Pets Best Blog

By: Dr. Jane Matheys
Associate Veterinarian
The Cat Doctor Veterinary Hospital
For Pets Best Insurance

Pets are living much longer lives these days due to the advances in veterinary medicine– this is one of the many reasons that dog and cat insurance have become so popular.

With increased life spans, however, come chronic illnesses like osteoarthritis (OA). Cats are graceful, agile and athletic creatures, but as they age, their joints, ligaments and bones are prone to wear and tear just like in people. OA is a commonly recognized disease in dogs, but it is only recently that veterinarians have begun to appreciate what the true incidence of OA might be in cats. It appears to be much more common than previously thought, and could be a major cause of discomfort, especially in cats over ten years of age.

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Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition of the joints where normal cartilage that cushions the joint is worn away, exposing the bone and resulting in pain as adjacent bones rub against each other. It can cause decreased joint movement and even formation of bone spurs and other changes around the joint.

Clinical signs of OA in cats include weight loss, loss of appetite, depression, change in general attitude, poor grooming habits, defecation or urination outside the litter box, and inability to jump on and off objects. Lameness is relatively uncommon because joints on both sides of the body are frequently affected, allowing cats to compensate and appear to be walking normally.

The hips and elbows are the most frequently affected joints in cats. The most common complaint that I hear is that the cat is having a harder time jumping up onto the bed or sofa and takes the stairs more slowly or one step at a time. The cat may also seem a little stiff in the joints, especially after just getting up from sleeping.

Diagnosis of OA in cats is difficult even for the experienced veterinarian, and the disease remains largely underdiagnosed and undertreated. The problem is that cats are masters at hiding discomfort and do not readily demonstrate obvious signs of pain. Cats generally dislike being physically handled and manipulated during examinations, so it can be very difficult to determine if a cat is pulling its leg away because of pain or simply because it doesn’t want to be touched. Cats are also famous for hunkering down on the exam table and remaining immobile and reluctant to walk around the exam room for observation of gait.

Radiographs (x-rays) can be used to try to diagnose OA in cats, but they can be misleading. In many cases, cats with OA have no radiographic changes indicative of the disease. Studies have shown that if radiographic changes are present, they may not correspond to the degree of OA in the joints. Painful joints do not necessarily correspond to radiographic findings. Due to these obstacles in diagnosing OA in cats, veterinarians will often simply rely on the cat owner’s observation that their pet is not moving around like it used to. Veterinarians will often make the diagnosis of OA by treating the cat for the disease and seeing if the owners note any improvement in the cat’s quality of life.

Weight management is the first thing that must be addressed in cats with OA. Obesity does not cause OA, but it will exacerbate the condition. Consult with your veterinarian to design a safe cat weight loss program. It may be the most important thing you do for your cat with OA.

Steroids have been used to treat OA in the past, but they’ve fallen out of favor due to side effects. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) have been life savers for dogs with OA, but, unfortunately, repeated doses of NSAIDS can cause renal failure in some cats. However, for cats with severe OA, NSAIDS may be the best treatment choice. Be sure to discuss the risks and benefits with your veterinarian. Because diagnostic testing can be expensive, I always recommend my clients purchase the best pet insurance they can while their kitties are still young.

Lower dosages should be used, and labwork should be done prior to starting NSAIDS as well as during treatment. Remember to never give your cat any human medications like pain relievers without consulting your veterinarian first.

Nutraceuticals containing glucosamine and chondroitin may be helpful in early or mild cases, but it is important to choose high quality products. The brand product Cosequin* is generally my first line of defense for cats with OA. I’ve also had good results with an injectable form of a similar product called Adequan. Other drugs being used include buprenorphine, tramadol and gabapentin. Acupuncture can be extremely effective for OA and is becoming more widely accepted.

Adjustments to the home environment are vital to improving the cat’s quality of life and can be just as important as medications. Provide soft beds in easily accessible, warm, sunny spots. Place litter boxes and food and water dishes where your cat can reach them easily. You may need to find litter boxes with lower sides. Provide steps or ramps up to higher sites like beds or sofas. Many cats with OA have difficulty grooming, so gently brushing the fur and cleaning the rectal area may be necessary. Work with your veterinarian to design a specific management program to meet your cat’s needs.

*Pets Best Insurance policies do not cover Cosequin.

Many people suffer from mild-to-moderate allergies throughout the year, and spring can be a whopper, especially for animal lovers. Because giving up our pets just isn’t an option, we often become experts at self-treatment, visit the doctor and submit claims for both human and pet health insurance.

As our immune system tries to deal with budding trees, blooming flowers, and growing grass, our pets also start shedding more. For some of us, this gives our immune system an even bigger workout.

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Some may seek out “hypoallergenic” dog or cat breeds, amp up dusting and vacuuming efforts, or even start clipping coupons for Kleenex. Luckily, unless symptoms become so severe that they cause asthma and breathing problems, pet allergies don’t have to cause that big of a problem.

Here are some tips:

• Your doctor can prescribe antihistamines, nasal sprays, and asthma inhalers.

• Over-the-counter antihistamines may also prove beneficial.

• Regular grooming and bathing of your pet will help reduce shedding and dander.

• Pet stores sell pre-packaged wet wipes made especially to quickly bathe your dog or cat and reduce dander.

• Air purifiers and air conditioners help clean the air in the home.

• Take vitamins and treat colds early to help give your immune system a head-start.

• Scoop litter boxes daily, as allergy-inducing proteins can also be shed there.

• Resist the urge to let your pets sleep with you in bed. If they must, then look into allergy-reducing mattress and pillow covers.

If your allergies make you miserable, imagine how they can make your pet feel! Watch for allergies in your own pets. Excessive licking, paw biting, ear scratching, head shaking, and hair loss are all signs that your pet is suffering from allergies, too.

These symptoms are common reasons why pet owners seek veterinary attention. Additionally, dog and cat insurance may help make vet bills more affordable.

By: Dr. Fiona Caldwell
Idaho Veterinary Hospital
For Pets Best Insurance

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there! Increasingly, the sentiment towards pets is that they are also part of our family and many of us consider pets our furry “children” and invite them into our homes, hearts and even our beds! This is one of the many reasons pet insurance exists too! Much like children, pets are completely dependent on us for their care and bring so much joy into our lives. Why not honor this unique “furbaby-parent” relationship your family has with your pets this Mother’s Day?

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Here are some ways to celebrate with your furry child:
-A personalized card for mom, from Fido or Fluffy. Check out www.sloppykisses.com for cute ideas.

-What mom doesn’t love breakfast in bed? Personalize it from your pet by creating dishes your pet might chose. How about a yummy breakfast salmon and potato bake made by the cat? Check out www.epicurious.com for recipe ideas.

-Why not arrange a picnic outing to a local dog friendly park, complete with a goody-filled basket for mom and furbaby! Or have a picnic in your yard with your kitty kid!

-You could also organize a play-date with other pet-moms and their four-legged children for a B-B-Q get together.

-I’m sure if your furry family member could drive the car to the store he or she would pick out the nicest thing for mom, but I bet mom would settle for a donation in her name to the local humane society instead. Another great gift for both momma and furry child is cat or dog insurance, if the “child” isn’t already insured!

-Maybe the pet-loving mom in your family would enjoy a personalized pet inspired gift such as a photo travel mug with pictures of her and her littlest “child” on it, or a personalized mousepad with a cute photo of her and Rover to brighten her day at work. Check out www.personalcreations.com for lots more ideas.

-Have an animal-friendly movie night in. Pick a favorite pet inspired film, like “Lady and the Tramp,” “Must Love Dogs,” “Marley and Me,” or “All Dogs Go to Heaven.” Make sure to bring tissues and pup or kitty friendly treats.

-Arrange for the whole family (pets too!) to have professional pictures taken with a photographer; a perfect way to remember Mother’s Day 2012! The post them to the Pets Best Insurance Facebook page!

Surely something as simple as a little one-on-one snuggle time, complete with kisses with help make this Mother’s Day special for her as well. Every animal loving woman should be honored this Mother’s Day for her contribution to raising and caring for not only her human children, (if she has them) but all the animal children in her life too. Happy Mother’s Day!

By: Dr. Fiona Caldwell
Idaho Veterinary Hospital
For Pets Best Insurance

Almost every veterinarian goes into this profession because of passion and love for animals. But unfortunately, there’s a misconception that because veterinary care is expensive, it’s somehow funding vacation homes and fancy cars.

If you ask any veterinarian, one of the hardest parts of our jobs is not being able to provide for every animal equally due to financial restraints of the client– this is why I have always been a huge proponent of pet insurance as it helps pet owners afford the highest level of care available.

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As a profession, the veterinary medical community absolutely recognizes that our medicine is expensive, and this has more to do with advances in vet medicine than anything else. Here’s a breakdown of why a trip to the veterinarians is so dang expensive (and why you should definitely look into dog or cat insurance ASAP!)

Regardless of how big your veterinarian’s heart is, your neighborhood veterinary clinic is a business, and a business needs to make money to survive. It provides a service and like any other business, the clinic has bills to pay, including rent and utilities. In addition, keeping up with current medical advancements is expensive.

Many clinics have equipment like you’d find in a human hospital or doctor office, including, digital radiology, ultrasound machines, laser surgery devices, endoscopy and other high tech instruments that are very expensive, but necessary to practice the level of professional veterinary healthcare needed. Purchasing up to date and current equipment can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Another reason vet care can be expensive is because a veterinary clinic is often the primary care, dentist, oral surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, dermatologist and behaviorist all in one!

In addition to medical instruments, invoices also help pay staff salaries. In my opinion, animal technicians and assistants are probably one of the most sorely unpaid professionals. Many will have gone to two to three years of school, have considerable student debt and make an average of $12.88 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They are able to place catheters, take detailed radiographs, calculate drug dosages and have a whole slew of other advanced technical skills. The reason they don’t they get paid more is because that cost would be passed onto you, the client.

Believe it or not, being a veterinarian is not a “cushy” job. Most live modestly and have considerable school debt. Every time a client says, “I probably just paid for your next vacation” after seeing their invoice, I want to take them out to the parking lot and show them my thirteen year old car with the missing hubcap and 175,000 miles on it!

The average veterinary starting salary in 2011 was $46,971 according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. That’s by no means a terrible wage, but you have to consider the average school loan debt accrued is $142,613. Veterinarians have enormous monthly school loan repayments.

In comparison, the average starting salaries of an MD or a dentist who has similar school loan debt, are considerably higher. Starting salary in 2008 for physicians was between $174,000 and $209,000, four times higher than that for veterinarians. Average school debt for physicians, according to the American Medical Association was $130,000, actually less than that of veterinarians.

So, how does that vet bill add up anyway? Let’s take the case of Tulah, a five year old female Pomeranian. She has been asking to go outside to potty frequently, and then straining to urinate, with only small amounts of urine coming out. She’s done this before and you’re certain it’s a urinary tract infection. You make an appointment to get her the antibiotics you know she needs and the bill is $205.

Here is how Tulah’s invoice is broken down:
-Exam - $50, this pays for the doctor’s expertise. He or she will likely examine all of her, even though it is her bladder that is a problem. We are looking to make sure nothing has changed recently, such as gain loss or gain or other problems, like ear infections or periodontal disease. If she has lost weight she could actually have a bigger problem, such as diabetes that is causing her to develop urinary tract infections.

-Urinalysis – $40. Examining the urine under the microscope to confirm the presence of bacteria and determine the type of bacteria is crucial prior to picking the type of antibiotic she needs. If the urine also has protein in it, or sugar, or some other abnormality, this can alert the doctor that something else might be going on.

-Ultrasound of bladder -$60. This test is important to rule out the presence of urinary stones or even masses of tumors that could be causing Tulah’s urinary tract infection. Neglecting to rule this out could prevent her from being treated appropriately.

-Antibiotics – $30. It is true that the antibiotics are marked up from their original cost from the warehouse. The mark up covers the technician’s time to count them out, possibly split them for you, make a label and discuss how to administer them and any possible side effects.

-Pain medication – $15. Urinary tract infections are uncomfortable. Tulah is going to heal more quickly if her discomfort is treated as well.

Put together, the bill comes to $205. If Tulah had only gotten antibiotics without those other tests, something serious could have been missed, or she could have been inappropriately treated.

The economic downturn has hit the veterinary community hard. Many clients are unable to afford treatment their pets need and are cutting back on regular care as well. The decline in veterinary visits has made it hard for many clinics to make ends meet. So when someone comes in with a sick animal and only $50 in their pocket, it isn’t because we’re heartless that the animal may be refused care, it’s because this happens every day, and clinics often don’t have the resources to extend free care. Someone has to pay for it, where do you draw the line? If you ask any veterinarian, I bet most would agree that having an animal that goes untreated, or receives subpar care is the worst part of our jobs.

So what can be done? The number one best solution to this problem is cat and dog insurance. I often have clients tell me, “my own knee surgery cost less than this!” But that client probably had human health insurance which paid the bulk of that cost, leaving the out of pocket expenses much lower. According to Medscape.com the average cost for ACL repair in humans is about $11,500; the average cost for a similar surgery in your pet is likely somewhere between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on how it is repaired and where you live. Pet insurance is comparable to human insurance and can substantially defray the costs of unexpected veterinary bills.

In the cases where a client really just cannot afford anything and has no pet insurance, we usually refer them to the local humane society, where donations and grants allow the organization to provide for needy animals. Often the client has to give their pet up in order to have it treated, and usually don’t get him or her back.

Veterinarians love animals and they want to be able to heal everyone that walks through the door, but unfortunately, often their hands are tied by lack of finances. It will be a great day when most pets are covered by pet insurance and they are able to get the care they need.

By: Dr. Fiona Caldwell
Idaho Veterinary Hospital
For Pets Best Insurance

One of the joys of pets is that they can’t talk back to you! Sometimes this can pose a problem though.

When your pet is hurt or ill, sometimes it’s hard for them to show this to you. Often in the face of injury or illness you, the pet owner, are faced with the dilemma, and wonder if it’s serious enough to warrant a visit to the ER.

Things like ear infections and skin rashes can usually wait until business hours to be seen, but there are some instances that it is imperative you seek veterinary attention for your pet, regardless of the time of day or night.

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Here is a list of the top ten things to look for that warrant an ER visit:

1. Unproductive vomiting with painful, tight abdomen, especially in big breed dogs with deep chests, such as Great Danes or Dobermans. This could be a sign of Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, or ‘bloat,’ which is a life-threatening emergency.

2. Fever greater than 104.5. Normal temperature for dogs and cats is 100 to about 102, temperatures reaching 105 can potentially cause brain damage.

3. Any serious trauma such as being hit by a car, even if your pet walks away from it and appears normal. Dogs can puncture a lung or bleed internally without much outward clinical signs initially.

4. Ingesting anything poisonous. This includes chocolate, antifreeze, grapes and raisins, DeCon rat poison, sugar-free gum, your prescription medications and a whole slew of others. If you aren’t sure if it is poisonous, call the emergency vet or ASPCA animal poison control hotline at 1-888-426-4435.

5. Difficulties during labor. These means active pushing with no puppy for more than 30 minutes, and more than 4 hours between pups if you know there are more inside.

6. Difficulties breathing, gasping or choking.

7. Collapse or seizures. A typical seizure can be differentiated from collapse by the characteristic paddling of the legs, uncontrolled movement, urination and loss of consciousness. Seizures lasting longer than 3 to 5 minutes or seizures that happen one after another are an emergency. Collapse, especially with pale gums can indicate a different type of illness, many of which can be serious.

8. Heat stroke. Especially overweight, dark-haired, brachycephalic (smug-nosed) breeds, such as pugs and bulldogs. Never douse your pet in cold water if you believe they are suffering from heat stroke.

9. Difficulties urinating, or straining with nothing coming out. Especially in male cats, a blocked bladder is a life-threatening emergency and needs immediate attention.

10. Uncontrollable bleeding. If gentle pressure on a wound doesn’t stop the bleeding, or if the bleeding is ‘pulsing,’ indicating an artery may have been severed, your pet should visit the emergency room.

Always use good common sense! If something doesn’t seem right, at least call and describe what you are seeing to the emergency clinic, they can help you decide if your pet can wait until the following day to be seen. Pets can’t tell us how serious their injuries are, it is up to us to look out for them.

For more information about how you cant protect your pet in the case of an accident or illness, visit Pets Best Insurance.

By: Dr. Jane Matheys
Associate Veterinarian
The Cat Doctor Veterinary Hospital
For Pets Best Insurance

Along with warmer temperatures and lovely flowers, spring also brings kitten season! Kitten seasons are periods of time during the year when cats have kittens.

The mating season in cats is determined by a number of factors, including warmer weather and the length of daylight. The natural mating season of cats in the Northern hemisphere is from March to September. Although cats can go into heat and produce a litter at any time of the year, typical kitten season begins in spring time when the days start to become longer.

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The thought of all those cute, adorable kittens may be appealing, but the truth is that kitten season can be devastating for animal shelters across the country. Every year, between the months of April and November, shelters experience a flood of homeless cats and newborn kittens in need of care and fostering. Most animal shelters operate on very limited budgets, and are often forced to make the difficult decision to euthanize unwanted, abandoned and stray or feral kittens. But you can help.

First and foremost, ensure that your own cats are spayed and neutered. It’s also a good idea to find the best pet insurance for your cat early on, in case of future accidents and illnesses. Some pet insurance companies even offer routine care options that can help pay for a portion of spaying and neutering.

According to Carl Bialik, the Wall Street Journal’s “Numbers Guy”, a single unspayed female cat will produce somewhere between a low of 98 and a high of 5,000 cats in seven years. his is in contrast to the often quoted but flawed statistic of “420,000 offspring in 5 years”. Still, it’s a whole lot of unwanted cats that may suffer needlessly.

Another way to make a life-saving difference is to become a foster parent for a litter of homeless kittens. Shelters and rescue organizations don’t have the space or resources to care for the kittens until they are old enough to be put up for adoption, so they rely on the assistance of volunteer foster parents to provide temporary care for kittens in their own homes. The more kittens that get into foster homes, the more spaces there are in the shelters. By offering your home to kittens in need, you truly are saving lives.

If you’re willing to foster kittens, it’s usually best to start out by volunteering with a shelter or rescue group since they can provide expert advice and support. Contact your local animal shelter, rescue group or feral cat organization to sign up as a foster parent. Each organization has different guidelines for foster parents, and once you begin, they will provide you with detailed instructions.

As a foster parent, you will be responsible for feeding, cleaning, socializing and cuddling your kittens. In some cases, you may need to bottle feed, give medications or take kittens to the veterinarian. Some rescue organizations supply all the necessities like cat food and litter, while others require the foster parents to supply these items. Depending on how old the kittens are, you’ll be caring for them for one to eight weeks, so make sure you understand all the costs involved.

Fostering kittens can be a lot of hard work in some situations. Bottle feeders (or bottle babies) are kittens under four weeks old who need to be bottle fed every 2-6 hours depending on how old they are. This can lead to some sleepless nights! Since these kittens don’t have a mom, you will also have to help them to go to the bathroom, keep them clean, wean them, and train them to use a litterbox. A mom cat with kittens is one of the easiest fostering situations since mom does most of the work. Self-feeding kittens from 4-8 weeks old can already eat on their own and use the litterbox, but need TLC until they are old enough to be adopted. Feral kittens have grown up with little or no human contact, and will need more intensive socialization to help them become comfortable around people. You can find a fostering option that fits your needs and abilities, and there are numerous resources to help educate you about the proper care of kittens.

If you have a little extra space in your home, a bit of free time, and some love to share, consider becoming a kitten foster parent. You are sure to find that fostering is one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences there is. You’ll be amazed at how much you learn and how gratifying it is to see the kittens grow and develop under your care. Best of all, you’ll be saving lives and helping to ensure that all kittens get the loving homes they deserve.

By: Dr. Jane Matheys
Associate Veterinarian
The Cat Doctor Veterinary Hospital
For Pets Best Insurance

Spring is one of my favorite seasons, as it ushers in new life and warmer temperatures. I enjoy going out for walks to see the beautiful colors of Daffodils and Tulips, and to smell the lovely fragrances of the flowering trees like Dogwood, Cherry and Crabapple.

What brings happiness to me, though, can spell misery to allergy sufferers as pollen counts rise and their symptoms kick into high gear. A couple of my co-workers are sneezing quite noisily and they have a constant supply of Kleenex on hand to help with runny eyes and noses.

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Just like humans, cats can have allergies to things they inhale from the air too. An allergy occurs when a cat’s immune system overacts to foreign substances or particles called allergens. Unlike humans, though, a cat that has inhalant allergies (also called atopy) will often have skin problems and severe itching rather than respiratory symptoms. It would seem logical that if a cat is allergic to something it inhales, the cat will have a runny nose. But, simplistically, an allergen causes the immune system to produce a protein called IgE. This protein attaches to mast cells located in the skin causing the release of various irritating chemicals such as histamine. In cats, these chemical reactions and cell types occur in highest amounts in the skin, so that’s where the symptoms appear.

Inhalant allergies in cats usually start to develop between one and three years of age. Unfortunately, as cats age, they often develop allergies to additional things, and the response to any one allergen may become more severe. Allergens can be found in the indoor or outdoor environment, and they can be seasonal or non-seasonal. Common allergens include tree pollens (like flowering trees in the springtime!), grass pollens, weed pollens, molds, mildew and house dust mites.

The skin lesions of allergies are often the ones the cat produces by mutilating her skin through chewing, licking and scratching. Allergic cats often groom excessively and pull out tufts of hair, leaving bald patches on their skin. Their skin may appear red and sensitive, and lesions can range from small little bumps to crusty, scabby areas that bleed and ooze. Pet health issues like secondary bacterial and yeast infections are common.

Diagnosis of inhalant allergies starts with a detailed medical history and a through exam. Tests may be performed to rule out other possible skin conditions such as flea allergy, contact dermatitis, ringworm and food allergy. Specific allergy testing is done either by taking a blood test or performing intradermal skin testing. The blood tests are reasonably reliable for detecting airborne allergies, but skin testing is considered more accurate. It involves shaving a patch of hair on the cat’s side and then injecting small amounts of allergens under the skin and observing to see if it elicits an allergic reaction.

One of the most important treatments for inhalant allergies is to minimize the cat’s exposure to things he is allergic to. While it may be impossible to completely eliminate all of the offending allergens, many can be reduced with minimal effort on the owner’s part. Simple measures include keeping allergic cats indoors with windows closed during periods of high pollen season, using air conditioners or air purifiers to help reduce allergens, and rinsing the cat off after periods in high grass and weeds.

Other treatment options are chosen based on the severity of your cat’s allergy symptoms and the length of his allergy season. Mild allergy symptoms with only localized itching may sometimes be treated with topical shampoos or rinses, topical anti-itch solutions, antihistamines, omega-3 fatty acid supplements or a combination of these products. Always consult a veterinarian before giving your cat any human allergy medications.

Corticosteroids are very good anti-itch and anti-inflammatory medications. Cats show many fewer side effects to steroids than dogs do, and they can be quite safe and effective in cats when used properly. There are many different kinds of steroids available in both injectable and tablet form. Newer medications include maropitant, which has anti-inflammatory effects, and cyclosporine, which is an immunosuppressant. Both of these drugs can be used to control allergies alone in some cases or in combination with steroids to reduce the dose of steroid needed. Antibiotics and antifungal medications are used to control secondary bacterial and yeast skin infections.

Finally, severe allergies are sometimes treated with hyposensitisation therapy or “allergy shots”. Offending allergens are mixed together by a laboratory and very small injections given weekly at home over several months may help your cat to become less sensitive to them. Unfortunately, it can take up to one year to see the full effects.

Inhalant allergies tend to be chronic conditions, so it is wise to have pet health insurance to help cover the financial burden of long term treatment.

For more information about cat health or to learn more about pet insurance, visit Pets Best Insurance.

By: Dr. Fiona Caldwell
Idaho Veterinary Hospital
For Pets Best Insurance

April 26th is National Kids and Pets day! The special bond between a child and their pets is a pure and unconditional one. This day is designed to recognize and perpetuate the magical link between children and animals. Having dog or cat insurance is a wonderful way to protect the health of our beloved pets and ensure the special bond is also protected.

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Our future lies in our children’s hands, and by allowing them the experience of living with pets, we can help give them the skills necessary to make our world a kinder and better place to live.

Beyond Lassie and Timmy, kids have reaped the benefits of having relationships with animals for generations. Human development has been shown to be influenced by the presence of pets. Studies show significant correlations between and child-animal bond and that child’s social competency and ability to empathize.

Studies have shown that children in households with pets score higher in terms of ability to undertake responsibilities. Having a pet can make a shy child more outgoing by instilling social confidence. Learning disabled children might benefit from reading aloud to a pet and can achieve more academic success. Animals can also give children a sense of comfort and security, allowing them to grow into more confident adults.

In addition to emotional development, there have been noted health benefits to raising children with pets. It has been shown that kids raised in families with household pets suffer from fewer allergies, such as asthma, than children raised without pets.

While it seems as though kids and pets go together like peanut butter and jelly, there are some safety factors that should be considered prior to introducing a pet to your child’s home. Consider your child’s age and temperament prior to getting an animal, especially a dog. Dogs need to have special consideration due to their ability to potentially inflict harm by biting. Dogs don’t have the mental capacity to comprehend a moral code and will often act on instinct. Experts agree that children under school age should never be left alone with a dog, no matter how gentle the child’s or the dog’s temperament is.

National Kids and Pets day is a wonderful time to recognize the benefits of pet ownership for children. With good common sense, you can help improve your child’s health and development by fostering and nurturing the friendship between them and their animals.

For more information about pet health and behavior, or to learn more about pet health insurance, visit Pets Best Insurance.

By: Dr. Jane Matheys
Associate Veterinarian
The Cat Doctor Veterinary Hospital
For Pets Best Insurance

Most people are familiar with the term “anorexia” as it applies to human health. Outside of medical literature, the words anorexia and anorexia nervosa are often used interchangeably.

Anorexia nervosa is a psychological eating disorder characterized by excessive food restriction, irrational fear of gaining weight and distorted body image. We’ve all probably heard about it in the news, but thankfully, this kind of anorexia doesn’t actually occur in cats. Anorexia, on the other hand, is simply a medical term for loss of appetite for food, and it’s a very common in cat health condition.

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Anorexia in cats usually starts with a decrease in appetite followed by complete refusal to eat food. It can be a very serious indicator of an underlying pet health condition that needs prompt treatment, so always consult with your veterinarian if your cat has not eaten in 24 hours. For a kitten younger than six weeks of age, food avoidance for just 12 hours can pose a lethal threat, so seek veterinary attention immediately.

Anorexia can be a symptom of a diverse number of feline health problems including a fever, nausea/vomiting from gastrointestinal disease, kidney disease, liver disease, pancreatitis, diabetes, upper respiratory infections, dental or mouth pain, trauma injuries and cancer.

Stress can be an important contributing factor. Anorexia is commonly seen in hospitalized patients and among cats that are placed in boarding kennels. Anorexia can also be induced by other stressful and psychological events such as moving into a new house, loss of a companion, a new pet/person in the house and other environmental changes. Dietary changes can prompt anorexia too. Some cats are “picky” eaters, and may dislike a new food that is offered. Whatever the cause of anorexia, the condition is never the result of a cat simply deciding not to eat like with anorexia nervosa in people.

Anorexia in cats is corrected by identifying and treating the underlying problem. A detailed medical history and thorough physical examination should be followed by any labwork or imaging studies indicated by the exam. These may include blood tests, urine tests, x-rays or an ultrasound. Results will help dictate specific treatment plans. Because these kinds of tests can often be expensive, it’s a good idea to have invested in a cat insurance policy early on.

Some cats may need to be hospitalized for fluid support to treat dehydration. Nutritional support may be provided with appetite stimulants, syringe feeding (as long as it doesn’t worsen food aversion) or via a feeding tube. Stress reduction is necessary, and it’s good to offer finicky cats a variety of foods. It’s especially important to quickly treat anorexia in overweight cats since they are more prone to a very serious liver disease called hepatic lipidosis due to prolonged anorexia and/or rapid weight loss. Treatment of the underlying cause of anorexia can be costly, so it is important to be financially prepared for unexpected illnesses in your furry friends. Pet health insurance is a good option to help manage veterinary medical costs.

By: Dr. Fiona Caldwell
Idaho Veterinary Hospital
For Pets Best Insurance

For centuries humans and canine companions have gone together like peanut butter and jelly. In some instances, the human-animal pairing goes even deeper than companionship. Service or assistance dogs tend to have a special bond with their owners, as their relationship transcends friendship and is also based on mutual reliance. There are stories throughout history of assistance dogs, owing in part to their loving nature and readiness to serve the people they love.

People with disabilities can directly benefit from the independence and freedom hard-working assistance dogs provide by performing daily tasks. Assistance dog training courses are rigorous, with much research and experience having gone into the programs, allowing today’s certified assistance dogs to be at the highest level of reliability and safety.

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The term “service dog” can include dogs that work in police and military forces, whereas assistance dog specifically refers to those that help people with disabilities. The first recognized assistance dog job was likely as a seeing-eye dog, meant to help assist the visually impaired, but there are many other instances where dogs have been able to aid the disabled.

We all get irritated when our dogs bark at the doorbell, but hearing service dogs get a ‘free pass’ for this behavior! Hearing assistance dogs will alert their owner when the phone rings, or somebody is at the door, or in more serious situations, like if a fire alarm goes off. This allows their owner the independence to live on their own despite their disability.

Seizure response dogs are especially interesting, as some have developed the ability to sense an impending seizure and alert its owner to take precautions, such as sitting down or summoning help. It is unclear exactly how dogs can sense this, and the behavior is usually report to occur spontaneously. There has been limited success in ‘training’ dogs to recognize their owner is going to have a seizure, which suggests not every dog has this ability. Seizure response dogs must be completely perfectly suited to their job, and it is imperative they can maintain self-control in any situation the owner finds themselves in.

Medical response dogs have been trained to recognize certain medical states, such as dangerously low blood sugar in a diabetic person, at which point they can alert that owner to seek help. In addition, the medical response dog may be able to fetch medications, call for help, provide stability for mobility or carry necessary medical equipment, such as oxygen tanks.

Psychiatric assistance dogs are given all the rights and protections afforded to service dogs with more traditional jobs. The Americans with Disabilities Act defines a disability as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual.” Just as with all other traditional assistance dogs, psychiatric service dog is individually trained to perform tasks that lessen their owner’s disability. This might include reminding the owner to take medication, the ability to assess the surrounding in the event of hallucinations or paranoia, interrupting harmful or repetitive behaviors, providing comfort in stressful situations or retrieving objects.

The traditional service dog has been a Labrador or golden retriever, but any breed can become a service dog, as canines are typically easy to train. Typically puppies are placed in approved foster homes until they are ready for advanced training. The foster homes will teach basic obedience, manners, socialization, and desensitization toward all types of different situations and people. The dog’s temperament is assessed during this time as well. If the dog doesn’t ‘make the cut,’ they will be adopted out as a pet. Advanced training is typically done by professional trainers with the program geared towards a specific disability the dog is suited to.

Service dog work requires a special canine that is able to channel their enthusiasm and love for helping out into a productive manner. The mental capacity and intelligence displayed by service animals is astounding and the love and selflessness they possess while providing such a great service is inspirational.

For more information about dog health or behavior, or to learn how to protect your dog with pet health insurance, visit Pets Best Insurance.