Too Hot to Trot – Staying cool in the summer months is always a challenge
for pets, but that doesn't mean you should keep them cooped up inside your air-conditioned
house all day and night. Help them "play it cool" by taking walks in the morning
or early evening instead of during the middle of the day, when temps are likely
to be at their hottest. Also, choose your routes wisely; hot cement that has been
simmering in the sun all day can burn your pup's paws.
Let Freedom Ring, Safely – The Fourth of July is always a great time
to party with friends and family (especially those with four legs). But don't forget
to keep your pet's safety in mind; keep things like lighter fluid, matches and citronella
candles out of your pet's reach and don't leave drinks unattended. Even those glow-necklaces
that you purchased at the parade pose a risk if swallowed or chewed. For more tips
to keep your Independence Day free from disaster see our Bang Bang Boom blog post.
Green with Envy – There's nothing better than a little competition,
especially when it comes to neighborhood lawns. But don't put your pet's health
in peril just for a gorgeous green yard. Some fertilizers, plant food and insecticides
are poisonous to pets or can cause problems if ingested. To keep your yard (and
not your pet) green this summer, check out this list of products that are safe to
use around the yard: ecochem.com.
Vets for Pets
(June blogs to boost your pet
prowess!)
Those Genes Look Good on You – Variety is the spice of life, especially
when it comes to genetics. While purebred pooches have carved a popular niche in
today's society, mixed breeds tend to have a lower incidence of serious genetic
disease. In this blog, Dr. Benson discusses one of the
healthiest breeds - the Border Collie - and why he falls "head over paws"
for the "mixed" variety of this canny canine over most other breeds.
Uncommon Beauty – It's not every day that we get a claim for a Vizsla, but one week
recently we got TWO! It shouldn't be any surprise, really; thanks to their sweet
temperament, active nature and high level of intelligence, Vizslas, already loved
by vets and vet techs everywhere (thanks to an uncommonly convenient physical feature
- you'll have to read more to find out what!), are becoming a popular choice for
young, active families. In this blog post, Dr. Jules dishes on his experiences with
Vizslas in a clinical setting (including one with a very sweet tooth!) and explains
how these majestic sporting dogs with a fancy heritage can find their way into the
same troubles as more, let's say, accident-prone pets. Hey, at least they do it
gracefully! Read more about Vizslas here.
Loews Knows Pets – If you're hitting the road with your pet this July
and need a place to rest your paws, check to see if there's a Loews hotel nearby.
Your pet will receive pup-erential treatment and gifts, including a pet tag, bowl
and special treat. In addition, hotel pet services, such as a pet room service menu,
local dog walking routes and area pet services (emergency or otherwise), are all
available at your bark and call. Check out the entire list of Loews Hotels pet policies.
Pass the Doggy on the Left Hand Side – Some airlines let your pet ride
in the cabin with you (for a cost, of course), but that doesn't mean your pet gets
a free pass through security, no matter how cute he is. Your pet AND his carrier
(we love this "Uncle Monkey" carrier from Pet Flys)
will need to go through security separately, so bring a leash or harness to keep
him safe and under control. Hey, at least he doesn't have to take off his shoes.
We are delighted to announce that our spring/summer "Vintage" issue of
fetch! magazine is now out! If you haven't seen it in your mailbox
yet, keep a look-out for it as it should be arriving soon. Our best-yet fetch!,
the "Vintage" issue is pawsitively overflowing with helpful tips for our pets -
especially those who are "young at heart." Dr. Ernie Ward (author of Chow Hounds
and veterinarian to Rachael Ray!) returns as a contributor with "7 Rules for the
Over 7 Set" as well as his "must have" list of pet supplements. Arna Cohen from
The HSUS discusses the benefits of adopting older pets, while Morris Animal Foundation's
Heidi Jeter digs deeper into an exciting new cancer treatment! Plus, we have an
exclusive interview with the author of MUTTS comic strip, Patrick McDonnell,
and loads of helpful tips and advice from Petplan's own Drs. Benson and Mantione.
Not to mention stories from four of Petplan's own policyholders in "Tails of the Unexpected".
And since there is "no rest for the weary," we're already busy finishing up our
pet travel-themed fetch! - the "Globetrotter" issue - due in homes and national
booksellers late this summer!
Slick Relief – The world has been watching with bated breath as rescue
crews from around the world work to save the Gulf Coast animals affected by the
BP oil spill, and the HSUS has been by their side from day one. They recently coordinated
the donation of twelve tons of pet food which was shipped to oil-spill-affected
animal shelters in Louisiana. The dog and cat food was graciously donated by Mars
Petcare and The Humane Choice Company, the maker of The HSUS' dog food. To learn
more about the effort, visit the HSUS website.
|
|
 Catching up on Cancer – A new blood test on
the market may be able to help detect cancer in dogs. The test, called the OncoPet
RECAF test, can detect whether RECAF, a universal marker for malignant cell growth,
is present in your dog's blood. The test is not meant to replace the full battery
of diagnostic tests done by your veterinarian (since the RECAF only tests for cancer,
not other ailments). However, it does show a lot of promise in the canine oncology
sector. In addition to detecting cancer, the test could also act as a beneficial
tool for monitoring how a dog is responding to cancer treatments. To learn more
about the RECAF test, visit OncoPet Diagnostics.
A Worthy Cause, Litter-ly – World's Best Cat Litter, the same brand
used by our own Dr. Benson's cats, recently launched a World's Best Cat Litter Charity
program. "Like" their Facebook Fan Page and you can vote daily for a Washington,
D.C. area animal organization to receive a donation of litter. Each vote is worth
1/10th of a pound of litter, which will be donated to the winning charity. As an
added bonus, the company will donate one pound of kitty litter for every new person
who becomes a "fan." Voting ends July 16. To see the participating charities and
cast your vote, visit facebook.com/worldsbestcatlitter.
Bend it like Beakham – Got World Cup Fever? So does your pet! During
games, let him share in the excitement on the pitch with a fun rubber chicken toy
modeled after his favorite English soccer star. "Beakham" is a football
star for the “Manchickster Football Club.” Of course, what would "Beakham"
be without the ever-fashionable hen "Chicktoria" by his side?
Get them both at Charming Pet Products, charmingpetproducts.com.
13-bun salute –Looking for a healthier treat choice than the ice cream
truck? Check out these hand-decorated dog treats, baked
in the USA with USA-grown ingredients. These delectable dog favorites come in a
variety of flavors and fun summer "boardwalk" styles, such as hot dogs, hamburgers,
pizza, ice cream, pretzels and more.
Gone Fishin' – Your dog doesn't mind tagging along on summer fishing
trips, but your cat would rather stay at home and fish for treats. Make her day
with the ORKA Kat Wiggle Worm, a durable,
non-toxic rubber wiggle toy with a textured surface to help promote dental health.
It's even infused with catnip for scent-sational fun!
"Healthy Pet!"
Tell us what you do to keep your pet
healthy and you could win one of five Pet's Eye View Cameras featured in the latest
issue of fetch! magazine.
June's "Contest Winner
"Thank you, Petplan , for offering insurance that meets the needs
of pet owners, regardless of the condition. When my husband and I adopted our Labrador
puppy, Kelsey, last November, we received a free trial from another insurance provider.
A few weeks after adoption, Kelsey fell ill and the vet tested for many things,
including parvovirus and foreign objects. As it turns out, Kelsey only had bacteria
in her stomach, but all the tests ran up quite a bill. Even though our insurance
covered parvovirus and foreign object ingestion, it didn't cover the final diagnosis,
so we had to pay for everything. After this I set my mind on finding insurance that
didn't have such exclusions. Nobody should ever have to hope that their puppy has
a dangerous disease like parvovirus just so that it will be covered. I found Petplan
and enrolled Kelsey right away. Ironically I saw that Petplan covers hereditary
conditions. I thought that we’d likely never need such coverage, but it
was a good idea "just in case." Sitting in the vet’s office a few weeks ago as we
listened to Kelsey’s doctor explain his diagnosis of hip dysplasia, I knew that
insuring our Kelsey with Petplan was the best decision we could have ever made.
Rather than settling for what our meager budget could afford, we were able to ask
the vet what treatment was best for our puppy. Though Kelsey’s recovery has been
long and difficult, the decisions we have had to make in the past few weeks have
been made a thousand times easier knowing we have Petplan to back
me up. For that, I offer you my deepest thanks." — Melissa Childs
The information contained in this newsletter is for illustrative purposes only and
coverage under any pet insurance policy is expressly subject to the conditions,
restrictions, limitations, exclusions and terms of the policy documentation issued
by the insurer. Availability of this program is subject to each state’s approval
and coverage may vary by state. Pet insurance policies from Petplan in the United
States are administered by Fetch Insurance Services, LLC (Fetch Insurance Agency,
LLC in Michigan) and underwritten by AGCS Marine Insurance Company, a member of
the Allianz Group, American National Property And Casualty Company, and North American
Elite Insurance Company, all rated A or A+ by A.M.
|