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Hair of the Tiger: Big Cat Sculptures Made of Human Hair

PetSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:00:17 -0800

Yes, you're reading that right. These two tigers were created entirely from human hair. Learn all about it when you clip, clip, clip, I mean click, click, click away.

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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

The Scoop: Dolores Is the Beary Hairless Bear

PetSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:15:26 -0800

I love Spectacled Bears with their signature facial markings. However, they usually also have hair . . . on their bodies, too. Sadly, Dolores suffers from an unknown illness causing her new look, which I've put up alongside a 'normal' animal of that species. Learn more when you get started.

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Fur-vival of the Fittest: Behind-the-Scenes at the World Dog Games

PetSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:00:29 -0800

Think Olympics, but for dogs. The World Dog Games took place in Sydney, Australia on Nov. 1 and included four canine sports and tons of furry competitors. Check it out and learn all about them in this slideshow!

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Au Revoir! Flocke Flees For France

PetSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:00:06 -0700

With all the talk of Knut and his Italian mate, Gianna, it seems the world had nearly forgotten about that other totally adorable (maybe even more so?) polar bear. That is, until now.

Nuremberg Zoo's Flocke, who turns two this December, departs Deutschland for France come early 2010. Along with Rasputin, the young male bear pal who joined her last year, they move to a zoo in Antibes so their old space in Germany can hold future bears. Don't worry about this matchup, the two bears "get along famously" already.

See more pics of Flocke when you read more.

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The Scoop: Skunks Love Peanut Butter, Too

PetSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:50:13 -0700

Mmmm, peanut butter. Not only is it one of my pup's favorite snacks (along with my own), apparently even skunks can't get enough as one unassuming Tulsa mail carrier spotted a stuck skunk in a ~~pickle~~ jar and called for backup. It took her a while to reach the proper party - no joke, called "The Skunk Whisperer" - which was enough time for news crews to come and capture the big rescue. Did everybody make it through unharmed and unsprayed? Watch the video and see for yourself.

The Great Nut Hunt Looks For Endangered Furry Nutters!

PetSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:45:25 -0700

Can you name that creature? (Hint: It's not a hamster.) Even though Dennis is a captive-bred mammal, learn all about The Great Nut Hunt to bring his other endangered pals out of hiding in this slideshow.

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The Scoop: There's Less to Love With Micro Pigs

PetSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:50:15 -0700

It's a pig party! Now we've seen cute little oinkers here, before but the latest pet craze over in the UK are micropigs, bred down from a mixture of the miniature potbellied pig, Tamworth, Kune Kune, and Gloucester Old Spot varieties. Fanciers say they can be easily litter-box trained, grow equivalent to a medium-sized dog (45-60 pounds), and are fine for allergy sufferers since they have hair not fur. There are a couple catches: they must be sold in pairs - double trouble? - and, at this time, only overseas.

Do you think micropigs will eventually make it big, or should I say small, Stateside? Just don't go making any swine flu jokes around the lil ones.

Gianna's in Berlin, First Date With Knut Coming Soon!

PetSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:35:07 -0700

Over a month ago, this pretty Polar Bear made the news as the future romantic interest (hopefully) of Knut the cute. Hailing from Munich's Hellabrunn Zoo, she's now on display in Berlin and ready for her love connection.

The 2-year-old gal will explore the enclosure of the world-famous bear, but they will not meet face-to-face until special measures are implemented. Knut's never encountered another animal since his mama cast him aside as a cub. A "canoodling fence" will eventually separate them, and if the sparks are there then this duo will join forces in one spot. Sweet.

See more of Gianna learning the lay of the land when you read more.

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Cat Owners Eight Times More Likely to Have MRSA at Home

PetSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:55:01 -0700

If you're not familiar with it already, MRSA is a bacteria resistant to certain antibiotics, dangerous because of, well, its drug resistance. The first cases in pets popped up about five years ago in therapy dogs exposed to patients or healthcare workers, but the tables could turn, putting humans in more danger any day.

Typically, humans usually infect pets (and not vice versa), but animals can serve as a reservoir for the bacteria and pass it back to humans. Healthy animals rid themselves of bacteria in a matter of weeks.

According to a study this Summer, Elizabeth A. Scott and colleagues at the Center For Hygiene and Health in Home and Community at Simmons College in Boston swabbed household surfaces and found that one variable that overwhelmingly predicted the presence of the germ was the presence of a cat - they were eight times more likely than others to have MRSA at home.

To learn some tips to keep your human (and furry) family safe, read more.

Wash your hands or use antibacterial hand gels before and after playing with a pet or handling wastes and food.
Don't let pets lick near your face or any cuts or sores, and be sure to keep your broken skin bandaged up.