Check, Please - National Pet Week is May 1-7! Founded in 1981 by
the AVMA, National Pet Week aims to promote responsible pet ownership,
celebrate the human-animal bond, and promote public awareness of veterinary medicine.
National Pet Week is a great time to reevaluate your pet's current care and make
improvements where necessary. If your best friend hasn't been to the vet in a while,
schedule a routine checkup; early diagnosis is crucial to catching and treating
any problems which may have developed. During your visit, you can also review your
pet's vaccination schedule, diet and preventive medications with your vet to make
sure your pet is set for a happy, healthy summer.
Party Animals Beware - If you and your pets are hosting or traveling
to a Cinco de Mayo party, play it safe by keeping dangerous snacks like candy and
guacamole away from curious paws. A sweet candy snack could lead to a bout of pancreatitis, while avocado contains
persin, which can damage heart, lung
and other tissues. Also, if your bash features piñatas and streamers, keep an eye
on kitty. An accidentally ingested streamer could cause issues, not to mention a
hefty vet bill.
Ticked Off - May is the peak month for ticks in most parts of the
United States. Ticks can spread a host of nasty diseases to your pets, from ehrlichiosis
and anaplasmosis in dogs to Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease in both
dogs and cats. Luckily these diseases are preventable with simple monthly protection.
Your best bet against these bloodsuckers is a monthly preventive such as Frontline
Plus, which not only battles fleas and ticks but also chewing lice as well. If you're
unsure which option is best for your pet, consult with your veterinarian.
Vets for
Pets
(April blogs to boost your pet prowess!)
Take Heart - April was Heartworm Awareness Month. As temperatures
rise around the country, so do mosquito populations. Heartworms are spread by mosquitos
and can cause a serious and potentially fatal disease if our pets are not properly
protected by preventives. Learn more about heartworms and how they can plague our
pets in this blog by Dr. Kim Smyth.
Breathing Easy - It's kitten season, so it is a great time to discuss
a common issue faced by many young cats - upper respiratory infection. Similar to
the common cold, this infection attacks the immature immune systems of kittens,
but can affect cats of any age as well. In this blog post, Dr. Smyth
offers some tips to help your favorite fur friends breathe easier this spring.
Itching for Relief - Spring is in the air, and so
are pollens and other potential allergens - just ask Wellington, Petplan Pet Insurance
fetch! magazine Dog-in-Chief and chronic allergy sufferer! Follow along with
Dr. Smyth as she discusses canine allergies,
otherwise known as atopy, and how to help our pets find relief.
Adopter's Advantage - Petplan pet insurance and North Shore Animal
League America have joined forces to provide all newly adopted pets from the Animal
League 30 days of free pet insurance from Petplan. With Adopter's Advantage, pet
parents have the peace of mind that their pets are protected during the critical
first month in their new home - leaving their only concern to be how to spoil their
new best friends! To learn more about the benefits of adoption, visit the Animal
League
website.
Allianz in the Family - As part of our continued efforts
to provide the most comprehensive coverage for our policyholders and their pets,
Petplan is proud to announce that all new and renewing pet insurance policies will
be supported by our new underwriter, AGCS Marine Insurance Company, a member of
the Allianz Group, rated A+ by A.M. Best (April 2011). Policies underwritten by
AGCS Marine include several enhancements for policy holders and pets, including
increased coverage for specialist treatment; increased coverage for behavioral conditions;
coverage for all cats and dogs over six weeks of age; and increased payment flexibility
for all policies. Basically, Petplan's great coverage for your pet and your budget
is now even better!
Strawberry Fields Fur-ever - If your dog loves to dig up the garden
and snack on your berry bushes, give him a colorful, fun alternative
to trampling your fall jam supply, perfect for stuffing with healthy treats for
squeezing fun.
Howling Wind - Keep your pooch protected from the elements on spring
hikes with a colorful, all-weather windbreaker from Martha
Stewart Pets, which conveniently folds up into its back pocket when sunnier skies
appear.
Let it Roll - Keeping kitty entertained just got easier with this
interactive 5-in-1 track toy
featuring a rolling ball perfect for batting and chasing around the track.
Fighting Fur Justice - In April, The Humane Society of the United
States teamed up with the Union and Bradford (FL) Sheriff's Office and others to
help bring down an alleged dogfighter
in Florida. In total, 24 dogs were rescued from the Lake Butler, FL, property
and given a new lease on life. The investigation was a result of a tip that came
from The HSUS' national animal fighting tip line, which offers rewards of up to
$5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in
illegal animal fighting - a felony in all 50 states. If you ever suspect animal
fighting is happening in your area, you can call 877-TIP-HSUS (877-847-4787) to
file a report.