Veterinary Medicine

One of the most common questions and concerns about parvovirus is how long it lasts and how to disinfect the environment. This is especially important if a new puppy will be brought into a possibly contaminated area.

Read this FAQ to learn about disinfecting against parvovirus.

Photo: Puppy carrying stick by Simon Davison on Flickr

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Recent pet food recalls due to Salmonella contamination have increased consumer awareness about food handling safety. That kibbled dog and cat food could potentially cause illness in humans was news to some people.

Learn how to keep your family and pets safe from food-borne illness with with these Pet Food Handling Tips.

Photo: Thai the Cat / Kevin N. Murphy on Flickr

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A new kitten! Welcome to the family. Along with shopping for all of the "new necessary" items like food, dishes and litter boxes, be sure to schedule in some time for that first vet check. The earlier, the better.

Read this new kitten FAQ to learn what age you should take your new kitten to the vet.

_{Photo credit: Kitten at the Vet © Bill in Ash Vegas on Flickr}

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Salmonella has been in the news lately, the latest reason for a large scale pet food recall. Salmonella is a genus of bacteria that is normally found in the intestines of both cold- and warm-blooded animals and in the environment.

Learn how this bacteria causes disease in humans and animals, what the symptoms are, and how to prevent infection and spread of this disease.

FAQ: Salmonellosis in Pets and People

Image: Salmonella typhimurium bacteria that had been isolated from a pure culture. CDC/Janice Haney Carr

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Many of the diagnostic and treatment options available to humans are also available for animals. Guest Author Dr. Alvaro Larin, DVM ACVS, a veterinary surgeon in Miami, Florida, discusses the use of laparoscopy in veterinary medicine, for diagnosing and treating a variety of conditions.

Also from Miami Veterinary Specialists:

• Treating Herniated Spinal Disks in Small Breed Dogs
• Onion Toxicity in Dogs and Cats

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The Diamond Pet Food recall (more details here) has been expanded to several brands manufactured at the same plant because of a potential contamination with Salmonella, a zoonotic disease, a disease transmissible from animals to humans.

Diamond Pet Foods has set up a separate site with the latest recall updates at Diamond Pet Food Recall.

FDA update (added May 7th, 2012):
Additional brands included in recall:

• Canidae
• Wellness
• Natural Balance
• Apex Pet Food
• Solid Gold (added May 8th)

From Diamond Pet Foods (May 4th - and 5th, 2012 update):

Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans.

Brands included in the recall include:

• Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul
• Country Value
• Diamond
• Diamond Naturals
• Premium Edge
• Professional
• 4Health
• Taste of the Wild
  
  Production codes and refund information for these brands can be found on the Diamond Pet Recall site

  Read More...

Diamond Pet Foods is voluntarily recalling Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice Formula dry dog food and Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food because of a potential contamination with Salmonella, a zoonotic disease (disease transmissible from animals to humans).

From Diamond Pet Foods (April 30, 2012 update):

"Diamond Pet Foods has issued a voluntary recall of Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice Formula dry dog food and Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food. The company took this precautionary measure because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. No dog illnesses have been reported."

Read full notice for recalled lots and "best by" dates

Human Illnesses Related to This Recall
While no dog illnesses have been reported, the notice does not mention that 14 people in 9 states have become ill with Salmonellosis from handling the contaminated dog food. The Wall Street Journal reports that "Human illnesses in Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Alabama, Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey and Virginia have been linked to the outbreak. No one has died, though five people had to be hospitalized." Read More...

Dental disease is commonly seen in dogs and cats, and it is often more involved than simply "bad breath." Problems range from malodorous breath to loss of teeth to heart and liver problems.

Regular checkups and dental cleanings will prevent many of these health problems. Knowing what to watch for will help your pet maintain good dental health.

Related Reading:
The Importance of Dental Care for Pets
8 Tips and tools for home dental care for pets
Is anesthesia necessary to do a dental cleaning on my pet?

Photo credit: Open Wide © polandeze on Flickr

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A viewer asks: "My Shih Tzu has an bad odor around his eyes. What causes that?"

This is a common problem and one that needs daily attention to help keep odors and skin inflammation under control.

Learn more:

• What causes a bad odor around eyes?
• Reasons Pets May Be Stinky

Readers Respond: Tell us about your stinky pet

Eye Problems in Dogs and Cats

• Glossary Term: Lacrimation
• Glossary Term: Blepharospasm
• Cherry Eye
• Entropion in Dogs and Cats

Photo: Sadie the Shih Tzu by SadieShihTzu/Flickr

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The days are getting longer and sunnier. As we protect our pets against heatstroke and other summer hazards, we also have to keep in mind another danger: sunburn.

White animals and those that have a hair cut or naturally thin (or nonexistent) hair coats are particularly sensitive to the sun, and may suffer the same ills as humans: sunburn and skin cancers. This Quick Tip offers ideas and cautions for protecting your pet on those sunny days.

Photo: Sunbathers - © Getty Images / David DeLossy

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