Finding dog-friendly accommodations remains the biggest reason more dog owners don’t travel with their pets, though this has gotten 9.5% better since DogTrekker’s last survey. Also down among reasons dog owners don’t travel with pets were: concerns about dog safety (-14.4%) and finding things to do with the dog when on the road (-21.6%). Dog owners also reported they find it harder to locate day care for pets at travel destinations (+10.5%).

Among owners, 56% say pet-friendly policies and amenities are very important to their selection of accommodations, up 8.9% from 2011. Among the annoyances they encounter most are expensive hotel pet fees (42%), a poor selection of truly pet-friendly hotels (34%), finding activities to do with dogs at destinations (28%) and confusion over pet-friendly policies at hotels, activities and attractions (30%).

Many hotels are making an effort to include pet-friendly programs such as The Palomar Hotel in Dallas, TX, which offers pet owners a pre-registration form so that the hotel can be prepared to offer doggie daycare, a dog walker and grooming services if requested.  The Hotel Monaco in Alexandria, VA offers a luxury pet program that includes plush pet bedding and bottled water for the dogs, plus a nightly Doggie Happy Hour for all guests.

Check out these other hotels that even have pets as their mascots and greeters! http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2013/03/26/ridiculously-cute-hotel-lobby-pets/

Dr. Karen Oberthaler recently moved here from New York City and has noticed some significant differences in her patients.  For example, because Florida is conducive to sunbathing (for people and pets!), Dr. Oberthaler sees more UV-induced tumors here.  White cats get squamous cell carcinomas on their ear tips and noses, which she hardly ever saw in New York City.  Also, dogs who are likely to lay on their back with their bellies in the sun can develop hemangiosarcomas on the skin of their abdomen, usually near the groin where the hair is thinner.  Dr. Oberthaler says, “Again, those are rare in New York City (probably because so it’s difficult to find an apartment with an unobstructed sun beam!)  And also glass filters the UV rays, so these really are outdoor pet tumors.”

Speaking of yards, there is an established risk between spraying herbicides on the plants and grass and developing bladder cancers in dogs.  Dr. Oberthaler notes that she has already seen more dogs with bladder tumors in the short time that she has been here in South Florida.

On the flip side, Dr. Oberthaler believes that she will have seen more feline lymphoma and feline oral squamous cell carcinoma in New York than here.  This is because in both those cases household tobacco exposure is a risk factor for developing these cancers.  The theory is that indoor cats have to sit in a household filled with carcinogens (the ash) and they end up with it in their fur from being in the rugs, so on.  When they groom it off themselves, it often ends up in the gastrointestinal tract, which can cause both oral and intestinal cancers.  Cats in the city are generally in much more confined quarters and they don’t have access to the outside, so they have to sit in the polluted air all day.  Typically, a house cat in New York will have its bathroom habits observed more closely because they don’t go out as much and their families might be able to pick up on diarrhea or other issues sooner than in Florida where a lot of cats get to use the bathroom outside.  This may indicate that there is both an increase in incidence and faster detection in New York City.

You can read more about our diagnostic services here.

Unfortunately, obesity isn’t just an issue among humans in this country, but also among our furry and fluffy friends.  In fact, recent reports have estimated that more than 50 percent of pets are now overweight.

Obesity can be caused by hormonal problems or genetics, but most often contributing factors include increasingly sedentary lifestyles, too many snacks and calorie-rich food. This can lead to serious problems, as animals who are overweight are more likely to suffer from heart and joint problems, loss of energy, diabetes and some types of cancer, among other things.

In addition to scheduling a regular check-up with your pet’s veterinarian, there are signs you can look for in order to tell if your pet is overweight.

Stand over your pet viewing the back. Look for a nice curved indentation in the area of the waist (just behind the rib cage). A pet with a “straight line” from head to tail, or even a bowed-out line along the back, could likely mean that your pet is overweight.

• View your pet from the side. There should be a nice “tuck up” area behind the rib cage and before the hind legs. A pet with a “straight line” or a saggy area in the belly area could likely mean that your pet is overweight. Cats are especially prone to fat collecting in the belly area; areas that are easily viewable from the side.
• Gently run your fingers along your pet’s rib cage. The ribs should be felt easily and the skin should glide over the ribs smoothly, as opposed to large “sheets” of fat moving along the ribs.
• View your pet’s face. A rounded face or visible folds of skin around the face and under the chin could likely mean that your pet is overweight — this depends somewhat on breed.
• Check the area above the base of the tail; overweight pets have extra padding and folds in this location.

If you think your pet is overweight, try to increase their amount of daily exercise, talk to a vet and provide them with healthy snacks such as carrots, apples and lean turkey or chicken.

According to The Book of Times: From Seconds to Centuries, a Compendium of Measures, a new book by Leslie Alderman, the average pet owner spends just about 40 minutes with their pet each day.  While the amount of money spent on pets has increased significantly over the past decade, from $28.5 billion in 2001 to $53 million in 2012, the amount of time we spend with our pets has remained around 40 minutes for the last several years.

The Mother Nature Network has suggested some simple ways to sneak in extra time with your favorite fluffy, feathered or furry pet that include:

Capture the little moments.  You can show your pet some love while still getting things done, for example by talking to your pet while completing chores around the house.  It doesn’t matter what you talk about, just be sure to look in his or her eyes and let them know that they have your attention.  You can also use your evening TV/relaxation time to brush your dog or let your cat snuggle on your lap, even while reading to the kids, for example.

Practice makes perfect.  If you find yourself too busy to toss a ball in the backyard, you can still give your dog some attention by multitasking while making dinner, folding laundry or doing paperwork to help your pet practice his/her obedience skills – assuming they have some skills to practice in the first place!  He/She can practice sit-stays, lay-down-stays, and even fetching a rolling ball if these are skills you’ve worked on before.  Keep the sessions easy and light – just enough for a skills refresher and some always appreciated attention.

Let her/him tag-along. If your dog or cat enjoys a change of scenery, consider taking them along in the car or on a walk the next time you have to run a few quick errands.  Just be sure that your errands won’t leave your pet behind in the car for an extended period in the heat or cold.

We know that pets thrive from the attention of their owners and study after study has found that time spent with pets equates to better health for people too, so be sure to make the time!

Last week, our very own Dr. Karen Oberthaler presented a lecture to community members, veterinary students and other interested attendees at the South Florida Veterinary Foundation Lecture Series, held at the University of Miami.  Her informative and engaging presentation covered a variety of issues surrounding pets and cancer.  Dr. Oberthaler provided the following advice.

If your pet is diagnosed with cancer:

• Don’t panic, it’s not a death sentence
• Research – there are great books and websites out there
• Talk to someone else who has gone through it with their pet
• Consult an oncologist, even if it’s just once, to learn about your options

Signs to look out for in cancer detection can include:

• Lumps, swelling
• Increased thirst
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss without dieting
• Bleeding from any orifice, such as nose, ears, mouth

The best screening is to take your pet to the vet regularly – once a year for younger pets and every 6 months for older pets.

The three main types of cancer that typically occur in animals are found in the glands, support structures and fluid tumors.  The main treatment options include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy and because veterinary oncology is palliative, quality of life comes first.

Animals handle chemotherapy much better than humans – they typically don’t lose their hair and rarely have side effects such as getting sick. Lymphoma in dogs, for example, has a 90% response rate to chemo.

Dr. Oberthaler also shared with the audience why she loves being a veterinary oncologist:

• Because the animals have to come in frequently for multiple treatments, she is able to develop a relationship with the pet and the family, which is very important to her.

• Cancer is very treatable in dogs, so it’s a very satisfying disease to treat.

• Her patients don’t have to end up in the hospital; they’re typically very happy and feeling great.

• She loves working with older pets, and many cancer patients are older

If you do see any of these symptoms in your pets, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (305) 665-2820 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Oberthaler.

You might be familiar with pet therapy programs at medical institutions, in which trained animals are brought in by owner-volunteers to cheer up hospital patients, but there’s now an increasing trend of patients getting visits from their very own pets.

A successful example of this program is taking place at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.  The program there started four years ago, when administrators were approached by an organization called PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) Houston, a non-profit organization that helps to sustain the relationships between pet owners and their pets during a prolonged hospitalization.

The way it works is that when a social worker or child life specialist at the hospital hears that a patient has a pet at home, they speak to doctors who can approve a visit. Then PAWS is contacted and they ensure that the pet is vaccinated and has a bath before the visit. A PAWS volunteer will meet the pet and family members at the entrance of the hospital where they perform a “behavior check” to make sure the pet’s temperament is appropriate for a hospital environment. If all goes well, they then take the pet to the patient’s room for a visit, typically eliciting a big smile.

While the hospitals take precautions to reduce any risk of infection by placing barriers between animals and bed sheets, and changing the sheets after the animal leaves, there have been minimal reports of infection caused by these visits.  One reason for this may be because the patient has already been in very close contact with the animal prior to being in the hospital.

Just this month, Rush University Medical Center became what is believed to be the first Chicago-area hospital to adopt a formal policy allowing visits from pets in patients’ rooms and many others around the country are following suit.

The programs have had an incredible impact on patients who are hospitalized for long periods of time, particularly with children and elderly patients…being able to have a visit from a friendly face and a wagging tail makes a world of difference.

To read more about this, you can visit http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/ct-met-hospital-pets-0218-20130219,0,6707569.story and http://abcnews.go.com/Health/hospitals-patients-dogs-visit/story?id=16624168.

According to the American Animal Hospital Association, even small amounts of theobromine, an ingredient in chocolate, can cause vomiting and restlessness in pets. While most pet owners expect a dog to develop an upset stomach after eating a large amount of chocolate, few realize its toxic potential and that large doses can in fact be fatal.

If an accident does occur, a veterinarian should be consulted right away. Treatment may require inducing vomiting, stabilizing the animal’s heartbeat and respiration, controlling seizures and slowing the absorption of theobromine. If the animal is already comatose, its stomach may need to be pumped.

Instead of putting your pet’s heath in jeopardy this Valentine’s Day by giving in to the temptation of feeding them a piece of your chocolate, consider these natural sweet treats that are safe for your pet to eat: sweet root vegetables such as parsnip, rutabaga, sweet potato and carrot; fresh and dried fruits including apples, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries; pure honey, which can be used as a sweetener or as a treat on its own; and nuts and seeds such as almonds, peanuts (including salt-free peanut butter), sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and pine nuts.

Have a safe and happy Valentine’s Day!

While most pet owners stay on top of their pets’ vaccinations and check-ups, it’s easy to forget about the importance of routine dental care to maintain good oral health.  This can be a problem, as periodontal disease is the most common health problem that veterinarians find in pets.  Many of these conditions can be very painful and can even lead to serious systemic conditions – an untreated dental infection can spread to the heart, kidneys and other organs, and suddenly become life-threatening.

While regular dental checkups are essential to help maintain pets’ oral health, there are a number of signs that dental disease has already started. If you notice any of the symptoms below, make sure to get your pet checked out by a veterinarian as soon as possible:

• Bad breath – while most pets have breath that is less than fresh, if it becomes truly repugnant, that’s a sign that periodontal disease has already started.
• Frequent pawing or rubbing at the face and/or mouth.
• Reluctance to eat hard foods.
• Red swollen gums and brownish teeth.

For more information on this topic, you can visit the American Veterinary Medical Association’s website and read more at https://www.avma.org/News/PressRoom/Pages/Pet-Dental-2013.aspx.

Dealing with a sick pet, or the loss of one, can be devastating for an adult, and especially for a child. So how do you talk to your kids about losing their cuddly companion? 7′s Lynn Martinez gets some expert advice in tonight’s Parent to Parent.

Read more: http://www.wsvn.com/features/articles/parent/MI97109/losing-a-pet/#ixzz2KhOyp8k2