Welcome to Spring!

Warmer weather, longer days and very wet paws can only mean one thing. Yup! You guessed it, spring has officially sprung! We're very excited about this season and so are the pets in our lives. Who doesn't love a warmer walk around the block or getting back to the dog park? We're also very excited about some upcoming shows Petsecure is attending, including Woofstock June 12-13 and Paw's in Motion in Winnipeg, MB on June 27.

Looking ahead, we have lots in store for our members and our Facebook fans this year. If you haven't yet become our fan on Facebook be sure to check it out at www.facebook.com/petsecure today! We ask loads of questions to pet parents, run fun monthly contests and we're always blogging about one thing or another. Are you a Twitter user? Follow us at www.twitter.com/petsecure for even more updates!

Take a moment to vote on our eTails poll (located on the side-column), read up on important dental and acne information for your pet and check out our featured True Tail on Niles.

Until next eTails, we hope you get outside to play and enjoy the fresh air with your furry loved one.

Sincerely Yours,
-The Petsecure team

Mark Your Calendars - Pet Parent's Day is April 25

Did you know that April 25 marks Petsecure's 2nd annual celebration of Pet Parent's Day? In partnership with VPI pet insurance, Petsecure recognizes this day for you, the devoted Petsecure member that considers their furry loved one part of the family.

Celebrate this day with other pet parents

Petsecure has created free electronic greeting cards to share with pet parents across Canada. Do you know someone who spends countless hours at the dog park, or shares their bed with 4 extra paws? Then why not send them a greeting card to recognize their love and commitment to their pet?

These animated greeting cards are available from now until the end of April at www.petsecure.com/ecards. Choose between various designs, include your own personal greeting and send them to as many pet parents as you'd like!

Pet Parent's Day is a service mark of Veterinary Pet Insurance Company

Pet Insurance - A Way to Plan for the Unexpected

Pet insurance is just like home or auto insurance, you pay monthly premiums in case something unexpected happens and you need to use your coverage. All insurance plans share one thing in common - you hope you never have to use any of them!

Pet insurance is not prepaid medical insurance. It's coverage you can depend on if your pet has an accident or an illness that needs to be treated.

At Petsecure, we are here to help your furry friend get the veterinary treatment and care when they need it the most. When that moment happens will always be unpredictable, but by being a member of Petsecure you can rest assured that whenever that moment is your pet will be...All taken care of.

Dental Disease in Dogs

Last month, we honoured Pet Dental Health Month and asked our Facebook Fans to share their pet's best smiles! Check them out on our Facebook page. Did you know that according to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have periodontal disease by the age of 3 and that proper dental care could increase your pet's life from anywhere between 2-5 years?

We are all aware how important it is to keep our teeth clean and to avoid plaque and tartar build up; our dentists have been telling us this for years. But in reality, dental checkups are equally important to maintain our dog's dental hygiene. With your Secure For Life™ Petsecure membership, you have coverage for annual cleanings and problems with the teeth and/or gums!

Common forms of dental disease

The most common form of dental disease is plaque build up, which is a soft mixture of bacteria, food and saliva under a dog's teeth, especially near the gums. The plaque eventually hardens and becomes tartar, the second most common dental problem. Both plaque and tartar irritate the tissue around the tooth and its root. This results in bad breath, bleeding, pain and possibly losing the tooth entirely.

Broken teeth are also common in dogs, especially with dogs that chew on hard objects such
as rocks and bones. Injured or bleeding teeth require immediate veterinary care.

How to prevent

To prevent dental disease, brushing your dog's teeth and providing plaque-reducing treats at home will help. Always check with your veterinarian before using these products and remember that treats alone will not substitute daily tooth brushing.

Your pets should also have annual dental check-ups with your veterinarian. If there is significant plaque and tartar accumulation, your veterinarian will probably recommend a dental cleaning for your dog. These preventive measures will keep your pet's mouth healthy and free of bad breath and painful gums. It can also prevent dangerous oral infections, which can distribute bacteria to vital organs through your pet's bloodstream.

Did you know that Petsecure covers dental cleaning and problems with the teeth and/or gums? It doesn't matter which level of coverage you're on, dental cleaning is covered on all of our Secure For Life™ plans.

Check out Pet Healthipedia

For more information relating to other diseases, illness or accidents in a pup's life, visit Petsecure's Pet Healthipedia for hundreds of articles, videos and breed profiles.

Cats Get Acne Too!

Feline acne is just like human acne but it's not just in the puberty stage of a cat's life. It usually starts around the age of 1, beginning as tiny dark spots (similar to blackheads) around the hair shafts and lower lip. This condition can be quite a common problem in cats.

Feline acne can last a lifetime on a cat's chin and lips and may not bother your cat at all; however, in some cases the acne may progress to red, infected bumps that can be very itchy and painful.

Although the feline acne cause is still unknown, there are various factors that could potentially play a role. This includes poor grooming habits, stress and viral infections.

Symptoms to watch for

• Formation of blackheads on the chin and lower lips
• Redness
• Hair loss
• Swelling of the chin

What can you do if your cat develops acne?

Your veterinarian may advise you to wash daily with Epsom salts or apply antibacterial and/or antifungal creams to disinfect the problem area. Even some human topical products (including benzoyl peroxide) can help cats with their acne.

You may have to also wash your cat's chin (or lips) with a medicated product once or twice a week to remove any scabs that have built up on the infected area.

Always discuss treatment options with your veterinarian first to ensure you are doing the best thing for your feline friend.

Did you know that Petsecure covers treatment for cat acne? It doesn't matter which level of coverage you're on, treatment and diagnosis for this common illness is covered on all of our Secure For Life™ plans.

Check out Pet Healthipedia

For more information relating to other diseases, illness or accidents in a pup's life, visit Petsecure's Pet Healthipedia for hundreds of articles, videos and breed profiles.

Introducing Niles... (and pet parent Victoria C)

A couple of months ago, Niles stopped eating and drinking and had severe, bloody diarrhea. As test after test came back negative, the vet bills started to accumulate and Niles needed several rounds of hydration therapy. I was very happy to have the reassurance that Niles' pet health insurance would enable him to receive all the medical attention he needed.

Niles was finally diagnosed with a parasite. Due to the side-effects of his treatment he will require follow-up tests to make sure his liver function has not been compromised. I completed his Petsecure claim forms, sent off his veterinary bills and they were covered in full (minus my deductible and co-insurance responsibility) within days. This experience should teach all pet owners that just one illness (even for indoor pets) can spiral into a huge expense and compromise the potential care afforded to our furry loved ones.
Thanks Petsecure!

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

Ask-A-Vet

Dear Dr. Webster,
"My 5 month old German Shepherd has been coughing and sneezing for a few days now. He sounds congested. He doesn't show any signs of slowing down, eating or drinking. He is the same active puppy he has always been. I never rushed into the doctor every time my children had a cold, but since this is the first dog I have owned I'm not really sure if something like this would go away on its own. What are your thoughts?"

- Concerned pet parent Christine

Dear Christine,
"It sounds like a mild upper respiratory infection and as long as he eats and drinks OK and is active it will probably pass as a common cold does. If it persists beyond a couple of weeks or at any time you see a purulent nasal discharge I would have it checked out."

- 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.