This week's visit to the Pet Health Library takes us to the Breeds Section to meet some dogs that love being called "all wet" - the Portuguese Water Dog, American Water Spaniel, and Irish Water Spaniel.

Of course, since the First Family got "Bo" the Portuguese Water Dog has been in the news a lot. Dr. Larry even wrote a post (tongue-in-cheek?) worrying that its popularity might endanger the breed!

But browsing in the Library, I found two other breeds with "water" in their names, the American and Irish Water Spaniels. And I learned some interesting and fun things about each.

So let's have some fun and see if you can match up these "facts" with the breeds:

• Nicknames include "Diving Dog" and "Sea Dog"


• A very rare breed, puppies will be hard to find


• AKC recognized in 1940


• Known as the clown of the dog world




• Nicknames include "Rat-tail Spaniel"


• Feet are webbed to aid in swimming


• One of the founding breeds of the AKC


• Generally the smallest of these breeds

Click on the breed links or pictures above to check your answers over at the Library!

This week's visit to the Pet Health Library takes us to the Breeds Section to meet the Bombay.

The name caught my eye because on our recent trip to the Blogher conference in Chicago, we had some challenges with our hotel room internet connection and one of the more helpful tech support people (with Symantec) openly admitted he was located in Bombay, India. Tom (our behind the scenes blogger) had a very nice conversation with him while software was working in the background and the stereotype did not apply — as they so often don't.

That's your hint that the answer to where Bombay cats come from may not be as obvious as the old "Grant's tomb "joke ... click to find out more about Bombay cats!

From the Pet Health Library Reference Desk -

Last week we explored "zoonotic diseases" — those that can be passed from animals to humans — and mentioned Rabies as an example that applies to both cats and dogs. So this week, let's head back to the Pet Health Videos section, under under General Videos, for some more details about Rabies.

One thing I was surprised to learn is that it can take weeks, or even months, after your pet is exposed to Rabies before the symptoms appear! Find out more:

From the Pet Health Library Reference Desk -

I couldn't, when I saw the title "Zoonotic Diseases" in the Articles section, under both Cat and Dog Articles. So I just had to check them out.

Not only did I learn how to pronounce "zoonoses" — I also found out that the word means diseases that can be passed from animals to humans. Both of the articles mention rabies, since it applies to cats and dogs, and then go on:

"Other zoonotic diseases are less well known, but can be equally dangerous to infected people. Appropriate vaccination protocols, parasite screening, and preventive medicine are key to reducing exposures to these preventable diseases."

From there, each article gets into the specific diseases affecting cats or dogs.

For your pronunciation lesson and more, click:
Feline Zoonotic Diseases Article
Canine Zoonotic Diseases Article

Continue Reading "Friday's Feature: Can you say "Zoonotic"?" »

There are two types of mange in dogs both caused by skin mites. Demodectic or Red mange is caused by a mite that is usually passed from the mother to the puppy. In fact puppies are most commonly affected because their immune systems are still developing and they don't have the ability to fight off this mite.

Demodex mites commonly inhabit the skin of adult dogs without incident. The immune system of the adult dog is capable of suppressing the mite so that it does not cause skin disease. Adult dogs that are immunosuppressed for any reason may come down with demodex but it is most commonly a self limiting disease of puppies. In most cases as the puppies immune system develops the mites cease to cause problems.

From the Pet Health Library Reference Desk -

I can't believe it's been almost two months since we visited the Pet Health Videos section! This week, I found a new video under General Topics called, Advances in Pet Identification.

Watch and learn about the strengths and weaknesses of traditional collar tags and the latest in radio frequency ID chips for implanting under the pet's skin.

Here in the middle of vacation season, this week's visit to the Pet Health Library takes us back to the Articles section, under Dog Articles, for Considerations When Boarding Your Dog.

Now most of the time we'd probably rather find a pet-friendly hotel or resort, when the trip is a vacation.

But what if it's a business trip? Sometimes, as the article points out, taking your dog along is not the best idea — for you OR your dog:

"People face the decision of what to do with their dogs any time they travel. Does the hotel allow dogs? Is the neighbor’s teenager responsible enough to medicate my geriatric dog? What if there is an emergency with my pet while I’m on the road? A boarding facility may be a better option than travelling with a pet or leaving it with a friend in some circumstances."

So, what should you consider when you have to board your dog? Head on over to the Library and read on.

Continue Reading "Friday's Feature: What to Consider When You Must Board Your Dog" »

From the Pet Health Library Reference Desk -

I guess the reference desk staff can! Why?

The PurinaCare^® Pet Health Library has been named # 5 on the Top 100 Websites for Pet Ownership Advice! The list was compiled by L. Fabry for the Veterinary Technician Schools Online website. The introduction to the list explains:

Anyone from the new owner of a puppy to a senior cat always has room for a little or a lot more pet advice. Below are the best 100 sites for pet advice on nutrition, training, health, grooming, and more. 

And while I'm busy blushing, I can't help mentioning that my own pet blog, Scratchings & Sniffings, made the list as one of the top 10 pet blogs (the "Top Pet Blogs" category is #s 59-68 on the list). 

Of course, Dr. Larry contributes to both blogs, too, so he gets credit for making them worthy of being listed.

So he should be blushing, too, right?

Continue Reading "Friday's Feature: Can a Pet Health Library Blush?" »

From the Pet Health Library Reference Desk -

I may be hooked on the Breeds section! As with the cat breeds, you can separately view the list of dog breeds with photos.

This week I want to introduce you to the Basenji, a truly ancient breed of dogs said to have originated 6,000 years ago!

The Basenji personality description includes,

"Loves to play and will entice you to join by rubbing a paw over its ear and down its face like a cat."

If that's not unusual enough, these dogs can't bark, but they do make noises ... find out more in the Pet Health Library article!

Continue Reading "Friday's Feature: Basenji, the Barkless Dog" »

From the Pet Health Library Reference Desk -

While I was at the Breeds section last week, I noticed there are three different breeds listed as "American Curl" cats. I also noticed you can view the entire list of cat breeds with their photos, as well as the text listing.

But back to the American Curl Cats, their story is fascinating (to me) and I'll give you a taste of why here. The Longhair and Shorthair breeds are fairly new and remarkable in that both trace their origin to the same mother, "an adopted stray named Shulamith." 

They began with a spontaneous mutation in 1981 — only reaching acceptance by the Cat Fanciers' Association for championship status in 1993.

And the shorthair breed arose in Shulamith's third litter.

An earlier spontaneous mutation across the country in 1966 produced the "uniquely American" Wirehair breed, which was accepted for championship in 1978.