Fireworks produce loud, explosive noises that can reach dangerous decibel levels, often exceeding 150 decibels (dB). To put this into perspective, normal conversation typically measures around 60 dB, while prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 dB can lead to permanent hearing loss. “Fireworks’ high decibel levels pose a significant risk, especially for children, individuals with… Continue reading Enjoy Fireworks Season Safely
Tag: Pets
New Ways to Display Holiday Poinsettias
Nothing says the holidays like a poinsettia. This year, try some new ways to display this festive plant. Poinsettias are available in a variety of colors including white, pink, hot pink, yellow, peach, marbled and speckled. These colorful parts of the plant, often referred to as flowers, are actually modified leaves called bracts. The real… Continue reading New Ways to Display Holiday Poinsettias
Pets and Medication Errors
Your dog or cat is sick, and you head to the animal hospital. The veterinarian prescribes medications that you hope will make your pet better. But with pets, as with people, medication errors can happen. Just as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitors medication errors that affect people, the agency watches out for mistakes… Continue reading Pets and Medication Errors
Disaster Preparedness for Your Pet
Pets are family. Do you have a plan for your pet in an emergency? Including pets in emergency plans helps your family’s ability to respond to an emergency. Be prepared: make a plan and prepare a disaster kit for your pet. Leaving pets out of evacuation plans can put pets, pet owners, and first responders… Continue reading Disaster Preparedness for Your Pet
Do You Have a Disaster Plan?
As the devastating flood Florence shows, extreme weather costs dozens of lives and billions of dollars in damage. What would you do if you were in the midst of a disaster? Are you ready to leave your home at a moment’s notice? Would you have all that you need? You can reduce your anxiety about… Continue reading Do You Have a Disaster Plan?
Helping Veterinarians Navigate Complex Care Situations
Advances in veterinary technology provide pet owners with an ever-increasing array of treatment options for their pets. However, more options can lead to complex situations and difficult questions about care goals and quality of life that must be navigated by veterinary caregivers and pet owners. Clinicians and researchers from North Carolina State University and Duke… Continue reading Helping Veterinarians Navigate Complex Care Situations
Living with (and Loving) Senior Pets
I don’t feel good admitting this, but sometimes I’m impatient with my two old dogs, Basil and Rinaldo. Their gait is slow and uncertain. They need help getting in and out of the car. They have to go out more often to relieve themselves, and the really old one, Rinaldo, does not want to go… Continue reading Living with (and Loving) Senior Pets
Is My Dog or Cat a Healthy Weight? Questions to Ask Your Vet
Pets, like people, can be obese. Here are some tips from the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on how to recognize whether your furry friend should go on a diet. Your 8-year-old chocolate lab is putting on weight, and you know she should probably lose a pound or two. But when she looks at… Continue reading Is My Dog or Cat a Healthy Weight? Questions to Ask Your Vet
Keep Your Dogs and Cats Safe From Holiday Hazards
This holiday season, while you’re busy decorating, cooking, and wrapping gifts, remember to watch out for holiday temptations for your pets. FDA veterinarian Carmela Stamper tells how to keep your animals safe. Stocking Stuffers and Pet Treats If your dog received a stocking full of pet treats, make sure he doesn’t gobble them all up… Continue reading Keep Your Dogs and Cats Safe From Holiday Hazards
10 Questions to Ask Your Veterinarian About Medications for Your Pet
To prevent or treat an illness in your pet, your veterinarian may prescribe a medication. Understanding important information about the medication and how to treat your pet can help your animal’s recovery or continued good health. “Just as you would talk to your doctor about a medicine prescribed for you or your children, you should… Continue reading 10 Questions to Ask Your Veterinarian About Medications for Your Pet
The Health Benefits of Pets
Millions of people around the country have pets, most commonly cats and dogs, and they can feel the benefits, but there are some they may not even be aware of. Pets bring more to our lives than just a few laughs as they do something silly and pose for the camera. They give us a… Continue reading The Health Benefits of Pets
Prevent Heartworm in Pets Year Round
If you’ve been to a veterinarian’s office, chances are you’ve seen the photos on the wall of worms growing from the heart of a dog or cat. Although these images may be unsettling, the message is clear: Heartworm disease is fatal to pets. The good news: You can protect your pet from this disease. “It’s… Continue reading Prevent Heartworm in Pets Year Round
How to Make Your Dog’s Meals Nutritious – and Fun
Getting it right at meal time isn’t always easy for busy dog owners. There’s a tendency to grab a bag of store-bought dog food, pour it in the bowl and be done with it. “I’ve seen 18-year-old dogs that have been fed nothing but commercial food all their lives,” says veterinarian Dani McVety. Some of… Continue reading How to Make Your Dog’s Meals Nutritious – and Fun
Understanding Diabetes in Dogs
Researchers are drawing closer to an explanation of canine diabetes, a little-understood but serious condition. Their continuing investigation could eventually lead to insights about treating humans with diabetes. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Baylor College of Medicine have used advanced imaging technology to precisely quantified the dramatic loss of insulin-producing beta cells in… Continue reading Understanding Diabetes in Dogs
Seniors and Emergency Preparedness
Disaster comes in many forms: hurricanes, tornadoes, environmental crises and terrorist attacks. And they all come with little warning, if any. You and your family are likelier to do better, or even survive, depending on how much preparation you have made. Senior citizens especially need to be aware of what they should do before disaster… Continue reading Seniors and Emergency Preparedness
9 Savings Tricks to Care for Your Dog
Proud pet parents across the country will agree that owning a dog is priceless. However, there are lots of expenses that come with caring for your favorite canine: The American Kennel Club (AKC) estimates dog owners dish out an average of $2,500 per year on food, veterinary expenses, grooming, pet sitting and more. Additionally,… Continue reading 9 Savings Tricks to Care for Your Dog
5 Tips for an All-American Doggy Road Trip
DOGGY ROAD TRIP TIP #1: TAKE A JOY RIDE Was your pup’s last ‘road trip’ a trip to the vet? If so, chances are he¹s going to get nervous when he hears your keys jingling. Before your trip, take him on a short ride to the park to make the car a place where fun things happen, too. DOGGY ROAD TRIP… Continue reading 5 Tips for an All-American Doggy Road Trip
Countering Pet Obesity by Rethinking Feeding Habits
190 million Americans share the luxuries of human life with their pets. Giving dogs and cats a place in human homes, beds and sometimes even their wills comes with the family member package. Among these shared human-pet comforts is the unique luxury to overeat. As a result, the most common form of malnutrition for Americans… Continue reading Countering Pet Obesity by Rethinking Feeding Habits