Setting Puppies & Kittens Up for Success

We all know that, without proper training, an adorable puppy can turn into less delightful adult dog - which helps explain why one in five puppies are abandoned before the age of two! New pet owners can feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of socializing, training, and caring for a puppy or kitten, and since more than one half of Canadian households (51 per cent) own a pet, a large part of the population faces these challenges every day. But new pet owners can feel more confident in their role thanks to the new free online resources, supposed by the good people at Purina Pet Care. Canadians can easily access pet-related information with the simple click of a mouse. For dogs: www.mypuppy.ca For cats: www.mykitten.ca They can even train their puppies by using the online interactive videos by award-winning dog trainer Kayl McCann. Kayl can speak with you about straightforward training techniques that highlight how easy it can be to train one's puppy or kitten (when you know what you're doing, of course).

Purina Health Care Extends Flu Coverage

With pets also vulnerable to the flu, PurinaCare Pet Health Insurance has announced that it has extended coverage for treatment of H3N8 (Dog Flu). Canine influenza is extremely contagious and, while humans are not affected by this flu strain, they can unknowingly pass it from an infected dog to an unaffected dog. Dog Flu can also be spread directly from dog to dog and via contaminated objects. Dogs in kennels, boarding facilities, or animal shelters, at dog shows, or in close proximity to other dogs are at a higher risk of contracting canine influenza. "If your dog is exposed to another dog that has the canine influenza virus, it is highly likely your dog will come down with the dog flu," says Dr. William H. Craig, DVM, Chief Medical and Underwriting Director of PurinaCare Pet Health Insurance. "Pet owners whose dogs are coughing or showing other signs of respiratory disease should not participate in activities or bring their dogs to facilities where other dogs can be exposed to the virus." The dog flu first emerged as a threat in 2004. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says canine influenza has now been detected in more than 30 states. DOG FLU SYMPTOMS:

• Similar to "kennel cough" (which is caused by the Bordetella organism, not the H3N8 virus)
• Fever
• An unproductive dry cough
• Runny nose
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy

Developing secondary bacterial pneumonia is the most serious consequence of Dog Flu and can cause death in extreme cases. "Dogs with canine influenza symptoms should receive prompt veterinary attention to determine the best treatment," says Craig. "If the symptoms are left untreated they can cause death." As with most medical treatments and care, prevention and treatment costs can sometimes be prohibitive. Pet health insurance like PurinaCare is committed to helping pet owners alleviate some of the uncertainty by knowing the treatment will be covered by one of the most trusted names in pet care. LEARN MORE