Summer Heat & Your Pets

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When temperatures rise, it has a big effect on humans and pets alike. Summer months cause us to be uncomfortable, and for pets it can be particularly dangerous. Thick humidity that is often present only adds fuel to the fire. Dr. Barry Kellogg, VMD of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association explains that during high humidity, animals are unable to cool down from normal panting. This causes their body temperature to skyrocket to dangerous levels-very quickly. According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are two critical things pet owners must do to keep their pets safe in the summer months. The first is to make sure your… Read More Continue Reading

Heroic Canine Dies After Saving 7 People from Ecuador Earthquake

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People around the world have become heartfelt by the touching story of a rescue dog that gave his life after saving 7 people after a tragic earthquake that occurred in Ecuador last week. It didn’t take long for this news to go viral, after the fire department located in Ibarra, a northern city in Ecuador went public with the death of their beloved canine. A four year old Labrador Retriever, Dayko had worked in their K-9 unit for over 3 years. In a Facebook post, the department says, “The Fire Department of Ibarra would like to express a brotherly thanks to all the people who gave us their support, and… Read More Continue Reading

Dog Flu Virus Takes Hold in the United States

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Known as the H3N2 dog flu strain, this canine virus has taken a strong hold in more than 24 states across the country. This relatively new strain began in Chicago last spring, when an infected dog from Korea arrived at Chicago’s O’ Hare International Airport. During last year’s outbreak, a local shelter known as PAWS treated 350 cases of the canine flu. What about dogs not in shelters? Last spring, 1,700 dogs in Cook County alone became ill with the dog flu. One year later, the highly-contagious dog flu has spread throughout the country. Not surprisingly, the largest number of cases are reported in Chicago. The Chicago Tribune reports that… Read More Continue Reading

Spaying and Neutering Your Pet: Myths vs. Facts

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According to the American Humane Society, the main thing you should know about spaying and neutering is that it saves lives. This is because in every animal shelter across America, there are animals just waiting to be adopted. Half of them will find a home, while the other half will end up being euthanized. When you decide to spay or neuter your pet, this means there will be fewer pets in the world, and shelter pets who need a home will be more likely to be adopted. Here are some myths about spaying and neutering your pets and the truth behind them. Myth #1: You should let a female cat… Read More Continue Reading

10 Signs That Your Cat May Be Sick

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Though cat lovers may disagree, veterinarians consider cats to be creatures of subtlety. Specifically, when it comes to cats letting you know they are sick, they are masters of disguise. According to veterinarian Patty Khuly, cats purposely don’t want you to know that they are feeling under the weather. Dr. Khuly says that sick cats naturally try to hide it, due to the fact that they don’t want to give predators and competitors any indication of weakness. Cats feel that if they show they are sick, they might lose status among other cats, or fall prey to predators. Khuly says that on a regular basis, veterinarians discover feline illnesses that… Read More Continue Reading

Cat Sounds and What They Mean

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Cats communicate in the most charming ways. Whether they are making cat sounds like meowing, purring, hissing or yowling, cats express themselves in a most unique manner. Cats really do have quite a large vocabulary. Have you ever wondered what your kitty was trying to tell you? Are they letting you know that they love you, or something completely different? Let’s take a look at the different vocalizations that cats express throughout their lives, and their interpretations from Modern Cat Magazine. Meowing The most well-known of all the cat sounds is the meow. Cats meow in order to communicate exclusively with humans, not with other cats. As little kittens, cats… Read More Continue Reading

Flea Allergies in Pets

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Logically, pets are itchy when they have fleas. But if your cat or dog is allergic to a flea’s saliva, they will become especially miserable. Known as flea allergy dermatitis, (or FAD), this condition causes pets to scratch and chew at the bites. Eventually, the pet’s skin becomes inflamed, and the dog or cat may develop sores and begin losing their fur. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, flea allergy dermatitis is the most common skin problem of dogs in the United States. Some pets have such an extreme reaction to flea bites that even just one little flea bite can cause a serious reaction. If the problem is not… Read More Continue Reading

Belly Bloat in Dogs

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Most people wouldn’t be too concerned if they saw their dog’s stomach a little swollen. The logical conclusion many would make is that the dog simply ate too much. Although that is a possibility, swelling of a dog’s stomach can actually be a life-threatening condition known as GDV. According to Doctors Foster and Smith, if your dog’s stomach appears swollen, you should contact their veterinarian immediately. About GDV Also known by the names bloat, twisted stomach or stomach torsion, GDV can cause a dog to die in only a matter of hours. This is why if your dog’s stomach is bloated, you should consider it to be a life-threatening emergency.… Read More Continue Reading

Curious Cat Behaviors

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Cats make great companions. However, at times they display curious behaviors that leave you wondering what they are thinking. Here are some of the more comical things that cats do that make them so charming. Chattering at Birds If you have a cat, you have likely noticed him or her lounging next to the window, staring at the birds outdoors. Next, his tail begins lashing quickly from side to side with excitement. You may notice him crouching down at the window, just wishing he could pounce on this feathered creature. That is usually when you start to hear your cat making a little chattering noise. You may wonder why he… Read More Continue Reading

Treating Cats With Hairballs

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One of the most appreciated things about cats is their soft, delicate fur. Another great thing about cats is that they are experts at grooming themselves. However, because they lick their fur, hairballs are inevitable. Though most hair will pass through the digestive system without any problems, if too much is ingested, the hair will build up and cause irritation in the stomach lining. This is how a hairball is produced. Hairballs can become a recurring problem for cats, particularly those with long hair. Hacking up hairballs is an unpleasant experience for cats. Symptoms include vomiting, retching, constipation and a loss of appetite. Hairballs can also cause a blockage in… Read More Continue Reading