The holiday known as Cinco de Mayo — or Fifth of May — celebrates the victory in 1862 of the Mexican people over France. Many people confuse it with Mexican Independence Day which had actually happened fifty years earlier. Cinco de Mayo has become a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage more in the US than in Mexico, but whatever the reason, let’s have a pawty and and wish our Mexican furrends and neighbors a Festive Cinco de Mayo! Mommy made my China Poblana, a traditional dress worn by dancers at Fiestas.
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Posted by admin on May 2, 2013 – 8:30 am
Some families have a casual attitude about allowing the four-legged family member join them on the furniture, while other households have concerns about this practice. It can be hard to refuse that furry face and the big eyes silently pleading to join you, and most dogs want nothing more than to be curled up beside you at all times. Allowing your dog to join you on the sofa allows you to share companionship and snuggle time, but there are drawbacks to consider. Read More »
When I’m having a rough day, missing departed loved ones, or feeling overwhelmed by tight deadlines, I pull out the best prescription for lifting mood and spirit–a couple well-used dog leashes that will take me and my pups for a romp in the woods. As a doctor, I’ve taken this discovery of the health-boosting power of our pets to the next level, sharing my dogs with hospital patients, elementary students struggling to read, college students cramming for finals, and seniors living in nursing homes. A day at the end of the therapy dog’s leash is all the proof I need to show me the healing power of wagging tails. Read More »
Healthcare professionals seem to have their own language and are able to take a very simple concept and make it extremely complicated and difficult to understand. I suppose that provides a certain amount of job security. Today I will discuss a condition called KCS, “Keratoconjunctivitis sicca” which is complicated medical language for “dry eyes.”
KCS is more common in dogs than cats and it occurs when the eye does not make enough tears to keep it lubricated. It is more common in breeds such as the Cocker Spaniel, English Bulldog, Lhasa Apso, and West Highland Terrier. KCS may also be caused as a side-effect of certain medications such as sulfamethoxazole and other sulfonamides. Read More »
Hello everybuddy. Are you in the mood for a riddle? Well I am, so let’s go!
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Posted by admin on April 26, 2013 – 11:00 am
As you may know, at PetMeds we are pet owners but we’re also lucky enough to have kids in our lives, whether they are our own or through relatives. Since today is National Kids & Pets Day, we wanted to share a few pictures of our employee’s children (or relatives) featuring the pets that adore them.
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It was in July of 2010 that we started down this path, never knowing that the 20 fleece blankies that Mommy made and donated to Southern California Pomeranian Rescue would continue on as one of the best and most loved fundraisers for SCPR. Fast forward to now, and Mommy has actually made over 600 of them and they are still as popular as ever. My furrends really love that I pose for a photo with every blankie that is ordered and it is posted on my Facebook page. In fact, it was one of those photos that Mommy entered in the 2011 PetMeds Next Pet TV Star contest that I won, and sent me into the homes of millions of PetMeds customers over the television and in the printed ads that you still see when you order something. It was a Red, White, and Blue Bella Blankie, made especially for the Fourth of July holiday. Here is that photo:
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Posted by admin on April 25, 2013 – 8:20 am
Did you know that this Saturday is World Veterinary Day? Established in 2000 by the World Veterinary Association, this day is celebrated annually on the last Saturday of April. The idea behind the day is to celebrate the veterinary profession and highlight the global accomplishments of veterinarians. Each year a different theme is selected, with this year’s topic being “Vaccination to prevent and protect.” The goal is to raise awareness of the importance of vaccinations for disease prevention. World Veterinary Day is an international day, and the theme of vaccinations focuses on protecting both companion animals and livestock, which also helps protect people from zoonotic diseases. Veterinarians are crucial to the success of vaccination programs around the world.
While some countries are working to raise awareness of the need for pet vaccinations, here in the United States there is ready access to pet vaccinations and education about the importance of proper vaccinations for our pets. In fact, now there are growing discussions about the possible risks associated with vaccinations and optimal frequency of vaccinations. The position of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) regarding vaccinations is:
The vaccination needs of dogs and cats should be assessed at least yearly and, if appropriate, vaccination schedules should be modified on the basis of changes in the patient’s age, health status, home and travel environment, and lifestyle. Vaccinations should be considered just one component of an individualized, comprehensive preventive health-care plan based on the age, breed, health status, environment (potential exposure to harmful agents), lifestyle (contact with other animals), and travel habits of the dog or cat.
We recommend you work closely with your veterinarian and discuss your pet’s vaccination needs to establish a plan that’s optimal for your own dog or cat.
Dog can serve a wide range of roles: companions, police dogs, search and rescue dogs, military dogs, actors, and school mascots. Of course, I’m partial to therapy dogs–dogs trained to bring calm, comfort, and joy to people in need. Therapy dogs fill important roles improving moods, decreasing pain, and relieving stress in a wide range of environments. Therapy dogs may work in nursing homes, hospitals and hospices, libraries and schools, funeral homes, and even court houses. Wherever people need comfort and stress relief, you’ll find a role for a therapy dog. Read More »
As cats continue getting older because of better nutrition and veterinary care, the cases of cancer have also been on the rise. The bottom line is that cancer becomes more common in older cats and a lot more cats have been getting older. The good news is that treatment options are much better today than even a few years ago. Back in the 80’s when I thought my cat “Lynx” had a tumor, I can remember my mom telling us that she didn’t want the cat to be in pain, to get dehydrated, or to starve. Those were the rules that had to be adhered to whenever a decision was to be made regarding cancer treatment in a cat. Read More »
