Includes Commercial Content Barri J. Morrison, DVM, shares 10 common illnesses in cats which reinforces the need for routine veterinary visits as often as every six months for senior cats. Among the illnesses are dental disease, diabetes, arthritis and chronic kidney disease. Source: petMD, September 27, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: The mention of specific products, including … [Read more...]
Tap water. Safe or not for pets?
Water quality and safety is a growing concern for people and their pets. In areas where flooding and storms breach water processing plants and manure containment systems concerns are amplified. Angela Beal, DVM, FFCP, discusses the potential risks and benefits of tap water and other sources. Consider the article for social media and newsletters and include the importance of … [Read more...]
Whisker fatigue in cats: what it is and how to help (video)
Because a cat’s whiskers are constantly transmitting information, there’s a theory that this can lead to whisker fatigue, writes Sarah Wooten, DVM. She explains the situations that lead to whisker fatigue and behaviors that can indicate a cat is getting sensory overload. It is thought that contact with everyday items can lead to whisker fatigue, particularly food and water … [Read more...]
How cats see the world. Let’s review.
Paul Miller, DVM, DACVO, explains how cat vision works, from the way they see the world to how it shapes their behavior. Like dogs, cats are red-green color blind. Their night vision is about 5.5 to 7 times better than humans in dim light but humans are more than 10 times better at detecting motion in daylight. Miller shares some signs of eye problems in cats owners may notice … [Read more...]
How cold is too cold?
Depending on a dog's breed, body condition, size, hair coat and whether they have pre-existing conditions, 20°F is when dog owners and caretakers need to provide protection and limit outdoor sessions to under 15 minutes, shares Christopher Brito. Source: CBS News, January 19, 2024. Link. Also see: How cold is too cold for your dog?, PetMD, January 2, 2024. Link. Jennifer … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 12, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 5, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from the October 5th AHD Bulletin – Could one Walmart store change the entire pet industry? Link. Self-evaluation. Link. These habits can cut the risk of depression in half; study/recording. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy … [Read more...]
Essential oils generally not safe for cats
There is a common misconception essential oils must be safe because they come from plants. Rather, many of them are toxic, writes Barri J. Morrison, DVM. For cats, essential oils are not safe and can quickly cause toxicity. They are rapidly absorbed by mouth and through the skin, where they accumulate in the liver. Cats do not have the liver enzymes needed to break down the … [Read more...]
10 pet safety tips for July 4th activities
July 4th celebrations may be fun for us, but they can be stressful for pets. Here are 10 common-sense tips to keep in mind for the holiday. Source: PetMD, June 24, 2023. Link. Here’s how to keep your pets safe this Fourth of July. Keep your pet indoors. Create a safe space for your pet. Prepare for noise phobias. Make sure your pet has an up-to-date ID. … [Read more...]
Top 6 conditions found during canine rectal exams
Christopher Lea, DVM, DABVP, shares the importance of rectal exams to detect possible clinical diseases and subclinical disorders. He says this is increasingly important as dogs age. In a related video, Dr. Justine Lee, DACVECC, DABT, demonstrates how to perform a rectal examination in a dog. Sources: Clinician’s Brief, January 2023. Link. VETgirl Veterinary … [Read more...]
Rabbit body language and behavior
Melissa Witherell, DVM, shares a glossary of terms for rabbit behavior and body language. We wondered if we could construct a short story to share how a rabbit owner might explain their bunny’s behaviors. We’ll use Rosey as the bunny’s name. Rosey had been in her rabbit hutch for several days with only feed and water interactions from the neighbor who cared for her while we … [Read more...]
What hamsters can eat
Melissa Witherell, DVM, says a hamster’s diet should consist mainly of the same commercially produced pelleted rodent diet that mice and rats eat. Hamster seed diets are commercially available but should not be a hamster’s primary source of food, as it may cause nutritional deficiencies in vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Source: PetMD, February 16, 2022. Link. A healthy … [Read more...]
Reminder: Protect pets from toxic blue-green algae
Toxic blue green algae risks to pets hit the news in 2019. The EPA indicates it is a risk in all 50 states. A recent story from St. Louis NPR exposes the challenges of testing bodies of water to keep the public and pets safe <Link>. Jennifer Coates, DVM, shares what we need to know about harmful algal blooms and how to keep pets safe in this … [Read more...]
Teaching the Velcro dog independence
If a dog is underfoot at every turn or is the owner’s shadow its likely it could be a Velcro dog. Various resources suggest dogs learn this behavior through inadvertent training and reinforcement of clingy behavior. Also, certain breeds that are more prone to clinginess than others. We’re sharing articles about dealing with the Velcro behaviors and teaching the dog to be … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 4, 2021
Why does my dog stare at me? Source: PetMD, July 6, 2020. Link. A stare is normal dog behavior that is used to communicate some type of emotion, want or need. Why do cats knead? Source: PetMD, January 21, 2021. Link. Whether a cat is making biscuits to show affection or to claim a person as their own, kneading is a natural, instinctual and common … [Read more...]
5 tips for helping pets deal with their grief
Rescue. . .Rehome. . .Adopt. . . Foster. . .Relinquish These verbs are all part of the animal health narrative in 2021. Most are associated with people improving the potential for life quality for pets. And, pets grieve. From the pets’ perspective, Jennifer Coates, DVM, reminds us that grief and loss are often associated with these words and we can help if we recognize the … [Read more...]
Nail trimming 101 (includes video)
An industry colleague recently said, “. . . the ability to trim a dog’s nails should be a prerequisite to being allowed to own a dog!” While his point was extreme, basic nail care can be easily managed at home with proper education and training. Teresa Manucy, DVM, shares information about how to trim, equipment and the process. A demonstration video from Katy Nelson, DVM, … [Read more...]
Suckling behavior in adult cats
Ken Lambrecht, DVM, discusses suckling behaviors in adult cats. There is no known organ-specific disease that cat suckling is related to, he says. However, if it begins fairly spontaneously, it could be a sign of pain or other stress, and the cat could be suckling as a coping strategy. Source: PetMD, August 02, 2018. Link. Cats target anything that resembles mother cat’s … [Read more...]
Content for dog owners
Animal owners are full of questions. If you don’t believe it, monitor one of The Bridge Club Pets sessions or videos < link >. Our industry supports more than 150 publications targeting animal owners, all of which compete for their eyes and their dollars. The scope of social media has progressed considerably beyond Dr. Google. We share the following information for dog … [Read more...]
Pet safety hurricane kit checklist available (infographic)
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 and includes the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Hurricane Sally reached the Gulf Coast early yesterday morning. With it come risks to not only humans, but equally to pets. PetMD has provided an infographic and a helpful pet safety hurricane checklist for what to do before the storm and … [Read more...]
Cats get separation anxiety, too
It’s hard to picture a cat tearing up a pillow because its owner left the house. A recent study showed that cats living with humans have similar attachment styles to pet parents as dogs and children do. 64 percent of the cats evaluated were described as securely attached to their humans. These cats showed less stress when near their caregivers.” Source: PetMD, June 8, 2020. … [Read more...]
For dog owners
As much as animal health pros prefer to share knowledge and education from their own perspective, time limits the ability to create new content to share. To help keep communication going, we assembled articles for dog owners worthy of sharing. Source: Steve Dale; Ban retractable leashes, PetVet Magazine, April/May 2020. Link. Source: Chiggers on dogs: What you need to … [Read more...]
Articles to help cat owners
Cat owners can be as curious as their cats. Many religiously participate in feline social media groups and share their experiences peer to peer. B-to-C publications also provide perspective on feline health, owner issues and wellness solutions, although the cover-to-cover reading habits for which cat owners are known has not drastically changed their habits with wellness … [Read more...]
Articles to help dog owners
Meeting the needs and curiosities of dog owners is part of what B-to-C publications seek to provide. Not all the material gets read thoroughly, so we assembled recent articles that can help dog owners better understand their canine pals. Source: How to satisfy your working dog’s instincts, Animal Wellness, July 6, 2020. Link. Satisfying a working dog’s instincts begins with … [Read more...]
Feeding pets: dos, don’ts and dealing with poo
Dogs especially want to share what we’re eating. Not all human food is safe. But all food travels through at some level. Several resources what’s okay to share, what’s not and then what to do with the poo. This information may help first time pet owners make better decisions and avoid issues from deposits left unattended in the grass. The Environmental Protection Agency … [Read more...]
Dog personality strongly linked to human personality
The human-animal bond works both ways. People and dogs have shared a relationship for at least 15,000 years, so it is no surprise that dog personality has been affected, say researchers. Conversely, the benefits of the human-animal bond are frequently expressed as dogs helping people. Paula Fitzsimmons shares how dogs and humans benefit. Source: PetMD, Link. Dogs and people … [Read more...]
Addressing coprophagia
Dogs eat poop for a variety of reasons, most of which signal an underlying issue. Dog owners with poop eaters devour information and tips to stop this disgusting behavior. Wailani Sung, MS, PhD, DVM, DACVB, discusses the whys of coprophagia and ways to stop the behavior. Source: PetMD. Link. Also see: Why do dogs eat poop? Animal Health Digest, August 31, 2016. … [Read more...]
Pet care tasks often overlooked
In the midst of the COVID-19 disruption lies opportunity. With door traffic slow, staff can be redirected to conduct outreach. With more pet owners homebound and accessible by phone, addressing overlooked pet care tasks could produce great results. Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell shares tips from veterinarians about often overlooked pet care tasks. From flea, tick and heartworm … [Read more...]
Why dogs run away when they are called
Whether bullheaded or poorly trained, some dogs go the opposite direction when called to come. Victoria Schade shares common errors dog owners make when dealing with dogs that won’t return to hand. Source: PetMD. Link. Instead of having a conversation with your dog when you want him to come running, it’s better to use a single-word cue, like “come” or “here,” and then follow … [Read more...]
Opinion – Managing obesity? You have to count the treats.
In a recent post referencing the 2020 Banfield report <link>, I shared the experience of adjusting the diet for our Morkie. The discovery of the number of Kcals in his treats led me to seek resources that help animal health pros counsel pet owners on the impact of calories from treats. Treats are frequently mentioned in articles that give nutritional guidance, but limited … [Read more...]
Pet-friendly houseplants can purify air
“These days, many houses are built for energy efficiency. This can mean fewer fresh air opportunities for people or their pets,” says Dr. Cathy Alinovi, DVM. “Stale air can adversely affect health. Stale air has higher levels of carbon dioxide, possibly carbon monoxide and other waste gases. Higher wastes mean less oxygen availability.” The article includes information about … [Read more...]