Your cat is a big part of your family and you want to help her with any difficulties that come her way. Lately she has been having trouble with hairballs. How can you help her with these?

Your pet needs you to take the time to brush her often. This will remove shed fur onto the brush and help prevent future hairballs. Because they form when your pet grooms herself and ingests the fur that she collects in the process, brushing her can really be helpful in keeping her looking great as well. You can also talk to her veterinarian about helping her with hairballs that are already forming in her system. There are things that can be done to help, like feeding her specific foods to help break them down. For more information, please contact your local Des Moines, IA veterinarian.

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Since immunity to the disease is not long-lasting, dogs that recover from the disease can often have the chance of reinfection. The best way to protect your dogs from ehrlichiosis is preventing exposure to the tick carrier. Periodic checking for ticks and removing them immediately may prevent inoculation of the causative agent. Dogs should never be allowed to spend time in the woods or areas with tall grasses particularly during the tick season. Application of tick preventatives or fitting your dog with a tick collar can also help protect your dog against ticks. There have been a few reports on ehrlichiosis in people but the infection is thought to be caused by tick bites rather acquiring it from an infected dog. Talk to your Plano, TX veterinarian about the best way to protect you and your pet from ehrlichiosis. Click here for more information.

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A dog or puppy will always have potty accidents during the first few days in their new home. However, never think of punishing them for punishment is not the answer to the problem. It will only breed fear and confusion in your pet. There will always be times when your dog or puppy will temporarily lose control over their bladder or bowel movement. There will be times when you bring him outside and he does not go potty. Take him back to the house but never give any reward. Some owners allow their dogs to play in the yard when they don’t do their thing because they want to buy time. They are assuming that sooner or later, their dogs might go potty just the same. However, this is not good because allowing him to play is a form of reward. When you allow your dog to play even if he has not gone potty will deliver mixed signals and can confuse your dog as to what is really desirable behavior.

Certain health issues can ... Read more »

When your dog suffers from a seizure, make sure that he is in a safe place, away from the stairs, sharp objects, electrical wires or outlets.

Timing a seizure is very crucial in the diagnosis and treatment of the condition. Seizures that last for more than 5 minutes should be treated as a medical emergency and the dog should be brought to the veterinarian for immediate assistance. It has been shown that seizures lasting more than 30 minutes often predispose brain damage and even death. There are dog owners who share a misconception that a dog undergoing a seizure will swallow his tongue and will try to put their hands inside the dog’s mouth. You should NEVER put your hand near a dog’s mouth while it is undergoing a seizure for you can be bitten.

Some dogs can become aggressive during seizures, thus you should be on your guard. If possible, take a video of your dog durin ... Read more »

If you’re looking for a safe treat for your horse, cow or other livestock then talk with your vet about alfalfa cubes. These cubes are classified as long stem forage because of the hay used to form the cubes. Many owners feed alfalfa cubes to their horses, cows and donkeys as a way to provide an additional supplement to help maintain or increase weight. Some cubes can be fed as is, but read the instructions carefully. Most cubes require to be soaked in water for several hours before feeding out. If you’re feeding the cubes to an older animal, introduce them a few at a time and make sure they are especially soaked and soft for easier chewing and digestion. If you are feeding out the cubes instead of hay make sure you replace everyone one pound of hay wit ... Read more »

Of course you can feed your goat treats as long as you know what kind of treats to feed him. What you call a treat may not be something healthy or edible for goats. The best thing to do is ask your vet ahead of time about possible treats for goats. Some examples of acceptable treats include sliced carrots and sliced apples (no seeds). Some owners feed their goats saltine crackers, animal crackers or cookies, peanut butter and even fruits like watermelon and bananas. All of these are find for your goat as long as they are fed in moderation and approved by your vet. If you’re in doubt, go to your local feed and grain store or pet store and look for commercial treats that specifically marked for goats. Even then you should still ask your Westminster, MD veterin ... Read more »

It’s spring and that means time for lots of baby animals on the farm including little baby chicks. Chicks can come to your farm in a number of ways. They may be ordered and mailed to the farm, purchased at a local feed store and brought to the farm, or hatched right at the farm by your own chickens. No matter how they get to your farm, you will need to know what to feed them as they grow. Your vet may suggest starting with a starter feed. This consists of a mash that is made up of nutrients and proteins the chicks need to grow. Feed this for the first several weeks of the chick’s life. Don’t feed them any treats or regular big chicken grain as their bodies can’t digest that yet. Ensure your chicks have access to clean, cool water around the clock. ... Read more »