When it comes to keeping your pets healthy, you need to know what the best practices are. Your pet is dependent on you and your attention, so you want to make sure that you are providing the best care for them. That way, they can live a long, happy life.
Spaying or neutering a puppy
Spaying or neutering a puppy is a good thing for healthy pets. It will prevent unwanted puppies, reduce the risk of certain illnesses and protect your pet from dangerous infections spread through bite wounds.
A spayed or neutered pet can live longer and be more healthy than an unspayed animal. The procedure can be done at any age, although the most effective age for a spay is at least six months.
Neutering a male dog will keep him from marking his territory inside the house, and he will be less likely to roam away from home. He will also have decreased levels of hormone-related intermale aggression, which can lead to fights with other male dogs.
Spaying a female dog will decrease the chances of her developing breast cancer, as well as help to eliminate some other health problems she may have. She will also be less likely to develop uterine infection or mammary tumors.
Although it’s an expensive procedure, the benefits are worth it. A spayed or neutered animal is less likely to be lost and less likely to go to the shelter.
DNA analysis of coyote fecal samples
Coyotes have become increasingly common in urban areas across North America. Their increasing presence has prompted an increased number of human-coyote conflict incidents. As coyotes continue to adapt to urban environments, it is important to study their gut microbiome. This knowledge can help to better understand the microbial communities in urban habitats and provide management implications for evaluating the fitness of coyotes.
The fecal microbiome of coyotes is complex and diverse. It relates to health and is affected by a host’s diet and habitat use. A detailed knowledge of the microbiome can help to understand why coyotes are prone to disease.
To investigate the relationship between dietary factors and the health of coyotes, we used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and stable isotope analysis. These methods were able to detect and quantify changes in the fecal microbiome of coyotes from different regions.
Urban coyotes consumed more anthropogenic food, and had a different fecal bacterial community than their rural counterparts. They also had higher abundances of the parasite E. multilocularis and a lower assimilated amount of kidney fat.
Bad breath as a sign of an unhealthy mouth
Bad breath in pets can be caused by a variety of things, including gum disease, cavities, mouth sores, and even cancer. If you notice that your pet’s breath smells bad, see a veterinarian immediately. There are a number of treatments for bad breath, and your vet will be able to help you find the best treatment for your dog.
Dental disease is common among animals, and is usually a sign of an underlying health issue. Symptoms include loose or missing teeth, pain while chewing, and reddened gums.
Dogs can get dental disease if their diets are not balanced. Raw diets can disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in the mouth. They may also increase the risk of Salmonella overgrowth in the gut.
Plaque can build up on your dog’s teeth. The debris can get trapped between the gumline, which contributes to the bad breath. You can prevent this by brushing your pet’s teeth. For dogs, dental chews are an effective way to remove plaque.
Become a certified Hero for Healthy Pets
If you are a veterinary professional or pet service professional, you can become a certified Hero for Healthy Pets. This program is designed to help you keep your veterinary practice or business free of infectious diseases. You will learn the best practices for preventive care and disinfection.
Heroes for Healthy Pets is a collaboration between Merck Animal Health and Clorox Healthcare. Its mission is to educate veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and pet service professionals about the importance of infection prevention and control. Hundreds of pet businesses are affected by infectious disease each year. To avoid outbreaks, boarding facilities, veterinarian clinics, and pet care businesses need to be aware of and follow the recommended steps to prevent, diagnose, and treat infectious disease.
The Heroes for Healthy Pets Infectious Disease Management Certification Program was launched at the 2018 Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas. The program was established with the help of leading experts in the industry. They developed a consensus statement in 2016 to guide veterinary professionals and the public on the best ways to protect pets from infectious disease.