- Behavioral
problems
- there are a variety of unwanted behaviors that a pet can display
that have a negative impact on our relationship with them.
Some of these behavioral problems can be corrected if they
are
addressed sooner, rather than later. Before you decide to
give up
your pet or to have him/her euthanized, read the appropriate article
below and then talk to your veterinarian.
- Destructive
chewing
- chewing on things is a normal process for young dogs and some do it
more than others. Destructive chewing is when the dog chews
on
things that you would rather they did not chew on. For tips
on
correcting this problem read this article.
- Fear of
thunderstorms - this is common in dogs and seems to get
worse as they get older.
- Separation
anxiety -
some dogs have anxiety when left home alone and will attempt to become
reunited with their family resulting in destruction of property and
possibly injury to themselves. Read the following 2 articles
for
information on why this occurs and what you can do to prevent and
correct the problem.
- Dental health-
problems in the mouth can result in problems elsewhere in the body such
as the heart, liver, and kidneys. Have your pet's mouth
examined
by a veterinarian every year.
- Heat-induced
illness - Summer is a time for fun in the sun.
But, it isn't any fun when your pet gets overheated.
- House
training tips -
the most effective method of house training is prevention of
unacceptable behavior while at the same time rewarding appropriate
behavior.
- Inappropriate
urination -
a urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common reason for
inappropriate urination. A urinalysis is recommended to first
check for the presence or absence of a UTI.
- Infectious
diseases - here is some information on a few of the
infectious diseases that can affect our pets.
- Canine
influenza virus (CIV) - an H3N8 influenza A virus that
causes respiratory disease in dogs. Read this article for
more information.
- Canine
parvovirus -
a virus that causes severe intestinal disease in puppies resulting in
vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, dehydration, and sometimes death.
Read this article before you get a puppy.
- Feline
leukemia virus (FeLV) & Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
- viruses that suppress the immune system of cats.
- Neonatal
feeding - feeding and raising orphaned babies is one of
the most rewarding endeavors in veterinary medicine.
- Neutering/Spaying
- neuter your male pets & spay your female pets to prevent
unwanted pregnancies and future health problems.
- Obesity
- this has become a large problem in our pets that can result in some
serious health problems.
- Parasites
- there are a
variety of parasites that can live on or in your pet. Some of
these parasites can also affect humans making them zoonotic parasites.
Find out how some of these parasites can affect your pet's
health
and which ones are zoonotic.
- Fleas
- not only are
these ectoparasites irritating to your pet causing them to scratch and
bite themselves but they can cause serious health problems for your pet
such as anemia, bartonellosis, & flea allergic dermatitis.
They can also infect your pet with tapeworms
(intestinal
parasite). For effective flea control you need to treat all
your
pets and the environment in which they live (i.e., house, yard, kennel).
- Heartworms
- these are
internal parasites that are transmitted by mosquitoes and can affect
dogs, cats, and ferrets. Monthly prevention is recommended
for
all dogs, cats, & ferrets. Mosquitoes can
and do get
inside the house so even strictly indoor pets are at risk of infection.
- Rabbit health
- articles relating to rabbit health including diet,
housing, and litter box training (Require Adobe Reader - Download free version).
- Senior
wellness
- if you have a dog or a cat that is 7 years of age or older, then you
should click the link below and find out more about senior wellness.
- Vaccinations
- these are important in preventing disease in our pets.