Webvet Pet Health Feed

Webvet Pet Health Feed http://www.webvet.com/main/showArticles/page/7 This feed contains articles about Pet Health en-us Copyright 2009 Webvet, LLC 2009-11-07T11:20-05:00 advertise@webvet.com advertise@webvet.com Pet Health 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 Pet Health 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 Pet Health 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 Pet Health 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 Pet Health 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 Pet Health Dog punishment vs positive reinforcement http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2084 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2084">Dog punishment vs positive reinforcement</a><br /><p>Punishment for your dog is applying a stimulus to decrease the chance that a behavior will be repeated.  For any <a href="http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/feb08/080215l.asp" target="_blank" title="punishment">punishment</a> to be effective, it must coincide with the undesirable behavior and be unpleasant enough to deter the pet from repeating the behavior.  Remember that the idea is to punish the behavior, not the pet.  Punishment to discourage an undesirable behavior might be acceptable, but punishment as a form of training is not appropriate and can lead to fear and avoidance in your pet.  Good training uses shaping or prompting techniques, along with rewards such as food or praise.  By training our pets and providing outlets for their needs, inappropriate behavior is less likely to develop, and punishment is seldom necessary.</p><p>Punishment should never be considered unless the pet has been provided with the means to satisfy both its nature and its needs.  Problems such as chewing and other forms of destructiveness can be part of normal exploratory play.  Dogs that are chewers should be provided with appropriate exercise and appealing chew toys before any attempts to punish undesirable chewing are made.</p><p>The key to successful punishment in your pet is to ensure that the undesirable behavior is associated with an unpleasant consequence.  Punishment should take place while the behavior is occurring, not afterward.  Physical punishment is likely to lead to fear of the owner (or people in general) or fear of hands.</p><p>Direct interactive punishment interrupts an undesirable behavior such as barking as soon as it starts.  For example, loud clapping or rattling a “shaker can” will usually get your pet’s attention, and the dog’s behavior can then be redirected to another more positive activity.  However, for such a technique to be effective, it must be done consistently, which is not always practical.  In addition, startling your pet will not work and should be discontinued immediately if it responds with aggression.</p><p>Remote punishment techniques require that your pet can be monitored (to determine when the undesirable behavior begins) and punished when you are not home or remain out of sight.  Booby traps can be set to deter your pet from certain activities.  For example, balloons fastened to furniture will pop loudly when your pet jumps up, deterring the pet from jumping up again.  Taste deterrents (available commercially) can be helpful for destructive chewing.</p><p>Unlike these forms of positive punishment, in which something unpleasant happens in response to undesirable behavior, negative punishment removes something pleasant from the pet in response to undesirable behavior.  Stopping play and ignoring your puppy when the puppy starts “play biting” is an example.</p><p>Punishing undesirable behavior once it has stopped serves no purpose and can lead to a fearful or aggressive pet.  Although using appropriate environmental booby traps or various products designed for punishment can be helpful, the best way to avoid undesirable behavior is to supervise your pet at all times when you are around and to prevent access to potential problem areas when you are not available.</p><h4>Q&A</h4><h3>Is it OK to punish a dog for misbehaving?</h3><p>Isolated instances of punishment to discourage undesirable behavior are sometimes acceptable, but punishment is generally not an effective training technique.  It is also important to remember that effective punishment must be administered while the behavior is occurring and must be seen as unpleasant.  </p><h3>What are some types of punishment?</h3><p>“Positive” punishment applies an unpleasant experience (eg, a loud hand clap to stop barking), whereas “negative” punishment removes a pleasant experience (eg, stopping play when your puppy bites).  Remote punishment applies an unpleasant experience from a distance, such as squirt-gun spray to discourage furniture chewing.  </p><h3>What about when I am not home?</h3><p>Remote-punishment techniques such as “booby traps” allow punishment to be administered when the undesirable behavior occurs while you are away.  For example, balloons or other noisemakers placed on a sofa can sometimes be used to deter your pet from jumping on furniture.  </p><h3>Can I punish my dog when I find evidence of bad behavior (eg, chewed furniture)?</h3><p>No!  Punishing undesirable behavior after it has stopped serves no purpose and can lead to a fearful or aggressive pet.  </p><br />By Susan E. Aiello, DVM, ELS and John A. Bukowski, DVM, MPH, PhD By Susan E. Aiello, DVM, ELS and John A. Bukowski, DVM, MPH, PhD Pet Health Birds do it, bees do it http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2104 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2104">Birds do it, bees do it</a><br /><p>Since most of us have spent our lives largely ignorant about the mating habits of other species, it’s only fitting that an educational Web site pertaining to all things animal should include sex. In this new biweekly column, everything you ever wanted to know about the sex lives of animals, but were afraid to ask, will be answered. </p><p>Think of me as the Carrie Bradshaw of the animal world. We’ll explore such topics as:</p><ul><li>What’s the real purpose of cock-a-doodle-doo? The diverse and fascinating strategies of animal seduction. </li><li>Who calls the shots in picking a mate: males or females?</li><li>The ferocity of male competition for females: aggression, the ingenious, and the visually beautiful. </li><li>How long do relationships last? </li><li>Do animals mate to share in intimacy, affection or friendship, or is all animal sex strictly about reproducing?</li><li>Who raises the kids? </li><li>The sexual meaning of animal “good looks.” Who’s got them, who doesn’t, and why? (Think gorgeous male peacock feathers displayed during courtship).</li><li>The allure of female perfume: female snakes release a scent trail for the male to follow; the pheromones in the urine of female dogs can attract a male dog from blocks or even miles away.</li><li>“Do you want to come to my place to see my etchings?” Using art to attract a mate: The male Bower bird, for example, chews berries to “paint” the walls of the “bower of bliss” he builds to impress the discriminating female. If she’s not aesthetically pleased by his artwork and arrangement of feathers, shells and other found objects, he’ll be thoroughly rejected.</li><li>The language of seduction. What we hear as the inscrutable but familiar background sounds of nature are often the siren songs of species.</li><li>Who stays paired for life? Who doesn’t? Who has multiple mates?</li><li>And the most basic question—how do animals do it? </li></ul><h4>What’s love got to do with it?</h4><p>Spring, known as the season for coupling up, is not so much about love being in the air, but sex, as creatures great and small seek partners. Many animals in the wild breed in the spring because of the abundance of food and other resources needed for raising their young. Many domestic animals can breed year round, an adaptation that developed as tamed animals, bred in captivity, became companions and helpers of mankind.</p><p>Sex, however, is not always about perpetuating the species. The bonobo apes, for example, use sex to calm upset members of their group and to disarm aggression. A bonobo would be the fitting poster child — or more accurately, the poster primate — for the slogan “Make Love, Not War.”</p><h4>The great chain of being</h4><p>Modern life doesn’t afford many opportunities for observing animals’ sexual habits, and yet we humans coexist on a planet with billions of other creatures who share our preoccupation with attracting, mating and producing offspring. In the midst of all this fecund activity, we drink our latté and go about our business completely oblivious. Perhaps, by exploring the myriad ways animals partner, we will recognize with awe, amusement, and chagrin something of ourselves and our connection to all living beings—the “nature” in our human nature.</p><p>As Cole Porter so delightfully put it:</p><p>"Birds do it, bees do it<br />Even educated fleas do it<br />Let's do it, let's fall in love"</p><h4>Coming attractions</h4><p>Next column: birds gone wild! Dancing, singing, preening, feathers flying, and of course — birds doing it.</p><br />By Sally Schloss for WebVet By Sally Schloss for WebVet Pet Health Pet insurance overview http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2109 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2109">Pet insurance overview</a><br /><p>Would you be willing to go into debt to pay for your pet’s medical care? Pet insurance is now rendering that difficult and emotional decision obsolete for many animal owners.</p><p>As the economy continues to struggle and veterinary medicine becomes more sophisticated, pet owners are insuring their animals so they can provide comprehensive medical coverage should the need arise.</p><p>“It’s more important now than ever,” says Darren Defeo, Senior Vice President of <a href="http://www.trupanionpetinsurance.com/" target="_blank">Trupanion</a>, a Seattle-based pet insurance company. “Pets are now considered part of the family. With budget being a concern for any family, a [large], unexpected medical expense for your pet can turn into a financial burden.” </p><h4>A growing trend</h4><p>While pet insurance is already prevalent in Europe, less than three percent of pet owners in the United States currently have coverage for their animals – but that is changing. It is estimated that since 2002, the number of insured pets in the United States has doubled.</p><p>A major factor for the increase is that advances in medical technology have made treatment for animals more extensive and obtainable for pet owners. Joint replacement, for example, is now considered a common procedure, and one that many dog owners will may need to consider as their pet ages. </p><p>Also, diagnostic procedures such as blood testing, CAT scans, and MRIs that used to be exclusive to human medicine, are now available to identify illnesses in animals. Chemotherapy, dialysis, and blood transfusions for pets, which were once unheard of in the veterinary community, are options that pet owners now have as well. </p><p>However, just like with people, such care comes with a price tag, oftentimes an expensive one.</p><p>“Veterinarians don’t have the luxury of asking an animal about their illness,” Defeo said. “More and more they are turning toward diagnostic treatment. It’s very helpful, but costly.”</p><h4>Weighing the costs</h4><p>Charlie Hunter, 41, found out just how expensive diagnosis and treatment can be when his beloved golden retriever, Alex, contracted <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=15&med=1" target="_blank">lymphoma</a>. After his veterinarian was unable to diagnosis the disorder initially, Hunter took Alex to a specialist, who, through the use of ultra sound, found a massive tumor on the dog’s lungs.</p><p>Hunter then made the difficult decision to pay for chemotherapy to prolong his dog’s life. Although Alex’s health has improved, the treatment has created a financial strain for Hunter that will most likely last longer than the remaining life of his dog. </p><p>Hunter estimates that he has incurred approximately $16,000 in medical bills in the last six months on diagnosis and treatment for Alex. Without insurance, and not a wealthy person by any means, Hunter was forced to finance the medical care on his credit card.</p><p>“I tell all my clients to get pet insurance,” said Hunter, whose love of animals extends to his own dog walking business in San Francisco. “Money shouldn’t be an issue. The life and death of your pet should never have to come down to a decision about money.”</p><h4>The basics</h4><p>Just like any other type of insurance, pet policies vary depending on cost of premiums, amount of coverage, cap limits, exclusions and the age and breed of a pet. One standard in the pet industry is that most insurers will let you choose any licensed veterinarian.</p><p>“High-deductible” pet insurance policies are popular in that they offer lower premiums for pet owners who are concerned about major procedures, yet can afford to pay for preventative care or minor procedures out of pocket. </p><p>Last fall the <a href="http://www.aahanet.org/" target="_blank">American Animal Hospital Association</a> began awarding a “<a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1558" target="_blank">Seal of Acceptance”</a> for policies that meet their criteria in order to encourage providers to offer affordable coverage to a greater number of pet owners. Trupanion became the first pet insurance company to receive the “Seal” by meeting the following five conditions:<br /> <br />1. The high-deductible policy must provide coverage, benefits, and exclusions equal to those of other insurance policies offered by the provider.</p><p>2. Insurance policies must be underwritten by companies with an A.M. best rating of B+ or better.</p><p>3. The company must be licensed in all 50 states, or in the process of becoming licensed in all 50 states.</p><p>4. A specific insurance policy, rather than the company, will receive the seal and policies will be reevaluated annually.</p><p>5. The owner of the policy must be able to see the veterinarian of his or her choice.</p><p>As pet insurance companies continue to meet these standards and the industry continues to grow, agents will be challenged to dispel many of the preconceived notions and skepticism that consumers commonly have when it comes to buying any type of insurance. </p><p>“Many people have had some not so pleasant experiences with insurance companies in the past,” Defeo said. “It is our responsibility to educate the consumer so that they feel confident knowing that their pet’s medical care will be taken care of.” </p><br />By Tom Kent for WebVet By Tom Kent for WebVet Pet Health Midwest flooding causes mosquito boom, raises heartworm concerns http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2019 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2019">Midwest flooding causes mosquito boom, raises heartworm concerns</a><br /><p>Widespread flooding in the Midwest in June caused an explosion in the mosquito population, leading to the potential spread of heartworm in dogs, cats and ferrets, according to the <a href="http://www.heartwormsociety.org" target="_blank">American Heartworm Society</a>.</p><p>And the flooding from hurricanes in the Gulf Coast will put pets at risk of heartworm, the disabling and deadly parasitic disease, said Sheldon Rubin, DVM, president of the Batavia, Ill.-based society </p><p>"Flooding causes an exponential increase in the risk of heartworm infections. Mosquitoes are prolific,'' said Rubin, a Chicago veterinarian. "The larvae begin to multiply almost immediately after flooding in stagnant pools of water.'' </p><p>Sandi Sawchuk, DVM, a veterinarian at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison, Wis., encountered the flooding first-hand: "I lost several trees. My yard was like a swamp."</p><p>"The mosquito population is definitely higher than it has been in previous years," Sawchuk said. She also said she is confident that her patients are protected with heartworm-preventive medication. But she is concerned about pets that live outdoors and do not receive veterinary care.</p><h4>High-risk animals</h4><p>Risks can be high in such animals. Sawchuk said the full impact of infections acquired during the flooding won't be known until six to seven months after the mosquito bites occur. "If a dog was bitten in June by an infected mosquito, heartworm disease will be found the following year when it's in for a heartworm test. It takes a long time for these little microscopic larvae to migrate and develop to a point that the test tissue actually picks up proteins secreted by the uterus of an adult female heartworm.''</p><p>She said the risks are probably greater in shelters where the animals that have been picked up and brought in haven't been receiving preventive medicine.</p><h4>Effects of Katrina</h4><p>An estimated 60 percent of the pets displaced by Hurricane Katrina were infected with heartworm, which is spread by mosquitoes that have bitten other infected dogs, cats, wolves and coyotes.</p><p>Rubin said the American Heartworm Society later this year will announce the results of its first heartworm survey that includes shelter animals. The society's last survey in 2004 received reports on more than 250,000 heartworm infections in dogs.</p><p>He said about three-quarters of dogs under veterinary care receive regular heartworm protection, which can cost less than $10 a month, far less than treating the disease. "Prevention is nearly 100 percent effective,'' Rubin said.</p><p>Rubin said that animals that start on the preventive medication can beat the infection. "If we start them now (in late August), the medication is going to work backward by approximately 30 days, so it's going to prevent infections that took place in July and August,'' he said. "It is very important that dogs be checked for heartworm with a simple blood test before heartworm prevention is started.''</p><p>The American Heartworm Society recommends annual testing, even if a pet is on monthly prevention. </p><br />By Howard Wolinsky for WebVet By Howard Wolinsky for WebVet Pet Health