Local Value Veterinary

Tag: #cat

  • Kitten becoming Cat

    Kitten becoming Cat

    Things to Look Out For As Your Kitten Transitions to A Senior Cat

    Senior cats will require more care as compared to young kittens. Staying vigilant about their health and taking the senior cats for regular wellness testing and veterinary exams will help to keep your cat healthy even in old age. Since your cat is more vulnerable to diseases with age, your vigilance in checking their daily habits must be increased after seven years to ensure you can catch and prevent issues early before they develop further into more severe complications.

    What to look out for when observing a senior cat

    • Odd litter box behaviors

    • Weight loss or gain

    • Reduced mobility

    • Changes in behavior like sleeping and hiding away from family members

    Common diseases that affect senior cats

    • Osteoarthritis: It affects the joints and causes mobility issues.

    • Kidney disease: It is found in most senior cats, and it is categorized by lager urine clamps, weight loss, and inappetence.

    • Inflammatory bowel condition: The common symptoms here include weight loss, diarrhea, and vomiting.

    • Cognitive dysfunction: Nearly 80% of cats will develop cognitive dysfunction once they reach 15 years old.

    • Cancer: Oral, intestinal and mammary cancers are common in older cats

    • Hyperthyroidism: Increased vocalization, appetite, and weight loss are all hyperthyroidism symptoms in cats

    • Dental disease

    • Diabetes: As the cat adds more weight with age, they are more likely to develop diabetes.

    The significant role of your veterinarian

    To maintain proper health for your cat even in old age, you will need to take them for complete physical examinations twice per year once they reach seven years old. Consider that these biannual visits to the vet are similar to a human going for a checkup after every three or four years. Because cats love hiding their symptoms and usually have several health issues simultaneously, regularly wellness testing and exams will help to keep your senior cats healthy.

    Tips for keeping senior cats healthy

    • Ensure you meet all your senior cat’s needs: They should have enough food, water, social interactions, resting and an easily accessible litter box

    • Arrange regular visits to your veterinary: Once your cat reaches seven years, schedule biannual veterinarian visits.

    • Keep track of their weight: Regularly weigh your cat at home to track any sudden changes in their weight and report to your veterinarian

    • Observe your cat closely: Be more vigilant in observing your cat since any change may mean that something is wrong.

    • Healthy nutrition: Your vet will recommend the best diet for your senior cat, which includes small but several potions of canned foods and encouraging lots of water consumption.

    References: Pet MD, The Spruce Pets

     

  • Cat Training

    Cat Training

    Tips for Cat Training and Behavior

    For new pet parents, it might seem overwhelming to understand all the subtleties of your cat’s behavior. Luckily, there are easy ways that you can learn how to interpret your pet’s body language and communicate better with your cat. It includes learning what different vocalizations and body postures to avoid misinterpretation and miscommunication, which can compromise the human-pet bond. Here are some practical cat training tips.

    Start with Training the Cat on Using the Litter Box

    The priority in your cat training must be to teach your pets about how they should properly use their litter boxes. Fortunately, cats pick up quickly on this training. However, the major mistake that many new pet owners tend to make is that they have insufficient litter boxes around the house. Veterinarians recommend at least one more litter box for every cat, which means that if you have two cats, you should get three litter boxes.  

    When buying a litter box for your cat, ensure you consider the size of your cat and also place the boxes tactically around your home, not clustered together. Look for finely grained cat litter that is clumping and unscented. Heavily-fragranced litter boxes that mask odors could end up deterring the cats from learning how to use these critical tools.

    Be Alert and Prevent Any Unwanted Behaviors.

    To prevent common cat training problems, like peeing outside the litter boxes, it is critical that you are proactive in maintaining tidiness. Ensure you keep the cat’s box clean through scooping daily and washing and refilling it with fresh litter every two weeks or so.

    The other familiar, frustrating cat behavior is their tendency to scratch up your curtains or furniture. To solve this issue, you must offer the appropriate scratching accessories and posts. Cats instinctively like to scratch for various reasons, including stretching their limbs, marking their territory and also removing the worn-out outer claw layer.

    Offer Enough Environmental Stimulation to Your Cat.

    Besides giving your cats a nice place for scratching their nails along with the necessary litter boxes, it is vital to ensure your pets are mentally and physically stimulated. Your cats require sufficient enrichment to help in satisfy normal behaviors like scratching, climbing, playing and hunting. When your cats do not have the best outlets where they can perform these natural behaviors, then it leads to unwanted behaviors. Some of the solutions include food puzzles, interactive toys and also interacting with your cats regularly.

    References: Pet Coach, The Spruce Pets, Anti Cruelty

     

  • Cat Panting

    Cat Panting

    Cat Panting and Everything You Need to Know About it

    Panting is often a result of shortness of breath, especially after an exhausting activity. Unlike in other pets especially canines, cat panting is not common. However, your cat can pant after a tiring activity but the panting should only last for a short while.

    The animal should get back to its normal state after it has come down and rested. Persistent cat panting is a sign of a dysfunction of the respiratory system. If you notice abnormal panting in your pet it is vital that you pay more attention and even contact your veterinarian.

    Signs of Cat Panting

    1. Shortness of Breath– panting is usually accompanied with difficulty in breathing and your pet will breath heavily making noises in the process.

    The cat will have its elbows pointed away from the body with a stretched neck and also struggle to stand.

    In some instances, your pet may cough and even end up vomiting.

    Watch out for a change of color of the tongue. It usually turns red and the cat’s gum could also have a bluish or purplish color.

    What causes Cat Panting?

    Cardiomyopathy-which is an enlarged heart than the normal heart usually results in congestive heart failure. There is an accumulation of fluids in the lungs and chest since the heart cannot actively pump. This leads to rapid breathing and panting.

    1. Asthma – If you cat has this condition, you will notice difficulties in breathing that causes it to pant in an effort to get enough air. Asthma causes constriction of airways that connect to the lungs.

    2. Heartworms – When your cat is infested by these parasitic worms the blood vessels in the heart are affected and the entire cardiovascular system leading to respiratory complications.

    What is the Treatment of Cat Panting?

    If you notice any symptoms of abnormal panting in your cat, ensure that you immediately contact your veterinarian. The veterinarian will do a thorough examination of your pet through blood tests and X-rays to determine the root cause of the panting.

    1. Antibiotics – If the doctor finds bacterial infections, antibiotics are administered to treat the infection or inflammation.

    2. Blood transfusion is recommended in the case of a cat diagnosed with anemia

    3. If there is a presence of accumulated fluid, the fluid is drained by putting a needle into the chest to ensure that all the fluid has been removed.

    4. Cats that suffer from asthma are put on medication that will help them manage the condition and allow them to breathe normally.

    Conclusion

    Watch out for any signs that indicate abnormal panting in your cat and contact your veterinarian immediately.

    References: Catster, Pet Place, Mercola

     

  • Strange Cat Behaviors: What Do They Mean?

    Strange Cat Behaviors: What Do They Mean?

    There is no denying the fact that cats make great companions, but occasionally they do things that leave you baffled in complete confusion. Those strange cat quirks have been the subject of numerous cat videos shared on social media sites. If you are accustomed to dogs, then you will find cats’ communication, and interaction can be quite intriguing. It is these unique behaviors, like their love for sleep and affectionate head-butting, that makes them invaluable to their owners. Here is an explanation of those curious cat behaviors.

    Too much sleep

    Domestic cats love their napping sessions, and it may even seem like they have been genetically designed to sleep. Cats can sleep for up to 16 hours per day, which is helpful as it helps them to conserve energy. Most of the time, they are in a light sleep where they can wake up quickly since you will notice their ears twitching whenever they hear sounds.

    Staring at You

    There is nothing quite disconcerting as the unblinking eyes of your cat directly staring at you. Don’t worry; your cat is not trying out their mind control skills on you. The stare is usually because the cat wants to get fed or entice you into playing with them.

    Nonstop cries

    Some cats are more vocal, especially oriental and Siamese breeds. The unending cries could be that the cat once you to gain your attention for a snack or it could also signify illness. Trust your instincts and respond accordingly.

    Chewing on plastic

    If your cats like eating various strange items like plastic, wool blankets, and wiring, then it could be that they are suffering from pica. The pica may be due to medical disorders like gastrointestinal issues, or it may also arise from anxiety.

    Kneading

    The kneading behavior in cats traces back to when they were kittens, and they would start pressing on their mother’s tummy for stimulating milk flow. Cats also kneed when they are feeling content and relaxed. Kneading should not be an issue unless your cat has big claws that need to be trimmed down.

    Conclusion

    While some of these strange behaviors that your cat does are endearing or silly, others can become problematic. Although you should always try to address most of these common behavioral problems at home, don’t hesitate to contact your vet if you have further concerns about any odd cat behaviors.

    References: Pet Health Network, Readers Digest, ASPCA Pet Insurance
    Copyright: Local Value

     

  • Columbus Day And Your Pet

    Columbus Day And Your Pet

    The day that commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World is approaching fast and what’s a better way to celebrate it than a well-deserved outdoor stint with your pet. It is also the perfect time to get in touch with nature, and it offers a lot of fun for you and your little helper. Here are some fantastic getaways you can enjoy on that day.

    Sample some of the Best Pet-friendly Getaways. These include some like:

    • San Francisco, California

    Get pet-friendly safari tents near San Francisco and enjoy the area that is famed for welcoming the first travelers to America. You are sure to spot a wild animal or two behind the ancient trees, and your pet will get plenty of room to play far away from the city noise. The perfect way to spend the night is beside a fire with your pet as waves crashing on the Californian coast echo from a distance.

    • Luxury cabin in Albany

    Upstate New York has a lot to offer for you and your pet particularly a pet-friendly luxury cabin located near Albany. It can host up to four people so you can bring more than your pet and offers the perfect getaway from the city noise and rush. As one of the first settled places in the country, this area is a great place to spend Columbus Day.

    • Dog-friendly cabin near North Carolina

    You can fully embed yourself into nature in the glamping cabin located in the mountains near Asheville, North Carolina. The cabin is not only eco-friendly but also dog-friendly and seeing its location is in the foothills of mountains, you can expect a lot of nature and tranquility.

    The cabin has a unique style and is designed to ensure you leave little to no footprints making it an ideal Columbus Day getaway. Mix the cabin’s design with surrounding nature and you both comfort and bliss in one package.

    Other Options

    Other than the places mentioned above, you can also spend the holiday on the beautiful waterways and lush woodlands at the Hyatt Lake cabin in Oregon. Alternatively, a chance to sail, just like Columbus did, to the houseboat rental located on a private island in the Florida Keys would provide a thrilling experience for you and your pet. Whatever your choice, make sure you involve nature in it to relieve the day Columbus discovered this beautiful country.

    SOURCE: Glamping Hub
    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

  • February is National Cat Health Month

    February is National Cat Health Month

    We all know that February is the month of love. It is that time of the year when we take the time off our busy schedules and spend some quality time with our loved ones. In similar tandem, it is only fair if you extend the same ‘agape’ love to your kitty friend. And no, you don’t have to buy them a bouquet of roses, a bottle of wine or a bar of chocolates to match. But what’s a better way of showing some warmth and love to your pet than by scheduling a visit to your the local vet in the spirit of marking the National Cat Health Month?

    What’s more, the second month of the year is also the official National Prevent a Litter Month. Under this program, local vets will be running special appointments for pet owners who need their new feline altered to help curb the growing problem of pet overpopulation. And did you also know that sterilization can also tone down your beloved pet’s urge to prowl or wander around? It has also been proven to be the panacea to several types of common feline cancers.

    And as you plan to have them altered, next month is also a good time to have their pearly whites checked. In case you didn’t know this, over 70% of purring pals develop symptoms of periodontal diseases before the age of three. And, unfortunately, most of this cases go unnoticed as pet owners rarely pay any attention to a cat’s choppers. However, this is the month to get into the habit of regularly checking your feline friend’s breath, gums, and teeth for any tell-tale signs of an anomaly.

    Lastly, in the spirit of promoting healthy living even to our feline companions, February is the best time of integrating a comprehensive weight loss program to their daily feeding log. In other words, this is the month on the calendar when we spare some time to take our pets for that annual visit to the vet that somehow always seems to escape our mind.

    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • Dress To Impress: National Dress Your Pet day

    Dress To Impress: National Dress Your Pet day

    On the 14th of January every year, dog lovers adorn their pets colorfully and gorgeously in celebration of what has come to be known as Dress Your Pet Day.

    The day is an opportunity for canine owners to wow neighbors and fans by revealing the inner diva of their lovely pooch or Persian. So, if your Chihuahua has a great sense of style, the day presents the ideal opportunity for you to dress your dog in sassy sweaters, collars bedecked with jewels and other fashion accessories.

    You can choose to immortalize the incredible moment by snapping crisp photos of you and your pet in its fabulous outfit. And you never know how far the decision can take you. Think, for instance, about photographer William Wegman and his Weimaraner called Man Ray. In the 1970s they collaborated and produced a collection of cute photos that have been internationally acclaimed and, today, Man Ray is considered as the best dressed up dog in American history.

    It doesn’t matter how you decide to dress the pet: could be in a miniature tiara, Aunt Mildred’s Floral dress, or a miniature devil’s costume from Halloween- just remember to take photos of the pet and upload it somewhere- you never know how far-reaching that might be.

    The day isn’t just for your pooch to look fabulous- it can also be a great bonding moment between the dogs and their pups who love lapping up attention if and when they see all the grins they get when they showcase their lovely garments.

    It is a thrilling day,

    for both the pets and their masters.

    But, you should keep in mind that it is more important for the apparel to be safe and comfortable than beautiful and adorable. Don’t dress the pet in any clothing that can cause choking, heat exhaustion, or otherwise cause it harm. If the pet does not like wearing a garment, don’t stress it out by forcing it to wear the clothing merely for human entertainment.

    Otherwise, prepare well for the day and make sure to have fun- you and your lovely pooch.

    SOURCES: Travis County KC, Punchbowl, Dogtipper
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value