I’d heard about people utilizing alternative healing methods to help their pets — doggy massages, doggy yoga — but doggy acupuncture? It wasn’t something I’d ever considered for my dogs.

Old Man Winter has arrived and the temperatures are only going to get lower. If you own a short-haired dog that stays outside for extended periods of time, some type of outerwear may be in order. Here are a few things to consider when you’re selecting a comfortable coat for your canine friend.

It’s finally summer, but can all of the pretty flowers in bloom spell trouble for you and your kitty? Make sure to check all fresh and garden flowers to make sure that they are not dangerous — or deadly — for your pets.

Human diabetes is viewed by many as a national epidemic, and November has been designated “Pet Diabetes Awareness Month” to bring attention to the seriousness of the disease. Many pet owners don’t realize that dogs and cats can get diabetes too, and that its incidence is on the rise. Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health is sponsoring Pet Diabetes Awareness Month in November to create more awareness of this disease affecting pets.

The current economic downturn has many pet owners looking for ways to cut back on expenses, but one way that does not make sense is flea prevention. Preventing fleas has always been easier — and much more economical in the long run — than trying to get rid of them after they’ve infested your pet and your household. Today’s effective topical and oral monthly flea-prevention products wind up costing only pennies a day, really — no more than a candy bar or the price of a stamp — when you spread the cost out over the year.

Tinsel, lights, food! The holidays offer many temptations for all of us, including our pets. Think about how you’re attracted to all of the glitz and fun of the holidays, and multiply that by 10 for your pets. Amid the holiday cheer, we know that hazards are lurking everywhere, but they don’t.

Tinsel, lights, food! The holidays offer many temptations for all of us, including our pets. Think about how you’re attracted to all of the glitz and fun of the holidays, and multiply that by 10 for your pets. Amid the holiday cheer, we know that hazards are lurking everywhere, but they don’t.

My chow chow, Nani, is covered in long, orange fur. I’m not. Children often stop Nani and me on the street to remark on how fluffy she is. No one has ever commented on my fur.

Now, abundant body hair on a human is normally a bad thing, but on below-zero days, I find myself staring enviously at Nani. A quick glance at her thick coat is also a reminder that my canine companion is ready and willing to brave the elements, even if I’m not.

So, on cold winter days, how do I give Nani the exercise she needs without making myself miserable?

We have all seen those flyers around our neighborhoods before. Big bold letters cry “LOST PET” followed by a photo and details about Fluffy, and a phone number to call if the animal is found.

According to the American Humane Association, only about 17% of lost dogs and 2% of cats ever find their way back from shelters to their original owners. Close to 9.6 million pets are euthanized every year because their owners can’t be found. But, there are ways to beat these odds.

Whether or not you walk your dog off leash, you may meet dogs that aren’t leashed. What should you do if your dog doesn’t play well with others or meets an off-leash dog?

True or false?

Diabetes affects more cats than dogs.
Drinking a lot of water is a sign of diabetes.
Diabetes cannot be treated or cured.
A blood test can detect diabetes.

Find the answers.

We’ve all seen medical dramas in which a patient in surgery is hooked up to lots of tubes, wires, and beeping machines. Seems a bit over the top for your pet, right?

Wrong.

When it comes to your pet’s food, you spend a lot of time and energy making sure that your pet has a healthy diet. You consider all of the brands, compare labels, debate moist-versus-dry, and consult your veterinarian.

But pets do not live by food alone. An ever-present bowl of clean water may be the most important part of your pet’s diet.

A bouncy, clear-eyed puppy would have been the easy choice for Darryl and Katie Jockers of Northglenn, Colo.

Instead, the couple is drawn to the misfits and the unwanted. Their house is already home to a yellow Labrador mix found in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a black Lab retired from his job as a guide dog, a golden tabby cat and a 10-year-old Siamese.

Palliative care focuses on managing the pain, lack of appetite, fatigue, nausea or other symptoms your pet may be experiencing from a chronic disease or its treatment. Hospice care, too, looks first to the comfort of the pet—those with a terminal diagnosis and for whom a cure is no longer possible.

Pain management, in particular, is a science that is rapidly evolving. Sometimes just a few small changes in medication can return a pet to being more like its old self. It is still an animal with a fatal disease—but that extra time can be very meaningful.

Parvovirus, a potentially devastating illness that affects dogs, has been widespread since the early 1980s. Dogs that contract the virus and are not properly treated will usually die. Even those that do receive treatment, may not survive. Find out how parvovirus is spread, which dogs are most at risk, and how to keep your pet safe.

Is your cat grooming half of her hair off, or is your dog licking his paws raw? It may well be that your pet is experiencing allergies, one of the most common health problems for pets. Just like people, animals have allergic reactions because their immune system — the system that protects the body from foreign and potentially infectious substances — overreacts to some material. Almost anything — pollen, dust, an ingredient in pet food, a household chemical, an insect bite — can set off an alarm in the immune system, causing it to pump out large amounts of white blood cells, hormones and other material called histamines into the bloodstream.

When to visit the animal emergency clinic and how to get the most from your visit.

A favorite summer pastime for many of us is relaxing by a pool or a lake while unwinding from the day or — better yet — even spending the whole day poolside blissfully relaxed. If your dog is in tow, however, it is essential to stay alert.

Beware: Though a flea is puny, its effects on pets and people can be mighty. Learn more about their bad habits and health consequences--and why you should talk to your veterinarian about keeping your pet flea-free all year long.

Did you know dogs and cats can develop diabetes? When a pet is diabetic, it means it lacks the hormone insulin or is unable to use the insulin it has. Without insulin, the pet’s body can’t transport glucose (blood sugar) to cells where it is needed. When this happens, the cells begin to look for new sources of energy, and problems develop. Learn more about the disease and what types of pets are more likely to develop diabetes.

How many times can a flea jump without stopping?

1. 30,000
2. 1,000,000
3. Fleas jump?

How many times can a flea bite in one day?

1. 125 times
2. 40 times
3. 1 time, but really hard

What is the best way to get rid of fleas on my pet?

1. Use a veterinary-grade product to kill adult fleas
2. Use a growth inhibitor to prevent fleas from maturing
3. Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum

Pets need professional dental exams and cleanings in order to avoid painful tooth decay and other, related health problems such as heart, lung, and kidney disease. Brushing your pet’s teeth is essential, but it isn’t enough. Although a basic oral examination can be done on patients that are awake, an anesthetic is required in order to provide a thorough dental cleaning.

Von Willebrand disease is the most common inherited bleeding disorder in dogs. The disease rarely occurs in cats.

Dogs with this disease cannot clot blood normally, which results in bleeding, especially after surgery or trauma. While this disease has occurred in more than 50 different dog breeds, the breeds most commonly affected include Doberman pinschers, German shepherds, golden retrievers, poodles, Shetland sheepdogs, Pembroke Welsh Corgis and the German Shorthaired Pointer.

Resolving to lose weight? Exercise with your dog!

Patient care is the core of what veterinary practices do everyday. Meeting the needs of patients is almost as varied and diverse as the number of species in the world. The AAHA patient care standards cover everything from physical examinations and how fluids are maintained to what kind of bedding and environments patients are housed in. Patient care is the ultimate reason a practice exists and a determining factor in how clients choose a practice.

Fleas are mean, lean, biting machines.  A close-up look at these tiny parasites shows just how well built they are for this job and why they are so hard to banish from your pet and your home.

Traditionally, vaccination during pregnancy has not been recommended, due largely to the potential that some vaccines can cause fetal damage or death when administered to dogs that are pregnant. Although the preferred recommendation is to avoid vaccinating during pregnancy, there are situations where the risk of maternal, fetal and neonatal infection with a potentially life-threatening virus must be weighed against the risk of vaccination, if the immunity of the dog is unknown.

Hitting defenseless animals, keeping them chained without exercise or leaving them exposed in severe weather all count as abuse. Mistreating animals can (and often does) escalate into domestic assault. Dial 911 if you suspect abuse. Police will respond. You can choose to remain anonymous, or by identifying yourself, you can help in future prosecution.

Weight gain affects both the quality and the length of your dog’s life. Obesity is associated with other serious conditions such as heart and respiratory problems, and diabetes. Overweight pets are also likely to tear ligaments and wear down joints, making them reluctant to exercise, which then adds to their weight problems.

Animals can’t tell us where it hurts or how much or in what way, and early signs of discomfort are often subtle and difficult for pet owners to detect. That is why veterinary professionals at AAHA-accredited animal hospitals take an “every patient, every day” approach to pain assessment.

Porcupines, spiders and snakes — oh my!

There’s nothing better than taking off with your dog during these dog days of summer. It’s a beautiful day, so you head out with your best bud Buster for a hike. Water — check. First-aid kit — check. Water bowl for Buster — check. Snacks for you both — check. AAHA-accredited hospital in your contacts list — huh?

Thinking about giving your pet an aspirin to ease its pain? Think again! Human painkillers including ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen can be dangerous and even deadly to animals. Though acetaminophen can ease a human tension headache, one tablet of 500 mg extra strength acetaminophen can kill a 7-pound cat. Human medications are not designed for the animal body, and can have deadly effects when given to pets. Veterinarians can help prescribe the right dose and type of medication for your pet when it is in pain. Visit HealthyPet.com to find an accredited veterinarian near you.