I used to work in the New Product Development Group at Purina. We worked about half the time on new pet food ideas and the other half on new business or new pet product related ideas. We were searching for the next big idea or blockbuster product.

One thing I learned; blockbuster products are hard to come by.

From the Pet Health Library Reference Desk -

Let's stick with the summer vacation traveling topic and head back to the Pet Health Videos section, this time under under Cat Videos.

Last week's video covered general tips for traveling with pets, but as all cats and cat lovers know, cats are special! So this video provides loads of cat-specific ideas for helping your cat travel safely and with as little stress as possible — for both of you!

Many pet parents are likely to think about pet health insurance in terms of their experience with their own health insurance policies. Given the sad state of health care in this country that comparison may be a source of concern. We've all heard the horror stories where an insurance provider will either cancel someone's policy or raise their premiums when they get sick.

Our grand puppy is getting to be quite a hand full for our daughter. He is a typical Lab puppy and he's getting bigger all the time. He needs to start school, soon!

Here's a thought: what would you do if your dog was injured so badly that he or she needed a blood transfusion? Wouldn't you expect your vet to have blood on hand? But, would that happen?

Well, this report at Sky.com talks about the subject of pet blood banks. An idea whose time has come, if you ask me. In the report, they say that in the UK, the first "mobile blood bank for dogs" is on the prowl for blood. (my description, not theirs) For instance, "The specially-designed trailer comes complete with weighing scales, waiting room and a hydraulic table where donations are given."

I found this story on Pet Charts, where there are a lot of adorable videos and pictures, but also a whole lot of news about the pet industry and pets in general. On the actual Pet Blood Bank site, out of the UK, they have a section for veterinarians and a section for pet owners. And, they are looking to start a similar procedure for cats, but they will likely visit cats in their home. We all know how much cats like going to the 'vet' - especially in that cat carrier (which I hope all of you are using; please do not take cats places in the car without putting your cat in a carrier, for his protection!)

After a bit of searching, I discovered this article in Dog Channel that talks about Hemopet, a Nonprofit Animal Blood Bank here in the U.S. that serves veterinary hospitals from near and far. Good to see us keeping up.

So, does your vet have blood on hand for emergency treatment of your dog or cat? Tell us...

Found this article on breeding dogs over at Dogtime and it impressed me as worth sharing. I don't see the writer's name but the content is interesting, when you stop to think about the history of the bond between man and dog. Man, of course, is relative...it stands for "human"... not to exclude the girls.

The article talks about ancient dogs' first job as "acting as a combination of security and waste management." The barking being the security, one expects, and the willingness to eat whatever was leftover when the humans were done eating, is the waste management.

It's true that no one really knows how the dog was domesticated - maybe some children in a tribe adopted puppies and the bond between human and animal was born. Maybe dogs were helpful in hunting - by fetching birds or small mammals, something they would only do (I think) if they considered the hunter their leader. Maybe lots of things...

This is a topic that confuses a lot of people and for good reason. It's kind of confusing! And it has a bearing on Pet Health Insurance, too, because some providers cover hereditary conditions under some circumstances and others exclude hereditary conditions. PurinaCare, for instance, does not exclude hereditary conditions that are not pre-existing. That statement alone can be a little confusing and this post will help explain what that means so there is as little confusion as possible. You should look at the definition of pre-existing at the bottom of page one of the sample policy.

From the Pet Health Library Reference Desk -

Sticking with the "here comes summer" theme, this week's visit takes us back to the Pet Health Videos section, under General Topic Videos.

I love the title: Traveling with Pets Doesn’t Have to Drive You Crazy. Lots of good information on taking pets on vacation with you, both for getting there (by flying or driving) and pet-friendly destinations. A couple of online resources recommended in the video are: PetsWelcome.com and BringYourPet.com.

How about you?

Any pets-on-vacation tips or experiences to share?

Please tell us yours by leaving a comment and help us make this blog more useful — and more fun — for all pet parents!

My wife and I got to stop in and see our daughter's new puppy last weekend and it was quite a treat. He must be twice the size he was just a month ago. He's going to be a good sized Lab when he grows up. I'd guess he'll be somewhere around 75 to 80 lbs a year from now.

You might think you're prepared for this claim file podcast, but maybe you aren't. Have a listen as Dr. Bill and Dr. Larry discuss cats and hairballs. (We clean up after the Wabby daily - and sometimes have to race across the room to get her off of the bed or the couch - or off the expensive rug in the dining room!)

But, even this made us realize that we have it easy! When it comes to cats, Wabby is an "Oscar Madison Cat"... as Dr. Bill calls cats that are more fastidious about grooming, but she's also fond of us so we're usually around when she starts that hairball cough. It's easy to get complacent and think hairballs come with the territory, until something tramatic happens, as it did here...and then, you'll be glad veterinary medicine has come a long, long way.

I only hope that before then, you will at least consider looking at pet health insurance. Good thing the pet parents of our podcast example, Gabe, did. He wins the hairball story in my book! (hint: think Smurfs!)