like exposure risk, environment, pre-existing health concerns, and more. The Bordetella vaccine is one example; it protects against kennel cough, so it may be helpful for a pet who will be boarded commonly later on in life.

Shot Schedule

Talk to your veterinarian for more information about your pet’s vaccination schedule. Initial vaccines can be given when your pet is about eight weeks old, and they’ll need booster shots throughout their life to help the vaccines remain effective.

Learn more by calling your vet clinic New Orleans, LA.

Microchip FAQs for the New Pet Owner

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New to pet ownership? Proper identification is important for your animal companion, and a microchip is the best way to achieve it. Allow your veterinarian San Antonio, TX to fill you in on microchips in this article.

What’s a Microchip?

A microchip is a tiny computer chip with a number implanted on it electronically. That number references to the manufacturer’s database, where your pet’s contact information is stored. When your pet is lost and gets relinquished to a vet’s office or shelter facility, specialized scanners there can read the chip’s number, reuniting the pet with the owner—that’s you!

What’s the Benefit?

The benefit of microchip technology is that it provides constant identification for your pet. Even if they escape unexpectedly, you have the peace of mind knowing that they’re identified. Plus, microchips are very cost-effective; they’re inexpensive and should last most of your pet’s life.

What’s the Procedure Like?

The microchip is housed in a tiny glass capsule, and that unit is inserted under your pet’s skin using a specialized syringe-like device. It’s much like a regular vaccination—all your pet feels is a momentary pinch before it’s all over.

Learn more by calling your vet San Antonio, TX.

The ABCs of Catnip

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You’ve probably heard of catnip. It’s entirely likely that you’ve tried it out on your feline friend. But what do you know about your cat’s favorite indulgence? Learn more here from a veterinarian Murrieta, CA.

What Exactly is Catnip?

Catnip is an herb, related closely to mint, basil, and other common herbs. You can purchase “raw” catnips, which is a dried and processed version of the wild plant, or toys or spray products that have catnip infused into them.

Why Does Catnips Affect Cats?

Catnip contains a chemical called nepetalactone, and it causes a reaction in your cat’s brain. Some experts liken it to a kind of sexual response since the part of the brain that’s triggered is the same one responsible for sexual urges. It’s a kind of feline aphrodisiac!

Is Catnips Safe?

Yes, catnip is perfectly safe. The chemical reaction in the brain isn’t harmful whatsoever, and your cat can’t overdose or become addicted. And some cats don’t respond at all—they need a particular gene to feel the effects of the herb, and only about half of all cats possess it.

Want more information on catnips and your feline friend’s behavior? Contact your animal hospital Murrieta, CA.

Probiotic Supplements and Your Pet

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You’ve probably heard of probiotics, as they’re very helpful in the world of human health and medicine. You might have even taken one yourself. But can pets have probiotic supplements? Learn more here from a veterinarian New Orleans, LA.

What Are Probiotics?

A probiotic is a beneficial microbe that’s found in your pet’s small or large intestine. They help to keep the “bad” microbes at bay in these areas and are helpful for digesting food, destroying pathogens, and manufacturing vitamins and other nutrients.

What Can Probiotics Do for Pets?

Your pet might use a probiotic to regulate digestive health, help treat infections or infestations, or even to minimize stress. Most often, probiotics are prescribed when your pet needs help dealing with some kind of digestive issue. The probiotic itself might come in a tablet or capsule form, or in a yogurt or kefir product.

Should I Give My Pet a Probiotic?

Check with your veterinarian to find out if your pet would benefit from a probiotic before deciding to give them one. That way, you know for sure that it’s completely safe!

To learn more about your pet’s digestive health and nutrition, call your vet clinic New Orleans, LA today.

How to Combat Pet Odors at Home

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Let’s face it—sometimes, our homes can start to smell a little bit too much like our pets. Pets just have a natural odor, and that can transfer into your carpets and furniture! Luckily, something can be done; learn more from a vet Washington DC.

Grooming

Groom your pet on a daily basis, because it will do wonders for odors. Brushing regularly removes grime from the coat and keeps fur from falling all over your home. The occasional bath—using a canine- or feline-formulated shampoo—will keep your companion smelling great for weeks to come.

Odor Neutralizers

Air fresheners just mask over smells, letting them return over time. An odor neutralizer, though, destroys enzymes that cause odors in the first place. There are products to combat stains and odors from vomit, feces, urine, and more! Browse the selection at your local pet store.

See the Vet

Does your pet smell particularly strong, or has an odor seemingly come out of nowhere? Schedule an office appointment to have your pet examined. Various health issues—skin infection, parasites, rotting teeth, and more—could be the root cause of the smell!

Contact your vet clinic Washington DC to learn more about pet odors.

Probiotics for Pets: Does Your Pet Need One?

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You may have heard of probiotics before, as they’re relatively common in human healthcare. You might have even tried a probiotic yourself. Were you aware that pets can also benefit from probiotics? Learn more below from a Savannah, GA vet.

What Are Probiotic, Anyway?

Probiotics are beneficial microbes that live in your pet’s intestinal tract. They keep “bad” microbes from affecting your pet’s health; probiotics help to digest food, manufacture vitamins, and other nutrients and destroy pathogens in the system. Probiotics made for pets might be included in pet food, or it may come in a tablet form or in a yogurt or kefir product.

What Does Probiotic Do for Pets?

Probiotics are often prescribed to help with health issues involving digestive problems since they help to regulate intestinal microbial balance. A probiotic may be prescribed to regulate digestion, minimize stress, or manage or correct infections and infestations.

Does My Pet Need to Take a Probiotic?

As a rule of thumb, check with your veterinarian before giving a probiotic supplement to your pet. That way, you know for sure that it’s safe!

To learn more about probiotics for your pet, contact your veterinarians Savannah, GA. We’re here for you!

Taking Good Care of Your Pup’s Coat

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Do you own a dog? They’re not as good as cats are at maintaining their own coats of fur. That’s where you come in. Use these tips from a Burlington, ON veterinarian to take good care of Fido’s coat.

Brushing

Brush your dog’s fur on a daily basis using a brush made specifically for your dog’s type and length of hair. (Ask your vet for a recommendation.) Brushing smooths tangles, gets rid of grime underneath the fur, and spreads natural skin oils through the coat to moisturize it effectively.

Bathing

Bathing your dog occasionally with a canine-formulated shampoo is another way to make sure the coat stays in peak condition. Don’t use human shampoo or shampoo made for other animals as it may be too sensitive for Fido’s skin, and don’t bathe too often—that can dry out the coat and make for more shedding.

Feeding a Great Diet

Last but not least, giving Fido proper nutrition via a great diet is the best way to make sure the coat stays pristine. Ask your vet to recommend a high-quality food choice for your pooch’s needs.

Want to learn more about your dog’s grooming needs? Call your veterinarian Burlington, ON.

Xylitol Poisoning 101 in Dogs and Cats

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Have you ever heard of xylitol? It’s an artificial sweetener used in many candies, gums, and other products like toothpaste. It’s okay for humans but toxic for animals! Your London, ON veterinarian tells you more below.

Symptoms

The symptoms of xylitol poisoning can come on in as little as 30 minutes after ingestion. They include lethargy, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and—without quick treatment—seizures, coma, and even death.

Treatment

Take your pet to the emergency room if you know or suspect that they’ve eaten something containing xylitol. The stomach may be flushed, or your vet may administer activated charcoal to absorb the remaining toxin in the gut. As a pet recovers, fluid therapy to replace water and electrolyte levels may be needed. Oxygen supplementation and other medical methods might even be necessary in severe cases.

Prevention

Prevent xylitol poisoning in the first place by restricting your pet’s access to any sweet treats. Don’t leave goodies lying about on the counter, where a pet could swipe them down. Check the ingredients list on common human foods (like peanut butter) that you may try and give to your pet.

Learn more about xylitol by calling your veterinary clinic London, ON for help.

Probiotics for Your Pet

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Probiotics are rather common in the world of human healthcare. Did you know that they’re also available for pets? Probiotics can benefit your pet in a variety of ways. Learn more here from a Marietta, GA veterinarian.

What Are Probiotics, Anyway?

Probiotics are beneficial microbes that live in your pet’s small or large intestine. They keep “bad” microbes at bay and help to digest food, manufacture vitamins, and other nutrients, and get rid of harmful pathogens. Probiotics for pets might come in the form of a tablet or capsule or yogurt or kefir. It could also be included in pet food.

What Can Probiotics Do for My Pet?

Probiotics help maintain the proper intestinal microbial balance, so they can be prescribed to help with many kinds of digestive health issues. They can be given to manage or correct infestations or infections, regulate digestion, and even to help lower stress levels.

Does My Pet Need Probiotics?

To be safe, only give your pet a probiotic if it’s been cleared by your veterinarian. That way, you’ll be sure it’s completely safe for your beloved companion.

To learn more about your pet’s nutrition and diet, contact your animal hospital Marietta, GA today.