Did you know that there are exercise tracking devices for dogs like the Bichon Frise and other breeds? If you’re concerned about how much exercise your Bichon is getting, talk with your vet about getting a pet exercise tracker. Exercise or fitness trackers have recently been introduced as a way for dog owners to track how much exercise their canine companions are getting whether they are with them or not. A new gadget called FitBark can actually track your dog’s sleep, movement, and play. The company says the new concept can help “keep your dog healthy, explain changes in behavior, make better decisions with your vet, and share memorable moments with friends and family.” The device comes with an app that allows you to monitor your Bichon Frise’s activity via your Smartphone. If you have questions about this product, click here, or give your veterinary clinic Cedar Park, TX a ... Read more »

Are you familiar with colic in horses such as the Draft? If not and you own or work around horses then you should talk with a local vet to learn about colic, recognizing it, and how to treat it if necessary. Some horses like the Draft may colic when there is a problem in their gastro-intestinal tract, which causes severe abdominal pain. Triggers for colic include an abrupt change in grain or hay, sudden change in temperature, dehydration, impaction, gas, and even stress. If you’re not sure if you Draft has colic, check for symptoms such as pawing at the ground, lying down for long periods of time, excessive rolling, thrashing or kicking, grunting, or moaning. After calling your vet, keep an eye on your horse’s behavior and do not administer any medication unless directed by your veterinarian Ishpeming, MI. Colic is most often treated by the administering of either medications or the use of a stomach tube to alleviate gas in the stomach. More ... Read more »

While some dogs have their nails trimmed naturally as a result of their daily routine, some need help keep their nails trimmed. In order to lessen or altogether prevent any problems, it is a good idea to start trimming your pet’s nails while he is still very young. Doing this regularly will help him get used to the routine. Start by creating opportunities that will encourage your puppy to see nail clippers in a positive light. Make sure to have lots of his favorite treats when introducing the nail clippers and when you’re trimming your dog’s nails. There are dogs that can become highly suspicious of anything that they are not familiar with. It is also important for puppies to get used to having their paws handled so that pet parents or the groomer won’t have a hard time during nail trimming sessions. You can also ask you Pickerington, OH vet to show you how nail trimming is done to prevent any injury or other problems. To learn mo ... Read more »

Canine Parvovirus is one of the most serious health problems that can affect puppies. There is a high incidence of canine parvovirus have been observed in dogs that are between 6 and 20 weeks old. Puppies less than 12 weeks old tend to suffer from the severe form of the Parvo. However, adult dogs, especially those that did not receive proper vaccination against the disease, are also prone to getting the infection.

This viral disease is extremely fatal, and without early veterinary intervention and proper care, the number of mortality can be quite high. The virus that causes the infection can be transmitted in several ways – direct contact, contact with infected stool, contact with objects that have been exposed to an infected dog, or contact with areas where an infected dog had been exposed to. Your Pickerington, OH veterinarian is the best source of information when it comes to protecting your pet against infec ... Read more »

One thing to remember when cleaning a dog’s ears is to clean only what you can see. The ears are very sensitive and fastidious cleaning may lead to injury that might cause infection or damage the ear drum.

Tips For Cleaning A Dog’s Ears

• Cotton balls or wet wipes should be used to clean the ears; the use of cotton buds or swabs should be avoided.
• Always exercise caution when cleaning your dog’s ears because they are made up of very sensitive tissues.
• Many ear-cleaning solutions contain chemicals that can be harmful to your dog’s ears. Make your own ear cleaning solution by mixing warm water and vinegar.
• Over-cleaning of the ears can possibly cause irritation. Once-a-week cleaning is all that is needed to keep your pet&rs ... Read more »

As dogs and cats get older, joint health becomes an important concern that pet owners cannot be complacent about. If your aging pet seems to be experiencing trouble moving around, or if your cat or dog is suffering from osteoarthritis, your veterinarian may prescribe two popular joint supplements – chondroitin and glucosamine.

Chondroitin and glucosamine have been shown to promote joint health and alleviate joint problems in dogs and cats. They can be used separately or together. Glucosamine is an amino acid that is naturally synthesized by your pet’s cartilage. It helps the cartilage in performing two of its most important functions—shock absorption and lubrication. A healthy cartilage keeps the bones that make up a joint from rubbing against each other. Friction from rubbing can lead to damage of the bones and pain. The glucosamine supplements used for dogs are manufactured from the shells of shell ... Read more »