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As a pet parent, you want to do everything you can to care for your pet; this involves regular, everyday activities to ensure they stay happy and healthy. Practice these seven responsible pet care tips year after year for a lifetime of happy and healthy cats and dogs. 1. Veterinarian Visits Responsible pet ownership starts with regular visits to the veterinarian. Given their shorter-than-human lifespan, your dog or cat should be getting a checkup at least once or twice a year. Depending on your pet's vaccination schedule, they may go more frequently when they're young, but establishing and maintaining good pet health means keeping up with vet visits as they age. Trips to the vet can be, shall we say, challenging. Cats, in particular, may be averse to leaving the comfy confines of their home, but there are ways to reduce stress for both of you. Acclimating your cat to her carrier when she is a kitten is good practice (and avoids the running-away-and-hiding-under-the-bed scenario). Dogs tend to like going for car rides. Take your pup on joyrides, so he won't associate getting into the car with going to the vet. And many pets don't mind a trip to the veterinarian's office, especially if you choose a vet that's a good fit for your little friend. 2. Vaccinations Vaccinating your pets is a vital component of responsible pet care. Soon after welcoming your new pet into your home, schedule an immunization appointment. During your first visit, the vet will set up an immunization schedule for your little pup or kitten to protect them from illness and disease. Vaccinations for puppies should happen early in your puppies' first few weeks after you bring him home. Talk to your vet at your first appointment, on when a good time to schedule that visit. They help prevent diseases such as rabies, Lyme disease, and distemper. Cats benefit from vaccines that prevent feline herpes virus, feline leukemia, and rabies. If you've adopted an adult or senior animal, make sure they are immunized, too. Vaccinations do need renewal and aren't just for young pets. 3. Proper Identification If the unthinkable happens and your little guy or gal gets lost — youngsters, in particular, are prone to dashing out the door — having proper identification is the key to a happy ending. Start with the basics: a safe collar, and a tag that contains all of your contact information. In addition to an ID tag, microchipping your pet is advisable, because there's always the chance a collar will fall off. The microchip, an electronic device about the size and shape of a grain of rice, is implanted under your pet's skin and can be read by a scanner that pulls up your identification information. A combination of these forms of identification will go a long way to reuniting you and your beloved pet, but only if you keep your contact information up-to-date. Be sure to change your information on file with the microchip if you have a change in address or phone number. 4. Spaying/Neutering Sterilizing your pet prevents a host of health problems, including complicated pregnancies, and reduces the number of homeless animals. Spaying your kitty (removing the uterus and ovaries) greatly reduces her risk for cervical cancer, eliminates the risk of ovarian cancer, and prevents her from going into "heat." That minimizes the chance that she'll stray from home in search of a partner, and any nearby male cats will be less aggressive (and they won't spray to mark their territory, something that benefits you and your furniture). Neutering your puppy helps alleviate aggression and roaming the neighborhood, and will prevent him from getting testicular cancer. Because spaying or neutering is a surgery that requires general anesthesia, your pet will likely stay overnight at the vet's office for at least one night for observation and recuperation. 5. Healthy Food Two connected elements of responsible pet ownership include providing animals with fresh, cool water and healthy food at all times. The right pet food will enrich your best buddy's life, providing them with the energy and nutrients they need. With so many meal options to choose from, it can be daunting, but you can become adept in no time by familiarizing yourself with important ingredients and how they help your pup or kitty. When choosing the best cat food, look for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fats. These are important ingredients for dog food, too, as is plenty of fiber for the digestive system. In addition to healthy ingredients, select a pet food formula that is appropriate for your pet's age, health conditions and activity level, and speak to your vet before switching your pet to a specialized food. 6. At-Home Care As your pets' caretaker, your job is to provide them with good hygiene habits at home as well as at the vet's or groomer's. Brushing their teeth, combing their coats and providing them with healthy food all keeps them in tip-top shape. To stay on track with responsible pet care, schedule hygiene and grooming tasks in your calendar and try combining tasks, such as a comforting comb after trimming nails, until it becomes routine. 7. Training and Socializing One of the most important aspects of responsible pet care is ensuring your dog or cat is well-trained, and proper socializing is a part of that. Starting when they're young is best and most effective, but it's never too late to learn new tricks. Toilet training is the number one priority for any animal with whom you share your home, as is working on obedience training. Learning socialization skills will help your puppy or kitten bond with you and with other pets. Ask your vet or local animal shelter for recommendations for good trainers in your area or at-home training guides to read. A well-trained pet is a happy pet, and that translates to a happy pet parent.

Wherever possible, a wound will be closed and sutured in order to speed healing. However, if there is gross contamination or deep infection present, the wound will be left open for topical treatment and to ensure drainage. Your veterinarian may need to anesthetize your dog to remove foreign material and dead tissue from the wound. If the wound cannot be surgically closed, your veterinarian may apply a protective bandage if this is possible. Your dog will receive oral or injectable antibiotics (such as amoxicillin-clavulanate or cefazolin). How will I need to care for this open wound? When your pet was discharged from the hospital, you received specific instructions regarding your pet's home care. Some general care guidelines include: · It is important that the wound and surrounding area is gently cleaned to remove any crusty or sticky debris. This will keep the wound edges clean, reduce the potential for re-infection, and allow new healthy tissue to develop. · Administer all of the medications as prescribed. Do not discontinue antibiotics for any reason unless you have been specifically instructed to do so by your veterinarian. · Your dog should not be allowed to lick or chew the open wound. Many dogs will require a protective collar (see handout “Elizabethan Collars in Dogs” for more information) to prevent them from injuring the site. · It is important to prevent the skin from healing over the wound too quickly. This is particularly important with abscesses that have been lanced and drained surgically. If the wound closes prematurely, the risk of recurrence increases. How do I prevent the wound from closing too early? When cleaning the wound, gently massage the surrounding skin to open the wound and promote drainage. You may note some discharge or bleeding when you do this. Note whether it appears to be infected (a thick or colored discharge) or if it is a clear thin fluid. You should remove or allow either type of discharge to drain away. If the discharge continues to be bloody, green, or yellow for several consecutive days, contact your veterinarian for instructions. What should I clean the wound with? Warm tap water is recommended for cleaning most wounds. Warm saline (salt solution) may also be used. This may be made by adding approximately one level teaspoonful (5 mL) of salt (or Epsom salts) to two cups (500 mL) of water. In some cases, your veterinarian may recommend using a dilute cleansing solution of chlorhexidine, a surgical soap, or an iodine solution to help remove debris. DO NOT use soaps, shampoos, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, herbal preparations, tea tree oil, or any other product to clean an open wound, unless specifically instructed to do so by your veterinarian. Some of these products are toxic if taken internally, while others can actually delay healing. Can I not use mild antiseptics? Your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics or suitable antibiotic cream to apply to the wound. Since animals tend to lick and chew at wounds, inadvertently swallowing medications that are applied topically or disinfectants and antiseptics intended for human use are rarely suitable for use in animals. What should I do if my dog tries to lick the wound? Many people have the mistaken belief that a dog's saliva is somehow antiseptic. This is far from the truth, especially when one considers how dogs groom themselves or greet each other. A dog will instinctively lick at a wound, but this can seriously delay healing. Therefore, you must prevent this by any means possible. Elizabethan collars are the most commonly used protective device. Other options, depending on the location of the wound, include covering the wound with a bandage, a stockinet, a dog coat, or a t-shirt. What about pain medications? Your veterinarian will prescribe appropriate medications to relieve pain and discomfort. Once a wound has begun to heal, it is no longer as painful. Your veterinarian will assess the individual situation and determine the most appropriate medications for your dog

Leptospira is a fatal bacterial disease that affects humans and animals, especially cats and dogs. It is caused by the leptospiral bacterium. The symptoms of the disease vary from organism to organism. Without appropriate treatment, Leptospirosis can lead to organ damage including kidney failure, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress, and ultimately death. The bacterium is spread through the urine of infected animals. The bacterium can survive in contaminated water and soil for several months. Many different domestic and wild animals carry the bacterium including pigs, cattle, horses, dogs, rodents, and wild animals. Infected animals continue to contaminate the environment and become a risk for healthy organisms. The bacterium can enter the body through the skin, mucous membranes (nose, eyes or mouth), or any cut or scratch. Outbreaks, such as floods, also serve as a source for disease transmission. Drinking contaminated water also causes infection. Signs and Symptoms In animals, Leptospirosis can cause a variety of symptoms including: · High fever · Severe headache · Chills · Muscle fatigue · Nausea · Vomiting · Jaundice · Yellow sclera and skin · Abdominal pain · Rash · Diarrhea · Allergy In some cases, the affected animal may be asymptomatic. Leptospirosis usually occurs in two phases : 1. The first phase is characterized by fever, chills, body weakness, muscle cramps, vomiting, or diarrhea. The patient usually recovers in a short time. 2. The second phase is more severe and leads to organ damage. The illness usually lasts for 2-3 weeks or longer. Risk of Exposure Leptospirosis can occur anywhere in the world but it is more common in tropical and temperate climates. It is an occupational hazard for outdoor workers including: · Farmers · Miners · People who work in slaughterhouses · Veterinarians and animal caretakers · Fish workers · Dairy farmers · Military personnel’s Sports that put you at risk of Leptospirosis There are some sports that increase the risk of athletes to catch the infection. These include: · Swimming · Rafting · Wading · Kayaking · Boating It is a recreational hazard for campers who participate in outdoor sports activities. The risk is even greater in tropical and temperate climates. Why is Leptospirosis Common in Swimmers? Sometimes the sea or river water gets contaminated with the infection by urine or other body fluids. When athletes swim in such infected water, they can catch the disease. Diagnostic Tests for Leptospirosis: Leptospira IgM Test Kit The kit is based on the principle of antigen-antibody complex formation. The immunoglobulin M antibodies present in the kit immediately react with the leptospira antigen (if present) in the blood sample. The Leptospira IgM test kit can easily be used at home and requires little or no technical assistance. You can buy a Leptospira IgM test kit from a nearby veterinary office. Laboratory Tests A Veterinarian may prescribe blood or urine test to diagnose the disease. Treatment of Leptospirosis in Dogs Currently, Leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics such as penicillin or doxycycline. The treatment must be started immediately after the diagnosis of the disease. Intravenous antibiotics are prescribed for patients with severe symptoms. If you suspect that your dog has caught the infection, you should immediately visit your nearby Veterinary office or animal care center.