Did you know that fatty liver disease is common in small and toy dog breeds including the Italian Greyhound? A dog’s primary liver function is to produce chemicals necessary for digestion and detoxification of the body. Fatty liver disease can occur for a couple of reasons. For example, if your dog becomes ill and stops eating his body may go into survival mode and begin sending excessive amounts of fat to the liver to be broken down into energy. A dog’s liver is not meant to handle such large masses of fat. An abnormal bile flow in the liver and deficient hepatic function is also noted. Not only is the liver unable to process the fat, but it is also unable to handle other functions including processing red blood cells. Talk with your veterinarian Newmarket, ON about fatty liver disease and ways to prevent it from occurring in your pup. Learn more here.

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Your rabbit needs a variety of foods in his diet to keep healthy and happy. A high-quality rabbit pellet is a good start but you need to add fresh leafy greens and other vegetables such as carrots and squash. Small pieces of fruit make a great treat. And your rabbit needs lots and lots of hay. Hay provides necessary roughage to keep your rabbit’s digestive system working well and all that nibbling keeps his teeth trim. Alfalfa hay has too much protein for adult rabbits so timothy hay is a better choice. You can buy small bales of timothy hay in the pet supply store. You may also find fresh timothy hay from a feed store or online. This fresh hay is yummy and provides extra moisture to your rabbit’s diet. Replace old hay daily and be generous with the amount of hay you give your rabbit. For more information, contact your North Las Vegas, NV veterinarian.

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Feline diabetes often occurs when a Ocicat or other breed of cat doesn’t produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is produced in a cat’s pancreas and is in charge of regulating the flow of glucose from the bloodstream into the body’s cells. When there isn’t enough insulin in your Ocicat cat’s body then it will start breaking down reserves which can lead to high blood sugar. Cats diagnosed with diabetes will typically face an increased chance of developing other illnesses or conditions due to their compromised health. Research has shown that diabetic cats are at an increased risk of developing heart failure. Studies show this to be the case especially in cats that have gone undiagnosed with diabetes and therefore untreated. The best treatment for a diabetic or non-diabetic cat is to ensure a healthy diet, exercise, and weight. Contact your veterinarian Oconomowoc, WI for additional information or ... Read more »

Living with a diabetic Ocicat can be difficult especially if you don’t have a strong system of support. If you every need assistance, please call your veterinarian Westlake Village, CA to learn what you can do. Don’t panic, your vet can help answer your questions and guide you through the changes you and your cat will need to make. It’s important to understand that there is no cure for feline diabetes. However, routine check-ups and care from the vet along with regular monitoring of your cat’s blood sugar or glucose levels can help keep your cat stable in her current stages of diabetes. There is a chance for some that the diabetes could reverse itself. Cats that develop diabetes as a result of obesity may be able to reverse the diabetic disease with a change in diet, lifestyle, and weight loss. Unlike diabetic people, diabetic cats are generally not prone to kidney disease. 

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Hamsters are pretty much nocturnal so he may sleep most of the day away. Never wake your sleeping hamster to play with him since this could stress him and cause him to lash out at you and bite. He will have more alert times in the early morning and around dusk. Take advantage of the dusk alert time to play with your hamster. Handle your hamster and take him outside his enclosure for exercise and socialization. Supervise him whenever he is outside the cage. A hamster bowl is fun but make sure it doesn’t get too hot and that you protect him from other pets, stairs and even an accidently kick by a family member. Give your hamster things to climb on and run through. Get to know your hamster so he will bond with you. This playtime should last about a half hour minimally with focus on fun. Contact your Indianapolis, IN vet to learn more, visit ... Read more »

Your cat may jump up on the kitchen counters to get food from you or she might like the vantage point for observing her territory. However, this can be unsanitary and annoying when you are preparing food. Clean all the counters of food so there is nothing tempting up there. And never again give your cat food while she is on the counter. If she jumps up, remove her without fuss. Cover the countertops with aluminum foil strips or double-sided tape. These materials feel weird to your cat and will deter her from getting up on the counters. Give your cat an alternative perch such as a table or shelf so she can watch you and the hubbub in your kitchen. Don’t punish or yell at your cat since this will only confuse her. Be patient as your cat learns that the counter isn’t her place. To know more, contact your Indianapolis, IN veterinar ... Read more »

Cleaning your dog’s ears is an important part of his grooming and health care. Check the ears for redness or swelling plus excessive, dark-colored wax and other debris. Your dog may even scratch his ears often or rub them on the carpet. These are clear signs of infection that need medical attention. Otherwise clean your dog’s ears about every two weeks. Pour a little dog-safe ear rinse into each ear and use the earflap to distribute the fluid and loosen debris. Use cotton balls to remove the debris and dry the ears. You can use cotton swabs but only reach in as far as you can see so you don’t injure the ear canal. Change the cotton often and use each piece in one ear only to prevent cross contamination between the ears. Start cleaning your dog’s ears when he is young so this procedure becomes routine. ... Read more »