Blue Cross Dog & Cat Hospital

06/24/2025

Can Dogs Handle Hot Weather?

🐶Dogs can overheat quickly, even in temperatures as low as 20°C, putting them at serious risk of heatstroke—which can become fatal in just 15 minutes. It's essential to monitor your dog closely and take precautions, especially when traveling during hot weather. Always prioritize keeping your dog cool and safe.

In dogs, heatstroke is a dangerous and perhaps fatal disease caused by the inability of their body to control their temperature, usually rising to about 40°C. Unlike humans, dogs lower their body temperature mostly by panting and sweating from their noses and paws, therefore making them more susceptible to heat conditions. Though any dog can be afflicted, those with thick fur, short noses, or health problems including obesity are at greater risk. Should heatstroke happen, instant cooling and emergency treatment are vital.

06/21/2025

Understanding How Cats Handle Hot Weather?

Cats groom more frequently in hot conditions, which causes evaporation of saliva from their fur to produce a cooling effect comparable to how humans sweat. Their paw pads also contain sweat glands, which aid in body temperature control. Extreme heat, however, demands additional attention from owners to guarantee cats' safety and comfort.

Cats are sensitive to the heat and need extra care in summer to help them keep cool. Read our tips on keeping your cat cool when the temperature rises.

06/20/2025

Keeping Your Cat Cool During Hot Weather?

🐱Cats need special care during hot weather and are sensitive to high temperatures. As the temperature rises, we must support them in remaining comfortable and cool. Protecting your cat from heat-related problems starts with some simple actions that can have a major impact🐾

06/19/2025

What is Lyme disease?
A bacterial illness spread by the bite of infested ticks, Lyme disease is Worldwide impact on both people and animals is possible. High-risk areas in the UK include grassy and forested areas in southern England and the Scottish Highlands with most tick bites occurring from May to October.

After feeding on afflicted animals, ticks help to spread the disease; nevertheless, it's hard to determine which ticks carry the bacterium. With human cases also rising, reported cases in pets have increased by 500% since 2009. This underlines the need of tick prevention more than ever before.

Lyme disease in pets is one of the most common tick-transmitted diseases in the world. Learn how you can protect yourself and your pets from infection.

06/18/2025

🐾 Fur everywhere? It could involve more than just shedding.
Although some shedding is natural, heavy hair loss in dogs might indicate allergies, stress, pests, or even nutritional problems. Know when to be concerned and how to assist your furry buddy maintain excellent health (and keep your home hairfree!).

Today's hair, tomorrow gone! Is Your Pet Shedding Too Much?
Normal shedding is not universal. Possibilities include stress, bad diet, and existing health problems. Ignoring the indications will not help; your vacuum will thank you!

Dogs, cats shedding season or something serious?
The shedding your pet experiences might be more than just seasonal. Learn about the main reasons for too shedding and how your veterinarian might assist.

Are your couch covered in fur? 🐶🐾
While all pets shed, uncontrolled shedding may call for a vet appointment. Find out what's driving the fuzz from nutrition to disease.

Not sure why your pet is shedding more than usual. We explore a few reasons that your pet may be losing hair.

06/17/2025

💩 What Your Pet's P**p Reveals About Their Health
That fast scoop may be missing something significant! From color to consistency, your pet's stool can reveal signs of liver issues, digestive problems, or even internal bleeding. Red, green, and yellow changes should not be overlooked—your furry buddy's f***s is more than just waste, it's a window into their health.

Want to know if your pet is healthy? Take a look at his or her stools.

06/14/2025

Along with other serious illnesses including anaplasmosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, bloodfeeding parasites called ticks can also infect pets with Lyme disease. An infection may manifest within 24 hours of a tick attaching to your pet, resulting in joint pain, fever, fatigue, and chronic health problems, especially in dogs.

Though normally less hazardous, fleas can cause intense skin irritation, hair loss, and itching, and in severe cases they can even cause anemia. Pets might have excessive scratching, flea dirt, or bald patches.

🐶Tips for Protection:
Use approved flea and tick preventatives regularly (e.g., spoton treatments, sprays, or collars).

Check your pet after outdoor excursions, paying especially to hidden areas such under collars or between toes.

Always consult your veterinarian before using any new preventative item.

Would you like to keep your pet free of ticks and fleas? Try a few of these tips.

06/13/2025

Over twice as likely for dogs and over 20 times more likely for cats, microchipping considerably improves lost animals' chances of reuniting with their owners. It offers peace of mind, helps shelters return pets home, lowers demand on shelter resources, and is a secure, fast, and permanent kind of identification. The most crucial thing is maintaining current contact information.🐾

Wondering if microchipping is right for your pet?

06/12/2025

Dogs with heartworms can get really sick—and maybe pass—if not treated. Since mosquitoes transmit heartworms from dog to dog, infected can also act as a reservoir of disease in the neighborhood.

Learn what you need to know when it comes to treating heartworms in dogs, as discussed by our veterinary experts.

06/11/2025

How To Treat Heartworms in Dogs?

Affecting dogs in every U.S. state, heartworm disease is a serious and common illness that can result in serious sickness or death if left untreated. Infected canines also put others at risk as mosquitoes can transmit heartworms from one dog to another—or even to cats and ferrets.

Although prevention is the best defense, effective treatment and a cure are still possible if a dog tests positive with appropriate veterinary care.

Treating Heartworms in Dogs:
Regular heartworm disease checks on dogs are conducted by veterinarians since mosquitoes readily spread it. Once a year, even dogs on typical heartworm protection should be tested. Further testing is advised if a dog displays breathing problems or coughing, or if there has been a break in giving preventative medicine.

Dogs newly adopted—especially rescues—are frequently tested because their heartworm prevention history is frequently unknown. Typically retested six months later to verify whether these dogs are heartworm free, heartworms are not detectable until six or seven months following infection.

06/10/2025

Heartworm Disease in Dogs?

The Dirofilaria immitis parasite causes heartworm illness in dogs.

Reaching a foot or longer in length, heartworm is a huge worm. As it finishes its life cycle—which takes around six to seven months—it finds itself in an animal's heart and pulmonary arteries where it can exist for years.

Symptoms of Heartworm Disease in Dogs:
Severity of heartworm disease in dogs will be related to the symptoms present. Symptoms of heartworm in dogs are related to the organs affected—the heart and lungs.

Symptoms often include:
🐶Cough
🐶Lethargy
🐶Exercise intolerance
🐶Collapse
🐶Sudden death

Some dogs may show weight loss, difficulty breathing, and even excessive panting. If left untreated, dogs may go on to experience right-sided heart failure and ascites.

06/07/2025

🐾 Informative/Educational Captions:
"Is your home truly pet-safe? 🏡🐶🐱 These simple steps can prevent big accidents!"

"Pet-proof like a pro! 🔌🌿🚫 Discover what everyday items could harm your furry friend."

"From cords to counters—turn your home into a safe haven for your pets! 🐾"

"What’s harmless to you could be hazardous to your pet! Learn how to pet-proof your space today. 🛑🐕🐈"

"Protect your pets from hidden household hazards. A few small changes can save lives! ❤️🐾"

🐶 Playful/Friendly Captions:
"Pet-proofing 101: Because curiosity shouldn’t land your pet in the vet’s office! 🐾😼"

"Think like a cat, crawl like a dog—see your home from their view & keep them safe! 🐶🔍🐱"

"That vase? That cord? That trash can? Yep—they’re all part of the 'danger zone' 🧨🐕 Let’s fix that!"

"Little paws, big risks. Make your home a safe zone! 🐾🏡"

"Your fur baby is counting on you! 🐾 Pet-proof and rest easy. 💤❤️"

Is your home safe for your pet?