Picture this: you’re cuddling with your beloved pet, and then you notice something isn’t quite right. Their ears seem unusually sensitive, and they’ve started scratching and shaking their head incessantly. It’s as if unseen, tiny tormentors are causing great distress in their delicate ear canals. These relentless invaders are actually microscopic arachnids, commonly known as ear mites, or Otodectes cynotis, and they can cause a world of discomfort for our furry friends. These tiny creatures are surprisingly common and highly contagious, leading to intense itching and, potentially, secondary infections. This is especially prevalent in younger animals or those coming from shelter environments, where close contact and shared spaces can facilitate…
-
- Blog, Cats, Dogs, Facebook Group Tip, FYI, Holidays, Just a Kind Suggestion!, Pet Health Coordinator FYI, Pet Health Coordinator Tips, Pet Tips, Seasonal Alert
Paws & Claus Christmas Tips
With many pet parents preparing for the Christmas holidays spent with family, friends, and colleagues, it is important to remember that what is enjoyable and palatable for humans may not be safe, enjoyable, or palatable for our animal companions. Let us take a moment to review some quick reminders for this Christmas season. Below is a brief list of what I think would be some of the most important things to keep in mind this Christmas holiday. Holiday Foods Numerous traditional Christmas foods pose significant hazards, even in limited quantities. It is imperative to keep pets completely away from the following: Raisins, currants, and sultanas, found in items such as…
-
Canine Diabetes
Our pets diets can complicate their health just like what we eat affects our health as well. The more sugars, salt, and processed foods we eat will reflect on our Heart, Cholesterol, and Diabetes. I put together today this image that goes over diabetic shocks in dogs and what blood glucose values we like to stay within. If your pooch was recently diagnosed, keep this on hand for a while until you have it in your head what to look for. Again, please never hesitate to call your veterinarian for questions, concerns, and further education on diseases such as Diabetes 1 and 2. Diabetes generally is diet influenced on the…
-
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Now that we are getting ready for the winter and cooler months, let us talk about a “Silent Killer” that we often forget about – Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. Whether you are just turning the furnace on for the season, or taking this time to make sure your home is being winterized and checked for the season. Let the following statistic sink in a bit .. the Harris Poll reached out in 2020 to over 1,300 U.S. pet owners and over 500 Canadian pet owners, 53% of American and 61% of Canadian pet owners are not confident they could identify the symptoms of CO poisoning in their pets. About 36% of…
- Blog, Cats, Dogs, FYI, Just a Kind Suggestion!, Media Article Reference, Pet Health Coordinator FYI, Pet Health Coordinator Tips, Pet Tips
What’s In My Pets Food?
As a pet owner myself, I will admit it can be very difficult at times figuring out what is exactly in the food I’m buying. With having a dog that had suffered from Diabetes Type 1, this was something that needed me reading labels ingredients, chemicals, and company information to make better food selections that were healthy. I will forward you some information and references in hopes this helps you all and your animals that may need a special diet or you may just be searching for healthy diets. The references go over learning the following: Byproducts – What they are and what to avoid. Chemicals & Their Names –…
- Blog, Cats, Community Network, Dogs, Facebook Group Tip, Finding Pet-Care, FYI, Holidays, Just a Kind Suggestion!, Pet Health Coordinator FYI, Pet Health Coordinator Tips, Pet Tips, Vets & Pets
Getting a Family Addition?
Many people along with clients have came to The Kritter Koncierge at some point asking if there would be such a “thing” of a checklist to look over when bringing new animals or pets home. The answer usually is “not really” as each pet could have different needs to think about at the time of adoption or ownership. Here are some general tips to keep in mind and to do for animals you adopt or bring home .. Get as much paperwork on the animal when adopting so you are clear on where to start Ask questions about medical / veterinary issues such as: Diet, Vaccines, Last Veterinary Checkup, Where…
- Cats, Dogs, Facebook Group Tip, FYI, Heat Stroke, Medical Help, Pet Health Bulletin, Pet Health Coordinator Bulletin, Pet Health Coordinator FYI, Pet Health Coordinator Tips, Pet Tips, Public Alert, Weather
The Kritters in Hot Temps & Vehicles
The Summer brings so many outdoor activities, places to travel to, and often – HOT temperatures! Lets take some time to go over some tips on heat exhaustion/Stroke and hot cars to help prevent our kritters from feeling crummy or dangerously ill. Heat Exhaustion / Heat Stroke Heat stroke is a term commonly used for hyperthermia or high body temperature. Generally speaking, if a pet’s body temperature exceeds 103°F (39.4°C), it is considered abnormal or hyperthermic. Body temperatures above 106°F (41°F) without previous signs of illness are most commonly associated with exposure to excessive external or environmental heat and are often referred to as heat stroke. The critical temperature where multiple organ…
- Blog, Cats, Dogs, FYI, Medical Help, Pet Health Bulletin, Pet Health Coordinator FYI, Pet Health Coordinator Tips, Pet Tips, Vets & Pets
Communicable Diseases in our Pets
Summer is in full motion for most of us making the weather perfect for taking our pets outside. Socializing with our animals is not just limited to the outdoors or dog parks having daycares and boarding facilities at the fingertips. As fun as socializing our animals can be, it also can come at times with a few downfalls. Having our animals and pets exposed to other animals leaves the window open for illness/disease to spread amongst other animals, and at times very quickly. Below is a list of common illnesses to watch for .. Dogs Ringworm / Worms Kennel Cough Parvo Giardiasis Coccidia / Influenza Distemper …
- Blog, Cats, Dogs, FYI, Pet Health Bulletin, Pet Health Coordinator FYI, Pet Health Coordinator Tips, Pet Tips
Plants VS Pets
Plants can be cool to look at, fun in looks, maybe even refreshing to smell for us humans, however for our kritters that is entirely different story that can sometimes be deadly. Cats and dogs are a bit different, lets break it down and give you some reference links to take a look at if you’re further interested in learning more! Peace Lilly Aloe Vera Cut Leaf Pothos Jade Plants Snake Plants Sago Palm English Ivy Dumb Cane .. Are amongst the top dangerous & deadly household plants for felines. Lilly Aloe Vera Ivy Jade Plant Dumb Cane Elephant Ear Pothos ZZ Plant Asparagus Fern Sowbread .. Are…
- Blog, Cats, Dogs, FYI, Medical Help, Pet Health Bulletin, Pet Health Coordinator Bulletin, Pet Health Coordinator FYI, Pet Health Coordinator Tips, Pet Tips, Vets & Pets
Worms & Parasites
Do you think your pet(s) may have worms or parasites? Well hopefully this article will help you get an answer more quickly! The most common types of worms in cats and dogs are tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms and whipworms- dogs only. Symptoms in Dogs Diarrhea, maybe mixed with blood Worm or worm segments visible in the stool or on the dog’s butt Weight loss A bloated belly Vomiting, sometimes with worms in the vomit Symptoms in Cats Visible presence: For many cat owners, the first sign will be a visible presence of worms. You may see whole worms, parts of worms or worm eggs in your pet’s stool or vomit.…
