Why Is My Dog Coughing?

Like humans, most dogs cough when they feel something stuck in their throats. It is to remove that unwanted particle, but sometimes it is not just something that’s stuck. Sometimes the cough is the reason for serious illness. To know which cough should be ignored and which should be taken seriously is crucial; keep reading to find out!

Types of coughs

Dogs may cough because of many reasons. If it persists for two or more months, it may be a chronic condition and if it lasts for a shorter time, it is known as acute cough. Acute coughs should not be worried about, whereas the ones you have to watch out for are chronic coughs. During such situations differentiating between the cough sounds can be of great help; which are listed below,

• A persistent dry or hacking cough that sounds like your dog is trying to dislodge something from the throat is a dry cough.
• A wet cough that sounds similar to gargling is a moist or wet cough.
• A dry cough that sounds like a goose is a honking cough.
• When your dog gags while coughing, it is the gagging cough.

These are different types of coughs you might notice in your dog according to the condition they are going through. If you observe breathlessness, abnormal breathing patterns, wheezing, or low energy, it might be a cause of some serious health issue and a visit to the vet is necessary at this point.

Common causes of cough

When the coughing of your dog becomes frequent, it becomes crucial to give your vet a visit. Some of the common reasons for your dog’s cough are listed below.

• Foreign body
• Tracheal collapse
• Allergens
• Kennel cough
• Heartworm disease
• Parasites
• Canine influenza

Out of all of these the most dangerous is heartworm disease. This is caused due to infectious worms that prevent the heart from pumping out blood and can be fatal if not treated on time. A soft, dry, and persistent cough is the one of the first signs of heartworm; so if you notice such coughing in your dog, get them tested.

What is heartworm?

Heartworm is a deadly disease transmitted by mosquitoes. As the name suggested, these worms affect the heart of the infected animal. It is transmitted when an infected mosquito bites a healthy host, the dangerous heartworm larvae enter their bloodstream and from there travel to the heart. The worms cause inflammation and cause damage to the heart, arteries, and lungs. Some of the symptoms you may notice if your pet is suffering from the heartworm disease are: dry, persistent cough, lethargy, inactivity, reduced appetite, weight loss, panting, difficulty breathing, seizures, or fainting.

How to prevent heartworm?

Treatment of heartworms is a long and expensive process; it might be painful and sometimes have no guarantee of completely curing your dog. This is why, while dealing with heartworms, the best treatment is prevention. If you give your pet regular treatment for heartworm prevention, they will have fewer chances of contracting the infection and even more chances of recovering if at all they might get infected.

There are a lot of products available on the market that aid heartworm prevention, some of which include Heartgard Plus Chewable for Dog, Interceptor Spectrum Tasty Chews for Dog, Sentinel Spectrum Tasty Chews for Dog, Nuheart For Dogs, and Valuheart Heartworm Tablets for Dog. These are some of the best-known brands for heartworm prevention in dogs.

At the end of the day,

We only want the best for our four-legged friends and wish to keep them healthy. So, along with giving your pet’s regular treatments, keep the environment clean and mosquito-free. The best management of heartworm disease is to look out for the symptoms and give regular treatment along with yearly check-ups from your vet. Clean environment will also cause fewer allergic reactions, thus reducing many reasons that cause coughing in your pet. Paying attention to your dog’s cough always helps them feel better.

Exciting Toy Gifts For Your Canine Friends

Dogs are the best animal companions one can have. They shower their warmth, affection, and unconditional love on us 24*7, 365 days a year. They insist you to go out for walks, make you run after them, share your favorite cheese pizza, and make you do the craziest things, you wouldn’t have done, if they were not there.

When there’s no body at your side, your canine friend stands by you, all the way. In return, these four-foot companions don’t ask for anything but thoroughly deserve something that they can cherish on. And what could be better than getting them a gift? A birthday present, or the anniversary of when you brought them home serves as great reasons to honor them with an award for their positive animalistic behaviors.

The key question to be asked here is, as a caring and loving guardian, is what one could reward them with? This article provides you with some of the mind-blowing dog toy gifts to reward your canine friends. Read through to know more.

Sea Plush Seahorse for Dog

Spunky Pup’s Sea Plush Seahorse is a perfect gift for dogs that love to swim and enjoy waterplay. It is made with an incredibly soft plush material, giving dogs a wonderful cuddling experience. Plus, Seahorse Soft Toy floats on water and can be a perfect swimming partner for your dog. Moreover, it squeaks that stand up to puncture holes and never lets your pooch be bored. The toy provides your canine with an amazing play time, every time.

Clean Earth Recycled Rope

Rewarding your canines with their favorite toy and contributing towards the green environment is now possible with Spunky Pup’s Clean Earth Recycled Rope.Completely made out of recycled plastic water bottles, this toy diverts the waste of 12 plastic water bottles from being thrown in the environment.

Clean Earth Recycled Rope is densely woven and works gently on your dog’s teeth & gums and cleans them.It floats on water and suits for both indoors as well as outdoor plays.The best thing about this toy is that it can be recycled once your pooch is done with it so it can be reused and thus the gifting cycle continues.

Spunky Pup Fetch and Glow Ball

Does your dog like light-up toys? If the answer is yes, there’s no better gift for your canine than Spunky Pup’s Fetch & Glow ball. The ball glows as soon as it’s exposed in the dark. So, you canines can have unlimited fun even after the sun sets.

The toy is made out of non-toxic, soft, and durable material that you can take along with your dog’s favorite play, such as at the beach, in the garden or in the pool. With Fetch & Glow ball, your pup will no longer be dependent on those drooling tennis balls for having fun. These Spunky Pup Fetch And Glow Ball for Dogs are made in exciting assorted neon colors and sized to perfection for guaranteed fun.

Spunky Pup Gnaw Guard Ring

Spunky Pup’s Gnaw Guard Ring for dogs is light in weight, yet a hard chewable toy for persistent chewers. It is made from high quality, non-toxic material that is completely safe for your dog’s teeth and promotes their dental health. It floatshence you can take it with your dog for water play. Spunky Pup’s Gnaw Guard comes in different sizes and shapes such as toothbrush, star, stick for variety and unlimited fun at the same time.

Spunky Pup Gnaw Guard Star

Spunky Pup Gnaw Guard Star for dogs is an ideal reward for light to medium chewers. It is made from non-toxic, dog-safe material that is light, but strong and textured to promote healthy gums and teeth. This Spunky Pup Toy floats, so you can keep it with your dog in the pool. Spunky Pup’s Gnaw Guard comes in different sizes and shapes such as toothbrush, star, stick to add variety and an unmatched enjoyment at once.

Conclusion

As you know, a dog’s social life is very limited. Their happiness is bounded among you, the treats, and of course, the toys. Each one of it is equally important to them, and toys in particular are one of their favorites. They’re just obsessed with them. So if you’re planning on gifting them something worth gifting, we reckon do toys; they’ll truly cherish them.

Cat Dandruff Explained – Know the Signs, Causes & Treatments

Cats are meticulous groomers. They love to keep themselves clean. But if your feline is covered in tiny white flakes, it might leave you wondering what’s wrong. It’s probably cat dandruff!

Unfortunately, your cat cannot fix her dandruff by herself but can easily get rid of it with your intervention. In this blog, we’ll discuss a few easy ways to get rid of cat dandruff.

But before that, let’s check out what causes dandruff in cats and how to identify it.

What is Cat Dandruff?

Dandruff is a common term for the flakes of skin. While it is majorly caused by dry or oily skin, there are various other reasons behind it. Although, cat dandruff doesn’t raise any major alarms, it shouldn’t be neglected either.

Is Cat Dander The Same as Dandruff?

Although they sound similar, cat dander and dandruff are different. Danders are dead skin cells that are shed regularly and replaced by new cells.

On the other hand, dandruff is a skin condition that arises due to itchy and flaky skin. While dander is completely healthy and normal, dandruff can irritate your beloved cat’s skin and may lead to hair loss.

What Causes Dandruff in Cats?

The causes of dandruff in cats can range from simple to serious. Finding the underlying cause of dandruff can help you eliminate its root cause. Here are some of the most common causes of dandruff in cats:

• Allergies
• Dehydration
• Poor nutrition
• Dry skin
• Fleas and ticks
• Skin infections
• Pollutants
• Obesity
• Sunburn
• Hormonal conditions
• Over bathing & shampooing

How to Treat & Prevent Dandruff in Cats?

If you have identified the cause of dandruff in your cat, getting rid of it is not going to be as easy as simply bathing them.

To treat and prevent cat dandruff, you must be aware of its cause. For example, if your cat’s dandruff is due to being overweight, you may consider putting them on a weight management program.

If it is due to allergies, dry skin, oily skin, or skin infections, you should pay more attention to their skin and coat health. Consider adding omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to their diet as they help restore a healthy skin barrier.

Ensuring proper hydration is also a great way to prevent dandruff. Apart from keeping a watch on your furry ball’s water intake, you can try out cat skin nourishment products like Natural Animal Solutions Dermal Cream, Vet’s All Natural Skin & Coat Formula, and Nano Sanitas Fur & Skin Care Spray.

Generally, feeding your cat a nutritionally rich diet is one of the surefire ways to treat and prevent dandruff. You can also opt for cat food that is specifically tailored for their skin and coat health.

Such popular cat foods include Hills Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin, Hills Prescription Diet Feline Original Skin Dry Cat Food, and Advance Sensitive Skin & Digestion Cat Food. Dandruff in cats is typically easy to treat. You can take care of the things mentioned above to cure dandruff.

However, feel free to reach out to your veterinarian for advice, and they’ll be pleased to share tips on how to maintain your cat’s healthy skin and hair.

General FAQs About Ear Mites in Dogs & Cats

Many pet parents are not aware of ear mite danger in their pets. At some or other time of their life, whether it is a dog or a cat, they face with ear mite problems. In spite of taking care of so many things, these nasty bugs are nowhere to go but rejoice in brooding in your pet’s ears. Breaking the vicious cycle of these ear mites, let us find here some of the solutions pertaining to ear mites, which has been asked by most pet owners.

How do dogs or cats get ear mites?

With a contagious nature, these parasites can easily contaminate any pet. Ear mites can be passed from one pet to another just by casual contact. Moreover, outdoor cats are more prone to this infection and they are ideal carriers.

How to identify ear mites in dogs and cats?

The following symptoms brings above the knowledge about the existence of ear mites. The indicative signs are excessive scratching, rubbing the ears, inflammation near the ears, redness of the ears, head shaking, black or brown waxy secretion, strong odor, and obstruction of the ear canal by a thing like coffee bean or grounded coffee bean shape discharge. In cats, you may notice hair loss or dermatitis.

How to find out that my pet has ear mites?

Checking the previously mentioned signs, you can figure out that your dog or cat is suffering from ear mite infection. Moreover, these symptoms also mean that they might be having bacterial ear infection. However, it is always best to leave the final diagnoses to a veterinarian.

How are ear mites treated in dogs or cats?

After diagnosis, your vet may prescribe a treatment or ear mite control product, which can be applied directly into your pet’s ear, or a parasitic medication that your pet can take orally.

Cleaning of the ear is very much important when your pet’s ear is infected or having excess of wax and debris.

An anti-inflammatory or antibiotic might be prescribed to eliminate any infection. Products such as Epi-otic ear cleaner, Otosol helps to clean the ear and treatments like Frontline plus, revolution aids in preventing ear mite infections.

In a scenario of a household with more than one pet, you need to treat all the pets for ear mites in order to control and prevent spread of the infection to all.

It is common for dogs and cats to have ear mites especially for those that spend most of the time outdoors. Compared to dogs, cats are more prone to ear mite infection and can pass them along to all other animals present in a house. When you find unusual things like scratching ears, shaking head, or rubbing ears around some hard furniture in your pet, it means that they are likely to have ear mites. A treatment prescribed by your vet is always helpful in controlling the infection. Sometimes, it can be a case of debris or excess wax, in that case, you can clean your pet’s ears with the help of ear cleaning drops for dog.

Once your dog or cat has been treated for ear mite infection, it is always advisable to put them on monthly ear mite treatments available at online stores. Never wait for the condition to be out of control, better treat them regularly and protect them from ear infections and your pockets from heavy vet bills.

Choose the Best Dog Product between Nexgard and Credelio

We all want to spend more time outside, especially during holidays or weekends. Being a dog parent can make you want to go on adventures with your four-legged buddy even more because they are frequently just as adventurous as humans are! But whether you’re taking your dog for a leisurely stroll through the park or taking them along on a hike through the woods, you must make careful to protect them from nature’s unpleasant parasites, like fleas and ticks.

One of the most crucial things you can do when taking care of your pet dog is to make sure they can be protected from pests like fleas and ticks. It might be confusing to choose the best parasite control and treatment options for your dog.

Both Credelio Chewable Tablets and NexGard Chewable Tablets, two of the most well-known brands on the market, are efficient at getting rid of both fleas and ticks. The qualities, advantages, and outcomes of the two respectable brands’ products, nevertheless, are marginally distinct.

Whether you choose Credelio or NexGard, the ideal product depends on what you know will benefit your pet and its way of life.

Breaking It Down

Two flea and tick eradication products Credelio and NexGard will be compared here. We’ll be sure to provide you with all the specifics on what it does, how it functions, and a concise rundown of its advantages and disadvantages.

Below are further remarks on each product’s effectiveness as well as any unique qualities that might set one apart from the others.

Credelio Chewable Tablet for Dogs

Credelio is a tasty monthly chewable tablet. When used as directed, it offers monthly defense against fleas and ticks. This chewable tablet can also be used to treat an existing flea infestation in your dog.

The tablet has been proved to be 100% efficient against fleas and 97% effective against ticks. It begins functioning in as little as four hours.

It is very simple to disguise this chewable tablet in your dog’s food, so there is no difficulty in attempting to convince your dog to take another type of treatment or tablet. Another benefit of the chewable tablet form is that you won’t have to deal with the hassle of applying a typical topical treatment that might get on your dog’s fur or perhaps on the hands of any curious human children.

Credelio is available in a range of dosages for dogs of all sizes, but it must only be administered to puppies and adult dogs that weigh more than 2.5 kg and are at least 8 weeks old.

Nexgard Chewable Tablet for Dogs

NexGard also makes a simple tasty chewable tablet for tick and flea treatment. This indicates that they offer all of the advantages of chewable tablets that we previously discussed for Credelio. Additionally, NexGard chews can help guard dogs against flea infestations when given to your pet monthly.

NexGard accomplishes this by putting an end to adult fleas before they can lay eggs. It has a fantastic track record of protecting dogs against ticks and can offer exceptional flea prevention. Recommended by most vets to protect dogs from the kind of tick-borne infections, it has been demonstrated that some ticks can be killed before they can spread the Lyme disease. Brown dog ticks, American dog ticks, Lone Star ticks, and black-legged tick infestations can all be prevented and treated with NexGard.

NexGard is a well-known and effective flea and tick prevention method safe for dogs and puppies older than 8 weeks and weighing at least 2 kg. Additionally, the beef-flavored, soft, chewable tablet can be given to your dog as a nice treat or hidden in their food.

Conclusion

We must admit that choosing between these two remarkable products is difficult! As chewable tablets recommended by your veterinarian, Credelio and NexGard both provide flea and tick prevention treatment for your dog. Both can be administered to puppies as young as eight weeks old and to dogs as little as 2.5 kg.

The effectiveness of these products in getting rid of bothersome parasites is fairly comparable. While Nexgard is offered in 3, 6, 9, and 12 month supplies, Credelio is only offered in 3, 6, and 12. Some pet parents might find it easier to purchase a three-month supply than other choices. It comes down to convenience as the cost is essentially the same for both. If you still have doubts about which oral flea and tick treatment is appropriate for your pet’s needs, consult your veterinarian and obtain the best recommendations based on your lifestyle and your pet’s health.

Ear Mites In Cats: Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

Cats are no different from other pet species in that they each have specific health requirements and challenges. Even though you may not be familiar with cat ear mite infestations, it is important to treat your pet carefully because it may be a painful experience for them.

While not exclusive to cats, ear mite infestations are one of the most prevalent health issues that cats may experience in their ears. Even though ear mites in cats usually don’t constitute a major health danger, they can impair your cats’ ability to hear in the long run if left untreated.

Here is a description of ear mites, how to recognize infestation warning symptoms, and how to eliminate these parasites and put an end to your cats’ misery.

What are Ear Mites?

As their name suggests, ear mites are a tiny type of mite that lives in the ears of small animals including dogs, rabbits, and cats. Once they lay eggs, ear mites reproduce swiftly and become adults in only three weeks. Ear mites are spread by other animals. Even though they get their name from the fact that they are most frequently seen in the ears, ear mites can also be discovered in other parts of your cat’s body.

What Leads to Cat Ear Mites?

Your cat can only get ear mites through direct transmission from another animal. The mite frequently lands on another area of your cat’s body before moving toward the ear canal in order to lay eggs.

Only when a mite is successful in travelling to the ear and breeding, creating a colony that begins to expand and continue multiplying in your cat’s ear and causing excruciating discomfort, mite infestations start to happen.

What Are The Ear Mite Symptoms And Signs In Cats?

The signs your cat displays are the best approach to diagnosing ear mites. Frequent ear scratching and/or shaking from the heat are common ear mite signs, as well as dark discharge from the ear, burst blood vessels from your cat’s ear-scratching, high sensitivity when you try to touch your cats’ ears, as well as open wounds, and hair loss around the ear.

How to Examine Cat’s Ears for Ear Mites?

The easiest technique to check for ear mites is to recognize the signs of an ear mite infestation because of the size of these parasites. After that, you can take your cat to the clinic to have their ears professionally checked for mites. An otoscope, a specialist diagnostic tool with a flashlight at the end to examine the interior of your cat’s ear, can be used at your neighborhood vet clinic to find any ear mites.

By swabbing your cat’s ear with a cotton swab and sending the sample away to be examined under a microscope, your veterinarian can also screen for mites and mite eggs.

How to Treat Cats for Ear Mites?

You’ll need your veterinarian’s assistance if your cat has ear mites if you want to solve the issue. There is no efficient home remedy for ear mites in cats that can eliminate mites rapidly and with complete assurance that these parasites won’t reappear in the upcoming weeks, unlike other conditions your cat may have.

Ear mite eggs cannot be eliminated by treatment, unlike fleas and other parasites that may attach to your pets. The goal of therapeutic interventions is to eliminate adult mites and their larvae once they have developed. One of many treatments of ear mites in cats include, Bravecto Plus, Troy Ear Canker Drops, Advocate, Aristopet Ear Canker Drops, Ilium Ear Drops, etc. Depending on the extent of the infestation and your personal preferences as the cat parent, the recommended course of action may vary.

Your veterinarian may also suggest treatments to relieve itching and pain while the mites are killed and your cat’s ears gradually heal if your cat has damaged its ears or is in excruciating discomfort.

Bottom line

It’s vital to take your cat to the vet to have the issue identified and swiftly treated when you observe your cat scratching its ears or you have any other cause to suspect your cat may be suffering from ear mites. A prompt approach will lessen your cat’s misery and may even lessen any health issues brought on by this bothersome infestation.

Advantage for Dogs FAQs – Everything You Need to Know

Most of the pet owners get horrified even with the mention of fleas. Such is the level of annoyance they create in the household and mess up with the pet’s life. These blood-sucking, nasty parasites certainly take a serious toll on our pet’s health because of all that itching and dermatitis they cause. However, with proper prevention and treatment, we can successfully get rid-off these critters. In fact, Advantage is the most sought-after treatment available on the market which can be effectively used for this purpose. The treatment is available for both cats and dogs and has given amazing results so far. People who have already used the product on their pets understand that Advantage is definitely an advantage for pets. We have listed down some intriguing facts about the product which will give you a better insight into its proper usage.

Facts Related To ‘Advantage’ For Cats and Dogs   

Does It Kill Other Flea Life Stages?

Compared to other flea products that are only formulated to kill adult fleas, Advantage acts on the lifecycle of the fleas as well. Thus, it is highly effective in eliminating adult fleas as well as flea larvae.

How Does It Work?

Advantage contains Imidacloprid that acts as a neurotoxin for fleas. It hyper-activates the central nervous system of the parasite that eventually kills them.

How Long Does It Take The Product To Show Its Effect?

It is swift in action and stops the biting fleas from feeding on the host within a couple of minutes. After the application of the product, it hardly takes an hour to kill 98% of the fleas.

How Long Does One Dose Works?

Advantage provides protection against fleas for complete one month and a single dose is enough for doing so.

Can I Apply The Product Before Bathing the Pet?

Though the product is water-resistant and wouldn’t wash off that easily, it is recommended to apply the product to your pet once he is clean and dry. It will help the product to penetrate the skin better as the pores would still be open. Thus, it will stay longer inside the skin layers and will have better efficacy.

How Must Long One Wait To Give A Bath To their Dog After Applying Advantage?

Normally, 48 hours are enough. Bathing just after applying the product or even a few hours later may leach the product more quickly thereby rendering it ineffective.

What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Advantage?

It may cause slight hair fall in pets but the hair will grow back. So, nothing much to worry about! However, be cautious while giving it to a sensitive dog or cat as they may show some side effects like vomiting or diarrhea. Consult the vet before any application, in such cases.

Does It Kill The Fleas In The Surroundings?

This product is proficient in killing the fleas as they try to hitch on the pet. It eliminates the larvae in the surroundings as and when pet touches the floor or carpet where the flea larvae would be hiding. Thus it is a preventative for complete household.

Advantage For Dog has earned a good rapport amongst experienced pet owners because of its super-active ingredient and fast results. So, if your pet is suffering from flea infestation, get Advantage and proof your house and the pet.

Flea Treatment In Cats : Types Of Products One Can Choose From

Fleas are the nasty parasites which endangers pets the most. Since there has been a lot of improvement in veterinary section of science and a lot of products and solution have been designed for the pet’s allergies from fleas. Flea treatments are now widely available in the market and in wide variety too. Normally we would have thought that pets medication will be just like humans, tablets and syrups etc. but, it is beyond that.

Having researched on all the varieties of treatment available for flea treatment, broad classification of these remedies includes the following:

Collars

Flea collars are a conventional method of repelling fleas from the cat’s body. It is a chemical-built collar. The chemical disperses in the entire cat’s body as soon as it comes in contact with the skin. This effective method of eliminating and preventing flea infestations is a long lasting and water-proof method. They are very easy to use and have very few side effects. An example of a flea collar is Seresto Flea Collar For Cat widely used by cat-owners.

Sprays

Another convenient option for the cat owners are sprays which can be applied directly on the pet. You have to be very careful about spraying near eye and ear region. Read the instructions carefully before applying the spray. For the head and eye area, spray on a gloved hand or washcloth and rub gently into your cat’s hair, being careful not to get any of the product in your cat’s eyes. The best spray to remove fleas from your feline’s fur is Frontline Spray.

Oral

Oral treatment is also a form of medication which has to be provided in most of the cases, once a month only. Oral medications are now available in wide variety like tablets, chews and oral injections. Capstar etc. 

Flea Shampoos 

There are a wide range of shampoos available in the market for flea prevention. They help in washing off adult fleas and their eggs for a certain period of time. The common ingredients present in these shampoos are pyrethrins, which kills all the adult fleas on contact. When using a shampoo, allow it to stay in contact with the skin and coat for at least 10-15 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Avoid getting this product in your pet’s eyes or mouth.

Flea Combs 

Flea combs are very fine-toothed comb used to extract flea and their eggs from a cat’s fur. The first thing you should do when you fleas on your cat is to bathe your cat. Then thoroughly look into the fur of the cat to find fleas if any. Comb the entire body, including the facial region and the tail. Each time you stroke the comb through the animal’s fur, dip it in a bowl of hot, soapy water which will kill the fleas.

Topical/Spot-on

To fully eliminate the fleas with their eggs and larvae and the entire life cycle cannot be done by flea combs or sprays. For that a strong treatment like topical or better known as spot-on treatments are preferred. They are completely harmless to the pets. If there are any side effects they won’t be adverse and you can consult your vet regarding any treatment at any time. The chemical present in the spot-on is absorbed by the fur and skin and enters the fleas when they bite. Advantage, Advocate, Frontline Plus, Revolution Plus Cat are a few best topical products for cats.

These treatments ensure full safety for your kitty. Although being medicines, they are so delicious and relished by the cats that you should have no fear of administering them as a treatment but provide them as a treat.

Cat Behavioral Problems and Solutions

When our feline pals rub against our legs, knead our laps, or purr into our eyes, we love them. But we do not always agree with our four-legged friends. Not when they rush into the house at 2 a.m. or refuse to use a spotless litter box.

The good news is that almost any common cat issue may be resolved with little assistance. That’s why we have come up with the blog with the answers to some of the most frequent feline problems.

Litter Box Problems

This is “by far” the most common problem pet parents have with their cats. It can be really frustrating when your cat decides that the litter box is off-limits. However, there is usually a reason why cats refuse to use their litter box, and there is luckily a lot you can do about it.

Consult your veterinarian first. Your cat’s refusal to use the litter box could be due to bladder stones, urinary tract infections, or urine crystals. Make an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out any of these or other health issues that your cat may be experiencing.

Urine Marking

The most prevalent behaviour issue reported by pet parents is inappropriate elimination, also known as inappropriate urination. Infections, inflammation, bladder stones, stress, and tumours are all known to cause 10% of cats to eliminate outside their litter box at some point in their lives. Conflicts between cats or other pets in the house can cause cats to get stressed, which can lead to litter box troubles. Urine marking might also be caused by your cat still being in the litter box training phase. Consult your veterinarian about training and behavioural products.

Scratching

It may appear that kitty is clawing your couch and curtains to annoy you, but they are actually doing so to relieve stress, play, establish their territory, and even get rid of frayed claws. But, there are also a few simple solutions to prevent this. So you don’t have to put up with dingy furnishings or prevent your cat from acting naturally. To prevent scratching, you can try the following solution:

• Get one or more scratching posts for your cat and coat them in catnip to encourage them to be used.
• Your cat’s claws should be trimmed. Trimming may appear daunting at first, but it’s actually a lot easier than you might expect. Get a quick tutorial from your veterinarian, who can likely complete the task in a few minutes and tell you how to do it.

Cat Aggression

A cat might become aggressive for a variety of causes, such as disease, overcrowding, a lack of socialization, maternal protection, or even plain play. Consider the following suggestions to deal with feline aggression:

• Consult your veterinarian about your cat’s hostility. While pain and disease may put anyone in a grumpy mood, you’ll want to rule out any physical causes for the kitty’s grumpiness before moving forward.
• Male cats who aren’t fixed are more prone to aggression than other cats, and it only takes one intact male to influence the behaviour of all the other cats in the house. Spaying or neutering your feline companions is a straightforward solution.
• If you and your veterinarian can’t figure out why your cat is acting aggressively, consult a veterinary behaviourist, who may be able to assist you in identifying the source of your cat’s aggression.

Excessive Licking

Cats lick themselves all the time, but persistent licking is usually caused by discomfort, stress, or worry. Excessive licking is an indication that your cat is in pain and should be treated as such. They may constantly groom other parts of their body or lick an area of their body till it is bald and raw. An excellent first step is to speak with your veterinarian or a competent behaviourist about this. Meanwhile, you can concentrate on making your cat’s habitat safer and more secure to help them cope with stress and anxiety. Make a safe location for them to go where they won’t be disturbed, or use pheromones to make them feel safe.

Bottom Line

Do not reprimand your cat if it attacks you or exhibits other violent behaviour. This simply exacerbates the problem, so ignore them completely. Reacting or fleeing may make the game more thrilling for them. Pheromones, supplements, drugs, and specific diets may all be useful in reducing undesirable behaviour. You can also provide your cat with alternative outlets for their energy, such as workout toys or catnip. Make sure to rotate them on a regular basis to keep things interesting.

Top 3 Pet Dental Health Tips for Optimal Oral Hygiene

Dental health of a pet is given the least priority and many times it is been neglected. Taking care of your pet’s oral health is the most essential part to keep them healthy and happy. Not only dogs, but cats equally are highly susceptible of dental diseases in lack of proper oral hygiene. Dental health problems, at the large scale can be avoided by using dental chews, treats and regular vet visits. Dental chews and treats are specially designed to keep your dog or cat’s teeth healthy and clean. Apart from this, regular checkups and dental procedures like cleaning and scaling also ensure that your dog or cat doesn’t develop any major dental problems.

Chews

Dogs and cats enjoy chews, and it not only savor their taste glands but also help them maintain their dental care. There are numerous delicious chews available on the market and these dental chews, made of meat, help your dog enjoy the meat flavor, without the effect of digestive and oral hygiene problems. When your dog chews the tasty food item, it will clean their teeth. These chews easily scrub the surface of the pet’s teeth and remove plaque or tartar buildup.

Treats

There are specially designed dental treats, which are exclusively used for keeping dog and cat’s teeth clean. These treats not only cleanse pet’s teeth but also provide additional nutrients for total wellbeing. These treats can even be substituted with the everyday snack option, which will be a healthy snack replacement. Greenies dental treats are the best option that work both as a snack and dental cleaner. Greenies are available for both dogs and cats. These treats are uniquely designed having a texture surface that aids to clean your pet’s teeth. As the pets chew these treats, the specially designed texture removes plaque, and cleans your pet’s teeth as they chew it. These treats are made up of 50% protein, which helps to maintain optimal weight and other ingredients present in the treat helps prevent tartar and plaque buildup.

Dental Check-ups

Vet visit for dental check-up is an essential regime to follow for a good oral health. Normally, pet owners ignore this due to lack of time or vet bills. But, neglecting the most important aspect of your pet’s body may put your furry pal at a risk of some dangerous diseases caused due to lack of oral hygiene. Therefore, regular dental check-ups will put your pet on the radar to prevent any forthcoming dental issue. Additionally, a dental checkup can help to uncover, treat and prevent any oral health conditions before they get worst.

Usually, pet owners are not aware that sometimes, their pet may have a cavity, fractured tooth or gum disease. Regular dental check-ups of your dog or cat will bring forth such conditions and help to treat and resolve them before it may become worst to handle. Furthermore, daily cleaning of your pet’s mouth, at the largest, can control a lot of dental diseases.

Top 5 Myths About Heartworms – Debunked!

Pets need complete protection against external as well as internal parasitic infestation to lead a healthy life. External parasites like fleas are visible to our eyes and thus it is comparatively easier to get rid of them. Whereas internal parasites like heartworms and other intestinal worms are not detected until they reach their adult phase.

In case of heartworm infestation veterinarians say that it is easier and cheaper to prevent rather than curing the disease. Canines and felines get infected by heartworms through a bite of an infected mosquito. Use of efficient heartworm preventives is recommended to protect the pets all round the year.

However pet owners fail to do so because of a few myths believed about heartworms. Here we’ll debunk 5 such myths that may be responsible for your laid attitude about using heartwormers. Let’s have a look!

Myth#1: Pets can be infected by heartworms only in specific season.

Fact: Although development of mosquitoes depends on temperature, you cannot entirely be sure about its absence. Water pools at your home, ponds having warm temperatures encourage mosquito development and where there are mosquitoes there is a chance of heartworm infestation. Therefore arrival of winters should not stop you with the prevention treatment on your pets. Protect your pets from heartworms all around the year to avoid lethal circumstances.

Myth#2: Cats cannot get infected with heartworms, only dogs can.

Fact: Cats are as susceptible to this infestation as much as dogs are. Presence of mosquitoes in the environment is a threat to your felines too. Use of heartwormers for cats is recommended to save them from the unhealthy situations later.

Myth#3: Indoor cats and dogs are safe from heartworm infestation.

Fact: Do you not get bitten by a mosquito while indoors? Of course everybody does, right? Similarly dogs and cats that stay indoors are not any exceptions. They are as much in danger and need prevention to fight the probability of heartworm infestation whether indoors or outdoors.

Myth#4: Kittens and puppies are immune to heartworm infestation.

Fact: Although mothers pass immunity strength to puppies and kittens through her milk, they are not entirely protected from heartworms. Experts recommend starting prevention at an early age to safeguard young pets from this infestation.

Myth#5: Heartworms are contagious.

Heartworms are not contagious and pets may get infected only and only through an infected mosquito. There are no chances of getting heartworm infestation by an infected dog or cat. This parasitic infestation can affect only dogs, cats, ferrets, and other mammals. Humans are rarely affected by mosquitoes as heartworms cannot complete their lifecycle in humans.

These myths may have been misguiding you and have a potential to affect your canines and felines. Heartworm prevention is necessary for all canines and felines of all breeds. It is important that you get your pet checked for infestation before starting any preventive treatment. Use of treatments like Heartgard Plus, Revolution, Interceptor, etc. is recommended only if the test results are not positive. So, consult your vet to get the tests done and protect your furry friends with suitable preventives.

Top 5 Dog Treat Brands in 2022

If your dog is like any other dog, he’ll never say no to a good treat. Even the laziest dogs show their best moves when enticed with treats.

While dogs love to snarf up on treats, pet parents love the fact that treats help in their training and positive reinforcement. On top of that, good treats also help create a deeper bond with pets.

Today, zillions of brands offer a variety of dog treats. They come in every shape and flavor to please your buddy. But with a lot of choices, it becomes difficult to pick out the best one.

We have narrowed down the very best 5 dog treat brands that we think your dog is going to go crazy for.

Best Vet Recommended Dog Treat Brands

Greenies: Best for Proactive Wellness

Greenies is dedicated to manufacturing delicious dog treats with proven health benefits. These treats are purposely designed by expert veterinarians, nutritionists, and scientists to improve specific pet health issues. Greenies offer treats for dental care, weight management, immunity, joint health, skin & coat, anytime bites, etc.

Greenies is very popular for their dental treats, which keep dental health in check, and for flavored pill pockets to disguise medicines.

Lickables: Best for Quality Snacking

Lickables by Central Pet offer quality snacking solutions for dogs. Lickables are tail-waggingly delicious treats made with high-quality ingredients and 100% single meat protein. Free from any artificial flavors and preservatives, these treats deliver straightforward goodness and lickerrific variety.

If you’re looking for healthy treats for dogs, Lickables lamb bites, beef bites, or chicken tenders are great options to consider.

Balanced Life: Best Premium Treats

Balanced Life brings to the market an exclusive range of premium dog treats. Companion treats by Balanced Life are rich in protein, packed full of flavor, and loaded with vitamins, minerals, and essential trace elements for maximum nutrition. They’re gently air-dried to retain their maximum nutritional value.

Spoil your furry companion with the best-selling Balanced Life Companion Treats like Chicken Companion Treats, Salmon Companion Treats, and Lamb Companion Treats.

Yours Droolly: Best Puppy Treats

Yours Droolly believes that as much as a pup is joy and fun, it needs training. And, with good training comes the need for good treats. Yours Droolly offers the best dog treats for puppies. Their range of healthy and delicious treats will keep your puppy happy and coming back for more.

If you are looking for a way to your new pup’s heart, Yours Droolly Chicken Training Treats or Mix-up Treats is the way!

Blackhawk: Best Training Treats

Blackhawk treats are specially crafted for rewarding your pups while you’re training them. Made from responsibly sourced, human-grade local ingredients in regional Australia, Blackhawk treats promise to deliver protein-rich, tasty treats that are packed with nature’s goodness.

Rest assured you’re giving your dog the best with Jerky Treats, Jerky Bites, and more from Blackhawk.

We hope these suggestions eliminate the guesswork of choosing the best dog treats so that you can spend more time with your dog!

Five Natural Ways to Say “NO” to FLEAS

You will continuously be able to see fleas and ticks on your pet, if you have a huge flea and tick problem in your region. Fleas top the list of creatures that badly affects pets and causes the worst health conditions from skin irritation, redness to flea allergy dermatitis.

Come summer and from nowhere there emerges the swamp of fleas always ready to attack pets – that comes on their way. Happy to feast on your pooch’s blood, these nasty creatures are all set and ready to multiply on thousands, continuing their life cycles, unless a ninja source is not applied to combat and destroy them completely.

Yes! Pet owners have to establish and get on all the tools to fight back these filthy fleas attacking your furry companions. To eradicate them and protect your pets from the devastating flea infestation, here we bring you the most effective flea control ways to get rid of fleas on your dog naturally.

Flea Comb at a Rescue

The most effective and easiest way of eradicating fleas is using flea comb. Not just keeping your pet well groomed, flea comb helps in removing adult fleas along with flea dust. A quality brush is gentle on pets as well as eliminates fleas, eggs and larvae. Normally, flea eggs and larvae are not present, but if any left, comb can help to remove. Ensure the fur of your dog is detangled to reduce pain while combing through flea comb with narrow teeth.

Upgrade Your Dog Shampoo

Whether you are using flea shampoo or an ordinary dog shampoo, you can enhance its effectiveness for removing fleas. Take a half cup of any good shampoo and add freshly squeezed lemon juice along with two cups of water. Fill this mixture into a bottle and use it every week when bathing your furry pal. After your pet’s bath, do not allow your dog to just run away and go into the backyard. Pat dry him and comb your dog’s fur with a flea comb and what you see is just horrible, the fleas shower away from the pet.

Washing and Heating Bedding

A dog with heavy flea infestation can shed flea dust – flea eggs or larvae wherever they go. Mostly on the carpets, furniture and even in the bedding. You would be astonished to know that washing bedding with hot water and strong detergent effectively removes most of the fleas, flea eggs and larvae. Drying is also effective, when it comes to removing fleas.

Flea Collar

Using two drops of lavender oil or tea tree oil in one tablespoon of water prepare a solution. Apply this solution all over your dog’s collar or put it on a handkerchief and tie it around your dog’s neck. This natural flea collar distracts the fleas and prevents them from attacking your pooch.

Vacuum The Floor, Furniture, Curtains, Upholstery and May Be All

Usually, fleas reside in damp, warm and dark places – in the crevices and miniature cracks of the floor, beside the curtains, sides of the furniture and the dark areas where they can fit in. If you are not attentive about cleaning your house, there is every possibility that your house would soon turn out to be a flea bomb shell. Carry on vacuuming your house – floor, crevices or gaps in the walls, furniture – every nook and corner of your house. Do it periodically and thoroughly, which helps in eliminating fleas before they multiply in hundreds and thousands to infest your house and yard. You can even use products like dried cedar chips and lemon rinds to avoid flea influx in your surroundings.

A Simple but Essential Thing to Notice

Most natural oils seem good. But it is not necessarily, that your pooch would react to all them positively. As they have sensitive skin, there is always a possibility that they may be allergic to any of the contents of the oil. It is better to consult a vet for the right quantities for using on your pooch to keep those fleas at bay. The other safe option to avoid heavy flea infestations is to opt for flea and tick treatments. Your vet may guide you on this to which product is more safe on your pet.

How To Boost Your Dog’s Energy

If your dog is slower than usual, is ignoring play time, or choosing to lie over the sofa more often, there is a great chance your dog is low on energy. There are several factors that can lead to this lethargic behavior like illness recovery, joint pain, low metabolism, anxiety or more.

Regardless of the reason, you can help your pup gain its energy back, all you need is a few right approaches. The first and important step is to acknowledge lethargies in your dog. If the change in behavior is significant, it is vital to consult your vet about the matter. If the case is of low stamina or laziness, we got you some best energy booster approaches for your furry friend.

Give your pup balanced nutrition

Never underestimate the importance of a balanced diet for your pet. Boost your dog’s immunity by including food with high nutritional value like antioxidants and vitamins; some good sources of such nutrition include blueberries, kale, green beans, pumpkin, and more.

Play fetch down the Stairs

Dogs love fetching game. However, if for any reason your dog doesn’t go out or gets exhausted playing it in its original form, there is another way to play this game. Use stairs to play fetch, just toss the ball down the stairs and let your dog chase the ball while you sit comfortably.

Keep your pup mentally stimulated

Just like physical activities, mental stimulation impacts your pet’s wellness and energy levels. You can boost the mental stimulation of your dog by teaching him commands or engaging him with interactive toys.

To teach commands, begin with easy to follow commands like sit, and shake hands, later go to more challenging tricks like spinning. You can also make use of toys like puzzle balls; treat dispensers and more to make your dog more active.

Hide your Dog’s favorite toys and treats

Another way to move your lazy pet is to hide things he likes and make him search. For instance, show him his favorite treats or toys. Ask someone to divert his attention and then hide the treat at an accessible place like a sofa. Let the dog search, and when he finds his toy make sure to praise. Also, after some success you make the game more difficult by hiding his favorite treat to a different spot.

Consider joint care supplements for your pet

Joint issues are more common in dogs than you think; these issues are especially prevalent in working dog breeds. If your dog is avoiding stairs or has slowed its speed of walking, the reason can be joint pain. Some of the common reasons for joint pain in dogs include arthritis, fractures, hormonal disorders, and even cancer in some cases. It is important to take precautionary steps before it occurs and the best way to do that is to provide your dog with the right nutrition, supplements and encourage exercise in their routine. Visit DiscountPetCare to look for suitable supplements for your canine friend.

Dogs’ activity pace or energy tells a lot about their overall health. Hence, it is crucial for you to be aware of what’s normal and what’s not normal for them. If you do not regularly walk your dog or play with him, start doing it now as it will help you catch illness or slow metabolism and take necessary steps at the right time.

Puppy Teething: A Complete Guide

Puppies adorably make the owner fall in love with their cuteness. However, at a young age their habit of chewing and destroying household things and furniture may not please their parents. Puppies like children, go through the process of teething and that’s the reason your puppy is attacking your furniture and other items.

In this blog we will take you through some vital information on teething in puppies.

Why does your dog attack everything?

At an early age puppies chew on every object as they learn how things feel and their mouth is their first medium to touch and grab. The tendency to scratch and chew out objects is also because of the discomfort caused due to the teething process.

When do puppies go through teething?

Puppies’ teeth start emerging when they are two –three weeks old. By the time they are six to eight weeks old, almost all their deciduous teeth tend to be present.

When do dog’s baby teeth fall out?

Unlike babies, your dogs will not have baby molars. By the time they are 12 weeks old, their deciduous teeth will begin to fall out and then the permanent teeth will start to erupt. According to Dr. Alexander Reiter permanent teeth in dogs erupts at two months.

Below is the average teething cycle in dogs:

• Incisors – 2-5 months
• Canine teeth – 5- 6 months
• Premolars – 4-6 months

How to Care for a Teething Puppy

Dog parents often overstress on the teething process. If your pup eats his meals and performs daily activities like playing; socializing then there is nothing to worry about.

If you see a major change in these activities, it may be associated with teething discomfort; in that case you can consult your vet and get a clear understanding about the health of your pet’s teeth.

The main reason for your pet to chew during teething is because it eases the discomfort. As pet parents, you can help your pet release their discomfort of chewing by satisfying their cravings.

Here are some more ways that can help soothe teething process of puppy:

Toys

Make sure that the chewy toys are not too hard; it should be soft and flexible. It’s important to note that even when toys are safe with regards to ingestion or inhalation, it may not be good for your dog’s teeth. Even if the risk of chewing multiple objects is low, it still exists. Supervise your pup while they’re chewing toys, as none of them are 100% safe.

Bagel/ Fruits

A simple frozen bagel or fruit, can help sooth inflamed or sore gums and may help loose deciduous teeth fall out easily. However, make sure you only provide your pet the fruits that are safe for his health like Banana, apple, mango, raspberries; avoid giving fruits like grapes, cherries, raisins.

Wet Towel

Another way to reduce teething pain and fall out loose deciduous teeth is to use a wet towel. Use a dish towel that’s soaked in water; twist and freeze it before applying it to your dog’s mouth. Make sure the towel is new and clean and does not contain any loose threads.

Things to avoid during teething

Don’t pull loose teeth. Dog’s teeth have long roots that can break while pulling. This can cause severe pain or infection.

Don’t use ice cubes to soothe as your dog might gulp the ice which can trouble his teeth or can lead to choking.

Conclusion

We hope this information helps you to take care of your pup during teething. Even after your dog turns young and gets all his permanent teeth, he may still feel chewy; it’s vital to take care of his teeth, use the right chewy toys, and avoid using toys that are too big or too small. Also use chew treats and dental care products that are good for their oral health and hygiene.

Common Options Of Heartworm Preventives For Your Dog

Heartworm preventives are treatments given to pets to protect them from getting the heartworms. Preventives kill the heartworms larvae before they grow and turn into adult heartworms. Nowadays, there are number of heartworm preventives available in the market.

The pet owner should first have your dog tested for heartworms. If the test result is negative, then the vet may recommend you the preventive for heartworm that will work best for your canine. It is paramount to prevent this deadly disease, as the prevention will be cheaper and safer than the treatment. Here are the some of the preventive treatment options for heartworms in dogs which your vet may prescribe you to protect your furry pal as follows:

Monthly Oral Heartworm Treatments

Oral treatments which are orally administered to your pooch in the form tablets or Chewables. These products typically contain either Milbemycim or Ivermectin as their active ingredient. This has to be given one tablet or chew on a monthly basis and it will protect the whole month from heartworms. You have to take care that your pup has eaten the whole tablet or chew and does not spit any of it out. It is important that your pooch have the entire piece of the tablet or the heartworm treatment loses its effectiveness.

The product the vet will prescribe you are Panoramis and Interceptor spectrum, which are in oral form. These oral treatments have more than one function, this will not only kill heartworm larvae, but also eliminate the intestinal worms from your dogs such as roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. There are also ingredients involved which will help to eliminate or control the fleas from producing live eggs. These tables will be like a treat as they are flavored tablets. If your furry pal has an allergy then there are other alternatives of heartworms prevention in dogs.

Monthly Topical (Spot- On) Heartworm Treatment

There are topical (spot-on) heartworm preventative available for your Fido. These are applied on the body of your pooch at the surface of the skin such as the neck or between the shoulder blades. Spot-on treatment not only protect against the heartworms but also kill fleas. The heartworm product Revolution with Selamectin as the active ingredient which also helps to eliminate ear eliminate ear mites, mange mites, ticks and as well as some of the internal parasites. This product can be used for dogs and cats. There is another product known as Advocate which has got Moxidectin and Imidacloprid as active ingredients. This is a topical heartworm preventive available both for dogs and cats. This protects your pet from heartworm larvae, fleas, gastrointestinal worms such as roundworms, hookworms and whipworms.

The topical preventives are toxic if ingested, so make sure that your pet does not lick it or other pet come in contact for some time after application till it dries. Keep it out of reach of children. Ensure that after administering the pet you wash your hands thoroughly.

It doesn’t matter which alternative you choose for protecting your furry pal from heartworms. Make sure that read the labels carefully and follow the instructions. The treatment or doses have formulated according to the weight and age of your pooch or kitty. So, it is important that you follow the instruction and get the correct product for appropriate pet.

Autumn Pet Health Tips – From A Vet’s Journal

Autumn can be a great time to enjoy the aromatic air, the tantalizing landscape covered with the colours of red and orange, and of course your dog’s sprightly jump over those piles of dried leaves. Though pet parents are more concerned about winter and summer hazards, they rarely consider autumn, which is no exception with a platter full of different risks.

Generally, there are more issues related to cat and dog health to deal with during the transitional months of autumn.

Here are the few safety tips that dog and cat owner need to be well versed with to keep their pets healthy as the scenario of dwindling temperatures set in.

Exercise

With the temperature droppings, pet owners tend to neglect exercise which is the key for your pet’s health especially as the winters are on the way.  Lack of agility not only tend to put on weight but also paves way to behavioral issues such as chewing and barking to release energy. Moreover, weight gain can be a cause for certain diseases.

Therefore, ensure your dog continues his exercise regime without a miss.

Walking

Missing walks due to low temperature or bad weather is no excuse. Pet owners tend to neglect those dog walks as the days get shorter with nights colder. But the necessity to walk your dog should not be cut off. Your negligence of dog-walking duties does more harm to your pet than any good.

Balanced Diet

Diet has direct relation with your pet’s health. And the transitional month means, taking extra care when filling up that dog or cat bowl.

The low level of mercury means that your pet requires more amount of energy to generate heat for combating the cold.

Get nutritional diets for your dog or cat as per their health conditions while adding up supplements to ensure their overall wellbeing.

Dog Bedding

Start preparing winter beds as the temperature drops in autumn. Plan out a place in your house, which is warmer. Put your pooch’s bed on the raised platform covered with a lot of blankets.

In case your dog sleeps outside and in no way, he can be kept inside, prepare a proper kennel for him.  Ensure that the housing is dry with proper insulation and sloped roof. Keep some straw or cardboard to make it warm.

Cat Closets

For your indoor cat, you can arrange a basket stuffed with proper furnishing that can provide warmth. A place at a high level or near the hearth can be wonderful for her.

If your cat usually stays outdoors ensure that proper shelter is arranged for her to combat the chill air.

Clothing

As you wrap yourself with those chunky scarves and thick coats to face the cold weather, so is true for your furry pal. Get some warm clothes for your pooch or kitty to cover them up. Usually, pet owners are unaware of the fact that too cold air may also bring in running noses, cold, and cough in furry pals. So, it’s better to wrap them up to prevent all such conditions.

Preventive Treatments

Autumn does not mean ‘NO’ fleas or ticks. These nasty creatures are still there preparing to seek place in your homes to carry on their task during the winter. As the temperatures drop, pet owners also seem to drop the monthly flea and tick treatments which invariably lead to heavy flea and tick infestations with the winter approaching.

Thus, don’t render to miss those monthly parasitic treatments but rather gear up to keep a track of your pet’s flea, tick, and heartworm preventive treatments.

Skin Problems In Cats: Symptoms And Treatment

Most cats scratch sometimes, but if you observe that the occasional scratch and regular brushing has become excessive, or if your cat appears to be uncomfortable, cat skin problems may be present, and you should schedule an appointment with a professional veterinarian.

Excessive scratching, hair loss, and a mildly agitated cat are all indicators that your feline friend may have skin problems that require medical attention. 

In a cat’s body, the skin is the largest organ. It protects cats from the elements, regulates body temperature, and performs a variety of other tasks! Many variables can cause skin illness in our cats, and some of them are related to where we live and how our cats live (indoor vs. outdoor).

So, how can you spot a cat with a skin condition? Here are some significant indicators to keep an eye out for:

Hair loss is a typical symptom of feline skin issues. Are there any bald areas on your cat? Is your cat shedding excessively?

• Excessive grooming might also suggest the presence of a skin issue in your cat. It’s possible that your cat is pruritic (itchy) and unpleasant, so grooming is more frenetic and less relaxing than usual.
• If you detect any red, scaly, patchy, or scabby areas while brushing your cat, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
• Parasites like fleas and ticks are a common cause of skin irritation.
• If your cat shakes their head a lot, it could be a sign that they have a skin condition or an ear problem.

Cat Skin Conditions

You should be aware of the following forms of common cat skin problems:

• Fleas and other external parasites can cause itchy skin and allergies in cats. If parasites are present, they may scratch, bite, or groom themselves excessively. Some cats may exhibit irregular movements and appear to be crawling on their skin.
• Hypersensitivity to mosquito bites, particularly on the ear tips and nose, is a major cause of allergic reactions in cats.
• Ticks can cause a raised bump or localized swelling on your cat’s skin. The hump is the cat’s defense mechanism against the tick.
• Itchy ears can be caused by mites or ear mites. Kittens are more prone to this problem. The cat’s head may be tilted, and an odorous discharge may be coming from one or both ears. Ear infections in cats are also common and should be treated by your veterinarian as soon as possible.
• Polyps in cats’ ears are also a possibility. An otoscopic examination of the cat’s ear canals is part of a full veterinary examination.
• Food allergies can also affect cats. It is possible for your cat to acquire an itchy face or itching all over its body. If you need to adjust your cat’s food, consult your veterinarian. A meal trial is usually included, and it may take numerous attempts to rule out a food allergy.
• Cats can also suffer from contact allergies. This is similar to how people develop allergies to common environmental chemicals.
• Skin cancer in cats: Cancer in cats, like cancer in humans, is a potentially fatal disease. Make an appointment with your veterinarian right away if you discover any new or altering skin patches or pimples.
• Acne in cats: Acne on the chin affects some cats. While cat acne may resemble a rash or dirt, it can be treated with prescription drugs and changes to the water source.
• Dermatitis in cats: An allergic reaction to grooming products, food, or environmental irritants is usually the cause of cat dermatitis.
• Stress-induced over-grooming (this requires a thorough medical and behavioral investigation).

As soon as you see any of these signs, make an appointment with your veterinarian. It can take a long time to diagnose an issue, so the sooner you get it fixed, the better.

Treatments for Skin Problems in Cats

The first step is to consult your veterinarian for a diagnosis.It depends on what we’re dealing with, and coming to the correct diagnosis and therapy may take some time. Once diagnosed, your veterinarian will be able to readily provide the best treatment for your cat. Some treatments will be given by your veterinarian, while others will be administered by you at home. Working with your veterinarian to appropriately identify the symptoms of cat skin diseases is important. If you detect any changes in your cat’s grooming behavior, extreme itching, or red, scaly patches on its skin, make an appointment with your veterinarian right once. Skin disorders in cats can cause substantial damage, making treatment more difficult and expensive. In the fight against feline skin issues, early detection and treatment are essential.

Dog Immune-Mediated Diseases: Types, Symptoms, & Treatment

No one likes to watch their beloved pet become ill. That’s why it’s so important to provide them with the nutrition they require to maintain a strong and healthy immune system. Minor colds normally do not necessitate veterinarian intervention; but, if your dog has an immune-mediated disease, the symptoms and treatments will almost certainly be considerably more severe. Immune-mediated illness is a condition in which the immune system assaults the central nervous system inappropriately, causing major health problems.

The most frequent immune-mediated illnesses in dogs result in anemia. To begin, let’s look into Immune-Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia (IMHA) in more detail. IMHA is curable in its early stages, but it can be fatal if it progresses to an acute level.

Primary IMHA and secondary IMHA are the two types of IMHA. Although the signs and etiology of these diseases differ, they are also anemic disorders that require specialist treatment. While anemic signs such as lethargy or a loss of appetite in some dogs can be indicators of IMHA, other dogs may show no symptoms at all in the early stages of the disease.

If you think your dog could have an Immune-mediated Disease, read on to learn more about the symptoms and treatment options. Your dog will almost certainly require veterinarian care to ensure correct treatment and a quick recovery.

Types Of IMHA In Dogs

A strong immune system can normally defend your dog’s body against bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral infections. Antibodies, white blood cells, and other proteins and tissues make up the immune system, which helps the body get rid of harmful substances. Antibodies are immune system components that are programmed to eliminate antigens, which are foreign substances that cause illness.

Typically, cells are labeled as “self” or “non-self,” which aids antibodies in determining whether cells should be preserved or discarded. This is how dogs, like humans, fight off colds and diseases that last no more than a few days.

When the dog’s immune system misidentifies its own red blood cells as foreign substances, however, these antibodies attack healthy red blood cells that deliver oxygen throughout the body. This indicates immune system failure, which promotes tissue failure by causing a critical “short circuit” in the immune system.

The bone marrow produces red blood cells, but if the body attacks these cells, the bone marrow will be unable to meet the high demand for red blood cells. This deficiency will cause anemia, and the body’s immune system will be weakened.

Primary IMHA

The red blood cell count in primary IMHA is significantly lower than usual. Although there are no known causes for primary IMHA, there are numerous speculations that have been linked to this illness. Some of these beliefs are based on additives present in dog food, environmental contaminants, cancer, and immunizations that may have changed the immune system’s functionality.

Other ideas link the disease to genetic predisposition or hormonal factors, both of which are more natural processes; however, most instances of primary IMHA cannot be traced back to their origins.

Causes For Primary IMHA

Possible causes include:

• Hormonal influences
• Cancers
• Environmental Pollutants
• Additives found in dog food
• Vaccination that has altered an animal’s immune system

Secondary IMHA

Anemia arises when the red blood cells do not function properly in cases with secondary IMHA. This occurs when the surfaces of a dog’s red blood cells are altered by an underlying disease, medicine, or toxin. The red blood cells are thus damaged, similar to primary IMHA, and the bone marrow cannot replace them quickly enough.

Causes For Secondary IMHA

Possible causes include:

• Cancer
• Skin Infections
• Parasites
• Chemical and Toxins
• Allergic Reactions

Typical IMHA Symptoms

Symptoms differ from one canine to the next. The most typically affected breeds include Irish Setters, Poodles, English Springer Spaniels, American Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, Miniature Schnauzers, and Doberman Pinschers, especially among children aged one to thirteen. Female dogs appear to be slightly more susceptible to this sickness than male canines.

Lethargy, poor appetite, quick or shallow breathing, jaundice, weight loss, pale gums, weakness, and a rapid pulse or heart rate are all common anemia symptoms.

Treatment Of IMHA In Dogs

In severe circumstances, IMHA can be life-threatening. As a result, if your dog has an immunological weakness, you must stabilize him as quickly as possible. 

Hospitalization is required to prevent their immune system from destroying their red blood cells. A blood transfusion or fluid therapy may be the only way to keep your pet stable and maintain healthy red blood cell counts.

Splenectomy (spleen removal) may be necessary for your dog’s recovery if medical treatment does not appear to fix the problem. If your pet is diagnosed with an acute form, your veterinarian will be the best resource for establishing the best treatment strategy. In cases with secondary IMHA, it’s crucial to figure out what caused the improperly functioning red blood cells in the first place, since this will be vital for a full recovery.

The length of time it takes for your dog to heal depends on a number of things. These factors include whether your dog has primary or secondary IMHA, how long the disease has been present in your dog, and how far the disease has progressed over time. Every dog may require a different treatment regimen, so speak with your veterinarian to develop a good plan that you are comfortable with – this may entail scheduling fewer or more visits to check that your pet’s levels are functioning properly.

Bottom Line

When it comes to immune-mediated disorders in dogs, be sure you can spot the symptoms as soon as they appear. Most importantly, do not lose hope if your dog has been diagnosed with this illness. You can easily improve your dog’s chances of survival and get them back to enjoying a happy and normal life with an aggressive treatment plan and veterinarian support.