Blog Posts by vetstreet.com

By Amy Sinatra Ayres, Laura Cross, Shayna Meliker

This 4-month-old puppy was found in New York, and shared on the Hurricane Sandy Lost and Found Pets Facebook page.When Hurricane Sandy ravaged the Northeast this week, it left behind severe flooding, millions of people without electricity - and lots of displaced pets.

The good news is that the lessons learned in the wake of 2005's Hurricane Katrina - which left about 250,000 pets stranded - seem to have helped so far, based on the number of pet-friendly shelters in the affected areas. All of the shelters in New York City, for example, accepted pets, reported USA Today.

Photos: Pets Brave the Wrath of Superstorm Sandy

But it's unclear just how many pets have been impacted by the superstorm. There are hundreds - if not thousands - of animals in need across the region. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reports that shelters in hard-hit New York and Long Island are temporary homes to nearly 400 animals.

Vetstreet, with a little help from the folks at World Vets, has compiled the information below both for

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By Dr. Patty Khuly | vetstreet.com

KittenCats produce copious amounts of saliva for a variety of reasons, including oral pain, difficulty swallowing and even as a response to nausea. Excessive drooling can also occur when cats ingest foul-tasting or toxic food, poison or medication.

But what about otherwise healthy felines who salivate when they're simply happy?

It seems that a small but significant percentage of cats drool in response to positive stimulation, which is typically also accompanied by purring, rolling over submissively or rubbing their faces against the objects of their adoration. Most of these cats will be lifelong "happy droolers."

Although the biological rationale for this physiologic response remains a mystery, the important thing to keep in mind is that it's a benign behavior. But if you do suspect any sign of disease, don't hesitate to consult your veterinarian.

More From Vetstreet.com:
· Polydactyl Cats: Why Some Felines Have Extra Toes
· Why Does My Cat... Read More »from Why Does My Cat... Drool when She’s Happy?

By Laura Cross, Shayna Meliker

As much of the Northeast digs out from Superstorm Sandy's devastation, it's clear that both pets and people need as much help as they can get. During the storm, pet-friendly evacuation centers up and down the coast welcomed owners and animals forced to leave their homes.

Check out our photo gallery of pets weathering the storm, and one dog who's already "helping" with cleanup efforts in New York.

More From Vetstreet.com

* 6 Foods to NEVER Feed Your Pet

* Vets Show Heart & Skill Trying to Save Paralyzed Dog Gigi

* How to Prepare Your Pets For Future Disasters

See Also: Dog Strangled By Phone Cord Saves Own Life

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By Dr. Marty Becker | vetstreet.com

Do you have allergies to pets?Allergic to pets? You're not alone: Estimates generally put the number of people allergic to animals at 10 to 15 percent, with cats causing more misery to allergy sufferers than dogs. Many people opt to own pets anyway, enduring wheezing, sneezing, and scratching to be with their fur balls.

Obviously, people with severe allergies ought to think twice before risking their lives for love, but most people with mild to moderate allergies can tolerate life with pets by using a few proven tips for minimizing allergy triggers. Here, a veterinarian's guide to living with both pets and allergies.

Video: How to Battle Allergies to Cats

But First, the Myths

First, there's no such thing as a cat or dog who doesn't shed. They are all capable of producing allergens. However, allergy sufferers may more easily tolerate some breeds (Siberian cats, Poodles, and Poodle Mixes, primarily). But trendy (and expensive) hybrid dogs that are supposedly

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By Dr. Marty Becker | vetstreet.com

Urban legends of black catsQ. Our shelter won't adopt out black cats at Halloween, claiming that they might be in danger. Another local shelter offers a black cat adoption special. What's the deal?

A. Shelter policies based on urban myths put pets at higher risk than they ever could be from people who'd adopt with ill intentions. In other words, shelters that refuse to allow the adoption of black cats around Halloween are well-intentioned but wrong.

See Also: 12 Funny Costumes for Your Pet

Debunking the Urban Myths

For years now there have been concerns, based on little more than hearsay, that black cats are sought out on Halloween for Satanic rituals. Other less over-the-top versions of this myth include concerns about teenage animal abusers and people who want a black cat solely as a Halloween party decoration. In the meantime, people who'd offer perfect homes for these pets may not come into the shelter at all while an adoption ban is in effect.

What

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By Amy Shojai l vetstreet.com

Cat Scratch FeverWhile clawing is a normal feline behavior, it is not always understood or accepted by some cat owners. Cats use their claws for many purposes. They scratch surfaces to scrape off old nail layers. Their scratching provides both visual cues and scent indicators to claim prized territories in the home, such as the arm of your sofa. They use claws to capture and hold prey, be it a stray mouse in the house or your ankles or a fast-moving feather wand toy.

See Also: Why Does My Cat... Shed His Claws?

And, yes, it may surprise you to learn that some cats claw to fight stress, boredom and feelings of anxiety. Fortunately, here are seven ways to appease your must-claw cat without your home décor becoming shredded confetti:

1. Trim your cat's nails regularly. Dull claws cause less damage than sharp ones. Start by handling your cat's paws gently. Press the pad to express the claw and use a cat clipper or designated human nail clipper to snip the

Read More »from 7 Tips to Get Your Cat to Stop Scratching

By Dr. Patty Khuly | vetstreet.com

Cat enjoying a nice lickYou're sitting on the couch, watching TV, when your cat comes up and starts licking you, and you don't know why.

Well, experts believe cats lick and groom their feline and human housemates as a way of showing trust and care. You can take these "kisses" as a sign that your cat feels safe and happy.

Of course, there's always the possibility that you have something delicious on your skin that your kitty wants to taste. The bottom line: Cats are curious creatures and when they put their trust in people, there's no end to the attention they'll lavish on them.

See More on vetstreet.com:

* Why Does My Cat.. Shed His Claws?
* Why Does My Cat... Like to Chew Plastic?

* Why Does My Cat... Get Hairballs?
* Why Does My Cat... Meow So Much?

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By Dr. Patty Khuly | vetstreet.com

Your cats name is what?How does that nursery rhyme go? Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me?

Well, tell that to the hordes of aggrieved pets living with the outright obnoxious names their loved ones have given them. As a veterinarian I see plenty of demeaning and just plain strange names in my medical records. To be sure, pets named Lola, Zoe, Chloe, Max and Brandy are over-represented (which is a post in and of itself), but this entry is all about the off-beat and even off-color appellations pets are subjected to in the name of "love."

Related: 10 Most Popular Pet Names of Past Year

Now, don't for a second think I'm above naming a pet something that truly seems to suit him but is less than charming. After all, I named my Pug mix Slumdog, seeing as he (a) emerged from the Miami slums and (b) possesses no more than two brain cells he might occasionally rub together to maintain his basic bodily functions. (Yes, that's right, I

Read More »from Most Obnoxious Pet Names and the People Who Choose Them