Naperville Animal Hospital | Working At

The Dangers of Feline Arsenic Poisoning

Naperville Animal Hospital
Image: napervilleanimalhospital.com

Naperville Animal Hospital is part of a family of veterinary facilities that have been serving the greater Chicago area for decades. In addition to treating animals in its offices on Ogden Avenue in Naperville, Illinois, the animal hospital offers a range of pet care and health articles on its website, www.napervilleanimalhospital.com.

A recent article addressed the problem of arsenic poisoning in cats. Abundant in the natural world in largely harmless amounts, arsenic is poisonous to humans and most mammals. Among animals, cats are particularly vulnerable to arsenic poisoning.

Although arsenic is present in many commercial products, the most widespread cause of feline arsenic poisoning is the ingestion of ant baits or their active contents. Once in the bloodstream, arsenic engenders bleeding and swelling in essential organs such as the liver, lungs, kidneys, and spleen. Symptoms of arsenic poisoning in cats range from vomiting and diarrhea to weakness and collapse. If left untreated, the condition is often fatal.

Humane Society Rural Area Veterinary Services Program

 

HSVMA-RAVS
Image: HSVMA.org

Naperville Animal Hospital provides excellent veterinary care and related services, including boarding and grooming. In addition to serving the needs of its clients, Naperville Animal Hospital performs volunteer work for multiple Humane Society chapters, helping America’s largest animal protection organization in its work toward reducing the suffering of animals.

One lesser-known aspect of Humane Society work is its Rural Area Veterinary Services (HSVMA-RAVS) program, which provides more than $1 million each year in veterinary services to communities across the world and helps thousands of animals receive the care they need. HSVMA-RAVS also aids in the training of future veterinary professionals, helping these rural areas reduce their long-term dependence on the program for quality animal health care. The communities which receive HSVMA-RAVS services typically lack any other access to animal health assistance, and include villages in Latin America and Native American reservations in the US.

Animals that receive HSVMA-RAVS come from varying backgrounds. While companion animals are often thought of first regarding any Humane Society program, working animals also benefit from the regular examinations and other veterinary care that HSVMA-RAVS vets provide.

Caring for Your Dog after Surgery

Naperville Animal Hospital
Image: napervilleanimalhospital.com

Located in Illinois, Naperville Animal Hospital provides high-quality care for all pets. In addition to offering a range of preventive and emergency services, Naperville Animal Hospital maintains a state-of-the-art veterinary surgery center.

When a large pet, like a dog, undergoes surgery, it is important for owners to discuss with their veterinarian specific recovery and rehabilitation recommendations. Follow these recommendations to ensure your dog recovers and avoids any potential complications.

First, you should ask your veterinarian or a vet technician how to best carry or support your dog so you don’t cause it any pain or injury. You should also schedule a follow-up appointment so your vet can make sure your dog is healing as expected.

After you get home, keep your dog in a contained and quiet place. This helps the dog stay safe while the effects of anesthesia wear off. At this time, you should also supervise your dog while it drinks water so that it doesn’t accidentally fall asleep in the water bowl. Do not allow your dog to climb onto any objects, such as couches or beds, and keep it away from children and other pets for at least a day. You may need to add stair gates or use a dog pen if your dog attempts to climb up or down stairs or return to its usual routine too soon.

For the first few days, you will need to supervise your dog’s eating and drinking. With regard to food, focus on providing your dog with something bland such as boiled chicken. Doing so will ensure your dog only eats when its hungry and does not eat too much. It’s also important that you take your dog out every few hours to use the bathroom. Even if your dog is housebroken, the anesthesia can leave your pet disoriented, leading to an indoor accident.

Causes and Signs of Feline Urinary Tract Disease

Cat
Image: petmd.com

At Naperville Animal Hospital, experienced veterinarians provide care to dogs and cats of all ages. Naperville Animal Hospital has earned certification from the American Association of Feline Practitioners as a cat-friendly practice.

Feline lower urinary tract disease, or FLUTD, may develop for a variety of reasons. Some cats experience problems as a result of debris building up from the urine, which blocks the urethra, while others develop infections or inflammation in the lower urinary tract. FLUTD is diagnosed when these issues become symptomatic.

An owner may notice his or her cat visiting the litter box more often or taking longer to finish urinating. In other cases, the cat may avoid the litter box as a place of pain and may urinate elsewhere in the home. The cat may vocalize its discomfort during urination or may visibly strain to pass urine.

Additionally, cats with FLUTD may display symptoms that seem secondary to urination. These include increased thirst, vomiting, and fatigue. Many cats also display a distended abdomen, which comes from a thickened or firm bladder wall that a veterinarian can palpate. It is important for owners who suspect FLUTD to seek out care from a veterinarian, as untreated disease can lead to kidney failure or bladder rupture.

Preventing Ticks on Dogs

 

Ticks
Image: petmd.com

Committed to the long-term health of its clients, Naperville Animal Hospital provides thorough preventive care and owner education. Naperville Animal Hospital also supports an on-site compounding pharmacy, where owners can receive medication that protects their pets against ticks and other skin parasites.

Dog owners have many options for tick prevention. Some owners choose monthly oral medications while others prefer externally applied products such as shampoos, dips, or on-spot treatments. These products feature medications that are absorbed into a dog’s skin.

Many owners also work to control ticks in the environment by keeping grass, trees, and other vegetation closely trimmed. After a dog walks through long grass or brush, the owner should take the time to check the dog thoroughly for ticks. This level of watchfulness, combined with regular adherence to a preventive regimen, can help dog owners minimize their dog’s risk of tick infestation.

When a Cat Refuses to Eat

Cats
Image: petmd.com

Certified as a Cat Friendly Practice through the American Association of Feline Practitioners, Naperville Animal Hospital strives to make cats feel comfortable and safe while receiving veterinary care. Committed to delivering feline-sensitivity education to staff, Naperville Animal Hospital offers an in-depth understanding of cat behaviors and what they mean.

Some behaviors, such as a refusal to eat, can be worrisome. Cats stop eating for a variety of reasons. In some cases, refusing food is an indicator of a developing illness, which can range in severity from a simple toothache to something as serious as cancer. A prompt visit to the vet can rule out an issue requiring medical attention.

If the veterinarian determines that the cat is otherwise healthy, the cat’s refusal to eat may be the result of recent changes in its care. If there has been a change in food, or in feeding time and location, a return to the old regimen may help. There may also be something wrong with the food itself, in which case a new bag or can might solve the problem.

Another possibility is that the cat is reacting emotionally to an environmental change, such as a new person or pet in the household. If there have been no recent major changes, it can be difficult for the owner to determine whether the cat is dealing with an unknown anxiety or simply becoming more finicky.

Either way, owners can often entice their cats to eat by offering commercial canned food, warmed to approximate body temperature. It may also help to stir in some broth, fish oil, or cooked egg. If the cat does show interest in the tempting new food, the owner can offer positive reinforcement in the form of hand feeding or a gentle stroke of the head.

If none of these techniques work, follow-up veterinary care may be necessary. Experts recommend a visit if the cat has not eaten well in two to three days, as prolonged lack of nutrition can cause long-term liver damage and other serious effects.

Lyme Disease a Danger to Dogs

Lyme Disease
Image: petmd.com

Naperville Animal Hospital in Illinois offers a full range of veterinary services for dogs, cats, birds, and other pets. Providing service seven days a week, Naperville Animal Hospital treats a variety of canine conditions, such as Lyme disease.

A bacterium of the Borrelia burgdorferi group causes Lyme disease. Hard-shelled deer ticks transmit it, and it enters the dog’s system after the tick has been attached for several days.

The most obvious symptom of Lyme disease is joint inflammation, which leads to lameness. The lameness may disappear after a few days, only to appear later in the same or a different leg(s). The stricken joints may be warm, swollen, and painful to the touch.

Dogs with Lyme disease also may have breathing difficulty, swollen lymph nodes near the bite, a stiff walk, and fever. The disease may lead to kidney, heart, or nerve problems.

Lyme disease is most common in the United States in the Upper Midwest and along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Young dogs appear to be more likely to contract the disease than older ones.

Coping with Aggression in Cats

 

Aggression
Image: petmd.com

A cat-friendly practice, Naperville Animal Hospital strives to be a comfortable and safe environment for cats and kittens. The veterinarians at Naperville Animal Hospital have a detailed understanding of cat behavior and use that knowledge to put their patients at ease.

When cats feel threatened, fearful, or angry, they may respond by striking out against the source of their fear. These responses are understandable but should prompt the owner to quickly resolve the problem. An aggressive cat can cause serious injuries to people.

The cat owner’s first job is to consult with a veterinarian, who can help determine the cause of the problem. Often, feline aggression stems from physical discomfort due to a medical condition, the treatment of which may resolve the issue.

If there is no physical problem causing the aggression, the veterinarian can work with the owner to identify the source of the cat’s emotional discomfort. If the aggression is fear-based, the owner can help the cat by slowly acclimating the cat to the fearful stimulus.

Providing rewards for peaceful behavior throughout this process can reinforce the cat’s understanding that such behavior is preferable. Similarly, if the cat is lashing out at another pet, the owner may separate the two and slowly reintroduce them while reinforcing good behavior.

If the cat becomes aggressive while receiving medication, the owner should be aware of the kinds of touch or contact that may be causing pain. By avoiding causing physical discomfort to the cat, owners can sidestep many instances of aggression.

Tips for Calming an Anxious Cat

 

Anxious Cat
Image: petmd.com

As a registered Cat Friendly Practice, Naperville Animal Hospital strives to help its feline patients feel safe and secure. Naperville Animal Hospital upholds a dedication to encouraging regular visits from cat owners and educates them about the unique needs of their feline friends.

Fearfulness in cats can stem from a variety of factors, from genetics to traumatic life experiences. Most cats are not constantly fearful, but may become anxious in response to a new or distressing environment. Whether a cat’s anxiety is consistent with its temperament or unusual, the cat’s fear means it believes that its present environment is dangerous.

Caring humans can help a cat to feel more safe. One helpful change can be to provide the cat with a place to hide, as cats enjoy the feeling of being in a small and confined space. The cat is also likely to appreciate having the environment made as quiet as possible, as excessive noise often makes cats fearful.

Providing the cat with choice and agency can further encourage its sense of security. Whenever possible, the cat should feel as though it is making the choice to approach a strange person, instead of experiencing that person approach it. If a particular situation does require the cat’s compliance, such as during a medical procedure, the cat’s owner can manufacture a sense of choice by providing treats or other incentives.