Articles
Bladder Stones: Symptoms and Treatments
GENERAL DESCRIPTION Bladder stones can form anywhere in the urinary tract. These stones, also called uroliths or cystic calculi, are minerals that are made up of tiny crystals that settle out from the urine and form little stones that can be as big as the bladder itself or as small as a grain of sand. SOURCE & CAUSE(S) Bladder stones will start to …Read more »
Excercise Tips for a Healthy Dog
Just as with humans, the amount of exercise a dog needs depends on several factors such as age, personality, physical ability/build, and energy level. For some dogs, a brisk, 20- to 30-minute walk twice a day may be enough. An adolescent sporting dog may require more exercise. A senior dog may need less. Monitor your dog's behavior. If your dog is showing …Read more »
Preventing Canine Bloat
Canine bloat (gastric torsion): A serious and sometimes fatal intestinal condition that may occur when dogs eat or drink too much too quickly. Symptoms include: abdominal distension excessive salivation dry heaving restlessness increased heart rate To prevent bloat, slow down your dog's eating and make sure he remains inactive immediately afterwards. Create a regular feeding schedule of two to three small meals a day Put …Read more »
Keeping the Garden Safe for Your Pets
A leafy green yard is a retreat from everyday stresses for people, but could present a minefield of health problems for rambunctious pets -- if you're not careful. Take the lawn, for starters. Be sure to remove water dishes, food bowls and your pets from the yard before applying pesticides, which can attack the nervous system and cause your pet …Read more »
Help! What To Do If My Pet Has Been Bitten
GENERAL DESCRIPTION Objects that pierce the skin leaving small hole(s) on the surface of the skin are considered puncture/bite wounds. When this occurs bacteria is entering the wound and can cause infection at a rapid rate. Cat bite wounds tend to be small puncture wounds that become infected very quickly. Dog bites can be large punctures involving deep layers of skin …Read more »
Does My Dog Have Allergies?
GENERAL DESCRIPTION An allergy is simply a reaction the body has to a protein called an allergen. Most allergens that affect pets are from pollen, other animal dander, plants and insects. When the body is exposed to one of the many allergens, the immune system reacts or in most cases over reacts and causes a hypersensitive state. SOURCE & CAUSE(S) The most common …Read more »
Poop Bags to the Rescue
Cleaning up after your dog is more than a matter of being a responsible Pet Parent. It also means being a good citizen of the earth. By simply carrying and using poop bags to clean up after your dogs during walks (or even in your own backyard) you can help keep pollution down and protect soil and aquatic life. Parasites and …Read more »
Common Problems Caused by Fleas on Dogs and Puppies
GENERAL DESCRIPTION Fleas are small, flat, wingless, external parasites that feed off the blood of your adult dog or puppy. Fleas are not only an annoying problem for dogs and owners, they also cause diseases such as allergies, anemia and tapeworms. Fleas can bee seen crawling on your dogs skin (particularly the belly) or jumping on your dogs coat. SOURCE &CAUSE(S) Dogs usually …Read more »
Different Types of Ticks
GENERAL DESCRIPTION Ticks are small bloodsucking ectoparasites that attach themselves to dogs, cats, and humans. Ticks are not insects; they are small arachnids which are related to spiders. Some ticks attach and feed on the head, neck, shoulders, and hind areas, while other ticks are more prone to feeding on and in the ears, under the tail and in between the …Read more »
The Impact of Impacted Anal Glands on You and Your Pet
GENERAL DESCRIPTION Dogs and cats have anal sacs and occasionally they can become irritated. The anal sacs are located at four o’clock and eight o’clock around the anus. These sacs are frequently referred to as the anal glands, which produce a foul smelling secretion during defecation. The anal glands often become full and blocked, not allowing them to empty. When this …Read more »
