The Pet Lovers Guide January - February 2014

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 | FREE

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Dogs and Diabetes

Is a GRAIN-FREE DIET right for your pet?

How to recognize if your dog has diabetes

Pets can COEXISTPEACEFULLY

Buy 3, get the 4th Free!

* The free item will be the least expensive item. This offer may not be combined with any other discount. Visit our website for participating items.

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The PeT Lovers Guide | January/February 2013 1

Buy 3, get the 4th Free!

* The free item will be the least expensive item. This offer may not be combined with any other discount. Visit our website for participating items.

Pamper Your Pet Everyday!

123 Smith StreetDavis, CA 95618(530) 632-5450

www.petparadise.com

Be SocialFOLLOW US ON

*On Pet Food,Toys

& More

dogs &diabetes

How to recognize if your dog Has diabetes

the family pet is typically a beloved and cherished

member of the family, one whom no one wants to

see succumb to sickness or illness. but just like their

human counterparts, pets can get sick, and it might surprise

some pet owners to learn their pets aren’t immune to diseases

most commonly associated with human beings.

one such disease is diabetes, which is a common disease

in dogs regardless of breed. Just like with human beings,

diabetes in dogs does not discriminate. However, females

with the disease outnumber males by three to one, and

golden retrievers, german shepherds, Miniature schnauzers,

Keeshonden and Poodles have the highest incidence of

diabetes.

when a dog gets diabetes, it’s because of inadequate insulin production by the islet cells in the pancreas. for some dogs, this inadequate insulin production is due to a genetic predisposition. insulin is essential for dogs, as it allows glucose to pass into the cells, which metabolize the glucose for energy. when a dog is insulin deficient, it will develop high blood sugar,

known as hyperglycemia, as well as a high urine sugar, a condition also known as glycosuria. when glucose is present in its urine, a dog will urinate more frequently, which sets off a chain reaction that includes dehydration

Early Symptoms✓ Frequent urination

✓ Urge to consume large amounts of water

✓ Weight loss

✓ Increased appetite

✓ Recurrent infections

✓ Intolerance of exercise

2 The PeT Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

and an urge to consume large amounts of water.

in addition to those symptoms, some additional signs a dog might have diabetes include:

weight loss

increased appetite

recurrent infections

intolerance of exercise

while any of the aforementioned symptoms can be indicative of diabetes, their presence does not necessarily mean a dog is diabetic. for example, a dog that cannot hold its urine might be suffering from a bladder or kidney infection instead of diabetes. when a dog is exhibiting issues with regards to urination, the best thing an owner can do is consult a veterinarian immediately.

if diabetes is not diagnosed early on, then a dog might exhibit different symptoms once the disease has begun to advance. cataracts, for instance, are common in diabetic dogs, so if a veterinarian determines a dog has cataracts, then he or she might want to test a dog for diabetes if no such

test has been conducted already. symptoms of advanced diabetes include:

Lethargy

Loss of appetite

Vomiting

if left untreated, diabetes in dogs can be devastating to the animal. diabetes affects all organs, and dogs who aren’t receiving treatment for diabetes are more susceptible to infections and are likely to develop neurological problems as well. enlarged livers are also common in dogs who have diabetes but aren’t receiving treatment.

More information about canine diabetes is available at www.caninediabetes.org.

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Even man’s best friend is not immune from diabetes.

dehydration

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Pets can coexistPeacefullydespite cartoon caricatures of dogs preying on unsuspecting cats, and cats

hunting down birds and small rodents, these stereotypical adversaries can, and often do, live quite peacefully together.

Many different types of animals can live together in one household, but it is up to the pet owner to ensure each animal gets his or her share of attention and proper care.

in 2009, a shelter dog named Lily made headlines in iowa when she accepted a litter of orphaned kittens and began nursing them and mothering them as if they were her pups. there have been tales of a baby horse raised by a goat, and even a leopard caring for a baby baboon after having fed on the baboon’s mother. although few might advocate welcoming a baboon and a leopard into a family residence, this tale does illustrate that the misconception of survival of the fittest, or animosity among species, may be somewhat unfounded.

with this in mind, individuals who are worried about commingling pets in the house may not need to fret so much. this is especially true if they pay attention to some pointers about making the household peaceful for all.

the unifying force in peaceful coexistence is the establishment of boundaries among animals. in the wild, certain species accept a dominant or submissive place within the social order. in the household, things may get out of hand if two animals are trying to exert their dominance over territory. it is

important to establish yourself as the pack alpha or leader. if pets view you as the one in charge, they may be less likely to fight for position with another pet. establish your dominance early on and reinforce it from time to time.

although all animals have the potential to be territorial, males, particularly those intact, are more likely to exhibit territorial aggression. therefore, for the health and safety of your pets, consider neutering. you may also want to consider females of the breed, particularly because females tend to be less territorial than males.

ensure each animal has his or her own sleeping and living areas so that they will feel safe.

always supervise animals that are commingling. even if they are getting along at one point, they may not always be so friendly.

wash your hands in between handling one pet or another. sometimes the scent of another animal can trigger aggression.

Keep your pets in separate rooms when you are out of the house, unless they have a proven track record of behaving among one another. remember the adage ... “while the cat’s away, the mice will play.”

Heartland Veterinary Hospital is a progressive, full service small animal and exotics veterinary practice. Our hospital is a member of AAHA, which is an elite group of approximately 3,000 accredited veterinary practices that voluntarily meet or exceed the association’s standards for patient care, equipment and quality procedures.

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Is a grain-free diet right for

your pet?the potential benefits of grain and gluten-free diets are a trendy

topic of discussion in the grocery aisle today. but pet owners often have similar questions about whether these diets are right for their cats or dogs.

Michele dixon, a health and nutrition specialist with Petcurean, gives us some important facts before removing grains from your pet’s diet. Petcurean is a canadian company with expertise in premium quality recipes for dogs and cats. consider the following:

while food allergies can sometimes be related to a grain-based protein, such as corn or wheat, it is often a source of meat protein that causes the allergic reaction.

if you suspect your pet has a specific grain allergy, immediate elimination of all grains from your pet’s diet is not necessary.

when they are ground and moderately cooked, grains can be a quick and excellent source of highly digestible energy for your pet. dogs and cats do not digest raw starches or whole grains very well.

Pet owners who are looking to eliminate grains from their pet’s food as part of a low-carb diet should be aware that a grain-free diet doesn’t necessarily mean it is low in carbohydrates. other types of carbohydrates, such as potatoes, tapioca, or peas, might be included in the recipe. so knowing what to look for is very important.

I want YOUto Volunteer

Interested in becoming a volunteer at the Humane Society of the North Bay? Sign up to attend a Volunteer Orientation session - click the link below to see the upcoming dates for September. Orientations are held at the Humane Society of the North Bay.

For dates and times, visit our website at www.bvhumane.org

To sign up or to get more information, call Coordinator of Volunteer Outreach

Jasnique Body at 707-645-7905, ext. 114 email at [email protected]

1121 Sonoma Boulevard Vallejo, CA 94590

Tel. 707.645.7905Fax 707.645.7909www.bvhumane.org

Tues - Sat, 11am - 5pm

1410 East 2nd Street Benicia, CA 94510 Ph: (707) 745-2287

Benicia

Clinic

Benicia Cat Clinic is a full service veterinary medical and boarding facility with a special purpose in mind ~ to provide quality veterinary care for cats in a quiet and relaxed dog-free environment.

1410 East 2nd Street, Benicia | beniciacatclinic.com | 707.745.2287

Cat Care | Kitten Wellness | Senior Cat Care | Vaccination | Medical | Boarding

We are an AAFP Cat Friendly

Practice!


1410 East 2nd Street Benicia, CA 94510 Ph: (707) 745-2287

Benicia

Clinic

Benicia Cat Clinic is a full service veterinary medical and boarding facility with a special purpose in mind ~ to provide quality veterinary care for cats in a quiet and relaxed dog-free environment.

1410 East 2nd Street, Benicia | beniciacatclinic.com | 707.745.2287

Cat Care | Kitten Wellness | Senior Cat Care | Vaccination | Medical | Boarding

We are an AAFP Cat Friendly

Practice!


To find the best premium food for your pal, just ask one of our Premium Food Specialistsat a Petco store near you or visit PETCO.com/foodfinder today.

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The Pet Lovers Guide January - February 2014