The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Sea Otter Plays Basketball to Help Alleviate Arthritis Pain



Eddie is a bit late for the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, since it was just contested this last weekend, but he can dunk with the best of them. Nothing fancy like jumping over a car or ball boy, though. After all, Eddie is a sea otter. And the great thing about Eddie's dunking is that he doesn't do it for show. No, he dunks off stage at the Oregon Zoo to improve his health.

Eddie is 15 years old, geriatric for the species, and suffers from arthritis in the elbows. Veterinarians prescribed regular exercise, and the zookeepers came up with dunking a basketball as the perfect elixir. Eddie caught on quickly.

"He's definitely got game," the zoo's Jenny DeGroot told KPTV. "Sea otters have incredible dexterity, so it makes sense Eddie would have this hidden talent. They're famous for using rocks as tools to crack open clams."

Unfortunately, Eddie's dunking takes place behind the scenes at the zoo, so visitors can't see the Blake Griffin or Terrence Ross of the otter world. But perhaps the zoo will allow Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts a visit to see Eddie dunk; surely he'd be interested.

Video: (Place mouse on video to start)




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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Does Your Pet Have Ringworms?



Ringworm is caused by a fungus. The disease with the misleading name has nothing to do with a worm. It is a common infection that often causes itchy red patches on the skin. Dogs, cats, and humans can be affected by the disease, which causes hair to fall out in affected areas. It’s easily transmitted between people and pets, and if someone, or some pet in a household has it, all should be tested and treated, if needed. Treatment ranges from oral medications to topical products and can take weeks or months to resolve.

Overview

Ringworm in pets is most often caused by the fungus Microsporum canis. Although two other species of fungus can also cause ringworm infections, they tend to do so less frequently.

These fungi, also known as dermatophytes invade the superficial layers of the skin, hair, and/or nails. Because fungi thrive in moist environments, dermatophytes are especially persistent in humid climates and damp surroundings.

The ringworm infection caused by dermatophytes is also known as dermatophytosis. It’s not only contagious to other animals, it’s considered a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans, and vice versa. Children and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk.

Signs and Identification

In pets, the fungal infection causes the hair to become brittle and break off, resulting in bald spots. These occur most commonly on the face, ears, and legs. Within these hairless patches, the skin may be crusty or mildly inflamed, especially around the edges (hence, the ring-like appearance). If claws are affected, they may become deformed as they grow, just as in a human with a fungal infection of the nails.

Typically, the infection itself is not itchy, though secondary bacterial infections (pyoderma) may elicit significant pruritus (itchiness). Some animals may show no signs but may be sources of infection nonetheless, shedding fungal spores into the environment and serving as a reservoir for infection.

Ringworm is typically spread by contact with an infected animal. Because animals can shed fungal spores and infected hairs into the environment, touching objects the infected animal has been in contact with, including bedding and brushes, can also lead to infection. Organisms that are shed into the environment can remain infectious for months.

The best way to diagnose ringworm infection in an animal is by fungal culture. The veterinarian will pluck a few hairs from several lesions and place them on a culture medium where the organism can grow. Because it takes time for fungal growth, results may not be available for two weeks or more. Preliminary results, however, may sometimes be obtained within five days.

Veterinarians might also examine skin lesions under an ultraviolet lamp. In some cases, but not all the organism may glow yellow-green. Because this test is not always accurate, a fungal culture is still the preferred method of diagnosis.

In households in which people are diagnosed with ringworm, all the family pets should be tested. The same goes for multi-pet households in which one pet has been diagnosed with ringworm. Other pets should be tested and treated if positive in order to eliminate sources of ongoing infection.

Affected Breeds

All breeds of dogs and cats are equally susceptible. Dogs and cats with compromised immune systems may be predisposed to ringworm infections.

Treatment

In healthy animals, the infection may be self-limiting, meaning that it will eventually resolve without treatment. However, treatment can hasten resolution of the problem and limit the spread of infection to other animals and people in the household.

Pets may be treated with topical products, oral medications, or both. Before applying a topical treatment, veterinarians may recommend shaving or clipping the infected area. Topical treatments include lime sulfur dip, anti-fungal sprays/creams or antifungal shampoos.

There are a number of oral medications for ringworm, such as griseofulvin and itraconazole. Griseofulvin should never be given to a pregnant animal because it may cause birth defects in developing puppies or kittens. It may also cause bone marrow suppression in cats, especially those with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Administration of griseofulvin may require periodic blood monitoring tests. Itraconazole is rapidly becoming the preferred oral treatment for cats because it has fewer side effects.

Thorough cleaning and treatment of the home environment is important to prevent recurrence and spread of the infection to pets and people. To eliminate fungal organisms in the environment:
  • Clip affected areas on the pet and dispose of all hairs.
  • Confine infected pets to one area of the house.
  • Thoroughly vacuum areas that were highly trafficked by the pet and dispose of the vacuum bag outside. Wash all bedding and toys in hot water.
  • Dispose of any carpets or rugs, if possible.
  • Clean exposed areas and kennels with chlorine bleach that has been diluted 1:10 or with an antifungal spray recommended by your veterinarian.
  • Repeat vacuuming and surface treatment at least monthly until infection is resolved.
  • Treatment may be required for six weeks or longer. Once skin lesions have resolved, fungal cultures should be performed again. Treatment should not be stopped until fungal cultures are negative. Discontinuing treatment based only on resolution of lesions may result in recurrence of the infection.
Prevention

It’s difficult to prevent ringworm infection 100% in pets that enjoy outdoor life. These organisms are in the soil and might be on other dogs in the dog park, for example. Keeping cats indoors is an obvious solution, but even they can be infected by humans or dogs in the household.

Once characteristic lesions are seen, however, owners should take care not to touch the lesions and take their pets quickly to the veterinarian to prevent the spread of this skin infection.



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Tuesday, February 19, 2013

New Craze for Dogs - Hearts and Paw Print Tattoos Shaved into Fur!



Meet the pooches with patches:

One could say that the owners are surely getting more fun out of this than their pets.
Dogs are having ‘temporary tattoos’ such as paws, snowflakes and love hearts cut into their fur, with the designs taking about an hour to shave using clippers and lasting around 14 weeks.

Groomers Jessica Allegri, 26, and Amanda Marshall, 29, of Hatfield, Hertfordshire, came up with the idea for 'pooch patches' after trying it on their own boxer Ky, and have since been inundated with customers.

‘It was a quiet day and we thought it would be fun to shave a paw print on my dog, who comes to work with me,’ Ms Allegri said.

‘Our customers were really impressed and asked where he had had it done. Since then we have had lots of people asking for pooch patches and we've done snowflakes, flowers and hearts.
  • Temporary tattoos take an hour to shave into dog's fur and last 14 weeks
  • Dog groomers Jessica Allegri and Amanda Marshall came up with the idea
  • Pair run Groomers on the Green in Hatfield and are trademarking treatment

New look: Dogs are having 'temporary tattoos' such as paws, snowflakes and love hearts cut into their fur



Close shave: Jessica Allegri said that it was 'just like having a hair-cut' for the animals and 'doesn't hurt'



Paws for thought: The pair, who run Groomers on the Green in Hatfield, are now trademarking the treatment



Business: Dog groomers Jessica Allegri (right), 26, and Amanda Marshall (left), 29, of Hatfield, Hertfordshire, came up with the idea after trying it on their own boxer Ky, and have since been inundated with customers.



Personal mark: The designs normally take an hour to shave using clippers and last for around 14 weeks

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Chinese Breeder Demands Facelift for Dog - Dog Dies in Surgery




A Chinese man has sued a Beijing animal hospital over the death of his dog during plastic surgery. Chinese animal welfare advocates have been appalled at the surgery, a facelift that was performed specifically to meet “the aesthetic desire” of the man, as Qin Xiaona, director of the Capital Animal Association, says to the Global Times.

Mr. Yu (as the media are referring to him) owns a Beijing dog farm. He wanted the dog to have a “facelift” to improve his appearance and thereby increase profits, as he says in the Global Times: ”The skin of my dog’s head was very flabby, so I wanted to cut part of his forehead and straighten the skin….. If my dog looks better, female dog owners will pay a higher price when they want to mate their dog with mine.”

Yu is demanding 880,000 yuan ($141,240) in compensation for the dog’s death; he claims that he bought the dog, a Tibetan Mastiff, from another owner for that price in March of 2012. He had previously had other dogs undergo surgery to make their ears more erect. The Global Times says that Yu owns 30 dogs and has been breeding them with dogs from other farms for fifteen years, for a price of 30,000 to 300,000 yuan. He also keeps female dogs whose puppies can sell from several thousand yuan to several million yuan.

The Tibetan Mastiff has become a canine status symbol for China’s nouveaux riche. One sold for 20 million yuan last year; a coal magnate in northern China bought a mastiff, Hong Dong for 10 million yuan in 2011. “If you are rich, you can easily buy a big house or a Lamborghini. But owning a pure-bred mastiff is quite another thing. It’s solid evidence of your wealth, power and taste,” millionaire dog breeder Li Yongfu is quoted as saying in the Telegraph.

Not only have Chinese animal welfare advocates expressed outrage at the use of plastic surgery to make the deceased mastiff look “better” according to the eyes of Yu. It is presumptuous for us to think that what humans consider “attractive” is the same as what animals do.

Advocates also point out that it is abusive for Tibetan mastiffs, which are native to the grassland plateaus of Central Asia and were originally bred as guard dogs, to be raised in lowland cities including Beijing and in urban areas, period.

In the Global Times, Zhang Mingming, who owns two cats, shuddered at the use of plastic surgery on a pet as such treats him or her “like a toy instead of a living being.” As Care2 blogger Judy Molland writes about the current rage for dog tattoos in the U.K.

Isn’t tattooing, or any other kind of adorning, taking away your pet’s dignity? How would humans like it if they had to submit to such embellishments against their will?

In the case of the deceased mastiff, the facelift was intended for the profit of the dog’s owner, in blatant disregard for the “rights and interests of the dog,” says Qin of the Capital Animal Association. It is horrendous that Yu is still seeking to make money from the now deceased dog who more than deserves to be left in peace.



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Meet, Chesty the Marine Corps' Latest and Most Adorable Mascot - Semper Fido!



The 9-week-old English bulldog set to become the new mascot for the U.S. Marine Corps has arrived at the Marine Barracks in Washington.

Chesty arrived in the nation’s capital Thursday, at which point the young pup was unveiled to the world.

Chesty is set to become Pfc. Chesty XIV on March 29, replacing Sgt. Chesty XIII. Until then, young Chesty will undergo obedience training.

After his arrival in Washington, Chesty met Bonnie Amos, wife of Gen. James F. Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, according to the U.S. Marines. The pup is in the care of Staff Sgt. Jason Mosser, a member of the U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, and his wife Christine.

As the Marines’ official mascot, Chesty’s responsibilities will include marching in the Friday Evening Parades, as well as supporting events around the nation’s capital.

Chesty comes from five generations of championship bulldogs, which are bred by mother-daughter team Sara Gomez and Abigail Callahan of Stephens City, Va., according to the Marines.

Marine mascots are named for the late Lt. Gen. Lewis “Chesty” Puller, one of the most decorated officers in the history of the Marine Corps.

Chesty, future Marine Corps mascot, sits on the red carpet in front of the Home of the Commandants waiting to meet Bonnie Amos, wife of Gen. James F. Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps during a visit to Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., Feb. 14, 2013. (Sgt. Dengrier M. Baez/U.S. Marine Corps)



Chesty takes a nap before his departure to his future home Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., Feb. 13, 2013. (U.S. Marine Corps)



Lt. Gen. William M. Faulkner, deputy commandant for Installations and Logistics, plays with Chesty, the future Marine Corps mascot, during the puppy's visit to the Home of the Commandants, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., Feb. 14 2013. (U.S. Marine Corps )



Bonnie Amos, wife of Gen. James F. Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, holds Chesty, the future Marine Corps mascot, during the puppy's visit to the Home of the Commandants, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., Feb. 14, 2013. Chesty, a 9-week-old pedigree English bulldog is soon to become the future Marine Corps mascot after the completion of an obedience training and ceremony set for March 29. (U.S. Marine Corps )



Old Dominion, left, and Chesty, his son, right, look at each other one last time before the future Marine Corps mascot heads to his new home Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., Feb. 13 2013. Chesty, a 9-week-old pedigree English bulldog is soon to become the future Marine Corps mascot after the completion of an obedience and recruit training with a ceremony scheduled for March 29. (U.S. Marine Corps)



Chesty, the future Marine Corps mascot, stands on the door step Home of the Commandants during the puppy's visit to Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., Feb. 14, 2013. (U.S. Marine Corps)

Take a look at the videos below:

                                                         Chesty Puller -- Marine Legend -- His Life In Pictures


     

                                                            Lewis Chesty Puller statue dedicated in Virginia

                                         

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Monday, February 18, 2013

Getting Your Dog, to Walk Your Dog - A Cute Video



This video is so cute I had to share! Enjoy!

Watch this video for the CUTEST and most efficient way to walk a puppy!

Meet Hudson an 11-week old Bernese Mountain Dog. He is being walked by his big brother, Ripley a 504 week old Berner.



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Subaru and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Partnership - “Subaru Love A Pet ”



Did you ever wonder why so many of the Subaru vehicles that visit your service bays are full of pet hair? Quite simply, Subaru owners love pets like they love their Subarus. Nearly seven out of ten Subaru owners have a pet, and Subaru customers are 1.3 times more likely to own a pet than are the customers of Subaru’s competitors.

As part of its efforts to support the interests of Subaru owners, Subaru is proud to partner with the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®).


As a Subaru owner and a animal lover, I want to share some of what I think are the cutest commercials!

Remember: They are professional stunt dogs!  Please do NOT try any of their stunts at home!


















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Saturday, February 16, 2013

Dog Sent to High Kill Shelter Because Owner Thought He Was Gay - Good News, He Was Adopted!



This healthy male American Bulldog mix was scheduled to be put down at the Rabies Control shelter in Jackson, Tennesee.

"Not because he is mean or tears things up," says a Facebook user who calls herself the "Jackson Madison Rabies Control Stalker."

No:  "Because his owner says he's gay."

According to the 39-year-old mother-of-four who pays regular visits to the kill shelter looking for dogs to rescue, this unloved pooch was rejected because he was found "hunched [over]" another male dog.

"His owner threw him away because he refuses to have a 'gay' dog!" she writes. "Don't let this gorgeous dog die because his owner is ignorant of normal dog behavior! He's in kennel and he WILL be put down because there is no room!"

Facebook users from across the country jumped at the opportunity to rescue the doomed dog.

Multiple people and at least one canine rescue group volunteered to show up at the shelter as soon as the doors open and have him pulled from death row.

"I am adopting this big boy first thing in the morning," wrote Facebook user Stephanie Fryns of WOOF Connections. "He will be neutered/ htwm tested/ and vetted. He will be temperament tested and then places in a rescue verified and approved home."


UPDATE: 

Rescued! According to The Tennessean, Gawker's coverage of the "gay dog" story had resulted in a flood of calls to the Jackson shelter where he was being kept. "I have had about 10 million calls this morning. It has been adopted already. It is gone," said an unnamed shelter employee. "He's in good hands."

The Jackson, Tenn., shelter was flooded with phone calls after a story went viral, a man who answered the phone there said.

The story cited a Facebook post that claimed the dog’s former owner dropped it off at the shelter because it humped another male dog.

“His owner says he’s gay,” the post read.

The post also claimed the dog was set to be euthanized.

“I can’t understand it,” said the shelter worker, who declined to give his name. “You know those dogs get on top of each other sometimes.”

 “I have had about 10 million calls this morning. It has been adopted already. It is gone,” he said. “He’s in good hands.”

To anyone who is disappointed with the news that he has already been adopted, please contact your local animal shelter and consider giving a homeless animal a forever home!


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Friday, February 15, 2013

10 -Year-Old Pit Bull Saves Family and 5 Other Dogs in House Fire



Wellston, Ok - A 10-year-old pit bull terrier in Lincoln County, Oklahoma is being praised for her heroic actions. She saved two sisters from their burning home.

You'd never know "Baby" is an old dog. Her owners can barely keep up. And, apparently, "Baby's" mind is just as fast as her feet. Early Tuesday smoke and flames filled the family's Wellston home. Rhonda Westenberger and her sister were sound asleep, unaware of the danger until "Baby" sprang to action.

Baby, the pit bull, she went and nudged her and kept touching her. The dog would not stop barking and pouncing until the women woke up. And, when they did, they had just seconds to escape.

"I went back and there were flames shooting down the hallway," said Rhonda. "If baby hadn't woken Evelyn up, I don't think either one of us would have come out of this."

The women ran out but their other five dogs were stuck inside. So, once again, "Baby" came to the rescue.

"And then there was one hiding under the bed, wouldn't come out," aid family member Charles Land. "Baby actually went under there, grabbed it by the neck and dragged him outside."

The family's home of 17 years and everything in it is gone, but the family says their hope is not lost.

"She's always come across to us as one of the family and this just proves it."

As long as they have their family, their Baby, by their side.

"I'm so proud of her," said Rhonda. "She is my hero. She's the hero for all of us."




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Adorable Looking Bunnies Are Attacking Cars at Denver's International Airport


Denver, Colorado  - Bunnies are usually pretty docile creatures, so when you see a news story that begins with “Bunnies Are Attacking”, it either brings to mind cheesy horror movies or a terrifying image of cute animals rising up to take over.

But the bunnies at Denver International Airport are just trying to stay warm, apparently, and keep their teeth sharp while they’re at it. Officials say they’re dealing with a massive rabbit problem in the parking lot there now that the animals have discovered warm spots beneath the vehicles. Extended stays in their little hideouts lead to them chewing on the wiring beneath the cars, causing anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars worth of damage.

“I see at least dozens every morning. They go hide under the cars and the cars are warm,” said airport shuttle driver Michelle Anderson.

Airport authorities have taken to some unconventional means to get rid of the bunnies, including sending motorists to local mechanics to have the wiring coated in coyote urine. They say the smell of a predator will keep the little furry guys away. For those keeping their cars in the lot, it’s on their own heads if a rabbit destroys the wiring in their car; most insurance companies won’t cover it, and officials at the airport say that parking permits clearly state they aren’t responsible for damage done to the cars while they’re parked there.




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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

The HSUS Names the Washington Animal Rescue League one of the Top Ten Emergency Placement Partners of 2012




WARL Commended for Outstanding Dedication to Rescued Animals

Washington, DC - The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has named Washington Animal Rescue League as one of its top ten Emergency Placement Partners of 2012. Emergency Placement Partners are local animal agencies that work with The HSUS to provide ongoing care and find permanent homes for animals saved during large-scale rescue missions. There are more than 200 Placement Partners nationwide.

“We are thrilled to recognize Washington Animal Rescue League for its enthusiasm and dedication to helping when animals are in need,” said Michelle Cascio, manager of the emergency Placement Program for The HSUS. “Emergency Placement Partners play a critical role in our important mission to end animal cruelty, and we are thankful to Washington Animal Rescue League for being involved in this life-saving program.”



Twice in 2012, Washington Animal Rescue League deployed their mobile adoption vehicle hundreds of miles to assist The HSUS’ Animal Rescue Team with the transport and placement of puppy mill survivors. In August, they responded to a Shelby, Ohio, property where the breeder surrendered more than 250 dogs. They returned to Washington, D.C., with dozens of Chihuahuas and a few Shar Peis and worked tirelessly to find them all good homes. In September, they deployed to an Edgefield County, S.C., puppy mill and took a number of dogs back with them to recover and find new families.

“We are extremely honored to be named to this remarkable list,” said Bob Ramin, CEO of the Washington Animal Rescue League.  “Being named as a top ten emergency placement partner of the Humane Society of the United States puts the Washington Animal Rescue League in elite company, and we’re very proud that we have earned this distinction.  Our partners at HSUS do absolutely outstanding work and our partnership has resulted in hundreds of  animals rescued from desperate situations and eventually placed in permanent, forever homes here in the Washington, D.C. area.  We sincerely appreciate this recognition.”

After The HSUS removes animals from cruelty situations or natural disasters and provides them the veterinary and other care they need to recover, the organization works with Emergency Placement Partners to help in their long-term placement. As local groups with access to local resources, these organizations provide the animals with continued veterinary care, rehabilitation, and ultimately, placement in new homes. The HSUS has donated equipment for the shelters as a thank you for their dedication to helping rescued animals recover and find their forever homes.

The 2012 Top Ten Emergency Placement Partners include:

  • Second Chance Animal Shelter, East Brookfield, Mass.
  • Humane Society of Charlotte, Charlotte, N.C.
  • Virginia Beach SPCA, Virginia Beach, Va.
  • Dane County Humane Society, Madison, Wis.
  • Montgomery Humane Society, Montgomery, Ala.
  • Southern Pines Animal Shelter, Hattiesburg, Miss.
  • SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare, Aiken, S.C.
  • SPCA of Wake County, Garner, N.C.
  • Humane Society of Berks County, Reading, Pa.
  • Washington Animal Rescue League, Washington, D.C.


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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Do You Know How to Tell if Your Dog is Sick? - Top 10 Warning Signs



Overview
As is the case with people, a dog’s health changes with age. Unfortunately, our pets age much faster than we do.

Symptoms
Regardless of your dog’s age, you play a key role in helping her combat illness and remain as healthy as possible. Remember, your dog cannot describe symptoms to you, but she can show you signs of disease. Awareness of the signs of the most common diseases is one way to help reduce your pet’s risk of being affected by them. It’s a little scary to consider that 10% of pets that appear healthy to their owners and their veterinarians during annual checkups have underlying diseases.1

The top 10 signs that your dog may be ill are:

  • Bad breath or drooling
  • Excessive drinking or urination
  • Appetite change associated with weight loss or gain
  • Change in activity level (e.g., lack of interest in doing things they once did)
  • Stiffness or difficulty in rising or climbing stairs
  • Sleeping more than normal, or other behavior or attitude changes 
  • Coughing, sneezing, excessive panting, or labored breathing
  • Dry or itchy skin, sores, lumps, or shaking of the head
  • Frequent digestive upsets or change in bowel movements
  • Dry, red, or cloudy eyes

If your best friend shows symptoms of being ill, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

Unfortunately, you may not always recognize that your dog is sick. Often, even the most well-intentioned dog owners attribute the subtle signs of disease to aging.

Diagnosis/Treatment
Because signs of disease are not always obvious, your veterinarian may recommend preventive care testing as part of your dog’s annual exam.

Preventive care testing often includes the following:

  • Chemistry tests to evaluate kidney, liver, and pancreatic function, as well as sugar levels
  • Antibody tests to identify if your pet has been exposed to tick-borne or other infectious diseases
  • A complete blood count to rule out blood-related conditions
  • Electrolyte tests to ensure your dog isn’t dehydrated or suffering from an electrolyte imbalance
  • Urine tests to screen for urinary tract infection and other disease and to evaluate the ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine
  • A thyroid test to determine if the thyroid gland is producing too little thyroid hormone
  • An ECG to screen for an abnormal heart rhythm, which may indicate underlying heart disease

Additional tests may be added on an individual basis. Your veterinarian will recommend the right course for your best friend.

Prevention
Preventive care screening not only helps to detect disease in its earlier stages, when it is most likely to respond to treatment, it also can help you avoid significant medical expense and risk to your dog’s health if an illness goes undetected. In addition, by establishing your pet’s normal baseline laboratory values during health, your veterinarian—and you—can more easily see when something is wrong with your pet. Annual screening is the best preventive medicine!

For more information about preventive testing, contact your veterinarian—your best resource for information about the health and well-being of your pet.

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Dog With Human Face - Looking for a Forever Home



“Dog with human face” isn’t something you hear everyday (unless it’s a photoshopped meme), but when a photo of a dog with soulful eyes hit Buzzfeed recently, it went viral.

Turns out the pup’s name is Tonik and he hails from a kill shelter in Kentucky, where he was rescued by the Homeward Bound Animal Welfare Group in Indiana. Authorities there say he’s a sweet-natured boy who gets along well with other dogs, and they’re hoping to find someone to adopt him.

For info on how to meet or adopt Tonik, contact Homeward Bound.
















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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

The World's Longest Cat Dies




RENO, Nevada -  Stewie the Cat, the longest domestic cat in the world at more than 4 feet long from nose to tail, has died.

Stewie was surrounded by family when he succumbed to a yearlong battle with cancer Monday evening at his Reno home, owner Robin Hendrickson said Tuesday. He was 8.

Guinness World Records declared Stewie the record-holder in August 2010, measuring 48.5 inches from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail.

Hundreds of fans flooded Stewie's Facebook site with memories and condolences Tuesday. The Maine Coon cat was a certified therapy animal that frequently visited a Reno senior center and helped promote animal welfare awareness with the Nevada Humane Society.

"Stewie was always very social and loved meeting new people," Hendrickson said. "He has touched many lives, and for that I am grateful."

Stewie's full name was Mymains Stewart Gilligan. Hendrickson bought him from a breeder in Hermiston, Ore., in 2005. Last month, he attended the International Cat Show in Portland, Ore.

"He did really well at the show, even though he wasn't feeling totally perfect," said Valerie Horton, the show's entry clerk. "He loved being there because he loved the public. He always did."

Officials for Guinness World Records did not immediately respond to inquiries about a successor to Stewie's record. The previous record-holder, Leo, a 48-inch-long Maine Coon owned by Frieda Ireland of Chicago, died several years ago.

Stewie was diagnosed in early 2012 with Lymphosarcoma, a malignant disease of the lymphoid tissues. He responded successfully to chemotherapy and was declared cancer-free, but the remission period was brief and a vet recently found another, more aggressive tumor on his kidneys, Hendrickson said.

"I knew that although we could fight it, the end was near and so I wanted to simply make him comfortable and let him enjoy the time he did have," she said.





Pictures of Stewie

                                                                                    Stewie as a baby kitten.








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