Archive for the ‘Puppies/Kittens’ Category

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Tips for Crate Training Your Puppy

Monday, August 1st, 2011

Puppy Crate TrainingIf you want a safe place to put your puppy during certain times of the day or night, you will want to learn how to crate train. When you crate train your puppy, you will be giving them a safe place that they can go during the night, if you have to leave the house, or if you have company over to visit. Crate training can also be helpful when you are trying to housebreak your puppy because they will not usually relieve themselves where they sleep.

Whatever the reason you need a safe contained area for your puppy from time to time, proper crate training can give you exactly that! Crate training is a process that needs to be presented in a gentle manner, where you start small and work your way up to successfully being able to leave the puppy in the crate when needed.

Here are some tips for successfully crate training your puppy:

•    Don’t leave your puppy alone the first time you put them in a crate. You need to be there, so they don’t get scared. Just stay near them, so they know they are not alone.
•    Start out by putting some puppy food inside the crate and see if your puppy will go inside. If they will not go in on their own, gently place them inside.
•    Remain gentle and offer praise through the whole process. This is important. Even small steps in crate training should be rewarded to encourage the puppy.
•    Keep the puppy in the crate for only a couple of minutes at first, then let them out and give praise. You will need to practice this until your puppy is comfortable inside the crate. Then you can increase the amount of time the puppy is in the crate.

Crate training to some people seems like a form of cruelty. But it is really a way to keep your puppy safe when you can’t be at their side. The key is to make sure you follow the above guidelines to allow for successful crate training, which can be beneficial for you and your puppy!

Pet Doctors of America can help you with all your new puppy needs. We offer full service veterinary care in the Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach area. Our services are comprehensive, and we can provide a wide range of veterinary care services. Contact us with all your new puppy questions, as well as other pet questions, so we can help you!

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Need Cat Hairball Control? No Problem!

Thursday, July 14th, 2011

Cat Hairball ControlIf you have had a cat for long enough, especially a long haired one, you will find that they vomit hairballs from time to time. These hairballs, which are technically called trichobezoars, may be unsightly, but they are just the results of a clean cat. Hairballs are just clumps of hair that has been swallowed during grooming, mixed with digestive fluids.

It is quite common for long haired cats to bring up a hairball every week or two. Most of the time, they are harmless and just a normal result of their cleaning habits. Yet there are times when they can be of concern and be a real health hazard. There are also some things you can do to help your cat with hairball issues, including:

  • Brush or comb them on a daily basis. This will get the dead hairs out, so they will not be swallowed when they groom.
  • Try using a cat hair mitt if your cat does not care for being brushed. These mitts are similar to a glove and have been designed to gather dead hairs as you pet the cat.
  • Use a hairball remedy, which is a petroleum-based laxative, on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
  • Try feeding your cat hairball control food or treats.

If you notice that your cat is not eating or is lethargic, this may be the symptoms of hairballs that have caused blockages in their intestines. You should always get your cat into the veterinarian in order to determine what is causing the symptoms and what can be done to alleviate them.

If you have questions about cat hairball control contact the veterinarians at Pet Doctors of America. We can provide you with all the advice you need on helping to address cat hairballs, as well as help to determine what is normal and if there are any problems present. Contact us so we can help address all your veterinarian needs. We service the entire Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach area.

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Posted in Cat Grooming, Pet Care, Puppies/Kittens | No Comments »

Cats and Heartworms – What You Need to Know

Thursday, July 7th, 2011

Cats and HeartwormsMany people believe that cats do not need any type of preventative measures taken to help avoid heartworms. This topic is seen by many as controversial. But what isn’t so controversial is that fact that even if they get it less than dogs, cats can indeed get heartworms. What’s worse is that when they do, it is usually more severe and harder to treat than with dogs!

Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes. Living in Florida, you know all too well the way the state is infiltrated with mosquitoes this time of year. We live in an area where mosquitoes can be a real problem for your pets, including cats. But through heartworm prevention steps, you can fight back.

Heartworms can cause a range of respiratory system conditions, vomiting, weight loss, and death. Many cats that get heartworms exhibit no symptoms, but just suddenly and unexpectently die. Heartworms typically live in cats for 2-3 years. While many people would argue that heartworms in cats are not all that common, therefore, you should not worry about it, we disagree. Because it is a health condition that can be prevented, it is better to take that step to ensure your cat stays healthy!

It is important to take heartworm prevention steps in order to keep your cat healthy. Prevention of heartworms in your cat is as easy as speaking with the veterinarian and putting the steps into action. First, we conduct a blood test to make sure they don’t have heartworms. Once we confirm that they don’t, we will begin preventative measures.

To learn more about heartworms and your cat, or to start taking preventative measures, contact Pet Doctors of America. We provide a full line of veterinarian care, serving the Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach area. Contact us today so we can help protect your cat from heartworms!

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Posted in Cat Diseases, Heartworms in Cats, Pet Care, Puppies/Kittens | 1 Comment »

Tips to Calm Your Pet(s) Firework Fears This Fourth of July

Friday, July 1st, 2011

Pets and FireworksThe Fourth of July is a very fun and exciting time to spend time with family, grill out, and enjoy the brilliance of the fireworks.  But while we are all having fun, it is not fun to see our pets trembling in utter dismay from the loud noises and bright lights of the fireworks.  So what can we do for our pets during this holiday to help calm them down as well as help us, as owners, relax and enjoy the holiday?

Some people have had success with simply distracting their pets from the loud noise of the fireworks.  Instead of allowing them to hear them, they may turn on very loud music or turn the television up very loud in order to drown out the noise of the loud fireworks.  This may be helpful if the noise is off in the distance, but it is probably not going to solve the problem if the fireworks are in close proximity to your home.

Alternatively, there is a product on the market called “Rescue Remedy.”  It is an all-natural remedy that can alleviate symptoms when your dog is showing signs of anxiety or stress.  It comes in a liquid or a cream form and can be administered in your dog’s food, water, treats, or just given directly.  This product is alcohol free and can therefore be used on pets of all shapes and sizes.  Obviously every pet is different but this is a very safe option for pet owners to try in order to alleviate some of that anxiety from the fireworks!

Some pets get extremely stressed/anxious during fireworks, to the point where they even destroy your house or even cause harm to themselves.  In these more critical situations, you should contact your veterinarian and see if they can administer some sort of light sedative/relaxant to help calm your pet down throughout the evening.  After all, the last thing you want is for your pet to cause more harm to herself from being so scared!

Hopefully, you and your pet will benefit from one of these methods so you both can relax and celebrate our nations independence! If you have any other questions on how to keep your pets safe during this holiday season contact us today!

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Puppy Vaccination Schedule

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

Vaccination Schedule for PuppiesCongratulations on getting a new puppy! They are a lot of fun and can bring an amazing amount of joy to a family. But with every new puppy comes the responsibility of getting their vaccinations. During the first year of life, puppies just like children, need a series of vaccinations, which help to keep them safe and protect them from diseases and illnesses.

While getting a puppy is exciting, you want to make sure that they are healthy, parasite free, and on the right road toward health. The best time to call a veterinarian is when you first get a puppy. They will need to have an examination to ensure the puppy is healthy and to get them on the proper vaccination schedule.

Here is the typical vaccination schedule for puppies:

•    6-8 weeks – Physical Exam; DA2PL-CPV and Bordetella Boosters; Start on Heartworm and Flea Prevention; and Fecal Analysis to check for intestinal parasites.
•    10-12 weeks – Physical Exam; 2nd DA2PL-CPV and Bordetella Boosters; and Fecal Analysis.
•    12-16 weeks – Physical Exam; 3rd DA2PL-Cpv Booster; Rabies Vaccine; and Fecal Analysis.

Once our puppy has reached a year old they will still need vaccines, only not quite so often. Typically they will need all of their core vaccines every one to three years.  Additionally, Florida law requires that they receive a rabies vaccine every one to three years.

If you have any questions about vaccinations for your puppy, contact the veterinarians at Pet Doctors of America. They are experts in the field and provide pet care to the entire Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach area. They can answer your questions, provide you with tips, and make sure your puppy stays on a healthy track. Contact us today; we would love to meet your new puppy!

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