Category: Pet Health

When you notice that your dog or cat scratches itself constantly, you may wonder what is causing this behavior. Veterinarians specializing in pet dermatology Crockett VA might diagnose and treat skin conditions due to the following issues.

Fleas

Fleas are a classic concern for dogs and cats that requires your urgent attention. If you notice that your pet is constantly scratching, perform a full-body examination for fleas. If your suspicions are correct, a flea collar or medicine could solve the problem.

Food Allergies

If your pet suddenly develops rashes and starts scratching uncontrollably, its food may be the cause. Check all food and treats for ingredients that could potentially cause skin allergies. If you can not find the culprit, experiment with feeding something different to see if it eases the discomfort.

Hay Fever

Allergies are expected during the Spring and Fall seasons when dogs and cats spend more time outdoors. Pets may be allergic to pollen or other irritants that occur naturally in their outdoor environment. Keeping your pet well-groomed and clean will help prevent much of the discomfort of seasonal allergies.

Genetics

Some breeds of dogs or cats are known for their sensitive skin. If your pet routinely develops skin inflammation and itching, avoid grooming products with harsh chemicals and fragrances to minimize potential reactions.

Hormone Imbalance

Various medical conditions, including autoimmune disorders, can disrupt the body’s production of hormones, including those produced by the thyroid and adrenal glands. Some hormone-related diseases, including hypothyroidism, target your pet’s skin, leaving it dry, spotty or itchy.

Vaccine Reactions

Just as people can experience side effects from vaccinations, your dog or cat can also be prone to them. Common reactions to vaccines can include skin irritations that lead to itching. Most of these side effects are temporary and usually go away on their own.

A sudden change to your pet’s skin usually indicates an issue that you and your veterinarian need to address promptly.

Orthopedic problems are not only a human thing; pets, including dogs, also experience musculoskeletal related issues as well. Orthopedic issues affecting bones, joints, and muscles occur mostly due to injury or genetic predisposition to the condition. While most of these issues can be managed using medications, surgery is sometimes necessary to sufficiently relieve symptoms and improve the pet’s quality of life.

That said, only your vet can determine the best course of action to make your pet better. To discover more, here are some of the most common orthopedic problems in dogs.

Canine cruciate ligament tears

Simple activities such as jumping and running can cause cruciate ligament injury in many dog breeders.

The cruciate ligaments are fibrous bands connecting the femur to the tibia. The two-form a cross inside the joint that holds the bones together.

In dogs, the cranial cruciate ligament can break, and when it does, the knee becomes unstable, painful, and susceptible to arthritis. The vet accesses the level of damage that is then treated surgically or medially depending on instability and the dog’s weight.

Surgery for cranial cruciate ligament tear Boulder may include implantation surgery or changing the joint’s anatomy to stabilize the joint. Since joints quickly develop arthritis, getting immediate medical care is vital for your dog’s well-being.

Hip dysplasia

This is a genetic condition affecting your dog, especially the large breeds of dogs. Symptoms may include:

• Lameness in the hind end
• Difficulty running or jumping
• Decreased movement and range motion
• A swaying posture
• A wider space between the dog’s legs
• One of the legs may appear shorter than the other

Treatment for hip dysplasia usually involves the administration of anti-inflammatory medications or surgery to correct the condition.

Patellar luxation

The patella, also known as the kneecap, is made up of tendons and muscles located near the femur. This part shouldn’t move around in a healthy dog. In patellar luxation, the part into which the kneecap rids is absent or shallow in some dogs leading to knee joint dislocation.

Signs that your dog has a dislocated knee joint may include:

• Limping
• Unwillingness to walk
• Bitting or licking the knee
• Noticeable pain
• Lifting the leg regularly

Arthritis

Arthritis is a common condition in adult dogs. This is a painful condition leading to gradual deterioration of the joint. Improper joint alignment or injury can cause inflammation leaving the joint in a terrible state. Arthritis gets worse with time, and it’s crucial to get immediate medical attention as soon as you notice the symptoms.

Symptoms may include:

• Obvious pain
• Limping
• Difficulty climbing stairs, getting up and laying down

Elbow dysplasia    

Many orthopedic conditions cause elbow dysplasia, which is an abnormal condition of the elbow. Dogs with this condition can show the following symptoms:

• Obvious pain and discomfort
• Holding the leg up or out
• Lameness

As you can see, there are several types of orthopedic problems in dogs. Arranging an appointment with your vet once you notice any abnormal sign is the only way to diagnose and treat orthopedic issues on time.

Whether your horse lives a simple life on the ranch or is a rising star in the show circuit, it is up to you to supply medical care as needed. To help with the cost of care for a horse, many people look towards horse medical insurance. Here is what you need to know about what the policies may cover.

Surgical Procedures

To care for a horse may come with tremendous costs. If you are like most horse owners, you would do anything to help your horse. Without medical insurance, you may not be able to afford the care that your horse needs. Some medical insurance policies cover major medical treatments, such as surgical care and treatment. The coverage may include the surgery, the medication and any care that comes after the surgical procedure.

Alternate Treatments

When it comes to alternative treatments, it is rare to find a horse medical insurance policy that covers other types of medicine. This includes treatments like magnetic therapy, chiropractic care or acupuncture. However, there are some circumstances where the insurance provider may approve of the treatment. It is up to you to check the policy thoroughly and to discuss any exceptions that you may need. Some insurers will look at medical care on a case-by-case basis before making a decision.

Your horse counts on you for safety and care. When you own a horse, you have to be prepared for the medical bills. While everyone hopes that their horse will live a long, healthy life without any major procedures, it is not uncommon for a horse, like any other animal or human, to become injured. In these instances, it is up to you to fit the bill. If you’re worried about the cost of healthcare for your horse, then you need to think about equine insurance.

Have you ever taken a look at what goes into your pet’s food? There are several dozen ingredients in your average dog or cat food, so it’s important to know what you actually want to see listed there on the back of the package.

1. High-Quality Easily-Digestible Animal Protein Sources

When you’re looking at the ingredients that go into your pet’s food, the main thing you want to see is high-quality, digestible, meat-based animal protein sources. This can be anything from fowl to cow, and many other creatures wild and domesticated: fish, buffalo, venison, lamb, pork, and so on.

2. Whole Foods Like Fruit And Vegetables

This is going to apply more to dry food than to wet but you’re going to want to see some other whole foods like fruits and vegetables such as: peas, pumpkin, garbanzo beans, beets, apples, zucchini, kelp, blueberries, cranberries, and so on. These items are nutrient-rich and also happen to help clump the food into those handy kibble shapes that dogs and cats love chomping on.

3. Healthy Fats

If you continue down the list of ingredients, you’re going to see some kind of healthy fat or oil. These healthy fats such as fish oils, flaxseed, and canola oil are also a good source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for your pet.

Now that we’ve covered that, let’s practice reading a label. For an example we’ll use this list of ingredients in Natural Balance(R) Wild Pursuit™ dry food:

Okay, looking good. The main ingredients are high-quality proteins that can be easily digested by your pet. We see some whole foods like garbanzo beans and peas and some chicken fat. All the things you would expect to see in a high-quality dog or cat food.

Though the list of healthy ingredients you want to see in your pet’s food can be a long one, it can really be broken down into these 3 simple categories so pull out your dog or cat’s food and check out the label.

What do you look for in a pet food?

Dog asthma occurs less frequently than asthma in humans but it is still a serious condition and it can be of great concern to dog owners. Dogs can be allergic to many of the same substances as humans, such as foods, dust, pollution, and pollen.

Dogs will cough when they are having an asthma attack, plus they may make a wheezing-type noise or gasp for air. With dogs, however, there are several other conditions and diseases which may first appear with the same symptoms. You will need to get an accurate diagnosis from your vet. You dog could also have kennel cough, lung or heartworms, lung tumors, infection, or a collapsing trachea, among other complaints.

If your dog does not have any of these other problems, your vet will try giving him or her some asthma medications to see if they resolve the problem. Just like with people, these meds include a variety of antihistamines, bronchodilators, steroids and combinations. The goal of these medicines is to relieve swelling in the lungs and bronchi and to dry up the mucus.

Some asthma meds are oral but other times your dog may have to inhale a medication. This is a bit trickier, particularly if your dog is nervous around new objects. Your dog will have to have a face mask which will cover the nose and mouth. A tube attaches and you squeeze a puff of the medicine into it. Your dog has to breathe in the medication in a few seconds.

It may take a few attempts to get the right combination of drugs to treat dog asthma. It may also take a number of tries at first to get your dog to accept the mask and breathe in the inhalant at the right time. If your dog has a severe allergic reaction and the meds are not helping, you might have to give an injection of epinephrine. This is the same drug used for respiratory distress in humans.

Dog asthma which is caused by allergies is often treated with antihistamines. When taking the medication, your dog will not be as likely to have an asthma attack, and if he or she should have one, the attack should not be as severe. Antihistamines are used most of the time for asthma when it is related to allergies. People often think that a dog allergy only means that humans are allergic to dogs, but dogs can have allergies to certain substances too.

Bronchodilators are the kinds of medications which are used in inhalers. These work quickly to get rid of constriction of your dog’s airway, along with an inflammation or spasms which are occurring. These are the meds given through the mask so your dog may not be happy about breathing them into his or her respiratory system. The best way to approach the situation is to try and make it seem like fun–act like it is a game you are playing. Many dogs want nothing more than to please you, whatever the game.

Treatments with oxygen are also given to dogs suffering from dog asthma. These are most often done at the vet’s office. In a severe attack of asthma, your dog might not get enough oxygen or he or she might become very afraid of what is happening, which can cause the heart rate to go higher. In these types of cases, oxygen may be given to your dog. It will help the dog’s breathing to improve which will also lower the stress level.

Dog asthma is a very manageable condition just like asthma in people. You just need to learn to recognize the signs of an asthma attack and what to do when it happens. Many times medications can prevent asthma attacks entirely, while other meds can successfully treat the attacks themselves.

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As our best friends, dogs deserve the love, attention, and care that we give to our loved ones. And one of the conditions that need our help is when they experience stress and anxiety. Thanks to the production of CBD oil for dogs and pets, you can now have an alternative treatment to calm your pooches when they are in the grip of anxiety.

Dogs and Anxiety

Like humans, dogs also experience ill feelings when something unpleasant happens to them. Aside from sadness and irritation, which you can quickly notice, your furry friend can also suffer from anxiety. They also feel stressed and fear, especially when they are separated from you for some time.

Separation anxiety in our favorite four-legged pets is common. Nearly 17% of the entire dog population has this unfortunate condition. Dogs can also feel anxious when they experienced mental and physical abuse, much like PTSD in humans. They can also suffer from anxiety when they are with strangers and unfamiliar animals. Oldies can even feel stressed and anxious because of their Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (or CDS), a condition that impacts a dog’s memory, learning, and awareness.

You can know that your pet experienced anxiety if they show some of these signs:

• Pacing around
• Panting
• Fidgeting
• Trembling
• Whining or whimpering
• Barking for no obvious reason
• Aggression
• Loss of Appetite

CBD Edibles for Dogs with Anxiety

Cannabidiol can soothe the mind and body of dogs like humans. Like us, they also have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that regulates their mood, emotions, and bodily functions. CBD can interact with ECS receptors to calm down the stress caused by various factors.

But while pure CBD oil is more potent, feeding it to your furry friends you may be difficult. So, you may need to use cannabidiol-infused edibles to do the trick. They come in different forms like biscuits and crackers that can make them munch without realizing they are already ingesting CBD. You can also buy CBD beverages for pets.

Not All Cannabidiol Products are Equal

You need to consult your vet when buying CBD treats for your pets. Selecting the proper CBD product for your furry friend can be tricky. Make sure you only purchase from reputable CBD stores that guarantee the quality of ingredients in their products. Double-check if the edible contains THC, a compound from cannabis that can make your furry friends stoned. THC can be extremely harmful to your sensitive pets as some studies suggest.

Anxiety can strike anyone including dogs. Thanks to CBD edibles for pets, your pet can feel less anxious and have more fun.

We love our pets in the UK and we are definitely a nation of animal lovers. Most homes in the United Kingdom have some kind of pet, from a hamster to a dog and we love to take care of them. Most pets, especially cats and dogs are treated like family in the UK and a lot of pets are the only family some people have in their lives. It is important for them, therefore, to be able to care for their animals and when they get sick, they want to be able to take them to someone who knows what they are doing and to someone that really cares. Your local veterinary surgeon ticks all these boxes and more.

If your beloved pet gets sick, then there are a number of cheap vets in Gloucester who are more than happy to step up and take care of your animal. They offer many services to pet owners all across the UK and here are some of them.

1. Your local vet has all the right equipment, staff and medication to take great care of your pet and he will have your dog or cat back on its feet in no time. They offer excellent after care and you can always return for some additional advice at any time.
2. If your pet has to stay a little longer due to its illness or complications, then your local vet also offers boarding where your pet can stay in great comfort. They will be on hand if there are any issues throughout the night.
3. They can offer de-ticking, delousing, nail trimming and a number of other cosmetic services to keep your pet happy, healthy and looking good.

Your local vet surgery is there to take great care of your pet, so if you have any concerns give them a call and make an appointment.

We are a nation of pet lovers in the United Kingdom and of that, there is absolutely no doubt. Many of us treat our pets like members of the family and this is the way that it should be. Like people, our animals get sick occasionally and it is up to us to get them the kind of care that they need.

Our animals get up to tricks at times and we can’t keep an eye on them 24 hours a day. Sometimes, they get into trouble and they need to see a vet quickly and this is when you need to be looking for an emergency veterinary surgery in Dartford that can take your animal immediately and nurse it back to health.

Your local vet can provide many services for your beloved pet and these are just some of them.

1. Your dog may need to de-ticked or treated for fleas. It is important to get your animal checked for such things as a tick bite can result in death if not treated quickly. Certain times of the year ticks are more prevalent and this is when you need to have your guard up.
2. The cat or dog that you have is going to need some kind of vaccination to make sure that they don’t get sick later in life. These injections protect them from illnesses like parvo which takes the lives of many animals in the UK every year.
3. Regular worming needs to be performed every three to six months for older dogs and more often for younger ones. Lung worm has become more prevalent in the UK with dogs and you need to get your vet to check for this as well.

For all your animal care needs, be sure to take your animal to your local vet for regular checkups.