Category Archives: Pets Care

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.

The Best Ways to Store Your Pet’s Food

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Storing your pet’s food might not be something you’ve considered before. But the truth is that it’s important to think about, because allowing food to become rancid or stale only wastes it, and it could make your pet sick. Here, your veterinary clinic Scottsdale, AZ offers a few tips for storing your pet’s food properly: 

Use the packaging. 

If your pet’s dry kibble comes in a resealable package, use it. It’s designed that way to create an airtight seal. Plus, it makes it easier on you and you don’t have to use up an extra container. 

Keep heat, moisture, and light away.

Keep your pet’s food stashed in a cool, dry, dark place whenever possible. Heat, moisture, and light are the enemies of food and can spoil it when food is exposed for too long. In most homes, a cabinet or storage closet works well for this purpose. 

What about canned food?

Canned food stays good in the refrigerator for about a week after it’s been opened. An unopened can of wet food, however, can remain good for years on end if it’s kept in a cool, dry, dark spot. 

Learn more by calling your animal hospital Scottsdale, AZ right now.

Learn More About Whipworms

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Whipworms are just one of many intestinal worms that can harm our pets. Known medically as Trichuris vulpis, whipworms infest your dog when Fido eats matter contaminated with them, like soil, food, or flesh. Learn more about these pests in this article from a pet clinic Aurora, CO. 

Symptoms of Infection

While some whipworm infestations are asymptomatic, common symptoms include bloody diarrhea, bowel inflammation, dehydration, anemia, and weight loss. Take your dog to the vet’s office as soon as you notice something amiss. 

Treating a Whipworm Infection

After a whipworm infestation is confirmed via stool sample, treatment will involve a prescription dewormer medication given to your dog at home. These medicines kill off the worms in your dog’s body as well as their larvae, preventing further infestation. 

Preventing the Problem

Keep your dog from eating any material when outdoors, like roadkill, soil, or garbage. And have your pup stay on a year-round heartworm preventative, which can fend off various types of worms in addition to heartworms, whipworms included. 

Does your dog need a heartworm medication? Want to learn more about whipworms and the problems they cause? We’re here to help. Call your veterinarians Aurora, CO to speak with the professionals.

What to Know About Antibiotics for Pets

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You’ve probably heard of antibiotics before. These essential medicines are as useful in veterinary medicine as they are in human healthcare. But how much do you really know about antibiotics for pets? Learn more here from a pet clinic Marietta, GA. 

What are antibiotics used for? 

Antibiotics treat bacterial infections. (They do not treat viruses!) These medications work by weakening bacteria cells, interfering with bacteria cells’ ability to repair themselves, or stopping bacteria from multiplying. 

How are they given to pets? 

Oral antibiotics are taken by mouth and come in pill or capsule form. They treat internal infections. Topical antibiotics, on the other hand, treat infections on the skin and are applied physically. They usually come in gel, cream, or ointment form. 

Is there any chance of side effects? 

All things considered, antibiotics are extremely safe. There is a small chance of side effects in some pets, like vomiting or diarrhea. Let your veterinarian know right away if you think your pet is having an adverse reaction to an antibiotic. 

Would you like to learn more about your pet’s medication needs or administration methods? We’re here for you. Contact your animal hospital Marietta, GA to speak with your local animal-care professionals.

Readying Your Pet’s Emergency Kit

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Emergencies can strike at a moment’s notice—that’s what makes them frightening. The best course of action is to be prepared. When it comes to your pet, an emergency kit is an answer. Your pet clinic Gresham, OR tells you what to include below: 

First-Aid Essentials

Be sure to pack first-aid supplies in the event that your pet gets injured. It can make all the difference before you’re able to get them to the vet’s office! Include gauze, medical tape, a disinfectant solution, a styptic pen or powder, scissors, tweezers, a nail clipper made for dogs, and a few soft towels. 

Medical Documentation

Pack your pet’s medical records—proof of ownership, proof of vaccinations, records of any recent medical procedures—in a waterproof plastic bag. These documents can prove lifesaving if you need to evacuate and visit an unfamiliar vet’s office or shelter. 

Long-Term Supplies

It’s possible for a natural disaster or man-made event to force you and your pet away from home for an extended period. Pack a pet bug-out bag complete with canned food and a can opener, water bottles, food and water dishes, a leash, pet bed, soft blanket, and a favorite toy.

Call your veterinarians Gresham, OR for more advice.

Why Play is Important for Your Animal Friend

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Most pets like to play. It’s simply in their nature! But what you may not know is that playtime is very important for our animal friends for a variety of reasons. Learn more below from veterinarians in Jacksonville, FL. 

It exercises them.

Any pet who is playing regularly is getting great exercise. Burning calories on a daily basis is important for your pet to stay trim and healthy. Couple that with a great diet, and it’s a recipe for lifelong health and happiness! 

It provides mental stimulation. 

Pets who don’t receive enough playtime start feeling cooped up, and they’ll probably start to act out in undesirable ways. Playing helps your pet to focus their mind, and it wears them out at the same time. All of this makes for a much calmer and better-behaved pet in the long run.

It enhances your bond.

Playing is also great for strengthening the bond between pet and owner. It’s one of the most valuable and close relationships you may ever know—nurture the connection you have with your pet by playing together on a regular basis. You’ll both feel good about it! 

Call your veterinary clinic in Jacksonville, FL to make an office appointment today.