Could Your Senior Dog Have Kennel Cough?

As the holidays approach, many people have to board their dogs. Like a child exposed to all the germs at school, senior dogs can be extremely susceptible to kennel cough.  Unlike a child that can cover their mouth when they cough, this is a highly contagious illness for dogs.

What is Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough is a respiratory illness that dogs can catch when they are around other infected dogs, whether it’s in a shelter, dog park, rescue center or boarding facility. Although most of us pet parents know it as kennel cough, the official name is canine infectious respiratory disease or CID. When a dog has kennel cough his trachea and bronchi are inflamed.

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Lifting the Veil: Canine Cataracts & Cataract Surgery

The word “cataract” derives from the Greek word for waterfall, and so is apt as the term for an opaque, whitened lens which impairs the passage of light (a more complete discussion can be read here).  The lens is essentially a bag of protein, with lens fibers residing inside a defined capsule (a modified basement membrane). Like cooking an egg white, changes in the structure and orientation of the usually-parallel lens fibers will cause light to reflect from the surface, instead of transmitting through to the retina. Cataracts are typically staged from incipient (<10%) to immature (10-90+%) to mature (complete, Figure 1) and hypermature (complete yet resorbing lens, with lens capsule wrinkling and crystalline refractive opacities present). Visual impairment can result from almost any stage of cataract (eg a small cataract in the axial, posterior lens capsule will be directly in the path of the most important central light rays), although obviously more complete cataracts elicit greater visual impairment.

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What To Know About ‘Bunny Ebola,’ The Rabbit Virus Sweeping The Southwest US

It's hardy, contagious, and risky to wild animals and pets.

A deadly virus is spreading with alarming speed among wild and domestic rabbits in seven southwestern states. The contagion causes an illness called rabbit hemorrhagic disease that has earned the nickname “bunny Ebola” because the disease causes massive internal bleeding and bloody discharge around the nose and mouth. The virus kills swiftly—as happened in February, when pet rabbits boarding at a veterinary practice in Manhattan suddenly began to die without warning, The New Yorker reported last month.

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There Are Swimming Tarantulas In Texas And It’s Terrifying

Have you enjoyed spending time outdoors while the weather was warm this year? Perhaps you are the type of person who likes jumping in the swimming pool or maybe even going to a state park and swimming in the lake.

If you happen to fall into that category, we have something to share with you and it’s not pretty.

To read more on this story, click here: There Are Swimming Tarantulas In Texas And It’s Terrifying

Cataracts In Cats: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatments

If you’ve noticed a change in your cat’s eye color or their vision seems impaired, you may suspect cataracts of being the cause.

Cataracts are sometimes viewed as a condition that only affects the eyes of seniors, but this is not the case with cats. In fact, age is generally not the main factor when cats develop them, and it’s more rare for cataracts to appear in cats than in dogs.

You should always take your cat to the vet if you notice abnormalities when it comes to their eyes. Here’s what you should know about cataracts in cats.

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Kennel Cough In Dogs

If your dog is hacking away or constantly making noises that make it sound like they are choking on something, they may have a case of kennel cough, or canine infectious tracheobronchitis. Although kennel cough can sound terrible, most of the time it is not a serious condition, and most dogs will recover without treatment.

What is Kennel Cough?

Just as human colds may be caused by many different viruses, kennel cough itself can have multiple causes. One of the most common culprits is a bacterium called Bordetella bronchiseptica m-- which is why kennel cough is often called Bordetella. Most dogs that become infected with Bordetella are infected with a virus at the same time. These viruses, which are known to make dogs more susceptible to contracting Bordetella infection, include canine adenovirus, canine distemper virus, canine herpes virus, parainfluenza virus and canine reovirus.

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Helping Your Depressed Pet Bird

Depression in pet birds is more common than you might think. Check for the signs that mean your bird is not in its usual cheerful mood. Many symptoms of depression also could point to an illness, so it is a good idea to visit the avian veterinarian for a checkup. Learn the small changes that can bring back those happy chirps

Causes of Bird Depression

Depression in pet birds has a number of causes, both mental and physical. Any illness or recovery from being sick and result in the bird being less chipper. The mental and psychological stresses that can lead your bird to be blue include a change in cage position, boredom, the death of a partner, or the loss of a favorite toy.

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Fat, Flightless Parrot Named Bird of the Year After a Campaign Tainted by Voter Fraud

London (CNN)A lengthy and bitter election campaign that dragged in competing interest groups and was sullied by a voter fraud scandal came to an unlikely end on Monday, when a fat, flightless and nocturnal parrot stunned pundits to claim an upset victory.

The kakapo, officially the world's heaviest parrot, won New Zealand's Bird of the Year vote after a weeks-long campaign that rivaled human political contests in intensity.

It became the first bird to win the contest for a second time -- a feat not explicitly prohibited by the country's constitution -- and snatched victory thanks to the competition's unique and convoluted voting system, having lost the outright popular vote to the Antipodean albatross.

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Feline Vision Problems: A Host of Possible Causes

In most cases, early diagnosis and treatment can keep a cat from losing its eyesight, but it's important to look for signs of trouble and ensure your cat gets regular check-ups.

Cats have developed several unique vision features during their evolution that enable them to see clearly indoors and out. Unfortunately, these finely-tuned feline eyes are vulnerable to injury and a wide variety of diseases that can dramatically impair a cat’s eyesight or, in some cases, render a cat partially or totally blind.

"We see cats that are either blind or going blind several times a week," says Thomas Kern, DVM, associate professor of ophthalmology at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. "Most of these animals have eye disease as a primary disorder—they have no other health problems. And most of them are middle-aged or elderly cats whose vision loss has been progressing for years."

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9 Most Common Dog Eye Problems

Dog eye problems are very common and in most cases it's just a mild inconvenience. However, certain conditions will be more serious and require veterinary intervention, including surgery.

Studies observed that German Shepherd Dogs and Maltese are twice more likely to suffer from different types of eye disease than any other breed. Dry eyes, cataracts, corneal ulcers, progressive retinal atrophy and glaucoma are the most common eye conditions in dogs, commonly occurring in breeds between ages of 4 and 7 

Eye disease are often inherited, and it's the most well-studied areas of all inherited diseases in dogs. Below is a list of nine most common dog eye problems with pictures, their causes, prevention and treatment.

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Baby Owls Sleep Face Down Because Their Heads Are Too Heavy

If you couldn’t imagine baby owls getting any cuter, it turns out that they can. Consider for a second—have you ever thought about how the creatures take a nap? We know that adult owls sleep upright, but the owlets can’t do that yet as their heads are too heavy. So until they get large enough to nap sitting up, the tiny birds have an alternate solution; they lie down on their stomachs and turn their heads to the side before drifting to dreamland.

Miraculously, the young owls do this all while resting on a tree branch. And they don’t fall off, thanks in part to the strength of their back toe called the hallux. The hallux tethers the creature to the branch and it won’t move until the owlet bends its leg.

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Tiny War Dog Saved Soldiers’ Lives in WWII and Became First Therapy Dog

A tiny Yorkshire Terrier named Smoky may not have looked tough, but the dog was a seasoned war veteran by the end of World War II. Not only that, her owner credited her with saving his life and she became the first ever registered therapy dog after the war.

Smoky was first discovered in an abandoned foxhole in the New Guinea jungle by an American soldier in February 1944. The soldiers originally thought she belonged to a Japanese soldier, but she did not understand commands in either English or Japanese, leaving her origins unknown.

To read more on this story, click here: Tiny War Dog Saved Soldiers’ Lives in WWII and Became First Therapy Dog

Meet Sergeant Stubby: The Most Decorated War Dog in History

Before he became the most decorated war dog in American history, Sergeant Stubby was homeless: unwanted, unwashed, unloved, and scrounging for scraps on the streets of Connecticut.

As documented in history books but largely forgotten today, Stubby was no ordinary stray; he was a tenacious canine, a courageous scout and a fiercely loyal friend.

For his valorous actions, Stubby is recognized as the most-decorated dog in American history. But before he was a hero, he was homeless: unwanted, unwashed, unloved, scrounging for scraps on the streets of New Haven, Connecticut in 1917. His fortunes changed, however, when he ran into a young Soldier training on the grounds of Yale University – Private First Class Robert Conroy of the 102nd Infantry Regiment – who adopted the scrappy little stray and named him Stubby for his short stature and tail.

To read more on this story, click here: Meet Sergeant Stubby: The Most Decorated War Dog in History

If You're Thinking About Adopting a Cat, Here's Exactly How Much It'll Cost

If you're looking into adopting a cat, you're in for all the snuggles, special moments, and catching your new feline pal getting into nooks you never thought possible. Life will be so much sweeter – but it also comes with a multitude of costs and expenses. For some, cats might seem much more low maintenance than other pets, which can be true. That being said, the yearly costs of having a cat should be examined before adopting, that way, you avoid unpleasant surprises when presented with initial adoption fees, and the eventual veterinary expenses, food costs, and more. Having everything laid out beforehand will make the entire process of getting a cat much smoother, and you'll steer clear of upsets throughout the years as you focus on enjoying your furry friend.

To read more on this story, click here: If You're Thinking About Adopting a Cat, Here's Exactly How Much It'll Cost

12 Things You Should Know About the Peekapoo Dog Breed

While poodle mixes are becoming more and more popular, many prospective dog parents overlook one of the older and best mixes- the Peekapoo.

Peekapoos, or Pekeapoos, depending on your spelling preference, are truly little bundles of joy.

But don’t be fooled by their small stature. Peekapoos aren’t your typical purse-sized pups.

Keep reading to learn more about the Peekapoo breed.

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Why Is My Dog Drinking So Much Water?

Like all mammals, dogs need to drink water in sufficient amounts to keep their bodies functioning normally. Water is essential to digestion, circulation and elimination, and plays an important role in regulating body heat. Without adequate fluid intake, a dog will become dehydrated and, in time, very sick. Severe dehydration can even result in death.

Normally, dogs self-regulate their fluid intake very well. As long as a dog has a bowl of fresh water available, he will generally drink enough water to stay hydrated but not enough to cause him harm. That said, there are a number of conditions that may cause a dog to drink more water than usual, and possibly more than he should. So if you’re wondering, “Why is my dog drinking so much water?” read on to learn what might be going on.

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Animal Rescue Pleads ‘Snip The Straps’ On Disposable Face Masks After Hundreds Of Wild Animals Become Entangled In Them

Countries around the world were eliminating single-use plastics and slowly starting to reduce plastic pollution, but it all went out the window when the global pandemic hit.

8 million tons of plastic enter our oceans every year, killing thousands of animals, but with the recent surge in single-use personal protective equipment (PPE) the situation just got worse.

To read more on this story, click here: Animal Rescue Pleads ‘Snip The Straps’ On Disposable Face Masks After Hundreds Of Wild Animals Become Entangled In Them

What To Know About Cat Vaccinations

Cats don’t actually have nine lives, so you need to do what you can to protect them. The key? The right vaccinations. Shots protect your cat from diseases caused by viruses and bacteria. They can also strengthen their immune system.

Whether you have a kitten or an adult cat, your vet can help you figure out which vaccines are best and how often your kitty should get shots. It usually depends on their age, overall health, and lifestyle. The vet will also think about how long vaccines are supposed to last and how likely your cat might be to come into contact with a certain disease. Also, many local and state governments have laws about vaccines like rabies.

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Giant Andean Condor Can Fly Without Flapping Its Wings for Over 5 Hours

Looking at an Andean condor, one might wonder how such an enormous bird flies at all, let alone achieves an altitude of over 16,000 feet (5,000 meters). This giant species of vulture can have a wingspan of 10 feet and a body weight comparable to a human toddler, between 20 to 30 pounds. Recently, researchers at Swansea University collaborated with scientists in Argentina to study the flight of Andean condors in their habitat. They sought to answer how often and in what weather conditions the large birds flap their wings in flight, thereby using precious energy to remain at or change their altitude.

To read more on this story, click here: Giant Andean Condor Can Fly Without Flapping Its Wings for Over 5 Hours

Scientists Find 33 Creatures Living In A Cave That Was Sealed Off For 5 Million Years

After 5 million years of total isolation from the world, what do you think you’d find inside a totally sealed off cave? Dinosaurs? Prehistoric bugs? Evidence of alien life? No one knew until Dr. Christian Lascu finally opened up Movile cave in Romania. Before that point, the cave had gone completely untouched for somewhere around 5 million years…except by the few creatures who adapted to be able to survive there.

Being closed off from the world for so long caused fresh air to become completely nonexistent in the cave, rendering the air inside toxic and oppressively humid. However, these conditions not only allowed for incredible life to be formed, but to thrive. Some creatures are just so adaptable and so different from humans that they can survive in areas where we’d never dream of living!

To read more on this story, click here: Scientists Find 33 Creatures Living In A Cave That Was Sealed Off For 5 Million Years

Stunning Glasswing Butterflies Have Wings That Look Like Transparent Windows

The glasswing butterfly (scientifically known as Greta oto) might be the most beautiful bug you have never heard of! Their delicate wings have a frame of orange and white colors similar to the monarch butterfly. However, the rest of their fancy wings are made of flawless clear panes that look like windows. A recent video from KQED provides a “Deep Look” at these special creatures. You will discover that their gorgeous wings serve two purposes: the white stripe warns predators of toxicity, and the clear panes allow the butterfly to disappear into its surrounding (making it almost invisible).

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Rare Yellow Turtle Spotted For Only Second Time Looks Like Melted Cheese

 

The unusual bright yellow creature, an albino Indian flapshell turtle, got rescued in West Bengal, India. And the internet thinks it looks like cheese, or an egg yolk.

Turtles don't just come in shades of green. They come in yellow too. A rare yellow version of the albino Indian flapshell turtle was just spotted and rescued from a village pond in West Bengal, India.

Indian Forest Service officer Debashish Sharma posted photos of the rare yellow turtle (Lissemys punctatais) on Twitter last week. 

To read more on this story, click here: Rare Yellow Turtle Spotted For Only Second Time Looks Like Melted Cheese

Creepy Crawler: Fisherman Catches Rare ‘Ghost’ Lobster

STONINGTON, Maine - A fisherman got a Halloween surprise when he pulled out a “ghost” lobster.

Bennett Gray trapped it along the Maine coastline on Oct. 25.

The lobsterman posted pictures on Facebook of a rare albino lobster that he snagged. The odds of catching one have been reported to be one in 100 million.

“Caught this beauty in the very first trap of the day,” Gray wrote in his caption.

Gray also wrote he will “notch” its tail and release the lobster back into the sea.

To read more on this story, click here: Creepy Crawler: Fisherman Catches Rare ‘Ghost’ Lobster