Does Your Pet Need a Flu Shot?
November 30, 2009 in Health & Science News, News
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by Kenn Bell
by Kenn Bell
Vets Could Make $100,000 Just Vaccinating For Dog Flu
November 30, 2009 in Health & Science News, News
By Shawn Messonnier, DVM
Recently I shared my thoughts on the flu. These thoughts are not simply opinions but are directly formulated based upon hard scientific data and are not influenced by the emotions and fears that often accompany a discussion of serious diseases.
As expected, a recent blog of mine disturb some “pro-flu vaccine†folks. A local veterinarian even called my office and told my receptionist that he wanted to talk to me so he could “set me straight†about the flu.
by Kenn Bell
Dogs And Cats Are Artist’s Niche In Hard Economy
November 30, 2009 in Entertainment, News, Products
Artists find inspiration in different things. For Monet, there were waterlilies. For Warhol, tomato soup. And for Buck Jones? Tennis balls, the more slobbery the better.
The Urbandale artist has drawn pet-related illustrations and cartoons for more than 20 years. He’s done work for magazines, such as Dog Fancy and Cat Fancy, as well as a best-selling book series called Simple Solutions (for various problems: digging, house training, obesity). If it’s a critter, he can drawn it.
But when the economy tanked, some of those freelance assignments dried up. So Jones and his wife, Kim, a graphic designer, decided to market his skills to a broader audience. They launched a Web site last month called www.petcartoongifts.com and encourage pet owners to commission portraits of Muffin or Spot.
“You can get on the Internet and make sketches of animals, and they’re great,” Kim Jones said. “But Buck takes a lot of pride in asking ‘What is your pet’s personality? What is it that you really love about your pet?’”
They’ve already heard some good stories. One client’s cat liked to nap in a bass drum. Another guy’s dog – a fluffy white one – rode around his farm on an ATV.
And then there was the dog with the unusual appetite.
“The lady was quite vivid in her description about how her dog likes to eat underwear, and she went on to say that she’ll see that underwear a couple days later,” said the artist, who decided to sketch the story without the actual, uh, evidence. “I had to say ‘I don’t think I’ll be drawing that, as much I’d love to.’”
Jones’ pet portraits start at about $70 and go up from there, depending on the complexity of the cartoon.
He hopes people will commission them for gifts or keepsakes or personalized cards, but acknowledged that he isn’t in it for the money. It’s a labor of puppy love.
“He’s pretty simple, God love him,” his wife said in the way she might describe their 10-year-old basset hound. “He’s got an innocent side to him, and he’s just happy by nature.”
by Kenn Bell
A Dog Collar That Opens Beer Bottles?
November 30, 2009 in Gadgets, News, Products
By Jill Rosen For The Baltimore Sun
Men of the world: I hope you’re sitting down: Someone’s invented a dog collar that doubles as a beer bottle opener.
Gives new meaning to ‘Here, boy,” huh?
Bark4Beer claims to be the worlds first purveyor of such a contraption. They’ve trademarked it, in fact.
The $14.95 collars, in case you’re concerned, come with matching leashes. (They missed an opportunity here in that the matching leashes don’t include a chip clip.)
The dignified folks behind this product write on their press release: “Essentially, we can turn your favorite four-legged friend into the ultimate party animal ensuring that there is no shortage of tail at your next party.”
Nice…..
by Kenn Bell
First Case Of H1N1 Influenza Virus Infection In Dogs
November 30, 2009 in Health & Science News, News, World
By Lorie Huston For Pet Health Examiner
Two dogs were reported yesterday to be infected with the H1N1 influenza virus, according to the China Daily news. The dogs were both located in Beijing, China.
H1N1 influenza virus likely passed from person to pet
While not confirmed, it is likely that the dogs became infected with the H1N1 influenza virus through contact with infected people.
Dogs are susceptible to their own form of influenza virus, called canine influenza. However, these are the first documented cases of the H1N1 virus strain infecting the canine species. The canine influenza virus is not known to be transmissible to people but can be passed easily from dog to dog. It appears that the H1N1 virus can be passed from people to dogs and likely from dogs to people as well.
Health officials in China assure that infected dogs are “no risk to humans”
Chinese health officials are trying to reassure people that their dogs are not a threat to them. They say that because the virus has been found in so many species (pigs, ferrets, cats and people), it is not surprising that that it has been found in dogs as well.
Officials stated that the virus isolated from the infected dogs was 99% identical to that isolated from infected people, indicating that the virus has not mutated significantly at this point. They stress that the virus will become a new threat to people only if the virus does mutate.
What pet owners can do to protect against H1N1 viral infection
This information will likely cause alarm for pet owners. However, there are a few things that can be done to protect pets from the H1N1 virus.
Practice good hygiene and sanitation.
Remain vigilant regarding your pet’s health.
Cats, dogs, pet pigs or ferrets with flu-like symptoms should be examined by their veterinarian. This is especially important if there have been sick people in the household.
Stay informed about the latest developments with the H1N1 virus.
by Kenn Bell
by Kenn Bell
Dogs Rescued From Puppy Mills And Shelters Arrive In Long Island
November 29, 2009 in Adoption News, News
Photo credit: Newsday/Mahala Gaylord | This male terrier is one of the many dogs rescued from puppy mills in Missouri to be put up for adoption in Port Washington. (November 27, 2009)
About 50 dogs rescued from puppy mills and sent from a shelter in Missouri arrived on Long Island Friday – just in time for the holidays.
The dogs, ages 4 months to 3 years, will soon be available for adoption at the North Shore Animal League in Port Washington, said Devera Lynn, vice president for communications at North Shore.
The dogs arrived via Pet Airways at Republic Airport in Farmingdale Friday afternoon. They are mostly small breed dogs, such as Yorkies, Brussels griffon mixes, shih tzus, Pomeranians and a variety of terriers, Lynn said.
About 50 dogs rescued from puppy mills and sent from a shelter in Missouri arrived on Long Island Friday – just in time for the holidays.
The dogs, ages 4 months to 3 years, will soon be available for adoption at the North Shore Animal League in Port Washington, said Devera Lynn, vice president for communications at North Shore.
The dogs arrived via Pet Airways at Republic Airport in Farmingdale Friday afternoon. They are mostly small breed dogs, such as Yorkies, Brussels griffon mixes, shih tzus, Pomeranians and a variety of terriers, Lynn said.
With assistance from the Best Friends Animal Society, based in Utah, about 20 dogs were rescued from puppy breeding operations and the others taken from a shelter in Joplin, Mo., that did not have enough room to accommodate them.
The dogs will be evaluated medically and behaviorally and might be ready to go up for adoption sometime next week.
“They were the cutest little things ever,” Lynn said. “They were in good condition.”
Lynn said that dogs purchased at pet stores are often the products of puppy mills, where dogs are bred and housed in inhumane conditions. She said that often about 25 percent of the dogs up for adoption at North Shore are purebred.
Earlier this month, about 150 dogs were rescued from Midwest puppy mills and taken to North Shore. Those included some older dogs used for breeding, the shelter said.
connections
Those breeds had included dachshunds, Westies, French bulldogs, poodles, Boston terriers, beagles, Brussels griffons and bichon frises, according to a news release.
Lynn said many of those rescued have already been adopted.
If you’re interested in adopting dogs, visit www.nsalamerica.orgor call (516) 883-7575.
by Kenn Bell
Rescued Fighting Dogs Await Adoption
November 29, 2009 in Adoption News, Breed, Endangerment, Law Enforcement, News
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