You’ve probably seen many dogs walking around with a collar on, but how many cats have you seen with collars? If you’re contemplating buying your Ragdoll cat a collar talk it over with your vet Thousand Oaks, CA first. One of the primary reasons for a cat to wear a collar is for identification purposes. When shopping for a collar, it’s important to know the differences between a cat collar and a dog collar. Unlike dogs, cats tend to move around in tight spaces and climb things like trees and fences. Most cat collars are designed with a break-away clasp or a stretchy material that allows the cat to get out of the collar if he gets stuck. Keep in mind your cat’s environment when picking out a collar as well. If your Ragdoll spends most of his time outdoors, buying a shiny jeweled collar may not be a good idea. For more details, click here.

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Hypoglycemia can occur in all breeds of cats including your Ragdoll. Talk to your vet Thousand Oaks, CA to find out more about Hypoglycemia. In general, Hypoglycemia occurs when your cat’s blood sugar level or glucose level is abnormally low. When this happens your cat may have a sudden decrease in energy, change in appetite, appear weak, restless, or confused. The condition is often the result of too much insulin. However, it is not always caused by this. Experts have found that hypoglycemia can often be the result of an underlying health problem. For instance, a cat’s brain needs a constant supply of glucose in order to function. An underlying illness could be preventing this from happening, which in turn triggers hypoglycemia. If your cat is diabetic, you especially want to watch for signs and symptoms, but non-diabetic cats should be monitored as well. Hypoglycemia whether insulin caused or illness related requires immediate vet care. Vis ... Read more »

If you suspect your Ragdoll has diabetes then call your veterinary clinic Westlake Village, CA  to set up a routine physical. Determining whether your cat will need insulin injections or oral medications can be a process as can finding the right type of insulin for your cat’s injections. In some cases there can be complications resulting from treatment of diabetes. For instance, if an overdose of insulin is given then a cat may develop Hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar. This is a dangerous complication which may include signs of weakness, listlessness, lack of coordination, convulsions and even coma. The condition can be fatal if not treated. If your cat is on insulin and has these symptoms, call your vet right away. He may suggest offering your cat food immediately and then bringing her in. Always follow your vet’s instructions or check with him before administering alternative treatment. ... Read more »

Did you know that dogs can develop dry eyes due to allergies, weather and even the environment? If your Boxer appears to have red or irritated eyes, give your veterinary clinic Westlake Village, CA a call. Your Boxer’s irritated eyes could be from a variety of things in which your vet will need to exam his eyes and possibly run tests. The medical term for dry eyes in dogs is Keratoconjunctivitis sicca or KCS. Dry eyes can be caused by weather or allergies, but they can also be caused by an immune-mediated disease, systemic diseases such as canine distemper virus, medications, or hypothyroidism. Dry eye can develop in dogs of all breeds, but is especially common in breeds such as the American Cocker Spaniel, Bloodhound, Boston terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, English bulldog, English Springer spaniel, Lhasa apso, Miniature schnauzer, Pekingese, Pug, Samoyed, Shih-tzu, West highland white terrier, and the Yorkshire terrier. See details ... Read more »

A dog’s eye health is a major component of his overall health and wellness. Always talk to your vet Westlake Village, CA if you suspect your Boxer has scratched or injured his eye in some way. Your Boxer may develop an eye irritation from an eyelash or some other type of debris in his eye. Inflammation or watery eyes can also be caused by a scratch no matter the size. Signs that your dog may have scratched his eye include watery eyes, green or yellow eye discharge, squinting, excessive blinking, and an avoidance of bright lights. Always call your vet right away as a small irritation could lead to excessive damage to the eye if not treated by a professional. In most cases, your vet will want to examine your dog’s eye at the office. Your vet may even want to “stain” your dog’s eye in order to identify any scratches or debris.

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The larger the pocket pet, the more difficult it can be to get the cage setup just right. What kind of cage is best for a guinea pig?

Although you can get away with an aquarium with small pets like hamsters and rats, it’s really best if you have a metal barred cage if you have a guinea pig. Very large aquariums can work, but they harbor odors and take up a lot of room. Plus, they are really expensive!

Guinea pigs don’t care much for climbing, so tubing isn’t needed. However, you can provide your pig with more room if you purchase a multi-level cage with shallow ramps.

Avoid metal cages with a tray. Walking on metal bars can be extremely uncomfortable, and it can even cause health problems.

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Protocols established by the American Association of Feline Practitioners were formulated to distinguish between “core” and “non-core” vaccines.

All kittens should receive core vaccinations during their first year of life, but after the first year booster shot, the vaccination is now considered “non-core” unless the cat is at risk (i.e. allowed to go outdoors, lives with a cat diagnosed with a particular illness, or lives in a multi-cat environment where the health status of the other cats are not known).

Vaccines work by stimulating the body’s defense system into producing antibodies to ward off the invading pathogenic microorganisms.

The core vaccines for cats include the following:

• Feline Distemper (Feline Panleukopenia Virus) – causes a highly infectious illness with a high mortality rate, especially in young felines.
• Feline Calicivirus – It is ... Read more »

The long hair coat of Maltese dogs require daily grooming, thus if you are thinking of bringing home one, you should ask yourself if you have enough time to devote to your pet’s grooming needs. Daily grooming will keep your pet’s coat in good condition, preventing formation of knots and mats.

Having the right grooming tools will help make the job easier and hassle-free, that is, if you know how to use them. The best tools for grooming long-haired dogs include a comb, a slicker brush, and blunt pin brush. Working systematically across your pet’s body will ensure you won’t neglect certain areas such as the inside of the legs and the belly.

To make sure that your Maltese will learn to keep still and tolerate  your daily grooming sessions, get him used to the routine while he still a puppy. Engaging in physical activities before every grooming session will also keep him calm while you comb through his hair.

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