Friendly Puppies

Pam
The first 4 to 5 months of a puppies life is a very critical period. They are growing up very quickly and taking in a whole new world. If bought from a breeder your new puppy was most likely introduced to outside stimulus and has already begun learning to socialize with other animals. If you have adopted a rescue dog then you may have a harder chore on your hand. Most of these dogs, if not found before the first 16 weeks, will grow up fearful of other adult dogs and new experiences. I had an abandoned bull terrier come to me once whose owners were concerned about her nipping… Read More Continue Reading

Your dog ate WHAT?

Pam
Pet parents often have common questions and concerns about things that the ‘dog dragged in.’ Dogs are closely tied to their genetic ancestors who survived by hunting, scavenging and eating, you guessed it, dead things. Some pet owners are concerned that their dog might contract an infectious disease chewing on a dead bird or roadkill, such as west nile virus or avian influenza. The truth is that even though they are high on the icky factor, dead birds are low on the risk factor. Even though west nile virus can cause death in birds, especially bluejays and crows, the risk of transmission of west nile is presumable very low in dogs. Avian influenza… Read More Continue Reading

Canine Influenza

Pam
By now most readers may have heard about the outbreak of canine influenza in the Midwest. There are currently over 1,000 reported cases. The unfortunate fact is the strain is H3N2, and the current influenza vaccine against H3N8 is not thought to be protective. Canine influenza was discovered about 8 years ago in racing greyhounds in Florida and is documented in 40 states. States with the highest exposure to the virus include the Midwest, the Carolina’s, and Colorado. The risk is also increasing in Kansas. The virus causes flu-like symptoms: coughing, fever, malaise, loss of appetite, nasal discharge, and pneumonia. The kicker is that the virus causes permanent damage to… Read More Continue Reading
Spring Contacts

Gassy Pets: Smelly Cat Shouldn’t be Stinky

Pam
One of the endearing qualities of companion animals is a complete lack of awareness about what is socially acceptable. If they’re hungry, they eat. If they have an itch, they scratch. And, if they have gas, they… well… anyone who has ever seen Phoebe from ‘Friends’ sing about ‘smelly cat’ knows what I am talking about. What causes excess gas? Well – lots of things. Flatulence comes from excess gas in the intestinal tracts of dogs and cats, and it can a normal biological function, but too much gas signals something is out of balance. Dogs that eat too quickly or brachycephalic breeds such as pugs or bulldogs tend to… Read More Continue Reading