My City Wellness Spring 2021

My Wellness

sign is the kind of breath that can peel wallpaper and shrivel flow ers within a ten-foot radius. Few dogs show obvious signs, howev er, and it is up to the dog’s family and vet to diagnose it. Treatment includes tooth extraction, antibi otics and deeper surgery. ȏ 9VMREV] 8VEGX .RJIGXMSR For a dog, this can happen anywhere and at almost any time. If your pet seems to be straining to urinate or whin ing when it does, it’s past time to visit the vet. A UTI is char acterized by a frequent need to urinate, discomfort or pain doing so or blood in the urine. The situation can be very serious if a bladder stone or other debris blocks the entrance to the blad der. A UTI is an urgent situation and should be treated as such. Dogs are living longer now than ever before and with age comes complications, the most common of which is arthritis. The more ongoing wear and tear a dog’s joints have experienced (and its weight) can contribute to development of this condi tion. Arthritis is recognized by your pet’s reluctance to jump or play, limping, lagging be hind on walks, yelping when touched, trouble getting up off the ground, or a change in per sonality. The good news is that veterinary medicine has uncov ered a plethora of remedies from medications to laser therapies. The best way to stave off arthritis is to keep your dog active and control their body weight. t ȍ &VXLVMXMW

WHAT’SWRONG WITH SCOOBY? BY PETER HINTERMAN

So, you’ve decided to wel come a new kitten or puppy into your family. Well, congratulations! May all the best snuggles and love come your way. Having a pet is a wonderful experience for everyone involved: it teaches patience, responsibil ity and especially, how to care for another living being. You can bet that little guy/gal will get into some trouble down the line that will put their health in ques tion. So, what do you look for? How do you know when your pet is suffering from a particular ailment and what are the most common maladies to expect? Here are the Top 5 most common ailments for cats and dogs. CANINE COMPLICATIONS Ȧ *EV .RJIGXMSR One of the most common problems that Scooby will face throughout his life will be an ear infection. It can be very painful and, if not treated appropri ately, could lead to surgery. The biggest cause is allergies, which causes them to pop up seasonal ly, year after year (if the problem persists year-round, it could be a food allergy). Symptoms include

a stinky odor coming from the dog’s ears, redness, brown or black discharge/debris and excessive itching. Treatment could include antibiotics, diet change, medications or surgery. When Admiral Snuffykins won’t stop itching or gnawing his skin to the point of irrita tion and bleeding, it is most likely caused by an allergy. Skin allergies are usually seasonal and happen most in the spring and summer. This malady can not be cured – only controlled through allergen identification and avoidance, administering medications and improving skin health. Symptoms of a possible skin allergy include excessive paw licking, scooting, scratching, chewing, hair loss or bleeding due to scratching. face but vile breath, it may indicate dental disease. It is ex tremely common and estimated that nearly 80% of dogs over the age of three have some form of dental disease. Examples include a broken tooth, gum disease or tooth root infection. A tell-tale ȶ OMR &PPIVK] ȴ )IRXEP )MWIEWI If Lady Macbark has a cute

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