Day & Evening Pet Hospital

Veterinarian Palm Harbor

Call: 727-785-7200
511 Magnolia Ave
Palm Harbor, FL 34683

Why Probiotics?

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Has your dog or cat ever had a case of vomiting or diarrhea?  Maybe stomach trouble or other digestion problems?  Either chronically or acutely?

Whatever the reason for that digestion upset, when your dog or cat does have that trouble he or she will get an overgrowth of the wrong, abnormal bacteria.  We will call this “bad” bacteria.  If this goes unhandled and untreated, expect your pet to have future medical problems due to the continuous growth of that “bad” bacteria.

Of course, any treatment for your pet is very specific to your pet’s case.  However, it is quite common that the vet will prescribe a probiotic to assist with your dog’s or cat’s digestion issues.  What the correct probiotic does is this:  It’s like sending an army into your pet to kill all of the “bad” bacteria that has grown AND replaces it with the “good” bacteria.

Probiotics are given as a prescription specifically for your pet.  There are different types of probiotics so it is important your pet gets the right one.  Home “remedies” such as yogurt for your pet do not accomplish the same end result.  It just isn’t the correct replacement of “good” bacteria your pet needs and doesn’t fully handle the problem.

Certain cases will require an antibiotic as well as a probiotic.  Depending on the severity of the case, an antibiotic is used to kill off “bad” bacteria.  The antibiotic itself does not replace itself with “good” bacteria.  That is why a probiotic would also be prescribed because it does replace itself.

If you notice your pet having digestive trouble, ask Dr. Adney about probiotics.  They will assist your pet in becoming more comfortable and put you at ease, knowing that your pet is healthier…and your floors will be cleaner!

 

Must-Not Plants In Your Pet's Reach!

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Having plants in your home and around the house makes for a beautiful picture.  Bright, beautiful colors and smells of blooming flowers add to the decor and liveliness of your home.  If you have pets, particularly dogs or cats, there are some plants you need to be aware of and keep out of reach from your pet.  By doing so, you will not only save visits to the vet, but in some cases save your pet’s life.

For those of you who have dogs or cats who tend to chew on your floor plants as they walk by, here are some common toxic plants and their symptoms you should know:

Poinsettia: can cause irritation to your dog or cats mouth and can induce vomiting.

A variety or Lilies:  Peace Lily, Giant Dracaena or Palm Lily, Calla Lily, Lily of the Valley, Amaryllis, Clivia Lily can cause severe irritation and swelling of oral tissues and the GI tract.  They can induce vomiting and diarrhea, salvation and low blood pressure.  It is recommended that you keep these beautiful plants out of reach of any dog or cat.

Black Walnuts:  If you have a walnut tree in your yard and the walnuts drop, the walnuts themselves are not poisonous at that time.  They do become poisonous when they start to decompose and grow mold.  If your dog ingests these, the walnuts can induce seizures.  The simple remedy is to rake them up routinely or just stay away from them if you are in a park for a walk.

Azalea:  These are highly toxic.  They are mostly found outside in landscaping.  If your pet ingests these, there are serious side effects such as loss of appetite, weakness, paralysis and in some cases, coma or death.

Daffodils:  The most toxic part of this plant is the bulb.  However, if these are at all ingested expect vomiting, diarrhea and possible heart problems.

Ivy:  This plant is also poisonous.  Ingesting this plant gives vomiting and diarrhea, stomach pains and salvation.

Click here for a complete list of other toxic plants.  It includes pictures.

If your pet has any of the named symptoms or you know your dog or cat ingested a toxic plant, call us right away for immediate treatment.

What is Feline Leukemia?

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Feline Leukemia is a virus.  It is spread from cat to cat.  Casual or brief contact will not typically transmit the virus; however, direct contact with a cat who has feline leukemia is dangerous.  This also means that if a mother cat has the virus, she can give it to her kittens.

Some symptoms that you should be aware of are diarrhea, vomiting, fever, weight loss, loss of  appetite, they are more tired than usual, some coughing, sneezing or runny eyes/nose.  Additionally, some cats could have the virus and not have these symptoms at all.

For this reason, it is best to get them tested to ensure they do or do not have this virus.

Dr. Adney will test your cat with a blood test.  This is the only way to rule out the virus and can be done in a short amount of time.

You can take steps to prevent your cat from getting this virus.  For instance, if you have one cat and he or she lives indoors only and is not around other cats, your cat is not susceptible to getting Feline Leukemia.  If your cat does live outdoors and associates with other cats, you can get your cat a vaccine to protect him or her against the virus.

Please bring your cat in to the clinic and get him or her tested.  We want to ensure your cat has a long and happy life playing with his friends and family, virus-free!

Why Put My Cat on a "Diet"?

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It is a misconception that cats need the same nutrients as we humans need.  There is actually a correct proportion of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals, fats and oils your cat needs daily.  If you feed your cat table scraps or home-cooked meals, you may over- or under-balance this proportion and your pet will not get the essentials he actually needs on a daily basis.  As a result of your cat not getting what he needs, he can get sick, show lack of energy and be less playful, he can also become overweight and experience all of the problems that come with that.

There is a way to prevent these things and to keep your cat healthy and happy!

Your cat needs proteins for keeping up his body.  Proteins help with muscle growth and maintenance.  Protein for your cat is very important.

Your cat needs carbohydrates for energy.  A good amount of carbohydrates will help your cat feel well-fed and full of energy!  It will also help maintain blood sugar levels.  The right amount of carbohydrates will assist your cat in digestion.

Fats and oils are essential for similar reasons it is good for us:  it is just healthy and good for the body for a number of reasons.  It also helps the food taste better for your pet!

We do not recommend that you cook your cat homemade meals for his diet.  Dr. Adney will recommend a cat food that gives the right proportion of the diet essentials (listed above) for your cat.  We know that each and every cat is different and they have their own needs.  Dr. Adney has been in practice for over 25 years and knows the right path for your cat  to take so they can be healthy or even healthier!  All of this is done to ensure your cat has the longest and happiest life possible as part of your family.  We hope to see you and your cat soon.

Brush Your Cat's Teeth!

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Cats can actually get Gingivitis.  It is a type of periodontal disease and this is how it works:  plaque builds up  on the teeth and can then harden into tartar.  This causes your cat’s gums to swell and gives them discomfort.  Their teeth loosen up and it becomes harder for them to eat, etc.  They will also get bad breath.

You can brush your cat’s teeth daily to help prevent this disease.  This may sound tedious, and depending on your cat, it may be totally unworkable.  But, if you can do it at least two times a week this would help your cat a lot!

Start with a gradient approach:  First you need to get cat-friendly toothpaste.  You can ask the Doc about this.  Once you have your toothpaste, put a little on a toothbrush.  (You can also just use a small gauze, put it around your finger and spread the toothpaste on the gauze.)  As good as you can, do circles over your cat’s teeth.  Just do a couple teeth and then call it a day.  Do a couple more teeth the next day or in the next few days until you’ve got the whole mouth.

Your cat does need to see a vet to get a full dental cleaning at least once a year (some breeds require more than annual visits, so check with Dr. Adney next time you see him).  However, to keep your cat even healthier, brushing their teeth on a weekly basis will go a long way!

As a note, there are special treats you can get for your cat that will help with dental cleaning.  The Day and Evening Staff will be happy to help you on deciding the best care for your cat.  You can call them at:  (727)-785-7200.