My dog was accidentally hit by a car but appears fine. Is it okay to watch him for a while? NO! Many times dogs hide a concussion which can be life threatening if not treated immediately. Also, dogs and cats can suffer from a condition called "traumatic lung syndrome" , a condition in which the lungs can become full of fluid after a sudden blow. It is best to contact a veterinarian anytime your pet has been in an accident with a car. My cat is going to his litter box a lot and seems uncomfortable. What does that mean? Cats are very prone to a condition called "feline lower urinary syndrome". Basically, it is a urinary bladder infection which can lead to urinary tract obstruction in male cats. This is a serious condition and you should contact your veterinarian IMMEDIATELY. My dog licks his feet all the time. Why? A dog that licks his feet, rubs his face, or scratches behind his elbows may be showing signs of an allergy. Dogs can be allergic to all sorts of things such as house dust, grass or weeds. Consult your veterinarian about this, especially if your dog is showing any hair loss.
What is a dog's or cat's normal temperature? Cats and dogs have a higher body temperature than ours, which is why they sometimes feel "hot" to the touch. Their normal body temperature is 100 - 102.8 Fahrenheit or 38.5 + or - 1 degree Celcius. The best way to see if your pet is running a fever is to take his temperature with a rectal thermometer. If you notice that your pet's temperature is above normal, you should contact a veterinarian immediately. My dog has diarrhea. What can I do? If your dog is acting normally other than the diarrhea, then you can try withholding all food and water for 12 hours. After that time period, you can introduce small amounts of food at a time. However, if your dog is lethargic in any way, you should call a veterinarian for instructions. My dog is "scooting" his behind on the carpet - Does he have worms? He may have worms but that is not why he is "scooting". It is usually an indication that his anal glands are full and need attention by a veterinarian. Anal glands are small glands on either side of the rectum. They contain a fishy smelling substance and before domestication dogs and cats used them to mark their territory. Pets no longer have active control of these glands and therefore they can become full and need emptying. Cats will generally lick their rectal area excessively if their anal sacs are full. What chew treats are OK to buy for my dog? We generally recommend rawhides (that are made in North America), most dental chews and vegetable/fruit chews (Edible Nylabones). Cow hooves are very hard and can fracture teeth and some pig ears have recently been shown to contain the harmful bacteria Salmonella. What is the best food to feed my pet? That is a difficult question to answer as one food isn't right for all pets. Generally, if the food you are feeding says on the label that it is good for "all life stages", then find another food. Puppies, adults, and seniors all have different nutritional requirements. Pet food that is purchased from a pet supply store or from your veterinarian is usually better quality. Contact us if you would like more information Is it normal for my cat to vomit hairballs? No. Cats love to groom themselves and in doing so they swallow large amounts of hair. Vomiting hairballs is a sign that the hair is not moving from the stomach into the small intestine. There are pastes, treats and food that either dissolve hairballs or help them pass into the small intestine. My dog smells. What could it be? There are three main areas that are usually associated with a dog being smelly - ears, teeth, and skin. If your dog has any brownish material in her ears she may have an ear infection. If she has tartar on her teeth or very red gums her teeth need attention. If her skin is dry or has bumps on it this may be the cause of the odor. Contact your veterinarian if any of these conditions occur. My dog has been coughing for several days. What should I do? A cough can be caused by a number of thing, such as allergies, bronchitis or even kennel cough. The doctor should check your dog so we can determine the cause of the problem. My dog (cat) has licked up some antifreeze. Will this hurt him? Antifreeze is extremely poisonous to dogs and cats. Please bring him to the clinic immediately for treatment. |