As a cat owner you may have heard rumors that a cat like the American Bobtail can actually get pregnant by multiple male cats. Contrary to popular belief this myth is in fact true. It is possible for a cat like the American Bobtail and other breeds to be impregnated by multiple cats. This is what leads to the various colors and markings of kittens within the same litter. Female cats continue their heat cycle even if they are pregnant. Multiple eggs can be released over the course of a cat’s cycle which can last from three to twenty days. Having multiple “fathers” so to speak is known as superfecundity. Some American Bobtails come into heat between their third and sixth week of pregnancy. Although extremely rare, some cats can carry fetuses of different ages from different mating times (in different heat cycles) through a process known as superfetation. Your vet clinic Webster NY can tell you more.

Did you know that one of the main functions of a cat’s liver is to produce the chemicals needed for digestion and detoxification? Cats like the Burmese that are affected by fatty liver disease are often malnourished, which triggers the body to send extra fat to the liver to be converted into energy. When this happens, the liver becomes overloaded with fat and begins to break down and eventually stops processing materials for detoxification. Most causes of fatty liver disease are unknown. Although malnourishment appears to be a starter, it is often unclear what the underlying cause to the malnourishment is. Some experts have suggested underlying causes to be cancer, diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease, and other liver diseases. Obesity and stress may also be factors. It’s important to monitor your cat’s health at all times click here to contact your veterinary clinic Webster, NY as soon as you notice something wrong.

Does your American Wirehair cat appear to have dry eyes? If you’re not sure, watch your cat for excessive blinking or even scratching of the eye as these signs could indicate eye dryness or other injury. In addition, if your American Wirehair appears to have red or irritated eyes, call your vet. Your cat’s irritated eyes could be from a variety of things in which your vet will need to exam her eyes and possibly run tests.  The medical term for dry eyes in cats is Keratoconjunctivitis sicca or KCS. Dry eyes can also be caused by an immune-mediated disease, systemic diseases such as feline herpes virus infections, medications, or hypothyroidism. The best way to prevent and control dry eye in your American Wirehair is to keep a close watch on your cat’s eyes and report anything out of the ordinary to your local vets Rochester NY.

Does your Cornish Rex have fleas? Have you found a tick on him recently? If you answered ‘yes’ to either of these questions then it may be time to give your vet a call. One of the best ways to prevent fleas and ticks from attaching your cat is to place your cat on a monthly prevention program. Your vet can help you pick the most effective form of treatment as well as the safest form of treatment for your Cornish Rex. For example, if your cat has any type of digestive or stomach sensitivity, ask your vet about a topical treatment rather than oral pills as these may cause irritation. However, if your cat is prone to skin allergies, you may want to consider the oral pills. As for brands, there are a variety of options. Ask fellow Cornish Rex owners what they use. Talk with your veterinary clinic Rochester NY, visit http://rochestercatvet.com/ for more details.

Did you know that cats can develop a variety of joint related issues as they age? Younger cats that have been injured or are overweight can also develop similar joint related conditions. If your Birman cat is having trouble moving around, grooming, or using the litter box give your vet a call to set up an appointment. A common condition that affects muscle joints is Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD). DJD is a long-term disease that occurs when the cartilage surrounding the muscle joints slowly deteriorates. Treatment options may include limiting exercise and administering medications prescribed by your vet. Some vets may also recommend physical therapy, massages, or even swimming to increase movement and limb function. Exercises may be recommended to strengthen muscle tone. In addition, some vets may suggest surgery to slow the progression of the disease or to remove or replace joints. Talk with your pet clinic Rochester NY to learn more.

Finding a tick on your dog can be upsetting. Using a monthly prevention medication is the best way to avoid ticks in the first place. However, if you find a tick on your dog, act quickly. Use tweezers to grasp the tick firmly and pull upward with steady pressure. Do not use your bare hands to grab the tick since you can be exposed to disease or bacterial infections. Do not pull the tick from side to side as you try to remove it since parts can break off and remain in your dog. Clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Rinse it with hydrogen peroxide or alcohol and apply a dog-safe antibiotic cream. Unless your dog has been immunized against diseases such as Lyme disease, he may be exposed. Your dog can be tested for Lyme about six weeks after exposure. Watch your dog for symptoms of tick-borne diseases. Learn more from your Livonia, MI veterinarian.

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The first step to treating a problem is understanding the symptoms. Here are a few ways your dog may end up with liver disease.

As with many canine problems, liver disease can often be traced back to a poor diet. Always choose a high-quality food for your dog.

Infections, both bacterial and viral, can be the cause of liver disease. Unfortunately, over vaccinating and certain medications can also increase your dog’s risk for the disease.

Birth defects can increase your pet’s chances of disease, and so can genetic predispositions. Toxic substances, like pesticides, and other poisonous materials are also causes.

Dogs suffering from liver disease may be lethargic, experience a swollen belly, and have discolored feces. No matter what kind of symptoms your dog has, you should always ... Read more »

The warmer weather means we all spend more time outside, but it also means sunburns. Can a dog get sunburned too?

Dogs can definitely get sunburned! However, some dogs are more likely to get burned than others. Dogs with long, thick coats are much less likely to burn than dogs with thin hair. Thin-haired dogs are especially susceptible to burns on their ears and their belly.

Although some dogs are more likely to burn than others, all dogs are susceptible to sunburns! It isn’t uncommon for a dog’s nose to burn on a particularly sunny day. Dogs can also burn their sensitive paw pads on cement that has been heated by the sun.

Consider placing sunscreen on your dog before you head outside. For help dealing with your dog’s sunburn, or for recommendations on the best sunscreen for your pooch, co ... Read more »

A litter box isn’t just a litter box. There are so many to choose from! Even if you choose the right one, you may not be maintaining it properly. Here are a few things that your cat doesn’t like about his litter box.

First, your cat doesn’t like that his litter box never seems to be clean! If it was up to your pet, the box would be scooped every day and the litter would be dumped and replaced frequently. There’s nothing better than a clean litter box!

Your cat hates that the box is completely closed in. Although it keeps odors from emanating into your home, it keeps them trapped in the box, making it an unpleasant place to be. Take off the flap entrance and your cat will be happy.

For more litter box tips, click here, or call your vet Hinesville, GA.

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Cats love to be up high. That’s why they jump all over countertops and bookcases! It isn’t uncommon to find a cat lurking up a tree outside, but why do some cats get stuck?

Cats are really great climbers. After all, they’ve got really awesome claws for the job! The trouble is, cats aren’t so good at climbing down. It’s a bit like how walking up a ladder is easier than climbing down a ladder. Cats are too scared to climb down!

Most of the time, a cat only climbs up as high as he feels comfortable jumping, but if a cat is scared, he may run further up the tree than he should. If your cat gets stuck up in the branches, you’ll likely have to go up after him.

Your vet Hinesville, GA can tell you more about this curious cat behavior. See details here.

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There are various reasons a cat stops using the litter box; identifying the underlying reason of your cat’s undesirable behavior can quickly correct it before it becomes a deeply rooted habit. Inappropriate urination can be caused by health problems or behavioral issues. A health issue may cause a cat to feel an urgency to void urine anytime, anywhere, so when your kitty’s gotta go, he’s gotta go. An infection in the urinary tract or the presence of bladder stones, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, or an overactive thyroid can all make a cat very thirsty causing him to drink more water, which means the urinary bladder, fills more often, resulting in the need to urinate more frequently. If your cat is given a clean bill of health by your Ashburn, VA veterinarian after a thorough checkup, your pet may litter box issues such as maintenance, the number of litter trays, ambush attacks by other cats, negative associations, the type of litter ... Read more »

Some cats can be more jittery and anxious, deviating from the usual calmness and aloofness of most cats. This anxious behavior can be worrisome for cat parents. The first step in dealing with the problem is to identify the reason for your cat’s anxiety. It may be triggered by fear, a new environment, and presence of other cats in the immediate surroundings, illness, and even genetics. The arrival of a new family member and the presence of other dogs or pets in the environment can make cats anxious and nervous. Once you are able to identify the cause/s of your cat’s nervous behavior, you will be able to take the appropriate actions to help him overcome his behavior.

Cats suffering from anxiety often lose their appetite, hide under the bed or furniture, or engage in persistent meowing or hissing. Some may even behave aggressively, drool and bite themselves, and have bald patches in their bodies. Call your As ... Read more »

As the warmer months approach you should make sure your British Shorthair and other cats have access to fresh water throughout the day both indoors and outdoors. On especially hot days, you may notice your cat lounging around the pool, playing in the pool water, or even lapping up a few sips of water to cool off. You may want to ask your vet if it’s OK for your cat to drink from the pool especially if your cat is doing it a lot. Your vet will most likely discourage the behavior and advise you to put a stop to it right away. It is not recommended that your cat be allowed to drink from the pool as the chlorine and other chemicals in the pool water could make your cat sick. If your British Shorthair cat has ingested pool water give your veterinarian Webster NY the All Cats Care Center a call and find out if there’s anything you should do.