Children should help with the responsibilities and tasks that are associated with having a pet. As adults though, we need to remember that children are children and adolescents are adolescents. It's very important to assign tasks that are appropriate with the child's age.

Here are some of the things you can expect

Toddlers - A toddler can help parents with pet care simply by being involved — "helping" a parent fill food and water dishes, grooming, going with parents to take the pet for a walk, or to the veterinarian. The toddler and young child can accompany the parent when he or she purchases the food, grooming supplies and other essential elements involved in pet care. The toddler can also give the dog a treat for good behavior, i.e. gets in bed or crate before family leaves the house. This special job is rewarding and enjoyable for both the dog and the toddler.

The 5-7 Year Old - The children in this age group are capable of doing some of the tasks above (feeding, watering, grooming) without parental help. Don't assume that children will automatically assume these responsibilities and that they will always remember to do them. Very often, a nice friendly reminder from mom or dad is required.

The 8-12 Year Old - At this age, a child can feed, water and play with the pet alone (depending on the pet's temperament and area for exercising). Parents still need to supervise children in this age group for some tasks, like walking the dog. Before a child is 10-12 it's not advised that they walk a dog without adult supervision.

Teenagers - Depending on your teen's maturity, you can sometimes allow him/her to take full responsibility for the pet, including feeding, cleaning up after, driving to the vet and exercising the pet. Allowing the teen to take the dog to obedience classes can also be a good activity for both of them.

Dental care is vital to your pet's health! If you've already established a dental care program for your pet, you're off to a great start. But if your pet hasn't received a dental exam from your veterinarian, it's time to get started. February is National Pet Dental Health Month, the perfect time to schedule a dental exam for your pet and develop a home care regimen for your best friend.

Why is dental care so important for your pet? Periodontal disease is the number one diagnosed problem in pets - by the age of two, more than 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have periodontal disease in one form or another. The buildup of plaque and tartar on your pet's teeth leads to bacterial infections that can enter the bloodstream and infect other parts of your pet's body. Periodontal disease has been linked to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, osteoporosis and other problems.

The good news is that periodontal disease is easily prevented. Routine dental cleanings and a home dental care regimen can eliminate the plaque and tartar that lead to gum disease and oral infections. During a dental cleaning, your veterinarian also performs a complete oral examination of your pet. This includes screening for oral cancer, broken teeth and cavities. Spotting these problems early on makes them easier to treat and improves your pet's overall oral health.

Your pet's dental cleaning is more involved than the same process you go through at the dentist's office. Anesthesia is required to keep your pet still and comfortable during the procedure. Because of this, your pet undergoes a thorough physical examination before each dental cleaning. Laboratory blood tests, as well as other diagnostic procedures are also used to screen for potential problems and risks before anesthesia is administered. Using these results, we develop a safe anesthetic protocol specifically for your pet.

During a dental cleaning, tartar is removed from your pet's teeth with a hand scaler. Next, a periodontal probe is used to check for pockets under the gumline - where periodontal disease and bad breath start. An ultrasonic scaler is used to clean above the gumline and a curette is used to clean and smooth the teeth under the gumline and in the crevices. Finally, the teeth are polished and an anti-bacterial solution is used to help delay future tartar build-up.

Dental care doesn't end in your veterinarian's office. Brushing your pet's teeth at home is an added level of protection against gum disease. In order to be most effective, brushing must be done at least three times a week; however, daily brushing is ideal. Brushing your pet's teeth can be supplemented with antiseptic rinses. Some pet foods and treats are also effective in preventing plaque and tartar buildup. However, there is no substitute for regular brushing and professional dental cleanings.

Schedule a dental examination and cleaning for your pet today. Your best friend will thank you!

Feline Urologic Syndrome (FUS) is also known as Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) and Feline Idiopathic Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FiLUTD).

Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), or feline urologic syndrome (FUS), is a very common cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (e.g. blood in the urine, straining to urinate, increased frequency of urination) in cats.

FIC is characterized by a group of symptoms which can appear individually or in combination. Four of the most common symptoms include cystitis (inflammation of the lining of the urinary bladder), lower urinary tract infection, blockage (debris and crystals forming a plug that obstructs the urethra of male cats), and uremia (accumulation of poisonous wastes in the cat's bloodstream).

FIC affects male and female cats of all ages. Both male and female cats can develop sand-like crystals and stones. These crystals and/or stones may form a plug that obstructs the urethra of male cats. This plug or obstruction is a medical emergency, as urine cannot pass from the bladder through the urethra to the exterior. If the cat is unable to urinate, toxins accumulate in the bloodstream causing uremia - a deadly condition. Female cats rarely develop urinary tract obstruction due to their shorter and wider urethra.

Several factors have been identified as playing key roles in the development of FIC. Some of these factors include viruses, food, stress, lack of exercise and genetics.

Regardless of the cause, there are common symptoms associated with FIC. These symptoms include:

• Hematuria: blood in the urine
• Pollakiuria: increased frequency of urination
• Dysuria: straining to urinate
• Urinating outside the litter box
• Distressed sounds while urinating
• Increased grooming of the genital area

Male cats sometimes develop urinary obstruction and should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. This is a major medical emergency. Urinary obstruction that lasts longer than 24–48 hours is life threatening. The initial symptoms are often mistaken for constipation. Eventually, these cats become lethargic, loose their appetite, and make frequent and painful attempts to urinate.

Veterinary evaluation of a cat with symptoms of FIC include a thorough physical examination, abdominal palpation (feeling for an enlarged bladder), and medical history. The medical history includes questions regarding food, eating and drinking habits, as well as the personality and disposition of the cat.

Specific tests may be necessary in order to diagnose FIC and other urinary tract conditions. A urinalysis is routinely performed. Along with a routine urinalysis, a urine bacterial culture and sensitivity may be recommended. Abdominal x-rays and/or abdominal ultrasound may be needed to evaluate for stones (calculi) and/or tumors. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry tests are needed to evaluate the cat's general health, particularly if urinary obstruction is present and uremia is suspected.

The treatment for FIC is somewhat complex. Depending upon the cat's physical condition, hospitalization may be necessary. Fluid therapy is important for dehydrated animals. The fluid also causes production of dilute urine, aiding the elimination of inflammatory debris and crystals. Antibiotics are generally administered, even though there is no evidence that FIC is a bacterial disease. Additional medications—tranquilizers, anti-inflammatory agents and analgesics (pain killers)—are often administered when deemed necessary. Since the actual causes of FIC are still unknown, this leads to difficulties in treatment procedures.

Prevention is the key to controlling FIC in cats. A combination of home care plus veterinary exams should minimize the occurrence of FIC in pets that are predisposed.

Here are some preventive considerations that are based on current knowledge:

• Regular veterinary exams combined with urine analysis
• Provide plenty of fresh clean water. Change the water twice a day.
• Provide a food that your veterinarian recommends.
• Keep the litter box clean. Clean it often and make sure it is in an unobstructed area.
• Minimize stress to your cat by maintaining a stable environment. Do not introduce any new animals or make major changes in the home.
• Provide toys, scratching posts and other items that can keep your cat active and amused.
• Do not allow your cat to become obese or overweight.

A microchip is a tiny computer chip which has an identification number programmed into it. The chip is the size of a grain of rice, and it is easily and safely implanted into the skin of an animal with a hypodermic needle. Once the animal is "chipped" he can be identified throughout his life by this unique number. Microchips are read by a scanning device which recognizes a unique identification number. Through registration of the animal with a national database, the owner can be contacted and this is an important step many pet owners forget. The bad news is that this technology is not foolproof. Watch this quick video and learn more about what you can do to make sure your pet is properly identified using a new free service.

A puppy likes biting and chewing on almost anything that enters its world. Just as with jumping, biting between litter mates is their style of play. Biting also teaches them how to use their main hunting tool, their teeth. Unfortunately, this behavior often carries over into their interactions with the members of their new home.

Puppies have very sharp teeth and a bite or nip can hurt. Along with inflicting pain, a dog bite can be terrifying to small children.

There are several methods that are used to eliminate this unwanted behavior.

Holding the Mouth Shut
The simplest method for handling this behavior is to very, very quickly grab the puppy's mouth and hold it shut. While holding the mouth shut, say a single, stern "No" in a low tone. Holding the mouth closed is usually done by placing the thumb over the top of the puppy's nose and the fingers below the bottom of the jaw.

Holding the mouth closed for four to five seconds is sufficient and the puppy usually whines. Don't try to cause them pain; there is no need to firmly squeeze the mouth. After releasing the puppy's mouth, don't make any further fuss, but go on with whatever you were doing.

It will take a few sessions for the puppy to catch on, but the animal will soon put together the facts that the bite instantly causes his mouth to be held shut.

It's not recommended to bring children into this form of discipline. Children can get hurt or they can hurt the puppy.

Startle Response and Redirection
As soon as the puppy bites down, make a sudden, abrupt, high-pitched, loud "yelp" sound. This imitates the sound that a littermate would make if bitten by the puppy. This sound should be so sudden and sharp that the puppy is immediately startled and stops the behavior. If done correctly, the puppy immediately removes his mouth and looks bewildered. At that point, quickly substitute a toy (such as a ball) for the puppy to chew on.

This method redirects the puppy's biting behavior to the ball. The puppy learns that it is no fun to bite; however, chewing the toy is ok. It may be necessary to repeat this process several times during the puppy's play period. If the "yelps" make the puppy more excited, it's best to try another approach.

Stop the action immediately and dramatically leave the room when the puppy bites. This is certainly a method children can use. After multiple times the puppy will learn that every time she bites, she loses her playmate, and that's no fun at all.

Important! No matter what method you use, do not entice the puppy to bite you. Games like tug-of-war and waving your hands in front of the puppy may encourage him (or her) to bite.

Like millions of dogs, and quite a few professional athletes, Jack the English Bulldog was sidelined with a knee injury. Thankfully, Jack has a great owner and a dedicated veterinary team. Together, they were able to repair his knee and get him back to work. Watch this video to learn more about cruciate injuries and the surgeries that help get our pets back on their feet.

You might not be surprised to see your dog eat grass out in the yard, but, when x-rays show knives, rocks or even diamond rings, it might cause you to wonder. Each year, Veterinary Practice News holds a contest known as “Your Dog Ate What?” and they receive thousands of x-rays from across the country. Want to see some bizarre things our pets ate? Take a moment to watch this video and find out which dog won the title for eating the most unusual object!