“The new drug, Palladia, manufactured by Pfizer Animal Health Inc., has been approved to treat a type of cancer that accounts for about one in five cases of canine skin tumors.”

Previously, vets had to treat dogs for cancer using specially administered drugs, only designed and approved for humans. There was no way to know the effects these drugs would have on the dog’s health. Although this marks a breakthrough in treating canine cancers, the drug itself is not perfect. Owners should be aware of the drug’s side effects.

“Common side effects include diarrhea, decrease or loss of appetite, lameness, weight loss and blood in the stool.”

Story from The Associated Press. Image source: Magh.

Our own Dr. Jim has taken the time to answer your pet health and care questions. This month he tackles everything from chronically smelly dogs to cats with hyperthyroidism and kidney failure.

New "Ask a PetDoc" questions

• English Bulldog with patterns similar to ringworm
• Yorkie with erections
• German Shepherd having diarrhea and vomiting
• Weiner dog vomiting after medication
• Traumatized cat

Have a health question for Dr. Jim's next column? Just send an email to AskThePetDoctor@PetDoc.com. Can't wait till next month's column to see if your question gets answered?  Ask a question on our forums. You can also read all Ask a PetDoc questions in our archives.

It’s all the rage in muscle beach, California, and around the country. One woman actually started using her cat for exercise when she realized what a great partner Lucky would make. Now, pet owners across the country are reportedly exercising with their cats and dogs, or using them as weight instead of traditional bar bells and dumbbells. Gyms have even begun offering exercise class for owners and their pets.

A pet’s fitness is just as important as our own, so why not share our workouts with our cats and dogs. Sometimes they might just make the best trainer.

It’s not uncommon for an animal to share the habits of their owner. This means that obesity and inactivity in humans usually leads to sedentary pets that are overweight. To remedy this, rather than neglecting their animals, some people have begun to use their pets for exercise.

Tara Brown of Venice Beach, California, noticed that her white, spotted cat, Lucky Cat, would scurry between her feet whenever she pumped barbells…"I like to use light weights anyway for the bicep curls and twists, so I use my cat," Brown said. "Lucky Cat seems to want to hang out with me when I'm exercising, so I'll use her."

If using your cat or dog to do bicep curls is not your thing, then you can also design your workout around activities that can be shared with pets. Whether it’s playing tag, fetch, or just throwing a toy to your dog while doing lunges, there are plenty of ways you and your pet to get in shape together. And if it is relaxation and wellness you are looking for instead, try doing yoga (or doga) alongside your furry friend. You might just find a sense of calming that only pets can provide.

Image Source: KoolCats

The ailing economy has affected the entire airline industry, but some airlines are dealing with the hard times differently. In an attempt to generate added revenues, Southwest Airlines recently announced that passengers can now purchase tickets for their pets. Animals will be able to travel with their owners in the plane’s cabin, for a small fee of $75 each way.

The airline will even support this new initiative with added amenities for their passengers to enjoy:

“Southwest also plans to outfit its airport terminals with areas where animals can relieve themselves. But it warned passengers on its Web site that these areas will likely be outside the security areas and that it won’t hold flights for passengers who opt to take their pets on a potty break.”

One question remains, will pets have to take their shoes off before going through security?

Image source: joe_stremph

Two-headed snakes (like the one pictured above) aren't uncommon in nature, but they are rarely seen because usually they do not survive. According to MercuryNews.com:

It's like a car with two drivers, with each brain vying to do the thinking that one brain usually does. Snakes that are polycephalic — that's the word for creatures with more than one head — never survive in the wild, experts say.

They are so hard to find, in fact, that when someone comes across a live two-headed snake, it can generate a lot of interest. This is exactly what Aron Dickey, owner of Hayward's Reptile Room, is dealing with right now.

"It would probably be worth $10,000 after it eats, and $15,000 after it poops," Dickey said. "The more it eats, the better it thrives, the more the cost goes up. I could probably get $20,000 for it later."

Image source: Shirley Two Feathers

In a recent PetDoc.com poll we asked how a down economy affected pet spending. Consensus seems to be that it affects spending some, but not a tremendous degree.

68% of you said that it doesn't affect your spending at all. Only 2% said that you spend more. 21% said you skimp where you can, and 9% spend a lot less.

No matter which category you fall into, we invite you to read more on how to save money on pet care. And make sure to vote in our most recent poll on the sidebar to the right!

Image source: meganbayley

More wallabies, marsupials native to Australia and New Zealand, are being purchased in Britain. Landowners have traditionally used sheep to graze on large areas of land to keep the grass down, but many are turning to wallabies because they are "cuter, friendlier and more exotic."

Wallabies may not be the cheapest option. According to a Telegraph article, males can cost over $200 in US dollars and females can run you nearly $1000. That doesn't include food and bedding. Still, it's a price many are willing to pay. The largest private supplier of wallabies in Britain, Waverly's Wildlife, has reported doubling orders in 5 years.

Anyone interested in using wallabies for lawn mowing purposes should have at least 1/2 acre and fences at least 5 feet high to prevent escape.

Image source: law_kevin

When pet owners leave town, they traditionally turn to neighbors, friends, vets and boarders to take care of their pets. But recent statistics have shown that many are now turning to professional pet sitters, according to an article in the Times-Herald.

Beth Stultz of Pet Sitters International said that organization has more than 8,000 members who serve an average of 191 clients each and perform 17.4 million pet-sitting engagements annually.

"This information comes from our 2008 State of the Industry Survey and is an increase from the 2006 results, which reflected an average of 126 clients per member business and approximately 8 million pet-sitting engagements per year," Stultz said.

Choosing a professional pet sitter over a neighbor or boarder comes down to personal preference. It can be less stressful on your pets to leave them in your home, but they do not receive constant supervision and you have to be okay with the fact that someone will be entering your home while you are away. Read more on how to find a great pet sitter.

Pet sitting can range from $17 to $65 depending on a number of factors. Kennels and vets are usually between $15-35 or more per night, according to the Times-Herald article.

Image source: Moon Beams and Day Dreams

According to the EPA website:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is intensifying its evaluation of spot-on pesticide products for flea and tick control due to recent increases in the number of reported adverse reactions in pets treated with these products. Adverse reactions reported range from mild effects such as skin irritation to more serious effects such as seizures and, in some cases, death of the pet.

The EPA recommends using care when administering spot-on pesticide products on your pets. Many people use the products with no harm. If you use them, please follow the instructions carefully and monitor your pets for signs of an adverse reaction. If your pet is old, sick, weak, pregnant, nursing or has shown sensitivity to pesticide products in the past, please consult a vet before using spot-on products.

The EPA emphasizes that this is not a recall, just an announcement of a heightened investigation:

EPA is not initiating a product recall of these products nor is the Agency suggesting that the products not be used. EPA recognizes the importance of the products in effective flea and tick control. EPA’s objective at this stage is simply to advise consumers and pet owners to exercise caution when using the products and to monitor pet behavior following their use, as some animals have experienced adverse reactions following treatment.