The Colour of Fall is Upon Us!

As the weather changes and the leaves start to turn, we are reminded that the lazy days of summer have passed and it's back to work, school and routine. With Fall, comes the spook-tacular night of Halloween, and what better way to celebrate than by dressing up your pet? Upload your photos to our Facebook page for your chance to win! More details are below.

We are very excited to announce the winner of Petsecure's grand prize contest for Pet Health Insurance Month - Samantha Kraft-Roy from Petawawa, Ontario and her Jack Russell/Bichon Frise Winston. Our grand prize was valued at over $4,000, including 1 year of coverage with Petsecure, a 40" Sony LCD TV, plus other great prizes. More details will be posted on our website shortly. Congratulations Samantha!

Fall is a good time to remind pet parents about what to do if your pet has seasonal allergies - read all about it in this issue. We are also announcing the winner (and a few honourable mentions) from our last eTails contest - nominate your favorite veterinary practice employee. These stories are too good to pass up.

Until next issue check out the new and improved look of our website, take lots of walks at the dog park and enjoy this lovely season.

Sincerely Yours,
-The Petsecure team

Winner of Canada's Top Veterinary Practice Employee

Last eTails we ran a contest to find Canada's top veterinary practice employee. The response was overwhelming and to all the Petsecure members that entered, we can safely say you love your veterinarians!

Congratulations to Dr. Elliot Kaplan from Tri-Lake Animal Hospital in Winfield, BC who was our winner of the contest. Dr. Kaplan spent over 4 hours driving Ollie, an injured dog to a specialist in Vancouver for his owner, Lynne Sterling. He stayed with him, drove him home and even helped the family with the medical bills. We do have a few honourable mentions that deserve some recognition and they are:

Thank you to everyone who entered this contest and shared your touching stories with us.

Halloween Costume Contest

Post Your Photos on for your Chance to Win!

When October 31 creeps in, do you dress up your dog in a devil suit? Your cat in a clown costume? If so, upload those photos! Get your pet to strike a pose for a picture and you may just win Petsecure's pet Halloween costume photo contest.

To enter, all you have to do is 'Become a Fan' on Petsecure's Facebook Page and post a photo of your pet in their Halloween costume. If your snapshot is chosen as the best photo and costume, you will win a $50.00 Visa gift card courtesy of Petsecure.

Enter the contest today

Hurry - Contest closes November 4, 2009.

Seasonal Allergies in Dogs and Cats

As pet parents, you do everything you can to protect your furry loved ones. Even with all the protection you provide, one thing that's beyond everyone's control is seasonal allergies. Just like with humans, dogs and cats can also get those nasty seasonal sniffles and itchy, watery eyes. Seasonal allergies in pets can cause skin disease, ear infections and eye infections which result in discomfort and distress for your dogs and cats. Intense itching, licking or chewing at paws or skin are some of the most characteristic signs of an allergy. Hair loss, redness and skin infections may also be a result of the allergy.

Treatment Options

Many seasonal allergens, such as pollen in the air or dust in the home, are difficult or impossible to remove, so treatment is key. Luckily, there are various allergy treatments available that can make the four-legged members of your family much more comfortable.

Allergies can be treated with antihistamines or corticosteroids. Antihistamines act by reducing the release of histamine by the mast cells and are often very effective in controlling allergy symptoms. Corticosteroids act in many ways to suppress the allergic reaction before and after the allergy develops and can cost between $150 and $200.

Antibiotics or antifungal agents are often given out to pets to control the secondary infections (usually caused by itching) that are frequently present. Antibiotics can range anywhere from $30 to $120 per month. Your pet may also require ear medication or shampoo for their fur to alleviate allergy symptoms. Ask your veterinarian on advice to what shampoo would work the best to increase their skin's natural resistance to irritation.

A newer treatment option for allergic pets is Cyclosporin (Atopica). Atopica is an immuno-modulating drug that can significantly reduce symptoms. Atopica is the most expensive allergy drug on the market, ranging from $30 per month for a cat or small dog, all the way up to $200 per month for a large breed dog.

The coverage you have with your Petsecure policy can come in very handy for the treatment of allergies, as an allergy test alone can cost up to $400. Make sure to speak directly with your veterinarian on the most appropriate allergy treatment form for your pet.

For other pet health related articles, videos and breed profiles on dogs and cats, visit: Petsecure's Pet Healthipedia.

Protecting Your Pet on Halloween Night

Creepy werewolves, frightening witches or spooky masks can scare even the best of us. But on one of the most dangerous holidays for our pets, the nightmare of the ever-ringing doorbell, the loud noises and unexpected guests can keep our dogs and cats haunted for hours.

Here are Petsecure's top 5 tips to keep your pet safe, healthy and comfortable during this annual fright night.

Tip #1: Store Halloween candy in a safe place

Halloween treats can be deadly for our pets - especially the chocolate. Chocolate contains high amounts of theobromine, which can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, increased thirst and a rapid heart rate. The wrappers chocolate and candy come in can be just as lethal. Our furry loved ones can easily see this as a nice snack and become sick or even get an intestinal blockage.

Tip #2: Keep your pet in a comfortable environment

Tonight is not the night to let your black cat out on the front lawn, or your dog tied up in the back. Animals have been teased, stolen and even injured by trick-or-treaters carried away by the holiday. Have a quiet room laid out away from the front door where your pet can go. Have their bed, water dish, food and toys available in this room. Uninvited strangers in creepy costumes can scare your pets and you wouldn't want them charging at the door or clawing at your furniture in fright.

Tip #3: Make sure your pet has ID

If your dog or cat happens to get out, it's important that your pet is properly tagged and collared in case they get lost and need to be identified. A tag that states your address, phone number and pet's name is best. Having your pet microchipped is also important in case someone brings them to your local animal shelter. A microchip provides the shelter with all of your contact information. Think about registering your pet through PetLynx - an online lost and found database that keeps your pet's information in one central location.

Tip #4: Think twice about lots of lights

If you like to dress up your home with Halloween decorations, lights and pumpkins, make sure you use pet-friendly items to do so. All wires should be secure so your pet doesn't chew or trip over them. Decorations with garland or small items that hang could be your cat's next scratching victim. Have these items out of reach from claws. Ensure there are no sharp parts on your decorations that could scratch a paw and don't leave lit jack-o-lanterns unattended around your pets. One sniff of the flame can burn a face full of whiskers or an excited dog can easily knock over a candle with his tail. Instead, consider buying flameless battery-powered candles for inside your pumpkin.

Tip #5: Be prepared

Prepare for the evening in advance. Get your pet's 'safe' room set up the day before, know where you're storing the candy and put up decorations early. If you take your pet out trick-or-treating make sure to stand away from the house with your pet. Dogs don't understand people in costume and may act aggressively towards the individual approaching, thinking he or she is a threat to you. Keeping a safe and comfortable distance away is always important.
Your pet can easily take part in these fun-filled festivities, just be sure to always think about their safety as you would with a small child. Your pet doesn't understand Halloween so they need you to provide the guidance and safety that you always do as a responsible pet parent. Follow these tips and you and your pet are sure to have a Happy Halloween!

How to Fix and Prevent Litter Box Issues

One of the most frequent complaints that veterinarians hear from cat parents is that their feline friend won't use their litter box. Punishing your cat for inappropriate eliminations is not the answer and if anything, will likely only worsen the problem. Here are a few tips to help your cat litter box problems be a thing of the past.

Tip #1: Clean the litter box more frequently - If your cat is really particular about a clean place to 'go' then make sure the box is cleaned at least once a day. You may want to try cleaning the litter entirely and washing the box twice a week if the behaviour doesn't improve. Make sure to avoid using strong smelly toxic chemicals as soap and water is usually just fine.

Tip #2: Size matters - For your cat's litter box! If the litter box is too small, (especially if it's an enclosed litter pan) your cat will feel cramped and will not go inside.

Tip #3: Watch what litter is going into the box - If you have recently changed the litter and noticed a behavioural difference in your cat, then switch back to the litter you were using before the problem occurred. Avoid perfumed litters or types that contain additives like scented crystals or baking soda. Most cats will prefer plain, unscented, dust free, clumping type litter.

Tip #4: Location, Location, Location - Your cat will never do its business around where they eat or drink, so make sure the litter box is not in that area. You may want to try having multiple litter boxes in your home, especially if you have more than one cat. In fact, it's recommended that you should have at least one litter box per cat in the household.

Make sure your cat has some privacy when they use their 'potty', as cats do not want to do their business in a high traffic area. Some cats like a covered pan (such as a dome lid) others don't like to be enclosed. Consider housing your cat's litter box in a spare bedroom closet, lined with plastic to make the clean up a bit easier. Play around to see what works best for your pet; just make sure your kitty is content.

Anywhere that your cat has soiled in the past should be cleaned and disinfected to stop the association of the area with elimination. Covering the area with foil will discourage your cat from going back to that area. The key to determining your cat's preferences is to slowly and patiently analyze your pet's behaviour and choices. Cats are also very sensitive to change and can stress easily. If there are new pets or children, or a loss of a family member in the house your cat can easily pick up on that and it can trigger unwanted elimination episodes.

If all of your attempts fail, it's important to discuss the situation with your veterinarian. Your cat could have a urinary tract infection, or a kidney or bladder problem, especially if your cat's water consumption has increased. If it's purely behavioural your veterinarian may recommend an anti-depressant or other type of medication. Make sure you speak with them because they are the experts and they can tell you exactly what's up with your furry friend.

If there's an illness affecting your cat's litter box use, your Petsecure policy may cover treatment and diagnosis costs for that illness.

Ask-A-Vet: Sneezing Dogs - Is it something to worry about?

Dear Dr. Webster,
I have two Beagles who are for the most part very healthy dogs; however, just two weeks ago my female began constantly sneezing for about 10 minutes each time she'd wake up. The vet put her on antibiotics for 10 days and it seems to have almost gone away. Now my male Beagle is sneezing and our veterinarian calls it, 'backward sneezing'. He is still continuing to backwards sneeze even though he is on antibiotics as well. Should I be concerned?
- Concerned Pet Parent Karen

Dear Karen -
The sneezing issue is usually just a mild inflammation of their nasal passages and it will eventually clear up. When both dogs have the sneezing at the same time I would suspect that it would be some form of viral or bacterial irritation. The reverse sneeze is a result of the irritation involving the back of the throat being irritated and stimulating a gag type reflex. It's not a serious problem so don't worry, it will pass.
- Dr. Lynn Webster

Do you have a question about your pet's health and/or wellness that you'd
like answered? E-mail us and our Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Lynn Webster will answer your questions.

Introducing...CG Jai

(And pet parent Elaine Tong)

Elaine learned about the many reasons why you should get pet health insurance the hard way. She was the first to admit that she felt there was no need for pet health insurance. Her dogs were healthy, and what were the chances of something happening to either one of them? Or so she thought.

Read CG Jai's Full Story

Interested in sharing your own true tail about your experience with pet health insurance to other pet parents? We'd love to hear your story.

Contact us today

Top 20 Pet Names

Did you ever wonder if your cat Fluffy or your dog Fido has one of the most common names in Canada? We looked through our records to find the most common names of dogs and cats insured with Petsecure.