Your cat is a hunter by nature so biting is a natural reaction. However, it is not something you want to tolerate in your home. Most bites start with a playful pounce or some stalking to indicate your cat is in hunting mode. Other times your cat may be irritated with what you are doing and will bite to make you stop. To prevent playful bites, never play with your cat using your hands or other body parts. Use an appropriate toy for your cat to bite and “kill” rather than your hand. If you cat lashes out in error, quickly redirect her to the toy to train her for future interactions. If you are annoying your cat while grooming her or petting her when she doesn’t want you to, there will be body language telling you to stop. Pay attention and listen carefully to these warnings. For more information, contact your South Miami, FL vet.

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There are a few absolutely essential training behaviors and manners if you want a happy home and a happy dog. Housetraining is a must. There is nothing more unpleasant than coming home to a mess on the floor. Anticipate when your dog needs to go out and reward him with a treat and ample praise when he goes outside. If you will be gone for a long time, ask someone to look in on your dog. Jumping up is very unpleasant to both household members and guests. Turn around quickly when your dog jumps up so he falls to the ground. Ignore your dog unless all four feet are on the ground. And finally, teach your dog to sit on command. If your dog is sitting at your side, he can’t be doing anything else you don’t want him to. Learn more from your South Miami, FL veterinary clinic.

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If you’ve owned your Rosy Boa for any length of time then you’ve probably become accustomed to her usual behaviors and routines. If you haven’t done so already, you should take your Rosy Boa in for a first time wellness visit with your vet. Your vet can help provide you with tips and suggestions for the overall care of your Rosy Boa. In addition, a first time vet visit can help establish a medical history for your snake, which can help with any future illnesses should they arise. During your visit, your vet may also inform you that your Rosy Boa will need some time to adjust to her new living environment. For example, Rosy Boas may get stressed when changing from one environment to the next. She may not move around for several days. Your veterinarian Minnetonka, MN will most likely recommend that you simply give your Rosy Boa time to adjust. To learn more, visit this website.

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If you are considering purchasing a Champagne ferret, make sure you talk to your vet and local pet store associates about basic health and dietary needs first. You should also schedule your Champagne ferret for a first time visit with your vet. Like other household pets, ferrets require routine vaccinations and wellness exams to ensure their overall health. In general, Champagne ferrets require a distemper vaccination as well as a rabies vaccination. Most vets recommend giving your ferret a temporary distemper shot at six weeks of age. Your vet will then set up a vaccine schedule for your ferret that may include a series of distemper shots at 9, 12, and 16 weeks for the first year and then once a year after that. The rabies vaccines will most likely be given at 13-16 weeks of age and then once a year after that. Talk to your vet Minnetonka, MN for more details.

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Gingivitis is a gum disease that can affect a variety of dog breeds including the Basset Hound. As with humans, gingivitis can come along slowly and often go unnoticed in the early stages. There’s a chance your Basset Hound may already have the presence of gingivitis. This particular gum disease causes inflammation and irritation to the gums. It is generally one of the early stages of a more serious periodontal disease or infection related to the teeth, gums and surrounding areas. In many cases, gingivitis occurs when plaque or food and debris builds up on the gums. Advanced gingivitis occurs when plaque plus a calculus build up is present causing severe redness, irritation, and inflammation. The first sign is typically inflammation or redness of the gums or bad breath. If your Basset’s breath smells bad give your vet Minnetonka, MN a call. If gingivitis is caught early enough it can be treated. For more details, ... Read more »

Did you know that heartworm disease is a serious condition in dogs including like the Labrador? It is extremely important for dogs to be tested for heartworms on a routine basis. Heartworms can be fatal if not treated properly. The disease itself is caused by a foot-long worm or heartworm that can invade the heart, lungs and blood vessels of your Labrador. This can cause lung disease and heart failure among other things. Prevention is the best possible form of treatment. Your Labrador should be on a monthly heartworm prevention plan. Once the parasites invade your dog, they can leave a lasting impact even if they are treated and killed off. Heartworms can damage the heart, lungs and arteries. Your vet can run a simple blood test to determine if your Labrador has heartworms. Treatment must be provided immediately and aggressively. Talk with your veterinarian Orangevale, CA for more details.

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