Blog Posts by vetstreet.com

By Dr. Mary Fuller

Ready to grab that beach towel and head to the shore with your canine companion in tow?

While a straw hat and a pulp-fiction novel may be at the top of your packing list, you also need to bring along a few things to help ensure your dog's comfort - and take the right precautions to keep him safe on land and in the water.

RELATED: Top Ways to Protect Your Pet From the Summer Sun

Although some dogs seem to be natural swimmers, flat-nosed and barrel-chested breeds, like Bulldogs, have a hard time staying afloat. When in doubt, make sure that your dog is wearing a life vest, and never leave your pup unsupervised in or even near the water.

When it's time to go for a swim, it's always best to steer your pet toward calmer waters, away from speedboats and rough surf. Scan the area for possible danger spots, or ask a lifeguard for advice on water conditions.

Finally, try to keep your dog from guzzling too much salt water, which can lead to

By Dr. Ann Hohenhaus

The fun-in-the-sun summer months have officially arrived, which can only mean one thing: It's time to start thinking about sun protection for your pets.

That's right - furry family members can also suffer from the damaging effects of the sun's powerful rays.

The sun gives off different kinds of ultraviolet rays. UVB rays cause sunburns, while UVA rays lead to sun-induced aging and skin cancer.

See Also: Summer Hazards and Your Dog l Your Cat

At the moment, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is in the midst of revising its rules for regulating sunscreen labels, so until those regulations take full effect (it won't be in time for the 2012 summer season), you need to be a discerning consumer when purchasing the best product for you or your pet.

The type of sunscreen that you want for both you and your pet is the "broad spectrum" variety, which means that it blocks both types of harmful rays.

That

By Linda Fiorella

Calories in versus calories out. It's pretty basic stuff, really.

Of course, the equation gets a bit complicated when your plump pet lives to beg for treats. Add to that the aches and chronic health conditions of an aging dog, and the problem becomes even trickier to solve.

Finding the right solution, in conjunction with your veterinarian, can potentially add quality years to your dog's life. But what is that solution? What can you do when your senior pup is becoming a chunky monkey?

See Also: What to Do When Senior Dogs Develop Bad Habits

Vetstreet looks at some of the ways that veterinarians who work with senior dogs can address an older pet's portly physique, taking his aches and pains into account.

"Obesity has definitely increased - in people and in pets," says Dr. Bernadine Cruz, DVM, an associate veterinarian at the Laguna Hills Animal Hospital. "Back in 1960, about 6 to 12 percent of

By Linda Fiorella

Domesticated cats have given up most of their wild ways for a cushy life with humans.

One look at their teeth, however, quickly reminds us that felines haven't lost their ability to bite and chew, just like their untamed cousins.

See Also: 10 Human Foods That Are Dangerous for Pets

What they do with those teeth can be hazardous to all sorts of household objects - and even to cats themselves if the nosh item of choice happens to be plastic.

The chewing or eating of any nonfood items - dirt, electrical cords, carpeting and plastic - is known as pica. "I occasionally see a cat who likes to chew plastic. Most of them are normal household items, such as milk jug rings, the plastic ends of mini blind cords and straws," explains Dr. Amy Pike, DVM, of Veterinary Behavior Consultations in St. Louis, Mo.

There are various medical reasons for why a cat would develop pica, including dental disease or

See More on vetstreet.com:

* 12 Great Couch Potato Dogs
* Why Does My Dog ... Vomit Yellow Foam?
* How Do I Get My Dog to Sleep In His Own Bed?
* Surprising Sex Lives of Animals
* 14 Common Dog Behavior Myths Decoded

Source of the Original Article: 13 Dogs Breeds Ideal for Apartments

See More on vetstreet.com:

* 4 Household Hazards for Cats
* Why Do Cats Have Whiskers?
* 9 Most Chatty Cat Breeds
* Why Does My Cat... Sleep So Much?

Source of the Original Article: Meet 9 Cat Who Crave Affection

See More on vetstreet.com:

* What's the Deal With Whiskers? Why Cats Have Them
* Top 10 Trendiest Cat Names of 2012
* Why Women Love Men Who Love Cats
* Why Does My Cat... Stare at Me?

Source of the Original Article: Meet 9 Chatty Cat Breeds

By Dr. Ann Hohenhaus

I have a patient, Ajax, who lost his leg to cancer. Even though his owners found the tumor when it was very small, it was not a type that was responsive to chemotherapy or radiation. The tumor was attached to the bone, so no treatment other than amputation could eradicate the mass.

Ajax's story has a happy ending - after nearly two years, there's no sign of the tumor - but suggesting to an owner that I amputate a pet's leg never makes for a happy day in my clinic.

An amputation discussion day is sad because most owners have no experience with a three-legged dog or cat, and they tend to project their own negative feelings about amputation onto their pets.

See Also: My Pet Is Limping. What Should I Do?

I never suggest this radical surgery lightly, and I only recommend it to control pain or prolong a life. Humans can't walk on one leg or function well with only one arm. But cats and dogs come with three legs and a spare.