Pet Health Articles
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Medications can do more harm than good if they are stored or administered incorrectly. Protect your family and pets by handling medications safely. Here are some best practices for medication safety.
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Cats older than 10 years are considered senior, although this varies by breed and size. As cats enter their senior years, aging affects every organ system, so a few extra health, lifestyle, and veterinary care considerations become important.
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Your pet's medical records provide a complete, organized history of their health. They include previous illnesses, test results, treatments, medications, and responses to treatment. This handout outlines why these records are so important for your pet's veterinary care.
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Cats have an instinct to hide or mask pain, making pain difficult to diagnose. A cat’s human family members are in the best position to identify subtle changes in behavior that may signal pain. This handout outlines key pain signs to look for, which signal the need to visit your veterinarian.
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Socialization is the process during which the kitten becomes familiar with people, other animals, and many aspects of their environment. Kittens are primed for socialization when they are between two and seven weeks old. As soon as kittens have settled into their new home, they can begin gentle exposures to a wide range of stimuli that they may encounter as adults.
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Choosing to bring a new pet into your life is an exciting journey. Many people decide to adopt, rather than shop, for a pet, since there are so many cats and dogs who need homes. This handout outlines some key resources for adopting pets so you can find the right pet for your family.
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Spaying is the common term for the surgical procedure known as an ovariohysterectomy. In this procedure, the ovaries and uterus are removed to sterilize a female cat. This operation requires a general anesthetic and complications are rare. Spaying is recommended to prevent ovarian and uterine cancer, prevent unwanted pregnancy, and reduce the risk of mammary cancer and pyometra.
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Strokes are rare in cats. Some causes include a blood clot such as a thrombus or embolus that lodges in a cerebral blood vessel, cerebral bleeding from trauma, or a blood clotting disorder; however, the cause is often unknown. Signs of a stroke are variable depending on the regions of the brain affected and the degree and duration of blood and oxygen deprivation. Magnetic resonance imaging is the ideal diagnostic test for diagnosing a stroke. Treatment is complex and there is no guarantee of complete success. Your veterinarian will help you assess progress and plan remedial action.
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Many pets initially resist having their claws trimmed. This is partly because their paws are sensitive and partly because they are uncomfortable being restrained for the procedure. By taking the time to do some gentle, systematic training and conditioning, you can teach your pet to relax and accept nail trims as part of their regular health maintenance program.
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Many pets are sensitive to being restrained for grooming. With slow progress and positive rewards, your pet can learn to accept or even enjoy having their teeth cleaned.