Dog breath is no laughing matter

…even if you’re a cat.  Just like people, pets need dental care to keep their teeth healthy.  Pets can develop tooth and gum disease that can cause tooth loss, pain and problems with eating.  Keep their teeth healthy and you’ll help them live a longer, healthier life – everyone wins!

February is National Pet Dental Health Month.  For resources, including a podcast and a video on how to brush your pet’s teeth, visit the AVMA’s Pet Dental Health Month web page.

One Health

Every dog owner likes to think their dog is smart, but how smart are they?  Scientific studies show they’re smarter than we used... 

As if you need another reason to not smoke, or to quit smoking, San Diego State University researchers have found that the chemicals... 

When there’s talk of diseases shared by people and animals, the focus is usually on diseases that are transferred from animals to... 

Roles of Veterinarians

Veterinarians care for the health of pets, livestock, and animals in zoos, racetracks, and laboratories. That work ultimately affects the health of human beings both directly and indirectly. Veterinarians use their skills to protect against diseases that can infect both animals and humans (called “zoonotic’) and conduct clinical research on health problems like diabetes, arthritis or cancer that affect humans and animals. Others work in basic research, broadening our knowledge of animals and medical science, and in applied research, developing new ways to use knowledge.

Did You Know...

Artificial limbs, called prosthetics, can help people with physical disabilities lead happier and more... 

Haiti, at the intersection of human health and animal health

The tragic effects of the recent earthquake in Haiti have brought the intersection of human health and animal health to the forefront once again.  A large population of Haitians rely on livestock to survive, and these animals are threatened.  Sure, the livestock weren’t in the buildings that collapsed, but their lives are no less in danger.  Right now, relief efforts include addressing public health issues – even though Haiti is surrounded by water, quality drinking water is in short supply for animals and humans alike.  Haiti has a large population of feral dogs, and the disaster and its after effects are increasing conflict between these animals and people.  Rabies is a big concern, as are other diseases that can be spread by poor quality water (including leptospirosis).  Keeping the human and animal populations healthy is critical to the country’s survival.

Please keep them in your thoughts and help however you can.  For more information and updates, visit the AVMA’s Haiti earthquake page.

Read about the US Army’s 43rd Medical Detachment veterinary team on its way to Haiti.