Your cat loves to purr when she hops up onto your lap to relax. You love to hear the noise, but you don’t entirely understand why she makes it. Is there a reason behind this behavior?

Purring is something that your cat has been doing since she was a young kitten. In fact, it was a way for her to communicate with her mother when she was very small. She used to purr when she was feeling content, as she wanted to let her mother know she was well-cared for and didn’t need anything at the present moment. This became associated with a feeling of calmness, and your pet will still purr when feeling this way as an adult as well. She may also use purring as a coping mechanism when she is stressed out and is trying to calm herself down.  For more information, please contact your local Jacksonville Beach, FL vet.

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Dental disease can cause pain and interfere with your cat’s ability to eat. And decay can introduce dangerous bacteria into your cat’s bloodstream and cause health issues. Thus dental care is essential to your cat’s health. Start cleaning your cat’s teeth when she is young so it becomes routine. Handle your cat’s mouth so she becomes used to your touch. Use a cotton ball or gauze pad to clean the teeth and work up to a kitty toothbrush or finger brush. Only use cat-safe toothpaste since human toothpaste can be toxic to your cat. Don’t forget to stimulate the gums. Look for signs of decay or gum disease including redness, swelling, bleeding and sensitivity. Even with the most diligent of care, your cat will need periodic professional dental cleanings under sedation. Learn more from your Conyers, GA veterinary clinic.

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Routine dental exams are a good idea for cats especially if a particular cat is prone to bad breath or tartar and plaque buildup. If your Bengal has trouble chewing or eating then he could have early or later stages of gingivitis. Swollen gums and bad breath is also another indicator for the need of a dental exam. In some cases, your vet may schedule a physical exam before scheduling a dental exam. He may do this to determine an initial cause of the symptoms. During the dental exam your Bengal cat will be sedated so that the vet can thoroughly check her teeth and gums for plaque, bacteria, etc. During the exam, your vet may also scrape plaque or calculus build-up from the teeth, pull rotted teeth and polish the teeth. To learn more about dental exams and dental disease in cats, click here, or give your veterinary clinic Richardson, TX a call.

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Are you familiar with gum disease in canines? Periodontal disease can be a common occurrence in dogs of all ages and breeds. Dogs like the Beagle may develop gum disease or other dental illnesses over their lifetime. The best way to prevent this from happening is to ensure your pup receives routine vet wellness checks up and in some cases additional dental exams. If you notice that your Beagle has swollen or red gums then you should call your vet to schedule an exam. Trouble eating, chewing or even bad breath could also be signs of dental problems. During the dental exam your Beagle may be sedated and your vet may check the teeth and gums for plaque and bacteria. Your vet may also take this time to scrape excessive plaque, calculus build-up and other debris from your Beagle’s teeth. Your vet services Richardson, TX may recommend routine follow cleanings for your Beagle as well.

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As a dog owner it’s important to be aware of different illnesses that can be passed from one dog to another especially if you board your pup. One such illness to watch out for you in your Chow Chow is kennel cough. Your vet can tell you that kennel cough comes in the form of both a viral and bacterial infection that can cause inflammation in your dog’s larynx and trachea. Symptoms of kennel cough usually involve a forceful cough or hacking sound in your dog. Some dogs may also develop runny noses, sneezing, and possible eye discharge. Contact your vet right away if your dog is presenting any of these symptoms. Kennel cough and it is highly contagious in dogs. Dogs often pick up the cold when they are exposed to crowded or poorly ventilated conditions of some kennels. Your vet care Richardson, TX may tell you other possible causes include cold temperatures or exposure to dust.

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