A season for celebration!

While September marks the beginning of another season, it also signifies National Pet Health Insurance Month. To celebrate pets and the joy that they bring to our lives, Petsecure pet health insurance invites you to enter our Pet Health Insurance Month contest for a Grand Prize valued at over $3,000.

In this issue of PetPatter, you can learn how to brush your dog's teeth, trim your cat's toenails and battle obesity in pets. Read a True Tail from a pet parent, and check out our Ask-A-Vet advice column.

You told us; we listened

You might not have heard the news yet--that Petplan has changed its name to Petsecure pet health insurance.

But that's not all that has changed! This past year, we undertook a huge research initiative with Canadian pet parents to learn what you wanted most from pet insurance. Based on the results, we designed a completely new product suite and brand--Petsecure!

It's security made easy - one plan with a choice of 4 levels of coverage for your dog or cat. Regardless of the level of coverage you choose, you'll be reimbursed for up to 80% of the cost of care and veterinary services. That includes x-rays, hospitalization, surgery and even prescriptions required for any illness or accident.

And with Petsecure, all levels of coverage include important dental care, alternative treatments, behavioral therapy and medical devices.

In many ways, we're a whole new company - with one overarching goal: to ensure that you and your pets are All taken care of.

Your pet is still covered...

Your Petplan health insurance policy is still in force. We will notify you before your Policy Anniversary Date about what Petsecure has to offer. We can help you upgrade your coverage by phone or online.

You can use our flexible deductible options to customize your monthly premium. No matter what level of Petsecure coverage you ultimately select, our exclusive Secure For Lifeâ„¢ Guarantee is still included. Your coverage limit will renew each and every year - for the entire lifetime of your pet!

Contact us to upgrade your policy

Pet Science- by Dr. Chip Coombs

Obesity in Pets

One of the most common medical problems facing pets today is being overweight. By definition, a cat or dog that is considered overweight weighs up to10% more than its optimum or ideal weight. A pet that is greater than 10% over its optimum weight is considered obese.

So, how prevalent is this in Canadian pets? It depends on whose statistics you want to believe, but most feel that close to 40% of the pet population have extra love handles that need to be shed. Being trim will not only allow a pet to be more active and have a better quality of life, but they will also avoid a large number of potentially fatal diseases.

With people, the main issue is heart disease. Although that is a concern with pets, it is far less so than the risk of other more common problems, such as diabetes, pancreatitis, and liver diseases'sto name a few.

What is a concerned pet owner to do? The best approach is prevention. During the first year of your pet's life, be careful not to over feed them. The fat cells they lay down as a youngster will be with them forever. This means they will be fighting midriff bulge all their lives. If the problem occurs in adulthood, the reason is pretty straightforward - they are consuming more calories than they need.

It's a simple balance between what pets eat and what they burn up through exercise and their metabolism. If pets are less active during the winter months because we don't enjoy walking them in sub-zero weather, cut back the amount of food they consume. Ideally, a decrease in food intake should be done under the direction of your veterinarian. They can also determine if special diets are needed.

In most cases, though, the tried and true approach of watching what we feed our pets and encouraging exercise is still the best approach.

Dr. Chip Coombs practices veterinary medicine at Eglinton Veterinary Facilities in Toronto, Ontario. He is one of five esteemed members of the Petsecure Advisory Board.

Ask-A-Vet

- Dr. Lynn Webster, Chief Veterinary Officer, Petsecure Pet Health Insurance

Q: When my male dog turned three years old, I enrolled us in dog classes. Although he had been neutered at six months, he shows aggression to other male dogs in the class, but not to the females. Is something wrong with him?

A: Although aggression, particularly to other males, is an issue more common to intact males, it can be a problem in neutered males as well. You have started his classes late, but better late than never. Exposing him to other dogs and controlling his response is the right approach. Repeated, controlled exposure - both in the classes and in public - should help. It is important to reward his good behavior and to be strict and consistent when he misbehaves.

This advice is not intended to replace the advice of your veterinarian. For a complete diagnosis, please take your pet for a consultation with your vet.

Dr. Webster is a past president of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and maintains well-established ties to the veterinary medical and educational system. Few individuals match his comprehensive understanding of animal pathology, vet industry best practices, and the logistics of pet health Insurance.

True Tails

Cat Comfort - Lesley Fox, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Since adopting Wookie and Daisy 12 years ago, I have spent thousands on vet bills. We will face even more challenges as they age, and it is essential they now have pet insurance. It is HUGE peace of mind. read more of Wookie's story

Trimming Your Cat's Toenails Trimming Your Cat's Toenails

- by PetPlace Staff, courtesy of www.petplace.com

It's that time again - time to trim your kitty's toenails. But while some cats don't seem to mind when you're trimming their nails, others just plain don't like it. And they are not at all shy about letting you know how they feel – by squirming and scratching. Following these suggestions for a proper nail trim might help you give your cat a not-so-arduous manicure.

• Start young. The earlier you start clipping your kitty's claws, the better used to it she will be. Frequent trims when your cat is young will help diminish any fear. Have your veterinarian show you how to do it the first time.
• Learn the anatomy. Within the centre of each toenail is the blood and nerve supply for the nail called the quick. Most cats have light coloured nails so you can see the quick, a pinkish area in the middle of the nail. Cutting into the quick will result in pain and bleeding.
• Use the proper instruments. There are a variety of nail trimmers available at pet stores or your veterinarian's office. Human nail trimmers generally do not work - unless your pet is a young kitten with soft clear nails.

A Clip or an Overhaul

Before you start clipping, determine how much needs to be trimmed. The basic rule of thumb is that the nail, which curls downward, should be even with the paw pad. Whatever hangs over must be clipped.

Procedure

• Hold your cat firmly or have someone else help, and if your kitty is not used to getting her nails clipped, be ready for her to squirm.
• Gently squeeze down on your cat's toe knuckles so that the nails are spread out and exposed. Place the trimmer in your dominant hand.
• Eyeball the quick and aim a few millimeters below it. If you cut into the quick, referred to as "quicking," it will hurt your cat and the nail will bleed.
• Place the trimmer flush with the pad, place the nail in the trimmer and remove the excess nail. For cats, removing just the sharp pointed tip is often enough.
• Although you will take great care not to hurt your pet, sometimes accidents happen and you will cut into the quick. Have silver nitrate products on hand - you can get them at your veterinarian's office or pet store. You can also use flour or cornstarch to stop the bleeding. If that doesn't work, apply a light bandage for about 15 minutes. It the bleeding continues, call your veterinarian.

If your pet is showing any signs of distress or you suspect your pet is seriously ill, CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN immediately. Article provided by PetPlace Staff, courtesy of www.petplace.com.

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How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth

- by Dr. William Rosenblad, courtesy of PetPlace www.petplace.com

Dental disease (especially periodontal disease) is the most common disease in our canine companions. It is also one of the most preventable and treatable diseases. Fortunately, we can reduce or even prevent dental disease by feeding a crunchy diet, appropriate chew treats and toys and daily tooth brushing. The following are steps to guide you on how to brush your dog's teeth:

• The first step is to start with a clean, healthy mouth. Good dental hygiene should start with a young pet with healthy new teeth and gums, or after your pet has had a professional dental cleaning.
• You will need a soft-bristled tooth brush and veterinary toothpaste. Human toothpastes and baking soda may cause problems. Furthermore, veterinary toothpastes have flavours that are appealing to dogs. Anything other than a bristled tooth brush will not get below the gum line, which is the most important area to brush.
• There are several important facts about our pets' mouths that tell us when, where and how to brush. Periodontal disease usually affects the upper, back teeth first and worst. Plaque builds up on the tooth surface daily, especially just under the gum line. It takes less than 36 hours for this plaque to become mineralized and harden into "tartar" (calculus) that cannot be removed with a brush. Because of this progression, brushing should be done daily, with a brush to remove the plaque from under the gum line.
• Pick a time of day that will become a convenient part of your pet's daily routine. Just before a walk or before a daily treat can help your pet actually look forward to brushing time. Take a few days to let both of you get use to the process. Follow with praise and a walk or treat each time.
• Start by offering your dog a taste of the veterinary toothpaste. The next time, let him taste the toothpaste, then run your finger along the gums of the upper teeth. Repeat the process with the tooth brush. Get the bristles of the brush along the gum line of the upper back teeth and angle slightly up, so the bristles get under the gum line. Work from back to front, making small circles along the gum lines. It should take you less than 30 seconds to brush your pet's teeth. Do not try to brush the entire mouth at first. If all that your pet lets you brush is the outside of the upper teeth, you are still addressing the most important area of periodontal disease - prevention. If your pet eventually allows you to brush most of his teeth, so much the better.
• Even with the best tooth brushing, some dogs may still need an occasional professional cleaning, just like humans. By brushing your pet's teeth daily and curtailing the amount of periodontal disease, you may reduce the frequency and involvement of dental cleanings and provide your pet with a healthier, sweeter smile.

If your pet is showing any signs of distress or you suspect your pet is seriously ill, CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN immediately. Article provided by PetPlace Staff, courtesy of www.petplace.com.