Emergency Pet Hospital

How to Care for Your Senior Pet

The older your pets get, the more they require excellent health care. That’s why most veterinarians recommend bringing your senior pets in twice a year.

In this video from VetVid.com, Dr. April Miles discusses the importance of special care for your senior pet. Though you may be able to spot some of the major changes in your pet’s behavior, skilled veterinarians are more in tune with the subtle yet potentially dangerous changes.

Should your senior pet show symptoms of a severe health problem, bring him by Emergency Pet Hospital immediately. We’re a full-service animal hospital with years of experience helping animals in need. For more information, call us today at (407) 545-4109.

What You Should Avoid Feeding Your Cat

Like most cat owners, you love your cat dearly. Though you may want to express your love through delicious treats, it’s usually best to stick with cat food—especially since many kinds of human food can be harmful or even deadly to cats. Here’s a quick look at foods that could send your cat to the animal hospital:

• Dairy Products       

Though many of us have this adorable image of kittens lapping up warm milk, too much milk can be a bad thing. Many cats are lactose intolerant, and milk has been known to cause serious digestive issues. It’s generally a good idea to stay away from it altogether.

• Tuna

Many cat owners also operate under the notion that their cats love fish—especially tuna. While most cats relish the opportunity to chow down on tuna, canned tuna doesn’t have all the nutrients cats need to survive. A little tuna here and there should be fine, but too much can cause digestive problems or mercury poisoning.

• Chocolate

Unfortunately, cats cannot properly digest the same treats as humans—chocolate included. Though you may think of your cat as a little person, feeding him chocolate can cause seizures, heart problems, and even death. When it comes to snack time, you’re best off going with treats that are made for cats. 

• Table Scraps

During mealtime, your cat probably spends a lot of time meowing while trying to snag a morsel or two. Still, you should stand firm and refuse to give your cat any table scraps. Fat from meat has been known to cause severe digestion problems, and small bones are easy to choke on.

If you notice a sudden change in your cat’s behavior, bring him by Emergency Pet Hospital immediately. If you act quickly, our skilled veterinarians should be able to save your cat from severe health problems or death. For more information, call us today at (407) 545-4109.

Emergency Pet Hospital Has a Second Location!

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To Learn More Helpful Tips about Caring for Your Pet, Check Out These Helpful Websites

Keep up on your pet’s health with regular visits to your veterinarian and awareness of the common signs and symptoms of sickness. Check out these resources to learn more about animal care:

• To learn more about the services and checkups your veterinarian will perform during a regular visit, visit Purina’s website.
• If you have a feline companion, learn more about the importance of regular veterinarian checkups as well as what you can do at home between visits at Cat-World.com.
• TheDogBowl.com offers suggestions of questions dog owners should ask their vet during regular checkups as well as offers advice on how often dogs should receive regular checkups throughout their lifetime.
• Everyday Health provides information on 10 common feline health problems to keep an eye out for throughout your cat’s life.
• Visit Animal Planet’s website to learn more about common illnesses in cats.

Emergency Animal Hospital is a top-notch, caring veterinary office in Orlando. We are open all day, every day for emergency care and also provide regular veterinary services. Call us today at (407) 545-4109 to set up an appointment.

Common Cat Illnesses

Cats are susceptible to as many diseases and illnesses as humans are, but sometimes it’s easy to miss the basic signs of illness in your feline companion. If you notice any signs or symptoms of the following conditions, bring your cat to Emergency Pet Hospital right away for a thorough examination from a caring veterinarian.

• Urinary Tract Infection: Problems in the litter box are a common indicator of illness in cats and should always be taken seriously with a visit to the vet. A urinary tract infection may cause your cat to use the litter box frequently, have trouble passing urine, and express pain when trying to urinate.
• Diabetes: Fluctuating weight or changes in appetite usually indicate major problems in cats. If you notice your cat’s eating habits change or see a change in weight, make a veterinary appointment immediately.
• Kidney Disease: This condition is common in older cats. Symptoms are hard to notice, but include constipation, lethargy, and lack of appetite.
• Liver Disease: Signs of this condition can be similar to those of many other problems, including loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, weight loss, dehydration, and frequent trips to the litter box. If your cat’s liver is the culprit, its eyes will also be jaundiced, or have a yellow tint.
• Tooth and Gum Disease: Built-up plaque and irregular dental care can result in pain and tooth loss, which may manifest through decreased appetite and oral infections.
• Upper Respiratory Infection: Like colds in humans, these infections are transferred between cats and have symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and fever. If your cat shows signs of lethargy or loss of appetite, visit your vet right away.

Since pets can’t tell you when something is wrong, it’s important to keep an eye out for unusual behavior as well as signs of sickness. If you have any questions or concerns, call the veterinarians at Emergency Pet Hospital at (407) 545-4109. Our Orlando office is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for advice and veterinary care.