May is National Chip Your Pet Month and an excellent time to turn up attention to the benefits of placing microchips in pets. Once pets are chipped and registered in a national pet recovery database, services like the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool < link > can reference the chip against hundreds of registries’ databases. Pets with microchips are up to 20 times … [Read more...]
Poisonous plants for cattle, horses, dogs, cats
Spring brings a flowery green up but, plants toxic t0 our critters may lurk among the blooms. We compiled some resources for cattle, horses, dogs and cats below. Use them on social media and to solve problems with animal owners. Source: Plants toxic to cats, ASPCA. Link. Source: Plants toxic to dogs, ASPCA. Link. Source: Poisonous plants that can kill cattle, BEEF, … [Read more...]
9 mosquito myths debunked
Jason Cameron and Amy Lawhorne tackle myths about mosquitoes and share ways to help protect you and your family. They share the 7 Ts of mosquito control. Tip Toss Turn Remove Tarps Take care Team up Treat Source: diy Network, link. INSIGHTS: This is good information for social media posts, e-newsletters and websites. Consider sharing it with … [Read more...]
250-plus unrivaled names for dogs
New pet owners might appreciate this set of unique names for dogs. These names include the least-common dog names in the world, creative dog names, and some which are a little exotic that offer an extra specialness that dog owners may find intriguing. Consider this for social media posts, e-newsletters or new pet kits. Source: All Things Dog, May 2, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
Jan Pol, DVM on ‘What I Know Now’
At a young 76 years old, Jan Pol is the star of The Incredible Dr. Pol on Nat Geo Wild. The reality show is the channel’s number-one series and is now in its 14th season. Pol shares what he feels all creatures, even humans, need most. Source: AARP The Magazine, April/May 2019. Link. Nat Geo Wild has always been 100 percent dedicated to animals and the people who love them, … [Read more...]
May is National Arthritis Month; remember pets, too
May is recognized annually as National Arthritis Awareness Month. Arthritis affects more than 50 million Americans, making it the number-one cause of disability in the country. Osteoarthritis is a very common problem in small animals, as well. It has been estimated that around 20 percent of dogs and 40 percent of cats will be affected by osteoarthritis at some point in their … [Read more...]
It’s National Pet Week
Since 1981, National Pet Week® has celebrated the human-animal bond. It encourages pet owners to be certain they provide their best friends with all they need for a happy, healthy life every week of the year. Everyone loves their pets, but not everyone is aware of what their pet needs to be happy and healthy long into their senior years, says the AVMA. It provides tools and … [Read more...]
Formula, cat years x 7 = human years, no longer valid
The timeworn cat age formula no longer holds true, writes Elizabeth Vecsi. A cat celebrating his first birthday is actually the equivalent of a person who is 15 years old, a 10-year-old cat is the equivalent of 56 and a 17-year-old cat is the equivalent of 84. Source: Catnip, April 26, 2019. Link. New Feline Life Stages Guidelines developed jointly by the AAFP and AAHA … [Read more...]
Deal with canine noise phobias
Thunderstorm season is a challenging time for many dogs and their owners. Noise phobia describes the intense and irrational fear displayed to certain sounds by some dogs. Fear is a normal emotional response to a real or perceived threat or situation but they can escalate to a phobia that can emotionally cripple a dog. Nicholas Dodman, BVMS estimates close to 50 percent of dogs … [Read more...]
Fun, easy brain games for dogs help them bond with owners
John Wood provides some great games to help dog owners bond with their dogs. The dog-human social contract is all about our relationship with our dogs. Play builds relationships. Behavior training is important, but so is play. Source: Dogster, April 16, 2019. Link. Playing brain games for dogs can help to alleviate boredom and prevent destructive behaviors such as chewing … [Read more...]
Stevie the pit bull was likely high
Megan Stadler, DVM, and Julien Guillaumin, DVM, DACVECC, DECVECC, present the case of Stevie, a pit bull presented for an emergency examination approximately three hours after the owner noticed an acute onset of lethargic behavior. The owner affirmed that Stevie had the potential for recent marijuana exposure, but there was no way to confirm it. Stevie’s experience is a … [Read more...]
Experts weigh in on pet-safe houseplants
“Even just the fertilizer that the plant sits in can be a problem,” says Stephanie Liff, DVM. Liza Corsillo sought her arborist and educator Ben Team about pet safety with houseplants. She includes specific species and links to resources for acquiring them. This is informative fit for social media and e-newsletters to help educate pet owners. Source: New York Magazine, April … [Read more...]
Opinion – Pets becoming part of long-term eldercare
A Google search produces dozens of visiting pet organizations that provide pet therapy visits to elder care facilities. The results are positive and the organizations require visiting pets to be trained for such activities. Ramona Marek reviews a growing trend of allowing seniors to bring their pet from home when they enter a care facility. I’m supportive of fur, feathers … [Read more...]
Keep those mosquitos away
Mosquitoes are a worldwide problem and the solutions are the same no matter where you live. The best way to avoid mosquito borne diseases, such as heartworm, is to keep the mosquitos away. Protecting animals from vector mosquitoes remains an animal health priority. Here are two references to consider as you deal with the pesky bugs. Source: How to keep mosquitoes away, … [Read more...]
10 cutest parts of cats
What? Made you look? The Modern Cat team shares its list but also gives you more information on the importance of each of these body parts. Can you guess which of these three is number 1? Socks Teeny tiny teeth Toe beans Source: Modern Cat, April 18, 2019. Link. Also see: Feng Shui for felines, Modern Cat, April 2018. Link. 5 tips to create positive energy in … [Read more...]
Catnip basics, the original feline high (includes videos)
It turns out there are some psychotropic affects going on when your cat gets into the catnip zone, writes Phillip Mlynar. According to science buffs, cats react to catnip after a volatile oil in it called nepetalactone interacts with the nasal tissue. Once the catnip has been engaged, it starts to replicate pheromones that, in turn, switch on feline receptors and make all sorts … [Read more...]
Finicky feline eaters: born or made?
Most finicky cats have likely been trained by impatient, overly concerned owners, according to nutritionists at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine Cats in general are happy to eat the same food day after day. . . . just put out the food and let the cat eat or not as he desires. Source: Tufts Catnip, April 2019. Link. In some cases, a change in a cat’s diet is … [Read more...]
Questions to ask when choosing a boarding kennel
The boarding kennel marketplace continues to expand for cats and dogs. Animal owners need need help to choose the right facility for their pet, regardless of whether its for daycare or for an extended stay. Joseph H. Kinnarney, DVM, MS, gives questions to ask when selecting a boarding kennel: What vaccinations do you require? Can I see where my pet will stay? What … [Read more...]
10 types of service dogs have different roles
Heather Marcoux tackles the growing diversity of service dog breeds and their roles. For a growing number of individuals with specific physical, neurological or mental health needs, different types of service dogs are invaluable partners in day-to-day life. Legally, most of these types of service dogs are welcome in places where pet dogs are not. Unfortunately, the practice of … [Read more...]
Parasite education? There’s an APP for that
The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) has designed an app to help strengthen skills in the microscopic identification of fecal parasites in veterinary clinic settings and for individual study. The Veterinary Internal Parasite Flash Card App < link > includes approximately 100 veterinary internal parasites found in dogs, cats, small mammals, reptiles and … [Read more...]
Male or female, humping is a normal dog behavior
Humping behavior is mostly associated with male dogs, but it is not uncommon in female dogs, writes Sassafras Lowrey. The behavior is usually a sign of heightened arousal, but not necessarily sexual. Lowrey sought information from Nik Hof, Chair of The Association of Professional Dog Trainers, to address common concerns and methods to manage the behavior. Sorce: Whole Dog … [Read more...]
Dog whimpering may not mean something bad
Dog whimpering communicates something, but it doesn’t automatically indicate something bad, according to David Dilmore, DVM, He says whimpering can caused by any of these factors: Being uncomfortable or in pain Illness Feeling anxious Needing something/excitement Source: Dogster, April 3, 2019. Link. . . . dog whimpering is just a way for dogs to communicate … [Read more...]
Top 5 substances that affect blood glucose
Thomas Schermerhorn, VMD, DACVIM (SAIM), shares his top five substances that exert important effects on blood glucose regulation in dogs and cats and the clinical situations in which they may be encountered: Insulin Glucocorticoids Xylitol Growth hormone Progestins Source: Clinician’s Brief, November 2018. Link. Abnormalities in blood glucose occur when … [Read more...]
Dogs, ibuprofen and other human pain relievers
Melvin Peña provides solid information about ibuprofen and other human NSAIDS being ingested by dogs. He explains the compounds’ mode of action in dogs and shares common toxicity symptoms. Peña focuses his information on dogs and ibuprofen, since it appears to be the biggest reported culprit. Still no nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, is safe for dogs to … [Read more...]
Alternatives for feeding dogs with diarrhea or other stomach issues
Marc Smith, DVM, draws from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) food therapy when addressing a dog with stomach issues. His approach is to optimize the individual’s qi (life force) by balancing the internal energies of yin (cold) and yang (heat). According to TCM, all foods have properties that either warm the body, cool the body or are neutral, says Smith. Most acute … [Read more...]
The role of gut-microbiota in animal health, well-being
The complex microbial community in the gut of animals plays a critical role in pathogen control, immune function, nutrient provision and intestinal morphology. Animals are born with no effective gut microbiota. Inoculation and colonization begins as the animal exits the birth canal. Each animal’s microbiota is unique, but 90 percent of the contributing organisms are of the … [Read more...]
PickyOrSick.com, a new science-based resource helps cat owners
A new website from Kindred Biosciences, Inc., helps owners recognize changes in eating and drinking behavior in their cat and directs them to a veterinarian. The site provides research-backed information and always directs owners to make an appointment at their local veterinary clinic. Note how often people search the internet about cat illness in the announcement. Source: … [Read more...]
Top 10 Cities heartworm report: March 2019
CAPC released the March 2019 report that lists cities with the highest percentage increase in positive heartworm tests. They are: Overland Park, KS San Francisco, CA Laredo, TX Thousand Oaks, CA Salinas, CA Oceanside, CA Clarksville, TN Portland, OR Providence, RI Jersey City, NJ Source: CAPC, April 12, 2019. Link. Share this update with … [Read more...]
Differentiating dog farts
Sassafras Lowrey shares perspectives on dog flatulence. She writes that the occasional fart from your dog shouldn’t concern us. However, excessive farting can be a symptom of something more serious. The articles here are good content for social media and e-newsletters. Source: Dogster, March 28, 2019. Link. Some amount of dog farts is normal for most dogs. However, excessive … [Read more...]
5 ways to stop dogs from begging for scraps
When your dog’s pleading eyes melt your heart, it’s easy to give in and toss a nibble from your plate. You tell yourself, “it’s just a taste.” What you’re doing instead is reinforcing begging behavior. Janet Miller says a few simple tricks can convince your dog to stop begging every time you eat: Do not give in Ignore the behavior Close the door Use the your-place … [Read more...]