Your cat is generally happy to play with you when you want to share some time with her, and you are eager to offer her some special one-on-one bonding time each and every day. However, today she doesn’t seem interested. Could she be sick?

If your pet isn’t acting like her usual self, there is a chance that she isn’t feeling well. Because she is unable to let you know directly that she is sick, you will need to pick up on behavioral cues. Increased lethargy is one of these, as are changes in her eating patterns. You may also find that she is breathing or eliminating differently, or just generally seems uncomfortable. If you think your cat may be sick, seek out medical attention right away. Your local Omaha NE veterinarian can help you care for your pet. You can find more information on their site.

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Your cat’s teeth are an important part of his body, and it’s important to care for them so they will be able to last a good long time in their top shape. However, this won’t just happen on its own. Your pet needs you to care for his teeth, as he can’t do it alone. Luckily there are items on the market to help make this process less intimidating. For example, your pet will need a toothbrush and toothpaste, both of which should be designed for feline use. These will help you clean your pet’s teeth, and thus prevent the buildup of both plaque and tartar. It will also give you an opportunity to inspect your pet’s mouth to see if there’s anything else that needs to be addressed by you or a professional. Make a visit to your local Omaha NE vet clinic for more information.

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Your hamster is an important part of your life. She shares her home with you, and you love having her as a companion, However, you know that while you are close friends, she also counts on you as a caregiver. How can you give her the attention she needs to help her stay in top shape?

Your pet needs to eat a diet that is high in nutrients, and offers a variety of vitamins and minerals. She also needs to be able to eat an appropriate portion size of whatever she is being offered. Take the time to encourage your pet to exercise as well. This should take place on her own within her enclosure, as well as during playtime with you when she is able to move about more freely. To know more, please contact your local Omaha NE veterinarian. Visit website http://vetomaha.com/ for additional information.

Xylitol is commonly used as a sugar substitute added to certain types of beverages, food, chewing gums, sweets, as well as chewable vitamins for humans. It is actually a natural sweetener that certain fruits contain in small quantities.

A dog can manifest toxic symptoms after consuming food items that contain xylitol. Thus pet owners should always check the list of ingredients before offering any food to their pets. If a product is labeled “sugar-free”, there is always the big possibility that it contains xylitol. Most brands of candy and gum may contain 2 mg up to 1 gram of xylitol per piece. Unfortunately, many companies fail to disclose the amount of xylitol that is incorporated in their products.

Upon ingestion, xylitol can trigger a sudden excessive rise in insulin levels which can cause the animal to suffer from severe hypoglycemia. Serious signs of poisoning can ... Read more »

Dogs that are ill usually display symptoms that should never be disregarded. These may be early signs of important health issues that can range from trivial to life-threatening.

Persistent vomiting

While random vomiting in dogs is not usually a cause for alarm, your pet should be checked out by your vet when there is persistent vomiting. An object lodged in any part of the digestive tract, kidney problems, and other types of illness may cause persistent vomiting during or after each meal.

Limping

A dog that is limping may have arthritis or an inflamed foot. There could also be something stuck in their paw. Limping could also be a symptom of hip dysplasia in dogs.

Body lumps and bumps

Tu ... Read more »

Contrary to popular notion, rabbits won’t thrive well when housed in small enclosures. They need lots of space for exercise, play, and engage in instinctive behavior. Without which, they can have higher risks to developing obesity and become more prone to all sorts of health problems that can adversely affect their health and wellbeing. Some of these problems can prove to be fatal. Rabbits carrying excess weight also have higher risks of developing urinary tract problems and tend to be bladder stone formers.

In addition to lack of physical activity, being overweight may also be caused by a poor diet – an unbalanced diet or feeding an incorrect diet.

Another reason rabbits should be given many opportunities to engage in physical activity is associated with their digestive function. Without adequate exercise, rabbits can develop gastrointestinal (GI) stasis and a host of ... Read more »

If you’ve never owned a rabbit before, you might not realize just how much goes into making sure that your furry friend has the right things to eat. Of course your bunny should have access to a pelleted diet that provides him with the right nutrition, but he also needs plenty of hay too!

In the wild, rabbits would get all the nutrients they need by eating the greens they find outside. Grass also helps with digestion, so bunnies eat a lot of it! Recreating this at home can be hard, which is where hay comes in.

Dried hay provides the same nutrients that grass does, but it keeps longer and it can easily be purchased at the local pet store.

There are all kinds of hay, and none of them are bad. The trick is to mix and match them to keep your rabbit happy!

A Licensed vet clinic Livonia, MI can provide you with a recommendation.

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Pacheco’s disease is a highly infectious infection which is very deadly to birds, particularly parrots. Some birds suddenly drop death without manifesting any signs. And this can certainly alarm bird owners who have no idea what happened to their pet.

There are several ways by which the disease is acquired by birds – nasal discharge, feces, and contact with contaminated surfaces.

Birds that do show symptoms may have the following:

• Ruffled feathers
• Eyes appear reddish
• Diarrhea
• Green-colored feces due to damage to the liver
• Lethargy
• Nasal discharge
• Tremors and seizures

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Cats are curious and your cat depends on you to keep her safe. Electrical cords, curtain and drapery cords and other string-like items can be strangulation or electrocution hazards or both. Household and garden chemicals and pesticides and even antifreeze can be toxic to your cat. Store these products securely and wipe up spills promptly. Consider using cat-safe products instead. Human and animal medications can be dangerous to your cat so keep them out of reach and in child-safe containers. Some plants are toxic if ingested so check your houseplants and flowers and remove any that are dangerous. Your cat may hop around from place to place so make sure nothing can tip over and fall on her. Keep your cat inside at all times to prevent injury and exposure to disease. Most importantly, contact your Pickerington, OH veterinary clinic to set up a comprehensive well visit and vaccination plan.

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So, you’re going out of town and you can’t take your dog with you. Who should you leave your beloved pet with while you’re gone?

Someone you trust is likely to come to mind first, and this is often the best option, especially if that person is someone your pet is already familiar with. If you leave your pooch with a trusted friend or family member, you can rest easy knowing that your pet is being properly cared for.

If you don’t know anyone who is willing or capable of watching your dog while you’re gone, you may have to drop your pet off at the boarding facility. It may cost more, but the people working there watch animals for a living, giving you the peace of mind you need to relax on your trip.

For help finding someone to watch your dog, ask your veterinary clinic Livonia, MI for advice.

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If you own a dog like the Irish Setter then you’re probably already familiar with how much dogs love to play rough especially with other dogs or their owners. Sometimes playtime can lead to injuries like a scratched eye. A dog that has scratched his eye will typically blink excessively. The eye may also tear up or become extremely watery. In some cases, the white of the eye will appear to be red or irritated. If possible, check your dog’s eye for any debris or foreign objects. If you don’t see anything then it could be that the surface of eye is scratched. You may be able to see the scratch with your; however, your veterinarian London, ON may want to take a closer look. Before taking your dog in, try and cover the eye with a cloth or use a cone to prevent your dog from ... Read more »

Did you know that hypoglycemia can affect just about any breed of dog no matter the age or sex. In many cases, dogs that get hypoglycemia are diabetic. Hypoglycemia occurs when the dog’s blood sugar level or glucose level is abnormally low. Symptoms in your Chow Chow may include a sudden decrease in energy, change in appetite, appear weak, restless, confused and even pass out. Hypoglycemia is often the result of an overdose of insulin in diabetic dogs. However, it is not always caused by this. Experts have found that hypoglycemia can often be the result of an underlying health problem. For instance, a dog’s brain needs a constant supply of glucose in order to function. An underlying illness could be preventing this from happening, which in turn triggers hypoglycemia to occur. If your Chow Chow is diabetic, watch for signs and ... Read more »

As a cat owner, it’s important to stay up to date on health conditions and illnesses that could potentially affect your cat. For instance, the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) can affect cats of all breeds including the British Longhair. Although there is no cure for FeLV, there are ways to prevent it as well as identify it at an early and treatable stage. FeLV is the second largest cause of death in cats. It is a virus that can cause anemia and lymphoma. It is spread through saliva, blood, and bodily fluids. It is not contagious to other animals. The disease can also weaken the immune system causing the cat to become susceptible to other deadly infections. The best prevention for FeLV is to keep your cats indoors, vaccinate them, and have them checked for FeLV on a routine basis. Read the complete topic at the given link. ... Read more »

Although some television shows, cartoons, and even comics and storybooks often portray cats to love all things milk, not all cats should have milk. In fact, milk may be hard for some cats like the British Shorthair to digest. Although young cats or kittens are able to digest milk, it is believed that as they age they lose the enzyme that enables digestion. The main reason for indigestible milk is the lactose within it. Because grown cats cannot digest lactose, it starts to ferment in their stomachs causing diarrhea or in worse cases vomiting. Symptoms of lactose intolerance usually occur within 8 to 12 hours. If your British Shorthair cat has diarrhea or is vomiting, please call your veterinarian right away. Some cats, however, can tolerate milk or even other dairy products such as yogurt and cheese. Your a ... Read more »

If you have a cat that gets to go on adventures outside, chances are, he’s left a present or two on your doorstep. Your cat may be proud, but disposing of the litter critter isn’t any fun for you. Is there any way to get your cat to stop?

The best way to get your cat to stop bringing you presents is to stop letting him go outside. He can’t bring you any little critters if he isn’t allowed to go outside and find them!

If keeping your cat inside isn’t an option, you’re probably going to have to put up with your cat’s behavior. However, you may be able to modify it a little bit. If you don’t want him leaving critters at the front door, try letting him out the back door instead.

To learn more about this behavior, plan to visit your veterinary clinic Livonia, MI. Visit their site to know more.

If you have a cat that gets to go on adventures outside, chances are, he’s left a present or two on your doorstep. Your cat may be proud, but disposing of the litter critter isn’t any fun for you. Is there any way to get your cat to stop?

The best way to get your cat to stop bringing you presents is to stop letting him go outside. He can’t bring you any little critters if he isn’t allowed to go outside and find them!

If keeping your cat inside isn’t an option, you’re probably going to have to put up with your cat’s behavior. However, you may be able to modify it a little bit. If you don’t want him leaving critters at the front door, try letting him out the back door instead.

To learn more about this behavior, plan to visit your veterinary clinic Livonia, MI. Visit their site to know more.

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Bad breath (halitosis) in dogs can really be nauseating especially if your doggy just loves giving kisses to anyone in the family. The good news is, there are measures that you can take to prevent or treat mouth odor problems in dogs.

Mouth odor is an early symptom of dental disease in dogs. Regular tooth brushing and regular dental visits to your vet clinic can help prevent tooth and gum problems.  When your dog’s teeth is not regularly brushed, plaque can accumulate in the teeth and gums which eventually harden to form tartar, which is an important predisposing factor of periodontal disease and foul mouth odor.

Puppies should get used to having their teeth brushed and examined regularly. And dental visits to your animal hospital should be undertaken at least twice a year, depending on the recommendation of your vet. You can also ask yo ... Read more »

Important indicators of aging generally start to be obvious as cats turn 10 years old. Here are important signs that you should be on the lookout for as your once active furball slows down in his twilight years:

• Likes to spend more time alone, away from their humans or other pets that they usually play and interact with regularly.
• Poor appetite
• Unable to recognize people and pets they are familiar with
• Tend to commit potty accidents
• Sudden changes in their sleeping patterns
• Persistent vocalization at night or at any time during the day for no apparent reason
• Forget important skills and routines they have previously learned and performed without any problems.

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