As Halloween night turned to dawn, Christmas appeared in stores the world over. It is a reminder to prepare for our homes for guests and prepare to keep our pets safe. The AVMA offered the following tips to keep pets safe in 2013. They still resonate today. Source: DVM 360, December 18, 2013. For some pets, house guests can be scary. Pets shy or excitable around new people … [Read more...]
November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month
Older pets are just as loving and loyal as their younger counterparts. Plus, adopting a senior animal companion comes with some cool advantages: Grown-up pets don’t require the constant monitoring and training that puppies and kittens do. Many are already housetrained. Since senior pets are fully grown, you’ll be immediately aware of important information like … [Read more...]
Carbon paw-print from feeding meat to pets
We’ve studied the environmental impact of cow flatulence, water source contaminations from livestock and myriad other environmental effects of animal production. Now a 2014 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has surfaced to expose the carbon paw-print from feeding meat to pets. Source: Los Angeles Times, August 4, 2017. In short, Gregory Okin … [Read more...]
Ask a Cat Lady belts out feline distemper (includes video)
Sarah Donner, the Ask a Cat Lady personality, shares feline distemper facts, including a song she composed and performs on video. Sometimes known as ataxia or the cat plague, FPV spreads through fluid or fecal contact, in utero or via fleas. This virus can survive years in a stable environment, and it can be devastating when it breaks out. Source: Catster, October 26, … [Read more...]
Training cats (includes podcast)
Animal health pros often get questions about the validity of training cats. Feline behavior specialist Sarah Ellis explains how you can train your kitty to come on command, take medicine and stop waking you up in the middle of the night. Source: NPR, October 27, 2017. The common wisdom about pets is that you can train a dog, but you can't train a cat. Today's guest says you … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – New product redirects destructive cat scratching
“Veterinarians now have a way to stop destructive scratching in the home without declawing procedures or ineffective alternatives,” said Dr. Valarie V. Tynes, DVM, Dipl. ACVB, Veterinary Services Specialist at Ceva Animal Health in a statement released November 1, 2017. FELISCRATCH by FELIWAYTM, is clinically proven to stop and prevent both vertical and horizontal destructive … [Read more...]
7 things to help with Halloween safety for pets (includes video)
Trick or treat! You can already hear the dogs barking and neighbors yelling for their cats to return and Halloween’s not here yet. The AVMA offers tips for pet safety when the spooks, ballerinas, superheroes and goblins press against your door in the coming days. Source: AVMA, web content. Former AVMA EVP/CEO Dr. Ron DeHaven is featured in a Halloween safety video available … [Read more...]
Composting pets now a reality
All dogs go to heaven when they die, of course, but they leave behind bodies. Rooted Pet, a startup in Seattle, Washington, intends to help with that. Composting carcasses is not unusual. Farms often use it to get rid of dead livestock and some states use it to manage roadkill. So, Paul Tschetter, a Seattle entrepreneur, helped create a process that he says is, “adding … [Read more...]
November 2017 JAVMA
The recent hurricanes and related flooding displaced many pets. Multiple canine parvovirus outbreaks have been reported. We note the paper linked below in this issue of JAVMA. It is a timely retrospective case series and case-control study. Evaluation of mortality rate and predictors of outcome in dogs receiving outpatient treatment for parvoviral enteritis. Source: … [Read more...]
WSAVA unveils first global veterinary dentistry guidelines, rejects anesthesia-free
We’ve known for decades that dentistry is important in small animal medicine. Recently, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) launched global veterinary dentistry guidelines. A key theme is WSAVA’s rejection of anesthesia-free dentistry, which it describes as ineffective and a cause of unnecessary stress and suffering to patients. The guidelines seek to support … [Read more...]
Feline asthma updates
Feline asthma is a common cause of cough and intermittent respiratory distress in cats that can be challenging to diagnose and treat. However, prognosis is generally good with the appropriate treatment. Feline asthma management can be separated into acute and chronic treatment strategies. Treating with bronchodilators can sometimes cause more harm than good. Source: … [Read more...]
Awesome dentistry tools
Our industry has been pushing pet dental care for more than 20 years. Greater understanding of the human-animal bond is helping to grow the potential for dental care. Mary Berg, BS, RVT, RLATG, VTS, a well-known dental educator, talks about three handy products and reinforces the use of a soft bristle brush. Source: Firstline, August 4, 2016. See Berg’s review of: … [Read more...]
Humping is normal feline behavior
Cat humping is a behavior that can freak people out. Jane A Kelly assures cat owners that this behavior is normal for male and female cats. She addresses some of the reasons for humping and offers ideas about how to productively stop the behavior. Source: Catster, September 19, 2017. If a cat suddenly starts humping, he may feel stressed by changes in his home environment, … [Read more...]
Delay weaning to reduce behavior problems in cats
The age at weaning affects a cat’s later behavior. Early weaning increases aggression and stereotypic behavior. Based on a study conducted at the University of Helsinki, the recommended weaning age of 12 weeks should be raised by at least two weeks. Source: Phys.Org, September 13, 2017. The detrimental effects of early weaning have been studied in other animal species, but … [Read more...]
Pain and P3 remnants
Sixty percent of declawed cats have residual P3 fragments according to a recent study. Back pain, inappropriate elimination, biting, aggression and barbering occurred more often in cats with retained P3 fragments. Only increased biting and inappropriate elimination habits were seen in cats without them. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, June 2017. This study’s findings may … [Read more...]
Riding Japan’s Cat Café train
The Japanese have made stationery cat cafes popular and successful. Now a collaboration has the put the concept on the move via a train. The main difference is the train was full of rescue kittens rather than sedentary cats in the cafes. Read about Bill Adler’s experience and consider the possibilities. Source: Atlas Obscura, September 11, 2017. The cat train was a … [Read more...]
“Let cats scratch” says the AAFP
Revising its previous 2015 position statement on declawing, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) now strongly opposes onychectomy as an elective procedure. The AAFP’s position stresses the need for veterinary teams to educate cat caregivers, as many are unaware that declawing is a surgical amputation of the third phalanx. Scratching is a normal feline … [Read more...]
Avoid things that kill or hurt cats
Client education is a continuous challenge in veterinary practice or in a retail environment. Many new pet owners have little or no awareness about common risks. Articles like this that review risks to cats at home make good content for websites, social media posts or new pet kits. Source: Catster, September 5, 2017. The three most common cat injuries are represented by … [Read more...]
Cat food variety growing rapidly
While kibble remains the mainstay, the cat food category is expanding with new options as manufacturers seek to meet customers’ varied demands. Nutritional science, as well as consumer and feline preferences, drive the trends and appear to be following the trends in dog foods for increased numbers of natural offerings and unique protein sources. Source: Pet Product News, … [Read more...]
6 things that offend cats
Lauren Cheal provides insights into why cats are offended in home environments. This list makes one wonder who is really in charge, but then, we already know the answer to that. Source: Modern Cat, August 31, 2017. Are you guilty of these feline faux pas? Staring Over-petting Poor litter box placement Lazy litter box cleaning Cutting off play time at the … [Read more...]
Vomiting is not normal for cats
Most cat owners have experienced their pets vomiting. Jennifer Hawkins, DVM, uses routine history questions with clients when they bring their cats in for an exam. She details her response to one of those questions. Source: Nationwide One of those questions is whether vomiting is ever noticed. I received various responses. "No more than usual." How much is usual for a … [Read more...]
Respect a cat’s hiss
Jane A Kelly shares perspectives on why cats hiss. Some feline behavior experts believe that the cat learned how to hiss by imitating the sound of snakes. Mimicking the sound of other species is a survival technique used by many animals, and there’s no mistaking the distinct warning given by a hiss. Source: Catster, August 21, 2017. Ultimately, the cat hiss is designed to … [Read more...]
Feline calcivirus review
Feline calcivirus is a single-stranded nonenveloped RNA virus that frequently presents clinical symptoms in young cats and kittens as acute upper respiratory or ocular signs. The virus often infects cats who become subclinical carriers of the virus. Source: Clinician’s Brief, September 2015. FCV should be treated on an outpatient basis, if possible, as it is highly … [Read more...]
Environmentally friendly ways to dispose of dog poop
Stephanie Colman investigates the best ways to dispose of our dogs’ feces. She reviews bags, composting and multiple alternatives. Despite desires to contribute less overall product to landfills, the most realistic method for safe pet waste disposal is still putting it in the trash. Source: Whole Dog Journal, July 2017. For the health and safety of my family, my friends, … [Read more...]
Understand feline sexual aggression
There are good reasons to neuter a male cat during the first six months or so of his life. In addition to population control, neutering eliminates or at least reduces the occurrence of some undesirable sex-related behaviors. Source: Catster, August 2017. Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, notes that about 10 percent of neutered cats will continue to display unwanted behaviors. “Owners … [Read more...]
How much food to feed a cat
Feeding a cat is not complicated, but is based on many variables. These include its weight and age, food-type selection, its activity level, and whether it is pregnant or nursing. Source: Catster, June 19, 2017. Cat owners are often puzzled by the question: “How much should I feed my cat?” Catster unpacks information needed about feeding a cat. INSIGHTS: Animal health pros … [Read more...]
How cats say, “I love you.” (includes client handout)
Cats demonstrate their devotion to their humans in important and obvious ways if you know what to look for. Using the client handout in this article will help cat owners decipher the silent ways cats share affection. Source: Veterinary Medicine, July 25, 2017. Elizabeth Colleran, DVM, DABVP covers three area where cats share affection: Territorial tenderness … [Read more...]
Stop that itch
At least two dermatological issues are always among the top 10 ailments veterinary teams face with dogs. Anthea E. Schick, DVM, DACVD, with a fun editorial twist from Dr. Sarah Wooten, share the latest research findings from the 2017 North American Dermatology Forum that every private practitioner needs to know For animal health pros at all levels, this information is clearly … [Read more...]
New recommendations for feline spay/neuter surgery
The AVMA board of directors has endorsed a consensus document recommending that cats not intended for breeding be gonadectomized prior to five months of age. Source: AVMA@Work, July 10, 2017. This document represents a clear and evidence-based position that promotes individual animal health and welfare, contributes to effective population control, and can be communicated … [Read more...]
Opthalmic exams made simple
Did you ever wonder what veterinarians are doing when they look in to a pet’s eyes? Ron Ofri, DVM, offers a logical, anatomical order to the exam and a list of equipment needed. He proposes veterinary teams perform an ophthalmoscopic examination of all patients, not just ophthalmic case to gain the required proficiency and familiarity with normal fundus variations. Source: … [Read more...]