Pooches on parade

On your mark, get set, march! On June 7, Santa Barbara hosts the 14th Annual Big Dog Parade and Canine Festival. Each year, thousands of zanily costumed dogs and their humans gather to raise money for the Big Dog Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports charities that help dogs and children. Along with the parade, this year’s festival includes giveaways, vendor booths, kid’s activities, food, live music, and last but not least, prizes for pooches with the best costumes. The event is expected to attract up 16,000 attendants and around 1,200 dogs. All proceeds will be donated directly to the Big Dog Foundation.

Keeping Pace

Pacemakers have been used for years to regulate the heartbeat in humans, and the same device can work just as well in dogs with abnormally low heart rates, according to Dr. Ashley Saunders of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University. “Pet owners are often amazed that their pets can live for years and feel much better than they have in a long time after receiving a pacemaker,” says Dr. Saunders. The two-hour surgical procedure is usually done in one of two ways: transvenous (through the neck) or epicardial (through the abdomen).

Keep an eye on him

Good eye health is crucial to your companion’s well being and happiness. In 2006, Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) received over 21,500 claims for eye conditions. Here’s a list of the five most common eye problems afflicting dogs and cats: