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...]
Clear up misconceptions about regenerative medicine (includes video)
Regenerative medicine has become more common in the veterinary market. So has pet owners’ misunderstanding. David Dycus, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA, offers clarification and speaks to the differences of rich plasma and stem cell therapies. Probably a lot of the public's misconception is that we're simply trying to regenerate new tissues, which, while there may be some regeneration, … [Read more...]
17 tips for camping with dogs
It’s the time of year when folks head to campgrounds all over the country. Fido is often in tow, which can make for a great camping experience. Writer Jen Reeder shares basic tips to help ensure fun camping trips that include dogs. Source: AAHA. Link. Here are some suggestions to help create an outstanding experience: Let your dog check out the gear. Visit the … [Read more...]
What I wish groomers looked for
Part of what keeps me grounded in the veterinary profession is realizing that many pet care service providers—including dog groomers, and owners and employees of pet stores, kennels and boarding facilities—are in higher demand than veterinarians, writes Courtney Campbell, DVM. She acknowledges that pet owners frequently visit some of these service providers and wishes teams … [Read more...]
29 dogs sleeping in hilarious positions (includes slideshow)
Animal health pros and their customers love their dogs. Dog owners are often seen showing pictures of their dogs to friends and family sometimes before they show photos of their children. Pawsome compiled some photos of canines whose need for sleep has them in funky positions. Source: Pawsome, May 2018. Link. Dogs will nap literally anywhere they want as long as they are … [Read more...]
Regional guide to fleas and ticks on cats
Fleas and ticks on cats aren’t a one-size fits-all problem. Catster’s team surveyed pros across the U.S. to get information on regional pests and specific cat flea and tick treatments for by area. “It is a common misconception that fleas and ticks have a season,” Dr. Michelle Matusicky, DVM, says. “They have a life cycle that is constantly replicating.” Source: Catster, May … [Read more...]
Get to know ticks
Heidi Goethert, ScD, presents an image gallery showing the ticks of the northeast United States, though their range may extend throughout much of North America. The ticks were photographed on the author's hand to show scale. A close-up view is included to show details useful for identification. Source: Clinician’s Brief, April 2008. Link. A clinician's ability to make an … [Read more...]
A pictorial journey of the effects of heartworm infection
It just takes one bite. Still clients and veterinary teams struggle with year-round heartworm prevention. Stephen Jones, DVM, challenges animal health pros to understand how heartworm disease begins long before clinical signs develop and progresses as long as heartworms are present. Source: Veterinary Medicine, April 19, 2018. Link. Remember: by the time a dog is diagnosed … [Read more...]
Separation anxiety: The worry over worry
The market reentry of Reconcile® (fluoxetine hydrochloride) from PRN Pharmacal™ prompted research by AHD staff about separation anxiety. Most recently, Fear Free Happy Homes offered context in the article, “Shadow effect: is it closeness or anxiety?” Link. The writer states, “Separation anxiety rarely gets better on its own and, in fact, often escalates.” John Ciribassi, … [Read more...]
Keep vaccinating. Dogs can’t get autism.
The anti-vaxxers simply won’t let science get in the way of senseless fearmongering. In fact, the fear they spread prompted the British Veterinary Association to issue a statement last week: Dogs cannot develop autism. Their message is that dog owners should keep vaccinating their pets against diseases because fear that animal would develop autism is unfounded. The theory … [Read more...]
Bad dog breath; Szabo’s home remedies
Julia Szabo is a frequent contributor of content to Dogster. Bad dog breath is a sign of an unhealthy mouth, she states and offers eight home remedies for it. We’re sharing her list and explanations for consideration by animal health pros when discussing dog halitosis with pet owners. Because this list includes some spices, we added spices and neem oil references. Source: … [Read more...]
Make routine dentals digestible
Making dental care easier to swallow for pet owners requires some modeling choices. Karen Felstad, DVM360 conference educator, speaks to bundling, economical basic pricing and more. For practice managers and clinic owners, his information presented is a worthwhile topic for discussion at a management meeting. Source: Veterinary Economics, April 18, 2018. Link. “A lot of … [Read more...]
Help pets stay calm during storms
Spring thunderstorms are daily reality right now and they strike fear in some pets. This fear can manifest as hiding, whining, scratching, slobbering or tearing down door frames in a state of panic, according to animal behaviorist Patricia McConnell. It can worsen with age. This brief item article offers some useful tips to help keep pets calm and understand their … [Read more...]