Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital

Bathing Your Cat

Cats are fastidious pets who naturally keep themselves pretty clean. However, if you feel inspired to bathe them to decrease dander and help them stay clean, here are some helpful tips. What you must know is that most cats do not like water, so bathing them can be a daunting task!

1. Have all the essential equipment with you before starting. This includes a soap free pet shampoo, a cloth and a towel.

2. Find a deep tub, sink or a plastic tub. Deep is helpful, as your cat will try to escape from the water. The depth of the tub is not to allow you to fill it to the top with water; rather it will make it a bit more difficult for your cat to jump out and run away.

3. Make sure the water in the tub is lukewarm; not too cold or too hot. The water can be added into the tub beforehand. You can also give your cat a shower if that is his preference.

Remember to be as gentle as possible, avoid getting the head and ears wet, and rinse all shampoo off very thoroughly.

For the ambitious owner and the cooperative cat, bathing can be survived, if not truly enjoyed.

Caring For Your Senior Dog

Your senior pet may need more care as they age. Currently we recommend twice yearly exams to asses what your senior pet’s needs may be. Many problems that can go undetected by you, may be found by a thorough veterinary exam and routine diagnostics.

Some common problems that face senior pets are arthritis, heart disease, kidney disease and thyroid disease. It is also not uncommon for pets to experience senility, incontinence and vision problems. Your veterinarian can help you determine if any of these are a problem for your senior pet and can advise you of how these problems can be managed.

Many pets begin to slow down their exercise routine as they age. Because of this their dietary requirements may change as they age as well. Talk to your veterinarian about what your senior pet’s dietary needs are. Obesity is a common problem among senior pets and can lead to diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.

With regular exams and preventative care, many pets can now live to be much older.  Talk to your veterinarian about their recommendations for your senior pet to ensure a long and healthful life.

Basic Animal First Aid Supplies All Pet Owners Should Have On-Hand

No matter how careful you are, emergencies can happen with your pet. When these do occur, it is helpful to have an emergency first aid kit prepared and to have a plan in place.

An animal emergency first aid kit should contain the following:

1. Emergency numbers for your veterinarian and an after hours emergency veterinary clinic
2. Gauze, for wrapping wounds
3. Non stick bandages and clean towels, so bleeding can be controlled and wounds can be protected.
4. Adhesive tape to secure the bandage.
5. Thermometer to check your pet’s temperature.  Ask your veterinarian to demonstrate how they would like you to take your pet’s temperature.
6. Eye Droppers or syringes without needles come in handy for oral treatments
7. Hydrogen peroxide for inducing vomiting. However, never administer without talking to a veterinarian first
8. Keeping a proper carrier for your pet is also essential as it will help facilitate the transport of  your pet to the veterinarian in an emergency situation.

No matter what the emergency, you should always contact your veterinarian for advice and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Prevention of Dog Bites - 4 Tips to Help

Nobody wants to be bitten by a dog but at the same time we should all take responsibility to prevent our own dogs from biting someone else.  Please follow these 4 tips to facilitate safety around dogs.

1. Responsibility starts with us! Please make sure your dog is properly leashed when out in public. Do not assume that your dog will pay attention to your commands when it is around other dogs and people.  If you do allow your dog off-leash make sure that you are watching carefully and are close by.

2. Give your dog some training structure. If you are unable to train your dog then enroll in a class. Both you and your dog will learn from this experience.

3. Create a safe environment for your dog.  Fencing your yard is helpful but never put your pet in an environment where they may be teased, annoyed or even potentially abused.

4. Always consider whether the situation is safe for your dog and people around your dog. For example, never leave your dog unsupervised with small children.

 By following these tips you will help to keep yourself and your dog safe.

May is Cancer Awareness Month

Cancer can often be a difficult disease to diagnose.  If you think your pet seems unwell it is best to act swiftly to have them evaluated by your veterinarian. Please, do not wait more than a day if you think your pet is behaving in a lethargic manner or has had any change in appetite.

May is officially the Month to make pet owners aware of the potential for their pets to develop or have cancer. Sometimes cancer can develop with no known underlying cause, but sometimes exposure to toxins within the home can cause cancer to develop.

Please be aware of your pet’s environment and do not leave anything potentially harmful where your pet may have access to it.  Have your pet examined every 6 months by your veterinarian since early detection of cancer gives us the best chance to treat it and therefore gives your pet the best chance of survival.