National Pet Week 2008

Did you know that one week out of each year is designated National Pet Week? For 2008, May 4-10 is designated with this title. During this week, pet owners are encouraged to pay a little more attention to their pet’s needs. This is a great time to get your pet into the vet to make sure they are healthy and all of their vaccinations are up to date. Many vet offices offer discounts during the week to encourage people to bring their pets in for checkups. This is also a good time to evaluate your pet’s nutrition and exercise habits. If either is lacking, now is a great time to make a change in the positive direction.

National Pet Week was created in 1981 to promote responsible pet ownership, the human-animal bond and promotion of the advances in veterinary medicine. National Pet week was founded by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Auxiliary to the AVMA. It is celebrated across the United States and in other parts of the world.

National Pet Week is not just for dogs and cats. It is important to make sure all animals are healthy and well cared for. Whatever kind of pet you have, this week is your chance to pay special attention to them and get them into the vet for routine checkups.

Eco-Friendly Pets

With going “Green” being as popular as it is these days, it’s no surprise that pet owners want to do more with how they live with their pets and making that lifestyle more eco-friendly. Many companies are popping up on the net and elsewhere that are featuring green pet products and more eco-friendly items. It is estimated that recycled pet products save as much as 30 million plastic bottles from going to landfills each year. Many products that are made from these recycled bottles include beds, toys and other pet products. You can find many of these products in your local stores and on the internet by searching for eco friendly pet products.

Another area where green pet owners are making great strides is with disposing of pet waste. Nearly 2 million tons of cat litter gets dumped in landfills each year. New biodegradable litters are available that are made from whole kernel corn and green tea mixed with sawdust. Some cities have instituted dog cleanup stations with biodegradable “mitts” for picking up pet waste. San Francisco and other cites in the Bay Area are on the forefront of this initiative by recycling pet waste into bio fuel and striving to help eliminate the impact of pet waste on landfills by 2010. Some homeowners are even hiring people to come and clean up their yard. These companies remove the waste, recycle it and keep yards free of parasites and disease.

Going green with pets can be fairly easy. Check out your local store for ideas, surf the net and talk to other pet owners. As time goes on, more green pet products will be available for you and your pet.

Fit Pets Live Longer

Like humans, if a pet is fit and healthy, it will likely live longer. Your pet is totally dependent on you for fitness and eating habits. If you are noticing that your pet is not as fit your vet recommends or a little over weight, now is the time to change the behavior to help them live a longer life. Here are some things you can do to help jumpstart the process.

1. Feed your pet properly - Do the necessary research for the breed and size of pet. If you are guessing, or just going by what you think the pet wants can be harmful to your pet. Talk to professionals to make sure that your pet is getting the proper type of food in the right amounts so that they will receive the nutrition they need. If you need to change your current feeding habits, do it gradually so your pet will have time to adjust to anything new.

2. Fresh Water - Give your pet fresh water throughout the day and be sure to give more in hotter months. Monitor water levels and keep up with your pets drinking habits. A hydrated pet is a healthy pet.

3. Play with pets – Play with your pets every day. This will help them stay active and have some fun too. Play ball with your dog or tease your cat with its favorite toy. Not only will playing keep your pet healthy, but it is a great bonding and social activity for the pet as well.

4. Training – This is one of the best ways to keep your pet safe. Taking a trainable animal to obedience school is a great idea for many reasons. It will help socialize the animal and keep you and others safe. A trained pet is a safe pet.

5. Doctor Visits – Many people take this for granted, but it is one of the most important steps to keeping your pet safe. It is important to take your pet to the vet at least once a year for check ups. If you have an exotic or special care pet, try to find a vet that is specialized and familiar with your pet’s species and breed.

Pet Orthotics

From the repair of torn ligaments to mending broken bones, veterinary orthopedic medicine has made huge advances. But, what happens when the cost of a surgery is prohibitive or when surgery alone cannot give a pet a good quality of life?

Like their human counterparts, animals are also prone to a variety of debilitating injuries and pains including torn ligaments, broken bones and debilitating arthritis.

Human medicine has battled these ailments with the help of orthotics for years. By using custom braces and devices to support and correct limb function, orthotics help individuals with neurological problems such as cerebral palsy, strokes and spinal cord injuries, as well as orthopedic injuries like ligament tears and fractures. Additionally, these devices are used to support an injured joint before and after surgery.

Luckily, advances in veterinary orthopedics, combined with the ingenuity of human injury specialists, are bringing this type of relief to many pets – even saving lives!

With more than a decade of experience in human orthotics, Dr. Martin Kaufmann began exploring the potential of pet orthotics after his cousin’s Schnauzer suffered from a stroke and lost all ability in one leg. Facing amputation, Kauffman developed an ingenious brace allowing the dog to use his leg normally – saving his leg, and quite possibly – his life.

Since then, Kauffman has devoted his talents to helping pets. His company, Ortho Pets (www.orthopets.com) is dedicated to supporting the quality of pets’ lives through the science of orthotics.

So far, Kaufmann’s company has helped thousands of animals across the United States and Europe. Today, he continues to advance his work by teaching courses at Colorado State University.

But by far, one of Kauffman’s biggest success stories is about an adorable, overweight Labrador retriever named Otis.

Otis ruptured his rear leg Achilles tendon. Although the tendon was successfully repaired with surgery, Otis’ extreme obesity made it difficult for his leg to heal. To make matters worse, Otis began transferring his weight – eventually developing problems in his good leg. As a result, Otis was extremely uncomfortable, had great difficulty walking and poor quality of life.

Working with Otis’ veterinarian, Ortho Pets designed a pair of custom braces to protect the damaged leg, and at the same time, support his good leg. Now with a strict diet and miracle braces from Ortho Pets, Otis is a healthy, happy Labrador retriever.

Often, a painful orthopedic condition can cause severe suffering and disability in a pet. Unaware of companies like Ortho Pets, pet owners often believe that easing the pain of their companion through euthanasia is the only option – this is not always the case.

In some cases, a custom orthotic brace alleviates pain and corrects dysfunction, allowing the pet to move normally and without pain.

Likewise, owners often face difficult decisions due to surgery costs and extended aftercare services their pet may require. Additionally, many veterinary surgeons recommend strict cage rest with no activity for six to eight weeks after surgery. For many dogs, this enforced rest period is difficult.

Custom orthotic braces may support the post-operative joint, allowing the animal to become active earlier. For some elderly pets or pets who are not good surgical candidates, a brace may support the injured joint well enough for the pet to live a normal life without surgery.

Custom orthotics provide more options when striving to help an injured or disabled pet. Working together, pet owners, veterinary surgeons and orthotic specialists improve and save the lives of many pets that may have been forced to live with pain – or perhaps, may not have lived at all.

To see pictures or video of Otis and custom

orthotic devices, visit www.MyVNN.com.

Keeping pets cool in the summer.

Summer is approaching fast and with that comes warmer days and increased outdoor activity. In the past we have talked about how to keep your pets warm in the winter. Summer months provide a different challenge; keeping your pets cool. With a little more attention and some forethought, you can keep your pets cool and healthy during the hottest parts of the year.

By following these guidelines you can be sure that your pet will stay cool and healthy.

Provide extra water – As activity outdoors increases, your pet will need more water to stay cool. At home, provide more than one dish, or monitor water levels to be sure your pet does not run out. If you are outside walking or hiking, it is essential that you bring water for your pet. Water is necessary to keep up with the increased activity and heat. Another form of water to offer can be in a bath or running sprinklers. Pets can cool off by drinking or walking through this water.

Limit exercise time – Take your walks or jogs in the early morning or later in the day after sunset, these parts of the day are generally cooler.

Summer haircut – By getting your pet trimmed, you can help them be more comfortable in the heat. Remember never to shave down to the skin. By doing this you remove the essential protection the natural coat provides and increases the chances of sunburn.

Keep travel plans in mind – Try not to fly at the height of summer as this is the hottest time of the year. When you fly with pets, many times they will be transported in another area of the plane that is not temperature controlled. If you must fly, try and request a direct flight. For those traveling by car, bring lots of water and check on your pet often.

Other Quick Tips

• Never leave pets in the car
• Provide more shade
• Keep pets in well ventilated areas
• Pay more attention to them in the summer

In times of Economic downturn, there are ways to save on pet bills.

When the economy turns south, many people will budget their money accordingly. Unfortunately during hard times, pets suffer as well. Sometimes owners do not have as much expendable income to be able to give pets the things they need. Fortunately there are some things you can do that will help you save money and give your pet the care it needs during harder times.

Save on Surgeries. – If your pet has a scheduled surgery coming up, it might benefit you to shop around. Depending on where you live, prices for the same services can vary dramatically. Often times prices in big cites are more expensive than if you look in the outskirts. It is not unheard of to save hundreds of dollars if you visit a vet a few hours outside of a city.

Save on Dental – Dental diseases are the most common ailments in pets. Periodontal diseases can lead to other health problems, including heart and kidney problems. It is recommended that you have your pet’s teeth cleaned once a year. The most expensive part of this treatment is the anesthesia. Brush your pet’s teeth or offer dental chews to prevent dental disease from getting to the point where anesthesia and a dental prophylaxis are required.

Forgo the Groomer – When times are tough, it is time to take matters into your own hands! Taking a pet to the groomer can cost $45 or more. Washing at home in the tub with store bought pet shampoo can cost pennies per time. You do the math! If you do not have the room or a tub, look for do-it-yourself pet washing businesses. These are popping up around the country and are far cheaper than a traditional groomer trip.

Bulk up! – Per pound, it is cheaper to buy in large quantities. This is true in dog food, cat food and cat litter. If you compare prices you will find that the price per pound is far less when comparing a 40 lb bag of food compared to an 8 lb bag of food. More retailers are carrying different brands of cat and dog food and supplies so shop around for sales or the best price on the food that you feed. If you have a freezer, you can rebag the food into Ziploc bags and store a portion in the freezer to keep it fresher longer.

Last but not least….

Rotate toys vs. buying new ones. People love their pets, and the new toys can be tempting when going to buy the necessities. If you are like most pet owners, your house is already full of toys, and your pet has some favorites. Instead of buying new toys, rotate the ones you already own. Keep some hidden and give them to the pet less often. This will keep current toys seem more new if the pet does not get to play with them as much.

Things to Consider When Getting Your Pets Presents

One of the ways to help ensure that your pet is not only healthy, but happy, is playtime. Whether the playtime is while you are at home or when you are at work, giving your pets an outlet with which to exercise their natural prey-chasing behaviors alleviates boredom and curbs destructive behaviors. When choosing what toys to give to your pet, it's helpful to keep in mind that the process is much like choosing which toys your children play with.

While cats tend to be somewhat particular with what they like to play with, dogs tend to want to play with anything and everything that captures their interest. Cats generally prefer to interact with a toy that has movement, as this triggers their prey-chasing behavior. Laser lights and feathers tied on strings make great toys, but do require your participation. Playing with your cat will help keep your cat in good physical condition and help prevent obesity. Dogs are basically interested in toys that have a taste or smell that appeals to them (for the most part, the stronger the scent, the more intense the interest).

Sometimes the most common household item is the most dangerous for your pet. Everyday items such as string, ribbon, rubber bands, plastic milk jug rings, paper clips, pins, needles, coins, erasers, pens, even dental floss are easily ingested by your pets. A simple suggestion is to pet-proof your home just as you would child-proof your home.

To occupy your pets while you are at work or even while you are at home, be sure to make toys available to them. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind when considering which toys to give to your pets:

• Toys should be appropriate for your pet's size. Toys which are too small for your pet can easily be swallowed or become lodged in your pet's throat.
• If a toy has parts that can be chewed and/or ingested, it is best to avoid it. Adornments such as ribbons, strings, doll eyes, buttons, or other removable parts can choke your pet or lead to stomach upset or possibly internal blockage or lacerations.
• If a well-loved toy becomes well-worn, throw it away. Broken or torn toys present the same dangers as toys with removable parts.
• A good rule of thumb, base your purchase by reading child safety labels. If the toy is labeled as being safe for children ages three and under and doesn't contain a dangerous filling, then it is safe to give to your pet. Dangerous fillings include nutshells and polystyrene beads, but be cautious with so-called safe fillings as well. Anything that can be swallowed may choke or otherwise injure your pet. Stuffed toys should be played with while under your supervision.
• When it comes to chewable toys, such as rawhides, always check with your veterinarian as to which ones are safe for your pet. As with stuffed or soft toys, chewable toys should also only be played with under your supervision. A safer alternative are very hard rubber toys. They will last longer as well. Just remember that cats generally do not like hard toys and may ignore them.
• For the “squeaky” toys, always remember that when alone and bored, the noisemaker at the center may be an unavoidable challenge. A determined pet may destroy the squeaky toy just to get at the noisemaker and your pet may wind up ingesting it. Squeaky toys are another play thing that should be used under your supervision.

Choosing the right toy for your pet can not only give them a good source of entertainment while you are at work, but can also offer a fantastic bonding experience for you and your pet. For the most enjoyable playtime experience, be sure to choose a new present for your pet carefully.