Canine Parvovirus Infection (CPV) is an acute infection caused by a virus which can easily affect susceptible dogs. Among the different dog breeds, Doberman Pinschers and Rottweilers, Labrador retrievers, Pit Bulls, and German Shepherds appear to be more prone to getting infected by Canine Parvovirus. Among the different age groups, mortality is highest among puppies between 6 weeks to 6 months old because their immune systems are not yet fully developed. The virus that causes Parvo in dogs is present in large numbers in the stool of the infected dog for many weeks after the infection. A dog can acquire the infection via ingestion or contact with infected feces. ... Read more »

A relatively mild heatstroke can easily be corrected by wrapping your cat in cool wet towels or applying ice packs to its head. You can also immerse your cat in a tub of cool water. A cat’s normal temperature is between 100.5-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit (38.2-39.2 degrees Celsius). With a mild heatstroke, your cat’s temperature may climb to 104 degrees F or 40 degrees C. Once you have brought its temperature down to what is normal, make sure to stop applying cold packs or your cat may be in danger of developing hypothermia.

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Chocolates are certainly not for cats and dogs. Many pet owners are aware of this fatal problem in dogs but not in cats where it also causes serious illness. Chocolate toxicity is not a simple stomach upset, rather it acts like some deadly poison that can eventually cause death if no veterinary attention is promptly given. Chocolates contain amounts of theobromine and caffeine. These are chemical compounds which are also called Methylxanines. When cats or dogs eat chocolates, they inadvertently consume large amounts of these toxic chemicals that can cause chocolate toxicity or Theobromine toxicity. Your pets cannot e ... Read more »

Knowing what your cat needs can help you assess the different cat food formulas. Don’t be distracted by rampant advertisements, you need to get down to the basics and be a proactive cat owner. Another thing that you should never forget to look for when looking at labels of commercial cat foods is the certification of nutritional quality from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Aside from nutritional considerations, cats fed commercial food have been observed to eliminate lesser amount of stools which are also less foul-smelling compared to cats that consume home cooked foods. A plausible explanation would be the presence of fillers in home-cooked meals which are, in a large part, indigestible. Also, they don’t require as much amount of food as when ... Read more »

Planning and preparation are very important to ensure that your cat will experience a smoother transition from your old home to the new one. Once you have finalized your moving plans, you need to pack and prepare in advance to get your cat used to the changes. If your pet is an indoor cat, you need to take him outside and gradually expose him to new surroundings. Taking him on car rides will also help him get used to being in a moving vehicle. Regular exposure will prepare your cat for the new sounds, new surroundings, and new activities during and after your move. If you choose not have your cat fitted with a microchip, he should have an identification tag fitted snugly around its neck.

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Puppies with chewing problems may suffer from underlying issues that need to be addressed in order to get rid of the negative behavior. Bored puppies chew or they may be teething. Chewing is a natural behavior of canines, whether they are in the wild or domesticated. They chew to build the muscles of the mouth and jaw. Chewing behavior is very common in puppies. They explore and interact with their environment by means of chewing. But there are times when chewing becomes a nuisance particularly when you come home and find that your dog has chewed its way through your shoes, furniture, etc.

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