Pet Owner Information

Though having a cat in your home can be an enriching experience, it also involves significant responsibility. As a pet owner, you are responsible for your cat’s good health. Despite what some cat owners may think, a cat’s health needs are somewhat complicated. Here are the three most common questions cat owners may ask a veterinary doctor. How do I protect my cat’s health? Cats are a common general question, as most cat owners want to look out for their cat’s overall well-being. Vaccinating your cat is a great way to help protect your cat’s health at an early age. A veterinarian will recommend several different vaccinations for your cat, which can help prevent many potentially serious health conditions. There is a vaccine for enteritis, which is a respiratory condition. In addition to this, there is also now a vaccine against the feline leukemia virus (FLV), which is potentially fatal to some cats. A rabies vaccination is also essential since many cats die yearly from rabies infection. Getting your cat properly vaccinated could perhaps be valued as one of the more critical parts of pet care. Why is my cat vomiting? Since vomiting in cats is a symptom of many different health conditions, it is usually cause enough for some concern. Vomiting indicates that a cat is experiencing some gastrointestinal distress, which many factors can cause. In some cases, a cat may vomit simply from eating quickly. However, vomiting is often a medical symptom that digestive problems may cause. If your cat seems to vomit up one type of food, for example, constantly, this could mean that your cat cannot digest the food formula properly. In this case, it is best to try switching cat food formulas until you find… Read More »Common Cat Health Questions

Pet dogs are susceptible to many different diseases, just like humans. However, several diseases are very commonly seen in dogs. Though a dog can become afflicted by any one of thousands of different medical conditions, some conditions are fairly commonly treated by veterinarians. HIP DYSPLASIA This is a medical condition that a dog usually inherits through genetics. Though there are some reports that a dog’s environment could potentially cause hip dysplasia, this is not yet conclusively proven. A dog with hip dysplasia will have a malformed hip joint, contributing to the joint not functioning correctly. Hip dysplasia usually occurs in the hip socket and may cause a dog to become permanently crippled. Treatment for hip dysplasia usually involves surgery or the use of prosthetics. Pain medication is also commonly used on dogs with hip dysplasia. GLAUCOMA Glaucoma is a disease that primarily affects a dog’s eyes (usually on dogs, though it may eventually spread to both). Glaucoma occurs when the aqueous humour (liquid) in a dog’s eye does not work correctly and causes pressure to build up inside a dog’s eye. This pressure contributes to significant nerve damage, which occurs progressively over time. Glaucoma can be a genetically inherited condition, usually because of improper eye development. However, it can also be caused by an eye injury, which may damage the drainage pores responsible for maintaining the proper fluid level inside a dog’s eye. LYME DISEASdog’se disease is a condition that is caused by a bacterial infection. This bacteria is transmitted primarily through tick bites, commonly seen in dogs. Though Lyme disease is not a fatal condition, it can cause severe damage to a dog’s health and may contribute to lifetime chronic illness. In severe cases of Lyme disease, the bacterial infection… Read More »Common Diseases in Pet Dogs

Dogs are wonderful companions to humans, and many dog owners consider their dogs to be a part of their family. However, it’s essential to remember that most dogs have different nutritional needs than humans and may not be able to digest some “Huma” foods properly. Some human foods should never be fed to dogs since they can potentially cause serious health problems in a dog. Here are some of the foods that you should avoid feeding to your dog at all costs. GRAPES/RAISINS Many dogs like to eat grapes and raisins, though they can be very toxic to dogs. An unknown toxin in the “flesh” part of a grape seems to have adverse effects on a dog’s health. The symptoms of this toxin appear to be vomiting, diarrhea, severe abdominal pain and loss of appetite. The exact ratio of the toxin needed to produce these effects is relatively inconclusive, though many veterinarians believe it to be 1/3 an ounce per pound of a dog’s body weight. However, grape-seed extract seems relatively safe for dogs, as no adverse health effects have been reported when dogs consume grape-seed extract. ONIONS/GARLIC Four different toxins in onions and garlic can be very harmful to a dog’s health. These toxins are allyl disulphide, S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide, methyl disulphide and n-propyl disulphide. These toxins can be found in fresh onions or fresh garlic, as well as dried onions and garlic, which are spices. The effects of these toxins in a dog are to cause a medical condition called” “Heinz Body Anemi”. In Heinz Body Anemia, the red blood cells in Adog’s begin to break down, and anemia occurs. Though these toxins are contained in both garlic and onions, onions have proven to be slightly more toxic… Read More »Foods to avoid feeding your dog!

Are you thinking of getting a dog? Choosing to bring a new dog into your life is a significant decision. Be sure you are ready for a dog before you start the process. It is also essential that you understand the cost of dog ownership. If you have decided that the time is right, congratulations! Now, it is time to figure out what dog is right for you. There are several factors to consider before choosing a dog. Most importantly, examine your current lifestyle and consider what adjustments you will make for a dog. Look at your family’s needs – especially if you have children or other pets. People with allergies or those who prefer low-shedding dogs might want to look into hypoallergenic dog breeds. Next, think about your new dog’s ideal size, energy level and age. Then, determine where to get your new dog. Remember that getting a dog requires a firm commitment to responsible dog ownership. Here are some tips to help you choose the best dog for you and your family. Size You may already know you want a little lap dog to carry around. Or, you might have your heart set on a large or giant dog breed. If you cannot decide, perhaps a medium-sized dog is a good choice. Remember that some small dogs are delicate and vulnerable. Being stepped on or mishandled can cause serious injury. Also, little dogs can be much more sensitive to colder temperatures, so be ready to help keep them warm. Don’t forget that small dogs need obedience training, too! Some little dogs can develop “tough dog” attitudes to compensate for their small size. Be sure you are prepared for this possibility. Very large dogs need a bit more space… Read More »How to choose the right dog for you?

There are a lot of proven training methods to help correct your puppy’s behavioural problems. Before I get into the specific techniques you can use to stop your puppy from biting, always keep these general dog behaviour training rules in mind: Puppy socialisation and bite inhibition training go hand in hand. Never slap or hit your puppy in the face. This does not work! Your puppy will just think you are playing or could become afraid of you. This may even lead to some much bigger problems than simple puppy nipping. The general rule to stop puppy biting problems is to encourage and discourage acceptable behaviour. To learn more about this fundamental rule of dog obedience training (including how to stop biting problems), visit Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer. While you are trying to stop your puppies from biting, never play tug-of-war, wrestling, or chase-type games with them. This only encourages biting and nipping. Whichever method you choose to train your puppy, the golden rule is consistency. This means that you and anyone else who comes into contact with your puppy must enforce your chosen strategy every time your pup takes a nip. If you don’t clearly communicate to your dog that biting is unacceptable, he will not know he is doing anything wrong. It’s up to you to show him what is acceptable behaviour; don’t just expect your puppy to know this! (You are really taking on the role of his littermates for this task.) Another (extreme) reason puppies can bite is if they are trying to assert their dominance over you. If this is the case with your puppy, it must be stopped immediately. When you have a dominant puppy, his biting will only be the beginning of… Read More »How To Stop Puppy Biting Problems