Pets

Infectious canine tracheobronchitis is commonly known as “kennel cough.” The illness can be brought on by several different germs and viruses, just the same as human chest infections, although it usually involves a mix of both. Although it is a benign, self-limiting condition, it can worsen and lead to bronchopneumonia in pups or chronic bronchitis in elderly or disabled dogs. When susceptible canines are kept in close quarters, the sickness spreads quickly. Dog owners worldwide are aware of kennel cough, but only some of us are familiar with what it is, how to recognize it, or how to manage it.

Try and contact the medical professionals at their specialized vet diagnosis to respond to the most frequent inquiries about coughs and colds to clear up any misunderstandings. Here are the top-rated vets in Rochester to consider if you don’t already have a veterinarian. Different clinical symptoms could exist. While the illness is frequently not severe, the cough occasionally persists for a few weeks. Common clinical signs include a loud cough, sometimes called a “goose honk,” watery eyes and nostrils, enlarged glands, breathing, decreased appetite, and moodiness.

Most dogs with infected tracheobronchitis cough after and during activity when the neck is touched, slightly elevated, or both. A few weeks after the infection, the hacking cough brought on by the kennel cough frequently lingers. Boarding kennels are not the only place where kennel cough can spread. Everywhere there are a few four-legged buddies, such as dog care, while taking a dog for a walk, or even at the vet’s office, it can be found.

How harmful is the kennel cough?

Keep in mind that kennel cough is deadly. So be sure to inform the receptionist of the symptoms when scheduling a visit with the veterinarian. While having a sick puppy is never pleasant, kennel cough is typically not a dangerous ailment, even if it can be annoying to both in dog and the owner. However, a dog is more likely to experience the symptoms of kennel cough if it is very juvenile, terribly old, or already suffers from a health problem than if it is healthy and active. The possibility of kennel cough spreading from animals to people is known as a zoonotic risk.

What can I do to keep my dog from getting kennel cough?

Vaccines are available for several contagious tracheobronchitis agents, including Bordetella, difficulty getting, and other viral illnesses.

The best options are recommended by your veterinarian.

A course of action based on your dog’s lifestyle and the dangers in your area. However, vaccinations are still recommended since they can significantly lower the risk and may cause a milder illness (and quicker recovery) if a dog does develop a kennel cough. Even though kennel cough is very typical, being prepared and understanding what you should do if your dog starts coughing will help to lessen the intensity of the ailment, prevent it from propagating to certain other dogs, and allow your dog to resume all of their favorite hobbies as quickly as possible. The intranasal, oral, or injectable routes for the bordetella immunization are all available.

Even if the dog has undergone a natural infection, its immunity is neither solid nor long-lasting. We cannot hope for substantially better results from immunizations. Consult your veterinarian for the best vaccinations for your pet because immunity depends on the situation.

Dogs can quickly spread the highly contagious disease known as kennel cough through casual contact, such as smelling each other when walking, playing, or sharing water bowls. Some things make it more likely for your dog to get kennel coughs, like stress, chilly weather, proximity to smoke or dust, and crowded situations.

 

Cats, just like us humans, feel anxiety and get frightened quite easily. Whether it was the sound of the doorbell or a loud crash on the roof, anything can scare your cat.

But something more serious in cats besides a little scare is anxiety. In fact, over 20% of cases referred to veterinary behaviorists were anxiety-related symptoms in cats. Unfortunately, cats don’t have the same access to anxiety relief methods (like therapy and friend groups) that we do as humans.

That’s where cat CBD can help. You’ve probably heard of CBD for human anxiety, but did you know that cats can use CBD too?

Does CBD Work on Cats?

To put things simply, yes! CBD works on cats the same way CBD works for humans. Plenty of research has been done on the effectiveness of CBD for cats, and the results are impressive.

The science behind how CBD works is extensive. You can read more about it here. But basically, cats have endocannabinoid systems similar to the way humans have them.

CBD binds to the receptors in the endocannabinoid system which provides relief for anxiety, pain, and other symptoms. If you’re concerned about whether or not CBD gets your cat high, keep in mind that CBD actually binds differently than THC.

THC fits perfectly into the receptors, whereas CBD has to bind to a different location. Thus, there is no high feeling after taking CBD.

Please note that research for CBD usage in cats is still new. It’s best to talk with your cat’s veterinarian to get specific advice about whether or not CBD would be right for your pet.

CBD for Cats Benefits

As mentioned previously, CBD works wonders for cats who experience anxiety or get frightened easily. CBD can also help with other symptoms your cat may be experiencing:

• Low appetite
• Pain
• Cancer
• Can potentially help with seizures

But the most common symptom that owners want to treat is anxiety. Cats feel anxiety just like us humans, and it’s something that they can’t exactly communicate with us about. Consider giving CBD a try for your cat if they’re experiencing anxiety.

If you’re looking for more ways to deal with cat anxiety, visit this guide here.

Are Cat CBD Treats or Oil Better for My Cat?

This question depends on your cat. With treats, you’re able to give your cats immediate access to CBD by giving them a delicious treat. One drawback of treats is that they are slow to work. This happens with humans too, but consuming CBD in edible form takes a while for the effects to start working.

On the other hand, something like oil works much better. However, some cats will absolutely refuse to take the oil. That’s why it’s recommended to mix it into their food, or buy pills of CBD and mix them into food.

Learning More

Interested in getting CBD for your furry friend? There are plenty of benefits to using CBD for your cat, many of which are caused by unwanted anxiety or tension that your cat might be feeling.

We encourage you to give cat CBD a try if you’re open to trying something new for your pet. Additionally, you can learn more about pets and CBD by visiting the pets section.

 

No matter their age, dogs are amazing pets. From bouncing puppies to napping seniors, they all deserve love and care. Unfortunately, most dogs are considered seniors when they’re around 7 or 8 years old. When they reach this age, they slow down, they eat less (usually), sleep more, and are more prone to health problems and injuries.

During these golden years, most dog owners try to find ways to keep their dogs fit so that they can prolong their life. Although the saying, “Old dogs can’t learn new tricks” is a bit true, it doesn’t mean that your dog won’t benefit from the new methods that you can try to implement to keep them healthy.

Here are some tips to help you find the right routine for your older pup.

1. Keep Them Active, But Not Too Active

Keeping your dogs active during their senior years through regular exercise and playtime will keep them fit and strong. Moreover, it will prevent your dogs from being overweight, which is a huge problem for senior dogs. Their aging legs and hips aren’t designed to carry around that much weight!

However, you shouldn’t overdo it. Break up activities bit by bit throughout the day to avoid overfatigue and strain. For example, instead of making your dog do one long walk during the day, you can consider giving them several shorter walks.

This will give them the rest that they need during the day — and senior dogs need plenty of it! They generally sleep 12-14 hours a day, if not more. Also, you need to make sure that your dog has access to fresh water during these rest periods so that they can recover their lost energy much quicker.

2. Make it Easier for Your Older Dog To Move

You should always remember that your senior dog is more prone to injuries and pain caused by various health issues. This will make it more difficult for your dog to move around. They can be stiff, slow moving, or limping after they get up. This is normal for older dogs, but if the behaviors continue, take them to your vet.

For at home care, you can install ramps to help your dog get up on the bed or couch. It is also important to ensure that your dog doesn’t get injured from slippery floors and other obstacles, so lay down some rugs or keep them out of specific rooms that may be more harmful to their health, such as a kid’s playroom with toys all over the floor.

We also highly recommend giving your dogs a dog ACL brace for a little extra support. These braces are designed to relieve pain and prevent injury by comfortably restricting motion. They make it hard for your dog to move in a way that can cause injury, while helping take weight off their knee, ankle, and hip.

Doing this will give them the protection that they need from accidents that may occur due to their old age and fragile bones.

3. Give Your Dogs The Proper Diet That They Need

As your pet grows older, his or her dietary requirement will change. It is critical that you give your dog the appropriate food that they need to remain fit and healthy. In the US, approximately 40-45% of dogs aged 5-11 years old are overweight.

You have to remember that as your pet ages they tend to become less active than they were before. This will make it more difficult for them to burn the calories. Additionally, their metabolism naturally begins to slow down too. They don’t need to burn through fat and protein like they used to, after all. .

Consulting with your veterinarian can help you in selecting the right diet for your aging dog. This will not only help your pet manage his weight but will also enable you to control and manage the disease and illness that comes with your dog’s old age. If you’re doing your own research, look for something that’s low calorie and high in moisture and protein.

4. Help Your Dog Sleep Comfortably

As stated earlier, your dogs need all the rest that they can get as they grow older. Providing them the things that they need like a soft cushion and comfortable blanket will help your older dogs sleep better and rest easier.

In addition to that, making your dogs comfortable when they sleep will help them with their aging joints and increase their blood circulation which is perfect for taking care of dogs with arthritis. The more comfortable they are, the less likely they’ll be stiff or in pain when they wake up. It’s the least you can do to show your dog you care!

5. Regular Health Checkups

Finally, make sure that your dogs have regular checkups by your veterinarian so that you can monitor their health and quickly discover any developing issues that may impact your pet’s life and comfort. This is an important task that you need to perform when taking care of your senior dog.

In fact, the majority of veterinarians recommend having older dogs examined at least twice a year and more so if your pet is suffering from health problems.

Dogs are not only our best friends but they are part of our family. Knowing how to take care of them during their old age will not only prolong their life but it will also give us the opportunity to show them how much we care and value their companionship.

 

There’s always a lot to desire about the dogs around you. The love and loyalty they show are enough to capture your hearts and those of your loved ones. This makes you always want to have them around, except for some of the dogs’ anti-social or discomforting behaviors.

Some of these behaviors could be barking indiscriminately or occasionally straying to dangerous zones. With these behaviors, they can be extremely frustrating.

No doubt, these things might sometimes want to force you to change your minds about keeping those loyal creatures. But then, this does not have to be.

With the BarxBuddy dog training device, you can train your dogs to exhibit the right behaviors all year round.

Many people know this and have adopted BarxBuddy as their favorite at-home dog training device. The reason for this is not farfetched. In this latest 2021 review, you will get to know why BarxBuddy dog training device seems to be finding love with many dog owners.

Easy To Use: If you own a dog training device and you find it difficult to use, the chances are that you will soon abandon it. Fortunately, this is not the case for the Barxbuddy dog training device.

Specifically made to be user-friendly, it is durable, lightweight, and its functions are easy to understand. There’s nothing more that can capture the hearts of dog owners than these splendid features.

Another good thing about this device is that anyone can use it to train dogs. You only have to tap on the buttons to bring your dogs back to good behaviors.

You don’t have to wake up the whole community, even at midnight, because your dog is misbehaving. All you have to do is reach out for your device and press the control buttons.

Environmentally Friendly: This device is a preferred one because it is environmentally friendly. Specifically, it does not produce discomforting sounds that can unsettle the environment or your dog.

Also, it does not emit light that can endanger the environment or your dog. In today’s world where there is great concern about keeping the environment safe, there might not be a better device than this.

It Is Dog-Friendly: Since you will be training your dog, it only follows that the device you use should be great for your dog. The BarxBuddy dog training device is dog-friendly and will help you train your dog just the way you want it.

The good thing about this device is that it can be used to help train any breed of dog. So, you don’t have to go around looking for different devices for your different breeds. It’s a revolutionary product and a complete game-changer.

The sound and light that this device produces are only meant to draw the dog’s attention and, consequently, train it. It can’t pose harm to your dog and does not make it uncomfortable.

From far away, your dogs can notice the light and sound and heed your command. With the BarxBuddy dog training device, you can be sure that your dog’s health is a top priority. It’s indeed the best dog training device of 2021.

When you have a pet cat it’s inevitable that sometimes you’ll find the unwelcome surprise of a pile of cat vomit. Cats are hunters and scavengers, no matter how well they’re fed and they’ll explore, pick up infections or parasites, or sample spoiled food found in the garden. Hairballs are also a natural consequence of grooming and sometimes need to be dealt with. All of these causes can lead to occasional bouts of vomiting, which often solves the problem!

If you find yourself complaining ‘my cat keeps vomiting’, then you might have more cause to worry. Long term vomiting can be a symptom of some serious illnesses, and it can be a risk to your cat in itself. If they can’t hold down food or water then they are at risk of dehydration and starvation, so you need to know how to control your cat’s vomiting. It’s part of being a reliable, responsible pet owner.

When to Go to the Vet

Most instances of feline vomiting aren’t serious and will clear up on their own in a matter of days if not hours. You need to know how to spot the serious cases as early as possible so you can get your cat the help it needs.

One of the most serious symptoms that can emerge alongside vomiting is finding blood in the vomit (or faeces). This can indicate some serious internal problems for your cat, and you should make an appointment with your vet right away.

You should also look out for other symptoms of illness – sluggishness, uncharacteristic aggression which can indicate pain, being shy or withdrawn. If these start to mount up, then a visit to the vet shouldn’t be far away.

Controlling Vomiting

The most important thing you can do is help your cat control the vomiting: every time they vomit they lose fluids and nutrients, and it leaves them weaker and more vulnerable.

You shouldn’t put a cat on a complete fast: this can lead to them developing liver damage. What you can do is provide a diet of small portions of easily digestible food. Boiled rice and chicken is an easy option – giving them small portions more regularly than their normal meals will provide all the nutrients they need, and hopefully stimulate the reflex to vomit less.

The most important thing you can do is keep them hydrated: make sure they have plenty of water available. If they don’t show any improvement after two to three days of this reduced diet, consider making an appointment with the vet, as they may need additional medical help to recover.

Beloved pets are an important part of family life. An abundance of food, comfy beds, and plenty of attention are needed to protect one’s pets. As well as financial security, pets need to be cared for from a health and wellbeing perspective.

The sudden rush of adrenaline with the CBD supplements can be an instant pick me up for anyone, and even for our fluffy friend! CBD oil is a popular remedy for dogs and cats, though many people aren’t entirely sure what CBD is or does. In this article, we delve into CBD specifics and how CBD products can be beneficial for your dog.

What Is CBD & How Does It Work?

Scientists discovered that our bodies have endocannabinoids that are regulated by an endocannabinoid system. This system regulates essential processes in the body, such as sleep, mood, and homeostasis. Recent research revealed that endocannabinoids have similar characteristics to phytocannabinoids. This finding triggered in-depth research on phytocannabinoids like CBD. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a natural, non-addictive, and non-psychoactive substance found in Cannabis Sativa plants. After intake, CBD is known to interact with the endocannabinoid system to sustain a relatively stable internal state.

But CBD is not limited to human usage. It is safe to use on mammals like dogs, cats, and horses, as it does not bind CB1 receptors which have a negative impact on brain activity. Therefore, dogs and cats are considered the target market for CBD animal products. They come in a variety of tasty flavours that appeal to a mixture of palettes. Tinctures, hard chews, and peanut butter are examples of the most prominent products. There are several known benefits of CBD oil for dogs:

Effective Painkiller

Pain in animals can affect their social behaviour, happiness, and overall quality of life. While traditional pain management is performed by various medications, such as NSAIDs, opioids, steroids, and antihistamines – all of them, have a variety of side effects stashed away.

Due to the lack of severe adverse effects, CBD oil can be considered as a natural and generally safe alternative to conventional medications. CBD possesses anti-Inflammatory and antioxidant qualities and can minimise signs of inflammation and pain in dogs such as limping, stiffening of muscles, arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Clinical trial in dogs has shown that oral CBD oil can reduce arthritic pain with no effect on weight-bearing capacity or limb mobility. Even though there are no studies in dogs for these specific conditions, rat and mice studies suggest that CBD can help to decrease inflammatory pain and swelling, nerve pain, and bone cancer pain.

Natural Anticonvulsant

Seizures are believed to be instigated by the rapid, uncontrolled release of neurons in the brain. Preliminary research suggests that CBD can help to restore order to these neurons, activating them to fire normally and prevent the onset of seizures. Anticonvulsant properties of CBD might help to control seizures, tics, spasms, and tremors within dogs.

Anxiety Reduction

Just like humans, dogs are also subjected to suffering from anxiety, stress, or even certain phobias. Whether it is tense situations like hearing firework and loud noises, absence of an owner, being in an unfamiliar environment, or travelling, CBD can be useful in managing the symptoms of a variety of mental conditions, including anxiety.

CBD tend to target a type of serotonin receptor known as 5-HT1A to boost serotonin levels in the brain. This may help to lower feelings of anxiety or fear and improve mood. So, if your dog experiences panic disorders or post-traumatic stress disorders, CBD can be a great way to keep your pet relaxed when he or she is uncomfortable.

Antiemetic Properties

Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms both in humans and dogs, which can be caused by a specific condition, treatments or medications. Also, this issue often leads to decreased appetite, dehydration, rapid weight loss, fatigue, and more.

CBD is known as antiemetic, encouraging appetite in dogs while simultaneously reducing the risk of vomiting and nausea. By stimulating 5-HT1A receptors (same receptor responsible for anxiety), CBD can help to reduce feelings of nausea and also inhibits the following vomiting reflex. What’s more, prolonged activation of the CB1 receptor in the brain might be beneficial in decreasing nausea and vomiting.

Anti-Cancer Treatment

Until now, there is no cure for cancer while treatment usually aims at slowing the growth of a tumour, reducing pain and other symptoms. The most common treatment for cancer and malicious tumours in pets is chemotherapy, which can trigger different side effects, including tiredness, fatigue, and lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

CBD and other cannabinoids can improve the effectiveness of traditional chemotherapy by enchasing the rate by which cancer cells absorb chemotherapy agents and simultaneously protecting healthy cells. Additionally, studies have proved that CBD can help to protect against colon cancer in rats by preventing the development, growth, and spread of malignant tumours.

Homeostasis Promoter

Dogs can be given CBD oil, even if they are not currently experiencing painful symptoms. It can be taken to promote overall health by ensuring the proper functioning of the body. Since CBD supports the endocannabinoid system, which affects the brain, skin, heart, eyes, stomach, and mood, many pet owners prefer to use CBD not only as a product to help in treating particular diseases but also as a supplement to promote better health and wellbeing of their dogs.

However, owners should be mindful to ensure that their pets start with a lower dosage intake, alongside taking veterinarian advice as and when required. CBD supplements should be taken in conformity with animal welfare guidelines.

Dr. Balpal Sandhu, the amazing vet from the AV veterinary center was the first person who I called during lockdown as I was in desperate need of some help with my little Maltese dog. I live in an apartment block and there are no public spaces, and given the restriction on going out I really wanted to know how I could keep my dog in shape, and what was the minimum that I would be able to do with the dog without causing him to feel sluggish or put weight on. As always the vet was amazing and these are the tips I have been following during lockdown.

What Goes In

The best tip he gave me was something which I hadn’t even thought about and that was feeding the dog, or more to the point what I was feeding the dog. The doc reminded me that given the fact that the pooch was going to be doing far less exercise than it normally would be, that I would have to ensure that I didn’t overload him with treats, scraps and fatty foods. I have never really thought about the dog’s diet beyond ensuring that he got enough nutrients, but I have taken a very different approach to it during the last 4 months.

Stairs

I hadn’t even considered the fact that I could use the stairs in the apartment block and they have really become a godsend since we have been in quarantine. Every day the dog and I walk the 21 floors from bottom to top, and we try to do it at least twice. To be completely honest with you I’m pretty sure that in doing this the dog is burning more calories than he normally would when we are not in lockdown, and it is certainly something which I’ll be continuing once all of this is over.

Spotting the Signs

The vet gave me a great piece of advice about spotting the signs of the dog looking to get rid of energy and use that as the time to take him out. We are allowed out for exercise once per day and so what I have been doing is having a little play with the dog at various times during the day and then seeing how much energy he appear to have. This is pretty easy to tell to be honest as they are far more springy and looking to run when they have pent up energy. Once you see them looking to get their energy out, that is the time to get outside and take them for a walk, armed with a ball of something that they can play with as you go.

This is about as much as I have been able to do for the dog, watching his diet and trying my best to play with him as much as possible so that he can get that energy out of him.

To read more on topics like this, check out the pets category.