While heartworm infections are preventable, a high percentage of dogs still get the infection every year. Heartworm preventatives are safe, effective, and comfortable, yet why are there many dogs still suffering from heartworm disease? Here are important things you need to know about heartworm infection and your canine buddy.

• Heartworm infections don’t occur only in warm humid regions of the country. Today, people and their pets are extremely mobile and this can increase the transmission and incidence of heartworm disease among susceptible dogs. 
• All dogs should be tested yearly for heartworm before they are started on preventatives. Since all dogs are susceptible to infection, yearly testing should be a part of their preventive health care program.
• Coyotes and un-owned stray dogs are some important reservoir hosts of heart ... Read more »

Cats can easily get stressed out. No matter how hard pet owners try to make their indoor cat’s environment enjoyable and peaceful, at some point, specific stressors in their environment can affect their pets. Just like people, cats differ in their ability to handle stress, depending highly on their inherent dispositions together with the type of stressor they are exposed to.

Studies have shown the significant role stress plays in the lives of cats. Stress can have negative implications on their health and wellbeing. Also, stressed cats display undesirable behaviors that can force their owners to give them up or worse yet, euthanasia.

Causes of Stress in Cats

• Changes in the environment – the arrival of a new member of the household or change in their immediate physical environment
• ... Read more »

A secure safe enclosure will protect guinea pigs from potential predators. Make sure to place your pet’s cage in a part of the house that is free from drafts. Aside from being much easier to clean, a large and spacious environment will give your pet lots of mental and physical stimulation; it can also encourage your pet to engage in natural behavior. The recommended cage space for one guinea pig is at least 70 square centimeters. The hutch should have enough room for your pet’s resting area, hiding area, as well as food and water bowls.

As much as possible, guinea pigs should not be housed outdoors because of the numerous risks that they can be exposed to, including fluctuations in environmental temperature, predators, exposure to insects, and exposure to the elements, drafts, and illness. Outdoor housing also means less social interaction. While they can withstand fairly low temperatures as long as they h ... Read more »

Dogs of any age or breed are susceptible to heartworm disease, thus even if your dog is on monthly heartworm preventatives, annual tests is very important in the preventive health program of pet dogs.

Since heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes, measures should be undertaken to protect your canine buddy against mosquito bites. The parasite can be introduced even from a single bite of an infected mosquito. Contrary to popular notion, mosquitoes are not strictly summer pests. They are quite ubiquitous and can survive extreme conditions as long as they are living in areas where a warm environment is maintained such as in the garage or greenhouse. The risk is however, greater in the summer. Since mosquitoes can easily find their way indoors, dogs and cats that are strictly kept indoors are also at risk.

Adult heartworms live in the dog’s heart and lungs. Since they can grow to ... Read more »

Most dogs don’t need to have their nails trimmed because their daily activities wear down their nails naturally. Nails that are not kept well-trimmed will become extremely long and can become quite painful. It can also lead to splayed toes which can eventually interfere with how the dog walks. Long nails can also damage upholstery and carpets.

Nail trimming should be done at least twice a month. This will make the “quick” recede toward the nail’s base, keeping the nail permanently shorter. The quick is that part of the nail where bundles of nerves and blood vessels are present.

If your dog has dewclaws, you should keep a close eye on these remnants of the fifth toes that are situated high on the inside of each foot. Some breed standards require the presence of dew claws while many breeds can have their dewclaws removed shortly after birth.

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Sometimes you’ll need to give your cat medicine orally. You can smash up pills and mix it into a small amount of meat for your cat to gobble down. Sometimes this doesn’t work since your kitty may object to the taste of the medicine or they lick their food rather than take bites. Some medicines are available in liquid form. Hold your cat’s head from above and tilt it back. Insert your thumb in between the jaws to open the mouth. Then quickly use the medicine’s eyedropper to shoot it beyond the tongue and into the throat. There are also pill guns that have rubber fingers to hold a pill on one end and a plunger button on the other to expel the pill. Open your cat’s mouth as described and quickly insert the gun in far enough that you can release the pill behind the tongue. Learn more from your Taylorville, IL vet. Or visit this website Northside Veterinary Clinic for more information. ... Read more »

Owning a dog can be a big responsibility especially when it comes to routine health and wellness. If you own a dog like a Beagle then you’re probably already aware of how important it is to monitor your dog’s health. Your Beagle’s eye health is a major component of his overall wellness. If you think your Beagle has scratched or injured his eye call your vet. Your Beagle 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 Beagle may have scratched his eye include watery eyes, green or yellow eye discharge, squinting, excessive blinking, and an avoidance of bright lights. Your vet Moorpark, CA may ask you to bring your dog in so he can check for debris and flush the eye.

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