Newsletter

Mars Petcare US, the maker of pet food brands Pedigree, Ol' Roy and others, has announced a voluntary recall of products manufactured at its Everson, Pennsylvania facility because of potential Salmonella contamination.

While there have been no reports of pets becoming ill from the food, Mars Petcare US has voluntarily recalled the food produced between Feb. 18 and July 29 of 2008 at its Everson facility.

Owners can check the UPC code on pet food packages to see if the food is affected by the recall. For all Mars Petcare US products except Pedigree foods, recalled products will have "17" as the first two digits on the second line on the UPC information. Example:

Best By Feb 18 09
17 1445 1

Pedigree products have a slightly different UPC code and date format than other products. Consumers who purchased Pedigree should look for "PAE" on the bottom line - the sixth, seventh and eighth digits. Example:

PEDIGREE (R) Small Crunchy Bites
Best Before 02/2009
808G1PAE01 12:00

A complete list of recalled products and corresponding UPC information can be found at the Food and Drug Administration's website and at the Mars Petcare US website.

Symptoms of Salmonella in pets may include lethargy, diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets may have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. In some cases, animals can carry the Salmonella infection with no visible symptoms and potentially infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product or has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

To prevent the spread of Salmonella, the FDA recommends pet owners follow the safe pet food handling guidelines outlined here. If you have questions about the recall, call Mars Petcare US at 1-877-568-4463 or visit www.petcare.mars.com.

A $24 million settlement has been reached in the 2007 Menu Foods pet food recall incident. Pet owners whose pets died or were sickened by the contaminated pet food are entitled to file a claim for a portion of the settlement following a federal court ruling on Oct. 15.

The settlement brings a partial close to the largest pet food in history. In March 2007, Menu Foods, a Canada-based pet food manufacturer, recalled more than 60 million units of pet food after the food was found to be tainted with melamine, an industrial chemical commonly found in plastics. Pets that ate the tainted food suffered kidney failure and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration received more than 17,000 complaints regarding the food from pet owners. Though there are no official records regarding the number of pets killed by the tainted food, the Veterinary Information Network estimated the contamination caused between 2,000 and 7,000 deaths and cost pet owners between $2 million and $20 million in health care costs.

Pet owners have until Nov. 24 to file claims. Forms can be downloaded at www.petfoodsettlement.com. Following the recall, more than 100 class action lawsuits were filed in the U.S. and Canada against Menu Foods and approximately 30 other companies, including pet food distributors and retailers. Menu Foods claims it has spent more than $65 million so far as part of the recall. According to the Associated Press, more than 10,000 people have so far filed claims, with the average claim valued at $1,500. An independent arbiter will review all claims filed.

As part of the settlement, pet owners will be reimbursed for health care costs, including "veterinary screening or treatment bills, expenses related to our pet's illness and/or death, and other expenses such as lost wages and property damage," according to a statement on the settlement website. Documentation of these expenses is required. In addition, pet owners may also recover up to $900 for the "fair market value" of the deceased pet. According to a statement on the settlement website, any money left over in the settlement fund after all claims have been settled will be donated to pet-related charities. Not all pet owners involved in the suit were happy with the decision, though - according to the Associated Press, a few dozen owners formally objected to the settlement because it does not compensate pet owners for pain and suffering due to the loss of their pet.

Melamine-contaminated wheat gluten imported from China and used in the production of the pet food was found to be the source of the contamination. An investigation revealed that importers frequently add melamine to food products in order to increase the protein count of the food, which in turn would increase profits.

Though two of the Chinese companies responsible for the contamination were shut down and a U.S. grand jury issued 26 indictments related to the case, the pet food recall was just the first in a series of recalls involving products imported from China. Recalls of everything from childrens toys to toothpaste were announced in 2007, and in October 2008, the Chinese government ordered a massive recall of all liquid and powdered milk products made in September 2008 due to melamine contamination. While the FDA has instituted a pilot program to help alert pet owners should a future pet food recall occur, other reforms have been slow in coming.

You And Your Veterinarian Working Together To Keep Your Dog Healthy

Maintaining your dog in top physical shape and optimum health is the goal of every responsible dog owner. It is also your veterinarian's goal, and together, you can ensure that your pet stays healthy for years to come. Crucial to maintaining your dog's good health is the routine physical examination that your veterinarian performs on your pet.

Why are regular check-ups important?

Check-ups are important because they provide an opportunity to prevent diseases or even avoid them altogether. Unfortunately, many pet owners tend to underestimate the value of these visits because their pets appear to be healthy. However, this may be deceiving, since many diseases are often not evident in the early stages.

Heartworm

Similarly, heartworm disease is a serious threat that causes cardiovascular weakness and lung incapacity. Caused by Dirofilaria immitis, these worms plug up blood vessels, which places an increased workload on the heart, along with restricted blood flow to the lungs, kidneys, and liver. This can eventually lead to multiple organ failure, including heart failure and death. Visible signs of the disease often do not appear before the infection has caused significant and irreversible internal damage. As part of an annual physical examination, your veterinarian can perform a simple test to detect heartworm disease and prescribe an easy-to-use preventive.

Obesity

Your veterinarian can also determine whether or not your dog has an obesity problem. Obesity affects almost one out of every three pets, making it the most common nutritional disease among dogs and cats. Through visual assessment and palpation, your veterinarian can advise on whether or not your dog could benefit from a weight-reduction program.

Questions and Answers

The check-up also provides pet owners with the opportunity to have their questions answered regarding health, nutrition, training and hygiene.

Obedience training is important for your pet's health because behavioral problems account for more deaths in dogs than any known disease. In fact, a well-trained and obedient dog is more likely to live to a ripe old age than a poorly trained one. Obedience-trained dogs are less likely to be involved in car accidents and dogfights, tend to be happier, and are less likely to have behavioral problems. The checkup provides an opportunity to discuss training techniques and behavior concerns with your veterinarian.

Feeding a proper diet rates as one of the most important considerations in health maintenance. Its importance lies not only in optimizing a pet's health, but also in the prevention and management of many diseases. Nutritional counseling is an essential part of the veterinarian's checkup and many owners use the opportunity to gain valuable advice on what to feed their pets.

What happens during an examination?

Before the physical examination begins, your veterinarian asks you questions concerning your dog's state of health. This is very important for determining whether or not there are problem areas that need to be addressed. For example, a "history" of poor weight gain or weight loss can provide a clue to your veterinarian that there may be a parasite problem. Intestinal parasites (worms and protozoans) are a common problem in pets because they carry with them the potential to kill your pet. This is particularly true in young puppies, but also holds true for adult animals. With a simple stool test, your veterinarian is able to detect the presence of these parasites.

After obtaining a history, your veterinarian performs a physical examination on your dog. Starting at the head, your veterinarian examines the eyes, ears, face, and mouth. Examining the teeth is especially important since up to 85 percent of all dogs and cats over four years of age have some degree of periodontal disease! Early detection of periodontal disease is important, not only for effective treatment but also future prevention.

Disease detection

During the physical examination, your veterinarian listens to the chest with a stethoscope to make sure there are no respiratory or cardiovascular problems. For example, the early warning signs of heart failure can be detected in this way. Since more than 12 percent of the dog population experiences some form of heart problem in their lifetime that leads to heart failure, early detection is crucial.

The summer is made for lazing about in the sun and spending time outdoors, two activities cats love. But when the weather is warm, fleas are never far behind and as temperatures rise, it becomes increasingly important to protect your feline friend from hungry fleas.

Keeping fleas off your pet and out of your home is about more than just stopping your pet's constant scratching. Aside from itchy, irritating bites, fleas can cause the skin disease flea allergy dermatitis in both cats and dogs, as well as miliary dermatitis in cats. A single flea bite can trigger flea allergy dermatitis, which can lead to excessive scratching, hair loss and, potentially, a secondary bacterial infection. Miliary dermatitis consists of small bumps, called papules that eventually develop into crusts. Fleas can also transmit Dipylidium caninum, or double-pore tapeworm, a common tapeworm found in dogs and cats, as well as a number of other diseases.

Even if fleas aren't on your pet right now, they may be living in your home. There are four stages in a flea's life cycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult. It is only during the adult stage that the flea actually lives on an animal; during the other three stages, the flea lives in the surround environment. Immature fleas usually account for about 90 to 95 percent of the total flea population in a home. A good rule of thumb is that for every flea you find on your pet, there are about 100 more immature fleas living in the surrounding environment.

The average flea can live for anywhere between 12 days and 180 days, though the typical lifespan of a flea lasts three to six weeks. But even in that short amount of time, an adult female can lay more than 1,000 eggs, which means that even only one tiny flea can result in big problems.

How can you tell if fleas have invaded your home and latched on to your dog? Scratching is the first sign. During feeding, fleas inject saliva into the skin of the animal; this saliva contains proteins that cause allergic skin reactions, which leads to bouts of rubbing and scratching. Fleas are most commonly found on cats around the base of the tail and on the head, neck and ears. If you suspect your cat has fleas but cannot see them, check for "flea dirt." This is the excrement of the flea and consists of a mix of feces and dried blood. To find flea dirt, have your pet lay on the ground and place a piece of white paper underneath him or her. Brush your pet and let the paper collect any dirt or debris. Next, add a few drops of water to the dirt on the paper; if dried blood is present, the water will take on a reddish color, indicating the presence of flea dirt.

During the last several years, significant improvements have been made to flea control products. Oral and topical medications containing insect growth regulators (IGR) and insect development inhibitors (IDI) disrupt the flea's maturation process and stop infestations before they begin. These treatments are less toxic for pets and the environment and more effective in controlling fleas.

Topical treatments are more effective than past products because they remain on the surface of the pet's skin, where they are toxic only to fleas, rather than absorbed into the pet's bloodstream. Below is a list of common flea control products available through your veterinarian. Flea control products designed for dogs should never be used on cats. Products containing pyrethrin- or pyrethroid-based chemicals can be dangerous and possibly fatal for your cat. Keep dogs and cats separate immediately after applying flea control products.

Advantage: Developed by Bayer, Advantage is a topical solution containing the active ingredient imidacloprid, which acts on the nervous system of the flea. Advantage stops biting fleas within three to five minutes of initial application and kills adult fleas within an hour. Advantage also kills flea larvae within 20 minutes of contact. Advantage should be applied monthly and is available only through your veterinarian.

Advantage Multi: This topical solution combines imidacloprid, the same flea-killing ingredient found in Advantage, with moxidectin, which prevents heartworm disease and treats and controls intestinal worms such as hookworms, roundworms and whipworms. Advantage Multi should be applied monthly in order to best control fleas and parasites and is available by prescription only.

Frontline Top Spot: A topical solution similar to the Frontline Spray developed by Merial in 1996, Frontline Top Spot provides protection from both fleas and ticks. The active ingredients are fipronil, which kills adult fleas on dogs. Frontline should be applied monthly and remains waterproof for 30 days.

Frontline Plus: This flea control product is similar to Frontline Top Spot but also contains methoprene, which disrupts the flea's maturation process by killing eggs and larvae. Like Frontline Top Spot, Frontline Plus provides protection from fleas and ticks for 30 days.

ProMeris: Developed by Fort Dodge Animal Health (Wyeth), ProMeris uses the active ingredient metaflumizone to kill and repel fleas. Metaflumizone causes neuron disruptions in fleas, resulting in loss of coordination, paralysis and death. ProMeris is available by prescription and should be used monthly for best results.

Revolution: Developed by Pfizer, Revolution prevents, kills and controls a number of parasites, including fleas and ear mites. Revolution is also effective in preventing heartworm disease and treating roundworm. Revolution contains selamectin. When applied, the drug enters the bloodstream through the skin; concentrations of Revolution in the blood and tissue prevent heartworm disease, while concentrations in the skin protects against fleas and flea eggs.

Vectra: This flea control product is available in two forms, one for cats and kittens over 8 weeks of age and under 9 pounds, and another for cats weighing 9 pounds or more. The active ingredients in both are dinotefuran and pyriproxyfen which are effective in killing adult fleas and flea larvae. Vectra is a topical solution and should be applied monthly. It is available by prescription from your vet.

Lumps are a very common occurrence, especially in aging pets. Approximately 30 percent of all tumors found in dogs and cats occur on the skin. There are a couple of important questions owners should ask themselves when they find lumps on their pets.

• Has the lump appeared suddenly, or has it been there awhile?
• Has the lump stayed the same in consistency and appearance or has it changed recently?
• Does the lump seem to separate from underlying tissue or is it attached?
• Is there only one lump or are there multiple similar lumps?
• And finally, are there changes in your pet's behavior such as eating less, losing weight, vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy?

Answering these questions may help your veterinarian evaluate the seriousness of the lump's presence.

Often, lumps are benign accumulations of fat known as lipomas. Keep in mind, however, that while all lipomas are lumps, not all lumps are lipomas. Any detected lump should be evaluated for the possibility of a more aggressive malignancy. In general, many benign lumps may grow slowly or not at all and remain unchanged for many months or even years. Most malignant lumps, however, grow rapidly and may infiltrate into the underlying tissue. The best way to figure out if a lump is benign or malignant is to have your pet examined by a veterinarian.

Many skin tumors, benign or malignant, can be cured with surgery. Unfortunately, skin tumors could be just the tip of the iceberg. Diagnostic tests may be needed to determine if the lump on your pet might be a manifestation of a more widespread disease.

Canine Mast Cell Tumor

The most common malignant skin cancer in dogs is the mast cell tumor. Mast cells are normal cells in the body that serve as a defense mechanism. When you are bitten by a mosquito, for instance, the mast cells initiate the inflammatory response that causes the production of a red and itchy hive. Mast cells also contribute to asthma and food allergies.

If the normal mast cell undergoes a malignant change, a mast cell tumor may be produced. Canine mast cell tumors may be benign or possess varying degrees of malignancy. Malignancies range from local reoccurrence following surgical removal to aggressive systemic disease, which may ultimately be fatal. Biopsy can help determine the aggressiveness of a mast call tumor.

Although mast cell tumors primarily affect the skin, they have the potential to spread to other areas of the body. Therefore, it is important not only to address the skin tumor, but also to fully evaluate the pet for signs of metastasis. This often includes blood work, thoracic radiographs and abdominal ultrasound. If there is no evidence of tumor metastasis, surgical removal of the mast cell tumor may cure the problem. If complete surgical removal is not possible, radiation therapy or chemotherapy can be considered.

Feline cutaneous (skin) mast cell tumors are generally benign and surgical removal is often curative. Metastasis from a skin mast call tumor is not as common in cats as it is in dogs. Some cats, however, may produce a distinctly different type of mast cell tumor that primarily affects internal organs, such as the spleen, liver and bone marrow. This type of mast cell tumor is called visceral mastocytosis and is much more aggressive than mast cell tumors of the skin.

When you notice a lump or bump on your pet, it is best to have your pet examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Many pets have lumps that remain benign all of their lives, but if a lump is malignant, your pet has a better prognosis if treated early. Skin cancers are quite common and often can be cured. The best way to detect lumps at any stage is to give your pet full body rubs on a regular basis. Not only are you contributing to your pet's health and your own peace of mind, your pet is going to love the attention!

More often than not, dogs are exposed to toxic household products accidentally, though from time to time, well-intentioned owners may unknowingly give their dogs harmful products or medications in an attempt to help them. To help you be a responsible dog owner, we have compiled a list of the 10 most common household hazards to dogs based on data received at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) between 2001 and 2005.

Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen, also known by the name brands Advil or Motrin, is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug commonly used as a pain reliever or fever reducer. The most common over-the-counter strength is 200mg, but prescription strength tablets can get as high as 800mg. Dogs are often exposed accidentally, either because they have chewed a bottle containing ibuprofen or their owner has given it to them intentionally for pain control.

The effects of ibuprofen poisoning are diverse. An overdose can cause damage to the GI tract, the kidneys and the central nervous system. Ingestion by dogs can lead to ulceration, vomiting, diarrhea and/or abdominal pain. Larger doses can result in an increased risk of a dog developing acute renal failure, depression, seizures and/or comas.

Chocolate

Chocolate contains a stimulant known as a methylxanthine or theobromine. The amount of methylxanthines depends on the type of chocolate. For example, milk chocolate contains lower amounts of methylxanthines than dark chocolate, while baker's chocolate has the highest and most toxic amount.

Clinical signs of chocolate poisoning vary. The dog's reaction depends on the type of chocolate, the amount ingested, the size of the dog, and the dog's sensitivity to methylxanthines. Signs of ingestion can include mild stimulation such as hyperactivity, agitation and restlessness, cardiovascular effects like tachycardia (increased heart rate), arrhythmias, hypertension or hypotension and central nervous system signs such as tremors and seizures. Vomiting and diarrhea may occur with any amount, due to chocolate's high fat and sugar content.

Ant and Roach Baits

No one likes having ants or roaches in the house, but it is important to remember the potential hazard to your dog by placing baits or traps. The product names vary, and the containers may be referred to as chambers, discs, stations, systems, traps, baits or trays. To attract the insects, most ant and roach baits use an attractant (often peanut butter), a sweetening agent and bread. These baits once contained compounds highly toxic to mammals (arsenic trioxide and lead arsenate); the most common insecticides used in ant and roach baits today are boric acid, avermectin, fipronil, hydramethylnon, propoxur and sulfonamide.

Due to the low concentration of the insecticide and the small size of the bait, serious illness in dogs ingesting the baits is not expected. In many instances, the risk of a foreign body or obstruction from the plastic or metal part of the container is of greater concern than the active ingredients. Signs of ingestion are usually limited to mild gastrointestinal upset and do not require specific treatment.

Rodenticides (rat poison)

Poisons intended to kill rats, mice, gophers, moles and other pesky mammals are among the most common and deadly household poisons. Since rodents and dogs are both mammals, it makes sense that substances highly poisonous to mice, for example, would be lethal to dogs. It cannot be stressed enough that rodenticides are highly toxic and any such poisons designed to kill small mammals need to be carefully stored away from curious canine noses. The poisons usually come in flimsy cardboard containers, and any dog or puppy can chew through it to get the bait.

While there are many categories of rodenticides, the most common poisoning seen in veterinary practice is the anti-coagulant kind. Anti-coagulant rodenticide has ingredient names like warfarin, fumarin, diphacinone and bromadiolone. These poisons act by interfering with a dog's ability to utilize Vitamin K. Without it, a dog's blood is unable to clot, which can ultimately cause severe blood loss, anemia, hemorrhage and death. Generally, clinical signs are not seen until 3-5 days after the dog has ingested the poison. Signs of ingestion are weakness, difficulty breathing, pale mucous membranes, bruising and bleeding from the nose. Other types of rodenticides can cause neurological symptoms such as incoordination, seizures and other cardiac failure.

If accidental ingestion of rat poison is suspected, contact your veterinarian immediately, even if your dog is not showing any symptoms. If possible bring the poison container to the clinic to determine the specific rodenticide ingested and therefore provide the best treatment. Early recognition is critical, as some intoxications can be treated successfully if caught early and treated appropriately.

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen, most commonly known as Tylenol, is an over-the-counter medication used to relieve pain and reduce fevers. Available in tablets, capsules or liquids, it can be rather easy for a dog to chew on a bottle or mistakenly be given some by its owner as a pain killer. As with ibuprofen, dogs should never be given acetaminophen as a pain reliever. Specifically, acetaminophen breaks down into small particles that bind to red blood cells and other tissue cells. This results in the destruction of these cells. In other words, just one pill can cause significant tissue damage in dogs (especially small dogs). Signs of ingestion develop quickly and can include salivation, vomiting, weakness, abdominal pain and fluid build up (edema) in the face or paws.

Cold medications (Pseudo-ephedrine)

Many cold medications contain pseudo-ephedrine, a drug structurally similar to amphetamine. Ingestion can lead to cardiovascular and central nervous system problems. The most common clinical signs include agitation, hyperactivity, panting, hyperthermia (increased body temperature), tachycardia, head bobbing and dilated pupils. A small amount can be life threatening, so timely treatment is important.

Thyroid hormones

Thyroid hormones can be toxic to dogs. Although natural (desiccated thyroid) and synthetic (levothyroxine or L-thyroxine) derivatives of thyroid hormones are used to treat hypothyroidism in both animals and people, an overdose can be toxic. As with any medication, dogs are susceptible to drug overdoses, much like humans. Hyperactivity and tachycardia are the most common signs of overdose. If you think you have overdosed your dog or your own medication bottle has been chewed, consult your veterinarian for the best course of action.

Cleaning Products

This category contains dozens of products used around the home including toilet bowl cleaners, bleach, detergents, caustics (e.g. Drano, Ajax, etc.), pine oils and so forth. These products are often highly poisonous to dogs. The range of chemicals included in cleaning products can cause signs varying widely from mild local irritation (many detergent soaps) to deep penetrating tissue damage (alkaline products) to severe systemic disease (pine oils). Due to the wide range of products, generalized illness is most common along with skin irritation or a burn if contact has been topical instead of ingested. Like rodenticides, it is wise to keep all cleaners tightly closed when not in use and stored in a location where curious canine noses are unable to reach. Also, be sure to keep dogs out of newly cleaned areas to avoid paw injuries from walking in the cleaning solution and mouth burns from subsequent grooming.

Fertilizer

Spring and fall are the times to fertilize. Unfortunately, it is also the time for accidental poisoning. Dogs often lick their paws, especially after walking outdoors. Because fertilizers are usually a combination of ingredients, several toxic outcomes are possible. In general, the ingredients are poorly absorbed and most clinical signs are related to gastrointestinal irritation showing up as vomiting, hyper salivation, diarrhea or lethargy. The best way to avoid illness or injury is to keep your dog inside while treating your lawn and wait awhile before letting him or her out.

Household Chemicals (hydrocarbons)

Hydrocarbons are in numerous household products, including paints, varnishes, engine cleaners, furniture polish, lighter fluid, lamp oils, paint removers, and fuel oil (e.g. acetone, xylene, kerosene, gasoline, naphtha, mineral oil). Since there are so many possible poisons, the result of ingestion varies widely. Clinical signs include vomiting, diarrhea, mild to moderate eye irritation, skin burns, pulmonary damage, pneumonia, depression or excitement, hypoxia, inflammation and liver or kidney damage. Though dogs generally do not enjoy the taste of any of these products, a common cause of ingestion is through drinking out of puddles that contain chemicals or walking through spilled liquids and then licking their paws.

Hip dysplasia is not just for dogs.

Until very recently, cats were not thought to be affected by hip dysplasia. Well known in many dog breeds as an inherited disorder, cats were thought to be free of the condition. New information and research has shown that this disease does indeed exist in the cat and is likely an inherited disorder.

Hip dysplasia is not caused by one single gene. It is a polygenitic, complex disease, caused by several genes. The disease is not congenital (meaning that an animal is not born with it), but rather develops over a period of time resulting from instability in the ball and socket portion of the hip joint. Abnormal hip joint laxity (looseness between the femoral head - the ball, and the acetabulum - and the socket) is the initiating factor that results in the condition known as hip dysplasia.

The looseness that occurs within the joint contributes to secondary changes. A major change is the deterioration of the articular cartilage (articular cartilage functions as a lubricating mechanism within the joint). The degenerative changes that occur within the joint cause the femoral head and acetabulum (the ball and socket) to rub together and with every step, causes the cat to experience pain. Eventually, as the condition progresses, the cat develops severe degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) of the hip.

Symptoms of feline hip dysplasia are somewhat similar to symptoms of canine hip dyspalsia. Severely affected cats have obvious symptoms and experience pain. These cats may appear to be stiff when they walk, walk with a pronounced limp, and may be reluctant to jump or climb. Cats that are moderately affected appear less lame or lame from time to time. In some cases, the symptoms only appear after some traumatic event, such as a fall. Other cats totally mask the symptoms of hip dysplasia and appear normal.

Hip dysplasia is a condition which is present in the general feline population (in the random-bred, general cat population as well as in purebred cats) and is seen in all types of body styles, from relatively small cats like the Siamese to the larger breeds like Persians and Maine Coon Cats.

Maine Coon Cat

In the case of purebred cats, the breeders determine which cats can breed. Current thinking suggests that the greatest impact on reducing feline hip dysplasia can be made by breeders who choose to breed only cats that have been evaluated for the presence of hip dysplasia.

Diagnosis of feline hip dysplasia is made by x-raying the affected cat's hips. There are two different methods for evaluating hips. The most widely used method is that of The Orthopedic Foundation For Animals (OFA). The other method is done in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania and is called the Penn Hip Improvement Program (PennHIP).

The OFA method is readily available as x-rays are taken by your local veterinarian and then forwarded to the OFA for evaluation. The PennHIP method for felines is currently available only via the University of Pennsylvania. While both utilize radiographs, the methods vary as do the opinions on which method is best.

Selective breeding is the key for reducing the incidence of feline hip dysplasia. Only cats that have sound hips, with no radiographic signs of hip dysplasia, should be used for breeding. Cats with radiographic signs of hip dysplasia should not be used for breeding and should be neutered at the appropriate age.

Whether it's a trip to the dog park or a jaunt across the country, pets are joining their owners on vacation more and more often. Cities and towns across the country are realizing that providing pet-friendly facilities and activities—along with a steady supply of treats—will lure more people and their four-legged friends to their communities. In 2007, San Diego, Calif. and Colorado Springs, Colo. were voted the two most pet-friendly cities in the U.S. in separate surveys conducted by Dog Fancy magazine and Forbes magazine.

First, a note about the designations: in the surveys conducted by Forbes and Dog Fancy, the term "pet friendly" is equated with "dog friendly." Why? Because dogs are the pet most likely to travel with their owners. Additionally, dogs require more services (dog parks, daycare facilities and so on) than other pets. According to these surveys, a city that welcomes dogs is likely to welcome other pets as well.

Topping Dog Fancy's list is San Diego, Calif. With more than 1.3 million people and 305,000 dogs in the city, San Diego is a pooch paradise. According to the survey, San Diego boasts more than 60 dog-friendly hotels and 50 dog-friendly restaurants, along with a multitude of hiking trails, dog parks and off-leash areas on the city's beaches. Additionally, San Diego features a number of animal shelters and support organizations that help pets and their owners. The city is home to AniMeals, a program that provides free pet food for homebound elderly and disabled pet owners. City fire and rescue squads have dog-sized oxygen masks for pet rescue operations, and the city's animal shelters combined have a more than 80 percent adoption and rescue rate for all impounded dogs. For pet owners visiting San Diego, the website www.sandiegopet.com provides valuable information about pet-friendly restaurants and stores, pet resources and local pet information.

The runners-up in Dog Fancy's "DogTown USA" survey are:

• Austin, Texas
• Carmel, California
• Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Fort Collins, Colorado
• Long Beach, California
• Madison, Wisconsin
• Sanford, Florida
• Seattle, Washington

Meanwhile, Forbes magazine selected Colorado Springs, Colo. as its most pet-friendly city. While Dog Fancy's survey relied on reader input and nominations, Forbes used a different set of criteria, looking at the 50 largest cities in America and basing their selection on how much public park space was set aside for dogs, the number of pet supply and service business and the most veterinary facilities. The average cost of veterinary care in each of the cities was also used as part of the criteria. Colorado Springs came out on top thanks to its more than 100,000 acres of park space, seven dog parks and 113 veterinarians. About 400,000 people and an estimated 61,000 dogs and 54,000 cats live in Colorado Springs, according to the survey.

The other pet-friendly cities selected by Forbes include:

• Portland, Oregon
• Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Austin, Texas
• Charlotte, North Carolina
• Virginia Beach, Virginia
• Kansas City, Missouri
• St. Louis, Missouri
• Seattle, Washington
• Denver, Colorado