Monday, February 22, 2016


5 Ways to Keep Pets Healthy

Preventive Care Can Make a Difference

Labrador retriever

Our pets tend to give us the silent treatment when it comes to their health. Because they are unable to tell us when they have an ache or a pain, it’s up to us to look for tell-tale signs that may indicate an issue.
Simple routine care measures can help maintain your companion’s well-being and help to promote a long and healthy life.

1. Bi-Annual Exams

Dr. Cori Gross, a veterinarian in Seattle, Wash., says one of the most important things you can do for your pet is to make sure he gets routine veterinary examinations. “It’s all about taking preventative measures,” she explains. “You want to make sure you catch any potential problems early; that way it’s less expensive to care for your pets in the long run.”
During a bi-annual exam, your veterinarian will conduct a complete physical exam to check your pet’s condition from nose to tail. They will evaluate everything from your pet’s heart and breathing to their ears, mouth and skin during this process. In addition to the examination, your veterinarian may recommend the following:

  • A blood panel: This is a group of tests that help monitor liver and kidney function, red and white cell blood counts, and can help identify abnormalities that your pet may not be telling you about! Your veterinarian may suggest that seniors, pets over the age of 7, be tested bi-annually.
  • A fecal test: This simple test checks pet’s stool for parasite eggs and/or other organisms that can be shed during irregular intervals; puppies usually are tested more frequently than adult dogs.
  • Additional tests: May be recommended including x-rays, an EKG, blood pressure measurement or others. Your veterinarian will identify the most important tests for your pet based on their individual history and needs.

Read full article here:  http://www.petinsurance.com/healthzone/pet-articles/pet-health/5-Ways-to-Keep-Pets-Healthy.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro0KH6hAnHA

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Packing Tips to Travel


via Susan Esquivel

Dogs Are Even More Like Us Than We Thought


A fly fisherman and his golden retriever enjoy the Provo River in Utah. Canines, emerging research suggests, are more like humans than we ever imagined.



It's likely no surprise to dog owners, but growing research suggests that man's best friend often acts more human than canine.   
Dogs can read facial expressions, communicate jealousy, display empathy, and even watch TV, studies have shown. They've picked up these people-like traits during their evolution from wolves to domesticated pets, which occurred between 11,000 and 16,000 years ago, experts say.
In particular, "paying attention to us, getting along with us, [and] tolerating us" has led to particular characteristics that often mirror ours, says Laurie Santos, director of the Yale Comparative Cognition Laboratory. (Read more about how dogs evolved in National Geographic magazine.)
Here are a few of the latest studies showing the human side of our canine companions.



Eavesdropping Dogs

Social eavesdropping—or people-watching—is central to human social interactions, since it allows us to figure out who's nice and who's mean.
In a new study, scientists tested 54 dogs that each watched their owners struggle to retrieve a roll of tape from a container. The dogs were divided into three groups: helper, non-helper, and control.
In the helper group, the owner requested help from another person, who held the container. In the non-helper group, the owner asked for help from a person, who then turned their back without helping. In the control group, the additional person turned his or her back without being asked for help. In all experiments, a third, "neutral" person sat in the room.

 



Read full here: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/07/150720-dogs-animals-science-pets-evolution-intelligence/