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Celebrate cat health by taking kitty to the vet

Posted on: August 18th, 2010 by

By: H.R.
Pets Best Insurance Editorial Manager
A veterinarian tends to a sick cat.
Hey all you cat owners—did you know that August 16 to August 22 is National Take Your Cat to the Vet Week?

Because cats generally don’t display signs of disease as clearly as other animals, cat owners can easily miss cat health issues.

According to the Chicagonow.com website, over 50% of all cat owners don’t take their kitties in for annual check-ups; they only take them to the veterinarian if they begin to show severe symptoms of illness.

Though cats are generally regarded as self-sufficient pets, they too require regular wellness care to help catch issues early on.

Cat litter company, Feline Pine, said they created this national awareness day because they care about cat health.

“Along with making an all-natural chemical-free litter, we’re dedicated to helping cats live long and healthy lives,” Feline Pine Brand Manager Dan Henderson told the Catster website.

The company’s in-house veterinarian, Dr. Michele Gaspar said cat owners generally miss telltale signs of problems early on.

“Cats are often subtle in their signs of discomfort or illness… when caught early enough, many diseases can be treated so that a cat enjoys a good quality of life,” Gaspar told the news provider.

Celebrate your cat’s health this week by taking him or her to the veterinarian. Chances are your cat is in purrfectly good health—but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

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Top five tips to introduce your cat and dog

Posted on: August 5th, 2010 by

By: Chryssa Rich
Pets Best Insurance Marketing Associate
Monica the cat sits at the top of the stairs, terrified of the dog on the floor below.
On the Pets Best Insurance Facebook page, we recently asked our fans “What’s the best way to introduce a new dog to a household with cats?” I have to admit, I was hoping for a magic answer for myself. Ever since I brought my dog Jayda home about three months ago, my shy tabby Monica won’t come downstairs.

More than a dozen responses shed light on tips and tricks pet owners have used at home. One fan admitted, “Wish I knew, tried and failed,” but others had great ideas from which we can all learn.

1. Do your homework
Some dog breeds just aren’t meant to live with cats. Bringing them home could spell disaster for a cat and heartache for the pet owner. Some dog breeds cat owners should be wary of include Jack Russell Terriers (and most other terrier breeds), Weimaraners, Doberman Pinchers and Greyhounds. While some can be trained to respect a household cat, they often still have strong prey drives that could lead them to attack and kill neighborhood cats, or even the family cat if left unattended. Generally cat-friendly breeds include Boxers, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Poodles and Pugs.

2. Give them their space
Keep cats and dogs in their own spaces at first so they can get used to the sounds and scents of each other. One fan commented, “The puppy had his own room for a couple days . . .[the cats] got to sniff him through the door and a day or two later through a baby gate.” Her dog is now three-years-old and all of the pets get along perfectly well.

3. Step away from the cat
Never hold a cat who’s meeting a dog for the first time. Being held doesn’t make a cat feel safe – it makes him feel trapped. That’s a recipe for serious injury to the pet owner. Help kitty feel in control by providing space and a high place to jump to where he can safely observe.

4. Lead by example
If you’re introducing an adult dog to a cat, it can be more challenging. This is where your cues will come in to play. Another fan recommended having some quiet time with both pets in a small room, with the dog on-leash. “I sit on the floor with one on either side and just quietly pet and enjoy both of them. They watch me interact with the other and learn from it.” She does this for a few days, and when they start to sniff each other without trying to chase or swat, she knows they’re getting closer to happy cohabitation.

5. Let them duke it out – sort of
Most dog and cat owners will tell you that cats rule, and sometimes it’s okay to let them establish this hierarchy themselves. One fan added “Not a bad plan to carefully allow the cat to get a bit of a swat at a dog. I introduced a dog to my older, VERY crabby, bossy cat who had never lived with a dog in this way, and they managed to live together just fine for several years.”

I’m looking forward to trying some of the responses from Facebook, in the hopes of poor little Monica finally coming all the way downstairs to be part of the fun.

To see all the posts and add your own, join us on Facebook.

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Pets Best Insurance Promotes Pet Insurance at AVMA Convention

Posted on: August 3rd, 2010 by

By: H.R.
Pets Best Insurance Editorial Manager
A small dog and a cute cat sit beside each other.
Prior to last weekend, I had no idea there was such thing as a doggy exercise wheel. A hamster running in a wheel, I get. A dog running in a wheel seems silly.

Why not just ensure Fido’s dog health by taking him for a walk?

Before last weekend I also had no idea there was such thing as a T-shirt that purports to aid pet health by reducing a dog’s level of anxiety. I contemplated buying one for my neurotic Chihuahua, but quickly determined strapping her into a tight, form-fitting doggy tee would likely make her neurosis worse.

The creative pet health items noted above were just a few of the many booths I sauntered by at the AVMA convention last week in Atlanta, Georgia. Some of the Pets Best Insurance team made the trip to participate as exhibitors.

We received a fantastic response from the veterinary community, including vets, vet technicians and others.

It’s always nice to hear that our pet insurance is preferred by veterinarians and their staff because of the way we pay out claims. It’s even nicer to hear that they refer us because we “always do what we say we will,” to quote one veterinarian.

Visitors to our booth happily filled out quick pet insurance surveys and also used this time to get a better understanding of how our three accident and illness pet insurance policies work, and what our BestWellness™ plan covers.

Each day of the convention introduced our product to new and returning pet health insurance advocates.

Overall, it was great to spend a few days mingling and chatting with the very people who see the benefit of our product on a daily basis—although I have to admit I was glad to get home to that excited, tail-wagging, neurotic Chihuahua.

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Pet Health tips: Trimming kitty’s claws

Posted on: July 26th, 2010 by

By: Chryssa Rich
Pets Best Insurance Marketing Associate
Luisa and Monica wait patiently for their nail trims.
A few years ago I was visiting a friend when I noticed her lovely black cat could hardly make it across the living room. Her nails were so long, she had to stop and shake them free from the carpet with almost every step.

“She’s old,” my friend explained, “and we’ve never cut her nails. She won’t let us.”

Determined to help the poor creature, I grabbed a pair of clippers and started snipping. In a matter of seconds, I was done and my friend stood in awe. The cat hadn’t even flinched. My friends now marvel at my cat health care skills and I’ve earned the reputation in many social circles as “the one’s who’s really good at cutting cat nails.” (Yes, my mother is proud.)

In all seriousness, aside from ruining carpeting, blankets, furniture and clothing, overgrown cat claws can affect pet health. The longer the nails, the greater the chance for infection or accidentally causing harm to people and other pets. In extreme cases, the nail grows so long it curls under and up into the paw pad, causing pain and infection.

Here are a few tips to make trimming your cat’s claws easier:

1. Use a regular nail trimmer
There’s no reason to spend big bucks on a specialty trimmer. Buy a human nail trimmer, label it for the cats, and keep it somewhere handy. Using a familiar tool will help you be quick and confident when clipping.

2. Go little by little
Turn the clippers sideways so they clamp together on the flat side of the nail (See image.) Gently press up with your finger on your cat’s paw pads to help the nails come out. Trim just the pointy tip so you don’t nick a blood vessel. If it happens, don’t panic. Call your veterinarian and use a styptic pencil to stop the bleeding.

3. Sneak up when they’re sleeping
My Siamese mix Luisa gets pretty ornery if I try to clip her nails while she’s alert and playing. So I’ve learned to approach while she’s napping and gently snip as many as I can before she’s fully awake. I can usually get 2 paws done per nap.

4. Take breaks
If kitty starts to panic, growl or bite, stop clipping, give her a nice pet and leave her alone for a while. Come back later to finish the job.

5. Assume the best
If you’re about to trim your cat’s nails for the first time, you might luck out like I did with my orange tabby, Monica. She sits back in my lap and purrs the whole time. If nothing else, take a deep breath and relax. How many times have you successfully cut your own nails? This is no different. You’re not hurting your pet. Just like humans, pet fingernails have no nerve endings.

By learning to trim your cat’s nails, you’ll save time, money, furniture and maybe even a little face. And, you’ll help ensure pet health for a happy cat and snag-free household.

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Cancer: A pet health concern

Posted on: July 21st, 2010 by

By: Dr. Jack L. Stephens, DVM
Pets Best Insurance President
A veterinarian pats a large white dog on the head.
Although it’s not a condition humans typically associate with animals, cancer is becoming more and more prevalent in our pets.

The increase in cancer is possibly due to the fact that our pets are living longer, thanks to the sophisticated diagnostic tools now available to veterinarians. These tools provide more definitive diagnoses, resulting in better-focused treatment.

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of destructive cells that overwhelm an organ or body, and most cancers develop slowly internally without being visible on the outside. Cancer in cats is not as common as in dogs, but when it does occur, pet health may deteriorate more aggressively.

The destructive cells that cause cancer are abnormalities that can be caused by genetics, environmental influences, toxins, viruses and even the natural aging process.

As the body is overwhelmed by the cancer, normal immune mechanisms are not able to stop it and the normal cells are robbed of their nutrients.

While not all lumps and bumps are cancer – many are simply benign growths – according to the Morris Animal Foundation, one in four dogs will die from cancer, and cancer is the number one cause of disease-related death in dogs over the age of two.

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Many pet owners are unaware that certain breeds are more susceptible to cancer. Larger dogs, such as Bernese Mountain dogs, Boxers, Chow Chows, Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are often diagnosed with the disease; this is thought to be genetically driven.

It’s important to know which cancers are most common for your pet’s breed, so you know what to look for. This could help you detect cancer earlier.

Early detection and identifying the exact type of cancer is critical to determining which course of treatment should be taken. Here are some tips that can help you and your pet:

1. Be aware of the types of cancer that are most common for your breed.
2. Provide proper nutrition based on pet health and age to help prevent and cure cancer.
3. Schedule annual veterinary exams (every six months for senior pets) and basic screening tests to evaluate your pet’s overall health and internal organ function.
4. Spay or neuter your pet, as this will eliminate the potential for several types of cancer to develop.
5. Keep your pet away from harmful chemicals in the yard or house.
6. Ensure your pet gets enough exercise, as it is good for pet health and wellbeing.
7. Should your pet develop a cancer, seek veterinary care and know your options. Ask your veterinarian about your pet’s prognosis or potential outcome based on the type of cancer with which your pet has been diagnosed.
8. Determine the estimated cost to treat your pet so you can be financially prepared. If your pet is insured, check your pet insurance policy so you can set a budget.
9. And lastly, maintain a positive attitude. Many forms of cancer can be controlled or cured, and it doesn’t have to mean the immediate loss of your pet.

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