Mouth rot can occur in a variety of reptiles including snakes, turtles and even Albino Iguanas. If you own a pet Albino Iguana you may want to ask your vet about mouth rot. Mouth rot typically occurs when a Albino Iguana’s immune system is unable to breakdown bacteria in the mouth. Inflammation and small hemorrhages may appear on the inside of the mouth or the edge of the mouth near the lip area. Thick amounts of mucus may also collect in the mouth. Symptoms may include open mouth breathing and even swelling. Causes of mouth rot may include poor nutrition, poorly regulated temperature in the living environment, stress, trauma, etc. Although a common condition, your vet can tell you it is usually preventable. Proper diet and living enclosures are the first step towards prevention. Talk with your veterinarian Las Vegas, NV for more additional information regarding prevention.

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Your vet may tell you that it’s safe to assume that all cats including your American Wirehair are potentially at risk for heartworms. Heartworms can often be as long as a foot. They are capable of invading the heart, lungs and blood vessels of your American Wirehair. The disease is transmitted through mosquitoes. Some American Wirehair cat owners believe regions of the U.S. are more prone to heartworms than others and may not see a reason to protect their cat. Heartworm disease; however, has been diagnosed in all 50 states. It should be assumed that the risk is present everywhere. The best way to protect your bobtail is to have her tested yearly for heartworms as well as place her on a monthly heartworm preventive program. If you’re not sure if your cat is already on a prevention program, please call your vet. For additional information, please contact your veterinary clinic Las Vegas, NV.

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Has your Pug recently tested positive for heartworm disease? If so, please talk with your vet to learn about medications, treatments, and future prevention. You may also want to talk with your vet about other health concerns and illnesses that could arise because of your dog’s compromised health. For instance, heartworms have been known to develop a blockage of blood flow leading to cardiovascular collapse. This is referred to as Caval Syndrome. Signs of Caval Syndrome include the onset of labored breathing, pale gums, and bloody or coffee colored urine. Immediate surgery is required to remove the heartworm blockage. Heartworm disease is a dangerous and potentially fatal disease. The best way to prevent this disease is to have your Pug tested annually. Your Pug should also be on a monthly heartworm prevention program. More additional heartworm information regarding your Pug, consult with your veterinarian La ... Read more »

If your Boxer is used to staying outside during the daytime, make sure you leave him in a fenced in area so he can’t access the road or wander off. You may want to check the fence line ever few days for holes or ways of escape. It’s also a good idea to make sure your fence is tall enough for your dog. There no need to put up a fence if he can just jump over it. In addition, make sure your Boxer has easy access to fresh, clean water and plenty of food. Keep the food and water in an accessible place, yet somewhere out of the way so it won’t attract ants or other animals. Also make sure your dog has access to some type of shelter outside to avoid direct sunlight or rain. For more tips and suggestions, call your veterinary clinic Carmel, IN.

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The SIT command is very useful in getting your dog under control quickly. It is also the starting position for many other obedience commands. To teach your dog to sit on command, start by getting down to your dog’s level. Hold a treat in front of his nose. Slowly raise the treat up and over your dog’s head. This will cause your dog to have to lower his rear end to continue following the treat. Say your dog’s name followed by the SIT command. At the moment your dog’s rear end touches the floor, give him the treat and lots of praise. Practice this frequently. As your dog becomes more reliable with the SIT command, delay the time between his sitting and when you give him the treat. Also start weaning him off the treats so he eventually he receives praise alone. Be patient. Learn more from your Broken Arrow, OK veterinary clinic.

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If you own a cat like the Scottish Fold then you may want to talk with your vet about common health conditions to keep an eye out for. One such disease is fatty liver disease. A Scottish Fold’s liver produces chemicals necessary for digestion and detoxification. When a cat is not eating well then his body will take fat reserves and send them to the liver for processing into protein producing energy. Fatty liver disease occurs when these large amounts of fat are deposited into the liver. A cat’s liver cannot handle the fat and begins to malfunction. Most causes of fatty liver disease are unknown. Malnourishment appears to be a symptom even though the cat’s diet hasn’t changed. Cancer, diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease, and other liver diseases are to blame. Obesity, stress, change and generalized diseases are also possible risk factors. Contact your veterinary clinic Greensboro, NC for ... Read more »

Your kitten learns how to socialize with other cats while she is with her mother and littermates. However, your cat needs your help to learn how to socialize with humans. Otherwise your cat may be reclusive and hide from guests or even from you. When you bring your kitten home for the first time, allow her to explore it on her own. Try to keep the house relatively quiet for a bit so you don’t frighten your kitten but eventually you will need to bring back your regular household noises. Don’t force your cat to interact with family members. Allow her to approach you and only pet her if she is comfortable with your touch. Encourage all family members to do the same. Teach your children to handle your cat properly. Play with your cat daily for both socialization and exercise. Be patient and treat her with kindness. Contact your Lakeville, MN vet for more information.

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No matter what type of dog you own, you should always keep an eye out for ear infections and ear drainage. Cleaning your Pit Bull’s ears regularly can help him stay healthy. If you need help cleaning your Pit Bull’s ears just give your vet a call or enlist a friend or family member to lend a hand. Most dogs like the Pit Bull don’t mind having their ears cleaned, but they may move around a lot during the process. Before cleaning the ears talk to your vet to find out what type of cleaning solution to use and how often you should clean the ears. Your vet may recommend dampening a cotton ball with mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide or another suggested solution. Never insert anything into your Pit Bull’s ear canal and never clean your Pit Bull’s ears so frequently that it causes irritation. Talk with your vet Flower Mound, TX if you need assistance.

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Did you know that a hernia type injury will not always present itself immediately after developing? Sometimes they take time to make a physical appearance. Hernias not only affect humans, but they can also affect dogs like the Dachshund. If your Dachshund is showing any signs of discomfort or pain you should always call your vet. A hernia can occur when there is a tear in the wall of muscle that allows the internal organs or other tissue behind that muscle to push through. Some Dachshunds may be born with a hernia while others may develop hernias from an injury or trauma. There are five types of hernias in dogs which include umbilical, inguinal, diaphragmatic, perineal, and hiatal. The most obvious symptom may be a soft protruding mass in the abdomen area. Other symptoms may also include coughing, lack of appetite, drooling, shortness of breath or vomiting. Call your veterinary clinic Flower Mound, TX for more details. In order to learn more, visit this ... Read more »

If you own a dog like the Pug then you may want to talk with your vet about common health conditions that can affect various breeds of dogs. For instance, hypothyroidism is a condition that is also referred to as Thyroid Hormone Deficiency. It typically occurs when there is a low production and release of the T4 and T3 hormones in the dog’s thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is responsible for producing the hormones, which are needed for your Pug’s body to maintain a normal metabolism. When these hormones are missing, your dog may develop hypothyroidism, which can cause symptoms such as lethargy, weakness, unexplained weight gain, hair loss, excessive shedding, poor hair growth, mental dullness, skin infections, intolerance to cold, tilting of the head to one side and even seizures or infertility. The disease is believed to affect dogs around 4 to 10 years of age. Your veterinarian Flower Mound, TX can provide you with ... Read more »