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Archive for August, 2019

Some Hairball Remedy Tips to Consider

Thursday, August 8, 2019
posted by Jim Murphy

Yesterday, my long haired Siamese/Himalayan cat Atlantis had a hairball. Long haired cats are especially prone to hairballs. Owners must pay attention if their cat has many hairballs. Owners must also make sure that frequent hairballs don’t cause an obstruction in your cats digestive system. I gave Atlantis some hairball medicine but I tried to get him to lick it when I smeared it on his mouth. No no! He did not like that at all. In fact he got mad at me and went into a corner to show his anger! I realized that forcing it into his mouth wasn’t the best way to administer the hairball remedy. Here are some tips to control hairballs. Thanks to petcarex.com for providing this information.

Long haired breeds and heavy shedders are most susceptible to troublesome hairballs. If you are looking for hairball treatments and remedies, then take a look at these tips on how to get rid of hairballs, reduce their frequency, and treat symptoms like retching.

Trick #1: Brush!

Brushing you cat daily will not only provide great bonding time, but it will also reduce the amount of fur your cat swallows during self-grooming. There are many brush and comb styles to choose from, and you may also find that your cat enjoys soft plastic brushes more than metal prongs or that one works more efficiently on your cat’s fur texture. If your cat is a heavy shedder or prone to hairballs, consider using a deshedder tool, which can reduce shedding up to 90% by thinning the undercoat.

Extra Tip:

After a brushing session, particularly a static-filled one, run a slightly damp paper towel or cloth over your cat’s fur to pick up any remaining loose hair.

Trick #2: Tabs, Treats, and Pastes

Many products that are marketed as hairball alleviators are mild laxatives that help your cat pass the hair through his or her system. These can be kept in your pet medicine chest as multi-purpose, for treating both hairballs and mild constipation. Laxatives are usually best employed to help clear up an existing hairball problem and not as a long term solution.

Fortunately, there are many everyday ways you can give your cat the minerals, vitamins, and oils that can prevent hairballs by encouraging coat health. Flavored gels that you apply to your cat’s paw—he or she will be immediately compelled to lick it off—are one option. You can also buy flavored treats that contain fiber and mineral oil for hairball prevention. Even chewable tablets are available in enticing meat flavors and can be found in all-natural, petroleum free formulas.

Extra Tip:

The old household remedy of using Vaseline on a paw to prevent hairballs from coming up does work. However, long-term usage of this remedy can result in vitamin deficiencies. You also don’t want to give your cat plain mineral oil, even though it is a common ingredient in other hairball remedies. The unscented oil can easily be accidentally inhaled, which can cause very serious health problems.

Trick #3: Change Cat Food

Many pet food brands have lines specifically designed to help prevent hairball formation. Switching to a hairball-reducing food is one of the lowest maintenance ways to prevent them, but some cats may also need occasional pastes or laxatives. Hairball reducing food formulas employ a two-pronged approach: fiber for digestion and supplements for coat health. The fiber from things like brown rice or beet root will help keep your cat’s digestion active to pass the fur he or she swallows through the system. And the vitamins and oils will help keep your cat’s skin and coat healthy, reducing both shedding and grooming.

Extra Tip:

Try growing indoor pet grass for an all-natural way to control hairballs.

Remember, your pets count!

Make great oldies a part of your day. Edgewater Gold Radio is your place for the music you grew up with. Oldies from the 50s 60s 70s and 80s! Plus all of your Summer songs. Make your day great with great oldies! Listen from our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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If you suspect that your dog is pregnant, the best way to find out for sure is to take her to the veterinarian. There are some possible clues that you may look for at home.  For example, you may notice that your dog seeks your attention more often.  Pregnant dogs can also have ravenous appetites.  Finally, you might observe large mammary glands and a clear vaginal discharge that appears about a month into the pregnancy.  These signs may indicate that your dog is pregnant but they are by no means a diagnosis.  If you do suspect that your dog may be expecting, take her in for an exam.  The veterinarian will palpate the uterus or perform an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy. If she is pregnant, make sure that she’s comfortable and eating a high quality dog food.

Remember, your pets count!

The best place for oldies is Edgewater Gold Radio! We have the variety from the 50s through the 80s plus all of your Summer favorites! Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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The Importance of Calcium in Your Dogs Diet

Tuesday, August 6, 2019
posted by Jim Murphy

Dogs, like people require certain vitamins and minerals in their diet in order to maintain good health. Calcium is one of those minerals. Calcium plays several important roles in your dog’s body. It ensures that bones and teeth remain strong, helps keep the nerve impulses traveling smoothly, and keeps your dog’s metabolism functioning properly. When dog’s don’t get enough calcium, they can develop a serious condition called rickets. This causes the bones to become soft and they can bend or break easily. Growing puppies, mother dogs who are nursing pups, and dogs who can’t metabolize calcium properly may need an extra calcium supplement to stay healthy.  Your veterinarian can recommend the best way to provide it.

Remember, your pets count!

The best oldies are playing right now on Edgewater Gold Radio! Relive your memories with music of the 50s 60s 70s and 80s. Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio or listen from our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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We’ve recently adopted a beautiful Siamese/Hymalayan Cat. He’s about 14 or 15 years old. Every once in awhile he vomits. Since he’s a long hair, hairballs are always an issue. It pretty easy to determine whether he’s vomited hairballs or something else. The hairballs are long and slender. They consist of hair and other fluids. Yesterday he vomited right after he ate. There were no hairballs but some undigested food and fluids. I immediately became concerned. I’ve been changing his food to a more nutritious food. I may be adding too much of the new food too fast. It can be a bit of a challenge when changing your cats food. Their digestive system is sensitive and it may take awhile for your cat to adjust to the new food. Other than that, our new cat Atlantis is doing just fine.

If your cat vomits, is listless, has diarrhea, no appetite or other symptoms, get him to the vet right away. There are many issues that can be causing these symptoms.

Always keep an eye on your feline friend. Report any unusual symptoms as soon as possible.

Remember, your pets count!

The greatest variety of oldies are playing right now on Edgewater Gold Radio. You’ll hear oldies from the 50s through the 80’s all the time. Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen to Edgewater Gold Radio from our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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How to Care For a Cat with Diabetes

Sunday, August 4, 2019
posted by Jim Murphy

There are two types of diabetes that cats get. Diabetes Mellitus occurs when a cats body cannot produce or use insulin correctly. Then there’s type 2 diabetes which usually doesn’t require insulin. Caring for a cat with diabetes is a joint effort and it’s very important that you do your part along with your veterinarian.  As soon as a cat is diagnosed with Diabetes Mettitus, she will probably require insulin injections. You have to administer these injections according to the schedule that your vet provides. The dosage will depend on needs and condition of the cat.  Types of insulin varies from cat to cat. You should have her blood tested regularly to determine if the amount of insulin is sufficient or  in some cases, it may be too much.  Your vet will show you how to give your cat her insulin shot.  One good place to give the injection is along the side of your cats’ body.  Insulin shots are usually given twice per day in either one or two units per shot.

Once your cat has been diagnosed with diabetes, you must always monitor her at home. Take note of any changes in her weight, eating habits or blood sugar levels. Notify your if vet  you do notice any changes.  Also consult your vet before administering any additional pet medications for other  conditions.

Remember, your pets count!

It’s a 60s and 70s weekend on Edgewater Gold Radio! Turn on your oldies—download the free Edgewater Gold Radio app or listen from our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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Some People Shouldn’t have Pets or Children

Saturday, August 3, 2019
posted by Jim Murphy

I heard  a very disturbing story about a women who left her dog outside in the blistering heat without any food or water. She went out and didn’t have any concern that her pet was alone in the scorching sun. The dog suffered from heat stroke and died.

We hear terrible stories like this all the time. What makes people so cruel and careless? Why do we have to keep emphasizing that our pets should be kept cool and have plenty of water all the time in the heat? Why do we have to keep emphasizing that a pet should NEVER be left in a car with the windows closed in the Summer? Why Why Why are people so (pardon the expression) stupid? Are we becoming that self centered?

I feel that better screenings need to be done for people that have the desire to adopt a pet. Strict, firm laws should be in effect for pet owners who abuse their pets including high fines and jail time for some offenses. Unfortunately it seems that many people are so self centered and materialistic that all they’re concerned with are material things and that includes beloved pets. The feel they have the right to anything they want. Not so, if a person is irresponsible and have no common sense they should never be able to own a pet. I’ll take it a step further, they shouldn’t even be able to have children!

Remember, your pets count!

The oldies are playing all weekend on your oldies station! Edgewater Gold Radio. It’s a 60s and 70s weekend. Join us for some fun and great music this weekend. Download the free Edgewater Gold Radio app or listen to Edgewater Gold Radio from our website.

 

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After your dog has surgery such as being spayed, it’s important to keep her from licking the wound because she could remove her stitches or cause an infection. Unfortunately, dogs instinctively want to lick their wounds so you may need to take some precautions. If bandages and topical pet medication and products don’t do the trick, try an Elizabethan collar. This is cone shaped and fits onto your dogs collar wrapping around her head like an upside down lampshade.  Your dog may find this contraption bothersome but it will help keep her from licking and aggravating her incision site.  To make the situation less stressful, you can remove the collar when you are able to keep an eye on her.

Remember, your pets count!

Enjoy another 60s and 70s weekend on Edgewater Gold Radio. The best variety of oldies from the 50s through the 80s! Listen to Edgewater Gold Radio on your Alexa device or you can listen from our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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Our New Boy is Adjusting Well

Thursday, August 1, 2019
posted by Jim Murphy

Sometimes adding a new furry friend to your home can pose some problems especially if you have other pets. Before we adopted Atlantis, our new feline friend, we were worried that it would upset our other cat, Millie. Both cats are 14 – 15 years old and we feared that bringing a new pet would cause some turbulence in our household. We slowly introduced Millie to Atlantis and then decided to adopt him permanently. We are so glad we did! Both cats seem to tolerate each other. By “tolerate,” I mean that they are not best friends but coexist peacefully together and that’s all we could ask for.

Atlantis loves his new home and is very spoiled just like our Millie. He has the run of the house and loves to “talk” and be pet and brushed. He’s also very smart, he knows what he wants and how to get it. Atlantis has added joy to our home and is a wonderful companion!

If you are thinking of adding another pet, do some research, test the waters and who knows, you may be very surprised as we were. Remember, introducing a female cat to another female can cause problems. This was the case when we introduced Millie to our other female cat, Mollie. Luckily Atlantis is a male which made the transition much easier.

Remember, your pets count!

The oldies are playing all the time on Edgewater Gold Radio! All oldies from the 50s through the 80s plus all of your Summer favorites! Download the free Edgewater Gold Radio app or listen from our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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