Behavior problems in geriatric pets.

Aging pets often suffer a decline in cognitive function (eg, memory,learning, perception, awareness) likely associated with age-dependent brain alterations. Clinically, cognitive dysfunction may result in various behavioral signs, including disorientation; forgetting of previously learned behaviors, such as house training; alterations in the manner in which the pet interacts with people or other pets;onset of new fears and anxiety; decreased recognition of people, places, or pets; and other signs of deteriorating memory and learning ability. Many medical problems, including other forms of brain pathologic conditions, can contribute to these signs. The practitioner must first determine the cause of the behavioral signs and then determine an appropriate course of treatment, bearing in mind the constraints of the aging process. A diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction syndrome is made once other medical and behavioral causes are ruled out.     

Healthy pets, healthy people.

Zoonoses, diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans, can pose serious health risks to immunocompromised people. Although pets can carry zoonoses, owning and caring for animals can benefit human health. Information exists about preventing transmission of zoonoses, but not all physicians and veterinarians provide adequate and accurate information to immunocompromised pet owners. This disease prevention/health promotion project provides physicians and veterinarians with information, created specifically to share with patients and clients, about the health risks and benefits of pet ownership. Further, "Healthy Pets, Healthy People" encourages communication between veterinarians, physicians, clients, and patients and can serve as a model program for a nation-wide effort to aid health professionals in making recommendations about pet ownership for immunocompromised people.     

The changing role of pets in society.

The changing role of pets in society is reviewed. ‘But if you tame me, then we shall need each other’. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world… ‘You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.’ ‘The Little Prince’ (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry) ‘An animal which exploits another species can always go one degree better than the existing system.’ Animal Nature and Human Nature (W. H. Thorpe)     

Clinical nutrition of exotic pets

SUMMARY Successful nutritional management requires knowledge of the natural history of exotic pets, nutrient contents of foods, and roles of water, calories, and nutrients in optimal health. Unestablished dietary requirements, lack of balanced commercial diets and mismanagement by owners cause nutritional problems that affect health and recovery from illness and trauma. When presented with a sick exotic pet, veterinarians should check for provision of appropriate wholesome water and food in optimal amounts. Malnutrition and dehydration are common in exotic pets and often result from mismanagement. Starvation is common in carnivores eating whole vertebrate prey, whereas specific nutrient deficiencies are more common in herbivores and insectivores. The more common nutritional deficiencies are calcium and vitamin D₃, vitamin A, thiamin, and vitamin E. When treating sick exotic pets, nutrition and fluid support may be critical to recovery.     

夏季严防宠物的皮肤病

皮肤病是宠物夏季最常见的疾病。由于夏季温度高、紫外线辐射强，再加上野外各种植物的开花结籽，所有这些因素加在一起使得宠物在夏季更易患皮肤瘙痒症或皮肤过敏症，过敏症是通过接触刺激性物质而引起的。比如当宠物趴在草地上时，一些野草和植物会刺激宠物皮肤而引起过敏反应。不少籽生类植物都会引起动物的皮肤过敏，