Do You Take Your Pet To the Vet Regularly?

Pets are an integral part of our lives; they love us unconditionally and are loyal for life. Therefore, their health and well-being comes before anything else. However, many pet parents are not aware of how often they should take their pets to the veterinarian. A yearly medical check-up is imperative, but so is giving vaccines and paying a vet visit to check for any medical issues in the pet.

 

Often you can’t diagnose the health issue as it may not show distinctive symptoms, so it is vital to get the pet checked with a veterinarian. Therefore, in this blog, you will get all the essential information regarding vet visits and how often you should do it.

When it comes to taking the pet to a vet, there is no fixed frequency. It varies from dog to dog, and the major factor is the age of your dog. So, below we have categorized the information according to the age of the pet. 

Dogs up to One Year of Age

When it comes to newborn puppies and dogs less who is less than one year of age, vet visits are more frequent. The initial step is to give all the required vaccines to your dog or cat. Most pets are to be vaccinated every 3 weeks or so until they are the age of 16 weeks. This time is very crucial so you need to take extra care of them. These vaccines protect them from various diseases such as rabies, kennel cough, Lyme disease, influenza, and more.

Thereafter, you can also start administering flea and tick preventative treatments from an early age. Preventatives such as Advocate for Dogs can be given as early as when the dog is 7 weeks old. 

From The Age of One To Seven Years

Once your dog starts growing, the vet visits become less frequent. After the first year, only yearly checkup is required. In this, the vet thoroughly examines the pet, collects the blood samples, and does required tests for ruling out any health issue. Booster shots for rabies and distemper-parvo will be given for complete protection from such diseases. 

Furthermore, the vet will also take a stool sample to see if there’s any worm infection in the gut. Such infections can have a bad impact on your doggo’s life so it’s better to pay a visit to the vet upon observing any symptoms of discomfort and irritation in your dog. Treatment such as Drontal for Dogs is very helpful in treating four kinds of intestinal worms in dogs – roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and whipworms. Moreover, don’t forget to administer Heartgard Plus to your buddy to protect him from such fatal heartworm infection. 

From The Age Of Seven To Ten Years

Now, this is again the age where pets require extra looking after. As they start to age, they become vulnerable to infections and degenerative diseases. As a result of wear and tear, the muscles and joints also become weak, so it’s imperative to pay a visit to the vet at least twice a year. 

The veterinarian will perform a routine check as well as see if any health issue has developed. In addition, your pet’s organs will also be examined to see if his liver, kidney, and other organs are working properly or not. 

Sudden change in eating habits, low mobility, and disinterest in daily routine could be signs of arthritis and kidney problems. Joint health issues can be easily prevented by administering joint health supplements such as Joint Guard for Dogs.

During an Emergency

While regular vet visits are necessary, it’s also important to look out for signs that indicate any medical emergency. There could be times when your furry baby might get some infection that affects his immunity, so upon observing any sudden changes in his health, ensure you pay an immediate visit to your vet. Below are the symptoms to keep an eye on – 

• Increase or decrease in appetite 
• Change in weight 
• Lameness 
• Disinterest in walking or playing 
• Vomiting or diarrhea 
• Seeming depressed 

The above signs indicate that something is wrong with your pet’s health thus you need to visit the vet as soon as you can. We know how much you love your pet, thus we have provided this information so that you can always keep a check on your doggo’s overall health.

What To Look Out For When Your Dog Starts Aging?

We never want our furry babies to grow up, but aging is inevitable. Therefore, what pet parents can do is make this transformation process smoother. Aged dogs may face a lot of health issues, though if you’re alert from early on, you can prevent many diseases that are caused due to aging. Therefore, refer to these below points for taking care of your aging dog.

Weight Fluctuation

If your dog suddenly gains or loses weight, it’s a matter of concern. When such sudden fluctuation occurs, it’s an indication of some underlying health issues in a dog. Therefore, it’s crucial to observe your pet for any weight change when he gets older.

Loss of Appetite

Agile pets start to eat less over time. Their teeth may hurt and their smell senses may get affected. Moreover, tartar build-up may also cause tremendous pain and deteriorate your pet’s health. Therefore, consider taking your pet to the veterinarian for regular check-ups. You’ll be surprised at how energetic and happy he feels after getting treated. So, always remember to pay heed to your pet’s oral health.

Joint Pain

This health problem is highly common in old dogs. Dogs are generally hyper-active, so over the years, their joint may suffer from wear and tear, resulting in deteriorating joint health. Moreover, aged dogs are more prone to join health problems compared to young ones. Fortunately, there are ways you can prevent joint pain in dogs. You can find plenty of joint health supplements online for overall joint health and improved mobility.

Diabetes

When it comes to diabetes, obese dogs are at a higher risk. In addition, pets with genetic predisposition also succumb to diabetes. It occurs when the body doesn’t produce sufficient insulin thus glucose levels hike up in the bloodstream rather than being used for energy. So, when you’re giving too many treats to your dog, remember that he could get diabetes in the future. Always limit the amount of treats you feed your pooch every day.

Kidney Disease

As the dog ages, his kidney gets weaker from all the overwork through the years. Thankfully, with the advancement in medical field, now it’s possible to diagnose kidney disease at an early stage. Which means you can treat your dog if you observe the signs and take him to the vet immediately. Moreover, you can manage his diet as well by giving low-protein diet so it doesn’t put a lot of pressure on the kidney.

Lots of TLC

Apart from all the other precautions, all your furry friend need is lots of TLC ( Training, Love and Commitment) and endless cuddles! Your little doggo has grown up in age but he’ll always stay the little furry munchkin. So,in his aging days, ensure you spend lots of time with your pet and just be there for him.

Ageing dogs don’t ask for much, but still as a pet parent, you need to look after him just like you would to a small baby. So, look after your furry baby and take care!

FIVE Garden Dangers To Avoid This Spring And Protect Your Pets

As spring approaches, you head to the local garden store to stock things up and to freshen up your flower beds, backyard landscape, or garden. Oblivion to the fact that you bring along with you some poisonous things that may harm to your furry friend. Though all substances may not be harmful, you need to be aware of the dangers lurking in with gardening that could prove fatal to your furry pal.  

   

Let’s walk you through the garden dangers to avoid for your pet’s safety.

Poisonous Flora

Spring is the season of blossoms and you will find plenty of them around with your own backyard involved. However, there are numerous shrubs and herbs indoors & outdoors that tend to be toxic for your pet pal. To name a few – castor bean, castor oil plants, lilies, and berries. Thus, the safest thing is not to plant them or weed them off to prevent toxicity emergency in your furry friend.

Fertilisers

It is apparent that the demand and use of fertilisers invariably rises during the season of spring to garner the beauty of blooms. But, how far these chemicals can’t harm your pet? Generally, fertilisers come in liquid, solid, or granular form containing the additives like pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, iron, zinc, and copper. Moreover, certain fertilisers also include fungal and bacteria toxins, which when ingested by your furry pal can lead to serious consequences. To avoid such known dangers, try not to use such chemicals and if required, ensure that your pet does not come in contact with these substances.

Slug & Snail Baits

Slugs and snails are commonly seen in the yard during the season and therefore most people use slug & snail baits to get rid of them. But not all pet parents know that these baits are too harmful for their pets. Usually, these slug baits are sold as granular pellets which look like kibbles or treats, to which pets are usually attracted towards. And, the tragedy takes here as these are a quite common form of poisoning seen in pets. So, if plausible try to avoid the use of these baits.

Insecticides

Usually, insecticides are used in huge quantity to keep both gardens and houses free from insects and bugs. Unknowingly, these products pose danger to your pets due to the toxicity in these chemicals.

Cocoa Mulch

Although cocoa mulch is not common in Australia, many garden & chocolate lovers can’t resist it. And, especially during the spring, they cherish to soil it down and get attracted to its sweet smell, attractive appearance, and low maintenance. Contrarily, cocoa mulch is extremely toxic to your furry friends, especially when curious dogs have access to the outdoors. Therefore, the important stand to take here is; if you’ve an outdoor pet avoid planting cocoa mulch.

You would definitely spring up with ‘Spring’ blooming in for that verdant backyard but how well are you prepared to keep your pet safe from spring dangers. Don’t forget that the season also brings with it a swamp of fleas and ticks. And, flea and tick treatments are the best shields that help protect your pet against harmful flea and tick infestations.

11 Best Sporty Dogs For Enthusiasts

Playing with your dog buddy is really exciting. He never stops or gets tired and always love to get your attention. Researchers suggest that having a dog as your exercise buddy helps you to stay consistent on your routine. On the other hand, it is proved that they help overcome depression and work-stress. It makes them more valuable as they help us to stay fit both physically and mentally. So, if you are a sporty person and a wannabe dog parent, here’s the list of Dogs you would love to have as your companions while exercising or doing some serious fun activities like running, hiking, swimming, hunting, etc.

1. Australian Shepherds

He has a sweet, loving personality and has a reputation as one of the most active dog breeds. These dogs are bred to herd; they enjoy playing and are very delicate with children. For grooming them just a good bath will do!

2. Beagle

Despite being smaller in size, Beagles are outstanding at outdoors. Due to their controlled temperament, it is easy to take them anywhere with you. They are the best family companion.

3. Bernese Mountain Dog

He goes with his name! Loves outing. Don’t bother about their size or coat. Just take few measures in hot weather.

4. Boxer

His loyalty and devotion towards the family is remarkable. He is the best dog with children. They need daily exercise as they have high energy levels. They are very intelligent. If you are a runner or a hiker, he’s the best you got!

5. Collie

These dogs are very good with people of all ages. They too are good hikers and love a morning walk with their keeper. They are loyal and safe to the family. It’s just that they need constant grooming.

6. Golden Retriever

Most well-known family dog, any breed can hardly beat this stature of his. They are “take us anywhere” dogs due to their extraordinary personality and very stable temperament.

7. Irish Setter

These are hunting dogs, which are well versed in running and walking long distances. Basically, it has a full package of being an outdoor dog. If you are an active person, this dog is one good option. 

8. Labrador Retriever

They are the right next to Golden Retriever, stable temperament, goofy nature, loving personality and, loyalty make them the first choice of many dog parents. He is excellent with children and also very active.

9. Pembroke Welsh Corgi

He has a strong built with small size, which makes it easy to carry him anywhere. He is very active outdoors and is usually trained as a vigilant watchdog. He has a playful personality and loves running around with kids.

10.Portuguese Water Dog

He has tons of energy and a great fan of swimming. This dog is a wonderful family companion and also has instincts of a hunting dog. You can go on hiking to a waterfall with him or rest around a farm.

11. Vizsla

He is a very intelligent dog with an adorable sensitivity and affection towards the family. These are very active dogs that need a bit of exercise every day. They too love swimming and hiking. The docile personality makes it easy to travel with them anywhere.

Aren’t they Awesome? Yes definitely! But to keep them that way we need to take care of their physical health against various diseases and pests. Because over-looking it, might ruin all the fun. 

Therefore, it is advised by vets:

• Feed them nutritious food.

• To use proper preventive treatments for fleas and ticks.

• Use good wormers and other pet essentials.

• Training a dog or Playing with them is a need not a luxury.

• Proper grooming and hygiene is a must.

Comfortis V/S Comfortis Plus For Dogs | Which Is The Better Product | DiscountPetCare

Let us take a look inside how to choose between comfortis v/s comfortis plus, which one is the better product for your dogs. It’s a universal fact that fleas and ticks can infest our furry friends at any given time from anywhere and spread fatal diseases, if left untreated.

What Do You Know About Cat Lungworms?

We are pretty sure you might be acquainted with intestinal worms in pets if you are a pet owner. They are a very common cause of several diseases found in animals. But do you know about a rare worm that affects pets? It is Lungworm. Usually, outdoor animals have greater chances of contracting lungworm than the ones who like to stay inside. Thus, outdoor cats are more vulnerable to lungworms than indoor felines. However, this doesn’t mean that they can’t affect indoor pets. They certainly can through the indirect transmission. Here is an insight into what exactly are lungworms, how they infect cats, symptoms of infection and the treatment needed.

What are Lungworms?

Lungworms are hair-like parasites that are transmitted by infected rodents and birds. The male lungworm is about 5-7 mm long whereas the female is a millimeter or two longer than its male counterpart.  The species that specifically victimize cats is Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, also known as Feline Lungworm. Whereas, the one found in both cats and dogs is Capillaria aerophila.

How Lungworms Infect Cats?

Cats are vulnerable to lungworms because they are one of the most curious pets and always in search of good food. They roam in the woods or murky areas where most of the rodents, lizards, snails, and snugs are found that are great transmitters of lungworms. An infected organism when eaten as a meal can pass on the worms to the intestines from where they migrate to the lungs through the bloodstream. These worms then mature into adults in the respiratory bronchioles. The female worm then produces thousands of eggs that hatch into larvae. These larvae then traverse the bloodstream, finally getting eliminated through feces after reaching the stomach.

Symptoms Of Lungworm Infection

Cats that have strong immune system may not show any clear symptoms of the infection. However, in weak cats the symptoms are vivid. They may include:

• Coughing and wheezing
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Breathing difficulties
• Anorexia

A Heavy infection in cats with weak immunity may lead to fluid retention in lungs, bacterial pneumonia or sometimes pneumothorax.

Treatment of Lungworms

A worming tablet or solution is highly effective in treating lungworms. Drugs like Advocate, Revolution or Profender are some of the best de-wormers for cats that are available in the market as well as on online stores. However, before administering the dose you must consult the vet or check the pack-insert to use the product according to the directions mentioned. Else, the product may not work at all and you would be left disappointed.

Lungworms can be fatal to cats. Thus, regularly check your cat and treat her immediately if your furry feline shows any signs of lungworm infection.

Cat Lungworms – Facts to Know from Symptoms to Prevention

There are lot more parasites in the environment, which can play havoc on your pets. However, it is crucial to know about some harmful worms especially lungworms that can badly deform the health of cats. Here, let us understand lungworms and the different facts about them related to a cat’s health.

What are cat lungworms?

Lungworms are a type of parasite that resides in the airways and small arteries of the lungs. These worms attack the vital parts and sustain feeding on the blood. Adult lungworms’ life span in lungs is up to 2 years. They produce larvae that can be diagnosed in feces. When measured the female lungworm is about 9 mm long and the male lungworm is about 4-7 mm long.

Why lungworms are dangerous?

Cats are more prone to lungworm disease. Lungworm larvae put cat’s health in danger. It can expose cats to multiple diseases due to weakened immunity. These worms can cause severe congestion, heart attack, or respiratory problems in a long run.

How do cats get infected by lungworms?

Any cat can get infected when they prey on any infected animal with lungworm larvae, such as a rat, mouse, snail, frog, lizard, or bird. Once into the gastrointestinal tract, these larvae make their way to the lungs. In the lungs, a further life cycle starts where larvae mature to adult worms, and the worms lay eggs that again hatch to larvae.  Further, they can be coughed out, swallowed, or excreted in the feces of the cat.

Risk of lungworms in Cats

Lungworms badly hammer the immune system of cats. The weakened immune system makes the cat vulnerable to many illnesses and leads to chronic diseases.

Signs of lungworm infection in dogs

Shortness of breath

Wheezing, sneezing

Persistent cough, often with bouts of intense coughing

Nasal discharge

Open-mouthed abdominal breathing

Weight loss

Lethargy

Depression

Prevention

Ensure that your cat does not hunt animals, and in case if he does, then restrict it to eat that stuff. To prevent hunting behavior in your cat, you can provide rich nutritious food, ensure mental stimulation with a lot of play games, fit a bell in his collar to ensure where it is, and keep your cat indoors especially during dusk and dawn.

Properly cleaning up cat feces from the litter box or from the yard reduces the chances of infection to various small animals.

Also, you can use preventive products like an advocate, sentinel to avoid worm infections. Rather than taking risks, it is always advisable to protect your cat from harmful lungworm infections.