Today I received the AVMA Steve Dale Excellence in Veterinary Media Award. My friend and colleague of (mumble-mumble) years received the inaugural award last year, and it’s extra special to be honored as the second recipient and recognized with an award named for Steve Dale.

Throughout the years, veterinarians generously shared their knowledge, from my hometown vets loaning me copies of JAVMA and answering countless questions, to researchers picking up the phone and sharing their passion–so that I could share with readers. I am honored and humbled to receive this award because it validates my body of work and shines a light on what I do to help cats and dogs. But I’m also thrilled because it celebrates my HEROES–veterinarians who shared their passion with me over the years.

I call myself the accidental writer–yet here I am, 35+ books and thousands of articles later because I followed my passion and received help along the way–from my furry muses, as well as the two-legged muses from the AVMA. For those reading this post, please never ever hesitate to ask for help–or to pay that help forward to lift others up.

In my world, ultimately, it’s not me as much as the pets who benefit. And after all, that’s why I — and what veterinarians — do what we do.

Read more here…

Cat and dog dehydration refers to the excessive loss of body water. Pets are prone to dehydration when the weather gets very hot, and they don’t have access to enough water. As a result, they can develop heatstroke. More often, though, dog and cat dehydration happens from vomiting and diarrhea.

Here in Texas, we’ve had weeks of triple-digit temperatures. I worry about the outside pets, but even indoor cats and dogs can suffer from dehydration. Normal water loss occurs in the pet’s bathroom deposits, through moisture exhaled with the breath, and through sweat. These fluids get replaced when the cat and dog eat and drink.

Any illness may prompt pets to stop eating and drinking, and prolonged fever increases the loss of body fluid. Specific disease conditions or injuries like diabetes or kidney disease may cause excessive urination that also causes of dehydration.

Cats evolved as desert creatures and have an amazing ability to conserve water, but cat dehydration can still kill. Even though cats seem to prefer to drink water in the weirdest places (the sink? your glass? the TOILET?!) they most often just don’t drink enough water. Here’s what you need to know.

Long sunny days can bring misery for people—and their pets. You can keep them safe with these tips. Yes, pet sunburn is real, and can not only cause painful nasal dermatoses in cats and dogs, but sometimes leads to skin cancer.

I’m very careful about my own sun protection, as I get sunburn very quickly. Wearing a hat, sunglasses, long sleeves and sunscreen works well during gardening.

Hairless or thinly furred pets are at highest risk and need protection from the sun. But most dogs and cats are very well protected against the sun by their fur and don’t routinely suffer from sunburn. When they do, it’s the hairless or thinly-furred areas of the body that are most at risk, like the ear tips, bridge of the nose, and the tummy. So if your white dog loves to sleep on his back in a sun-puddle on the carpet, think about taking care.

Most pets know to stay out of severe heat like what we experience here in North Texas. Heatstroke more typically occurs when they have no way to avoid the sun. Those who live in higher altitudes, such as the mountains of Colorado, suffer sunburn more frequently. The cooler air partnered with higher elevations predispose people–and sun-bathing pets–to sunburn.

White pets are at highest risk. Nope, pets may not care if tan turns fair skin to leather-like textures, but sunburn risk goes beyond changes to their appearance. Here’s what you need to know.

Friday it’s PSI’s TAKE YOUR PET TO WORK DAY! At my house, every week is Take Your Pet to Work Week. For many folks who continue to work at home, they experience the joy–and challenges–of work with furry companions 24/7.

Created by Pet Sitters International in 1999 to help promote pet adoptions, this week celebrates the 25th anniversary of the event. I’ve written about this nearly every year, so you’ll recognize some of the pictures in the blog.

Check out all the deets on how you (and your employers) can “GO TO THE DOGS” (and cats?) and include fun events and positive benefits with furry love.

Swimming comes naturally to most animals, but pet drowning happens just as easily. Many puppies leap before they look, or simply fall into the swimming pool, hot tub or break through ice on the lake and can’t get out. Dog paddling may be instinctive, but they can still drown if they can’t climb out and get too tired to float. Learn how to treat dog drowning and save pet drowning victims. 

High Risk Pets

Some breeds adore the water, (even cats like Turkish Vans) but others have a hard time staying afloat. For instance, Labrador Retrievers especially love the water. Breeds with heavy coats such as Collies become waterlogged and dislike puddle jumping. Heavy-bodied breeds like Bulldogs have trouble staying afloat and actually could sink and be unable to get out of the pool.

All pets are at risk, but especially small breeds, puppies, and cats are most prone to pet drowning. Their inexperience, curiosity and fearlessness prompt them to explore but they may not climb out of even small bodies of water. The steep sides of backyard pools and hot tubs prove dangerous during the summer.

Wintertime risks happen when the pet walks out onto the ice-covered pond or river and falls through. A puppy’s or small pet’s light weight means he can travel far away from the bank before the ice cracks, and you won’t be able to reach him for rescue. If you discover your pet near water and suspect near drowning, read these 1st aid tips to treat pet drowning and save pet lives.

If your summer fun means time spent at the lake, swimming and paddling about to stay cool, do you take your pets? How do you manage pet water safety?

Dogs and cats quickly drown. While most instinctively “dog paddle” to stay afloat, some dog breed conformation types (Bulldogs, for instance) more readily sink. Water weighs down heavy coats and makes it difficult to stay afloat. In oppressive heat, wildlife braves drawing near houses to find water from swimming-pools and hot tubs. And any creature unable to gain purchase to climb out of the drink—a slippery or steep bank of the river, lake, or stream, or hard to reach the swimming-pool ladder—become exhausted and drown.

Here in North Texas, Lake Texoma provides a fun place to spend time with your furry friend. Boating safety means taking care of yourself with life preservers, AND providing for your pet’s safety. Many pet products companies offer doggy (and kitty) life preservers, or even doggie deck booties for non-skid paws. Here are 9 tips for keeping pets safe around the water.