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Archive for July, 2009
What is a zoonotic disease?
According to Webster’s College Dictionary, it is any disease of animals communicable to humans. Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate that 75 percent of all emerging diseases in the world today are zoonotic. That includes the swine fly, mad cow disease, bird flu, West Nile virus and more.
To minimize the risk of contracting an illness, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises pet owners to, “Practice good personal hygiene, keep pet areas clean, control disease carrying insects and get regular vaccinations and veterinary care for their pets.”
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) the most common zoonotic diseases you are likely to encounter are:
Salmonella
Salmonellosis is the disease caused by the Samonella bacteria and is transmitted primarily by reptiles and the feces of baby chicks and ducklings.Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungal infection that affects the skin and can be easily spread from companion animals to humans. In pets, ringworm appears as a dry, scaly, itchy patch in the skin. In humans, it often appears as a round lesion with a scaly ring around the edge, accompanied by redness and itching.Roundworms and hookworms
Roundworm larvae can migrate through the body, damaging organs and tissue. They are known to damage the retina of the eye and cause blindness. Hookworm larvae migrate just under the skin and can cause inflammation and pain. And they can also eventually reach the small intestines, where they attach themselves to the intestinal wall and live off of blood from their human host.Cat Scratch Disease and Rabies
Even combined, the numbers of people in North America who are affected by zoonotic diseases is just a fraction of the number of people who are injured by their companion animals. Dog bites and cat-related injuries are far more common.Cat Scratch Fever is a flea-borne infection that is transmitted to humans through a scratch or bite. It causes infection at the site of the injury and can result in swollen lymph nodes, fever and lethargy. Any cat scratch or bite should be treated seriously by thorough cleansing and disinfecting. If problems arise, consult a doctor for follow-up treatment and antibiotics.
Rabies is a viral disease that is almost always fatal to humans and can affect any warm-blooded animal. It is usually transmitted via saliva through the bite of an infected animal, but can also pass from host to human via infected saliva or blood coming in contact with an open wound or mucous membranes.
The chance of companion animals passing these diseases onto their owners is slight. Vaccine protocols have greatly decreased many zoonotic diseases and similiar strategic de-worming plans may help to stop zoonotic parasites as well.
If you have any questions, please consult your veterinarian.
When wild animals attack
Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), the nation’s oldest and largest provider of pet health insurance, recently determined which wild animals most frequently attacked and injured companion pets last year. The answers might come as a surprise!
Top 10 Animals to Attack Pets are:
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Snake
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Coyote
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Raccoon
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Squirrel
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Scorpion
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Javelina*
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Porcupine
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Ground Hog
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Skunk
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Rat
These wild animal attacks typically result lacerations, bite wounds, puncture, and soft tissue trauma.
If you pet is the victim of a vicious attack, please contact your vet or an emergency animal clinic immediately.
*What is a Javelina, you ask? According to Webster’s College Dictionary, a Javelina is a piglike hoofed mammal that is native to the southwestern United States.
Time is running out!
If your professional pooch joined you at the office last month for Take Your Dog to Work Day (TYDTWDay), don’t forget to enter the Official TYDTWDay Photo and Video Contests. Time is running out!
Submit pictures of your professional pooch working for a living on June 26 for your chance to win:
· $500 cash and a $500 donation to the winner’s animal shelter of choice.
· FetchDog Prize Package supplied by FetchDog—your destination for dog supplies.
How to enter:
Submit your dog’s best professional pooch photo in a digital format (JPEG or TIFF) by July 31, 2009, at takeyourdog.com. All fields must be completed for submission to qualify. All photos become the property of Pet Sitters International.
Winners will be announced on or before August 28, 2009.To view complete photo contest rules, visit: http://www.takeyourdog.com/info/rulesPhoto.php
Upload an original video of your canine co-worker(s) for a chance to win a Prize Package from FetchDog, your destination for dog supplies.
Videos should be under two minutes, fun, creative and just “doggone” good!To view complete video contest rules, visit: http://www.petsit.com/content331871.html
Calling all horse enthusiasts…
Be sure to show your appreciation for all the hard work farriers endure this week, July 12-18, during the 11th annual National Farriers Week.
If you have a farrier who deserves acknowledgment for his or her dedication and professionalism, you can download a recognition certificate at www.americanfarriers.com/ff/certif.
For those who don’t know, a farrier is a hoof care specialist for horses, which includes the trimming and balancing of the hoof, as well as putting the horse’s shoes on.
Let us know how you plan to show your gratitude in the comments area.
“Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who’s the smartest dog of all?”
Wondering if your dog is at the top of the class, or should we say pack? PetMD, the pet health authority, determined the world’s top ten smartest canine breeds.
The pack leaders of are:
1. Border collie
2. Poodle
3. German shepherd dog
4. Golden retriever
5. Doberman Pinscher
6. Shetland sheepdog
7. Labrador retriever
8. Papillion
9. Rottweiler
10. Australian cattle dog
Think you have a smarter dog? Let us know why in the comments section!
Surviving the Dog Days of Summer
A little precaution will go a long way in helping your pets beat the heat.
As the scorching days of summer descend upon us, Pet Sitters International offers pet owners a few simple steps to help ensure Fido doesn’t get too hot under the collar.
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Give your pets plenty of water.
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Make sure your pets have a cool, shaded place to rest.
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Do not exercise dogs or allow them to exercise or play hard during very hot weather or the hottest part of day. Exercise your dogs in the early morning and evening.
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Do not let brachcephalic (short-nosed breeds, such as bulldogs or pugs) dogs over-exercise when it is hot outside.
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Dogs that have noisy breathing may have a medical condition. Have them examined by a vet and use caution with exercise in the heat.
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Make sure all windows have secure screens.
Following these steps will help ensure that you and your pets beat the heat safely this summer.
Tips for a “Pet”riotic Celebration
America’s 233rd birthday is tomorrow. As you celebrate the long weekend with barbeques, parades and fireworks, be sure to take a few precautionary measures to ensure a safe and happy holiday for you and your pets.
The ASPCA suggests:
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Keep your pet on the wagon. Since alcohol is potentially poisonous to pets, place all wine, beer and spirits well out of paws’ way.
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Avoid scraps from the grill. Stick with your pet’s normal diet—any change, even for a day, can result in stomach upset. Certain foods like onions, avocado, chocolate, grapes and raisins are especially toxic to pets.
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Avoid lathering your pet with any insect repellent or sunscreen not intended for the four-legged kind. Ingestion can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy.
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Stay fire-smart. Keep your pet away from fireworks, matches, citronella candles and lighter fluid, which if eaten can irritate the stomach, lungs and central nervous system.
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Be cool near the pool. Don’t leave pets unsupervised around a pool or lake—not all dogs are expert swimmers! Also, pools aren’t large water bowls—they contain chlorine and other toxic chemicals that can cause stomach problems.
As always, if you suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous, please contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. And be sure to check out a more complete list of holiday pet care tips from The ASPCA.
Register to Win
If you haven’t, register now! By registering your participation in Take Your Dog to Work Day, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a prize package from FetchDog, your online destination for dog beds, pet gates and more.
Participants are limited to one online entry. Complete registrations must be submitted online between March 15 and July 31, 2009 to qualify. All information becomes the property of Pet Sitters International and may be shared with event sponsors, the media and/or used by PSI in future promotions. Please read the complete list of official rules. Winners will be notified in writing on or before August 28, 2009.
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