Pets

Showing posts with label Pets. Show all posts

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Seizures: What is Status Epilepticus?

Seizures in dogs and cats are a common sign of neurological disease. They can also be caused by non-neurological conditions that affect the brain. However, status epilepticus is a serious and life-threatening form of seizure.

What is Status Epilepticus?

Status epilepticus is defined as a continual or persistent state of seizure.
Seizures in dogs and cats, in most instances, only last a short period of time. However, less commonly, the seizure does not stop.
If your dog or cat has a seizure that lasts for longer than 5 minutes without stopping, this is status epilepticus. In addition, if the seizure appears to begin to stop but starts again before your pet has a chance to recover fully between seizures, it is a form of status epilepticus.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Marijuana Poisoning in Pets

Marijuana - Medical, Legal, and Illegal

September 2014
As of this writing, 22 more states, and the District of Columbia allow for medical use of marijuana. Two states have legalized marijuana for recreational use: Washington state and Colorado (More Information: State Laws Related to Marijuana). In other states, marijuana use is illegal.

Marijuana Toxicity in Pets on the Rise

Legality aside, veterinarians are seeing a sharp increase in the number of cases of marijuana poisoning in pets. Pet Poison Helpline has noticed a 200% increase in calls related to marijuana toxicity between 2010 and 2014. Ahna Brutlag DVM, MS, DABT, DABVT, associate director of veterinary services at Pet Poison Helpline notes:

“The trend we’ve seen in recent years involving pets and marijuana is

Friday, September 5, 2014

Agility Training for Dogs/ Teaching Your Dog Specifics of Agility

Agility is a competitive sport for dogs. It is an obstacle course made up of jumps, tunnels, and walkways. Dogs and handlers work as teams, with the handler helping the dog to navigate the obstacles in the correct order. Some people do agility training just for fun, while others enjoy competing in agility trials. During the trials, dog and handler teams compete to see who can complete the obstacle course the fastest with the fewest mistakes.

Best Dogs for the Job

According to the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA), there are over 150 breeds of dogs, including mixed-breed dogs, involved in agility. While some breeds, like the Australian Shepherd are known for excelling at the sport, you should not let the fact that you have a Golden Retriever or a mixed-breed dog stop you from trying it. If your dog is playful and energetic, he will probably enjoy agility.

Friday, June 13, 2014

GET TO KNOW THE HIGH AND LOW MAINTENANCE PETS

GET TO KNOW THE HIGH AND LOW MAINTENANCE PETS

1.) High-maintenance pets (not ranked in any particular order)

Dogs
Dogs can require more or less maintenance based on the breed, and their requirements also vary widely from dog to dog. Overall, dogs can be considered to be high-maintenance pets because they need exercise and a proper diet to remain healthy, attention to be happy, and regular cleaning of their living environment. They also need behavioral training to address housetraining, chewing, biting, digging, and jumping. Most dogs also require regular grooming— baths, haircuts or hair brushing, teeth cleanings, etc.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Tips For Recognizing Dental Disease In Dogs And Cats

Tips For Recognizing Dental Disease In Dogs And Cats

Dogs and cats may express dental pain and disease in many ways. Below are a list of common signs and behaviors seen with diseases of the teeth and gums.

Dental disease is not simply suffering from "bad breath" -- infections of the gums, teeth, and oral cavity can spread via the bloodstream to the heart and liver, possibly causing additional health problems.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

My Dog's Teeth Are Worn Down. Should I Be Concerned?

Question: My Dog's Teeth Are Worn Down. Should I Be Concerned?

This FAQ looks at a common problem, especially for dogs: worn down teeth. What causes teeth to wear, and what should you do about worn down teeth in your pet?

Answer: Worn teeth are usually darker in color, oddly shaped, or worn down to the gum line. The teeth most commonly affected are the incisors and canine teeth. The incisors are the small teeth in the front of the mouth, and the incisors are the "fang" teeth.

My Dog Isn't Herself.. That confusing and frightening time when you know that something is amiss

A common reason for bringing a pet to the vet is because the pet is "not his/her normal self." This vague health complaint could signal any one of several potential problems, and takes some sleuth work on the part of the veterinary team.
Subtle or gradual changes in health may be hard to detect, but the sooner they are addressed, the better. What happens if you aren't sure there is a problem or not? Better safe than sorry - ask your vet. What happens when you are that vet, and that pet is your pet?
This story is about my beloved dog, Sophie. I first wrote about her on this site, shortly after we adopted her in 2002 from the shelter.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Tips To Prevent Heat Stroke In Your Pet

Hot weather creates additional hazards for your pet. Unlike humans, animals can't change their wardrobe or turn on the air conditioning like humans do to keep comfortable. Follow these common sense tips to prevent a heat-related pet emergency.
Besides the obvious... provide shelter and shade, fresh water, and good grooming, here are some tips to help keep your pet cool in the summer heat.

Be aware of ways that your pet could accidentally be caught without shade - is your pet on a tether and could potentially get caught out in the full sun? Will the shade be available all day? While the shelter provides shade, is it hotter inside the shelter? If possible, utilize shade from trees in addition to the dog house; assuring that there is sufficient shade all day long.
If your pet is left indoors, is air conditioning available? Will the house stay cool through the heat of the day? Basement access will provide a naturally cool area to keep your pet comfortable.
For indoor or outdoor animals, a cool water "bath" before leaving for work will provide additional cooling for your pet.
Is fresh, cool water available at all times? Can your pet spill the water source? Consider installing an automatic pet waterer.
Do not plan long walks or go jogging in the heat of the day. This can be life-threatening for some dogs. Plan exercise and outdoor activities in the relative coolness of morning and evening time. Be sure to bring along fresh water or a collapsible drinking bowl to allow your pet to get a cool drink when needed.
NEVER leave your pet in the car, even it it is only for a "quick errand." This is very dangerous, even on days that are only mildly warm. This can be deadly in a matter of minutes.