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Safety of Soresto Flea Collars Examined
At The Big bad Woof we are always trying to find natural ways to prevent fleas and ticks, and having had a number of “seizure dogs” over the years, we have avoided using flea collars with pesticides which may cause adverse reactions. Susan Thixton posted today about a lawsuit regarding Soresto flea collars which the public needs to know, especially if they have used this product. Recently a lawsuit against Seresto flea collars was settled for $15 million. Pet owners would be eligible for “up to $13” for every collar purchased, and “If your pet died in a manner ‘allegedly related’ to wearing a Seresto product, you’re eligible for $300 plus medical…
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What Big White Teeth You Have!
It’s February and a great time to think about dental health! February is not just the month of love and friendship; it’s also Pet Dental Month. Those who closely follow pet blogs, vlogs, or social media platforms are likely familiar with this event, which highlights the critical role that dental health plays in the overall well-being of our furry friends. As pet owners, it’s our responsibility to extend the same care we take of our own teeth to our pets. Routine dental care is essential, yet it’s often an overlooked aspect of pet health. Poor dental hygiene can lead to various health issues in pets, including gum disease, tooth loss,…
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What You Need to Know About Animal Blood Banks
Every once in a while I am reminded of how critical animal blood banks are and why we should also spread the word on what they are and how they work. Have a healthy animal that could donate blood? Ask your vet or contact a local blood bank in your area. Here is a great article from Animal Wellness Magazine with more details. “Dogs and cats in emergencies, after surgeries, or with certain diseases might have to rely on blood products from an animal blood bank. If you’ve never heard of these life-saving organizations or are considering volunteering your fur baby as a donor, here’s what you need to know!…
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The skinny on green tripe
I first learned the word “tripe” from that episode of The Simpsons where Lisa becomes vegetarian. People usually quote “you don’t win friends with salad,” but what stuck with me is “you can’t seriously expect us to swallow that tripe?!” and then the kids are served tripe. That joke went over my head back then as I hadn’t yet experienced Vietnamese Pho, and so didn’t recognize tripe as a legitimate ingredient, nor understand what exactly it is. Now I know better. Tripe is considered “offal,” which is the viscera or trimmings of a butchered animal. Specifically, tripe is the stomach lining from cows and other ruminant or grazing animals. This trait…
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Rehoming pets
It’s a devastating decision to have to give up a pet, but sometimes it’s necessary; life and circumstances have a way of keeping us on our toes. The pandemic is a perfect example; many people who had plenty of time and money for pets during the quarantine period of the Covid-19 pandemic now have little to none of either. Perhaps you’re moving abroad and lengthy quarantine mandates would be cruel to your companion, or you’re moving to an area that has breed-specific legislation in place and you cannot bring your pet with you. Some buildings and landlords just won’t allow pets. The list of why re-homing is necessary can be…
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Gimme Shelter
I’m not a big fan of the Rolling Stones song “Gimme Shelter,” but it’s a good notion. We all need it, right? The safety of a roof, or a tent, or a cave. A warm radiator or open (and controlled!) fire. My version of shelter includes plumbing and snacks, but the more primal and necessary need that shelter affords us is safety. Safety from the elements. Safety from predators. A kind of sanctuary. This is the time of year when we need to think about the strays and feral colonies out there, of which there are plenty. People often feed strays but they can’t welcome every stray cat into their…
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Safety is No Accident
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Sure, it’s a little warm and it probably won’t be a white Christmas, but the spirit remains the same; we celebrate one another and the spirit of togetherness regardless of which holidays we observe. Some of the most fun we’ll have this holiday season is with our pet companions. Who doesn’t like filling their stockings with treats and spoiling them with new toys and outfits?! But it’s important to exercise good judgment when doting on our fur babies. First and foremost, it’s imperative that they be collared and tagged in the event of an escape. There’s lots of ins and outs, deliveries,…
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Respiratory Virus Update from Palisades Veterinary Clinic
Dr. Shillito is one of our favorite veterinarians, and we appreciate his updates on this mystery disease that is spreading across the country. In response we are not leaving out communal dog bowls, so please ask us if your pup needs a drink and we will serve one up just for them! Stay healthy and well this holiday season!
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November is National Senior Pet Month
November is National Senior Pet Month. This is the first I’ve heard of it, which makes sense because it’s a very new thing, but it’s a great idea. Just like our human elders, our longtime fur buddies deserve celebration and comfort in their old age. Pets can develop a lot of chronic issues like dementia, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and so many other conditions that require specialized care and broader awareness. Very often good diet and supplementation can alleviate or delay the onset of many of these issues. Basic things like using the proper amounts of fish oil can combat joint and cardiac issues, and goat’s milk is great for kidney…
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The Right and Wrong Ways to Bring Home a New Dog
You only get one chance to do it right – and if you make this mistake, you can set the stage for a rocky relationship between your current dog and your new one. Dogs are social animals and their social units have hierarchy, so to minimize disruption and unrest, be sure to follow these steps. Adding a dog to your family is an exciting time, but one that must be given careful consideration. As the old saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression, and you want to be sure that the introduction goes well. While you may be tempted to throw open your front door…
