Pet Genius Fall 2013

PublisherPet Genius LLC

EditorialEditor In Chief: Adam Lazarus

Executive Editor: Pamela James

Contributing Editors: Adam Colwell, Brett Cordes DVM

Art & DesignSenior Graphic Design: Caryn Metcalf

Magazine Layout: Caryn Metcalf

WritersContributing Writers: Adam Colwell, Brett Cordes DVM,

Dr. Jim Humprhies, Pamela James, Dr. Ernest Ward DVM

MarketingVP of Marketing: Adam Lazarus

FinanceFinance / Strategy: Suzanne Passalacqua

Controller: Lance Martin

SupportChief Executive Officer: Rod Dunmyre

Chief Veterinary Officer: Brett Cordes DVMVice President Operations: Crystal Lore

IT Director: Josh WoolridgeIT Support Specialist: Jennifer Grajeda

Product Integration: David DunmyreClient Services: Nicole Pierce, Kim Wilkinson

ContactLetters: [email protected]

Subscriptions: [email protected]

Volume 2, Number 11. Pet Genius Wellness Magazine is published quarterly by Pet Genius, 4750 N. Oracle Road,

Suite 214, Tucson, AZ 85705. Pet Genius considers its sources reliable and verifies as much data

as possible, although reporting inaccuracies can occur; conse-quently readers using this information do so at their own risk. Pet Genius Wellness Magazine is offered with the understanding that

the publisher is not rendering pet protection, health and well-ness advice. Pet owners should consult their veterinarian for the

proper care and maintenance of their pet. Although persons and companies mentioned herein are believed to be reputable, neither Pet Genius Wellness Magazine, nor any of its employees accept any

responsibility whatsoever for their activities. Pet Genius Wellness Magazine is published in the USA and all

rights are reserved copyright 2013 by Pet Genius. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisher.

Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs will be returned only if accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

All letters, emails, correspondence sent to Pet Genius Wellness Magazine will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publica-tion, copyright purposes and use in any publication or brochure,

and are subject to Pet Genius Wellness Magazine‘s unrestricted right to edit and comment.

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Winter Safety ........................ 5Deciphering the Labels.......... 8Doggone Good Diet .............10Kitty Cat Carnivore ...............12 PetGenius.com

What’s in the BagChoose your pet’s food with confidence

Poison EmergencyPet Poison Helpline can be a lifesaver

Expect the UnexpectedFive pet emergencies that could wreck your finances

The Flea BattleFleas don’t have to conquer your pet… or your home

Crates and Kennels 101How to choose the right carrier for your pet

Pets, Prescriptions, PharmaciesSave money on your pet’s medications

Find more pet articles at

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Cold weather is fast approaching and that means your pet needs additional protection to stay healthy and warm through winter. Th e fi rst thing is to evaluate your pet. Was he bred for colder climates? Is he very old or very young? Does he have a full coat or is it kept closely clipped? Is he mostly an indoor dog? Remember, even if your pet lives primar-ily indoors, he still requires adequate shelter that protects him from the elements. And the quality of your pet’s outdoor housing

should relate directly to the amount of time he spends outdoors. Similar to choosing a kennel, your dog’s outdoor shelter should be large enough for your pet to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably. Anything bigger makes it diffi cult for your pet to use his own heat to warm his house. Take extra care with elderly pets. Just like you, their joints ache more when the weather turns cold. You may consider buy-ing them a heated bed or a sweater to help

them retain heat and stay comfortable. Puppies also have a much tougher time regulating their body temperature and should only be exposed to cold weather for short periods of time. If you have a short-haired dog, buy him a sweater to wear when he’s outside. If your dog spends a lot of time outside he defi nitely needs a warm, dry home. As you prepare his outdoor kennel, consider the following:

Preparing your pet’s kennel for cold weather months.Brett the Vet

Wintersafety

Repair – Fix any holes, cracks and worn areas

Extra cold climate –Add cardboard or newspaper for additional insulation

Waterproof – rainy environment? Line the kennel with waterproof material.

Position– Face entrance towards wall to reduce drafts and rain

Clean– Sweep out dust and debris. Wipe down fl oors and walls

Bedding– Choose warm, soft, comfortable bedding

Towels– Place additional towels inside which you can remove and clean

Remember, as the temperatures drop it is always a safer choice to keep your

pets indoors as much as possible. Of course, your pet will need to go out to potty but be sure they don’t stay out

for extended periods of time. www.PetGenius.com • Fall 2013 5

What’sbag?in the

Choose your pet’s food with confi dence.

Health

by Dr. Jim Humphries

6 www.PetGenius.com • Fall 2013

Who is AAFCO?

Pets depend on us to keep them prop-erly fed and in the best health. But for most pet owners, the abundance of pet foods and brands can be overwhelming. Add the opinions arguing which foods are “best” and its no wonder there is so much confusion about what to feed Fido and Fluff y.

Accounting for life stages Diff erent life stages mean diff erent nutritional requirements. “Th e fi rst thing to consider is her life stage,” said Dr. John Bauer, a veterinary nutritionist with Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine. “Is she a growing puppy or kitten or is she a ma-ture adult trying to maintain body size?” A food adequate for all life stages may contain nutrients at levels inappropriate

for some geriatric pets. To determine your pet food’s life stage formulation, look for the Association of American Feed Control Offi cials (AAF-CO) statement on the label. If the nutritional adequacy statement reads “complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages”, the food has enough nutrition for pregnancy, lactation, growth, and maintenance. If the label states “complete and bal-anced for adult maintenance”, this food is appropriate for adult pets only.

Feeding trials “Another important consideration is if the food has undergone feeding trials,” said Dr. Bauer. Again, the AAFCO statement is help-ful. Foods that have been fed to ani-

mals before marketing to consumers will have a statement similar to: “AAFCO animal feeding trials substantiate…” or “Feeding trials show…”. Th is statement shows the company has invested time and research to ensure pets willingly accept the diet and stay healthy while on it. If the label simply states that “Brand X is formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profi les”, then the food was not fed in any regulated manner to animals prior to its delivery to store shelves. Although this doesn’t mean that the food is bad or of poor quality, most would prefer that their pets eat food that has proved to do well for other animals.

Company reputation Finally, the reputation of the company is an important consideration. Does the manufacturer use a vet-erinary nutritionist to help develop and maintain the diets or does the food just boast a celebrity endorsement? Does the company engage in benefi cial nutritional research or do they follow the most re-cent dietary fad? Th e best source for nutritional infor-mation is your veterinarian. She has the necessary schooling and clinical experi-ence to help you understand your pet’s dietary needs. Remember, your veterinarian under-stands your pet’s unique needs and is available to answer any questions about your pet’s food - make use of this valuable resource.

Dr. Jim Humphries is a practicing vet-erinarian and founder of the Veterinary News Network.

AAFCO establishes the nutritional standards for complete and balanced pet foods. AAFCO provides a forum for the membership and industry representation to achieve three main goals: 1. Ensure consumer protection 2. Safeguard the health of animals and humans 3. Provide level and orderly commerce for the animal feed industry

The Association has no statutory authority to regulate pet products, that belongs to state feed control offi cials. And it is up to the manufacturer to formulate their products according to the appropriate AAFCO standards. They also develop and implement uniform and equitable laws, regulations, standards, defi nitions, and enforcement policies to regulate the manufacture, distribution and sale of animal feeds.

For more details, visit www.aafco.org

The Association of American Feed Control Offi cials

PetGenius.com

Find more articles and tips about pet nutrition.

Finding the right diet for your pet begins with a conversation with your veterinarian. It also helps to understand, and be able to decipher, all the information contained on a pet food label. Every label features 8 required items.

Brand and product name Th e way a product is named actually provides clues as to the percentage of that ingredient in the product. So, “Beef Dog Food” indicates a higher percentage than “Dog Food with Beef ” which is diff erent from “Beef Flavor Dog Food.”

Th e species for which the food is intended. Th is tells if the food is formulated for a cat, dog, hamster, etc. Each species has their own unique nutritional requirements.

Quantity statement Th e net weight or net volume of the product.

Guaranteed analysis Lists the percentage of each of the nutrients in the food. Guarantees for other nutrients may be required to support claims made in labeling.

Ingredient statement Must be listed in order of weight, on an “as

Finding the right diet for your pet begins with a conversation with your veterinarian. It also helps to understand, and be able to decipher, all the information contained on a pet food label. Every label features 8 required items.

Brand and product name Th e way a product is named actually provides clues as to the percentage of that ingredient in the product. So, “Beef Dog Food” indicates a higher percentage than “Dog Food with Beef ” which is diff erent from “Beef Flavor Dog Food.”

Th e species for which the food is intended. Th is tells if the food is formulated for a cat, dog, hamster, etc. Each species has their own unique nutritional requirements.

Quantity statement Th e net weight or net volume of the product.

Guaranteed analysis Lists the percentage of each of the nutrients in the food. Guarantees for other nutrients may be required to support claims made in labeling.

Ingredient statement Must be listed in order of weight, on an “as

Decipheringlabelsthe

Health


When you consider the size diff erence between you and your pet, snacks can have a huge impact on Fido’s health. A snack for you could be the caloric equivalent of an entire meal for your pet. For instance:

One hot dog for a 20 pound puppy is the caloric equivalent of three hamburgers for one person.

One slice of cheese = 1/3 of a small dog’s daily required calories OR 1/2 the daily caloric intake for a cat.

One potato chip for a 10 pound cat = 1/2 a hamburger for a human.

One cup of milk for a 10 pound cat = 5 chocolate bars for a human.

Three jerky treats for a small dog = his daily caloric intake with little nutrition.

A few snacks can quickly translate to a pudgy pet. Ask your veterinarian, how’s my pet’s weight? Her answer may surprise you.

Daily caloric intake

Hot Dog

Cheese

Potato Chips

Cup of Milk

Jerky Strips

=

=

=

=

=

Snacks:path to a pudgy pet?

formulated basis.” Th e ingredient that makes up the highest percentage of the total weight as it goes into the product is listed fi rst. Th e ingredients used must be “generally recog-nized as safe” approved food additives, or otherwise sanctioned for use in animal feeds.

National adequacy statement Indicates the food is complete and bal-anced for a particular life stage or if it is intended for intermittent of supplemental feeding only.

Feeding directions All pet foods labeled as complete and bal-anced for any or all life stages must include feeding directions that, at a minimum, state “Feed (amount) per (weight) dog/cat”. Feeding frequency must also be stated.

Name and address Of pet food manufacturer or distributor.

Other information found on a label may include: additional calorie content statements for any claims such as “lite” or “low calorie” that follow specifi ed methods and format. Th e product must not exceed maximum calorie limits depending on the moisture content of the food and intended species. “Feeding trials,” indicates the food was fed to dogs to ensure they were willing to eat the food and remained healthy while doing so.

Compiled from the offi cial AAFCO website. To learn more, visit: petfood.aafco.org

dietDoes my dog need to eat a meat based diet? Dogs can meet their nutritional needs by eating a combination of plant and animal foods. The source of proteins and fats is less important than the quality and digestibility of these essential components. A well-balanced diet must also include an appropriate amount of minerals, vitamins, certain essential amino acids, and specific essential fatty acids. The necessary amounts vary somewhat with the dog’s stage of life.

What should I consider when choosing a dog food? A good rule of thumb is to feed your dog the highest-quality food you can afford. The difference between premium and budget food is found in the quality and source of ingredients. Two dog foods may each contain 27% protein but be vastly dif-ferent in terms of digestibility. The best method to choose a food for your dog is to ask your veterinarian. Some general tips to help you decide what should go into your dog’s food bowl:

Select whole-food ingredients. If the items listed are real, recognizable, whole-food ingredients—you’re on the right track. If the majority of listed ingredients is unfamiliar to you, find another diet.

Select a low-calorie diet. Most adult, indoor, spayed or neutered dogs have low energy requirements. Your dog’s diet should contain a relatively small amount of calories per cup—ideally less than

350 calories. If your dog’s food contains 500 calories per cup and you have a 20-pound dog, the amount you should feed is tiny (and unsatis-fying!). High-calorie foods mean even a few extra kibbles can really pack on the pounds.

How much should I feed my dog? Your veterinarian can estimate your dog’s caloric needs based on his lifestyle and body condition score. The standard formula used to calculate the energy requirements of the average adult, indoor dog who gets light daily exercise and is spayed or neutered is:

30 X weight in pounds divided by 2.2 + 70 = daily caloric needs

Few dogs are “average,” so this formula is merely a starting point. This daily caloric total includes not only your dog’s meals but also any snacks and treats. How often should I feed my dog? For most, feeding once or twice per day is recommended. Many dogs will benefit from eating equally divided meals two to three times per day. Regardless of the schedule, keep your dog from vigorous exercise after consuming a large meal, especially if your dog eats its food rapidly. This will help minimize problems with bloat, intestinal obstruction or other serious digestive disorders. Is dry or canned food better? In terms of nutrition and digestibility, there is no difference between dry and canned (wet) dog food. For dogs who need

more water or have special dietary needs, canned foods may be a better choice. Otherwise, most dogs will do fine on dry kibble.

Final considerations Choosing a high-quality food from the hundreds of available can be challenging. Your veterinarian can help you select a diet that is backed by scientific principles and research to meet your pet’s individual needs. Contributed by Cheryl Yuill, DVM, MSc, CVH and taken from the Pet Genius Health & Wellness Library. © Copyright 2011 LifeLearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license.

Doggone goodHealth

Veterinarian insight on keys to serving up a balanced diet.


PetGenius.com

Search our Health Library to find answers about your pet’s health.

dietQ A&

Veterinarian insight on keys to serving up a balanced diet.

Brett the Vet Genius Tip:

If you need to switch your pet’s food, try Brett the Vet’s preferred approach:

Days 1-3Mix 75% of your pet’s old food

with 25% of your pet’s new food.





Day 10 100% new food.

If your pet is having issues such as soft or loose stool,

or if he simply hates the taste, you may need to change his diet again.

Do cats have special dietary needs? Yes, they do. There are two important fac-tors that influence a cat’s diet.

Cats require meat in their diet. Cats cannot be vegetarians because they lack the metabolism required for the proper digestion of vegetable matter. Some carni-vores eat vegetation specifically to induce vomiting. Through evolution, cats have become dependent on specific nutrients found only in animal tissue. Examples include certain essential fatty acids, minerals and vitamins (especially calcium, Vitamin A and niacin). These nutrients are not found in plant tissue in forms that can be used by cats. Equally important, cats require high levels of dietary protein with the appropriate balance of amino acids. Cats have evolved to be “obliged” to use protein as a primary source of daily calo-rie. By comparison, humans and dogs have evolved to use carbohydrates as our primary energy source.

Cats are of desert origin. The second evolutionary fact unique to the domestic cat is that its ancestors were of desert origin. Because of this, cat’s conserve water very efficiently, Cats can drink less water per day than a dog of similar size. Fresh drinking water should always be provided for domestic

cats. However, do not be alarmed if your cat seems to drink very little. What is a cat’s natural feeding behavior? Most domestic cats are “nibblers” and eat small meals frequently. Some will eat 12-20 meals a day – this is especially true for cats eating dry foods. Moist or canned foods are usually consumed quickly as one to three larger meals per day. Texture, odor, temperature and flavor are strong influences on a cat’s food preferences. Cats appear to prefer food with a strong odor. Food temperature influences odor, and since warm food has more aroma, cats eat it more readily. Warming up the food is a helpful tactic to entice a sick cat to eat.

What are some feeding tips for a cat’s life stages? With the unique nutritional requirements and feeding behavior of the domestic cat in mind, it is easy to appreciate practical recommendations for feeding. In all cases, your cat should have access to fresh, clean drinking water.

Kittens Young kittens need to eat frequently. Al-though they need relatively large quantities of food, they have limited space in their tiny stomachs.

At eight weeks of age, they need to be fed about 5 meals a day. By 6 months, the need for food is decreased as kittens are about 75% of their adult size and can be fed 2 meals a day. Choose a good quality food formulated for a kitten’s demanding nutritional require-ments. Because of rapid growth, any nutri-tional “mistakes” during kitten-hood could have severe consequences. For most kittens, growth is almost com-plete by six months of age. They can switch to “adult” cat food at 8-10 months of age. Kittens and cats do not need milk. In fact, by about 12 weeks of age most kittens lose the ability to digest milk sugar (lactose). While small amounts may be tolerated, too much milk can lead to intestinal upset and diarrhea.

Adults A high-quality commercial adult cat food has been formulated to contain all the nutri-ents required. Dry or wet food can be used but care should be taken to feed the correct amount, especially when feeding canned diets since it is easy to overfeed a cat. The number of meals offered and the amount and type of food used will vary with individual preferences and activity levels. In addition, nutritional requirements and dietary preferences change over the cat’s lifetime. Cats with certain illnesses will benefit from a therapeutic or “prescription” diet

Q A&

KittycatThanks to evolution, cats have very specific dietary needs.

Health

carnivore!


that may control symptoms and delay progression of disease.

Choosing a high quality food from the hundreds of available brands can be challenging. Consult your veterinarian to find the right diet for your cat.

Contributed by Ernest Ward, DVM and taken from the Pet Genius Health & Well-ness Library. © Copyright 2009 LifeL earn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license.

poison emergency! The onions and garlic were on the kitchen counter for only a moment. But that’s all the precocious Labrador, Freddy, needed. Before his owner knew what happened, Freddy jumped up, grabbed the items and promptly scarfed them down. Thankfully, the owner called Pet Poison Helpline. Her alert response saved Freddy’s life. Emergency scenario “When she called, Freddy seemed okay,” said Ahna Brutlag, vet-erinarian and associ-ate director at Pet Poison Helpline. “What

she didn’t know was that onions and garlic can damage a dog’s red blood cells. We in-structed her to induce vomiting at home, but it wasn’t enough. She took Freddy to the ER and ultimately he needed a blood transfusion. After a few days he was back to normal but he could have died from severe anemia had she not acted so quickly.” How it works The owner’s interactive experience with Pet Poison Helpline is typical of the quick and

personal attention callers receive.

“First, we ask a few detailed

questions: what the pet was

exposed to and how the exposure took place.

Next, we ob-

tain the animal’s age, breed and body weight along with any known health issues,” Brutlag said. “Then we determine the risk to the pet. If it’s low, we may advise the owner to induce vomiting or to monitor the pet for a set amount of time for specific symptoms. If it’s serious, we’ll advise the owner to take the pet to their veterinarian, who will contact us for further advice.” “Our veterinarians will walk them through steps of treatment. Pet owner and veterinar-ians can call back, as much as needed, with additional questions and concerns. All of this is included in the per-case fee,” she said. Poison inventory As a general rule Brutlag says anything with a child-resistant cap is dangerous to pets. But many poisonings involve items—like garlic and onions—not thought of as poisonous. “We’re called most often about pets ingest-ing human medications.” Brutlag said. “Dogs cannot metabolize ibuprofen as well as humans. Amphetamines found in Attention

Deficit Disorder medications cause sei-zures and tremors in dogs.

Cats are especially sensitive to the

acetaminophen in Tylenol.

Beta-blockers slow the heart rate. Antide-

Protection

855.857.3440

®

Pet Poison Helpline can be a lifesaver.

pressants may cause severe sedation or seizures.” “Never medicate pets with medicines used for humans unless specifically in-structed by a veterinarian,” she said.Houseplants can also be harmful or fatal to certain animals.

“Cut flower bouquets of lilies are highly toxic to cats, causing kidney failure,” Brut-lag said. “It just takes a couple of bites, or simply the cat walking under the plant and licking the pollen off their coat, to be fatal.“Aerosol-type chemicals, even air freshen-ers, can be harmful to birds. Even Teflon-coated cookware, if allowed to burn dry, releases chemicals that can cause lung damage in birds,” Brutlag said.Common sense prevention is key to minimizing the dan-gers.

“Taking simple steps – such as mak-ing sure your houseplants are non-toxic and storing medications in secure areas – significantly reduces the chances that your animal will come in contact with a poisonous substance,” Brutlag said. Pet Poison Helpline has categorized potentially poisonous situations by room or area of the home. “Pet owners can easily go through their home and eliminate situations that could result in a very sick pet,” Brutlag said. Pet Poison Helpline has lists of common toxic plants, human foods dangerous to animals, and more on its website, www.petpoisonhelpline.com. An iPhone app listing over 200 different types of poisons, the species of concern, and full color pho-tos is also available for download.

If you suspect your pet has consumed something toxic, call Pet Poison Helpline immediately, 1-855-857-3440.

Adam Colwell is a staff writer with Pet Genius.

The signs of poisoning can vary tremen-dously depending on what was ingested. Common signs, as provided by Pet Poison Helpline, include:

• Vomiting• Diarrhea• Drooling / hyper salivating• Loss of appetite• Nausea• Coughing or vomiting blood• Pale gums• Racing heart rate• Weakness or lethargy• Collapse• Excessive thirst or urination• Absence or decreased urination• Halitosis• Black tarry stool• Abnormal behaviors

POISONED?

Pet Poison Helpline can be a lifesaver.

Veterinarians at Pet Poison Helpline recommend keeping pets away from these seasonal hazards.

Mushrooms While most are non-toxic, certain types can be very dangerous. It is wise to consider all ingestions of unidentified mushrooms as toxic until proven other-wise. Scour the yard frequently and get rid of any mushrooms.

Mothballs Typically they contain either paradi-chlorobenzene or naphthalene. While the old fashioned mothballs (naphtha-lene) are often considered more toxic, both can be deadly.

Antifreeze As little as one teaspoon in a cat or a tablespoon or two for dogs, depending on the size of animal, can be fatal. Signs of early poisoning include acting drunk or uncoordinated, excessive thirst, and lethargy. Immediate treatment with an antidote is vital.

Mouse & rat poisons Place poisonous baits where your pet cannot reach them. “Rodenticides also pose the potential for relay toxicity,” said Dr. Ahna Brutlag, assistant director of vet-erinary services at Pet Poison Helpline. “If your dog eats a large number of dead mice poisoned by rodenticides, they can experience secondary effects.”

Compost bins or piles Decomposing and decaying organic matter and molding food products in compost piles may contain ‘tremorgenic mycotoxins’ – molds that cause tremors. Even small amounts ingested can result in tremors or seizures within 30 minutes to several hours.

Seasonal poison

hazardsEnjoy more helpful resources from Pet Poison Helpline.

PetGenius.com

www.PetGenius.com • Fall 2013 15

Th e Boy Scouts have a celebrated motto, “Be prepared.” Th at’s also good advice for every pet owner because sooner or later you’re likely to face a signifi cant expense. Considering the fi nancial obligations in the midst of a crisis is diffi cult, both to your emotional state and your wallet. So, what are some common medical procedures your pet could face? Here are a few possibilities, the fi nancial impact of which could be minimized with a little forethought and advanced planning:

Eating foreign objects If your pet is a goat, you have a lot of leeway here. But other animals can and do eat things that will make them very ill – everything from dental fl oss to stuff ed toys. Getting those things out if they block or become entangled with intestines can cost $2,000 or more.

Ligament and cartilage damage ACL’s are not just for the NFL. Re-pairing a torn anterior cruciate ligament is a surprisingly common procedure for dogs and cats. Average cost: about $1,500.

Broken bones By some counts, these are the most common injuries encountered by vet-

erinarians. Treatment depends on the severity of the injury and any ensuing complications. Many owners report invoices exceeding $5,000.

MRIs If your pet has an internal injury or illness, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be indicated. We’ll approach this one from the veterinarians’ point of view: MRI machines cost upwards of $1 million. Accordingly, the fees they are forced to charge to pay for this equip-ment must necessarily be steep.

Off -hours accidents Emergency veterinarian medicine is more expensive for a whole host of rea-sons and, naturally, Murphy’s Law isn’t limited to normal business hours.

Major pet care expenses are one of several categories of “predictable emer-gencies” that you should be prepared to face, Missouri attorney Mark Langwor-thy says. “Many people may think of their pets as people,” he says, “but there is no health care safety net for animals. Federal law requires hospitals to treat anyone whose health is in serious jeop-ardy, regardless of ability to pay. But veterinarians are under no such require-ment – and if they treated all-comers,

they would quickly be out of business.” Unfortunately, many pets are hu-manely euthanized because owners can’t pay for major procedures. You can avoid this sad possibility by purchasing a good pet insurance policy or maintaining a dedicated savings account for emergen-cies. Th e time to prepare is now.

Jim Ray lives in Nashville, TN and is a staff writer for Pet Genius.

Emergencies pet insurance can help cushion.Expect theunexpected


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Everya pet owner

is faced with a

6 seconds

$1,000 vet bill.Each year on

average pet owner spend

$1,135 per dog,

and $792 per cat.

Pet owners spend an average of

during its lifetime.

$11,000 per pet

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spending statistics are gathered by APPA from various market research resources

* American Pet Products Association, 2011-2012 National Pet Owners Survey

Th e

Flea Battle

Fleas don’t haveto conquer your pet…or your home

Protection

Many pet owners enjoy snuggling up with their pets. And, despite misguided news reports detailing the health risks associated with this behavior, most owners will continue to do so. But, there is a risk of sleeping with pets and it has to do with diseases carried by our old enemy, the flea. It is important to remember that this enemy can survive temperatures lower than previously thought.

The common flea The most common flea in the U.S. is the Ctenocephalides felis, or the Cat Flea. These wingless insects feed by drawing blood from cats, dogs and even humans. Fleas are more than a pesky nuisance with an irritating bite; they can also transmit serious diseases. While Flea Allergy Dermatitis is the most common problem, fleas can also transmit Bubonic Plague, tapeworms and Feline Infec-tious Anemia. Winning the flea battle starts with under-standing the flea’s life stages and then attacking all levels of the flea’s life cycle – even during cold weather months.

Proficient producers A single female flea can create over 2000 fleas in her three-month life span. Just 25 adult female fleas can produce more than a quarter of a million fleas in only 30 days! The non-sticky eggs fall off the infected pet and end up in carpeting, pet bedding or furni-ture upholstery. Outdoor environments such as leaf litter, lawn or mulch in moist and shady areas are also ideal environments for egg incubation. Depending on the temperature and level of humidity, flea eggs hatch after 1-10 days into larvae. These larvae molt three times in a 5-25 day period before spinning a cocoon (pupae). The flea pupae then hatch in as few as 5-9 days to the fully formed adult. The flea pupae can also remain dormant for up to five months – only to reappear with a vengeance with the arrival of warmer weather. Adult fleas comprise only about 5% of the en-tire flea population. The remaining 95% consists of eggs, larvae and cocoons in the pet’s environ-ment. It’s easy to see how the flea can quickly invade and even overrun a home.

Winning the battle Expert “Flea Guru”, Dr. Michael Dryden recommends a combination of products and procedures to win the battle against fleas. “You can beat the fleas, but you have to pur-chase the right products,” said Dr. Dryden.

Topically applied flea products have worked well in the battle against the flea as have orally administered pills. With the rapid life cycle of the flea, the product must have a kill ratio of 90-95% to be considered effective. Anything less will not do the job completely. Keep in mind, the wrong dose of a dog’s flea product can also have devastating and even life-threatening results if given to a cat. It may sound silly, but the EPA estimates that this mis-take happens thousands of times every year!

Once the flea does appear, Dr. Dryden promotes a 3-part plan:

Step one: eradicate the existing fleas Proper product usage is very important and, remember, one dose won’t eliminate all the dif-ferent stages. A monthly preventive can help eliminate the guesswork and reduce the risk of exposure for your pet.

Step two: rid the premises of the fleas Use environmental products that contain Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) to kill flea eggs and larvae. All areas frequented by the infected pet must be cleaned regularly. The outdoor en-vironment may need to be professionally treated, as well. It is important to treat all dogs and cats within the home, not just the affected pet. All pets should be treated year-round to ensure total elimination and to avoid reinfestation when the weather warms.

Step three: prevent new infestations If even one cycle of flea prevention is missed, the battle will continue. Knowing how to combat fleas is really more than half the battle. Although fleas are hardy little critters, there are safe effective products to fight these bugs. Ask your veterinarian for prod-uct recommendations and advice.

Dr. Jim Humphries is a practicing veterinarian, Founder of the Veterinary News Network and the American Society of Veterinary Journalists


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of care.


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101Crates & kennels


For multi-pet households,

crate-feeding pets is a great way to

limit conflict and monitor diets.

Protection

Crate training your pet – cat or dog – provides life-long benefits. A crate or kennel limits a young pet’s access while she learns the house rules. It offers a place of comfort, safety, and retreat from the bustle of a busy home. And, crates are perfect way to transport your pet for travel.

The introductions Introducing a crate may take some time and will depend largely on your pet’s age, temperament and past experience…pa-tience is key. Training involves a series of small steps designed to build familiarity, trust and comfort. Remember, the crate should always have a pleasant association.

Familiarize Place the crate in an area where you spend time. Pets are social – you don’t want her to associate the crate with isola-tion. Place her bedding, favorite toys and even a treat inside. Leave the door open and allow her to go in and out as she desires. If your pet refuses, use treats over the course of several days to slowly coax her inside. Place small treats near the crate. Next, place treats just inside the door. Finally, place the treat all the way inside.

Feed-time Once she is comfortable, offer regular meals near the crate. If she’s doesn’t mind going inside, place the food dish in the back of the crate. Close the door when she begins eating. Open the door as soon as she’s finished. With each meal, leave the door closed a few minutes longer.

Build trust and familiarity Once she demonstrates no signs of fear or anxiety, you can increase her time inside the crate.

1. Call her over to the crate for a treat. Provide a command to enter such as “Kennel Up!” Encourage her by pointing to the inside of the crate with a treat in your hand.

2. Praise her when she enters, give her the treat and close the door. Sit quietly near the crate for five to ten minutes and then go into another room for a few minutes.

3. Return, sit quietly for a short time, and let her out of the crate. Repeat this process several times a day.

Gradually increase both the time she’s inside the crate and the time you’re out of sight. When she can stay quietly for about 30 minutes without seeing you, you’ve neared the home stretch. So, what’s next?

Away and Overnight To begin this phase, start by leaving her crated when you leave the house.

1. Place her in the crate using your regular command and a treat. You might also want to leave her with a few safe toys.

2. Don’t make your departures emotional and prolonged, but matter-of-fact. Praise her and then leave quietly.

3. Keep your arrival low-key. When you return home, don’t reward her for excited be-havior by responding in an enthusiastic way. There is plenty of time to show her love.

When extended stays no longer bother her

you can start to crate her overnight. Place the crate in your bedroom, initially, espe-cially if she’s a puppy or an older dog – each have special needs. Once she sleeps through the night you can move the crate to your preferred location.

Travel time Once your pet is cozy with her crate, intro-ducing crate travel is fairly easy. As always, start slow; build her trust and familiarity. Begin with short rides and increase their length as her comfort grows. Monitor her stress levels and make it an enjoyable experi-ence. Crate training your pet will take time, love and lots of patience but the long-term benefits are worth it.

Contributed by Adam Colwell, Kim Wilkinson and Pamela James.

ChoosingcrateaThere are several types of crates available today. As you make your selection, keep these factors in mind:

Size – your pet should have enough room to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably. Any more room than that and your pet may decide she has enough room to create a potty space.

Physical needs – does her heavy coat make her hot? A wire crate offers good ventilation. Does she like a cozier environment? A plastic crate may be a good option.

Lifestyle – do you road trip, camp or enjoy drives with your pet? A lightweight, soft-sided crate might work well. Will your pet be a frequent flier? Choose a crate that is airline approved.

You can always upgrade your pet’s crate to adapt to changing needs. The classi-fied are a great place to find used crates and kennels – just disinfect thoroughly.


Crate your pet for small time periods when

you’re home to avoid her

associating her crate

with being abandoned.


Download our Travel Guide for more kennel tips.

PetGenius.com

Pets,prescriptions,pharmacies

If your pet is living with a chronic health condition, you know firsthand how quickly expenses can pile up. According to the Animal Health Institute, in 2009, consumers spent $3.8 billion on medications for their animal companions. That’s a lot of kibble. For many, finding innovative ways to save on pet health care is a priority.

Changing landscape Historically, veterinarians have prescribed and dispensed pet medications almost exclusively in-office; and pet owners had

few alternatives. However, that has slowly changed. Preventives once dispensed exclusively at the veterinarians, such as heartworm and flea and tick control, are now available at a variety of outlets. Another contributing fac-tor is the increase of pet medications with a generic equivalent. Savvy consumers under-stand that the veterinarian’s office is just one place to fill pet prescriptions.

Rise of generics Today’s generic offerings are fairly modest, at just 10%, but that number continues to rise. It is estimated that within a decade, as more patents expire, 50% of pet medications

will have a generic equivalent. A survey published by DVM360, May 2013 found: •87%ofpetownerswouldlikegenericoptions for their pet prescriptions. •73%wouldliketohearalltheiroptionsnot just in-clinic dispensing. Veterinarians who help pet owners save money earn their trust and loyalty. •68%saybeingofferedcheaperalterna-tives increases respect for their veterinarian. •70%indicateitincreasestheirloyaltytotheir veterinarian. •62%sayitmakesthemmorelikelytobuy additional veterinarian services. If saving money on a pet’s prescriptions translates to more veterinarian visits, that is a win for all parties involved – the client, the veterinarian and the pet. So, what does this all mean for you and your pocketbook?

Identifying savings If you pet is currently on medication, start by having a conversation with your veteri-narian. Ask about your options: Is there a generic available? If not, is there an alterna-tive prescription available that could help you save money?


Protection

Save money on your pet’s medications.

If you identify prescriptions you can fi ll at a retail pharmacy, keep the following in mind. •Ifthepharmacistsuggestssubstitutingyour pet’s prescription, contact your veterinarian. •Ifthepharmacistsuggestsadifferentdos- age, contact your veterinarian. •Ifyourpetbeginstoshowsignsofan adverse reaction, contact your veterinarian. No changes should be made to your pet’s pre-scription unless the pharmacist has discussed the change directly with your veterinarian.

Th ere are a variety of ways to save on pet prescriptions. Talk with your veterinarian and identify any medications you can fi ll at retail pharmacies. Th en, visit PetGenius.com and download your Rx Sav-ings Card to enjoy addi-tional discounts. Discover how easy it is to save on prescriptions for your pet.

Pamela James is a staff writer for Pet Genius.

What are generic drugs?

A generic drug is identical – or bioequivalent – to a brand name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics, and intended use.Although generic drugs are chemically identical to their branded counterparts, they are typically sold at substantial discounts from the branded prices. Taken from the Food and Drug Administration website.

Are generic drugs as eff ective as

brand-name drugs?

Yes. FDA requires generic drugs have the same high quality, strength, purity, and stability as brand-name drugs.Not every brand-name drug has a generic drug. When new drugs are fi rst made they have drug patents. Most drug patents are protected for 20 years. The patent, which protects the company that made the drug fi rst, doesn’t allow anyone else to make and sell the drug. When the patent expires, other drug companies can start selling a generic version of the drug. But, fi rst, they must test the drug and the FDA must approve it. Taken from the Food and Drug Administration website.


Smart. Simple. Convenient. The Rx Savings Card extends discounts on quality pet prescriptions that can be

conveniently fi lled at over 62,000 retail pharmacies nationwide.

Visit PetGenius.comand print your card now!

Smart choice. Big Savings. Healthy pets.sm

Saving on your pet’s prescriptions just got easier…

Members save an average of 41%

Thanks to the Rx Savings Card.

Documents

Pet Genius Fall 2013