Heartworm cases on the rise, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is spreading

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Heartworm cases on the rise

Dog owners have to do more to keep their dogs protected against heartworms. The parasitic worms calledDirofilaria immitis are spread through the bite of a mosquito that carries them in a larval state.It is an especially grisly disease. Once a dog is infected with the larva, it can grow into a... ↪ Read more

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is spreading

That means more dog owners have to pay attention to illnesses such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a disease carried by ticks that can sicken and even kill humans and their canine companions.The bacteria initially invades the bloodstream, then settles into the cells that line blood vessels. Blood... ↪ Read more

Climate change could threaten dogs with diseases pushing into new parts of the USA

Though diseases in dogs are not tracked as intensively as those in humans, veterinary epidemiologists and biologists said Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a bacterial disease that can cause fever, joint pain and vomiting, is moving into California and Texas. Heartworm disease, which can damage the... ↪ Read more

Giving Your Cat A Pill

Giving a cat a pill can be a nightmare. No cat wants something shoved down his throat, and he will fight you tooth and nail to prevent it. Although most cats are small in size, youd be quite amazed with how much power they actually have. There are ways that you can get your cat to take... ↪ Read more

Curing Bad Cat Breath

Cat owners know for a fact that bad cat breath can be downright awful. It isnt that much different from bad human breath, as both are caused by bacteria found in the mouth that breaks protein down and releases the sulfur compounds out into the air. Sulfur smells really bad on its own,... ↪ Read more

Common Meanings Of Cat Behavior

A lot of people think that cats work on their own agenda, not paying much attention to their owner provided they have clean litter, food, and water. Cats can behave in odd manners at times, which can easily confuse their owners and make it really hard to determine what the cat wants.... ↪ Read more

On-demand veterinary service gives advice on poorly pets

Getting a last-minute appointment at your local GP surgery can be nigh-on impossible. It's no surprise, then, that online services like Babylon Health and Dr Now have sprung up to meet the demand for instant consultations. But pets get poorly too, which is why PawSquad wants to make speaking to a... ↪ Read more

Should we stop throwing sticks for dogs?

Throwing a stick for an excitable dog has to be one of life's great pleasures. Until you hear words such as "impaling" and "penetrative wound". This week, Grace Webster, branch president of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) in Scotland, told the Times that throwing sticks can be "dangerous... ↪ Read more

Animal-Assisted Therapy, Veterinary Social Work, & Social Work With People & Pets in Crisis

by Barbara Trainin BlankIt has been said that Sigmund Freud used to take his dog into sessions to encourage trust. But no matter how perceptive the father of psychoanalysis was, he probably didn't anticipate the use of animals in social work practice. More social workers are... ↪ Read more

New Tracking Tool for Pathogen Investigators

ARS veterinary medical officer Jean Guard has created a faster, less expensive and more accurate test to identify pathogenic strains of Salmonella.U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) veterinary medical officer Jean Guard has developed a cost-effective diagnostic tool and dataset for identifying... ↪ Read more

Dogs May Help Boost Infant Health

Study Shows Pets Offer Protection Against Respiratory InfectionsGood news for pet lovers who are also parents to newborn babies: A study recently published by Pediatrics Journal suggests that infants exposed to dogs and cats during their first year of life may develop a stronger immune system,... ↪ Read more

Bill calls for ban on sales of dogs, cats in Maine pet stores

Proponents say it would reduce euthanasia and imports from 'puppy mills,' but critics say it would hurt local businesses and hobby breeders. A Cape Elizabeth lawmaker is sponsoring a bill to ban the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores in an attempt to keep the animals from being imported from... ↪ Read more