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February 3 2016

All Things Dog and Cat

melissa Pets, Products, Resources cat food, cat toys, dog toys, dog treats, pet products

FetchFuel™ liquid supplement is formulated to provide a simple way to deliver tasty nutrition for your dog. One squeeze on top of a dog’s food gives a delicious, daily dose of important nutrients that provide additional support for dogs’ joints, coats and overall health. Produced in the USA, the supplemental sauce contains glucosamine, omegas 3, 6 and 9, vitamins A, B, C, D and E, zinc, calcium, biotin and more. It is available in an 18-oz. squeezable bottle as well as single-serve packets in five- or 10-packs. www.fetchfuel.com

Pioneer Pet’s Bootsies Bunk Bed and Playroom is an all-inclusive cat activity center for playing, hiding and sleeping. The attractive unit combines cats’ two favorite pastimes: playing and sleeping. After a vigorous workout batting two spring action toys, your cat can sack out on the top bunk for a nap on a durable, quilted pad or escape into a secluded, dual-entry hideaway. A handy roof accessory (not shown) provides yet another healthy and popular feline activity: scratching. (The activity center is not recommended for kittens.) www.pioneerpet.com

goDogDragons

Here there be dragons! Worldwise has added three new designs to its goDog dragon line of dog toys. Skinny Dragons feature a long tube shape that dogs love to carry; Grunter Dragons have a round shape that is great for playing fetch; and Flat Dragons are stuffing-free. Every unabashedly adorable dragon is durably designed with Chew Guard Technology™ and comes in three colors and two sizes. The small dragons have squeakers inside, while the large have grunters (a “squeaker” that makes a grunting sound). www.godogfun.com www.worldwise.com

Solid Gold Grain and Gluten-Free Cat Foods are formulated to provide optimum nutrition for your discerning felines. From low-fat, low-calorie Fit as a Fiddle: Fresh Caught Alaskan Pollock & Vegetable Recipe to high-density protein Moon Shadow: Rabbit, Potato & Chickpea Recipe, these all-natural dry cat foods are made with wholesome ingredients, such as peas and cranberries, to support overall health. No meat by-product meal, sugar, artificial preservatives or flavors are added. Available in five varieties—including Nature’s Harmony: Chicken, Peas & Potato Recipe; Indigo Moon:Peas, Chicken & Egg; and Winged Tiger: Quail & Pumpkin—they come in 4- and 11- or 12-lb bags. www.solidgoldpet.com

Moroccan-Lounge-Bed Let your dog go thoroughly modern with P.L.A.Y.’s Moroccan Lounge Bed. Made with 100 percent natural cotton canvas, the dog bed features a leather logo and lead-free zipper to keep avid chewers safe from toxins and is filled with just the right amount of high-loft, eco-friendly PlanetFill, creating the perfect sanctuary for tranquil naptimes. Its furniture-grade craftsmanship and even-basting stitching ensures dog-years of use, it’s also machine washable and dryer friendly. The Moroccan Lounge Bed comes in four sizes (small, medium, large and extra-large) and four colors: teal, ash gray, marsala and navy blue. In addition, through P.L.A.Y.’s Warm Bellies’ Initiative, every dog bed purchase helps provide a bed to shelter dogs. www.petplay.com

Twinkle-Tipper-Cat-Toys Light up your cat’s world with SmartyKat Twinkle Tippers. The fun-inducing, light-up balance cat toys twinkle and blink with every touch. The toys’ self-righting balls wobble and roll with the flick of a paw, causing the dangling teasers to enticingly dance and sway. The new cat toys come in two designs: pink with an adorable owl design and dangling feathers and in blue with a cute moon motif with dangling stars and ribbons. www.smartykat.com www.worldwise.com

Stewart’s® Fresh to Home™ Freeze Dried Patties provide a new simply way to feed your dog a raw diet. The nutrition-packed, easy-to-feed, pre-measured meals are made with single-source proteins, fruits, vegetables and other natural ingredients, which are then freeze-dried to retain natural vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Cold-process pasteurization is used to destroy harmful bacterial and pathogens for added safety. The grain-free patties are made in the USA and are available in Chicken and Beef recipes for small, medium and large dogs. stewartpet.com

The V-Base—part of Hagen’s Vesper V-Line cat furniture line—is an eye-catching, modern take on the traditional cat tree. Featuring natural scratching surfaces made with durable woven seaweed and plush, memory-foam cushions, it provides an ideal place for your cat(s) to play and rest. Other materials include MDF high-quality from New Zealand pine, wood-finished laminate with scratch-resistant surface and a water-based lacquer. Just over 32-inches in height, the V-Base is available in walnut or black. usa.hagen.com

January 28 2016

Selecting and Caring for Grooming Shears

melissa Grooming best dog grooming shears, dog grooming shears, dog grooming supplies, grooming shears, professional dog grooming shears

How to Select the Best Grooming Shears

There are many different types of dog grooming shears. When grooming both large and small dogs, you’ll realize you prefer long shears. Longer shears give you more coverage, making it easier for you to groom dogs.

Grooming shears should fit nicely in your hand and have some weight to them. They should open and close easily, but at the same time not be so loose that they wobble. They shouldn’t be too tight where the blades scrape together or stick.

Types of Finishing Shears

Your set of finishing shears should include Long Straight, Long Curved, Blending, Small shears, Ball Point shears and Thinning shears. Many professional dog groomers have several of each type. This way, when one set is becoming dull or being sharpened, they can still work.

Long Straight shears: These are useful for scissoring cylindrical legs on curly coated dog breeds as well as the skirts on breeds like the Cocker Spaniel, West Highland and Maltese.
Long Curved shears: These cover most all-over body work.
Blending shears: These help conceal mistakes made by the clipper or scissoring.
Long Thinning shears: These shears with slightly larger teeth will help remove bulk on Newfoundlands and other large breeds.

You should have at least one set of shears for precuts on unwashed dogs. Precut shears are the pairs you’ve dropped or no longer cut well even after sharpening the blades.

To maintain the life of your finishing shears, avoid cutting wet or dirty hair. That would be like cutting sandpaper. Also, you should never use your grooming shears to cut other types of materials other than dog hair. Make sure to clean your shears after each dog and keep them in their individual cases to prevent them from scraping each other.

January 21 2016

Pet Safety: Lost Pet Prevention Tips

melissa Safety how to prevent pet from getting lost, lost pet, lost pet prevention, lost pet tips, pet safety, pet safety tips

Lost Pet Prevention & Recovery Tips

An Ounce of Prevention

By Karen Doane, RVT, Veterinary Assistant Program Manager

We all know the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When it comes to your dog’s or cat’s identification, the old saying rings true. Pet identification is typically very small, but is of enormous importance. Roughly 15 percent of lost dogs and a mere 2 percent of lost cats ever make it back home.¹ Fortunately, the majority of private shelters are no kill animal shelters, but if a lost pet is taken to a city or county shelter, that might not be the case. Most city or county shelters in highly populated areas are heavily overcrowded. Unfortunately, in such facilities, unclaimed animals are typically euthanized within a week or two of arriving.

How to Keep Your Pet From Getting Lost

There are ways to help reduce the possibility of your pet getting lost. Spaying or neutering your pet is a good start. This will eliminate the urge to wander in search of a mate. Make sure your yard is secure. Some dogs are skilled at jumping or climbing fences, or digging under fences or walls. Cats are expert jumpers and climbers too, which is why it’s recommended you keep them indoors. However, even indoor-only pets need identification on the off chance they escape or an emergency forces you out of your home.

So Many ID Choices

There are several inexpensive ways your dog or cat can carry identification at all times. Use as many forms as possible to give your pet the best possible chance of returning home when lost.

The classic dog tag can be purchased from pet stores, online and through mail-order vendors and special offers from pet product companies. Tags come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and materials. There are even vending machines in some discount variety stores as well as pet supply stores where you can make your own custom ID tags.

A pet’s collar itself can be used as identification. They can be embroidered with your pet’s name and your phone number, or a small metal tag can be engraved with this information and riveted to the collar.

There are also collars available with GPS units. With this technology, you can use your smartphone or computer to keep track of your pet’s activity level and location. In addition, you can receive a text alert if your pet wanders away from a predetermined area.

Microchips are a more permanent form of identification. Microchips are implanted just beneath the skin usually above the shoulders. The procedure for implanting a microchip in your pet is similar to a routine injection, such as a vaccination, and can be done at almost any time in a pet’s life at virtually any veterinary office or animal shelter. Some rescue organizations and low-cost spay/neuter services offer them free of charge. However, they usually cost around $50. Some animal shelters even implant a microchip into every animal before adoption. At veterinary hospitals, microchips are implanted at the time a pet is spayed or neutered, if not before, and always with the owner’s approval. These tiny devices don’t track the pet’s location. They do, however, provide vital information. When the pet is found, he’s scanned using a small electronic device that reads the unique identification number from the microchip. The microchip’s manufacturer is then contacted for the owner’s information. Unregistered microchips can only offer limited information, such as the name of the facility where it was implanted. Therefore, it’s important to register your pet’s microchip as soon as possible, so the unique identification number can be linked to your contact information.
There are services online that register all brands of microchips. Some services take this one step further and send out alerts to local veterinary offices and animal shelters to let them know your pet has gone missing. Just be aware that a lost pet might be taken to a location that doesn’t work directly with either of these services and therefore won’t link the scanned microchip number to your contact information.It’s best to always register your information with your pet’s microchip manufacturer first. Then, if you like, you can also register with outside companies for added security. Most microchip companies charge a low, one-time fee to register your pet for life.

If the Unthinkable Happens

As soon as you realize your pet is missing, act quickly. Don’t rely on her identification alone to ensure a safe return. Immediately notify all pet-finding services you have accounts with. Make sure you have clear, up-to-date pictures of your pet. Don’t be afraid to go old school by making posters with a photo and description of your missing pet along with your contact information. Post them near your home, at local pet-related businesses and near areas where other pet owners congregate, such as dog parks and walking trails. Also, make the people at these locations aware you have lost your pet and are eager to bring her home safely.

Go to rescue organizations and shelters in person and often—up to several times per week—to look for your pet. And, of course, use social media. A post of your missing pet’s picture along with the last known location and any other helpful information could yield rapid results.

If you do locate your lost pet at a shelter or rescue, keep in mind that in order to claim your pet, you may need to prove your pet is, indeed, your pet. If lost without clear identification, you could have trouble getting your pet released back to you. Save adoption paperwork, veterinary receipts and photos of your pet with you and your family to erase any possible doubt. When you’re finally reunited with your pet, celebrate. Praise your pet with lots of love, a few treats and, of course, a new collar and ID tag.

Wondering how to become a vet assistant? Check out our veterinary assistant courses online.

1. Source: American Humane Society, Born Free USA, Pet Finder

January 14 2016

Dog Blood Tests Explained

melissa Health blood work, dog blood test normal, dog blood tests, dog blood work, dog health, veterinary care

Complete Blood Count Test for Dogs

Pets don’t have the ability to tell us what’s wrong with them. The veterinarian relies on the owners’ observations and intuition to know when their pet isn’t acting quite right. To properly diagnose the issue, the veterinarian may also conduct certain tests, depending upon the symptoms and/or age of the animal.

What the CBC Test Measures

One of the more common methods of diagnosis is doing blood work, such as a CBC (complete blood count). The CBC measures the packed cell volume (PCV), total plasma protein, total white blood cell count and total platelet count. It’s a screening test that can check for problems, such as infections, anemia and other diseases.

Packed Cell Volume

The PCV is a way to estimate the amount of red blood cells in the body, but that number could vary based on the pet’s age and level of dehydration. A decrease in red blood cells could be caused by external or internal bleeding, or conditions that reduce the production of red blood cells.

Total Plasma Protein & White Blood Cells

Total plasma protein includes plasma prealbumin, albumin globulin (simple proteins needed for proper healing) and fibrinogen (fibrin that assists in blood clotting). White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, are part of the immune system that helps the body fight infectious diseases. An increase in the white blood cell count could mean there is some type of viral or bacterial infection. However, certain types of cancer can also cause an increase in the white blood cell count.

Platelets are actually irregularly shaped disks that are sticky. They help stop bleeding by forming clots in the blood. Too many or too little platelets could indicate different problems, such as blood clots that obstruct the blood vessel if the number is too high to excessive bleeding if the number is too low.

Performing a Complete Blood Count Test

For the CBC, blood will be drawn from either a vein in the front or rear leg, or the jugular vein in the neck. Many veterinary hospitals have special hematology analyzers that can run tests in-house. Other facilities will send blood samples to a laboratory, which means the results wouldn’t be ready right away. Veterinary assistants are usually responsible for not only drawing the blood, but also running the in-house tests.

Sources:
www.wagsandwhiskers.com
www.fi.edu/learn.com

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January 6 2016

Silent Nights, Quiet Days

melissa Dogs, Pets, Training dog training, nuisance barking, reasons why dogs bark, Stop barking

How to stop your dog from barking at the wrong time.

Dog Barking — Not many things are more annoying than a continuously barking dog–even if he’s yours. Photo credit: lvaloueva/iStock

Inappropriate barking is one of the most annoying behaviors dog owners have to deal with—whether your dog starts up in the middle of night or barks at every little wisp of air, the first thing you must do to stop the problem is identify what’s causing the behavior. To do this, you have to understand a little about why dogs do what they do. As much as you may not want to believe it, dogs always have a reason for doing what they do—including barking.

If you’re not sure what sets your dog off, you have some homework to do. If, like most owners, you are away from home when the barking occurs, you should invest in a remote monitoring system that alerts you when it detects noise. Most of these systems also record the event so if you’re not able to log in right away and see what’s upset your dog, you can watch the event later.

Here are some of the most common reasons why dogs bark and solutions on how you can fix the problem:

Communication: One of the most common purposes of barking is to communicate. This might be a way to scare prey out of hiding, talk to a friend over the fence (much as we might do when asking for information or just saying hello to a neighbor), letting others know they are displeased (or pleased) with any event, or to warn a fellow dog about a potential threat.
Solution: This is a tough thing to stop, as your dog is about as likely to stop talking as you are. However, there are things you can do to lessen the frequency of communication. Teach your dog a “quiet” command by following these instructions.

Interactive Toys for Dogs — Dogs might bark to alleviate boredom. A ready supply of fun and interactive toys can help keep your dog occupied, especially if he spends a lot of time alone. Photo credit: Mexitographer/iStock

If your dog is just a “talker” by nature (you’ll often see this with hunting dogs and other specific breeds), then you’ll have to work a little harder to stop the ongoing communication. The first thing is to keep your dog engaged with other items (such as chew toys, smart toys and or even a two-way talk system that rewards your dog for not barking).

Boredom: This is one of the most common reasons dogs bark; they might simply be bored with their lives. We see this a lot with dogs who are left outdoors, tied to a tree for hours on end or have owners who work long hours.
Solution: It’s going to be very important to keep your dog’s active during the times you’re home so he won’t become bored. The goal is to have him fall asleep into a long nap while you’re away at work. If it’s hard for you to get your dog out during the shorter winter days, consider doggy daycare or hiring a dog walker for a few days a week. The only effective way to stop boredom barking is to ensure your pets don’t become bored.

Smart dog toys will also go a long ways toward stopping your dog from barking. Consider leaving a Kong or BusyBuddy toy to keep him busy while you’re away. There are myriad interactive dog toys designed specifically to keep pets active and engaged.

If your dog tends to bark whenever someone walks by the front windows, you will need to limit his access until he learn how to recognize actual “threats.” Photo credit: Tverdohlib/iStock

Anxiety: Anxiety is another reason dogs bark. They might be missing their human companions, they might be fearful being left alone or they might be wondering if their owners will ever return. The noise your dog makes actually reinforces the behavior—he might be barking to “self-soothe.” Anxious barks tend to get higher in pitch as a dog becomes more upset, which can become particularly upsetting to neighbors (and your neighbor’s dogs).
Solution: Alleviate anxiety by giving your dog a special shirt that smells like you; provide him with interactive toys and make sure he is tired before you leave. You can also try music; Pet Acoustics offers specially created tunes to help soothe pets.
Play/Excitement: This is the type of bark you’ll hear while at the dog park or a special event where other dogs are.
Solution: Read this article about how to reduce barking in public places for detailed instructions on stopping your dog from barking while in public.
Warning: This is the “special alert” bark you’ll hear when your dog senses someone on the other side of the gate. It’s their way of saying, “I hear/see you and if you come over here, I’m going to stop you.” This is the type of barking you want your dog to do in most cases, but if it becomes excessive, you will need to address the problem.
Solution: To stop problematic “warning barking” it’s important to teach your dog what constitutes “threats.” This means you’ll need to teach him the “quiet” command. (This video can help you do that.) You will also need to reduce barking opportunities by keeping your dog away from “triggers,” such as blocking access to part of the yard, keeping him out of a room with a window or other logistical solutions.

The most valuable thing you can do to stop barking is to keep your dog tired with plenty of mental stimulation. You can use smart toys, chew toys and activities (e.g., agility or new tricks training), as well as providing him with new sensory data, such as long walks or hiking. In addition, doggie daycare is a great way to get your hyper or stressed-out dog active and more socially comfortable with other dogs.

About the Author: Stacy Mantle is a fulltime freelance writer, bestselling author and founder of PetsWeekly.com. She resides in the deserts of the Southwest with a few dogs, several cats and a very understanding husband.

January 6 2016

Kitty Nirvana

melissa Lifestyle, Pets catnip, catnip plants, catnip toys

Catnip offers a natural way to keep your cat happy and entertained.

Catnip makes most cats very happy. Photo credit: SuriyaWattanalee/iStock

Cat owners often jokingly call catnip ‘kitty crack” or “kitty marijuana” because of the ways cats react when they are exposed to it. First and foremost, catnip, catmint, catswort or whatever you call the plant with the Latin name Nepeta catania, is nontoxic and perfectly safe for feline recreational use.

The active ingredient in the plant is nepetalactone and it has a powerful effect on felines, revving up their play skills and prey drive by instantly turning snoozing couch potatoes into ecstatic, flipped-out balls of fur.

This is why it makes sense that so many cat toys contain catnip in some form. Most contain dried leaves, although some use catnip oil. (And, as with that other “herb,” not all catnip is equal—some plants can be more potent than others.) Catnip-stuff toys usually come in one of two ways: sealed so that the contents stay put or refillable so that you can refresh the catnip on a regular basis to retain your cat’s interest.

Catnip-filled toys can increase a cat's instinctual prey (and play) drive. Photo credit: dzika_mrowka/iStock — Catnip-filled toys can increase a cat’s instinctual prey (and play) drive. Photo credit: dzika_mrowka/iStock

One major benefit of catnip toys is they can increase the play drive of even sedentary, older cats, which in turn promotes healthful exercise. Catnip’s effects usually only last about 10 minutes, so it’s a good idea to have at least one such play session a day. Interestingly, catnip has no effect on young kittens; it usually only stirs interest when they are about nine months old.

Catnip is great for introducing cats to new feline furniture, such as a new scratcher, cat tree or cat bed. Simply rubbing some dried leaves on the new item will instantly pique feline interest, causing your cat to claim her new territory. You can also purchase catnip in a spray form (such as the aforementioned oil) and there are even catnip bubbles for fun, interactive playtimes.

You can also grow your own catnip. It’s very decorative and grows well both outdoors and indoors in a bright sunny place such as a kitchen windowsill. One problem, however, is many cats find real plants irresistible and will destroy them in no time.

The one downside to growing your own catnip is a cat's tendency to "over love it" to the point of total destruction. Photo credit: SusanStrahosky/iStock — The one downside to growing your own catnip is a cat’s tendency to “over love it” to the point of total destruction. Photo credit: SusanStrahosky/iStock

Chances are if you bought gifts for your cat over the recent holidays, she now has a variety of new catnip toys. Never put them all into play at the same time. Keep some of your cat’s holiday stash in reserve so that when she completely destroys toy, you will have new stock on hand.

In addition, because catnip offers short-term stimulation, it’s a good idea to pick up catnip toys after every play session. Doing so will help keep your cat interested in the toys—they will be “new” the next time she plays with them.

Despite the popularity of catnip, there are some felines who simply aren’t interested in the plant at all at any age. Silver vine (Actinidia polygama), an Asian plant also known as matatabi, might just be the answer. It contains catnip’s active ingredient nepetalactone, as well as actinidine and dihydroactinidiolide, which can also give cats a nontoxic “high.” The plant is now available in the U.S. in dried form in sachets and in toys, too. You can find it in pet specialty stores and online.

About the Author: Sandy Robins is the 2013 winner of the “Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contribution to the Pet Industry Award.” Her work appears on many of the country’s leading pet platforms, such as MSNBC.com, MSN.com and TODAYShow.com. She is a regular contributor and columnist in multiple national and international publications, including Cat Fancy, as well as the author of the award-winning books “Fabulous Felines: Health and Beauty Secrets for the Pampered Cat” and “For The Love of Cats.” Learn more about Sandy on her website or Facebook page. #welovecats

January 6 2016

Dog Obedience is Required

melissa Dogs, Pets, Training dog obedience, dog obedience training, dog training, how to teach dogs, how to train dogs, training dogs

Why every single dog needs to be trained.

You hear it all the time: Dogs should receive obedience training. But what’s the big deal? Why does your dog need obedience training if he’s just going to hang around the house, go for walks and maybe come with you on a camping trip or two in his lifetime?

While on the surface it might seem like obedience training should only be for dogs with a budding career in police dog work, the truth is that obedience training is for every single dog. In fact, not one dog living in our society is exempt from the need for obedience training.

The reason for this is simple. An obedience-trained dog is a good dog. Dogs with obedience training are less likely to be destructive in the home, less likely to run away, less likely to bite someone and less likely to end up abandoned in an animal shelter.

How can something as simple as learning a few commands make such a huge difference in a dog’s life? Because obedience training is more than just teaching a dog to sit and stay. Obedience training establishes a relationship between you and your dog that sets the tone for your dog’s entire life.

Here are three prime reasons to take your dog to obedience class:

Obedience training is more than just teaching a dog to sit and stay; it helps set the tone for his lifelong relationship with you. Photo credit: shironosov/iStock

Your dog needs a leader. This is probably the most important reason of all to obedience train your dog. In order to feel secure in the world, dogs need to feel like someone is in charge. Obedience training establishes you as the leader. This allows your dog to relax and take comfort in the fact that you have everything under control. Dogs with obedience training are more confident and so less likely to develop separation anxiety, fear aggression and a host of neurotic behaviors.
Your dog needs structure. Once your dog receives obedience training, he will know what’s expected of him. You will have taught him the meaning of certain words and behaviors, and he will understand what you are asking of him. He will feel more secure in the world knowing he understands what you want.
Your dog needs to learn how to act in a human world. Although dogs have been domesticated for tens of thousands of years, they are still born with natural instincts that relate back to their wild ancestors. By obedience training your dog, you are teaching him how to behave in the world of humans. Although he will still have his canine instincts, obedience training will also teach him the rules of living in human society.

Training Your Dog — Training gives you a dog who happily comes to you every time you call him. Photo credit: dazb75/iStock

If all this isn’t reason enough to obedience train, imagine living with a dog that always comes when you call him, doesn’t jump on guests when they come over, doesn’t bark all day at the neighbor’s kid, doesn’t chew up the TV remote, doesn’t drag you down the street—the list goes on and on. Obedience training establishes a foundation of good behavior that will last your dog a lifetime.

If you have a new puppy, enroll him in a puppy kindergarten class right away. This will help you get started on the right foot by teaching the little guy what’s expected of him early in life.

If you have an adult dog whose behavior leaves something to be desired or who is fearful and insecure, sign up for an obedience class right away.

Even if your dog is well behaved and seems to be doing fine, take him to class anyway. You’ll be amazed at how your bond will deepen and your relationship blossom.

About the Author: Audrey Pavia is an award-winning freelance writer and author of “The Labrador Retriever Handbook.” She is a former staff editor of Dog Fancy, Dog World and The AKC Gazette magazines. To learn more about her work, visit www.audreypavia.com and hollywoodhoofbeats.net/

January 6 2016

The Importance of Regular Vet Visits

melissa Health, Pets pet health, pet wellness, veterinary checkups, yearly pet well-checks

A yearly checkup is essential to the health and well-being of your pets.

During an annual exam, a vet will check a pet's teeth and gums for any signs of gingivitis, tooth problems and other dental health issues. Photo credit: Lucky Business/iStock — During an annual exam, a vet will check a pet’s teeth and gums for any signs of gingivitis, tooth problems and other dental health issues. Photo credit: Lucky Business/iStock

Almost all pet owners have a good veterinarian they rely on for their dog or cat’s medical concerns: someone to call if the dog eats an entire pot roast or the cat cuts her paw pad. Such a vet probably gave your pet its first shots and performed spay or neuter surgery.

But do you schedule a “well check” visit for your pet every year? Even if your dog or cat does not have an ongoing medical condition and seems perfectly healthy, it is important for the veterinarian to examine your pet regularly.

During a routine visit, a veterinarian typically performs a physical exam in which he or she carefully checks the pet’s body from “nose to tail.” During this exam, the vet will take the pet’s temperature; look closely in the mouth, eyes and ears; and gently feel along the body for signs of any internal issues. He or she might take a blood sample, and if your pet needs them, administer vaccinations.

Untreated ear infections can cause pain and result in hearing loss; just one reason why a thorough yearly exam is important. Photo credit: vgajic/iStock

Such an exam—performed annually—gives the vet a good idea of your pet’s healthy condition. Then, at future visits, any early signs of potential health issues will be easier for your vet to spot. Here are some of the key items your vet will likely appraise at an annual well check:

Mouth, gums and teeth: The vet looks for signs of gingivitis, periodontal disease and oral cancer. Some of the early symptoms are oral pain, tooth abscesses, tooth loss and infection.
Eyes and vision: A check here may reveal signs of corneal ulcers, cataracts, dry eyes or glaucoma. Left unchecked, these issues could lead to pain, blindness or even loss of an eye.
Ears: During an exam, a vet typically checks for evidence of ear mites or infection. Left untreated, these can lead to pain and even hearing loss in your pet.
Skin: The vet checks your pet’s skin for signs of allergies, fleas, mites, ticks, infection or lumps. Parasites can cause illnesses, and any skin lesions, lumps or hair loss may indicate disease.
Joints: A gentle manipulation of a pet’s joints can help a vet identify early signs of arthritis, hip dysplasia, degenerative back disease and even cancer. Early detection can help prevent pain, reduced mobility and even paralysis.

Just like with human health, prevention is the key to treating a multitude of conditions that can affect our dogs and cats. By scheduling an annual well check for your cat or dog, you can work with your veterinarian to keep your pet in tip-top shape.

About the author: Stacy N. Hackett is an award-winning writer with more than 25 years’ experience in the pet industry. She is the former editor of Pet Product News International and a former staff editor with Cat Fancy, Cats USA, Critters USA and Ferrets USA. To learn more about her work, visit stacynhackett.vpweb.com.

January 6 2016

Pets Necessities

melissa Pets, Products, Resources cat food, cat toys, dog harness, dog toys, pet products

Kong Tuff-n-Lite dog toys are remarkably tough and ultra-light. The whimsical-looking dog toys are designed to be durable enough for power chewers while delivering big fun for any dog. Their lightweight construction and erratic bounce make for exciting games of fetch; and the extra loud squeakers provide added fun. The toys come in three shapes—Pink Pig, Green Frog and Blue Octopus—and two sizes: small and large. kongcompany.com

Natural animal sounds can spark cats’ hunting instinct, triggering them to stalk and pounce. SmartyKat Chit Chatter cat toys provide cats with durable and kinder substitutes for real prey. The soft plush toys feature touch-activated realistic chirps and cheeps to excite even the laziest of cats. Available in adorable roly-poly bird and chipmunk designs, the toys have real feather tails that add to the thrill of the hunt. smartykat.com

Petchup’s two new condiments for pets—Bark-B-Q (pork flavor) and Mutt-n-aise (turkey flavor)—offer a savory blend of vitamins, minerals, glucosamine, omega 3, 6 and 9, and prebiotics in a delicious and healthful sauce that helps make kibble even tastier. The low-calorie condiments are made in the USA from natural food-grade, nutritional ingredients and contain no artificial colors or flavors. petchup.us

Natures Variety Instinct Raw Boost Indoor Health for cats is specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of indoor cats. The formulas are reduced in calories to help maintain a healthful weight, and they include highly digestible protein as well as fructooligosaccharides to help provide stool odor control. The cat food is comprised of high-protein, grain- and gluten-free kibble combined with protein-packed freeze-dried raw bites. It is available in two formulas—Rabbit Meal and Chicken Meal—and comes in 5.1-lb bags. instinctpetfood.com/cats

Petmate’s Zoobilee Mighty Meaties dog toys will bring out the meat lover in your pet; The soft, plush toys are shaped like a cartoon ham bone and are great for a variety of activities, including playing indoor fetch, chewing and cuddling, Each “meat bone” features a squeaker and crackle paper to catch the attention of any pooch. The toys are available in four wild-animal print designs and come in small and large sizes. www.petmate.com

Coastal Pet Products Mega Turbo Cat Toy doubles the fun your cat can have with two activity-inducing sides. On one side boasts a super-sized 14-inch corrugated-cardboard scratch pad (it’s big enough for scratching and sleeping) and a smooth-motion track ball; the other side (shown) features a peek-a-boo game with a jingle ball. High quality catnip is included. coastalpet.com

Solvit’s CareLift™ lifting harness is designed to provide pet owners with a simple and safe method to lift and aid movement for dogs suffering from injuries or old age. The harness’ rear section is designed to lift evenly from both the hips and the waist. Its rear-section bellyband has a specially shaped protector panel to ensure a comfortable fit for male dogs and can be removed for females. The bellyband can also be stowed out of the way during elimination, which allows for continued support via the hip straps. The harness comes in three sizes: small (7 to 35 lb.), medium (35 to 70 lb.) and large (70 to 130 lb.) www.solvitproducts.com

Feline Cafe^™ Grain & Gluten Free Dinners from Bravo are complete-and-balanced, natural dinners for cats. The new canned cat food features delicious cuts of meat or poultry as the first ingredient plus tasty cranberries, a medley of garden greens and salmon oil. The canned dinners come in two varieties: Feline 95% Meat or Poultry Dinners, which features three flavors—Beef, Turkey & Liver, Chicken & Liver and Duck, Turkey & Liver; and Feline Meat or Poultry Fricassees in Beef, Chicken or Turkey flavors. bravopetfoods.com

December 17 2015

Ringworm Infection in Pets

melissa Health pet health, pet ringworm infection, ringworm infection in pets

Ringworm Overview

Despite the name, ringworm isn’t a worm, but actually a fungus. Known as dermatophytosis, it can spread from cat to cat or even from pet to human. As a fungus, it contains spores that can live in the environment for up to 24 months. It can live on furniture, bedding, clothing or anything the infected animal has been in contact with.

Not every human or animal that comes into contact with the fungus will become infected. Current immune system, health, age, condition of skin and grooming habits will determine if the infection is actually able to take a hold and grow.

What Does Ringworm Look Like?

Ringworm most commonly appears as scaly, hairless sores on the ears, tail or head. These sores can be quite itchy and filled with pus, and may cause an increase in shedding. Sometimes, ringworm will also cause the nails to grow deformed. On occasion, ringworm can infect an animal’s entire body.

Ringworm Treatment

A fungal culture done at your veterinary hospital is the more common way to diagnose ringworm. Treatment may include an antifungal cream. For severe cases, an oral treatment and regular dips may also be used. The fungal cultures must be negative for two weeks before any treatment is stopped.

Kittens under 12 months old are the most susceptible, but so are outdoor pets, older pets or animals whose immune systems have been compromised. Persian cats also appear to be more susceptible to the ringworm fungus.

Since ringworm is contagious, it’s important to wash your hands and clothes anytime you come in contact with new kittens or cats. Ringworm is the most common skin infection in felines. If you suspect your pet has ringworm, isolate your pet and call your veterinarian immediately. It’s important to wear gloves when you have to handle an infected animal and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

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