by VetDepot on April 22, 2013
According to Novartis Animal Health, Sentinel is back on the market at a new, low price. Sentinel provides year-round intestinal parasite, heartworm, and flea protection for dogs.
Because of the broader spectrum and competitively priced protection Sentinel now offers, Novartis has announced the discontinuation of Interceptor production for the U.S. market.
Sentinel requires a written prescription from a licensed veterinarian, so consumers should consult with their pet’s veterinarian regarding any change from an existing treatment to Sentinel.
Novartis first announced the suspension in production of several of its products in early 2012, see here.
Tagged as:
dog health,
flea control,
heartworm prevention,
pet medications
by VetDepot on April 19, 2013
Anytime you find a lump or bump on a pet it is always a cause for concern. It is recommended for each lump to get checked out by your veterinarian. Since you cannot tell if a lump is cancerous just by examining it, they will perform a fine needle aspirate and send the sample to the laboratory. A fine needle aspirate is a technique that collects cells from the lump and those cells are examined under a microscope to determine if they are cancerous or not.
Luckily, many results come back benign (not cancerous) or “fatty” lumps known as lipomas. They usually feel soft, round, and moveable under the skin. Lipomas are tumors that arise from fat cells that grow at a different rate causing a lump. Depending on the rate of growth, lipomas can grow to be very large, but do not invade or destroy other tissues. Your veterinarian may recommend to watch the growth for any changes. It is not unusual to find multiple lipomas and appears to be most common in older and overweight dogs. Learn more…
Tagged as:
cat health,
dog health,
pet health,
veterinary care
by VetDepot on April 17, 2013
The occasional canine kiss is endearing, but when dogs obsessively lick people or things, it might be a sign of an underlying condition.
Canine kisses originate from the normal ways dogs communicate with each other. Submissive dogs will lick higher ranking individuals on the muzzle to acknowledge their place in the pack structure. Puppies will lick their mother around the mouth to encourage her to regurgitate food for them to eat. Owners often inadvertently go on to reinforce “face-licking” behavior by reacting positively to it, at least at its onset. Dogs then think, “Hey, if some is good, more must be better.”
To discourage dogs from licking people, say “no” in a low tone of voice and ignore the dog for a short period of time whenever the behavior occurs. Once the dog is not trying to lick, engage him in play that discourages the behavior, chasing a ball for example. Learn more…
Tagged as:
allergies,
Dog,
dog behavior,
dog health,
flea and tick,
pet health
by VetDepot on April 12, 2013
Giving bacteria to your cat may seem like a strange idea, but probiotics are actually a healthy kind of bacteria. A feline probiotic supplement has many potential benefits and a low risk of side effects, however, it’s important to always speak with a veterinarian before adding a supplement to your cat’s daily routine.
Bacterial Balance in the Digestive Tract
Your cat’s digestive tract ideally has a balanced environment of different types of helpful bacteria. These microorganisms aid in all aspects of the digestive process, help maintain healthy cholesterol levels, fight off bad bacteria that cause infections and illnesses, boost the immune system, promote dental health, and otherwise contribute to your pet’s digestive comfort and good health. Learn more…
Tagged as:
cat,
cat care,
cat health,
pet supplements
by VetDepot on April 10, 2013
Cheyletiella spp., otherwise known as “walking dandruff”, is a parasitic mite that can cause mild to moderate inflammation of the skin in dogs, cats, and rabbits. It can be seen with the naked eye moving along the haircoat, which gives the mite its nickname. The pale yellow to white colored mite dwells on the superficial skin and has large pinching mouth parts that feed on the nutrients on the surface. The mites are highly contagious to other pets and people. They can be transmitted by direct contact of an infested animal or by indirect exposure to a contaminated environment.
The symptoms can vary from pet to pet, ranging from severe lesions to no symptoms at all. The most common signs are mild to moderate itching, dry flaky skin, and rash on the trunk and head. More severe infestations can cause intense itching, hair loss, skin infections, sneezing, or even allergic reactions. Symptoms in people include a very itchy rash on forearms, legs, and abdomen. The rash generally subsides once contact is eliminated. Learn more…
Tagged as:
cat health,
dog health,
Frontline Plus,
mites,
rabbit care
by VetDepot on April 8, 2013
Man’s best friend doesn’t usually come to mind when most people think about weddings. However, including pets in the big ceremony is becoming more common. Some couples are choosing to have their dog be a member of the wedding party, while others just want their canine companion present for photo ops. Author Katie Preston Toepfer documents this growing trend in her new book entitled Wedding Dogs: A Celebration of Holy Muttrimony. The book, set to be released on April 16, celebrates the human-animal bond on the big day.
Here’s our interview with Katie:
Who is Katie Preston Toepfer?
I am an animal-loving writer and photographer living in Sydney, Australia. I love being creative and when I’m not working on a project I enjoy spending time with my husband, our two dogs, and family and friends. Learn more…
Tagged as:
book review,
Dog,
pet ownership
by VetDepot on April 5, 2013
Have you ever heard your pet make strange noises or episodes of snorting or gagging? These often alarming episodes could be a reflex commonly known as reverse sneezing or the pharyngeal gag reflex. A reverse sneeze can sound like honking or like the dog is inhaling a sneeze and can last several minutes. Although, it can appear life-threatening, a reverse sneeze is harmless and often does not require treatment.
The most common cause of reverse sneezing is irritation of the throat and soft palate that results in a spasm. During the episode, the pet will elongate the neck and the chest will expand as the pet inhales. The spasm results in the narrowing of the trachea, causing a decrease of air into the lungs. Learn more…
Tagged as:
Dog,
dog allergies,
dog health
by VetDepot on April 2, 2013
Having spent more than thirteen years as a San Francisco firefighter, Caroline Paul is known for her love of adventure. After her beloved cat went missing, Caroline soon learned that her feline companion had an adventurous side as well. Her newest novel, Lost Cat: A True Story of Love, Desperation, and GPS Technology, recounts her quest to discover who her mysterious kitty, Tibia, really was. The novel is set to be released on April 9, 2013.
Here’s our interview with author Caroline Paul:
Have you always been a cat lover?
My very first pet was a Persian cat named Venus. I was five years old. Quickly our household took on dogs, horses, chickens, and more cats. Learn more…
Tagged as:
book review,
cat,
pet ownership
by VetDepot on April 1, 2013
VetDepot is proud to support National Pet Care Month! Pets make wonderful companions, but it’s important to remember that pet ownership is a serious responsibility. Bringing a pet into your home means a commitment to its care for the entirety of the animal’s life.
Most pet parents know that pet care includes choosing a healthy food and committing to routine veterinary visits. However, responsible pet care extends beyond these basic needs to things like training, socialization, and preventative healthcare measures like flea, tick and heartworm medication. Pet ownership also means making your four-legged companion a priority. No matter how hectic life gets, time should be put aside every day to go on a dog walk, play a game of fetch, or spend some quality time relaxing with your pet. Learn more…
Tagged as:
cat care,
dog care,
flea control,
heartworm prevention,
pet care,
pet health
by VetDepot on March 29, 2013
Novartis has announced that it will begin taking orders and shipping Sentinel starting April 4, 2013. As reported over a year ago (see here) in January of 2012, Novartis suspended production on a number of leading products in connection with manufacturing errors with several of its human product lines. Novartis announced in January of this year that it had begun preproduction testing on Sentinel. Before production was halted, Sentinel was a market-leading veterinary medication.
Consumers should consult with their veterinarian before considering any change from an existing treatment to Sentinel. Sentinel is a prescription product that requires a written prescription from a veterinarian. VetDepot expects it will have Sentinel available for valid orders shortly after Novartis begins shipments next week.
Tagged as:
Dog,
heartworm prevention,
Pet Medication,
pet news
