If you are like many dog owners, you cannot wait for summer so you can get out and enjoy long afternoon hikes and days at the beach. However, if you notice that your dog is consistently licking a specific area of their skin, to the point where there is a bald spot forming, the issue might be a hot spot. Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions you might have about hot spots.

Whether your pet needs a basic exam or you have some concerns over their health, you may feel unsure about the expenses involved in visiting the vet. Instead of avoiding a visit to the vet due to the cost, consider the difference you'll feel by contacting a vet and requesting an estimate. Since many vet clinics have base prices for exams and their other services can vary widely in cost, you'll want to reach out to a vet and ask questions about the price you'll be expected to pay during your visit.

A common misconception among pet owners is that all veterinarians collectively specialize in all animal health matters. However, like in the human field of medicine, different veterinarians specialize in different areas of veterinary medicine. Most local veterinarians serve as companion veterinarians who are the equivalent of a general practitioner or family doctor. As a result, they mostly focus on providing standard treatments for common pet ailments. However, if your pet requires more specialized treatment for a unique condition or ailment, you must seek a veterinarian specializing in the given ailment or treatment.

There are different types of anesthesia that your pet could receive, including a local anesthetic, or a general anesthetic. If your pet is being given animal anesthesia, it may be because of an injury that needs to be treated, or your pet could be given an anesthetic for other reasons, such as treatment for a teeth cleaning, or even for x-rays to encourage your pet to lay still. If your pet is being given an anesthetic, you may be wondering what to expect afterward.

Your dog needs your constant care and attention. Leaving it to fend for itself isn't caring for your dog. You have to be the one that takes responsibility and puts in the time to care for your pet and keep your dog healthy. Your dog's health and well-being depend on you. Read on for some dog care tips.  1. Clip Your Dog's Nails Your dog's nails need to be clipped to prevent issues such as difficulty walking or a change in gait because the nails are too long.

Pets are rarely shining beacons of fresh breath, considering what their mouths come into contact with over the course of a day and their inability to clean their teeth. However, there can be a big difference between common unfresh breath and bad breath that may indicate an oral health problem. Here are some common causes of bad breath among cats, and how to tell if it's a problem. After Food

Saying goodbye to a loved one is never easy, even when it has four legs and a tail. But pet parents with ill, injured, or aged pets can find themselves facing difficult decisions about their pet's condition and overall chances of recovery. If the prognosis for the dog or cat is poor, their veterinarian or animal health care provider may even broach the subject of euthanasia.  After the initial discussion about euthanasia, even pet parents who understand the hopelessness of their pet's condition may find themselves struggling with questions about the timing of euthanization.

Pet owners understandably want their little friends to remain healthy, but far too many people overlook their pet's dental health. If you want your cat to keep most of its teeth, you'll have to lend a helping hand to ensure that your cat's teeth remain sharp, clean, and healthy. Massage Your Kitten's Gums From an Early Age Cats are notorious for sometimes just wanting to be left alone. If you want to be able to brush your cat's teeth for it as it grows older, you ideally should start getting them used to this process from an early age.

Just as medical doctors specialize in various fields, so do veterinarians. There are veterinarians who specialize in cardiac medicine. They treat disorders of the circulatory system and heart. If your ordinary vet feels that your dog may have a heart problem or an issue with its circulation, they will likely refer your dog to a cardiac specialist. However, it's also helpful for you, as your dog's owner, to keep an eye out for the signs that your dog may need this more specialized cardiac care.

Finding out that your dog has cataracts can bring about some mixed feelings. It's a relief to know why your dog's eyes have begun to look cloudy and why they're struggling to see. But it's also scary to know that cataracts are not reversible; there's no way to really make them go away. The one thing vets can do for a dog with cataracts is perform surgery to remove them, replacing the damaged lens with a new, artificial one.