These tips from the American Kennel Club will remind dog owners about swimming safety for their dogs. Consider this content for social media, e-newsletters, blogs and websites. Source: AKC, April 24, 2015. Link. When teaching your dog to swim, start in a shallow area where you can stand close to him. Start slowly. Let him get accustomed to having wet feet. Praise him when he … [Read more...]
Dogs’ sleeping positions may reflect their character
Marcelle Chastain says dogs’ sleeping positions hide several aspects of their personality, behavior and health. She shares what some postures indicate: Side-sleeper: generally comfortable living in their current surrounding environment Snugly fox: the most defensive position, they’re trying to feel warmth and safeguard their vital organs Superman: makes it easier for … [Read more...]
A list of small, mid-sized and large dogs that don’t shed
Non-shedding dogs have gained popularity. But all dogs leave dander. This author has compiled information and a list of dogs that shed less than others. Animal health pros working with prospective dog owners will find this list helpful if less hair is one of the criteria for choosing a new pet. Source: PetHelpful, May 29, 2019. Link. The good news is that there are dogs … [Read more...]
Oxygen delivered to dogs via face masks effective
Researchers enrolled 20 health dogs of mixed sex and breed in a randomized crossover study to compare face-mask oxygen supplementation to flow-by oxygen supplementation. The latter proved more effective. Source: Taylor & Francis Online/New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 67, 2019. Link. “Oxygen supplementation delivered using a face mask was more effective at … [Read more...]
Keep pets away to prevent foodborne illness
Animal waste tainting fresh produce is one of the major causes of foodborne ailments. So, farmers’ markets and pick-your-own growers are increasingly guarded about tolerating pets near their edibles. Home gardeners should be cautious, too, writes Dean Fosdick. Source: Associated Press, April 30, 2019. Link. Whether human, dog, cat, cow or deer — all animals can be the … [Read more...]
Leg “crud;” skin conditions on horses’ legs
Christine Barakat writes about equine leg crud with help from Melinda Freckleton, DVM. The questions they review can help horse owners hone in on what might be causing scabs and crusting. Several different skin conditions can lead to scabbing and crusting on a horse’s lower limbs. Source: EQUUS, September 3, 2017. Link. … [Read more...]
Wound cleaning. Get the hose!
David Ramey, DVM, was surprised that there have actually been a number of studies completed on irrigating wounds with tap water. He provides a fun review of why grabbing the garden hose in the stable is good medicine. Source: Horse Network, July 3, 2019. Link. Ramey says he loves it when science supports what most people do anyway. If you’re dealing with a fresh wound, I’d … [Read more...]
8 tips to expand your reach with Instagram
With the rising use of Stories on Facebook and Instagram, these tips about how to create effective Instagram Stories and Stories ads may help hone your strategy for the greatest return. Facebook reports, “1 in 2 people surveyed say they have visited a website, and 31% have gone to a story to buy a product/service as a result of seeing it first in Stories. This is good reasoning … [Read more...]
Road trip! What about the cat?
Traveling with cats requires more planning than without, but cats can be fun travel mates. The author shares these planning tips: Find a pet-friendly hotel Make reservations by phone Inspect your hotel Make the cat feel at home Source: Modern Cat. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider this content for newsletters, blog posts and social media. Be sure to add information … [Read more...]
Tips to keep cats off counters
Most people don’t like their pet jumping on surfaces where food is prepared. The Animal Humane Society ( link ) has some tips: Make counters undesirable Keep your cat confined during mealtime Never yell at your cat Do reward your cat for appropriate behavior Don’t make perfection the enemy of progress Source: Tufts Catnip, July 2019. Link. INSIGHTS: This … [Read more...]
Horses helping seniors
Human-animal bond research continues to expose the power of animals interacting with humans and vice versa. The Connected Horse program in California is stretching the approach for seniors with dementia, including Alzheimer’s. The program also recognizes the needs of caregivers and uses older horses past their prime. The combination appears effective and is the focus of … [Read more...]
Snakebite dos and donts for dogs
Non-poisonous snakes, like the garter snake, don’t have fangs. They have rows of teeth and they do not produce toxic venom, says Travis Arndt, DVM. This distinction is crucial when it comes to snake bites on dogs. . . . if you or your dog are bitten by a non-poisonous snake, you won’t see the two puncture wounds that you would see from a venomous snake. A non-poisonous bite … [Read more...]
Dogs absorb our emotions
A new study shows owners who experience long-term stress and anxiety can pass it on to their dogs. Dogs are quite good at understanding humans. They’re definitely better at understanding us than we are at understanding them.” - Lina Roth, Zoologist Source: National Geographic, June 6, 2019. Link. Roth found no evidence that anxious dogs created nervous owners. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
Good writing makes you more employable, no matter the role
It’s never too late to learn what makes great writing, says Jaleh Bisharat. If your writing needs work, he offers reasons to improve along with seven tips on being a better writer: Good writing correlates with crisp thinking Clear, persuasive communication is the underpinning of a successful professional If you’re a good writer, there will always be work for you to … [Read more...]
How to keep chickens cool in summer
Chickens are better adapted to handle cold temperatures than heat. Kathy Shea Mormino shares ways to keep your flock safe during hot weather months. Source: Hobby Farms, June 11, 2019. Link. Leave birds undisturbed to the extent possible. They’re decreasing their activity levels to stay cool, so don’t let children or pets bother them on hot days. … [Read more...]
Feral parrots may pose problems later
During the research for a paper in the Journal of Ornithology < link >, Stephen Pruett-Jones, Jennifer Uehling and Jason Tallant found that of the 190 parrot species < link > that have been imported to the U.S. since the 1950s and 1960s, 56 have been spotted in the wild 43 states. Twenty-five of those species have established breeding populations. The monk … [Read more...]
Evaluating pain in cats
Natalie Stilwell, DVM, summarizes a recent Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery article < link > reviewing the latest advancements in acute pain assessment in the cat. She reviews various scales to assess feline pain which is often masked by the individual cat. Source: DVM360 Magazine, April 12, 2019. Link. Stillwell discusses pain scoring instruments including: … [Read more...]
HeHelp owners, employees pick the best treats
There is a lot of pet junk food on the market. Regardless of how much pet owners research main diets, treats can have a detrimental effect on pets. Tavor White shares five things to look for when choosing pet treats: Made with pristine, all-natural ingredients Monitored for quality and safety Sustainably and ethically sourced Created with a conscience … [Read more...]
Dirty dogs need people to solve their problems
Canine house soiling has many potential causes, including medical conditions and behavior problems. Accurate assessment is critical, as the prognosis for control or resolution is typically good once the underlying cause is identified according to Ellen Lindell, VMD, DACVB. She shares information about diagnostics, behaviors, treatments and training. Clients are often … [Read more...]
Antibiotic influence persists in the environment long after they’ve done their duty
Antibiotics’ influence persists in the environment long after they've done their duty, according to recent studies that revealed a global problem with drugs found in major rivers. The samples were screened for 14 different types of commonly used antibiotics. No continent was immune. Researchers found traces of at least one drug in 65 percent of all the samples they studied … [Read more...]
Pygmy rabbits, back from extinction
Who knew? North America’s smallest rabbits, the state and federally endangered Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits in Washington now number in the hundreds, but they remain far from a resilient and healthy population. Their story will interest many animal health pros who value biodiversity. Source: Atlas Obscura, June 7, 2019. Link. Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits are far better off … [Read more...]
4 summer dangers for cats
We all like to get outside during summer. Erica Dermer explains that cat owners often like to include their cats without thinking about common outdoor dangers. Summer danger lurks around every corner, from UV rays to heatstroke to reptiles and insects that bite and sting, along with other animals carrying parasites. This is a good article to reference in social media, blogs, … [Read more...]
Pet food dishes, one of the germiest places in homes
Yuk! A study done by NSF International examined 30 everyday items from 22 different households. Pet food dishes ranked 4th in the final list of germ hot spots topped by kitchen sponge/dish rag, kitchen sink and toothbrush holder. Food bowls can serve as ideal breeding grounds for bacteria, mold, and yeast. Source: Reader's Digest. Link. To prevent any potential sickness … [Read more...]
Booker T. Pug, reading tutor (includes video)
An Award of Merit at the 143rd Westminster Dog Show was a stage for Booker T. to make a difference in the lives of children, specifically by supporting reading and learning. Enjoy the coverage of this pug and his role in education. Source: University of West Georgia, June 10, 2019. Link. “Booker offers a nonjudgmental environment for kids to practice reading,” said Meghen … [Read more...]
Yes, dogs can give you a disease
Marchelle Chastain says, “. . . in our interaction with our dogs, we tend to forget that these lovely pets can be the first cause of many diseases that we can catch.” This is a good reminder to share on social media, blogs and in e-newsletters. He lists 7 diseases dogs can give to humans: Sarcoptic mange Salmonella Ringworm Rabies Tapeworms Leptospirosis … [Read more...]
A guide to dog muzzles
If an owner is relying on a dog muzzle in the absence of any other training – they are failing. These devices are not magic, they will not solve a behavioral problem and they aren’t a cop-out for a poorly trained dog. They simply limit damage while you rehabilitate your dog, says John Woods. He adds muzzles can be brilliant for reactive dogs, as they can help to: Limit … [Read more...]
Overexcitement may be addictive to dogs
The adrenalin rush dogs get when excited can be addictive, shares Trish King. She says the epinephrine responses are good for animals in the wild, where an action not taken lead to death. But, it’s not always so useful in our world. Animal owners with dogs who get overly excited can gain one or two tips from this article. Share it on social media, websites, in blogs or … [Read more...]
Equine beauty products, Pop quiz!
Some horse owners may spend more on their horses’ hair-care products than their own. Take this quiz to help them spend their money more wisely and still have a comely, clean horse. Source: EQUUS, May 15, 2019. Link. INSIGHTS: The quiz covers 4 areas that salespersons can use to position the products in their portfolios: Suds and cleaning power How brightening … [Read more...]
Porcupines can cause prickly problems for cows, horses
Heather Smith Thomas shares information about porcupines, discusses various quill removal myths and reveals the challenges of removing quills from cattle and horses. The best way to remove quills is to immobilize the animal while the quills are pulled out with needle-nosed pliers. A straight, quick jerk works best. - Robert Cope, DVM Source: Countryside Magazine, June 2, … [Read more...]
Understanding those chatty chickens
Chickens are extremely chatty. Most chicken owners will be able to identify certain calls, however the motivations behind some chicken noises is less clear. Tamsin Cooper helps decipher intention and emotion in chicken language. Source: Backyard Poultry, June 3, 2019. Link. Chickens are highly social beings. They rely on body language and vocal calls to communicate … [Read more...]