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Webvet Dogs Feed http://www.webvet.com/main/index2/id/dog This feed contains articles about Dogs en-us Copyright 2009 Webvet, LLC 2009-11-07T07:20-05:00 advertise@webvet.com advertise@webvet.com Dogs hourly Animal sex: The scent of a woman http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2262 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2262">Animal sex: The scent of a woman</a><br />  <h4>"I am calling you-ou-ou-ou-ou-ooo!" </h4><p>Whether bringing individuals together from miles away or from right next door, sending and receiving chemical signals is the oldest form of communication on the planet. Whether secreted from skin, tongues, or glands, sexual "pheromones"  -- wafted through the air, suffused in water, or deposited on the ground -- send their distinctive "come hither" message to the opposite sex:"I am ready. Now!" </p> <p>The word ‘pheromone' comes from the Greek<em>, pherin</em>, to transfer, and <em>hormon</em>, to excite or stimulate. While pheromones perform a variety of functions -- like identifying male territory, and warning away rivals -- <em>sexual</em> pheromones are designed to attract and arouse the opposite sex. </p> <h4>How it works</h4> <p>Animals produce hormones. When secreted externally they become pheromones. The "scent" is received by the opposite sex through the ‘vomeronasal organ,' a part of the olfactory system -- the system by which animals smell things and get their brains stimulated. </p> <p>The effects of all this olfactory ‘Morse Code' are as diverse as the animals that employ it, as these examples show: </p> <ul><li>Female pigs become sexually aroused by the sex pheromones in the saliva of male pigs. </li><li>Golden male hamsters are stimulated to mount females after getting a whiff of vaginal pheromones. </li><li>Female goldfish release their pheromones into the water at night, and the males, picking up the scent, find themselves producing sperm for fertilization. The next morning, when the females are ready to spawn, the males enthusiastically make the journey in search of the goldfish beauties with that alluring scent. However, it's a little disconcerting to discover that all the guys in the neighborhood are making the same commute. </li></ul> <h4>That signature scent</h4> <p>Part of the work of sex pheromones is to help members of the same species identify each other, so it won't be a waste of time to have sex. </p> <p>For instance, there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of <em>moths,</em> but there is only one particular, chemically correct, sexual pheromone per species. A male silk moth will receive a female's sexual invitation from as far away as seven miles, but he won't bother to waste his time and energy flying over -- making himself vulnerable to predators and competing with all the other males she is beckoning to -- unless the pheromone is from a female of his own kind. When the right call gets the attention of the male's antennae, it's then pretty much irresistible. </p> <h4>How about them red garter snakes?</h4> <p>Nature is never satisfied until a species evolves the best strategy for mating and surviving. So it should come as no surprise that some animal groups will break or bend the pheromone attraction rules.</p> <p>Take the case of the Manitoba red-sided garter snake. Some males mimic the pheromones of the females, thereby tricking other males into trying to have sex with them. Yes, that's right; they become "she-males."</p> <p>Manitoba garter snakes spend the entire winter in the frigid Canadian region between Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg, arriving by the thousands, after slithering their way over miles of rocky terrain. Males and females hibernate together in crevasses as small as six feet wide and sixteen feet deep to keep from freezing to death. When spring arrives, each den disgorges as many as 10,000 snakes. The males are the first to emerge from their winter retreat. When the females finally appear, seething balls of hundreds of male snakes form around one female. These snake balls remain intact, rolling around the rocky terrain until one male has successfully mated with the female.</p> <h4>Trick or treat?</h4> <p>Here's the interesting part. Some mating balls have no female. In that writhing horde of snakes, the only way a male can identify a female is by her pheromones, secreted through her skin. Snakes flick their tongues in and out, picking up chemical cues from the air, and transfer them to a sensory organ in the roof of their mouth.</p> <p>So, why would any self-respecting male garter snake become a she-male? One theory is that this subterfuge keeps the other males from "getting the girl" and passing on their genes. They're all busy mistakenly trying to mate the imposter. </p> <h4>Are we at the mercy of our body chemistry?</h4> <p>Do humans also emit and receive pheromes? Do we "smell" as good as the rest of the animal world? To find out you'll have to read my next Animal Sex blog-"The Scent of a Woman." [LINK to the blog] </p> <h4>Coming Attractions</h4><p> Next up on <em>Birds Do It, Bees Do It</em>, you'll read about a sea creature with a penis that can grip like a hand. "What is tugging on my leg? Oh noooo..." </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; line-height: 200%; vertical-align: baseline"><span class="apple-style-span"></span></p> <br />By Sally Schloss for WebVet By Sally Schloss for WebVet Dogs Puppies Behind Bars: Prison pups help prisoners help others http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2261 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2261">Puppies Behind Bars: Prison pups help prisoners help others</a><br />  <p>Set in the lush New York City suburb of Westchester County, the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility -- New York State's largest women's prison and its only maximum-security prison for women -- has housed many infamous prisoners. But there is a more positive and inspiring aspect to the Bedford Hills prison that most people are unaware of: <a href="http://www.puppiesbehindbars.com/">Puppies Behind Bars</a> (PBB), an extraordinary program that allows inmates -- many of them serving long prison sentences for violent crimes -- a chance to turn selected <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1903" target="_blank" title="Training puppies">puppies</a> into highly trained <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1469" target="_blank" title="Service dogs">service dogs</a> for the disabled, or explosive-detection canines for law enforcement. The program -- which started at Bedford in 1997 with five puppies -- now operates at six correctional facilities in the tri-state (NY, NJ, CT) area and boasts 377 canine graduates. </p> <h4>Puppies and inmates: in it together</h4> <p>Puppies chosen for the program live in the cells with their primary caregivers -- ‘puppy raisers' -- and attend classes administered by PBB. They also spend two or three weekends a month in the homes of 'puppy sitters,' so they can be exposed to things they won't experience in prison, such as the sound of a doorbell or a coffee grinder, or learning how to <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2003" target="_blank" title="Car safety for dogs">safely ride in a car </a>or walk down a crowded sidewalk.</p> <p>Inmates who wish to become puppy raisers must sign a contract with PBB outlining their responsibilities and providing that any inmate may be asked to leave for any reason deemed appropriate by PBB. Requirements for participation in the program are strict, and include mandatory attendance at weekly puppy class as well as successful completion of reading assignments, homework, and exams. The puppy raiser must always put the needs of the puppy before his or her own, must be able to work effectively as a member of a team, and must be able to give and receive criticism in a constructive manner.         </p> <p>The puppies live in the prison for 16 months, after which they are tested to determine their suitability for training as service dogs for the disabled or explosive-detection dogs for law enforcement. The dogs judged to be suitable are returned to the schools where they continue their formal training. Those who don't continue on the working-dog track are donated by PBB to families with blind children. In either case, these dogs spend their lives as companions to people who need them.</p> <h4>How it all began</h4> <p>The PBB story began in 1990, after founder and now-president Gloria Gilbert Stoga and her husband adopted Arrow, a <a href="http://www.webvet.com/breeds/show/id/263" target="_blank" title="Labrador Retriever breed information">Labrador Retriever</a>, from one of North America's most prestigious guide dog schools, <a href="http://donate.guidingeyes.org/site/PageServer">Guiding Eyes for the Blind</a>. (Arrow had been on his way to becoming a guide dog, but medical reasons required his release from the program.)  Stoga started doing some research and learned about the extraordinary effort and expense that goes into the training of service dogs -- in particular, the critical work of <em>puppy</em> <em>raisers </em>-- individuals or families who take specially bred, eight-week-old pups into their homes for a 16-month period and teach them basic obedience and socialization skills. Subsequently -- inspired by the work of Dr. Thomas Lane, a Florida veterinarian who started the first guide-dog/prison program -- Stoga left her job at New York City's <em>Youth Empowerment Services Commission</em> to found PBB.</p> <h4>Changing Lives</h4> <p>Both people and dogs are transformed by the PBB experience. The pups become highly trained, well-behaved animals with a mission. The inmate trainers who have raised them also change: the responsibility of raising a dog for a disabled person and the opportunity to give something back to society provide inmates with an avenue for personal growth that would not otherwise be open to them. As a result, they form deep and lasting attachments to the dogs, learning patience, responsibility, and how to work as part of a team; for many, the relationship with the animal they train is the most positive and satisfying one they have ever had. </p> <p>As Stoga explained, the puppies have affected the lives not only of their puppy raisers, but also of virtually all the inmates and staff at the prison: "One of our particularly sensitive pups goes to several different areas of the prison: the 16- and 17-year-old inmates play with her; domestic violence classes use her to get the women to open up and talk; and she even visits inmates who are about to go before the parole board, for it has been found that her presence has a calming effect on the women." </p> <h4>Serving those who have served us</h4> <p>Recognizing the special contribution and sacrifice of those who have served in the U.S. military, PBB established a special program to provide service dogs to veterans returning home from service in Iraq and Afghanistan who have suffered a physical injury, traumatic brain injury, or who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). </p> <p>Designated <em>"Dog Tags: Service Dogs for Those Who've Served Us," </em>the program provided its first specially trained dog to Sergeant Bill Campbell, an Iraq veteran who suffers from serious PTSD, a life-altering condition that is characterized by panic attacks, severe depression, memory loss, nightmares and fear of public places. Campbell's <em>Dog Tags-</em>trained companion, Pax, reminds him to take his daily medications, alerts him to approaching strangers, and responds to the command "Block" by placing his body between Campbell and an approaching individual. </p> <h4>From behind bars . . . freedom</h4> <p>Though PBB's puppies start out behind bars, they make their way into the wider world, where they bring love, security, and -- ironically -- freedom to those they serve. </p> <br />By Yona Zeldis McDonough for WebVet By Yona Zeldis McDonough for WebVet Dogs Canine diabetes month: A time to be alert http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2260 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2260">Canine diabetes month: A time to be alert</a><br />  <h4>A Puddle on the Sofa</h4> <p>It all started with an "accident" on the sofa. Zak, a <a href="http://www.webvet.com/breeds/show/id/275" target="_blank" title="Miniature Schnauzer breed information ">Miniature Schnauzer</a> owned by Fran Stepps of Mesquite, Texas, had always been a frisky yet well-behaved dog. True, he had been a bit thirstier than usual lately but that didn't seem like cause for alarm. It was only when the normally well-trained Zak urinated on the furniture that Stepps grew concerned. Zak's veterinarian performed tests that revealed <em><a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=31&med=1">diabetes mellitus </a>-- sometimes called "sugar diabetes" <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=31&med=1">--</a></em> and prescribed daily doses of human insulin. But even after a year on the medication, Zak's blood glucose levels were not fully under control. Not only that, he grew listless and lost a lot of weight, dropping from 26 pounds to 17. Determined to help her beloved pet, Stepps researched the problem and found information about porcine insulin zinc suspension, the only form of injectable insulin made specifically for dogs. After consulting with Zak's vet again, he agreed to prescribe the new drug.  The result:  Zak's blood glucose level quickly stabilized and his condition improved. The story underscores the importance of early diagnosis and prompt, effective intervention to treat diabetes.</p> <h4>Raising awareness</h4> <p>Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health (ISP) -- with the support of the <a href="http://www.aahanet.org/">American Animal Hospital Association</a> (AAHA) -- is sponsoring Pet Diabetes Month in November, as a way to raise awareness of the disease and educate pet owners on the warning signs and appropriate care. The <a href="http://www.petdiabetesmonth.com/">Pet Diabetes Month website</a> is an excellent source of diabetes information for owners of both dogs and cats.<br />  <br /> Randy Lynn, DVM, MS, DACVP, Manager-Technical Services for ISP, said: "This campaign is designed to help pet owners understand the condition, its risk factors and what to do if they notice a change in their pet's behavior or appearance that might indicate diabetes. Detection and management can help prevent serious medical complications, including <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=51&med=1" target="_blank" title="Heart disease in dogs">heart disease</a> and <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=63&med=1" target="_blank" title="Kidney problems in dogs">kidney problems</a>, which can occur when the disease is left untreated."</p> <h4>A Common Malady</h4> <p>Diabetes in pets is not uncommon. Approximately one dog in 500 develops the disease and that number is on the rise. "Diabetes in dogs is almost always insulin-dependent and veterinarians don't really understand the reasons for the increase," Lynn said . "In <a href="http://www.petdiabetesmonth.com/cat_what_is.asp">cats</a>, the disease is seen in those who have many of the same risk factors often seen in people with diabetes: <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/76/med/1" target="_blank" title="Obesity in dogs and cats">obesity</a>, a sedentary lifestyle and a high carbohydrate/low protein diet. Fortunately, we know that a significant percentage of diabetic cats can return to a non-diabetic state if they are diagnosed early and treated appropriately with diet and insulin." </p> <h4>Which Breeds Are at Risk? </h4> <p>While the disease may occur in any dog, certain breeds are at greater risk: </p> <ul><li><a href="http://www.webvet.com/breeds/show/id/214" target="_blank" title="Cocker Spaniel breed information">Cocker Spaniels</a></li><li><a href="http://www.webvet.com/breeds/show/id/489" target="_blank" title="Dachshund breed information ">Dachshunds</a></li><li><a href="http://www.webvet.com/breeds/show/id/222" target="_blank" title="Doberman Pinscher breed information">Doberman Pinschers</a></li><li><a href="http://www.webvet.com/breeds/show/id/236" target="_blank" title="German Shepherd breed information">German Shepherds</a></li><li><a href="http://www.webvet.com/breeds/show/id/236" target="_blank" title="Golden Retriever breed information">Golden Retrievers</a></li><li> <a href="http://www.webvet.com/breeds/show/id/263" target="_blank" title="Labrador Retriever breed information">Labrador Retrievers</a></li><li> <a href="http://www.webvet.com/breeds/show/id/297" target="_blank" title="Pomeranian breed information">Pomeranians</a></li><li> <a href="http://www.webvet.com/breeds/show/id/298" target="_blank" title="Toy poodle breed information">Toy Poodles</a></li></ul> <p>Diabetes typically occurs in dogs from four to 14 years old, and <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/92/med/1" target="_blank" title="Spaying dogs">unspayed female dogs</a> are twice as likely as males to suffer from the disease.</p> <h4>What are the signs of diabetes?</h4> <p><a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/31/med/1">Signs of diabetes</a> often develop gradually and most commonly include drinking a lot of water, urinating more often than usual, increased appetite, weight loss, and skin sores that take a long time to heal. However, only your veterinarian can make a definitive diagnosis by measuring sugar (glucose) levels in your pet's blood and urine.</p> <h4>Managing the Condition</h4> <p>Zak is one of the lucky ones. In addition to administering insulin to Zak every day, his owner tests his blood glucose levels twice a day before meals and carefully monitors his diet. Stepps also makes sure the 11-year-old dog has regular check-ups and gets plenty of exercise. With that much TLC, she can expect Zak to live a normal lifespan for his breed. "Dogs and cats can live long and happy lives if they receive appropriate therapy with diet and insulin," said Lynn. </p> <h4>Better safe than sorry</h4> <p> November -- Pet Diabetes Month -- is a good time for all pet owners to educate themselves about the warning signs of canine and feline diabetes. If you think your pet may be affected, don't wait to act; check with your veterinarian promptly. Remember: pet diabetes <strong>can </strong>be treated. </p><br />By Yona Zeldis McDonough for Webvet By Yona Zeldis McDonough for Webvet Dogs Halloween pet hazards: What you need to know http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2257 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2257">Halloween pet hazards: What you need to know</a><br /><p>Halloween is a festive day -- and night -- for children, and a hectic one for adults: there are the decorations, the candy, pumpkin carving, crowds of trick-or-treaters to be lavished with seasonal treats, and generally good-natured mayhem. </p><p>But for the family pet, there are some Halloween hazards to be aware of. Here's our list of the top five, with suggestions on how to keep your Halloween celebration pet-safe and pet-friendly.</p><h4>Halloween hazard #1: Chocolate</h4><p>With chocolate bars and other chocolate-based treats in abundance, it's easy to forget that <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1870">chocolate</a> is toxic to pets. It contains a compound called <em>theobromine</em>.  If enough is ingested, your animal can suffer from <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/236/med/1" target="_blank" title="Dog and cat vomit">vomiting</a>, <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/238/med/1" target="_blank" title="Dog and cat diarrhea">diarrhea</a>, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=88&med=1">seizures</a>, and possible death. </p> <p>If you keep a ‘goodies basket' by the front door for trick-or-treaters, make sure your pet doesn't run off with any ‘samples' for itself.</p> <h4>Halloween hazard #2: Decorations</h4><p>Halloween decorations have evolved from paper cutouts hung in the window to elaborate -- even lavish -- outdoor displays. Sometimes, the materials used can be dangerously attractive for pets. Small, low-hanging decorations on trees and shrubbery can tempt some pets to take a nibble, resulting in intestinal blockages.</p><h4>Halloween hazard #3: Dangerous foods</h4><p>Many common <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1870">foods that are dangerous to pets</a> may be more plentiful on Halloween because they are popular in common trick-or-treat goodies. In addition to chocolate, these include nuts, raisins, chewing gum, mints, and anything containing <em>xylitol</em>, a commonly used artificial sweetener. Xylitol -- often found in baked goods and candies -- has been associated with liver failure and death in dogs.</p><h4>Halloween hazard #4: Anxiety & stress</h4><p>Some pets enjoy the excitement of crowds and are eager to join in the fun. If your dog is a party animal, then by all means take it along trick-or-treating. But many dogs -- and certainly most cats -- become frightened or even uncharacteristically aggressive in crowds. If your pet belongs to the latter group, Halloween may be a good time to put it in a quiet room with food and water, away from all the hubbub.</p><h4>Halloween hazard #5: Escape artists</h4><p>With trick-or-treaters coming and going every few minutes, leaving the door open is a welcoming thing to do. But it can be a bit too tempting for a pet that just feels like "stepping out" for the evening. So keep a close eye on your pet to prevent any escapes. </p><p>You should also make sure that your pet is always wearing some kind of identification, just in case: <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=188&med=1">microchipping</a> is ideal; but at the very least, make sure your pet is wearing an identification or rabies tag with your contact information.</p><p>For children - and, let's face it, plenty of adults -- Halloween festivities are an eagerly awaited time of shared fun and frolic. Keeping in mind these five pet perils will go a long way to making sure your Halloween memories are all pleasant ones.</p><br />By Peter Lopatin for WebVet By Peter Lopatin for WebVet Dogs Animal Sex: The Scent of a Woman http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2258 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2258">Animal Sex: The Scent of a Woman</a><br />  <p>Across the animal world, creatures from insects to mammals release and receive sexual pheromones -- scent hormones -- signaling to the opposite sex that they're "in the mood." Males will travel miles, following the scent trail of a female. A female who wouldn't have given the time of day to some guy will suddenly find him <em>very</em> attractive. In fact, all she can think about is having his babies-and it all began with a whiff and a little chemistry.</p> <h4>It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing</h4> <p>But what about humans? Are we unconsciously at the mercy of sexual pheromones like the rest of the animal kingdom? Are we busy sending and receiving "I'm interested and available" signals to Mr. or Ms. Right across a crowded room, even if we don't know it? </p> <p>According to an article in the <em>New Scientist</em>, there is no clear understanding of how human pheromones -- if they exist -- might affect our brains, since, unlike other animals, we have no actively functioning vomeronasal organ -- VNO -- the organ animals use to detect pheromones. Although we have something resembling a VNO, it doesn't appear to be connected to the brain; so: no brain, no reaction, no resulting behavior. It may just be that we left this method of communication behind in our ancestral past, in favor of our more highly evolved visual and verbal skills. It seems we do as good a job, if not better, attracting our perspective mates, by what we say, how we look, and how we behave. </p> <h4>Animals make their own "perfume"</h4> <p>In the scent-loving animal world, pheromones are "manufactured" by animals as the aphrodisiacs of their courtship. And they are not only airborne; they can also be secreted in saliva, sweat and urine. As Adrian Forsyth points out in <em>A Natural History of Sex,</em> white-tailed deer and elk bucks will give off their own perfume by urinating and ejaculating on the ground and then wallowing in it. This drives the females wild. The male porcupine showers his beloved in his urine, soaking her in his scent, to get her aroused. Rabbits and hares leap into the air and from that vantage point, spray their desired ones in urine.</p> <p>And now, human ingenuity has turned animal pheromones to practical, commercial use. A product called "Boar Mate" has been created, which farmers spray on boars to get them interested in mating with sows. The only ingredient in Boar Mate is the hormone androsterone, which is found in pig saliva, and is a powerful, sexually seductive chemical that is irresistible to male and female swine.  (Interestingly, androsterone has also been found in human male urine and in the sweat emitted from male armpits.)  </p> <h4>Eau de people</h4> <p>Just when you were ready to believe humans don't send and receive sex pheromones, new research shows that some animal species detect pheromones using their olfactory system. So, it may turn out that animals and humans are not so different in this respect than we seem to think! </p> <p>New brain-imaging studies suggest that humans may indeed respond to sex pheromones. In one such study, women who were asked to smell sweat-drenched pads that had been worn in male armpits showed a reaction in the primitive part of their brains, where sexual feelings originate. </p> <p>More studies will need to be done to prove the relationship between our secreted hormones and sexual arousal. But if these pheromones get identified, duplicated and manufactured -- like Boar Mate -- then perfume that actually <em>is</em> effective could be a dangerous thing. Imagine walking along the street and suddenly you get a whiff of male cologne; your knees buckle, your thoughts become clouded, and all you can think about is a little afternoon delight. You turn your head to find the source of that compelling scent and you find a street full of women, all turning in the same direction. Men!</p> <p> </p> <br />By Sally Schloss for WebVet By Sally Schloss for WebVet Dogs Pet Airways: Only pets allowed http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2259 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2259">Pet Airways: Only pets allowed</a><br />  <p>When Zach, a nine-year-old, 60-pound <a href="http://webvet.com/breeds/show/id/331" target="_blank" title="Stafforshire Terrier breed information">Staffordshire Terrier</a>, bounded off a Pet Airways plane in Los Angeles last September, he had a chew toy in his mouth and a spring in his step.</p> <p>Zach was being reunited with Eileen Barber, his companion since he was a year old. Barber had been forced to give Zach up when she relocated from Williamsburg, Va., to San Diego and her new landlord -- at first -- would not allow pets. Fortunately for both owner and pet, the landlord eventually relented and Barber looked forward to bringing Zach - who had been living in a shelter -- to her new home. </p> <p>But a 10-day roundtrip journey by car was out of the question, so Teri Parkhouse -- manager of Ring Dog Rescue, the shelter that had been caring for Zach -- looked into the possibility of flying him in the cargo hold of a commercial airline.</p> <p>"Zach had been through a lot," Parkhouse said. We were concerned it would be too stressful for him to fly commercial". After much investigation, Parkhouse discovered <a href="http://www.petairways.com/">Pet Airways</a>, a Florida-based airline that describes itself as "a pet-only airline dedicated to pet-friendly travel." </p> <h4>Pet Airways takes wing </h4> <p>Founded by start-up business consultants Alysa Binder and husband Dan Wiesel, Pet Airways launched July 14 with weekly flights between the Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, and Baltimore/Philadelphia/Washington, D.C. areas -- cities with significant numbers of pet passengers. Binder, who now serves as Pet Airways' executive vice president, said she expects that the airline will serve 25 cities in the next couple of years.</p> <p>Binder and Wiesel were inspired to found Pet Airways because of the trauma that their Jack Russell Terrier, Zoe, experienced while flying in the cargo hold of a flight from San Francisco to Del Ray Beach, Fla., when the couple relocated. </p> <p>"Zoe was shook up by the flight across the country," Binder said. "Zoe had been a gregarious little dog, full of energy. But immediately after the flight, she just wasn't," Binder said.  This is when Binder and Wiesel knew they had to come up with an alternative solution for pet travel.</p> <p>Pet Airways employs a fleet of 19 human-passenger, climate-controlled Beech 1900 turbo-prop planes especially refitted to accommodate up to 50 dogs and cats. The airline's "pawsengers" fly in secure carriers in comfortably maintained passenger cabins -- from which the seats and overhead bins have been removed -- rather than in cramped cargo holds. </p> <p>Binder said her research showed that 76 million cats and dogs travel with their owners each year, but relatively few fly on airplanes. Only an estimated two million pets a year fly the nation's airways -- under seats, if they're small enough, or in cargo holds if they're not.</p> <p>"This is not surprising considering the appalling conditions under which most pets must travel," Binder said. "Although many airlines allow small pets to travel with their owners, stowed under the seat, most airlines will accept only one or two pets per flight. Pets that are too big to fit under the seat are relegated to cargo, and unfortunately in many cases, are treated as such."</p> <h4>Why do people choose Pet Airways? </h4> <p>Binder cited five reasons people choose to fly their pets on Pet Airways: </p> <p>1. Relocation<br /> 2. Vacation<br /> 3. Visiting relatives<br /> 4. Dog and cat shows<br /> 5. Pet rescue and adoption</p> <p>She said that Pet Airways aims to be price-competitive with the human airlines. As with human flights, Pet Airways' ticket prices vary according to flight length and destination; in addition, the larger the pet, the higher the fare. For example, according to information on Pet Airways' website, two representative, mid-week round-trip fares were as follows: 1) $449 between New York and LA, for a dog weighing 51-75 lbs. and standing up to 21" in height; 2) $299 between Chicago and Denver for a cat weighing not more than 20 lbs. and standing up to 11" in height.</p> <h4>The flying experience</h4> <p>Pets must be dropped off at Pet Airways' airport lounge no later than two hours before take-off. Owners may, however, drop them off up to 72 hours before flying, in which case they will be boarded at the Airlines' "PAWS Lodge" until flight time. </p> <p>Binder said that Pet Airways' passengers have a different sort of experience on her planes than on commercial airliners.</p> <p>Pets fly in carriers supplied by the airline based on their size. The carriers are carefully secured to ensure the animals' comfort and safety. A "pet attendant"-- a <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/1471/med/0" target="_blank" title="Vet technician">veterinary technician</a> -- monitors and checks on the dogs and cats on board every 15 minutes. </p> <p>Pets are given regular "potty breaks" after disembarking. Binder emphasized that pets are never left unattended in a warehouse or on a ramp.</p> <p>Throughout the duration of their pet's journey, pet owners can check on the status of their flight on Pet Airways' website. </p> <h4>Less stress</h4> <p>Binder said that Pet Airways' goal is to make flying pets as stress-free as possible, both for pets and pet parents. If the experience of Zach and his owner are typical, then the new airline is well on its way to accomplishing that goal. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <br />By Howard Wolinsky for WebVet By Howard Wolinsky for WebVet Dogs Dressing up your dog for Halloween http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2255 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2255">Dressing up your dog for Halloween</a><br />  <p>Halloween costumes for dogs (and some cats) are growing in popularity, and Kim Browning is ready. By mid-October, she had already picked out a Halloween costume for her dog  Harley, an 18-month-old yellow <a href="http://www.webvet.com/breeds/show/id/263" target="_blank" title="Labrador Retriever breed information">Labrador Retriever.</a></p> <p>"A 'boo' cape,'' she said, ''almost like a Dracula cape. It's orange, with "boo!" spelled out in black letters, and a skull insignia. "He likes it," Browning said.</p> <p>Browning works as a marketing manager in Petco's San Diego headquarters, so she has easy access to Halloween costumes for dogs--and employees are of course encouraged to dote on their dogs. But she's not the only one planning to dress up her dog for Halloween. </p> <p>Sales of Halloween costumes for dogs (and also cats) are ahead of last year, even given the economy, Browning said. Part of that uptick, she suspects, is that Halloween falls on a Saturday this year.</p> <p>But not all of the appeal is the weekend holiday. In recent years, dressing up the dog for Halloween has been gaining in popularity among pet owners, spurred partly by contests. A Savannah, Ga., television station is hosting its third annual ''Dress Up Your Pet for Halloween" contest. A hotel in Scottsdale, Az., has a costume contest for pets with prizes that include hotel stays. Petco pet owners are invited to submit a photo in their costume and explain why they chose that look. A dog bakery in Portland, Mich., has a Halloween costume contest for dogs judged by the mayor. .</p> <p>Dressing up the dog (or cat) for Halloween is typically harmless fun, and understandable, according to Bonnie Beaver, DVM, a past president of the American Veterinary Medical Association and professor in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at Texas A&M University, College Station.</p> <p>"It's a fun thing to do," she said. But she quickly added a caveat:  "Not every pet will tolerate it."</p> <p>There's no way to predict whether certain breeds or ages or individual dogs will warm to Halloween costumes, says Richard Polsky, PhD, a Los Angeles-based certified applied animal behaviorist. His purebred <a href="http://www.webvet.com/breeds/show/id/332" target="_blank" title="Standard Schnauzer breed information">Standard Schnauzer</a>, Obi-Wan, has been known to dress as the devil, complete with padded red horns, while Polsky's rescue <a href="http://www.webvet.com/breeds/show/id/189" target="_blank" title="Border Collie breed information">Border Collie</a> mix, Swoozy, makes a fetching princess. </p> <p>But there are some caveats and tips to know about dressing up the dog for Halloween:</p> <ul class="unIndentedList"><li> Try a test run before investing in a costume. ''Dogs are individuals, just like people," Polsky said. "Some dogs don't mind at all. Other dogs will resist." Beaver and Polsky suggested introducing the idea gradually by trying a hat or small T-shirt on the dog first. ''Put a hat on [your pet] and take it off again,'' Beaver suggested. "Give them a treat."</li><li> The younger you start, the better. Browning began to dress up her Lab Harley while he was a young puppy. ''If you dress your dog earlier in their life, they will become accustomed to it," she said.</li><li> Consider your dog's personality before you dress it up for Halloween. If you have a dog who doesn't particularly like people other days of the year, think twice about dressing the dog up in costume and letting the kids take him trick-or-treating, Beaver said. For more on aggressive dogs and children, click <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/1964">here</a>.</li><li> Even if your dog is fairly social, consider the stress it may experience by seeing your kids or others in costumes. The family dog may not recognize your kids and may become fearful or aggressive, Beaver said. If the dog does go along trick-or-treating, double check that it has its ID attached in case it gets spooked and runs.</li><li> Don't force it. "There isn't anything inhumane or improper about putting a costume on your dog," Polsky said. ''But if a dog shows resistance, take the thing off."</li><li> If your dog likes the dress-up idea, and you want it to be in the ''in crowd,'' know the top Halloween costumes for dogs, Browning suggested. The top 10 list, she said, includes pumpkin, devil, bow ties and fancy collars, witch, super dog, princess, bat, dog of a different breed (than the one wearing the costume), angel and bumble bee.</li></ul> <p>So, by all means, do include your pet in your Halloween festivities, but remember: your pet is an individual, too. Keep that in mind, and you'll both have a howling Halloween!</p> <br />By Kathleen Doheny for WebVet By Kathleen Doheny for WebVet Dogs Toyota's new 'Venza' is dog-friendly http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2107 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2107">Toyota's new 'Venza' is dog-friendly</a><br /><p>The “Big Three” automakers may be in the doghouse, but Japanese carmaker Toyota is betting that a canine-friendly car may entice some dog owners to buy a car with their pet in mind.</p><p>Car accessories for dogs, such as restraints and snap-in seatbelts, aren’t anything new. But Wade Hoyt, spokesman for Toyota, said the new Venza, a “crossover” model in the station wagon category, could be the first car designed with dog accessories in mind. According to Hoyt, the Toyota Associated Pet Products line will be the broadest line of pet products ever sold through car dealers. “We think that’s pretty much a first,” he said.</p><p>Prices have not been set for the restraints and other products, which will hit the market around Christmas, when the Venza is launched. Some of the products are designed to work with other Toyota models. </p><h4>Pet-friendly features</h4><p>The Venza, which starts at $25,975 with four cylinders, has a large cargo capacity and a rear hatch for easy entrance and loading of pets. Toyota will offer a pet ramp for easy entrance and exit, and a leash tether to secure pets in the vehicle. The Venza also features a large cargo-area pet barrier, which can convert the back of the car into a kennel on wheels.</p><p>Toyota’s line also includes pet seatbelts; rear seat zip harnesses; waterproof, removable hammock-style seat covers to fit Venza’s bench and bucket seats; and a pet booster seat with a harness.</p><p>"Venza is a vehicle designed to meet the needs of people with a fun and on-the-go lifestyle, especially active boomers," said Bob Zeinstra, national product marketing manager for Venza. "Many of these buyers look to their pets to fill the gap left by their kids. We wanted to make sure the Venza can accommodate this important family member and traveling companion."</p><p>The new car and product line emphasize the importance of keeping your pet safe and comfortable during car travel. The American Pet Products Manufacturing Association found in a recent survey that half of all dog owners consider their pet's comfort when buying a car. Zeinstra also noted that the American Automobile Association has found that unrestrained pets cause more than 30,000 accidents annually. As a result, some states are considering legislation to require pets to be restrained for their safety and to reduce driver distraction.</p><br />By Howard Wolinsky for WebVet By Howard Wolinsky for WebVet Dogs How to keep your dog cool in the summer time - five new products http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1942 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1942">How to keep your dog cool in the summer time - five new products</a><br /><p>While you cool off in the summer heat by sipping on a strawberry daiquiri and dipping your feet in the pool, this doesn't seem to be a very likely option for your pet. Luckily, WebVet has looked into finding some great products that will help <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/1328/med/0" target="_blank" title="cool summers for hot pets">keep your dog cool</a> during the blistering hot summer months.</p><p>For those of you who can't stand to leave your dog at home when you're out enjoying the summer days, many products are available to help keep your dog from the dangers of <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=140&med=1" target="_blank" title="heat stroke in dogs">heat stroke</a>.  The following can be found in most large pet stores, and at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank" title="amazon for dog products">www.amazon.com</a> and <a href="http://www.tailsandcompany.com/" target="_blank" title="Tails and company dog products">www.tailsandcompany.com </a></p><ul><li>If you often remember the water, but forget your dog's drinking bowl, you're now in luck.  There are water bottles with a bowl built right in. It's an easy and spill-proof way to keep your dog hydrated while out on long summer hikes.</li><li>You can also keep your dog cool with a bandana.  Soak the bandana in water for five minutes and place it around your pet's neck. The material will keep it damp and help keep your dog cool.  </li><li>Don't forget sunscreen for both you and your pet. Your dog's fur doesn't completely protect it from harmful UV rays. Parts of the skin that lack pigmentation, such as the bridge of the nose, ear tips and skin surrounding the lips, need extra protection. You can use <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1416" target="_blank" title="sunscreen for your dog">canine sunscreen</a> that comes in both a lotion and a spray bottle for easy application. <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=142&med=1" target="_blank" title="mast cell skin tumors">Dogs that are more at risk for skin tumors</a> should be especially careful with exposure to the sun.<a type="amzn"> </a></li></ul><p>If you do not have air conditioning and need to provide some extra cooling in the home for your pet, here are some more products that can help keep your pet as comfortable as possible in the heat:</p><ul><li>Use a cooling pet bed for your pet to sleep on peacefully. It's created with water and foam for comfort and support, and you can fill it with water to keep your pet cool. It's easy to wipe clean and is flea-resistant. Plus, you can buy a cover for it so that it matches the decor in your house.</li><li>Who doesn't love a nice cold treat on those warm summer nights? Now when you enjoy your ice cream treat, Fido won't be drooling all over your legs waiting for a drop. Check out lactose-free ice cream treats made specifically for dogs. These treats can usually be found in the freezer section of your local grocery store or at specialty pet stores.</li></ul><br />By Corey Wetzel for WebVet By Corey Wetzel for WebVet Dogs