Pet Grooming Orange County

Canine Vestibular Disorder

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Canine vestibular disease is common, especially in older dogs. Symptoms of this condition can be scary. It’s crucial that you take your pet to a qualified veterinarian if you notice anything out of the ordinary. Treatment can ease symptoms and allow your dog to live comfortably. Without treatment, symptoms can quickly become worse.

The vestibular system is responsible for your dog’s balance and sense of spatial orientation. Problems with the vestibular system can make your dog uncoordinated. This can lead to an inability to walk or function properly.

There are two different types of vestibular disease, peripheral and central. Peripheral is much more common. This is the type we will address in this article.

Symptoms

Symptoms of vestibular disease vary by pet. Some dogs experience milder systems than others. Common signs of a problem include head tilting, loss of coordination, circling and stumbling, falling and rolling, and involuntary eye movements from side to side or up and down. Pet parents often say that symptoms resemble those of a stroke.

Causes

Causes of vestibular disease include recurrent ear infections, overzealous ear cleaning resulting in perforation of the ear drum, trauma caused by head injury, stroke, tumors, polyps, meningoencephalitis, hyperthyroidism, and the use of certain medications. Anything that can irritate or damage the nerves of the inner ear can cause this condition.

Occasionally, the disease is present at birth, or it can come on later in life with no apparent cause. This is why vestibular disease is often referred to as old dog disease.

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian can diagnose vestibular disease. Diagnosis is typically based on history, physical examination, and neurological assessment. Blood tests, cultures and sensitivity tests as well as cytology will be performed to rule out other possible causes. Treatment varies based on the underlying cause.

Treatment

If an ear infection is to blame, medication should correct the problem. If medication is found to be the cause, discontinuing its use is generally all that is needed. Other causes of the disease are not as easy to treat. Treatment is typically focused on reducing symptoms. Anti-nausea medication might be given to reduce discomfort to your pet.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers pet grooming in Orange County. Our groomers understand that pets need care even when they’re suffering from this common condition. We take care to ensure that pets with vestibular disease are comfortable throughout their grooming appointment. Please call 715-962-1005 to schedule a grooming appointment.

 

Flea Treatment – Keeping Your Pet Safe

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It seems like fleas have been worse than ever this year. Unfortunately, this warm weather is expected to last well into November, making flea season especially long.

Many Orange County families struggle to control fleas on their pets and in their homes. Flea products can be expensive, and traveling to and from the vet every month isn’t always an option for today’s busy family. It can be tempting to opt for grocery store options in an effort to save both time and money. However, many over the counter flea products can be dangerous for your pet.

Flea Shampoo

Despite their harmless appearance, flea shampoos often contain harsh chemicals, which can be harmful to your pet. In fact, the insecticides in flea shampoo have poisoned several pets.

Symptoms of insecticide poisoning include seizures, difficulty walking, dilated pupils, extreme sleepiness, decreased heart rate, vomiting, excessive drooling, and diarrhea. If you suspect your pet has been poisoned, it’s crucial that you get them to their veterinarian as soon as possible.

Spot Treatment

There are numerous over the counter spot treatment products available today. These products are applied once a month to the base of the neck. While Frontline and Advantage are generally safe to use, the products provided by other companies have caused severe reactions in several pets.

Spot treatments are responsible for 80% of all deaths related to flea treatment. Reactions can come on suddenly, even if you’ve used over the counter spot treatments before. When in doubt, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. Talk to your veterinarian about safer options for your pet.

Flea Collars

Flea collars used to be the flea treatment of choice for families everywhere. Today, we have better options and know more about the harmful effects of these products.

Flea collars can cause severe allergic reaction. These collars supply a constant stream of insecticides, which can leach into your pet’s skin causing neurological issues and even death.

If you are having difficulty dealing with fleas, it’s important to speak with your veterinarian about safe treatment options. It’s also important to treat your home to prevent fleas from re-infecting your pet.

Please contact us at 714-962-1005 to discuss your flea treatment options with one of our experienced groomers.

Reducing the Pain of Arthritis During the Winter

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Reducing the Pain of Arthritis During the Winter

Both people and pets feel more pain in cold weather. Cold air causes muscles to stiffen, causing pain for even those that do not suffer from joint problems. Pets with arthritis can get extremely stiff and uncomfortable during the winter.

What is Arthritis?

Normal wear and tear on the joints causes the cartilage to wear away. This allows the bones to rub together. Arthritis can occur in any joint, but it is most common in the hips, knees and ankles of pets. Discomfort is typically mild at first, but gets worse over time.

Arthritis is common in older pets. It advances quicker in pets that are overweight, due to the extra pressure placed on the joints. Arthritis cannot be cured but there are ways to reduce the pain and slow its progress.

Weight Reduction

If your pet is overweight, it’s important to get their weight under control. This is the first step in slowing the progress of arthritis. A healthy, low-calorie diet can help your pet shed extra pounds. Speak with your veterinarian about weight loss diets and pet foods specially designed to improve joint function in older pets.

Remember to switch your pet’s diet gradually. Mix a little bit of the new food with their old food while they adjust. Slowly increase the ratio of the new food until you’ve completely eliminated the old food. This will help your pet avoid upset stomach and digestive issues.

Exercise

Regular exercise is important for joint health. However, you’ll want to make sure that the exercise isn’t placing excessive pressure on the joints. Keep activities short and watch your pet carefully for signs of distress. Swimming is an excellent, non-weight bearing activity for pets suffering from arthritis.

Keep Your Pet Warm

It’s important to keep your pet warm and comfortable throughout the winter. Provide them with a soft, padded bed in a warm location, preferably indoors. Clothing such as dog sweaters or t-shirts can help keep your pet’s joints warm.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers full service grooming for both dogs and cats. Our groomers are specially trained to groom pets suffering from arthritis. Please call 714-962-1005 to schedule a grooming appointment.

 

 

Fall Safety for Cats

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Fall Safety for Cats

Our pets rely on us to keep them happy, healthy and safe. There are several things that can be dangerous to your feline companion during the fall. The following tips can help keep your cat safe.

Outdoor Hazards

Most of us already know the potential dangers of letting cats outdoors. Cats that spend time outdoors are susceptible to injury or worse from vehicles, wildlife and more. Outdoor cats face additional challenges during the fall.

Toxic mold often develops in fallen leaves this time of year. This is also when snakes begin looking for a safe place for winter. Poisonous snakes are becoming more and more common in Orange County, especially in areas of new development. If your cat spends time outdoors, make sure that you clean up fallen leaves around your home. Keep a close eye on your cat and regularly inspect areas around your home for snakes.

Indoor Hazards

Outdoor cats aren’t the only ones at risk this fall. Indoor cats face several potential dangers as well. Cleaning products can be toxic to pets. Scented products such as potpourri and scented candles can irritate your pet’s senses and cause them distress. If your cat is sneezing, it’s important to remove all scented products from your home.

During the fall, rodents might move inside to keep warm for the winter. Take care when treating for rodents in your home. Mouse and rat poison can be deadly to pets and traps can cause serious injury. Live traps are the safest option.

Holiday Hazards

Holiday decorations may be tempting to cats. Unfortunately, these decorations can be extremely dangerous. Holiday lights can cause electrocution if chewed. Candles can be knocked over by curious pets. Tinsel and other ornaments can lead to a life-threatening blockage if ingested. Be careful when decorating for the holidays. Watch your cat closely and try to keep decorations out of reach.

It’s also important to keep your cat away from holiday food. Uncooked meat, onions, garlic, sweets and greasy foods can cause serious problems for your pet.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers dog and cat grooming and mobile grooming in Orange County, California. Please call 714-962-1005 to set up a grooming appointment. Holiday appointments are booking up fast.

Common Problems Pet Owners Face

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Our pets bring so much joy into our lives. They are there to greet us when we get home, they are happy to snuggle when we’re feeling blue, and they love us unconditionally. However, living with pets is not always a walk in the park. Sometimes problems arise that can be difficult to deal with. Let’s take a look at some of the most common problems that pet owners face.

Elimination problems

Elimination in inappropriate areas is one of the most common problems reported by pet owners. In fact, it’s among the top ten reasons that pets get abandoned at the shelter. Pets may urinate and defecate in inappropriate areas for a number of reasons. The first step is to figure out why. Common reasons include:

  • Age
    Young pets often eliminate in areas where they aren’t supposed to. With training, most young pets can learn the proper place to go.
  • Medical problems
    Many medical issues can cause inappropriate elimination. If your pet suddenly begins eliminating in the wrong place, it’s a good idea to have them seen by a veterinarian.
  • Territorial marking
    If you have other pets in your home, territorial marking can become a big problem. Spaying and neutering your pets can help.

After you have determined what is causing the problem, you will need to completely clean the area that your pet has soiled. Pet supply stores carry several products that are specially designed for cleaning these areas. If you are unsure where your pet has eliminated, a black light can help. Urine typically glows under a black light.

Destructive Behavior

Dogs love to chew and cats like to scratch. This can become a problem for your furniture and your other belongings. Consider providing your cat with a cat tree and your dog with plenty of toys to chew.

Overactive Behavior

Just like us, our pets can become bored. Long hours inside can make them antsy. When overactive behavior becomes a problem, it’s important to spend more time helping your pet stay active in appropriate ways. Play with your pet regularly. If possible, take them outside for a walk.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality pet grooming services in Orange County, California. Please call 714-962-1005 to schedule your next grooming appointment.

Orange County Pet Grooming – When Only The Best Will Do

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Orange County Pet Grooming – When Only The Best Will Doorange county pet grooming

Our pets help keep us happy and healthy. They provide us with unconditional love, they are there when we need them and they never judge us. Numerous studies have shown that living with pets reduces stress levels and the chance of stress-related health problems. For all they do for us and more, our furry companions deserve the very best when it comes to grooming.

Stress-Free Environment

Pet grooming can be stressful for pets. It’s important to find a grooming salon that has experience working with pets of all ages and temperaments. Timid pets require a gentle and patient groomer to help them get used to the grooming process.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been providing quality grooming services to pets in Orange County since 2001. Our friendly and professional groomers have many years of experience and understand that grooming can be stressful. We always take the time necessary to ensure pets feel comfortable and safe. Our clean and quiet grooming salon provides the perfect environment for pets to adjust to being away from their family.

Whether it’s your pet’s first or 100th time being groomed, we always provide grooming with a loving touch!

(We will always do our best to accommodate your pet, however for their safety and ours, pets that become aggressive when scared must be groomed by their vet.)

High Quality Grooming Services

Different pets have different grooming needs. Pets with very long hair require careful grooming to prevent tangles. Pets with thick hair must be properly groomed to ensure that their undercoat is properly cleaned and loose hair is removed. Dogs that are not thoroughly dried can develop odors that can make your entire home smell terrible.

Claws N Paws Day Spa understands the different needs of different pets. We have years of experience working with a number of different breeds. Our professional groomers offer grooming services for dogs, cats, guinea pigs and more! Grooming services include haircuts, baths, nail trims, ear cleaning and flea treatments. We also offer mobile grooming for most areas of Orange County.

Come by to see why we are your best choice for pet grooming in Orange County!