(KDAF/CNN) - Pet owners' ears might perk up when they hear the latest warning from veterinarians. Vets in Texas are predicting this could be an exceptionally bad year for heartworm disease.
Vets say a mild winter and a bumper crop of mosquitos may mean extra danger for your pets. Studies find that Texas ranks in the top ten in heartworm infections.
The mosquito bites the dog or cat, the larvae migrates to the heart where parasitic worms can grow up to 12 inches long. Banfield Pet Hospital veterinarian, Angela Roberts says unprotected pets are being infected right now, but owners won't know until this winter when pets start showing symptoms which include cough, lethargy and difficulty breathing.
There are expensive treatment options for dogs, but if it's not caught early it can be fatal. Vets recommend a simple heartworm blood test for all pets. If negative, dog owners can choose between a monthly topical or pet medication or twice a year injections. There is no shot that works for cats.
(CNN) - Microsoft's biggest update to windows in nearly 20 years is less than four months away from its debut. The software giant announced windows eight will go on sale by the end of October.
It will arrive the same time as the new Surface tablet, also produced by Microsoft. Pricing information hasn't been made public for the tablet, yet. Microsoft says Surface will be priced competitively with apple's iPad.
Current users of Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 can upgrade to windows eight for $40 bucks if they purchase before the end of January 2013.
(CBS) - Research shows government-funded community health centers provide better care than private practices.
Researchers at Stanford University looked at 18 common conditions seen in primary care. They found community doctors who serve low-income and uninsured patients performed as well as private practice doctors in 13 of those areas and did better in the other 5 areas.
Researchers say one reason for the superior care is community doctors are not as profit driven.
