Veterinarians solemnly swear to use their scientific knowledge and skills "for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge."
Today's veterinarians are in the unique position of being the only doctors educated to protect the health of both animals and people. They are not only educated to meet the health needs of every species of animal but they play an important role in environmental protection, food safety, and public health.
In taking The Veterinarian's Oath, a doctor solemnly swears to use his or her scientific knowledge and skills "for the benefit of society, through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, and the advancement of medical knowledge."
Today nearly 70,000 veterinarians are professionally active in the United States. They provide a wide variety of services in private clinical practice, teaching, research, government service, public health, military service, private industry, and other areas.
This section contains articles to help you better understand how veterinary medicine can help you and your pet enjoy the longest and fullest life together.
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Becoming a Service Dog: Training and Temperament Are Key Factors
Category:
Newsletter Library, Behavior & Training
Service dogs help thousands of disabled Americans become more independent. The first service dogs guided visually impaired people, but today, the dogs assist people who have a variety of disabilities, ranging from hearing loss to seizures to cerebral palsy. Before a dog can become a service animal, it
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How to Make Vet Visits a More Pleasant Experience for Your Pet
Category:
Newsletter Library, Behavior & Training
Does your pet dislike visiting the vet? These tips may make visits less stressful.
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Should Your Dog Wear a Backpack?
Category:
Newsletter Library, Behavior & Training
Thinking about buying a backpack for your dog? Consider these factors before you visit the pet store.
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Secondhand Smoke Affects Pets Too
Category:
Newsletter Library, Pet Dangers
The effects of secondhand smoke on people are well-documented. Exposure to tobacco smoke causes a variety of serious health problems, including stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Not surprisingly, secondhand smoke also increases the risk
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Identifying Dementia in Senior Dogs
Category:
Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy
Have you noticed changes in your older dog's behavior?
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Could Those Sniffles Be a Symptom of the Feline Flu?
Category:
Newsletter Library, Cats
Can you spot the signs of feline flu?
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How to Help Your Cat Get More Exercise
Category:
Newsletter Library, Cats
When's the last time your cat worked out? Daily exercise can help keep your furry friend healthy.
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9 Reasons Your Cat May Be Losing Weight
Category:
Newsletter Library, Cats
Does your cat look thinner than usual? One of these nine reasons may explain why your cat is losing weight.
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The Canine Genome and DNA Testing
Category:
Newsletter Library, Visiting the Vet
Have you ever looked at your adopted dog with its short legs, shaggy hair and brown spot encircling one eye, and wondered what dog breeds are in there? Now that science has decoded the DNA of dogs, science can tell us many things. Harvard and MIT programs unraveled the canine DNA sequence in 2006, which
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What to Do If Your Pet Eats Grass
Category:
Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness
Wondering what to do if your pet eats grass? Take a look at a few ideas.
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Euthanasia: Saying Goodbye
Category:
Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness
It's not easy to say goodbye to cherished pets, even those that have lived long, happy lives. Although you may hate the thought of life without your pet, euthanasia can be the kindest decision you can make when your friend is suffering.
Making the Decision
If your pet has been seriously injured in a
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How to Celebrate Your Pet During National Pet Month
Category:
Newsletter Library, Seasonal Topics
Don't have any plans for National Pet Month? Try a few of these ideas.
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Managing Pet Allergies in Kids
Category:
Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
Are you concerned that your child's allergies may mean that you will have to give up your pet? Although rehoming a pet may be necessary if allergies are severe, most children can live with pets if you are willing to make a few changes.
The Problem
About three in 10 people who have allergies are allergic
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How to Tell A Pet's Age from Its Teeth
Category:
Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
How old is your pet? Taking a look at your furry friend's mouth can provide some clues.
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Cat Food Labels: What Nutritional Facts and Ingredients to Look For
Category:
Newsletter Library
Need a little help making sense of cat food labels?
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First Aid Basics for Pet Owners
Category:
Newsletter Library
Celebrate Pet First Aid Awareness Month by brushing up on your first aid skills!
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