Gulf Coast Humane Society
  • Home
  • Adopt
    • Adoptable Dogs
    • Adoptable Cats
    • Adoptable Rabbits & Pocket Pets
    • Second Chance Pals Cell Dog Program
    • LCSO Cell Dog Program
    • Owner Surrender
  • Foster
  • Donate
    • Supplies Wish List
    • Pet Food 4 Furever Families
    • Captured Moments
    • Second Chance Fund
    • Donate Now
    • Spay It Forward
    • Okan's Fund
    • H&R Block Referral Program
    • Rainbow Bridge Memorial Wall
  • Our Clinics
    • Veterinary Clinic
    • Spay & Neuter Clinic
    • Online Pharmacy
  • Volunteer
    • Become a Volunteer
    • Senior to Senior Foster Program
    • Trap-Neuter-Return
    • Court-Ordered Community Service Information
    • K-9 Education
  • Events
    • Events
    • Rockin' 4 Paws 2021
    • GCHS Calendar of Events
    • Hogs & Air Dogs
    • The Fast & The Furriest
    • Barks and Brews
    • Celebrity Chef Festival
    • Cannolis, Cops and Canines
    • Have a GCHS BDay Party
    • Yappy Hours
  • Covid-19
  • Contact Us
  • About
    • Mission, Vision and Core Values
    • Find us with Google Maps
    • Policies
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Support Our Partners
    • Rescue Partnership
    • Board of Directors
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Job Opportunities
    • Maddie's Fund
  • Blog
  • Adoptable Cats
    • Adoptable Dogs
  • Pet Resources
    • Basic Obedience Training Class
    • April's Grooming Service
    • Pet Friendly Apartments in Fort Myers area
    • Planning
    • Stop Dog Fighting

Pet Talk

5 Common Health Issues that Cat and Dog Owners Need to Look Out For

6/29/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Dogs and cats are more than just pets. They’re another member of the family. And just like we watch for signs of coughs and colds in ourselves and our fellow family members, we should also know the signs to look for when it comes to the most common health issues our furry friends may face. This is especially true for our cats and dogs because other than the signs and symptoms, there’s no real way for them to tell us that they are feeling unwell. 

Heatstroke

As we come into the warmer months, a common issue that animal owners need to be aware of is heatstroke. In fact, there’s a big rise in vet visits due to this condition as summer hits. Of course, the change in weather, which can often be extreme, is a key factor here. But it’s also worth knowing that a big reason so many animals face heatstroke is that humans simply don’t know what to look for and therefore, are only seeking treatment at the very last moment. 

Heatstroke, also known as heat stress, occurs when the animal’s core body temperature rises above the normal range, and the generation of heat is higher than the body’s ability to lose heat. It’s most commonly caused by a warm or hot and humid environment with little ventilation, inadequate shade when outdoors, dehydration and excessive exercise. Also dont buy dog crates instead buy dog fences so they can have enough space. 

Signs to look for include:

  • Panting that increases as heat stroke progresses
  • Drooling or salivating
  • Agitation or restlessness
  • Very red or pale gums
  • Bright red tongue 
  • Increased heart rate and breathing distress
  • Vomiting or diarrhea 
  • Mental confusion, dizziness and staggering 
  • Weakness or lethargy 
  • Collapsing and lying down 
  • Little to no urine production

What to do if you think your dog or cat is suffering from heatstroke:

  • Remove your pet from the environment 
  • Apply cool water onto the animal’s fur or skin (not cold) and then fan to maximize heat loss. Never use ice-cold water as this can worsen the problem. 
  • Take your animal to the vet if symptoms persist. 

Of course, prevention is the best defense. 
  • Make sure your animal has a cool, well-ventilated space to play and hang out. 
  • Provide lots of access to fresh clean drinking water 
  • Never leave your animal in a car and avoid exercising in hot weather 

Ear infections

Ear infections in dogs and cats are very common, however, they generally develop as a result of another problem such as allergies, environmental triggers or even anatomical abnormalities. A key thing to remember when it comes to cats is that despite popular opinion, ear mites are rarely to blame, except in kittens. 

Making sure your pet’s ears are thoroughly cleaned is an essential part of prevention, and indeed, treatment. If you don’t feel confident to do this, always ask a vet to show you how. Importantly, do not dig into the dog or cat’s ear canal as this can push whatever is in there further back and possibly cause a ruptured eardrum. 

Signs of an ear infection include:

  • Head shaking
  • Scratching at the ears (external parasites such as fleas, lice, ticks or ear mites and even internal parasites like ringworm can also cause scratching and itching, so make sure you treat your pet with topical treatments and dewormers to eliminate this as the cause)
  • Discharge or a foul odor from the ears 

Remember, unless the underlying problem is dealt with, ear infections can become recurrent and if the ear infection cannot be treated, it’s imperative that you start investigating the underlying cause. 

Arthritis

Arthritis commonly occurs in older dogs and cats as their bones and joints stiffen with their age. It describes a disorder of the joint, where the joint cartilage and adjacent bones are damaged, caused by stress to the joint. Arthritis is commonly caused by wear and tear which is why many people associate it with old age, however, sometimes it can be caused by a trauma to the joints such as a sprain or fracture. 
 
Most pets who suffer from arthritis will struggle to get up and down off furniture or stairs and may struggle to even get up, especially on colder days. An affected animal will also resist exercise and is less likely to play. It’s key to know these signs as early treatment can help a lot.  

While many older pets will suffer from arthritis, don’t assume that it’s necessarily a normal aging process that can’t be helped. If treated properly, even older pets with arthritis can still lead a normal, bubbly, bounding life. 

Dental disease

Initiated by bacteria that attaches to a pet’s teeth, periodontal disease affects almost every animal out there. Just like in humans, the plaque that builds up on our animals’ teeth can cause gum disease and can, without treatment, turn into ulcers and abscesses in your pet’s mouth.

If not dealt with early in life, periodontal disease can develop into serious problems in up to 85% of dogs and cats by the time they turn three years old. If bacteria are given the opportunity to move under the gum, the ligaments underneath can deteriorate, which can cause your pet serious pain and damage. At the extreme end, the bacteria can access the body’s circulation and can result in heart, liver, brain, joint or kidney disease. 

What to do:

  • Brush your animal’s teeth with specific animal toothpaste and a soft toothbrush
  • Feed your pet formulated food that is good for their oral health
  • Raw meat and bones eaten with supervision can help, as can dental chews

Eye infection

There are many causes of eye infections in dogs or cats, including viruses, bacteria, irritants such as smoke or shampoo, foreign matter such as dirt, grass or hair entering the eye, trauma, parasites or a scratch on the cornea. 

The most common eye infections are conjunctivitis, inflammation of the cornea, uveitis or abnormalities in the eyelids and tear glands. 

Symptoms of eye infections in animals include:

  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Watery, thick and smelly discharge
  • Squinting
  • Blinking
  • Holding the eye closed
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Pawing at the eyes
 
While you can’t always prevent animals from getting eye infections, there are some things you can do to help. Avoid trauma to the eye if possible including foreign bodies like dust or dirt getting into their eyes. A couple of ways to do this is to ensure windows are closed while driving and to trim the hair around the eyes so it won’t irritate the eyeballs. Also, always try to keep your pet’s face as clean as possible. 

Checkups are vital

Of course, we can’t protect our animals from absolutely everything, even though we wish we could. But we can help to prevent some of these health issues by understanding the symptoms, knowing what to do and where to go if they get sick. It’s also important to get regular check-ups for your pet and encourage healthy eating and exercise patterns for your animals. 


0 Comments

Kitten Season is a real thing

6/22/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
With all its anticipated joys and excitement, spring is also the time for new kittens. As much as it’s welcomed with love and appreciation, the kitten season is also one of the toughest times for shelters and rescues as they are swamped with newborn kittens that need constant care and attention.
To fully understand how the kitten season works and what you can do to help, here are some of the most frequent questions about the feline litter answered and explained.

What exactly is the kitten season?From the early spring until fall, cats are in heat. Being “in heat” means that they are ready to mate and can get pregnant. This natural process usually lasts from March until October, but it can differ depending on the seasonal changes and weather in various countries. Simply put, as the days get warmer and longer until the beginning of winter is when the weather is suitable for mating and conceiving. A cat is generally in heat for about 7 days, then once impregnated, it will carry the youngs for about 2 months ( 64-67 days). 
What is a feline litter? How many kittens can a cat have?Interestingly, the word “litter” has found its place twice in the cat world. As with breeding, a litter of kittens represents a number of feline babies born during one pregnancy. A cat can bring 4-8 kittens to the world in one litter, but it can get pregnant several times during the kitten season. Not to mention that during those 4-7 days of being in heat, a cat can have multiple encounters with different male cats, thus getting impregnated by different tomcats. This is why sometimes there are completely different kittens in the same litter.
If a cat gives birth to 8 kittens at least two times a year, imagine how many unwanted furbabies are there left abandoned. 
Are neutering and spaying the solution to the problem of overcrowding?

Millions of stray cats are reproducing as we speak. Since they are natural wanderers and hiders, even domestic cats mate with their fellow outdoor cats and enlarge the problem of uncontrolled feline breeding.
Solely in the US, it’s estimated that around 70 million stray and feral cats are out there, only 2% of them neutered or spayed. Neutering or spaying before the age of 6 months is essential to dealing with this growing problem as it is the most efficient way of putting things in control. Ask around about the best low-cost neutering and spaying clinics, or check with your vet about the options and costs available. This quick procedure can completely alter the way cats live on the streets and can save their lives.
What can I do to help shelters in need?Although financial support is crucial, there are other useful ways to help a shelter in need:

Donate supplies and foodIf you are a cat owner yourself, reuse your pet’s old beds, carriers, toys, bowls, and donate to a local rescue in need. Since they are vulnerable and naturally dependent on their mother, young kittens are unable to regulate their body temperature, so keeping them warm and cozy during the first months of age is essential. Heated beds or cave caves like the ones at Feltcave are specifically designed to help regulate kitten’s temperature and keep them warm, so they’re extremely beneficial for abandoned kittens without a mother by their side.
Pet food is always scarce, so even a little bit of your spare dry cat food would mean the world to cats in need. Contact the shelter if you would like to donate to ask how you can be helpful to the vulnerable kittens. 
Adopt or fosterFostering and adopting is the number 1 option at rescue shelters as it is not only the noblest but also an efficient way of helping kittens thrive and grow healthy. If you’re not able to commit to adopting, you can always foster a cat for some time and help ease the financial and time pressure on the local shelters, as well as free up space for other cats in need.

Volunteer or be at their serviceEvery year, thousands of cats are euthanized since shelters and rescues are not able to take in so many animals in the already overpopulated spaces. Therefore, any invested time is welcome, especially when it comes to baby kittens.
If you come across an unsheltered litter of kittens in the street, don’t comply with the urge to take it somewhere as it can be detrimental separating the babies from their mother at a really early age. Instead, contact a rescue shelter that will know how to adequately protect the kittens and their mother before they are capable of being on their own. 
Animal welfare organizations strive to help cats as much as possible; however, kittens as young as a few months old need 24-7 attention and care. As non-profit rescues and shelters rely on donations, it’s up to us to step up and get involved as much as possible. There’s always a way to make a change. If you’d like to donate to our rescue centre, give us a call on (239) 332 0364, or click here to make a donation.
 
Thank you for your continued support!

Picture
0 Comments

    Author

    Melissa Kauffman

    Archives

    December 2020
    October 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015

    RSS Feed

Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Sign up for our FREE E-Newsletter:
Picture

 Gulf Coast Humane Society, 2010 Arcadia Street, Fort Myers, FL. 33916      
​
Phone (239) 332 0364  Fax (239) 332 8676    
Email Us        ​Map
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spay/Neuter Clinic (239) 332 1573
                            2010 Arcadia Street, Fort Myers, FL. 33916 
​Map​
                                  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gulf Coast Humane Society Veterinary Clinic
2685 Swamp Cabbage Court, Fort Myers, FL 33901
                     Clinic  (239) 332 2719  Clinic Fax (239) 332 4391
Map