The following article was published in the July issue of the HealthyPetNet Newsletter:

In the summer of one of the most turbulent economic periods in a lifetime, Americans are rediscovering simplicity and frugality.  These days, it’s not uncommon to see a small group playing an impromptu game of Frisbee, or a couple enjoying a nature hike through a local park, or an extended family spending an afternoon in the backyard barbecuing.

The summer months provide ample opportunities for outdoor fun, whether your idea of open-air enjoyment is a power-walk with your dog or watching an afternoon storm roll in from the safety of a back porch with your cat.  These activities help us brush away the winter cobwebs, shedding new light on our daily life.  But sometimes, we make discoveries that are not altogether pleasant.  Too often, the thinner, summer coats of our pets can reveal what winter coats have hidden from plain view – reddened skin irritations, possibly the sign of a seasonal or chronic allergy.

That’s right … just like humans, pets suffer from allergies.  Allergens can come from any number of sources, including grasses, trees, molds, dust mites and flea bites.  Even their food may contain allergens.  With all of these possible culprits, how can a pet parent learn what’s causing their pet’s allergy?

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A new study reveals which U.S. cities are top dogs when it comes to pet health.

The study, conducted by the Purina Pet Institute, ranked those cities that exemplify superior care, services and legislation for pets’ health and well-being. It analyzed 30 different criteria ranging from veterinarian-to-pet ratios to incidence of obesity to rabies legislation. The top five Pet Healthiest Cities are:

1. Denver, Colo.
2. Oakland, Calif.
3. Portland, Ore.
4. Anaheim, Calif.
5. San Francisco, Calif.

“This is the only comprehensive evaluation of factors that impact pets’ health and affect their quality of life,” said Dan Christian, DVM, executive director of the Purina Pet Institute.

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From the September, 2008, issue of the HealthyPetNet newsletter:

Your Pet and Your Health

Many of us agree that we should do everything within our power to make sure that our companion animals enjoy the best possible health.  But did you know that simply by being a part of your life, your dog or cat could actually help you to be not only happier but healthier, too?

Of course you did.  It’s all part of the privilege (and fun!) of being a pet parent.  What you may not know is that there’s plenty of science to back it up.  A wealth of knowledge regarding the health benefits associated with having companion animals has been accumulated over the last two decades, including numerous research studies in the U.S. and abroad.

A study published in The British Journal of Health Psychology reports that people who have companion animals tended to be healthier than those who did not.  Additionally, when a dog was part of the family, the members had fewer minor ailments, lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol.  Although the explanation for these advantages is unclear, researchers speculated that all benefits could be accounted for by reduced levels of stress, possibly due to increased physical activity and levels of social interaction.

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Food allergies are often difficult to identify unless you are aware of the symptoms. The main symptoms of food allergies in dogs include facial itching, limb chewing, belly itching, recurrent ear infections or skin infections.

Since the dogs consume lot of prepared food materials including various kinds of proteins, fillers, coloring agents and more; in the commercial food materials, the incidences of food allergies are more than one can imagine. Allergic reactions mostly involve the skin or the gastro intestinal tract.

If you come across your dog itching after the provision of specific food materials, then suspect the food allergy in this animal. However, conditions like fungal infections need to be ruled out in general before the conclusion of itching as a sign of food allergy.

There are many recorded incidences of allergies in dogs to corn or wheat. However, the food allergies vary from dog to dog. Read the labels carefully before feeding your dog. Too much colored food materials and/or chemicals should be avoided.

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From the May, 2008, HealthyPetNet Life’s Abundance Newsletter:

Special Message from Dr. Jane

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Hyperthyroidism has become a frequently diagnosed illness in cats in recent decades. And new research implicates an environmental source.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE’s), chemicals used only in recent decades as a flame retardant, have been shown in research to cause injury to the feline nervous system, as well as interfere with the production of certain hormones. Scientists are concerned that these chemicals could also lead to similar symptoms in humans, too.

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Dr. Jane Bicks, DVM
HealthyPetNet Veterinarian Formulator

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Here’s wishing you and your companion animal a happy and safe Spring.

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Spring may just have started last week, but it was 90 degrees in Phoenix yesterday when we visited our kids for Easter. The hot weather will soon be on us in many parts of the country, which prompted me to write the following reminder.

If you live in a climate that has sticky, hot, summer days, you may find yourself longing for cooler days. Your pet will definitely agree! In warm weather, it is necessary for you to care for your pet’s health so that he or she does not become overheated. Remember, a pet is like a newborn baby—they cannot tell you that they are hot or uncomfortable. You have to notice warning signs and provide a good living environment so that your pet does not get too hot.

When you take your pet places during the summer, never ever let it inside of a parked car, even for a short time. Cars quickly become ovens in the summertime, even when you park in the shade, or even if you have the windows cracked. Your pet will not be able to alert people in order to get out of your car safely. In as little as ten to fifteen minutes, your pet could die from the heat in a parked car, and parking in the shade does little good to prevent this, since the sun continuously moves and the heat of the air alone will be bad for your pet. If your pet will be going with you, make sure they are allowed wherever you will be.

When the heat index is high, keep your pets inside. Pets that are not outdoors most of the time won’t know where the cooler places to hide are, or they may find these cooler places and not return home. Hot asphalt can also wreak havoc on a pet’s health, as it can burn his or her sensitive paw pads. If your pet does go outside, make sure that he or she is let back inside after only a few minutes on the hottest days of the summer. Basically, if it is recommended that seniors and children stay inside, it is good for pets to stay indoors as well.

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There are a number of medical conditions in cats that may seem like they don’t really harm the cat, but in actuality, they can really take a toll on a cat’s health. One such disorder is over-grooming, which is a stress-related condition that can be compared to obsessive-compulsive disorders in humans. Over-grooming can be very dangerous, so if you see symptoms of this disorder in your cat, talk to your vet right away to find out what you can do to help.

Over-grooming usually starts when there has been a big change in your cat’s life, such as a new baby or pet in the house or a move. Cats naturally groom themselves often, and this activity is like a massage that cats love to do. Therefore, if your cat is stressed out about a change in his or her life, your cat may groom as an attempt to remain calm. Over-grooming takes place with the cat excessively licks or pulls out fur, resulting in bald spots. Commonly, the areas affected by over-grooming at the inner thighs and forelegs.

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