Fleas and ticks can cause many medical problems
Fleas and ticks can cause many medical problems, ranging from anemia due to blood loss from multiple bites to severe skin problems on animals allergic to fleas to diseases transmitted by these disease vectors. Because of their importance in causing these problems, fleas and ticks should be addressed when found on our companion animals.
Preventive doses for fleas and ticks are usually given to pups and kittens at eight weeks old or earlier, using commercial products such as Frontline, Advantage, etc., and monthly follow-ups depending on the severity of infestation.
Life Cycle of a Flea
Diet: Dry food is more economical to feed and more convenient in that dry food can be made available at alltimes with little alterations in texture and, in dogs, palatability.
Dry foods are less palatable to cats. Dry food may also provide beneficial massage of the teeth and gums to help decrease periodontal disease. Canned food is more expensive and palatable but should be fed as a meal to maintain freshness.
While odor, consistency, taste, and learned dietary habits determine which foods a dog will eat, most dogs are indiscriminate eaters. Finicky, begging dogs have learned such behaviors.
Likewise, odor, consistency, taste, and learned dietary habits determine which foods a cat prefers, but how much a cat will eat is affected by such things as noises, lights, food containers, the presence or absence of a man or other animals (including other cats), physiologic state, and disease.
Cats can and will refuse to eat to the point of starving themselves.
These cats usually develop hepatic lipidosis, which can be fatal if not treated early and aggressively. Some dogs and cats have adequate appetite controls and will maintain an optimal body condition, even with dietary changes. However, some dogs and cats overeat, consume excessive calories, and become obese. The thickness of the fat layer over the rib cage and pelvic bones is a good indicator of obesity. Usually, the ribs and hip bones should be easily felt but not seen; these cannot be easily palpated in an obese animal. A pendulous abdomen, a waddling gait, and sluggish behavior are also seen in some obese animals.
Monitoring: Feeding methods for growing puppies should be individualized for the puppy and the owner. General recommendations are that puppies between weaning and six months of age should be fed three times a day; puppies 6-12 mo old should be provided twice daily.
Growing kittens should be fed ad-lib or several times daily to meet their daily needs.
The feed should be selected for the stage of life (puppy/kitten) and based on the anticipated adult body weight (especially in pups).
Most puppies and kittens need a completely balanced diet with fresh water to stay nutritionally healthy.
A commercial puppy or kitten food is the most convenient method of ensuring a proper and balanced diet.
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