Warmer weather is now here, and with that development, you’ll surely want to be spending more time outdoors with your pet. After being cooped up inside all winter, you and your dog will need some fresh air and some space to roam about. This fresh air and exercise can be good for you and your pup, but there might be some hidden dangers lurking in the great outdoors:  fleas and ticks.

Even the most attentive of pet owners can run into problems with fleas and ticks for their pets, but there are steps you can take to prevent and solve any pest problem you might encounter with your dog. Here are some tips for preventing and solving any pet pest problems.

Preventing Pests from Finding Your Pets

First, you’ll want to start with preventing any problem as much as possible. Ensure that your pet is on a flea and tick preventative medication to reduce the likelihood they will run into problems. There are both topical and oral medications you can give your pet, and each one has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Topical applications may prevent both fleas and ticks, but can be messy at times while you wait for them to spread across the skin. Oral preventatives are less messy and effective, but often only prevent fleas and not ticks. Consult with your vet to see which medication is right for your pet, and make sure you adhere to the medication plan each month.

Solving a Flea Problem

When it comes to fleas, it won’t take long for you to discover if your cat or dog has tracked them inside. Excessive scratching will probably be the biggest tell of a flea problem, and if your pet has short, light fur, you may be able to see the fleas on their stomachs or legs. If your pet spends time in your bed or on the couch, it’s likely they’ll move to biting you in addition to your pet.

Luckily, while fleas can be an annoying pest, as long as you catch the problem early, it can be a simple one to treat. The best way to get rid of fleas is to drown them, so make sure you give your cat or dog a thorough scrub down to eliminate any fleas that might be on their body. These fleas will try to jump their way to safety, so make sure you scrub, scrub, scrub. If a regular bath won’t work for your pet, there are flea and tick shampoos you can apply.

After your pet is flea-free, next you’ll want to ensure that your home is rid of any fleas that might have taken residence there. Look for a flea or tick spray at your local pet store and spray your house diligently. (Note that these sprays oftentimes have an odor, so you’ll want to ensure you open your windows and air out your home while spraying, or choose a natural spray that doesn’t use harsh chemicals.) Go through the house and spray both sides of couch cushions, pillows, mattresses, carpets, rugs, and any other surfaces that you can’t simply wash clean. Also be sure to wash all dog bedding; your sheets and blankets; and any other fabric surface where these pests may have taken up a home. Some people recommend vacuuming carpet and dumping the contents into an outdoor garbage bag to rid the carpet of any hiding pests.

If your pet keeps running into flea problems due to conditions outside your home, be extra vigilant in the dry spring months that you don’t develop a problem again. The rainy season will help drown fleas that live outdoors, but you’ll want to make sure that you keep your home pest-free after spending time conquering your problem.

Taking Care of Ticks

While scratching can be an indicator of a flea problem, ticks can be just as problematic but with fewer warning signs. If you take your pet into a wooded area for long walks, make sure you carefully inspect your pet when you return home. Common places that ticks bury themselves are paw pads, ears, and near the tail base, but they could find a home anywhere. Make sure you check your pet carefully each time they come back inside to prevent a tick problem.

If you do spot a tick on your pet, it’s best to try and remove it as soon as possible to reduce the chance your dog can develop a tick-related disease, such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. On a recent episode of Who Let the Dogs Out, veterinarian Karen Halligan provided the following tips to remove a tick:

• When removing a tick, wear gloves and use forceps or tweezers to remove the pest.
• Grab onto the tick where the head is closest to the pet’s body, as close to the skin as possible, and remove it with one swift motion.
• Place the tick into a jar with alcohol and put a lid on it. Make sure the head is still attached and not in your pet’s skin. If you think part of the tick still remains in your pet’s skin, take your pet to the vet for an examination.
• Watch the affected areas for a few days to ensure the skin heals properly. A small welt near the affected site is normal, but if you notice any skin discoloration, take your pet to the vet immediately.

Author Bio:
Rainier Fuclan is an animal lover and health nut. You can usually see him running with his dog around the park or having fun with his cat at home, when he’s not writing.

No matter how protective a pet parent you are, chances are there are still some things in your home that can be toxic to pets. Veterinary practices see thousands of cases each year of pets accidentally poisoned by everyday household items. With Pet Poison Awareness Month right around the corner, it’s smart to arm yourself with some information that could potentially save your pet’s life.

When you think about “accidental toxin ingestion,” fruit is probably not the first thing that springs to mind, but something as simple as a handful of grapes can sour a situation in a matter of seconds. Small breeds, like the Chihuahua or Maltese, show signs of distress pretty soon after ingestion, but even larger animals are at risk – dogs can go into acute renal failure within 48 hours after eating grapes (or raisins!).

Wondering what other everyday household items that can spell trouble for our furry friends? Here’s a list of some of the most common culprits:

Prescription or Over-the-Counter Medication

Human medicines, whether prescription-strength or not, are dangerous in the wrong paws. In fact, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin and ibuprofen, can present big problems for pets. I’ve seen dogs sickened from snacking on a bottle of aspirin, but I’ve also seen patients come in because their pet parents administered the drug thinking it would work for their dog the way it does for them. While there are some medications that work for both species, always, always check with your vet before giving your pet any type of human medicine. In the meantime, keep pill bottles behind closed cabinet doors.

Table Food/Drink

Kitchen staples like chocolate, onions, alcohol, coffee grounds and sugar substitutes (or foods containing sugar substitutes) are all a recipe for catastrophe. I see dogs come into the clinic who have eaten an entire pack of sugar-free gum from an unattended purse. Trust me; the minty-fresh breath is NOT worth the trip to the vet. Keep all food and drink meant for human consumption under lock and key – especially fatty foods. Even a single incident of eating high fat food can trigger pet pancreatitis, a potentially fatal disease from fatty foods that causes inflammation of the pancreas and requires prompt medical attention.

Cigarettes

Nicotine poisoning is also a danger to our pets. If you are a smoker, you pet’s health may already be compromised by secondhand smoke, but if he gets his paws on a pack of cigarettes and eats them, he can really get burned. The toxic level of nicotine in dogs is 5 milligrams of nicotine per pound of body weight. Just one cigarette contains 15 to 25 milligrams of nicotine – if your pet tears into half a pack, the overdose can be deadly.

House Plants

Every spring veterinarians see an increase in pets poisoned by lilies, and during the holiday season poinsettias pop up on our radar. Azaleas, tulips and autumn crocus are other threats, and in in regions that have sandy soils in tropical climates (Florida, California, and Texas, I’m looking at you!), sago palms are both common and extremely toxic if ingested. It’s worth a mention for our friends in Colorado and Washington (and maybe a few other states) that marijuana is toxic to pets, too. Keep all leafy greens planted firmly out of reach.

Zinc

If you have a baby in the house, watch out for diaper rash creams containing zinc. Also be sure to keep coins, screws, bolts and other galvanized metals out of reach, too, as they all contain dangerous levels of the element. Pennies are particularly toxic, so be sure your rainy day savings is safely stowed away.

These are some everyday items to look out for, but there’s plenty more around the house and garden that can make a pet sick. For a more complete list, check out a resource like Pet Poison Helpline for more information. Once a pet has snacked on something unsavory, time is of the essence. Get him to the vet immediately for the best chance of saving him from danger.

Dr. Jules Benson, BVSC, MRCVS, is a graduate of the University of Liverpool Vet School. Since arriving in the U.S. eight years ago, Dr. Benson has worked in a small animal practice near Philadelphia and is currently on the Board of Trustees for the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association and the Board of Directors for Second Chance Rescue. Now serving as the VP of Veterinary Services at Petplan pet insurance, Dr. Benson continues to practice veterinary medicine part time — both in the practice where he once spent all of his days, and at home, where he is both dad and vet to four cats, two rats, one rabbit and a gecko. He contributes regularly to Petplan’s Vets for Pets blog.

My totally crazed cats can’t get over the new Yeowww!® catnip toys that we received in the mail for review about two weeks ago.

They have been hovering over them like hoarders ever since they came out of the box and hit the counter (I couldn’t even get the tags off the toys OR get the toys off the counter onto the floor before Max had strutted off with the fancy red heart toy in toe).

Since that very evening, Max has been attached to his red Yeowww!!® Heart like a starry-eyed lover. He never lets it go. He carries it around in his mouth and he gets the zooms late at night when no one is around and “me-yells” at 1 a.m. into the empty hallway in the dark because he wants someone to play with him!

Sasha prefers the rainbow. Every single night – all night – I mean from like the time I get home from work at 6:30 until I go to bed at 11 (and apparently during the afternoon – or so I hear) since we’ve had it, Sasha is rubbing her neck and little long-haired black body all over that rainbow like it’s filled with tuna. It is adorable because Sasha NEVER plays with toys. But she LOVES the Yeowww!® rainbow and the plain catnip, too!

Tate prefers the hard stuff. HE likes it when I just put the plain Yeowww!® Catnip down on the scratching post for him to eat and roll around in. He’s hard core considering he’s the teeny-tiny, itty-bitty-kitty-committee-kitty cat. He takes all six pounds of his body and throws himself at the nip on the post like he’s diving into a pool. It makes such a loud sound – I wish I could convey how funny this is because it’s so out-of-character for him, especially when people are around!

I swear, Yeowww! Catnip and catnip-filled toys are like crack for cats.

Some might scoff at that analogy, but I can’t think of a better one. It’s like an addiction to them – they can’t control it, they want it 24/7 and they think it’s the best thing since minced tuna.

I think it’s the best invention in the pet industry since the pooper-scooper. The catnip is SUPER-potent – you can smell this stuff from a mile away… and the cats can from two miles away.

All three of them keep trying to break into the cabinet where we keep it (on the bottom shelf); they go in there and knock the container around until someone comes and gives them some! SMART CATS

The award-winning Yeowww!® Catnip and cat toys are heaven-sent. They keep our kittehs busy for hours, and we don’t have to worry about something being unhealthy or harmful to them.

Like it says on the Yeowww!® website (DuckyWorld is the company that owns them…), they are catnip toys that ACTUALLY WORK!

Our old and new Yeowww! cat nip products!

To me, DuckyWorld and Yeowww!® products stand out amongst competitors for two reasons:

1. DuckyWorld stands out in the pet industry because of its especially potent catnip and the toys that are stuffed with it.
2. DuckyWorld also stands out because of their commitment to quality products.

All of their toys are made in the USA and are 100% stuffed with only the finest, organically grown catnip.

From the site: “DuckyWorld closely works with private farmers to grow, manage and harvest the best organically grown catnip on the Earth. We also obtain samples from additional professional growers each year to ensure that we are offering the highest quality based on freshness, color and aroma. No chemicals or pesticides are used in cultivation, which means Yeowww!® Catnip is completely safe for cats and humans. The signature all leaf and flower top blend ensures Yeowww!® Catnip to be the most effective on the market that no competitor can compete with!”

You can find Yeowww!® Cat toys and other products at most local pet stores, independent stores, boutiques and gift shops; the company does not sell to ‘big box’ retail stores.

You can also order online at www.duckyworld.com. I highly encourage you to visit the website and read more about their products, order some up, and then sit back and watch and enjoy your cats FREAK OUT over them!

ThoughtsFurPaws.com gives Yeowww!® a rousing four-paws-up with gusto!

How to be a “pawsome” pet parent in six easy steps

Including a pet in your family can be incredibly rewarding. But leading a happy, healthy pack is also a large responsibility. February is “Responsible Pet Owners Month,” so it’s an opportune time for all of us to brush up on our pet parenting skills.

“It takes lots of love and commitment,” comments Don Tomala, Managing Director of Matrix Partners, a Chicago-based marketing firm that’s been Passionate About Pets^SM since 1987. “You’re entering into a lifelong relationship when you bring a pet into your home.”

Fortunately, there are some surprisingly simple steps to becoming a more conscious, caring pet owner. Here are just a few:

1. Spay or neuter your dog, cat, rabbit or ferret. To prevent the companion animal over-population problem from getting worse, spaying or neutering is the most effective means. The ASPCA estimates that five to seven million animals enter shelters nationwide each year… Do your part to save a few – spay or neuter your pet please.

2. Schedule an annual veterinary checkup. Most animals are experts at concealing pain and illness, that’s why it’s so important for your pet to visit the vet each year for a full check-up. Remember, a healthy lifestyle and regular vet visits are the first steps to a long, happy life with your pet. I know plenty of people who say that they have never taken their pet to a vet because he’s never been sick; this may not be the case. PLEASE GET ANNUAL CHECK-UPS AT THE VERY LEAST.

3. ID and/or microchip your pet. Current ID tags on your dog or cat’s collar can help ensure that they get home safe and sound if they should wander out of your sight. Also, talk to your veterinarian about getting a microchip for your pet. If your pet is ever lost, a quick scan will provide rescuers with important phone numbers and addresses to help them reunite you with your pet. God forbid your pet ever gets lost, a microchip can literally be a life-saver.

4. Be prepared. Most first-aid kits can be purchased fully stocked, but no kit is complete without The Company of Animals’ Baskerville Ultra Muzzle. This ultra-comfortable muzzle is perfect for when introducing pets to new situations or when trying to restrain and treat a wounded or hurt pet. The Baskerville Ultra Muzzle is the first of its kind that allows panting, drinking and treating. Plus, it provides two secure attachment points with an optional over-head safety strap for added comfort and security. For more information, check out: www.CompanyOfAnimals.us

5. Travel Safely. You wouldn’t ride without using a seat belt and neither should your pet. Also from The Company of Animals is the CLIX^TM CarSafe, a dual-purpose lead and harness that easily clicks into the car’s seat buckle. Besides riding in safety, your pet will enjoy the CLIX’s unique “X-Cross” design made from double-sided adjustable buckles and soft neoprene padding for optimum fit and comfort.

6. Pet proof your home. Dogs and cats are curious by nature, so there’s always the possibility that they’ll get into anything. Because of this, it’s important to avoid bringing potentially hazardous products into your home. Being educated about the dangers of certain houseplants (yes, there are some plants that are lethal to pets) and choosing more “bio-friendly” products are usually a good place to start.

Today’s most advanced, responsible pet products are made from safe, eco-friendly materials – like Swheat Scoop^® natural, clumping cat litter. Made from naturally processed wheat, Swheat Scoop is completely biodegradable and a 100% renewable resource. Swheat Scoop is clay and chemical free, unlike other litters on the market that are mined and never decompose. Through Swheat Scoop’s patented process, the wheat’s natural enzymes destroy odors instantly, while the natural starches form firm and fast clumps when exposed to moisture. Swheat Scoop’s granular texture means less dust and tracking around the house, and is recommended by veterinarians for kittens and post-surgical cats. Newly reformulated for even more effective performance, Swheat Scoop is available in Original Formula, Multi-Cat and Lightly Scented varieties at fine pet supply retailers near you. www.SwheatScoop.com

7. Feed your pet right.Today, pet parents have more healthier options than ever when it comes to selecting a proper diet of dinners, treats and supplements for their furry friends.

- Spring Naturals^TM is a fresh approach to nurturing pets, offering a complete line of natural canned and dry dinners for dogs. Real meat, poultry or fish is the first ingredient, plus a balanced blend of whole vegetables and fruits – like spinach, blueberries and carrots. And because their recipes are made with more real meat, poultry and fish instead of rendered meals, no high-glycemic ingredients need to be added such as corn, wheat, soy, tapioca, potato starch or rice. Since launching in January of 2012, Spring Naturals has been recognized by Pet Product News International Magazine, Pet Business Magazine and was added to The Whole Dog Journal’s “Top Recommended” list. Available in Whole Grain and Grain-Free varieties, Spring Naturals products are made by a family-owned company, right here in the USA. Look for them at an independent pet store near you. www.SpringNaturals.com

- Lickety Stik^TM and Feline Lickety Stik^TM are liquid treats uniquely packaged in a roller-top dispenser bottle to offer dogs and cats an incredibly tasty reward without all the calories of conventional biscuit treats. Simply remove the cap, give the bottle a shake and get ready to interact with your pet in an entirely new way. Made with 100% all-natural ingredients, Lickety Stik is ideal for treating on the spot, and is a favorite among groomers and trainers. Plus, you can feel good that you’re providing a between-meal treat that won’t pack on excess pounds. Lickety Stik and Feline Lickety Stik serve only one calorie in every 10 canine licks, or 20 feline licks, and are available in a range of savory flavors. Exclusively from PetSafe, purveyor of innovative pet solutions and services since 1991. For details, check out one of my fave pet product sites: www.PetSafe.net

- Wholistic Pet Organics has made it their mission to maximize the health and wellbeing of pets since 1998 with their superior supplements for dogs, cats and horses. Insisting on using only the finest ingredients, the majority of which are not only Certified Organic but also whole, unprocessed foods to retain their potency and taste appeal every step of the way. New Canine Complete^TM Soft Chews are the latest addition to the all-in-one supplement line and provide a complete daily nutritional regimen for Total Body Health™ in an easy-to-serve form. And because each batch of products is blended and packaged in the Phillips’ family-owned and operated New Hampshire facility, pet parents will love serving these healthful chews as much as their pet enjoys snacking on them. www.WholisticPetOrganics.com.

1. Cancer doesn’t occur in dogs and cats.

Unfortunately, animal cancer is common. It’s the leading natural cause of death in dogs and the second leading cause in cats. Around 50% of all dogs and 30% of cats will be affected by a tumor in their lifetimes, and one report shows that 50% of dogs over the age of 10 will die from cancer. Estimates indicate that cancer occurs at least as frequently in veterinary patients as in human patients.

2. There’s way more cancer now than before.

Yes and no. The incidence of some cancers has increased both in humans and in pets, but the perception that pet cancer rates have increased is most likely because most pets now receive better healthcare and live longer lives. While cancer can occur at any age, it most commonly affects older patients, and since cats and dogs live longer now, more cancer is diagnosed.

3. The environment/my neighbors/commercial dog food/tap water caused my dog’s cancer.

Cancer is a complex disease with both genetic and environmental effects at play. Because of inbreeding, genetic factors most likely play a much larger role in veterinary medicine, as borne out by the fact that there are breed predispositions towards particular cancers. But genetics certainly can’t account for all tumors, and environmental exposures may also contribute. Associations have been evaluated with environmental exposures such as secondhand smoke, herbicides, exposure to paint solvents, urban living, and so on. We strongly recommend that you not smoke (and not smoke around your pet). If you have concerns, you may also test for other exposures (tap water, asbestos, radon). However, please know in advance that whatever caused your pet’s cancer most likely will remain unknown. The best you can do for your pet is to feed a high quality dog food as the main diet, to keep your pet’s weight within normal range, to provide a safe and loving environment, to provide daily exercise, and to perform regular checkups and health care as appropriate for your pet’s age.

4. There’s no reason to treat cancer in pets. They’re just going to die from it anyway. Isn’t treatment just delaying the “inevitable?”

Well, aren’t we all just delaying the “inevitable?” That’s just life. Seriously though, while cancer is often thought of as one disease, it actually is a large and varied group of diseases that all have different outcomes, expectations, and treatment options. Some tumors are very aggressive, and treatment for these may be unrewarding. But others can be cured. Most are treated as chronic diseases in veterinary medicine. This means that a patient may eventually go on to succumb to the disease, but treatment is targeted to give the patient a good-to-great quality of life for a substantially longer time period than would otherwise be possible. For many pet owners, this benefit is well worth it. Certainly, it pays to seek advice as early as possible in the course of the disease and to learn what is possible for a particular cancer.

5. I’ve read a lot of books written by veterinarians who seem to know a lot about cancer and they’ve recommended treatments. So why do I need to go to a veterinary oncologist? Won’t he or she just charge me more and recommend toxic treatments?

There are veterinarians who have spent a considerable amount of time reading and writing about cancer; however, this experience in no way compares to the training undertaken by a board-certified specialist. A veterinary cancer specialist has completed 4 years of veterinary school, 1-3 years of internship training, and 3 years of residency training specific to oncology. A specialist has performed and published research in the peer-reviewed veterinary literature and has also passed a series of examinations both in general internal medicine and in the more specific field of veterinary oncology. Requirements to pass these examinations include knowing all of the major human and veterinary oncology texts and also the last 10 years of all of the veterinary and major human oncology studies published. In my time, it meant taking 24 total hours of additional examinations above and beyond those required to become a general veterinarian. If the information you are reading is not written by a board-certified veterinary cancer specialist, the information may not be as accurate or rigorous as it should be. Given their extensive knowledge and experience with pet cancer, board-certified veterinary cancer specialists should be your most trusted source of information.

As for treatment, veterinary cancer specialists recommend first what is known to be most effective for a particular patient. For many pet cancers, recommendations may include cytotoxic (cell killing) drugs and radiation. This is because the goal of treatment is to either remove or kill tumor cells so that normal cells can survive and thrive instead. However, please note that every case is different, and if effective alternative options are available, they can also be discussed. Oncologists recommend treatments known to be effective or potentially effective, and they are the best people to evaluate other recommendations you may have received to determine whether they have any merit or whether they will simply be a waste of your time and money.

6. My dog has cancer, but he seems fine. It’s okay to watch and wait, right?

Not usually. For less aggressive or benign tumors, a watch and wait approach may be okay, but it’s a gamble. But for the VAST majority of tumors, it’s the wrong way to proceed. As a tumor grows or spreads, treatment becomes exceedingly more expensive, complicated, and ineffective. The patient becomes sicker, which means side effects are also more likely as well. The best chance an owner has of ensuring his or her pet’s long term survival is to diagnose early and treat quickly and thoroughly.

7. A needle aspirate or biopsy diagnosis is not important prior to surgery, since the tumor is getting removed anyway, right?

Wrong. A diagnosis will help to plan the surgical approach needed to successfully remove a tumor. Different tumors behave differently, and it’s best to understand the tumor’s nature before removal, particularly for larger tumors or those in difficult spots. Biopsy is also performed after removal to further confirm the diagnosis and receive a piece of tissue for tumor grade.

8. Why do you need to biopsy after surgery if you already know or suspect the diagnosis?

The biopsy reveals some of the most useful information about a tumor. It shows whether the margins are clean. It shows the grade of the tumor. Some say if it’s worth removing, it’s worth a biopsy, and we believe this to be true. It’s one of the most important pieces of information we have about a particular tumor.

9. My dog will go bald.

It depends on the breed and the treatment. Even in the worst case, it usually occurs only partially. This can occur in non-shedding breeds, such as the Bichon Frise, the Old English Sheepdog, and the Poodle. Hair loss is non-painful and purely cosmetic. It will also grow back after treatment.

10. My pet is too old for treatment.

Age is not a disease. Most pet cancer patients are older, and statistics provided to the owner generally refer to the effectiveness and tolerability of treatment in older patients. More important than age is whether a patient is systemically healthy.

11. Traditional chemotherapy will make my pet sick, and my pet will suffer and have a miserable life if I opt for treatment.

Please remember that our goal is your goal – to give your pet a great quality of life for as long as we possibly can and to prevent distress and suffering. We don’t like it when our patients are sick either! In a quality of life survey performed at the University of Pennsylvania, owners rated their pet’s quality of life while on chemotherapy as an average of 8.9 out of 10, with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best possible quality of life. Thus, we treat much differently in veterinary medicine than they do in human medicine. We use many of the same drugs that are used in human oncology, but we use them at much lower doses and do not give as many at the same time to reduce risks of side effects. In veterinary cancer treatment, less than 1/4 experience adverse side effects, and less than 5% suffer effects serious enough to require hospitalization. If hospitalization is required, the patient usually improves in 24-72 hours. The likelihood of a chemotherapy-associated fatality is less than 1 in 200. If toxicity occurs, we substitute drugs, lower doses, or add in medications to prevent illness from happening again.

For more information on pet cancer, visit The Cancer Center at CARES at http://www.vetcares.com/oncology/cancerCenter.php. There you can learn about caring for a pet with cancer, read our cancer dictionary, find out all of the treatment options available, read patient tales of pets who have undergone cancer treatment at CARES, and more.

About The Center for Animal Referral & Emergency Services (CARES)

CARES is a full service, specialty referral, 24-hour emergency and critical care veterinary hospital with one clear goal: to provide a gold standard of care for your pet. The highly trained and compassionate team of veterinarians at CARES collaborate between specialties as well as with referring veterinarians to optimize the care of your pet. CARES ensures the latest, most advanced and best treatments available. Specialty and referral services include: Anesthesiology, The Cancer Center at CARES, Cardiology, Clinical Pathology, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Radiology and Surgery. Specialty cases are seen by referral from your primary care veterinarian. CARES also offers 24-hour emergency care. For more information, visit www.vetcares.com. You can also find CARES on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/CARESvet.