Cat owners, groomers and veterinary teams all appreciate the challenges of skittish felines. Stephanie Borns-Weil, DVM, shares information about the benefits of playing music in order to create a more serene environment. Two resources she recommends are: MusicMyPet.com <link> “Relax My Cat” on You Tube < link > Source: Tufts Catnip, February 2019. Link. For … [Read more...]
Study: We’re finding new feline viruses faster than we can figure them out
The authors of a recent review in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery < link > say, “the rate at which novel [or previously unknown] viruses are being discovered now exceeds our understanding of their clinical relevance.” (The researchers) also raised important questions because the potential pathogenic role of novel viruses can be difficult to … [Read more...]
Measuring owner-cat bonds
Here’s a fun quiz worthy of social media posts and e-newletter links. Cat owners will enjoy taking the quiz and then learning how to increase the bond with their cats. Source: Modern Cat, October 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
7 secrets to choosing the best food for cats
Elizabeth Pask and Laura Scott discuss cat food secrets and present information for cat owners to help them make the best choices for their individual animal(s). Their topics cover: Tinned food versus dry foodRead the ingredient listWhat’s the deal with grain?Good fats vs. badFiber versus fillerAdd fresh foodsConsider your cat’s life stage and activity level Source: … [Read more...]
Stop buying grain-free pet food!
Grain-free dog food, accounted for 44 percent of pet food sold in specialty stores in 2017, according the New York Times. Along with pet foods that are vegan, organic, raw and you name it, consumers continue to increase spending on specialty pet food. However, veterinarians are concerned that grain-free diets pose health risks to dogs, especially if consumed long-term. FDA … [Read more...]
Rethinking osteoarthritis: findings from the 2019 VET Report
Successful management of osteoarthritis (OA) requires a multifaceted approach, according to findings in the 2019 Veterinary Emerging Topics (VET) Report from Banfield Pet Hospital. The report considers 3 areas of concern for pets with OA—weight gain, reduced mobility, and the progress of arthritic changes—and offers veterinarians a means to better manage and treat these … [Read more...]
Be sure pets are safe during cold weather
Winter weather challenges pets, livestock and animal owners. The AVMA offers information on its website, including client handouts for members. It is especially important to remind new pet owners of the limitations cold weather places on our pets. Frozen water bowls are commonly overlooked. Remember to warn people how much outdoor and feral cats like warm automobile engines. … [Read more...]
Innovetive Petcare receives VETTY awards at VMX
Congratulations to the Innovetive Petcare marketing team for being chosen for 2019 VETTY awards. They won a gold medal for a new logo and the 60th anniversary logo for the Animal Hospital of Wilkes in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Plus, this logo earned a prestigious judges’ award. Innovetive Petcare’s website design for Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Knoxville, … [Read more...]
Safety concerns when cats fight
Industry information shows homes with cats are likely to be multi-cat homes. Bringing a new cat into the mix can easily erupt in caterwauling and flying fur. The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine offers cat fight knowledge to keep cat owners safe. Source: Catwatch, February 2018 via Catster, January 23, 2019. Link. Most cat fights center around coveted … [Read more...]
Watch for these changes in cat behaviors
Cats are excellent at masking illness or health issues. Jo Singer discusses seven shifts in cat behavior which indicate a potential health problem that warrants veterinary attention. Source: Catnip, August 2017. Link. Domestication and indoor lifestyles have required pet cats to adjust to our surroundings, a habitat that is by nature quite alien to them. As a result, … [Read more...]
Chickens and cats don’t mix
Chicken owners need to become familiar with three types of cats, writes Ana Hotaling. Whether housecat, barn cat or feral/stray cat, chickens are not enrichment activities. They are prey in the cat mind. Larger breed birds may be less likely to fall to feline predation given their size and protective tendencies. Source: Hobby Farms, January 16, 2019. Link. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
Lipstick and red rocket sightings
Dr. Eric Barchas has directly and tactfully addressed the issue of male dog arousal. The appearance of a dog’s penis is often disgusting to animal owners. To avoid unnecessary trips to the veterinary clinic, Barchas describes the exception, a condition called paraphimosis where the lipstick is showing for an extended period of time. Source: Dogster, January 17, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
Reduce dogs’ cancer risks
Veterinary oncologists say that cancers in humans and in dogs are incredibly similar, in terms of growth and prognosis writes Cynthia Foley. She suggests four ways to lessen the odds of cancer in dogs: Reduce exposure to carcinogensTime spay/neuter surgery appropriately when possibleProvide dogs a healthy lifestyleExamine dogs’ bodies to enable early detection Source: … [Read more...]
Worm bacteria may help control mosquitoes
The chemical DEET has been our first and best line of defense against mosquitoes since the 1940s. Now a strain of bacteria that lives inside a common parasitic worm could play an important role in the fight against mosquitos. A study published in Science Advances < link > has found that a compound derived from these bacteria is three times more potent than DEET in repelling … [Read more...]
Pitching veterinary products in the clinic (includes video)
Of all the actions that take place in exam rooms, presenting products often frustrates clinic team members. Bash Halow, LVT, CVPM, emphasizes that recommendations shouldn't be the first things and to pay attention to body language. Source: Veterinary Economics, January 16, 2019. Link. Halow shares a comment from one of his sessions where an attendee told the class how she … [Read more...]
Retailers get guidance on dental care
Simplicity is key with oral hygiene, according to industry insiders—and brushless options have become very appealing to pet owners, writes Jen Sotolongo. The low-hanging fruit in the modern dental market for animals is centered on home care options that are alternatives to the long-touted brushing. It is important to start conversations. Note the article does not suggest … [Read more...]
The 10 most important things to teach a puppy
Far too many people don’t have a clue about how to properly raise a puppy, says Pat Miller. She offers a refresher course on important things for puppies to learn. Behavior problems are the number-one reason pets are relinquished. Use this information to help a new puppy owner develop their role with the pup. Source: Whole Dog Journal, December 5, 2017. Link. Also see: … [Read more...]
Raised hackles are not always aggression
Raised hackles (medically called piloerection) do not qualify as a behavior, as they are an involuntary reflex triggered by something that put a dog into a state of arousal, writes Jill Breitner. Pet owners with a new pet may appreciate this article as they get to know their pets’ responses to various stimuli. Consider sharing it in social media posts, e-newsletters and with … [Read more...]
Cats groom each other for good reasons
Grooming each other, called allogrooming, is one of three ways cats express cohesion in colonies. The other two ways are allorubbing and transmitting scent signals. . . . scientists have studied allogrooming behaviors in domestic cats, lions, primates and many other species. Source: Catster, January 1, 2019. Link. Allogrooming appears to be a sign of social … [Read more...]
Cold season and cats
Its cold and flu season. The sneezing, congestion, runny nose and watery eyes that make us miserable are also symptoms of cat colds or upper respiratory infections. Dr. Arnold Plotnick reminds us that feline herpesvirus (FHV) and the feline calicivirus (FCV), both viruses, cause 80 percent of feline upper respiratory infections. He discusses cat colds using relatable language … [Read more...]
Treats with meat attract cat owners
Cat owners want options and they are looking for treats with high-quality ingredients with a focus on meat. Retailers and manufacturers agree that cat owners are willing to try new treat ideas if they meet their nutrition expectations, including protein. Source: Pet Product News, January 2019, page 54. Link. Cats are carnivores, and a healthy treat or food choice must … [Read more...]
Decade-long jerky pet treat update from FDA
Ten years after the first reports of pet and people illnesses linked to jerky treats, the FDA’s efforts have not established a single cause of pet illnesses linked to jerky pet treats. The investigations revealed several issues resulting in recalls or import alerts for various problems, including: Salmonella contaminationResidues of antibiotic and antiviral … [Read more...]
Feral cat control through an ethical lens
The trap-neuter-return (TNR) method of feral cat control creates a backdrop for authors to examine our changing societal ethics toward the killing of animals. They explain a shift from an anthropocentric ethic to a zoocentric ethic which is, in part, the result of a growing body of research demonstrating cognition, emotion,and sentience in animals. This prospective can help … [Read more...]
Marketers must appeal to the special bond Gen Z, Millennials have with pets
The younger generations of pet market consumers are critical to the bottom line of pet product and service marketers, says David Sprinkle. . . . Gen Z and Millennial pet owners are on the cutting edge of humanization in the relationships between pet owners and their pets. Source: Pet Food Industry, December 21, 2018. Link. Market research firm Packaged Facts estimates … [Read more...]
VMX 2019 starts January 19th
VMX 2019 is hours away from its kickoff. Hosted by the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), the largest U.S. convention enters its second year with its new name. More than 17,000 animal health professionals anticipate sharing experiences, taking continuing education and interacting with colleagues from across the globe. Source: NAVC. Link. As last-minute plans are … [Read more...]
Best animal photos of 2018
Even after more than 100 years of photographing the natural world for National Geographic, wildlife photographers are still capturing animals in ways they’ve never been seen before. Some of the best wildlife photos this year were of birds. Source: National Geographic. Link. Enjoy! … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content from AAHA NEWStat
We’ve captured several helpful posts that recently appeared in the AAHA NEWStat blog as it is easy to miss things during the holiday period. Source: AAHA NEWStat. Link. Five pet insurance strategies to aid clients and grow your practice, AAHA NEWStat, January 1, 2019. Link. Sponsored content provided by Petplan Canine noise aversion and motion sickness: … [Read more...]
Kids with pets early on have reduced allergy risks
Multiple studies have shown that keeping pets when a child is an infant can protect them from developing allergies later in life. Researchers in this trial investigated if there is a dose-dependent association between keeping a cat and dog during the first year of a child’s life and subsequent allergy development. Source: PLOS ONE, December 29, 2018. Link. A dose-response … [Read more...]
Clearing the air about feline flatulence
Most cat farts are normal, and almost all are odorless, writes Angie Bailey. Some common causes of kitty toots are: Diets that are high in fiberDairy ingestionEating too fast and swallowing excessive amounts of airConsuming spoiled food or garbageHairballsDietary changes, especially ones that aren’t gradual Source: Catster, December 14, 2018. Link. Although it’s perfectly … [Read more...]
Stop cats from urine spray marking
Mieshelle Nagelschneider addresses the challenging issue of cats that spray mark with urine. She says the number one reason is the cat has become aware of an outside cat’s presence and feels his territory may be threatened. She also reminds us that spray marking is a natural behavior, not something spiteful. Spraying is a major reason that cats get sent to the shelters or … [Read more...]