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What does a healthy dog mouth look like? - Horizon Animal Hospital

A healthy dog's mouth should have white teeth, and its gums should be pink but not red. Moreover, it should be free of all masses.

Contributed by Sean Penn DVM from

What is the vet looking for during a dog dental exam? - Horizon Animal Hospital

During a dog's dental oral exam, we are looking for any fractures of teeth. We also conduct probing with instruments to see if there's any pocketing around teeth. Additionally, we evaluate if any teeth are loose and check for the presence of any tumors or other abnormalities in the mouth.

Contributed by Sean Penn DVM from

How do I assess whether a change in my cat’s behavior means they’re sick? - Hoof & Paw Animal Clinic

A change in your cat's behavior can oftentimes indicate something is amiss. Keep in mind that the seasons change and all those, but let's say for example your cat's hiding and then crying. You've probably got an underlying litter box issue that you don't even know about and the cat is manifesting his issue with that that way. The reason that that happens is because if a kitty doesn't want to go to the litter box, he or she is not going to use the litter box, which is either going to result in them A. peeing on your dirty laundry or your bed or in your closet or somewhere where it's at least relatively clean. Or they're gonna simply hold it until they can't take it anymore. That's how bacterial infections happen.

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How do I know if things like kneading and hunting are normal behaviors in my cat? - Hoof & Paw Animal Clinic

Kneading and hunting are absolutely normal behaviors because first of all cats are carnivores. I mean we don't feed them like they're carnivores but cats in fact are carnivores. They're not designed to live on anything other than small furry woodland creatures. Kneading is a leftover, almost like a thumb-sucking kind of thing, leftover from being a kitten. What kneading does is that encourages breast milk to flow. And so if a kitty is feeling good and groovy with you, they're gonna make biscuits. Think of it as getting a big hug from mom. That's why they do that.

Contributed by Andy W. from

What does my veterinarian need to know about my cat’s behavior? - Hoof & Paw Animal Clinic

Well, what's your cat doing? That's gonna be the first question. Let us embark on a journey here in which the litter box issue is the behavior because that's the primary one that I have to deal with. Litter box behavior can be essentially reduced to does it occur in nature? So, unscented cat litter is key. An uncovered cat litter box is key. A clean litter box is key. And I can refer all of those things to nature for you in this way. Scented cat litter or scented sand boxes or scented dirt doesn't occur in nature. Cats don't go into caves to go to the bathroom because who wants to use a Johnny on the spot for the rest of their lives? And who wants to keep going back to the same filthy rancid place over and over and over again? So, if your cat is doing inappropriate urination or defecation, chances are you're missing one of those three factors.

Contributed by Andy W. from

Is there anything I need to do in my home environment for my dog’s allergies? - Hoof & Paw Animal Clinic

One of the most important things to consider is eliminating dyes and perfumes from your home environment. This includes laundry detergents and fabric softeners. Carpets can also be a problem if they contain rayon or polyester, as some dogs may be allergic to these materials. If your dog is allergic to these materials, you may need to remove the carpet from your home. To help with this, you can purchase hypoallergenic laundry detergents and fabric softeners that do not contain dyes or perfumes at most stores.

Contributed by Andy W. from

Are there any holistic options for dog allergies? - Hoof & Paw Animal Clinic

Yes, there are holistic options for dog allergies. For example, if your dog has allergies related to grass or other outdoor allergens, washing their feet with Dawn dish soap can help remove a significant amount of allergens. For airborne allergies, such as cats with asthma, you can nebulize your cat by placing them in the bathroom with you while taking a hot shower.

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What are the common treatments for dog allergies? - Hoof & Paw Animal Clinic

The common treatments for dog allergies include steroids, which are quite popular. There are also monoclonal antibody treatments, with Cytopoint being the current patented option. Apoquel is another option in pill form, but its effectiveness can vary, and it can be expensive. Additionally, you can try over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl and Zyrtec to manage your dog's allergies.

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Are there other types of parasites that my cat may get? - Hoof & Paw Animal Clinic

Endoparasites are one example, most prominently tapeworms. Cats are rampant with carrying tapeworms, which are spread by fleas. The cat has to eat a flea in the process of scratching with their mouth predominantly. The fleas carry tapeworm eggs, and that's how tapeworms become infested in the cat.

Contributed by Andy W. from
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