Products intended to treat cats and dogs for fleas and ticks kill hundreds of pets each year and injure tens of thousands, the Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday as it outlined plans to make the products safer. The EPA said it will develop stricter testing and evaluation requirements for flea and tick treatments that are applied to a pet’s skin. The agency also will begin reviewing labels to determine which ones need to say more clearly how to use the products.
Posted on March 26th, 2010 by isak
Filed under: Pet Illnesses, Pet Warnings and Recalls | No Comments »
This toxic reaction occurs especially in dogs that are genetically hypersensitive to ivermectin, an anti-parasite medication most commonly used for heartworm prevention, or to treat ear and hair mites, which can lead to mange. Ivermectin prevents or kills parasites by causing neurological damage to the parasite, resulting in paralysis and death for the parasite. But dogs genetically sensitive to the medication have an anomaly that allows the ivermectin to pass the dog’s blood-brain barrier and into its central nervous system, which can be lethal for the animal.
Posted on December 28th, 2009 by isak
Filed under: Cats, Dogs, Pet Illnesses, Pet Meds/Vaccinations | 3 Comments »
Swine flu started in pigs (although we don’t exactly when or where), adapted to and passed to humans who returned the favor and passed it back to pig herds. Then we heard that turkeys in Chile had contracted the virus, followed by ferrets and a house cat.
Posted on December 1st, 2009 by isak
Filed under: Cats, Dogs, Pet Illnesses | No Comments »
Chronic kidney (renal) disease commonly affects older animals, but it also occurs in younger animals with congenital abnormalities. The kidneys are two important organs that filter the blood and remove waste products from the body as urine, maintain the body’s water and electrolyte balance, regulate blood pressure, and produce a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production. When the kidneys fail, these substances build up and cause your pet to feel ill.
Posted on July 28th, 2009 by isak
Filed under: Cats, Dogs, Pet Illnesses, Pet Tips | No Comments »
Good news for dogs and their owners: this month, Pfizer Animal Health Inc. announced that the FDA has for the first time ever approved a cancer drug for canines.
Posted on July 16th, 2009 by isak
Filed under: Dogs, Pet Illnesses, Pet Meds/Vaccinations | No Comments »
Veterinary neurologist commends efforts to increase awareness of meningitis symptoms and meningitis treatment by New Jersey legislature. Pet owners also should be aware that knowing the symptoms of meningitis and getting early meningitis treatment can mean a full recovery for many dogs.
Posted on July 16th, 2009 by isak
Filed under: Dogs, Pet Illnesses | No Comments »
The nation’s first Internet radio show about disabled and chronically ill dogs and cats was launched today by Scout’s House™, California’s leading physical rehabilitation therapy and boarding facility for special needs animals. Featuring interviews with a wide range of guests, including veterinarians, medical researchers, and attorneys specializing in animal law, “Special Pets, Special Needs” will help pet owners understand the myriad of medical and functional issues their pets face and give them the information they need to help these important family members live more comfortable and more functional lives.
Posted on June 28th, 2009 by isak
Filed under: Cats, Dogs, Pet Illnesses, Pet Tips | 1 Comment »
Canine Parvovirus (“parvo”) attacks rapidly reproducing cells — such as those that line the gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow, lymph nodes and heart. Highly contagious, parvo is transmitted from dog to dog via contaminated droplets and feces.
Posted on June 21st, 2009 by isak
Filed under: Dogs, Pet Illnesses | 4 Comments »
Diarrhea is the passage of loose, unformed stools generally occurring in more frequent bowel movements. It is the most common sign of an intestinal disease.
Posted on June 10th, 2009 by isak
Filed under: Dogs, General, Pet First Aid, Pet Illnesses | 1 Comment »
The FDA approves veterinary medicine’s first cancer fighting drug and it’s for the ubiquitous mast cell tumor. Seen primarily in dogs, this common skin tumor has plagued us veterinarians for eons, it seems. Not only can it be a killer, it’s sometimes hard to identify when it masks itself, chameleon-like, as a wart or tiny bump on the skin.
Posted on June 10th, 2009 by isak
Filed under: Dogs, Pet Illnesses, Pet Meds/Vaccinations | 4 Comments »
