Respiratory infections are fairly common in dogs. As a matter of fact, most canines will experience at least one in their lifetime. Other dogs, in contrast, struggle with them frequently. Either way, it’s important to keep an eye on your dog’s symptoms so that you can treat the problem quickly.

Many dogs with a respiratory infection have nasal discharge. Eye discharge is also fairly common. You may also notice sneezing, wheezing, coughing, and excessive salivation. Your dog will also be lethargic, and he may even eat or drink less than usual.

Not all of these symptoms have to be present in order for your dog to suffer from an upper respiratory infection. In addition, these symptoms may be more pronounced in elderly dogs and puppies.

If your dog has any combination of these symptoms, you should s ... Read more »

Some felines have very strange litter box habits. If your cat doesn’t bury his waste, you should first be thankful that he’s using his litter box at all! Then, you may want to take some time to try and understand why your cat is engaging in this inconvenient behavior.

In some cases, your cat simply didn’t get the training he needed when he was a kitten. If his mother or his siblings didn’t spend time showing him how to bury his waste, he may decide it isn’t a problem to leave it on top of the litter.

Some cats don’t bury their waste to leave you a message. If your cat is normally very good at burying his waste, but he suddenly stops, it could be because you need to scoop the litter box.

To make sure there isn’t a medical reason for your cat’s behavior, schedul ... Read more »

There are many ways to treat fleas. Although topical medications are popular, there are quite a few other methods that can be used if you find that your cat already has fleas. Are flea powders an effective way to treat fleas on a cat?

Flea powders can be a little tricky because they depend on you applying the powder all over the body. It is even more complicated when you realize that because cats regularly groom themselves, the powder doesn’t stick around for very long. Flea powder often has to be applied multiple times.

Flea powder can be very effective when used on kittens, but it can also be effective when used throughout your home. Consider sprinkling flea powder on your cat’s bed instead of directly on his fur.

For help taking care of your flea problem, click here, or call your vet Mari ... Read more »

Riding a horse can be a very peaceful and rewarding experience. However, if you haven’t had a lot of experience around horses, you may be a little scared. Here are a few tips for overcoming your fear of riding a horse.

First, it’s hard to get past your fear of riding a horse by yourself. Make sure that you have the help of someone who is very knowledgeable about horses and riding in general. They will be able to help put your nerves at ease.

Spend some time with horses before you attempt to ride one. That way you can get comfortable with their energy. When you’re ready to ride, see if you can find a calm, docile horse to practice with. You should also make sure there’s someone there to cheer you on.

For more tips, call your veterinarian Olathe, KS.

... Read more »