Obedience Training Club of Bartlesville
Did You Know
06/10/09 22:35 Filed in: Member Article
Did you know that cats are now the most popular pet in the United States? Cats are considered a low-maintenance pet when compared to dogs. They do not need as much exercise or require regular walks. They are quiet. Except for the longhaired breeds, such as Persians and Himalayans, cats require less grooming than many of the dog breeds. The cost of feeding the average cat is less than the average dog. Often considered independent and unsocial, cats are actually very affectionate pets, particularly when kept in the house. Yet cats are far less likely to receive routine veterinary care when compared to dogs. Cats need annual vaccinations and routine physical exams just like dogs.
Did you know that owning a pet can be beneficial to your health? There have been many studies showing that owning a pet can reduce blood pressure. Even something as simple as watching fish in an aquarium can drop blood pressure by several points. Patients who own pets have a longer survival rate following open heart surgery than those who do not own pets. Pets can be beneficial for people with certain types of psychological disorders, particularly anxiety and depression. Dogs can detect seizures, allowing epileptic patients to get themselves to a safe place before a seizure occurs. Dogs have also been found to detect drops in blood sugar in diabetic patients, warning them to check their sugar levels and eat something. Patients report increased independence and improved ability to cope with their disease by living with such animals.
Did you know that dogs can even detect cancer? Dogs have been shown to detect malignant melanomas, a common form of skin cancer in people. They are also being used to identify the presence of bladder cancer by smelling urine samples from human patients. The use of dogs in the medical field, taking advantage of their superior sense of smell, is growing all the time.
Did you know that eating grass is normal for dogs and cats? Dog owners usually associate eating grass with an upset stomach, since many dogs vomit after eating grass. While some dogs only eat grass when they are ill, a recent survey of pet owners showed that the majority of pets who eat grass are not sick at all. If you watch them closely, most dogs are very selective about the type of grasses they eat, often going for the new shoots or particular clovers. You can buy special kits to grow grass indoors that is safe for your cat to graze on, if you have a feline plant eater. Apparently, some dogs and cats simply like some fresh greens in their diet.
Did you know that there is a new antibiotic injection approved for use in dogs and cats that lasts for two weeks? Primarily used for skin infections and cat bite abscesses, a single injection provides sustained blood levels of the antibiotic for two weeks. The extra cost is well worth it, particularly for cats that are difficult to give oral medications.
Did you know that there are veterinary specialists, just as there are human doctors who specialize in certain areas of medicine? Does your pet have allergies? You might need to seek help from a dermatologist. Does your dog have cataracts? A veterinary ophthalmologist can do cataract surgery and help restore his vision. Tooth problems? A veterinary dentist can do root canals and even use braces to straighten the teeth. Does your dog or cat require specialized medical tests or require a complicated surgery? Your regular veterinarian may refer you to a surgeon or internal medicine specialist. There are oncologists who specialize in cancer treatment, cardiologists who treat heart disease, neurologists who treat diseases of the nervous system, and behaviorists, who treat pets with behavior problems.
Did you know that we are constantly learning about the animals that we share our lives with? Each year brings new information about their behavior, new training methods, new drugs and treatment methods for their diseases, and new information to keep our pets healthy and happy.
Lyn Johnson DVM
Local veterinarian and Animal Behaviorist
Did you know that owning a pet can be beneficial to your health? There have been many studies showing that owning a pet can reduce blood pressure. Even something as simple as watching fish in an aquarium can drop blood pressure by several points. Patients who own pets have a longer survival rate following open heart surgery than those who do not own pets. Pets can be beneficial for people with certain types of psychological disorders, particularly anxiety and depression. Dogs can detect seizures, allowing epileptic patients to get themselves to a safe place before a seizure occurs. Dogs have also been found to detect drops in blood sugar in diabetic patients, warning them to check their sugar levels and eat something. Patients report increased independence and improved ability to cope with their disease by living with such animals.
Did you know that dogs can even detect cancer? Dogs have been shown to detect malignant melanomas, a common form of skin cancer in people. They are also being used to identify the presence of bladder cancer by smelling urine samples from human patients. The use of dogs in the medical field, taking advantage of their superior sense of smell, is growing all the time.
Did you know that eating grass is normal for dogs and cats? Dog owners usually associate eating grass with an upset stomach, since many dogs vomit after eating grass. While some dogs only eat grass when they are ill, a recent survey of pet owners showed that the majority of pets who eat grass are not sick at all. If you watch them closely, most dogs are very selective about the type of grasses they eat, often going for the new shoots or particular clovers. You can buy special kits to grow grass indoors that is safe for your cat to graze on, if you have a feline plant eater. Apparently, some dogs and cats simply like some fresh greens in their diet.
Did you know that there is a new antibiotic injection approved for use in dogs and cats that lasts for two weeks? Primarily used for skin infections and cat bite abscesses, a single injection provides sustained blood levels of the antibiotic for two weeks. The extra cost is well worth it, particularly for cats that are difficult to give oral medications.
Did you know that there are veterinary specialists, just as there are human doctors who specialize in certain areas of medicine? Does your pet have allergies? You might need to seek help from a dermatologist. Does your dog have cataracts? A veterinary ophthalmologist can do cataract surgery and help restore his vision. Tooth problems? A veterinary dentist can do root canals and even use braces to straighten the teeth. Does your dog or cat require specialized medical tests or require a complicated surgery? Your regular veterinarian may refer you to a surgeon or internal medicine specialist. There are oncologists who specialize in cancer treatment, cardiologists who treat heart disease, neurologists who treat diseases of the nervous system, and behaviorists, who treat pets with behavior problems.
Did you know that we are constantly learning about the animals that we share our lives with? Each year brings new information about their behavior, new training methods, new drugs and treatment methods for their diseases, and new information to keep our pets healthy and happy.
Lyn Johnson DVM
Local veterinarian and Animal Behaviorist
