Helpful Sites

Wellness

• Healthy Pet - The American Animal Hospital Association's pet owner website. It has a lot of great information on the health and medical treatment of your pet.
• Indoor Pet Initiative - This site used to just be for cats, but they have expanded to include dogs.  You'll find information on the special needs of indoor pets, from nutrition to exercise and more.  In particular, we love the discussion on environmental enrichment.
• Pet Health Network - Sponsored by Idexx laboratory, but developed by a team of general practice and board certified veterinarians.  This website covers a wide range of topics.  They also have a Facebook page with a new topic for discussion daily.
• American Veterinary Medical Association - This site is a good starting point to learn more about a variety of topics, including animal diseases that affect public health and the latest subjects in veterinary medicine.  There are also downloadable client brochures that cover wellness, vaccines, and other topics
• American Association of Feline Practitioners - The AAFP is like the American Medical Association for cat doctors, and has lots of good information regarding feline health.  This organization also created the feline life-stages guidelines and vaccines guidelines that all veterinarians use.
• Categorical Care - This is a downloadable packet that contains good information for new cat owners or those looking to adopt.  Even if you've had your kitty for a long time, it's a greater refresher!
• Foods
  • Proplan - The top-of-the-line brand made by Purina.
  • IAMS
  • Eukanuba - Also made by the IAMS company
  • Science Diet
  • Royal Canin - This brand doesn't seem to be as well-known as the others, but does offer excellent nutrition.  They've also developed diets for specific popular breeds.

   

Parasites

• Companion Animal Parasite Council - The authority on all internal and external parasites, prevention, treatment, etc.  While you're there, be sure to look at their Parasite Prevalence Maps to find out what's right in your backyard in Ohio.
• Heartworm Society - Everything you ever wanted to know about heartworm disease can be found here!
• Ticks - A spinoff of Pet Health Network, this site is also sponsored by Idexx.  Great in-depth information about ticks and the diseases they carry in a fun, easy-to-follow format.
• Frontline - This site has basic information about fleas and ticks, including the life cycles and how to prevent and treat your home as well as your pet.
• Revolution - An all-in-one parasite prevention product.

Exotics

• House Rabbit Society - Everything you need to know about rabbits, from nutrition, to caging to behavior!
• Oxbow - This company makes high quality nutrition for rabbits, ferrets, rodents and other "pocket pets".  They also have excellent client information regarding the care of these animals.
• LaFeber - High quality nutrition for birds of all sizes, as well as handouts and care information.
• Zoomed - Here you can find high quality Reptisun brand UV lights necessary for the upkeep of reptiles and other cold-blooded animals.  They also have care sheets and other good info.
• CareFRESH - The best bedding available for pocket pets.

Behavior

• American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior - the authority on behavior and training in the U.S.  When visiting this site, be sure to read their position statements.
• Sophia Yin website - A Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist that is well-published.  Her site offers extensive reading material and videos.  Also look for links to her book, Low Stress Handling.
• The Behavior Clinic - Dr. Feltes is our local referral veterinarian for behavior.
• D.A.P. - Dog Appeasing Pheromone; this product can relieve anxiety and calm dogs when used in combination with behavior modification techniques
• Feliway - This product is similar to D.A.P. but is designed for cats to reduce anxiety and foster tranquility.

Orthopedic

• Orthopedic Foundation for Animals - This organization certifies hips, knees, elbows and all other joints in breeding animals.  They have a wealth of information about all kinds of orthopedic conditions, although some of it may be more technical in its wording
• Rimadyl - Understanding arthritis; this website is more geared toward client education in simple to understand terms

Repro

• AKC Breeding Guide - this is an all inclusive guide to what's involved in proper breeding of dogs, from pre-pregnancy exams and testing all the way through weaning.

Skin

• Heska Allergy Specialists - Information on common skin conditions and allergies in pets.  Look for the "controlling exposure" documents under Clinic Support, and for the Client Information Q&A's.
• Itch Free Pet - Website provided by the makers of Atopica on understanding the causes and treatment of inhalent allergies.

Toxins

• Pet Poison Helpline - your first call if you suspect a toxicity in your pet.
• National Animal Poison Control Center -  This website includes a library, links to other sites, and phone numbers for the poison control center.
• Poisonous Plants - The ASPCA has a list of plants that have been reported as having systemic effects on animals and/or intense effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

Other

• Pet Microchip Lookup - The American Animal Hospital Association has put together a universal microchip lookup. This is a great tool if you find a stray and have it checked for a microchip to get it back to its owner.
• AKC Breeds of Dogs - A quick reference guide to many breeds of dogs, including photos and brief descriptions of each breed's characteristics.
• The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) - The Cat Fanciers' Association website has lots of pictures, as well as information on cat breeds, cat care, upcoming cat shows, and much more.
• The College of Veterinary Medicine at Ohio State University - This site will give those who are interested in veterinary medicine a good place to start.
• Pet Loss - The Ohio State University's site to help with the loss of a pet.
• Morris Animal Foundation - This organization is funded by donations and supports some of the most ground-breaking research for animal diseases.  Our hospital donates to this organization frequently throughout the year.
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - The US goverments top agency on new trends in disease control and treatment in both humans and animals.
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - The US goverments agency in charge of the testing and approval of prescription medications. FDA also monitors the outbreak of food borne toxins and pathogens.
• Pet Health Insurance - Having insurance on your pet can save you thousands and allows you to make decisions based on what's best for you pet, not what's best for your wallet.
• Nature's Miracle - An enzyme cleaner that every pet owner should have in their house for little accidents.
• Lake Erie Science and Nature Center - Where to find info about local wildlife.  They also accept injured and orphaned wildlife for rehabilitation.

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