Spotlight E.P. News

CAT, MEET DOG Dogs and cats can be friends, if introduced properly

Posted on 11. Nov, 2010 by admin.

One thing that never fails to get a smile out of me is seeing my big orange cat, Ilario, happily curled up and purring loudly next to — and occasionally on top of — one of my four dogs. I love how well everyone gets along: They don’t just tolerate each other — they actually like each other.

It didn’t start out that way, though. When Ilario arrived as a kitten, he spent more time puffed up and ready to run than purring. Once he realized he wasn’t in any danger from his new four-legged family, he was able to relax and eventually even warmed to their company. Some nights I even catch him grooming my gentlest dog, 14-year-old Drew.

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HITTING THE BOX – Cat potty problems seem worse during the winter

Posted on 29. Oct, 2010 by admin.

When the weather turns colder and houses close up for warmth, every little thing starts to annoy us. Like the smell of the litter box, or (worse) the smell of a cat who’s not using the litter box at all.

But don’t blame the cat.

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EASING THE CHALLENGES OF AGE- Older dogs can stay happy, active with your help

Posted on 22. Oct, 2010 by admin.

Your dog may breeze through years of senior citizenship without any significant health issues, but sooner or later, age catches up with even the most resilient of canine companions.

You may one day discover that your dog can’t see or hear anymore, or that he’s developed an irritable streak where he didn’t have one before. In many cases, the first really distressing issue to come up is incontinence — an old dog may dribble urine in his bed or in the house — and suddenly you have a problem.

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GROOM FOR HEALTH – Keeping pets clean and huggable is good medicine

Posted on 14. Oct, 2010 by admin.

Beauty is more than skin-deep when it comes to your dog. Keeping your pet well-groomed not only gives you a clean-smelling companion, it also helps keep your dog more comfortable and allows you to spot health problems before they become serious, even life-threatening.

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Frightfully fun – Indulge your dog in Halloween, but be safe about it

Posted on 09. Oct, 2010 by admin.

When did Halloween become such a big holiday? It’s second only to Christmas, it seems, for decorating and celebrating, with special stores full of frightful fare and merchandise hitting all other retailers before summer is over.

It’s all in fun, of course, and whenever pet lovers have fun, our pets are usually included.

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TICK TALK – Pet lovers win a few battles, but ticks winning the war

Posted on 19. Aug, 2010 by admin.

ATLANTA — Spot a flea or two on your dog or cat, and the reaction is likely to be a slight shudder and a mental note to check the calendar to see if it’s time for the monthly application of a few magic drops between the shoulder blades.
But spot a tick or two on your pet, and the reaction is more likely to be a string of swear words, or even a scream.
There’s something about those nasty eight-legged pests that evokes a visceral reaction and does more than trigger a desire for parasite control:

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PREVENTION IS KEY A few simple steps can help prevent cancer

Posted on 13. Aug, 2010 by admin.

Prevention is always a better option, no matter what the problem. It’s usually easier, less expensive and certainly less painful. That’s never been more true than when it comes to cancer.
While cancer is more treatable than ever before, veterinarians also know more about what steps can be taken to help prevent the dreaded disease.
To reduce the risk of cancer in your pet:

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MODERN MIRACLES – Veterinary specialists offer hope with advanced care options

Posted on 30. Jul, 2010 by admin.

The advances in veterinary medicine in just the last couple of decades have been dramatic, and these days many of the same lifesaving options in human medicine are also available to pets, often through skilled veterinary specialists.
Still, the idea that advanced treatments for cancer and other diseases or injuries are too much “to put a pet through” remains a common one, says Dr. Sandy Willis, a veterinarian who specializes in internal medicine.
But Josh, Tessa, Missy and Emma would surely beg to differ. The three dogs and one cat bore mute testimony to the power of veterinary medicine and an owner’s love at the 2010 conference of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, held recently in Anaheim, Calif.

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KNOW YOUR RISKS Too many pet owners stress about the wrong things

Posted on 23. Jul, 2010 by admin.

When it comes to food, household cleaners and plants, veterinary experts say that pet lovers spend too much time worrying about products that aren’t much of a problem and generally don’t know about the things that truly are.
How can you know what’s safe and what’s not?
“Check multiple sources for confirmation,” says veterinarian Dr. Steven Hansen, head of the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center, noting that the APCC’s website (ASPCA.org/APCC) is a great resource, as is the urban myth website Snopes.com. “Question it all, and if you have any question at all, ask your own veterinarian.”

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IN THE SWIM – Finny pets are just the ticket for homes and offices

Posted on 16. Jul, 2010 by admin.

If you’re looking for a way to lower your stress, improve your health and get your children off the couch, part of the answer may be fish — not eating them, but keeping them.
Whether you choose a small tank with a few freshwater fish or a stunning saltwater setup that makes you feel like a deep-sea diver without getting wet, you’ll be getting some of the proven benefits of keeping fish. Studies showing the stress-relieving nature of fish-gazing have led to the proliferation of tanks in clinical settings such as dental offices and nursing homes. Tanks have helped calm troubled children and stimulate appetites in adults with diminished brain function.
The benefits of fish extend to the home as well.

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SAFER TRAVELS – Secure pets are a better bet on the road

Posted on 25. Jun, 2010 by admin.

The number of people who travel with their dogs is growing, and so too are the options for pets on the road. From “ruffing it” at campgrounds to enjoying fabulous four-star hotels, the time has never been better to pack up your pet and go.
Still, traveling with a dog is no picnic sometimes. Finding lodgings can be difficult, luxurious inside dining is largely sacrificed in favor of eating takeout in the car or a park, and spending hours tripping through quaint shops becomes a thing of the past when a dog is waiting. Traveling with dogs offers some challenges, but nearly all are surmountable with common sense and creativity.

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Harmonic Convergence – With proper introductions, cats and dogs can get along

Posted on 28. May, 2010 by admin.

Can cats and dogs get along? While cats and dogs scheming against each other is a comedic staple, millions of real-life cats and dogs live in harmony, and millions of people feel no family would be complete without at least one of each pet.
Getting a dog and cat to accept one another can be difficult, though, as anyone who’s tried to introduce them knows. There are some basic steps to getting both pets to at least call an interspecies truce.

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Common-sense pet care prevents disease

Posted on 14. May, 2010 by admin.

If you think about all the diseases one can contract from animals — from rabies to worms and more — it’s almost enough to make you want to go pet-free and wrap yourself up in plastic.
In fact, it’s pretty mind-boggling how many diseases and parasites can be passed from pets to humans. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control helpfully supplies a pretty scary list of them. The CDC’s Healthy

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