The thirteen year old mixed breed is thought to have contracted the virus from his owner, who tested positive with the flu himself earlier in the month.

The dog was brought into the vet after his owner suspected pneumonia, but with a critically high temp of 103 degrees, blood tests confirmed he had the flu. After a stay in the pet hospital the dog has fully recovered and isn’t thought to have passed it on to anyone or anything else. Though the swine flu has been known to pass from humans to pets, there has been no indication that pets have passed it on to people.

Dog and cat owners who have been ill with the H1N1 virus themselves should keep an eye on their pets for flu-like symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, sneezing, coughing, fever, discharge from eyes and/or nose, and changes in breathing.

[image: sxc]

Post from: Blisstree

New York Dog Diagnosed with Swine Flu

One of my favorite stories on Petcentric right now is about Walking Your Cat. Yes, it’s possible for cats to get very comfortable walking on a leash. I’ve even witnessed one cat who loved the leash so much you’d think she was a dog. The kitty walked right into the animal hospital lobby and started exploring while her owner chatted.

On to the prizes!

One winner will receive a large Snoozer Pool & Patio Dog Bed in Black Rain Floral. It’s made of water-resistant fabric that also resists fading. Can you picture your sweet dog lounging on it this summer?

Another winner will receive an EveryDay with Rachael Ray tote bag filled with pet goodies, such as toys and brushes. It will be like a second Christmas for your pet!

How to enter

You must have a US mailing address. Go to Petcentric and pick out your favorite story. Come back here and leave a comment with your pick. For a second chance to win, Tweet this contest and leave another comment telling me you Tweeted. Want a third chance to win? Become a Facebook fan of Petcentric and leave another comment.

To qualify to win, you must leave your comment by January 12, 2010 at 11 pm CST. The winners will have five days to respond to my request for a mailing address before a replacement winner is chosen. Please check your spam filter.

(Image via Snoozer)

Post from: Blisstree

Win a Large Pool & Patio Doggie Bed

A dog eggnog, served in moderation, of course, is a yummy seasonal treat that your dog can enjoy as you sip your own. Pair it up with a homemade dog biscuit for an even more special treat after an afternoon of romping in the snow.

Dog Eggnog

1 container plain yogurt
1 jar baby food (any meat flavor)
1 large can evaporated milk
1 egg
1 1/2 cups water

~ Place all ingredients in a bowl

~ Blend all ingredients together thoroughly

~ Serve to your furry friends, who will truly enjoy!

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

Dog Eggnog

For home safety when you’re away, Deb Coller, ADT vice president, recommends having monitored carbon monoxide and fire alarms. This is smart advice. One of my biggest pet fears when I’m away is that my cat will be stuck at home with no way to escape during a fire or other emergency. If you have alarms monitored with a reputable security company, trained operators are waiting at all times to alert first responders.

Another recommendation from Coller is to attach a pet alert window cling to a front window. The cling provides time-saving pet information to rescuers. Since home fires increase during the holidays, now’s a very good time to get your window cling. To request a free pet alert window cling, visit ADT.

During the holidays, there are also additional pet safety factors to consider. Keep pets away from fireplaces by using a sturdy screen, and keep pine needles, tree water and poisonous holiday plants like poinsettias, mistletoe, holly and lilies away from cats and dogs. Read about symptoms your pet may exhibit if a dangerous holiday plant has been ingested. Also, find out more about how holiday foods and your pet may pet along.

(Image via ADT)

Post from: Blisstree

Keeping Pets Safe While You’re Away

One pet charity that particularly needs your help this year is Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA). They are a 100% volunteer and donation driven no-kill animal charity.

Due to a couple of huge and unexpected rescue operations in 2009 and the recession, VOKRA is facing the possibility of having to close their doors to rescues and discontinue other important  animal work.

The group rescued more than 1,000 cats in 2009, and they also participate in TNR, as well as spays and neuters for cats belonging to low-income individuals and families. Visit VOKRA to donate.

(Image via VOKRA)

Post from: Blisstree

Help Save a Kitten this Holiday

~ Bo Obama Greets Oprah and Michelle Obama at Pet Connection Blog

~ Refresh your memory on the Top Five Pet Holiday Hazards at Webvet

~ A Dog Friendly Christmas menu at Dogs Trust

~ Be a Santa at your Favorite Shelter at Dogster

~ Make Your Own Dog Boots at Raise a Green Dog

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

Weekend Pet Links

The newest one is part of its own little series titled Snow Business, Part One.

In it, Simon’s cat heads outside and discovers his first snow fall. After an “altercation” with a bird (I didn’t say it was all true to life!), the short video ends and we’re told we get the rest after the new year.

Which Simon’s Cat video is your favorite?

Post from: Blisstree

Simon’s Cat in “Snow Business”

The new covers present a budget-friendly way to extend the life of your pet-friendly furniture. Sure Fit’s sofa throws can help protect furniture from drool stains, smells and hair – not to mention the ocassional human soda spill or other mishap! Sure Fit also offers pet throws for chairs and loveseats.

The Sure Fit pet throws are offered in chocolate or taupe with monogramming (up to 15 letters) available in block or script.

Prices for the new pet covers start at $37.49 for the chair throw. If you’re not into personalization, Sure Fit doesn’t force that on you. They have  non-personalized pet throws as well.

How do you feel about personalized pet throws for your furniture?

(Image via Sure Fit)

Post from: Blisstree

Personalized Pet Sofa Protectors

I really like the idea of a heated bed for them, and I know that they and the dogs would actually really appreciate it. Though we don’t really get below freezing here, the drop in temperature does obviously bother them (this is evidenced by all of them tolerating each other long enough to lounge in a patch of sunshine on the floor in an attempt to warm up).

Amazon has a lot of these types of pet beds to choose from, and the one pictured above comes in several different sizes. (Though I’m still only looking at this point, I can’t help but be amused by the thought of all the cats and dogs cramming themselves into the largest one together.) The detachable power cord is also chew resistant with a 12 volt power adapter, and the bed cover is machine washable.

If the thought of having something plugged in and generating heat bothers you, there are also these little heat discs that you warm in the microwave before tucking it in with your pet.

[image: amazon]

Post from: Blisstree

Keeping Kitties Warm

If you find it challenging to afford prescription dog food for allergies or make the trip to buy it, then you may have another solution in a food line from Wellness. It’s called Simple Food Solutions. However, if your pet suffers from food allergies, you shouldn’t change diets without first consulting with your vet.

To help us learn more about dog food allergies and Simple Food Solutions, I asked an expert, the consulting veterinary nutritionist to Wellness. Edward Moser, MS, VMD, DACVN holds the rare title of Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist. He’s Adjunct Assistant Professor of Nutrition at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and sits on a federal panel working to establish guidelines for organic pet food.

If you decide to try Wellness, enter the Blisstree contest for a chance to win one of two $50 gift certificates for Wellness food, plus pet treats from Wellness. The deadline to enter is 11 pm CST on Thursday, December 17. Go to the Wellness contest post to enter.

What are the best indicators that your dog is suffering from a food allergy?

Dr. Moser: Just because your pets aren’t coughing and sneezing, as we do when confronted by some allergens, doesn’t mean they aren’t suffering all the same. Incessant scratching, licking a “hot spot,” recurrent ear infections and frequent messes on the living room floor are all signs that a dog has allergies. Allergic reactions can show up in puppies as young as five months old, or in seniors as old as 12 years of age, though the vast majority of cases occur between two and six years.

Pets with food allergies tend to experience skin irritation when exposed to known allergens, which in turn causes varied scratching behaviors. Dogs (and, to a lesser extent, cats) that scratch their ears, vigorously shake themselves, and lick or bite at their paws or coats may be suffering from an allergic reaction. They are experiencing a skin irritation that, if left untreated, may result in infection.

Many pets are also intolerant of certain food components, leaving them unable to fully metabolize the food and experiencing various GI problems. Unusual fecal color or consistency, excessive GI gurgling sounds and the passing of gas are typical.

There are many foods that can cause allergic or intolerance reactions in pets, and unfortunately, the list is growing every day. In addition to artificial chemical additives, preservatives and flavorings (that offer no nutritional value whatsoever), there are many otherwise healthy ingredients that can potentially pose a problem for sensitive pets. Meats of all kinds, including beef and poultry, are known allergens and/or GI irritants to some animals, as are wheat/wheat protein, eggs, dairy and soy-based products. The key is determining which one or more of these ingredients are responsible for your pet’s distress.

The best way to determine that is to conduct a food elimination trial. In the elimination trial, you should choose a wholesome, complete and balanced diet like Simple Food Solutions that avoids ingredients to which the pet has previously been exposed, then feed this recipe, and this recipe only, (no snacks or table food) for six to eight weeks

How is the Simple Food Solutions line different from most other Wellness dog foods?

Dr. Moser: A limited ingredient diet like Simple Food Solutions is designed to manage allergies naturally, by removing additional proteins, carbohydrates, fillers and additives. It combines one novel animal protein source, like duck, plus one easily digestible carbohydrate source, like ground rice, with a short, yet complete list of key ingredients. Nothing extra – and is a natural alternative to prescription diets. The limited ingredients in Simple Food Solutions are carefully chosen for their quality, nutritional value and their ability to nourish with simplicity:

• Ground Rice – With the bran layer removed, it is easy to digest. There are no additional carbohydrates.
• Duck, Lamb or Salmon – These are “novel,” high quality alternatives to common proteins due to their unique amino acid profiles.
• Canola Oil – High quality fat source is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids to help dogs maintain healthy skin and coat from the inside out.
• Tomato Pomace – Rich in the antioxidant lycopene; an excellent dietary fiber source.
• Vitamins & Minerals – A complete blend of everything a dog needs for daily wellbeing.

Do you have anything to add?

In addition to eliminating the dietary allergen or irritant and making the necessary switch to a quality natural pet food, you should visit your veterinarian. If your pet is prone to scratching, his skin should be examined for inflammation and infection that can lead to further medical complications and compromise overall health.

(Image via Wellness)

Post from: Blisstree

Interview on Dog Food Allergies