Learn what owners and team members can do to save dogs suffering from heatstroke. Studies show that dogs cooled by their owners before arriving at the hospital have a lower mortality rate than those whose owners do not attempt to cool them. Source: Clinician’s Brief, June 2016. The key take-home points: The mainstays of therapy for heatstroke patients include rapid … [Read more...]
It’s hot. Pets and hot cars don’t mix.
It’s hot out and summer hasn’t hit yet. Leaving pets in hot cars is a disaster waiting to happen. The AVMA reports that temperatures inside a parked car can rise 20 degrees in only 10 minutes. Not rescuing a dog experiencing discomfort inside a parked car prompted KUSA anchor Kyle Clark to issue an apology – to the dog. Source: Huffington Post, June 11, 2016, KUSA, June 10, … [Read more...]
Read a dog a story
Getting dogs adopted is the goal of the ASPCA on the Upper East Side in New York City. Some dogs are too traumatized to handle human contact. Volunteers reading to them for 20 minutes at a time helps create a connection. Source: New York Times, June 9, 2016. We need to get the dogs comfortable with what they’ll be seeing when they’re put up for adoption,” said Victoria … [Read more...]
The secret life of pets campaign
PetSmart will soon air two 30-second animated TV spots to promote the upcoming film "The Secret Life of Pets," which hit theatres July 8. Animal characters from the movie will tell stories of what happens when pets are left on their own devices and without human interaction, visit to a PetSmart store. Source: Ad Age, June 9, 2016. The humanization of pets is a tremendous … [Read more...]
Millennials to become primary demographic of pet owners
Ethnically diverse, tech savvy and splurge spenders, millennials have become a powerful force in the pet markets. All animal health pros will find value in this article. Source: Pet Product News, June 2016. About 74 percent of millennial pet owners own a dog, nearly half own a cat, and across all species of pets, owners of small animals, reptiles and fish are more often … [Read more...]
Do I really need to brush?
Nancy Kerns provides good information about the challenge of dental care in dogs. Veterinary teams and retail associates can use it in their discussions with dog owners or on blogs, websites or in newsletters. Source: Whole Dog Journal, April 2012, updated February 2016. It can be painfully expensive, but the value of having your dog’s calculus-encrusted teeth cleaned at … [Read more...]
Bowser beer, just for dogs
A subscriber shared this website. You’ll likely enjoy learning about custom beer for dogs. Just when you think you have seen it all . . . Source: Bowser Beer. Busy Dogs™ was started by Jenny Brown, creating Bowser Beer™ and Bowser Bits™ in late 2007. From the beginning she was committed to using 100% US made, all natural ingredients. Her idea was called crazy and bizarre, … [Read more...]
Relieving canine separation anxiety
Fixing separation anxiety is hard. Pet owners seek help from many sources. This article provides good information about separation behaviors and some methods to diminish the effects on animals. Pat Miller, CPDT, is a published author and the training editor at Whole Dog Journal. Source: Whole Dog Journal, February 19, 2016. 'Distress' indicates a lower intensity of stress … [Read more...]
Pet-friendly vacation guide
Pets don’t always have to stay behind when owners go on vacation. Folks at Purina have pet traveling tips for those on tight budgets and those who are well-heeled. There are some great ideas for pet owners here. Source: Petcentric Monthly Newsletter, June 2016. To help you get stated planning a great vacation with your pet, we’ve assembled all our best tips and tricks in … [Read more...]
Study suggests dogs were domesticated twice
Science long ago confirmed that humans originated on the African continent. It hasn’t been so kind to dogs. A group of scientists from the University of Oxford are saying evidence now shows that dogs were domesticated in Asia and Europe at different times. Nothing’s confirmed yet, but the study makes for fun discussion with dog owners. Source: New York Times, June 2, … [Read more...]
It’s Adopt-a-Cat Month
Local animal shelters are full of cute, cuddly kittens and mellow older cats ready for new homes. June is Adopt-a-Cat Month. The folks at American Humane Association offer tips for bringing new cats home, posters that can be used in clinics and even computer wallpaper that’s free and ready to use. Source: American Humane Association. Shelter staff are ready to help you … [Read more...]
Marijuana risky for pets
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, veterinarian Dayton Williams shares experiences with pets and marijuana. This report references Bubba, a dog from California that has been a recent news items. Source: KDLT, May 25, 2016. (includes video) Since marijuana was legalized in Colorado, Williams says veterinarians there have seen a huge increase in animals eating the drug. He says vets … [Read more...]
World’s most dog-friendly office
A subscriber shared this post. It is fun to see how dogs are included in the office culture and design of this pet toy company. It does beg a question about the company policy for preventative vaccines and products. So, does human resources have separate doggy resources policies? Source: Inc. Humans weren't the only considerations in building out Kurgo's offices. The ample … [Read more...]
Ease cat stress during moves
Marilyn Krieger, a certified cat behavior consultant, offers her perspective for dealing with felines during moves. Her proactive steps make good content for veterinary websites, blogs and newsletters. Source: Catster, May 13, 2016. Although moving is stressful for all of the members of the household, cats are especially sensitive and can be easily traumatized by the … [Read more...]
Feed dogs like wolves
Julia Henriques, managing editor, compares dog and wolf dietary needs. Her perspective includes the scavenger behaviors we often see in dogs. Much of the information comes from Dr. Isla Fishburn (BSc Zoology and MBiolSci and PhD in Conservation Biology). Feeding fruits and vegetables has some merit, according to the article. But, we believe a warning on which fruits and … [Read more...]
Beware of over-vaccinating your dog
Articles like this create a need to help veterinary teams engage with clients about vaccination. While recent information shows an increase in rabies in North America, questions about vaccination need and frequency continue. Our team at Animal Health Digest believes it is important to show professionals the information being sent to consumers, as well as channel-based or … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content: The latest on the feline sarcoma controversy
A roundtable of experts discusses injection site sarcomas in Part 1 of this Clinician’s Forum overview. The experts include Sarah Boston, DVM, DVSc, DADVS; Audra Fenimore, DVM,DACVM; Shannon Vawter, DVM, MS and Nancy Welborn, DVM. Source: Clinician’s Brief, May 2016. KEY POINTS The most recent studies suggest that in the genetically predisposed cat the injection of … [Read more...]
“Everything travels down that leash.”
Bruno, an Anaheim, California, K-9 officer shot in the line of duty two years ago, died last week from wounds he suffered during that shooting. He’d been a babysitter to his officer partner’s kids since being retired from the force in 2014. Source: NBC4, May 18, 2016, Los Angeles Times, May 19, 2016. He died in the line of duty. He protected us and the department and my … [Read more...]
10 ways to keep pets safe on Memorial Day
The kickoff to summer is almost here. Memorial Day weekend starts the season of picnics and all sorts of great outdoor activities. Here are 10 common-sense tips to help keep pets safe during the festive times. Source: Pet Health Network Our pets love summer just as much as we do! It’s the best time of year to be out and about, enjoying all that the season has to offer, … [Read more...]
Dogs bite year-round
This week is National Dog Bite Prevention Week® which focuses on educating people about preventing dog bites. Dog bites happen year-round. The resources at this site can be used all year long, too. They include photos and social media support. Source: American Veterinary Medical Association With an estimated population of 70 million dogs living in U.S. households, millions … [Read more...]
Flea control toolkit available
Death to the devil’s jumping beans! sets the tone of the flea control toolkit featured in this issue. A series of articles covers client issues, selling products, handling client objections, how fleas got here, infestations and script examples. Source: DVM360, May 2016. What do you tell the client who, three weeks ago, started the flea control you recommended and now sees … [Read more...]
Jerky treats sicken, kill dogs
More than 1,140 dogs have died after eating jerky pet treats, out of 6,200 cases of jerky related canine illness reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from 2007 to December 31, 2015. The agency released these numbers this week in an update on in its ongoing investigation into animal illnesses and death related to jerky treats. Source: Petfood Industry, May 17, … [Read more...]
Xylitol can kill or poison dogs
Xylitol, a common sweetener in chewing gum, mints and other products can kill or severely poison dogs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued, ‘Xylitol and Your Dog: Danger, Paws Off,’ May 12 after a surge in death and several illnesses from dogs that had accidentally ingest Xylitol, according to pet poison-control centers. Source: The Wall Street Journal, May 12, … [Read more...]
Canine and feline preventive healthcare guidelines now available
Partners for Healthy Pets, an alliance of more than 100 veterinary associations, veterinary colleges and animal health companies focused on preventive care led by AAHA and the American Veterinary Medical Association, is offering complimentary canine and feline preventive healthcare guidelines. Source: AAHA NewStat, May 11, 2016. A one-page, double-sided, easy to use set of … [Read more...]
Free hot dog lesson plan available
Kids are often responsible for pet care year-round. A free lesson plan to help them learn how to deal with the problem of dogs left in cars in hot weather is available from Red Rover. It works to strengthen the bond between people and animals. Simply request the plan via email. Source: Red Rover. Students will enjoy applying concepts in physics, biology and mathematics to a … [Read more...]
Keep your dog cool
Temperatures in the Southwest are already hitting 100º and up. The rest of the country will soon follow. All too often, we read and hear about dogs dying from being left too long in cars in the sun. Fortunately, there are tips galore, posters, signs and even a Cool Dog Pledge at My Dog Is Cool. Source: My Dog is Cool. Leaving your dog in a car for “just a minute” may be too … [Read more...]
Keep the weed from Fido
A Denver-area emergency animal hospital is treating at least five dogs a day for marijuana ingestion. Clinics are seeing increases, too. Fox Hollow Animal Hospital used to see it once or twice a year, but now see it once or twice a month since pot became legal in Colorado in 2014. Source: KDVR, May 9, 2016. It was just so terrifying, infuriating and sad. I felt so helpless … [Read more...]
Home exercises for dogs takes commitment, patience
Home exercises can help manage pain for some dogs. Micheal Petty, DVM, reminds pet owners be sure their dogs get accurate diagnoses and to discuss home exercises for dogs with their veterinarian before beginning an exercise regimen. Veterinary teams will find this information good for a team discussion. Also consider using article reprints as handouts or as a link on … [Read more...]
Petcube is Skype for Fido and Fluff
The stress of being stuck in traffic or working late while one’s dog or cat waits at home may be eased with Petcube, a new smart camera. Paired with a smartphone app, it lets users watch, talk and play with pets in real time time using a laser pointer. Source: Sacramento Bee, May 4, 2016. It’s basically like Skype for you and your pet, but your pet doesn’t have to pick up … [Read more...]
Traditional vet practice models must change
The Changing Pet Ownership study offers insight into three generations of pet owners of multiple ethnicities. It also describe implications of market changes to veterinarians and the pet industry as a whole. Brakke Consulting and Trone Brand Energy joined forces to complete the study. Source: Brakke Consulting, May 6, 2016. Press release. This study points to a number of … [Read more...]