As the bodies of senior cats become frail and more vulnerable as a result of years of wear and tear, they also lose some flexibility in their joints and muscles. Thus, even going in and out of the litter box can be a problem, causing them to look for other places to their business instead.

Even if your senior cat did not have any potty problems in the past, arthritis and other joint problems may increase the possibility of your cat committing potty accidents around the home during his twilight years. 

Tips for dealing with litter box problems in senior cats

• Cats can become more finicky and fussy with age. Regular litter box maintenance, proper location, and easy accessibility can ensure your pet’s continuing loyalty to his litter box.
• Cats hate change, more so when they are already in their golden years. If you have been using a type of litter that your kitty likes, avoid switching to another type or brand.
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Did you know that many Algerian hedgehog owners enjoy showing their hedgehogs in shows sanctioned by the International Hedgehog Association (IHA)? If you’re interested in showing your Algerian hedgehog call the IHA and find out about shows and events in your area. When researching information about showing your hedgehog, talk to your vet to find out if he knows of other local hedgehog owners that are showing. Connecting with fellow hedgehog enthusiasts is a great way to make friends and learn the ropes of showing. One thing to remember is to make sure the hedgehog show is IHA sanctioned to ensure you will be judged by licensed officials and your scores will go towards yearend awards. Once you find a show, you will need to complete an entry form. If possible complete the form ahead of time. Contact your veterinarian Midland, MI should you need any health records for your hedgehog.

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Like people, our canine friends can often develop dry eyes due to allergies, weather, or the environment in general. If your American Akita appears to have red or irritated eyes, give your veterinarian a call. Your Akita’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, etc. Your vet Tri-Cities, MI may prescribe medicated eye drops for your Akita’s eyes. To learn more, ... Read more »

British Shorthair cats and other cat breeds that have been diagnosed with FeLV or the Feline Leukemia Virus can often develop other illnesses as a result of a compromised immune system. Some cats can develop anemia, lymphoma or other cancers and become susceptible to other diseases due to a suppressed immune system. If your British Shorthair has tested positive for FeLV talk to your vet about treatment and management options. Your vet will most likely suggest a new diet for your British Shorthair to help prevent secondary infections. Because your cat’s immune system has been compromised she is more apt to contract additional viruses, infections and other diseases. You will need to provide her with a nutritional diet that is free of raw meat, eggs and unpasteurized dairy products as these may harbor bacteria and parasites that can lead to infection. Talk to your vet Tri-Cities, MI about additional diet changes. ... Read more »

Did you know that there are various viruses that can affect cats of all breeds including the British Shorthair? If you own a British Shorthair or other cat breed then you may want to talk to your vet about the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). FeLV is the second largest cause of death among cats. The virus can cause anemia or lymphoma as well as suppress the immune system making cats highly susceptible to infections. Although the virus is a leading cause of death, it doesn’t have to be. When cats are vaccinated they have a stronger chance of resisting the deadly virus. In fact, research has found that 70% of cats that came in contact with FeLV were able to either resist the infection or overcome it on their own. FeLV affects cats only and is not contagious to dogs, people or other animals. Talk to your vet Tri-Cities, MI for further information.

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Cats can be picky but you need to feed your cat to meet their nutritional needs. Cats need meat so that should be the primary part of their diet. Some cats like vegetables but these should be given sparingly. There are two general methods for feeding cats  - scheduled mealtimes or free feeding. Wet food is best fed as a scheduled meal so you can control the portion size to prevent obesity. Remove the wet food after a few minutes so it doesn’t spoil throughout the day. Dry foods can be food through free feeding where you fill the bowl throughout the day and your cat eats when they’re hungry. This method makes it harder to control portion size. Cats may become finicky eaters if their eating station is noisy and distracting or if they feel threatened that other pets will steal their food. Learn more from your Southside, IN vet.

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Some people will kiss their dogs near the mouth or share food with them. Dogs’ mouths have a certain level of bacteria but generally your dog’s mouth isn’t a great danger to you. However, what they’ve been eating can make you sick. You can contract salmonella if they are carriers. Parasites such as roundworm or hookworm can be passed from dogs to humans too. Kissing your dog on the face or head might not be any better especially if your dog has an infection. Scratching and licking can spread the infection to their entire body and you can get infected yourself. If you are sick or have a compromised immune system, you shouldn’t kiss your pet. Your dog most likely won’t get sick from you but you may end up with a nasty infection. Contact your Southside, IN veterinarian to learn more.

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There are a number of foods that can make your cat sick or even kill them. Chocolate is well known to cause problems with dogs but it is also toxic to your cat. Cats cannot digest lactose so that warm image of a kitty lapping up a saucer of milk is more likely to result in a sick kitty. Onions and garlic are toxic to cats and can easily be hidden as ingredients in human foods so avoid giving your kitty table scraps. Raisins and grapes can cause kidney failure. Cats love to eat eggs but allowing your kitty to eat raw eggs puts them at risk for salmonella. And raw fish contains an enzyme that destroys thiamine in your kitty’s body. This can lead to seizures or death. Before feeding your cat any human food, check that it is safe for cats. Learn more from your Greenwood, IN veterinary clinic.

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There are occasions when your dog will need a bath. For best efficiency, gather all your supplies in one place before bringing your dog to the bathing area. If you brush or comb your dog before bathing it’ll be easier to brush later since wet fur is harder to untangle than dry fur. Work quickly but thoroughly. Praise your dog as you bathe them. Never punish your dog during their bath. Wet your dog completely with lukewarm water. Quickly lather them up with pet-safe shampoo, avoiding the eyes, nose and mouth. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a large towel. Brush or comb your dog to work through any tangles. If your dog is comfortable with bathing you may want to take the opportunity to trim your dog’s nails and clean their ears to complete grooming. Contact your Greenwood, IN veterinary clinic for more information. Or pay a visit to this website Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Care (N ... Read more »

We all know to prepare for bad storms well in advance but many people forget to take their pet’s needs in account. Keep your pets inside your home during the storm to prevent injury from falling debris. Your pet could also wander away and become disoriented in a storm. Put a rescue alert sticker on your front door so rescue personnel can get all animals out of the house in an emergency. If you run the risk of evacuation, make a plan that includes your pet. Do not leave your pet behind even for a short period of time. Plan for someone to care for your pet in the event that you cannot. Check that your pet has a secure collar and up-to-date identification tags. And make sure you have a pet emergency kit prepared with food, water, leashes or carriers and their medical records. Learn more from your Greenwood, IN veterinary clinic.

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