Day: July 20, 2010

AVMA CEO offers advice on how to protect pets from heat stroke during summer heat waves

Schaumburg, IL — The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has released a video warning pet owners about the record heat being experienced across the country. The video can be viewed at www.avmatv.org, YouTube, and www.avmamedia.org. “It’s only the second week in July, and already the summer of 2010 has produced record-setting heat waves in many cities, including New York, Boston and Washington, D.C.,” said Dr. W. Ron DeHaven, chief executive officer of the AVMA. “When the heat rises, it can be a dangerous time for pets.” Dr. DeHaven explains in the video that many pet owners don’t know that

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July 20, 2010 No Comments

Calif. tests next frontier of health reform for pets

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — While states across the nation grapple with national health care reform, a new population of patients is gaining attention in California: Fido and Fluffy. Many feline and canine companions face health care challenges similar to those that confront humans. Veterinary care costs are skyrocketing as pet owners are offered a sophisticated menu of potentially lifesaving services, including kidney dialysis, sonograms and chemotherapy. U.S. consumers spent more than $12 billion on veterinary care in 2009, according to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Yet only about 1 percent of pet owners

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July 20, 2010 No Comments

Horse deaths have many questioning Stampede Chuckwagon races

CALGARY—A chuckwagon driver fears the demise of his sport in the face of mounting pressure from animal rights groups and urbanites shocked at the deaths of horses at the Calgary Stampede. Six horses died in the first nine days of the 10-day Stampede and four of them were chuckwagon horses. There were no reports of more deaths at the conclusion of the chuckwagon finals Sunday night. “It is an unusual number,” admitted chuckwagon racer Rae Croteau Jr. of Bonnyville, Alta. “For somebody to shut this sport down, if they shut it down right now, there’s 700 horses

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July 20, 2010 No Comments