Health

Overview

Degenerative myelopathy in dogs is a condition that develops as a result of nerve function loss in the spinal cord. The nerves are protected by a sheath called myelin. Myelin is also responsible for decreasing the amount of time it takes a nervous impulse to travel along the length of a nerve. In degenerative myelopathy, the myelin surrounding the nerves start to breakdown and nerves begin to degenerate in the spinal cord. Both of these processes cause changes to nervous signals as they travel up and down nerves. The cause of degenerative myelopathy is unknown.

We all know someone who is dealing with expensive veterinarian bills from his or her pet’s latest medical treatment. It can be a nightmare. To prevent this future dilemma, many pet owners nowadays are considering purchasing pet insurance for their dogs and cats.

Thinking about getting pet insurance? Here are few things you need to know.

Pricing

Pet insurance premiums range from $5 to $75 a month, the average plan is $25-$30 a month. This amount can vary greatly depending on:

You may notice that your seven year-old wolfhound can't hear as well as he used to, and it seems to be taking him longer to get up in the mornings. Or perhaps you've noticed that your 11 year-old tabby has added some extra cat naps to her routine and her coat's thinning out. This is perfectly natural, as dogs and cats begin to show visible age-related changes at about seven to 12 years of age. There are metabolic, immunologic, and body composition changes, too. While many of these changes are unavoidable, some can be managed with regular veterinary care and diet.

Whenever we can treat a medical problem without the invasive step of a surgical procedure, we save our dogs’ time and energy and eliminate risks for complications such as post-operative infections. In addition to being costly, surgeries also typically require lengthy healing periods, during which an animal’s mobility is severely limited. At one time many orthopedic injuries left few other choices than operating, but advancing technology is bringing dog owners some surprising new options.

We’ve all read dozens of articles on how to keep your pets safe in the summer heat but have you though about how to protect your pets from poor air quality?

Heat intensifies air pollution and causes coughing and wheezing. Cats and dogs lungs are more sensitive than humans and thus are more likely to be affected by poor air quality and have difficult breathing. For more information on respiratory problems see our articles on breathing difficulties in cats and dogs.

The 2008 State of the Air report found that more than 25% of the people in the US live in an area with unhealthy short-term levels of particle pollution.  That also means that over a quarter of all pets in the US are living in areas with high level of particle pollution! See below for the Top 10 most polluted cities in the US.

What can you do to protect your pets from air pollution?

• Keep your cat and dog indoors
• Invest in an indoor air filter
• Avoid strenuous cardiovascular exercise with your dog on especially hot days
• If possible, avoid visiting the cities below during the summer months

Top 10 most polluted US cities
(By short-term particle pollution)
1) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2) Los Angeles, California
3) Fresno/Madera, California
4) Bakersfield, California
5) Birmingham, Alabama
6) Logan, Utah
7) Salt Lake City, Utah
8) Sacramento, California
9) Detroit, Michigan
10) Baltimore, Maryland / Washington, D.C.

When will you need dog first aid?

No pet owner expects to be confronted with an emergency, but accidents happen. Every year, many dogs experience a broad range of medical problems from simple cuts, bites and abrasions, burns and stings to the more serious problems like broken bones, eye injury, choking, poisoning and, in some cases, drowning.

When will you need cat first aid?

No pet owner expects to be confronted with an emergency, but accidents happen. Every year, many cats experience a broad range of medical problems from simple cuts, bites and abrasions, burns and stings to the more serious problems like broken bones, eye injury, choking, poisoning and, in some cases, drowning.

Think about the regular care you receive throughout your lifetime from pediatricians, dentists, physicians, allergists, ophthalmologists and so on. Just as you see your doctors and dentist regularly, it's important that your pets get routine exams especially since they age an on average of seven years for every one of yours. Preventive care is so important; it is recommended that your pet receive a comprehensive exam every six months by your veterinarian.

Think about the regular care you receive throughout your lifetime from pediatricians, dentists, physicians, allergists, ophthalmologists and so on. Just as you see your doctors and dentist regularly, it's important that your pets get routine exams especially since they age an on average of seven years for every one of yours. Preventive care is so important; it is recommended that your pet receive a comprehensive exam every six months by your veterinarian.

It will no doubt be easy to tell when your young female dog reaches sexual maturity and goes into her first estrus, or heat cycle. This usually occurs when an unspayed female dog is six to ten months old, and signals that your pet is ready to look for a mate.