Ask the Vet: Calling the Shots For Your Pet
January 21, 2010
We vaccinate our pets for the same reason we vaccinate our children: to protect them against serious diseases that can potentially be fatal. Also, some of these diseases are transmissible to people (i.e., zoonotic). As with people, vaccination may not entirely prevent the disease, but it will reduce the severity of infection. In general, dog diseases do not affect cats, and cat diseases do not affect dogs.
Puppies and kittens should receive a series of vaccinations every three weeks from the time they are six to eight weeks old until they are between three and four months old. The first vaccine for a kitten is called either a “3 in 1” or a “4 in 1,” or FVRCP, and it gives protection from viruses that cause serious upper respiratory symptoms that can become much more severe than just a “kitty cold.” [Read more]
Ask The Vet: Pets as Presents
December 23, 2009
Remember that neat gadget gift you got last year from your friend? I’ll bet by now it has lost it appeal and is either collecting dust on a shelf or has been re-gifted.
Imagine if that “gadget” were living, breathing and had four legs and a tail? Now what? [Read more]
Ask the Vet
November 19, 2009
On Nov. 2, test results confirmed an H1N1 influenza infection in a pet cat living in Iowa, a revelation that startled pet owners nationwide. Health officials say it is likely that human family members transmitted the virus to the cat. 
Two members of the family had flu-like symptoms before their cat also showed signs of illness and was tested for H1N1 at Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, with positive results. The good news is that all family members, including the cat, have now recovered.
- Louise Murray, DVM DACVIM
Infected humans are known to have previously transmitted H1N1 to both pigs and turkeys. The virus was first reported in humans in Mexico in March 2009. Subsequent reports of infected swine and poultry in multiple geographic areas followed. In addition to the Iowa cat, several pet ferrets were also recently infected with the virus by humans, with one fatality thus far of a ferret in Nebraska.
So how can we protect our pets and ourselves from H1N1? People with flu-like symptoms should use similar precautions recommended to minimize transmission of the virus between humans, such as washing hands thoroughly (particularly before handling the pet or preparing food), covering coughs and sneezes and avoiding close contact with the pet. It is common for cats to share beds and other furniture with humans, and this should be avoided during an illness.
To date, there is no evidence of a dog being infected with H1N1, but commonsense measures should be taken with all pets to decrease the likelihood of potential virus transmission. That includes keeping pets out of the bedroom of anyone suffering from a flu-like illness and keeping them away from contaminated objects. Pet owners concerned about an animal who is exhibiting signs of illness after a human family member has suffered from influenza should contact their veterinarian. Potential symptoms could include lethargy or respiratory signs such as coughing, sneezing or difficulty breathing.
More good news: There is no evidence to date of any human being infected with influenza by a pet, or of infection being transmitted from one cat to another, or from a dog to a cat, or vice versa.
Louise Murray, DVM DACVIM, is director of medicine at the ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital.
Talk to Me about My Pet
October 15, 2009
“How are the kids?” I always make a point of asking my friends.
They appreciate it and talk about day camp, allergies, Saturday’s visit to the Bronx Zoo, who’s good at math and who was so funny at the pediatrician yesterday.
My experience as an uncle seven times over has taught me how to talk to parents about their kids, yet I am surprised how poorly people engage my partner Bryan and me about our 6-year-old dog, Ezra Pound. [Read more]
Ask The Vet: Super-Sized Pets
October 15, 2009
America is home to the most obese people in the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a staggering 33 percent of American adults are obese, and obesity-related deaths have climbed to more than 300,000 a year, second only to tobacco-related deaths. So it is no surprise pets may walk in their owner’s footsteps.
The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention reports that nearly half of the nation’s pets are classified as overweight or obese by a veterinary healthcare provider, including 43 percent of dogs and 53 percent of cats. [Read more]
Pet of the Month: August 2009
August 19, 2009
What started as a single photographer noticing Aston amid the models and celebrities at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week quickly turned into his moment of fame.
“One photographer just started taking pictures and before we knew it we had like 20 photographers crowding around him taking pictures,” said Aston’s owner, Dara King. “They must have thought he was a celebrity dog!” [Read more]
When Good Pets Get a Bad Itch
August 19, 2009
Itchy pets show their discomfort in lots of ways. Dogs may incessantly lick their paws, rub their faces, chew on their flanks or scratch at their ears. Cats may pull out their fur until their tummies are bald, dig at their ears or develop scabs. As varied as their symptoms may be, itchy pets have one major thing in common: frustrated pet owners. [Read more]
Pet of the Month: July 2009
July 22, 2009
Finnegan made his debut as an amateur dog model this year. After being photographed by Steve Benisty, the Great Dane made the cut for the photographer’s upcoming book featuring dogs from around New York, slated to debut at the end of the year. Benisty, who has photographed more than 200 dogs from around the city, narrowed down his collection to highlight the best of different breeds; Finnegan was discovered through a recommendation, after photographing another dog for the book. [Read more]
Free Bird
July 22, 2009
If you feel guilty keeping your bird cooped up inside all day, why not give your pet a chance to explore the outside world with you?
The Pak-O-Bird transporter cage, available for $150 to $350 at Uptown Birds (522 Amsterdam Ave., 212-877-2473, www.uptownbirds.com), is one way to cart them around the city. This seemingly normal-looking mesh backpack actually features a wooden perch inside, providing birds with a breezy and portable method of transport. Finally, your bird will get a break from its decorative Bentley mahogany birdcage (also at Uptown Birds, $1,500), featuring elegant molding and curved claw feet. [Read more]
Pet of the Month: June 2009
June 17, 2009
Globetrotting dog Lluna was born in Spain, raised in Brazil and now lives in New York City, the final stop of her journey. Lluna ventured to Brazil to live with her owner’s parents, but owner Priscilla Waltrick missed her too much to let her live so far away. Although Lluna attended dog-training school in Brazil, she had some problems with other dogs when she first moved to New York. [Read more]
