Animals In The News!

There are so many interesting news stories out there about pets and other animals, veterinary medicine or other animal related topics!  Each week we'll be gathering some stories that might be interesting to you, so keep posted each week for new stories!

This week:

Human-Animal Bond

• Losing a pet is always difficult.  No matter what kind of pets you have cared for, we can all relate to how the loss of a beloved friend affects us.  The following articles are each from a different perspective.  The first from the person who lost their pet.  The second from a veterinarian on what to consider when you are trying to decide when to say goodbye.

-"Losing a Pet - Is the Joy Worth the Pain?"

-"Pet Talk:  Is your pet suffering?"

Nutrition/Health

• A recent hot topic has been pet obesity, and it's on the rise!  Pet obesity seems to have followed along with the epidemic in human obesity.  Just as it is easier to eat fast-food that is dense with empty calories, then same goes for many pet foods and treats on the market.  Think about this, one premium pig's ear for your dog to chew on is the equivalent to 6 12-ounce Coke Classics!!  No wonder our pets are following us and adding pounds to the scale.  On the other end of the spectrum pet owners also tend to get more exercise than those people without pets.  There have been several articles in the news recently that looks further into this epidemic.

-"When Man's Best Friend is Obese"

-"Just like people, our pets are putting on weight"

-"Fat cats and plump pooches, a growing concern"

-"Fido May Help Keep You Fit"

• Your veterinarian is always the best person to consult about the best diet for your pet.  Dietary needs can change based on your pet's life-stage, and requirements will vary individually based on your pet's breed, size, activity, or  disease processes.  Here's a couple interesting articles seen lately just on diet.

-"Raw Diet or Commercial Pet Food?"

-"Little Oversight on Ingredients in 'Senior' Dog Food, Experts Say"

• If your pet is having digestive problems, the cause can vary between many different causes.  One possibility could be pancreatitis.  Pancreatitis is one of those problems that we don't know exactly everything about and can be very tricky to treat.  Causes can be anything from diet to trauma!

-"Doggy Digestive Problems? Might Be Pancreatitis"