The World Health Organization has announced that it plans to examine the transmission of the novel coronavirus between humans and pets. This has been prompted by a scientific study which found that among domestic animals, cats and ferrets can become infected with the virus that causes...
Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis) is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, and is transmitted by the bite of infected deer ticks. Dogs are at increased risk for contracting Lyme disease in the spring and summer months. Lyme disease has been found in all 50 U.S. states,...
This fashionable little pup is 10 month old Moosh! Moosh’s “mom” had been working in the hospitality industry, but when events started being canceled due to the COVID-19 health crisis, she was laid off from her job. It’s never a good time for a pet to...
As more and more businesses are temporarily closing due to the Coronavirus outbreak, many concerned pet owners are wondering if their local veterinary practices will be open. According to an article on the Veterinary Information Network website, some—but not all—states are declaring veterinary clinics as...
Cute little Theo is a rescue pup living with a single mom who is both working and studying for a degree. While she works hard to provide for her family, Theo's mom wasn't prepared for his recent veterinary emergency. Theo began urinating blood and his vet...
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has created a fact sheet on Coronavirus for pet owners. They address common concerns, including whether or not cats and dogs can become infected with the virus or pass it on. As of this time, there is no evidence that...
This year’s Global Pet Expo, a convention hosted by the American Pet Products Association and the Pet Industry Distributors Association, highlighted some new product trends that are driving the pet food market this year. A Switch from Grain-Free to Grain-Friendly Diets The grain-free pet food trend, which...
An important animal awareness holiday happens in March: Pet Poison Prevention Month. The ASPCA urges pet owners to be mindful of the following common pet poison hazards: Household cleaning products Pesticides (insect and rodent) Certain people foods Automotive products (like antifreeze) Medicines (human and pet, Rx...
Veterinarians at the University of California, Davis have been studying the health of cats affected by the recent California wildfires. They have found that cats who suffered burns and smoke inhalation developed a high incidence of cardiovascular problems. Researchers examined 51 cats referred for veterinary treatment...
The Royal Veterinary College recently completed a large study on elbow disease in UK dogs. Researchers examined the records of over 455,000 dogs under veterinary care to determine the risk factors for elbow disease in dogs. Here are some highlights of the study, you can read...
The new strain of coronavirus from Wuhan, China (2019-nCoV) is believed to be a virus that jumped from animals (possibly bats via another species) to humans. While its contagiousness among people is a worldwide health concern, what about our pets? Veterinarians at Texas A&M University report...
Taking your dog for a walk is a great way for you and your pet to enjoy quality time together and get in some healthy exercise. Seems like a simple activity, but the American Veterinary Medical Association reminds dog owners to keep their best friend’s...
The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) has updated their testing and management guidelines for the feline retroviruses FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) and FeLV (feline leukemia virus). These two potentially life-threatening illnesses can be managed with proper owner education, testing, and vaccinations. As the AAFP notes...
There are many reasons to spay and neuter your pets. Spay/neuter is the best way to reduce homeless pet overpopulation and to prevent certain kinds of diseases—including cancer—of the reproductive system in both males and females. New research published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical...
Does one dog year really equal seven human years? This long-held belief is undergoing some high-tech revision. Scientists say a more accurate way to measure an animal’s age is to use something called an epigenetic clock—the accumulation of chemical modifications in an animal’s DNA over its...
The American Heart Association recently published a study on the health benefits of dog ownership for people at risk for heart attack and stroke. According to the study, dog ownership is associated with a 33% lower risk of death for heart attack survivors who live alone,...
An organization of cat care professionals in the UK called The Cat Group has created a very helpful “Kitten Checklist” for anyone thinking about adding a new kitten to their family! This user-friendly checklist was designed to help owners choose a happy and healthy kitten, whether...
The University of Washington and Texas A&M University have teamed up for a large-scale study called the Dog Aging Project. The project invites dog owners to nominate their pets to be part of the study. The goal of the Dog Aging Project is to identify factors...
The placebo effect is a known factor in human medicine. It occurs when a patient feels that they are benefiting from a fake pill or treatment, often given to patients in double-blind studies when researchers are testing new medications. Is there a placebo effect for pets? ...
Diabetes is a health issue that can affect dogs and cats as well as us humans. Did you know that 1 in 300 dogs and 1 in 230 cats in the U.S. have diabetes? November is Pet Diabetes Month, the perfect time to find out if...
Fall can be a great time to set out on outdoor adventures with your dog. The weather is crisp and cool to keep you and your dog comfortable, and all that beautiful fall foliage is definitely an added benefit. We’ve gathered some of the best fall...