Your dog’s toys are worth every penny. Day in and day out, these virtually pup-proof products stand up to tug-of-war, backyard fetch-a-thons and super slobber. But even the toughest toys need maintenance from time to time. To keep your dog’s top toys in fighting shape and safe for play, Petplan vets recommend an occasional toy box audit.

It’s easy. Just take a closer look at your dog’s toys.  Is that stuffed squirrel losing its tail? Has the mouse toy lost its squeak? And what’s that dried junk on the rope toy? By taking the time to clean (or toss) your dog’s toys you can help prevent all sorts of unsavory situations from choking accidents to bacterial infections. Here’s how to get started:

Dishwasher:  After your dog finishes her Kong toy or other food puzzle, rinse it out and scrub the inside with a toothbrush to loosen stuck-on food. Then pop it the dishwasher along with any other rubber, nylon and plastic toys and run it on the hot cycle without detergent. One cycle will wash off all the nasty germs.

Every puppy parent experiences it. Suddenly, you’re the most popular person in the world. Strangers stop you on the street to pet your puppy. The neighbor you never met just happens to stop by to welcome your new “fur baby.” Puppies bring out the best in everybody. So the temptation to parade your new puppy around the dog park is understandable. But, as any veterinarian will tell you, it’s best to restrict your puppy from public outdoor areas until he’s at least four months old and has received his full canine parvovirus vaccination regime.  That’s because canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), more commonly called “parvo” is a highly contagious and often fatal virus that attacks dividing cells (mainly in the bone marrow and intestines) of puppies and dogs who are not vaccinated.

Since the virus has been around for such a long time and because it’s so hardy, the safest assumption to make is that it can be everywhere outside of areas that you can clean and disinfect yourself. That means pet stores, sidewalks, puppy training classes and even other dogs are potential risks for young or unvaccinated puppies. Obviously, infected dogs are the most virulent source of infection but this resilient virus can live for long periods of time in conditions from extreme heat to freezing cold. Thus it’s important to wash clothes and shoes that may have been exposed to the virus to prevent contaminating new environments (i.e. your house!).

Most vets will take the time to inform new pet parents about the dangers and symptoms of parvo virus for their new puppies. Considering that the majority of deaths from parvo occurs in just 48-72 hours from the first sign of symptoms, immediate veterinary care is essential to save a dog’s life.  Common parvo symptons include:

-          Lethargic

-          Refusing to eat

-          Fever

-          Vomiting

-          Severe bloody diarrhea

-          Dehydration

If you suspect that your puppy has parvo, your veterinarian will likely confirm the diagnosis with a specialized fecal test. To date no mainstream medications exist to combat the virus directly, so your vet will give supportive care to treat against the two main risks: dehydration and systemic bacterial infection. The mainstays of parvo treatment are intravenous fluid therapy and antibiotics, both of which can be required for many days. To avoid the risk of exposing other dogs to the virus, infected pets are held in an isolation unit during treatment. Infected dogs should also have their toys, bowls, bedding and accessories disinfected with a bleach mixture (1 part bleach to 30 parts water).

Every year, Petplan receives claims for puppies and dogs who were infected with parvovirus and became gravely ill or have even died. Timely vaccination is key in preventing parvovirus infection. Work with your veterinarian and their team to make sure that any dog that you adopt or buy has had the appropriate vaccines and is scheduled to receive the their boosters. Responsible breeders and shelters will have records of all of the vaccines that pets have received while in their care. Once your pet is vaccinated, ensure that you boost your pets vaccines (usually every three years for pets two years and older) or perform annual titers to test that your pet has adequate immunity to parvovirus.

For more information on preventing and treating parvo, ask your vet or check out the helpful content available at the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Table manners aside, your dog’s urgent eating style simply won’t do. Gulping down breakfast is not only a choking risk, but, in some cases, can increase the risk of a life-threatening condition called gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV).  Also known as the dreaded “bloat,” GDV is a true canine emergency, often requiring surgery to correct. It occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with air and compresses the diaphragm and abdominal veins causing a restriction of blood flow to the heart.  The air-filled stomach can easily rotate, cutting off the dog’s blood supply to the stomach. Without emergency treatment, it’s only a matter of time before the stomach tissue dies. By learning to recognize the signs of canine bloat and responding immediately, you can help prevent the devastating consequences of this condition.  

Who Gets Bloat?

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Large breed dogs with narrow chests are much more likely than smaller breeds to get GDV

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Male dogs over the age of seven are twice as likely to get GDV than females

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Dogs who eat too fast and exercise soon afterwards and/or eat just once a day are also seem to be at an increased risk

What are the Symptoms?

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Bloated, distended belly

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• Retching

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• Dry heaving

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• Shallow breathing

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• Weak pulse

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• Rapid heart rate

Can I Prevent Bloat?

It’s not possible to completely sure tprevent bloat. But if your dog is at an increased risk, you can help protect against it by making sure to:

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Feed your dog two to three times each day

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Limit water and exercise one hour before and after eating

Thanks to excellent veterinary care, Petplan receives countless claims for dogs who recover from GDV every year. To help protect your dog from GDV, take the time to ask your vet for suggestions at your next appointment.

Your dog gets the best of everything. High-quality food, fresh air, exercise, and of course, loves -- what more could she need?   Other than comprehensive pet insurance, dogs really benefit from the nutritional boost of vitamin supplements to help keep them healthy.  And supplements such as glucosamine or chondroitin can actually prevent and manage joint pain. But with so many supplements to choose from, how can you decide what’s best for your pet?

Petplan veterinarians encourage you to ask your vet before offering any vitamin or minerals supplements to your pet. She’ll likely consider your pet’s age, breed, diet and medical conditions before recommending supplements she trusts.  Your vet’s recommendation is also important because pet supplements are not reviewed or approved by the FDA and have absolutely no manufacture restrictions requiring consistent formulations. Ultimately, by heeding your vet’s advice, you can avoid choosing poor-quality pet supplements with improper ingredient levels or even heavy metals and pesticides. 

To help your vet select safe, reliable veterinary supplements, they learn to follow the ACCLAIM system below.  Check it out.  It can really come in handy when reviewing any products for your pet.

A = A name you recognize. Choose an established company that provides educational materials for veterinarians and other consumers. Is it a company that is well established?

C = Clinical experience. Companies that support clinical research and have their products used in clinical trials that are published in peer-reviewed journals to which veterinarians have access are more likely to have a quality product.

C = Contents. All ingredients should be clearly indicated on the product label.

L = Label claims. Label claims that sound too good to be true likely are. Choose products with realistic label claims.

A = Administration recommendations.  Dosing instructions should be accurate and easy to follow. It should be easy to calculate the amount of active ingredient administered per dose per day.

I = Identification of lot. A lot identification number indicates that a surveillance system exists to ensure product quality.

M = Manufacturer information. Basic company information should be clearly stated on the label including a website (that is up and running) or some other means of contacting customer support.

Your furriest family members don’t know it yet, but they have other plans for the holiday weekend. But don’t feel too bad for them. While you skip out of town, your dogs and cats will live it up. Thanks to a broad selection of pet care options, your little darlings have their pick of quality care. Perhaps they’d enjoy the comforts of home with a private staff on call. Or maybe, a cushy pet spa with in-room massage and treat service is more their style. The Pet Care Services Association makes it easy to find the perfect pet care in your area. To get started, check out their handy “How to Select a Pet Care Facility” guide for all the facts you need. http://petcareservices.org/files/comm_id_46/How_To_Select_a_Pet_Facility.pdf

Here are some just of the highlights:

Ask Around the Dog Park.  Tap pet people for their trusted pet care resources. Your dog’s park pals may have a great pet-sitter, or kennel your dog will love. Get a few contact numbers and start calling around to pet care providers that come well-referred.

Pop in.  If you’re considering a pet care kennel or boarding facility, plan to stop by to meet the staff and tour the grounds. Splashy websites and brochures can be deceiving. First, check to see that the facility is licensed by the state. Then take a look around to see that it’s clean, comfortable and well-secured.  By actually visiting you’ll get a feel for the place – everything from temperature, to supervision, to layout can make a difference in your decision.

Get the Details. What are the reservation and cancellation policies? How does the staff handle emergencies? Do they require vaccination records for all the pets?  Take the time to ask questions about the facility’s policies and specifics concerning your pets’ stay. For example, you may want to know if your dog will get one-on-one playtime, or private time away from the other animals. 

Pack Your Pets.  Aside from your pets’ favorite blanket and toys, pack along their vaccination records, their veterinarian’s contact information, and a phone number where you can be reached while out of town. The boarding facility or pet-sitter should request all this information from you before taking responsibility for your pets.

At Petplan, your pet’s health and well-being is our top priority. That’s why we recommend taking your time to find the right boarding or pet-sitter match for your pet’s needs. This way, you can rest assured that your pets are safe and happy until you’re together again… at last.

Congratulations, that’s one seriously fluffy kitty you’ve got there. But how about lending a paw to help keep her groomed and gorgeous? After all, the last thing any cat wants is a hairball backing up in her belly. Even the most well-groomed kitties expel an occasional hairball, but some cats, especially the serious shedders, have bigger hairball problems. It might seem unpleasant but having your cat leave you the little present of a hacked-up furball on the rug (a high traffic area, of course!) is the best thing that can happen to this excess hair that is swallowed while grooming. Once a hairball gets trapped in the intestinal tract, this little wad of fur can become dangerous by potentially causing an obstruction. In fact, many feline digestive track impactions are the result of the menacing hairball.

If your kitty suffers from chronic hairball drama, make sure to watch her for signs of trouble and take her to veterinarian. Kitties with problematic hairballs often vomit undigested food, dry retch and have swollen abdomens. Litter box signs include diarrhea or no bowel movements at all. Fortunately, even the fluffiest kitties can prevent hairball with regular brushings and preventative products. Here are just a few suggestions to discuss with your vet:

Brush the Fluff.  Help reduce hair ingestion by regularly brushing your cat. Petplan vets recommend using a specialized cat grooming tool, such as a dual-sided brush, or the Furminator de-shedding tool to gently and safely remove excess undercoat fur. http://www.furminator.com/shedless.cfm

Bulk Up. Fiber sources, such as natural cat grass, add substance and moisture to your cat’s stool making it easier for her to pass a hairball. A variety of cat foods also include special fiber formulas for hairball control. Ask your vet to recommend one for your cat.

Go H20. Help ease your cat’s digestion by keeping her bowl filled with fresh, clean drinking water at all times. Using a water fountain that supplies a constant source of cool, well-oxygenated water can help encourage your pet to drink more. http://www.vetventures.com/

ReLax. Talk with your vet about the many hairball laxative options on the market. These petroleum based products, are added to your cat’s food to help coat the stool for easier elimination. http://www.tomlyn.com/pages/pr_cat_01.html

Where’s your bagel? Look no further than the furry breakfast bandit hiding under the table. Dogs will stop at nothing to savor the delicacies of people food. But many “table scraps” are not safe for pets. In fact, in 2007 alone, 130,000 calls to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center involved poisoning from common human foods and household items. Most dog people know about the dangers of chocolate poisoning, but what about other foods? Petplan vets line up the top toxic table foods to keep out of paw’s reach.

Raisin’ Hell. So sweet and delicious, it’s a shame we can’t share grapes and raisins with our furry friends. But even a small amount can cause kidney failure and even death for some dogs. In fact, just recently a Brittany Spaniel covered under Petplan racked up a $1,600 vet bill after devouring an entire canister of raisins. Thanks to excellent vet care, she’s back in action. Read her story here. http://www.petinsurancereview.com/petplanUS.asp

Not Nuts about Nuts. Many varieties of nuts can have a devastating effect on a dog’s nervous system. Walnuts and macadamia nuts especially are highly toxic to dogs, causing a range of symptoms from vomiting to paralysis to death.

Hold the Onions. Dogs generally aren’t big fans of onions, but if they just so happen to be on top of a delicious hamburger, they’ll likely make an exception. Unfortunately, repeated ingestion of onions can wreck havoc on a dog’s red blood cells causing anemia, and difficulty breathing.

Skip the Gauc. Avocados contain persin, a component that’s safe for people but often very dangerous to dogs. Ingestion of avocados in any form can cause heart, lung and/or tissue damage in dogs.

Candy Culprits. Many candy and gum products contain Xylitol, a common sweetener (often found in diet products) that can cause a major drop in a dog’s blood sugar. Dogs can experience seizures, loss of coordination and even long-term liver damage after eating certain candies and chewing gum products.

The Buzz on Caffeine.  Caffeine is a definite no no for dogs.  Not only will it them make restless and anxious, but can cause heart palpitations and damage to their central nervous systems.

Fortunately, most people foods won’t hurt your dog. But since certain ingredients are problematic (not to mention high in calories), it’s best not to sneak treats to your dog directly from the table. In the meantime, remember not to leave your meals unattended and to keep telephone numbers for your regular veterinarian, the nearest 24-hour vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center number (888) 426-4435 close at hand. This way, if your dog does manage to nab a whole box of brownies from your kitchen table, help is as close as your phone.

Being cute and furry is a big job, but somebody’s got to do it. Fortunately, your pet’s a pro. And the perks aren’t bad either: fresh daily meal service, flexible napping hours, and of course, the love and doting attention of the boss (that’s you). It’s hard to imagine too many pets cracking under the pressure of this gig.  And with no mortgage to pay, or schedule to keep, what could possibly stress out your cat or dog? It all comes down to people. Somehow, without even meaning to, humans can manage to press our pets’ panic buttons.  In fact, a recent study from the University of Florida showed that pets pick up on more human behavior than we previously understood. Of course, just because your pet is stressed, it doesn’t mean that they’re picking up vibes from you; anxiety can exhibit in our pets for a number of reasons including separation anxiety, noise aversion (thunderstorms, loud traffic), even things like new pets in the neighborhood!

So how do you know if your pets are stressed? The good news is, your cats and dogs aren’t reading the evening stock reports or worrying about layoffs at the office. They watch you, and respond to your tone, body language and general disposition. If you’re stressed, your pet may be too.  Here’s what to watch for:

Destructive Tendencies. Your cat sharpens her claws on your bedspread. Your dog dines on your leather handbag. This is how they relax?

I Am Dog, Hear Me Bark. Stressed-out pooches can become what we might term whiney! The “stress” vocalizations are most often monotonous and persistent whining, barking or even howling.

Saliva Shoelaces. Anxiety can cause an increase in drooling and salivation so extra ropes of goopy saliva around the muzzle or puddles of thick saliva around the house can be an indication.

All Shook Up.  Just like us, your pets may shake and tremble when they’re stressed or nervous.

New Bathroom Habits.  Your pet usually makes it to the yard or litter box, but suddenly he’s leaving presents in new, unusual and generally undesirable places.

Keep Your Hands To Yourself. Your generally docile dog or cat may snap, growl or otherwise lose his temper when he’s under pressure. Approach with caution.

Hide and Go Seek. Your pet passes up his favorite spot on the sofa to cower under the bed or behind the drapes.

A Touch Of OCD. Your dog licks the same spot on his leg or your cat obsessively grooms her belly until the fur falls out. Frightening? Positively hair-raising.

What’s a pet parent to do? Your first stop is your veterinarian’s office to rule out medical conditions that may contribute to your pet’s new behaviors. For example, cats with urinary tract infections might pee on the floor. Or, dogs with unmanaged pain might growl or snap. It’s incredibly important to rule out underlying medical reasons, usually accomplished with a full physical exam and usually blood, urine and/or stool tests.

If your vet determines that your pet is stressed, they may recommend behavioral training alone or in combination with anti-anxiety medication. Some Petplan vets also suggest “pheromonatherapy” pet products that release pheromones to calm and soothe a worried pet. Try Feliway for cats and DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) for dogs.

Life’s stressful sometimes, even for pets. By working with your vet, you can help keep yours happy on the job for years to come.