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Pet Theft – Awareness and Prevention
Last Chance for Animals (LCA) created National Pet Theft Awareness Day in 1988. It’s observed annually on February 14th, Valentine’s Day, which sees a considerable uptick in pet thefts. The goal is to raise awareness for the issues of pet theft and to educate the public about how to keep their companion animals safe from thieves. Some precautions are: Since many pet thefts go unreported, it’s impossible to know exactly how many animals are taken, but an estimated two million pets are stolen in the United States each year. That number is astounding and heartbreaking. “We have seen a dramatic increase in this type of crime. In fact, the FBI…
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Safety of Soresto Flea Collars Examined
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What’s in a Name: Birch sugar or Xylitol
Wood sugar, birch sugar, birch bark extract are other names for xylitol. Xylitol used to be listed by its name, but lately there’s been a change in what’s listed in an ingredient panel. Xylitol is found in a variety of “sugar-free” snacks and condiments as well as oral care products, over the counter medicines and supplements. This matters because xylitol is toxic to dogs. Cats and ferrets can suffer adverse effects, too, but dogs are particularly susceptible because they have more sweet receptors in their tastebuds, so they’re more likely to consume something sweet. “[Xylitol] is rapidly absorbed, causing insulin to be released from the pancreas and blood glucose levels…
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Safety of Soresto Flea Collars Examined
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Bird Flu and You
Bird Flu and Raw Feeding: What You Need to Know If you’re a raw feeder, you’ve probably heard about the recent bird flu concerns. But what does this have to do with your pets? Quite a lot, actually. H5N1, the bird flu strain that’s been circulating for years, has been affecting wild birds and spreading to poultry, dairy cows, and even cats—and yes, humans too. Cats, both domestic and wild, are particularly vulnerable to the bird flu, and it can have serious consequences. According to AP News: “Though cases of infection are rare, cats seem especially susceptible to the bird flu virus, or Type A H5N1. Even before the cattle…
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Melatonin or CBD?
The Big Bad Woof has an extensive apothecary section with products that address a variety of symptoms and issues that pets experience. A common question we hear is what’s the difference between melatonin and CBD? They’re both good for calming pets down, right? So which should you use? Though they overlap in important ways, CBD and melatonin are very different from one another and ultimately serve different purposes in the animal kingdom. For our pets purposes the most important difference is the intended duration of use; CBD is better used long term for more chronic conditions like anxiety, pain or cancer, and melatonin is for shorter term, acute conditions like…
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Regenerative Agriculture
Regenerative agriculture strives to work with nature rather than against it. Regenerative agriculture is more than just being sustainable. It is about reversing degradation and building up the soil to make it healthier than its current state. Although regenerative agriculture doesn’t have a specific recipe, you may see many regenerative farmers and ranchers doing the following: A major goal of regenerative agriculture is to make actual, measured improvements to soil health. This creates a ripple effect of positive benefits across the land and for the farmer or rancher’s profitability. Regenerative Agriculture provides a number of benefits to both farmers and ranchers which directly and positively impact our (and our pets)…
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Colostrum for Hyper-immunity & Dental Health
Colostrum, or first milk, is the first form of milk produced by the mammary glands of humans and other mammals immediately following delivery of the newborn. Bovine colostrum can also benefit skin health due to its high content of growth factors, such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and transforming growth factor (TGF), which support healthy skin cells. Its natural antibodies and lactoferrin also support a normal inflammatory response in the skin. Colostrum has added benefits include: “Although older animals cannot absorb antibodies as young animals can, colostrum may still be able to exert a local anti-inflammatory effect in the intestinal tract when ingested, or on the skin when applied topically. There is also…
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Non-Toxic Pest Management for Your Companion Animals – Part 1
As flea and tick season arrives in the Mid-Atlantic U.S., we review recommended products to protect pets. Highlights include Earth Animal's internal powder, food-grade Diatomaceous Earth, a quality flea comb, Kleen Green enzyme cleaner, ultrasonic Tickless devices, non-toxic squeeze-ons, and repellent sprays with essential oils. Reach out for personalized advice on these pet-safe solutions.
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Dr. Jean Dodds Feline Vaccination Protocol
The following vaccine protocol is offered for those companion cats where minimal vaccinations are advisable or desirable. The schedule is one Dr. Jean Dodds recommends and should not be interpreted to mean that other protocols recommended by a veterinarian would be less satisfactory. It’s a matter of professional judgment and choice.
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Dr. Jean Dodds Canine Vaccination Protocol
The following vaccine protocol is offered for those companion dogs where minimal vaccinations are advisable or desirable. The schedule is one I recommend and should not be interpreted to mean that other protocols recommended by a veterinarian would be less satisfactory. It’s a matter of professional judgment and choice.
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Bladder Control & Incontinence
Canine and feline urinary incontinence involves involuntary urine leakage, a condition distinct from purposeful inappropriate urination. In dogs, especially neutered and senior females, it can range from small leaks to full voiding, potentially indicating a UTI. For both species, various products and supplements are available to assist with diagnosis, manage symptoms, and protect home environments from accidents. These include special litters, testing strips, bladder control supplements, and absorbent pads or diapers.
