If you want to protect your Birman cat against fleas, but you aren’t sure about putting a liquid flea medicine on your cat once a month then you might want to check into a flea collar. Talk to your vet to find out if your Birman is a candidate for a flea collar. Flea collars are simple to use and last anywhere between 3 to 8 months. Your vet or local pet store associate can help you find a flea collar that’s right for your Birman including what brand, size, and type of flea collar to buy. Don’t forget to ask if you should be using an additional flea preventative with the collar. In general, the flea collar releases a defense mechanism on the neck and shoulder area of your cat. This drives the fleas to the tail where they die and fall off. Contact Oakbrook Animal Hospital for further details.

If you’ve heard the phrase Schiff-Sherrington then you’ve most likely heard someone talking about a spinal cord related disease that can affect both cats and dogs of various breeds. The term Schiff-Sherrington Syndrome can also be used to describe the posture or position of a cat due to “T2-L4” spinal cord injuries. The posture usually is some type of extension of the hind quarters at the pelvis down through the back end. Schiff-Sherrington can occur in Manx cats if the spinal cord is severed or cut by a lesion on the lower back. There is extreme posturing of the upper limbs. The hind limbs may suffer from paralysis or loss of strength and muscle. The overall result is pain and immobility. Not all cats with mobility issues or spinal cord injuries have Schiff-Sherrington syndrome. Please talk with your vet North Phoenix, AZ to learn more about this syndrome and how it may affect your Manx.

Heartworm disease is a serious condition that can affect cats as well as dogs. If you own a cat such as the Himalayan, you should request an annual wellness exam to include routine heartworm testing. Heartworm disease can be a serious and fatal disease if it’s not treated by a veterinarian. The disease is caused by a worm that can be small or as long as a foot. This worm can invade the heart, lungs and blood vessels of a Himalayan. Unlike dogs; however, a cat may only have one to three worms present in her body. The worms present are almost always baby worms and rarely adult heartworms. Heartworms can cause damage to a Himalayan by causing secondary infections including heartworm associated respiratory disease (HARD). Medication used to treat heartworms in dogs is not usually effective in cats. Prevention is the main method for protecting the Himalayan. Contact Oakbrook Animal Hospital for more infor ... Read more »

Some dogs were just born to dig! Unfortunately, this can wreak havoc in your yard and in your home. Here are some tips for dealing with a digging dog.

If your dog likes to go at it in the house, make sure you tack down carpeting so he can’t tear it up. When it comes to furniture, consider covering it. It’s a lot less fun to dig at the couch if the cushions can’t be moved!

Chances are, your dog is just bored! Make sure he is more stimulated by taking him on walks and playing games with him inside and outside.

If your dog insists on digging, create a safe digging zone for him in the yard. It’s a lot like having a sandbox for your pet!

For more ideas on dealing with a digging dog, click here, or visit with your veterinarian Marietta, GA.

... Read more »

Most people don’t spend a lot of time thinking about where they put their cat’s litter box, but it is an extremely important decision. It can mean the difference between your cat using the box, or deciding not to.

Cats like to have privacy when they go potty, but they don’t want to have to go far to get it. Although you might think the basement is a great place for the box, your cat thinks otherwise. Keep the box close to main living areas.

Noise can be a real problem too, especially when you consider the fact that cats can hear much better than we can. Avoid placing the box in a laundry room or in the garage.

Kitty having trouble using the litter box? Make sure your cat’s behavior doesn’t have a medical cause by scheduling an appointment with your veterinary clinic Mariett ... Read more »

It’s obvious that young kittens need regular playtime. Even adult cats need to play, otherwise they can become downright unruly! But, what about elderly cats? Do they need to play too?

As a cat ages, he definitely becomes a lot less active, which is saying something because it isn’t uncommon for cats to sleep 16 hours a day! An elderly cat may sleep closer to 20 hours each day.

Although you can expect your old cat to sleep more and move more slowly, he needs a little playtime too! The difference is, playtime will look different.

You might notice that your cat moves a bit slower, or isn’t interested in playing for very long. Use a laser pointer or wand toy and keep him engaged as long as you can, but let your cat dictate when enough is enough.

For more playtime tips, ... Read more »