MyPetCareTV.com Pet News

Abnormal Enzymes in Your Dog's Blood

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0700

DURING ROUTINE BLOOD ANALYSIS, A DOG’S LIVER ENZYMES MAY BE ABNORMAL, BUT IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE OF CONCERN. IT IS VERY COMMON FOR ONE OF A DOG’S ENZYME LEVELS TO BE HIGH. GROWTH OR STRESS CAN CAUSE A TEMPORARY ELEVATION, BUT IT ALSO MAY BE AN INDICATOR OF A PROBLEM OUTSIDE THE LIVER WITHIN ANOTHER ORGANIC SYSTEM. REGARDLESS OF THE CAUSE, ANY ANIMAL WITH ABNORMAL BLOOD RESULTS SHOULD BE, AT THE VERY MINIMUM, RETESTED AT A LATER DATE. YOUR VETERINARIAN WILL LET YOU KNOW THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION FOR YOUR PET.

What Your Pet's Symptoms Mean

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0700

COMMON SYMPTOMS IN BOTH DOGS AND CATS ARE EXCESSIVE DRINKING AND EXCESSIVE URINATING. THE PRESENCE OF THESE WHETHER THEY OCCUR SUDDENLY OR OVER TIME CAN INDICATE DIABETES, LIVER OR KIDNEY FAILURE, KIDNEY INFECTION, OR CANCER. IT MAY ALSO BE DUE TO A DIET HIGH IN SODIUM, USUALLY DUE TO BEEF JERKY TREATS OR CANNED TUNA. IF SODIUM IS SUSPECTED TO BE THE CAUSE, ELIMINATION OF IT FROM THE DIET SHOULD ALLOW YOUR PET’S SYMPTOMS TO SUBSIDE WITHIN A FEW DAYS. IF THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE THE CASE, A VISIT TO THE VETERINARIAN IS NEEDED.

Pets and the Flu

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0700

AS WE HEAD BACK INTO FLU SEASON, WE OFTEN NEGLECT TO THINK ABOUT OUR PETS. HERE ARE THE BASICS ON CANINE INFLUENZA. ALTHOUGH IT IS COMMON AND EASILY SPREAD, IT IS USUALLY SELF-LIMITING WITHIN 2 WEEKS AND MORTALITY RATES ARE BETWEEN 1 TO 5%. HOWEVER IN SEVERE CASES, DOGS MAY REGISTER FEVERS UP TO 105 DEGREES AND IT CAN LEAD TO PNEUMONIA. TO FIND OUT IF YOUR DOG WOULD BENEFIT FROM A VACCINATION, ASK YOUR VETERINARIAN.

Pet Obesity

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0700

WITH PET OBESITY ON THE RISE, VETERINARIANS ARE BEING MORE OUTSPOKEN WHEN IT COMES TO WEIGHT PROBLEMS. THEY RECOMMEND REGULATED FEEDING AND EXERCISE. THEY POINT AT LACK OF EXERCISE AS ONE CAUSE, BUT MORE SO IT IS THE FATTENING TREATS AND TABLE SCRAPS THAT ARE THE MAIN CULPRITS. EXCESS WEIGHT WILL DRAMATICALLY SHORTEN A PET’S LIFESPAN AND WILL CAUSE A PLETHORA OF AILMENTS SUCH AS ARTHRITIS, DIABETES, AND HEART DISEASE. GIVE YOUR PET A GIFT BY SKIPPING THE TREATS. SOCIAL INTERACTION WILL MAKE YOUR PET HAPPIER BOTH IN THE PRESENT AND IN THE FUTURE.

Leg Injuries and Horses

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0700

MANY HORSES WITH LEG INJURIES DEVELOP A SECONDARY INJURY ON THEIR SUPPORTING OR NON-INJURED LIMB. ONE SUCH CONDITION IS LAMINITIS AND IS COMMONLY FATAL. WHILE THE PRIMARY INJURY HEALS, THE HORSE USES THE OPPOSING LIMB TO SUPPORT MORE WEIGHT AND IS DONE IN AN UNNATURAL MANNER. THE ALTERED BIOMECHANICS EVENTUALLY STRESS THE COFFIN BONE AND THE LAMINITIS ENSUES. MANY TIMES IT IS NOT DIAGNOSED UNTIL THE PAIN BECOMES GREATER THAN THAT OF THE LEG WITH THE ORIGINAL INJURY. IF THE BIOMECHANICAL ABNORMALITIES ARE TREATED SOON ENOUGH, LAMINITIS CAN BE AVOIDED. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT A VETERINARIAN, A HORSE CHIROPRACTOR, AND A FARRIER WORK TOGETHER TO KEEP THE HORSE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER TO AVOID COMPLICATIONS.

Don'ts, Dogs, and Dinner

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0700

IT IS OFTEN SAID THAT DOGS WILL EAT ANYTHING, BUT THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS. MANY FOODS AND ADDITIVES CAN BE DOWNRIGHT DEADLY IF CONSUMED BY DOGS. SOME COMMON TOXINS ARE IN CHOCOLATE, GRAPES, CAFFEINE, ONIONS AND MEDICINES MADE FOR HUMANS. XYLITOL IS A COMMON SWEETENER FOUND IN SUGAR FREE CANDY AND DESSERTS, AND TOOTHPASTE. BOTTOM-LINE, DON’T FEED YOUR PET TABLE SCRAPS OR ANYTHING NOT SPECIFICALLY MANUFACTURED FOR YOUR PET.

How to Behave Around Dogs

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0700

DESPITE THE FACT THAT MORE THAN HALF THE HOUSEHOLDS IN AMERICA HARBOR AT LEAST ONE PET, MANY PEOPLE ARE STILL FRIGHTENED OF DOGS. BECAUSE HARMLESS PETS ARE LOW KEY, WHILE IT IS THE VICIOUS ATTACKS THAT MAKE THE NEWS, THOSE FEARS MAY CONTINUE TO GROW. ALTHOUGH DOG ATTACKS CAN OCCUR, KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE CAN PREVENT MOST OF THEM. FIRST OFF, IT IS THE YOUNG, MALE, NON-NEUTERED, NON-SOCIALIZED DOG THAT IS KEPT CONFINED IN AN OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE THAT IS MOST LIKELY TO BE TERRITORIAL AND VIOLENT. AVOIDING THESE DOGS IS AN OBVIOUS GOOD START TO REMAINING SAFE. IF YOU OWN A DOG OR CAT, IT IS AN IMPORTANT STEP TO HAVE IT SPAYED OR NEUTERED. WHEN APPROACHING A DOG, DO IT CAUTIOUSLY, BUT WITH CONFIDENCE. LOOK FOR SIGNS OF AGGRESSION SUCH AS A GROWL, A STIFF TAIL, OR MENACING LOOK. OFFER THE DOG A SNIFF OF THE BACK OF YOUR HAND. WHEN IT APPEARS SATISFIED, PAT OR RUB ITS CHEST OR SIDE. PUTTING YOUR HAND OVER OR ON ITS HEAD CAN BE INTERPRETED AS ACT OF DOMINATING THE DOG. KNOWING HOW TO TREAT ANIMALS PROPERLY CAN ELIMINATE 90% OR MORE OF ANIMAL ATTACKS.

Benefits of Pet Insurance

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0700

PET INSURANCE CAN SAVE PET OWNERS A LOT OF MONEY. MOST VETERINARIANS WILL TELL YOU THAT, JUST LIKE HUMANS, PETS NEED HEALTH INSURANCE. NOT ONLY DO PETS SUFFER FROM SIMILAR DISEASES AS WE DO, SUCH AS HEART DISEASE, CANCERS, AND BROKEN BONES, BUT THERE ARE OTHER UNFORESEEN ISSUES AS WELL. MORE SO THAN HUMANS, ANIMALS TEND TO EAT DANGEROUS ITEMS. SOME ITEMS INCLUDE TOXIC FOODS AND PLANTS, SHARP ITEMS, AND OTHERS THAT CAN OBSTRUCT THEIR GI TRACTS. WITH ALL THE UNKNOWNS AND THE LIKELIHOOD THAT YOUR PET WILL NEED TO SEE THE VETERINARIAN MORE OFTEN THAN JUST WELLNESS EXAMS, A PET INSURANCE PLAN IS JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED.

Pain Killers and Pets

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:18:00 -0700

AS PET OWNERS, WE ALL WANT OUR PETS TO BE HAPPY AND PAIN FREE, YET MANY PETS DEAL WITH PAIN QUITE FREQUENTLY. AND ALTHOUGH YOUR VETERINARIAN CAN SUBSCRIBE PAIN KILLERS AND ANTI INFLAMMATORIES, THEY ARE NOT THE SAME AS THEIR HUMAN EQUIVALENTS. IN FACT, GIVING HUMAN MEDICATIONS TO PETS WILL MOST LIKELY NOT WORK AND WILL MOST LIKELY MAKE THEM SICK. SOME HUMAN MEDICATIONS ARE FATAL TO PETS WITH JUST ONE DOSE. IT IS NEVER A GOOD IDEA TO GIVE AN ANIMAL ANY MEDICATION WITHOUT SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FROM A VETERINARIAN.

Cats and Vets

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:17:00 -0700

A COMMON QUESTION ASKED BY CAT OWNERS IS WHEN SHOULD THEIR FELINE SEE THE VETERINARIAN. WHILE THEY SHOULD OBVIOUSLY BRING IN THEIR CATS AT THE FIRST SIGN OF ILLNESS OR INJURY, THE TRUTH IS, CATS NEED THEIR TWICE ANNUAL WELL VISITS, JUST LIKE DOGS. WHILE CATS TEND TO BE RESILIENT, THEY ARE ALSO MASTERS OF DISGUISE. A SICK OR INJURED CAT MAY SHOW LITTLE OR NO SIGNS THAT CAN EASILY BE MISSED BY THE UNTRAINED EYE. IF A CAT IS NOT TREATED IN A TIMELY FASHION, IT CAN DETERIORATE QUICKLY.

Should Your Pet Sleep in Your Bed?

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0700

IS SLEEPING WITH YOUR PET DANGEROUS? VETERINARIANS DON’T ALWAYS AGREE HERE, BUT HERE IS ONE DISEASE THAT CAN BE CAUGHT FROM YOUR PET. CHAGAS DISEASE IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY DISEASE THAT IS CAUSED BY SCRATCHING INSECT BITES, ALLOWING INSECT FECES TO ENTER THROUGH A BREAK IN THE SKIN. SLEEPING IN THE SAME BED INCREASES YOUR CONTACT WITH YOUR PET AND THUS INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD OF SOME DISEASE. HAVING SAID THAT, IF YOU HAVE A HEALTHY PET THAT IS UP TO DATE ON WELLNESS EXAMS FROM THE VETERINARIAN AND IS UP TO DATE ON SHOTS AND MEDICATIONS, SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD NOT BE OF CONCERN. AFTER ALL, YOU CAN’T CATCH A DISEASE FROM A PET THAT IS DISEASE FREE.

How to Avoid Pet Theft

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0700

PET THEFT IS ON THE RISE AGAIN THIS YEAR. THERE ARE SOME GREAT WAYS TO AVOID BEING A VICTIM. FIRST OFF, ADULT DOGS ARE AT JUST AS MUCH RISK AS PUPPIES. NEVER LEAVE YOUR DOG UNATTENDED IN A CAR OR IN A PUBLIC PLACE. KEEP INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR RESIDENCE AND DOGS PRIVATE OR AMONGST YOUR TRUSTED FRIENDS AND FAMILY. GET A MICROCHIP IMPLANTED IN YOUR PET AND REGISTER IT. IN CASE YOUR DOG IS TAKEN, HAVE PICTURES AND INFORMATION READILY AVAILABLE.

When to Leave the Litter?

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0700

EVERYONE LOVES PUPPIES AND CAN’T WAIT TO TAKE ONE HOME, BUT VETERINARIANS WARN THAT THEY SHOULDN’T BE SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THEIR LITTER TOO YOUNG. A NEW STUDY AGREES AND SAYS THAT PUPPIES TAKEN BEFORE 2 MONTHS OF AGE ARE MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS AS ADULT DOGS. THE RESEARCH FOUND THAT PUPPIES REMOVED BEFORE 60 DAYS WERE MORE DESTRUCTIVE, BARKED EXCESSIVELY, WERE MORE REACTIVE TO NOISES, WERE MORE LIKELY TO BITE AND SOIL THE HOUSE.

My Pet's In Pain

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0700

IS YOUR PET IN PAIN? PAIN CAN OCCUR FROM AN ACUTE INJURY OR INFECTION, OR CAN BE FROM CHRONIC INFLAMMATION OR OTHER ISSUES. THERE ARE SOME OBVIOUS SIGNS SUCH AS YELPING OR LIMPING, BUT THERE ARE MANY MORE SILENT SIGNALS THAT CAN GIVE YOU AN INDICATION OF PAIN. IF YOUR PET PANTS EXCESSIVELY FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON OR HIDES FROM YOU OR IS LESS SOCIAL, CHANCES ARE IT IS SUFFERING. September, 28 2011 9:39 am

How to recognize and relieve your pet's pain

Tahoe Daily Tribune

OTHER SIGNS INCLUDE ODD CHEWING OR LICKING. ANY CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR SUCH AS BEING MORE AGGRESSIVE OR LOOKING DEPRESSED ARE OTHER SIGNS THAT YOUR PET MAY NEED TO VISIT THE DOCTOR.

Horses and Colic

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0700

COLIC IN HORSES IS A VERY COMMON CONDITION, AND IS OFTEN TIMES VERY DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX. VETERINARIANS WILL NEED A DETAILED HISTORY, AND THEN A THOROUGH PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AS THE FIRST STEPS TO DIAGNOSIS. DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND, AND BLOOD TESTS WILL PROBABLY BE NEEDED. ABSORPTION STUDIES, FECAL EXAMINATION, AND RECTAL BIOPSY MAY BE WARRANTED IN SOME CASES. COLIC CAN BE VERY DETRIMENTAL TO A HORSE’S HEALTH AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT VETERINARIANS FIND OUT THE CAUSE AND TREAT THE HORSE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Do You Smell That?

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0700

NOBODY LIKES GOING TO THE DOCTOR AND NOT KNOWING IF IT’S GOING TO BE GOOD NEWS OR BAD NEWS. BUT WITH BAD NEWS, IT’S ALWAYS NICE THAT IF THERE IS A SILVER LINING. THAT CAN COME FROM SPECIAL DOGS THAT HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO SNIFF OUT CANCER. IN FACT, DOGS CAN SMELL LUNG CANCER ON A PERSON’S BREATH. DOGS MAY ENABLE HUMANS TO BE DIAGNOSED SOONER THAN BEFORE AND THUS TREATED FOR POTENTIALLY FATAL DISEASES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THESE TRAINED CANINES CAN SAVE THOUSANDS OF LIVES WITH THEIR EARLY DIAGNOSES.

Let's Get Social

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0700

TO THE WORLD. ASIDE FROM A VERY SHORT ISOLATION PERIOD THAT YOUR VETERINARIAN WILL INFORM YOU OF, PUPPIES NEED TO LEARN SOCIALIZATION SKILLS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AND THAT INCLUDES INTERACTING WITH BOTH HUMANS AND ANIMALS. EARLY INTRODUCTIONS WILL ENCOURAGE ANIMALS TO REMAIN CALM AND FRIENDLY WITH ALL HUMANS AND ANIMALS. DOGS WILL ALSO BE HAPPIER IN GENERAL AND MORE CONTENT WITH THEIR SURROUNDINGS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY MAY BE. THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO GET YOUR PUPPY ON THE RIGHT TRACK. YOUR VETERINARIAN CAN HELP YOU FIND A DOG FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT OR TRAINER IN YOUR AREA.

Don't Declaw

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0700

DECLAWING CATS SHOULD BE A LAST RESORT. IF YOUR CAT IS CONSTANTLY DESTROYING YOUR HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, IT MAY BE TIME TO BUY MORE SCRATCH POSTS. CATS SPEND A LOT OF TIME WORKING ON THEIR NAILS BECAUSE THEY NEED TO. A CAT WITH UNKEMPT NAILS MAY SOON BEGIN TO SUFFER. IF A FELINE CANNOT RETRACT ITS CLAWS, IT WILL CAUSE SEVERE PAIN AND CAN CAUSE LIMPING, AND BIOMECHANICAL CHANGES ALL THE WAY THROUGH THEIR SPINES ULTIMATELY. THEY ARE ALSO ESSENTIAL FOR SELF-PRESERVATION DURING ATTACKS FROM OTHER CATS OR PREDATORS. IF ALL ELSE FAILS AND YOUR PET IS IN THE VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE THAT DECLAWING IS NECESSARY, KNOW THAT THERE ARE INHERENT RISKS WITH SURGERY. IN ADDITION, YOUR CAT’S BEHAVIOR IS NOT LIKELY TO CHANGE. AND ONCE A CAT IS DECLAWED, IT SHOULD BE KEPT INDOORS, AS IT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROTECT ITSELF FROM NATURE, NOR WILL IT BE AS AGILE WHILE RUNNING OR SCALING WALLS AND TREES.

Children and Pet Safety

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:55:00 -0700

HAVEN HUMANE SOCIETY IN CALIFORNIA HOLDS A CAMP THAT TEACHES CHILDREN ABOUT PET SAFETY. BAD EXPERIENCES WITH DOGS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CAN LEAVE LASTING ILL FEELINGS AND FEAR CONCERNING DOGS. THE CAMP OBJECTIVE IS TO ENSURE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MAN AND MAN’S BEST FRIEND. CAMPERS LEARN HOW TO PROPERLY READ BODY LANGUAGE OF DOGS AND ALSO HOW THEIR OWN BODY LANGUAGE IS INTERPRETED BY DOGS. ONE MAJOR LESSON TAUGHT IS THAT DOGS CONSIDER EYE CONTACT A SIGN OF DOMINANCE. DOGS NEED TO BE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND CHILDREN SHOULD NEVER APPROACH AN UNKNOWN DOG QUICKLY; AND NEVER WITH A HUG OR KISS. THIS IS INTERPRETED BY DOGS AS AN AGGRESSIVE ACT AND SOME MAY TRY TO DEFEND THEMSELVES. INSTEAD OFFER A GENTLE HAND FOR IT TO SNIFF UNTIL IT IS COMFORTABLE.

Stop Biting That

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:53:00 -0700

WHEN IT COMES TO BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS, LOOK YOUR HORSE IN THE MOUTH. J A RECENT STUDY SUGGESTS THAT EQUINE DISOBEDIENCE MAY BE DUE TO DISCOMFORT CAUSED BY BITS. THE STUDY COMPARED DENTAL DAMAGE AND ORAL BONE SPURS IN DOMESTIC VERSUS WILD HORSES. BONE OR ORAL DAMAGES WERE FOUND IN 88% OF THE DOMESTIC HORSES WHILE THE 12 WILD HORSES THAT WERE TESTED HAD NO DAMAGE. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT BITS BE CUSTOM FIT TO A HORSE’S MOUTH AND THAT IT BE USED PROPERLY AND AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE.

An End to Pet Allergies?

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:04:00 -0700

In the movie, Cats and Dogs, Jeff Goldblum’s character invents a vaccine for humans that cures dog allergies. Well, real life scientists are currently working on an injection that will cure cat allergies. Early studies show the vaccine is effective at reducing cat allergy symptoms by about 40%. When the irritants are injected instead of breathed in naturally, they turn off the T-Cells. The body builds a long term tolerance to the allergen, allowing the patient to interact with cats without the severe coughing and sneezing.

Pets, Plants, and Dangers

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:04:00 -0700

If you have been outside at all lately, then you have seen the trees and flowers in full bloom. And while they are beautiful, some plant life is very dangerous for your pets. The toxins can cause difficulty breathing, convulsions, or organ failure. Among a list of toxic plants are lilies, azaleas, elephant’s ear, oleander, and sago palms. The ASPCA website has a complete list.

Algae to Control Diabetes in Pets

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:49:00 -0700

Research shows that algae can help to control diabetes in pets. It’s important to start with a high protein, low carbohydrate diet to reduce the fluctuation in blood sugar. Couple the diet with spirulina and results should be quicker and better. Various studies show that the algae can balance blood sugar, reduce fat, inhibit osteoporosis, and speed up healing.

Where to Find a Particular Breed of Dog

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:48:00 -0700

Are you in search of a specific breed of dog? There is a new website called PerfectPetFinder.com that is designed find your perfect companion. The website has a form that can be used to help choose a breed for you. The form will indicate the most compatible breed based on living quarters, and activity levels and personality of the pet owner.

Cats and Vets

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:45:00 -0700

Cats are far less likely to visit the vet than dogs, but not because they are healthier. In fact, they are 4 times more likely to contract rabies. But many cats don’t like to travel and may have anxiety simply from being put in their carries. Some owners assume this is the case and do not even attempt to round up their cats. Unfortunately, the cats are getting the short end of the stick as they need to be examined , just as dogs.