“A dog’s paws are the first encounter with the world around it,” says Dr. Anthony Hall, a veterinarian who operates a veterinary consulting practice in Dallas, Texas, and an expert on pet telehealth app, Airvet. “Walking on different types of textures, surfaces and terrains can pose a threat to those delicate digits. Long nails may get caught in grating, causing paws to get cut on sharp material, or even suffer wounds from the elements.”
When you’re hiking or in an open area, a retractable leash might seem like a good idea, so your dog has more room to roam. But experts like Stephanie Lantry, DVM, the veterinary expert for the telehealth app Airvet, actually advise against using these, and say they’re an especially big no-no for a patio. How come? Retractable leashes don’t provide adequate control for your pup, especially in small settings. “No matter how cute fellow patrons or servers find your dog, no one wants to have them with their nose in their meal or have their leash wrapped around their legs or chairs,” she continues. “Retractable leashes can also be a tripping or safety hazard and are not recommended.”
The ASPCA says more dogs run away in July than any other month, with many escapes triggered by the fireworks that light the skies around the Fourth of July. Veterinarian Dr. Jeff Werber shares his tips for keeping your dog safe this holiday.
When you’re deciding what dog to welcome to your family, you want to make sure your pup will fit your lifestyle. While some people enjoy long hikes and bike rides and prefer an active companion, others live in a small space in a city and choose a floof that’s more of a snuggly, calm lap dog. Many pet owners also consider the full-grown size of an animal and their fur and hair if they suffer from allergies.
With this in mind, many potential new pet parents explore the wide range of mixed dog breeds. By definition, a mixed dog breed is exactly what it sounds like: a pup whose parents are not the same purebred dog, explains Stephanie Lantry, DVM, from Sarasota, Fla. and the resident vet for the Airvet app.
Many pets find going to the vet to be stressful. Now, with COVID-19 it has become even more stressful for both pets and their owners as most vets don’t allow owners to accompany their pet inside. Luckily, the vet industry has begun to adapt in partnership with companies like Airvet at the forefront.
“Airvet is a new telemedicine app that offers face-to-face, virtual hands-on care, consultation, and advice from licensed vets across the nation. Since its inception in 2019, Airvet has helped over 100,000 pets live happy and healthy lives.” Thanks to Airvet, “pets and their parents have 24/7 access to quality care with the most trusted vets anywhere in the country within moments. In this time of quarantine and COVID-19, it’s good to know that our furry family members are being well taken care of.” – Airvet, Susan
To save money on medications for your pet, Dr. Jeff Werber, a chief veterinary officer at the pet tele-health app Airvet, recommends GoodRx and adds that some pet owners should consider buying pet insurance. “Pet health insurance will cover many medications, partially or fully,” says Werber. Another good option is checking a deal site like CouponFollow.com, says Woroch, as you may find significant discounts, like 25% off at PetCareRX and 20% off your first prescription order at Chewy.com. And Rizzuto recommends checking prices at PetMeds.com or using a medication-discount card from ScriptSave WellRx. The card is free and gives you access to discounted medicines.
“A blood pressure of 150 to 160 … is normal for a cat under pressure,” says Dr. Werber, chief veterinary officer of Airvet, a national pet telehealth app that has over 45,00 vets on call.
But if it’s lower than 120 (which is rare) or more than 160, Dr. Werber says it could be a flag that something else is wrong. Dr. Werber discusses what high or low blood pressure may indicate, symptoms to watch out for and how to take your cat’s blood pressure at home.
Increasing the amount of fiber your dog consumes may help with constipation.
“Constipation arises when stools are too dry to move easily in the intestines, so they become stagnant and slow things down. Fiber holds onto water and can coat the stools and increase gut motility, pushing things in the right direction,” says Anthony Hall, DVM, a veterinarian with pet telehealth Airvet.
Increasing the amount of fiber your dog consumes may help with constipation.
“Constipation arises when stools are too dry to move easily in the intestines, so they become stagnant and slow things down. Fiber holds onto water and can coat the stools and increase gut motility, pushing things in the right direction,” says Anthony Hall, DVM, a veterinarian with pet telehealth Airvet.
Dr Stephanie Lantry, DVM Affiliated With AirVet
Dogs eat sticks for a variety of reasons.
First of all, they are very easily accessible and often contain lots of smells from living things in the outdoors. Our most common underlying cause are puppies that are teething. They need that chewing outlet as they are getting their adult teeth in and losing their baby teeth.
Dogs don’t always outgrow this need for sensory chewing but it tends to diminish as they grow older. It can help them clean their teeth and exercise their jaws. Occasionally, dogs will have some stomach upset or imbalance that causes them to eat foreign objects (especially plant material outside).
According to Anthony Hall, DVM, MPH, a veterinarian at Airvet, occasional coughing is normal and may even be expected. However, he went on to explain that if the cough occurs often or is accompanied by other symptoms, then it’s time to bring your pet to the vet to be examined. “If the cough produces discharge from the nose and eyes or brings up any phlegm and recurs frequently, that is more of a reason to visit your veterinarian to see what’s going on,” Dr. Hall said. He added that oftentimes the vet will want to do blood work, take X-rays, and listen to your cat’s heart and lungs to better figure out what exactly is going on.
Dr Stephanie Lantry, Co-Owner of Animal Medical Clinic of Gulf Gate and Vet Expert at Airvet.com said:
They are not toxic to dogs. However, you do need to be careful to cut up the cucumbers because they are a potential choking hazard. Also, some dogs can be sensitive to the roughage and cucumbers can cause indigestion.
Cucumbers are high in water content and are generally pretty tolerable for dogs as long as they don’t overindulge.
Brandon Werber, Founder And CEO of Airvet
When a dog is content, they exhibit relaxed ears, mouth, and body. Generally, they’ll wag their tails and lay on their belly in a playful manner when feeling happy. Along with a healthy appetite, a happy dog will lean into your hand while being pet, showing their joy in the affection they’re receiving. Another way to tell if your dog is happy can be based on their interaction with other dogs. Their playfulness will show. The same is true for the level of excitement they’ll display when they see their owner for the first time in the day. Dogs use non-verbal communication to convey their emotions however, even a higher-pitched bark can be a way dogs express happiness through a more verbal form of communicating.
Sometimes, dogs can experience food allergies, which are most commonly caused by a reaction to the protein in the food, says Stephanie Lantry, DVM, a vet with pet telehealth app, Airvet.
“[Food allergies] can present in many ways, but they commonly cause itching of the ears and the rear end. When the allergies flare up, they cause the skin to become red and inflamed,” says Lantry. As a result, the dog ends up scooting to relieve the itching.
If you suspect your dog has food allergies, Lantry says you should talk to your vet about doing a hypoallergenic food trial to get a better idea of what’s going on.
“Dogs absolutely can eat carrots as a snack or treat,” says Dr. Stephanie Lantry, a Sarasota, Florida veterinarian at Airvet, a 24-hour televet virtual service.
Dogs can eat carrots raw or cooked. “Many dogs do like the crunch and it is a quick, easy snack for the pet parent to give raw carrots,” says Dr. Lantry. Although it’s not common, some animals will find the roughage irritating to their stomach. This can be solved by cooking or steaming the carrots, which also help unlock their nutrients for better absorption and easier digestion.
According to Dr. Jeff Werber, a California veterinarian and Chief Veterinary Officer for Airvet, a virtual and phone-in veterinary service, “There is nowhere to find any information.”
Although an advocate for CBD for pets in the right circumstances, Werber and other vets in his state must adhere to California law when it comes to discussing CBD for pets.
“I can’t tell my patients how much (CBD) is too low, its efficacy, what might be too much, which could lead to toxicity, or even overdose and death,” he said.
California vets may not prescribe or even recommend CBD products for pets although they are permitted to explain they have heard of successful uses.
Turns out rabbits eating their poop is normal and completely healthy behavior. Well, at least for them. To confirm the theories I found via my own research, I spoke with Anthony Hall, DVM, MPH, expert veterinarian at Airvet, and Joel Beth Navratik, DVM, CEO of MRVL Pet Pharmaceuticals.
Rabbits produce two types of droppings: fecal pellets and cecotropes, also known as cecal pellets; the latter are normal waste products that can be consumed after elimination. “Fecal pellets are normally dry and round pellets that are friable and full of undigested fiber while cecotropes have a more moistened appearance and may be clustered together, resembling a bunch of grapes or blackberry,” Dr. Hall explained.
The Colorpoint Shorthair is part of the same cat breed family as the Siamese and Balinese. They, too, weigh in between five to 10 pounds. “This breed has the body shape, voice, and personality of a Siamese cat, but can be the colors of the domestic shorthair,” says Jeff Werber, DVM, veterinarian and Chief Veterinary Officer for AirVet. In fact, they come in 16 different colors! “I’ve had a few throughout the years, and they are wonderful cats that are quite inquisitive and curious.” They’ll play fetch, sit on your lap and purr, and remain loyal to their owners.
Weighing between six and 12 pounds, the Sphynx is a small cat breed best known for its wrinkly, hairless body. While they do look a bit ferocious, their personality is the opposite. “The breed has been called the most dog-like of cat breeds because they tend to follow their owners around like a puppy and like to greet you at the door when you come home,” says Anthony Hall, DVM, a veterinarian with AirVet. “That said, these playful and curious cats also love to lounge and can keep themselves entertained, which makes them pretty low-maintenance.” Dr. Hall recommends these cats for families with older children and without other pets since they tend to prefer being the center of attention. Looking for more to love? On the opposite end of the spectrum, these are the large cat breeds that make the cutest pets.
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Anthony Hall, DVM, MPH, expert veterinarian at Airvet, shared that cats can, in fact, get a sunburn. “Regardless if your cat spends its time indoors or outdoors, it can indeed get a sunburn the same way people can,” Dr. Hall told POPSUGAR. He said that while all cats can potentially experience adverse effects from the sun, white-haired cats and hairless cats, such as those belonging to the Sphynx breed, tend to have the highest risk.
Because of this, if you have a cat that loves to spend hours soaking up the sun, it is very important that you make sure to stay aware of any signs that could indicate sun damage. Dr. Hall shared that these red flags can include darkening pigment of the skin and burns around the cat’s nose and lips. Just like humans, cats also have the potential to develop skin cancer over time from sun damage.
But elevated dog bowls can also help slow down eating for dogs that may scarf down their meals.
“The higher elevation can help keep the food down and decrease likelihood of regurgitation,” adds Dr. Anthony Hall, an expert vet associated with Airvet, a pet telemedicine app. “Dogs with certain health conditions (like megaesophagus) actually require a specially made raised bowl in order to eat, called a Bailey chair,” he adds.
“Bolster beds may help with certain health issues like acid-reflux,” says Dr. Anthony Hall, expert vet with AirVet, a pet telemedicine app. “If the dog suffers from this, having their head slightly raised may help keep the stomach acid down–due to gravity.”
Hall adds that dogs who suffer from neck pain are also good candidates for bolster beds. It’ll feel good to have their necks stretched out. Hall also says that dogs, who suffer from fear or anxiety issues may feel more secure and comforted by the sides of bolster dog beds.
Notice your dog lapping from his water bowl frequently, especially after exercise or in warm weather? That’s a good sign, y’all. Dogs, like people, are made up of about 80 percent water, and like us, they need to drink enough water to prevent dehydration, help their organs function well, and keep those cute noses moist. But just how much water should your furry friend drink daily?
“There is a calculation that you can do to figure out how much your dog should be drinking. It averages out to be about one ounce per pound of the dog’s body weight every day,” says Dr. Stephanie Lantry with Airvet, a 24-7 veterinary telehealth service out of Sarasota, Florida. So, a 10-pound dog would need about ten ounces of water a day, whereas a 50-pound dog would require more like 50 ounces, a little shy of a half-gallon.
Notice your dog lapping from his water bowl frequently, especially after exercise or in warm weather? That’s a good sign, y’all. Dogs, like people, are made up of about 80 percent water, and like us, they need to drink enough water to prevent dehydration, help their organs function well, and keep those cute noses moist. But just how much water should your furry friend drink daily?
“There is a calculation that you can do to figure out how much your dog should be drinking. It averages out to be about one ounce per pound of the dog’s body weight every day,” says Dr. Stephanie Lantry with Airvet, a 24-7 veterinary telehealth service out of Sarasota, Florida. So, a 10-pound dog would need about ten ounces of water a day, whereas a 50-pound dog would require more like 50 ounces, a little shy of a half-gallon.
“All of a sudden, I was just like every other pet owner — scrambling to find a vet when every hour counts,” Werber said. “It was a terrifying feeling.”
Werber found a vet, but he realized there was no quick and efficient way for pet owners to connect with a vet to get urgent advice.
Pet owners had to rush their pets to 24-hour emergency pet hospitals and then wait hours to be seen, even if all that was really needed was expert advice on how to handle a pet crisis at home.
So, the entrepreneur with one startup under his belt decided to launch another — this one focused on developing a platform to match pet owners needing care advice for their pets with veterinarians willing to provide that advice on demand. And in November 2018 Beverly Hills- based AirVet Inc. was born.
What do you get when you cross a nationally renowned veterinarian, an MBA graduate from USC and a reality TV star?
Peace of mind for pet owners, if everything goes to plan for Beverly Hills-based Airvet, a veterinarian telemedicine startup that has raised $14 million since launching two years ago, with backing from local venture investors Hawke Ventures and Bracket Capital. The enterprise last week launched a program to give anyone who gets an animal from a participating rescue shelter a free telemed visit and a 72-hour window for follow-up consultations–a package of services typically offered for $30.
There’s a lot of things to love about cats: their playful nature, sweet purrs, and gentle demeanors first come to my mind. However, I’m pretty confident in saying that their constant scratching and clawing at furniture is not a favorite quality. While this behavior can be extremely frustrating, declawing feline friends is generally unadvised by experts except in rare situations. According to the Humane Society, declawing is known to be quite painful and can lead to infection, lameness, and tissue death.
“Some cats may have an adjustment period of a few days. While the caps are not painful, they likely feel ‘funny’ for your cat to wear at first,” Dr. Garner said. However, the caps can be painful if they’re applied incorrectly or if your cat is particularly sensitive to the adhesive, Anthony Hall, DVM, MPH, an expert vet at Airvet, told POPSUGAR. For this reason, it’s important to watch your cat’s behavior for any sign of intense discomfort if you chose to put on claw caps.
Chasing their owner’s feet, attempting to eat tape, and scratching mirrors — cats have a long list of quirky behaviors that leave us puzzled! One cat habit I really can’t seem to figure out, though, is why they love to knock things over. Why do they seem to find enjoyment in pushing items to the edge of the table and watching them fall as their owner (aka me) looks on in frustration? What gives!?
Cats may be knocking things over around the house because they are curious and, quite simply, bored. “Cats are very curious,” said Jeff Werber, DVM, chief veterinary officer for Airvet. “Their natural inclination is to touch things, which becomes a problem if what they are touching is not well-anchored.” Dr. Werber cautioned that if your cat is knocking things over continuously, they may be bored.
Anthony Hall, DVM, MPH, expert veterinarian at Airvet, explained that keeping up with your furry friend’s dental hygiene is important not only for their dental health but also for their overall health. “Dental disease can lead to disease of other organs,” Dr. Hall said, “most notably the liver, kidneys, and heart, creating a slippery slope to major health problems and an overall decreased quality of life.” He explained that at-home oral care is a very easy way to keep your cat’s health in check and should be done three times per week at minimum, if not daily.
“It’s hard to say if cats are ticklish in the same way humans are since they don’t burst into laughter like we do, but they do enjoy being loved on,” said Dr. Anthony Hall, DVM, MPH, the medical director for an animal clinic in Dallas and an expert vet at AirVet who’s been a practicing vet since 2013. “The purrrrfect spot differs from cat to cat, but they will generally press that body part harder into your hand to indicate it feels good. Some spots may feel better than others, and the most common feel-good areas tend to be the shoulder, head/face, and right at their backs right at the tail base. Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and they will let you know when they’ve had enough tickle time.”
Sharing a space with cats is as entertaining as it is fascinating, and it seems they love to surprise their human friends with how clever they can be, though they certainly all have distinct personalities. I recently moved in with extended family, a home to four cats and counting. I’m quickly learning the ropes as a new member of a cat household, and so far, I’m realizing boundaries and understanding their body language are important to living in harmony. Still, I have tons of questions. What goes on in their mysterious brains? Do they realize how incredibly cute and loved they are? Then, an even more pressing question arises after hours spent petting my fluffy friends: are my cats ticklish? I spoke to two experienced veterinarians to find out.
“It’s hard to say if cats are ticklish in the same way humans are since they don’t burst into laughter like we do, but they do enjoy being loved on,” said Dr. Anthony Hall, DVM, MPH, the medical director for an animal clinic in Dallas and an expert vet at AirVet who’s been a practicing vet since 2013.
“It’s hard to say if cats are ticklish in the same way humans are since they don’t burst into laughter like we do, but they do enjoy being loved on,” said Dr. Anthony Hall, DVM, MPH, the medical director for an animal clinic in Dallas and an expert vet at AirVet who’s been a practicing vet since 2013. “The purrrrfect spot differs from cat to cat, but they will generally press that body part harder into your hand to indicate it feels good. Some spots may feel better than others, and the most common feel-good areas tend to be the shoulder, head/face, and right at their backs right at the tail base. Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and they will let you know when they’ve had enough tickle time.”
Whether traveling by train, plane, or car or staying in a hotel, vaccinations are extremely important, according to Jeff Werber, D.V.M., the chief veterinary officer for Airvet Telemedicine. He says there’s typically a core set of vaccines that are given in a series when your pet is young and then updated every three years. Your vet may recommend additional vaccines depending on your location, your lifestyle, and other factors. Every shot is different and has a varied timeline for immunity success, so Dr. Werber recommends letting your vet know about your travel plans ASAP. Plus, if you’re going to a destination that could put your dog or cat at a higher risk of infection for a disease that’s not common in the United States, they may require another vaccination.
No matter if you’re crossing the Atlantic or finally taking that cross-country drive, there are some necessary precautions to take for your pet’s health and safety. Some of these can take months to complete, so do your best to get started ASAP, so you’re not caught in a bind on your travel day.
Whether traveling by train, plane, or car or staying in a hotel, vaccinations are extremely important, according to Jeff Werber, D.V.M., the chief veterinary officer for Airvet Telemedicine. He says there’s typically a core set of vaccines that are given in a series when your pet is young and then updated every three years. Your vet may recommend additional vaccines depending on your location, your lifestyle, and other factors. Every shot is different and has a varied timeline for immunity success, so Dr. Werber recommends letting your vet know about your travel plans ASAP. Plus, if you’re going to a destination that could put your dog or cat at a higher risk of infection for a disease that’s not common in the United States, they may require another vaccination.
Author & former President of Ford Motor Company
