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What is AAHA?
In: Dog & Cat Health, Dogs & Cats (Misc.), Responisble Pet Ownership
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is an international association of more than17,000 veterinary care providers who treat companion animals. Hospitals that are accredited by AAHA meet high veterinary care standards. Each hospital voluntarily completes a detailed evaluation of its services and equipment. Then a trained practice consultant thoroughly inspects the hospital to make sure it meets AAHA’s high standards in the areas of: 1. emergency services 2. surgery and anesthesia 3. radiology services 4. pathology services 5. nursing care ...
Reading Pet Food Labels
In: Dog & Cat Health, Responisble Pet Ownership
Pet food labels can sometimes be misleading and confusing to owners. There are some key parts of the label that can give you information about the diet including the product name, nutrition claims such as “complete and balanced” or “natural”, ingredients, and guaranteed analysis. It is important to understand the terminology in the product name which gives a description of the diet, such as “chicken dinner”. The terms used in the product name are controlled by AAFCO, a pet food regulatory ...
Emergency Preparedness for Pets
In: Animal Welfare, Responisble Pet Ownership
Disasters can strike at any time, and pets are often the most innocent victims. But a few simple steps in advance can keep your pet safe. Arrange Shelter Make arrangements with a trusted friend or neighbor to be an emergency caretaker, by exchanging keys, cell phone numbers, and veterinarian contacts. Find out pet policies for hotels and motels in the area, and make a list of boarding facilities, animal shelters, and veterinary offices that can provide foster care. Most important, never leave your ...
Finding a Quality Boarding Kennel
Choosing a boarding kennel for your pet is like selecting day care for your child, say the experts at Best Friends Pet Care. Of course, you want the facility to be clean, safe and in good repair. But what’s most important for your pet’s happiness is interaction with caring humans. Even if you have a recommendation from a friend, you should visit any kennel you are considering. Stop in during business hours and ask for a tour. (You should not ...
My pet has cancer. Now what?
In: Dogs & Cats (Misc.), Grief and Bereavement, Responisble Pet Ownership
First of all, remember that if your cat or dog is diagnosed with cancer, you should not let hope be the first casualty of the disease. Many different types of cancers are found in dogs and cats (and other animals, as well), just as they are in humans. If you would consider treatment for your pet for diseases of the heart, kidneys, liver, or hormones, then you should consider it for cancer. How to Watch Out for Cancer You know your pet ...
Parasites That Can Live on Your pets and YOU
In: Dog & Cat Health, Responisble Pet Ownership
Fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites can be dangerous for both pets and people. The common dog roundworm is the cause for most concern. Puppies and kittens may be born with intestinal worm infections contracted from their mothers and can easily acquire new infections from soil and other environmental sources. Because children's play habits ? in sandboxes, playgrounds, patios, and backyards ? bring them into closer contact than adults with objects that may be contaminated by pet feces, they are more ...
Business is Booming for Pet Food Home Delivery Business
The recession has not stopped one local entrepreneur from building a thriving business delivering high-quality pet food to homes in Maryland, DC, and Virginia. Randy Stone is a distributor for Nature’s Select Super Premium Pet Food, which contains only safe, nutritious, highly digestible ingredients. Randy started his business in February 2008 and picked up 434 clients within the first year. By the end of April 2009, his customer base had grown to 645 with sales growth in the first quarter of ...
The lowdown on labels: With pet food packaging, what you read is what you get.
In: Dog & Cat Health, Responisble Pet Ownership
They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, but the very opposite is true of pet foods. It’s not only possible to make an educated assessment of a product’s nutritional profile from its ingredient label, but it’s also a smart, responsible measure for those who love their four-legged companions. In the pet food industry, we have advisory and regulatory groups that guide the disclosure of product contents in packaging literature. As a result, today’s pet food ingredient labels are ...
Public Health Warning: Ticks Carry More Than Lyme Disease
Dogs are sentinels. The Lyme tick Ioxedes Scapularis (black legged tick) carries with it four other bad guys; Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Ehrlichia Equi, Ehrlichia phagocytophilia renamed), Bartonella, Babesia Microti and Mycoplasma seroprevalence in that order. The population of ticks that carry these serious diseases has expanded rapidly across the United States and has especially come down the East Coast from New England to our urban Mid Atlantic areas. Birds migrating serve as reservoirs as well as disseminators via migratory habits. Babesia ...
What’s in a Scoop?
“What’s in a Scoop?” Ask Scoopy Doo! According to the EPA, a single gram of dog feces can contain 23 million fecal bacterial coli forms. Bacteria and parasites that can be transmitted to humans are often found in dog waste, putting innocent children at risk of some very serious infections. Even our area’s beautiful waterways are put at risk by pet waste, which contains nutrients that promote the formation of algae. As the algae ...
Choosing a Pet Should be an Educated Choice
How many times have you heard someone say, "Oh, he got too big so we had to get rid of him”? One of the most important aspects of owning a pet is doing your research before you purchase the animal. Unfortunately for animals, many people buy on impulse and don't take the time to research what their new pet is going to require as it matures. The consumer is not the only one at fault. The retailer selling the animal ...
Poisonous Ponds and Streams
Animals can dies from drinking water from ponds and streams during the 80 - 90 degree days of summer. Fertilizers, rain, and hot, windy weather contribute to growth of blue-green algae, which produces the deadly toxin microcystin. The main sources of the nitrogen and phosphorous (the ingredients of fertilizers) in ponds and streams are leaky septic systems, runoff from adjacent manure stockpiles, and runoff from the lawn fertilizers. Grass clippings raked onto streets and ...
What is AAHA?
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is an international association of more than17,000 veterinary care providers who treat companion animals. Hospitals that are accredited by AAHA meet high veterinary care standards. Each hospital voluntarily completes a detailed evaluation of its services and equipment. Then a trained practice consultant thoroughly inspects the hospital to make sure it meets AAHA’s high standards in the areas of: 1. emergency services 2. surgery and anesthesia 3. radiology services 4. pathology services 5. nursing care ...
Spay-Neuter
Early-age spaying/neutering is being performed more and more frequently and the range of benefits provided for both animals and people is great. Research has shown that it is safe to spay and neuter kittens and puppies at a much younger age than veterinarians once thought. Many veterinarians are now safely and routinely performing spay and neuter surgery on kittens and puppies at eight weeks of age. The low body fat makes these surgeries easier to ...
Understanding Our Pets
Much of pet behavior is based in natural instincts: dogs chew, cats scratch, birds sing, ferrets steal, and potbelly pigs root. Unfortunately, while these and other common animal behaviors often start out as “cute” or tolerable, many pet owners erroneously expect them to be short-term or easily controlled, or even eliminated. Such misconceptions, predictably, end in frustration and heartbreak for the family and for the pet. Each year, countless pets are shuffled to the outskirts of home life or are removed ...
Socialising Fears – Helping the Shy or Fearful Dog
The most common kinds of shyness in dogs are: • Social shyness, where the dog fears unfamiliar people or certain kinds of people, such as: men; large men; men with beards; people wearing hats or unusual clothing; children; people with an unusual gait; or people of a different race. • Context fears, where the dog fears certain kinds of situations, such as; novel things of their walk; car rides; visits to the vet or groomer; or any novel place. • Sound sensitive, where ...
Puppy Training – The secret to Socialization!
In: Dog Behavior, Responisble Pet Ownership
We all know that socializing your puppy to people and other dogs is important but what exactly is a well socialized dog? A well socialized pup is a pup that is able to enter a NEW situation comfortably and adapt quickly. A well socialized pup can meet new people and dogs in your home, on walks, in the park etc. and not be aggressive or fearful. The best way to help your pup grow into a well socialized adult is ...
Love Your Pet…But Hate the Smell?
In: Dogs & Cats (Misc.), Responisble Pet Ownership
Does your home or office need a breath of fresh air? Living in the Washington Metro area presents many opportunities for smoke, mold, dust or other allergens to make their way into our homes and offices, resulting in odors and health hazards. The EPA named indoor air pollution as America’s number one environmental health concern. Fifty percent of all illnesses are caused by indoor air pollution. An EcoQuest Air Purifier can protect your family and pets. EcoQuest uses the same technology NASA ...
Pet Nutrition – The Importance of an Excellent Diet for your Pet
In: Dog & Cat Health, Responisble Pet Ownership
One of the most important things you can do for your animal is to give it and excellent diet. The tide in the canine/feline food market has definitely turned toward those foods that are formulated from high quality or human grade ingredients, specifically those with high meat content. I am encouraged as I see the label readers because an informed pet owner is our best customer. There is developing a greater understanding of the label. More consumers have an understanding ...
What is “Competent” Training?
In: Dog Behavior, Responisble Pet Ownership
The short answer is “Identifying the Problem, Visualizing a Solution and Implementing a Change”. An example most dog owners can identify with is the housebreaking issue. Given an opportunity, most dogs are actually clean animals, barring medical issues. If they have been allowed to be “dirty” either in their crates or in the home, most people’s reactions are on the line of “He’s just doing it to be spiteful” or my personal favorite “But he just went outside!”. Dogs don’t really ...
Selecting an Electronic Pet Containment System
Hi! I’m John Purtell. I started the electronic pet containment business in 1976. I can help you unravel the maze of buying a system before plunking down your hard-earned money. Several companies manufacture reliable systems selling them through independent dealers. It’s a great product used to contain pets on their property, or to keep them out of gardens or pools. It can even be used indoors to keep pets off furniture or out of special rooms. Rule ...
Dogs Thrive on Raw Food Diets
In: Dog Health, Responisble Pet Ownership
BARF may not sound very appetizing to the human ear, but to dogs it sounds like heaven on earth. That’s because BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, and it’s what canines have craved for millennia. Just what is considered biologically appropriate? Think about what dogs in the wild naturally lived on. Wild canines will eat any type of food available to them, but they prefer meat and are more nutritionally sound when provided a meaty diet. Unfortunately, most dog foods ...
House Breaking Your Puppy
In: Dog Training, Responisble Pet Ownership
ust about everyone will agree that puppies are cute. Even most mature pups, as old as 12 months, can be considered cute. But, we all have the same fear. When will the cute puppy soil our carpet or floors? How do we let our wonderful pets free in our house without them soiling the carpet? There is a simple remedy that most dogs can tolerate but it requires consistency. The first ...
Surgery – Advances in Veterinary Surgery
In: Dog & Cat Health, Responisble Pet Ownership
Cold, hard steel—THE SCALPEL BLADE—the surgeon’s instrument of choice. Generally, this statement is still very true. The scalpel blade is the main instrument that most veterinarians use for cutting during surgery. It is sharp, sterile and dependable. However, new advances in surgery and technology have allowed for newer instruments to begin replacing the scalpel blade in the hands of your favorite veterinary surgeon. Radiowave and Laser surgery are two of the newer Hi-Tech forms of surgery that can be found at ...
Pet Friendly Medicines
One of the wonderful things about owning a pet is their strange likes and dislikes. You may have a pet who will only eat one kind of food, sleep in one spot, or even go to one family member. Taking medication is probably the most universal problem associated with your family pet. Most medicines have a very distinctive taste or odor which most animals simply refuse. In order to assure that your pet not only takes its medicine but gets ...
Pet Transportation – Shipping your pets by Air.
Based on the questions I receive each week, Pet Transportation by airlines is confusing. Our goal here is to demystify pet travel by clarifying the rules and providing you appropriate questions to ask. Whether you are moving domestically or international, or buying a new puppy, pet travel does require planning. Some countries as well as some airlines do not allow certain breeds. For those of you shipping pets other than cat and dogs, some airlines refuse to ship certain types ...
BEFORE Adding a Furry Friend to the Family-Important Tips to Ponder!
The National Humane Education Society (NHES) loves nothing more than when a new family finds just the perfect dog or cat for them. Unfortunately, we at NHES, as well as other shelters, have too often seen the somber consequences of a pet adoption decision made too quickly. Animal shelters across the U.S. are overcrowded with dogs and cats that were acquired for the wrong reasons or without sufficient investigation and personal commitment. NHES has provided an important laundry list of facts to ...
Will Underground Electronic Pet Fencing Really Work for My Dog?
Yes, provided you work with a pet containment professional that knows dogs and is backed up by an organization whose sole mission is to keep your dog safe, happy and healthy on your property. Underground electronic pet fencing was first invented over twenty five years ago by a man named Richard Peck who saw dogs tied up, penned in small kennels or running loose in the street after escaping from a traditional fence. He knew there had to be a better ...
Your Pet and Poisons
We all love our pet. And just like our children, we need to protect them from many hazards around the house and in the yard, which could be toxic or fatal to them. Ornamental yard plants such as: yews, scheffleras, begonias, lilies, and rhododendrons, contain such toxicities. However, household products or drugs, accounting for approximately 75 % of all exposures, more frequently poison pets. A human dose of a pain reliever or analgesic, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or aspirin, can poison a ...
Do You Chain Your Dog?
In: Animal Welfare, Dog Behavior, Responisble Pet Ownership
Foster parents and families form the backbone of the work CSAC does. In order to exist as a rescue, we rely on wonderful people willing to bring needy animals into their homes, and care for them, while the animals await permanent homes. Foster families have our undying gratitude, deepest respect and admiration. There are never enough foster homes to go around, so each is precious to CSAC and the animals we are trying to save. Sadly, we always have more ...
In Case of Disaster, Protect Your Pets!
In recent months, we have seen many disasters unfold both in the US and abroad and sadly, pets, as well as humans, have endured much suffering. To help ease future misery, The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act (S 2548 and HR 3858) would require that local and state governments develop disaster plans for animals. As many of us know, pets are part of the family and absolutely no pet should be left behind. During Hurricane Katrina, many people remained in ...
Diseases Spread From Pets To People
Zoonosis is the transfer of a disease from pets to people. Most people are aware of certain zoonotic diseases like rabies and anthrax because they are very serious, headline-grabbing diseases. However, the incidence of these diseases is very rare with only 0-2 cases of human rabies occurring annually in the U.S. Unknown to the greater portion of the population, are the more common zoonoses caused by intestinal parasites, like roundworm and hookworm, found in our pets. The Centers for Disease ...
Hints to Find Your Lost Dog
In: Animal Welfare, Dogs & Cats (Misc.), Responisble Pet Ownership
Many owners get ID tags for their dogs’ collar, but unfortunately, many dogs get loose without collars or the collars break off. You can improve your luck of getting your pet back if you have him tattooed and/or microchipped. Both these procedures are simple, quick & painless. Many clubs & organizations run tattoo clinics. They tattoo a number (usually your SSN) on your pet. You register this number with the National Dog Registry. Similarly, vets can microchip your pet. The ...
Provide for Your Pet’s Future -Prepare Your Estate Plans to Provide Properly for Your Pet
In: Animal Welfare, Dogs & Cats (Misc.), Responisble Pet Ownership
Because pets usually have shorter life spans than their human caregivers, you may have anticipated your animal friend's passing. But what if you are the one who becomes ill or incapacitated, or dies first? As a responsible pet owner, you provide your pet with food and water, shelter, veterinary care, and love. To ensure that your beloved pet will continue to receive care should something unexpected happen to you, it's critical to plan ahead. Make sure you learn what steps you ...
When a Dental Specialist Can Help
In: Dogs & Cats (Misc.), Responisble Pet Ownership
According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats, by age 3, show some signs of oral disease. In fact, the third most common area for cancer is the oral cavity. Unfortunately, the early warning signs that your pet is suffering with a dental or oral problem, are missed by most pet owners. When your pet acts hungry but refuses to eat or becomes picky, drops food around the bowl, refuses ...
Dog Parks- Dog Park Safety Tip
Prerequisite for dogs attending off leash areas should be a string of commands that your dog can follow to balance his playtime with training. Don’t let your dog forget you’re there, be creative and implement fun training sessions during playtime, remind him that you’re fun too. Make a habit of calling your dog and teach him to leave his buddies to ‘check-in’ with you periodically. This technique will boost your recall potential and improve the relationship you have with your dog ...
Vaccination- To Vaccinate or Not, That is the Question!!
In the past few years a growing controversy has developed over vaccination protocols for our pets. This concern has been initiated by the notable increase of Fibro Sarcoma; a particular cancer found in cats, which usually develops in the dorsal neck or “scruff” area. Because this area is also the main location where the majority of veterinarians give vaccine injections, it is felt there must be a cause and effect relationship. In addition, the growing interest and support for natural ...
Fostering Pets
In: Animal Welfare, Responisble Pet Ownership
Hundreds of lives are saved each year as a result of pet fostering. Fostering an animal in your home provides a caring environment until they are adopted. It sounds like a simple process, but it should not be undertaken lightly. Fostering requires dedication, patience, hard work, and a deep committment. It can be an extremely rewarding experience for both the animal and the foster. The benefits of fostering a pet are numerous. The animal has an opportunity to live in a ...
Over 2 Million Children Were Bitten by Dogs Last Year
American Veterinary Medical Association statistics show that there are an estimated 4.5 million people bitten by dogs each year. Almost half of the dog bite victims are children under 12 years old with the most vulnerable children being 5-9 year old boys. Many people are concerned about breeds, but there is no particular dog breed that can be labeled as aggressive. Un-neutered male dogs are involved in 70-76% of reported dog bite incidents. The first step in preventing dog bites to ...
CPR or Preparedness…Choose Wisely!
In: Dog & Cat Health, Responisble Pet Ownership
There is a wave of interest in pet cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) among kennel workers, pet daycare personnel, dog trainers, groomers, and pet owners. Though the effort to learn the methods to bring a pet back from the brink of disaster is laudable, I feel it is much more important for pet owners and caregivers to learn to recognize the signs which indicate an animal may be getting into medical trouble. Recognition of the clinical signs associated with impending severe illness will ...
Moving: Settling into Your New Home
Moving to a new home may be stressful to your pet. So be patient and un-derstanding and provide lots of affection. Here are some pointers to help you settle in safely and sanely. Cats For the ?rst few days in your new home, it’s smart to con?ne your cat to one room, while you work on putting the rest of the place in order. Prepare the room with your cat’s bed, litter box, food and water bowls, and toys. Now is the perfect ...
Sugarloaf Pet Gardens offers a final resting spot for Fido
Barnesville resident Clifford Neal, 87, had never heard of a pet cemetery when his son first suggested it as a way to preserve the family farm, but as he celebrates 20 years of Sugarloaf Pet Gardens. Neal says the business has given him some of the best years of his life. “Who would ever have thought I’d be an undertaker and owner of a pet cemetery?” said Neal, who has raised Arabian horses, farmed, and sold promotional products. “But I’ve had ...
Fostering – Overstocked Purebred Dogs and Cats! Everything Must Go?
In 1998, over 1 million puppies were registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC). Ten breeds comprise over 50% of the puppies registered with the AKC: 1. Labrador Retriever 2. Golden Retriever 3. German Shepherd 4. Rottweiler 5. Dachshund 6. Beagle 7. Poodle 8. Chihuahua 9. Yorkshire Terrier 10. Pomeranian The Last Supper It is estmiated that 7.2 million dogs and cats were killed in shelters in 1998. One third of the dogs processed in animal shelters are purebreds. Additionally, thousands more of these purebred dogs were offered to new homes through ...
Ultrasound for your Pets
This innovative technology that uses only sound waves was introduced into veterinary medicine over twenty years ago and has now begun to revolutionize medical diagnostics for our pets. Using ultrasound, veterinarians can diagnose many diseases with-out the need for more invasive, painful and dangerous procedures. It is now safer and less expensive and more accurate to diagnose many conditions. In addition, ultrasound will give us the diagnosis much quicker. Until recently it was cost prohibitive for most veterinary practices to ...
Quality Pet Food – Junk In, Junk Out!
Is there really that much difference between grocery-store pet food and so-called “designer” foods? Yes! When you think about it, the food you select for your companion animal is extremely important. After all, with the exception of an occasional treat, it is all your companion animal will ever eat – every day, all year, throughout his or her lifetime. Therefore, the choice of pet foods has a significant impact on the quality of his or her life – in appearance, personality, ...
Keeping Pets and People Together
In concert with local animal shelters and welfare organizations, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has embarked on a mission to keep people and their pets together called the “Pets For Life Campaign”. The goals of this campaign are to help pet owners solve pet problems before they feel they have to give up their companion animals and to strengthen the animal-human bond. To accomplish this, they are focusing on fi ve major areas, the heart of which is ...
Safe Homes, Safe Pets for Victims of Domestic Violence
Victims of domestic violence can now leave their abusive situation and be assured that their pets will be cared for in their absence. TurnAround, Inc., a non-profit provider of services for domestic violence survivors, has created the “Safe Homes, Safe Pets” program. This program will provide foster homes for the pets of domestic violence victims, so that adults and children may seek shelter with the knowledge that their pets will be safe. A recent survey reported that 20% of victims delayed ...
Solving Medication Problems – Here Rover, Swallow This!
In: Dog & Cat Health, Responisble Pet Ownership
One of the wonderful things about owning a pet is their strange likes and dislikes. You may have a pet who will only eat one kind of food, sleep in one spot, or even go to only one family member. Taking medication is probably the most universal problem associated with your family pet. Most medicines have a very distinctive taste or odor with which most animals simply refuse to be associated. In order to assure that your pet not only ...
Early Age Spay and Neuter
In: Dog & Cat Health, Responisble Pet Ownership
Early-age spaying/neutering is being performed more and more frequently and the range of benefits provided for both animals and people is great. Research has shown that it is safe to spay and neuter kittens and puppies at a much younger age than veterinarians once thought. Many veterinarians are now safely and routinely performing spay and neuter surgery on kittens and puppies at eight weeks of age. The low body fat makes these surgeries easier to accomplish and puppies and kittens ...
