Breed specific cancer in dogs

Did you know that certain breeds of dogs are more likely to get specific types of cancer? Take Golden Retrievers for instance, one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. These dogs are known for two types of cancer, affecting them at higher rates than the overall dog population – lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system and often is first noticed when swollen lymph nodes are felt while petting around the head or neck. Hemangiosarcoma is a cancer of the blood system and is often found in the spleen or at the base of the heart. This cancer is often undetected until the pet collapses from a bleeding episode. A newly launched Canine Cancer Campaign vows to cure canine cancer within the next 10 to 20 years. The Golden Retriever Foundation is helping, by pledging $500,000 to the Canine Cancer Campaign over the next 5 years.

Other breeds that are more likely to develop lymphoma are Boxers, German Shepherds, Scottish Terriers, and West Highland White Terriers.

Regular checkups and good quality nutrition, like Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul brand pet foods, will help keep your pet happy and healthy.

Car rides with your pet…safety is the key.

We all know that dogs love to hang their heads out of the window when riding in the car, but are we inadvertently placing our pets in danger when we allow them do this?

I like to watch my dog enjoy herself; however, I do not want her to get hurt. It is possible for a dog to get debris in its eye which can cause trauma and even loss of sight. There have also been reports of dogs receiving other types of injuries such as blunt trauma, while riding with their heads outside.

Cats too, can get into trouble while riding in cars. A cat that is allowed to ride freely in a car can crawl under the seat, or worse, can crawl under your feet, causing problems with the gas and brake pedals. This can lead to an accident that can cause injury to both you and your pet.

At Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul, we know that pets who are allowed to ride freely in the vehicle can also get loose or escape when the door opens and the humans get out. This can create a dangerous situation as we often exit our cars onto busy streets with lots of traffic.

In the interest of keeping our pets safe, here is a list of simple steps you can take to prevent you or your pet (or your car) from being injured…

• Keep your pet in a carrier while traveling.
• If a carrier is not an option, there are special pet restraints or seat belts.
• Never open the door of your vehicle if you pet is not leashed or properly restrained

We at Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul, would like to remind you to NEVER leave your pet in a warm or hot car unattended as this can lead to heatstroke. Heatstroke is a life threatening situation for pets.

If you are going to travel with your pet, make sure to do it safely. Remember, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul is always looking for ways to help you care for your animal friends.

Can your pet increase your productivity at work?

Is life at the office stressing you out? Perhaps what you (and every other office) need is a built in stress reliever. Studies have shown that having a pet in the workplace can increase productivity and reduce stress.

Is bringing a cat or dog to the office a reasonable idea? Sure, though there are considerations to be made before any decision. Here is a list of questions you may want to ask yourself before bringing a pet to work…

• Are your pet’s vaccinations up to date? Make sure that you have a current rabies certificate on hand before bringing your pet.
• Is your pet aggressive towards people? Towards other animals? If so you may want to reconsider.
• Is your pet’s flea preventative up to date? Never bring a pet that is not treated.
• Is there a safe area for your pet? Some work places are just not good places for animals.
• Is anyone at your office allergic?

If your work environment is safe and friendly towards pets, the rewards can be amazing. Pets have a way of helping us see the lighter side of life and not take ourselves too seriously. Having a pet in the workplace can remind us to live in the moment. It can bring us out of our minds and remind us that there is more to life than work and give us new perspective.

Reduce your stress, bring your pet to work!