Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) occurs when the cat’s bladder cannot evacuate urine. The urine backs up and causes discomfort. FLUTD can be fatal if a veterinarian doesn’t 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, you’ll 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.

Some of the most common questions heard by veterinarians in San Jose are about helping pets get along with one another. If you’re 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 cat’s 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 you’re planning to add a dog to your family, then ensure that your cat has space for herself and plenty of alone time with you.

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 disease—called Class I—may 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.

It’s 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.

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 pet’s needs.

Unique Nutritional Requirements

Many exotic animals have nutritional needs that can’t 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.