Local Value Veterinary

Category: Cats

  • What You Need to Know about Ear Mites in Pets

    What You Need to Know about Ear Mites in Pets

    Ear mites are without a doubt one of the major parasite problems afflicting pets nowadays. Also known as Otodectes Cynotis, ear mites have grown to be quite common and pervasive in the past five years. Usually, most pets (dogs and cats) can tolerate these parasites without any major complications. However, the problem starts if the afflicted pet has a hypersensitive reaction that results in hematoma and excessive skin irritation. In line with this, here’s a quick guide on all you need to know about ear mites. 

    1. What Causes Pet’s Ear Mites?

    Generally speaking, ear mites are typically spread and transmitted via mutual socialization with cats and dogs. Especially if your pets spend a lot of time outside.

    Generally speaking, ear mites are typically spread and transmitted via mutual socialization with cats and dogs. Especially if your pets spend a lot of time outside. 

    2. How Can You Tell that Your Pet Has Ear Mites?

    Physically, ear mites are tiny – almost microscopic. If you’re lucky, you can chance on them as an array of glistening – almost shiny – white dots that tend to scurry away when

    Physically, ear mites are tiny – almost microscopic. If you’re lucky, you can chance on them as an array of glistening – almost shiny – white dots that tend to scurry away when a light is shone on them. But this is just the tip of the iceberg – usually, ear mites hide in thousands deep inside the ear canal, making it virtually impossible to see them without the aid of specialized equipment. To rule out the possibility of ear mites in your fur buddy, visit a vet and let him conduct a thorough otoscope analysis in the pet’s ear canal. It is only this way that you can rule out the possibility of mites infestation.

    3. What are Some of the Common Symptoms of Mites Infestation?

    Some of the tell-tale signs of a possible mite attack revolve around frequently shaking the head, scales, and

    Some of the tell-tale signs of a possible mite attack revolve around frequently shaking the head, scales, and crustings on the neck, excessive scratches and abrasions on the underside of the ears – as a result of frequent scratching. Others include generalized itching especially around the head and coffee ground-like pimples and bumps inside and around the ear canal.

    4. How to get Rid of Ear Mites.

    Since the infection and mites infestation is highly contagious, it is recommended that all household pets be subjected to the same treatment to lessen the chances of cross-transmission. Start by cleaning the pet’s ears thoroughly with a commercial liquid ear cleaner. It is important to ensure that you use the correct formulation – whether you’re dealing with dogs or cats. That being said, the application of these ear parasiticides ought to be repeated every 10 – 14 days until the mites have been eradicated. The same applies to the thorough cleaning and fumigation of the pet’s kernel or resting area. Take advantage of the fact that mites do not survive for long outside a pet’s body.

    SOURCES: Petful, Blue Cross

    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • The Little-Known Heartworm Symptoms

    The Little-Known Heartworm Symptoms

    Why You Should Always be on the Lookout for this Silent Killer

    The little-known heartworm disease is caused a parasite transmitted mainly by mosquitos. Although seemingly harmless at first glance, it can quickly gravitate to a life-threatening complication if left untreated for a long time. And all pets ( be they dogs, cats or otherwise ) are still at risk of this ailment, despite the fact that very efficient and potent control and preventive medication are available in the market. Fortunately, however, more pet owners are waking up to the realization that heartworm disease is majorly a surreptitious type of ailment rather than a boisterous one. In other words, you have to pay extra close attention to your pet to catch these symptoms early enough, which most often than not is almost impossible.

    That being said, early signs of an imminent heartworm disease include; slight fatigue and excessive panting. This is then usually followed by extreme exercise intolerance, a stubborn cough that refuses to go away, then eventually sudden death. As you can see, none of above symptoms are exactly exclusive to heartworm disease, which makes the complication even harder to diagnose and treat. And considering that mosquitos usually spread the causative agent, then pets living in the tropics are generally at a higher risk than those in more temperate regions. Unlike you, pets are more exposed to bugs and insect bites hence the likelihood of being infected is also quite high.

    Preventive Measures

    The good news, amidst a haze of an almost hopeless situation, is that heartworm disease is easily preventable. For starters, put your pet on a preventative medication regimen throughout the year, especially if you live in an area that is rampant with mosquitos. Secondly, minimize your pet’s exposure to mosquitos by keeping them indoors especially just after dusk when mosquitos are likely to be feeding. Most importantly, adopt an effective way of eliminating mosquitos around your home’s vicinity by weeding tall grass, draining any stagnant water and making proper use of pesticides.

    Testing and Diagnosis

    Your vet can easily test whether your dog or cat is infected with the disease during the routine annual, bi-annually or monthly check-up. It is advisable to cultivate the habit of testing for this disease regularly especially considering its almost symptomless nature. A negative test, in such occasions, is always a good sign particularly if your dog is already on an all-year round prevention plan. Nonetheless, it is easy to treat heartworm disease if it is caught early enough.

    SOURCES: Petful, Pet MD
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • National Lost Pet Prevention Month

    National Lost Pet Prevention Month

    It is estimated that a pet gets lost every two seconds in the United States.

    And this is not surprising considering that statistics indicated that over 10 million pets will go missing every year. And apparently, only one in every ten such cases of pets going astray will reunite with their loving pet parents. In fact, a good chunk of them will wind up dead, get stolen or killed in traffic snarl-ups. It is for reason that PetHub Inc dedicated the month of July as the National Lost Pet Prevention Month in a bid to raise awareness of this appalling statistics. Every July each family with a feline or Fidos under their roof is encouraged to enforce measures that will ensure that their pet does not end up among the 33% of all dogs and cats that get lost at some point in their lifetime.

    In line with this, here a few handy pet loss prevention measures that you can take into consideration this year July.

    Keep them on a Leash

    One of the easiest and most practical ways of minimizing the chances of your barking buddy straying off is by keeping them on a comfortable leash or harness. And the leash ought to be always on, regardless of whether you’re just going for a short stroll to the mailbox or on a trip out of town. Remember that most pets are naturally inquisitive by nature; what might appear as a short dash after a stray squirrel might end up being a gruesome 6-hour long search. Keep him on a leash, always.

    Get your Pet a New Identification Collar

    A good collar is the best line of defense against accidental pet loss for two reasons. For starters, it effectively lessens the chances of your pet slipping off his leash. Secondly, a well-labeled collar makes recovering your pet remarkably easy in case he wanders off to another person’s home. What’s more, you can also have their collar fitted with a RFID microchip to make tracking them down far easier should they wander off accidentally. Alternatively, the chip can also be implanted directly under the animal’s skin.

    Obedience Training

    Nothing can forestall losing a pet more effectively than proper discipline and obedience training. Bear in mind that it is several times easier to lose an undisciplined pet than one that has been raised and taught to recognize and obey simple commands. Not to mention that highly disciplined and obedient pets will rarely stray or wander off even in the absence of a leash.

    SOURCE: Cat tipper

  • Adopt A Shelter Cat Month

    Adopt A Shelter Cat Month

    Just three months ago, cat lovers around the world and in the United States commemorated the ‘kitten season.’ Through our dedicated efforts, hundreds of thousands of homeless kittens were assimilated in animal shelters in different parts of the country. And this meant two things. First, your nearest local shelter is now teeming with hundreds of cute, cuddly kittens – in addition to the older, mellow adult cats. Secondly, it is time for cat lovers to add a new member to their brood. It can be to replace a lost or fallen member or simply give the older cats a younger companion to look after. For this reason, mark this year’s June as the official ‘Adopt a Shelter Cat‘ month, which is coincidentally also that time of the year when we witness a sporadic increase in feline breeding.

    The bottom line here is that there is an expected influx of newborn and homeless cats as we kick off the highly anticipated summer months. And this is much as the ASPCA Adoption Center’s around the country will be working around-the-clock to find new loving homes to settle felines. As a cat lover – and above all an animal rights enthusiast – here is what you can do to help with the situation.

    1. Adopt a New Cute Cuddly Kitten

    We can all agree that nothing is more adorable than a few weeks old kitten. Well, and there’s no better time to get a new feline friend than during the onset of summer. This year’s kitten season also correlates with a tremendous explosion of the feline population, following the concerted efforts that animal lovers have made in the past weeks to rescue and rehabilitate homeless/lost cats. So, it is expected that the animal shelter near you has more than enough new kittens in need of a loving home. Make a difference today and adopt one and watch them grow!

    2. Bring in Your Kittens for a Comprehensive Checkup

    Thcat photois year’s kitten season is also the opportune time to visit your nearest veterinary center and have them spayed to eliminate chances of unwanted breeding in the future. What’s more, sterilizing your new feline companion lessens their predisposition to numerous cancers, especially those revolving around the reproductive system. While at it, have them vaccinated against common cat illnesses and diseases such as Chlamydaphilla Felis and rabies. A full and comprehensive dental checkup of your rapidly growing furry friend will also be appreciated in the future.

    Source: American Humane Society, ASPCA
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • Useful Tips for Managing your Pets This Memorial Day

    Useful Tips for Managing your Pets This Memorial Day

    The long anticipated Memorial Day Weekend is just a few days away. Often seen by most people as the unofficial start of the fun-filled summer months after enduring the long cold wintry season, the Memorial Day Weekend is the perfect excuse for spending quality time outdoors with your loved ones. And what’s a better a way of doing that than also tagging your cherished four-legged companions along? Whether you’re barbecuing, partying or just up-and-about soaking in those glorious sun rays, your pet will also love to be there too! Nonetheless, it is still important to stay safe as much as you’re having a ball in your backyard. Here is a quick primer of a collection of useful tips that could come in handy in preventing mishaps during this year’s ‘Dog Days’ weekend.

    1. Protect your Pets from Potentially Toxic Foods
    Remind your guests to refrain from feeding your pets table scraps or party snacks. Chocolate, raisins, chocolate, avocado, grapes, and onions are examples of barbecue additives that are considered potentially toxic to certain breeds of dogs.

    2. Don’t Leave Pets Unsupervised
    Pets, like toddlers, should never be left unsupervised while in the presence of potentially hazardous areas. Contrary to the common misconception, not all dogs and cats are good swimmers. Avoid leaving your pets near large pools of water/lakes/waterfalls. Speaking of which, make sure that your four-pawed companion has proper identification on them ( ID tag or an embedded microchip ) before you venture outdoors.

    3. Be Mindful of the Heat Levels
    Pets also get dehydrated quickly especially after spending endless hours outdoors. Ensure you have enough packed clean, fresh water for them and encourage them to take intermittent breaks from direct sunlight in a cool, shaded place. To add on this, discourage nibbling around by packing a few hearty snacks for them in addition to their water ration. Party smart.

    SOURCES: Pet 360, Dog Time, Dog Tipper
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • Celebrating Cat Moms This Mother’s Day!

    Celebrating Cat Moms This Mother’s Day!

    woman cat photoSunday, May 14th is this year’s Mother’s Day, and it is just around the corner. It is that time of the year when we dedicate the second Sunday of May to celebrate moms all over the globe for the heroic, selfless, and relentless role they play every day in our lives. We couldn’t be any more proud of our moms! This year, attention and recognition go to all ‘mothers’ of furbabies and cute kitties. Cats might not exactly be our ‘kids, ‘ but we still choose to recognize the invaluable role loving moms play in the nurturing of our furry companions.

    How Can You Contribute to this?

    Are you a proud cat mom? Or do you happen to know one personally? Or maybe it’s a close relative/sibling such as an aunt, sister or girlfriend that can’t get over their furry friend. Perfect! Let’s all make this year’s Mother’s Day a special occasion for them. Spoil them with an adorable cat mom mug or that beautiful pendant with an engraved Kitty insignia. It doesn’t have to be much. Heck, it can just be a tee-shirt with a colorful scrawl of their favorite 4-legged companion. Whatever it is, just make it cute!
    On a more serious note…

    Even as we cherish those loving moms who have chosen to accommodate a whiskered companion under their roofs, it is also the opportune time to raise awareness of the importance of observing recommended pet handling/ownership measures as directed by the Animal Humane Association. For instance, when was the last time you brought in your kitty for a thorough and comprehensive dental checkup? Is it vaccinated against common feline infections? Is it neutered or spayed to combat chances of contracting uterine or ovarian cancers? Even as we shower our proud cat moms with gifts and appreciation, this year’s Mother’s Day is also a good time to remind of the best ways of fortifying their favorite pet’s wellbeing.

    SOURCES: Modern Cat, Cat Wisdom 101, ASPCA
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • Be Kind To Animals

    Be Kind To Animals

    May 1st to 7th is this year’s Be Kind to Animal’s Week.

    This is that time of the year when the American Humane Association commemorates, celebrates and encourages the virtue of being kind to animals. It is an event that has been observed since 1915, and for more than a century, the American Humane Association dedicates seven days annually in its official calendar to raise awareness about the presence of the animals in our homes. Pets are without a doubt integral members of any functional community, and AHA takes the initiative this May to recognize and honor individuals, communities, and enterprises who are in one way or another involved in the welfare of our adorable four-legged companions.

    How you Can Get Involved,

    in the Commemoration of this Year’s Be Kind to Animals Week

    cat woman photoIt starts with a small contribution, and it doesn’t have to be much. This year, American Humane Association has a dedicated website where one can pledge a few dollars towards this worthy movement that seeks to redefine the interaction between pets and their owners through the country. Closer home, you can also decide to adopt a pet from an animal shelter or a next-door neighbor. And if you have a pet, spare a few hours from your busy schedule to spend a few quality moments with them. You can volunteer at a nearby animal shelter if you don’t have one yet. Speaking of which, in the spirit of being kind to animals, this is also the best time of the year to neuter/spay your cherished furry or fine-feathered companion to keep disease and uncontrolled breeding at bay. Encourage your friends and family to do the same while at it. Go a step further and make a commitment to report any cases of animal abuse you might encounter to the nearest relevant authorities.

    SOURCE: AVMA, American Humane Association
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • Bring Your Kids and Pets Out to Play

    Bring Your Kids and Pets Out to Play

     Nothing can arguably bring you so much joy, fulfillment, satisfaction, and a sense of purpose than a litter of pets and a group of kids. In fact, the best way of taking a break from the daily humdrum of our busy, arduous, and lackluster days is by spending a day with children and animals. This is one of the reasons Collen Paige – a celebrity, family, lifestyle and pet expert – pushed for the commemoration of Pets and Kids Day every year on April 26th. And this year is no exception. The former EMT and medic also recognized the importance and value of the special bond that kids typically develop with their pets and chose to set aside a day to pay homage to this unique relationship. This is also the day that adults and parents are encouraged to help spread awareness of the plight that sheltered, unadopted pets face every year that they remain unclaimed.

    kids pets dayAccording to the pet lover, who is also the founder of numerous animal welfare organizations, the Pets and Kids Day is the ideal time of the year to teach our children how to show unconditional compassion. It is also the day to re-evaluate the kind of relationship that our children at home have developed with our pets. Children with learning difficulties, for instance, can improve their reading and understanding prowess by regularly reading to pets. Unlike when reading to other people, shy children are not afraid to make mistakes, mispronounce words and strive to do better altogether when conversing with pets.

    A recent study also shows that kids whokids pets day are entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of pets early in life turn out to be more caring, responsible and all-around adults. In fact, they tend to be more extremely compassionate, nurturing, selfless and dedicated. And April 26th is the best day of the year to appreciate the role our pets play in our kid’s upbringing.

    SOURCE: Kids and Pets Day
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value