After cats and dogs, birds are the most popular pet

in the United States.

A dog’s sense of smell is about 1,000 times better than ours. But they do need a good sense of smell and hearing because their eyesight is not as good as a human’s.

Whenever you travel with your pet be sure to take along his complete medical records, a photo, and proof of vaccinations, in case of emergency. Also, bring a picture of you with your pet so that people can recognize you as his owner.

Many hotels nowadays allow animals. Call ahead to

be sure your pet will be welcome.

Over the last 20 years it has been quite trendy to own some of the more unusual pets like birds and reptiles. Even though many of them make great pets, they are not as domesticated as dogs and cats. This leads to a significant amount of frustrating problems for their owners and us veterinarians.You have a responsibility to educate yourself on the needs of these animals before you purchase one of them. To think that you can take an animal from the wild and recreate a proper habitat for it in your house with little effort is sheer folly. Many of these animals are exquisitely adapted to their particular niche and don’t do well when taken out of this environment.

If you are not going to make their care a high priority in you life then you don’t belong owning one of them. In many cases the nutritional requirements are not known. We have an idea of what they need to eat, and try to replicate the foods they eat in the wild, but it is only an educated guess. Nature is very complicated, and these nutritional needs are very specific. This is particularly important in reptiles since they are dependent on their environment to a much greater degree than most any other animal.

Iguana’s are probably the most common reptile presented to us, due mostly to their popularity and the medical problems that affect them. By the time an owner brings them in for medical care the disease process is well entrenched and difficult to correct.

In the spring and fall it is not unusual for people to change their radiator fluid. The antifreeze that is put into radiator fluid is highly toxic to the kidneys of animals, even when ingested in small amounts.

Automobile antifreeze is composed of 95% ethylene glycol. If an average sized cat drinks a little over 1 tablespoon, or a small dog drinks 1/4 of a cup of undiluted antifreeze, it can be lethal unless treated immediately. Once antifreeze is consumed it is absorbed very quickly from the stomach and broken down by the liver and kidneys to a more toxic compound. If you see your pet lapping any amount of antifreeze this is a medical emergency and requires immediate care.

Typical symptoms include drinking and urinating more than usual, vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty walking. As the toxicity progresses over 1-3 days there will be severe depression, no appetite, continual vomiting, and ulcers in the mouth. These are all signs the kidneys are failing and death soon follows.

This problem is difficult to diagnose without knowledge of ingestion. If your pet comes in immediately after ingestion we will immediately induce vomiting. Assuming this is performed soon after ingestion this will substantially decrease further absorption of the toxin. We will then place activated charcoal in the stomach to help absorb and bind up any antifreeze left. Simultaneously your pet is placed on intravenous fluids. These fluids help flush the kidneys and remove additional toxin that is already been absorbed into the bloodstream.

Specific treatments exist that can be given intravenously to block the breakdown of the ethylene glycol, and allow these potential toxins to be excreted safely by the kidneys. However, they must be given less than 24 hours after ingestion

There is an alternative to antifreeze that is safe without sacrificing your cars performance. Sierra® Antifreeze-Coolant. Their new formula is less toxic and safer for kids, pets, and wildlife in the environment. For more information you can call(800) 289-7234.

PET OWNERSHIP

* According to the 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey, 63% of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 71.1 millions homes

* In 1988, the first year the survey was conducted, 56% of U.S.
households owned a pet as compared to 63% in 2006

Breakdown of pet ownership in the U.S. according to the 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey

Number of U.S. Households that Own a Pet (millions)

Bird 6.4
Cat 38.4
Dog 44.8
Equine 4.3
Freshwater Fish 14.2
Saltwater Fish .8
Reptile 4.8
Small Animal 6.0
Total Number of Pets Owned in the U.S. (millions)

Bird 16
Cat 88.3
Dog 74.8
Equine 13.8
Freshwater Fish 142.0
Saltwater Fish 9.6
Reptile 13.4
Small Animal 24.3

* Ownership statistics are gathered from APPMA’s 2007/2008 National Pet Owners Survey

SPENDING

Total U.S. Pet Industry Expenditures

Year Billion

2007 $40.8 Est.
2006 $38.5
2005 $36.3
2004 $34.4
2003 $32.4
2002 $29.5
2001 $28.5
1998 $23
1996 $21
1994 $17

Estimated 2007 Sales within the U.S. Market

For 2007, it estimated that $40.8 billion will be spent on our pets in the U.S.

Breakdown:

Food $16.1 billion
Vet Care $9.8 billion
Supplies/OTC Medicine $9.9 billion
Live animal purchases $2.1 billion
Pet Services: grooming & boarding $2.9 billion

Actual Sales within the U.S. Market in 2006

In 2006, $38.5 billion was spent on our pets in the U.S.

Breakdown:

Food $15.4 billion
Vet Care $9.2 billion
Supplies/OTC Medicine $9.3 billion
Live animal purchases $1.9 billion
Pet Services: grooming & boarding $2.7 billion

* Unless otherwise stated, spending statistics are gathered by APPMA from various market reseach sources and are not included in the organization’s bi-annual National Pet Owners Survey.

• According to the 2007-2008 APPMA National Pet Owners
Survey, basic annual expenses for dog and cat owners in dollars
include:

Dogs Cats

Surgical Vet Visits 453 363
Food 217 188
Kennel Boarding 225 149
Routine Vet 219 175
Groomer/Grooming Aids 127 18
Vitamins 77 31
Treats 66 40
Toys 41 26

**Note: APPMA does not ask Survey Participants how much in total they spend on their dog or cats annually. The expenses listed above are not all inclusive and each category was asked separately of the survey participant.

It is important that your dog maintains a healthy diet that contains natural vegetables and lean cuts of meat and minimal processed foods. Many brands of dog food contain ingredients such as animal by-products, artificial flavors, and chemical preservatives, such as BHA, BHT, and Ethoxyquin. These can be harmful products that may lead to illness or other problems for your pet.

In many moist dog foods, there is an ingredient called wheat gluten that has made many dogs sick and has even caused death. Pet owners should read the labels of the dog food they buy and avoid products that contain those ingredients.

Dog owners should give their dog high-quality dog food that contains all natural ingredients. In order for dogs to stay healthy, they should also eat raw red meat. Animals, like humans, require the enzymes, amino acids and other nutrients in raw red meat. They also require raw animal fat in their diets to avoid skin and coat problems. Many pet owners think fat is bad for their dog; however, their systems need at least 30% of raw fat in their diet a day to stay healthy. Dogs’ digestive systems aren’t designed to digest cooked meat and fat. Many pet owners believe that raw meat contains bacteria and parasites that can be harmful to their dog, but dogs can’t get salmonella poisoning because their digestive systems are so acidic that it kills all bacteria and parasites.

How much to feed your dog depends on the food and the weight of the dog. Look at the recommended feeding amount on the container. Dogs should eat up to 2 times a day in measured “meals.” Dog owners should also avoid giving their dogs table scraps to ensure that your dog isn’t over eating. If you follow this advice, your dog will stay at a safe weight, have a healthy heart, and a longer lifespan.

All-natural remedies to calm your dog while on the road.

Does your dog turn into a whimpering pile of mush whenever you try to take it for a drive? Traveling is daunting when your best friend throws up on the upholstery, then attaches itself to your brake foot. If you approach the problem holistically, however, travel for the two of you can be downright fun. Ask yourself these questions:

Is your dog healthy?
Be sure it has no illnesses affecting its ability to travel. Stress, fearfulness, anxiety and disorientation can be caused or aggravated by a number of health problems, including chemical or hormonal imbalances and food allergies. “Biochemical imbalances, hypothyroidism, etc., can all impact negatively on the animal’s ability to cope with stress,” said Suzanne Clothier, a holistic trainer in St. Johnsville, N.Y. “Such problems should be addressed and corrected.”

Why is your dog becoming carsick?
If you have eliminated the obvious, the cause could be stress, sensitivity to movement, fear or more subtle problems. Clothier recommends a chiropractic checkup. “I’ve seen dogs who were poor travelers change dramatically when they were adjusted,” she said. “It seems that subluxations [incomplete dislocations] in the neck, particularly at the atlas [the first vertebra of the neck], can contribute to motion sickness or uneasiness, possibly due to inner-ear disturbances.”

Your dog may also be reacting poorly to different water or unfamiliar food. Carry a supply of both from home. Make sure your dog has plenty of water in the car, and provide additional water about every two hours at rest stops. Also, as with humans suffering from motion sickness, it may help if the dog sits facing forward and has access to fresh air.

Some veterinarians recommend withholding food six to eight hours before travel, but this can be difficult if your dog is used to being fed in the morning or requires regular meals to keep its body systems balanced. Instead, try a motion sickness preventive. Holistic-minded pet owners use ginger to soothe tummy turmoil. Ginger capsules, bulk dried ginger or ginger extracts are available at health food stores and some supermarkets.

Read the directions on the label and reduce the dose proportionally, according to the weight of your dog. For example, according to a general dosing rule from herbalist Gregory Tilford of Animal’s Apawthecary in Conner, Mont., if the dose on the label is for a 150-pound man, divide by the weight of your dog say 25 pounds, which equals one-sixth the dose on the label. If you need to increase the dose, do so in increments of 10 percent, but go no higher than 50 percent above your starting point, Tilford said. You can mix the dried or powdered herb into a small amount of food or add the extract to a little water and administer it with a dropper two to three times daily. If you are unsure of the dosage, ask a veterinarian experienced in using herbs on animals or an herbalist experienced in dosing animals.

Is your dog comfortable traveling in its crate?
Some crave the comforting close quarters of a crate; others enjoy riding unfett ered. Some dogs prefer to see where they are going; others do not. Watch your dog’s reaction. Perhaps you should cover the crate, leaving plenty of space for ventilation. Or try a wire crate or a seat belt and harness set. Whichever method you choose, don’t let your dog have the run of the car.

If you stop suddenly or have an accident, an unsecured dog could crash into the windshield or be thrown around the interior of the car. In addition, a loose dog could cause an accident by interfering with your driving. Your dog should be in a secured crate or tucked into a special harness that buckles into your car’s seat belt system. The seat belt-and-harness set works best for dogs heavier than 25 pounds; smaller dogs should be safely placed in a crate.

Is your dog afraid of the car or crate?
If your dog is afraid of entering the car or uncomfortable being in a crate, you may need to go back to a gradual, positive introduction, combined with therapies and remedies to reduce your dog’s stress during retraining. T-TEAM, a calming massage treatment, or even affectionate stroking and petting can calm your dog before, during and after car travel or a session with the crate.

In addition, calming flower remedies, such as Rescue Remedy or Five-Flower Formula, work well for some dogs. “Rescue Remedy is good for some; for others, it doesn’t work,” Tilford said. “Some individual flower remedies work in certain situations. You may need to consult a flower essence practitioner for additional advice on the best remedies for your situation. Administer these in con-junction with any training sessions according to the directions on the label  in your dog’s water, rubbed on its ears or muzzle or as part of a misting spray.”

Finally, calming herbs can de-stress training sessions. Tilford recommends valerian, skullcap and oat straw as extracts, dried or fresh. Some veterinarians recommend chamomile, but Tilford believes the herb may not be the best choice. “Chamomile might work; it’s hard to say. It would be best in a tea, added to some salt-free broth.” Steep about 1 teaspoon of the dried herb or 3 teaspoons of fresh herb in about 1 cup of hot distilled water for 10 to 30 minutes. Strain the herb and add 2 teaspoons to 2 tablespoons to broth two to three times daily.

To accustom your dog to travel and its crate, start gradually and keep the session positive. Make the crate attractive by adding your dog’s favorite blanket and toy. Toss a treat into the crate, encouraging your dog to retrieve it. Do this a few times a day. When the dog seems comfortable going into the crate, feed it its meals in the crate with the door left open. Once the dog is accustomed to this, close the door while it is eating for brief periods. Gradually extend the time you leave the dog in the crate with the door closed. Repeat this process until the dog is comfortable being in the crate for a few hours.

Months before your trip is scheduled, accustom your dog to car travel. Lure it into the car with a treat and praise it highly for entering. (Leave the door open.) Do this daily for about a week, then put the dog into its crate or seat belt harness for short periods. Next, take short car trips that end with an enjoyable event, such as a romp in the park or a hike in the woods. Slowly extend the length of the trips, until the dog is comfortable spending several hours traveling with you.

How well trained and socialized is your dog?
Is it used to strangers and new situations? Did you take it to puppy kindergarten and obedience classes? If your dog does not respond readily to the basic commands — Sit, Stay and Come  you may need professional help resocializing it. Dogs that enjoy new faces and places are less likely to be stressed and more likely to be happy travelers. Ask your veterinarian and friends for referrals to a dog trainer.

How well do you travel?
Are you tense and edgy when driving? Do you yell at other drivers and shake your fist at delays? You may be unknowingly transferring your stress to your dog.

Clothier counseled one tense owner, whose dog traveled hunched fearfully, to relax and sing as she drove. “To my delight, she wrote me immediately, noting that as she began to pay attention to her own attitudes while driving, she discovered that indeed she was holding her breath, clenching the wheel and sitting rigidly,” she said.

“She relaxed her hands, focused on her breathing, sat back more comfortably and began to sing whatever songs popped into her head. To her amazement, her dog first watched her with a raised eyebrow, then visibly relaxed, curled up on the seat next to her and slept peacefully all the way home.

(Source : dogchannel.com)

As anyone who has ever loved a companion animal can tell you, pets make people feel good.   In the past, however, there was no scientific evidence to back this up.   Well now there is.  Studies done in the last decade have proven that owning pets can be beneficial to human health in many ways.

As The Center for Disease Control’s website states, owning pets can lower people’s blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as provide opportunities for exercise, outdoor activities and socialization.

There are other benefits as well.  A 2002 study released by the American Medical Association stated that children raised from birth in multiple pet households may be less likely to develop allergic illnesses, such as asthma, allergies and eczema.  Apparently, being exposed to the “germs” of dogs and cats early in life helps build the immune system.

A foundation called the Delta Society focuses exclusively on harnessing the power of the human-animal health connection.  Their mission is to unite Americans with mental and physical illnesses and disabilities with trained therapy animals.  A comprehensive collection of studies related to the health benefits of pet ownership can be found on their website (www.deltasociety.org).  These studies show that pets have helped people cope with a myriad of issues, from trauma to attachment disorders to autism.

Although veterinarians have probably always intuitively known that animals do people good,   The American Veterinary Medical Association now recognizes the importance of the human-animal bond, and has issued a statement supporting the health benefits of animal companionship for people.

So, pet owners take heart – the next time you wince at Rover’s vet bill or plop down a $50 bill for that kitty condo, look at it not only as a sign that you are a responsible pet owner, but as insurance for your future health.