The 2017 Banfield Pet Hospital Annual Report on the State of Pet Health is out, and this year they have chosen to spotlight the obesity epidemic. Obesity is the second most common diagnosis made in cats and dogs, falling just behind dental disease. Continue reading Pet Obesity Epidemic
Category Archives: Health
Dogs in Parked Cars
When it’s 78 degrees out, I consider it absolutely perfect. But don’t forget that the interior of your car gets much, much hotter. If you can’t take your dog with you wherever you’re going, don’t load them in the car. They may give you those big puppy eyes, but they really won’t like it when you leave them in the car while doing your errands.
If you absolutely can’t resist “those eyes”, take someone with you so you can leave the car running and the A/C on while you go inside stores, banks, or wherever.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
Why Shaving Your Dog’s Fur Doesn’t Make Him Cooler
Take a look at this temperature map showing the effect of shaving off fur. It doesn’t make a lot of sense at first because it appears to show that the skin temperature on the shaved portion of the dog actually has a cooler temperature than the part with the thick, heavy fur. In fact, this really IS correct! Continue reading Why Shaving Your Dog’s Fur Doesn’t Make Him Cooler
Saturday Survey: Grooming Licenses
I posted earlier in the week about a bill introduced in Rhode Island which would require dog groomers to be licensed. What do you think of that idea?
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Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
Dogs, Not Drugs
Writing in Psychology Today, Stanley Coren Ph.D., F.R.S.C., says pet ownership can increase longevity in people with health risk issues. Continue reading Dogs, Not Drugs
Saturday Survey: Canine Acupuncture
We published a post last week about at least one vet who uses acupuncture to relieve pain in dogs. What do you think of this idea?
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Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
Acupuncture for Canine Pain Relief
Channel 4 in Detroit reports on pain treatment for your dog using acupuncture. This holistic treatment is advocated by Dr. Mike Petty at Arbor Pointe Veterinary Hospital in Canton, Michigan.
Acupuncture is just one of many pain relief techniques described in Dr. Petty’s Pain Relief for Dogs: The Complete Medical and Integrative Guide to Treating Pain.
Since I live with a getting-older Beagle, this seems like a good thing to tuck away in the back of my mind.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
Puppy Treated for Heroin Overdose
Our many thanks today to Dr. Stacie Fowler and the staff at North Texas Emergency Pet Clinic for nursing this honorary K-9 back to health.
A-shift patrol officers found the puppy suffering from a drug overdose Saturday. Pup was left in the floorboard of a truck in the Home Depot parking lot while its humans were busy inside switching price tags.
Humans were arrested for heroin possession and for fraudulent destruction, removal, or concealment of writing. Puppy is on way to full recovery from opiate overdose and is back in the care of The City of Carrollton Animal Adoption Center.
I know heroin has become a terrible problem most everywhere, but seriously, WHO GIVES HEROIN TO A PUPPY??? Once again, I’m forced to ask What is wrong with people? I’m so glad an arrest was made.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
Leptospirosis Outbreak in Phoenix
12-News in Phoenix is reporting an outbreak of leptospirosis in more than 50 Maricopa County dogs.
The bacteria is passed from dog to dog (and even to humans!) when the eyes, skin, nose, or mouth come into contact with bodily fluids from an infected dog, excluding saliva and most often urine.
What to watch for: fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, red eyes, and stomach upset. The bacterial disease also can damage the kidneys and liver, so you may see either an increase or a decrease in urination, excessive thirst, and yellow eyes or skin.
A vaccine will prevent infection, but if your dog has not been vaccinated and comes down with lepto, antibiotics can be given to cure the infection. Untreated, the disease can result in death.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
Bring ’em inside, please!
Just a friendly reminder for those of you living under Arctic conditions this weekend. It’s currently 13 degrees here in sunny Canton, Ohio, and Penny is keeping my lap warm for me!
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!