Category Archives: Pets Care

Animal Shelter Misconceptions

Posted on by

It’s safe to say that animal shelters are sometimes misunderstood. That’s probably because of the nature of the work they do. But it’s important that you don’t believe everything you hear. Below, vets Virginia Beach, VA tells you the truth about some animal-shelter misconceptions.

Shelter pets poorly behave.

Not true! Most pets in shelters are perfectly well-behaved. If they’re young pets, they’ll need training as they grow up, just as any pet would. Pets don’t typically get relinquished to shelters because of poor behavior; they’re often brought because of abandonment or over-breeding.

The shelters and their pets are dirty.

Shelter staff members work throughout the day to keep the entire shelter, and the pets inside of it, clean and sanitary. These efforts are essential for preventing the spread of diseases among so many pets housed in close quarters. 

Shelter pets are expensive. 

While “expensive” is a subjective matter, the truth is that adoption fees from an animal shelter will usually be far less than the price tags at pet stores or at breeders’ facilities. Save yourself money and save a life—adopt your next animal friend! 

Does your companion need a veterinary checkup? Call your veterinary clinic Virginia Beach, VA.

What to Know About Pet Insurance Plans

Posted on by

You can purchase insurance for just about anything. That includes your pet! Pet insurance plans might be a good idea for you, and they’re a good way for many pet owners to mitigate the risk of high veterinary bills should something go wrong. Learn more about pet insurance in this article from veterinary clinic Washington DC. 

How Pet Insurance Works

Just like other types of insurance you’re familiar with, you’ll pay a monthly premium—you might also pay on an annual or bi-annual basis—and have a set deductible to reach before the plan starts compensating. There are plans that cover multiple pets, too, if you own more than one animal companion and would like all of them covered. 

What Pet Insurance Covers

Some pet insurance policies cover only major medical procedures, while some cover more routine things like wellness visits and medications. There are all sorts of plans out there—it’s up to you to pick what works best for your pet’s particular needs. 

Making the Choice

Any pet can benefit from pet insurance, especially those at high risk for health problems. Talk to your vets Washington DC to find out if pet insurance might be a good idea for you.

Saving a Little Money on Pet Care

Posted on by

Who wouldn’t like to save a little cash now and again? When it comes to pet care, you can do just that without sacrificing your pet’s health or wellness in the least. Use these tips from a veterinarian Derby to accomplish it: 

Practice Prevention, Not Treatment

Preventative medicine is cheaper than treatment, every time. Have your pet wear year-round pest-control products to ward away fleas, ticks, worms, and other dangerous critters. Keep them updated with vaccinations against distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, Lyme disease, and others. 

Use the Proper Portion Size

Overfeeding a pet wastes food. It also contributes to obesity, which can be troublesome and expensive to reverse later in life. Ask your vet what kind of portion size will work best for your animal friend–it’s good for their waistline and your wallet! 

Adopt, Don’t Shop! 

Before you even get a pet, there is a good way to save money: adopt them from a shelter or rescue organization, rather than purchasing them from a pet store or breeder where the price tag will surely be higher. You’ll save a life and a bit of money.

Does your pet need veterinary attention? That’s where we come in. Call your veterinary clinic Derby. 

Is Pet Insurance Right for Me and My Animal Companion?

Posted on by

Did you know that you can purchase pet insurance, the same way you purchase a car, health, or renter’s insurance? It may be a good choice for you and your pet—learn more below from a veterinarian Lewisville, TX. 

How Pet Insurance Works

Pet insurance works like other types of insurance. You’ll pay a premium on a monthly, yearly, or perhaps bi-annual basis, and have a set deductible to reach before the plan begins covering costs. 

What Pet Insurance Covers

What your pet insurance plan covers depends on what kind of plan you choose. There are plans that only cover major medical issues, others that cover medications or wellness appointments, and others that might cover alternative care like acupuncture. It all depends on the needs of your pet and what kind of coverage you opt for. 

Is Pet Insurance Right for You?

Insurance is generally a good idea for most pets. It’s especially helpful for pets with pre-existing health conditions, breeds known for certain health trouble, or aging pets or extremely young pets. Talk with your vet to decide whether or not pet insurance is a good choice for you.

Call the professionals at your vet clinic Lewisville, TX for further advice.

Dangerous Pet Toxins Already in Your House

Posted on by

Every good pet owner is aware of a few potential hazards. But did you know that there are probably some in your home right now? It’s almost unavoidable, but you can take steps to make sure your pet stays safe. Learn more here from a vet clinic in Jacksonville, FL.

Toxic Foods

There are all kinds of foods that pets shouldn’t eat, including onions, garlic, chives, leeks, scallions, shallots, grapes and raisins, chocolate, candy, gum, fatty foods, buttery foods, and alcohol, among others. Make sure your pet can’t get their paws on any dangerous foods!

Poisonous Plants

Dieffenbachia, chrysanthemums, Autumn crocus, elephant ear, daffodils, tulips, lilies, the sago palm, ivy, oleander, philodendron, azalea… the list of potentially toxic plants for pets goes on. Check your home and landscaping for any offenders and remove them at once.

Medication

Human medications like painkillers, cough syrup, antidepressants, and much more can harm a pet. Some medicines that are prescribed to pets, such as pain medications, can even prove toxic in a high enough dosage. Store your medication carefully and follow instructions to the letter when giving your pet medicine.

Learn more about pet toxins in your home by calling your animal hospital Jacksonville, FL today.

3 Easy Steps for Brushing Fido’s Teeth

Posted on by

We’re willing to bet that your dog’s breath doesn’t smell like a field of lilies. But did you know that you can help your dog’s breath smell better, and keep his oral health in good condition, simply by brushing the teeth? Do so with these easy steps from a vet New Orleans, LA.

Gather Your Supplies

First things first: get together everything you’ll need to brush Fido’s teeth. This includes a pet toothbrush, a canine-specific toothpaste (never use toothpaste made for humans), and a few tasty dog treats. Now, sit down with your dog in a quiet, well-lit area of the home to get started.

Introduce the Paste and Brush

Let your dog smell and taste the toothpaste at first, and try rubbing your finger along his gums to get him acclimated to the brushing sensation. When he’s ready, dab a bit of paste on the brush to begin.

Brush the Teeth

Give each area of the mouth a good scrub with the paste and brush. Focus on the outer tooth surfaces, where plaque accumulates. Finish off with a dog treat to reward Fido for a job well done.

For help with brushing, contact your pet clinic New Orleans, LA.

Quick Tips for Good Canine Coat Care

Posted on by

When was the last time you tended to Fido’s coat? Our canine friends aren’t quite the consummate self-groomers that cats are. Use these tips from vets Virginia Beach, VA to make sure your dog’s coat of fur stays in great shape.

Brush Regularly

It’s always a good idea to brush your dog’s coat on a regular basis. Brushing not only keeps your dog’s coat smooth and dirt-free, it reduces shedding. That’s because the act of brushing traps loose fur in the brush itself, and it spreads essential skin oils through the coat to moisturize it naturally.

Bathing Tips

Bathe your dog thoroughly with a specialized shampoo made specifically for dogs. And don’t bathe too often—this can actually dry out your pup’s fur and skin, leading to a dull coat and more shedding.

Feed a Good Diet

Were you aware that your dog’s diet has a great deal to do with his coat quality? When Fido is fed a poor diet, the coat is one of the first things to suffer. So, make sure your pooch receives high-quality food in the proper portion size.

Make your canine friend’s next office appointment with your veterinary clinic Virginia Beach, VA.

Pet Toxins at Home

Posted on by

We tend to think of our homes as the safest places for our pets to be. And that’s correct. But it’s also important to be aware that almost every home contains a few potential pet toxins! Here, your veterinarian Bend, OR tells you what to watch out for:

Toxic Foods

Onions, garlic, chocolate, candy, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, caffeinated foods and beverages, fatty foods, alcohol… the list of potentially harmful human foods for pets goes on and on. Store dangerous food in closed containers, cabinets, or the refrigerator so your pet can’t gain access.

Human Medication

Medicines like antidepressants, cough syrup, and many common painkillers can prove toxic to pets. Even medications that are prescribed to pets can be dangerous in the wrong dosage! Store human medicine carefully, and follow dosing instructions to the letter when you’re giving your pet their own medications.

Poisonous Plants

There’s a long list of poisonous plants and flowers for pets. Dieffenbachia, elephant ear, philodendron, lilies, the sago palm, and chrysanthemums are just a few examples. Do your research to make sure your pet stays safe!

Want more advice on keeping your pet happy and healthy at home? Call your vet clinic Bend, OR.

Pink Eye in Your Cat or Dog

Posted on by

You’ve probably heard of the pink eye before, as it’s relatively common in the world of human health. But pets can also get pink eye! Learn more here from a veterinarian North Dallas, TX.

Causes

Pink eye, known medically as conjunctivitis, simply means inflammation of the conjunctiva (the tissues around the eyes). Conjunctivitis can occur by itself, or it can accompany another disease. So, the causes are numerous and include things like a bacterial infection, viral infection, and foreign bodies in the eye, allergies, eye trauma, glaucoma, and much more.

Symptoms

The main sign of pink eye is a red, inflamed eye or eyelids. It can occur in both eyes simultaneously or in just one at a time. Other symptoms include eye discharge, frequent blinking, pawing at the eye, and an increase in tear production.

Treating Pink Eye

Your vet will perform a full eye exam to try and determine the cause of the pink eye (a cause isn’t found in every case). Treatment will depend on the cause, and anti-inflammatory medication is often administered to reduce redness and swelling.

Your vets North Dallas, TX can tell you more about the pink eye in pets—call us today if you would like to learn more.

Understanding Microchip Basics

Posted on by

Proper identification is important for your dog or cat. It simply gives them the best chance of returning home should they get lost or run away. And a microchip is the best way to do it—learn more here from a vet clinic Bowmanville, ON.

What’s a Microchip?

A microchip is a very small computer chip that contains an electronic reference number. This number corresponds with the chip manufacturer’s database, where your pet’s contact information is stored. When a lost pet is relinquished to an animal shelter or vet’s office, scanning devices there read the chip’s number to get the lost pet back home.

Why Bother Getting My Pet One?

Microchips provide peace of mind with their constant and secure identification. Plus, they’re very cost-effective—you only have to purchase one for your pet’s entire lifetime. If you get a new phone number or change addresses, simply update your information with the manufacturer.

How Do I Get Started?

Do you have questions about microchip identification? Ready to outfit your pet with a microchip for a lifetime of proper ID? That’s where we come in. Set up an appointment with your vets Bowmanville, ON today to get your pet microchipped.