The dynamics in multi-dog households is different in every home, but rarely studied. Most research tests dogs in a laboratory and looks at interactions between animals that don’t know each other. This will be interesting to watch. Source: Science Daily, April 24, 2017. Canisius College professors Christy Hoffman and Malini Suchak decided to take a different approach in … [Read more...]
You’ll never bitch again about walking your dog
Payam Mohebi, the star veterinarian of Tehran, Iran, is running for city council and the election is this Friday. He may win or get 60 lashes. Mohebi is shown on campaign posters with a stray dog. Ruling Iranian clerics consider dogs impure. Taking one for a walk can get an owner arrested and the dog seized and perhaps killed. Source: New York Times, May 16, 2017 … [Read more...]
Canines offer great listening training
It is widely acknowledged that the number one cause of communication breakdown is ineffective listening skills. We talk at each other rather than with each other. However, there is hope. It comes in the form of our canine friends. Source: Vet-Advantage Magazine, April 2017. When humans communicate, we use words, our voice and our body to convey our message. Behavioral … [Read more...]
Another reason for tick control
A tick-borne disease recognized since the 1950’s may become the new threat to humans. Powassan virus, which is a far rarer and more deadly pathogen than the bacterium that produces Lyme, is also transmitted by the deer tick. A flavivirus like mosquito-borne West Nile, it is not clear if the virus is a threat to pets. Still, the principles of tick population control and One … [Read more...]
May is Lyme awareness month
Steve Dale offers information about Lyme awareness month. He exposes the role mice have in the increased risk. 2017 will likely be a record Lyme year. We can do more to protect dogs than we can ourselves More than anyone or anything - blame increased mice for increased Lyme Source: Steve Dale Pet World, May 9, 2017. … [Read more...]
Parasites likely to win again in 2017
There’s that “c-word” again – compliance. Don Jergler indicates mild weather and lackluster client compliance continue to favor parasites. He discusses fleas, ticks and heartworm, including perspectives from the Heartworm Society and major manufacturers of for pets and parasite control products. Source: Veterinary Practice News, May 2, 2017. While part of the U.S. is under … [Read more...]
Therapy certification for cats
Caroline Golon offers the basics of the therapy cat certification process. To train as an official cat therapy team, you need to meet minimum requirements, which vary by the certifying organization. Most programs also require that the cat be able to wear a leash and harness, mostly for the cat’s own safety. Source: Catster, May 4, 2017. Obviously, not all cats make good … [Read more...]
4 puppy biting survival strategies
Behavioral problems are a significant factor in pets not being retained. Biting and nipping complaints are among the more common ones. There are things you can do to manage a nippy puppy until your it outgrows this important developmental stage. Animal health pros can share these tips in blog posts, new pet kits, newsletters and social media. If you sell chew toys, consider … [Read more...]
CAPC issues first mosquito control guidelines
The first set of guidelines on mosquito control were issued in April. According to the CAPC Parasite Prevalence Maps, in 2016 more than 118,000 cases of canine heartworm were diagnosed in the United States. Heartworm infections are becoming more prevalent in areas previously considered to be at a low risk (see Heartworm disease in CAPC guidelines). In response, the … [Read more...]
Basic cardiology exam in dogs
Wendy W. Mandese, DVM, and Amara H. Estrada, DVM, share the approach to a basic cardiology exam in this brief. They remind us that a thorough physical examination is valuable for diagnosing heart disease and should include extensive examination of all body systems. It is a good review for veterinary teams and their sales reps. Source: Clinician’s Brief, May … [Read more...]
Rare red wolf pups born in North Carolina
Red wolf female #1858 gave birth to a litter of six pups April 28th. They are the first critically endangered red wolves born at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, North Carolina, since 2002. While this is great news for an endangered species, the red wolf faces an existential threat far beyond the fact that its numbers have dwindled to around 300 individuals. Source: … [Read more...]
Location, location, location and litter box placement
Never put the litter box near a cat’s food and water. This is one primary rule, according to Pam Johnson-Bennett, author of Think Like A Cat. She discusses litter box placement options in this excerpt from her book. Source: Tufts Catnip, April 24, 2017. Pick a spot in your home away from heavy traffic to provide your cat with a feeling of privacy and safety. However, don’t … [Read more...]
35th anniversary of National Pet Week®
The first week of May brings National Pet Week®. It celebrates the special bonds between pets and people, and encourages pet owners to ensure they provide all of their animal companions a complete lifetime of love. For the 35th anniversary, the AVMA spotlights seven specific needs every pet owner must consider to ensure that their pet lives the longest, healthiest life … [Read more...]
Trichobezoars debunked
Hairballs are disgusting, especially when you step on one with a bare foot. Dr. Eric Barchas discusses hairball myths and fallacies. This article would make good content for a website, newsletter, social media or blog post. Source: Catster, April 23, 2013. Swallowing hair in and of itself is not what causes hairballs. They’re occurring because the gastrointestinal tract … [Read more...]
Don’t overlook pain management for gastrointestinal conditions
Gastrointestinal conditions are common, but associated pain management in these patients is often overlooked. Refresh your memory about treatment options with this article. Consider using it as a team exercise at an upcoming staff meeting. Source: Clinician’s Brief, September 2015. The clinical manifestations of abdominal pain in dogs and cats can be subtle and easily … [Read more...]
Rabbits, ferrets, sugar-gliders, hamsters and ? – oh my!
I often wonder how veterinarians serve animals considered in exotic. The relatively few encounters has to be a limiting factor. But, my eyes were opened by this article about preparing a practice specifically for the exotic companion mammal sub-group. The numbers of alternative pet types is growing and with it a new specialty from the Association of Exotic Mammal … [Read more...]
$580 million of pet food supplements sold in 2016
Dog owners purchase the majority of pet supplements, buying three times as much as cat owners. Packaged Facts identified these five trends as factors shaping the pet supplements market beyond what we already know: Joint health, digestive health and condition-specific supplements have opportunity to compete with formulated pet foods and treats Supplement marketers … [Read more...]
Train dogs to drop it
“Drop it,” can be one of the most useful things we can teach dogs to do. It can save them from illness or injury if they grabs something harmful. At minimum, dog owners will be happy if they can reduce the sometimes endless keep-a-way games. Source: Petcha, April 18, 2017. Most dogs learn early that the best way to gain attention is to take things they shouldn’t have. It is … [Read more...]
Lilies are toxic to cats
Spring brings lily season inside and out and with it dangers for cats. Every part of the plant is toxic. A cat who walks through lily pollen and then grooms his paws is at risk. The toxin (or toxins — there may be more than one) is unknown. Share this with clients. Source: Catster, April 11, 2017. The lily’s toxin(s) appear to be rapidly absorbed, so affected cats might … [Read more...]
Dealing with canine zoomies
Did zoomies catch your eye? It did ours. The picture it paints is recognizable to most dog people. Also known as "frapping," or frenetic random activity periods, zoomies are not limited to puppy energy, nor to the most energetic dogs. Dogs need play time, and they'll get it one way or another! Source: The Bark, April 11, 2017. Canine behavior specialists and trainers have … [Read more...]
Dogs, kids and the hygiene hypothesis
A new study by Anita Kozyrskyj a pediatric epidemiologist of the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, found further evidence of the dog-human linkage and how this lessens the development of everything from asthma to obesity. Source: The Bark, April 11, 2017. What they found was that within the households with pets, the children had a higher diversity of microbes in … [Read more...]
An overview of rabbits’ teeth
This series of articles provide a good overview of rabbit teeth. Rabbits use their incisors to slice food, while the molars grind it down. Rabbits have 28 teeth. The ones we see most often are the four incisors in the front of the mouth. Behind the top incisors are two smaller incisors known as peg teeth. The 22 remaining teeth are molars and premolars and are known as cheek … [Read more...]
Here come the mosquitos! (includes video)
Veterinary parasitologist Dr. Laura Kramer discusses the increased dispersion of mosquitoes in Europe. The phenomenon is mirrored in the U.S. She sees three factors: Climate change Infected dogs moving around more than in the past New mosquito vectors that can transmit heartworm disease Source: Veterinary Medicine, April 5, 2017. Stop to consider the second point … [Read more...]
Increase feline heartworm prevention efforts
At an estimated prevalence of 0.4%, hundreds of thousands of cats in the United States are likely infected with heartworms. Given the difficulty in diagnosing infection at all clinically relevant parasite stages and lack of curative treatment options, efforts should be increased to ensure all cats receive heartworm preventive. Source: JAVMA, April 15, 2017. Results: … [Read more...]
New information about chronic pain in declawed cats
Declaw once soared in popularity in the U.S. as more cats were now being kept indoors. Declaw was then, and is still thought by many, as a way to prevent indoor-only cats from damaging the home, therefore preventing relinquishment and unnecessary euthanasias. Steve Dale, CABC, shares a history of declawing pros/cons and discusses new information related to pain and … [Read more...]
The reasons why dogs fight with cats
Not all dogs and cats have to get along with each other to live happy lives, but it is important to know which dogs can live with cats and which ones can’t. This is especially critical for shelters seeking homes for dogs, because nobody wants to adopt a dog who will terrorize their cat. Source: The Bark, April 1, 2017. A recent study has increased what we know about which … [Read more...]
Top priority, keep dogs’ nails short and sweet
It seems like nobody likes to trim dog nails. Not pet owners, not the dog, nor anyone else, including vet techs and groomers). But for the health of all dogs, it must be done frequently enough to keep dogs’ nails short. Consider this article for websites, blogs, social media posts or a spring newsletter. Source: Whole Dog Journal, April 2, 2017. When nails are so long … [Read more...]
Big news from the 2017 AAHA conference
Michael Cavanaugh, DVM, DABVP (Emeritus), AAHA chief executive officer, took the stage in Nashville loaded for change. “Our accreditation program is our foundation — the AAHA board of directors and staff are laser-focused on our strategic priorities, all of which revolve around accreditation,” said Cavanaugh. “The membership change and the change in our conference model … [Read more...]
Grain-free pet foods: fact or fiction?
Many pet owners believe grain-free diets are better for their pets because they assume they are more natural, carbohydrate-free and less likely to result in health problems. This is not the case. No credible evidence has been found showing grain-free diets are better for pets, nor do any nutritional foundations support this claim. Source: Clinician’s Brief, March 2017. Pet … [Read more...]
There are diets for pets at each life stage
Nutrient needs of dogs and cats change with age, so veterinarians should consult established guidelines and give clients clear direction to help them select the appropriate pet food at each life stage. Deborah E. Linder, DVM, DACVN, shares the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines and considerations at various ages. Source: Clinician’s Brief, … [Read more...]