If you’re a dog parent, you may be worried about whether bird flu can infect your dog. The good news is that cases of bird flu in dogs are rare. Even still, it’s good to understand what bird flu is, what it looks like in dogs, and how to prevent a bird flu infection in your dog.

Bird flu basics

The bird flu, also known as avian flu and highly pathogenic avian influenza, is an influenza type A virus. The specific strain of virus that’s causing the current outbreak is referred to as ‘H5N1.’ The ‘H’ and ‘N’ stand for proteins on the virus’s surface: hemagglutinin and neuraminidase.

The bird flu virus is primarily found in wild birds, such as ducks, geese, and storks. Wild birds typically don’t get sick from the virus but can transmit it to domestic birds, like chickens and turkeys. Pet birds are also at risk of getting infected from wild birds.

What makes the virus so concerning is its ability to mutate. The mutations allow the virus to spread quickly from one host animal to another and evade the defenses of the host animal’s immune system.

Can dogs get bird flu?

Dogs can get bird flu, but it is rare. Here are the ways in which a dog could get infected with bird flu:

• Eating a sick or dead infected bird
• Hunting wild birds, poultry
• Drinking unpasteurized milk
• Eating raw or undercooked meat
• Breathing in aerosolized droplets containing the virus
• Direct contact with feces or bodily fluids from an infected animal

To date, there is no evidence of dog-to-dog transmission of the bird flu virus.

Bird flu symptoms in dogs

Because there are so few cases of bird flu in dogs, we can only make an educated guess about its symptoms in dogs based on other influenza outbreaks, such as the canine flu. Here are some potential bird flu symptoms to look for in your dog:

• Fever
• Tiredness
• Sneezing
• Congestion
• Coughing
• Reduced appetite
• Drinking less water
• Difficulty breathing
• Eye and nose discharge
• Red, inflamed eyes
• Occasional vomiting
• Neurological signs (e.g., tremors, seizures, blindness)

These symptoms are non-specific, meaning they are not specific to the bird flu and can be associated with other medical conditions. If your dog has any of these symptoms, take them to your veterinarian immediately. Your vet will perform diagnostic tests to rule out other conditions and confirm a bird flu diagnosis.

Is bird flu harmful to dogs?

Although dogs can certainly get sick from bird flu, dogs are more likely than cats to recover from a bird flu infection.

You can breathe easier knowing that, but early intervention is key to a good recovery. Do not delay in seeking veterinary treatment if your dog has any of the signs listed above. If your dog has bird flu, they will have a better chance of recovering if supportive care to treat the symptoms is started as early as possible.

Preventing bird flu in dogs

Although it’s unlikely that your dog will get infected with bird flu, there are strategies you can take to prevent an infection:

• Keep your dog away from dead birds and wildlife.
• Keep your dog up to date on their vaccinations.
• Do not feed your dog raw or undercooked meat.
• Do not let your dog drink unpasteurized milk.
• Keep your dog out of areas where a known bird flu outbreak has been reported.
• Practice good hygiene. Before touching your dog, wash your hands after handling a wild animal.
• Do not let your dog swim in bodies of water that could contain poop or other bodily fluids from wild birds or other infected animals.

Bringing it together

Bird flu is not a pressing concern for dogs. However, arming yourself with knowledge about the bird flu virus and how to prevent it from infecting your dog will help keep your dog as safe as possible from a bird flu infection.

The post Bird Flu in Dogs: How to Spot the Symptoms appeared first on Pet Care Blog – Dog and Cat Health Advice and More | Healthy Paws.

Many cat parents choose commercial cat food to provide optimal nutrition. But what if you’d like for your cat to try something different?

Homemade cat food is an appealing option for cat parents who want their cats to eat something other than commercial cat food. Before putting on your chef’s hat for your kitty, be aware of the pros and cons of making your cat’s food at home.

Let’s review these pros and cons.

The Pros of Homemade Cat Food

Control over ingredients

Commercial cat foods often have long lists of ingredients. Commercial cat food manufacturers employ animal nutrition experts to ensure their foods are formulated to meet a cat’s nutritional requirements. Still, you may be wary of seeing ingredients that are hard to pronounce or that you can’t quite understand.

With homemade cat food, you have complete control over what goes — and what doesn’t go — into your cat’s food. Therefore, you know exactly which ingredients are in the food.

Meeting specific dietary needs

Although uncommon, cats can develop food allergies. Cats can also have food sensitivities and intolerances that can upset their tummies. Preparing homemade cat food is a great way to avoid the ingredients your cat can’t tolerate.

For cats with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, a homemade cat food diet can help manage the disease, along with medication.

Addressing picky eating

Does your cat turn up its nose at commercial cat foods? If so, a homemade cat food diet may be the solution. Be aware, though, that picky eating may be the outward symptom of a medical condition or behavioral issue (e.g., fear) and not necessarily an indication that your cat wants home-cooked meals.

Cooking = love

For some cat parents, preparing food for their cat is an act of love. Making homemade cat food can be a joy, a way to put extra effort into loving your cat and caring for them.

The Cons of Homemade Cat Food

Even if homemade cat food piques your interest, the cons often outweigh the advantages.

Nutritional imbalance

Providing complete and balanced nutrition through a homemade diet is incredibly challenging, leaving the door open for nutritional imbalances. Here’s why.

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require meat in their diet. In addition, cats require specific nutrients in their diet that their bodies cannot make. Ensuring your cat gets all the nutrients they need in the right amount can be daunting.

Common nutritional deficiencies found in homemade cat food include those listed below:

• Taurine: An amino acid. A deficiency can cause blindness and a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy.
• Thiamine: An animo acid. A deficiency can cause neurologic signs, digestive upset, and blindness
• Choline: A deficiency can cause liver problems.
• Iron: A deficiency can cause anemia.
• Vitamin E: A deficiency contributes to pansteatitis (inflammation of the fat).

Risk of food-borne illness

Because cats require meat in their daily diets, preparing homemade cat food requires working with raw meat. Cooking with raw meat always increases the risk of foodborne illness because of the potential presence of bacteria like Escherichia coli and Campylobacter.

Your cat could become ill if you undercook the meat when preparing their food.

In addition, homemade cat food can’t stay out at room temperature for long. Keep a close eye on your cat at mealtimes and quickly dispose of uneaten food. Immediately refrigerate any cooked meat you plan to serve your cat later.

Be aware that this foodborne illness risk isn’t just for your cat. If the raw meat contaminates other surfaces in your kitchen, the bacterial contamination exposes you and your family to foodborne illness.

Learning curve

It is essential to understand, at minimum, the basics of cat nutrition before making homemade cat food. However, animal nutrition is complicated. Learning the ins and outs of cat nutrition can feel overwhelming for cat parents who want to make homemade food for their cats.

The learning curve for making homemade cat food is significant — one that cat parents may think twice about trying to conquer.

Time commitment

Making homemade cat food requires a large time commitment. This is because homemade cat food does not contain preservatives and must be prepared fresh every few days.

But it’s not just the food preparation. There is also time needed to plan meals and shop for ingredients.

If you decide to make your cat’s food, be ready to spend a significant amount of time planning, shopping for, and cooking the food.

Expense

Cooking your food at home instead of eating out can save you money. However, preparing your cat’s food home is much more expensive than purchasing commercial cat food.

Not only are you purchasing the individual ingredients, but you may also have to purchase food preparation equipment, such as a meat grinder, and pricey nutritional supplements.

Also, given that you will be preparing your cat’s food every few days, this could mean more trips to the grocery store and more money out of your pocket.

Taste

Commercial cat food manufacturers know how to make their food tasty and enticing, even for picky eaters. However, it can be difficult, if not impossible, for homemade cat food to match the flavor of commercial cat food.

Even if you spend hours preparing a nutritious meal for your cat, they may not eat it because it doesn’t have an appealing flavor.

Considerations for preparing homemade cat food

If you have decided to make homemade cat food, follow the advice below to ensure your cat receives optimal nutrition.

Talk with your veterinarian.

Preparing homemade cat food is hard to get right and easy to get wrong. Talk with your veterinarian about your decision to make homemade cat food. They can provide nutritional guidance and direct you to nutrition-related resources, including veterinarian-approved cat food recipes.

Your veterinarian may also refer you to a veterinary nutritionist who can give you more comprehensive nutrition guidance.

Work with a veterinary nutritionist.

A veterinary nutritionist will be your best resource for understanding cat nutrition and learning how to safely prepare food that provides complete and balanced nutrition for your cat. You can search for veterinary nutritionists at vetspecialists.com.

Use only veterinarian-approved recipes.

You can find homemade cat food recipes on the internet but they may not pass muster when it comes to appropriate cat nutrition.

Trust only the recipes that veterinarians and veterinary nutritionists developed. These recipes may include supplements to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.

Follow the recipes exactly! Do not substitute one food for another or add a little seasoning unless the recipe clearly states you can.

Practice good food safety.

Following food safety practices, such as washing your hands after touching raw meat and cleaning surfaces that come into contact with raw meat, will drastically reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

The Centers for Disease Control has valuable information on food safety.

Avoid raw homemade diets.

Do not feed your cat raw meat under any circumstances. Raw meat diets increase the risk of foodborne illness and do not provide any health or nutritional benefits compared to cooked meat diets.

Switch to the new diet gradually.

A cat’s digestive system needs at least a few days to adjust to a new diet. Rather than immediately switch to an all-homemade diet, start mixing a small amount of homecooked food into their commercial food. Then, slowly increase the amount of homecooked food over several days to a week, monitoring how your cat responds to the new food.

Take your cat for regular vet visits.

Because of the potential for nutritional deficiencies, cats on a homemade cat food diet need regular vet visits to assess their overall health. If your veterinarian detects a health issue caused by a nutritional deficiency, they can advise you on how to adjust the diet to correct the deficiency.

FAQs

Are homemade cat food diets healthier than commercial cat foods?

No, homemade cat foods are not healthier or better than commercial cat foods. Homemade cat foods are prone to being nutritionally deficient because of the difficulty in attaining complete and balanced nutrition with these foods.

How much food do cats need?

Every cat is different, but the average healthy adult cat needs about 200 calories. What this looks like, in terms of food quantity, may differ according to the type of diet (dry food, wet food, homemade).

What if my cat doesn’t like my home-cooked meals for them?

If your cat doesn’t like homemade cat food, consider commercial foods, including dry foods, wet foods, and semi-moist foods.

The post The Pros and Cons of Homemade Food for Cats appeared first on Pet Care Blog – Dog and Cat Health Advice and More | Healthy Paws.

Diseases transmitted from animals to people are called zoonotic diseases (or zoonoses). And there are hundreds of them. An article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that “more than six out of every ten known infectious diseases in people can be spread from animals, and three out of every four new or emerging infectious diseases in people come from animals.”

This sounds scary, for sure. But we promise that we’re not here to scare you! Rather, we want to educate you about zoonotic diseases. In this article, we’ll delve into what causes zoonotic diseases, how they are spread, and the common zoonotic diseases in dogs and cats. We’ll also explore strategies to protect yourself, your family members, and your pets from these diseases.

What are zoonotic diseases?

Pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and fungi cause zoonotic diseases. These diseases can be transmitted from animals to humans in several ways:

• Direct contact with bodily fluids (e.g., mucus, urine, feces) from an infected animal
• Indirect contact with objects (e.g., food bowl, bedding, toys) that an infected animal touched
• Bite from a vector (an animal that carries the disease-causing pathogen): tick, mosquito, fly, flea
• Contaminated food
• Contaminated water

Zoonotic diseases can cause a range of symptoms in people, varying from mild to severe. Some symptoms will resolve on their own, but others may be so serious that medical intervention, and possibly hospitalization, is needed.

Who is at risk for zoonotic diseases?

Although zoonotic diseases can affect anyone, certain groups of people have a high risk of contracting a zoonotic disease. Generally, people with a weakened or underdeveloped immune system are most susceptible because their bodies cannot fight off disease very well.

Here is a list of who’s most at risk for becoming ill from a zoonotic disease:

• Pregnant women
• Patients with HIV/AIDS
• Adults over 65 years old
• Children under five years old
• Patients receiving chemotherapy
• Blood or organ transplant recipients
• People with genetic immune deficiencies
• Patients taking medications that suppress the immune system

Fortunately, having a weakened immune system does not mean you cannot have a pet. Instead, it means you would need to take extra precautions to protect yourself from zoonotic diseases.

Common zoonotic diseases from dogs and cats

Here is a table of common zoonotic diseases from our pets.

Preventing zoonotic diseases

Reading about these diseases can make you feel a little squirmy. Fortunately, basic hygiene practices significantly reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases for you and your family. Follow these hygiene steps to prevent getting sick from your pet:

• Wash your hands with soap and hot water after touching your pet. If handwashing isn’t possible, use hand sanitizer that’s at least 60% alcohol, but washing your hands is best.
• Do not let your pet lick your or your children’s faces.
• Pick up and throw away your dog’s feces in your yard or during a walk. Use gloves or a poop scoop to avoid directly touching the feces, and wash your hands afterward.
• Keep your pet’s food and water bowls separate from your dishes and wash them daily with soap and hot water.
• Ensure that your children wash their hands after touching your pet. Do not allow them to touch your pet’s feces.
• Wash your pet’s bedding and toys regularly.
• Wear gloves when gardening, especially if your pet is allowed in the garden.
• Clean your cat’s litter box frequently, wearing gloves. If you are pregnant, have someone else clean your cat’s litter box to prevent getting toxoplasmosis.
• Keep yourself and your family members healthy. A robust, healthy immune system is an excellent defense against zoonotic diseases.

Your pet needs to be protected, too! The better your pet is protected from infectious diseases, the less likely they’ll pass them on to you. Follow these prevention strategies for your pet:

• Keep your pet up to date on their vaccinations.
• Prevent your pet from direct or indirect contact with wild animals.
• Do not allow your pet to be in contact with your children’s feces.
• Keep your pet on year-round, monthly flea and tick preventative.
• Take your pet for wellness visits according to your vet’s recommended schedule.
• Treat your pet’s illnesses promptly.

Bringing it Together

Zoonotic diseases sound scary, but many are easily preventable with simple and practical hygiene practices. Do your best to protect yourself, your family, and your pet from infectious diseases. If you or your pet are ill, seek medical care promptly.

The post Zoonotic Diseases: What Pet Owners Need to Know appeared first on Pet Care Blog – Dog and Cat Health Advice and More | Healthy Paws.

Although many unknowns remain about this illness, we’re here to provide you with the latest information and help you learn how to protect your dog from becoming infected with this mystery disease.

Illness Origins

The mystery dog illness is commonly called atypical canine infectious respiratory disease complex (aCIRDC). Experts believe that the outbreak of aCIRDC began in Oregon in August 2023. Veterinarians in Oregon started reporting cases of dogs with respiratory symptoms that were not responding well to antibiotic treatments typically used to treat bacterial canine respiratory diseases.

Cases of aCIRDC have been reported across several states in addition to Oregon, including Colorado, New Hampshire, and California. However, the exact number of reported cases is unknown because states have varying requirements for veterinarians to report the illness to state animal health departments.

What Is Causing the Mystery Dog Illness?

Atypical CIRDC resembles kennel cough, a highly contagious canine respiratory disease caused by several pathogens, including the bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine parainfluenza virus, and canine adenovirus type 2.

However, samples taken from dogs infected with aCIRDC have not shown the pathogens that cause kennel cough. Also, sick dogs may have already stopped shedding the pathogen by the time they’re tested; in other words, there’s too little of the pathogen in the dog’s system to be detected by a diagnostic test.

At the University of New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and Hubbard Center for Genome Studies have identified an unfamiliar bacterium in samples taken from infected dogs. Researchers do not know, though, if this bacterium is the culprit behind aCIRDC.

Experts have suggested that multiple pathogens, even familiar pathogens in a new combination, could be causing aCIRDC. More research is needed to determine what’s causing this new disease.

How Is the Mystery Illness Spread?

Like other canine respiratory diseases, aCIRDC is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected dog coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land on objects like toys or food bowls. A dog that is exposed to these droplets could become infected.

Why Is The Mystery Dog Illness Popping Up Now?

Disease outbreaks are always concerning. But veterinary experts note that disease outbreaks aren’t unusual in human health. For example, a human flu outbreak can occur in isolated areas when the strain of the flu virus changes or becomes more virulent (more likely to cause severe disease).

The recent COVID-19 pandemic could play a role in aCIRDC being reported now.

During the pandemic, an unprecedented number of dogs were adopted. At the same time, though, veterinary visits and vaccinations decreased. Subsequently, many dogs fell behind on their vaccinations, leaving them at higher risk of illness.

Also, during the pandemic, more people began working from home, limiting their time around others, and canceling their travel plans. Because of this, dogs primarily stayed at home all day.

Now that people are transitioning back to office work and traveling, dogs staying at home all day may now go to doggy daycares and stay in overnight kennels. Doggy daycares and boarding kennels can be breeding grounds for disease because so many dogs are in one place at a time. Dogs not up-to-date on their vaccinations are at especially high risk of becoming ill after being in doggy care or a boarding kennel.

What Are the Symptoms of the Mystery Dog Illness?

The symptoms of aCIRDC resemble those of other respiratory diseases in dogs, making it difficult to know whether a sick dog has a known respiratory disease or aCIRDC.

Here are the symptoms to look for:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Sneezing
• Reduced appetite
• Difficulty breathing
• Eye or nasal discharge
• Mild, persistent cough

Rarely, dogs with aCIRDC develop a rapid, fatal form of pneumonia.

Should I Take My Dog To the Vet?

Take your dog to your veterinarian if your dog is showing any of the respiratory symptoms listed above, especially if your dog’s symptoms have been lingering for several weeks.

Unfortunately, antibiotics used to treat kennel cough have not been effective against aCIRDC. Veterinarians recommend rest and time for dogs with this new disease. Although this treatment recommendation does not sound reassuring, veterinarians cannot recommend more definitive treatment until more is known about what’s causing aCIRDC.

How Do I Protect My Dog From the Mystery Dog Illness?

The strategies to protect your dog against aCIRDC are the same as for other canine respiratory diseases:

• Keep your dog’s vaccinations up-to-date. Being up-to-date on vaccinations is critical to keeping your dog healthy and protected from severe illness. Your dog should be up-to-date on the core (required) DAPP combination vaccine, which protects against distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. Your veterinarian may also recommend that your dog receive the Bordetella and canine influenza vaccines, which are non-core.
• Limit exposure to other dogs. Minimize your dog’s interaction with dogs in crowded places like dog parks, doggy daycares, and kennels.
• Hire a dog sitter. If you plan to travel, consider hiring a dog sitter rather than boarding your dog. Doing so will keep your dog at home and away from a crowded kennel where diseases easily spread.
• Isolate sick dogs. If you have more than one dog and one is ill, keep the sick dog separate from your other dogs until they recover and are no longer contagious.

Bringing It Together

Although this new mystery dog illness is concerning, veterinarians advise dog parents not to panic. Monitor your dog’s health and schedule an appointment with your vet if your dog is showing any signs of respiratory illness.

The post Understanding the Mystery Dog Illness Spreading in the U.S. appeared first on Pet Care Blog – Dog and Cat Health Advice and More | Healthy Paws.

But what exactly are probiotics? How do they work, and can dogs benefit from taking them?

Let’s take a deep dive into probiotics and answer your questions about this hot topic in pet health and nutrition.

What Are Probiotics?

First things first, let’s define what probiotics are. Probiotics are microorganisms—primarily bacteria, but also some yeast—that live in the gut. They make up what is known as the ‘gut microbiome’ and are known as good bacteria.

You may have also heard about prebiotics. Prebiotics are a type of fiber that promote the growth of probiotics in the gut; in short, probiotics feed on prebiotics. Prebiotics are found in high-fiber foods like pumpkin and sweet potato.

Probiotics promote good health in many ways. Here are a few examples of probiotics’ health benefits:

• Relieving diarrhea
• Improving digestion
• Fighting off harmful bacteria
• Promoting good immune health
• Making vitamins and other nutrients

These benefits are taken from what is known about probiotics in people. Probiotics have not yet been studied extensively in pets.

Here are some probiotic species that are found in a dog’s gut:

• Lactobacillus casei
• Lactobacillus plantarum
• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Bifidobacterium breve
• Bifidobacterium bifidum

These bacteria perform different functions in the gut.

How Can Probiotic Supplements Help Dogs?

Probiotic supplements can provide many health benefits for dogs, but not every dog needs them. Dogs in good overall health don’t necessarily need probiotics because their gut health is probably in good shape, too.

However, the gut microbiome sometimes becomes imbalanced from an overload of bad bacteria. Here are some medical conditions that can disrupt the gut microbiome balance:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Obesity
• Liver disease
• Food allergies
• Immune disorders
• Urinary tract infections
• Irritable bowel syndrome

This imbalance can lead to uncomfortable digestive symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and gas. A probiotic supplement helps to restore the balance and relieve digestive upset by increasing the number of good bacteria the gut.

Talk with your veterinarian if your dog has a medical condition that could benefit from probiotics. Your veterinarian can thoroughly assess your dog’s health and determine if probiotics are appropriate for your dog.

How Are Dog Probiotics Formulated?

Probiotics for dogs typically come in three formulations: chewable tablets, powders, and capsules. Each formulation is absorbed a bit differently by the body. Also, your dog may prefer one formulation over another. For example, a dog that refuses tablets or capsules may be okay with having a probiotic powder sprinkled over their food at mealtime.

Some dog food companies may add probiotics during manufacturing, but the amount in the food may be too low to provide health benefits.

Regardless of formulation, remember never to give a human probiotic supplement to your dog. The human gut microbiome differs from the dog microbiome, so the bacteria in a human probiotic supplement may not benefit your dog and may even be harmful.

What Should You Consider Before Giving Your Dog a Probiotic Supplement?

Here are some things to think about before starting your dog on a probiotic supplement:

• Probiotics have different functions. Some probiotics have opposing functions, such as being anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory. Having probiotics with opposing functions in the same supplement may not help your dog.
• Probiotics are sensitive to air, moisture, and extreme temperatures. Probiotics are live bacteria. Storing the container according to the manufacturer’s instructions will help preserve the bacteria’s viability.
• Probiotics don’t work overnight. It can take several weeks for your dog’s gut to adjust to the probiotics. Do not expect an immediate improvement in your dog’s gut health after starting the probiotic supplement.
• Probiotics should be given with caution to immunocompromised dogs. For dogs with weakened immune systems, a probiotic supplement can introduce a bacterial load in the gut that overwhelms the immune system, potentially worsening their health.

What Are Potential Drawbacks of Probiotic Supplements for Dogs?

Probiotics have many benefits but also a few cons.

For example, probiotics can have uncomfortable side effects, such as diarrhea, gas, and bloating. These side effects could result from a dog’s gut getting adjusted to the huge influx of good bacteria.

Also, probiotic supplements for dogs are not FDA-regulated, meaning that they have not undergone the rigorous process of testing and evaluation to gain FDA approval. Manufacturers may take advantage of this lack of regulation by putting misleading information on the label about what is in the supplement.

Finally, as mentioned before, dogs with a healthy gut don’t have a medical need for a probiotic supplement. The supplement could overwhelm the gut, disrupting the delicate balance of microorganisms in the gut and potentially causing digestive problems.

What Should You Look For on The Label?

Just like it’s good to read the label on your dog’s food, read the label of probiotic supplements for dogs before making your purchase. Here’s what to look for:

• List of bacterial species: The label should list the exact bacterial species in the supplement.
• Number of microorganisms in the product: Probiotics are measured in colony-forming units (CFUs). A probiotic supplement for dogs should contain 1 to 10 billion CFUs of probiotics per daily serving.
• Guaranteed analysis: This analysis says how many live bacteria will be present when the product expires. The number of live bacteria at the end of the supplement’s shelf life may be far less than how many are alive at the time of manufacturing, meaning you may be giving your dog fewer probiotics than you think.
• Expiration date: If you give your dog the supplement after the expiration date, the bacteria may all be dead, providing no benefit to your dog.
• Manufacturer contact information: Look for the manufacturer’s contact information on the label (phone number, website). Be wary of any probiotic supplement that does not provide this information.
• Other ingredients: Probiotic supplements may contain other ingredients, such as yeast and enzymes. Contact the manufacturer if you want to know more about these other ingredients.

How Long Can You Give Probiotics To Your Dog?

This depends on your dog’s health condition. Work closely with your veterinarian and let them know if the probiotics are not improving your dog’s condition or if your dog isn’t tolerating them well.

Bringing it Together

Probiotic supplements for dogs can be a healthy way to manage various medical conditions. Follow the label instructions closely and work with your veterinarian to ensure that your dog gets the most benefit from their prob

The post Probiotics for Dogs appeared first on Pet Care Blog – Dog and Cat Health Advice and More | Healthy Paws.

A cat that becomes uncoordinated without warning could have vestibular disease, an uncommon condition that affects cats of all ages and breeds.

Vestibular disease is not life-threatening but can make cats feel uncomfortable. Recognizing signs of the disease will help you know when it’s time to take your wobbly kitty to your veterinarian.

What is Vestibular Disease in Cats?

Vestibular disease is a disorder of the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance and coordination. This system also helps cats remain oriented and have a sense of direction.

The vestibular system is located in the inner ear and medulla (lower part of the brain), with nerves connecting the two locations.

When something affects the vestibular system, cats lose their balance and coordination.

What Causes Vestibular Disease in Cats?

In many cases, vestibular disease in cats is idiopathic, meaning that the cause is unknown. Potential causes are listed below:

• Middle- or inner-ear infection
• Tumors, especially in older cats
• Medications that are toxic to the ear
• Polyps (benign growths)
• Inflammatory disease
• Head trauma

Genetics can play a role, too. Siamese and Burmese cats are prone to developing vestibular disease.

What Are the Signs of Vestibular Disease in Cats?

The signs of vestibular disease appear suddenly and are related to a lack of coordination and balance.

A pronounced head tilt is a telltale sign of the disease. Other signs are listed below:

• Confusion
• Stumbling
• Circling to one side
• Anguished vocalizing
• Rolling around on the floor
• Leaning against furniture or the walls
• Nystagmus (involuntary eye movement)
• Facial drooping (seen with tumors and inflammatory diseases)

Cats with vestibular disease will also experience nausea and vomiting and refuse to eat.

The signs are often the worst within about 24 to 48 hours of onset, then start to improve.

How is Vestibular Disease in Cats Diagnosed?

There are no specific tests for diagnosing vestibular disease. Instead, a veterinarian will use a history, physical examination, and a variety of diagnostic tests to diagnose the condition and try to identify the underlying cause.

Because the underlying cause may be severe, cats with signs of vestibular disease should receive prompt veterinary attention.

For the history, your veterinarian will ask you questions such as those listed here:

• What symptoms have you noticed?
• When did the symptoms first appear?
• What medications is your cat currently taking?
• Has your cat experienced recent head trauma?
• Does your cat have a history of middle or inner ear infections?

The physical exam will also involve an otoscopic exam (ear exam) and a neurologic exam.

Diagnostic tests include blood work, urinalysis, x-rays, and analysis of ear discharge. Advanced diagnostic tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging, may be warranted if your veterinarian thinks the problem may be deep in your cat’s brain or ear. Spinal fluid analysis may also be needed.

Even with diagnostic testing, remember that the cause of vestibular disease in cats often remains unknown.

What Is the Treatment for Vestibular Disease in Cats?

Treatment for vestibular disease is based on the underlying cause, if that cause can be identified. For example, a bacterial ear infection will be treated with antibiotics. An inflammatory disease in the ear would be treated with anti-inflammatory medication.

If that cause remains unknown, treatment will be symptomatic. For example, anti-nausea or anti-vomiting medication will be prescribed to help reduce your cat’s nausea and vomiting.

Because vestibular disease makes cats wobbly and uncoordinated, you’ll need to keep your cat safe and comfortable during treatment:

• Keep your cat in a safe and confined area to prevent injury.
• Move your cat’s food and water bowls and litter box close to your cat.
• Help your cat eat and drink until they regain balance and coordination.
• Rotate your cat’s position every few hours to prevent pressure sores.

Cats with vestibular disease frequently recover fully within a few days to a few weeks, with no residual damage or recurrence. If the underlying cause is irreversible, a cat may continue to have symptoms despite treatment.

The post Vestibular Disease in Cats appeared first on Pet Care Blog – Dog and Cat Health Advice and More | Healthy Paws.

Ticks love to hitch rides on unsuspecting dogs and start feeding. Disease transmission can occur within as little as 3 to 6 hours, so it is critical to remove ticks as soon as you find them on your dog.

We’ll walk you through how to find and remove a tick from your dog’s body and what to do after you’ve removed it.

Finding the Tick

Ticks range in size from barely visible to as large as your fingertip. They have four pairs of legs and sharp mouthparts that latch onto and pierce the skin. Ticks don’t have a head in the true sense of the word.

If a tick has been feeding on your dog for a while, its body will likely look engorged.

Ticks like to hide in long grasses and woodland areas, so it’s crucial to check your dog for ticks if you’ve been in tick-prevalent areas. They tend to latch onto certain places on a dog’s body:

• Toes
• Groin
• Head
• Eyelids
• Armpits
• Inside the ears
• Under the collar
• Between the toes

Gathering Your Supplies

If you see a tick on your dog, you must remove it safely and promptly to minimize the risk of disease transmission.

Gather your tick removal supplies:

• Gloves
• Disinfectant
• Rubbing alcohol
• Magnifying glass
• Triple antibiotic ointment
• Jar containing rubbing alcohol
• Fine-tip tweezers or a tick removal tool (Tick Tornado, Tick Stick)

Removing the Tick

Choose a well-lit area to remove the tick. After putting on your gloves, dampen the hair around the tick with water or rubbing alcohol, then part the hair to fully visualize the tick.

Using Tweezers

1. Grasp the tick at its mouthparts, as close to your dog’s skin as possible, without pinching the skin.
2. Pull straight up in one steady motion, being careful not to squeeze the tick. Squeezing the tick could inject disease-carrying secretions from the tick into your dog.

Using a Tick Removal Tool

1. Grasp the tick between the hooks of the tool.
2. Twist the tool either clockwise or counterclockwise.
3. Pull upward in one motion to remove the tick.

If your dog has multiple ticks, use the same process to remove each.

Sometimes, the tick’s mouthparts stay lodged in the skin during tick removal. If this happens, don’t panic. You can leave the mouthparts alone and let your dog’s body expel them, or take your dog to your veterinarian to complete the removal.

After Removing the Tick

Place the tick in the container of rubbing alcohol and seal the container. The rubbing alcohol will kill the tick.

Remove your gloves and wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water. Next, clean the bite site with warm, soapy water and dry the area with a towel. Apply triple antibiotic ointment or rubbing alcohol to the area to prevent infection.

Clean the tweezers or tick removal tool with disinfectant.

The Don’ts of Tick Removal

We have described the safest way to remove ticks from your dog’s body. Here are a few “don’ts” of tick removal to remember:

• Do not remove a tick without gloves on. The diseases that ticks carry can also make humans sick. Wearing gloves will protect you from these diseases.
• Do not use Vaseline to remove a tick. Vaseline will smother a tick but does nothing to help remove it.
• Do not use vinegar to remove a tick. Not only is it ineffective for removing ticks, but it is also unsafe for dogs.

Aftercare

Tick-borne diseases cause varied symptoms, so you will need to monitor your dog for symptoms for three weeks after tick removal. Take your dog to your veterinarian if your dog has any of the symptoms listed below:

• Fever
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Seizures
• Lethargy
• Lameness
• Weight loss
• Appetite loss
• Swollen lymph nodes

These symptoms are not specific to tick-borne diseases. However, the presence of these symptoms after a tick bite strongly suggests a tick-borne disease.

If your dog remains symptom-free for those three weeks, it is unlikely that the tick transmitted a disease to your dog. However, it would still be good to notify your veterinarian of the tick bite.

Take the jar containing the tick to your veterinarian. They will let you know the type of tick and what diseases it may have been carrying.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post How to Remove Ticks from a Dog appeared first on Pet Care Blog – Dog and Cat Health Advice and More | Healthy Paws.

Dogs aren’t picky eaters. They’ll eat just about anything, unconcerned if what they eat is dangerous or toxic.

Inducing vomiting may be necessary if your dog ate something he shouldn’t have. But it is not without risks and isn’t the go-to solution for all of a dog’s poor eating choices.

Keep reading to learn more about how and when to make your dog vomit safely.

When You Should and Should Not Induce Vomiting in Adult Dogs and Puppies

In an emergency, inducing vomiting can be an effective way to quickly begin emptying your dog’s stomach if your dog ate the wrong thing.

However, inducing vomiting is not safe or appropriate in all situations. Here’s when you should and should not induce vomiting in a dog, whether the dog is an adult or a puppy.

When you should induce vomiting

• It’s been less than 1 to 2 hours since your dog has eaten. Inducing vomiting is effective only before whatever was eaten starts getting absorbed by the body.
• Your dog has swallowed something soft, like a sock or dishcloth.
• Your dog does not have health issues that could make inducing vomiting dangerous.
• Your dog ate a toxic food, like chocolate or garlic.
• Your dog is not showing symptoms of eating something toxic (e.g., seizures).

When you should not induce vomiting

• It’s been more than 2 hours since your dog ate.
• Your dog is a brachycephalic breed. Smoosh-faced breeds, such as Pugs, have a high risk of aspiration pneumonia, which occurs when stomach contents are breathed into the lungs.
• Your dog ate something sharp or caustic. Sharp objects can tear the lining of the esophagus if vomiting is induced. Caustic substances, such as batteries and oil, can also damage the esophageal lining during vomiting.
• Your dog has a health condition, such as laryngeal paralysis or megaesophagus, that increases the risk of aspiration pneumonia.
• Your dog is showing symptoms of toxic absorption. These symptoms include neurologic symptoms, such as seizures or a coma.

Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Safely Induce Vomiting

Ideally, inducing vomiting is performed at a veterinarian’s office or an emergency veterinary hospital. If it is done at home, it should be performed only with professional veterinary guidance.

If your dog ate something he shouldn’t have, contact your veterinarian first. If your vet is not available and you are not able to make it to an emergency veterinary hospital, call the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) for guidance on safely inducing vomiting at home.

These organizations are available 24 hours a day, but may charge a fee.

Here are the steps for safely inducing vomiting in your dog at home:

1. Try to give your dog a small meal. Eating some food may help stimulate vomiting.
2. If your dog refuses to eat or does not vomit after the small meal, give your dog 3% hydrogen peroxide, which irritates the digestive tract lining enough to stimulate vomiting. The recommended dose for dogs is 1 teaspoon per 5 pounds of body weight by mouth. Never give more than 3 tablespoons total for any dog.
3. Carefully open your dog’s mouth and administer the 3% hydrogen peroxide as far back in the mouth as you can. You can use either a syringe (without the needle) or a clean turkey baster. Make sure your dog does not inhale the hydrogen peroxide.
4. The hydrogen peroxide should induce vomiting within about 10 to 15 minutes. If your dog has not started vomiting within that time, administer another dose. Do not give more than 2 doses.
5. Ensure your dog is as comfortable as possible while he vomits because hydrogen peroxide-induced vomiting can last up to 45 minutes. Prevent your dog from re-ingesting the vomit.
6. Monitor your dog for symptoms such as diarrhea, lethargy, or vomiting lasting more than 45 minutes.
7. Collect a sample of the vomit for analysis.
8. After your dog has stopped vomiting, take your dog to your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital (if your veterinarian isn’t available).

Take your dog to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital if your dog is not vomiting after 2 doses of hydrogen peroxide. The veterinary staff will give your dog a more effective vomiting-inducing medication, such as apomorphine.

Why 3% Hydrogen Peroxide?

It is imperative to use only 3% hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting in dogs. A higher concentration is toxic to dogs.

If vomiting is successfully induced with 3% hydrogen peroxide, about 40-60% of the stomach contents will be vomited.

The table below will help you determine how much 3% hydrogen peroxide to give your dog to induce vomiting. Keep in mind that 1 teaspoon = 5 milliliters and 1 tablespoon = 15 milliliters.

If you do not have a syringe to measure the hydrogen peroxide, use a baking teaspoon or tablespoon to ensure you have the right amount. A regular spoon will not provide an accurate measurement.

Remember that no dog should receive more than 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) of 3% hydrogen peroxide.

What NOT To Do

You may have heard or read about other substances you could give to induce vomiting in dogs. Please do not use them! Use only 3% hydrogen peroxide at the proper dose to induce vomiting in your dog.

Here is the list of what not to give and why:

• Salt: Giving your dog salt will increase the salt level in your dog’s blood, causing such symptoms as unsteadiness and tremors.
• Olive oil: Olive oil can cause serious digestive problems, such as pancreatitis and greasy stools. If inhaled, olive oil can cause aspiration pneumonia.
• Syrup of Ipecac: Syrup of Ipecac is unsafe for pets and can cause heart problems.
• Alcohol: Alcohol is poisonous to dogs.
• Gagging: Unlike people, dogs don’t have a gag reflex. Gagging will not help your dog vomit and will increase your risk of being bitten.
• Mustard: Mustard is toxic to dogs and can cause severe digestive upset.

Aftercare

Your dog will need veterinary care, regardless of whether inducing vomiting is successful.

If you were able to induce vomiting, watch for symptoms that warrant immediate veterinary care:

• Lethargy
• Diarrhea
• Signs of gastric-dilatation volvulus, such as drooling and an enlarged abdomen
• Vomiting for more than 45 minutes

For the veterinary appointment, your veterinarian will analyze the vomit to determine what your dog ate. Also, because hydrogen peroxide irritates the digestive lining, your vet may prescribe a medication to repair the lining.

Prolonged vomiting can cause dehydration. If your dog is dehydrated after vomiting is induced, your veterinarian may need to administer fluids to restore hydration and levels of electrolytes (e.g., sodium, potassium).

Vomiting is no fun, so your dog will probably need time to recover after vomiting has been induced. Your veterinarian can recommend an easily digestible diet until your dog gets back to their regular diet.

The post How to Induce Vomiting in Dogs appeared first on Pet Care Blog – Dog and Cat Health Advice and More | Healthy Paws.

Unfortunately, dogs are not spared from choking. Their inquisitive nature and willingness to put just about anything in their mouths make choking relatively common in our beloved canines.

Choking in dogs is an emergency, so it’s essential to learn about it before your dog urgently needs your help. We’re here to help you recognize the signs of choking in dogs, what to do if your dog is choking, and how to prevent choking.

What is Choking?

Choking is a partial or total blockage of the airways. If the choking is not resolved quickly, a dog will become unconscious because it cannot breathe and get oxygen to its brain.

Dogs can choke on many things, including the items listed below:

• Bones
• Toy balls
• Rawhides
• Small toys or small components of toys
• Food (if eaten too quickly or the morsels are too big)

What Does Choking Look Like in Dogs?

Unlike people, dogs can’t point to their throats to indicate choking. Here are some signs of choking in dogs:

• Drooling
• Coughing
• Retching/gagging
• Struggling to whine
• Pawing at the mouth
• Rubbing the face on the floor

If a dog’s airway is completely blocked, the dog will be unable to make a sound and may be unconscious.

What To Do If Your Dog Is Choking

Choking can be life-threatening, so you must act quickly if your dog is choking. But don’t panic. If you panic, your dog will sense your anxiety and become more anxious, worsening the situation.

Remember to keep yourself safe. A dog that is choking is in distress and may bite when its mouth is opened. If you are worried about your dog biting you, call your veterinarian’s office or an emergency vet hospital for guidance on safely helping your dog during a choking emergency.

Here’s what to do if your dog is choking:

1. Gently restrain your dog.

Gentle restraint—without a muzzle– will keep your dog still enough for you to try to dislodge the object. If someone is there with you, they can gently restrain your dog.

2. Locate the object.

You may be able to see the object in your dog’s mouth or throat, depending on its size and shape. Open your dog’s mouth and wrap their lips over the teeth to protect your fingers (the person assisting you can do this). Make sure to check the roof of your dog’s mouth.

If you don’t see the object, don’t reach back into your dog’s throat to search for it. Doing so may damage the delicate tissues lining the throat.

3. Remove the object, if possible.

An object that is small, easily visible, and reachable can be removed by sweeping it out with your fingers or grabbing it with a pair of tweezers. Rawhide or bone, depending on the size of the fragment, might be able to be removed with tweezers.

Removing a large and visible object, like a ball or toy, will require a different technique. Place both thumbs under your dog’s jaw at the base of the throat and firmly press upward to dislodge the object just enough to remove it.

Avoid pushing the object to remove it. That may push the object further down the throat, worsening the choking.

4. Perform the Heimlich maneuver.

Yes, the Heimlich maneuver can be performed in dogs! It is used to force enough air out of the lungs to push the object up and out. It is indicated if you cannot remove the object using the previous steps.

The Heimlich maneuver is performed differently according to whether a dog is large or small.   

Small dog

• Pick up your dog with their back to your stomach.
• Place the fist of one hand in the hollow spot in your dog’s abdomen, just under the ribs.
• Gently thrust upward and toward the head.

Large dog

You can use either method described below to perform the Heimlich maneuver in a large dog.

Method 1 (resembles performing the Heimlich on a person)

• Position your dog upright with their hind legs on the floor and their back against your stomach (like a person standing up).
• Place the fist of one hand in the abdomen’s soft spot and thrust inward and upward.

Method 2

• Lay your dog on their side, again with their back against your stomach.
• Place the fist of one hand in the abdomen’s soft spot.
• Thrust upward and inward toward your dog’s back.

Once the object is dislodged, lay your dog on their side and remove the object with your hand, taking care to avoid being bitten.

5. Perform CPR.

If your dog is not breathing after the object has been removed, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to restore breathing. CPR in dogs consists of chest compressions (120 compressions/minute) and rescue breaths. The ideal compression-to-breathing ratio for CPR in a dog is 30 chest compressions to 2 breaths.

The Red Cross provides detailed instructions on performing CPR on a dog.

If you have someone with you, have them drive while you perform CPR in the car on the way to your veterinarian’s office.

6. Take your dog to your veterinarian.

Even if you removed the object and restored your dog’s breathing (if your dog had stopped breathing), your dog will still need to be examined. Your veterinarian will examine your dog for any potential injuries, such as rib injuries as a result of performing CPR or damage to the tissues of the throat.

Your veterinarian will determine the best treatment plan to get your dog feeling more comfortable after choking. For example, your dog may need pain medications for a rib injury. Eating soft foods will likely be needed until your dog’s throat heals.

How To Prevent Choking in Dogs

After a harrowing experience of your dog choking, you won’t want it to happen ever again. Here are some tips for preventing choking in dogs:

• Do not give your dog rawhides or bones.
• Keep children’s toys out of reach of your dog.
• Give your dog toys that do not have small parts that can be removed.
• If your dog chews toys aggressively, purchase only durable chew toys.
• Monitor your dog during playtime and closely watch which toys they play with.
• Make sure your dog’s kibble size is appropriate for your dog’s size. Also, consider a raised food bowl to slow your dog’s eating.

Choking in dogs occurs frequently and is distressing for dogs and their owners. Do your best to prevent your dog from choking. However, if your dog chokes on something, act quickly and follow the steps above to provide life-saving help for your dog.

The post What to Do if Your Dog is Choking appeared first on Pet Care Blog – Dog and Cat Health Advice and More | Healthy Paws.

A cat’s growl generally signals displeasure or fear and serves as a warning to stay away. A growling cat is not to be messed with! Learning why your cat growls will help you know what to do the next time you hear a threatening sound coming from her.

What Growling Looks Like

A cat’s growl is usually accompanied by a hiss, which can also sound a little menacing. In addition to making a hissing sound, a growling cat will show through its body language that something in their world isn’t right. Such body language includes:

• Bared teeth
• Flattened ears
• Arched back
• Hair standing up on end
• Slow tail movements

Why Do Cats Growl?

Generally, a growling cat is an unhappy cat. The growl serves as a ‘last resort’ before an attack or other aggressive action. Don’t be fooled, though—even if your cat is growling and hissing and looks threatening, she does not want to fight. She is hoping that her growl and tough-looking body language will be enough to make you, or another animal or person, back off and leave her alone.

Here are some situations in which your cat is likely to growl:

• Pain. Like people, cats don’t like being touched where it hurts. Because cats can’t say “Ouch, that hurts!”, they will growl to signal their displeasure. If your cat growls when you pet her in a particular area, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to find out why your cat is in pain.
• Possessiveness. If your cat is possessive of a certain object, like her food bowl or her favorite toy, she will growl to warn you to back away from that object. 
• Dominance. In multi-cat households especially, the more dominant cats may growl at the less dominant cats at mealtime to make the less dominant cats wait their turn to eat. 
• Fearful or threatened by new people. Growls often signal a fear of something or someone new. For example, if you invite someone over to your home who your cat does not know, your cat may growl to indicate that she is afraid or feels threatened by that person. She’ll probably then run and hide until she feels it’s safe to come out.
• Old age. As cats age, they can lose their hearing, vision, and even cognitive abilities. A cat who does not hear or see very well can be easily frightened by their environment. Elderly cats with brain dysfunction may do strange things, such as stare and growl at the wall, because their brains are perceiving a threat that isn’t really there.
• Change in routine. Does your new job have you leaving and returning home at different times? Have you changed something about your daily habits? Cats like routine, so any change in routine can upset them. Your cat may growl because she doesn’t like your new routine or habits. 
• Stress. Stress is a catch-all reason for why cats growl. Any of the above situations can be stressful for a cat. If your cat is growling, something has happened, even if you’re not exactly sure what, to make her feel stressed.

What to Do When Your Cat Growls

When your cat is growling, the best thing to do is leave her alone and let her calm down. If you disregard her growling and try to engage with her, do not be surprised if she swats at, scratches, or even bites you. Also, avoid scolding or punishing your cat when she growls; if you punish your cat for growling, you are taking away her warning signal to stay back.

In addition to giving your cat some space, make adjustments to your cat’s external environment to minimize the triggers for her growling. Here are some suggestions:

• For a multi-cat household, place the food bowls in different areas to avoid dominance issues at mealtime.
• When you have guests over, create a safe, quiet, and secluded space for your cat.
• Install blinds or drapes over your windows to limit your cat’s view of the outdoors.
• If your cat is in pain, give her pain medication as prescribed by your veterinarian.

Bringing it Together

Cats growl for many reasons, often due to displeasure or fear. If your cat is growling, give her some space and try different strategies to help her feel calm and safe in her environment. You may need to consult with your veterinarian to figure out exactly why your cat is growling and what you can do about it.

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