Feline Heartworm Disease.

You may not know that heartworm disease can be found in cats. Though not as prevalent as in dogs, it still poses a real threat. While the reasons are not exactly known, indoor cats seem to be more susceptible to the disease than outdoor cats. Heartworms in cats are often hard to diagnose because the symptoms bear a resemblance to many other diseases. Traditional tests may not detect the worms because there may be only one. Feline heartworm is most often misdiagnosed as feline asthma because the symptoms are very similar. Heartworm symptoms don’t show up in cats until 2-3 months after they have been infected. At this time there is no approved treatment for cats if they do contract heartworms. The only way to prevent this disease is through monthly doses of oral or topical medication which can be prescribed by your vet.

Symptoms of Feline Heartworm:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Difficulty breathing
• Anorexia
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Weight loss
• Some cats show no signs at all, but die suddenly

Adult heartworms can live between 2-3 years in cats and when they die can cause an embolism in the cat. This can be fatal to the cat.

If your cat should show signs of any of the symptoms listed above, contact your vet for further evaluation. If it is found that your cat does have heartworm, your vet will want to monitor your cat’s condition over time. The vet will recommend 6-12 month checkups to watch the progress of the disease.

If you have any questions please contact your vet for more information.

Artificial Intelligence software used to Determine Dog Bark Meaning

In a recent study, it has been shown that computer software can recognize and determine the meaning of a dog bark. 14 Hungarian Sheep Dogs had over 6,000 barks recorded and tested with computers and humans. These barks were then broken down into 6 different bark types.

1. Dogs barking at strangers

2. Barks during a fight (with a trainer and protective clothing, not dog fights)

3. Barks for walks

4. Barks for balls

5. Playtime barks

6. Barks while the dog was left alone and the owner walked out of sight

It was determined that overall, computers and humans can recognize different barks types. Humans were able to better determine the play and alone bark and computers were better able to determine the walk and ball bark.

Dogs were chosen for this experiment because of their long companionship with humans. It was noted that when humans speak to dogs, you can understand their intentions, where communication between just animals is harder to understand. In the future other dog breeds will be used. The different types of dogs could impact how they communicate with each other and humans. To read the full article please visit: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22689420/

New Year’s Resolution Take “2”

Now that the New Year is well underway it is time to check and see how you are doing with your New Year’s Resolution. Have you been walking your dog like you said you would? If not, now is the time to renew your goals for the year. You don’t have to do as much as you think, just make a little extra commitment to your dog. This little extra will go a long way in health and fitness, and will ultimately be rewarding for you when you observe that your dog is happier. Here are some more ways to exercise your dog and have a little fun while you are at it.

Dog Parks – Dog parks are a great way to exercise your dog and for you to meet new people. A lot of these parks are built in conjunction with new communities, state parks and other recreational areas. Some offer toys, separation of areas by size of dog and washing stations. To find a dog park near you check here: Dog Parks

Play more – Find an open area and play more ball or Frisbee. Not only will this get your dog exercise, but it will offer the same benefits to you. If you get truly inspired and want to take the next step, you can enter Frisbee competitions or get involved with Flyball.

Dog Hiking – Many areas offer paths or hiking trails to walk your dog. If your dog is trained well, there are even areas where you can let him off leash to go and explore. This is a great way to take in some nature, spend time with your dog and get some exercise. For more information on hiking with your dog see Hiking With your Dog .

Any of these activities will get you in better shape. Each can be rewarding as well. There is nothing better than a tired dog sprawled out on the floor after a long play session.

Pet Dental Health

Taking care of your dog or cat’s teeth is one of the most important things you can do. Research has shown that if periodontal disease goes untreated, it can lead to other health problems with your pet. Tooth loss, heart, liver and kidney problems can be effects of periodontal disease. Since February is National Pet Dental Health month, here are some preventative measures you can take to reduce the risk of periodontal disease in your pet.

• Take your pet into your vet for regular check ups and have the vet check the teeth. With these checks, the vet will recommend things you can do at home to aid in the fight of this disease

• Brush your pet’s teeth as much as possible. This routine is easiest to start with a puppy or kitten, but an older dog or cat can learn the routine as well. Be sure to use toothpaste formulated for your dog or cat. Never use human tooth paste because it can make your dog or cat very sick.

• Look for signs of disease at home. If you notice the following symptoms, contact your vet and make an appointment to have them checked:
• Sudden pawing at the face or change in eating habits
• Depression
• Bad Breath
• Broken Teeth
• Tooth Loss

Any of these can be a symptom of an oral disease.