How to protect your pet from Smog?

During this time each year, we find ourselves in the middle of dense, dangerous and discomforting layers of smog. The air we breathe deteriorates with each passing day affecting our pets, children and elderly the most.

For the uninitiated, bursting of crackers during Diwali and crop burning in farming estates near metro cities of India pollutes the air with heavy smoke. This mixes with fog to produce the dreadful ‘smog’. This thick layer of smog affects humans and their lovely pets alike. Dogs, cats and other pets experience health issues that can be fatal sometimes.

If you’re living in any affected areas, we suggest you read further and know how to best take care of your precious dog. In case, your pet is already one of those affected deeply by the smog, visit VETLAB centers in Delhi, Meerut, and Kolkata for a thorough round of health tests.

Be Air Aware

When the city turns into a gas chamber, stay air aware. Given the advancements in technology, you can download apps like Tapzo that determine the AQI (Air Quality Index) levels of your area making it easier for you to decide when to step out.

Afternoons are preferable to go for a walk as the sun rays improve visibility and improve air quality. Soon enough, we’ll have pet masks too but until then, do not forget to wear yours.

Try indoor exercise

As much as your pet likes outdoor activities, the airpocalypse prohibits them from stepping out. Try exercises and games at home. Keep your pet active and busy. It’s better to get them toys like a fuzzy ball or two. Also, it’s better to turn on air purifiers and conditioners to ensure safe breathing indoors. Get plants like Areca Palm, Anthuriums, Money plant, Spider plant, golden pothos, bamboo plant, ‘Song of India’ and Boston ferns act as natural air purifiers.

Make sure your little fur ball doesn’t miss being in the open air.

Proper diet

For days when the city is choking on polluted air, ensure that you stay safe and indoors. You might hibernate and binge on carbs while Netflix-ing, watch your dog’s diet. Do not feed them as much because remember there’s barely any physical activity hence no use of energy.

Do not overfeed your pet!

If your pet is senior or ailing, visit a vet for a health check-up and get precautionary diagnostic test done at VETLAB. Remember, the air quality is as bad for your pet as it is for you.

Here’s hoping that your little furry friend stays safe and healthy in the unfortunate times.

What to do about your dog’s sensitive skin?

The joy of running your fingers through the luscious strands of your adorable fur ball cannot be compared to absolutely any other pleasure in life. Seeing your dog with a healthy skin and happy heart is what happy dreams of dog owners are made of. But not all dogs are blessed with healthy skin which can be a bit concerning for the dog owners. Just like humans, certain dogs have sensitive skin which makes their grooming a bit of a task.

A healthy dog fur coat can be obtained only if the cause of itchy, irritated, dry skin can be identified. While dogs can develop a sensitive skin for a variety of reasons, you can try to identify the cause by using elimination techniques and picking out the most probable irritant.

Out of many, a few reasons for sensitive dog skin are the ones listed below.

The fuss with fleas

The foremost reason for your dog’s sensitive skin could be cropping up of lice, parasites or fleas. Check your dog’s fur coat for dirty black clumps or powder on your pooch’s skin. This is flea dirt which is an initial sign of flea infestation. At the sight of any such thing, an experienced veterinarian should be contacted.

Check for allergies

If your dog clearly passed through flea test, the cause of sensitivity could be a skin allergy to absolutely anything in the world. Most dogs are prone to environmental allergies like hay fever. This could result in dry and itchy skin, goopy eyes and licking of paws. In such case, it’s advisable to visit a vet and seek right medication for your fur ball. You can visit any of our centers in Delhi, Meerut, and Kolkata.

Seeking expert vet help

As much as we like our home remedies, there is no two way about a veterinarian’s expert diagnoses. Skin sensitivity could be caused by hormonal imbalances, diet issues or simply allergies. It’s advisable to check with the vets for sensitive skin issues.

It’s about the food

Most dog owners blame the diet of their dogs for their poor health but it isn’t true. But switching over to a diet that is high in proteins, rich in fatty acids and loaded with antioxidants can prove to be life-changing for ailing dogs.

Groom everyday

Grooming your dog every day can stimulate its skin, remove pollens and prevent breeding of fleas in the first place. Brush through their mane with a soft-tooth comb.

Don’t rob yourself of the pleasure of owning a furry friend, visit/consult VetLab experts to deal with sensitive skin issues troubling your dog.

Winter is coming but is your dog ready?

Some of us enjoy temperature drops more than others. Chilly winds and snow blankets covering the town may fill your senses with joy but what about your furry friend? Is it ready to face the biting cold winters? Well, it’s about time we talked about all the necessary action points to keep your dog safe and smiling during the cold season.

Dogs are prone to two medical conditions when winters thoroughly set in – Frostbite (Body warms up in the center, other parts left to cool) and Hypothermia (Shivering, depression and fatal conditions are seen). Thus, it’s important to keep your dog cuddled up in winters.

While prepping up for the season, you must keep the following points in mind:

Dressing for dropped temperature

Thickly furred dogs can easily bear cold temperatures while playing outside but dogs with light skin and fur need warm clothing. The sweater should cover the dog from neck to belly and private parts. Paw care is also a must in winters. Consider dog booties if your dog walks uncomfortably.

The right bedding

A cozy bed is what will ensure a calm night’s sleep for you and the four-legged friend. Cozy beds rose above uncarpeted floor and tiles can create a blissful environment for the dog to sleep the night away.

Correct eating habits

Like humans, dogs can incline towards high-calorie food. We sure do enjoy our carbs and fats in winters but your dog needs an extra layer of fur coat not fat to keep warm.

Skin care regime

Winters can be pretty harsh on dog skin and even worse if your dog likes playing outside. Follow a proper bathing, drying, and moisturising procedure to keep your dog skin from itching and flaking. Coconut and fish oils are good for your dog.

Indoors is your happy place

Cuddle up with your fur friend in the confines of your well-heated home. Ensure pet-safe heating place at your home. Occasionally, take walks to the park to freshen up but only when the sun shines because nobody likes freezing to death.

Harsh winter weather can take a toll on your dog’s health if proper care isn’t ensured. In case of any emergency or health-related issue, you must consult your pet’s veterinarian. For further health check-ups and advanced tests, contact our experts at VetLab.

Find us : www.vetlab.in

How to manage skin infections in pets during monsoon

The advent of monsoons may offer us and our pets the much-needed relief from the hot summers. But the rain and humidity may also make our furry friends prone to diseases and that’s why extra care must be taken for pet care during monsoons.Here are a few tips that you can follow to ensure your pets stay healthy during monsoon.

Do not expose them to rain

Although your pets may relish the joy of refreshing rain, they may fall prey to flea infections, flu, fungal infections, rabies, gastro enteritis, due to the high moisture content in the air. The rain can cause a host of digestive disorders and skin infections. So, try to keep your pets away from direct rain so that our furry friends can enjoy the rains without any troubles.

Keep them Groomed

Keep your pets’ coat dry at all times as the excessive humidity in the air may cause foul body odour. Besides, rainwater can damage your dog’s coat so use dry bath sprays and wipes to ensure they smell fresh.

De-worm regularly

The feet and the spaces in between the fingers of your pet may get fungal infections or ticks, so clean them regularly and apply talc and deodorants to keep fungus away. Use pet worm medication, and tick and flea treatments to ensure your pet’s health and hygiene.

Regular bath is a good idea

Bathing your pets regularly will help them to stay clean and hygienic but make sure you dry them perfectly after their bathing session. If your pet is comfortable then using hair dryers to dry them after bath or exposure to rains will be helpful. Regular nail clipping, ear cleaning, grooming and dental check-ups will help them stay germ-free.

Walk-in to VETLAB and get the Preventive Health Check up and diagnosis done

Happy aging for your senior dog: Tips to follow!

A dog that passes the age of seven earns ‘senior’ title in the family. Owning a dog can come with its own set of responsibilities which differ with the age of each dog..

Our dogs grow from cute, squeaky puppies to ferocious, protective beasts and then one day they just can’t be any of that because age happens. The test of true love is seeing your furball grow fragile and meek with age. But we, as pet owners can ensure a happy, healthy and graceful aging process for our four-legged friends by taking good care of their health and well being.

Thanks to all the veterinarian advances in the world, our adorable dogs live longer than they used to. But that also brings a whole new set of aging problems for our dogs. Senior dogs require detailed attention and proper medical care while the same isn’t true for a healthy young dog. A few care tips for starters are listed below.

Watch your dog’s weight

It’s easy to over-feed them out of love but more weight leads to more problems. Over-weighing can cause weakening of joints causing arthritis and other obesity-related diseases. Ensuring a balanced diet is the key to a healthy lifestyle for a senior dog.

Keeping your pet active

They may not be as active as before but they certainly need some exercising to do. Keep the duration and level of physical activity between easy to mild. Practice basics like ‘Come’, ‘Go’ and ‘Sit’ a couple of times a day.

Take supplements

Very much like humans, aging dogs require health supplements. To ensure strong bones, heavy fur coat and proper eating habits, seek precautionary help in the form of body tests at VetLab. We carefully examine your dog’s health through world class machinery that provides most accurate results related to your dog’s body. You can contact us here.

Visit the Vet

It’s almost like shooting in the dark when taking care of senior dogs. You never know what part of their body is slowly giving up. A complete health check-up every six-month is suggested for senior dogs. Schedule your dog’s body tests at VetLab. We are just a call away.

Don’t give up!

Even if mobility restricts your dog from doing their favorite activities, do not lose hope. Shower them with love and bring all their favorites right to them. Unconditional love for your furball surpasses every medication and ailment in the world.

Keep your dog happy during their senior years to ensure a happy and blissful life for the family. If you have any questions regarding your older dog’s heath, contact us @ +011-66-448-448.

Category: Pet Tips