Having a baby can be a joyous occasion, but many new parents worry how their four legged pets will adjust to having a new member of the family. Introducing your new baby to your pet doesn’t have to be stressful, but it will require a bit of advanced planning.

It is important to begin helping your pet transition into his new role in the family early on to ensure that he doesn’t resent the new baby. As soon as you begin planning for your new baby, start enforcing rules that you expect followed once baby arrives. For example, if the nursery will be off-limits to your pets after the baby’s arrival, the nursery should be off-limits before the baby is born, too.

Make sure that your pets understand that the baby’s toys are not for their enjoyment, also. If your pet has trouble understanding the difference between his toys and those belonging to the baby, try dabbing a bit of Listerine mouth wash on the baby’s toys. Teach the pets that toys with this scent are off-limits.

The sound of a crying child is often stressful for a pet. Many expectant parents have found that getting a recording of a crying baby can be useful in helping their pets to adjust to the new sounds that will soon be routine. When the pets act indifferent to the recorded sound of a baby’s cry, you can safely assume they have been desensitized.

Once the big day arrives and mom and baby are ready to return home, it’s important that your pets are allowed to greet you without the baby present so they can express their excitement without fear. One possible scenario would be for dad to wait in the car with the baby while mom greets the pets and shows them affection, and then places the pets on a leash before dad brings the new baby inside. If the pets remain calm, allow them to see and sniff the new baby; otherwise, wait to allow this initial meeting between animal and baby for later.

Holistic veterinarian and researcher, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM is available for pet health care consultations and pet health questions. Call Dr. Carol’s office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your pet. Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest news, tips and pet anti-aging longevity updates for your dogs and cats.

Many areas of the country are already experiencing higher than average temperatures, and summer hasn’t arrived yet. It’s not usual for pet owners to take their four-legged friends on outings during the spring months, but it is important to understand that heat stroke in your pet can occur in relatively mild outdoor temperatures if precautions aren’t taken. For example, combining a fun outing with your dog with a couple of stops at the store, post office, and dropping off dry cleaning may seem like a wonderful way to accomplish your tasks and still have fun with your pet. The problem with this scenario lies in the fact that unless each of your stops is pet-friendly, you put your pet in danger of heatstroke.

Temperatures inside a vehicle climb quickly, and your pet can be in serious danger being left inside your car even if it is only 85 degrees outside. The temperature inside a vehicle can climb to 120 degrees within 20 minutes when temperatures reach 80 degrees outdoors. Leaving windows cracked for ventilation can help to some degree, but when the air is especially humid and there is no breeze flowing through the cracked windows, you’ve not provided much relief for your pet.

Symptoms of heat stroke in your dog can include:
* Open mouth
* Panting
* Bright red gums
* Excessive drooling
* Unsteady gait

Dog breeds with flat faces are more susceptible to heat stroke than other breeds, as are young pups and older dogs.

If you believe your dog is suffering from a  heat stroke, bringing down his internal body temperature is imperative to saving your dog’s life. Bring your dog inside to a cool area immediately should you begin to notice heat stroke symptoms. Cool your dog down by soaking him in cool or lukewarm water. Offer him water to drink, but do not attempt to force feed the water. Take your dog’s temperature rectally. A dog’s normal temperature is 101.5 degrees. Brain damage can occur when the body temperature reaches 106 degrees. Continue to monitor your dog’s temperature every ten minutes. Do not remove him from the cool water bath until his body temperature has dropped to 103 degrees.

If your dog’s temperature rises while in the cool water, or if he acts differently once his body temperature has returned to normal, seek the advice of an emergency veterinary clinic. It is always advisable to have your pet checked out by his normal veterinarian if you are concerned that he or she has suffered a heat stroke.

Remember, the warmer temperatures will require extra hydration for your pet. Always keep plenty of fresh water available, whether at home or away from home for the day. If your pet frequently takes trips with you – even short trips – it’s advisable to keep an extra water bowl in your vehicle and always bring along extra water for your pets.

To learn more about heat stroke in dogs, visit www.carolonpets.com. Veterinarian and author, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM is available for pet health consultations for dogs and cats.

Call Dr. Carol’s veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765.

Nestle Purina PetCare is recalling one lot of Purina Veterinary Diets ® OM Overweight Management canned cat food after a consumer complaint to the Food and Drug Administration. Testing by the FDA indicated low thiamine (vitamin B1) levels in the product sample.

Though there is no immediate danger to cats consuming the product, a thiamine deficiency can result after several weeks of consumption. Thiamine is essential for cats, and symptoms of thiamine deficiency may present as either neurological or gastrointestinal in nature. Symptoms of thiamine deficiency can include decreased appetite, vomiting, salivation, and weight loss. As the cat becomes more deficient in vitamin B1, neurological signs will often be displayed that can include seizures, circling, bending the neck toward the floor and unsteady gait. With treatment, thiamine deficiency can often be corrected.

The recalled lot of Purina Veterinary Diets ® OM Overweight Management Feline Formula is packaged in a 5.5oz can. Consumers should check the bottom of the can for a best-by date of June 2013 and a production code of 11721159. The UPC code on the can is 38100-13810.

If you are in possession of a recalled lot of Purina Veterinary Diets ® OM Overweight Management Feline Formula, Nestle Purina PetCare recommends you discontinue feeding the product and discard it. For further information, or to obtain a product refund, United States consumers and veterinarians can contact the company by calling 1-800-982-8837 Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time, or visit their website online at www.purinaveterinarydiets.com. If are a consumer or veterinarian in Canada, you can contact the company by calling 1-866-884-8387 Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time, or visiting www.purina.ca online.

Holistic veterinarian and researcher, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM is available for pet health care consultations and pet health questions. Call Dr. Carol’s office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your pet. Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest news, tips and pet anti-aging longevity updates for your dogs and cats.

Should we really be surprised that the pet food recall continues to expand? At least two more individuals have been reportedly sickened due to contact with pet food that was contaminated with a strain of salmonella. The pet food recall currently affects 21 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada; however, because some of the food may have been sold online to additional vendors, those in other states should be mindful of the recall and check food packages to ensure the safety of both humans and pets.

To determine if your pet’s food is included in this recall, check by brand. Information below is taken directly from the Diamond Pet Food’s Recall website.

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul: Check the production code on the product bag. Look for a “2” or “3” in the 9^th position AND an “x” in the 10^th or 11^th position and a best-before date between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013.

Country Value: Check the production code on the product bag. Look for a “2” or “3” in the 9^th position AND an “x” in the 10^th or 11^th position and a best-before date between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013.

Diamond: Check the production code on the product bag. Look for a “2” or “3” in the 9^th position AND an “x” in the 10^th or 11^th position and a best-before date between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013.

Diamond Naturals: Check the production code on the product bag. Look for a “2” or “3” in the 9^th position AND an “x” in the 10^th or 11^th position and a best-before date between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013.

Premium Edge: Check the production code on the product bag. Look for a “2” or “3” in the 9^th position AND an “x” in the 10^th or 11^th position and a best-before date between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013.

Professional: Check the production code on the product bag. Look for a “2” or “3” in the 9^th position AND an “x” in the 10^th or 11^th position and a best-before date between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013.

4Health: Check the production code on the product bag. Look for a “2” or “3” in the 9^th position AND an “x” in the 10^th or 11^th position and a best-before date between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013.

Taste of the Wild: Check the production code on the product bag. Look for a “2” or “3” in the 9^th position AND an “x” in the 10^th or 11^th position and a best-before date between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013.

Apex: Twenty (20) and forty (40) pound bags of Apex Chicken and Rice Dog Food with a production code of ACD0101B32 and a best-by date of January 24, 2013.

Kirkland: Kirkland brands affected include: Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Lamb, Rice & Vegetable Formula; Kirkland Super Premium Adult Dog Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Formula; Kirkland Signature Super Premium Mature Dog Chicken, Rice & Egg Formula; Kirkland Super Premium Healthy Weight Dog Formulated with Chicken & Vegetables; Kirkland Signature Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula; Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Cat Formula; and Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Formula for Dogs.
All Kirkland brands affected by the recall will have a best-before date range of December 9, 2012 – January 31, 2013 AND have BOTH a “3” in the 9^th position and an “X” in the 11^th position of the product code.  For Kirkland Signature brand products sold in Taiwan, the best-before date range is June 9, 2012 – July 31, 2012 and the product code is the same as above.

Canidae: Affected Canidae brands include: Canidae Dog (All Life Stages); Canidae Dog Chicken Meal & Rice; Canidae Dog, Lamb Meal & Rice; and Canidae Dog Platinum. Check the production code on the bag of dog food and look for a “3” in the 9^th position AND an “x” in the 10^th or 11^th position. Best-before dates on the recalled Canidae pet foods are December 9, 2012 – January 31, 2012.

Several brands are being recalled as a precaution only at this time; however this should not give pet owners a false sense of security that the food within the package is safe. If you believe you have purchased one of the potentially tainted packages of pet food that is being recalled the manufacturer recommends that you carefully dispose of the product in a secured plastic bag. Consumers can request a refund or coupon for a replacement bag of pet food can visit the Refund Protocol page at Diamond Pet Recall.

Solid Gold: Affected brands include one batch of WolfCub Large Breed Puppy Food and one batch of WolfKing Large Breed Adult Dog Food. Both brands have a best-before date of December 30, 2012 and an “X” in the 11^th digit of the product code. Bag sizes include 4lb, 15lb, and 33lb bags.

Pet owners concerned about their Solid Gold products can call 1-800-364-4863, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time.

Holistic veterinarian and researcher, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM is available for pet health care consultations and pet health questions. Call Dr. Carol’s office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your pet. Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest news, tips and pet anti-aging longevity updates for your dogs and cats.

Have you noticed your cat seems to no longer enjoy some previous activities, like bird watching from a window sill, or nosing through your kitchen cabinets? If he or she prefers to lie at your feet as opposed to reigning supreme on the back of a cushioned sofa as he’s done for years, or refuses to follow you up the stairs, you may need to consider that your feline friend could be suffering from arthritis.

Feline arthritis is common in older cats or those who have experienced a trauma such as an accident in previous years. Decreased activity, reluctance to climb stairs, and perhaps even avoiding the litter box in favor of other areas can all be signs of arthritis in your cat. Because arthritis destroys the cartilage and connective tissue between bones and joints, the cat will experience pain when moving and opt to remain sedentary or avoid jarring movements such as jumping or climbing.

Traditional treatments for feline arthritis involve the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids. While these treatments are somewhat effective in reducing pain, they also carry the risk of potentially serious side effects. Natural treatments for feline arthritis are available that have no side effects and offer similar benefits.

To prevent arthritis in cats, owners are advised to feed a nutritious diet and keep cats at a healthy weight. Obesity and genetics (in addition to age and trauma) are leading causes for the development of arthritis in cats. Supplementing your cat’s daily diet with an anti-aging supplement can also retard the development of conditions such as arthritis.

Holistic veterinarian and pet health researcher,  Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM., is available for pet health questions and pet health consultations for dogs and/ or cats.
Contact Dr. Carol’s veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your dog and/or cat today.

Today is Animal Disaster Preparedness Day. Just as humans are urged to be prepared for natural disasters at all times, it is equally important that we remember to prepare for our four legged family members who cannot fend for themselves in a time of crisis. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the US Department of Homeland Security want pet owners to be aware of how to properly plan for emergencies for all of your family members.

A few weeks ago, I shared with you tips for ensuring your pet’s safety during a tornado. FEMA and US DHS offer tips for not only dealing with tornadic emergencies, but also hurricanes, pandemics, and other natural disasters. The number one tip is to never evacuate your home and leave your pets behind. Because many shelters do not allow pets during a disaster, it’s important to learn the rules before a crisis arrives. Pet owners must always have a “back up plan” in case the rules change!

Additional tips include what to include in a pet emergency supply kit, tips for identification, and other useful information. To see the public service announcement about Animal Disaster Preparedness, look here. For additional information on how to plan for your pets in case of natural disasters, check out the Ready website.

Holistic veterinarian and pet health researcher,  Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM., is available for pet health questions and pet health consultations for dogs and/ or cats.
Contact Dr. Carol’s veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your dog and/or cat today.

Pet owners often seek information on how to help their pet enjoy a long, full, healthy life. As the world’s only veterinarian certified in anti-aging medicine, there is no better authority on this subject than Dr Carol Osborne.  In an effort to answer many of the most commonly asked pet longevity questions, we’ve decided to share a question and answer session.

Q:  Are there any diets that will keep a dog from aging?
A: Feeding your dog a good, organic diet is a great start, along with adding a high quality, balanced supplement so that he or she is getting all the vitamins and minerals essential to great health.

Q: My dog is very picky and snubs most dog foods. What commercial food should I try?
A: Many dogs enjoy the taste of Newman’s Own Organics and Prairie by Natures Variety.

Q: Do you recommend a raw food diet for pets?
A: Issues with salmonella contamination are a definite draw-back to feeding pets a raw food diet, though some pets do well on raw foods. My personal recommendation is for a homemade diet.

Q: Are joint supplements really necessary for older dogs? If so, what kind do you recommend?
A: Providing joint support for older dogs is about as important as providing joint support for older humans! Just as human joints stiffen and wear out, so do the joints of our pets. PAAWS is a wonderful joint support supplement that can help reverse the aging process.

Q: Can you tell us a bit more about PAAWS?
A: PAAWS is an all-natural patented longevity supplement for dogs and cats. It is made in the USA.

Q: When should I start my dog on PAAWS or any joint supplement for that matter?
A: Dogs become seniors at age seven. A good diet and proper supplementation throughout life makes for healthier pets as they age, but it’s never too late to start supplements.

Q: What are some signs I might notice that my dog is aging?
A: Signs of aging in pets can be difficult to notice if you’re not watchful. Like humans, dogs slow down with age, gain some extra pounds, and just become less energetic and playful overall. Shedding excessively and difficulty with climbing steps and stairs is also are also signs of aging.

Q: Will my dog’s appetite change as he gets older? Will he eat more – since you said something about weight gain …
A: Your dog will likely gain weight because he isn’t as active, not necessarily due to eating more. Some older dogs do consume a little less food than when they were younger. Again, this restates the need for proper supplementation.

Q: My dog is not yet a “senior citizen”, so what preventative care do you recommend. How often should he see the vet? He’s currently five years old.
A: Visit your veterinarian at least once a year. At age five, he is only two years shy of being a senior!

Q: How can I weigh my dog accurately?
A: The easiest way to get an accurate weight on your small or medium sized dog is to first weigh yourself on regular household scales, and then weigh again while holding the dog. Subtract your weight from the combined weight of your dog to determine his weight. For large dogs, visit your veterinarian and ask them to weigh your dog, or go to a truck stop and use their scales!

Q: How do I know if my dog is overweight?
A: Your dog should have a waist, a tucked in area just above his hips that is easily visible. When running your hands along your dog’s sides, you should easily feel each rib; however, the dog’s ribs should not be visible. If you can’t easily feel the ribs, or you can pinch more than an inch of fat in this area, your dog is overweight.

Q: What should a homemade diet include?
A: For healthy pets, a homemade diet should be balanced to include 1/3 lean protein, 1/3 vegetables, and 1/3 long-acting carbohydrates. Examples of lean protein can include chicken, eggs, turkey, beef, salmon, etc. For vegetables, you may be surprised at the things your pet will like, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and even green beans. Long-acting carbohydrates can include potatoes, pasta, rice, and oatmeal. When cooking a meal for your dog, use a little extra virgin olive oil to not only add omega-3 fatty acids, but also to enhance the flavor and smell. Add other seasonings you think your dog might enjoy. Sauces like barbeque, pasta, and tamari can also be added.

Q: What can I do for excessive shedding? We’re already brushing the dog, but I’m wondering if she’s not missing something in her diet?
A: A weekly bath with an organic oatmeal shampoo is an easy step to help reduce shedding. I carry a product called Dermaluster that works well for skin and hair issues – including dandruff – that is all natural. PAAWS works well to supplement the diet. If you want to only bathe your dog once every two weeks, try adding a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil to every meal and give your dog quality dietary supplements.

Q: Is there an easy way to tell if my dog is suffering from a condition? Like, on your site, you list products for things like allergies. How can I tell if I my dog has an allergy, or must I take him to the vet?
A: If you suspect that your dog suffers allergies, something must be making you suspect this. A change in behavior is often the first sign of an internal or medical problem. You should always be seeing your veterinarian at least once a year. If your dog seems fine, overall, go with your gut.

Q: As a runner, I’d like to take my dog with me. My dog is about one and a half years old. What distance should she be able to run?
A: If your dog hasn’t been running with you before, she will need to gradually adjust to long distances. Without knowing the fitness level of your dog, I can’t offer any specific distance. However, monitor your dog’s behavior while running. When she is tired and has had enough she will begin to slow down, pant, and stop running.

Holistic veterinarian and pet health researcher,  Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM., is available for pet health questions and pet health consultations for dogs and/ or cats.
Contact Dr. Carol’s veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your dog and/or cat today.

The grass is green, the sun is adding warmth to our days, and the flowers smell great! But what is that other smell? Oh, yes… the skunks are out and about. And, unfortunately, your new pup may think that black and white furry creature is his new best friend! Of course, Mr. Skunk isn’t nearly as enthralled with this new “friend” as your pet. In fact, Mr. Skunk is likely going to display his feeling by spraying anything that comes near him. So, what can you do to get rid of that smell on your pet?

Forget the classic scenes commonly displayed on television shows of bathing in kiddie pools of tomato juice! Not only is this is a costly measure, it’s also very impractical if your pet is generally an inside dog who got carried away and curious while playing outside. You just can’t have tomato juice dripping all over everything. Instead, Dr Carol recommends a product called Skunk Off. Skunk Off works through chemical bonding, absorption, and counteraction. It’s important to use the product as directed in order to completely remove the skunk odor.

If your dog is sprayed by a skunk and you do not have access to Skunk Off, you may not be doomed to living with the horrid smell for too long. Try mixing a 50-50 solution of Listerine mouthwash with water and soak your dog in this solution for ten minutes. Bathe, rinse, and dry your dog afterward. You may need to repeat this soaking and bathing process several times to completely remove the skunk odor.

Remember, although our pets are naturally curious about nature and other animals, wild animals such as skunks and raccoons are known for carrying disease that is easily spread to other animals. Protect your pets and monitor their activity, whether inside or out.

Holistic veterinarian and pet health researcher,  Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM., is available for pet health questions and pet health consultations for dogs and/ or cats.
Contact Dr. Carol’s veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your dog and/or cat today.

Just as humans can contract Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that leads to AIDS, cats can acquire Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) resulting in feline or kitty AIDS. Pet owners or caregivers to cats with FIV or kitty AIDS often seek out ways to help support the immune system of their pets. Recently one pet owner asked Dr Carol for her recommendation of an immune boosting supplement for his cat with kitty AIDS. No stranger to Dr Carol’s work, he asked about PAAWS, and whether this supplement that had worked miracles in other pets would help his feline friend.

Dr Carol recommends VitaLife, rather than PAAWS, for these immune compromised cats. For FIV infected kittens and cats up to the age of six, the adult formula of VitaLife is recommended. Cats who have reached age seven and over will have better immune support with the senior formula. Using VitaLife, even cats suffering from FIV and feline AIDS can enjoy a full life, living well into their teenaged years. However, Dr Carol does caution these pet owners to be very diligent about their pets dental care. Dental issues such as plaque build-up are extremely common in FIV cats.

Holistic veterinarian and pet health researcher,  Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM., is available for pet health questions and pet health consultations for dogs and/ or cats.
Contact Dr. Carol’s veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your dog and/or cat today.

Occurring three times more often in cats than dogs, ringworm (dermatophytosis) is the most common fungal infection in the world in animals. A zoonotic disease, ringworm infection can easily be spread not only among animals, but to humans as well. Children are especially susceptible to ringworm infection. Once your pet has been diagnosed, getting rid of ringworm can be a challenge that will require both hard work and patience.

Your pet with ringworm will likely be given anti-fungal medication in the form of a topical cream that is applied to the affected skin. If the ringworm infection is severe, oral and topical medications may be recommended by your veterinarian. Pets with severe cases of ringworm should be isolated from other pets to avoid spread of infection. Your veterinarian will perform fungal cultures after a course of treatment to determine whether the infection is gone.

When ringworm infected animals live inside the house, cleaning up the home environment can be expensive. Owners will be advised that for many items that the infected pet has had contact with, “Wash it or toss it,” is the general rule to avoid repeated fungal infections. Pet scratching posts, bedding, brushes, and blanks should be discarded ideally. If you cannot throw away everything, items that are retained should be washed in a hot water and iodine soap solution. (Be sure to wear long rubber gloves so that your skin does not come into contact with the water). After washing, soak the items in the same hot water – iodine solution for one hour and rinse with bleach water (one part chlorine bleach to ten parts water). These items should be allowed to dry thoroughly in the sun.

Unfortunately, there is more clean up to do in order to get rid of ringworm from  your home. Long curtains or drapes should be dry cleaned. Floors and walls should be cleaned with chlorine bleach when possible. If you have carpet in your home, be certain to steam clean all areas that the ringworm infected animal has roamed and continue to vacuum daily. Air vents should be cleaned and disinfected and filters should be changed weekly. Clean and thoroughly disinfect your pets’ carrier. If your pet is being kept in isolation in a cage, remember to clean and disinfect this daily as well to be certain to get rid of ringworm and avoid inadvertently passing the fungal infection on to another animal. Always wear rubber gloves when disinfecting your home after a ringworm diagnosis. Continue wearing the gloves while cleaning until your veterinarian confirms that the fungal infection is gone.

Holistic veterinarian and pet health researcher,  Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM., is available for pet health questions and pet health consultations for dogs and/ or cats.
Contact Dr. Carol’s veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your dog and/or cat today.