Why Spay & Neuter Your Pet

You've probably seen hundreds of ads, commercials, and bumper stickers urging you to spay and neuter your pets. Did you heed that advice? If not, you should. Millions of dogs and cats are euthanized each year because of overpopulation. Sometimes it ends up that owners can't or don't want to care for new litters, or there just aren’t enough homes for them all. There are so many reasons to spay and neuter your pets, but we’re going to give you some of the best ones.

Health Benefits

• Your female pets will have longer, healthier lives. Spaying helps prevent against uterine infections as well as breast tumors. These end up being cancerous in about 50% of dogs and 90% of cats. For the most effective prevention, spay your pet before her first heat.
• Neutering your male pets will prevent against testicular cancer and some prostate problems. These diseases are more common in male pets who are not fixed.

Behavioral Benefits

• Your female pets won’t go into heat. During breeding season, female cats usually go into heat for several days every three weeks and will yowl and urinate more often to attract a mate. FYI, they don’t just go in their litter boxes — your cat could urinate all over the house.
• Your male dog won’t go a’wandering. Non-neutered males will do basically anything to find a mate, including escape the house by any means necessary. Once they’re out, they risk getting hit by cars or getting into fights with other animals.
• Neutered males may behave better. How embarrassing is it when your intact dog mounts guests visiting your home? Neutered dogs don’t have a big urge to do this. You could also avoid some aggression problems if you neuter them early.

Dogs can be fixed as early as eight weeks as long as they are healthy, but the common age to perform the procedure is between six to nine months. Cats can be fixed as young as eight weeks as well. The veterinarians at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital can safely spay or neuter your pet to prevent issues or unwanted pregnancies. Call us today at 908-464-0023 to schedule an appointment!

Common Cat Health Problems

Anyone who owns a cat knows that they are very good at keeping to and taking care of themselves. They clean themselves, entertain themselves, and would probably feed themselves if they could. However, even the most self-maintaining felines can get sick from time to time. These are the common cat health problems you should watch out for with your kitty.

Vomiting

Many things can cause your cat to vomit, such as eating poisonous foods, infections, and hairballs. It’s pretty easy to spot this problem, but it’s also one that should be handled quickly, since vomiting can cause your cat to feel dehydrated. If it continues, take your cat to the vet, and try bringing a sample of his vomit as well.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases

These often occur in cats who are overweight or eat dry food. Their risk can be heightened if your cat is stressed, lives in a multi-cat household, or experiences sudden changes. Symptoms include straining to urinate, bloody urine, licking around the urinary area, and crying when urinating. If you suspect your cat has a FLUTD, call your vet immediately.

Fleas

Fleas are an extremely common health problem in cats. Your cat may have fleas if you notice dust on his skin (often looking like little black dots) or if he is constantly scratching and licking his fur and has a lot of hair loss. Fleas are easily treatable, so get your cat to the vet so he is no longer itchy.

No cat owner wants to see their pet in pain. That’s why the vets at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital are here to help. We treat your pets like they’re our own and have been trusted to keep them healthy since 1976. If you’re in need of a trusted veterinarian in Berkeley Heights, Summit, New Providence, or Murray Hill, call us at 908-464-0023.

Does My Dog Have Gum Disease?

You’ve probably taken your dentist’s advice to brush twice a day so you can achieve good oral health. However, you may not have followed that advice when it was your vet saying it for your dog. Believe it or not, dogs can suffer from poor oral health just as easily as humans can. Without proper care, your dog could suffer from gum disease. So how do you know if he has it?

Symptoms of Canine Gum Disease

• Smelly breath (Yes, dogs don’t always have the best breath to begin with, but particularly stinky breathe is the first sign of gum disease.)
• Red or swollen gums
• Yellow or brown teeth
• Loose or missing teeth
• Trouble chewing
• Weight loss (This could be caused by an inability to eat properly.)
• Blood in his water or on chew toys

If your dog presents any of those symptoms, he could have gum disease. Don’t worry! There are plenty ways to partner with your veterinarian to prevent further damage.

• Brush your dog’s teeth regularly. This will help reduce the buildup of plaque that causes gum disease. Just make sure to use a toothpaste formulated for dogs.
• Give your dog toys and treats meant to improve dental care. You can even find food that is formulated to address dental problems.
• Get your dog’s teeth cleaned by your veterinarian. Regular cleanings will reduce bacteria in your dog’s mouth and keep his teeth clean and healthy.

If you want to improve your dog’s oral health for an affordable price, you’re in luck! Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital is having a $299 dental special! Our treatment includes cleaning, scaling, and polishing and will help improve your dog’s teeth and gum health. Take advantage of this special before it’s gone by calling us at 908-464-0023.

Foods You Shouldn't Feed Your Pets

Let’s be honest: we’ve all snuck our pets some human food before. It’s just so hard to say no to those big eyes when they ask you for a piece of your dinner. You have to be careful, though! While some foods are okay to share with your pets, there are other foods that you shouldn’t feed them.

Alcohol

While you may think it’s funny to have your dog lap up some beer at a tailgate, alcohol is actually toxic to pets and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, coma, and even death. If you think your pets have consumed alcohol, call your vet right away.

Chocolate, Coffee, & Caffeine

These items all contain methylxanthine, which can cause excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, tremors, and seizures if ingested by your pet. It’s also important to note that the darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is to pets.

Grapes & Raisins

It’s still unknown what exact substance in these foods is toxic to pets, but they can cause kidney failure if ingested. It’s best to keep these away from dogs until more information is known about their toxicity.

Dairy

Pets don’t have the ability to digest high amounts of lactase like humans do, so ingesting milk and other dairy products can cause them to have upset stomachs or other digestive problems.

Raw/Uncooked Meat, Eggs, & Bones

You’re not the only one who can become sick from raw meat and eggs. These products can expose your pet to Salmonella & E. coli. Raw eggs can also decrease your pet’s ability to absorb biotin, which can negatively affect his skin and coat. Bones present choking hazards to your pet and can puncture his digestive track if a bone splinter gets stuck there.

If you find that your pet ingests any of these foods, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Once they provide you with immediate help, come to Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital for further treatment. We treat your pets like they are our own and will have them feeling better as quickly as we can. If your pet is in need of veterinary care, call us at 904-464-0023.

Protecting Your Pet's Skin in Winter

When the snow starts flurrying outside, you might start seeing “flurries” in your pet’s fur. Low humidity and dry air in your home can make for one flaky pup. If your pet experiences dry, itchy skin during winter, help him out with these tips.

Start from the Inside Out

Omega-3 fatty acids are great for improving skin health. Supplements or pet foods that contain healthy fats can soothe pets’ dry skin and keep them from feeling itchy. Since not all supplements are made the same way, make sure to ask your doctor which ones are best for your pet.

Fight Dry Air

A combination of low humidity and increased heating in your home makes for some seriously dry air. Use a humidifier in the rooms your pet hangs out in the most, like your living room or bedroom.  This will add moisture to the air and keep your pet’s skin from drying out.

Swap Out the Shampoo

Shampoos tends to dry out your pet’s skin, so try cutting back (or cutting out) bath time during the winter. If you really need to give your pet a bath, make sure to use skin-calming shampoo, or even baby shampoo, to avoid irritating his skin. Also use a leave-in conditioner to hydrate your pet’s skin after using shampoo.

Bring on the Brushing

Just like brushing your hair eases dryness, brushing your pet’s fur during winter naturally soothes his skin. Brushing distributes oils around your pet’s body and reduces the chance of him having dry skin.

The cold winter air can be brutal on your pets’ skin. It’s important to take extra steps to make sure they stay itch free so they feel comfortable heading into spring.

At Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, we’ve been caring for your pets since 1979, treating them just like one of our own. If you’re in need of a trustworthy veterinarian in Berkeley Heights, Summit, Murray Hill, or New Providence, NJ, schedule an appointment at our office by calling 908-464-0023.

Pet Safety and Home Heating

During these chilly months, there’s nothing like snuggling up with your fur baby to beat the cold. However, when you need a little extra warmth, you’ll likely crank up the heat in your home. If you use other heating methods besides your furnace, consider your pet’s safety.

Space Heaters

Every year, there are thousands of house fires caused by space heaters, so make sure the one you use has every safety feature possible. Space heaters can also affect your pet’s safety if they get too close. Consider placing the heater in an area of the room that is well-ventilated, but less accessible to your pet.

Hand Warmers

Hand warmers are an easy way to keep your fingers a little more toasty when you’re out in the cold. However, hand warmers can be toxic to your pet since they contain high levels of iron.  Keep these items far out of your pet’s reach. If he happens to get ahold of one and snacks on it, call your vet or the poison control hotline right away.

Heat Registers

If you live in an older home with heat registers built into the floor, don’t make those spots your pet’s home base. Setting up your pet’s crate near floor vents can cause them to overheat even on the coldest of days.

Fireplaces

The flickering flames in a fireplace can be fascinating to your pet, but furry friends and fires don’t mix. If your pet gets too close to the flames, he can suffer from singed fur or skin burns. Make sure to surround your fireplace with a properly fitted safety screen.

Sweater Weather

During the winter, some small or short-haired dogs could benefit from wearing sweaters to keep warm. To ensure their safety, only outfit your pets in clothing that has a snug fit so they don’t get caught on their surroundings. Also, choose clothing that is zipper-free if your pet is a chewer.

Of course, keeping your pet safe during winter is important to you. Keeping your pet safe year-round is important to us! At Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, we’ve been caring for your pets since 1979, treating them just like one of our own.

If you’re in need of a trustworthy veterinarian in Berkeley Heights, Summit, Murray Hill, or New Providence, NJ, schedule an appointment at our office by calling 908-464-0023.

Signs of Kennel Cough

New Jersey is getting hit hard today with tons of snow and freezing temperatures. Even though you probably know when the winter conditions are making you sick, do you know how to tell when your dog is getting sick? Just like humans, dogs can come down with illnesses, like kennel cough, when cold weather strikes. It is important to know the causes and signs of kennel cough so you can protect your canine and those around him.

What Are the Causes of Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough is the canine equivalent of a the common cold. Dogs can become infected with this virus when they spend long periods of time in poorly-ventilated areas, such as kennels and shelters. They can also develop kennel cough if they are exposed to cold temperatures, dust, or smoke. This is why shelter dogs can commonly develop this illness.

What are the Symptoms of Kennel Cough?

While kennel cough is not a serious illness, you should know the warning signs to keep your pet away from other dogs and avoid spreading the virus. Dogs with kennel cough will have a forceful, hack-like cough, often sounding similar to a goose honk. Other symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose, and eye discharge. In extreme cases, some dogs may lose their appetite, become lethargic, or develop pneumonia.

How Do You Treat Kennel Cough?

Your dog’s treatment will depend on the severity of his illness. In mild cases, his kennel cough will go away on its own. Your dog will simply require some rest and good hydration. However, if the case is more severe, your veterinarian will most likely prescribe your dog a mild medication to clear up the cough.

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital is committed to keeping your dog healthy so you both can enjoy life together. Call us today at 908-464-0023 to schedule an appointment with our caring staff.