|
|
|
 How do pets help people - kids, active adults and seniors - physically, psychologically and socially?
...for answers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As PetMD.org is headquartered in Buffalo, NY, this link features events, resources and volunteer opportunities in Buffalo.
Mike Bower's Beagle, "Bailey" from East Aurora is featured on Letterman. To see the video, click here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On May 25, 2008 NASA landed on Mars with the Phoenix Mars Polar Lander to explore the surface of Mars. There was some evidence of water having been on Mars at some point.
Today the atmosphere is primarily carbon dioxide, there is little atmospheric pressure and the temperature ranges from minus 15 degrees F. to minus 115 degrees F. That is cold! It takes seven months to get from Earth to Mars. Steve the Cat was designed for kids to understand more about Mars. Here is the link to the site: Steve the Cat Visits Mars!
To learn more about how kids at different ages interact with pets and when it may be appropriate to introduce a pet
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President-elect Obama is calling for a renewed commitment to national service.
PetMD.org is calling on pet owners to donate some time to a pet organization of your choice. Even a few hours can make a difference. Perhaps you can even help set up a fund with one of your local charities for families that are struggling to feed and care for their pets during tough economic times.
PetMD.org encourages you to ACT and be part of this renewal!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| New! Pet Airways & Southwest Airlines New Pet Policy
|
|
 |
|
|
Worried about checking your pet? Now there is an airline dedicated to pet travel—in the MAIN cabin! Plus, there are no hot or cold weather restrictions. Aptly named, Pet Airways, it offers potty breaks, use of pet carriers for free, a pet attendant that monitors the pets every 15 minutes and it costs about $150 to $300 each way. To date the service is available only for cats and dogs and between New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles. More markets and pet species are planned. To learn more about Pet Airways, click here.
At the end of June, Southwest Airlines also announced that they were accepting small dogs and cats in the cabin at a cost of $75 each way. To learn more about Southwest Airlines new pet policy, click here.
 If you have a household bird, Delta offers cabin service at $150 each way and guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters and larger dogs can be checked. Reptiles, amphibians and fish are only accepted as air cargo and a health certificate is required. Pug or snub-nosed dogs and cats are not accepted as checked baggage or as cargo if the temperature exceeds 70 degrees F. Small dogs and cats in the cabin cost $150 each way. For more information on Delta's pet policy, click here.
To learn more about traveling with pets, go to PetMD.org's Travel Section. For example, reservations are required for cabin service, the pet must be at least 8 weeks old and so forth.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Take the PetMD Vet Check ✓ ™ PetCheck ✓ ™ form to your vet! Dog Cat
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tear Stains in Dogs and Cats
|
|
|
|
|
Helen Roberts, DVM
Tear Stains – Dogs
First, make sure that your dog does not have runny eyes from an infection, irritation, conjunctivitis,allergies, glaucoma, tear duct abnormalities or blockage, or eye lashes or hair growing into the eye. Consult your veterinarian if you have a breed that is pre-disposed to tear stains such as Bichon Frise’, Shih Tzu, Maltese, Lhasa Apso, Pugs, Bulldogs, Toy Poodles, Pekingese, Pomeranians, and mixes of these breeds.
Dog tear stains are caused by an overflow of the tears (epiphora) onto the cheeks. Reddish-brown tear stains are due to porphyrin (iron/magnesium combo) pigments in the stains and not an infection. Clear tears that spill over from the eyes may eventually lead to a bacterial infection causing redness and an odor. Chronic accumulation of tears below the eyes can lead to secondary infections without routine cleaning. Some breeds, due to a genetic eye conformation that reduces drainage of tears, appear to be more prone to getting tear stains. As there can be many causes of epiphora, consult your veterinarian before trying any home remedies as these may make the condition worse.
You might want to explore food without artificial coloring, distilled or filtered water (some minerals are thought to increase staining), and changing from plastic to stainless steel bowls. You can also explore products with tylosin—the active ingredient in ANGELS' EYES™ and Tylan™ powder-- that is gradually added to food. Tylosin is an antibiotic that is made from a bacterium and through an unknown mechanism appears to help eliminate tear staining. You should pay particular attention to the dosage if you choose to use this type of product although the minute dosage recommended is generally safe. It can elevate certain blood liver tests and digoxin blood levels in pets with heart conditions, so consult with your veterinarian. Beet pulp does not cause tear stains.
Tear Stains – Cats
First, make sure that your cat does not have runny eyes from a medical condition such as an upper respiratory infection—generally caused by feline herpes virus-1 (FHV-1) or feline calicivirus (FCV), bacteria, chlamydia or congential defect of the tear ducts. Consult your veterinarian.
Persian cats, due to a genetic eye conformation that can impede tear drainage, appear to be more prone to developing tear stains. Cat tear stains are caused by an overflow of the tears (epiphora) onto the cheeks. Reddish-brown tear stains, which are thought to be due to porphyrin (iron/magnesium combo) pigments in the stains and not an infection, are clear tears that may eventually lead to a bacterial infection causing redness and an odor. Chronic accumulation of tears without routine cleaning can lead to secondary infections. As there can be many causes of epiphora, consult your veterinarian before trying any home remedies as these may make the condition worse.
As for home remedies—consult your veterinarian to determine the source of the tears stains:
-
Daily washing with warm water – Wash hands, use damp cloth, avoid getting the cloth in the pet’s eyes (increases chances of injury to the cornea and re-infection), use a cotton pad to pat the area dry.
-
TUMS – antacid to change pH, ½ fruit flavor tablet twice a day – may or may not work and is not recommended due to the potential harm. Some dogs may be prone to bladder stone formation with increased oral calcium intake.
-
White Vinegar in the water bowl – 1 teaspoon—this can be added to your pet’s water that can change the pH but even with gradual introduction your pet might not like the taste, reduce its water intake thereby risking dehydration
-
Diluted Hydrogen peroxide—can get in your pet’s eye and harm your pet, and, if ingested, will cause them to vomit. It is not recommended.
Home remedies have risks as they may get in your pet’s eye and cause harm or prove to be ineffective.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plants that can be toxic to your pet
Foods that can be harmful to your pet
Preventive Care for:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Teflon pans, in 3 1/2 minutes, can release toxic gases on an electric burner set on "high". These gases are toxic to birds. To learn more
Toxins
1. Chocolate
2. Teflon fumes
3. Cigarette smoke
4. Alcohol/Caffeine
5. Mushrooms
6. Flea products
7. Avocado pit/skin
8. Dried beans
9. Fumes --cleaners
10. Aerosols
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Put your cell phone number on your pet's collar or tag to prevent losing your pet. Speed of recovery is critical in finding a lost pet. Even with a microchip implant, the chip needs to be read which generally requires a vet or shelter to read. And, only 5% of pets have the microchip. Your pet is probably outside more in the summer. It may be chasing other animals or it could be traveling with you and get lost.
Cats can benefit the most from a collar or tag with a cell phone number. In a study by Dr. Linda Lord at Ohio State University, half of all cats are not found and of those recovered 66% came home on their own (vs. 8% of dogs) and only 7% found their cat at a shelter (vs. 25% of dogs). Beyond having your cell phone number on your pet's collar, the first thing you should do is call shelters as dog owners wait a day and cat owners wait three days to contact shelters and that may be too late. Neighborhood signs resulted in 11% recovery.
To learn more:
Put your Cell Phone Number on Your Pets Collar
Read Dr. Linda Lord's Research
Helpful Recovery Tips
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
