One of the great things about the Internet is that it provides those of us who prefer to live in remote locations with access to an incredible amount of information. Here are  some of my favorite sites with a brief explanation of their contents.

 

Animal-Related Sites

  • Association of Pet Loss and Bereavement
    This site serves as a comprehensive source of information for those coping with the loss of a pet, as well as for professionals or students seeking information about the many different aspects of pet loss and bereavement.
  • The Electronic Zoo
    This is a wonderful site that contains links to a wealth of animal-related material from the most general to the most scientific. It’s a great starting point for those seeking information about animals who are unfamiliar with the nuances of various search engines. Unlike some sites which seldom change, new information is constantly being added or up-dated in this one.
  • eNature
    I like this site for two reasons. One, it provides a lot of information about animal and plant life, including a section in which you can enter your zip code and get an overview of the wildlife in your area. Second you can sign up for an email newsletter which periodically deposits short, well-written notes about unusual animals, plants, or environments with links for those seeking more information in your email box. While I detest unsolicited requests for me to make millions in my spare time, I love reading these and often pass them on to friends. Many kids also like this site too
  • The Human-Animal Bond Research Initiative
    This site contains a goldmine of research on multiple aspects of the human-animal bond. These include journal articles, books, conference proceedings and reports on bond-related topics such as animal-assisted therapy, benefits of animal companionship, animal  abuse, and zoonoses (i.e. diseases transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa) among many, many others. The site also offers book reviews, videos, blogs, and other material for those interested in the bond. Once registered (it’s free), you can upload your research, seek background or supporting information for presentations, papers, or articles, find out about meetings, and otherwise take advantage of all the site has to offer.
  • International Veterinary Information Service (IVIS) Library
    This site provides links to abstracts of recent publications in a wide variety of veterinary journals, proceedings from veterinary meetings and symposiums, text book chapters.
  • The Merck Veterinary Manual
    Yes, indeed, the venerable Merck Veterinary Manual is now available on-line.
  • The One Health Initiative                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      The goal of the One Health Initiative is to encourage those from a wide range of backgrounds to share their knowledge for the benefit of humans, animals, and the environment.
  • PubMed
    A service provided by the National Library of Medicine. In addition to providing access to the veterinary journals mentioned in the IVIS link above, this site also provides access to over 12 million MEDLINE citations and other life science journals.
  • Vettech.org
    This site is a valuable resource for anyone interested in pursuing a career in veterinary technology. The site lists every school offering such a program in the United States by state. Additionally, each listing includes a direct link to the program for those desiring more information.
  • Allied Health Schools.com is another valuable site for those interested in a career in veterinary technology.
  • Learn How to Become.org is a good starting place for those who would like to work with animals but aren’t sure how. One particularly helpful feature is a series of check lists that enables users to access their skills, interests, and preferences then guides them in the right direction based on the results.

Drug Research Sites
Today people increasingly desire to know more about any medications prescribed for themselves or their animals. I consider this a positive change because it reflects their willingness to assume a more active role in the treatment process which bodes well for animal physical and behavioral health. Such knowledge becomes increasingly important in this age of specialists and complementary approaches where professionals in one area may be unfamiliar with the medications prescribed by those in another. Add all the people who self-medicate themselves and their animals with over-the-counter remedies, nutriceuticals, herbal and other supplements and the need to become an informed consumer becomes even more important.

There are several important things to keep in mind when exploring drug interactions in animals.  Side-effects that occur in humans may not occur in animals and vice versa. Different species may react differently to the same drugs or drug combinations. Both physiologically as well as behaviorally, cats are not little dogs; nor are they horses, birds, or reptiles. Differences between breeds and individuals also may occur. As the number of breeds  and transport animals grows, the probability of any pre-drug-release testing protocols exploring all possible side-effects of a single product (let alone combinations) and addressing all the possible pharmacological idiosyncrasies in all species and individuals is nil or very close to it.

  • Drugs.com’s Veterinary Database is easy to use and provides information about specific veterinary drugs as well as veterinary drug combinations, including supplements.
  • The FDA’s Animal and Veterinary Safety & Health site has multiple helpful links including those to pet food and drug recalls, withdrawals, and product safety information.