Category Archives: Pets Care

3 Easy Steps for Brushing Fido’s Teeth

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Hazard Zones at Home for Pets

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Your home is almost certainly very safe for your pet. But every home has a few hazard spots to be aware of! Here, your veterinarian Roanoke, VA tells you what to watch out for so that you can keep your animal companion safe and sound.

Kitchens

Kitchens contain plenty of toxic foods for pets, including grapes and raisins, chocolate, candy, gum, onions, garlic, fatty foods, alcohol, and much more. There may also be sharp objects—knives, graters, scissors, sharp forks, etc.—lying around that a pet could accidently cut themselves on.

Medicine Cabinets

There are many human medications that can poison pets. The list includes antidepressants, cough syrup, painkillers, and much more. Don’t let your pet gain access to the medicine cabinet, because the results could be disastrous.

Supply Closets

Your pet isn’t very likely to go after a cleaning chemical to drink, but they might decide to sneak a sip if you spill it. Everything from household disinfectants and furniture polish to bleach and carpet cleaner could harm a pet who ingests it! Keep pets elsewhere when you’re cleaning so as to avoid any risk.

For more information on your pet’s safety at home, contact your vet Roanoke, VA.

Aspirin Can Poison Your Pet

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You probably have a few NSAIDs in your home right now. They’re non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, otherwise known as common painkillers like aspirin. Unfortunately, these medications can be toxic to pets! Learn more below from a veterinarian Tampa, FL.

Cause

NSAIDs work by blocking cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX enzymes). COX enzymes cause pain and inflammation as a natural response to stimuli, like injuries. When aspirin blocks those enzymes, the person or animal who took them feels less pain. But too much blockage of this type has side effects like reduced blood flow to the kidneys and damage to the stomach lining!

Signs of Poisoning

Symptoms of aspirin poisoning include nausea, lethargy, vomiting or diarrhea, stomach ulcers, increased urination, excessive thirst, and—without quick treatment—seizures, coma, and even death.

Treating Poisoning

A pet in the earlier stages of aspirin poisoning may have their stomach flushed, or vomiting may be induced. Pets with more serious poisoning might need fluid replacement and even blood transfusions.

Obviously, your best course of action is to prevent NSAID poisoning entirely. Do so by tightly restricting your pet’s access, and follow your pet’s own medication instructions to the letter.

Call your pet clinic Tampa, FL for more information.

Understanding Your Pet’s Vaccination Needs

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Vaccination is essential to keep your pet healthy long-term and avoid dangerous diseases. If you’re new to pet ownership, vaccination can be a little confusing. Here, your veterinary clinic Jacksonville, FL goes over the basics.

Core Vaccines

The core vaccines are essential for all pets because of the contagious and/or dangerous nature of the diseases they protect against. Examples of core vaccines include those that protect against rabies, hepatitis, distemper, and parvovirus. Usually, your pet receives several of these vaccines together in a batch while they’re young.

Non-Core Vaccines

Non-core vaccines aren’t essential for all pets, but they might benefit some animal companions based on things like exposure risk, environment, and pre-existing health conditions. Examples include the vaccines against Bordetella (which causes kennel cough) and Lyme disease.

Vaccine Scheduling

Pets can often get the initial round of vaccinations at as early as eight weeks of age or so. As pets turn into adults, they’ll need booster shots every year or every few years to keep vaccines effective over the course of a lifetime. Talk to your vet for more information on vaccination scheduling for your animal friend.

Call your pet clinic Jacksonville, FL to learn more about your pet’s vaccination needs.

Understanding the Benefits of Spaying and Neutering

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Is your pet spayed or neutered? They ought to be—it’s one of the most beneficial things you can do for your animal friend! Here, your pet clinic Murrieta, CA tells you about some of the many benefits this procedure has, both for your pet and your family.

Health Benefits

Did you know that pets who have been spayed or neutered are at a lower risk for certain health problems? The risk of genital cancers is virtually eliminated, and breast, prostate, and other cancer types are far less likely to occur. And common ailments like UTIs don’t happen as often in pets who have had the procedure performed.

Behavioral Improvement

Pets tend to behave far better after the procedure thanks to the lower amount of sex hormones coursing through their systems. Avoid or reduce problems like house soiling, urine marking, aggression, chewing, scratching, digging, escape attempts, loud vocalizations, and more by having Fido or Fluffy spayed or neutered.

The Broader Benefits

Spaying or neutering your pet prevents uncontrolled breeding, which contributes to the homeless pet population. That’s reason enough!

Contact your animal hospital Murrieta, CA to make an appointment if your pet needs spayed or neutered. We’re always here to help!

Did You Know NSAIDs Can Poison Pets?

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You probably have a few NSAIDs in your home right now. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are common painkillers that we’ve all used, but they’re very dangerous for pets! Read on as your vet Savannah, GA tells you more below.

Cause of Poisoning

NSAIDs reduce pain by inhibiting pain-causing cyclooxygenase enzymes, or COX enzymes. When these enzymes are inhibited, the patient feels more comfortable. Unfortunately, when too many COX enzymes are blocked, it can cause side effects like stomach bleeding, reduced blood flow to the kidneys, and more.

Symptoms of Poisoning

The symptoms of NSAID poisoning in pets include lethargy, nausea, stomach ulcers, excessive thirst and urination, vomiting or diarrhea (both possibly containing blood), and seizures, coma, and even death if treatment isn’t administered quickly.

Treatment and Prevention

Your pet’s stomach may need to be flushed, or vomiting might be induced. For pets in advanced stages of poisoning, blood transfusions may be needed. Fluid therapy and other supportive measures will be needed as a pet recovers.

Prevent NSAID poisoning by storing medications where pets can’t reach and give your pet their own medication in proper amounts. Call your animal hospital Savannah, GA if you have any questions about your pet’s medication regimen.