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Taylor

How to Clean Your Pet’s Ears

Posted on February 13th, 2012 by Taylor
cleaning dog's ears

If you use q-tips to clean your pet's ears, don't insert them into the ear any further than you can see to avoid damaging the eardrum. Image via www.thepetdoctorinc.com.

Proper grooming of your pets is essential; it can help prevent health issues and keeps your home fur-free. The ears are a sensitive part of your pet’s body, and can be difficult to clean. Without the proper knowledge, you can injure your cat or dog or cause the animal pain. Here are three simple steps to effortless ear cleaning in your cat or dog.

 

Tools and Supplies

  • Pet ear wash solution
  • Cotton balls or pads
  • Q-tips
  • Treats

1. Restraining Your Pet

Most animals don’t like having their ears cleaned and may wriggle around, making the job difficult. Calmly restraining your pet while still maintaining the animal’s comfort is important for both their safety and your own.

For cats and small dogs, place the animal in your lap on its stomach. Place your left forearm securely over the animal’s body, firmly grasping the jaw and head in your left hand. Gently pin the ear flap to the top of the head with your left thumb, leaving the ear canal open and visible.

Larger dogs should be laid on a table or raised surface on their stomach. You should stand on the side of the table opposite to the ear you will be cleaning, with your upper body firmly placed over the dog. Wrap your left arm around the dog’s neck and use your left hand to expose the ear canal. With your right arm lying on the dog’s shoulder, clean with your right hand. Laying your dog on his or her side may also work for squirmy pets; lay your left arm over your dog’s neck, grasping the elbow closest to the table to restrain the dog. You can then pull back the ear with your right hand and begin the cleaning process.

It may be helpful and easier to have another person with you to calm the animal or help you restrain larger pets. Try to keep your cat or dog calm at all times, praising them and petting them after every cleaned ear. Giving your pet treats after the ordeal may help cheer them up. It’s essential that cleaning your pet’s ears not be a traumatic or stressful procedure; this will make further grooming sessions more difficult.

2. Observing the Ear

One purpose of grooming your pet is to inspect the animal’s skin and fur for any abnormalities such as redness, sores, or lesions. The outside of the ear should be completely covered with fur; patchy fur or irritated skin at the base of the ear or on the tip indicate excessive itching. After you pull back the ear flap, inspect the inside of the cat or dog’s ear. The skin should be a pale to medium shade of pink with none of the following:

  • Black wax – This is an indicator of ear mites, small parasites that cause excessive scratching and head shaking in both dogs and cats.
  • Swelling accompanied by warmth – If your pet has been over-itching the inside of their ear, an aural hematoma can result from the trauma. Minor surgery is typically required to relieve the swelling and reduce chance of infection.
  • Foul-smelling discharge – Infections of the outer and inner ear are relatively common among pets. The discharge can be yellow or reddish-brown. Ear infections require antibiotics (either in oral or topical form), medicated ear washes, or possibly minor surgery; only your vet can give you the proper care.

3. Cleaning the Ears

Squeeze a few drops of ear wash onto the inside of the ear flap. Gently move the tip of the wash bottle a few millimeters into the ear canal and squeeze another few drops into the canal. Your pet may shake its head immediately after you do this, removing some of the wash. Massage the base of the ear to distribute the ear wash throughout the ear canal – most cats and dogs enjoy this part! Use cotton balls or pads to remove ear discharge from the ear flap. You can use q-tips to get into the ear’s crevices, but never stick a q-tip into your pet’s ear further than you can see. Just as in humans, excessive or too deep q-tip use can pack wax in the ear or even rupture the ear drum.

How Often to Clean

Groomers recommend you clean your pet’s ears at least once a month. Dog breeds with longer ears, such as spaniels and basset hounds, should have their ears inspected and cleaned bi-weekly, as they are more prone to contracting ear-related health conditions. If you feel uncomfortable cleaning your cat or dog’s ears, take them to a professional groomer.

 

Cleaning your pet’s ears is essential to prevent ear infections and parasites. The cleaning process can be painless if done properly; the important thing is to keep your pet calm and reward them after the procedure is over. If your dog or cat proves extremely resistant to having their ears cleaned, don’t force the issue and visit a professional groomer.

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Taylor

Creating a Cat First Aid Kit

Posted on February 10th, 2012 by Taylor
cat first aid kit

An emergency first aid kit can save your cat's life. Check expiration dates on supplies and replace them as needed. Image via www.catster.com.

Part of being a responsible pet parent means being prepared for anything. Just like you would put together an emergency kit for your car, you should also have one for your pet! In emergency situations this kit can save the animal’s life. A portable kit is especially useful in a natural disaster. A pet first aid kit can help you provide your cat with vital medical care before you seek veterinary care.

 

Building Your Kit

Find a sturdy container that is water-tight and easily transportable to hold your supplies. Plastic is preferable, as metal tends to rust. Specialized first aid kit containers and ammo boxes are sold online; these can be appropriate containers. Make copies of important documents related to your pet, including adoption papers, veterinarian and shelter contact info, and the number of the pet poison hotline. A cat first aid booklet can be an important addition as well; they can be purchased at bookstores, veterinary clinics, pet supply stores, and online. Place these paper documents in a sealed Ziploc bag for safekeeping.

Tools in Your Kit

  • Tweezers
  • Tick tweezers
  • Small magnifying glass
  • Rectal digital thermometer
  • Bandage scissors
  • Plastic syringes (for giving medicine)
  • Small flashlight
  • Eyedropper

Medical Supplies to Include

  • Medium and small sterilized gauze pads
  • Cotton balls and swabs
  • Elastic/ACE bandage wrap
  • Splint materials (a paper towel tube or rolled up newspaper and cloth strips work well)
  • Styptic pencil or powder
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Topical antibiotic ointment
  • Insect sting relief pads/pen
  • Saline eye wash
  • Instant cold pack
  • Karo or glucose syrup (fordiabeticanimals)

Transporting Your Cat

Including a small, easily folded emergency blanket or a pillow case can help transport your cat during an emergency situation and keep the animal warm as well. Keeping the first aid kit near your cat’s carrier can also be a smart idea for fast transportation and you’ll always know where the kit is.

You can tailor your emergency first aid kit to meet your cat’s needs if they have a specific medical condition, like diabetes or asthma. If your pet has prescription medications, place samples in the kit as well, noting their expiration date. Check all medical supplies and sterilized bandages for an expiration date and note that on the outside of the case, replacing them as they go bad.

 

Putting together an emergency first aid kid for your cat can save their life if a critical health situation arises. Knowing what to do in an emergency situation is essential for the prepared pet parent, whether it’s a torn claw or an electrical injury. Your cat will thank you, and so will your vet!

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Taylor

Common Illness in Cats – Hyperthyroidism

Posted on January 31st, 2012 by Taylor

This disease isn’t transmitted via a virus, bacteria, or parasite; like cancer, it has no known cause, but there are several factors thought to increase a cat’s risk of developing it. Hyperthyroidism is a condition where a cat’s thyroid gland produces a surplus of a hormone that increases metabolism. The symptoms of hyperthyroidism are distinct and noticeable. There is no cure for the disease, but it can be managed with the help of drug therapy or surgery.

 

Causes

cat hyperthyroidism

A growth on the neck of a cat diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. These growths are not always visible or palpable, but they are an indicator of the condition. Image via www.animalendocrine.blogspot.com.

There is no one factor that determines if your pet will develop hyperthyroidism. This disease is not inherited genetically and is not contagious. Age can play a factor; the average age of diagnosis is 13 years old, with most cases developing in middle-aged to older cats. Thyroid cancer is rare but can also lead to hyperthyroidism. Some canned food diets have been thought to lead to the disease as well, but this hasn’t been fully proven.

Symptoms

Since hyperthyroidism speeds up your pet’s metabolism – the process of converting food into energy – weight loss, and increased appetite and thirst will result. Changes in bathroom habits like diarrhea, vomiting, and increased urination can arise. Hyperthyroidism affects multiple organ systems, since they all rely on food for energy. Rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, and rapid heart rate indicate the disease is progressing. Physical signs of hyperthyroidism include “unkempt” appearance (ragged, dull coat), poor muscle tone, thickened claws, and an enlarged thyroid gland – this can be felt as a lump on the neck. Hyperactivity and aggression are behavioral indicators.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Since the above symptoms can also be indicative of several other conditions, many tests will be conducted on your pet, including urine and stool samples, blood work, a physical examination, and potentially an ultrasound. When other diseases have been ruled out, several tests to assess thyroid function and structure may be performed.

Your veterinarian will prescribe drugs that inhibit thyroid hormone production. In some cases, the vet will recommend surgical removal of the defective thyroid gland. However, this is often risky as removal of both glands can lead to the opposite of hyperthyroidism – hypothyroidism. If only one gland is removed, the remaining one may overcompensate, leading to hyperthyroidism again. Radiation therapy is also an option.

Management

In cases where the condition has progressed to multiple organ systems, dietary changes are sometimes required. Follow-up vet appointments will be required to test your cat’s hormone levels and check if treatment is working. Cats who undergo surgery to remove the thyroid gland must also make future appointments with their vet to ensure there are no complications and that the surgery was successful.

 

Hyperthyroidism is a diseases that affects your cat’s ability to convert food into energy. Since food is required to power the body, this condition can affect several organ systems and result in behavioral, gastrointestinal, physical, renal, respiratory, and cardiovascular symptoms. As you pet ages, it’s essential to keep a close eye on them; many diseases like cancer, hyper- and hypothyroidism, and diabetes can all emerge. Hyperthyroidism is a common, easily treatable condition. With the proper treatment and management, your cat will lead a long, happy life.

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Taylor

Keep Your Pet Healthy and Your Vet Bills Down

Posted on January 27th, 2012 by Taylor
brushing dogs teeth

Brushing your pet's teeth can greatly reduce their chance of developing painful mouth-related diseases like gum disease and cavities. Image via www.localpethealth.com.

Keeping your cat or dog in good health can have numerous benefits, the most obvious of which is lower or nonexistent vet bills! Some surgeries may be expensive but necessary to repair torn muscles or ligaments; this can put a pet parent in an unpleasant situation – your pet versus your wallet. Fortunately, there are many preventative measures you can take to ensure the continuing wellness of both your bank account and your furry companion.

 

Maintain a healthy weight. According to one pet insurance company, in 2009 policyholders filed over $17 million in obesity-related claims. In the United States, 93 million cats and dogs are overweight or obese – that’s 54% of all pets! If your cat or dog is obese, they’re at an increased risk for developing the following conditions:

  • Diabetes
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Ligament and bone injuries
  • Several types of cancer
  • Decreased life expectancy – up to 2.5 years less
  • Kidney disease
  • Heart and respiratory disease

Brush your pet’s teeth regularly. Taking care of your canine’s canines can help prevent nasty tooth-related illnesses like cavities, ulcers, painful inflammation, gum disease, and abscesses. Daily dental care for both dogs and cats is highly recommended. Getting your pet used to the procedure is the hardest step, but once you develop a routine it becomes no trouble at all! Here are some steps to decrease your pet’s risk of developing tooth-related conditions:

  • Feed your pet dry, hard food. Dry food is less likely to get stuck in crevices between teeth. There are veterinary dentist-recommended foods that also help keep your pet’s chompers clean.
  • Use “toothbrush” treats. There are many types of dog toys and treats that contain substances that clean the teeth as your pet chews on them. Avoid hard toys with an unforgiving surface – your pet could break, chip, or crack a tooth while chewing. Rawhide and rope toys are good options.

Protect your pet with vaccinations. Many illnesses are easily preventable nowadays with the plethora of preventative vaccines available. If you adopted your pet as a puppy or kitten, they should’ve been fully vaccinated. However, some inoculations require booster shots, so it’s best to schedule vet appointments yearly. FeLV (Feline Leukemia), FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus), feline influenza, rabies, feline distemper, canine parvovirus, and hepatitis are all common vaccinations that you should highly consider providing for your pet. In the United States, some core vaccines are required by law, like rabies, so check with your vet.

Spay or neuter your dog or cat. Female pets who are spayed as young animals have lower risks of contracting breast cancer and uterine infections – diseases with survival rates of 50% in dogs and only 10% in cats. Male dogs and cats neutered before they’re six months old have a decreased risk of testicular cancer as well! Spaying and neutering pets can also prevent them from producing litters; puppies and kittens are expensive to care for, especially if you’re not planning on keeping the offspring. Overpopulation is caused by pet parents not spaying and neutering their pets – millions of pets are euthanized in shelters every year because they can’t find loving homes. Neutered male animals are also less likely to run away from home and display aggressive behaviors.

 

Your pet’s health is extremely important – a healthy pet is a happy pet! Keeping your dog or cat in prime physical condition with vaccinations, exercise, spaying/neutering, and dental care can also make your wallet happy. Veterinary care can be expensive and it’s always unfortunate when a pet parent is put into a situation where they’re forced to choose between their pet and their finances. Prevent this situation from arising and use our helpful tips to keep your dog or cat healthful!

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Taylor

Indoor vs Outdoor – Which is better for your cat?

Posted on January 24th, 2012 by Taylor
cat in grass

Your feline may enjoy stalking their prey, but it can have serious repercussions - rabies, parasites, and more can all be picked up from wild animals. Image "under cover" via Christina Gandolfo on Flickr.

For years pet parents and veterinarians have debated whether it’s overall better for cats to be indoor or outdoor creatures. While it may seem cruel to force your cat to stay inside, in reality it can lengthen their lifespan and protect them from deadly illnesses and injuries. Here are the main points for the indoor vs outdoor debate.

 

Indoor cats live at least four times longer. There are many hazards out in the world – cars, cold, wild animals, contagious illnesses. When you keep your cat inside, you’re protecting them from the big, bad world outside. Indoor cats can live for twelve to fifteen years; sometimes longer! Free-roaming felines have a lifespan of three years or less. Think about how many years of purring and petting you can gain by keeping your kitty locked safely indoors.

Your cat is at risk for contracting dangerous diseases. Highly contagious illnesses like FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus), rabies, and FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) are all present outdoors through contact with feral cats and wild animals. Treatment for these conditions can cost upwards of $300 in veterinary care – FeLV and FIV require lifelong medication and monitoring, as there are no cures for these viruses. Rabies can lead to death if not treated before visible symptoms set in.

Parasitic infections are primarily outdoors. You’d be hard-pressed to find a parasite living indoors, except in the cramped conditions of birthing dens. Hookworms, heartworms, roundworms, giardia, and coccidia are all festering in unclean drinking water, soil, dead animals, and feces. These conditions can cause your cat to lose weight and appetite, which can eventually lead to organ failure and death if left untreated.

Unfriendly animals (and humans) can cause injuries. A small bite wound from a neighborhood cat can turn into a nasty abscess, resulting in hundreds of dollars in vet bills to cure the infection. Dogs can severely hurt a cat, even chasing it in fun. Neighborhood kids can sometimes use a cat for nasty pranks or neighbors may mistake it for a raccoon digging through their trash. Rat poison, pesticides, and mouse traps also pose hazards to outdoor cats.

Outdoor cats are often mistaken for strays. Well-meaning neighbors may think your cat is a stray or even feral feline and take them to an animal shelter. Animal control can also pick them up, where your cat could be taken to a county shelter and prove difficult to locate. Cats without collars, identification tags, or a microchip are usually determined to be strays, so it’s a smart idea to use one of these forms of identification on your cat if there’s even the slightest chance they could get outside.

 

It’s undeniably better for your cat to remain an indoors-only pet. However, if you wish your cat to roam free or your pet occasionally escapes, here are some things you can do to make the outdoors a little less dangerous:

  • Proper vaccination can reduce or eliminate your cat’s chances of picking up diseases like FeLV and rabies. Heartworm and flea preventatives are also a good idea.
  • Identification methods like collars, ID tags with a phone number and name, and microchips can all prevent your pet from being mistaken for a stray. Shelters scan for microchips when they first intake a cat, so even if their collar is missing they can still be identified and returned.
  • Outdoor “runs” and pens are also ideas for pet parents who like the idea of their feline getting some fresh air without the dangers of the outdoors.

 

Keeping your kitty inside can greatly increase their lifespan and reduce their risk of contracting dangerous illnesses like parasites, poisonings, and viruses. House cats are referred to as “domesticated” for a reason – they’re not meant to roam the outdoors. Although your cat may seem like a lion at heart, he belongs safe at home, not roaming the savannah.

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Taylor

Common Illness in Cats – Food Allergies and Intolerances

Posted on January 13th, 2012 by Taylor
cat eating

Could your cat be suffering from an allergy or intolerance to their food? Image via www.cleanme.us.

These two conditions are caused by two different body systems, but produce very similar symptoms. Feline food allergies and intolerances can prove frustrating; it’s often a long, hard road to determine the allergen. But once the trigger has been identified, it’s simple for pet parents to keep their cat healthy and symptom free!

Causes

An allergy to a food ingredient is initiated by the animal’s immune system, which sends antibodies that then produce histamine – their overreaction is what causes the painful symptoms of an allergic reaction. With food intolerances, the cat’s digestive system isn’t able to digest the particular ingredient, causing the digestive system to wreak havoc.

The following are the most common irritants and allergens, in order:

  • Beef
  • Lamb
  • Seafood
  • Corn
  • Soy
  • Dairy products
  • Wheat gluten

Symptoms

Because allergies and intolerances produce many of the same signs, they are often confused. Although both conditions cause an affected cat to display vomiting, diarrhea, excessive flatulence, and excessive scratching, there are several symptoms that allow pet parents to differentiate the two. Since food intolerances are controlled by the digestive system, symptoms like abdominal pain, weight loss, and lack of appetite will be present.

The telltale sign of a food allergy is the condition of the cat’s skin. Pustules, plaques, crusts, scales, hives, wheals, and sores may appear. Hyperpigmentation of the skin and a leathery texture are also unique to food allergies. Baldness and bleeding from excessive grooming are also possible, as are bacterial and fungal infections from the open wounds.

Diagnosis and Treatment

A physical exam will be performed by the vet, as well as blood and urine tests to rule out any underlying diseases. A thorough history of the symptoms and any changes in your cat’s diet will also be needed in order to diagnose your pet.

A food elimination diet for four to thirteen weeks is the only effective way to treat food allergies and intolerances. Your vet will choose a generic food that your pet has not had access to before. It’s extremely important to stick to only this food – no treats or table scraps.

Cats with extreme vomiting and diarrhea may need hospitalization to replenish fluids. Antibiotics may be given if your cat has open wounds with the potential for infection.

Management

Finding the food irritant is the most important thing; if the elimination diet was successful, stick to a vet-recommended food that doesn’t contain the trigger. Carefully read the ingredients on treats, vitamins, chewable toys, and medications, checking that they do not contain the allergen. Talk to all family members, informing them of the new diet to ensure there are no accidents.

 

Keeping track of the ingredients in your cat’s foods, treats, and medications is essential to managing this condition. As long as the irritant or allergen is not accidentally fed to your cat, symptoms should disappear.

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Taylor

Common Illness in Cats – Environmental Allergies

Posted on January 10th, 2012 by Taylor
cat itching

Could your cat suffer from environmental allergies? Excessive scratching and grooming are symptoms. Image via www.pictures-of-cats.org.

Although this type of allergy is more common in dogs than cats, it still can occur. Cats that suffer from environmental allergies experience unpleasant symptoms and complications. This is a chronic condition that can be managed by dedicated pet parents.

Causes

Allergies are caused by an overreaction from the animal’s immune system to a particular allergen in their environment. The most common culprits are airborne pollen, animal dander, mold spores, and dust mites. It’s also thought that this condition is passed genetically. Cats may also be allergic to foods and fleas, but those are different types.

Symptoms

Also known as atopic dermatitis, or atopy, environmental allergies manifest as a skin condition that causes extreme itchiness. As a result, a cat with this condition with excessively scratch, bite, and groom themselves, often to the point of baldness. The areas around the ears, eyes, toes, wrists, ankles, muzzle, underarms, and groin are the most prone to irritation. Some cats will bite themselves so much they bleed, creating open sores and wounds that can become infected.

Diagnosis and Treatment

A complete medical history and physical examination will be needed by the vet. Intradermal allergy testing, where small amounts of common allergens are injected under the skin to provoke an allergic response, is a common diagnostic tool.

Once the allergen is identified, hyposensitization therapy is an option. This involves giving the cat small injections of the particular allergen to desensitize the immune system and provoke a less severe immune response. However, a drawback to this treatment is the length of time that is needed – it may take six months up to a year to fully work, but it is also 60 to 80 percent effective. Medications like corticosteroids and antihistamines may also be prescribed to reduce severe itching. Over-the-counter and prescription sprays are also available to use over large areas of your pet’s body.

Management

As environmental allergies are a chronic condition, you will need to care for your cat throughout the rest of their life. After treatment begins, regular vet appointments every 2 to 8 weeks are necessary to see if treatments are working. Cats with well-controlled allergies should still schedule checkups every 3 to 12 months. Your vet will recommend how best to avoid the allergic trigger, but bathing your cat with cool water anti-itch shampoos containing oatmeal or eucalyptus can soothe itchy skin.

 

If your cat has environmental allergies, it’s extremely important that you seek treatment to prevent complications like bacterial infection of open wounds. Anti-itch shampoos, ointments, and sprays can alleviate your cat’s symptoms, but scheduling regular vet appointments and exploring all treatment options is also essential.

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Taylor

Common Injury in Cats – Bite Wounds

Posted on December 26th, 2011 by Taylor

Feral cats can inflict nasty bite wounds on your domesticated kitty and pass on dangerous diseases. Image via Christian Yanchula on Flickr.

If your cat lives permanently or semi-permanently outside, they might get in the occasional scuffle with neighborhood felines. These cat fights can result in some nasty injuries, including bite wounds. Cat mouths are not clean places and neither is the outdoors. This combination can result in painful infections.

Causes

Bite wounds are caused by – you guessed it – bites from other animals. While it’s most often another cat that bites your pet, the occasional raccoon, rat, or possum bite isn’t unheard of.

Symptoms

With all that fur, it can sometimes be difficult to see the exact site of the bite. Signs that your cat may have a painful bite wound include pus and blood discharge, matted fur, swelling, and fever. If the bite is on a limb, your cat may limp from pain. When you do notice a bite wound, it’s important to make an appointment with your vet; feral or outdoors cats can carry all sorts of communicable diseases. If left untreated, the wound may form an abscess, a hard lump of bacterial infection.

Treatment

Minor bites can be treated at home.

  1. Gently hold the cat in your lap. Injured cats can sometimes hiss or lash out, even at their owners.
  2. Clip the hair around the wound until you can clearly see the site.
  3. Use a small amount of hydrogen peroxide – not any kind of alcohol – to clean the wound.
  4. If the wound is still bleeding, apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or tissues to staunch it.
  5. Wounds that persist in bleeding even after compression should be seen by a vet. If the skin at the bite site flaps open or appears disconnected from the tissue beneath, the wound may require stiches.

Cats that are not up to date on their shots, including rabies, should seek veterinary attention as soon as possible to be tested. If the bite has become infected, antibiotics will be prescribed to clear it up. More serious bite wounds may need stitches.

Prevention

Keeping your cat inside is the best and only method to prevent bite wounds. Outdoor cats are vulnerable to contracting and passing on many diseases that indoor cats never even come into contact with. If you have other animals, these highly contagious illnesses can spread quickly throughout a household, even to dogs.

 

It’s highly recommended that you keep your domesticated kitty just that – feral cats are unhealthy and are at risk for picking up all sorts of infections and injuries. However, if your cat does get out for a short period of time, inspect their body for any injuries or abnormalities when they return.

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Taylor

Common Injury in Cats – Paw Scrapes

Posted on December 23rd, 2011 by Taylor

Regularly inspect your cat's paws for any abnormalities. Image via Jim Champion on Flickr.

Cats live on their paws – they’re a cat’s most valuable tool, used in jumping, pouncing, and playing. With all this wear and tear, it’s no wonder paws sometimes get worn a little too thin. Scrapes on the delicate pads of the paw can be painful or become infected if not treated properly.

Causes

Scraped paws are caused by trauma. Playing on rough surfaces like concrete or asphalt can account for this injury. Being outside can cause small objects like splinters or pebbles to become stuck in the paws; if left, they can develop a painful infection.

Symptoms

This injury is relatively minor, and most paw scrapes heal with time. Signs of more serious scrapes are refusing to put weight on the paw, limping, excessive licking of the paw, and meowing in pain. Any swelling, serious bleeding, or loose skin on the paw pad indicate infection and should be looked at by a veterinarian.

Treatment

Home treatments are the best option for minor scrapes. Clean the injured paw with clean, warm water two or three times a day. Putting an open wound in a litter box is a recipe for infection – try using a protective sock or bootie, or create your own at home using a child’s sock and medical tape. Animal-safe antiseptic sprays are available at pet supply stores. If the wound hasn’t healed within a week, make an appointment with your vet.

Veterinary treatment for deeper or more serious scrapes can involve stitches, temporary bandages, and antibiotics to ward off a potential infection.

Prevention

When your cat is young, don’t let them play on rough surfaces; try not to let them outside at all! Inspect your cat’s paws regularly for any abnormalities or injuries. If you handle your pet’s paws as a kitten, it can make grooming as an adult much easier! Cats with long fur should have the tufts between their paw pads trimmed to prevent having items like burrs or gravel from getting stuck in them. Lotions for worn out or cracked paw pads are available at pet supply stores.

 

Both adult cats and kittens are prone to scraping the delicate pads of their paws. Regular grooming and keeping your cat inside can help prevent this injury. Most paw scrapes heal on their own, but if your cat’s wound still hasn’t closed after a week or appears swollen and oozy, make an appointment with your vet.

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Taylor

Holidays and Your Pets – Celebrate with them!

Posted on December 19th, 2011 by Taylor

Some dogs enjoy the attention brought by the holidays, but others get stressed. Pay attention to your pet’s behavior. Photo courtesy of www.billfrymire.com.

The holidays can be chaotic and stressful for humans and pets alike. Animals can often get neglected with the many distractions of relatives, parties, and shopping. It’s important to include your pet as part of your family during the hectic holidays.

Pets Can Party Too

Have you ever seen a dog turn down an opportunity to be petted? That’s what holiday gatherings are to canines – one big pet-fest. If your cat or dog has no behavioral problems, let them join the party too!  Make sure your pet has access to their food and water in an out-of-the-way location, and don’t forget to provide potty breaks on schedule. If your pet becomes bothersome to your guests or shows signs of agitation, place them in another room.

Watch for the Warning Signs

Not all pets have the personalities to resist the olfactory and physical overstimulation that can result from large groups of people. When animals get frightened, they often get aggressive. If your pet has a history of aggression, especially around strangers, refrain from introducing them to the party. But even the best behaved of cats and dogs can become unpredictable. If your pet shows the following signs, take steps to remove them from the party environment.

  • Excessive vocalizations (whining, barking, meowing, hissing, etc.)
  • Tail between legs
  • Flattened ears
  • Growling or snapping
  • Raised fur or hackles

These are all signs of impending aggression and overstimulation. Animals displaying these symptoms will often lash out at the nearest human, which is always cause for alarm. Place your animal in a quiet room, away from the party; this will help to calm them down.

During the holidays, make sure to pay special attention to your pets. Let them join in on the festivities too! However, if your dog or cat expresses signs of stress or being overstimulated, remove them from the environment and allow them to relax in peace. Here’s hoping your holidays are happy and stress-free!

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