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Dr. Justine Lee - Blog about cat, dog, and miscellaneous veterinary topics

How to Get a House Pet to Be Just Like You

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Thanks to Vicky Kelly for today's guest blog!

A bored house pet is often naughty, or a destructive pet. House pets tend to be more disciplined when both their minds and their bodies keep under control. That's because our pets love us. I mean dogs aren't “mans best friend for no reason,” right.

Now, when you leave the house for work in the morning, you can keep your house pet chill and happy. Try out these four simple and new technologies for your four-legged buddy.

DogTV

Creators of the channel recommend leaving your television on DogTV while you're away from home. The segments, which include nature shots as well as common household items your dog may be fearful of, can help alleviate separation anxiety, reduce your dog's aversion to the vacuum cleaner, as well as simply entertain his brain for a while. Providers such as www.cable.tv should offers these channels in your area. One word of advice — watch DogTV with your pup before leaving him alone with it. Not only may it entertain you, but it may give you an idea of how your gentle dog will react to the different segments.

Canines Have Their Own Beer

After a stress-filled day of chasing birds around the yard, fighting off the invading mailman, and keeping the cat away from him, your dog could use a drink to unwind. Since he can't hit up the bar, at least not in most bars, spoil your dog with a brew made especially for him. Dogs can't metabolize alcohol like humans can, sharing your Pabst beer isn't a good idea. Luckily, there are non-alcoholic beers like Happy Tail Ale that give your dog the flavor of beer with a splash of beef to appeal to his discerning palette.

'Game for Cats'

The iPad is an incredible device to the lifestyles of our house cats, as well. According to LA Times, 'Game for Cats' was released for pet owners who don't have enough time to spend with their four-legged feline. Cats will chase a bouncing light. If cats are able to hit the light, they receive a score. All pets, not just cats and dogs, are entertained by the same technology as humans. Just make sure you'll still physically exercise your pet, so he doesn't also emulate the laziness of humans, as well.

Trigger Tweets

Forget those "fake" animal tweeters like “Guide Dog Dave” and “Simon the Cow(ell).” You know it's a person pretending to be an animal. Now, your dog can actually send tweets directly. Puppy Tweets are an electronic tag with a sensor that you attach to your dog's collar. It detects your dog's movements and sounds and sends a bundle of tweets to a Twitter account.

 

 

13 random acts of kindness for 2013

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For 2013, my goal is 13 random acts of kindness. Consider joining me as we rally to be kind to our fellow 2-legged and 4-legged. Spread the word and hopefully we can make a difference! After all, 13 random acts of kindness boils down to just 1 nice deed a month. That's 'nothing right? So, for our first random act of kindness:

What better day than 1/13/13 to start distributing Ziploc care packages for the homeless? Trust me - it's nothing fancy, but it makes for a fun Friday date night to make a few dozen care packages and store them in your glove compartment of your car for ready distribution to the guy on the corner.

My Ziploc care package for the homeless includes:

  • Hand wamers (It's Minnesota after all, and homeless get particularly screwed in this state on cold days! After all, it's only -10 F today with windchill).

  • A package of instant oatmeal with a plastic spoon

  • Travel size shampoo, conditioner, and lotion (compliments of whatever hotel I last business traveled at)

  • A package of tissues

  • A pack of Emergen-C

  • Disposable hand wipes (Thanks to Famous Dave's for the unofficial donation)

  • A $5 gift card to a readily available fast food joint (e.g., McDonald's, Subway, etc.)

Get creative. Put whatever you think a homeless person might appreciate. And give. It costs you a few bucks, and likely means a lot more to someone less fortunate.

Next month: buy the person's meal for them in the drive-through... More on that soon!

Any other good suggestions? Ping me at @drjustinelee with some good ideas!

I hate to steal Subaru's logo, but let's all share the love...

Dr. Justine Lee

Ziploc homeless care package

 

Feline urethral obstruction: Why is my cat licking down there?

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As published on www.pethealthnetwork.com on 12/6/2012

If you have a male cat, pay heed to his kitty litter habits, as it can be life-threatening if you don’t.

In my book, It’s a Dog’s Life… but It’s Your Carpet, I explain the ever-evasive question: “Why do dogs lick their balls?” (I’m a medical professional, so am allowed to use that word!). Sadly, there’s no smart excuse for it – it’s just because they can.

Read more here at Pet Health Network.

 

Thanksgiving holiday dangers to avoid in your pets!

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As published on www.pethealthnetwork.com on 11/19/2012

Thanksgiving holiday dangers to avoid in your pets!

Ah, Thanksgiving… a joyous holiday when friends and family join us for a day of football, lounging, and all-day tryptophan turkey tasting. The smell of cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie, and turkey all baking in the oven slowly filter through the house, driving you – and your dog - slowly mad.

Read more at pethealthnetwork.com

Food

 

Should I fly my dog?

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DOT May Expand Pet Incident Reporting for Airlines

Thanks to Veterinary Practice News for releasing this great info!
Previously published July 2, 2012, 1:15 p.m. EDT

Prompted by letters from U.S. Senators and a petition submitted in 2010 by the Animal Legal Defense Fund, the U.S. Department of Transportation in late June proposed expanding its reporting requirements for airlines that transport animals.

Pet travel

“This new rule is good news for animal lovers,” said Ray LaHood, U.S. Transportation Secretary. “It will help ensure that all animals can be transported safely and will enable consumers to more accurately compare airlines when it comes to the care provided to their pets in the air.”

Proposed changes include extending the mandate to an additional 21 U.S. airlines (currently only the 15 largest U.S. airlines are required to report animal losses, injuries and deaths) and to require reports for all cats and dogs transported (current rules only apply to animals transported as pets by their owners but not those transported commercially by breeders and distributors).

With the expansion of airlines to include all airlines operating at least one plane with 60 or more passenger seats, the reporting requirement would apply to airlines carrying 99.6 percent of domestic passengers and 98 percent of international passengers that travel on U.S. airlines, according to the government.

The rule would also require a year-end summary report of the total number of losses, injuries and deaths in the airlines’ December reports.
 
The department is also seeking comment on whether it should require monthly reports whether or not an airline had any incidents (currently airlines only file reports for months in which incidents occur) and whether the December reports should include the total number of animals transported during the year. The department is accepting public comments on the proposed rule through Aug. 28, 2012, at www.regulations.gov, Docket ID No. DOT-OST-2010-0211.

My advice? Take your small dog or cat ON the plane with you, not UNDER it. Dr. Justine Lee

 
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