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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.