Tag: pet health

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COVID-19 & Our Pets

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In this time of uncertainty, there is reassuring news. According to both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Veterinarian Medical Association (AVMA), there is no evidence that pets can spread COVID-19. The CDC website states that coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, of which some cause illness in people and some cause illness in animals. However, the coronaviruses that infect animals rarely infect people. While the first infection of COVID-19 (and its predecessor SARS) has been linked to a live animal market, CDC added that public health officials do not actually know the exact … Continue reading COVID-19 & Our Pets

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How Important is Heartworm Prevention?

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All dogs and cats should be on a heartworm prevention. Unfortunately, according to the American Heartworm Society, 75% of veterinarians report positive cases of heartworm in their practices. Heartworm disease is a potentially fatal but preventable disease. According to Dr. Jody Jones-Skibinski of Cotner-Superior Pet Care, heartworm disease can cause organ damage leading to heart failure and death. “Even with treatment,” she noted, “there are long-term consequences including chronic coughing, and a less active and shorter life span.” Heartworm disease is spread through the bite of a mosquito. The AHS website explains: Adult female heartworms living in an infected animal … Continue reading How Important is Heartworm Prevention?

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The Vaccinations Your Pets Must Have

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Dogs and cats need regular vaccinations. According to Dr. Jody Jones-Skibinski of Cotner-Superior Pet Care, “Vaccines stimulate the immune system, which in turn creates antibodies towards the disease. If an animal comes into contact with the disease, antibodies are able to kill the virus, preventing the illness.” She explained that if vaccinations are not given, pets are at risk for infections when they come into contact with the disease and put other animals at risk for contracting the illness. Core vaccinations target diseases that are the most contagious and severe. The rabies vaccination is core for both dogs and cats. … Continue reading The Vaccinations Your Pets Must Have

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Why Pets Should Have Annual Wellness Exams

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Every pet should have a wellness exam. This routine physical is aimed at ensuring good health through early disease prevention and early disease detection. A wellness exam can reveal subtle changes in young pets such as weight gain or loss and an early onset of disease especially in older pets. A wellness exam should be conducted once a year; twice for senior pets. Dr. Jody Jones-Skibinski of Cotner-Superior Pet Care said, “Animals may have an abnormality or illness but are often ‘stoic’ and so pet owners don’t notice symptoms. Vets notice a lot of differences that can be corrected.” In … Continue reading Why Pets Should Have Annual Wellness Exams

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Arden Moore: Pet Writer, Health Expert, and Advocate

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Arden Moore grew up loving animals and words. These passions led to her becoming a national pet health expert. By her first year in high school, Moore knew that her future was in words, and set about gaining experience. She worked on the high school newspaper staff and credited the editor as teaching her a lot about writing and interviewing. She also landed a position with the town’s weekly newspaper. She’d always been athletic and so she walked into the office of the local weekly newspaper and convinced the editor to hire her as a high school sportswriter. “It was … Continue reading Arden Moore: Pet Writer, Health Expert, and Advocate

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Pet First Aid with Arden Moore

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EDITOR’S NOTE: This news story was written for my Media Writing class at Southeast Community College and has a different style than my regular articles. National Pet Health and Safety Coach Arden Moore helped Sadie Dog Fund celebrate its tenth anniversary in a unique way this past April. Moore taught two four-and-a-half-hour Pet First Aid classes over the April 21 and 22 weekend, at the completion of which twenty-one students received a two-year certification. Participants learned the items that should be included in a pet first aid kit, three different CPR techniques, handling tips in the event of bites, burns, … Continue reading Pet First Aid with Arden Moore

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October 11: Pet Obesity Awareness Day

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You may be aware that almost 70% of adult Americans are overweight, but you may not know that an estimated 54% of dogs and 58% of cats in the United States also have a weight issue. Pet Obesity Awareness Day, celebrated on the second Wednesday of October, brings awareness to this health issue and promotes more  balanced diets and active lifestyles for our pets. The reality is that our pets become overweight or obese in the same ways that people do. When our pets have a ravenous appetite, we too often give them as much canned or dry food as … Continue reading October 11: Pet Obesity Awareness Day

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February 22: Walk Your Dog Day

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No one knows who instituted Walk Your Dog Day, celebrated on February 22, but it makes sense for the health benefits for both pet owners and dogs. Below are just a few reasons. Keeps both you and your dog healthy: A study by Michigan State University shows that people who walk their dogs are 34% more likely to meet expected levels of exercise, with a recommended level of 150 minutes of activity such as dog walking per week. Provides mental and physical stimulation for your dog: Dogs are naturally curious. Walking fulfills their need to explore and will give them … Continue reading February 22: Walk Your Dog Day

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14 Foods NOT to Give Your Dogs and Cats Over the Holidays

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Turkey, chocolates, and punch, oh my! With the holiday season drawing near, chances are your house will be filled with all kinds of delicious and tantalizing food. While we’re trying to watch our waistlines, we also need to pay careful attention to the foods we give our pets. Below are fourteen holiday items that you should avoid allowing your dogs or cats to have. Some of them might surprise you! Continue reading 14 Foods NOT to Give Your Dogs and Cats Over the Holidays