Essential Health Checks for Your New Four-Legged Family Member
Bringing home a new furry family member is an exciting time! Whether you’re welcoming a puppy, kitten, adult dog, or adult cat into your home, scheduling a veterinary visit should be at the top of your to-do list. Here’s what you need to know about the important health tests your new companion should receive. The First Veterinary Visit Within the first few days of bringing your new dog or cat home, schedule a complete wellness examination. This visit establishes a health baseline and helps catch any problems early. Your...
New pet support program for families in poverty
Helping low-income dog and cat parents access free vet care, food, and support to keep animals and families together. Approximately 20 million dogs and cats in the US are experiencing poverty with their human families. Millions more are hovering just above the poverty line. A shocking 70% of these animals have never seen a veterinarian, as their families struggle to afford basic necessities. In early November, Humane World for Animals (formerly the Humane Society of the United States) launched Pets for Life (PFL), a new pet support...
How to Do a Weekly Home Check-Up of Your Dog
You play an important role in monitoring your canine companion’s health. Performing a simple weekly dog health check-up at home can help you spot potential problems early, before they become serious. This routine only takes about 10-15 minutes and can make a real difference in your dog’s wellbeing. Start with the Eyes and Ears Begin by looking at your dog’s eyes. They should be bright, clear, and free of discharge. Check for redness, cloudiness, or excessive tearing. Next, examine the ears by gently lifting each ear flap....
Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Affect Everybody — Canines, Felines, Homines
Antibiotic resistance is right among the top as one of the most pressing contemporary issues in health sciences. The UN and its agencies emphasize antimicrobial and antibiotic resistance as a cross-sectoral crisis affecting human health, veterinary medicine, agriculture, and the environment. The way we use antibiotics in humans and our animal companions has consequences that extend far beyond the household. What Is Antibiotic Resistance? Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria change and become stronger, making medications that once...
How Your Dog’s or Cat’s Tissues and Organs Deteriorate with Age
As our furry companions grow older, their bodies go through natural changes. Understanding how aging affects dogs and cats can help you provide better care during their senior years. How Aging Affects Tissues and Organs Just like in people, aging causes gradual wear and tear on your animal’s body. Over time, several important changes happen: Joint cartilage breaks down. The cushioning material between bones becomes thinner and less effective. Joint fluid also decreases, which means less shock absorption during movement. This leads to...
Understanding Canine Ancestors for Better Digestive Health in the Modern Dog
If you’ve noticed your furry companion struggling with loose stools, excessive gas, or vomiting undigested food, you’re not alone. Many dogs today face digestive challenges that can affect their overall health and happiness. Is there something we can improve to make the digestive health of our dogs better? Understanding Canine Ancestors Dogs are descendants of wolves. Wolves primarily ate raw meat, bones, and occasional vegetation. Modern dogs have adapted over thousands of years of living alongside humans. This means your canine...
Recognizing Fear, Stress, Distress, and Pain in Your Dog
As a caring dog guardian, understanding when your canine companion is experiencing emotional or physical discomfort is crucial for their well-being. Dogs communicate their feelings differently than humans, so learning to recognize the signs can help you provide the support they need. Body Language Signals Your dog’s body speaks volumes about their emotional state. When dogs feel fearful or anxious, they may tuck their tail between their legs, flatten their ears against their head, or cower with a lowered body posture. You might notice...
Helping your dog or cat cope with grief
Find out how to comfort your grieving dog or cat after the loss of a human or animal loved one. Recognize signs of grief along with gentle ways to support him. Losing a beloved human or animal companion is one of the most painful events in life. It causes us great physical and emotional distress. Your dog or cat also suffers when bereaved, especially as he doesn’t understand where his friend has gone. Helping your dog or cat cope with grief means offering him loving support and dependable comfort. Do dogs and cats experience grief...
Dermatomyositis in Dogs
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine views dermatomyositis as an imbalance in the body’s energy systems, often involving heat, dampness, and deficiency patterns. TCVM practitioners may use acupuncture to help reduce inflammation and support the immune system. Specific acupuncture points may be selected to address skin health, muscle strength, and overall body balance. TCVM also considers each dog individually, looking at their constitution and specific symptoms. A certified veterinary acupuncturist can create a treatment plan that...
The 8 Chakras: Uncovering Hidden Influences of Pet Behavior
Learn tips and tricks about pet behavior and the 8 chakras from the world’s foremost animal communicator! Expert animal communicator Joan Ranquet has spent decades exploring the link between animal behavior and chakras—energy centers within and around the body—and she knows that behavioral challenges can stem from there. That’s because when one or more chakras are blocked, it can manifest as stress, discomfort, anxiety, fear, and behavioral/relationship challenges. Find out more about the 8 chakras, how they impact...
