February 2010
“WHISKERS” FEBRUARY 2010
It’s hard to believe that February is here already. It won’t bee too long before the cold weather will hopefully be easing up.
I hope you enjoy the articles in this month’s newsletter. As always, your comments, questions and suggestions are invited and encouraged. My email address is davegannon@verizon.net
A Top 10 for 2010
Lorraine Corriveau, a wellness veterinarian at Purdue University’s School of Veterinary Medicine offers this Top 10 for 2010.
1. Spay or neuter your pets, adding more years to their lives and improving their behavior.
2. Provide age-appropriate health care so that you develop a good idea about their health and build a relationship with your veterinarian.
3. Give them a diet suited to their age and medical condition. Pets kept at their ideal body weight live longer. Look for foods designed for different stages of life and medical conditions.
4. Give them medicines regularly to prevent heartworm and fleas.
5. Groom them at home, especially the minor grooming procedures, because it causes less stress.
6. Exercise and play with them more often, each day if possible.
7. Ask your veterinarian or seek expert advice on behavior problems. A basic training class might be useful, especially for a new puppy.
8. Socialize pets with other animals and people by enrolling them in an agility/training class or socialization classes.
9. Donate time, effort or resources to a local animal welfare group.
10. If your pet is especially social, patient and people-oriented, consider certifying it as a therapy animal. Studies have confirmed that pets increase a person’s life span, help speed recovery for both young and older patients, and are a great moral booster to people in various psychiatric and medical programs.
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Pets Fill Family Void
Almost 60 percent of people said they would put off starting a family during the current economic downturn, but a quarter would choose a pet instead, according to a new survey.
The decision to put family life on hold in favor of nurturing a four-legged friend was equally divided between men and women.We know that many owners develop very strong emotional ties to their pets that are often treated as part of the family. Pet ownership does come with responsibilities, just like parenthood, however.
The Top 10 most popular child substitutes according to the 3,000 pet owners who responded:
1. Dog
2. Cat
3. Rabbit
4. Guinea Pig
5. Rat
6. Hamster
7. Mouse
8. Gerbil
9. Reptile
10. Bird
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5 Tips for Caring for an Injured Pet
If your pet becomes injured, here are some tips from HomeoPet to increase your pet’s chance of a speedy recovery, and remember even the most friendly pet may bite when in pain.
- Call a veterinarian. Add your veterinarian’s telephone number to your cell phone speed dial in case of an emergency, or if you are traveling, the number of a local veterinarian.
- Do not administer fluids or food to the animal in case an anesthetic is needed, unless instructed by the veterinarian, as in the case of a diabetic with low blood sugar.
- Stop any bleeding. To stop heavy bleeding, apply firm pressure with a clean towel or cloth. This is usually better than a tourniquet, which can lead to tissue death from lack of oxygen. To stop a graze bleeding, apply powdered pepper or turmeric, which are easily available and wonderful clotting agents.
- Clean wounds can be washed with calendula herbal tincture (available at most health food stores), 10-20 drops in tepid water. Infected wounds can be safely cleaned with tepid salt water. Use as much salt as will dissolve in water.
- If an injured animal feels icy cold due to shock, wrap a plastic bottle filled with warmed water in a towel to avoid burning or overheating the animal. Never put a hot water bottle directly against the animal. The animal can also be wrapped in insulating material such as a rug, a thermal blanket, or even bubble wrap. If an animal is in shock, a quiet, dimly lit space can be helpful.
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Extra Precautions Needed During Winter
Although February means spring is coming, it’s not here yet. For many areas of the country, there are two more months of cold temperatures, so take extra precautions to ensure the safety of companion animals. Winter is a season of bitter cold and numbing wetness and can pose serious health risks to family pets. Don’t leave dogs outdoors when the temperature drops. Dogs and cats are safer indoors, except when taken out for supervised exercise.
Regardless of the season, shorthaired, very young, or old dogs and all cats should never be left outside without supervision. Short-coated dogs may feel more comfortable wearing a sweater during walks. Pets that spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy. Routinely check your pet’s water dish to make certain the water is fresh and unfrozen. Use plastic food and water bowls rather than metal; when the temperature is low, your pet’s tongue can stick and freeze to metal.
Warm engines in parked cars attract cats and small wildlife that may crawl up under the hood. To avoid injuring any hidden animals, bang on your car’s hood to scare them away before starting your engine. Salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate the pads of your pet’s feet and may be harmful if ingested. Wipe the feet with a damp towel before your pet licks them to remove snow packed between your pet’s paws.
Pet-friendly ice melts are available at many pet supply stores across the nation or online.
Antifreeze is a deadly poison, but it has a sweet taste that can attract animals and children. Wipe up spills and store antifreeze (and all household chemicals) out of reach.
Better yet, use antifreeze-coolant made with propylene glycol, which is less toxic in small amounts than traditional ethylene glycol antifreeze.
No matter what the temperature, wind chill can threaten a pet’s life. A dog or cat is happiest and healthiest when kept indoors. If you’re feeding homeless cats, be sure to provide an insulated shelter for them.
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Pet Insurance Anyone?
A new report forecasts that North Americans will take an increasingly strong interest in
pet insurance during the next five years, placing sales as high as $1.1 billion in 2012. This forecast is consistent with soaring revenues in the overall pet market due to affluent households and their willingness to spend more on the health and wellness of their beloved furry family members. A conservative estimate indicates revenues of pet insurance were at $248 million in 2007, up 21 percent from $205 million in 2006.
For the first time insurance plans are being sold under nationally known pet care brands, including PurinaCare and the American Kennel Club. Helping to drive further interest and awareness, companies are targeting consumers through new distribution channels, such as, direct-to-consumer, veterinarian offices, pet care service providers, supermarkets and insurance agencies.
“Many new companies have entered the market over the past three years and it’s a sure bet that more well-funded companies will jump on-board in the coming year,” says Tatjana Meerman, publisher of Packaged Facts that issued the report. Even Meijer is getting into the pet insurance business. Meijer customers now can add pet health-insurance coverage to their shopping carts. PetFirst Healthcare LLC recently launched a partnership to offer pet insurance through more than 100 Meijer Supercenters throughout the Midwest. PetFirst insurance covers routine care and medical procedures for dogs and cats, and is now offered through cards displayed on freestanding kiosks in the Meijer Pet Department.
“Each company has its own version of pet insurance products, ranging from highly customizable plans to greatly simplified ones for a mass market,” she says. Do your homework, however, and talk to your veterinarian about which plan might be the best for your pet or pets before signing on the dotted line.
MONEYSAVING OFFERS FOR FEBRUARY 2010
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Thanks for being a subscriber
Dave Gannon
