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The practice of veterinary medicine often requires the use of anesthesia. Anesthesia is sometimes used in order to perform even the most routine procedures. Pets don't understand that they need to be calm and still during dental procedures or while an x-ray is being taken. Some pets are so nervous that they won't even allow a veterinarian to perform a physical examination without some type of chemical restraint (tranquilizer or anesthetic).

Pet owners are often concerned about the risks associated with anesthesia, particularly with an older pet. Even though the anesthesia risks are relatively minor for routine procedures performed on young and healthy pets, there is always the potential for complications.

A complete physical exam, laboratory blood tests, as well as other diagnostic procedures enable the veterinarian to screen for potential problems and risks before anesthesia is administered. This procedure is relatively inexpensive and well worth the time and money.

Studies have shown that about 10 percent of animals involved in pre-anesthetic laboratory testing have had their normal anesthesia protocol altered. In a third of these cases, the procedure was postponed until the problem was corrected.

A young healthy pet's blood work may simply consist of a total protein and red blood cell count. Older pets are more likely to have an underlying disease, and more extensive blood analysis (serum chemistry) may be necessary. The results obtained from the serum chemistry provide the veterinarian and animal health care staff with information on the health and function of the kidneys, liver, and other organs.

Veterinary Technician Performing Dental Cleaning

Remember that preanesthesia testing is advantageous to your pet's health. Preventative medicine is the best type of medicine available today.

Despite their independent ways, your cats are very sociable animals. Of course, they will never let you know that, which is why they quickly hang up the phone when they hear you coming. But the truth of the matter is, they can get lonely and bored if you don't spend enough time trying to get them to play with you.

To minimize the chance of your cat feeling isolated, you may want to consider getting another cat. And to minimize the chance of that cat getting lonely, you may want to get yet another cat...and so forth. Here are some tips you might find useful for multiple cat households.

In general, the following combination of cats seem to work best: two kittens, a mature, neutered cat and kitten, or two mature neutered cats (either two females or a male and a female). The most volatile combination seems to be two uncastrated mature male cats.

Consider your current cat's personality before introducing a new cat. An active cat is more likely to accept a new kitten. A quieter, more reclusive cat might prefer a mature, adult cat as a companion.

If your cats exhibit personality conflicts, you can reduce the tension between family felines by making sure each cat has enough personal space and personal possessions to fulfill its needs.

Make sure you have at least one litter box on every floor and that they are easy to get to in an emergency. To avoid territory conflicts between cats, consider placing litter boxes in various locations throughout the house to avoid the exclusion of one cat from another cat's territory.

Be sure to keep plenty of clean, fresh water available for your cats at all times. Keeping bowls in multiple locations throughout the house might be a good idea.

Keep scratching posts and beds in several locations to accommodate all the cats in your household.

Americans are crowding the highways for summer vacation, taking their four-legged friends along for the ride. But before pet lovers hit the road, it's important to take their pets' needs into consideration.

Trips should be as close to your pet's normal routine as possible. If you've never traveled with your pet, start with very short, round-the-block trips before you put them in the car or truck for the long ride. Your veterinarian can give you some good advice and recommend ways to make your pet more comfortable.

For the safety of both you and your pet, it's best to travel with dogs and cats in pet carriers. In case of an accident, airborne pets are very prone to injury. Carriers are especially important for cats. Many cats will ride on your shoulder, on your head, or get under your feet. It's a potentially dangerous situation if you need to stop quickly and they are under the brake pedal.

Though keeping a pet "strapped down" for safety is important, people should not use standard safety belts on their pets. These belts are designed for human positioning. Dogs don't conform to human positioning with much success. However, there are canine "seat belts," which are actually harnesses that attach to the car's seat belts and may be used to hold dogs in place during the trip.

Owners should also plan for extra stops if pets accompany them on a trip. Because of stress, some cats don't eat or drink and won't need to use the litter box. But it should be provided for them, especially if it's your first trip with your cat. If they don't use it, take them out at rest stops on a leash and see if they'll go.

The number of stops depends on what your pet is used to. Most pets eliminate shortly after they eat. Therefore, if you can control when the food goes in, you can usually control when it goes out.

In terms of exercise, owners should follow their pet's normal schedule. If you take your dog for a 30-minute walk in the evening at home, take the dog for a walk in the evening at your destination. Also, exercising your dog before it gets into the car may make the trip more relaxing for both you and your dog.

Many pets enjoy getting out of the house, as long as it's not a trip to the veterinarian. But if you're planning to drive non-stop, or if you're taking a very short trip, it is probably best to leave the pets at home. Really think if it's necessary for a pet to go with you, or if you are just being selfish and want the pet for company. A trip can cause unneeded stress on an animal.

It is an especially good idea to leave pets at home if they have current health problems that may worsen on the trip. For instance, if a pet has had respiratory problems and the trip is in the mountains, it may be better to leave that pet at home. If you know what direction you're traveling on a long trip, choose towns along the way that have easy access to veterinarians. This is particularly important if your pet has had a recent illness or problems traveling in the past.

If you're concerned about the pet having motion sickness or getting car sick, talk to your veterinarian about a prescription for a tranquilizer or sedative to calm the pet before the trip. Before giving any type of medication, contact your veterinarian to make sure that it is safe.

Finally, it's a good idea to call ahead and make reservations with hotels, motels and campgrounds that accept and welcome pets. Take the necessary supplies, including plastic bags, to clean up after your pet at rest areas.

With warmer weather approaching, plenty of pet owners are thinking of getting into shape before hitting the beach. But what about pets? Obesity is a growing problem among both cats and dogs. And much like humans, too many extra pounds can have far-reaching consequences for our animal companions. In this report from the Veterinary News Network, Dr. Jim Humphries discusses the health problems that can occur if your pet is overweight and shares tips on how you can get your pet's weight under control.

Winter is a difficult time for pets. Outdoor animals need extra care in order to cope with the cold weather. Special attention should also be paid to older animals, young puppies, and animals with short coats.

It is important for all animals to be properly nourished during the winter months. Outdoor animals require about 25 percent more food during the winter months than during warmer months. The increase in food is necessary to generate enough heat for the body to stay warm. Indoor animals often require less food, since exercise is generally limited.

Pets require adequate shelter during the cold weather. Outdoor dogs should have an insulated dog house that is protected from the wind. The dog house should not be too large (the heat that the dog generates is used to keep him or her warm) and the opening should face south or southeast. A plastic flap should cover the entrance, especially during windy days. Straw, hay, or blankets make excellent bedding material.

Cats generally do not find dog houses very appealing. A small entrance flap (cat door) to the basement of the house, or to the garage, will provide an access to shelter during the cold weather.

Outdoor animals cannot eat snow for a source of water. Clean, fresh water must be provided several times each day. A water heater is a practical solution; however, it must be safe and installed properly.

During the cold weather, cats often take shelter under the hood of cars. A warm engine is a comfortable area for a cat to rest. When the car is started, the cat risks severe injuries from the fan belt or blades. Before starting a car, knock on the hood or raise it in order to conduct a safety check.

Paws should be checked regularly during the winter months. Snow and ice should be removed from the fur located between the toes. Damp paws should be thoroughly dried. Moisture that accumulates between the toes can cause sores. De-icing chemicals and salt are common irritants. If these products are commonly used, animals paws should be bathed regularly.

Antifreeze is extremely toxic if ingested by animals. The sweet taste is often appealing to cats and dogs. Antifreeze that is spilled should be cleaned up immediately.

Pets often experience dry skin during the winter months. Lack of humidity tends to dry the skin. Frequent grooming and brushing helps stimulate the production of oil from the skin glands. A topical humectant spray can be purchased at the hospital to help moisturize the skin and keep the coat shiny.

Occasionally an animal is accidentally left outdoors for an extended period of time in extremely cold weather. As a result, frostbite may occur. The most common areas for frostbite are the tips of the ears, paw pads, and the tip of the tail. The frostbite area should be bathed in warm, not hot, water, and the animal then should be taken to a veterinary hospital.

Kindness is the best care for animals during the winter months. If the temperature drops below 15 degrees F., the pet should be moved indoors. If an animal is shivering or refuses to play, this generally means that he or she is too cold and should be brought indoors.

Dog owners in New York may be worried for the safety of their pets following the discovery of a rabid raccoon in Brooklyn’s Boerum Hill neighborhood on February 12. If you’re a resident of the area, keep reading to learn more about the situation and to find out what you can do to protect yourself and your companions.

While raccoons infected with the rabies disease have been common in other areas of New York in recent years, Dr. Sally Slavinski, assistant director of the New York City Department of Health’s Zoonotic, Influenza and Vector Borne Disease Unit, told New York’s Courier Life Publications that the finding in Brooklyn marks the borough’s first sighting in raccoons. While the agency does not yet know the extent of the infection in raccoons in Brooklyn, they are planning to enhance their surveillance of raccoons in the borough. “Right now, it’s an isolated incident,” she told the paper.

While other areas of New York City have seen more cases, it does not appear that raccoons that carry the rabies virus are all that common. According to CNN, health officials received 10 reports of rabid raccoons in Manhattan in 2009, eight of which were in December. In the five years from 2003 to 2008, only one confirmed case has been recorded. The last human case of the virus in New York City occurred in 1953.

New York City is taking control of the situation, according to WABC-TV. Starting in February 2010, wildlife experts began “humanely trapping” raccoons in various parks in the city. “The animals will be vaccinated, marked for identification, and released,” the television station reported. The process will be repeated in summer to vaccinate any raccoons born in the spring.

Raccoons are nocturnal animals, and the University of Texas at Austin’s Environmental Health and Safety department says that “although nocturnal animals are most active throughout the night, it is not an indication that something is necessarily wrong if seen out during the day.” However, the University says that it will be “fairly obvious” if a nocturnal animal is sick. Symptoms can vary but include slow or tame movements, excessive saliva or an apparent “foaming” at the mouth, and an attempt to bite at anything. Should you see an animal that appears to be sick, stay away and call your local animal control center or 311.

Prevention is the best method for ensuring your animal does not acquire the virus. New York State requires all domestic dogs, cats and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies no later than four months after the pet’s date of birth, and in New York City, the deadline for vaccination is three months after the date of birth. When outside, keep your dog on a leash as often as possible. Please follow these guidelines to prevent your pet from being infected and also to stop the spread of the disease.