5 Signs That Your Cat Needs a Trip to the Vet

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

Whether it be for a routine check-up or to obtain medical attention for a problem or illness, part of being a pet owner means knowing when it's time to take your furry friend to the vet. Today, we're going to focus on cats - for all of you with a feline at home, would you know when a trip to the veterinarian's office is necessary?

Below, take a look at a few signs that suggest it's time to go:

1. They are making more noise than usual.

Some cats like to talk and some do not - here's where you need to know what type of personality yours has. If your cat tends to be on the quiet side, any time that they begin being more vocal than normal could indicate that they are in pain or distress. 

2. They are sleeping for too long.

Yes, cats can sleep for about 16 hours a day, but if they are sleeping for too long and/or are ignoring meal and playtime to get some more shut eye, it could mean that they aren't feeling their best. While they may just be experiencing a common cold, you'll want to have them checked out.

3. They aren't eating.

Cats that don't eat could experience extremely negative effects - for example, if they go two or more days without any food, they might develop hepatic lipidosis, which is fatty liver disease. Since this could go so far as to be fatal, it's crucial that you contact your veterinarian the moment you notice your cat hasn't touched his or her food.

4. They aren't using their litter box.

Cats will occasionally avoid their litter box if they feel it's not clean enough, however, if they continue to not use it, it could be a sign of something more serious. For example, your cat could have some type of infection or parasite that is preventing him or her from getting to the box on time.

5. They are losing a ton of fur.

Noticing some loss of fur on your cat is usually normal, but if you start seeing patches of fur fall off your cat in excess, it's time to get help. In some cases, this could be a sign of ringworm - cats with ringworm often lose fur in circular patches, which later reveals that they have scaly skin. On the other hand, this could have to do with fleas - losing fur could be an allergic reaction. Last but not least, the loss of fur could also be a sign of internal problems such as thyroid disease.

In addition to the above, it's also important for you to keep track of when your cat was last at the vet for a wellness visit - even if nothing is medically wrong, you should keep your cat up-to-date with their exams!

At Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, we specialize in various veterinary care services, including vaccines, surgical procedures, spays/neuters, dentistry and microchips! So, whether your cat requires immediate medical attention (we are proud to offer emergency and advanced care!) or is ready for their next wellness visit, know that we are always available to help!

For more information about our services or to schedule an appointment, please call (908) 464-0023. If your cat will be a new patient of ours, their first exam is FREE!

Pet Parasites To Be On The Lookout For

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

Part of being a pet owner requires you to know how to keep your pet happy and healthy, and that doesn't stop at just taking them to the vet for their routine check-up. Although parasites can take over all throughout the year, as it gets warmer and you start to spend more time outdoors, it's important that you know what to look out for in case your pet happens to pick something up. Read on to learn about the dog and cat parasites we want you to focus on throughout the upcoming season.

Roundworms
If your dog(s) or cat(s) are dehydrated, losing weight, passing diarrhea or have anemia, they may be infected with roundworms - specific to dogs, you might also noticed a "pot-bellied" look in puppies. Aside from becoming infected as a result of their mother being infected, the environment plays a large role in whether or not your pet will wind up with roundworms, so be sure to keep their immediate environment as clean as possible.

Fleas
Pets are likely to contract fleas when they come into contact with other animals who are infested or if they are in an environment where fleas are living. An obvious symptom of fleas in dogs and cats are itching and scratching, and if it becomes severe, you may also notice hair loss, skin infections and inflammation. Additionally, although they are small, you may even be able to see what is called "flea dirt" on the surface of your pet's skin.

Ear Mites
Just like the name suggests, ear mites find a home in the ears of dogs and cats. As they feed off of the animal's ear lining, the dog or cat will show signs of scratching and/or head shaking to try and calm the itch. Since too much scratching can cause damage to an animal's ear, such as to the ear canals or ear drum, it's important that all pet owners take action when they see their pet shake their head and scratch their ears repeatedly.

Hookworms
Hookworms infect puppies and kittens by penetrating the skin through their belly or their feet, and then they attach to the animal's intestinal lining and tend to create bleeding internal wounds. If your pet appears to be weak or has pale gums, there is a good chance that they've been infected by this particular parasite - since severe infestations can be life threatening due to a loss of blood, these are symptoms you cannot ignore.

Regardless of the parasite an animal is infected with, it is extremely important to have them treated as soon as possible to prevent further illness. At Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, we recommend an annual fecal testing for all dogs and cats to check for intestinal worms, an annual heartworm test for dogs, and a year-round parasite protection program for all animals - that also includes indoor cats!

For information about how our veterinarians can help animals who have been infected, as well as how we can help with parasite prevention, please give us a call at (908) 464-0023.

5 Incredible Reasons To Adopt A Shelter Pet

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

Regardless of where they're kept before finding a loving family, all pets deserve a forever home. Today, though, we're going to focus on those pets that find themselves waiting in a shelter in honor of National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day this upcoming Sunday. If you have plans to bring a new furry friend into your home in the near future, here are few reasons why you should think about adopting from your local animal shelter:

1. You just might save a life. All too often shelter animals are euthanized because too few people are adopting and, as a result, the shelter becomes overcrowded - the Humane Society of the United States explains that 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized each year. By adopting your next pet, you could contribute to the larger effort that is to save sheltered animals from experiencing such an event.
2. You can help fight against puppy mills. The fight against puppy mills is ongoing for animal advocates, and by adopting, you can help. Puppy mills, which are best described as breeding facilities that care more about the money than the welfare of dogs, continue to stay in business when people buy dogs from pet stores or other online sellers. By adopting from your local rescue or animal shelter, you can start to help put these puppy mills out of business!
3. You'll help a homeless animal. Some people think that animals wind up in shelters because they're "bad," but the truth is that animals often wind up homeless because of a struggle the homeowner experiences - for example, they might move into an apartment that doesn't permit pets. We know how great it feels to help a homeless animal in need, and we bet you'll feel the same when you rescue one that lost its first home!
4. You'll experience unconditional love. All animals provide unconditional love to their owners, but one that has gone through a rough patch will thank you more than you may ever even realize. Be the light in what may be a dark time for a shelter animal by welcoming them into your home and providing them with the environment and love they deserve - they'll definitely return the favor!
5. You'll find a new best friend. Animals of all shapes, sizes and breeds wind up in animal shelters, so if you look hard enough, you will for sure find one that is a perfect match to your personality. If you're looking for an animal to be by your side and experience life with you, we're confident you can find this at your local shelter.

Are you thinking about adopting yet? Although animal shelters and rescues work hard to ensure that your new pet comes to you in their healthiest state, it's always a good idea to have your veterinarian look them over too. For those of you in New Providence, Summit, Berkeley Heights and Murray Hill, New Jersey, choose Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital to help you with all of your pet's medical needs - we've been providing exceptional veterinary care since 1976.

For more information about our veterinary services, please visit us at www.berkeleyheightsah.com or call (908) 464-0023 today.