If you plan to breed the pet, do so in the first few years and then spay.

They deserve nothing less.

Caution: Not for the faint of heart!

FLEA FACTS

• A flea can bite up to 400 times a day
• A flea can jump 30,000 times in a row without stopping and can jump in an opposite direction with each jump!
• A female flea can lay 2,000 eggs

This is a photo taken of the coat of a dog with a very minor flea burden. The fur of this dog contains tiny black dots or specks that look like small bits of black dirt in the fur. This is not real dirt: this is flea droppings (flea excreta). The droppings are generally situated at the base of the host’s hairs because the flea moves across the skin at the base of the hairs and tends to poop where it runs.

This is the flea dirt image that most owners would expect to see in a very mildly infested dog or cat. Thankfully, this dog had white fur (easy to photograph) – owners of darker furred animals will need to look very closely to see this dirt in their pet’s coat. Brushing the darker-haired pet with a fine-toothed comb and examining the brushed-out particles on a white paper background can be a useful way of spotting small amounts of flea excreta.

TICK FACTS:

• Ticks are related to spiders and scorpions

• Ticks can live as long as 200 days without food or water and they can live from 2 months to 2 years, depending on the species.
• It is estimated that 70% of all human Lyme Disease cases are caused by tick bites, often via unprotected pets.

And where does the sound come from anyway? Apparently, activation of nerves or vibrating blood vessels within the voice box cause vibration of the vocal cords while the diaphragm serves as a piston pump, pushing air in and out of the vibrating cords, thus creating a musical hum.

The end result for us is that cat owners have lower blood pressure, especially for older people. The human-feline bond is never quite so close as when holding and petting a purring, vibrating bundle of fur on your lap and all is well with the world.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials are on the ground in China, actively investigating complaints of canine illness associated with chicken jerky products imported from China.

Cat Carriers 101

• If your cat is stressed by the sight of the carrier,
  leave the carrier out in your house in plain view.   Let it become “art of the furniture” .
• Fill it with favorite blankets, towels, toys and  throw a favored treat in once in awhile.  Use items in the carrier that have a familiar scent,  e.g. a cat bed/blanket or clothing.
• Some cats might resist being put into a carrier, so carriers with removable tops make getting cats into — and out of — the carrier asier. This eliminates the need to force the cat inside, which makes the cat — and you — more relaxed.
• Always put your cat in a carrier when going places. Cats are often startled by loud noises and fast-moving objects and may escape your grip and become injured. 

Here’s an alternative if you don’t yet have a cat that will go into a carrier on their own:

1) Place the carrier on its end, so that the opening is facing the ceiling. Place a soft towel in the carrier, so if the cat urinates, the towel will absorb the wet instead of the cat’s tail and legs.

Pet Hall of Fame

The Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association is proud to
honor three inductees for the 2012 Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame.

In its 18^th year, the Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame
celebrates pets that exemplify the affection, loyalty, and value of the
human-animal bond. Each year the WVMA honors this special relationship in three
categories: hero, professional, and companion. The 2012 inductees have
contributed immensely to the lives of their owners and their communities.

These three extraordinary canines were honored during a noon
luncheon ceremony held on March 3 at the Glacier Canyon Lodge in Wisconsin
Dells.

Professional – Bailey

Bailey, an 11-year-old Labrador from Madison, is not your typical pet. Bailey
has very important traits which have enabled him to be truly special.

His owner, Tom Cunningham, has a hereditary eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa.
Bailey guides Tom every day to avoid injury and danger. Bailey has provided
countless hours of service to Tom over the past nine years.

“But even this is not the most remarkable thing about Bailey,” says Bailey’s
veterinarian, Dr. Peter Janssen, Janssen Clinic for Animals, Middleton.

Dr. Janssen has witnessed Bailey on- and off-duty. When Bailey goes to the
veterinary clinic, his leader harness is removed. He is then “at liberty.”

“At that time it becomes obvious what those traits are that make Bailey so
special,” continues Dr. Janssen.

Bailey gives enthusiastic greetings and displays true Labrador instincts. When he sees
another dog in the clinic or a squirrel outside, it is a chore to keep him on
the exam table, but when Bailey’s harness goes back on, he is all about
business.
“What Bailey is displaying then are the traits of conscientiousness and remarkable
self-control,” says Dr. Janssen.

Bailey is conscientious about the important work he provides to Tom every day and that
makes him a well deserving inductee to the Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame.

 Look at the two photos below — one shows a healthy state of oral hygiene, and the other … well, you can see for yourself that this dog has some major problems.

The dog whose photo is on the right runs the risk of toxin absorption into the blood stream. Bacteria, too, can invade the body through the blood stream by gaining entrance into the oral lesions. This is called bacteremia.

If the bacteria get a chance to settle and reproduce in the lining of the heart or heart valves, a serious condition may result called bacterial endocarditis. Kidney damage and joint problems are a result of bacterial invasion via the unhealthy oral cavity.

A healthy mouth with normal bacterial flora and sound gums and minimal plaque buildup.

Be sure to take a good look in your dog’s (or cat’s) mouth and inspect it for any foul looking or smelling characteristics. If you are suspicious that something isn’t right, make an appointment with your veterinarian for a dental checkup.

 Both you and your pet will feel better when oral hygiene is an important part of your pet health care routine. There is no excuse for allowing a pet’s oral health status to deteriorate to conditions like the dog on the right. It’s up to you to keep a look-out for teeth and gum problems.

Call today to schedule a dental cleaning in February to save $25 and more importantly to keep your pet healthy!

While Bailey has all the wonderful Labrador traits such as intelligence, enthusiasm and strength, Dr. Janssen was particularly impressed with his conscientiousness and remarkable self control.  When his working harness is off he is one bundle of energy and movement – think Marley and Me.  However, once that harness is put back on, he snaps back into his on-the-job mode and you would never know he has his other instinctual self.  It is this ability to override his instincts that makes him a true member of the Professional Pet Hall of Fame .

The award will be presented to Bailey and his family, Tom and Midge Cunningham, at the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association’s Winter Retreat in Wisconsin Dells on March 3, 2012.  For more information about the Pet Hall of Fame go to www.wvma.org and search Pet Hall of Fame.  The WVMA established the Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame to give Wisconsin veterinarians the opportunity to honor the outstanding contributions our animal companions make in human lives. The Pet Hall of Fame celebrates the strength and meaningfulness of the bond between humans and animals. Nominees are living pets who, through unselfish accomplishment, exemplify the affection, loyalty, security and value of the human-animal bond.