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Unless you’re a licensed animal breeder, it’s important to make sure that your pets are spayed or neutered. This is in part so that you don’t contribute to the already too-large population of animals in shelters but also for health and behavior reasons. For most pet owners, veterinarians recommend spaying and neutering due to the many benefits that come from the procedure.

What Is the Difference Between Spaying and Neutering?

Spaying and neutering are commonly mixed up. They both prevent a pet from having offspring, but each procedure removes a different type of reproductive organ, depending on whether the pet is male or female.

What Is Spaying?

Spaying is the process of removing a female animal’s reproductive organs, including the ovaries and the uterus.

What Is Neutering

Neutering is the process of removing a male animal’s testicles.

What Are the Benefits of Spaying or Neutering a Pet?

While the most obvious benefit of spaying or neutering your pet cat or dog is that they won’t be able to have kittens or puppies, there are other benefits as well.

#1

Reduced Risk of Cancer

There are certain cancers that can occur in the reproductive organs of animals if they aren’t spayed or neutered. These include testicular cancer in male animals and, in female animals, ovarian and uterine cancers. The organs in question are removed during the spaying or neutering process and therefore cannot develop cancer.

#2

Improved Behavior

Some pets may exhibit undesirable behaviors when they haven’t been spayed or neutered. Male pets in particular that haven’t been neutered may be more aggressive and may bite. Spaying and neutering can help to improve these behaviors.

#3

Lower Risk of Injuries

Pets that have access to the outdoors that haven’t been spayed or neutered may wander far from the home. This could result in injuries caused by a car accident or fights with other animals. Pets that have been spayed or neutered won’t feel such an urge to wander and therefore will stay closer to home.

#4

Healthier, Longer-Lived Pets

Because of the reduced risk of cancer and injuries, pets that have been spayed or neutered are often able to live longer, healthier lives than those that have not. If your pets aren’t wandering as much, then they’re also less likely to contract other diseases that could spread from animal to animal.

#5

No Marking or Spraying

Marking or spraying is the practice of marking territory or pets introducing themselves to other animals. Outside, this may be perfectly fine. It can be a method of greeting other animals. However, when it’s done inside the house to mark territory, then it can be problematic for pet owners. Spaying or neutering can help to reduce or even eliminate spraying or marking, although it’s not guaranteed.

#6

No Heat Cycles

When a female animal is in heat, then other animals may be attracted to her. Spaying your pet can help to reduce this unwanted attention and stop male animals from bothering her or impregnating her.

#7

Helps Reduce Animal Overpopulation

There are millions of animals living in shelters across the United States. In some cases, shelters have no choice but to euthanize animals that are sick, older, or otherwise less likely to be adopted in order to make room for more. Some areas have a problem with stray animals. By spaying or neutering your pets, you’re ensuring that you and your pets are not contributing to the overpopulation problem.

Are There Risks Involved with Spaying or Neutering?

Both spaying and neutering are very common procedures. In fact, they’re among the most common procedures that veterinarians perform. This means that there’s a very low risk of anything going wrong. However, both are still surgeries, which are never risk-free. Complications are unlikely, though.

When Should You Spay or Neuter Your Pet?

It’s best to spay or neuter your pet at a young age. Which age is recommended depends on the type of pet you have. In cats, it’s best to neuter or spay before the age of five months. In dogs, between six and nine months is typically recommended. However, you should speak with your veterinarian so you can schedule the appointment for the best possible time.

Concerned about your pet’s health?

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If your pet is exhibiting concerning symptoms or experiencing a medical emergency, please call our clinic at (407) 352-2579. We’ll help you through it.

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While traveling can be fun, it can also be stressful. There’s a lot to organize and arrange before you go, even for something relaxing like a vacation. Traveling with a pet can be even more stressful, for both you and your pet, especially when you’re flying. Therefore, the best thing you can do is to research everything you can ahead of time so you can rest assured that you’ve got everything taken care of.

#1

Decide Whether or Not to Fly with Your Pet

First, you need to decide if flying with your pet is truly the right choice. Typically, it’s not recommended to fly with a pet unless it’s necessary. Flying can be stressful for pets, and in many cases, it’s not worth the hassle to bring them along, especially when the trip is short. If you’re going to be gone for two weeks or more, or if the move is permanent, then you’ll want to bring your pet with you on the flight. If the trip is for only a few days, however, consider boarding your pet instead.

#2

Make Sure Your Pet Meets the Airline’s Requirements

Some airlines may restrict which pets can fly with them. The airline will make its decision based on the following criteria:

• Size
• Age
• Breed
• Health

The airline may decide not to allow your pet to board the plane at all. If your pet is older and in poor health, the airline may not feel that it is safe for your pet to fly with you. Plus, there are laws regulating pets on aircraft. For example, your pet must be at least eight weeks old and weaned for at least five days before being allowed to fly. Some airlines ban certain breeds, such as snub-nosed breeds, because they have breathing issues that can be worsened on planes.

Cargo Hold vs. Airplane Cabin

If your pet is qualified to fly with you, then you’ll need to determine whether or not your pet can fly with you in the cabin or whether they’ll need to fly in the cargo hold. Typically, a pet’s size is the most important factor. Pets that are small enough to fit inside approved carriers that can fit underneath the seat in front of you on the plane are allowed inside the cabin. Pets that are too large to fit in those carriers will have to fly in the cargo hold, which is more stressful.

Cargo Hold

Some dogs are too large to fly even in the cargo hold, so check with your airline ahead of time to make sure that your dog meets their size requirements. Additionally, some pet owners choose not to fly their pet at all if they have to go into the cargo hold. This is because it can be stressful for the pet.

Airplane Cabin

If your pet is small enough to fit under the seat in front of you, you can bring them into the cabin with you. Your pet’s carrier will count as your carry-on luggage, however, so you may need to check a bag when you wouldn’t normally have to.

#3

Register Your Pet with the Airline

It’s a good idea to register your pet with the airline as soon as you know you’re flying with them. This is because some airlines have limits on the number of pets that can be in the cabin at once. If this is the case, it’s typically first-come-first-served. This means that the sooner you let the airline know that you’re flying with a pet, the more likely you are to be able to bring your pet.

Plus, letting the airline know ahead of time that you’re flying with a pet is a courtesy so that it’s easier for them to make arrangements. For example, if someone is flying who has extreme pet allergies, it’s easier for the airline to accommodate everyone if they’re aware ahead of time.

#4

Understand Airline Fees

Airlines usually charge pet fees. This can be up to around $200 for pets traveling in the cargo hold and up to $75 for pets traveling in the cabin. However, this may differ depending on the airline, so you should research this before you book your flights. It may also depend on the size of your pet. If you have a very large dog, for example, the costs may be even more.

#5

Choose the Right Carrier

If your pet is small enough to fit under the seat in the cabin, you’ll need to keep them in a carrier. Your best bet is to purchase a pet carrier directly from the airline you’re flying with. That way, you’ll know that it meets their requirements. If you’d prefer to use your own, airlines typically have size limitations. The carrier must also be a soft one, not a hard plastic one.

Your pet must also be able to comfortably stand up and turn around within the carrier.

Cargo Hold Crates

If your pet is flying in the cargo hold, then you’ll need a hard crate. Pet owners are legally required to line the floor of the crate with an absorbent material, such as a towel or shredded paper. Check your airline’s requirements on the size and other possible requirements of a crate for a pet traveling in the cargo hold.

#6

Take Your Pet to the Vet

Whether a vet visit is required depends on the airline. Many require a signed certificate from a vet issued within ten days of your flight showing that your pet is healthy enough to travel. You may want to book your pet’s vet appointment ahead of time so that you know you’ll be on the vet’s schedule.

Print Required Documentations

You’ll also most likely need to prove that your pet has had all of their required vaccinations. Different airlines may have different requirements for what documentation they want to see. You can keep digital records of these documents, but it’s still a good idea to bring paper copies with you just in case.

#7

Look up Local Pet Regulations

If you’re flying internationally, your destination country may have regulations pertaining to incoming pets. For example, some countries have quarantine periods for any pets flying in. This is another reason why many choose not to bring their pets along for shorter trips. Sometimes, the quarantine period can be longer than the trip itself! Additionally, other countries may have documentation requirements beyond what the airline asks for.

#8

Prep Your Pet for Flight

Flying is stressful for a pet. You should crate train them so that they’re comfortable sitting in a crate for long periods. For many pets, a crate or carrier can be a safe zone that will help them to be less stressed during the flight, especially if they’ve been trained in it ahead of time.

Don’t Tranquilize Your Pet

Whatever you do, however, don’t tranquilize your pet. While this may calm your pet, it can be dangerous for them in-flight. Vets don’t recommend tranquilization for this reason. Plus, the airline won’t let your pet on the flight if they’ve been tranquilized.

Be Careful About Medicating Your Pet

If you’d like to give your pet some anti-anxiety medication or Benadryl for the flight, talk to your vet first. Your vet can advise you on what, if anything, you should give to your pet.

#9

Arrive Early to the Airport

You’ll need as much extra time as possible at the airport. Make sure to arrive even earlier than you would normally.

Minimize Food and Drink

Be careful about how much food and drink you give your pet. There are limited options for where they can relieve themselves. There won’t be anywhere to do that in-flight, but airports typically have animal relief areas that your pet can use. Your pet can go without food for any length of flight, but for a flight longer than four hours, you’ll need to give them some water. A water dish will need to be secured firmly in the crate if your pet is flying in the cargo hold.

Pick up Cargo Hold Pets Immediately

If your pet has to travel in the cargo hold, make sure to pick them up after your flight as quickly as you possibly can. Your pet’s already been waiting for a long time in the cargo hold without you. They’ll be anxious to see you as soon as possible.

A constant worry for pet owners is the possibility of their pets eating something that they shouldn’t. There are many foods that humans can consume that are dangerous for pets, such as chocolate for dogs. But on top of that, there are chemicals and other substances that pets can get into that could also be poisonous.

Ideally, pet owners can monitor everything their pet eats, but that’s not always possible. There are times when pets have to be left alone. Pet owners also can’t control what a pet may find outside. Therefore, it’s essential that pet owners know what to do if their pet eats something poisonous.

Symptoms of Toxicity

If you think your pet has ingested something poisonous, keep an eye out for the following symptoms:

• Lethargy
• Sluggishness
• Drinking more
• Lack of appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Extreme excitability
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Loss of coordination
• Shaking
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures

Not all pets will react the same way to a toxic substance. Some may not show any symptoms at all right away. Larger pets that have ingested only a small amount of a poisonous substance may also take longer to react. It’s important to also keep an eye out for signs that your pet has gotten into something they shouldn’t, such as an empty candy wrapper that none of the humans in the household have eaten.

What to Do If Your Pet Has Ingested Something Poisonous

1. Remove Your Pet from the Vicinity

Once you know that your pet has eaten something toxic, the first step is to remove your pet from the area with the toxic substance. Move your pet somewhere safe where they can’t ingest any more.

2. Call Your Vet

Once your pet is safe and is away from the temptation of eating or drinking any more, it’s time to call the vet. This should be done as quickly as possible. Don’t wait to call your vet until you’re certain your pet is experiencing the symptoms of toxicity. The second you suspect that they’ve ingested something toxic, call your vet’s emergency line. If your own vet doesn’t have 24-hour services, find the closest one that has emergency services after hours or call the ASPCA’s hotline at 1-888-426-4435.

3. Do Not Induce Vomiting

Some pet owners may think they’re helping by trying to induce vomiting. However, many toxic substances might be caustic and could hurt your pet even more on the way back up. Only induce vomiting if your vet has told you to.

4. Don’t Let Your Pet Groom

Some toxic substances can be absorbed via the skin. If you think your pet might have gotten some of a toxic substance on their fur, make sure they don’t groom themselves. You should only bathe your pet if your vet recommends it, though. Sometimes, a bath can cause a chemical to absorb further into the skin.

5. Treat Your Pet

Follow your vet’s instructions for how to treat the toxicity. How to treat it depends on what your pet has ingested. Most likely, the vet will recommend that you bring your pet in for an emergency visit. The vet can then treat your pet with IV fluids, activated charcoal, induced vomiting, or other treatment steps that will help save your pet.

Human Food That Is Poisonous to Dogs

The following are some human foods that are dangerous for dogs:

• Chocolate
• Alcohol
• Avocado
• Caffeine
• Coffee
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Coconut
• Coconut oil
• Citrus
• Onions
• Chives
• Garlic
• Shallots
• Scallions
• Dairy
• Nuts
• Xylitol sweetener
• Raw meat or eggs
• Raw bones
• Salt or salty foods
• Yeast dough

Human Food That Is Poisonous to Cats

The list of human foods that are dangerous for cats is very similar to that of foods that are dangerous for dogs. You shouldn’t feed your cat the following:

• Chocolate
• Alcohol
• Coffee
• Citrus
• Yeast dough
• Coconut
• Coconut water
• Dairy
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Raw eggs
• Undercooked meat
• Raw meat
• Nuts
• Raw fish
• Salt
• Xylitol
• Onions
• Leeks
• Chives
• Garlic
• Shallots
• Scallions

What to Do If Your Pet Eats a Non-Food Item

If your pet eats something that isn’t food, such as a sock or a piece of a toy, this can be dangerous. You should call your vet and take your pet in for an emergency appointment as quickly as possible. The item your pet has eaten could obstruct their airways or damage their internal organs if it’s not removed.

Some pets regularly eat non-food items, such as soap, dirt, or poop. This condition is called Pica and is the compulsive eating of substances that aren’t food. If you notice that your pet is doing this, contact your vet. While it may not be an emergency like the eating of a toy, it’s important to treat the condition and learn how to train your pet. Sometimes, pets who eat non-food items like dirt or soap are doing so because they are deficient in a specific nutrient.

Worried About Your Pet? Contact Us.

If you’re concerned about your pet for any reason, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Phillip’s Animal Hospital. Our phone number is (407) 352-2579 and we have extended hours: 8 am to 11 pm Monday through Friday, 9 am to 7 pm Saturday, and 9 am to 5 pm Sunday.

Sneezing can be perfectly normal behavior for a pet. However, there are occasions when it’s a sign of something more serious. It’s important for pet owners to learn the difference so they know when their pet needs medical care and when it’s fine to let the sneezing pass.

Sick vs. Normal Behavior

Sneezing can be a part of normal pet communication, especially for dogs, who often use sneezing to communicate with each other and with humans. They sneeze when they’re excited, happy, or when they’re expressing submission. It’s important for pet owners to pay attention to when their pet is sneezing. If it’s always when they seem excited or happy, then it’s nothing to worry about and is more likely to be normal communication behaviors.

Common causes of reverse sneezing are often the irritation of the nose, sinuses, or the back of the throat from allergies, smoke, mites, odors, seeds, pollens, grasses, or secretions.

Reverse sneezing itself isn’t dangerous. However, if your dog does it a lot, you may want to visit your vet to find out if your dog has an allergy that needs to be treated.

What Can Cause a Pet to Sneeze?

Pets sneeze for a variety of reasons. They can sneeze because they’re excited. Dogs may sneeze when playing. They may also have allergies or experience irritation in the nose, just like humans. They may also be ill and need medical attention. If you see your pet sneezing persistently or see other symptoms along with the sneezing, take your pet to the vet. Antibiotics or other medication may be needed to treat their condition.

Excitement

Both dogs and cats may sneeze out of excitement. To get them to stop sneezing, you can try to calm them down.

Play

Dogs may sneeze while they play. They do this in order to show that they are playing and not seriously fighting.

Allergies

Pets can get allergies just like humans. If you see that your pet sneezes around the same plants or other items all the time, then you can ask your vet if there’s an allergy medication that you can give them.

Nasal Irritation

Also like humans, animals can sneeze if there is something irritating their nasal passages. It can be dust or something else airborne. It’s also possible for pets to sneeze because there is something lodged in their nose, so if your pet keeps sneezing, you may want to check their nose for any obstructions.

Infection

Pets can get nasal infections just like humans can. In addition to sneezing, you may also see such symptoms as loss of appetite and nasal discharge. A nasal infection in pets can be caused by an infected tooth or by a fungus or bacteria.

Mites

Small bugs called mites can get into the nasal passages of dogs and cause irritation. Frequent sneezing along with a bloody discharge are symptoms of nasal mites, which a dog can get from rubbing their nose in the dirt or from digging.

Tumor

Older dogs can develop tumors in their noses that can cause them to sneeze. Typically, a nasal tumor is also accompanied by bleeding on only one side of the nose.

Feline Herpes

Cats can catch the feline herpes virus from other cats that already have the virus. This virus can commonly cause sneezing in cats. Cat owners should also know that it’s not contagious for humans, only cats.

Feline Calcivirus

Feline calicivirus is a very contagious virus that can spread between cats. The most common symptom of the feline calicivirus is mouth ulcers, but the virus can also get into a cat’s respiratory system and cause sneezing or even pneumonia.

Dental Problems

In dogs, dental problems can sometimes cause sneezing. Damaged teeth, abscesses in the gums, and oral tumors can all result in sneezing, especially if the dental problem has been left untreated. Typically, sneezing isn’t the only symptom if a dog has dental problems. If you suspect dental problems, they may not be easily visible to a pet owner, so you should take your dog to the vet.

Foreign Object Inhalation

Sneezing can also be a sign of a pet having inhaled a foreign object. Sneezing is the pet’s body’s attempt to expel the object that they have inhaled. If you think a foreign object has become lodged in your pet’s airway, it’s important to take them to the emergency vet immediately. A foreign object obstructing the airway could prevent them from breathing and can be very dangerous.

When to Take a Sneezing Pet to the Vet

If your dog or cat is only sneezing occasionally, it’s unlikely to need a vet visit. However, some signs should alert you that sneezing is a major concern and requires immediate medical attention.

Signs You Should Be Concerned About a Pet’s Sneezing

In general, pet sneezing is something to be concerned about if the sneezing is persistent and frequent. It’s also of concern if it is accompanied by other symptoms, such as:

• Blood
• Coughing
• Wheezing

Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention for Pet Sneezing

How a dog’s sneezing is treated depends entirely on what is causing it. There are many different causes of pet sneezing, so pet owners should not attempt to treat any sneezing without first diagnosing the cause of the sneezing.

Diagnosing Pet Sneezing

Pet owners should pay attention to when their pet is sneezing to determine first if it’s normal behavior or if it’s something else. They should also look for other symptoms that accompany sneezing. Pet owners should also look for how their pet is sneezing. If it’s different from their normal sneezing, such as being more violent or more frequent. This information can be provided to the vet and will help the vet to determine what the cause of the sneezing is.

Treating Pet Sneezing

Depending on what is causing the sneezing, your vet may prescribe medication. If your pet has an upper respiratory infection that is causing sneezing, then antibiotics may help. If your pet has allergies, then the vet may prescribe an antihistamine. If your pet is taking other medication, it’s important to make sure the vet knows about it so that they prescribe medication that won’t interfere with what your pet is already taking.

Preventing Pet Sneezing

Pet owners should keep their pet’s vaccinations up to date. If your pet is allergic to something, then you should make sure to limit their exposure to that. If it’s indoors, then keeping the pet’s area clean of potential irritants, such as aerosols or plants with pollen, could help to reduce sneezing. Pet owners should also make sure to keep small objects that could be inhaled away from pets, especially dogs since they like to sniff.