Tips Archives - ConsultVet

Protect your Pets from Ectoparasites

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Ectoparasites are the organisms staying on the outside (skin and hairs) of the animals. These ectoparasites include fleas, lice, mosquitoes, flies, ticks, and mites. Ectoparasites are responsible for producing harmful effects to pet animals in the form of biting, blood-sucking, the transmission of various parasitic, bacterial, viral, and haemoprotozoan diseases. Apart from that ectoparasites are responsible for causing various types of dermatological disorders in pet animals leading to alopecia, chronic localized or generalized dermatitis marring the external presentation or look of pets. Among various harms caused by these ectoparasites, the transmission of deadly Haemoprotozoan infections is an important one. Various haemoprotozoa like Babesia, Hepatozoan, and other blood pathogens like Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Mycoplasma, etc. are mainly transmitted by ticks. All these blood pathogens are responsible for causing diseases characterized by fever and anemia due to blood loss which may if ignored becomes deadly to the pet animal. Strike of flies on even small wound/ scratch during the humid season may produce maggot wounds on the skin and even transmit some bacterial infections. Mosquitoes are biting insects that feed on blood and may cause discomfort to animals, dermatitis, and secondary bacterial infections of the skin. Moreover, they are vectors for transmission of dog heartworm Dirofilaria immitis.

Guidelines

Observe your pet for any ectoparasite
Do regular bathing, combing/ brushing to hairs of your pet
Use soaps, shampoos exclusively formulated for pets
Never use human skincare products for your pets
Keep proper hygiene in pet homes to avoid breeding of some ectoparasites

What Dog Owners Need to Know

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Susceptibility:

Puppies less than 2 months of age.
Puppies born to mothers who were not given vaccination.
Young dogs who have not been vaccinated yet.

Your pet is suffering! How can you know?

Initial Symptoms:

Watery to pus-like ocular discharge.
Fever (Biphasic Fever = Intermittent Fever)
Nasal Secretions
Coughing
Lethargy
Inappetance
Vomition and Diarrhoea.

Later Symptoms: (Nervous system)

Tilting of Head
Circling Movement
Muscle Twitching(Chorea)
Chewing Gum Fits (Convulsions with champing of jaws and salivation)
Seizures
Partial or Complete Paralysis

Prevention: (Vaccination)

Series of vaccinations to immunize when the immune system has not yet fully developed.
Do not break immunization schedule.
Avoid contact with infected animals
Avoid socializing puppies or unvaccinated pets

Treatment:

Consult to veterinarian.

Winter Precautions for Dogs: Tips Take Care Of Your Dog In Winters

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The winter period is said to be a healthy period for your pet. Your pet will not get sick easily if you take care of a few points.

1. Warm and cozy Bedding

Just like us he also feels cold. Never leave him outside the house on the balcony or parking area especially at night. Provide him warm and cozy bedding. Some dogs will tear the bed into pieces, you recently bought for him. So, always observe him keenly while introducing a new bed to him. Try to keep both the beds(old and new) together initially, this will give him time to accept the new bed and after few days when he will be comfortable with the new bed, you can remove the old one.

2. Car accidents

Every year some cases can be heard where stray dogs get under the car hood over the warm motor during the night to get the warmth of the motor and sleep there. In the morning when you are in a hurry, you just start and drive the car, which leads to an accident. These kinds of incidents can occur with our pets also. Next time in winters while starting the car in the morning make sure to have a look under the car hood.

3. Clothing

Decreased body temperature (normal is 101.5’F to 102.5’F) is very common in winters and is a matter of concern. Always provide your pet appropriate clothing in winters. With this simple precaution, you can prevent him from getting sick.

4. Bathing

Your dog doesn’t need daily bathing due to the absence of sweat glands on the skin. Bathing is required after 10 – 15 days in summer and 20 days to even a month in winter. Make sure to bathe him at noon on a bright sunny day to make sure he doesn’t get sick.

5. Heaters

If you frequently use heaters in your house then your pet is more prone to accidents due to heaters. Your pet has a tendency to find a warmer place and sit on it. When they do the same with heaters they can burn themselves. You need to keep an eye on his activities around the room heaters.

6. Over feeding

This is a very common issue with dogs. Physical activities generally decrease in the winters as compared to the summers. If you don’t take care of his feeding habits he might get obese. So, never overfeed him especially in winters.

7. Hydration

In winter water of your pet is reduced deliberately. It is very important to hydrate your pet and provide him regular drinking water. Moreover, water kept in the feeding bowl of your pet should be regularly changed.

8. Care of adult Dogs

Adult dogs (above 6-7 years of age) develop problems related to joints eg. arthritis. These get noticed when the problem like lameness and inability to bear weight on legs occurs. In such cases, it is important to lubricate joints along with additional supplementation and exercise. In extreme cases never delay your visit to the vet.

Things To Keep In Mind When Giving A Bath To Your Pet

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Have you ever wondered what makes your pet so uncomfortable when he hears you saying bathing time?

The very first bath of your little pooch is very important, as it will decide whether he is going to love or hate the bathing time for the rest of his life.

You need to care about few things and make the experience for him as pleasant as possible.

Gentle handling

Never be too tough with him, otherwise, be ready to play Tom & Jerry with him. And your pet is inherited to be good at it.

Select the time when it’s neither too hot nor too cold.

If he is already uncomfortable with the environment, then how can we expect him to Cooperate during the bathing routine. So make sure the environmental temperature suits him the best…

Water temperature is the key

Next time before bathing, put few drops on the backside of your hand. It shouldn’t feel too cold or hot. Lukewarm water should always be used for the bathing routine.

Keep the candies handy

This is another way to make him like the routine. Give some of his favorite candies while giving him a bath. This will make him feel rewarded and he will eventually like the process.

Drying – the final step

After bathing, never leave your pet as such to get dried by himself. This will make him feel cold and eventually make him sick. So every time you give him a bath, make sure to dry him well

10 Points To Remember While Bathing Your Dog

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Pet parents should not bathe puppies below 45 days of age.
Owners should bathe the dogs once every month or at least once every 3 months.
More frequent bathing should be avoided because bathing strips away natural oils from the coat and result in dry and itchy skin.
The skin pH of a dog is different from humans and shampoo or soap intended for human use may harm the skin of your pet.
Medicated shampoos like anti-tick, anti-flea, anti-fungal shampoos should be used only when advised by Veterinarians. Regular use of such shampoos may harm the skin of dogs and may develop resistance.
Use dog shampoos free from harsh chemicals and colors.
The temperature of the water should not be very warm or cool. It should be lukewarm.
Comb and groom the dog before the bath and immediately rub him dry with a clean dry towel.
Use a blower only if it is necessary. Do not use hot air for drying the hairs.
Consult a Veterinarian if your dog smells bad, or the skin has rough patches, itching, hair loss, or parasites like tick and fleas on the body.