About.com Veterinary Medicine

Submit your favorite veterinary practice site

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:33:11 +0000

Do you have a favorite veterinary practice site? It could be your own, where you work, or maybe where you take your pets for a check up. Many years ago, I spotlighted various veterinary practice sites in the Featured Practices section of this site, and it was fun and educational to learn about veterinarians around the world.

Now it is your turn
Show us your favorite veterinary practice sites. Your photos of the hospital, staff and web site screenshots are welcome and encouraged.

Related reading
Anatomy of a great veterinary clinic web site

Photo Midge cat and computer by dougwoods on Flickr

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Submit your favorite veterinary practice site originally appeared on About.com Veterinary Medicine on Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 at 00:33:11.

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Anatomy of a great veterinary clinic web site

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:33:47 +0000

I started designing web sites in 1997. Good web design tools were virtually non-existent and it was frustrating at times, but I was hooked. The Internet has evolved much since then, and I have learned a lot. Back then, a web site for a veterinary hospital was a novelty. Now it is a necessity. Let's look at what makes a veterinary practice web site useful to viewers and to the practice it represents.

I would love to see your practice web site and welcome your thoughts on what makes a "great" site for you. Please consider adding in your favorite veterinary practice site to the new Show and Tell area for practice web sites, formerly Featured Practices.

Photo: MacDog by Meagan on Flickr

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Anatomy of a great veterinary clinic web site originally appeared on About.com Veterinary Medicine on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 03:33:47.

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Pet Food Recall Verdict: Probation and Fine for Tainted Food Importers

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:32:49 +0000

After almost three years, the owners of Chemnutra, Inc., the company responsible for importing and distributing a tainted ingredient used in pet food and responsible for thousands of pet deaths, were sentenced in federal court. On Friday, February 5, 2010, the Office Of The United States Attorney Western District Of Missouri issued this press release:

Sally Qing Miller, 43, a Chinese national, and her husband, Stephen S. Miller, 57, both of Las Vegas, Nev., were sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Maughmer this morning to three years of probation. The court also ordered their company, Chemnutra, Inc., to pay a $25,000 fine. Sally Miller and Stephen Miller were each ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

The court ruled that no further restitution would be imposed in light of a $24 million settlement in the related civil suit reached in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Read full press release

Depth and scope of the 2007 pet food recalls
I vividly remember reading the paper on a sunny Saturday in March of 2007 - St. Patrick's Day, learning about the beginnings of the 2007 pet food recall. At least the beginning of what was to published. Case reports of animals becoming ill or dying from pet foods actually began quietly in late 2006. The pet food recall timeline spanned many months.

Animal Bites, Scratches and Injuries

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:03:29 +0000

Animals, even well-trained ones, can be unpredictable. All animals - pets or wildlife - that are stressed, frightened or injured will often bite and scratch, and should be treated with extreme caution.

In addition to being mindful of diseases such as about rabies, pet owners should also be aware of the potential danger of infection from animal bites and scratches. Puncture wounds from bites� are often worse than they look at first glance; damage occurs beneath the skin surface. It is best� to visit your doctor, the sooner the better.

Photo: Dog bite on arm from a 3 pound Maltese by Julianna on Flickr

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Animal Bites, Scratches and Injuries originally appeared on About.com Veterinary Medicine on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 00:03:29.

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What is kennel cough?

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:03:10 +0000

Kennel cough is a fairly common and highly contagious respiratory disease in dogs. It is also known as Infectious Tracheobronchitis. Most people have heard of "kennel cough", but what are the signs seen? Is the disease serious? How can I protect my pet? Learn these answers and more in this Kennel Cough FAQ.

Not to be confused with H3N8 Dog Flu
The Canine Influenza Virus (CIV), also known as the H3N8 virus,� jumped from horses to dogs in 2004; it was first discovered in Greyhounds in Florida.

Photo: My little darlings by mollypop on Flickr

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What is kennel cough? originally appeared on About.com Veterinary Medicine on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 00:03:10.

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Vaccine Doses - why is it "one size fits all"?

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:03:34 +0000

After writing about rabies vaccines, a viewer asked why does her 5-pound dog receives the same amount of vaccine as her 50-pound dog. Great question.

For the record, all dogs and cats - everyone from a kitten to a Great Dane get the same amount of vaccine. Why is this? Learn about vaccine doses in this FAQ.

Photo: JR and friends by Elsie esq on Flickr

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Vaccine Doses - why is it "one size fits all"? originally appeared on About.com Veterinary Medicine on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 00:03:34.

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Rabies: What's the difference between a one and three year vaccine?

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:03:29 +0000

Rabies is a viral disease that is transmissible between animals and humans. Last week, rabid raccoons were in New York and erratic raccoon has bit two people and a dog in Delaware. Rabies is a disease that is out there. Prevention by vaccination is easy. In unvaccinated animals and people, it is a fatal disease. There is no "cure" for rabies at this time.

Rabies vaccination is required by law for dogs and cats in the United States. While most people are aware of the need for this vaccine, when and how often to vaccinate animals for rabies may be confusing.

Rabies vaccination protocols
Learn about one and three year rabies vaccinations in this new FAQ.

Photo: Rabies vaccine and syringe � Janet Tobiassen Crosby DVM

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Rabies: What's the difference between a one and three year vaccine? originally appeared on About.com Veterinary Medicine on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 00:03:29.

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February is Dental Health Month

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:03:41 +0000

Each year, February is designated as Dental Health month for pets and for kids. Both campaigns promote awareness not only about how good dental health promotes overall health, but also how to properly care for your pet's (and kids) teeth.

Good dental health for life
February isn't the only time to think about good oral health, though. Keeping your pet's teeth and gums in good shape has many more benefits than simply fresh breath - although that is very important, too!

Start now
Now is the time to schedule that checkup for your pet , get the teeth examined, and professionally cleaned if necessary. Many veterinary offices offer specials on dental cleanings during February.

Brushing your pet's teeth only takes a few minutes a day, it is a great time to bond with your pets (mine love the toothpaste), and is a healthy habit to get into. Don't forget horses - they need dental care too.

One important note: use an enzymatic toothpaste made for pets. Do not use human toothpaste; it may be harmful if swallowed, and pets don't rinse their mouths.

Related Reading:

Photo: Floating a horse's teeth � Geoff Tucker DVM

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February is Dental Health Month originally appeared on About.com Veterinary Medicine on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 00:03:41.

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Post Anesthesia Care Tips

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:28:28 +0000

Most veterinarians send home printed handouts after an anesthetic procedure detailing the pet's post-procedure care. This is helpful because in the busy discharge time of most clinics, coupled with excitement at seeing their pet, many owners don't hear all of the details or think of questions until after they are home.

This article discusses general post-procedure care. Please call your veterinarian with specific questions about your pet's recovery.

Photo credit: Mo the cat getting 'fixed' � Bill in Ash Vegas on Flickr

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Post Anesthesia Care Tips originally appeared on About.com Veterinary Medicine on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 17:28:28.

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What is a Bile Acid test?

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:03:44 +0000

Forum member TRISHA1920 asks: "My dog had his Bile Acid test today and I won't get the results until early next week. Does anyone know what a Bile Acid test is? It sounds like something to do with acid in the gullet..."

In short, the bile acid test measures how well the liver is functioning. The patient is fasted for 12 hours, a blood sample is drawn, a meal is fed to the patient, and two hours later, another blood sample is drawn. Learn why this sequencing is important and learn� about bile acids and liver function in this Bile Acid Test FAQ.

What is a Bile Acid test? originally appeared on About.com Veterinary Medicine on Thursday, January 28th, 2010 at 03:03:44.

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