Corner Animal Hospital : Online Pet Pharmacy and Veterinary Service

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.

When you get a puppy, it’s a lot like having a new child. It is your responsibility to take care of it, protect it, and make sure it stays out of harm’s way. And just like a child, puppies and their immune systems are subject to plenty of diseases that we can help prevent by taking the right steps when we first bring our new puppies home.VACCINES

Once you procure ownership of your puppy, immediately go to a veterinarian for an examination. Veterinarians can determine how healthy your brand new puppy is and what kind of vaccinations he/she needs. By looking at the puppy’s breeding/vaccination report, a vet can determine if the puppy does or does not need to receive any more vaccinations. If the puppy’s never been vaccinated it will most certainly receive the necessary vaccinations during that first visit. Most veterinarians use multivalent vaccines when vaccinating your puppy. Multivalent vaccines combine several different disease antigens into one shot so your puppy doesn’t have to receive several shots. Puppies receive vaccinations to prevent them from getting diseases at ages when they are most susceptible. Make sure to set a schedule with your veterinarian regarding when your puppy should come in for another vaccination (or “booster” shot).

SPAYING OR NEUTERING

If your puppy is not spayed or neutered, ask your veterinarian what might be a good time to have it done. Spaying a female dog prevents her from having unwanted puppies from the future. It also prevents the probability of disease, such as breast cancer and uterine infection. Male dogs that aren’t neutered are more at risk for testicular cancer and prostate disease. A male dog that isn’t neutered also tends to be more aggressive towards people and dogs alike. As a general rule of thumb, it is best to spay a female dog before her first heat cycle, and for a male dog it is normally best to have him neutered at 6 months. Regardless, check with your veterinarian to know the optimal time for either.

WORMS

Worms are parasites that can grow in your puppy’s intestines and feed off nutrients that pass through them. These are nutrients that your puppy needs. As soon as you can, bring your veterinarian a sample of your puppy’s stool. Your vet can examine it for worm eggs to determine if your puppy does in fact have them. If your pet does have worms, the veterinarian will be able to determine exactly what kind of species they are and give you the appropriate medicine or “wormer” to help get them out of your puppy’s system. Even if the puppy does not have worms, he/she can get them by exposure to another infected animal’s feces. Make sure to clean up feces left by your puppy every week and pick up after it on walks.

These are only some of the basic health issues to keep in mind when deciding to get a puppy. You should generally make sure to feed your pup well and exercise it to keep its health and immune system strong.

Future pet-food labels that indicate the number of calories per serving could help obese animals, a veterinarians association recommended to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday.

“Pet owners do not always know how much to feed. They may not realize the high number of calories associated with some of the pet food they are giving their pets,” said John Branam, testifying on behalf of the American Medical Veterinary Association.

The FDA held the hearing as part of legislation passed last year that requires the Center for Veterinary Medicine to establish pet-food-labeling standards in two years.

According to the veterinary group, 54 million pets in the United States are obese, an “epidemic” that the association said is growing at an alarming rate.

Nancy Cook, vice president of the Pet Food Institute’s technical and regulatory affairs division, said calorie labels are unnecessary and won’t prevent obesity in pets.

“It doesn’t work for people,” said Cook, a voice for the industry’s manufacturers.

The labels contain serving sizes based on a pet’s size. Calorie information can be obtained from food manufacturers, she said.

But the veterinary group said it’s not consumers’ and veterinarians’ jobs to track down manufacturers for that information.

A standard nutritional label that lists the number of calories per weight of food and per household items, such as a can or a cup, would prevent owners from overfeeding their pets, the group said.

The information also would help consumers and veterinarians compare and choose the best food, Branam said. For example, two cups of one product could have the same calories as one cup of another.

Although pet obesity is determined by other factors, such as genetics, the environment and medical influence, a standard label would make it easier for vets to recommend portions, Branam said.

Written by The Seattle Times Company

Pet owners often love their pets in the same way that they love their children. So isn’t it important that you care for your pet’s health just as you would care for your child’s? The only way to make sure that your pets are healthy is to bring them to regular veterinary check-ups and feed them a nutritious diet. There are five basic treatments that you should follow in order to ensure that your animal will live the longest, healthiest life possible.

1.       While you and your pet are at their yearly check-up, your veterinarian should draw a small amount of blood. The blood will be screened to check for any possible organ problems, thyroid disease, or diabetes. If the blood is normal, then that sample will provide a comparison for future blood work.

2.       Just as vitamins are essential to the health of people, they are also essential to the health of animals. Vitamins can help pets avoid suffering from common problems including arthritis, skin problems, and tumors. As your pets get older, it becomes more and more important to give them vitamins since vitamins can also help many of the affects of age.

3.       Make sure that the food you are buying for your pets are made with raw meat. Many pet foods are now being made with grain, but true nutrition comes from meat. Pets are animals that could survive in the wild and wild animals eat meat, raw meat. Animals’ digestive systems are made to digest raw meat, not processed grain.

4.       However, even though your pets could be wild animals, chances are their ancestors have been domesticated for generations. This means that their digestive systems may have begun to adapt to grain food. It is still important to include raw meat in their diet, but make sure that your pet’s diet consists of other foods too, such as vegetables.

5.       The best way to ensure that your pets are maintaining a nutritional diet is to make them food at home. Sometimes it is hard to find pet food that is made with raw meat. If that is the case, then you can feed your animal real meat, such as chicken, beef, lamb, etc.  Just be sure to feed them raw meat sparingly. They need a well-rounded diet just like us!

Maintaining pet wellness is the most important part of making sure that your beloved animal will live a long and healthy life. The best way to do this is through regular veterinary procedures and proper nutrition. We wish you and your pet a long and healthy life!

Does your cat suffer from hairballs? Hairballs in cats are actually quite common. Cats have many rough projections on their tongues that are called papillae. These papillae are used to help cats groom their fur. While the cat is grooming, it often ingests fur which gets caught in the cat’s stomach or small intestines. This causes a blockage or what is more commonly known as a hairball. Even though they are common, there are ways to help your cat prevent and treat them.

What types of cats are most susceptible?

There are three different types of coats that your cat can have: short hair, medium hair, and long hair. Cats with long hair get hairballs more often. Cats with soft fur also tend to get more. The soft fur sticks to the tongue easier than coarse fur. Indoor cats are also more likely to get hairballs. Since they do not spend time exploring outdoors, they spend more time grooming.

What are the symptoms?

Vomiting is the most common symptom of a hairball. The vomit may or may not contain fur. Other symptoms include not eating as often or as much, and hiding because they do not feel well.

How can I help to prevent them?

To prevent hairballs, you need to help your cat reduce the amount of fur they ingest and help the fur that is ingested pass easily through the digestive system. The best way to reduce the amount of hair that is ingested is to thoroughly brush your cat daily. Make sure to use a good wire brush, which pick up hair that your cat would otherwise lick up. Brush your cat for 5 to 10 minutes each day, making sure that the brushing is done slowly from head to tail. Most cats love being groomed and will enjoy the daily activity.

You should also let your cat go outside and eat some grass. Grass works as a laxative that helps them pass hair through their digestive systems. It also helps them to vomit up hairballs that have already formed in their stomach or intestines.

How do I treat hairballs?

To help the ingested fur pass through the digestive system, you could give your cat an intestinal lubricant, such as Laxatone. The lubricant breaks down the cat’s fur and keeps it from sticking to the lining of the stomach and intestines. To give your cat the lubricant, simply put a few drops on their nose or paw and let them lick it off. The recommended dose in cats is ½ to 1 teaspoonful for 2 to 3 days, then ¼ to ½ teaspoonful 2 to 3 times a week. If vomiting increases or continues after the treatment, bring your cat to the veterinarian for a more serious treatment.

Click here to get Laxatone from our online pet pharmacy
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While many people think that choosing a new pet is a small decision that doesn’t require too much thought, think again. It is actually an important life decision- sometimes being a 10 year commitment or more. It is imperative to pick a new pet that is right for you and your family. Here are some questions to consider when you are picking out your new pet :

1. Most importantly, what type of pet do you want? Think about your lifestyle- what do you like and what do you want your pet to bring to your life? Research different types of pets and then talk to someone who has the type of pet that you are considering.

2. Do you have time to take care of a pet? Some pets require a larger time commitment than others. Puppies, for example, are a big commitment. They can’t be left alone and they need to be played with and trained.

3. Can I have a pet where I currently live? Many rentals have rules against pets or restrictions on the type of pet you can have. Some landlords have an additional fee. If you can have a pet where you live, you need to decide what type you have enough room for. Small dogs and cats can get their necessary daily exercise indoors or in small yards, while larger dogs may need to have more space to run freely.

4. Do you know the local animal control laws? Some communities require licenses of pets and some limit the number of pets that you can have.

5. Can I afford it? Pets can be expensive. When choosing a new pet you need to consider the costs for food, grooming, veterinary care, toys, etc.

6. Do you have a veterinarian? If not, you need to choose one in your area that suits your new pet’s needs. Talk to family and friends with pets to find out which veterinarians they like.

7. Do you have someone that can care for your pet while you’re on vacation? Make sure that you have a family member, friend, or neighbor to care of your pet or money to pay for a kennel while you are away.

8. If you have children, what kind of pet do they want? The maturity level of your children is important to consider when choosing a pet. You need to make sure that your children are mature enough to know the right way to treat a pet.

9. If you have other pets, how will they tolerate a new addition? Old pets may get jealous of new ones and they may not get along. When bringing home a new pet, be sure to introduce the animals slowly. Give them their own spaces for a while until they eventually get used to each other. Don’t expect them to be best of friends right away.

10. Does anyone in your home have allergies? Make sure that you talk to your family members and/or those you live with about any allergies they may have before you bring home a new pet.

There are many things to consider when choosing a new pet. It’s an important decision that needs serious thought both for you and the animal. Be sure to do research and familiarize yourself with the type of pet you are considering before bringing it home. This will help to alleviate any problems and ensure that you and your pet will be happy and content for years to come!