Can you spay a cat in heat? Guide for caring cat owners
Key Takeaways If your female cat is suddenly meowing nonstop, rubbing against everything in sight, and making a dash for the door every chance she gets, there’s a good chance she’s in heat. You might be wondering: can she be spayed now, or is it better to wait? The short answer is yes—spaying during heat […]
What Are The Signs Of A Mare In Heat?
As spring approaches and breeding season begins, your mare will begin to have 21-day estrus cycles during which she will be receptive to mating. Understanding your mare’s estrus cycle is essential, whether your goal is to successfully breed her or to prevent pregnancy. Maintaining your mare’s health throughout breeding season is also important. Many horse […]
How Long Is A Mare’s Estrus Cycle?
The mare’s estrus cycle coordinates with the seasons to increase the chances of successful mating and the best chance of survival for her foal. Her exposure to sunlight directly affects the schedule at which she experiences estrus cycles. Through the winter, when daylight hours are short, mares are in anestrus. They are not receptive to […]
How Long Does a Dog Stay in Heat?
Has your female dog started her first heat cycle? This is an exciting time. Your puppy has started adolescence, and she’s finally growing up. However, keep in mind that, at 6-15 months of age, your dog is still a puppy. If you plan on breeding your dog, the AKC recommends waiting until she is fully […]
Pyometra in Dogs – Prevent Uterine Infections in Dogs
Pyometra is a life-threatening uterine infection in unspayed female dogs and cats. Learn about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of pyometra, and how you can protect your cat or dog from this serious infection. What Exactly Is Pyometra? “Pyo” in medical terms means “pus,” and “metra” means “of the uterus.” Pyometra is an infection that […]
How Often do Dogs Go Into Heat?
What is “in heat” Going into “heat”, also known as the estrus cycle in female dogs, is the stage in which the dog enters the reproductive cycle. This is the time period that the dog can be bred and become pregnant. Female puppies usually experience their first estrus cycles when they hit puberty (reached sexual […]
Endocrine Glands: What Are They?
What is a gland? A gland is a group of cells that produces a hormone—for example, estrogen—that leaves the gland and affects other cells. There are several types of glands: endocrine, exocrine, autocrine, and paracrine. How do glands work? Glands work like the nervous system—they coordinate activities throughout the body. While the nervous system acts […]
How Long Is A Cat Pregnant?
Once your cat has mated, how long will it be before you can expect to hear the pitter patter of little paws? Learn about the stages of your cat’s pregnancy, and how you can keep your cat strong and healthy through pregnancy and nursing. How Long Is A Cat Pregnant? A cat’s pregnancy, on average, […]
What Are Common Hormone & Endocrine Dog Medications?
Endocrine related diseases occur when the endocrine glands produce an excess or insufficient amount of endocrine hormones. These types of diseases include diabetes, hyperthyroid disease, hypothyroid disease, Addison’s Disease, and Cushing’s Disease. To help restore balance to your pet’s health, our pharmacy specialists recommend the following pet meds: Diabetes Symptoms of diabetes: Weight loss Weakness […]
Can Dogs Have Thyroid Problems?
Proper thyroid gland function is essential for the overall health of your dog’s body, however, hypothyroidism is a common thyroid issue for dogs. Dogs with hypothyroidism have metabolic rates below normal, and as a result are prone to lethargy and weight gain. Hypothyroidism can cause a wide variety of symptoms in affected dogs, including intolerance […]
Managing Your Cat’s Thyroid Problems
Thyroid-related diseases such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism generally require lifelong treatment with prescription pet medications. The differences between the two diseases are: Hypothyroidism occurs when there is a deficiency of hormones produced by the thyroid gland; this disease is mainly common in dogs. Hyperthyroidism is mostly seen in older cats and occurs when excessive amounts […]
Does My Cat Have a Thyroid Problem?
Hyperthyroidism is a very common disorder in older cats caused by an increased production of thyroid hormones from the thyroid glands. Clinical signs associated with hyperthyroidism can be quite intense; however, most cases are treatable and most cats make a complete recovery. Hyperthyroidism is almost exclusively seen in middle-aged to older cats, and only occasionally […]
Hyperthyroidism in Cats
What is hyperthyroidism? Hyperthyroidism is an excess of the thyroid hormone, thyroxin. Thyroxin determines how quickly your pet burns fuel and makes energy. Because every cell in the body burns fuel, every cell is affected by hyperthyroid disease, but the first sign we often notice is how thin the pet is despite having a ravenous […]
Hypothyroidism in Dogs
What is hypothyroidism? Hypothyroidism is a deficiency of thyroid hormone. Because the thyroid gland sets the rate at which cells burn energy, a deficiency of thyroid hormone leaves pets dull and listless in body and soul. Key facts about hypothyroidism in dogs Hypothyroid disease is the most common hormone disease of dogs. Pets lose their […]
Cushing’s Disease in Dogs
What is Cushing’s disease? Cushing’s disease in dogs and cats is an excess of cortisol, the hormone normally released by the adrenal glands when pets are stressed. Cushing’s disease is also called hyperadrenocorticism Key facts about Cushing’s disease in dogs and cats Pets with Cushing’s disease are stressed mentally & physically. Bald patches and skin […]