The Columbia Daily Tribune reported secondhand smoke may be dire to pet health.

According to the source, research conducted at Tufts University and the University of Massachusetts showed a link between cats diagnosed with lymph node cancer and contact with secondhand smoke.

“Cats exposed to secondhand smoke developed lymphoma twice as often as cats in smoke-free homes,” the news source reported.

The study also revealed a probable link to other pet health problems in cats, such as oral cancer.

“Because cats groom themselves often, they lick the carcinogens that have been deposited on their fur,” the news provider reported.

Dr. Carolynn MacAllister, a veterinarian at Oklahoma State University, said cat health is compromised because the grooming “exposes the mucous membrane of their mouth to the cancer-causing carcinogens,” ScienceDaily.com reported.

In another study done at Colorado State University, The Columbia Daily Tribune reported that dogs exposed to smoke also had a higher chance of getting cancer.

“In dogs with long noses, the most common type of cancer associated with secondhand smoke was nasal cancer.”

The study found that short-nosed dogs often developed lung cancer.

“The reason short and medium nose dogs have a higher occurrence of lung cancer is because their shorter nasal passages aren’t as effective at accumulating the inhaled secondhand smoke carcinogens,” MacAllister told ScienceDaily.com.

According to the source it’s important, “for [pet health] and others living in the household, that the smoker has a designated area in which to smoke that is physically separated from the home.”

Veterinarian Shannon South knows first-hand that pools and other bodies of water can be dangerous for dogs when they accidentally fall in.

“When you’ve got an older dog or a dog with a handicap, like a dog that can’t see well, definitely get a fence around the pool when you can’t watch them,” South, a D.V.M. at Briarcliff Animal Clinic in Atlanta, Ga. told the Pawnation website.

According to the site, an estimated one out of every 1,027 pets drowns in swimming pools each year, and those that do survive suffer serious pet health problems.

“Even if the dog isn’t attracted to the pool, they could always fall in,” the site reports.

The website also reminds pet owners that not all dogs know how to, or have the ability to swim. On a recent post on the Pets Best Insurance Facebook page, about half of the respondents reported their dogs didn’t know how to swim, hated to swim or had to be taught.

“Certain breeds such as Bulldogs can’t swim at all, and other dogs have physical limitations that put them more at risk in the pool,” the source reports.

Another concern is chlorinated water affecting pet health.

“Pets can get upset stomachs from drinking too much pool water,” South told the source.

South said the chemical also gives off vapors that can bother a pet’s lungs and cause other pet health issues.

“Chlorine can irritate their eyes and their respiratory system,” she told the provider.

The TexasCatsandDogs.com webpage offers six tips to ensure summertime pool safety for owners and pets alike.

• Initially introduce your pet to water slowly so it doesn’t panic.

• Never leave your pet unattended around a pool.

• Be sure to fence the area around your pool and always watch your pooch when it’s within that area.

• Make sure there is an easy way for your pet to exit the pool- should it accidently fall in. Consider products on the market like doggy ramps, or make sure there is a shallow area near the pool steps.

• Never allow your pet to drink the pool water, as this can be detrimental to pet health. Always provide easily-accessible fresh water for your pets on hot summer days.

• Consider investing in a doggy life jacket for your pooch.

The Pawnation site finally reminds owners to monitor their pets around pools, the same as they would their children.

According to the site, pet owners should “be sure to call a time-out so your pooch can recover from its summertime adventures… it may not know when it should take a break from the pool and the sun.”

For more information on pet health and safety, visit the www.petsbest.com/blog/

A pet education organization is doing everything it can this week to raise awareness of the benefits and the need for dog rescue.

According to Tonic.com’s webpage, June 25 is the 12th national “Take Your Dog to Work Day,” initially launched by Pet Sitters International to celebrate owners and their dogs.

Pet Sitters International President Patti Moran told the source that Take Your Dog to Work Day is meant to be a reminder of all the things pets give back to their owners, and to promote dog rescue.

“People love their dogs and pets enrich our lives in so many ways,” Moran told the news provider, adding that taking your dog to work just might inspire co-workers to rescue a dog of their own.

According to the source, people’s health, and pet health both benefit from interacting with one another.

The provider reports, “scientists have found… that dogs lower blood pressure [and] decrease cholesterol” in their human companions, as well as increase the likelihood of survival, and expedite healing in their owners following a serious illness.

The provider also explained that the number of dog owners has increased and continues to climb.

“If you have a dog, then you’re in good company… because more than 62 percent of US households now own one or more pets,” the source reported.

According to the TakeYourDog homepage, June 25 is the day “businesses, animal shelters and pet-care professionals from around the world will work together to better the lives of shelter dogs everywhere.”

The organization’s website states that businesses that open their doors to pets on this day, will help promote pet adoption and ultimately help support homeless animals in the community by raising awareness.

Moran thinks the simple act of bringing your pet to work on June 25, can be life-changing for homeless animals.

“Taking your dog to work for one day can change the lives of shelter dogs forever,” Moran said in a promotional video for the organization.

Sabrina Rios knows how problematic fleas can be to cat and dog health.

“You need to invest your time and have patience because there’s a cycle,” the Texas Veterinary Technician told My Fox Houston of fleas.

Veterinarians in the area told the news provider they are seeing more and more cases of the bothersome critters, and they’re becoming problematic for pets and owners alike.

According to the source, there’s one sure fire way to tell if your pet has a flea problem.

“Pull the hair forward, and if you see dirt that means there’s fleas,” Rios told the news source.

Scott McGrath of McGrath Pest Control told the news provider that there are a few things pet owners can do to make sure fleas don’t compromise pet health.

According to McGrath, pet owners can opt to spray for fleas outside their homes.

“If you start early with the yard before the fleas really hit then you won’t have an infestation, and they won’t come into your house,” McGrath said of flea prevention.

According to the pest control expert, adult fleas can lay about 4,000 eggs and once they hatch, dog and cat health care will need to be closely monitored.

If pet owners suspect their pet has a flea problem, they should take it to their veterinarian immediately.

According to the Pet Center’s web page, fleas “bite and cause itching for the host.”

In some cases, the site reports, pets can be allergic to the bites and they can cause even more pet health problems.

“For a sensitive or flea-allergic animal, this itching can be quite severe and leads to hair-loss, inflammation and secondary skin infections,” the website reports.

Aside from pet health problems, McGrath told the Houston news provider that fleas can cause other annoyances.

“They’ll… get into the furniture, rugs and wood floors,” he told the news source, adding that fleas will even happily jump on board humans.

“If they don’t have a dog, they’re coming for you,” he told the source.

Kyle Nelson didn’t know his dog’s life would be in jeopardy from a simple fishing trip.

But the California resident got a scary surprise when his Boxer-Dauchshund mix, Della, nibbled on some remnants from a raw fish he had gutted, ABC Action News reported.

According to the source, Della’s veterinarian told Nelson his dog was suffering from severe pet health problems due to salmon poisoning—a malady often found in the Pacific Northwest.

“It’s the first case I’ve ever seen in 35 years of practice,” Dr. Jerry Ratterree or Elsinore Pet Clinic told the news provider.

According to the source, raw salmon and other types of fish can be detrimental to dog health because the fish are often infected with parasites, which are harmless to humans and other animals but lethal to dogs.

The news source reported there a few things pet owners can look for if they suspect their dog has gotten a hold of raw fish.

“Infected dogs typically have a fever, diarrhea, lack of appetite, weakness and swollen lymph nodes,” the source reported.

According to ABC Action News, salmon poisoning can kill a dog within four to five days of ingesting contaminated fish.

“It’s quite deadly,” Ratterree told the source.

Ratterree said if the pet health condition is caught in time, salmon poisoning can be treated with antibiotics.

Veterinarian, Dr. Allan Drusys, told the news source that dogs should never be permitted to eat raw salmon or trout no matter from which body of water it has originated.

Fortunately, Della survived the salmon poisoning.

“I was on an emotional roller coaster,” Nelson told the news source of his dog’s pet health ordeal. “Della is pretty much like our kid.”

Las Vegas pet owners who bring their furry friends along for car rides may want to reconsider.

According to Fox 5 News, law officials have the public on the hunt for pet owners who lock their pets in cars as the summer heat swelters.

The source reports high temperatures can be extremely damaging to pet health.

“With temperatures poised to reach triple digits… pet owners are being urged not to leave their pets in parked cars,” the source reports.

Pet owners in Las Vegas, NV who don’t adhere to the caution can face fines up to $1,000 or spend six months in jail.

According to the Animal Legal and Historical Center website, other state laws are just as severe.

Arizona, Minnesota and New Hampshire consider the offense a misdemeanor, while states like California, Illinois and New Jersey all fine heavily.

Animal control officials in Las Vegas warn that when temperatures outside reach 100 degrees, it can easily escalate to 150 degrees inside a car parked in the sun, which can be detrimental to pet health or even deadly, the news provider reported.

According to the Suite101 webpage, pets are at risk of heat stroke when left in hot vehicles.

“Contrary to what most people believe, dogs overheat more quickly than humans do,” the site reports. “Heat stroke happens when heat gain exceeds the body’s ability to dissipate the heat.”

When this happens, the source said dehydration, heart strain and blood clotting are all concerns for both cat and dog health care.

“Normal body temperature for a dog is about 101 F to 102 F. If his temperature reaches 106 F, he is in danger of brain damage, vital organ failure and death.”

The source said that even if a dog recovers from heat stroke, it will likely still have lifelong dog health care problems.

According to the source, signs of heat stroke include frantic panting, wide eyes, thick saliva, red tongue discoloration, vomiting and trouble keeping balance.

If your dog displays any of these symptoms, take your pet to the veterinarian immediately.

However, the best way to ensure your four-legged friends are safe from heat-related health problems is to allow them to relax at home while running summertime errands. This will both ensure prime pet health and keep you from facing fines, jail time, or the loss of your beloved pet.

Paul Fleming thinks pet oxygen masks are a great addition to the safety equipment firefighters use to ensure pet health and save their lives.

“A lot of people’s pets are as close to them as children and it’s horrible when there is a fire,” the New Brunswick assistant deputy fire chief told The Daily Gleaner.

“Our job is to protect that family and the pets are part of that family,” Fleming told the news provider.

According to the source, fire departments in the New Brunswick area have received kits containing the specially-shaped masks via donation, to help make sure pet health isn’t compromised in a fire.

The kits contain three cone-shaped masks that fit the muzzles of animals as small as a guinea pig to as large as a St. Bernard dog.

“The gear is designed to deliver oxygen to animals that have been affected by fires, traffic collisions and other emergencies,” The Daily Gleaner reported.

Fleming told the source that the masks are necessary for pet health for a few reasons.

“These masks are important because a pet can’t tell you how they are feeling or what they need,” Fleming told the news provider. “People don’t tend to realize these pets are stuck in that fire as well, breathing in all that smoke and that they need the oxygen.”

The source reported that human oxygen masks won’t necessarily help an animal because they are flat, and won’t fit over an animal’s snout.

Fleming told The Daily Gleaner that fire departments, all around the world, have started to look into getting these specialized masks for their branches, and he hopes the trend will continue.

According to the source, pet health and pet lives in general can be saved by the use of these masks.

“These are really important and definitely a great addition to have on board of the trucks,” he told the news source. “I hope that more departments will be able to purchase them in the future.”

Joy Lee, of Los Angeles, CA, said she couldn’t imagine the kind of stress she would have endured if she hadn’t had pet health insurance after finding out her beloved kitty, Knitting G, had a serious heart condition.

“It would have been a lot of financial distress,” Lee said of the costly medication and regular check-ups Knitting G (who’s named after a Korean rice dish) now requires.

“Other people in similar situations have had to put their pets down,” Lee said, acknowledging the cost of treatment is often just too high for some people to pay.

Lee, who has had coverage with Pets Best Insurance for the past three years, said she initially purchased cat health care policies for each of her three kitties: Knitting G, Papillon and Sharif, after moving to a new home.

“When we bought our house there was no way to keep them fully inside so I was worried about other animals they might encounter in our backyard,” she said. “I just wanted to make sure that if anything came up I wouldn’t have to stress out about it.”

Lee calls the coverage through Pets Best Insurance “awesome.”

“First of all, when I researched all the [pet insurance providers] there were several that wouldn’t take Knitting G because of her age,” Lee said. “It seemed like Pets Best was much more comprehensive.”

About six months into her pet health coverage, Lee said her veterinarian, Dr. Krista Schanbel of VCA Arden Animal Hospital, discovered arrhythmia in Knitting G and referred Lee and her feline friend to a cat health specialist.

Lee said the “kitty cardiologist,” Dr. Cathy “Cat” Williams of Animal Surgery and Emergency Center, (ASEC) confirmed the heart condition.

“Now she gets specially compounded medication,” Lee said. “She has to go to the cardiologist every six months.”

Lee said the veterinarian bill would be between $600 or $700 for the office visit alone if she didn’t have pet care insurance with Pets Best. But because of the company’s 80% flat rate reimbursement amount, her out-of-pocket expenses aren’t so daunting.

“Her medication alone is $70 a month, plus taking her to a really great vet hospital with a specialist could really add up,” Lee said. “But since I’ve had Pets Best Insurance it’s allowed me to treat her and make sure everything is covered.”

Lee said she calculated that she’s saved thousands of dollars in pet bills for Knitting G alone.

“With her cardiology [expenses] her insurance has paid for itself,” Lee said of her pet insurance coverage.

“You care about them, you know, you don’t want to see them suffer,” she said. “Knitting G has been a really important part of my life.”

“I may be her human, but she is my angel.”

A bill that passed last week in state Assembly would require new disclosure measures for pet insurance companies.

Sacramento Democratic Assemblyman Dave Jones sponsored the pet health bill, AB 24111, that passed by a 43-16 vote, which specifies three specific things that pet insurance providers would have to disclose to new, amended or renewed insurance policy holders.

The bill would require that pet insurance companies divulge whether the “policy excludes coverage on the basis of a preexisting condition or other disorder, as specified, (2) any policy provisions that limits coverage in a specified manner, and (3) whether the insurer reduces coverage or increases premiums based on claims experience in any preceding policy period.”

The pet insurance bill will now move to the state’s Senate for consideration.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the bill was originally sought to ban pet insurance companies “from denying coverage to animals with preexisting condition(s), but that provision was removed from the bill.”

Some pet health Insurance companies, like Pets Best Insurance, suggest purchasing policies for pets while they are young, healthy, puppies and kittens, as this will help to ensure pet coverage is in effect before accidents or illnesses arise, and lessen the possibility of preexisting conditions altogether.

For more information on pet insurance visit Pets Best Insurance.

Although tidying-up during springtime can be good for human health and psyche, it has the potential to be detrimental to pet health.

Compareandsave.com reports the arrival of warm weather rouses the urge to spruce-up homes and yards—but many pet owners don’t realize how hazardous some household cleaners and chemicals can be to dog and cat health.

The website reports that certain cleansers are likely to cause skin irritation and even burns in both animals and humans alike.

According to the source, rust removers, toilet bowl cleaners and calcium removers all have the potential to cause corrosive injury and can result in both dog and cat health care problems.

“Strong acidic and alkaline cleaners in particular should be well-guarded,” the site reports.

Pet Poison Helpline told the source that even milder cleaners can cause problems like diarrhea and vomiting in pets.

Dr. Pete Wedderburn, columnist for the Daily Telegraph, suggests pet insurance as a helpful way to budget for springtime accidents that could occur.

“It does allow you to make the best decisions about your pet’s care without worrying about the financial implications if serious accidents or illnesses do happen to come your way,” he wrote on his blog about health insurance for pets.

Wedderburn added that it’s important to do lots of research when opting for a pet insurance policy.

“It’s worth taking time to go over your selected policy in detail before handing over your credit card details,” he wrote, adding that pet insurance policies that look cheap will likely provide less coverage and benefits.

Though some springtime cleaners only cause slight irritation in pets, according the examiner.com, others can be lethal to pet health.

According to the source, Linseed oil, turpentine and paint thinner can all be dangerous if pets are exposed to them.

Writer for examiner.com, Roberta Baxter, urges pet owners to remember not to leave rags, paint brushes, or sponges lying around after using them combined with chemicals.

“In the evening, when you are finished with your spring preparations, secure all your tools and cleaning products,” Baxter wrote.