Do Cats Get Lonely When You’re Gone?
In This Article Does My Cat Miss Me? View 2 More +
Pet Grooming: How to Handle Matting in Dogs and Cats
Reviewed and updated on May 8, 2020, by Katie Grzyb, DVM Try as you may to keep up with your pet’s grooming needs, chances are you may face a hairy situation from time to time: matted fur. Figuring out how to deal with matted fur can be stressful, especially for pet parents with long-haired animals. Here are some tips for safe ways to remove and prevent matted fur—and when to seek professional help. Why Pets Get Matted Hair Here’s a breakdown of the most common reasons why pets get matted hair. Lack of Proper Grooming While unsightly and frustrating to deal with, in most cases, matted fur is the result of one common reason—the absence of grooming. Individual hairs rub together every time your pet moves, says Brooke Strong, a groomer with Reserved Barking in Alexandria, Virginia, and unless the coat is short or brushed regularly, mats are bound to form. “The frequency of brushing needed depends on the length of the coat, the coat type (curly vs. straight, soft vs. wiry, etc.), and the activity level of the pet,” says Strong. “Pets get matted fur either from having long fur that is not combed out frequently, or in cats, it’s more common when they stop grooming themselves due to discomfort or illness,” says Dr. Stephanie Liff, DVM, medical director of Pure Paws Vet Care in Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Liff often finds that in cats, arthritis and general systemic illness will lead to decreased self-grooming and, therefore, matting. Cats with diabetes, cancer, and/or kidney disease are known to have unkempt fur that is more prone to matting. “In dogs, it’s more often related to lack of appropriate grooming from the owner, though,” she says, as dogs with long or thick coats “rarely self-groom effectively.” Also keep in mind that non-shedding, long-haired pets, like Poodles or Doodle breeds, or those with a thick undercoat are more prone to matting, and therefore will likely have extensive grooming needs. Consult your veterinarian for advice on how to best handle your pet’s grooming based on his or her breed. Other Causes of Matted Fur Besides a lack of grooming, a few other factors may cause your pet’s mats to form more easily or to get worse, says Strong. Matted fur is frequently seen in obese pets. If a cat, in particular, is too obese to properly groom herself, she will end up with mats in hard-to-reach areas like across the lower back. Strong says that these environmental factors can also lead to an increase in matting: Static electricity Dry climates Winter season
Parasitic Digestive Disorders in Fish
Digestive Disorders Most digestive disorders in fishes are caused by parasite infections. However, not all parasites cause problems for fishes — some live in a symbiotic relationship with the fishes. Symptoms and Types The symptoms can vary depending on the parasite causing the digestive disorders, but usually include weight loss, lethargy and loss of appetite. Young fishes are especially susceptible to digestive disorders and can die before any symptoms arise. Such parasites which cause these type digestive disorders include: Protozoan parasites (e.g., Spiionucleus, Hexamit, and Cryptobia) Worm parasites (e.g., tapeworms) Protozoan parasites Spiionucleus and Hexamita infect the intestines of cichlids, bettas, gouramis, and other aquarium fishes. Apart from the symptoms listed above, fishes with these two parasites produce stool that is white and stringy. Cryptobia, another protozoan parasite, infects the stomach of African cichlids.
10 Ways to Tell If Your Dog Is Part of the Family
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French Bulldogs vs. Boston Terriers: How They’re Different
Considerations for Pet Parents Both Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs make great additions to families who can give them the affection they crave. They make great pets for first-time dog parents, but there are some things to consider before bringing one of these pups home. 1. Be Prepared for Vet Visits Both Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs are prone to health issues, in part thanks to their short snout. This means special considerations need to be taken in hot, humid weather and whenever your pet is exercising. Regular wellness exams will also be vital for both breeds to keep them healthy. 2. Work to Prevent Obesity Because of their compact body, it’s easy for Frenchies and Bostons to pack on unwanted pounds. To prevent obesity—and keep your dog mentally stimulated—make sure your pup gets about 30-60 minutes of exercise every day. You should also feed your pup an appropriate amount of a healthy dog food that follows regulations put forward by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). 3. Early Socialization Is a Must While Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs tend to have a good temperament, pet parents must still socialize their puppy consistently. This will help them be calm in new situations and when meeting new people or animals. Featured Image: Adobe/mazzynga,WRITTEN BY Emily Sanders Freelance Writer,You’re walking down the road when you spot it: a small, black-and-white dog with a short snout and big ears trotting happily alongside his pet parent. You immediately identify the pup as a Boston Terrier, but your friend exclaims, “That’s a cute Frenchie!” Although the Boston Terrier and the French Bulldog are often hard to distinguish due to their similar build and markings, they each have specific features that set them apart.
The 20 Best Horse Treats
In This Article Choosing the Best Horse Treats View 2 More +
Bone And Muscle Disorders in Fish
Pleistophora Hyphessobryconis & Broken Back Much like other animals, fishes can have bone and muscle disorders. Symptoms and Types One such bone and muscle disorder is Broken Back Disease, which is typically due to a vitamin C deficiency. This disease will literally bend the fish’s backbone. However, injuries are sometimes the cause of an abnormal backbone. Another typical bone and muscle disorder is caused by the parasite Pleistophora hyphessobryconis. This parasite attacks the skeletal muscle – responsible for movement – of freshwater aquarium fishes, like neon tetra and angelfish. The fishes infected with the parasite, which has caused muscle damage, will then have abnormal muscle movements. To identify the parasite infection, the veterinarian will perform a microscopic examination. However, there is no treatment for this particular bone and muscle disorder. The only way to prevent the disease from spreading is to remove all infected fishes from the tank, aquarium or fishpond.
9 Interesting Facts About Cat Teeth
6. Cats rarely show dental pain. “Cats hide their pain,” Dr. Carmichael says. “The most common symptom I see in cats with dental problems is no symptoms at all. It’s up to pet owners and veterinarians to be on top of cats’ dental issues and be proactive when looking for problems.” Remaining diligent involves keeping an eye out for drooling, red gums and changes in a cat’s eating habits, as well as noting any changes in your cat’s breath. “Oral health issues often have a distinct, rotten odor,” Dr. Carmichael says. “A really fishy, rotten smell.”,7. Cats can still eat after they’ve had teeth removed. If your cat is diagnosed with dental issues that require extraction, don’t be too distressed. Cats can eat wet food (and usually even dry!) without some or even all of their teeth and live a long and healthy life. “It’s more important to have a healthy and a pain-free mouth than to have a mouth full of teeth,” Dr. Carmichael notes. Plus, if your veterinarian recommends extracting teeth, those teeth are likely painful for your cat so they will feel much better once they are gone.,Reviewed and updated for accuracy on December 2, 2019, by Dr. Mallory Kanwal, DVM You may be well aware that your cat’s breath sometimes smells like cat food, but are you really familiar with what’s going on with their teeth? The inside of a cat’s mouth is a mystery to many pet owners (seriously, how often do you take a look in there?), but keeping up-to-date on your kitty’s dental situation is vital to maintaining their overall health and wellness. The best defense is a good offense, so here are nine fascinating cat teeth facts to give you some insight on your cat’s dental health. 1. Human teeth and cat teeth have some similarities. While a cat’s teeth look quite different from a human’s pearly whites, both humans and cats are diphyodont animals. This means that we have two successive sets of teeth. The first set—the deciduous or baby teeth—fall out when we’re young. Then, a permanent set comes in. However, a cat’s dental timeline is a bit more accelerated than a human’s. “Cats are born without teeth, but their baby teeth start coming in when they’re about 2 weeks old,” says Dr. Dan Carmichael, a board-certified veterinary dentist at NYC’s Animal Medical Center. “Then, the baby teeth start falling out at around 3 months to make room for the permanent teeth.” If properly cared for, a cat’s permanent teeth should last their entire life. BONUS FACT: Cats have 26 baby teeth and 30 permanent teeth. For comparison, humans have 20 baby teeth and 32 permanent teeth, and dogs have 28 baby teeth and 42 permanent teeth.
Estrus Symptoms after Spaying in Cats
Ovarian Remnant Syndrome in Cats An ovariohysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which the uterus and ovaries are removed from a female cat. Such a removal results in the cessation of subsequent estrus (heat) symptoms in the female. However, some female cats continue to exhibit the behavioral and/or physical signs pertaining to estrus even after such a surgery, and are found to have some ovarian tissue that had not been removed during surgery and was left behind. If such tissue remains functional and continues to secrete hormones, estrus behavior will continue. Such symptoms are typically seen within few days after surgery. Symptoms and Types Excessive vocalization Signs of heat (e.g., elevation of pelvis to facilitate intercourse [lordosis]) Restlessness Head rubbing Rolling around Deviation of tail Swelling of the vulva May allow sexual intercourse to take place
Kidney Failure in Ferrets
Renal Failure in Ferrets Failure of the kidney — which among other things regulates blood pressure, blood sugar, blood volume, water composition in the blood, and pH levels, and produces red blood cells and certain hormones — can take so place so slowly, that by the time the symptoms have become obvious, it may be too late to treat the condition effectively. As a result, kidney failure is a condition that should be taken seriously by pet owners. As a result of renal failure, there is decreased ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine, leading to accumulation of toxic chemicals in the body. Symptoms and Types There are two types of kidney failure: acute renal failure, which occurs as a sudden onset syndrome; and chronic renal failure, which is caused due to a more long-standing disease. Acute renal failure (ARF) Sudden loss of appetite, tremors, seizures Depression, dehydration, poor hair coat Diarrhea, vomiting, fever, increased heart rate Chronic renal failure (CRF) Loss of appetite, excessive salivation, weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting Lethargy, poor hair coat, seizure or coma Abnormally large or small kidneys
