Sparklers, firecrackers, smoke bombs, snakes and bottle rockets are easy targets for dogs to ingest during the July 4th holiday. Charlotte Means, DVM, MLIS, Diplomate ABVT and ABT, discusses the risks and treatment of ingested fireworks. Source: Today’s Veterinary Practice, July/August 2016, page 69. Most patients that have ingested fireworks respond well to symptomatic and … [Read more...]
Tech to help dogs talk
Special vests that enable dogs to send audible messages will help rescue-trained pups and service animals. Source: Petcha, June 8, 2016. A research team at the Georgia Institute of Technology has developed a new vest that allows dogs to respond to their owners, CNN reports. The vest comes equipped with sensors that the dog can use to send text notifications or audible … [Read more...]
Study indicates leptospirosis can have seasonal and spatial distribution
Kathryn Primm, DVM, reviews a study on leptospirosis distribution originally published in the AVMA Journal. While it only examined records of dogs in Oregon, findings suggest the risk factors can exist in other geographies. Source: Veterinary Medicine, June 13, 2016. This study indicates spatial clustering, so if you identify a case of leptospirosis you may need to be on … [Read more...]
States promote dog-friendly tourist attractions
Dog-friendly tourism is a natural outgrowth of the human-animal bond. Cross-country travel to new environments includes risks from disease vectors that may not be present at home, plus the likelihood of nose-to-nose contact with unknown animals. Hence, traveling animals may need different vaccinations or preventative products than their stay-at-home counterparts. Veterinary … [Read more...]
Make moving easier on dogs
Moves can be upsetting to dogs, as well as their owners. Teoti Anderson shares ways to reduce the stress of packing and moving. Consider this content for websites, newsletters and blog posts, plus in-person visits with pet owners preparing to move. Source: Modern Dog, Summer 2106, page 114. (link unavailable) Five ways to help dogs survive a change of address: Keep to … [Read more...]
Help owners save dogs from heatstroke
Learn what owners and team members can do to save dogs suffering from heatstroke. Studies show that dogs cooled by their owners before arriving at the hospital have a lower mortality rate than those whose owners do not attempt to cool them. Source: Clinician’s Brief, June 2016. The key take-home points: The mainstays of therapy for heatstroke patients include rapid … [Read more...]
It’s hot. Pets and hot cars don’t mix.
It’s hot out and summer hasn’t hit yet. Leaving pets in hot cars is a disaster waiting to happen. The AVMA reports that temperatures inside a parked car can rise 20 degrees in only 10 minutes. Not rescuing a dog experiencing discomfort inside a parked car prompted KUSA anchor Kyle Clark to issue an apology – to the dog. Source: Huffington Post, June 11, 2016, KUSA, June 10, … [Read more...]
Read a dog a story
Getting dogs adopted is the goal of the ASPCA on the Upper East Side in New York City. Some dogs are too traumatized to handle human contact. Volunteers reading to them for 20 minutes at a time helps create a connection. Source: New York Times, June 9, 2016. We need to get the dogs comfortable with what they’ll be seeing when they’re put up for adoption,” said Victoria … [Read more...]
Do I really need to brush?
Nancy Kerns provides good information about the challenge of dental care in dogs. Veterinary teams and retail associates can use it in their discussions with dog owners or on blogs, websites or in newsletters. Source: Whole Dog Journal, April 2012, updated February 2016. It can be painfully expensive, but the value of having your dog’s calculus-encrusted teeth cleaned at … [Read more...]
Bowser beer, just for dogs
A subscriber shared this website. You’ll likely enjoy learning about custom beer for dogs. Just when you think you have seen it all . . . Source: Bowser Beer. Busy Dogs™ was started by Jenny Brown, creating Bowser Beer™ and Bowser Bits™ in late 2007. From the beginning she was committed to using 100% US made, all natural ingredients. Her idea was called crazy and bizarre, … [Read more...]
Relieving canine separation anxiety
Fixing separation anxiety is hard. Pet owners seek help from many sources. This article provides good information about separation behaviors and some methods to diminish the effects on animals. Pat Miller, CPDT, is a published author and the training editor at Whole Dog Journal. Source: Whole Dog Journal, February 19, 2016. 'Distress' indicates a lower intensity of stress … [Read more...]
Study suggests dogs were domesticated twice
Science long ago confirmed that humans originated on the African continent. It hasn’t been so kind to dogs. A group of scientists from the University of Oxford are saying evidence now shows that dogs were domesticated in Asia and Europe at different times. Nothing’s confirmed yet, but the study makes for fun discussion with dog owners. Source: New York Times, June 2, … [Read more...]
World’s most dog-friendly office
A subscriber shared this post. It is fun to see how dogs are included in the office culture and design of this pet toy company. It does beg a question about the company policy for preventative vaccines and products. So, does human resources have separate doggy resources policies? Source: Inc. Humans weren't the only considerations in building out Kurgo's offices. The ample … [Read more...]
Feed dogs like wolves
Julia Henriques, managing editor, compares dog and wolf dietary needs. Her perspective includes the scavenger behaviors we often see in dogs. Much of the information comes from Dr. Isla Fishburn (BSc Zoology and MBiolSci and PhD in Conservation Biology). Feeding fruits and vegetables has some merit, according to the article. But, we believe a warning on which fruits and … [Read more...]
Beware of over-vaccinating your dog
Articles like this create a need to help veterinary teams engage with clients about vaccination. While recent information shows an increase in rabies in North America, questions about vaccination need and frequency continue. Our team at Animal Health Digest believes it is important to show professionals the information being sent to consumers, as well as channel-based or … [Read more...]
“Everything travels down that leash.”
Bruno, an Anaheim, California, K-9 officer shot in the line of duty two years ago, died last week from wounds he suffered during that shooting. He’d been a babysitter to his officer partner’s kids since being retired from the force in 2014. Source: NBC4, May 18, 2016, Los Angeles Times, May 19, 2016. He died in the line of duty. He protected us and the department and my … [Read more...]
Dogs bite year-round
This week is National Dog Bite Prevention Week® which focuses on educating people about preventing dog bites. Dog bites happen year-round. The resources at this site can be used all year long, too. They include photos and social media support. Source: American Veterinary Medical Association With an estimated population of 70 million dogs living in U.S. households, millions … [Read more...]
Flea control toolkit available
Death to the devil’s jumping beans! sets the tone of the flea control toolkit featured in this issue. A series of articles covers client issues, selling products, handling client objections, how fleas got here, infestations and script examples. Source: DVM360, May 2016. What do you tell the client who, three weeks ago, started the flea control you recommended and now sees … [Read more...]
Jerky treats sicken, kill dogs
More than 1,140 dogs have died after eating jerky pet treats, out of 6,200 cases of jerky related canine illness reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from 2007 to December 31, 2015. The agency released these numbers this week in an update on in its ongoing investigation into animal illnesses and death related to jerky treats. Source: Petfood Industry, May 17, … [Read more...]
Xylitol can kill or poison dogs
Xylitol, a common sweetener in chewing gum, mints and other products can kill or severely poison dogs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued, ‘Xylitol and Your Dog: Danger, Paws Off,’ May 12 after a surge in death and several illnesses from dogs that had accidentally ingest Xylitol, according to pet poison-control centers. Source: The Wall Street Journal, May 12, … [Read more...]
Canine and feline preventive healthcare guidelines now available
Partners for Healthy Pets, an alliance of more than 100 veterinary associations, veterinary colleges and animal health companies focused on preventive care led by AAHA and the American Veterinary Medical Association, is offering complimentary canine and feline preventive healthcare guidelines. Source: AAHA NewStat, May 11, 2016. A one-page, double-sided, easy to use set of … [Read more...]
Free hot dog lesson plan available
Kids are often responsible for pet care year-round. A free lesson plan to help them learn how to deal with the problem of dogs left in cars in hot weather is available from Red Rover. It works to strengthen the bond between people and animals. Simply request the plan via email. Source: Red Rover. Students will enjoy applying concepts in physics, biology and mathematics to a … [Read more...]
Keep your dog cool
Temperatures in the Southwest are already hitting 100º and up. The rest of the country will soon follow. All too often, we read and hear about dogs dying from being left too long in cars in the sun. Fortunately, there are tips galore, posters, signs and even a Cool Dog Pledge at My Dog Is Cool. Source: My Dog is Cool. Leaving your dog in a car for “just a minute” may be too … [Read more...]
Keep the weed from Fido
A Denver-area emergency animal hospital is treating at least five dogs a day for marijuana ingestion. Clinics are seeing increases, too. Fox Hollow Animal Hospital used to see it once or twice a year, but now see it once or twice a month since pot became legal in Colorado in 2014. Source: KDVR, May 9, 2016. It was just so terrifying, infuriating and sad. I felt so helpless … [Read more...]
Home exercises for dogs takes commitment, patience
Home exercises can help manage pain for some dogs. Micheal Petty, DVM, reminds pet owners be sure their dogs get accurate diagnoses and to discuss home exercises for dogs with their veterinarian before beginning an exercise regimen. Veterinary teams will find this information good for a team discussion. Also consider using article reprints as handouts or as a link on … [Read more...]
5 ways to start brushing canine teeth
Even as industry professionals, our own dogs don’t always get the best dental care. Two articles address pet dental care. The handout offers some great ways to start brushing. Source: Firstline, April 21, 2016. Print this and give it to clients for something wonderful to chew on to teach some good dog tooth brushing techniques. See also: Vetted, April 27, 2016. “Do as I … [Read more...]
Don’t hug the dog
Behaviorists have cautioned people for years about hugging dogs because dogs don’t like it, says Karen B. London, PhD. It is common for dogs to dislike being hugged, and for people to love hugging them. It should be no surprise that members of two different species have different preferences. Source: Bark, May 2, 2016. A recent post by Stanley Coren, Ph.D, called The Data … [Read more...]
Gene differences in fat Labradors
Labrador retrievers have a tendency to get fat. Studies indicate 50 percent to 60 percent of labs are classified as overweight or obese. Overeating is possibly in Labs’ genes according to a newly published study. Source: Washington Post, May 3, 2016. What we’ve found in the study is that there really is a hard-wired reason for some Labradors to be completely obsessed by … [Read more...]
Cesar Millan’s tips for picking up dogs
Cesar reminds pet owners of a dog’s perspective about being picked up. The perspective is interesting to consider. “Stay calm, and leave the dog on the floor,” is his guidance. Source: Cesar’s Way, May 1, 2016. We always have to remember that dogs are different than people, no matter how much we consider them to be a part of our lives and families. Their psychology is … [Read more...]
Is your vet making your dog sick and charging you for it?
With the headline, Dangerous over-vaccination is on the rise, Patricia Jordan, DVM, challenges annual vaccination protocols, duration of immunity and profit motives. She makes no reference to the regulatory oversight required to get a vaccine approved or the ongoing testing continually underway in manufacturing. Source: Dogs Naturally, April 26, 2016. Today I’m writing … [Read more...]