It’s true what they say about pets being with us for a “good time, not a long time,” so we are here with some tips on how to extend the life and wellbeing of your pet! 1. Maintain your pet’s teeth: Tooth decay is a very common, yet dangerous health problem for both dogs and cats. Did you know that tooth decay not only creates dental problems, but it can cause infections throughout the body, especially in the heart and kidneys? This is a commonly overlooked health issue our pets experience which can turn fatal, so it’s best to stay on top of your pet’s dental health and incorporate daily brushing into your pet care routine. Are you wondering how to get your pet acclimated to daily tooth brushing? At Brook Farm Veterinary Center we recommend brushing your pet's teeth at least a couple of times per week to help keep them clean. Please do not use human toothpaste as it has ingredients that are harmful to our pets. There are pet specific toothpastes and toothbrushes you can purchase to get the job done safely. If your pet has noticeable buildup of plaque, then you should book a dental appointment with Brook Farm’s team of experienced staff as soon as you have time! 2. Keep your pet at their ideal weight: Obesity is a nationwide crisis, not only affecting humans, but our furry companions too.  Work with your veterinarian to determine your pet’s ideal weight. Once that ideal weight is established you can easily maintain that weight by keeping track of how much they eat and how often they exercise on a regular basis. ‍3. Give your pet regular exercise: Dogs need to exercise the same way people do. Ideally, your dog should get at least an hour of exercise each day to improve their overall health and help regulate their weight. This can be in the form of walks in your neighborhood, visits to the local dog park, doggy daycare, or playing a couple games of fetch outside. Cats on the other hand are known to be less active than dogs. A couple ways you can entice your cat to exercise would be to use catnip to get them running around, getting a cat tree that they can climb on, and playing with lasers that they will surely try to catch! 4. Get regular exams and essential vaccinations: The early phase of a serious condition can quietly develop inside a perfectly healthy-looking dog or cat. And since pets age faster than we do, their diseases can also advance more quickly. This is the main reason that getting your pet to the veterinarian for regular exams and staying on top of their essential vaccines are crucial. 5. Give your pet time to relax: Everyone needs time to relax; this includes our pets.  It’s important to remember that as much as we crave a good work / life balance, our pets require a good balance too.  It takes a lot of energy to keep us humans entertained, so our furry friends need some time to rest without distractions. Incorporating all of these elements into your pet parenting routine will help extend your pet’s quality of life. Another way you can show your furry companion you care, is bringing them to a trusted facility, filled with dedicated and caring people. Sumber: https://www.brookfarmveterinarycenter.com/

Personalized medicine – care tailored to individual needs of patients – is rapidly gaining traction in human health care and veterinarians are embracing the concept as well. The Foundation has several studies in progress that could help veterinarians customize treatment and optimize care for cats. A core feature of personalized medicine is understanding a patient’s genetic makeup – their DNA. Without this information, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to deliver personalized care. Since 2006, we’ve funded 52 studies on all aspects of understanding the feline genetic code. Our studies fall into two basic categories: studies looking at genetic mutations associated with specific diseases and studies on determining the genetic sequence (code) of all the DNA present – almost 20,000 genes in our feline friends! Our researchers found a gene responsible for heart disease in Sphynx cats, a gene linked to the cartilage abnormalities seen in some breeds, and even a suggestion of a genetic link to diabetes. In addition, our researchers have made a huge contribution to decoding the complete genetic make-up of the cat – a massive feat of genetic wizardry! Current research includes work on learning more about how genetics influences a cat’s response to clopidogrel, a drug used to prevent deadly blood clots. Although the cat is finally catching up to the dog when it comes to genetic research, we still have a long way to go. But we’re confident that the secrets we’re unlocking now will make a big impact in the future for feline health. Source: https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/

Stress has negative consequences on the health and well-being of animals, and shelter cats are especially vulnerable to stress-induced health problems such as upper respiratory infections. In addition, stress can make cats exhibit unwanted behaviors, including biting and scratching. Cats that are ill, or have behavior issues, are less likely to be adopted. Sadly, these conditions can lead to euthanasia. Providing hiding spaces has been proposed as one way to reduce stress in cats in these types of environments. A new study will test this theory by giving shelter cats access to a small, enclosed cat den within their larger kennel space, to see if the addition of this simple tool can improve outcomes for these animals. "Euthanasia rates for cats in shelters remain stubbornly high, with estimates of up to 70% by some organizations, including the ASPCA," said Dr. Kathy Tietje, Chief Program Officer at Morris Animal Foundation. "We need to take action to help more cats make their way to their forever homes. This study is an important step." The study is part of a unique partnership with Morris Animal Foundation and the Dumb Friends League, both based in Denver, and EveryCat Health Foundation. "We’re excited to be conducting a field trial of this simple but potentially powerful intervention," said Katie Parker, Vice President of Sheltering at Dumb Friends League. "We know that improving health has a direct correlation with adoptability. Anything we can do to improve our cats' health is a win for everyone, but especially our cats." Source: https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/