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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.
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.
Definition Reverse sneezing is when a dog rapidly inhales air and is called reverse sneezing because a regular sneeze is rapidly expelling air. A reverse sneeze sounds like a snort, or like the dog is trying to inhale while simultaneously sneezing.
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.
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.
Both dogs and cats may sneeze out of excitement. To get them to stop sneezing, you can try to calm them down.
Dogs may sneeze while they play. They do this in order to show that they are playing and not seriously fighting.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pets are like family. Sometimes, though, we can’t take them with us when we travel and, like children, we occasionally need to leave them with a babysitter. For pets, a kennel can be a convenient and safe place to have your pet looked after while you’re away from home.
However, pets kept in close proximity to other animals may be more susceptible to contracting kennel cough. If your pet is coughing after leaving the kennel, it’s possible that they have kennel cough. Although kennel cough sounds terrible, it’s typically not a serious condition. In fact, most pets recover from it without needing treatment.
Kennel cough is an infectious respiratory disease most commonly associated with dogs, although other animals, including cats, can catch the disease as well. There’s no one cause of kennel cough. The term kennel cough can refer to any infectious respiratory disease caused by a bacteria or virus that gets into your pet’s lungs.
Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterium that is the most common of the possible causes of kennel cough. In fact, many people call kennel cough Bordetella for this reason. Often, if a dog becomes infected with Bordetella, the dog is also infected with another virus or bacteria, such as:
If a dog has contracted one of the above viruses, they are more susceptible to also contracting Bordetella.
One of the reasons kennel cough got its name is because it’s commonly spread in kennels and shelters. Dogs, cats, and other pets may come into contact with a lot of other animals during their stay in a kennel. If another animal there has kennel cough, there’s a greater chance that your pet could contract the virus too.
The symptoms of kennel cough can include:
Some dogs have a cough-like sound they make that’s called a reverse sneeze. This noise is normal and not a symptom of kennel cough. The cough from kennel cough is more reminiscent of a goose honk.
Other than the honking cough, some pets may not otherwise act like they are sick. Not all of the other symptoms may be present, but some pets do experience them. More than likely, your pet won’t have a loss of appetite or a decrease in energy.
Dogs and other animals can catch kennel cough by inhaling bacteria or other virus particles. The bacteria, such as Bordetella, get into their lungs, causing the cough. Normally, in dogs, the respiratory tract is protected from viruses and bacteria by a coating of mucus. The mucus coating traps infectious particles so they don’t get sick. However, there are some factors that can weaken the protection of this mucus coating.
There are a few things that can increase an animal’s risk of developing kennel cough. One of them is being in a kennel. This is because the bacteria that cause kennel cough are contagious and spread through close contact with other animals. Some kennels and shelters aren’t as well ventilated as they could be, which can also contribute.
Additional factors that contribute to an increased risk of developing kennel cough include:
This means that your pet may still be susceptible to kennel cough if you travel with your pet instead of boarding them.
In many cases, kennel cough goes away on its own after a while. Many pets recover from kennel cough with no treatment at all. However, because kennel cough is contagious, you’ll want to keep your pet away from other animals while it has kennel cough.
You can have your pet vaccinated against kennel cough prior to boarding them to eliminate the chances of them contracting the illness. The Bordetella vaccine is often required for pets to be boarded or participate in doggy daycares.
Typically, most pets recover from kennel cough with a few weeks of rest and don’t need treatment. However, some may experience more severe symptoms. If this is the case for your pet, then you should take them to the vet. The vet may prescribe cough medication to help ease the symptoms of kennel cough and antibiotics to prevent additional infections.
You never know when there might be an accident or emergency could arise that might affect your pet. For this reason, it’s an excellent idea to have a pet-specific first-aid kit on-hand. That way, you can quickly respond to anything that comes up. If you already have a pet first-aid kit, then you should double-check it to make sure that you have everything you need and that nothing inside it has expired.
The following are must-have items that you should put in your pet first-aid kit, which should be an easily transportable container.
Paperwork, including medical records, microchip information, and vaccination history, is a must for any pet first-aid kit. This is because any new vet you take your pet to will need to see their paperwork in order to provide the best possible care for your pet. Having hard copies is important if you are traveling with your pet or in the event that an emergency occurs and you don’t have power or access to your phone.
It’s also a good idea to include emergency contact numbers in case you’re in a situation in which you’re without your phone. These emergency contacts might include the phone number for your pet’s veterinarian and a local 24-hour emergency clinic. You should also have the animal poison control number on-hand.
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year for any animal poison-related emergency. Call them at (888) 426-4435 for suspected poisonous substance ingestion.
Collapsible bowls can come in handy for both emergency and non-emergency situations. You never know when you’re going to need to give your pet food or water. This is especially true if you’re traveling or if you’re visiting family or friends. A collapsible water bowl can also be used to mix disinfectants like chlorhexidine in the event you need to care for a wound.
Look for a bowl that is 100% BPA-free, FDA approved, and dishwasher safe. The following are good options:
You should also keep some food and water in the first-aid kit, as well as some treats for your pet. That way, you’ve got some on hand, just in case. Keeping your pet well-fed and well-watered is part of keeping your pet healthy.
As with all the perishable items in your pet’s first aid kit, you should check periodically to replace any items that have passed their expiration date.
Do not feed pets who are vomiting, seizing, or who are unable to swallow.
If your pet has any medications, either prescribed or over-the-counter, it’s a good idea to have extra on-hand in your first-aid kit. You never know when you might not have access to your normal supply.
If your pet gets injured, you’ll want to be able to clean and dress the wound as well as you can before taking your pet to the vet. This means you’ll need gauze, scissors, and tape. The gauze can be used for bandaging a wound and stopping bleeding, but it can also be multi-purpose. It can help to splint a limb or even work as a makeshift muzzle in a pinch. The scissors are for cutting the gauze to the length that you need and the tape for keeping it in place.
Antibiotic ointment is good to have on hand to treat cuts and scratches. You’ll want to make sure that your pet doesn’t get an infection. It’s also a good idea to have hydrogen peroxide. It can be used to clean out wounds to prevent infection and may also help to induce vomiting if your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t. Don’t try to induce vomiting without talking to a vet or to poison control.
Other supplies you may want to include in your pet’s first aid kit include:
You never know when you’ll have a pet mess to clean up. Wet wipes or another type of grooming wipe can be helpful in cleaning up any bathroom messes that your pet may make as well as cleaning up your pet.
If your pet is injured and has an open wound you’ll want to have disposable gloves on hand. Using disposable gloves while providing minor first aid to your pet can help to keep the area clean and reduce the risk of infection.
In an emergency, your pet may not be the calmest. Having a blanket or a towel that you can wrap them in may help you to calm your pet down. Additionally, having a toy or other comfort item that your pet will love can also help to keep your pet happy and calm.
It’s a good idea to have an extra collar with identification and contact information available. If you have a dog, an extra leash and some spare poop bags can also be very useful.
Even if your pet doesn’t typically need a muzzle, a muzzle may be necessary during wound treatment. This is because pets may lash out when they’re in pain, even towards their owners. The best type of muzzle is one that prevents the pet from biting you but also allows the pet to easily breathe. A muzzle with a basket weave is the best type because it allows for the free flow of air while also stopping your pet from biting you or anything else.
A pet first aid kit should be easily portable in case of an emergency. While you can keep a smaller first aid kit for your pet that can easily fit into your purse or backpack, your dog’s age and lifestyle may require a larger back to store necessary supplies. An emergency first aid kit that accounts for natural disasters and other emergencies customized to your location may include larger items like a week’s worth of pet food and a collapsible litter box if you have a cat.
Your pet first aid kit, however, doesn’t need to be that extensive if you are using it for minor medical treatment.
Buying a pre-made pet first-aid kit can be a quick and easy way to gather many of the basic supplies you’ll need. However, it’s a good idea to personalize the first-aid kit by adding items that your pet, in particular, may need, such as paperwork, medications, treats, comfort items, and more.
The following are some recommended pre-made pet first-aid kits. Be sure to shop through smile.amazon.com so that you can support your preferred charity, including many excellent pet-related charities.
Your pet’s first aid kit should not act as the main form of treatment in the event your pet is injured or becomes sick. While a first aid kit can help you treat your pet while organizing medical care, you should always contact your veterinarian in the event of an emergency.
Contact us immediately for emergency treatment.
Dec 18Facial swelling in dogs can have a range of causes, from benign to serious or even life-threatening. Different types of swelling may have different treatments, but regardless of what causes the swelling, you should take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
If you notice that your dog’s face is swelling, take them to the vet right away. You should not try to diagnose your pet at home. It can be difficult for a pet owner to tell what is causing the swelling and if you don’t get it correct, then there’s a risk to your dog’s health and life. On top of that, if the swelling gets worse and reaches the dog’s throat, it could inhibit breathing. It’s best to take your dog to the vet right away so the vet can diagnose the swelling and treat it promptly.
Facial swelling in dogs can be caused by a variety of different things. These can range from allergies to dental problems to tumors. What the cause of the swelling is will determine the course of treatment to reduce the swelling.
Animals can have allergic reactions, just like humans can. Dogs can be allergic to some of the following:
An allergic reaction can spread to the windpipe and prevent your dog from breathing, so it’s vital to get your dog to the vet right away if you notice swelling, discoloration of the gums, difficulty breathing, or if your dog passes out. The vet’s treatment may depend on what caused the allergic reaction but may include antihistamines, a change in diet, steroids, or antibiotics.
If your dog has a gum infection, abscessed tooth, tooth infection, tooth fracture, or other dental problem, it can cause the face to swell. Other symptoms of dental problems can include:
The vet will need to treat the dental issue, which may involve removing a tooth or prescribing a round of antibiotics for your dog.
Tumors can be either benign or cancerous, but if they grow in the mouth or throat, they can cause facial swelling. Even if the tumor isn’t cancerous, it’s important for the vet to remove it. Other symptoms of a tumor can include bleeding, odor, and not eating.
A bite or other type of injury can turn into an abscess, which is a bacterial infection-caused tender mass that usually is filled with pus. An abscess can cause a dog’s face to swell, often in a lopsided way. Abscesses are very painful and may result in your dog refusing to eat or drink. A vet will treat an abscess with anti-inflammatory medication, antibiotics, or even surgical draining to remove the pus.
After you’ve taken your dog to the vet and your vet has diagnosed the cause of the swelling, it’s time for your dog’s treatment. Depending on the cause of the swelling, surgery may be involved. The vet may prescribe medication that you’ll need to give to your dog. Follow your vet’s instructions so that your dog receives the best possible care and can get healthy as quickly as possible.
Contact us immediately for emergency treatment.
Nov 14Our pets are members of our families. Pet owners want to do everything they can for their furry four-legged family members. But sometimes, veterinary bills can be costly, making it difficult for pet owners to afford their pet’s healthcare, especially in an emergency situation. Pet insurance can help to alleviate some of the financial burden of an emergency vet visit, which pet owners may not be prepared for.
Pet insurance is like health insurance, but for your pet. Typically, pet owners with pet insurance will pay a monthly premium that adds up to a few hundred dollars each year. If a pet is injured or ill and requires veterinary treatment, the pet owner usually has to pay out of pocket, but can then file for reimbursement from the insurance company. How much is covered and what illnesses and injuries are covered may depend on the pet insurance policy.
While pet insurance is similar in many ways to health insurance, it does typically differ in how the insurance payouts work. While hospitals and clinics usually bill insurance for payment, with pet insurance, the pet owner generally has to pay up front. The pet insurance company will then reimburse the pet owner for what they paid, so long as the deductible has been met and the treatment is covered under the pet insurance policy.
If a pet becomes ill or is injured and the vet costs are high to treat the illness or injury, some pet parents don’t have the money to cover the bills. Some pet owners may have to decide between taking on debt to treat their pet or having their beloved pet put down. Pet insurance can help to cover the costs of an emergency vet bill, preventing pet owners from having to make such a devastating decision.
Pet insurance policies can differ depending on the insurance company offering them and also depending on the policy. Most pet insurance policies cover the following:
Hereditary conditions and chronic conditions are sometimes covered but sometimes aren’t. Whether they’re covered depends on the pet insurance company.
Pet insurance policies usually cover accidents and emergencies only. Generally, pet insurance does not cover vet visits and pet care that falls under the wellness category.
Common pet insurance exclusions often include:
Before selecting a pet insurance plan, you should shop around to see what each insurance company covers. Some may cover preexisting or hereditary health conditions, particularly if they are curable, while others may not. Depending on the pet insurance company, you may be able to add on extra insurance to cover some normal exclusions.
How much pet insurance costs depends on the insurance company. Typically pet insurance is a monthly cost that adds up to around a few hundred dollars per year. This works out to around $40 per month. The monthly cost will vary depending on your policy. Pet insurance also typically carries a deductible, which, depending on the plan, can range from no deductible to a deductible of up to $1000.
Depending on the pet insurance company, you may be able to add on extra coverage for medical treatments not normally included on the average policy.
The premiums pet owners pay for pet insurance depend on several different factors. These can include:
The type of pet you have can impact how much the pet insurance premiums cost. For example, dogs, male animals, older animals, and larger animals are usually more expensive to insure than cats, smaller animals, younger animals, and female animals.
The most important thing to do is research. Pet insurance isn’t like health insurance offered by an employer that may have limited options. You’ll have your choice of different insurance companies and policies. However, you’ll need to make sure that your vet will accept your pet insurance and find a policy that both works for your budget and will cover everything you need for your pet.
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Oct 25Welcoming a dog into your family is an exciting time. However, the idea of training a dog can be intimidating for first-time dog owners. Obedience classes can only do so much and while they do help train your dog, there is still some training dog owners will have to do themselves at home. These tips can help new dog owners better train their new furry family member.
If you’ve adopted a puppy, this is the perfect time to start training them not to jump up. While it may be cute as a puppy, it’s usually not a desired behavior in adult dogs, so training in it now is important. The best way to do this is to not pay attention to your puppy until all four of their paws are on the ground. This will teach them that if they want your attention, they can’t jump up to get it.
Socialization is the process of making sure that your dog is used to a wide variety of places, people, and other dogs. The more experience your dog has around other people and other dogs as well as in new places, the more comfortable they will be as an adult. Dogs that aren’t well socialized as puppies can exhibit undesirable behaviors like aggression, excessive barking, and fear as adults.
House training is often the most important thing for new pet owners. They understandably don’t want their pets relieving themselves indoors. However, some techniques, such as scolding or rubbing the puppy’s nose in the mess after an accident aren’t productive. Instead, your puppy will just be confused or even scared. It’s much better to reward successes than it is to punish accidents.
In fact, rewarding success, in general, is the best way to train your dog. Providing treats and praise rather than punishing failure will help your dog learn better and also be more comfortable with you.
Crate training is an important part of training a dog. The crate can give your dog a safe space that is just theirs. Plus, it can also help you to house train your dog. Dogs usually won’t relieve themselves in the place where they sleep, so your puppy will get used to holding it in. However, you should avoid putting your dog in the crate as a punishment. Otherwise, your puppy will associate the crate with being bad and won’t feel safe and secure there.
Punishment for failure, in general, is generally not recommended. Yelling can just confuse your dog rather than reinforce the good behavior you want.
Train your dog at the same time every day. This will help your dog feel more comfortable training because they’ll know what to expect. Having a schedule is also particularly helpful with house training. Having meals at a scheduled time every day and then taking your dog outside to relieve themselves right afterward is the best way to train your dog to go outside to use the bathroom.
If you want to teach your dog commands, it’s vital to teach the most important ones first. The commands and tricks that your dog learns first will be the ones they’ll remember the best. In fact, these will be the actions they do if you’re training them in a new command and they don’t know what to do.
It’s important to stick with the same established rules. If you don’t want your dog on the couch as an adult, don’t let the dog on the couch as a puppy. Your dog will just get confused if they get used to certain rules only to have them change later on. The same rule goes for commands. You should stay consistent with the words you use. That way, your dog can learn to associate specific words with the behavior that you want to see.
One of the most important things you can do in training your dog is to be patient. They’re learning and that can take a while. Plus, some breeds learn faster than others. Your dog might get distracted or forget. Don’t get angry when they make a mistake. Instead, correct the behavior and then make sure to reward successes.
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Oct 19There are millions of dogs across the country in need of a good home. Wild One, a pet care startup, is seeking to address that by helping to rescue a dog every day by the year 2024.
Wild One is a pet care brand that was founded in 2018 and sells pet care supplies, including its very popular walking kits. Selling pet care products was never Wild One’s only mission, however. The company also dedicated funds toward getting at least one dog a week rescued.
Wild One opened for business only two years before the COVID-19 pandemic began. During the pandemic, dog adoptions rates rose as pet owners, many for the first time, adopted pets during quarantine. This also corresponded with an increase in the amount of money that pet owners were spending on their pets.
Wild One has helped dogs get rescued by making donations to rescue organizations like Brooklyn-based Badass Animal Rescue (BAR). They also cover the costs of adoption for dogs and for the publicity to help get them adopted. On their website, they run promotions that send proceeds to rescue organizations, most recently a buy one give one program, in which every dollar a customer spent would be matched in the form of a donation.
That all dogs deserve to have safe and comfortable homes is one of Wild One’s core values. To that end, helping a dog a week get rescued wasn’t enough. In 2021, as the company celebrated its third year in business, Wild One announced that it wanted to increase a dog a week to a dog a day. To accomplish this goal, Wild One will continue its partnership with BAR. Working with BAR, Wild One met its original goal of helping a dog a week get rescued.
Wild One’s aim is to start the A Dog a Day program in January of 2022, with the goal of succeeding by 2024.
In order to help a dog a day get adopted, Wild One is also expanding its network of dog rescues. They’ve carefully vetted every animal rescue so that every partner met their strict criteria. On top of that, they wanted to focus on rescues in areas that have large stray populations or have experienced post-pandemic dog abandonment. They also wanted to work with rescues that raised awareness about issues such as discrimination against black dogs.
Dog abandonment is an unfortunate problem that shelters and rescue organizations are constantly combating. There was a major increase in the number of pet adoptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, but as things began to go back to normal, some of those pet owners surrendered their pets. Wild One feels strongly about helping rescued organizations deal with pet abandonment all the time, not just during a pandemic, and has purposely sought out organizations to partner with that work to raise awareness about the issue.
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Sep 30Pet owners buy a lot of things for their pets. From food and toys to bedding and clothes, the pet supplies industry is a multi-billion dollar one. Our pets are our family and we want to spare no expense in making sure they’re happy and well-cared for. But what exactly have pet owners been buying for their pets so far this year?
Jungle Scout’s Q2 2021 Consumer Trends Report looks at what pet owners bought for their pets in the second quarter of 2021 and surveyed 1,066 American consumers, 786 of whom reported that they had purchased pet supplies. This makes roughly 65% of those surveyed pet owners.
Jungle Scout did a separate survey to find out what kind of people own pets. They found that more men than women were pet owners, most pet owners worked either full- or part-time, and that while people of all ages are pet owners, the largest age group of pet owners in the survey was Millennials, who made up 52% of those who bought pet supplies. Pet owners also on average made big changes to their lives in the past year. For many, that was the decision to adopt a pet, a decision that may have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Jungle Scout survey asked pet owners about their online shopping habits for their pet supplies. Amazon was by far the most popular website for online pet supplies purchases, with 76% of the survey participants shopping on Amazon. Next was shopping via a search engine like Google or Bing, with 50% of pet owners shopping for the products they wanted to buy first on a search engine. Most used Amazon to search for products as well as to purchase.
Pet owners also shopped on social media platforms. Facebook was the most popular, with 40% of pet owners buying pet supplies there. YouTube and Instagram were close behind in popularity, and some also shopped on TikTok. Only about 23% of pet owners did their browsing directly on the website of a pet supplies retailer. Social media was popular for pet shopping because pet owners can see what’s trending and popular with other pet owners. Plus, there are images showing products in use and reviews from fellow pet owners.
The top pet products of 2021 so far have included:
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Sep 16Heartworm in dogs can be a very serious disease. In some cases, it can even be fatal. Dogs are natural hosts of the disease, which means that the heartworms that cause the disease can live inside a dog’s body, mature into adults, mate, and have offspring within the dog’s body. A dog could potentially be host to hundreds of heartworms, which can cause damage to the dog’s heart, arteries, and lungs, and can continue to negatively impact a dog’s health even after the worms are gone.
For this reason, heartworm prevention is the best way to treat your dog. The disease is treatable in many cases, but it’s best to prevent it before your dog can get heartworms so you can avoid any lasting health problems.
According to the American Heartworm Society, puppies should be taking heartworm prevention medication monthly as young as 6-8 weeks old. They are just as prone to getting infected as older dogs, so the prevention must start as soon as possible.
In Florida, all dogs need to be administered heartworm preventatives regularly. With heartworms being transferred to dogs by mosquitos, Florida is a common place for dogs to contract them. In more northern, cooler areas, it may not be as necessary, but it’s still recommended to protect your dog with preventative heartworm medication. The costs of curing it are significantly more than the cost of preventing it.
Ultimately, giving your dog regular heartworm prevention medication increases the chances of your dog living the long, happy, and healthy life that they deserve.
Not all heartworm medications use the same ingredients, so different breeds can react to them differently. Speak to your vet about which medicine is best for your dog based on their breed, age, and health.
Heartworm prevention medication doesn’t actually prevent your dog from getting infected with heartworms. What it does is kill off heartworms that are in the later larva stages. If you miss a dose, then those larvae have a chance to grow into adult heartworms, at which point the preventative medication will no longer work. In order to avoid the risk of health problems from heartworms, it’s vital that you not miss a dose.
It’s not enough to just give your puppy preventative medication for heartworm. It’s also a good idea to get them tested regularly. Usually, your vet will test your puppy for heartworm for the first time between 6 and 10 months old. After that, heartworm tests are usually annual unless you’ve missed giving your puppy a dose of heartworm medication.
Heartworms can start causing damage to your puppy’s body even before the heartworms are fully grown. This means that before they’re detectable, they can still harm your dog. The worms can inflame the vessels in the heart and arteries as well as damage the liver and lungs. Even if you catch heartworms in time to treat them early, they can still cause irreversible damage, lifelong health problems, and even a shortened lifespan.
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Aug 30It’s vitally important for pet owners to know when a behavior is normal and when it’s something to worry about. Dogs self-groom by licking their paws. If your dog is occasionally licking for the purpose of cleaning, then that’s normal and nothing to be concerned about. If your dog is biting their paws or is excessively and intensely licking their paws, then that’s a cause for concern and you may want to consult your veterinarian.
If your dog is excessively licking or biting their paws, one possibility is that your dog has food allergies. Food allergies can make your dog’s paws itchy, which can lead them to bite or lick. Talk to your vet about your dog’s food for recommendations on specific food and potential ingredient allergies.
If your dog has a parasite, such as mange or fleas, their paws may itch, causing them to lick. Check your dog for flea bites and mange spots, which are caused by mites. These parasites are tiny, so even if you don’t see physical evidence of them, it’s a good idea to consult with your veterinarian, who can determine if there’s a parasite involved and recommend any necessary treatment.
Dermatitis can affect dogs as well as humans. It’s a skin condition that involves itching. It can be caused by a variety of things, from an allergy to bacteria. If you suspect dermatitis, you can consult with your vet to make sure it’s not caused by bacteria. If your dog frequently licks their paws after coming in from outside, keep a bowl of water near the door so you can wash their paws off when they come inside. Dermatitis in dogs can be caused by allergies to a number of things, including:
Just like in humans, dogs’ allergies can be year-round or seasonal, so be on the lookout for behavior changes as the seasons change. Luckily, allergies in dogs are very treatable once the cause is found. Some of the common treatments are:
Injuries such as bee stings, cuts, torn nails, a blister, a stone or thorn stuck between the pads, or other small injuries can irritate your dog’s paw. If you see that your dog is biting or excessively licking one paw in particular, check to make sure there’s not a small injury-causing irritation. You may be able to treat the injury with basic first aid, but if it doesn’t improve, or if the injury is more serious, you’ll want to take your dog to the vet.
Take special care of your dog’s paws to ensure that they don’t get injured and develop behaviors such as excessive licking and biting of their paws.
Licking can also be a sign of a health problem or a behavioral problem like boredom or anxiety. Speak to your veterinarian if you can’t figure out why your dog is excessively licking or biting their paws. Your vet should be able to help you pinpoint what’s going on and if there’s a health or behavioral issue they can advise you on how to manage it.
The first thing that you should do if you notice your dog licking or biting at their paws is check for visual clues of the cause. Sometimes you can see discoloration or a rash, so you know exactly what is causing the pain or discomfort and can inform your vet about it during your visit.
Check in between their toes and under their paws for any of the following:
Be on the lookout for any other behavior that may be a sign of pain, such as limping or lack of movement.
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