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7 Holistic Practices and Services To Share With Your Pet

PetSugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:50:34 -0700

On the heels of National Dog Day, Aug. 30 is National Holistic Pet Day! In honor of our furry friends and ways to make them feel good, better, or the best, peep seven holistic treatments - from aromatherapy to hydrotherapy. Check it out and then vote for your favorite at the end!

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Have Your Dogs Given Blood?

PetSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:00:31 -0700

While not something that all pet owners utilize (or even know about), animal blood banks are key for furry families' emergency surgeries and other procedures as a result of accidents and illnesses.

Without generous donors - like Jackson here - veterinary surgeons couldn't do their lifesaving work. Seen here is Eastern Veterinary Blood Bank in Severna Park, MD, where Dr. Ann Schneider and veterinary assistant Dave Anderson soothe the pooch as the fluid is collected. Have any of your pets donated blood, or used blood from others?

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Do You Know Where the Closest 24-Hour Vet Clinic Is?

PetSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:30:48 -0700

Take a minute and look for the closest emergency vet to your home . . . if you don't already know it. Since North's regular doc is at a 24-hour facility, I have the phone number already in my phone in case of an accident. Even if you don't program it in, it's good to know how far you'd have to go if need be. Did you already know the location of the nearest urgent care for animals, or was this your first search?

Source: Flickr User Dimmerswitch

How Much Did You Spend to Spay or Neuter?

PetSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:00:50 -0700

Depending on where you live, this average price can vary (as with any other services from daycare to dog walking). Regardless, there's a huge difference between "low-cost" spray/neuter options and ones at a private veterinary clinic. Whether your pet stayed overnight or was out in a flash for laser or stitched procedures, how much did the total package cost you?

Top 10 Ways Your Pets Break Bones!

PetSugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:10:07 -0700

Veterinary Pet Insurance recently released the top 10 fracture claims it saw last year! There were more than 5,000 claims for fractures in 2008 - before I clue you into the number-one way broken bow-owwies happen, can you guess what it is as we count down from 10?
Source

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This Just In: Getting Greenies Just Got a Little More Difficult . . .

PetSugar — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:00:44 -0700

Rather controversial but still well-loved by pups across the nation, the manufacturer of Greenies just announced today that the product will now be offered exclusively through vet hospitals and pet specialty stores. The hard treats help reduce plaque and tartar buildup, but some dogs have trouble chewing and properly digesting them . . . which leaves many animal lovers confused and on the fence about the snacks. Citing studies that show nearly 75 percent of pets exhibit some stage of oral disease by age 3, Carolyn Hanigan, vice president of marketing for Nutro Products, Inc. says:

We believe that pet medical professionals at veterinary hospitals and well-trained, knowledgeable staff at pet specialty stores are best equipped to answer pet owners’ questions about our products, and to make the right recommendation.

I've given these treats to North in the past and, while he'll gladly gobble most anything, I would never offer one unsupervised. What do you think of the news? Does it change your take on the toothbrush-shaped snacks?

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PetMD Comes to the iPhone

PetSugar — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:40:43 -0700

If you're already an iPhone owner (or just contemplating a purchase), here's yet another app to add to your must-download list. Health portal, PetMD, has a free Finder that can help you locate key pet services in your area. Whether you're in a new neighborhood, planning a vacay, or simply curious what your city has to offer, this app is essential since you can search by either zip code or current location via GPS.

In addition to emergency clinics and shops to stop at, you can seek sitters, walkers, groomers, etc. near you, then read about and rate them as well. You'll get just about any information in a pinch, making you the new, insta-expert at the dog park you'll discover – don't forget to add it – on your next adventure. Go forth, download, and hit the road!

This Crate Makes the Car Part of Vet and Groomer Trips Easier

PetSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 07:15:10 -0700

When picking up a jumbo-sized bag of dog food at my local pet megastore, I noticed a frustrated-looking owner try to lure his poodle into a standard crate in the back of his SUV fresh from the in-house groomers. Now, some people find it easier to load up a pup inside the home before carrying the animal and crate out to the car, but this isn't always possible on the way back.With larger dogs, couple a pet ramp with a side opening crate like The Other Door Steel Crate ($200). It's way easier to let a pet walk in from the side than have to maneuver to the traditional lengthwise door in a limited car space or this model has (yet) another door on top for lifting and loading – that's three ways total!

Top 10 Insurance Claims For Dogs and Cats

PetSugar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:15:46 -0700

Dogs will eat just about anything (as we saw earlier this week) but what about their kitty cousins? Once again, Veterinary Pet Insurance took a look at the claims they got last year – these top 10 lists account for close to 25 percent of all canine and feline medical claims received in 2008! Unsurprisingly, the more repetitive or chronic illnesses topped the list – after all, continuing care will require continual trips to a doc.

It's important to note that most of the top pet conditions will bring about a noticeable change in the behavior or appearance of a furry friend. Just another reason to take note of any lumps, bumps, sores, cuts, and unusual odors or behaviors in your pets, and react accordingly. Check out the top claims when you read more.

I've bolded any changes from last year's list, are you surprised?

Canine	Feline
1. Ear Infections	1. Lower Urinary Tract Disease
2. Skin Allergies	2. Gastritis/Stomach Upsets
3. Pyoderma/Hot Spots	3. Chronic Renal Failure
4. Gastritis/Vomiting	4. Enteritis/Diarrhea
5. Enteritis/Diarrhea	5. Diabetes Mellitus
6. Urinary Tract Infections	6. Skin Allergies
7. Benign Skin Tumors	7. Hyperthyroidism
8. Osteoarthritis	8. Ear Infections
9. Eye Inflammation	9. Upper Respiratory Virus
10. Hypothyroidism	10. Eye Inflammation

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Jon and Kate Plus 8 Do Tell: What's the Weirdest Thing Your Pet Ate?

PetSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:30:11 -0700

Ever since the Gosselins' new puppies made their TV debut, I've been tuning into Jon and Kate Plus 8 to see how the large family adjusts to the growing dogs. Not only can I now ace the fun quiz on lilsugar, but it gave me an idea for a post, too. In case you missed the episode, I've pasted a clip where the family sees just what the pooch ate on an X-ray – check it out below.

Now it's your turn to share – what's the weirdest thing your pet ate and did it require surgery as well?