The highly contagious canine influenza virus H3N2 currently causing outbreaks across the U.S. is of an avian origin compared to the first strain of canine influenza, H3N8, was an equine influenza. More than 2,600 dogs have come down with the flu this year, which Edward Dubovi, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, says is a gross underestimate. “I guarantee the … [Read more...]
Cats decide whether they prefer wet or dry food
Purina provides a forum that highlights the differences between about wet or dry cat food. With healthy cats, the choice is really about the cat, not its health. Moisture content is the main difference, with dry food around 20 percent moisture and wet food at 65 percent or more. While wet food may appeal to many cats, Purina Veterinary Nutritionist Dr. Dorothy Laflamme … [Read more...]
Protect yourself from mosquito, tick and other bug bites (video)
The CDC reports the rate of mosquito- and tick-borne diseases has tripled over the past decade. Share this video on websites, social media and in targeted e-blasts. Include a pet message as well. Source: NBC News, June 8, 2018. Link. The video shares 5 tips for protecting yourself from bugs: Cover up Use insect repellent Replace outdoor lights with yellow bug … [Read more...]
Take Your Pet to Work Week starts June 18
Take Your Pet to Work Week kicks off June 18. The event with Take your Cat to Work Day™ on Monday and ends Friday with Take Your Dog to Work Day®. Pet Sitters International has a free toolkit filled with tips and promotions to help celebrate the week. Plus, the website offers all the social media information you could want. Source: Pet Sitters International. Link. May 23, … [Read more...]
AVMA offers resources for elective spaying and neutering of pets
There is evidence to support neutering felines not intended for breeding. However, the same is not true for canines. The AVMA has developed resources to help veterinarians in the decision-making process. These resources will help continue to facilitate discussion and dissemination of new developments about gonadectomy. Source: AVMA. Link. As the risks and benefits of … [Read more...]
Cracking the window won’t help
Parking in the shade on a sunny day won’t necessarily save a pet left in the car from heatstroke, or worse. A new study of temperatures inside parked cars shows that a car parked in the sun would reach lethal temperatures faster than one parked in the shade, but even in a shaded car, heat buildup could prove deadly. Source: AAHA NEWStat, May 31, 2018. Link. Dr. Ernie Ward, … [Read more...]
Do dogs understand time?
Are dogs just very good at guessing, or do they really understand and keep track of time? Matt Soniak explores the topic in this interesting article. Source: Pet MD. Link. A review of research on the subject by psychologist William Roberts found ample evidence that many different animals are sensitive to time. “They can learn to go to a particular place for food at a … [Read more...]
The most important thing to teach dogs
Before you dive into this article, write down your top three answers to test yourself. Nicole Wilde admits that not biting, potty skills and socialization are important for dogs. But for day-to-day living the most important thing you can teach them is how to ask politely for what they want. This article is sound advice for pet owners and is worth using for social media … [Read more...]
Tooth resorption: Name it to tame it
There are three types of tooth resorption in cats and six types in dogs. And all of them are treated differently, says Dr. Mary Krakowski Volker, DVM, DAVDC. Treatment depends on the type of resorption present. She notes we don’t use the same names for dogs or cats. Source: Veterinary Medicine, DVM 360, May 23, 2018. Link. There are stages of tooth resorption in cats that … [Read more...]
5 end-of-life myths about pets – BUSTED
Cherie Buisson, DVM, CHPV, has devoted much of her time to veterinary hospice and palliative care. She routinely hears many end of-life-myths. She shares five of them with comments to help animal health pros better understand end-of-life care. They’re not in pain because they’re not crying If pets are eating, they have a good quality of life There is a perfect time … [Read more...]
June is National Pet Preparedness Month. Let’s get chippy!
Sarah Wooten, DVM, says it is time to target new clients and all clients in your database who don’t have a microchip on file with succinct, powerful communication that will cause them to take action. She offers a script to help animal health pros promote microchipping and motivate owners to act. Source: DVM 360, May 14, 2018. Link. Also see: Ready.gov. Link. The Pet … [Read more...]
Make RV travel stress-free for dogs
Memorial Day weekend signals the start of the vacation season and with it the RVs come out of storage to hit the road. Planning will keep RVing dogs happy and safe. Liz Palika offers ideas in the following categories for those traveling with their pets: Where will the dog ride? The right dog stuff Stop often on the road Stopping for the night Daily routine … [Read more...]
Feline hypoadrenocorticism and hyperaldosteronism is underdiagnosed and underreported
David Bruyette, DVM, DACVIM, said that hypoadrenocorticism and hyperaldosteronism are so common that if you look for them, you will probably diagnose either disorder in the next month. Addison’s disease, or hypoadrenocorticism, is seen in middle-aged cats, and there’s no sex predilection. In dogs, Addison’s is an autoimmune disease, but it is unknown if it is the same in … [Read more...]
Rabies vaccine is associated with decreased all-cause mortality in dogs
Research published in the July 2017 issue of the journal Vaccine found that dogs who receive rabies vaccines experience better health overall. The researchers hypothesize that the protective association between rabies vaccination status and all-cause mortality is due to a protective effect of rabies vaccine against diseases other than rabies. Source: Vaccine, July 5, 2017. … [Read more...]
Prepare pets for spring, summer storms
June is National Pet Preparedness Month. It is a time to remind client and ourselves to double-check to make sure the basics are in order and late springs and summer storms hit. They include: pet ID tags, rescue alert stickers, safe havens where pets can be taken during or after a storm, a kennel and being prepared ourselves. The Department of Homeland Security has assembled a … [Read more...]
Memorial Day is more than a long weekend
Memorial Day takes place this Monday. This federal holiday was established to honor those who died while serving in the U.S. military. Some version of the day has taken place throughout history. One of the first took place in 1865 in South Carolina. It became an official federal holiday in 1971. We urge you to take time this weekend to honor those who have offered the ultimate … [Read more...]
7 hypoallergenic cats breeds help reduce allergies
Low-allergen, or hypoallergenic cats, are those that typically produce fewer allergens than regular cats. The operative word here is fewer. A protein, Fel D1, is the allergen in the cat’s saliva that causes problems for cat allergy sufferers. Some cat breeds produce less of it than others, making them hypoallergenic. Seven breeds are featured in this article Source: Catster, … [Read more...]
Pet reptiles or amphibians may pose health risks to humans
It is important for owners of reptiles, such as turtles, snakes and lizards, and amphibians, such as frogs, toads and salamanders to understand the health risks to themselves and others in their household. Animal health pros need to advise pet reptiles or amphibians owners about the risk for salmonellosis and the simple steps that can be taken to reduce risk to household … [Read more...]
7 Home fixer-ups that are dangerous for pets
Spring and summer are top times for home repair and remodeling projects. This work and the supplies to support it can be hazardous to pets. The folks at vetSTREET put together some great tips to keep pets safe. Source: vetSTREET, April 20, 2015. Link. The bottom line is, for safety’s sake, always keep your pets away from home-repair products. If, despite your precautions, … [Read more...]
Top 5 kitten behavior tips
Kitten owners can avoid future behavior challenges by communicating expectations to their kittens. For that to occur, veterinary teams can help by providing basic guidance to owners. Most unwanted destructive behaviors can be prevented with thoughtful management. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, February 2016. Link. Some simple interventions may prevent unwanted behaviors and … [Read more...]
Purebred pet paradox
Patty Khuly, VMD, MBA, delivers a twisted take on the importance of purebred pets, puppy mills and irresponsible breeding methods to veterinary practices. Where would you be without your purebred patients? It’s true! If we waved a wand and eliminated purebreds, the economics of our profession would be instantly turned upside down. We’d see record unemployment among generalists … [Read more...]
Manage the environment to reduce dog-on-dog household aggression
Pat Miller reminds us that not all dogs get along, even though they are a social species. He reviews potential stressors and offers counter measures to reduce the tensions in a household. Source: Whole Dog Journal, January 3, 2018. Link. When you have identified your dogs’ triggers, you can manage their environment to reduce trigger incidents and minimize outright conflict. … [Read more...]
Opinion – Manage maggots and bots in dogs and cats
Images of screwworm infestations in newly born kittens, ferrets and rabbits before 1966 still bring nightmares. Clear are the memories of tiny, near-hairless, days-old animals lying across my palm while we systematically removed screw worms from holes nearly the size of a pencil eraser. Fly control product stations were everywhere on our farm. We bought ducks to help clean … [Read more...]
Fading kitten syndrome is real. Not all born alive will live.
There is now a scientific explanation for kittens born alive, but don’t live long. Dr. Eric Barchas says it is fading kitten syndrome. He explains, a staggering proportion of kittens succumb to fading kitten syndrome before they reach nine weeks of age. Fifteen percent to 27 percent die before nine weeks of age even in well-managed catteries. Source: Catster, May 10, 2018. … [Read more...]
Veterinarian’s cat-handling tutorial goes viral (includes video)
Dr. Uri Burstyn, medical director of Arbutus West Animal Clinic and Vancouver East Veterinary Clinic, posts online instructional videos about caring for cats. His most recent video, “How to pick up a cat like a pro – Vet advice on cat handling,” has become a surprise hit, with nearly three million views on YouTube Source: Global News Online, May 14, 2018. Link. Burstyn … [Read more...]
Fear Free tips to handle big dogs
Mikkel Becker offers some tips to avoid injury while handling, lifting, restraining and caring for large and giant-sized canines. She says to consider the following strategies: Avoid the wrestling match. Evaluate your default. Dig for the root. Do your future self a favor. Replace restraint. Pharmaceuticals could be your friend. Treat yo’ patient. … [Read more...]
Dogs and their owners may live forever
George Church, a biologist at Harvard Medical School, thinks he might be able to help dogs live longer lives and bring age-defeating treatments for humans to market at the same time. In fact, he has cofounded the company Rejuvenate Bio, to do it. It claims preliminary tests on beagles make animals “younger” by adding new DNA instructions to their bodies. Source: MIT … [Read more...]
Pet owners are alarmingly unaware about flea and tick dangers
Despite herculean efforts over more than two decades, a new study reveals 72 percent of pet owners don't research flea and tick prevention. Only half say they treat their pets year-round. Source: Pet Product News, May 9, 2018. Link. A new consumer study, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Merck Animal Health, reveals that there are knowledge gaps among U.S. pet owners … [Read more...]
Top considerations to soothe skin disease in cats and dogs
Whether it’s from allergies, bacterial infections, or external parasites, pruritus is easily among the top 10 problems veterinarians see in dogs and cats. Because meds for managing pruritus vary in mechanism of action, patient restrictions, and more, each individual case dictates which drug is used for treatment. Source: Veterinary Practice News, May 1, 2018. Link. Some … [Read more...]
Stem cell therapy for cats shows promise
The Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery recently published the results of a study about the present and potential clinical applications of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in cats. The study focused on the emergence of this new therapeutic strategy and the current understanding of the biology and immunology of mesenchymal stem cells. Researchers summarized promising outcomes of … [Read more...]