Chevron, the first oil company on the list, was 71st and ExxonMobil, the world’s largest oil company, ranked 75th, packed right in there between the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the National Restaurant Association. I also expected the National Rifle Association and the National Education Association to be duking it out for a top spot. Others in the top 10 are the National Association of Realtors, the American Association for Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America) and Goldman Sachs. Copyright © 2006 The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO All rights reserved. Popular Business directory links - Joplin Apartments | Joplin Attorneys | Joplin Auto Dealers | Joplin Auto Parts | Joplin Auto Repair | Joplin Beauty Salons | Joplin Car Rental | Joplin Dentists | Joplin Doctors | Joplin Flowers | Joplin Hotels | Joplin Insurance | Joplin Loans | Joplin Mortgages | Joplin Movers | Joplin Pizza | Joplin Realtors | Joplin Restaurants | Joplin Storage | Joplin Tax Preparation | Joplin Travel | Joplin Featured | More. read more

With nearly two-thirds of all households in the United States owning at least one pet, families face a big decision when deciding which type of pet to welcome into their home. To help families better prepare for finding their next pet or answer questions about the pets they already own, Care. The guide is also an ideal resource for current pet owners or animal sitters to provide answers to the inevitable questions that often arise regarding medical or behavioral issues. Coupled with information from breed-specific resources, the guide addresses the reality of ownership and pet care needs for each breed. Caring for a pet can be a daunting task, so in designing the Family Pet Guide we wanted to provide a practical resource that will provide guidance to pet owners and pet sitters alike. With detailed information on training and exercise needs, grooming requirements and compatibility ratings, the Family Pet Guide takes the guesswork out of buying your next pet. read more

Food allergies must be distinguished from sarcoptic mange and inhalant allergy, or atopy, which also cause intense itching but require much different treatment. Some clues that can direct your veterinarian toward a diagnosis of food allergy include itching that has never been a seasonal issue, poor response to cortisone-type medications, no response to treatment of sarcoptic mange and a pattern of lesions including feet, belly, eyes, ears and muzzle. Some pets have multiple allergies; it would not be unusual for a food allergic dog also to be allergic to flea bites, another very common allergy. The most common test for food allergies is a hypoallergenic food trial. read more

According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately two percent of adults and six percent of children have true food allergies, and they are becoming more prevalent. Food allergies are fairly common in dogs and cats, but unlike the life-threatening reactions we hear about in people, prompting the designation of "peanut-free" areas at schools, and more and more people packing Epi-pens in their purses, in pets food allergies typically present as non-seasonal pruritus. Your veterinarian can discuss the available diagnostic tests, or you may opt to treat George’s symptoms without pinning down the cause, especially since some of these allergies are seasonal and clear up quickly when pollen season passes, or when we air our houses in the spring. George may very well have inhalant allergies as well as food allergies. The good news is that, unlike in humans, food allergies in pets are rarely life-threatening. read more