Posts tagged "PetHealth"

Golden Retriever Eats Three-Carat Diamond Worth $20,000

by Helena Sung (Subscribe to Helena Sung's posts): Mar 18th 2010 3:00PM Filed Under: Pets News

Talk about a diamond in the ruff!

A hungry golden retriever made headlines when he swallowed a three-carat diamond worth $20,000, reports WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C.

The expensive meal was eaten at Robert Bernard Jewelry Store in Rockville, Md., where Sollie goes to work everyday with his owner, George Kaufmann, who co-owns the store with his business partner, Robert Rosin. When a visiting diamond dealer was showing the men some loose diamonds, one of the glittering gemstones dropped to the ground, according to WTTG-TV.

What occurred next was stunning. "Saw Sollie go for the diamond -- gobbled it up," Rosin told WJLA. "Tried to get it, couldn't get it -- gone!"

"Stones have dropped before and [Sollie] doesn't pay attention," Kaufmann, the dog's owner, told WTTG. But this particular diamond fell and landed right in front of his mouth.

The men quickly called the veterinarian, who had some sage advice: Let nature takes its course.

Kaufmann walked Sollie morning and night, collecting the dog's stool for inspection. On the third day, the diamond surfaced. "It was 7 a.m. and they had just come back from their morning walk," Rosin tells Paw Nation. "George was going through everything on his deck and, eureka, there it was!"

Sollie still goes to the jewelry store every day, but now Kaufmann and Rosin make sure to have lots of doggie treats on hand. "It wasn't so funny then, but I guess it's funny now," laughs Rosin.

British Man Loses License for Walking Dog While Driving Car

by Helena Sung (Subscribe to Helena Sung's posts): Mar 11th 2010 3:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pets News

A lurcher. sheyne, Flickr

A 23-year-old British man was charged with reckless driving and lost his license after police witnessed the man, Paul Railton, driving his car and walking his dog, a lurcher, alongside the vehicle as he held the dog's leash out of the driver's side window.

Railton pled guilty to "not being in proper control of a vehicle," reports the (U.K.) Guardian. He was fined the equivalent of about $100 and -- due to prior penalty points accumulated on his license -- was banned from driving for six months.

The matter was initially brought to the police's attention by a concerned cyclist, who was riding down a country road and spotted what appeared to be a dog being dragged alongside a car that was traveling at about five miles per hour, reports the Guardian.

Railton's lawyer admits that his client didn't use the best judgment. "He accepts it was a silly thing to do and there was an element of laziness. He does not usually drive in a such a manner," the Guardian reports attorney Paul Donoghue as saying.

But Railton doesn't think there was anything wrong with what he did. "A lot of people exercise their dogs in that manner," Fox 5 News reports Railton as saying.

Insane Dog Products From the Past

by Eliot Glazer (Subscribe to Eliot Glazer's posts): Mar 10th 2010 1:00PM Filed Under: Traveling with Pets

Many of us look back on the early- to mid-20th century as a time when life was simple, intentions were pure, and America was a shining beacon to which the rest of the world looked for guidance and inspiration.

That is until you see this ad from the June 1936 issue of Popular Mechanics featuring the Dog Sack, a handy-dandy device used to strap your dog to the side of your car so it can ride "safely and comfortably" on the running board. Then you realize that some of the inspiration America was selling involved truly insane ideas. Those poor dogs!

Here is hoping that no one actually bought this thing.

Are Treats Making Your Pet Fat?

by Daphne Sashin (Subscribe to Daphne Sashin's posts): Mar 3rd 2010 1:00PM Filed Under: Pet Health, Animal Nutrition

fat dog Vandelizer, Flickr

We love giving our pets treats, whether to reward good behavior, keep them occupied or because we simply can't resist their plaintive stares or begging. But all those jerky treats, dental chews and milk bones are making our domestic animals fat.

"If I could only point to one factor causing the modern-day pet obesity epidemic, it would have to be treats," says veterinarian Ernie Ward, founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention and author of "Chow Hounds: Why Our Dogs Are Getting Fatter – A Vet's Plan to Save Their Lives."

Vets and animal-nutrition experts point the finger at fattening pet snacks: Packed with sugar and carbohydrates, even the tiniest packaged cheese or bacon snack becomes what Ward calls "calorie grenades."

"It's that seemingly innocent extra 50 calories a day in the form of a chew or cookie that adds up to a pound or two each year. By the time a dog or cat reaches mid-life, it's overweight and health risks begin to skyrocket," Ward says. Obesity is being blamed for health problems such as diabetes, joint pain and breathing problems in pets.

That doesn't mean the snacks have to stop, but experts say treats should make up no more than 10 percent of your pet's daily calories. That's not much, considering a 10-pound cat needs less than 300 calories daily and a 40-pound dog should only get about 1,000 calories.

Making things trickier, manufacturers don't list calorie contents on their packages, and they don't have to.

Animal Blood Banks: Pets Saving Other Pets

by Jeanne Sager (Subscribe to Jeanne Sager's posts): Feb 25th 2010 3:45PM Filed Under: Pet Health

Zevotron, Flickr

You never want to imagine your dog or cat needing a blood transfusion – but there is one group of people working to make sure your pet is covered. They're the folks at animal blood banks scattered throughout the country, a group that likens itself to the Red Cross -- but for pets.

"We do everything the same way," explains W. Jean Dodds, D.V.M., president of Hemopet, the only national non-profit animal blood bank. Blood is taken, typed and stored for shipment to veterinarians across the country. At local clinics this blood supply is put into animals who've lost blood from injuries or is pumped into dogs during surgery. It is also used to treat a host of diseases from anemia to Von Willebrand's (a hemophilia relatively common in canines).

Blood is also ordered by some breeders to be used for puppies whose mothers have died or who are in dire straits, but most blood banks deal strictly with vets.

The goal, according to Debbie Sweany, manager of the Veterinarian's Blood Bank in Southern Indiana, is to ensure the veterinarians have enough blood to serve all their needs. Large 24-hour veterinary clinics in major cities are their number-one clients, but small country vets make orders too -- and they're responsive to the needs of their patients. If a cat is going through cancer treatments, for example, it may need frequent transfusions, and vets will order enough to keep up with that demand.

Dead Iguanas Poisoning Florida Dogs

by Eliot Glazer (Subscribe to Eliot Glazer's posts): Feb 23rd 2010 5:00PM Filed Under: Pets News

An unusual threat is making dogs in South Florida suffer paralysis that can last up to a week and in extreme cases, can end in death. The surprising cause? Dead iguanas. The recent frigid temperatures killed these reptiles, leaving behind remains that are being eaten by curious dogs -- who then proceed to get sick from botulism in the dead animals.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel's news program, The Morning Show, reports on the illnesses.

Petfinder.com Introduces New FurKeeps Program

by Rebecca Quimby (Subscribe to Rebecca Quimby's posts): Feb 22nd 2010 1:00PM Filed Under: Pet Adoption

put that down, Flickr

Did you know that 34.2 percent of people who give up their pets have had them for over two years? Clearly, these folks didn't give up their furry family member at the first sign of inconvenience--which, lets be honest, happens the first day you bring a pet home. But due to changes in housing, the potentially high costs of pet-owning, behavior problems, and a host of other reasons, many animal adoptions don't quite take.

That's why this March, Petfinder.com is introducing their new FurKeeps program. (Though you can go online now and preview some of the features.) Prospective pet parents can go the section "Starting Your Adoption Right" which features an adoption checklist as well as an explanation about what to expect in the first 30 days with your new pet. Current pet parents will be able ask pet professionals their questions about animal care, health, and behavior in a free "Ask the Experts" online forum. The FurKeeps Web site also includes resources addressing the most common reasons people give up their pets. From tips on finding animal-friendly housing (36.4 percent relinquish their pets because of a move) to pet training tips (17.9 percent of pets are given up because of behavioral problems), the site aims to help you plan ahead. As the site says, "Part of being a great pet parent is planning for the long haul. Your adoptive pet could be with you for a very long time, and even pet parents who have the best intentions at the time of adoption run into problems sometimes. This is nothing to be ashamed of."

In other words, pets can be a pain. We all love them, but it is common for there to be tough times with furry family members and its good to remember that there are resources to help.

Betty White Talks About Her Two Passions -- Comedy And Animals

by Helena Sung (Subscribe to Helena Sung's posts): Feb 19th 2010 5:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Celebrity Pets

Courtesy of Morris Animal Foundation

At 88, Betty White's career is going as strong as ever. She recently starred in the hilarious Snickers Super Bowl commercial, which was watched by the largest television audience ever. She had an unforgettable turn as Ryan Reynolds' kooky grandmother in the 2009 romantic comedy, "The Proposal," with Sandra Bullock. And in recent weeks, there's been a Facebook campaign to get her to host "Saturday Night Live," an effort that already has close to 400,000 supporters.

White, who has been an actress for more than 60 years, has as much passion for animals as she does for show business and divides her time equally between the two worlds. For decades, she has worked with the Morris Animal Foundation to promote animal health and welfare, sponsoring more than 30 animal health studies that have led to groundbreaking research that have improved the lives of dogs, cats and horses.

On Feb. 15 in Las Vegas, Nev., the Morris Animal Foundation honored White for her commitment to helping animals enjoy longer and healthier lives. P&G Pet Care, who sponsored the luncheon, made a $10,000 donation in White's name to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Afterwards, White spoke with Paw Nation about her career, her much adored dog Pontiac, and how deeply honored she felt to be recognized for her work with animals.

Should I call you Betty or Ms. White?
Oh, Betty. That's so much easier.

How long have you worked with the Morris Animal Foundation?
I've worked with them for 43 years and they made me a wonderful luncheon today honoring me and, well, I lost it. I just lost it. I was so touched.

Top Reasons Dogs and Cats Visit the Vet

by Jeanne Sager (Subscribe to Jeanne Sager's posts): Feb 18th 2010 5:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Cats, Pet Health

Getty Images

Your dog's ears may be better at hearing than yours will ever be --- but taking care of them comes at a price.

According to an evaluation of veterinary claims filed with the Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI), canine ear infections were the leading cause of vet visits in the United States. In 2009 alone, VPI -- the company that insures almost half a million American pets -- received about 68,000 claims for ear related vet visits. The average cost per visit was $100.

Also among the company's top reasons for doggie vet visits were skin allergies at number two, followed by skin infection/hot spots, gastritis/vomiting and enteritis/diarrhea.

In cats, lower urinary tract disease was the most common concern -- the VPI counted 3,700 claims for cats with urinary issues, costing their owners an average of $260 a visit. The other common reasons felines went to the vet included gastritis/vomiting in the number two spot, followed by chronic renal failure, hyperthyroidism and diabetes.

Dog Owner Performs Surgery Himself to Avoid Vet Bills

by Jeanne Sager (Subscribe to Jeanne Sager's posts): Feb 12th 2010 11:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Health

Paul Bridgewater, Flickr

A Rhode Island man who performed surgery on his own dog to remove a cyst on the aging Lab mix's leg is facing animal cruelty charges. So why does Alan MacQuattie blame it all on the economy?

The Vietnam vet told TV station WPRI he didn't have the money to pay a vet for the dog's care, but he didn't want 14-year-old Nakita to suffer. Using what he says was training from the Army, MacQuattie injected the dog with Lanacane to numb her pain and got to work removing a cyst on her hind leg.

When animal control and representatives of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA) received reports of the at-home surgery, they showed up at MacQuattie's Barrington home and found Nakita with a wound on her right leg. The group's chief doctor told WPRI "poverty is no excuse" for what MacQuattie did.

The dog was taken to a local animal hospital where a second surgery was performed, while MacQuattie has pled no contest to charges of unnecessary cruelty to animals and unauthorized practice of veterinary medicine. But he maintains what he did was the humane thing -- and animal control has allowed him to have his best friend back.

Estimates from Consumer Reports put the average cost of a vet visit for an older dog or cat at $340, but there are options out there for pet owners suffering in this ailing economy. The Humane Society of the United States maintains a list of organizations that offer everything from pet-food assistance to offsetting medical bills.

Some veterinary schools also run low-cost clinics for pet owners. Check with the American Veterinary Medicine Association for one near you.

Black-and-Tan Coonhounds 101

by Rose Martelli (Subscribe to Rose Martelli's posts): Feb 12th 2010 10:00AM Filed Under: Dogs

Shames Privacy, Flickr

Name: Black-and-Tan Coonhound

Personality: Black-and-tan coonhounds were born to hunt, and as such are considered to be particularly determined dogs. But with the breed's love of the hunt come many desirable qualities: intelligence, alertness, loyalty, people-friendliness, and a desire to please. The American Kennel Club describes the breed as having an:"Even temperament, outgoing and friendly ... Some may be reserved but never shy or vicious." Web site "The Dog Guide" proudly states, "The black-and-tan coonhound is a solidly American dog."

Grooming: This dog is pretty low maintenance. JustDogBreeds.com defines the Black and Tan as a "medium shedder" that needs only a quick, daily brushing and weekly ear cleaning to stay in top form.

Common Health Issues: "There are a number of health issues that are associated with the breed," says JustDogBreeds.com, including cataracts and bleeding disorders. Other sources suggest owners stay on the lookout for progressive retinal atrophy, dysplasia, and eye and ear infections as the dog ages. As with any purebreds, a black-and-tan's breeding papers can ensure that yours comes from healthy stock. The Dog Guide also recommends regulating the dog's food intake to prevent obesity and other problems down the road.

Training Tips: According to Dog Breed Info Center, "A black-and-tan who is not taught respect and/or who is lacking in exercise can become high-strung and play too rough. This breed requires firm, patient and ongoing leadership and training to prevent them from becoming willful. Lack of leadership and/or mental and physical exercise may cause separation anxiety, causing them to be destructive and/or howl if they are left alone."

The Doggie Diaries: Poop Everywhere

by Ben Westhoff (Subscribe to Ben Westhoff's posts): Feb 11th 2010 11:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Health

Anna Westhoff

Looking back, I had no idea what to expect. When my wife Anna and I adopted Pippi a couple of months ago, I anticipated some dog walking, the destruction of socks, and some muddy paw prints on the finery. But I never thought I'd have to deal with puddles of diarrhea all over the house.

My first encounter with the poo was after a fairly late evening in the city. Getting home at around 1 a.m., I walked into the kitchen, where we keep Pippi at night. The smell hit me first, and then I saw the awful mess. This was odd, because Pippi is fairly well house-trained at this point, and almost never goes number two indoors.

I cleaned it up and then, the next morning, Anna awoke to more puddles. This continued for a few days. Whenever we took her out she relieved herself, but her consistently upset stomach ensured that she couldn't hold out for more than a couple of hours. I feared she was seriously sick, but after consulting with her sister and reading up on the subject, Anna concluded that Pippi had acute, rather than chronic, diarrhea. She was not lethargic, for one thing, which would point towards a chronic case, as would watery, mucus-coated or blood-coated stools. So instead of taking her to the vet we simply cut her food portions in half as our research had recommended and hoped for the best.

How to Know If Your Cat Is Overweight

by Paul Ammann (Subscribe to Paul Ammann's posts): Feb 5th 2010 4:00PM Filed Under: Cats, Pet Health

Flickr/danperry.com

The majority of today's pet cats are at least somewhat overweight, and a large percentage is obese. Long gone are the days when an average, medium-framed adult feline weighed a sleek ten pounds. Now, the same cat typically will weigh thirteen to fourteen pounds. A disturbing number will tip the scales at a morbidly obese twenty pounds or more.

Are you concerned that your cat is overweight? Here is what you need to know:

1. If your cat is an adult female, she should weigh between seven and eleven pounds. Exceptions are purebred cats of the Maine coon, Norwegian forest cat and ragdoll breeds. Healthy females of these breeds can weigh as much as fourteen pounds.

2. If your cat is an adult male, and not one of the larger breeds mentioned above, he should weigh nine to twelve pounds. Healthy males of the larger breeds can weigh thirteen to eighteen pounds normally.

3. Even if your cat does not exceed the guidelines above, he or she may still be overweight. One way to tell is to stand your cat up on its back legs. Do you see a "waist" just below the rib cage and just above the hind legs? Cats should not be perfect rectangles or squares. They are designed to have shoulders and ribs that are broader than their hips, like an athletic human swimmer.

Dog Eye Discharge: Common Causes

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Nov 11th 2009 8:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Health

All clear! No dog eye discharge here. Michal Cizek, AFP/Getty Images

Dog eye discharge -- we've all dealt with it. In fact, it's a rare morning when our pups wake up without a bit of icky goop in the corners of their eyes. Yes, we know: eeeewwww.

However, there's a difference between the harmless daily discharge that occurs in all dogs and dog eye discharge caused by an infection or disease. According to PetPlace.com, abnormal dog eye discharge can appear suddenly or gradually and can come in many forms, including somewhat clear and watery, mucoid (or gray and rope-like), mucopurulent (meaning it's a thick yellow-green color) or bloody. Watch the tissue around the eye for irritation and puffiness, and remember that, generally speaking, more discharge means a more serious problem.

These different types of dog eye discharge have a few possible causes. A problem with the tear duct can prevent normal tear drainage, or there could be excess tear production caused by eye pain. Inflammation of the eyelid, cornea, iris or blood vessels in the eye can cause this, or it could be due to another problem, such as corneal ulcers, lens displacement, or another defect within the eyelid.

If your pet seems otherwise perfectly normal, try cleaning the area with a warm, damp cloth and flushing the eye with saline solution, says Natural Dog Health Remedies. However, you should never use human eye drops or other human eye medications on your dog.

If the problem isn't resolved in a couple of days, or if your dog seems at all bothered by the eye (acting differently or rubbing the area), get to your vet right away for an accurate diagnosis.

Blue-Green Algae Dangerous to Dogs

by Kirsten Taylor (Subscribe to Kirsten Taylor's posts): Nov 5th 2009 5:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Health

Let your pooch doggy paddle only when the water's clear.
dionhinchcliffe/Flickr

Few things are cuter than watching a happy dog splashing around in the water. (After all, it's called the doggy paddle for a reason.) But a hidden danger lurks in many lakes and ponds -- noxious blooms of blue-green algae that can be harmful to people and fatal to dogs.

Officials in Minnesota last month warned residents to keep kids and pets away from suspicious looking lakes after linking the algae to the death of a 3-year-old black lab, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

The blue-green algae thrive in still waters, Matthew Lindon, a pollution control specialist with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, tells Paw Nation. These algae occur naturally in many bodies of water, he says, and normally don't cause harm to swimmers, either human or canine. But when nutrients in the lake are rich and temperatures are high, the algae can multiply like gremlins, forming a thick scum on the surface.

These large masses of algae, called harmful algal blooms, sometimes produce dangerous toxins, according to a fact sheet produced by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. After coming into contact with the algae, people or animals might have skin irritation or breathing problems. Dogs and other animals have died after drinking lake water containing the toxins, the Agency reports.

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Miniature Dogs

Miniature Poodle
Miniature Poodles, like all Poodles, are excellent swimmers who originated as a water retrievers. All Poodles, Standard, Miniature and Toy are actually one breed, just different sizes. Miniature Poodles, who can be white, black, apricot or gray, are usually 15 inches or under, according to the American Kennel Club.

David McKelvey/http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgmckelvey/3748491903/

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Dachshund
The Miniature Daschund, only 11 pounds or under, is not a separate classification of the Daschund -- it's just a smaller version of the Standard. The miniature dog, with its long bodies and strong sense of smell, are both hunters and lapdogs, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is of German descent and was originally bred to be a small farm dog. The most popular of the three Schnauzer breeds, the Miniature Schnauzer is a attentive, lively and a favorite among celebrities like Mary Tyler Moore and Bill Cosby. The strongly built miniature dog is between 12 to 14 inches, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Bull Terrier
Just like the playful Bull Terrier, the Miniature Bull Terrier, who originated in England, has a similar personality. Don't let its size fool you – the Miniature Bull Terrier is strong, energetic and audacious. Miniature Bull Terriers are between 10 to 15 inches and can be solid white or colored, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo Dog is one of three separate categories of the American Eskimo Dog. Between 12 to 15 inches, the bright white dog is loving, protecting and sociable. Now a great companion dog, the miniature dog was once a circus dog, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Pinscher
Also known as the "Min Pin," the Miniature Pinscher is a German Breed whose ancestry includes the Daschund, Italian Greyhound and the shorthaired German Pinscher. The quick, curious dog is the perfect apartment dog. Despite its small size, the compact pooch makes a wonderful watchdog. The spirited miniature dog, about 10 inches to 12 1/2 inches, can be red, black, or chocolate with tan, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs