Did you know that epilepsy is common in 20 to 40% of gerbils of all breeds and types including Schimmel Mongolian gerbil? Most gerbils that have seizures will typically come out of the seizure on their own without any lasting effects. Talk to your vet if you are concerned that your gerbil may be having epileptic seizures. In general, epilepsy is a disorder of the brain or nervous system that can cause animals to have sudden, uncontrollable seizures. If your gerbil is having trance like behavior, twitching his ears or whiskers excessively, having convulsions, stiffening of the muscles or jerking of the entire body then you should call your vet. Your veterinary clinic Orangevale, CA can teach you what to do for your gerbil during and after seizures. He may also advise you to keep a journal of your gerbil’s seizures in order to monitor the frequency and severity.

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Did you know that fatty liver disease can occur in Maine Coons when large amounts of fat are deposited into the liver? One of the leading causes for large amounts of fat to be deposited into the liver include malnourishment, cancer, diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease and other liver diseases. Your vet will most likely need a thorough history of your Maine Coon’s health in order to make a diagnosis. In addition, be prepared to tell your vet of your Maine Coon’s symptoms and when you first noticed them. Symptoms may include prolonged anorexia, rapid weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, muscle wasting, depression, downward flexion of the head and neck, yellowing of the eyes, drooling, and possible collapse in later stages. Additional tests such as a complete blood count, biochemistry profile and urinalysis may also be conducted by your vet Orangevale, CA in order to determine the underlying cause of the infected or fatty liver. For ... Read more »

Scratching can be a real problem for pet parents with cats at home. When a dog causes problems, all you have to do is retrain him. Can you teach a cat not to scratch?

Unfortunately, you aren’t likely to teach your cat not to scratch, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dramatically decrease his scratching behavior. Instead, you have to take ownership for your cat’s behavior.

Cats react to situations that make them uncomfortable by scratching. You might be holding your cat wrong, petting him wrong, or teasing him too much. Look for the signs that your cat is irritated and stop before he has a chance to lash out.

You can also consider applying cat nail caps! For more solutions to your cat’s scratching behavior, click here, or schedule an appointment with your veterinarian Mt. Pl ... Read more »

Having trouble with your cat’s claws? Cat nail caps just might be the solution! The trick is applying them correctly.

First, you’ll have to trim off the very tip of your cat’s nails to ensure that the caps slide all the way to the base of each nail.

Then, fill each cap 1/3 of the way with the adhesive that came in the package. You should gently squeeze the nail cap to coat the inside with the glue. This also eliminates air bubbles.

Gently press on your cat’s paw pad to expose the nail, then gently slide the cap on. Distract your cat while the caps are drying by providing him with some food or a special treat.

If your cat doesn’t like having his nails messed with, clip his nails and apply the caps on different days. For help applying them for the first time, ... Read more »

Keeping the litter box clean is extremely important. Not only does it keep your house from smelling like a toilet, but it also encourages your cat to continue going potty where he should. The trouble is, it can be hard to remember to scoop the box! Here are some tips for remembering to the clean litter box regularly.

It’s best to choose the same day of the week and the same time to scoop the box. With only one cat, plan to scoop the box every Wednesday evening and Sunday afternoon. If you have multiple cats, plan to scoop the box each night before you take a shower.

It’s a good idea to place the litter box out of the way, but putting it in an area that you frequent will help you remember too.

For more tips, click here, or schedule a visit with your vet Mt. Pleasant, SC.

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A dog’s swollen paws can be caused by various factors. Making an effort to identify the problem is the first important step to take in order to address the problem. Also, your investigation will give you an idea whether the situation should be brought to your vet’s attention or not.

Foreign bodies

A foreign body may get stuck in the dog’s paw without a noticeable break in the skin. This can be managed at home especially if it has not caused a deep puncture wound. Clean the paws well and keep an eye out for potential signs of infection.

Overexertion

Overexertion can be an important predisposing factor of swollen paws in dogs. Soak your dog’s feet in Epsom salt solution for relief and bring down the swelling. For the meantime, avoid taking your dog on lo ... Read more »

Enjoying the great outdoors with your dog are excellent occasions to spend quality time and bond with your canine buddy. The different experiences as well as diverse sights, sounds, and scents will give your pet loads of opportunities for physical and mental motivation.

Before taking your dog on walks, make sure he knows how to walk on a leash and can consistently respond and follow important commands. A dog that has not been properly leash-trained can pull his owner in all directions and will hardly heed a command to walk by his owner’s side.

While there are many places that allow dogs to be without their leash, keeping your dog on a leash will enable you to keep a tight rein on his movements and prevent him from running into potential risks.

Work with your Guelph, ON veterinarian to make sure that your pet is receiving the right amount o ... Read more »