PetSugar

They're Ba-aack - World's Smallest Rabbits Fight Extinction

PetSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:00:24 -0700

Yes, all baby bunnies are small but this species tops out at less than a pound . . . fully grown. The Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbits are native to the Pacific Northwest and face an uphill battle since being declared extinct in the 1990s. Learn all about these animals - and see more pics - when you start the slideshow.

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Shop Spotlight: Portland's The Hip Hound

PetSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:00:47 -0700

While my lil guy was off having a blast, I couldn't get him off my mind! So, when I was doing some shopping in Portland over the weekend, I was delighted to spot this sign.I totally fell for the puppy dog eyes and followed the arrow to an absolutely adoro shop! The Hip Hound stocks the cutest stuff for your pets from a kitty corner for the felines to a clothesline of gear for your pooches. The first thing that I noticed was the super selection of outdoorsy gear . . . I guess Oregon has some sporty pups who need things like hiking backpacks and life jackets for their own summertime fun.

I know if I called that place my home, I'd need to get North started on a super new cardio routine pronto 'cause he's got enough trouble with the hills of SF. Either way, I picked him up a special pressie right up his city life alley – stay tuned for a slideshow of my own doggie model later today! – 'til then, check out some shots of the store below.

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The Scoop: First H1N1 Cat Case Confirmed by AVMA

PetSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:41 -0800

Following last week's case in Oregon where vets confirmed the first H1N1 transmission between a human and a pet ferret, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has confirmed that a 13-year-old, indoor-only cat in Iowa in fact has swine flu.

While it's uncommon for flu viruses (like the H3N8 for dogs) to jump between species, doctors at Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center at Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine performed two sets of tests to find the feline was in fact infected. According to her owners, they had been sick with flu-like symptoms before noticing the cat was ill and, until recently, there was no reason to think cats could catch the 2009 swine flu. Kitty symptoms are primarily respiratory, which includes sneezing and teary eyes, as well as any unusual food refusal.

Get the CDC's tips for interacting with all pets (and people) when you read more.

As with humans, the CDC recommends:

Wash your hands frequently.
Cough or sneeze into elbows.
Discard any tissues out of reach of cats.
As hard as this is, be a little less affectionate with your animal (distance-wise) while you're ill.

Source: Flickr User theogeo

Oprah and Sadie Pose on June Issue of O: In the LINK of an Eye

PetSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 06:00:17 -0700

Oprah shares behind-the-scenes peek of her June cover shoot at PAWS – O
Can you believe these crazy nice pet amenities? - Lemondrop
Caught! Man smuggling lovebirds into LAX - Discovery News
Leona Lewis walks Rome in LA - Celebrity Dog Watcher
The Wiz casts a Humane Society rescue as latest Toto – ArtsBeat
Brave woman dives in 40-degree water to save her pooch - Paw Nation
Can my pet get swine flu? - PetMD
New Nest and Pod from Kilowatt Studio and Vurv Design - moderncat
Filly shoos Canada geese at Oregon airport - Dogster

Martha Meets and Grooms an Arctic Fox: In the LINK of an Eye!

PetSugar — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:15:03 -0700

Why am I not surprised Martha Stewart set out to prettify a fox?! – MarthaStewart.com
Humane Society accuses Petland of scheming to sell sick puppies – Daily News
Could hippo sweat be the key to the best natural sunscreen? – Discovery News
Protect pets' skin from dryness from the inside out – Wag Reflex
Lady Gaga lets her two big dogs out – Celebrity Dog Watcher
De-CAT-pitated kitty toys are cheekily cute – Rare Bird Finds
Pet Ego announces chocolate and ivory as the newest colors – moderncat
Oregon breeder turns over 200 dogs! – Dogster

Pet Food Recall: Solid Gold Pop-Top Cans

PetSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 07:30:22 -0800

If your pup dines on Solid Gold brand dog food, then sit up and take note! The company has voluntarily recalled one formula from their line of canned pet food because of several complaints regarding mold found in a batch of 13.2 oz cans. Affected formulas are:

13.2 oz Turkey and Ocean Fish Canned Dog Food
Purple label with a POP –TOP (Pull top) only
Date on bottom of can 01/02/2010
(Turkey and Ocean Fish cans without a Pop-Top are not affected.)

This limited production was never distributed in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, or Washington so, if you live there, you may have never seen this item anyway. If you have any of these affected formulas with the dates noted as above, please return or discard the item! If you suspect your pup has eaten a contaminated food, or you see something suspicious, refresh your memory about how to report this to the FDA here.

Furry Demonstration: What Is Prop 2?

PetSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 03:00:26 -0700

The fourth of November isn't just the day that we elect a new President, but it's also a day when we get to voice our opinions on a batch of new bills, propositions, and laws in our respective states. For those of us in California, there is one in particular that had a group of pooches and their owners barking. . . err, talking to folks on the streets recently. As a fan of all animals, this particular law hits close to home and made me want to get more information. Thankfully, there were a number of people on the street willing to talk me through it.

It's called Prop 2, and its goal is to help fight cruelty and inhumane treatment to farm animals. How?

View 5 Photos ›

To find out the details of Prop 2, read more.

Talking to the people on the street, I got the lowdown on what Prop 2 would mean for farmers and their animals.
Prop 2:

Prevents cruelty by making sure farm animals aren't shoved into tiny cages that don't allow them enough room to turn around, lie down, and extend their limbs while being raised as livestock.
Improves food safety. By preventing animals from being confined to such close quarters, it helps reduce the number of diseases and germs that spread between them that can eventually make their way into our food.
Protects the air and water surrounding farms by regulating untreated waste that gets released into our ground water, waterways, and soil.
Gives farmers sufficient time – until 2015 – to shift from their confinement methods to more humane practices.
Other states like Florida, Arizona, Colorado, and Oregon have already passed similar laws!

It goes without saying that you should definitely research the bills that you'll be voting on in your state on your own, so that you can draw your own conclusions. Do you have similar bills in your state? What issues are you most concerned about this voting season?

Animal Planet Dog Championships Tonight at 8pm

PetSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:45:35 -0700

If you haven't had your fill of dog shows over the past few months, from Wesminster to the AKC/Eukanuba show, then you're in luck. From the channel that brings you thePuppy Bowl, Animal Planet's own Dog Championships air tonight (April 5) at 8pm e/p.

This multi-city competition starts out tonight in Portland, Oregon, then makes its way across the country to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where the top pooches from Oregon battle it out with the new PA pups. The third stop on the tour is Houston, Texas, which brings all three groups to compete for "Best in Show". So intense, right!?

Source

Dog Days of Summer: "Death Cap" Mushrooms

PetSugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:30:49 -0700

As if the ominous name didn't clue you in, death caps are very dangerous. This species is responsible for the majority – 95 percent! – of fatal mushroom poisoning of people and pets. Not commonly found throughout the US, the fungi have been reported in areas as wide-reaching as upstate NY and New Jersey over to southern Oregon and the San Francisco Bay Area.

If you're taking a walk with your pooch, know how to recognize and avoid the (scientific name) Amanita phalloides. They grow year-round and thrive in moist environments commonly found on the roots of live trees. Although the above picture is one example, exact identification is unreliable because their appearance can vary . . . translation: Don't eat, or let pets eat, any wild growing mushrooms.

Learn how this affects your pets and should be treated when you read more.

Untreated ingestion of even a small portion of a death cap mushroom can be fatal because it causes liver injury and failure. If you suspect that a pet has sampled this species, bring him to the vet immediately. If treated early enough, the doctors can induce vomiting and give activated charcoal to save your pooch.

Source

Send a Pooch Packing for Summer Camp?

PetSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 03:00:08 -0700

Besides Wag Hotel, I know I've mentioned before how much I adore Pet Camp here in SF where North stays when I leave town. And after reading the current issue of Modern Dog Magazine, I want to send him to a real pet camp now, too!

The Double Dog Ranch was featured in this season's issue of MDM, and I can't get enough of the happy pooch pics on their website! A real summer camp for dogs, where your pup can run around acres of land with his new summer camp friends, sleep on heated outdoor cabins, and even take in a training class to brush up on obedience. With Southern California and Northern Oregon locations, I only wish there was one closer to me so North could take part! Ahh, memories of my own summer camp days rush back as we speak!

If you had a pet camp near you, would you send your pup while you were on vacay?

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