Understanding skin cancer in animals can help you to take the steps to receive treatment in the early stages. Early treatment is often far more effective. When you know the various ins and outs of skin cancer in animals, you will be able to identify when treatment is necessary. If you are concerned about the possibility of skin cancer in your furry friends, you should consult with our team at Borrett Animal Hospital for more information. Here are a few of the things that you should know about skin cancer in animals.

Early Detection

Early detection is important in improving your chances of successful treatment if your pet has developed skin cancer. In order to detect it in the early stages, it is useful to ensure that you are familiar with their various bumps, lumps, and rashes. You should take note whenever a new lump appears. You should also ensure that you regularly groom your pets and examine their skin. This will help you to find new developments early on.

Regular Vet Visits

Regular visits can also aid in early detection. Your veterinarian is experienced in finding changes that may indicate significant health problems. With regular veterinary visits, you can gauge the health of your pets and take the steps to keep them as healthy as possible.

Prevention of Skin Cancer

There are several steps that you can take to help reduce the chances of skin cancer developing. Your pet’s fur provides them with a certain level of protection, but it won’t completely eliminate the chances of developing skin cancer. It is important to ensure that they have shade available whenever they are outside. When you take breaks on walks or hikes, you should ensure that you do so beneath shade. It may also be useful to put clothing on them to provide additional protection to their skin. Window treatments can help to prevent UV rays from entering into your home, which can provide additional protection.

Signs of Pain

While many of the lumps that appear on your pet’s skin are harmless, it is still important to be cautious. This is even more true if your pet is exhibiting signs of pain. Many forms of skin cancer will cause some discomfort and stiffness. If your pet begins displaying changes in their regular behavior, it is important to schedule a visit with us.

Common Types of Skin Cancer in Animals

There are multiple types of skin cancer that can impact animals. Understanding some of the most common types can help to ensure that you know what to look out for and when to obtain treatment.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma tends to be the most common type of skin cancer that is found in pets. It most commonly impacts older animals, so it is important to regularly check the skin of your elderly pets. This type of skin cancer often appears as lumps or wart-like patches. They tend to be found most commonly on the pet’s abdomen, head, lower legs, and rear. If you suspect that your pet may have squamous cell carcinoma, you will want to ensure that you schedule a visit with us as soon as possible.

Melanoma

Most melanoma formations are benign. However, it is important to be aware that malignant melanoma can be incredibly dangerous. A veterinarian can help you to identify when a melanoma is benign or malignant. The services of a veterinarian will also help to determine the type of cancer, as well as the additional steps that should be taken. Melanoma is most commonly found around the lips, mouth, and nail bed of the pet. It is important to carefully examine these areas to help detect the development of lumps as early as possible. Melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma are just two of the most common types of skin cancer in pets.

If you suspect that your pet has developed skin cancer, it is important to bring them in to visit us. At Borrett Animal Hospital, we are passionate about providing your pets with the highest level of care. For more information about skin cancer in animals and how to carefully check for the development of cancer, contact us at Borrett Animal Hospital today!

 

Moving is certain to be a stressful part of your life. Unfortunately, it can also be just as stressful for your pets. The hubbub of moving day, the unfamiliarity of the new home, and the disruption to their routine can all be anxiety triggers for your furry friends. Fortunately, there are several ways that you can help your pets to transition during a move. These steps can aid in minimizing their anxiety and ensuring that they adjust more easily to life in your new home. Here are a few of the best ways that you can help to ease your pets’ transition during a move.

Current and Accurate Tags

Moving day can be chaotic, which can make it difficult to keep an eye on your pet. This may provide them with the opportunity to escape from your home and get lost. Since this is a possibility, you need to make certain that their tags are current and accurate. This will ensure that you can be reached if your pet is found. You should also have them microchipped to provide further protection. Take care to ensure that they are wearing their tags on the day of your move. Keeping current tags is also a component of being a responsible pet owner.

Help Them Stay Occupied

A bored pet can often become anxious more easily. They may also turn to destructive tendencies, which is the last thing that you want in your new home. When you help them stay occupied, you can help to distract them from any stress, while simultaneously helping to ease their transition. Consider using interactive or puzzle toys to help them stay occupied throughout the move.

Pack a Pet Essentials Bag

There are things that your pet needs daily, such as their foods and medications. After you have spent a day moving, it is highly unlikely that you will want to immediately begin unpacking or searching through boxes for belongings. When you set aside a bag of their essentials, you can make it far easier to care for them during the process of settling in. This essentials bag will also ensure that you have easy access to all of the things that they need to be cared for properly.

Go for Walks in your New Neighborhood

If you are relatively close to the neighborhood where you are moving, you may want to try getting your pet used to the area prior to the move. You can take them for walks around the new neighborhood, which will enable them to get more familiar with the area. This can aid in their transition, because it will reduce the number of new things that they have to experience all at the same time.

Give them Plenty of Attention and Affection

When your pet is stressed in a new environment, it is likely that they will turn to you for comfort. You should try to spend as much time home as possible for several days after moving into your new building. This will help to ensure that your pet adjusts with you available for comfort.

Keep to their Routine

Pets benefit a substantial amount from a regular routine. One of the major stressors during your move is a significant deviation from their routine. You should try to implement as normal a routine as possible. Take them for walks at the normal times, feed them at the same time, and play with them as much as you ordinarily would. You should also try implementing a new routine as soon as possible in the new home, which can help them to adjust more quickly.

Provide them with a Safe Space

When a pet becomes stressed, they often want a safe place to retreat to and feel comfortable. Try setting this space up as soon as possible in the new home. Put familiar toys and bedding somewhere in the house, such as a corner or with their crate. This familiarity can ease their adjustment.

Hire a Sitter

You may want to consider dropping your pet off with a pet sitter on the day of the move. Not only will this keep them out of the way and reduce the chances of them running away, but it will also aid in shielding them from the stress of moving day. This can be a particularly beneficial step to take during your move.

There are several things that you can do to help ease the strain of a move on your pets. At Borrett Animal Hospital, we strive to ensure that all of the needs of your pets are met. If you are worried about their level of anxiety during or after your move, you may want to consider consulting with our expert team. Contact us at Borrett Animal Hospital for more information about all of the ways that you can ease your pets’ transition during your move.

 

If you are wondering if you are a responsible pet owner, it will be important to take a look at what the term actually means. While it is, of course, necessary to provide your pet with the basic necessities, there are many additional things that responsible pet owners tend to do. There are many ways in which you can improve the quality of life of your pets and ensure that they remain safe and looked out for. Here are a few of our top tips for being a responsible pet owner.

Basic Necessities

It is important to understand the basic necessities that your pet needs to stay healthy and remain in good condition. You need to ensure that you provide your pet with sufficient amounts of food and water. They also need adequate shelter, especially during the times of the year with particularly extreme temperatures, such as the summer and winter. They also need affection and attention to ensure that they remain happy and cared for.

Educate your Children

If you have children in your household, it is extremely important to ensure that you educate them regarding the appropriate way to interact with animals. Too often, children haven’t been taught how to safely interact with animals and they may engage in behavior that either provokes the pet or is dangerous for the pet. By ensuring that you educate your children, you can ensure a safer environment where your pet and children can interact happily with each other.

View Pet Ownership as a Commitment

A responsible pet owner views their ownership of a pet as a commitment. It is important to do your research and ensure that you are able to properly care for a pet, before you adopt one. It is important to be aware that you have a responsibility to your pet. As many people have said, your pet is a part of your world, but you are your pet’s world. This is a large responsibility and commitment.

Spend Quality Time with Them

Many animal lovers don’t get pets because they don’t spend enough time at home. This is a perfectly valid reason. If you have a pet, it is important to set aside some quality time to spend with your pet. Whether this is cuddling while watching TV or taking a trip to the dog park, it is a great idea to ensure that you are spending enough time with your pet to keep them happy.

Ensure they Get Enough Exercise

Just like people, pets need exercise. Ensure that you take your dog on regular walks or provide them with ample play time. While it is less common to take your cat for a walk, you can still help them to get some exercise with sufficient amounts of play time. You should also consult with your veterinarian regarding the ideal diet for your pet, so that you can further monitor their health.

Research Breeds

Every breed will have different requirements. It is important to ensure that you do your research prior to obtaining a pet to ensure that you are able to meet the specific needs of that breed. For example, some breeds require more frequent grooming while others need more extensive exercise.

Regular Vet Visits

It is extremely important to ensure that you bring your pet in on a regular basis for a veterinary check-up. Ensure that they stay up to date on vaccinations and have the care necessary to stay healthy. It is also important to carefully monitor your pets so that you can provide them with the veterinary care that they need to remain healthy.

Be Attentive

Whenever you take your pets outside of your home, you will need to ensure that you are paying attention to them. Keep a careful eye on them when you are at the dog park or another public location. This is crucial in keeping them safe, as well as out of trouble. This is additionally important at certain times of the year or in certain situations, such as on Halloween, the 4^th of July, or while you are hiking.

Buy Safe Toys

You should ensure that you provide your pets with safe toys to play with. Not only can these toys help to keep them entertained, but it can also keep them out of trouble. It is also important to pay attention to toys that aren’t intended for pets or could be potentially hazardous, such as something that is easy for them to choke on.

Provide an ID Tag

It is responsible to ensure that your pet can be identified easily. Ensure that they have an ID tag on their collar that provides all of the important information, such as your phone number, so that you can be identified as their owner. You should also consider having them microchipped in order to make it easy for a veterinarian to find the owner.

Pet Proof your Home

While it is important to ensure that you spend time with your pet, it is likely that you won’t be able to keep an eye on them around the clock. Due to this, it is important to ensure that you pet proof your home so that your pets will stay safe when you are gone. Keep harmful components away from their reach and be sure to keep cleaners and other hazardous products locked up. This can go a long way toward ensuring they remain safe.

There is often a lot more involved in being a responsible pet owner than one might think. Understanding the different ways that you can help to responsibly care for your pet can help to minimize problems and provide the ideal lifestyle for your pets. Our team at Borrett Animal Hospital is passionate about providing the various services that you need to optimize the health of your pets and ensure that they are being cared for properly. To learn more about our tips for being a responsible pet owner, contact us at Borrett Animal Hospital today!