Browse Category: Pet Health

How to Afford the Cost of Veterinary Care

Together with the global financial crisis still in the hand, more people are already having difficulties paying off their loans and mortgages let alone afford veterinary care for their loved pets. For the past years, you’re always able to give your pet all of the medical care necessary; however, due to some unexpected conditions, vet expenses appear rather difficult to pay for nowadays.  Continue Reading

Post-Operative Rehabilitation for Pets: What is It for?

When recovering from orthopedic surgery, dogs, like humans, need more than rest. According to surgeons ‘ experts, six weeks of rest following surgery does not result in healthy pets or happy owners. Dog rehabilitation involves carefully strengthening the muscles surrounding weakened bones or joints so that the dog may eventually return to regular activity.

 

Physical therapy in humans and veterinary medicine have a lot in common when it comes to rehabilitation treatment. Anatomy differs from species to mammal. A person’s behavior and performance may drastically change when the joints, bones, muscles, and tendons in their body are under extreme stress.

Benefits of Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy

The vet’s physical therapy enhances your dog’s performance. They recover more quickly and feel better about themselves when they move effectively. Here are the benefits of treatment for your animal friends.

Improves Weight Bearing

Since the animal must use its post-operative leg, you may engage it in any safe activity that encourages it to use that limb. Post-operative weight bearing on any surgically intervened limb has been promoted using various therapeutic exercise methods. Looking for a customized treatment program tailored to your pet’s condition and requirements.? Click here.

Extends Range of Motion

Hip extension must be restored to its former position as much as possible as part of the treatment plan for this illness. Active range of motion (ROM) may help you recover extension. Let’s say the animal, on the other hand, is unwilling to move. Physiotherapy is required to get the animal to stretch its hip joints.

Strengthening

It is essential to treat post-operative muscular atrophy in the rear limbs to prevent problems.  Several therapy methods may be used to help strengthen the hips and thighs. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) are common treatments for dogs unable to move independently. You can also protect your pet from severe disease by keeping your cat and dog shots up to date.

Alleviate Discomfort

Adhesions formed in the distal muscle due to blood tracking from the surgical site, and soft tissue injury that happened at the same time as the operation may cause pain. This ailment may be treated with modalities and massage, for example. 

Conclusion

After some operations, dogs may lose up to one-third of their muscle mass after a few weeks. It may take up to a year for muscle mass to recover if a pet receives the same therapy a second time. Stretching and exercise sessions in physiotherapy may increase weight-bearing capacity, range-of-motion (ROM) and relieve discomfort.

 

Rehabilitation techniques help people go back to their daily routines more quickly and with less stress. Pets’ chances of recovering after an injury depend on various variables, such as whether they were a working dog or a house pet, how severe the damage was, and how well they were cared for physically and psychologically overall.

What to Expect at Your Puppy’s First Vet Visit

Spring is new pup time and the warmer weather often inspires people to create a four-legged addition to the household. Once decisions have been made about which breed and gender you need along with your new canine companion was introduced into its new home, it is time to take your pet to a first pet health check-up with your vet.  Continue Reading

When Does Your Pet Need An Immediate ER Visit?

How do you know when something isn’t quite right with your furry friend and if it’s a real emergency? It’s far superior to always be safe rather than sorry, so contact your veterinarian immediately if you have any suspicions. Below is your guide to aid you. If you find the symptoms cited below, consider it a pet catastrophe and choose your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

Dogs with Vomiting and Diarrhea

If your pet has a condition which is chronic (such as diabetes) or some of the symptoms, it’s a pet crisis. Blood at the vomit/diarrhea, pain, vomiting/diarrhea lasts longer than 24 hours; your furry friend is lethargic after 24 hours.

Each cat vomits up a hairball or food from time to time. If your cat vomits on a few occasions, has blood or unusual substance in their vomit/diarrhea, or swallowed something harmful (e.g., string/rubber bands), that isn’t ordinary.

Urinary Tract Infection/Cystitis

Not urinating; difficulty passing urine; urinating or attempting to urinate frequently; urinating outside the litter box (cats); blood in the urine are all signs. Symptoms can signal potentially fatal congestion.

Toxin Poisoning

Chocolate, grapes/raisins, personal medications, and rat and slug poisons are among the substances and foods which are toxic to cats and dogs. Many crops also poison cats and dogs. Recovery is possible with instant treatment. But when the toxin is digested, the issue escalates into a potentially fatal pet disaster.

Trauma

Bites, gunshot wounds, and traffic accidents are cases of injury. If your pet looks to be in excellent health, he can have internal damage. Indications of a damaged lung or internal bleeding could be postponed. A wound may be more profound as it seems, and an illness could form.

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV)

GDV (a dog’s belly twists) is most common in large dog breeds. An early warning signal is a restless dog trying to inhale after a massive meal. The stomach bloats as GDV progresses. The dog proceeds to vomit but generally only generates a white froth. The more prolonged therapy is postponed, the lower the odds of recovery.

Neurological Problems

A neurological crisis at a pet may manifest itself in various ways, such as coma, disorientation, incoordination, intense lethargy, unresponsiveness, and walking in circles.

Collapse

Anemia, bleeding, cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal problems, neurological disorder, respiratory disease, toxicity, and adverse drug reaction are possible causes of your furry friend collapsing and is not able to rise. A number of them are potentially deadly.

Stings and Allergic Reactions

Face blisters and swelling are symptoms (look at the stomach ). Severe allergic reactions cause breathing problems (pus swelling), extensive bodily swelling, diarrhea, and shock.

Difficulties Breathing

Coughing, choking, feeble or shallow breathing, open-mouth breathing (cats), wheezing are all symptoms. Asthma, Allergic reactions, foreign bodies in the throat, heart disease, lung disease are a few of the causes. It can be fatal.

Eye Issues

Eye problems can quickly deteriorate and cause blindness or loss of vision. Discharge; excessive tearing; inflammation; squinting/closed eye; swelling; and constant pawing in the eye are symptoms.

In Conclusion

In the event you are in a situation that states pet catastrophe, you should seek veterinary advice and treatment at Northeast Veterinary Referral Hospital as soon as possible. Click here to learn more about animal hospital.

What Should you Look for in a Vet

Choosing a comfy mattress and matching collar for your pets usually makes you feel excited. However, as parents to your cats or dogs, picking their vet is something you must carefully consider. This person will be your long-term partner in ensuring they will live a long and healthy life. With multiple vet clinics near you, it may be difficult to decide.

Here’s a list of the factors you should consider when looking for the right vet for your pets:

Ask for Recommendations

Start with your family, friends, colleagues, and people you know who are pet owners, too. They might know some reliable veterinarians whom they tried before. Ask them why they are sticking with their current veterinarians. If you believe their expectations are similar to yours, find time to visit and assess the facility.

If you happen to live in Bedford Hills, New York, looking for a reliable veterinary hospital, check out Fine Animal Hospital. They have the most recommended Bedford vets with various specializations. Their services include Vaccination and Prevention, Routine Tests, Internal Medicine, Emergencies, Dental Care, Acupuncture, Senior Pets, Boarding, Puppies and Kittens, etc.

Look for a Licensed Veterinarian

You most likely say, “Of course!”

Though most people assume this is given, you can find some animal clinics with practicing vets even without a license. Ensure that the vet you select is licensed in your state and the country. It is the same with their other employees because there are also accredited veterinary technicians. When you visit an animal facility, you typically see their workers’ licenses hanging. If you don’t find them, simply ask them, check online, or contact your state board of veterinary medicine for more information.

Consider their Specializations

We know vets are not created equal. Currently, there are more than 40 recognized specializations from the veterinary field. Besides general practice, other specializations are intended to diagnose and treat your pets’ more severe health problems that also require specialized equipment. Ensure that the facility you choose has vets with distinct expertise.

Moreover, if your pet is a cat, look for a vet specializing in treating cats. The same applies to your dogs.

Ask About their Approach to Pets and Medications

Vets exist to provide care for the entire well-being of animals, not just administer medications. Because vets are not the same, they have different approaches when it comes to animals and drugs. Discuss briefly with your potential vet about their opinions regarding your pets’ overall health and preventive issues. If you think they’re not in the same boat as you, you should keep looking.

Consider the Location and Price

As much as possible, you want to choose a vet clinic close to where you live. If there’s an emergency, you can be there immediately. Find one that is at least less than 1 hour away from you. When it comes to prices, vets’ fees vary. Make sure that their prices fit within your budget before you commit to them.

At Fine Animal Hospital, they’re located in a convenient place, wheelchair-accessible, and with convenient free parking. You don’t even have to wait for a long time because they have enough staff to assist you and your pets. 

Are you and your Pets Comfortable?

Ensure that you are comfortable with your chosen vet to say everything you want. This is similar for your pets. While it’s normal for your pets to feel distressed in the beginning, displaying anger, discomfort, and anxiety every visit are warning signs that you should move on.

Ensure that the Facility is Clean and Tidy

It’s important that you stop by your potential veterinary facility and observe the level of cleanliness. Bear in mind that it is a medical facility, so it needs to be clean all of the time, like our hospitals. If it looks dirty and dingy, it is another red flag that you should keep looking.

Knowing More About Pet Emergencies and How to Handle Them

Pets are like people. They function according to their health condition. While they are mostly in their happiest mood, there will be moments where illness may get the best out of them. Bear in mind that prevention is a better approach than finding out too late. However, when we find ourselves stuck in a period of battle, we must understand how to act accordingly. If you haven’t encountered pet crises before, now’s the best time to prepare for it. We have outlined a few signs you ought to be on the lookout for.

Pet Emergency Signs

As we mentioned earlier, your furry friends are vulnerable to infection as they age. Some conditions may have a little bit of grace period in terms of therapy; however, immediate attention should be given when we talk of emergencies. To determine whether it is an emergency, check whether your pet’s symptoms fall below these common signs.

  • Difficulty urinating and defecating
  • Breathing changes and problems
  • Seizures
  • Lethargy, apathy, coma, unconsciousness
  • Inability to maintain equilibrium
  • Prolonged diarrhea, nausea, and uncontrolled bleeding
  • High-grade fever
  • Choking or ingestion of a foreign object
  • Poisoning
  • Burns and injury

There might be more episodes that may count as crises, but as long as we keep those in mind, we can make the most of the essential minutes where we could tackle the situation correctly. Undergo basic first aid training to keep yourself equipped for emergencies such as these.

Where to Bring Your Pet

Veterinary practices usually operate at the same time other businesses do. As a pet owner, it is essential that you get all the vital contacts of an emergency veterinarian you could reach anytime an emergency happens. There are a whole lot of full-service veterinary associations that provide pet emergency maintenance 24/7. It also helps to know whether an inner med vet can be found so they can suggest the testing needed for your pets if they’re demonstrating signs of disease that can be related to major internal organs such as the kidneys, liver, lungs, and much more. Check out vet internal medicine orange county for the best services.

How to Avoid Emergencies

Most pet emergencies come from the most unexpected times, but the fact is that we could do so much to prevent those that we could. By bringing them to routine checkups, we can have professionals do diagnostic examinations and get recommendations on keeping their health at its optimum condition. This website has a lot to offer. We have to find a reliable institution to get our pet’s diagnostics since this is where their care strategy and recommendations will depend on; learn more here. We can also have them immunized with vaccinations which may bring their resistance in fighting against certain diseases.

Conclusion

Being proactive helps keep our pets safe; however, inevitable scenarios such as crises can occur at least expected times. Therefore, as responsible pet owners, we must also be conscious of immediate interventions to do during a problem. More so, we should be prepared to speak to the right people for the occupation. Emergency vets play an important role in prolonging our pets’ lives and saving them from dangerous health conditions and situations which we mentioned above.

How to Save More While Keeping a Dog

Having dogs around gives a person the same bliss and fulfillment as having kids. After a long day outside, you can be sure that your furry buddy is blasting with excitement to welcome you. Yet, despite great experiences, some people still hold back from getting a pet of their own. The reason for this is the common misconception that having pets is expensive. If you are contemplating getting one for your household but are taken aback by this reason, you can check the tips on how to avoid significant expenses while keeping a dog. 

Tips to Get More Savings While Being a Dog Parent

There are factors to consider before getting a pet, and if you are concerned about their living expenses, spare some time to browse through these helpful tips. 

Prioritize Their Health

Most expense in keeping a dog comes from treatments for health problems. It is important to practice preventive care by taking them to routine pet checkups, dental checkups, and exams and ensuring they are vaccinated timely. If you are a person who is always on the go, it helps to know how to handle them in extreme weather and situations, click here to learn more. You can be best equipped by confiding with a veterinarian who can teach you how to spot unusual signs and behavior and how to handle them properly.

Be Ready and Fully Equipped

Most of the time, unexpected and last-minute shopping for necessities costs you a lot of money because of unpreparedness. Therefore, it is essential that you buy everything your pet needs, including the following.

  • Crate, bed, blankets
  • Water, food, chew toys, treats, toys
  • Vaccination card, medications, first aid kits
  • Leash, collar, ID tag, towels, tick and flea spray

To make it easier for you, make it a habit to fill different bags of their needs depending on the situation. For example, prepare a bag for travel, a picnic, a trip to the vet or dentist, or for an ordinary stroll in the park. In this way, you can easily pick up the bag you need and won’t end up buying new ones. You can check this link for more helpful information.

Get Your Own Dog Daycare Franchise

Believe it or not, going for a dog day care franchise opportunity can help you save while earning more at the same time. Imagine having a place you can leave your dog as necessary without charge. In addition, if you happen to have the spirit of an entrepreneur, you may have fun and add more profit to your existing source. The pet industry has become a stable and growing business. 

Conclusion

As they say, if there’s a will, there is a way. If you want to have your pet, nothing should stop you from having one. While people stay away from pets for fear of too much spending, there is no harm in being wise and making sure you eliminate unnecessary spending or try to make money out of your love for pets. As long as you remember the tips we mentioned earlier, your venture to pet ownership will be as economical as it can be.

The Importance Of Pet Vaccinations

Vaccinations are vital for human and animal health. They stimulate the body’s defense mechanisms against a variety of ailments and infections. The immune system must be capable of defending against viruses, germs, and parasites. Vaccinations educate the body about the tools it requires to combat specific disease pathogens.

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines are composed of viruses or bacteria that have been genetically engineered in such a way that they are unable to cause disease. Vaccination stimulates the animal’s immune system. If your animal is later exposed to the sickness, the immune system will quickly respond to eradicate the pathogen. Click here to learn more. 

When should I have my pet vaccinated? 

Many pets are vaccinated at birth. However, following this, the majority of owners discontinue vaccination. Fortunately, advances in veterinary care have reduced the prevalence of infectious infections that could affect your pets.

 

However, vaccines have a short duration of effect. The vaccinations given to your puppies and kittens may be ineffective for adult dogs and cats. After some time, your pets will require another immunization. It aids in further bolstering their immune systems for another period. Unless otherwise specified by the veterinarian, the recommended period between immunizations is one year.

Why are pet vaccinations necessary?

The consequences of failing to get your pet vaccinated are critical. When sickness strikes, it may become too severe. Worse, your pet may perish even if the pet survives the ailment, animals that are regularly ill live shorter lives. Allowing your pet to receive regular immunizations from your vet  will help it live a longer life and avoid their boarding services.

 

Vaccination not only prevents your pet from dying but also minimizes the quantity and cost of care required. For example, if your pet got rabies, the treatment would be rather costly. If your pet became disabled as a result of an illness, it would be quite expensive to treat that as well. However, with vaccination, you may rest assured that your pets are safe from many potential diseases or the severity of some.

What types of vaccines do they need? 

The veterinarian should determine the type of immunizations your dogs require. However, there are two types of vaccinations: core and non-core. Core vaccinations are those that are required for all animals. They are considered “core” due to the severity of the disease, the risk of exposure, and the potential of transmission to humans. Rabies, for example, can be transmitted to humans. It’s a zoonotic illness. Getting these diseases vaccinated protects both you and your pets.

 

Other necessary cat vaccines protect against feline calicivirus, distemper, feline leukemia, and feline aids. Dogs must also be immunized against distemper, influenza, Bordetella, parvovirus, and canine hepatitis. Non-core immunizations are administered based on your pet’s health, lifestyle, and geographic region. At your pet’s annual checkup, the vet in albany may suggest these.

Conclusion

When deciding what’s best for your pet, keep in mind that pets age faster than humans. Because pets are unable to communicate, we must serve as their interpreters. Animals will try to conceal any signs of disease for as long as possible. This means that there may be no obvious indicators that your pet is ill until the disease has progressed. That is why annual physical examinations are critical. Your veterinarian can discover early symptoms of organ failure and sickness by doing an annual exam. Early diagnosis means earlier treatment and a better chance of living a long and healthy life.

Effective Methods to Keep Pets Happy in Their Golden Years

We all love our pets to the best we could. As we age, they age too, and as we find ourselves adjusting to the constraints that aging brings, so do they. As we put in efforts to look after our own bodies to make sure we receive the best health we can till we grow older, we ought to remember that it needs to be applied to them too. Animals age fast, and if they do, their entire body deteriorates, their physiological functions become restricted, and their immune system gets weaker to fight against diseases.

Recommended Methods to Keep Senior Pets Happy

You understand your pets are old if they reach ten years old and more. As soon as they step into that age, they become more likely to acquire various diseases and develop a terminal illness like cancer. As a pet owner, these are the things that you will need to do in order to ensure they continue to live a fantastic life outside that era.

Routine Checkups

It is recommended that pets are scheduled with a veterinarian for pet health examinations that involve a couple of tests to check their general health. This might include a complete blood count, an orthopedic examination, a bodyweight and condition assessment, behavioral tests, and much more. This is the key to early diagnosis of health risks and other ailments.

Prescribed Immunization

To guarantee that they are protected against detrimental health conditions, you need to be sure that they take their scheduled vaccinations. A reliable veterinary clinic like Miller-Clark Animal Hospital may have specialists to advise you of a set of immunization schedules to be followed. Additionally, this may contain the remedies that address your pet’s possibility of becoming exposed to tick, function, and flea infestation. You can have Mamaroneck vets assist you with all these.

Regular Exercise

Your pets are like people, and they have energy that they need to spend on a daily basis. Based on their type and breed, your pets will have daily exercise conditions that can be taken care of by bringing them to a stroll, a quick jog, or a play date at the park or outdoors. This is necessary to be sure they don’t develop behavioral issues that come in the form of excessive chewing, barking, and much more.

Proper Diet

As your pets grow older, they will have age-appropriate nutritional requirements. Aside from giving vitamins, you will also need to be conscious of the food they consume. These ought to include all the necessary minerals and nutrients they need to keep their optimum health. You should have time to speak with a vet to provide food recommendations for your pets; click here to learn more.

Conclusion

Pets are pretty much like people; hence, they need to be cared for in the exact way we treat ourselves. Aging may be a challenging transition for pets, especially if they aren’t properly cared for. To be sure they maintain and keep the majority of their bodily functions and skills, address the following factors and seek advice from your vet about it. Be sure to execute the proper plan of care for your pet to be certain that they enjoy their older years as much as they can.

The Key to Lowering Pet Cancer Risk

While our daily lives with our pets stay happy and memorable, the reality that there will be stressful times can bring us back to reality. Pets are vulnerable to disease, and one of these conditions is the most dreaded cancer. The odds of treating this illness get higher when it’s detected early. This makes it of value to know the warning signs of cancer, but above all, it’s good to know proactive tactics to prevent its growth.

Knowing More about Cancer and How to Prevent It

There are different kinds of cancer and various symptoms that come with this. As a pet owner, it is necessary for you to know which ones indicate the condition.

Signs of Cancer

There are warning signs that come with cancer; you might see a significant weight reduction and loss of desire in your pet. They may seem lethargic and tired; they could have trouble breathing, swallowing, eating, urinating, or defecating. You could also detect unusual bleeding and discharge, sores that they can not recover from, or lumps and masses forming in part of their body. When you visit one or more of these signs, it’s imperative that you book an appointment with your physician immediately; check out this website for more information..

Decisive Steps to Cut Down Risk for Pet Cancer

Small steps make a big difference. Making the decision to start caring about your pet’s health today is a reason to thank yourself years after.

Exercise and Nutrition Matters

Feeding your pet ought to be focused on providing them the nutrition they require. Instead of opting for treats and other unhealthy alternatives, it is better that you go for quality food that has all the vitamins and minerals that they need to function correctly. Take them out for regular exercise daily to be certain their blood vessels, joints, and bones are stretched and strengthened.

Schedule Routine Checkups

It is an excellent custom to carry your pets to routine yearly checkups, increasing in frequency because they age. When dogs reach the age of 10, the odds of these developing cancer become greater also. Therefore, you should maintain a regime that checks upon their blood, urine, stool, behavior, and overall health. Additionally, this is the part where they are kept up to date with their immunization, checked for their reaction to vaccines, and dental appointments. 

Avoid Exposure to Toxins and Carcinogens

Several aspects could help in cancer growth. This may be in the form of herbicides, secondhand smoke, pesticides, and other toxic products. It’s essential to be aware of the environment and lifestyle, especially if you often leave them into pet boarding facilities, this website. Go to get a pet boarding firm that is safe and beneficial to their health.

Conclusion

A dog who develops cancer is bound to a lifetime of discomfort and pain. As pet owners, it is heartbreaking to witness our dog becoming devoured by this disease. This makes it increasingly essential for all of us to speculate in taking such proactive measures to maintain our pet’s health in its very best condition and save possible therapy expenses later on.

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