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Why I chose to clone my once-in-a-lifetime dog
Dr. Daniel E. Grayson Pet CareIn my practice, I make many house calls to assess and treat animals who are often elderly or very sick — nearly half of my business is in-home euthanasia. Distraught pet owners are often looking for ways to ease their grief and maintain their bond with a sick or dying animal companion.
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Ethology and veterinary practice: Canine and feline sexual politics
Dr. Myrna Milani Pet CareEven though practitioners readily acknowledge that gonads aren't the only source of male and female hormones in the animal body, the belief that spaying and neutering eliminates sexual behaviors persists. Even if practitioners don't necessarily believe this, they may not be able to convince their clients otherwise.
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Keep these pet tips in mind as fall arrives
Janet Piercey Pet CareAs much we don't want the warm weather to go away, we can't deny the fact that leaves are slowing falling to the ground, and there is a chill in the air. That's right! Fall officially arrived Sept. 22, and that crisp, cool air is a sign of the changing seasons. And while both you and your pet are likely enjoying a break from summer's hot and sticky weather, we must remember there are looming dangers and hazards for our furry friends. Not only do we have to our safety in mind, but theirs, too.
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Ethology and veterinary practice: Tricky treat dilemmas
Dr. Myrna Milani Pet CareA fairly common event in my behavioral practice involves clients who handle their animals' timid or fear-based aggressive displays by having the person the animal perceives as a threat feed the animal treats. When asked to think about how this human response could affect the animal's long-term behavior, some experience a light bulb moment and exclaim, "I'm asking those people to reward the behavior! No wonder Zippy still acts that way!"
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Reality bites: Dog attacks and the elderly
Dr. Denise A. Valenti Pet CareEach year there are 4.5 million dog bites (Bites), and animal bites make up 1 percent of all emergency room visits at a cost of over $50 million a year. (Cost) From 2005 to 2015, there were 360 deaths caused by dog attacks in the United States.(years)
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Ethology and veterinary practice: Effect of person
Dr. Myrna Milani Pet CareWhy could putting a "Watch!" or "Aggressive!" label on a patient file backfire if the file included no supporting behavioral and bond information? This takes us to one of the unique factors that characterizes the natural environment of companion animals compared to their wild counterparts: they live in a human-controlled environment. However, long before homosapiens entered the scene, wild animals routinely shared their environments with animals belonging to different and similar species.
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5 things to check when shipping pets internationally
Sally Smith Pet CareIn today's transient society, more and more families are relocating for work, retirement or personal reasons. Summer is prime relocation time for corporations, since families prefer to be moved when children are out of school.
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Nonverbal animal communication: The fear fight response
Dr. Myrna Milani Pet CareThe fear-fight response appears last in the discussion of fear responses, even though the possibility of an animal opting for this response ranks first in most veterinarians' minds. However, it is the last option the majority of animals will choose.
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Comforting our pets when they are under the weather
Hope Barton Pet CareItchy eyes, a runny nose and a sore throat are all too familiar for those of us who suffer from allergies. Although the changing of seasons is a welcome sight for many, the onslaught of pollen and mold can all too literally cause headaches. But next time you reach for a tissue, keep in mind you might not be the only one suffering. According to Vetinfo, "allergies may affect up to half of American dogs," and research show cats are similarly affected.
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Nonverbal animal communication: The fear flight response
Dr. Myrna Milani Pet CareWhereas fear freeze responses seek to limit physical activity as much as possible, the goal of the flight response is to put as much distance between the perceived threat and the self as possible. As with the freeze response, flee responses may take different forms.
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