Since it is heartworm awareness month we thought we would discuss heartworm disease in cats. Yes, cats. Most people may not think that their cat can get heartworm disease and may not bother using heartworm preventive for their cat. The truth is, cats can get this devastating infection just like dogs can and even indoor cats are susceptible. One study found that close to 30% of heartworm positive cats were strictly indoors! Mosquitos transmit heartworm infection, and how many times do we find those little buggers have gotten in the house?
February is Pet Dental Health Month and since today is the last day of February, we wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of the importance of keeping up with the dental health of our furry family members. Luckily for us, we have a veterinary dental specialist in our Best Friends family. Dr. Goldstein is not only our Chief Medical Officer, he is a Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry and is board certified in Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery.
Tags: Ask a Vet, Cats, Dental Health Month, Dentistry, Dogs, health, pet advice, Pet Health, Pets, tips
Since February is National Cat Health Month and also Pet Dental Month, we thought we would provide you with some information on the two most common dental issues seen in cats by veterinarians.
Tags: Cats, Dentistry, health, Pet dental health month, pet info, preventative pet care, tips, Vet
Well-Mannered Pets Welcome! Tips for Practicing “Petiquette” on Trips
More and more often, pet parents are bringing their furry kids along on their travel adventures. Most folks who are traveling with pets will need to stay at some kind of pet friendly accommodation. Fortunately, pet friendly hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts and vacation rentals are abundant across the U.S. and Canada, and they’re easy to find and book. But before you head off to enjoy your temporary digs, make sure that you know what to expect, and that you and your pet are prepared. Planning ahead and following some sensible tips will ensure that your trip is fun, and that you BOTH will be welcomed back on your next adventure!
Tags: Cats, Dogs, Pet Hotel, Pet Safety, pet travel, Pet Vacation, Uncategorized
Know Before you Go: Tips for a Safe and Happy Road Trip with your Pet
Many pets love a road trip almost as much as their parents. But before you load up Rover and head off into the distance, make sure you’re thoroughly prepared for a long car trip with your pet. We’ve compiled some comprehensive, road-tested tips on what to do before you go, as well as how to manage along the way.
Tags: Cats, cats, Dogs, dogs, pet advice, Pet Safety, pet travel, Pet Vacation, pets and road trips, pets and trips, safety, tips, Uncategorized
Pet Travel: Take Your Furry Sidekick Along, or Leave Him Behind?
As a pet parent, a road trip with a furry kid might seem like a dream come true. You’d love the opportunity to bond and share new experiences with him, and you’d certainly appreciate the company. But before you load your beloved pet into the car for the long haul, take a moment to reflect. A pet who’s a great companion at home, on walks, and on short trips around town won’t necessarily be an ideal travel buddy. Long trips aren’t right for every pet, and your pet’s needs should come before your desire to take him along.
Tags: Cats, Dogs, Pet Safety, pet travel, Pet Vacation, Uncategorized
So your dog or cat has been diagnosed with heartworm disease, now what? For dogs, there are approved medications and well established guidelines about how to treat depending on the severity of their disease. For cats, things are a bit trickier since there are no approved treatments for heartworm infection in cats. This is why prevention is so critical.
Let’s cover the basics of treatment for each species individually.
Tags: Ask the Vet, Best Friends Spotlight, Cats, cats, Dogs, dogs, health, pet advice, pet behavior, pet health, pet info, tips, Vet
So if you read the first part of our series (insert link), you now have a better sense of how these dreaded little creatures get into our pets. Now let’s talk about what they do once they get in there and how they can make our fur babies so miserable.
Tags: Ask the Vet, Cats, Dogs, health, pet advice, pet behavior, Pets, preventative pet care
As a responsible pet parent, you know that you are supposed to keep your fur babies on heartworm preventive, but have you ever wondered why it is so important? What would happen if you didn’t? What if your pet has heartworms – what now?
Tags: Ask the Vet, Cats, cats, dog safety, Dogs, dogs, health, pet advice, preventative pet care
As a responsible pet parent, you know that you are supposed to keep your fur babies on heartworm preventive, but have you ever wondered why it is so important? What would happen if you didn’t? What if your pet has heartworms – what now?
Tags: Ask the Vet, Cats, cats, Dogs, dogs, health, pet advice, Pet Health, pet health, pet info, Pet Safety, safety, Vet