Posts in Category: News & Events

Has 2019 been a whirlwind year for you, too? It seems like we are busy, busy all of the time, so we understand that catching up on reading seems impossible. One of the benefits of pet blogging is that we can disseminate quality, relevant blogs about pet health and wellness in a succinct way. Topics that are most important to you. 

It is our hope that we have empowered pet owners with education and information concerning a range of pet health content. If you have a few minutes for your pet’s good health, we hope you enjoy these top 10 blogs of 2019.

What a great way to start the year!  Exercise is very important in helping your pet live a healthy and long life, and walking your dog can actually help you to meet your own fitness goals.  A recent study from the University of Missouri found that people who walk with dogs are more consistent in their exercise routine than those who walk with a human — what could be a better way to burn off those holiday calories?

Benefits of exercise:

• Improves strength, fitness, flexibility and movement
• Increases energy levels
• Helps decrease stress and can help improve you and your pets mood
• Improves sleep
• Prevents boredom
• Decreases bad behavior
• Improves the bond between you and your pet
• Prevents obesity

The type and amount of exercise needed can differ greatly with breed, age and energy level.  It is important to choose the right type of exercise for your pet with the help of your veterinarian.  Low energy dogs like Bulldogs or dogs over seven years of age only need about 30 minutes of exercise a day and this is usually in the form of slow, short walks or swimming.  Medium-energy dogs, like German shepherds or Maltese terriers, need about 2 hours of exercise a day in the form of medium-paced walks or agility.  High-energy dogs like Border collies or Dalmatians need about three hours of exercise a day.

Cats too need daily exercise and setting aside 15-20 minutes a day will help keep your cat happy and healthy.  Cats are nocturnal animals which means they are at their most active at night.  Training them to exercise during the day will help you and your cat sleep at night.  Cats enjoy exercise like stalking, pouncing, climbing and hiding.

It’s always important to exercise safely with your pet.  Check with your veterinarian to choose which exercise is right for your pet.

Rabies is a generally fatal viral disease that affects the central nervous system and can infect all warm-blooded animals, including humans.  The virus lives in the saliva, and animals can contract rabies from a bite from an infected animal.  In Europe, foxes are the main reservoir while in North America the skunk, fox, raccoon and bat are important sources of infection.  In Asia, Africa and Latin America the main reservoir is not wildlife but stray dogs, and in these areas human infection and fatalities are more common.  Rabies occurs in every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Most countries are affected with the exception of a few island countries such as Great Britain, Ireland, Japan and Hawaii. Norway, Sweden and the Iberian Peninsula are also free of rabies.

There is no treatment for an animal with rabies.  If rabies is suspected, the pet has to be kept in isolation and prevented from escaping or injuring someone. Your veterinarian is required by law to notify the local and state or provincial animal disease regulatory authorities.  These authorities will determine the steps necessary to properly protect the public.

All dogs, cats and ferrets should be vaccinated against this deadly disease.  THIS VACCINE IS REQUIRED BY LAW, and must be given by a licensed veterinarian.   Vaccination promotes the production of antibodies but is only effective if given before the virus enters the nervous system.  Rabies vaccines for dogs, cats, horses and ferrets are extremely safe and effective.

We did a study last year on the top breeds we see here at Animal Medical Hospital. Here are the results:

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Labrador Mix
3. Golden Retriever
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. Pit Bull
6. Jack Russell Terrier
7. German Shepherd
8. Shepherd Mix
9. Terrier Mix
10. Boxer
11. Cocker Spaniel
12. Shih Tzu
13. Miniature Schnauzer
14. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
15. Shetland Sheepdog

A survey by a USA TODAY blog showed that 47% of respondents say their dogs offer them companionship, while 16% said their dogs help them exercise. 15% said having a dog amuses them, 15% said it helps them relax, 5% said that it helped them heal and 2% said it helped build community.

All great reasons to get a dog!

We’d like to know how having a dog enhances your life? Add a comment below and tell us!

Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified a new target for the treatment of lymphoma and are testing a potential new drug in pet dogs afflicted with the disease. At low doses, the compound, called S-PAC-1, arrested the growth of tumors in three of six dogs tested and induced partial remission in a fourth.
• Read the full article

There’s been a number of stories in the news recently about the link between dry pet foods and salmonella – especially in children. And recently, a report published in the journal Pediatrics reported on 79 cases of human Salmonella infection from 2006-2008 associated with contaminated dry dog and cat food – the first such report of human illnesses linked to dry pet foods!

Read the FAQs from the AVMA for very helpful answers to some common questions concerning the dry pet food-salmonella link.

Procter & Gamble has expanded the recall of various dry pet foods. It now includes all sizes and variety of Iams dry Veterinary Formulas, and some Eukanuba brands as well.

Please be sure to check any dry pet food you have. Customers can call 877-340-8823 for product refunds and/or replacements.

Read the full recall announcement here.

If you use Iams Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal cat food, you’ll want to check the Lot and UPC Codes listed in this article from the American Veterinary Medical Association:

Procter & Gamble is voluntarily recalling two specific lots of its therapeutic renal dry cat food as a precautionary measure, because it could be contaminated with salmonella (though no illnesses have been reported yet). However, P&G Pet Care wanted to make sure veterinarians were aware of the situation as soon as possible.

The product is Iams Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal 5.5 lb bag:
Lot Code: 01384174B4 – UPC Code: 0 19014 21405 1
Lot Code: 01384174B2 – UPC Code: 0 19014 21405 1