Category Archives: Pets Care

Preparing for Disaster Situations as a Pet Owner

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While it’s not likely you’ll have to deal with a disaster situation with your pet, it’s always possible. And it’s best to be prepared. Here, your veterinarians Bend, OR offers some quick tips. 

Build or buy a first-aid kit.

If your pet gets hurt because of an accident or emergency, a first-aid kit nearby can be lifesaving. You can purchase a first-aid kit, or build your own. Include things like gauze, bandages, medical tape, a pet-safe disinfectant, a pet thermometer, tweezers, scissors, a styptic powder or pen, and soft towels. 

Prepare a bug-out bag.

Pack your first-aid kit and long-term supplies—canned food and a can opener, food and water dishes, bottled water, a pet bed, a leash, and collar, etc.—in a bag. That way, you can grab it at a moment’s notice if you have to leave town in a hurry. 

Have a plan.

Map your route out of town and plan for multiple detours. Research pet-friendly hotels, as well as vet’s offices, along your route. And see if family or friends who live elsewhere would be willing to take you in during a disaster or emergency situation. 

Call your vets Bend, OR today for more great tips.

How to Win the Fight Against Mosquitoes

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Mosquitoes are more than a nuisance for our pets. They can transmit dangerous diseases like the West Nile virus, and their bite can infest your pet with heartworms. How can you fend them off? Learn more below from a veterinary clinic New Orleans, LA.

Use a preventative. 

Make sure your pet is kept up to date with quality heartworm prevention. That way, even when a mosquito does bite your pet, there’s nothing to worry about. The medication will kill off the heartworm larvae before they grow into adult worms. And heartworm preventatives help keep other parasitic worms like hookworms and roundworms at bay, too! 

Tidy up your landscaping.

Mosquitoes and other pests are attracted to tall grasses and dense shrubs. Keeping your yard tidy is a great way to keep pests of all kinds to a minimum.

Clean up the yard.

Don’t leave garbage lying around in your yard, as it can attract pests. And be sure to remove any sources of standing water, like old tires or empty flower pots. Mosquitoes breed in still water.

Contact your veterinarians New Orleans, LA to learn more about mosquitoes and how to keep your pet safe from harm. We’re here to help!

What is Xylitol and Why is it Bad for Pets?

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Have you ever heard of something called xylitol? It’s an artificial sugar used in various candies, gum, sweets, and toothpaste, and it’s very bad for pets! Learn more below from veterinarian Portland, OR. 

Symptoms of Poisoning

If your pet eats something sweetened with xylitol, they can experience symptoms like lethargy, drooling, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, and—if treatment isn’t given promptly—seizures, coma, and even death. That’s why quick veterinary attention is so important! 

Treatment of Xylitol Poisoning

Your pet’s stomach may need to be flushed, and activated charcoal is sometimes given to stop the toxin from absorbing further in the stomach. A pet recovering from xylitol poisoning might need fluid therapy, oxygen supplementation, and other measures if the problem is serious enough. The sooner your pet receives treatment, the more likely it is they’ll make a full recovery.

Preventing the Problem

Prevent xylitol poisoning in pets by keeping any and all items sweetened with the sugar substitute in closed containers, cabinets, or the refrigerator. That way, your pet can’t get their paws on anything harmful. It’s as simple as that!

Want to learn more about xylitol poisoning? Contact your vet clinic Portland, OR to speak with the professionals.

Should I Give My Pet a Probiotic?

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Probiotics have been popular in the world of human nutrition for some time. And it turns out that they can be very good for pets, too. Below, your veterinarian Ellicott City, MD tells you more about probiotics and how your animal friend might benefit. 

What are probiotics?

Think of probiotics as the “good” microbes in your pet’s gut, keeping the “bad” microbes at bay. Probiotics maintain the proper microbial balance in the gut, and they help to destroy pathogens, manufacture nutrients, and digest food. 

For pets, a probiotic supplement might come in capsule form, or it might be in a yogurt or kefir form. Probiotics are also often included in normal pet food. 

What’s the benefit?

Probiotics can be given to any pet who needs help regulating their digestive function. And evidence shows that a probiotic regimen may even help reduce your pet’s stress levels. Talk to your vet to find out about other benefits of probiotics. 

Does my pet need a probiotic?

While your pet may benefit from a probiotic, it’s always smart to check with your vet first. That way, you know it’s perfectly safe! 

Contact your vets Ellicott City, MD to learn more about pet probiotics.

Understanding Xylitol Poisoning

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Xylitol is an artificial sugar substitute found in many candies, gums, and certain toothpaste. It’s okay for humans but very toxic for pets! Learn more here as your vets San Antonio, TX elaborates. 

What are the symptoms?

Your pet’s pancreas mistakes xylitol for real sugar, which causes a quick and dramatic drop in blood pressure. Symptoms of poisoning include lethargy, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea, and even collapse, coma, and death if aid isn’t administered quickly. 

What if my pet eats something containing xylitol? 

If you know or suspect that your pet has eaten something made with xylitol, take them to the vet’s office immediately. The stomach may need to be flushed, and activated charcoal is often given to absorb the remaining toxin in the gut. Pets recovering from poisoning might need fluid therapy, oxygen supplementation, or even blood transfusions in severe cases. 

How can I prevent any issues?

Keep any and all sweet treats out of your pet’s reach in sealed containers, cabinets, or the refrigerator. Restrict your pet’s access to things like toothpaste that could also be sweetened with xylitol. 

Always keep your veterinary clinic San Antonio, TX phone number close by to call in the event of an emergency.

Can a Pet Get Poison Ivy?

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Can your pet get a poison ivy rash like you can? The answer is yes, they can. However, it’s not something we typically have to worry about as pet owners. Learn more below from your local pet clinic London, ON. 

Symptoms of Poison Ivy

A red, itchy rash on the skin is the main symptom of poison ivy in pets, just like it is in humans. But your pet’s fur will block poison ivy’s irritating substance (urushiol) from reaching the skin in most areas, so the rash is likely to appear on exposed areas like the face or paws. 

How to Treat Poison Ivy Rashes

A pet suffering from a poison ivy rash will need to be bathed in warm water and a medicated shampoo, or oatmeal shampoo in some cases. This will reduce inflammation and redness while washing away the irritant. You should wear latex gloves while bathing your pet, because the substance can easily be transferred to your skin! 

Preventing Poison Ivy Rashes

Avoid three-leaved shiny plants while outdoors with your pet. That’s the best way to prevent the problem! 

Call your veterinary clinic London, ON to learn more about poison ivy and your pet. We’re here for you!

Quick Tips to Save Cash on Pet Care

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Who wouldn’t want to save a little money when they can? You can do just that and keep your pet happy and healthy at the same time. Learn more below as your animal hospital Bucks County, PA elaborates: 

Practice prevention, not treatment.

Preventative medicine is designed to keep your pet healthy before problems arise. It has an added benefit: it’s far more cost-effective than treatment. The costs of preventatives against fleas and ticks, plus a heartworm medication to ward off intestinal parasites, are far lower than the costs of treating these ailments! 

Don’t overfeed your pet.

When you overfeed your pet, you’re wasting food. That hits your wallet eventually. Plus, overfeeding contributes to obesity, which can be costly and time-consuming to reverse later in life. Feed your pet in measured portion size—ask your vet for help if needed.

Adopt, don’t shop!

The adoption fee at a rescue facility is almost always lower than the price tag you’ll find at a pet store, or at a breeder’s facility. When you adopt your pet from a shelter, you’re not just saving a life. You’re saving your hard-earned cash, too! 

Schedule your pet’s next veterinary appointment with your pet clinic Bucks County, PA.

What Antioxidants Do For Pets

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You’ve probably heard of antioxidants before. They’re essential nutrients for humans, and they’re just as important for pets. But what do antioxidants do, exactly? Learn more here from veterinarian Anderson, IN. 

They keep food fresh.

Antioxidants combat oxygen, as the name suggests. Since oxygen is part of the formula that can spoil pet food, antioxidants are an important ingredient for keeping food fresher for longer periods of time. You’ll find antioxidants included in nearly every major pet food brand. 

They boost the immune system.

Free radicals are harmful agents in your pet’s system that cause disease and cell damage. They contain oxygen, so antioxidants help to keep them at bay. In this way, antioxidants help keep your pet’s immune system functioning at a high level. 

They benefit older pets.

While nothing can truly slow down the process of aging, antioxidants have been proven to benefit cognitive function in the brains of older pets. Make sure your senior companion is getting the right amount of antioxidants in their diet—it will help keep them healthy and happy in their golden years. 

Would you like a recommendation on a great diet choice for your pet? Call your animal hospital Andreson, IN today.

The Benefits of Holistic Veterinary Care

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Have you ever heard of holistic pet care? The goal of holistic medicine for pets is the same as holistic healthcare for humans: to treat the whole body in a natural way. Techniques like acupuncture, massage, and herbal medicine might not be familiar to you, but they can make a big difference. 

Here are just three of the many benefits: 

Preventative medicine is the best medicine.

Holistic medicine works to prevent problems before they happen. Don’t have your pet visit the vet’s office only when they’re sick or injured. Prevent health problems in the first place! Holistic care can help you do that. 

There are lots of options.

There are plenty of holistic treatments out there, so providers have a wide variety to choose from. Food therapy, Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, ozone or UVB light therapy, massage, and chiropractic care are just a few examples. 

It’s all-natural.

Holistic treatments don’t utilize harsh chemicals or man-made substances that could have harmful side-effects. If you’re looking for non-invasive, all-natural treatments, a holistic solution might be perfect for your pet. 

To learn more about holistic medicine and what it can do for your pet, give us a call to set up an appointment.

Why Spaying and Neutering is So Essential

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Has your pet been spayed or neutered? It’s one of the best things you’ll ever do for them. This simple surgery has multiple benefits! Learn more below as a pet clinic Middletown, DE tells you why spaying and neutering are essential for your pet.

Health Benefits

A pet who has been spayed or neutered is at virtually no risk for genital cancer, and the risk of other cancers like prostate and breast cancer is greatly minimized. And common ailments like UTIs are far less likely to occur in pets who have had the procedure done.

Behavior Improvements

The surgery doesn’t make your pet a perfect angel, but it can greatly improve certain undesirable behaviors like spraying, aggression, escape attempts, chewing, digging, and loud vocalizations. 

The Bigger Picture

Millions of pets around the world go homeless or must be euthanized every year, because there are too many pets to be taken in. Don’t contribute to the problem by allowing your pet to breed. Having pets spayed or neutered early on in life prevents unplanned litters and helps to control the homeless pet population. 

Want to learn more about spaying and neutering? Contact your veterinary clinic Middletown, DE to speak to the professionals.