To help foster a more respectful attitude towards animals and encourage people to honor their responsibilities towards them, In Defense of Animals (IDA) has declared May to be Responsible Animal Guardian Month. Having a respectful attitude towards our pets starts with not referring to ourselves as their owners. This word makes a pet our property while the word guardian means that we are responsible for their well-being for a lifetime.

Goals of the Guardian Campaign

IDA hopes to accomplish two major things during the month of May. First, the organization wants to encourage responsible and loving behavior from people who are already pet guardians. This means committing to caring for the pet's physical and social needs in addition to forming a deep bond with the animal. The following are just some of the ways you can be a responsible pet guardian:

- Invest time in training your pet and apply rules consistently

- Use positive reinforcement rather than punishment

- Ensure that your pet gets plenty of opportunities for socialization

- Make exercise part of his daily routine

- Feed her nutritious food and limit treats

- Spend one-on-one time with him each day

- Schedule regular wellness exams at Glencoe Veterinary Clinic and bring her in if she displays new or worsening symptoms

Heartworm is a common parasite in dogs, cats, ferrets, and several mammal species. During National Heartworm Prevention Month, we urge you to learn more about the transmission, symptoms, and treatment of this parasite. Left untreated, heartworm disease can cause serious illness or the death of your beloved pet.

What is a Heartworm and How Does It Get Inside Your Pet?

A heartworm is approximately 12 inches long and lives inside the blood vessels, heart, and lungs of animals who are infected with it. The most typical course of transmission is through a mosquito. When a female heartworm is present inside of a dog or cat, she can reproduce thousands of microscopic worms that travel to the bloodstream. A mosquito ingests some of these baby worms when it stings an infected pet and feeds on his blood. Heartworm transmission occurs the next time the mosquito bites a pet. 

With the warmer temperatures, there is an increase in dogs escaping from yards or the front door of the house.  How can you reduce the risk that your pet may be one of the escape artists?  Here are some fabulous tips from AAHA:

7 Ways to Discourage Your Dog from Running Away