New Web site offers help to pet owners

By Brian Feldt
The idea was simple: create a consumer-driven Web site that would encompass any and all pet health needs while offering new and fresh feature stories for pet lovers.
The result was unexpected: a
consumer-driven Web site that simultaneously benefited veterinarians creating a mixed-target audience that for the first time included pets, their owners and their doctors.
“It really is a great site,” said Hope Schultz, co-founder, president and chief operating officer of WebVet, a new WebMD-esque pet health Internet craze.
“If people use the site properly, it really can and does benefit the veterinarians and their business. I mean we created the site with consumers in mind but the residual effects have had a great impact on the veterinarians.”
WebVet (webvet.com) launched
Aug. 4, 2008, has taken a life of its own since arriving on the Internet scene.
Schultz, a self-described pet lover with a business sense about her, said the concept is pretty basic. In the age of Google searching, consumers were being redirected to as many as six or seven different pet health sites in order to find answers to their specific questions. Schultz simply made a site that had all the questions a pet lover would need and put them in one all-encompassing site.
WebVet does not diagnose or suggest treatment for pets or their owners. Instead, it provides adequate information to understand the issue at hand. Schultz said she made sure the site consistently refers to a pet’s veterinarian for all medical decisions.
Sometimes the vet’s office is closed when a pet needs help. In those instances, instead of immediately turning to the Internet, Chris France, a veterinarian at the Pea Ridge Veterinary Clinic, recommended calling a clinic that takes after-hour phone calls such as the Animal Emergency Clinic of Northwest Arkansas in Springdale.
“I always think consult with a veterinarian first and then if you have to fall back on something, you can fall back on the Internet,” France said.
WebVet is the first site to offer a “whole pet” platform that identifies the physical and mental health of dogs, cats, birds and small pets.
Schultz said features such as a virtual lost-and found-feature or a nationwide database of dog-walkers and pet-sitters are on the horizon.
Another feature expected to hit the site soon is a “Manage My Pet” section that allows pet owners to detail their pets health history to a great extent.

The Morning News’ correspondent Antoinette Grajeda contributed to this report.

Sugar substitute toxic to canines
The sugar substitute Xylitol has some not so sweet effects on dogs. Xylitol, a sugar alcohol found in many products including some sugar-free candies, baked goods and gum, is poisonous to dogs and can even be fatal.
When dogs ingest products containing Xylitol, it affects their glucose levels. Dogs experience a sharp drop in blood sugar and may rapidly show signs of weakness, lethargy, loss of coordination, collapse and seizures. The symptoms can show up in as little as 30 minutes and cause brain damage and even death. Dogs should be taken for emergency veterinarian care immediately.
Dog owners who live more than an hour away from a veterinarian or emergency clinic can call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 24 hours a day at (888) 426-4435. The ASPCA recommends keeping an emergency first-aid kit on hand for your pet that includes a fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide (3 percent) and a turkey baster or bulb syringe (to administer the peroxide) to induce vomiting. In a small dog, as little as two or three pieces of sugar-free gum sweetened with Xylitol can be fatal. Xylitol is also thought to cause severe liver damage in dogs.
Northwest Arkansas pet owners needing emergency assistance can call the Animal
Emergency Clinic of Northwest Arkansas at (479) 927-0007. The office is located at 777 Mathias Drive, Suite B, in Springdale.

Older dogs can develop Cushing’s Disease
Older pets, especially dogs, can fall victim to Cushing’s Disease. The condition occurs when the adrenal glands secrete an excessive amount of the hormone cortisol. Cortisol is released in times of illness, stress, pain and injury to help the body cope. Too much cortisol can cause many problems. Signs of the disease include a large increase in water consumption and urination, caused by damage to the kidneys. Your pet may also become extremely hungry as excess cortisol can also affect the brain’s appetite centers. Excessive cortisol can cause muscle wasting and a change in distribution of body fat, causing a dog to appear pot-bellied. Hair loss, thin or fragile skin and increased skin infections are also signs. The disease can also lead to high blood pressure, heart failure, pancreatitis, diabetes and blood-clotting problems. Veterinary care is very important as the disease is generally fatal if left untreated.