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Weekly Pet Health Checklist

We spend a lot of time with our pets — after all, we share the same living space! But frequent contact can make it easy to miss subtle changes in health or behavior. This weekly health checklist can help you keep on top of your pet’s well being. A weekly health check is also a good way to get your pet used to being handled regularly! Is your pet acting “normal” — are they active and in general good spirits? Is your pet sleeping as much as he usually does? Does your pet move without stiffness, pain, or limping? Is … Continue reading →

The Subtlety of Pets and Health

We recently had a guest at the cats-only boarding facility who was very sick. We just didn’t know it. This particular cat is one who comes to stay with us every few months. She’s an older lady of fourteen, with no apparent health issues and a love of a good brushing. As compared to other guests, she’s a quiet one. She’s happy to curl up on her fleece blanket most of the day, watching the world go by. But out of nowhere, she threw up one morning. A few days after that, one of my coworkers noticed a strange smell … Continue reading →

The Difference a Day Makes

Spring is… well… springing, and that usually means allergy trouble for my dogs Moose and Lally. Lally is more sensitive than Moose is — especially as she ages. A few years ago, the vet suggested giving the dogs Benadryl when they need it for allergy problems. I’ve almost always got a bottle on hand and can dole out doses with dinner as needed. It’s worked really well for my furry pals. Lally’s been itching like crazy for the last week or so — especially on her face. She’s been rubbing her head and muzzle against everything for relief: the couch, … Continue reading →

Types of Urinary Crystals in Cats

Urinary crystals can be a serious health issue for cats. There are several different types of crystals that can form. Struvite crystals — magnesium ammonium phosphate — used to be the most common type of urinary crystal in felines. Twenty years ago, approximately seventy-five percent of urinary crystals were struvite crystals! As a result, prescription diets used to focus on preventing struvite crystals. The diets were low in magnesium. It worked — by the late 1990s, struvite crystals were to blame for less than fifty percent of urinary crystal problems. Still, struvite crystals are the most common urinary crystal seen … Continue reading →

Hypertension in Cats

Although high blood pressure in humans can often be tied to stress, stress usually isn’t a factor in cats with hypertension. Often, cats who have high blood pressure suffer from kidney disease and/or thyroid disease. Symptoms of high blood pressure can include: Sudden or gradual blindness. High blood pressure can cause the retina to detach in the eye. Owners may notice that a cat has dilated pupils that do not react to the light, blood in the front of the eye, or difficulties navigating around furniture. Behavioral changes. A cat with hypertension may be restless or awake at odd hours. … Continue reading →