Pets Best Insurance Blog

Blog posts Categorized under ‘Pets and Children’

Three Points to Consider Before Snoozing with Pets

Posted on: December 20th, 2012 by

Dog insurance can help pay for incontinence treatment.As pets gain more and more footing as members of our families, they’re increasingly allowed into every aspect of our lives – even our beds. A 2010 Pets Best Insurance policyholder survey revealed that 27% of dogs and 8% of cats sleep on their owners’ beds all night, every night – with another 40% sharing sleeping space at least part of the time.

The image of multiple species curling up together as a source of warmth and comfort is a delightful one, but is it a good idea? Here are three points to consider before you open your bed to your fur family.

1. Zoonosis
Zoonotic diseases are those that can be transmitted between species, specifically from pets to humans. Any time close spaces are shared, the risk of spreading diseases is greater. If your pet is in bed with you, please be sure to have them up to date on deworming, flea prevention, and free of illness. Pets can transmit ringworm and scabies and even be a source of bacteria, to name a few examples. People with compromised immune systems and small children probably shouldn’t share sleeping quarters with a pet due the increase risk of contracting illnesses.
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Top 5 Diseases You Can Catch from Your Dog

Posted on: November 9th, 2012 by

Top diseases you can catch from your dog.A disease that is transmissible from animal to human is known as a zoonotic disease. As a veterinarian, it is not only my responsibility to properly diagnose pets, but also to inform pet owners about potential diseases they can catch from their dogs. Below is some information about some of the more common zoonotic diseases that I have diagnosed in dogs.

If you suspect you and/or your pet have been exposed to any of the following, seek medical attention right away.

1) Toxocariasis: This disease is caused by a common parasite in animals, the roundworm. Anyone is susceptible to contracting this disease, but we find that children and people who accidentally eat dirt are at higher risk. Animals that have roundworms will shed the toxocara eggs in their feces, and when infected dirt is ingested with these eggs, people can contract the disease. In animals, toxocariasis can cause organ damage, respiratory disease and eye problems including visual deficiencies amongst other symptoms.

Toxocariasis can be prevented with good hygiene and a regular deworming program, set up by your veterinarian, for your pet. In humans, toxocariasis will generally resolve itself because the larvae can’t mature in a human host. (more…)

Top 5 Ways to Prepare Dogs for a Baby’s Arrival

Posted on: September 13th, 2012 by

A baby and puppy with dog insurance get to know each other.

September is national Baby Safety Month! If you have a dog and are expecting a baby, be sure to prepare your dog ahead of time. This can include dog insurance for financial peace of mind, and planning for the change in household dynamic.

Dogs can be confused and stressed when new parents suddenly shift their attention from them to the baby, and this often shows in unacceptable behaviors such as: jumping up; stealing things that belong to the baby; going into the baby’s room; barking when the baby cries; becoming pushy when the mother is feeding the baby; or jumping on the stroller or pulling out in front of it.

In addition to checking with your family’s pediatrician, try the following to help prepare your dog for your new family member’s arrival:

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