While the problem of getting cats into carries is legendary, it is solvable, says Liz Baker, DVM. Cats find comfort in a familiar place to hide and feel safe when they are under stress. We can use this knowledge to help our cats and reduce their fear and anxiety when they face a stressful situation. Source: Fear Free Happy Homes, June 18, 2018. Link. Dr. Baker says to make … [Read more...]
3 recommendations for new kittens
Karen Primm, DVM, shares her recommendations for new kittens for a fun and happy home life after she’s covered the basics for the medical side. A hide-able, grazing-bowl-free option A good scratching post, along with a regimen of FELISCRATCH by FELIWAY® <save the couches> A carrier that opens on the top and front Source: FIRSTLINE, June 15, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
Geriatric pets have different needs than senior pets
Dogs older than 10 years and cats older than 14 years are considered geriatric, not senior, according to Mary Gardner, DVM. Geriatric pets do not have the same issues as senior pets and need to be treated differently. Educating clients and providing useful tips helps the pet and family members, who usually are frustrated and scared of what lies ahead. Source: Veterinary Team … [Read more...]
Work is natural and good for dogs
I’m caring for one of my adult childrens' dogs this holiday week. At age 5, she’s a good girl with shades of narcissism golden retrievers possess. That said, she’s out of her element at Grandpa’s. I have decided she needs a job. So, I’m working with her on retrieving a heavy bumper on a long rope twice a day for fifteen minutes. The rope keeps the bumper from being a toy and … [Read more...]
Mosquito repellents from DEET to gin and tonic
Protecting animals and humans from mosquito bites is important as the insects can be vectors for multiple diseases. Mosquito repellants can help. Research completed in 2015 and updated in 2017 <link> shows that products containing DEET proved effective and lasted for a relatively long time but there are alternatives too. DEET isn't the only weapon. Products containing … [Read more...]
Latest JAVMA
We’ve linked you to the table of contents for this issue of JAVMA. The following summary is from the JAVMA news segment: Veterinarians, caught in a chronic opioid shortage, are turning to other anesthetics that may be less effective. In other news, the social climate at veterinary colleges is improving overall, but among students, sexism, racism, and homophobia may be … [Read more...]
Ticked off: America’s quiet epidemic of tickborne diseases
Animal owners are becoming more aware of their own risks in addition to their animals’ when it comes to ticks and mosquitoes. Sharing this article may help animal owners understand the need for prevention for themselves as well as their animals. Source: Harvard Health Publishing, May 25, 2018. Link. If infections spread by ticks have increased steadily, infections spread by … [Read more...]
Take way better photos of your cat
Many veterinary hospitals use photographs as part of digital pet records. Pet photography is also widely seen on social media. Photographer Grace Chon offers nine tips that will drastically improve your cat photos. Consider this article for social media posts and as a resource on websites. Source: Modern Cat, June 21, 2018. Link. Your cat, needless to say, is super … [Read more...]
Dealing with dog lipstick, or not
Dr. Eric Barchas shares perspective on the often embarrassing, happy dog attribute in male dogs, the dog penis. His approach quickly moves away from nicknames to anatomy in an article that makes it easier to answer a dog owner’s question. This will make a good resource when supporting telemedicine calls or during sensitive conversations with a pet owner. Source: Dogster, … [Read more...]
Common skin masses in veterinary patients (image gallery)
The phrase "one look is worth a thousand words" is attributed to Frederick R. Barnard. Link. Elizabeth R. May, DVM, DACVD, presents an image gallery of skin masses that proves the old idiom, “a picture is worth 1,000 words.” She prefaces her comments with the following: Although most skin tumors encountered in veterinary patients are benign, malignant tumor types do occur. … [Read more...]
Canine flu risks affected by lifestyle
Southwest Airlines’ tagline, “You’re now free to move about the country,” may represent the reality of canine influenza risks. Catherine Ashe, DVM, shares her perspectives on diagnosing, testing, treatment, transmission and vaccine decisions. She reinforces the AVMA’s lifestyle vaccination designations. Source: Whole Dog Journal, July 2018. Link. Overall, while canine … [Read more...]
Marty Becker, DVM, speaks to fireworks fears
Medication has its place, but it’s not the only tool I recommend to help pets cope with this noisy and often frightening time of year. Here are the tips I recommend to my patients’ owners, and use on my own fearful dog: Get outta town Create a pet cave Strike up the band Hug the fears away Take a chill pill Something in the air Get out the big … [Read more...]
Understand why cats fight to stop fights
At least 55 percent of cat homes in the U.S. are multi-cat homes. So, it is no wonder that cat fights occur. A cat fight is actually a natural behavior, and the key to get cat fighting to stop is to understand why the cats are fighting in the first place. How cat owners handle the fighting can determine lack of trust and aggressiveness vs. harmony. Source: Catster, June … [Read more...]
A guide to pets’ body language
Dogs and cats display common non-verbal gestures and postures. This article provides a downloadable, pictorial guide to help animal owners understand what a pet is trying to convey. Source: American Lifestyle, April 1, 2016. Link. Canines are usually very expressive, but their messages can get lost in translation. Felines can be a bit more mysterious with their body … [Read more...]
The dos and don’ts of moving with pets
Nancy LaFever reminds us that moving is especially disturbing for our pets, because they don’t understand what’s going on. She offers steps to make the move safe and less stressful for owners’ animal companions. Source: Sparefoot Blog. Link. Here is a sample of the tips offered: Plan ahead for boarding Designate a pet room Utilize crates and carriers … [Read more...]
Behavioral assessments essential
The American Veterinary Medical Association, the Association of Feline Practitioners, and the American Animal Hospital Association all include behavioral health in their guidelines and highlight behavior as an essential part of animal health and routine wellness visits. Leslie Sinn, DVM, DACVB presents information about conducting assessments on behavioral symptoms that will … [Read more...]
These dogs sniff cybercrime
The Connecticut State Police is training dogs to sniff out the hard-to-detect chemical in electronics. They’re helping law enforcement personnel find child pornography on hard drives, find hidden phones, even track calls on SIM cards. This is worth a read simply to be reminded how sharp dogs can be trained to be. Source: CNET, June 11, 2018. Link. Where we might smell … [Read more...]
Help dogs get through their fear of thunderstorms
Marybeth Bittel shares six tips to deal with a dog's fear of thunder. They include: Watch your own behavior during a thunderstorm Use a Thundershirt Switch environments when it starts to thunder Increase exercise before a thunderstorm starts Use counterconditioning during a thunderstorm Try desensitization if your dog is scared of thunder Bittel … [Read more...]
Underestimated canine flu cases increase exposure risk
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...]