What To Do When Your Pet Is Choking

 

Because pets are likely to get into things they shouldn’t, choking is a very real hazard that pet parents should be prepared to deal with. This is especially true if you own dogs. Here is some basic information about performing the Heimlich maneuver on a choking pet.

Protect Yourself

First of all, it is important to protect yourself by restraining the animal. When panicked, the animal may attack you. Do not muzzle the animal when you are restraining.

To Remove a Simple Obstruction

1. With one hand on the upper jaw and the other on the lower jaw, open the animal’s mouth.
2. Press the lips over the animal’s teeth so that they are between the teeth and your fingers.
3. Remove the obstruction from the mouth with your fingers.
4. If your fingers won’t work, use a flat spoon handle to pry the object away from the teeth or roof of the mouth.

Removing a Deeper Problem

If the above steps do not solve the problem, try these steps instead.

1. If the animal is small, pick it up and gently shake and swing it to try and dislodge the item. If this doesn’t work, apply forward pressure to the abdomen.
2. For larger animals, perform the Heimlich maneuver.

Even if you think you got all of the obstruction, it is important to visit a local pet emergency vet clinic in San Jose to make sure that nothing remains stuck inside, click here.

Presidential Candidates and Their Dogs

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt famously said, “You can criticize, me, my wife and my family, but you can’t criticize my little dog.” His little dog was a Scottish Terrier named Fala, and what came to be known as the “Fala Speech” is thought to have helped him........read more

Why Choose Veterinary Care For Your Rodent

 

Although it may be something that not many people think about, taking your pet rodents for regular checkups can be just as important as taking your cat or your dog. There are a variety of reasons why you may want to take your rodent in for an examination by a veterinarian.

New Pet Checkups

When getting your new pet, it is important to take it to a veterinarian just so that you know what kind of health the animal has. This can be especially important if the rodent is going to live with others that you already have, because you don’t want to risk your other pets getting sick.

Find Problems Early

Another reason to take your rodent in for regular veterinary visits is because rodents, like many other animals, are extremely good at hiding pain or discomfort. If your rodent is sick or hurt, it may not show signs until it is too late to do much about it. However, taking it in for regular checkups will allow the veterinarian to find problems before they get to be too bad.

Change In Behavior

Anytime your rodent seems to be looking or behaving differently, it is a good idea to consult your veterinarian, even if it isn’t obvious that there is something wrong.

For more information about veterinary care for rodents, find a local rodent vet in Morgan Hill to answer additional questions.

Taking Care Of Your Senior Pet

 

Your pets are a part of your family, and it can be difficult to come to terms with them aging. You want to keep them alive as long as possible. Here are a few tips on keeping your senior pet happy and healthy for as long as possible.

Keep Your Pets Active

Don’t allow your pets to become inactive simply because they’re older now. If your pet remains active, they will be less likely to start showing their age early on.

Don’t Blame Age For Everything

Sometimes, a change in your pet’s behavior or appearance is just from age, but don’t always assume this is the case just because they’re old. If there is a drastic change in appearance or behavior, contact your veterinarian.

Change Their Diet

Consider a specialized diet for your pet if they are having trouble eating all of their food or keeping it down. After a certain age, it may be important to change to a food that is easier to eat and softer on the digestive tract.

Get a New Friend

If your pet is a sociable animal, consider getting a buddy for them. This will really make their remaining time more happy, and it will keep them more active.

For more tips on prolonging the life and happiness of your senior pet, contact a senior pet veterinarian in San Jose.

Helping All Animals, All the Time

 

Not only does this cute little puppy know “shake,” but he also knows that his doctor is doing what she can to make him feel his best. Veterinarians take care to help all animals of various sizes when they need it.

Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Rabbit

 

If you have a rabbit, you may be wondering what to feed it and how its diet differs from other rodents or other animals you have owned in the past. Although it is easy to assume they can eat all kinds of vegetables, there are some that they should not have. Here are some foods to avoid when feeding your rabbit.

Alfalfa Hay

Although your bunny needs hay in their diet, it is important to limit or avoid alfalfa hay. This kind of hay is high in calories and may make your rabbit overweight. Timothy hay is a better substitute for them.

Lettuce

Contrary to popular belief, your rabbit should never eat lettuce. This is because it contains lactucarium, which can cause an upset stomach in rabbits and lead to diarrhea. It can also be fatal.

Other Leafy Greens to Avoid

You should also avoid cabbage, cauliflower, kale and spinach.

Questionable Vegetables

There is a bit of dispute whether vegetables such as broccoli, mustard greens and radish tops are ok for rabbits to eat. However, when it doubt, it’s best not to include it in the rabbit’s diet.

Weeds

There are a variety of weeds that should never be fed to bunnies, either, such as clover, daffodil and buttercups. 

For more information about what is and isn’t acceptable for your rabbit to eat, contact a local rabbit vet in Morgan Hill.

Keeping Your Dog’s Coat Healthy

 

Taking care of your dog can be just as important as taking care of yourself, and for them, that includes a coat that looks healthy. Here are some tips to keep your pet’s coat clean and healthy.

Find a Professional

Talking to your veterinarian or a specialized groomer that handles your breed of dog regularly is a good place to start. These resources may have information on the needs for that particular breed.

Recognize a Healthy Or Unhealthy Coat

It is important for you to be able to recognize a healthy or unhealthy coat. A healthy coat will be soft and smooth, even if the animal is wired hair. The coat should also shine but not be greasy, and there shouldn’t be a strong odor.

Regular Brushing

Regularly groom your dog or take them to the groomer to get brushed and trimmed. For long-haired breeds, a brushing is required twice a week. Dogs prone to shedding should be brushed once a week. Short-haired breeds do not need brushing as often, but they still benefit from regular grooming.

Use the Right Brushes

Make sure you’re using the right tools for the job. There are a variety of brushes available to choose from, but a professional can help you choose.

Don’t Overbeathe

Don’t over-bathe your dog, as it will cause dry and irritated skin.

Your pet’s health is important to you, including the healthy of their skin and coat. For more information on keeping your animal’s coat healthy, contact your local veterinarian in Morgan Hill.

Pet Sitter of the Year Finalists announced

Pet Sitters International (PSI) has selected its top-five finalists for the 2015 Pet Sitter of the Year™ Award. First awarded by PSI in 1995, the Pet Sitter of the Year.....read more

The Nature of Neutering: Benefits of Spaying Your Cat

 

In recent decades, the campaign for spaying and neutering dogs and cats has embedded itself into communities. Many shelters require animals which are adopted from its facility to undergo the procedure, and there are often discount prices given to those looking for the service. Many owners only see this as a way to keep pet overpopulation from occurring. However, there are several additional benefits to spaying and neutering your feline friends:

• Reduced chance for uterus infections and breast cancer in females as well as urinary tract infections.
• Reduced hormonal changes in both sexes which can cause behaviors to become unstable or negative.
• Male cats which are neutered cannot get testicular cancer.
• Male cats which undergo this procedure live on average 40 percent longer than unneutered males.
• Helps male cats to remain mellow. This treatment will reduce the likelihood of them wandering away from home or engaging in fights with other felines which could result in contraction an infection or disease.

While overpopulation certainly is a problem, the above benefits of spaying and neutering should be enough to convince any cat owner that this is the correct choice for their pet’s safety and happiness in future years. To learn more about this process and locate a neuter clinic in Santa Cruz, visit this website.

Best Friends Animal Society Celebrates More Than 100 U.S. Communities That Ban Retail Sale of Commercially Bred Puppies and Kittens

Best Friends Animal Society is pleased to announce that more than 100 communities across the United States have enacted legislation.....read more

3 Signs of Developing Gum Disease in Dogs

Many dog owners love their pets as if they were children. They feed them well, play with them, purchase them toys and even sometimes dress them up. However, many well-meaning owners forget one of the most important aspects of having a pet – keeping them healthy. One of the most common ailments which dogs experience is deterioration of the gums that can negatively impact many aspects of their lives, including simple tasks such as eating or drinking. Almost eighty percent of dogs above the age of three experience issues in his area. There are three main signs which indicate that your dog could be developing gum problems.

Bad breath is common for many dogs. However, abnormally bad breath can be a sign of the beginnings of gum decay. Like with humans, the bacteria left behind in a dog’s mouth can cause bad breath. However, dogs lack the ability to rid themselves of excess food and bacteria, leading to a buildup that turns to plaque and tartar which is harmful to the gums as well as the teeth.

Another common symptom is difficulty chewing or mouth sensitivity. This may often be exhibited alongside red, inflamed gums, the result from a buildup of bacteria and other harmful debris over long periods of time. At this stage of the gum deterioration, preventative care is no longer an option and a dog will often need to visit a veterinarian in order to get the issue under control. This can be extremely uncomfortable for the pet, and should be dealt with right away, lest the pet begun losing its appetite or develop behavioral problems associated with the pain.

A third sign of deteriorating gums is the loss of teeth. Bacterial infections which cause damage to the gums can also interfere with the roots of teeth, causing them to loosen and eventually fall out. A dog’s teeth are essential to their leading a happy and healthy life, and therefore a gum cleaning should be performed far before this stage of decay has been reached. Veterinarians can oftentimes perform this procedure in their offices.

Maintaining the health of a dog’s teeth and gums are paramount to keeping the pet happy and healthy throughout its life with a family. However, many owners do not know the signs which mark the beginnings of gum deterioration, or do not grasp the implications of these symptoms and their possible results. To learn more about how to keep a dog’s gums healthy and pet dental care in Santa Cruz, visit this website.