More than 1 in 4 American adults are overweight and obese. And alongside of us are legions of chubby canines and flabby tabbies! A recent study has shown that half of our dogs and cats are overweight - and that is seriously affecting their health. Heart disease, cancer and diabetes are only a few of the medical concerns. What can be done? Watch this video to learn more about our pudgy pets!
Pets as Christmas gifts may be barking up the wrong tree!
It may be an honored and even adorable holiday tradition, but animal experts and animal lovers alike all agree that puppies and kittens should not make an ideal gift for the season.
Although giving a pet as a present is often portrayed in movies, art, and literature as a thoughtful, even romantic gesture, groups such as the Humane Society of the United States and even many veterinarians point out a variety of reasons why animals do not make good gifts.
It probably seems inconceivable to most North Americans, but more than 55,000 people across the world die every year from rabies. This dreaded killer disease still ravages large areas of Asia and Africa and children are often the unfortunate victims. Overall, someone in the world dies from rabies every 10 minutes! Fortunately, global awareness is increasing due to World Rabies Day. Watch this video to learn about how you can keep your pets safe and help eradicate terrestrial rabies.
Rising gas prices and climate changes have many people worried about the future of our planet and pet owners are no exception. Luckily, help appears to be on the way. From organic pet toys to bio-degradable cat litter, many companies are finding new ways to help pets and their owners lessen their carbon footprint. Watch this video to see ways that you can help your pet “go green”!
Dog owners are well aware of the threat of heartworm disease, but many pet owners would be shocked to know that their cats are in danger as well. Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes and are capable of infecting cats in addition to dogs. Unfortunately, our cats rarely show physical signs of this infection and are more likely to die due to their body’s reaction to the parasite. The good news is that your veterinarian can help you prevent this deadly feline disease. Watch this video to learn more!
We all know that our pets need good dental care. But did you know that even if your dog's mouth looks perfectly normal, there is a 28% chance that he has some dental issues? Crooked teeth and broken teeth are extremely common, not to mention painful and can make chewing difficult to impossible. Luckily, the Veterinary Dentist has an arsenal of tools to help fix your pet. Watch This Video!
The constant chewing and licking is enough to drive someone crazy! From spring until fall, pets, just like their owners, can suffer from the ravages of allergies. But, pet allergies are not limited to just this time of year. Food allergies can happen at any time and even those pesky parasites, fleas, can show up year round. Allergies can be frustrating for owners and are a chief cause of veterinary visits across the nation. Watch this video to learn more.
For more than 15 years, pet owners have heard about the security and peace of mind that microchip identification can bring. But with new and confusing additions to the market, plus several competing database sites, just how safe is your pet? Is it possible that your microchipped pet might not make it home? This high tech identification for pets is a great idea, but may not be ready for prime time. Watch this video to learn more.
Can fleas survive a typical Midwestern winter? How do you know the flea products your veterinarian sells are better than the ones in the pet store or grocery store? Have “super fleas” emerged that are resistant to these drugs? Conflicting and even confusing information seems to abound when people talk about these nasty parasites. Watch this video to get the straight scoop on flea myths!
Traveling with Pets Doesn't Have to Drive You Crazy
By plane or car, more pet owners than ever are taking their dogs and cats on vacation with them. A few minutes of preparation and homework can help you to avoid common pitfalls and even serious accidents and injury to your pet. Whether it's picking up vaccine records from your family veterinarian or calling ahead to find pet friendly hotels, your "vacation homework" could just be a lifesaver. Watch this video to learn more.
Most pet owners know that the return of springtime temperatures will also hasten the return of itching and scratching due to fleas. What many owners don't know is that besides the irritation, fleas can also spread numerous serious diseases and parasites such as tapeworms. Although fleas seem to hold an upper hand, your veterinarian can help you win the battle against these pests. Watch this video to learn more.
Before you share that sugar free dessert treat with your dog, pay attention! A recent clinical report from the ASPCA Poison Control Center has shown that dogs appear to develop severe liver failure and sudden decreases in blood sugar levels after ingesting foods containing the sweetener, Xylitol. Since Xylitol can be found in many sugar free foods, pet owners are urged to monitor the "people food" that might be given to their dog. Watch this video to learn more.
You might enjoy a night out listening to the latest in “retro” music, but your cats should avoid “going retro” at all costs! Retroviral diseases, such as Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, are more common than most pet owners realize and are truly threats to your cat’s well-being. Fortunately, through testing protocols and lifestyle choices, owners can help keep their feline friends safe from these deadly diseases. Watch this video to learn more!
Every pet owner has been shocked to come home and see the damage their pet has done to the house. But our pets can be in greater danger from our medications, other chemicals, and even holiday decorations. Are there ways to help keep your pet safe inside the home? Watch this video to learn more.
Most people would be happy to live out their lives never having to see a tick. These eight legged parasites invoke almost as strong of a negative reaction as spiders do. However, dog owners especially need to be aware of the potential for their pet to acquire ticks and the possibility of their dog contracting a serious tick-borne disease. As vectors of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, tularemia, and Lyme Disease, ticks can be found in every state and have even been known to survive longer than a year. Due to the small size, many ticks will go unnoticed by pet owners. Fortunately, veterinary science has several options available to protect our pets. Watch this video to learn more.
In 2004, more than a quarter of a million pets were affected by a disease that is completely preventable. Heartworm disease, spread by mosquitoes, is often un-noticed by the pet owner because of the lack of apparent symptoms. Untreated, this parasite can cause exercise intolerance, coughing, damage to the main blood vessels of the heart, liver failure and even death. Pet owners can prevent this potentially fatal disease by the use of economical monthly medications. The continued high incidence of this problem has experts looking at many biological factors and even at the shift of our population to different areas of the country. Watch this video to learn more.
