How Cold Is Too Cold to Ride a Horse?
In This Article Do Horses Get Cold? View 3 More +
7 Common Mistakes Pet Parents Make with Flea and Tick Prevention
You should also never give your dog flea and tick medication formulated for a cat. Flea and tick preventatives are based on weight, age, and other criteria that are specific to an individual pet. Your dog and cat are prescribed a flea and tick formulation based on these factors. If you need help selecting a flea and tick preventative for your dog, check out our vet-recommended guide to the best flea and tick medications for dogs in 2025. If you have a cat, read up on the best flea and tick preventatives for cats in 2025. If you accidentally administered a flea and tick product to the wrong species, contact your veterinarian immediately.,So you can’t remember the last time you plucked a tick off your pup or flicked a flea off your feline? That’s great news! But just because you don’t spot these parasites today doesn’t mean you can take a backseat to flea and tick preventative care. Fleas and ticks are two of the most common pet health concerns across the U.S. These pesky parasites not only cause extreme discomfort for our furry friends, they also carry diseases. Left untreated, these illnesses can cause serious health issues for our pets—which is why prevention is key. Flea and tick preventive treatment works best when given on time, all the time. The good news is that flea and tick prevention is simple—as long as you follow a consistent schedule and work with your veterinarian to determine the best flea and tick prevention for your pet. It’s easy to forget a few simple tips throughout the year. Let’s look at the most common mistakes pet parents make, and how to avoid them.
Wellness Plans for Cats
How Much Do Cat Wellness Plans Cost? Most wellness plans have a monthly fee of $10-$30 per month, although some offer a lump-sum option so you can pay for the whole year at once. The monthly fee depends on the company and options you choose. Ask your insurance provider if they are offering any promotions or if they have discounts for multiple pets. Wellness plans often have an enrollment or startup fee as well for the first year of coverage. This is a one-time fee that you probably won’t have to pay again if you re-enroll on time the following year. It’s always a good idea to check your plan’s details to see exactly which fees you’ll have to pay when you sign up and re-enroll.,Should You Get a Wellness Plan for Your Cat? A wellness plan will give you peace of mind that all or most of your cat’s preventive appointments are already covered. Insurance also allows you to spread out your expenses rather than being faced with intermittent big bills. Here are the typical wellness needs for felines: Kittens (up to 1 year old) Spay/neuter FeLV/FIV test Heartworm test Rabies vaccine FeLV (feline leukemia) vaccine Feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia (FVRCP) vaccine Fecal test Parasite prevention medication Microchipping Adults (1-6 years old) Boosters for rabies, FeLV, and FVRCP vaccines based on health and lifestyle Fecal test Screening bloodwork and urinalysis FeLV/FIV testing Parasite prevention medication Microchipping if not previously done Seniors (7 and over) Senior cats need everything a typical adult cat needs, plus: Twice-yearly physical exams More extensive senior bloodwork panel Urinalysis Thyroid hormone testing Blood pressure assessment,Cats may seem self-sufficient, but don’t let that fool you. Just like people, your furry feline needs regular wellness checkups. Depending on their age and health status, your vet may recommend bringing your cat in once or twice a year for their wellness exam. Visits for preventive care in kittens are even more frequent! As we all know, keeping up with even routine pet care can be pricey. Average yearly costs for cats can be $500-$2000 for all recommended wellness care (this can include physicals, dental cleanings, bloodwork, fecal exams for parasites, urinalysis, and more). The cost varies depending on where you live and your pet’s health status and age, but regardless, it’s a pretty penny! One thing you can do to help manage these costs is to purchase a wellness plan for your cat. Here is what you need to know about cat wellness plans.
Seizures in Horses
Treatment Depending on the underlying cause for the seizures there are certain treatments that are designed to help control the episodes, but there is nothing that can prevent or stop epilepsy in horses in the long term. There are, however, two types of medications used by veterinarians to control the convulsions that occur during seizures: Diazepam and Phenobarbitone., ,Epileptic Seizures Much like in humans, horses suffer from epilepsy. And although equine epilepsy may not be the most common of horse afflictions, it is one that horse owners should be aware of. It causes seizures of various intensities and without proper care, a horse who is suffering from epilepsy runs the risk of seriously hurting themselves, other people or animals around them. Symptoms The most common sign of epilepsy is seizures. The horse will usually become unconscious, collapse, tremble and shake. Its ears or tail may tremble, while its eyes will glaze over, giving a distant or vacant appearance. It is something very disconcerting to witness. After the episode is over, however, the horse will generally return to its normal state.
Are You Ready to Adopt a Special Needs Dog or Cat?
Image via iStock.com/kicia_papuga By Lisa A. Beach Cats and dogs with special needs face unique challenges to their health and well-being and need someone who can provide extra care and attention—and possibly therapy and special training—all with patience, love and compassion. Here’s what you need to know before you adopt a special needs cat or dog. Benefits of Adopting a Dog or Cat With Special Needs While there can be extra work and financial commitment involved, there are many reasons why you should consider adopting a special needs dog or a special needs cat. “Working with a pet with a disability will teach you how to be more creative and patient,” says Mary Burch, PhD, a certified applied animal behaviorist and director of AKC Canine Good Citizen Program in Tallahassee, Florida. “There’s a joy that comes from knowing you saved—and gave a good life to—a pet that might not have otherwise been saved.” If you decide to adopt a dog or cat with special needs, knowing what to expect—and preparing your home ahead of time—can pave the way for an easier transition from shelter to home. Questions to Ask Before Adopting Special Needs Dog or Cat Think of the dog first and the special needs next. “First ask about the pet and its energy level, breed, and exercise requirements to make sure that type of pet will fit in their household,” says Gay Wakeland, president and cofounder of Deaf Dogs of Oregon. “Deafness is secondary when it comes to finding a good matching home for the pet.” Deb Marsh, president of Blind Dog Rescue Alliance in Boothwyn, Pennsylvania, agrees. “It helps to remember that he’s a dog first, and blind second! Blind dogs will show you that a special need isn’t something to give in to, but to accept it and carry on with life to the fullest.” When it comes to the animal’s special needs, our experts suggest asking these questions before adopting: When you’re away from home, can the pet be cared for by a dog walker or sitter? Is it best for the pet to remain in her own home, or is staying at family member’s house or in a kennel an option? Does the pet have any special medical needs or take a prescription pet medication? What extra veterinary bills will need to be covered, and how much will this cost? Can the pet navigate around the house independently? If not, does she need to be in a room with the door closed or in a crate? Do you need to walk the pet on a leash, or can she stay (supervised) in a fenced-in yard? Are stairs a problem? Are there certain commands the pet responds to already? Is there a nearby trainer who can teach you to communicate with or manage your special needs pet? Does she have any behavioral issues related to the disability (e.g., fear-biting when startled)? What kind of environment did the pet’s previous home provide, and what should be changed so this adoption is successful? Tips for Making Life Easier for Special Needs Pets Follow these guidelines to help ease the transition of your new pet into your home. Be Realistic “Expect that whatever issues [that] caused the special needs may not disappear with time,” says Terri M. Bright, director of behavior services at MSPCA Angell in Boston. Understand that the animal’s disability could impact your lifestyle, such as making special arrangements if you have to travel with your pet. Even a simple walk around your neighborhood might be different, perhaps requiring a special dog harness. Bright, a doctoral-level board-certified behavior analyst and certified applied animal behaviorist, likes the safety of a 2 Hounds Design Freedom no-pull dog harness and leash to ensure that the dog is completely secure and cannot get out of it if she becomes frightened and tries to bolt. If your special needs dog or cat struggles with mobility issues, consider a HandicappedPets small dog wheelchair or a HandicappedPets dog support sling to give them a helping hand when needed. Seek Advice There’s a wealth of information available, so turn to credible sources such as rescue staff, animal trainers, veterinarians, behaviorists and online resources like Deaf Dogs. If the pet has been living in a foster home, talk with the current foster family, suggests Marsh. “They can share what the pet likes/dislikes, how to handle certain situations and what commands/training tools work to ease him into his new surroundings.” Get Training Be sure to budget for any training you might need, perhaps with a certified applied animal behaviorist or veterinary behaviorist. “Look for training methods that rely on preventing problems and using rewards to train new behaviors,” explains Bright. “Anything that frightens the animal should not be used, whether water spray, loud noises, electronic shock collars/mats or anything else scary.” And Burch adds, “Training is usually needed to teach the animal to navigate around the home if blind or to respond to the owner if deaf.” Deaf pets: To teach a recall to a deaf dog, pair dog treats with a vibration-only collar, says Bright. “This should be used with rewards only, such as teaching that the buzzing vibration means come-and-get-a-treat!” Wakeland suggests learning some hand signs and visual cues to train your deaf dog. Blind pets: Marsh finds that, for blind dogs, a dog clicker, like the Starmark pro-training dog clicker training aid, is great for training, paired with voice commands such as “sit,” “come,” “up/down” (for steps, curbs, etc.) and “stop” (for an emergency if they need to stop immediately). Pets with physical disabilities: Keep your home tidy and free from clutter. Ramps, pet steps, non-slip surfaces and other accommodations may be necessary to give your pet access to all the places she needs to go. Stay Positive “These special dogs should be trained with positive reinforcement,” notes Burch. “For blind dogs, food and your soft voice can be reinforcers. For deaf dogs, use food and gentle touches to signal that the dog has done something correctly.” Also, Marsh says to talk quietly to blind pets before touching them if they’re sleeping/resting so you don’t startle them. For deaf pets, you can announce your presence with a stomp on the floor. Provide Extra Supervision Pets with special needs shouldn’t be left to their own devices in an unfamiliar environment. This can translate into an owner who needs to be home much of the time (at least initially) and having a helper who is trained to fill in when the owner is gone. “I usually keep a new foster dog’s harness and leash on for a few days so I can guide him and catch him quickly if he’s heading somewhere he shouldn’t,” advises Marsh. For example, she leads a newly arrived blind dog to his dog food and water dog bowl, to the door to go outside, and to his dog bed. But she advises not to pick the dog up and put him down because he won’t know how to get there on his own. “He’ll bump into things,” she notes. “While it can be hard to watch, it’s how they learn their way, kind of like using a cane.” Modify Your Environment to Protect Your Pet Get down on the pet’s level to check for anything that could injure a pet, similar to baby-proofing a house. Wakeland says it’s important to have a safe place in the home where the dog cannot escape, and a fenced-in yard because a deaf dog cannot be called back if she runs off. If you have a blind pet that will be roaming free in your yard, check for sticks and branches that could scratch or poke him. “And gate the stairs and anywhere else he can injure himself, such as a pool,” notes Marsh. Tap into your pet’s other senses as well. If a visually impaired dog stumbles when going down the steps, help her feel the change by using a mat with a different texture at the top/bottom of the stairs. Consider using a pet ramp for front or back steps. Use throw rugs or carpet sample squares in doorways to make it easier for your pet to find door openings. Marsh puts rubber welcome mats outside to designate the safe path from the back door to the ramp to the lawn. Outside, place wind chimes near the back door to guide a blind dog. Inside, use different scents (such as a dab of vanilla extract) to mark areas for your pet. Burch says, “You can get a halo guide that goes around the dog’s head and prevents her from running into things.” Halo guides, like Muffin’s Halo blind dog bumper, can help to guide your dog with a comfortable harness, cushioned wings and a ring that acts as a buffer. Be Consistent For any type of disability, it helps to maintain a predictable schedule. For example, a cat with a physical disability may not be able to toilet on her own, but if she knows that someone will be in around lunch time to help, her stress level will be much lower than it would be with an unpredictable schedule. Keep the animal’s environment consistent as well. “When possible, the pet’s other senses should be considered,” Bright says. “What smells is the animal accustomed to? What foods? Types of grooming or handling? To the extent these can be kept consistent, the pet will benefit.” Always feed her in the same place and don’t move the furniture around. If you take all of these things into account, you will be prepared and ready to welcome a special needs dog or cat into your home.
Parasitic Infections Of Gills in Fish
Dactylogyrus And Neobenedinia Infections in Fish There are many parasites which can infect a fish’s gills, causing various diseases and disorders in these organs. The fish usually becomes pale and has difficulty breathing. Two common parasites which infect the gills of the fish include Dactylogyrus and Neobenedenia. Symptoms and Types Dactylogyrus is a gill parasite which most commonly infects koi, discus and goldfish, and appears like a small worm under the microscope. Infected fish display such symptoms as swollen and pale gills that make breathing difficult for the infected fish. A fish with dactylogyrus will try to remove the parasite by brushing and rubbing against objects in its environment. Neobenedenia is a large parasite which infects saltwater fishes and destroys their gills, leading to breathing problems. Unfortunately, a Neobenedenia infection often becomes fatal for the fish.
Skin Infection (Boil) in Horses
References Featured Image: iStock.com/kasayizgi,References Close,Boil A boil, the result of an infection in the skin, is similar to an abscess. It starts out as a small bump and grows over time to become a larger boil that may seep puss. Eventually, a boil will scab over. Boils are very painful and can even cause temporary lameness in some horses. It is important to locate and treat boils as soon as possible to prevent the spread of infection. Symptoms and Types The signs for a boil are fairly easy to recognize and include: Lesion(s) on the skin A break in the skin A small bump or papule Edema (or swelling caused by trapped fluid)
What Are Horse Grazing Muzzles and What Do They Do?
In This Article What Is a Horse Grazing Muzzle? View 7 More +
Inflammation of the Brain and Brain Tissue in Rabbits
Encephalitis and Meningoencephalitis in Rabbits Encephalitis is a diseased condition characterized by inflammation of the brain. It may be accompanied by spinal cord and/or meningeal involvement. When the meningea is involved, the condition is clinically referred to as meningoencephalitis – which is literally a combination of two known diseased states: meningitis – inflammation of the meninges, the protective membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord; and encephalitis – sudden and severe (acute) inflammation of the brain. Inflammation is usually caused by an infectious agent, viral or bacterial, or by the patient’s own immune system. Bacteria may spread to the brain through the bloodstream, through the ears, or through other body systems. The nervous system is primarily involved, but other organs may be involved as well. This condition is fairly common in rabbits. Lop-eared rabbits may be more likely to show signs of otitis (ear infection) with subsequent meningeal/brain involvement. Dwarf breeds are at increased risk, along with older rabbits, and immunosuppressed (low immunity) rabbits. Symptoms and Types Onset is generally sudden and severe, but there may be a gradual onset with progression to full blown disease Signs of respiratory infection, dental disease, and otitis externa/interna before the brain infection sets in Thick, white, creamy exudate (fluid discharge) may be found in the horizontal and/or vertical canals of the ears Bulging ear drum may be visible Neurological symptoms include signs of dizziness and loss of balance Based on the portion of the brain most affected Forebrain – seizures, personality change, decreasing level of responsiveness Brainstem – depression, head tilt, rolling, abnormal rolling of eye balls , facial muscle paralysis, poor coordination Causes Bacterial infection Viral infection Inflammatory, immune-mediated Parasite migration – sporadic cases of Baylisascaris infection (raccoon roundworm) Diagnosis Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your rabbit, taking into account the background history of symptoms and possible incidents that might have led to this condition, such as recent illnesses, ear infections, or the environment in which your rabbit grazes, if it is allowed to graze outdoors. A complete blood profile will be conducted, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a urinalysis. This can be a challenging disease to diagnose, as blood tests often return normal, and visual diagnostics (e.g., X-ray, computed tomography scan) often do not show a significant change in the structure of the brain unless the swelling is considerable. Because there are several possible causes for this condition, your veterinarian may use differential diagnosis to determine the cause. This process is guided by deeper inspection of the apparent outward symptoms, ruling out each of the more common causes until the correct disorder is settled upon and can be treated appropriately. Skull and ear bone X-rays may identify if a tumor is present. If your rabbit is showing the apparent signs of encephalitis or meningoencephalitis, your veterinarian may be able to diagnose it based on the results of an analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, which can show whether a viral or bacterial agent is present in the fluid. Treatment and Care Treatment is generally based on the symptoms. Appropriate antibiotics will be prescribed according to the type of infection that is diagnosed, and anti-epileptic medications can be given to relieve seizures, if they have been observed. Living and Management To avoid injury, restrict the rabbit’s activity (e.g., avoid stairs and slippery surfaces) according to the degree of balance, but encourage a return to activity as soon as safely possible, since activity may enhance recovery of the vestibular function. It is absolutely imperative that the rabbit continue to eat and take in sufficient fluid during and following treatment. Offer a large selection of fresh, moistened greens such as cilantro, romaine lettuce, parsley, carrot tops, dandelion greens, spinach, collard greens, etc., and good-quality grass hay, and also offer the rabbit’s usual pelleted diet, as the initial goal is to get the rabbit to eat. Encourage oral fluid intake by offering fresh water, wetting leafy vegetables, or flavoring water with vegetable juice. If the rabbit is too weak, or refuses to eat a sufficient amount of food, you will need to feed your rabbit a gruel diet by syringe until it can eat normally again. High-carbohydrate, high-fat nutritional supplements are contraindicated. Note that antiseizure treatment may be given immediately to relieve the symptoms, but this is only symptomatic and may not consistently help unless a primary cause can be identified and treated. This condition is life threatening if left untreated, but in some cases, even with treatment, there may be worsening of mental status and death may occur. If your rabbit can be successfully treated and recovers, your veterinarian will schedule follow-up exams to repeat the neurologic examination at a frequency that is dictated by the underlying cause. Featured Image: iStock.com/Nynke van Holten
Cancer Screenings for Dogs: Understanding Why Early Cancer Detection Matters
Advancements in Dog Cancer Screening Tests Recent years have seen rapid improvements in veterinary oncology, especially in the area of early cancer detection. Blood-based screening tests are becoming more sophisticated, with some now capable of detecting risks for cancers such as lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma. While no test can detect every type of cancer, the ability to catch some of the most aggressive and common cancers is a valuable advancement. Current research and technology are pushing the boundaries of what these screenings can detect. According to a study published in BMC Veterinary Research, cancer screenings in dogs can help identify cancer-associated changes in blood samples with high specificity and sensitivity. These tests can act as an early warning system, helping veterinarians make more informed decisions about next steps. Some at-home early detection test kits are beginning to enter the pet marketplace. However, it is crucial that pet parents rely on tests that have been vetted by licensed veterinarians and supported by peer-reviewed studies. Always consult with a veterinary professional before choosing an at-home product for your dog.,Providing Preventive Care for Your Dog Preventive care plays a key role in early detection of cancer in dogs. To ensure you’re staying on top of your dog’s wellness, it’s important to: Maintain regular wellness checkups (twice a year for senior dogs and annually for others), including appropriate blood and lab tests. Discuss breed-specific risks with your veterinarian and other reliable resources such as the American Kennel Club Breed Standard book. If you are unsure about the breed of your dog, consider a DNA test to help determine your dog’s breed and their possible health risks. Ask your vet about adding a cancer screening to your dog’s annual or semi-annual exam Monitor your dog for any behavioral or physical changes Consider pet insurance or a savings plan to prepare for future care costs,Cancer is one of the most common causes of death in dogs, with nearly 50% of dogs over the age of 10 developing some form of the disease. While a diagnosis can be frightening, advancements in veterinary medicine are creating new paths to early detection, offering hope for more effective treatments and better outcomes. One such advancement is the availability of non-invasive cancer screening tests for dogs that can help detect the risk of cancer before clinical signs become obvious to pet parents.
