ANIMALS, PETS, INITIATIVES, ISSUES
The Scary Truth About Pet Foods
Written by Dr. Rose DiLeva, VMD, MS, CVCP, CVA
What are we really feeding our Pets?
A: The pet food industry is a multi-billion dollar per ?year industry. More than 95% of United States companion animals derive their nutritional needs from a single source; that source is commercial pet food. The quality of pet food is extremely variable. There are literally hundreds of pet foods on the market and they range in quality of ingredients. Some contain grains and by-products, others contain human grade meats. This is where the importance of reading the pet food ingredients label comes into play.
Are elephant populations stable these days?
Written by Earth Talk
Illegal hunting (primarily to obtain ivory) and
habitat loss have combined to cause dramatic declines in the numbers
of both African and Asian elephants. In 1930, there were between five
and 10 million wild African elephants, plying the entire African
continent in large bands. Today that number is likely less than
500,000.
While Asian elephants were never as numerous as their African counterparts, their population numbers have also dropped precipitously, from an estimated 200,000 a century ago to less than 40,000 today. Conservationists fear that unless demand dries up for ivory, and people stop moving into prime elephant habitat, the world’s largest land mammal could become just a memory within another hundred years.
Putting an end to habitat loss may be next to impossible as more and more people vie for fewer and fewer resources and move out further into the countryside, so conservationists working to save elephants tend to concentrate on reducing or eliminating poaching. While trophy hunting of elephants may have been big decades ago, today most elephant hunters are after the ivory in the tusks, which have been a hot commodity across Asia for years as raw material for highly prized and often ornate carvings. Despite elephants’ inclusion in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in 1990—meaning the sale of tusks and other elephant parts is a violation of international law—poaching is bigger business than ever, with prices for ivory rising more than 16-fold in recent years.
Cat Heart Disease
Written by Dr.Rose Dilevea
Q : My 15 year old Siamese cat has been diagnosed with a heart condition. The veterinarian called it cardiomyopathy. Could you explain what this is and if my cat can live with this kind of problem?
A: First let me explain the anatomy of the heart. The heart is a four chambered organ consisting of a right and left side and upper and lower chambers. The top chambers are called the atria and the lower chambers are called the ventricles. There are valves between the atria and ventricles to ensure that the blood flows in the correct direction. There is also a separation between the right and the left side of the heart called the septum. Blood from the body is received by the atria and blood from the left ventricle sends oxygen rich blood to the body.
Canine Heart Health
Written by Dr.Rose Dilevea
Q: At my dog’s last visit to the veterinarian, he mentioned that he heard a heart murmur and that “James” may have the beginning of heart disease. James is a 12 year old boxer. Can you shed some light on the subject?
A: First let me explain a little about the anatomy of the canine heart. The heart is a four chambered organ. The right side of the heart has an upper chamber called the atrium and a bottom chamber called the ventricle. The same applies to the left side of the heart. Between the top and bottom chambers on both sides are valves. The purpose of the valves is to ensure that blood flows in a consistent direction so that no “back flow” occurs. Blood should flow from the body to the right atrium of the heart which directs it towards the right ventricle. From there it is pumped to the lungs where it picks up oxygen rich blood. From the lungs it goes back to the left atrium and then into the left ventricle where it is pumped out into the body.
Designers go Fur Free
More and more retailers and designers are rejecting cruelty and potential consumer deception by adopting fur-free policies. Listed here are those who’ve announced that they don’t sell animal fur or are phasing in this policy. Be sure to check the current status of the companies listed above—in order to confirm that they are, or will be phasing in a fur-free policy. Some fur garments bearing the name of listed brands or designers who have recently gone fur-free may continue to be available in discount and overstock stores and on online auction sites.
It is up to you, the consumer to check with these companies and continue to read labels.
Please note, shearling is not covered by this list. Use our list as a guide, but always double-check any fur-trimmed product before buying it.
Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister Co.
Aéropostale
American Apparel
American Eagle Outfitters
aerie f.i.t.
Martin + Osa
Ann Taylor
Anthropologie
Apple Bottoms by Nelly
Ashley Paige
Ashley
Bahar Shahpar
BCBG Max Azria
AZRIA
Max Azria Atelier
Hervé Léger Couture
Hervé Léger by Max Azria
BCBGenerations
Osteopathy on Horses can effect you too!
Written by Ann Wilkinson
Q: You worked on my horse with osteopathy last month and it won a race later that day. The results were immediate and now I feel inconsistency in his training sessions a fluctuation where some sessions are like race day and some are really off . It seems if I am stiff or I have missed my stretching sessions it affects him, do you think I need to be treated to enhance his performance?
A: Many injuries for animals or people come from what we perceive as minor incidental occurrences that are easily overlooked. A twist or a kink that we feel will work it's way out. Sometimes after a fender bender or such symptoms are not felt for months.
More Articles...
Page 1 of 3
