PBS and BBC Announce “Big Blue Live”

Pam
It was recently announced by BBC and PBS that they are to product together a live television and multimedia event, called Big Blue Live. It is a collaborative project between scientists, filmmakers, photographers and animal behaviorists. In late August and early September, they will come together in order to document the progress of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in California. It seems that this ecosystem that was once threatened, is now thriving. When you watch “Big Blue Live,” you may expect to see one or several of the most fascinating marine creatures that include humpback whales, blue whales, sea lions, dolphins, elephant seals, sea otters, great white sharks, shearwaters… Read More Continue Reading

Nature’s Variety Recall

Pam
As of July 24, 2005 the Nature’s Variety Brand has voluntarily recalled specific lots of its Instinct Raw Chicken Formula for Dogs as they were notified by the FDA that may be contaminated with Salmonella. In order to determine whether or not your dog food is being recalled, look at the “best by” date. This is located on the back of the package below the seal. The following dog food products are being recalled: Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Bites for Dogs        UPC# 769949611431     4 pound package    Best by: 4/27/16 Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Bites for Dogs        UPC# 769949611448     7… Read More Continue Reading

5 Exotic Pets and How to Care for Them

Pam
Pot Bellied Pig You need to have a well-defined space for your pig to stay in. A kitchen or a laundry room will do nicely. Leave the carrying crate in the space, so they feel comfortable. Next, you will need to set up a litter box. You will need a pan that is shallower than what a cat uses, so the pig can step in and out. Place the litter box away from the sleeping area and line it with wood chips or newspaper, not kitty litter as they will eat it. Prepare a sleeping area for your pig by setting up a card table and draping blankets over it.… Read More Continue Reading

Heartwarming: Elephants Console Each Other

Pam
Elephants have proven to be some of the smartest land animals, able to figure out puzzles and comprehend human instructions without any training ahead of time. In addition to being very smart, they are very emotional creatures. They have shown to be very sensitive when disturbing events happen within their units. A recent study concluded that elephants are very compassionate and will comfort one another in times of suffering. This study was conducted by Joshua Plotnik and Frans de Waal and was published in PeerJ. The fact that elephants express empathy shouldn’t amaze us too much, as they are very social and intelligent creatures. This means that having respect and… Read More Continue Reading

Cat Scratch Fever

Pam
Cat Scratch Fever is an infection in humans that is caused by cats. Cat Scratch Fever is caused by bacteria called Bartonella henselae, and cats become infected by fleas carrying the bacteria, or fighting with other cats that are already infected. About 40% of cats will become infected in their lifetime, but most cats that are infected show no signs of disease! If an infected cat becomes sick, it shows up as inflammation of gums or other organs, or flu-like symptoms, including fever. People can become infected by Bartonella a couple of ways People can develop cat scratch fever after being bitten or scratched (breaking the skin) by an infected… Read More Continue Reading

Natural Dog Company Dog Food Recall

Pam
As of July 20, 2015, the Natural Dog Company of Windsor, Colorado was ordered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture to recall one of its products. The item in question is their 12” Tremenda Sticks Pet Chews, which may be contaminated with Salmonella. After taking a sample of the product, inspectors found the presence of Salmonella in the following batch of Natural Dog Company dog treats: 12” Tremenda Sticks Pet Chews in a 12-ounce bag without a lot number or expiration date. UPC #: 851265004957 The contaminated product was distributed to the following states: California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Utah and Washington. If you have any… Read More Continue Reading

Can’t Afford your Vet Bill? Here are some other ways to pay

Pam
From time to time, unexpected circumstances may occur and you may have veterinary costs that exceed your ability to pay them. Taking care of a sick pet may be a difficult task if you are low on money. This is something that can happen to anyone. If you are in this situation, here are a few suggestions to help you pay that vet bill. Work With Your Veterinarian The first thing for you to do is to negotiate a payment plan with your veterinarian. They may be able to work you into a weekly or monthly payment plan, so that you won’t have to come up with the entire cost… Read More Continue Reading

Why Dogs Smell Butts

Pam
Since handshakes are out of the question, dogs need a way to introduce themselves to one another. Dogs get to know each other by sniffing each other’s butts.  It is the chemical trail from a dog’s anal sacs that create a dog’s signature scent. Why is smell so important to a dog? It is because a dog’s nose is 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than a humans, due to the dog’s large olfactory membrane that holds more than 225 million scent receptors. It only makes sense that their nose would play such a crucial role. Dogs that smell each other’s butts are able to gather valuable information about the… Read More Continue Reading

The First Dog Game Console

Pam
Developed by a team of cognitive scientists and neuroscientists who call themselves CleverPet, the CleverPet device is known as the first dog game console. In its initial kickstarter campaign, CleverPet soared past their goal of $100,000 and reached $123,988. It works by utilizing a Wi-Fi connection to the unit. It has three buttons, which light up one at a time. In the beginning, the machine gives your dog a treat any time he touches a button. Next, it will only give your dog a treat when he touches a button that is lit up. After that, it creates puzzles for the dog to solve. It even speaks to the dog,… Read More Continue Reading

Dogs Are More Social with Oxytocin

Pam
About Oxytocin Produced naturally by the brain, oxytocin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. It has been given many different names. It is called the love hormone, cuddle chemical, bliss hormone and trust hormone. The production of oxytocin causes several effects in the body, including affecting the uterus and breast milk. It is also released into different parts of the brain which are associated with emotional, cognitive and social behaviors. Researchers are beginning to discover how oxytocin affects behavior, including how it affects love. Thus far, scientific research has shown that oxytocin has the ability to affect how mothers bond with their children, how couples bond with each… Read More Continue Reading