Animals Unfolded

'Are there any specific issues that I need to be aware of with regard to your pet?', is a question that I ask with regard to any new-to-me animal that will be in my care. One of the most common replies elicits a giggle or two on my part, and a word of reassurance which usually sets an embarrassed pet owner at ease. 'Well... they have really bad gas. I hope that's not a problem.' I'm definitely no stranger to the effluvious side of caring for pets. Flatulence in dogs is common. In some dogs, it seems to be more odorous than others. In any case, gas can occur for a lot of reasons which are mostly simple and harmless. Gas occurs either when an excessive amount of air is swallowed due to being a brachycephalic dog (as in the case of bulldogs or pugs), having a respiratory condition or in those dogs that gulp down their food – but gas is most commonly produced in the intestine. In the latter case, stomach contents, which are acidic, meet the more alkaline small inte...

We know so much less about cats than their canine counterparts when it comes to their behavior, habits — and in some respects, their health. There's been a lot of interest garnered in knowing more. Perhaps because of the strides that have been made in the area of genetic sequencing of dogs and other mammals, the goal of one project getting underway at UC Davis, in Davis, Calif., called the 99 Lives Cat Whole Genome Sequencing Initiative, is to put together a genetic portrait of felines. Leslie Lyons , a former professor at UC Davis (now with the University of Missouri), knows that as technology grows to help foster a better understanding of disease and how to treat it in cats, getting to the root of things by way of mapping out the feline genome could be helpful. Nine cats were originally slated for the study, however Lyon and her colleagues decided that  number was too small to build a comprehensive genetic portrait. So instead, they went with ninety-nine. Mapping out the over 20,...

Admittedly, being a professional dog walker is a lot of fun: You are greeted by your charges with a lot of enthusiasm, the premise of your time together is all about fun and positivity and you never know what to expect. The latter statement is probably the most important. Not knowing what to expect can be an exhilarating thing — but it's also something that needs to be taken quite seriously. The need for dogs to get out and about and experience the world is something that myself and fellow dog professionals stress is necessary, and for good reason. Exercise is important, sure, just as the socialization with people, other dogs, and their environment. It's the socialization part that can throw a wrench into the best intentions when it comes to taking some pets out for some fun, especially if one or more of them have trouble handling themselves with regard to their behavior. In households with multiple dogs, I often hear about the struggles that are encountered when trying to walk...

The idea of having spay and neuter procedures done early in a pet's life has become the rule with the uptick in pets being adopted from shelters and rescues, and one main reason behind it is certainly compelling: Addressing the overpopulation problem. There are other reasons that support the idea of having pets spayed and neutered early on. The reduction of the rates of some cancers in both species and sexes is touted, like mammary cancer in female cats . Longer life spans due to decreased risk of death from infectious diseases and trauma are also benefits. Early spay and neuter procedures – in the case of shelters, very early — have seen their share of controversy in recent years as well, and the reasons why are frequently discussed in hushed tones in my midst at least a couple of times per month. I think that the fact that the topic getting attention at all is important. One study conducted at UC Davis and published in February of 2013, included over 700 Golde...

"Rabbits can be taught to use a litter box?" Those not familiar with bunnies often respond with that question if the topic of these cute, furry creatures enters a conversation that I'm engaged in. Many people that I meet think of dogs and cats when they envision what I do in my day-to-day, and they're surprised to learn that I'm a caregiver for other species, like rabbits and exotic birds. Bunnies are a popular pet with families with school-age children, and they're actually a lot of fun and easy to care for, so long as they are given the diligence and attention that they need. People are generally intrigued when they think of a rabbit having the capacity to go to a litter box to do their business. After all, when a lot of us envision a rabbit, we think of those brown-flecked, skittish creatures that we see in our backyards early in the morning. But in using our long-eared friends' wild instincts when it comes to elimination, training them to have indoor m...

Flickr photo by marioanima Ohio-based Pro-Pet, LLC has initiated a voluntary recall of a limited number of their dry dog and cat food formulas citing a possible Salmonella contamination. According to an FDA press release, a single field test indicated that products manufactured on a single production line, and during a window of two days may have the potential for Salmonella contamination. There have been no reported illnesses related to the product. These types of recalls reiterate two important points when handling pet consumables: the need for safe handling and handwashing techniques , and saving the UPC code information from product packaging . Salmonella, also referred to as salmonellosis , causes digestive problems, and dogs will typically present with fever, diarrhea, vomiting and weakness. Other symptoms can occur. Salmonella can affect other animals —  not just the dogs who consume the treats. There is risk to humans just the same, from handling contaminate...

Flickr photo by Bob Haarmans Wearable technology is a hot topic right now, and for good reason: It's designed to make life easier and more productive. It's a boon to many, and though it's not a topic that I ever thought that I would be writing about when it comes to dogs, here I am. When you think of wearable technology, what comes to mind? Google Glass? FitBit? The advances that are here are pretty interesting to say the least, and the current trends were debated as far as usefulness and safety on a recent segment of the Diane Rehm Show.  Where this technology is going is exciting, and it goes beyond the FitBit-like Whistle, now available for dogs.  One application of wearable technology that's piqued my interest for obvious reasons, was with the use of dogs with jobs: those certified as service dogs, sniffing out bombs, cadavers and live victims of catastrophes.  Thad Starner, technical lead/manager of Google's Project Glass and directo...