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Spotlight on Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) occurs when the catâs bladder cannot evacuate urine. The urine backs up and causes discomfort. FLUTD can be fatal if a veterinarian doesnât treat it promptly. Cat parents in the San Jose area should know how to recognize the signs of FLUTD to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment. When you watch this video, youâll learn that FLUTD is typically indicated by little to no urine production, loss of appetite, vomiting, and more frequent, yet unproductive visits to the litter box.
The veterinarian in this video explains how your vet can diagnose FLUTD. To treat it, the vet can sedate your kitty and place a urinary catheter to drain the urine. Cats with FLUTD will typically need fluids, and possibly antibiotics and a change in diet. Younger male cats are more likely to get FLUTD, especially if they are overweight.
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Choosing a Pet That Will Get Along with Your Cat
Some of the most common questions heard by veterinarians in San Jose are about helping pets get along with one another. If youâre a cat owner and want to add another critter to your family, then watch this video for tips on choosing a pet that will get along with your feline.
Are you planning to adopt another cat? If so, then ask your veterinarian for advice on selecting one that would be a good fit for your catâs temperament. If you want to get a new pet of a different species, then bear in mind that cats are natural hunters and may view a pet bird or rodent as prey. Finally, if youâre planning to add a dog to your family, then ensure that your cat has space for herself and plenty of alone time with you.
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Tips for Preventing Obesity in Your Canine
A common canine health problem seen by veterinarians in Cupertino is obesity. Carrying extra pounds can lead to a wide range of health problems for your dog, and preventing weight gain is easier than reversing it. Continue reading for some helpful tips on preventing your canine from becoming obese.
Give Your Dog Exercise
Being provided with enough exercise is important for your dogâs overall health and for keeping off extra pounds. Physical activity can promote good digestion, strengthen circulatory and respiratory systems, prevent boredom, and release energy for your dog, and staying active will support healthy weight maintenance. Speak with your veterinarian about how much exercise your dog should be getting.
Weigh Your Dog Regularly
Itâs not uncommon for pet owners to be shocked when they learn of their dogâs weight gain during annual veterinary checkups. Because you probably see your pet every day, it may be challenging to notice when her weight increases. To help prevent your dog from becoming obese, routinely weigh your pet and adjust her diet and exercise routine if unhealthy increases occur.
Limit Your Petâs Treats
If you have a habit of feeding your dog treats throughout the day or providing her with table scraps, then you may be putting her at risk for weight gain and obesity. These foods tend to be high in calories and low in nutritional value and can be a major culprit when it comes to dogs putting on excess weight.
Provide a Healthy Diet
There are several factors to consider when choosing the right type of food for your canine. The age of your pet affects how many calories she should be consuming, as well as her state of health and her activity level. While some dogs do a good job of regulating how much they eat, itâs more common for canines to overeat when given a chance. For this reason, you should only feed your dog as much food as she needs to help prevent obesity in your pet.
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What Dog Owners Need to Know About Heartworm
Heartworm disease is a serious diagnosis, but it is both preventable, and often, treatable. The best way to protect your dog from heartworms is to learn about the condition and know when to see the vet in San Jose for diagnosis and treatment. Here is what you need to know.
What is heartworm disease?
Heartworm disease occurs when a particular type of parasitic roundworm called Dirofilaria immitis infects the heart of a dog. Heartworms are most common in areas along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, as well as the Ohio and Mississippi basins, but they can do and do appear in all 50 states. Heartworms are transferred to dogs through the bite of an infected mosquito. They cannot be transmitted by infected dogs to other dogs.
What are the symptoms?
Heartworms have a long incubation period, as symptoms do not appear until the larvae transmitted by the mosquito have reached the heart and lungs and grow. This can take six months or more from the time of the bite. Very mild cases of heartworm diseaseâcalled Class Iâmay not cause any symptoms at all. Class II heartworm disease is associated with coughing and new exercise intolerance. Class III is the most severe form of heartworm disease. Dogs with Class III heartworm disease can experience anemia, fainting, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, and chronic heart failure. It is important to make an appointment with the vet right away if you see these symptoms. He or she will use a series of tests to determine if your dog has heartworms.
What treatments are available?
Heartworm disease requires aggressive treatment in most cases. Your vet may hospitalize your pet to administer a medication called an adulticide to kill the mature heartworms. After the initial round of medication, your dog will need monthly medications at home. For severe cases, surgery is necessary to remove large numbers of heartworms.
Can heartworm disease by prevented?
Your vet can prescribe a monthly medication that is extremely effective in preventing heartworm infestations. Heartworm prevention should be part of your regular care plan for your dog.
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Getting Ready for a New Kitten
Itâs always exciting to bring home a new pet. Before you welcome a new kitten into your family, make sure you have the essentials on hand. Your new kitten will need a litter box and litter, a blanket or pet bed, pet carrier, food and water bowls, food, and toys. Place the blanket or pet bed in a quiet room, preferably in a sunny location. Make an appointment with the veterinarian before or shortly after you bring your new furry friend home. A veterinarian in San Jose will let you know when your kitten will need to be spayed or neutered . Spaying or neutering your cat can actually help prevent certain health problems.
In addition to spaying or neutering your new kitten, your vet will perform a comprehensive wellness exam to make sure your kitten is healthy. Ask the vet about the type and amount of food you should be feeding your kitten. At your appointment, you can also learn about vaccines and feline dental health.
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Teaching Your Cat to Be Comfortable with Strangers
If your cat is bold and outgoing with your family but completely on edge with strangers, you donât have to ban visitors from the house. Just as you see your vet for vaccines and spay and neuter services in San Jose , you can talk to your vet about teaching your cat healthy behaviors. This video will also help.
Typically, a cat who is scared of strangers just needs to see visitors as commonplace. You can coax your cat to relax by rewarding him or her with a favorite treat when a visitor arrives, until he or she no longer runs away. Strangers shouldnât try to force interactions with your cat, but should rather the cat dictate the relationship. Keep in mind that pets who are under the weather or recovering from a procedure, such as pet neutering or spaying, will be less open to interactions.
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Understanding the Responsibility of Owning an Exotic Animal
Owning an exotic pet can be a rewarding experience, but it is also a major responsibility. These pets require a special level of care for both their safety and your own. Before you get an exotic animal as a pet, it could be helpful to discuss your options with a vet in San Jose so you understand exactly what will be required of you. Here is a look at some of the responsibilities you may have to face if you choose an exotic pet.
Special Enclosures
Depending on the type of exotic animal you choose, you may need a special enclosure to hold your pet and prevent it from roaming freely. It should be strong enough that your pet cannot escape and spacious enough so that it comfortable. Although you may wish to keep your pet loose as often as possible, with some types of animals, this is a safety issue, and in other instances, keeping them enclosed is necessary because of kids and visitors to your home. Talk to your vet about whether it is safe for your pet and you to allow it to roam freely and what kind of enclosure is appropriate for your petâs needs.
Unique Nutritional Requirements
Many exotic animals have nutritional needs that canât be met in the pet food aisle of your local grocery store. In some cases, you may need to find a specialty supplier to get the food your pet needs, which may include things like insects and rodents. In addition to requiring extra planning, these nutritional needs can become expensive, so it is important to ensure that you are financially capable of getting the food your exotic pet needs.
Specialty Pet Care
Not every veterinarian is trained in caring for exotic pets, and among those who are, not every vet can provide care for every kind of exotic animal. Before you get an exotic pet, it can be helpful to find an animal care clinic in your area that can provide both preventative and acute care for your pet, so you can ensure that your animal thrives.
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Teaching Your Dog to Stop Begging
Dogs are notorious for their persistent begging for your food, which means dog owners seldom eat a meal in peace unless they teach their pets to stop. As always, your veterinarian in San Jose is a good source of information for dog training advice. This video will also help you understand how to train your dog to give up begging.
The best way to get your dog to stop begging is to have a place where he or she goes when youâre eating. Use the verbal cue âplaceâ and give your dog a food reward when he or she goes there. Eventually, your dog should go to the place without any treat in return. Talk to your vet if you have concerns about ongoing training issues or simply need more puppy training advice.
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Taking Care of a Senior Dog
Your senior dog requires a little extra care as she ages, even if she still acts like a puppy. You should already be visiting the veterinarian regularly, but there are some other tips for taking care of senior pets in Cupertino. Here is a brief look at how you should keep your senior dog in healthy condition for many more years to come.
- Make sure she is eating the right amount of food every day, as well as getting the nutrients her advanced age requires. Senior pets can gain and lose weight differently as they age, so make sure your dog is maintaining a healthy weight.
- Keep her teeth and coat maintained regularly. Dogs need proper dental care, just like their human companions. Visit your pet vet often to receive dental checkups and cleanings. Keep your pet groomed regularly to avoid mats, skin infections, and other hazards that may affect a senior dog.
- Take your dog out for regular exercise. Just because she may not move as quickly as she used to, this does not mean your dog should not go for walks. Regular exercise is great for dogsâ physical and mental health, no matter how old they are.
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Is a Rabbit a Good Pet for You?
If you are thinking of getting a new pet in San Jose for yourself or your family, you may be wondering if a dog or a cat makes more sense. These are common animal companions that can make a great addition to your family, but you should also consider bringing a rabbit into your home. Rabbits are small, quiet, clean, and make great pets.
Getting to Know Rabbits
Anyone who has owned a rabbit will agree that these critters each have a unique personality. Rabbits can be friendly, interactive, shy, affectionate, and rambunctious. Before choosing a rabbit to take home, spend some time with him to see if you are a good fit for each other because rabbits tend to bond closely with their owners, recognizing their voice and appearance and even coming when called.
Caring for Rabbits
If you are a person who wants to bring a pet into their home but also prefers or requires quiet, a pet rabbit is an excellent choice. For this reason, rabbits work great as pets for people who live in apartments or duplexes. A pet rabbit takes up little room and is an ideal fit for people who donât have much space to spare. As long as they are given a couple of hours outside of their cage each day so they can stretch and hop around, rabbits wonât need a large enclosure. Rabbits are also clean pets that groom themselves frequently and can even be trained to use a litterbox.
Living with Rabbits
Besides learning to use a litterbox, rabbits can also be trained to run through obstacles and do a variety of tricks such as running through mazes, jumping through hoops, and retrieving objects. Indoor rabbits who are well cared for and brought to a pet hospital when necessary can live for 12 years or longer, just like a dog or cat, while other small mammals like gerbils and guinea pigs have shorter lifespans. Rabbits can make a great addition to your family and may be just the pet you need.
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