Posts tagged "health"

Cat Health Questions: Answered

by Kirsten Taylor (Subscribe to Kirsten Taylor's posts): Oct 29th 2009 1:00PM Filed Under: Cats, Pet Health

This won't hurt a bit... Brownpau/Flickr

In honor of National Cat Day, we're answering some of your most pressing cat-health questions. Paw Nation spoke with Christine Bellezza, a veterinarian and the acting co-director of the Feline Health Center at Cornell University, to get the scoop on healthy kitties.

What are the most common cat health problems?
It depends on the age of the cat and the general status of the cat. Indoor cats versus outdoor cats, vaccinated cats versus unvaccinated cats, shelter cats versus pet cats -- each has different problems more common to them.

In general, upper respiratory diseases are some of the most common diseases you would see in cats. Other common health problems include viral disease such as panleukopenia [feline distemper] in unvaccinated cats or kittens. Internal parasites like roundworm, hookworm and tapeworms are a problem, especially for young cats. External parasites like ticks and ear mites are also very common.

In older cats, kidney disease and hyperthyroidism are common, and there is a fair amount of cancer in cats as they get older. Also, obesity is a huge problem in cats. We see diabetes, arthritis, and other problems in obese cats.

How can you tell if your cat is too fat?
Healthy weight for an individual cat might be anywhere from 7 to 14 pounds, depending on the cat's build. Owners should be able to run their hands down the cat's side and feel the ribs easily without having to push through a layer of fat. When they look down at the cat, the cat should have a waist, a slight indentation. The cat shouldn't look like a basketball.

Indoor cats are at risk because they move around a lot less. People can schedule regular play sessions. Set aside five or ten minutes twice a day to play with the cat. Feathers on a wand or toys on a string are great for cats to chase. One of the most important things is not to free-feed cats dry food. Schedule mealtimes and feed them set amount of foods.

Dog Coughing: What Does it Mean

by Michelle Toglia (Subscribe to Michelle Toglia's posts): Oct 19th 2009 3:19PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Health

jumping lab/Flickr

Dog coughing is extremely common for dogs of all ages and sizes. Dog coughing can be caused by an irritation of your dog's throat, airways or the lungs, according to the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dog coughs can signify a number of problems, from allergies to heartworm disease and can be influenced by age, breed and environment.

To help your veterinarian determine what is causing your pup to cough, take note of the way your dog coughs. A moist cough signifies fluid in the airways or throat, whereas a dry cough can be an indication of kennel cough, according to Vetinfo.

Kennel cough is an infectious dog cough caused by bacteria and viruses and can spread quickly from one dog to another. The cough is signified by a sharp, continual cough and a runny nose. Your veterinarian may prescribe a cough suppressant for your pooch, but the cough often goes away within a week, according to WebVet.

Treatment for dog coughs can include cold suppressants, medications, antibiotics, fluids and steroids, depending on the cause. Be sure to consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

Does Dog Hair Hold Clues to Human Health?

by Kirsten Taylor (Subscribe to Kirsten Taylor's posts): Aug 28th 2009 6:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pets News

Hi. How come your hair's so short? Photo: star5112/Flickr

Short, long, straight, curly, wiry, smooth or extra fluffy -- dog hair comes in a lint-brush-busting variety of lengths and textures. Now, researchers at the National Human Genome Institute have discovered that almost all the variation in dog fur comes from just three genes, as NPR reports.

Elaine A. Ostrander, chief of the Institute's cancer genetics branch, studied the DNA of more than 1,000 dogs, representing about 90 different breeds, according to NPR. "You can go to the dog park, and every breed of dog looks different from every other breed, it seems. Yet, you know, when we get down to the molecular biology, we really find that it's a combination of three different genes that accounts for all that variation," Ostrander told NPR.

Ostrander and her colleagues found that short-haired dogs like beagles have the ancestral form of each of the three genes -- the same versions found in wolves, which dogs are descended from. Changes to those genes lead to traits like wiry fur, long hair, or beards. Curlicues like Portuguese water dogs have a variation in each of the three genes, reports MSNBC.

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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