Keeping Pets Healthy

As your pet grows older, he or she may develop a range of diseases and conditions associated with aging, such as obesity, diabetes, arthritis and kidney disease. Despite the health problems often associated with aging, your pet can enjoy a full life if you’re familiar with the signs and symptoms of common health problems. By partnering with your pet’s veterinarian, you’ll learn to identify potential signs of trouble. Take a look at these six questions you’ll want to ask the vet the next time you visit.

Years of running, jumping and walking take a toll on your pet’s joints. When your once energetic cat or dog starts to slows down or appears to be in pain, osteoarthritis may be to blame. The disease wears down the cartilage in the joints, causing bones to rub together painfully. Although there’s no way to reverse arthritis, you can do a few things to make your furry friend’s life more comfortable.

Do you favor the rapid swoop-and-bag approach to picking up your dog’s stools or scooping cat litter? Although most pet owners would rather not prolong contact with their pet’s feces, sneaking an occasional peak can provide valuable clues about your furry friend’s health and habits.

What’s worse than a sick pet? Three of them! Viruses and parasitic infections can quickly spread among your pets, making them feel miserable. Taking these preemptive steps when one of your furry friends shows signs of an illness can help you protect the health of the entire group.

Are you familiar with the health conditions common in big dogs? Your large breed dog may be at increased risk of developing one or more of these conditions.

Blood transfusions are just as crucial for sick or injured animals as they are for people. Without a ready supply of donated blood, animals may die unnecessarily. Thanks to the generosity of donor pets and their people, animals with severe health conditions or injuries can receive the blood transfusions they need.

Small dogs usually live longer than larger dogs, but their increased lifespan doesn’t necessarily guarantee good health. In fact, these five conditions and diseases are more likely to occur in smaller dogs.

Have you given your pet a massage recently? The hands-on therapy isn’t just for humans but also provides a few benefits for our furry friends.

Pet dental month, held every February, highlights the importance of dental care for our furry friends. Tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health conditions don’t just affect people, they may also be an issue for pets. Fortunately, regular checkups can help prevent these problems and also provide important benefits for your pet’s oral and general health. Check out a few reasons why a pet dental exam should be on your calendar this year.

Healthy paws are essential to your pet’s comfort and well-being. Paws offer protection against hazards, improve traction and balance, and serve as shock absorbers for the limbs. Regular home paw exams can help you spot these common paw issues.