The decision to bring a new pet into your household is a big one, and not to be taken lightly. Whether you’re considering a cat, a dog, or some other species, you’ll want to be sure your lifestyle is conducive to meeting the pet’s needs. You should also prepare to make some adjustments in your environment, schedule and finances; it’s important that the pet’s needs be met, but to do so you also need to be able to cover the expenses of responsible pet ownership, from food to veterinary care when needed. On this show, Dr. Wendy Mandese, a primary care and dentistry veterinarian, will cover what y ..read more

Canine distemper — a viral infection that’s often deadly in dogs—is surging in some parts of the country. Here’s how to keep your pooch safe. First and foremost, stay up to date with your dog’s vaccinations. The canine distemper vaccine is super effective, but dogs need periodic boosters to maintain strong immunity. Infection is transmitted through respiratory droplets from other dogs as well as raccoons — and sometimes foxes and skunks. Contaminated objects can also spread the virus, so keep food and water sources away from wildlife and other dogs. You can also help by reporting raccoons that ..read more

Veterinary forensic pathologists are using some pretty sophisticated tools to  pinpoint animal abuse and crack crimes against wildlife. Good intentions are golden, but hard evidence wins court cases. Just as in human forensics, veterinary evidence can now be collected through imaging, genealogy, microscopic evaluation of dissections, DNA analysis — even 3D-printed models. Artificial intelligence may increasingly play a role as well — in helping to identify patterns of trauma or disease. In addition to detailed evidence, collaboration with law enforcement, animal control and Fish and Wildl ..read more

Every day, swine producers across the United States are working diligently to fend off dangerous diseases — like African swine fever and brucellosis—that could shut down hog facilities. That’s why the US Department of Agriculture developed the US Swine Health Improvement Plan — or U.S. SHIP — to help protect hogs and US trade in the event of disease outbreaks. The program is based on biosecurity, disease surveillance and testing to help confine diseases that make their way into individual facilities. That way, effects on international trade could be mitigated while getting the disease under co ..read more

All animals can be affected by toxins in household products — just in different ways. Dogs like to chew on things like detergent pods, while cats tend to groom substances off their fur. Birds are especially sensitive to airborne toxins, while amphibians absorb toxins through their skin. Toxicity is often directly related to the concentration of chemicals. Multipurpose cleaners are usually pretty dilute, whereas corrosive products—like oven cleaners — are much more concentrated. Products that are very acidic or alkaline are also more caustic. Make sure to store household products safely and use ..read more

As the weather warms, skunks become more active — and more of a problem for pets. A direct skunk spray to the face can irritate a pet’s eyes — and if ingested, can cause drooling, nausea and vomiting. And of course there’s the smell. The offending thiols [THIGH-alls] in skunk spray aren’t water soluble, so bathing your pet with soap and water won’t help. One effective recipe adds one quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide to one-quarter cup baking soda, then mixes in two teaspoons of liquid dish detergent. When the mixture bubbles, lather it on, avoiding your pet’s eyes. Let it sit for five minutes bef ..read more

Did you know that the most common pets have outsized carbon footprints? That’s due to the carnivorous diet we feed dogs and cats. If you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly pet, you might want to take a look at rabbits. These guys thrive on a diet of hay supplemented with veggies and leafy greens — no meat for them! They even go for the parts we toss away—like stems and carrot greens — which you might be able to get for free at your grocery store. What’s more, a rabbit’s droppings can be composted or used as garden fertilizer. That’s not the case with cats and dogs. But before you b ..read more

The animal kingdom is full of wonders, not the least of which is a unique way of reproducing called parthenogenesis [par-then-ō-GEN-ah-sus]. Of course, the usual way animals reproduce is by mating, during which egg cells and sperm each contribute 50 percent of the genes required by their offspring. In parthenogenesis, the female’s body comes up with unique ways to substitute for the genes supplied by sperm. Without going into all the genetic and physiologic details, suffice it to say that female animals from honey bees and snakes to fish and lizards have surprised us by giving birth to offspri ..read more

If you’re a pooch parent, chances are you sometimes let your dog out into the yard instead of taking him for a walk — especially in bad weather. But before you do it again, think about how it deprives your buddy. Dogs need exercise and they’re unlikely to get it by themselves. Once in the yard, they’re more apt to just lie down. Our canine companions also need mental stimulation — the kind they get from seeing and sniffing new things. They also crave companionship — especially with us. Dogs that aren’t walked have a greater risk of depression and anxiety —and often other health problems too. S ..read more

Did you know that cats can spend nearly 10% of their waking day grooming themselves? Licking each other is also an important part of feline socialization. But what does it mean when your cat licks you? You might like to think it’s a sign of affection — and it could be. But true to the cat’s reputation, there’s often a more self-serving reason involved. Your feline friend may lick you to indicate that you’re not a threat — much like the reasons behind cat-to-cat grooming. On the other hand, your cat’s licking may simply be a way to mark you as belonging to them. And because cats are hard-wired ..read more