Maintain an up-to-date list of your pet’s medications, and the schedule on which they are administered. In the event of an emergency, we need to be sure that the care we administer does not conflict with on-going procedures.
The word veterinarian was derived from the Latin “veterinae”, meaning ‘working animals’. The term veterinarian was coined by Thomas Browne in 1646 and is cited by the Oxford English Dictionary as the source of the word.
The most owned pet in the US is neither dog nor cat, but fish! According to APPA, there are 139.3 million freshwater fish kept as pets. In comparison, there are 94.2 million pet cats and 89.7 million pet dogs.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the first veterinary school was founded by Dr. Claude Bourgelat in Lyons, France in the 1760s. Originally planning to become a lawyer, Dr. Bourgelat eventually gave in to his love for animals.
Because of their curious nature, it’s not unusual for puppies to experience vomiting and diarrhea. However, because they are more prone to dehydration, it’s important to rush them to an animal hospital if symptoms persist for more than 24 hours.
While most vets cater to companion animals such as dogs and cats, 16 percent of vet services are dedicated to farm animals and wildlife. Six percent of vet services are dedicated to horses.
Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that is characterized by fever, cough, eye and nasal discharge, lethargy, vomiting, and even seizures in more serious cases. The disease has a 50% fatality rate.
Did you know that the parvovirus can live in the environment for as long as a year? Despite aggressive treatment, some dogs aren’t able to survive the disease. Vaccination can save you from the expense and the pain of losing a beloved pet.
Those working at animal hospitals are some of the most compassionate people you’ll ever meet. Not only do they care about animals, but they also empathize with pet owners during their most difficult periods.
Pets that suffer from certain medical conditions may require some dietary changes. For instance, dogs with kidney problems should be given high-quality protein with reduced sodium and phosphorous. Animal nutrition is one of the things a vet will discuss with you during hospital visits.
Heartworm is a serious and deadly disease that may cause organ failure in an infected animal. Transmitted through the bite of a mosquito, heartworm primarily affects dogs, cats, and ferrets. In dogs, heartworms can live for 5 to 7 years.
According to the 2019-2020 survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 67% of US households own a pet. This translates to about 85 million households, 63.4 million of which own a dog.
Did you know that Dalmatians are pure white when they are born? The spots don’t appear until they’re at least four weeks of age. More interestingly, these spots can also be blue, brindle, or lemon in color!
A 2009 study reported that micro-chipped cats were 20 times more likely to be returned home than cats that aren't, while micro-chipped dogs were 2.5 times more likely to be found than dogs without.
Regarded as one of the most compassionate vets in history, Dr. William Llewelyn Lloyd-Jones was known for saving abandoned pets during World War II. He purchased an estate merely to house all kinds of animals.
To help prevent injuries, always keep your pet on a leash when you walk it, regardless of how well-trained it is. You never know how other animals are being walked or what may cause your pet to suddenly bolt into danger.
Do you know that cats have better memories than dogs? Studies conducted by the University of Michigan have found that while a dog's memory lasts just 5 minutes, a cat's memory can last as long as 16 hours.
Great Danes are known for their large size. Do you know that male Great Danes can attain an impressive height of 30 to 34 inches and weigh as much as 120 to 200 pounds?
Amino acids in animals work in the same way as they do in humans. For example, Taurine, an amino acid that dogs can make, helps the heart pump effectively. Its deficiency can cause the heart to weaken.
Cats beat both dogs and humans when it comes to heart rate. While a typical cat’s heart rate ranges from 140-220 beats per minutes, dogs are at 60-140. A human heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute.
Cats with heart disease are more vulnerable to dangerous blood clots that can break off and cause paralysis of the legs. Thus, it’s important to get your pet’s heart health screened regularly by a vet.
What is Vasculitis? It is a term used to describe a variety of skin diseases that are caused by the inflammation of blood vessels. In dogs and cats, vasculitis is treated with medications.
