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We'll tag along with reporter/photographer Adam Dunn who shows us a sweet German Shepherd dog and his BFF, a ferret! It's an inter-species friendship that defies all the rules. Come along with me to the studio where the most famous cat in the world lives with his “creator.” Jim Davis is the cartoonist who breathes life and humor into Garfield the Cat. What's the inspiration for this universally loved kitty? What does the term “non-allergenic dog” mean? Is there such a thing? Tom Dock from Noah's Animal Hospitals explains about allergies and pets and sheds light on this hot topic. Meet a woman who volunteers her time and talents into producing pet photographs that get shelter animals terrific new homes. Reporter Caroline Thau profiles this woman who believes if you show a critter in a positive light, the chances of that animal being adopted rise considerably. Smile and say cheese . . . or, in this case, maybe “Catnip”?!

Fleas, ticks and heartworms, as well as intestinal parasites, are medical problems that should have educated medical recommendations. Decisions made at a point of purchase display and motivated by familiar packaging or based on price alone are not always in the best interest of your pet. The wrong decision can even cause severe reactions. Far too often, we see pets and families harmed because someone chose a cheaper price or prettier package over facts. There are several advantages to purchasing a parasite preventive product through your veterinarian. First, your veterinarian is convenient. You can get all products (fleas, heartworms, intestinal parasites) needed in one location as well as professional advice. Second, your veterinarian may be economical as well. He or she knows your pet and your pet’s risk factors. It is possible that a single product might work for protecting your pet from all of the parasites. You won’t make a wrong, wasted or even dangerous decision in a store, when your veterinarian recommends and sells you the exactly correct product for your pets. Next, your veterinary team understands that your pet is unique and may not tolerate certain products as well as others. This medical advice has REAL value as the wrong product used improperly can be fatal to your pet. Your veterinarian can also review any potential interactions between different products and between these parasiticides and other medications your pet is taking. The doctor or staff will also demonstrate how to properly use the product and that takes the guesswork out of proper application. By purchasing parasite prevention products through your veterinarian, you don’t need to worry about remembering which product was used on your pet. It’s all right there in the medical record! Finally, and this point can't be stressed enough, when you purchase your parasite preventive products through your veterinarian, you are supporting a LOCAL small business. You are supporting your neighbors by keeping those dollars in your community! We know that parasites continually evolve and occasionally some products won’t work as well as others. Resistant flea strains mixing with vulnerable strains could give the impression that a product is not working. Veterinarians stay up-to-date on resistant issues as well as other important information about parasites. You can’t get that type of advice from a brochure or a display rack. This will help keep you ahead of the curve and keep your pet safe. The fact that we still see “old-school” products on grocery store and big box store shelves proves this fact. There are many flea products that are available over the counter and, quite frankly, choosing one is confusing. You will not often find knowledgeable advice at a retail outlet. Remember, these are medical products, not milk or eggs! Your veterinarian and educated staff will help you make the decision about which product is best for you and your pet. Even products with active ingredients that are exactly the same can have different effects on the same pet. This is because “inert” proprietary ingredients and carrier ingredients can differ from company to company. In addition, not all products will have ingredients that work on ticks, flea eggs or larvae, heartworms or even internal parasites. Veterinarians understand your concerns both about your pet’s health and saving money. Before buying the over the counter product or an online product, consult with your veterinarian to make sure it is the best fit for you, your pet and your wallet.

Statistics show that about one in four North American adults are considered obese. But, this epidemic is not limited to our continent nor is it confined to our species. More than half of our dogs and cats are overweight or obese. So, should your pet start an Atkins Diet ? Ramsey is a “cheese-aholic”. At 6 years old and 156 lbs, this Bull Mastiff listens for his owner to unwrap the cellophane from a cheese slice and then makes a beeline for the refrigerator. Joyce Sternberg, Ramsey’s owner, says originally cheese was an incentive to teach Ramsey to shut the back door. But those cheesy rewards had a darker side. Ramsey had become so heavy he actually tried to avoid walks. Sternberg states that “Ramsey would just grab the leash and head for home.” His dislike for exercise is a common theme for many pudgy pets. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), 54% of all dogs and 58% of all cats are classified as overweight. These expanding numbers are a warning sign of our pets’ expanding waistlines! Joyce Sternberg was lucky in one respect… both her son and her veterinarian warned her about Ramsey’s rotund physique. -----Similarly, Irene Snow was chided by her veterinarian for allowing her Malamute mix, Yogi Bear, to balloon up to 127 pounds. “My veterinarian said he could tell how much I loved my pet by how fat he was,” says Irene, “but Yogi has always stolen food…that’s how he got his name!” Veterinarians and pet owners are showing concern over the increase in numbers of portly pets. An overweight pet is more prone to heart problems, poor skin condition, lameness, and more serious illnesses, like diabetes. A ground-breaking study actually details how pets who free feed live an average of two years less than pets with limited calories. Both Sternberg and Snow realized that their dogs were overweight due to excess treats, like Yogi’s ice cream sundaes or Ramsey's cheeseburgers Other factors can add to your pet’s propensity for weight gain too. Specific breeds, such as Labradors and Cockers, are at higher risk for becoming chubby as are most non-purebred cats. And, although spaying and neutering your pet won’t make them fat, their metabolism and energy needs actually do decrease. This means that neutered pets are at a higher risk for gaining weight if we don’t pay attention to their diet and exercise. Without realizing it, many owners contribute to pet obesity through good intentions. “Some pets get twice as many meals each day because no one is in charge of feeding,” says Dr. Steve Hotchkiss, veterinarian and owner of Hulen Hills Animal Hospital. Hotchkiss challenged Ramsey and Yogi in a “Biggest Pet Loser” contest. Over the course of eight weeks, a newspaper article tracked the pounds that they shed and the trials they endured. Ramsey’s beloved cheese was the first thing to go and Yogi’s new treats consisted of green beans instead of ice cream. Both pets were also encouraged to increase their activity levels. Changes were apparent within just a few weeks and when the results were announced, both dogs showed significant weight loss. Yogi Bear had lost more than 14 lbs, making him the “Biggest Pet Loser” for the contest. Keeping it off has been more of a challenge though. Ramsey, on the other hand, continued his progress and eventually lost a total of 32 lbs! He is now at a trim 124 and Sternberg says he has the energy of a puppy. “He’s excited about walks and now he even romps across the yard with our other dog”. APOP says that pet owners should open a dialogue with their veterinarian about their pet’s weight. Most pet owners know their pet is overweight but many are unsure of how to proceed. The very first step should be a good thorough physical examination and associated blood work. This will help rule out diseases that cause weight gain, like hypothyroidism in dogs. Next, devise a diet plan with your veterinarian for safely reducing the number of calories being fed while also increasing the calories being burned through activity. Hotchkiss recommends avoiding a self feeder or leaving food out for our pets all day long. Like us, our pets will do better if they eat small meals more frequently rather than one large meal in the evening. Finally, make exercise a priority. Two or more brisk walks each day for our pudgy pooches and thirty minutes of playtime with your flabby tabby can help them lose that excess weight. Above all, stay in communication with your veterinarian. You may run into temporary setbacks or even obstacles which will require a revision of your pet’s diet plan. With your love and commitment, your pet can lose that excess poundage which, in turn, could add years to your pet’s life. How much could you pet stand to lose?

From TV advertisements to email to online discussions, spaying and neutering your pet is a hot topic. You can even find a whole series of YouTube videos featuring "Scooter The Neutered Cat" to help persuade you. Hopefully, your pet's neutering surgery will be the ONLY surgery he or she will ever need to undergo! Let's start by understanding the most common ways that veterinarians perform these surgeries. First, the term "Neutering" can be used for both male and female pets. Technically, when veterinarians neuter a male dog or cat, they are performing a castration or removal of both testicles. The surgery is fairly straightforward in most cases, but when an individual pet has a retained testicle (one that doesn't migrate or "drop" into the scrotum), the surgery can get a little more complicated. And, to pre-emptively answer a question, yes, we can do vasectomies on dogs, it's just not common practice. For female pets, an ovario-hysterectomy is performed, more commonly referred to as "spaying" the pet. In this case, veterinarians remove both the ovaries and the uterus in order to stop reproduction. Here in the US, most surgeries are done by making an incision in the body wall of the belly and finding the organs in the abdomen. Less commonly, some veterinarians will make a "flank" incision and remove just the ovaries. In all of these cases, the pets ability to reproduce is lost and no unwanted litters can occur. So, if everything is so straight-forward, why am I writing this blog and why is there some concern and controversy over these elective surgeries? Beyond providing material for new puppies and kittens, the sex organs are also secreting various hormones into the pet's body and some of those hormones affect body conformation and behavior, among many other things. There are recent concerns that neutering early (6 months or before) can have adverse affects on the overall health of some pets or even their longevity. Incontinence, increase in prevalence of specific injuries and, of course, the dreaded weight gain have all implicated neutering surgery as a possible cause. Conversely, we know that specific behaviors, such as male dogs roaming and certain serious cancers, such as mammary cancer in female pets, can be minimized or even eliminated by sterilization of the pet. Let's not forget the elephant in the room...the millions of dogs and cats euthanized in shelters each year across the country. Spaying and neutering can help reduce the numbers of animals entering shelters, which has it's own wide range of benefits. You all know that I am not a veterinarian, so going into deep detail about the scientific studies about optimal age, benefits and potential adverse effects is not appropriate here. But, I will point you to a good resource and several good articles compiled by the American Veterinary Medical Association: https://www.avma.org/news/journals/collections/pages/avma-collections-spayneuter.aspx#1 . Specifically, click on the link for the top article in the Age at Neutering collection. It's a nice summary of the various concerns. Overall, here's my take: If you want to rescue or adopt a pet from your local humane group or rescue organization, expect that pet to be neutered already. In some cases, you might be asked to take the pet for surgery within a specific time frame. The social benefits of neutering to the population of shelter pets is of primary importance and will help reduce future relinquishments. If you are getting your pet from a reputable breeder, you need to take the time to talk with your veterinarian about your individual pet's needs, as well as your own concerns. Some larger breeds should probably wait for their surgery until they have reached full growth (12- 18 months), while toy breeds could have their surgeries performed at the more traditional 6 month time frame. Talk about your plans for the pet...is he or she a show animal? A working dog or possible athlete? All of these factors can affect the timing or even the requirement for the neutering surgery. Your veterinarian will have access to the latest information and studies and how this information might affect your unique furry friend. It should go without saying that anyone who does keep their pet intact, for whatever reasons, should be as responsible as possible. Don't let your intact male dog roam the neighborhood to possible father one or more litters. Likewise, owners of intact females must be prepared to deal with a 21-28 day heat cycle that will happen twice a year. So, as you can see, it's not a "one size fits all" answer...what concerns have you encountered when planning for your pet's big day??

WELL, HELLO, DOLLY! Heading into the New Year, it's a time for celebration and reflection. At Pet Pals TV we wanted to share our most amazing show with you . . . featuring an “exclusive” one-on-one interview with the iconic Dolly Parton. I had the extreme honor to be called to Nashville, Tenn. for an early morning chat with Dolly in her studio. Now, it j Just so happens she is a huge pet lover . . . BINGO! Dolly talks to me about a small white dog who was left behind after an outdoor concert she headlined in England. You'll hear her heartwarming story, and it shines a light on the tender soul of Dolly you won't find anywhere else. Dolly also talks about her life, her legacy and her future plans. There's no stopping this whirlwind of talent and energy. So make sure you enjoy Dolly Parton, dog lover -- it's a “mutt’-see TV special !!!