I have never given much thought to access doors for pets, since our two cats are never purrmitted outside without supervision. This being said, while surfing the Internet for items of interest, I ran across some interesting and vital information about safety issues concerning what many people consider a real convenience for pets that have access to the great outdoors whenever they wish.
However, Sean Kane, president of Safety Research & Strategies, has been researching this issue nationally. According to Mr. Kane, in the past 10 years more than 100 children have drowned or nearly drowned and have otherwise been injured when they climbed through pet doors to get outside.
Mr. Kane learned of these incidents through public health specialists and news items, The Consumer Product Safety Commission and sadly, though the offices of coroners and medical examiners. Mr. Kane stated, "But the total number to date underestimates the true scope of the problem because most accidental drownings are classified only by cause of death or injury and do not identify how the child accessed the water.
Child-injury researchers are well aware of the link between pet access doors and child injury and death, but many parents and caregivers do not appreciate the risk associated with use of a pet door, and how young children can drown, become lost, wander into streets, or otherwise become seriously injured or killed after exiting a home through a pet door."
Kane suspects that people think that since the common size of these pet doors generally approximate a standard sheet of paper or even smaller, that they are totally safe to install in their homes. They feel that their children are too large to be able to crawl through pet doors. However, the weight of an average three year old boy weighs about 38 pounds and can very easily fit through the opening. After all, some of our medium sized dogs and cats use the doors without any problem at all.
Of course since the safety of our children is a priority, there are alternatives to these rather flimsy flap-style portals. There are doors with locking mechanisms and several that are operated by a dog's radio collar. Of course, if you happen to have a pool in your backyard, personally opening the door to let your dog out is the safest method to prevent tragic accidents.
Since many parents are not aware of the danger that most pet doors can present, one parent set up a web site to spread the word. You can visit this site at http://www.PetAccessDangers.org/
She is hoping that this website will reach enough people that pet door companies will consider making changes in design to make them safe.
B.A.R.F.: Biologically Appropriate Raw Food Diets for Pets
Pet owners continue to be concerned about the food they buy for their pets. I occasionally hear from folks whose dogs or cats may have become sick after eating regularly fed pet food, but from a different bar code batch of a recalled food. They are wondering if the product is responsible for their illness.
As a result some people are considering switching their pets to a more "natural" food, similar to what they would eat in their natural habitat. They are considering feeding a raw diet, commonly referred to as B.A.R.F (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food).
According to an article I found through the North American Press Syndicate- New York, NY, USA, "better nutrition can lead to better health- for both you and your pets."
Of course, when considering changing your pet's diet, it is important to first discuss your plans with your veterinarian. A raw diet may not be appropriate for all pets. However, pet owners are becoming more aware that many common conditions such as allergies, obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, dental disease and poor coat condition can be the result of a poor diet. Some commercial pet foods, while being touted as the "best" possible nutrition, often contain ingredients that can trigger these conditions. Grain in cat food, for example, is often responsible for digestive problems in felines.
Raw food diets are considered by a growing number of pet nutritionists to be an excellent alternative solution to promote better pet health. Dr. Doug Knueven, a holistic veterinarian, author and pet health expert, is a strong advocate for this diet. He says, "There is a benefit in offering various proteins to your pet. If he were in the wild, your dog would catch a rabbit one day, eat a chicken another day and so on. Feeding a variety of proteins is just one more way you can feed a more natural diet."
Since feeding a raw diet can be time consuming and labor intensive, one of the products on the market, which makes feeding a raw diet easier is Nature's Variety Raw Frozen Diet. Dr. Knueven remarks that, "Nature's Variety offers the most nutritionally dense, biologically appropriate diets for dogs and cats. You can actually feed less food and your pet will be more satisfied. Raw-fed dogs and cats live longer, healthier and happier lives."
When switching to B.A.R.F, it is important to gradually introduce the new diet to avoid dietary upsets.
Aaron Rift, the photographer and producer of "The Cat Diaries" series, one of the most creative and imaginative cat videos on YouTube, has directed yet other highly entertaining and thought provoking short films, featuring Ninja, a very wise twenty year old cat who may even become a feline guru who will assist you through some of life's purrplexing passages.
In this creative video, Ninja, an elder cat who purrsesses great wisdom, is a feline that Mr. Rift turns to with his crucial questions. These thought provoking issues, which have been posed by brilliant thinkers throughout the centuries of course, are not new to us.
But in order to be able to fully receive Ninja's guidance while viewing this offering, it is essential to quiet oneself, breathe deeply, center and enter into a state of true spiritual openness and intellectual emptiness. Please take a moment to prepare yourself to become "as one" with the "seer" in a highly informative interaction between a very intelligent and experienced feline and his human "seeker".
Uploaded to YouTube by Thecatdiaries, Mr. Rift invites his viewers for a moment of intellectual and emotional stimulation and to also marvel at Ninja's remarkable responses to his very important and thoughtful questions.
Enjoy this moment of bliss which is more than likely very desirable to serenely end of another busy work week.
What did you learn though this experience? Please leave a comment and share your insights with us.
A few weeks ago I introduced Jilli Dog, the most adorable basketball playing Yorkshire terrier.
So it became obvious to me that I am compelled to "cop" to the truth here. I have to admit I have become one of Jilli Dog's greatest fans, and often surf the 'net for articles and videos that feature this certified therapy dog's amazing talents. After all she is the world's only poker playing pooch!
Being a fairly decent poker player myself, I think it would be far more prudent for me to just "kibbutz" at the table as I am rather reluctant to sit down with Jilli Dog and her trainer, Rick Caran. Between those two I might easily fall prey to their obvious playing skill and might be taken to the cleaners. So I guess I will just sit back and relax as I watch those unsuspecting gamblers trust their luck in a game of "Five Card Stud" with these two proficient poker players.
For a delightful experience, take a moment to watch this clever and entertaining video uploaded to YouTube by looneytoobs.
"Canine" inspire you to play a hand or two, even as you watch your pile of chips dwindle into oblivion? Leave a comment and let us know if you are interesting in the challenge.
Many folks have noticed and commented that our blue-eyed white Oriental Shorthair neuter, Hubble appears to have a damaged eye. People have written me inquiring about if his eye is missing, or if he has lost vision in it. Since Hubble's eye condition is fairly common, I thought that sharing his story may be helpful to others whose cats may be similarly affected.
Our phone rang late one evening, almost nine years ago. The call was from an Oriental Shorthair breeder from whom we had adopted Hush Puppy, our lilac point Oriental. She excitedly told me that she had a two month-old blue-eyed white kitten that she thought we might be interested in adopting. She cautioned, however that the kitten was born with "Feline Ocular Herpes". Born with a membrane covering his left eye, rendering him blind, she had already scheduled him for surgery by a veterinary ophthalmologist. The plan was to remove most of the membrane in order to restore nearly normal vision.
After she emailed me a photo of this adorable kitten, we did not hesitate for a moment, and arranged plans to adopt him as soon as he recovered from the surgery and any necessary follow up treatment with ocular anti-viral medication.
Our adoption "fee" was the cost of the surgery. We were thrilled and eager to have Hubble join our feline family. When he was three months old, he was delivered to our home in New York, where he immediately was accepted by our resident kitties. I often suspect that Hush Puppy knew this was his "little brother" as he took a special interest in the little white ball of fluff.
Hubble continues to be monitored regularly by our veterinarian. Of course he is one of her favorite patients, as he is so cooperative and easy to handle. His eye specialist continues to mistakeningly think that Hubble is a female since he is so beautiful and such an excellent patient. From time to time, when necessary he may require special medication for his eye, and sadly his cornea has been compromised by scarring from the virus resulting in limited vision. However he has developed amazing visual compensatory skills and can still spot a fly on the wall from across the room.
While no cure for Herpes is available at this time, fortunately anti-viral ocular medications are routinely prescribed to control the condition Additionally, L-Lysine, a synthetic version of the essential amino acid which helps to control viral replication, is also recommended as a supportive adjunct to anti-viral medications. Both of these are geared to lessening the frequency and severity of outbreaks. Veterinarians also suggest that keeping a cat as stress-free as possible is very valuable in the control of Herpes, as stress is one of the leading causes of relapse.
The Scoop about Online Veterinary Compounding Pharmacies
Most people consider their pets to be part of the family. Many of us refer to ourselves as "fur moms or dads" or even "pawrents". So it is very understandable that when one of our fur "kids" is under the weather, we promptly seek advice from their family doc . . . our veterinarians.
After a thorough examination, often veterinarians prescribe medications. But what about those of us that find it difficult to administer tablets or capsules, and often liquid medication dispensed by our vets, is so distasteful to our pets that most of it ends up on the carpet. Thus we find ourselves chasing Fluffy or Fido through the house to make sure that every drop of the precious medication is administered.
And what about medications that are difficult to find? In fact, we had a cat many years ago, who was prescribed a drug that had been taken off the market for human use, but was the most appropriate medication to treat his condition. Since no local pharmacy carried it anymore, and our vet did not dispense it, we found ourselves in a dilemma.
Thankfully our vet referred us to Island Pharmacy, a veterinary compounding apothecary, which of course had the medication in stock and was able to dispense it with her prescription. Interestingly, there are many medications which are no longer prescribed for humans, but are ideal in the treatment for our furry friends. The medication was shipped to us right away and arrived two days later. Now that is convenience in a nutshell!
Online veterinary pharmacies provide a handy alternative to local drugstores for many pharmaceutical products, and for those of us who care for chronically ill pets, they can be a boon. Refills are easy to order and many of them offer free shipping.
According to an article I found online the other day, one of these online pharmacies, VetCentric, published some interesting data obtained from their recent survey of pet owners about veterinary care that included prescribed medications:
"96% of pet owners stated that it was important to be able to order their pet's medication through their veterinarian to ensure that the vet remained involved with the pet's care (51% stated that this is "very important")
90% of pet owners stated it was important to have the convenience of home delivery for their pet's medications
87% of pet owners stated it was important to have automatic refills of the pet's medications so they didn't have to worry about missing a dose
87% of pet owners stated it was important to have a variety of medication forms and flavorings that make it easier for pets to take their medications"
VetCentric's policy is, "The program includes free 2nd day shipping for first fills and free standard shipping for all refills when the prescription is set up to automatically refill. Complete information about the program is available through the recently launched compounding microsite at www.vetcentric.com/compounding."
While Island Pharmacy does not offer free shipping at this time, they do carry a wide variety of veterinary medications compounded with flavors that are appealing to pets, which of course makes it easier to administer. Visit http://www.islandpharmacy.com/site/1420401/page/45029 for contact information and to read about what they offer.
While our local pharmacy does compound medications for pets, I find it more convenient to have these items delivered directly to my door. It makes much less work for this "fur mom" at any rate.
Michael Vick, the former National Football League star player for the Falcons, was released from a Kansas prison, early this morning. He will then begin home confinement in Virginia, according to one of his attorneys. Vick hopes that he will eventually be reinstated to his career as a professional football player and work toward restoring his public image.
Larry Woodward, one of Vick's attorneys said, "It's a happy day for him to be starting this part of the process. He looks forward to meeting the challenges he has to meet. His first priority is spending time with his children and his loved ones".
A former big time earner, during the completion of his home confinement sentence, he will be permitted to leave his home and work for a $10 per hour job on a construction crew, and other activities arranged with his probation officer. New rules will be set for him when he begins his three year probation period upon his release from Federal custody.
What I find fascinating is that Vick says that he wants to work for the Humane Society of the United States, (HSUS). Vick met with Wayne Pacelle, the president of HSUS after he requested a meeting with him while he was at the federal prison in Leavenworth. He wants to contribute to a program which is geared toward ending dog fighting among urban teens. What gets me wondering if this is an authentic desire to make a positive impact on these teens, or is it a way for him to be ease his return to his professional career in football.
Vick's fall from glory began in April 2007 raided his cousin's Surry County property in Virginia, during a drug investigation, with the resulting seizure of dozens of dogs discovered on this property. Some were seriously injured, and equipment used in dog fighting was found. Three months later, a federal indictment was issued, and three of his "Bad Newz Kennels" partners were charged with an interstate dog fighting conspiracy. At first Vick denied any connection with them and all pleaded "innocent". Eventually, however all four admitted their guilt and were given prison sentences. Vick received the longest of the sentences and received a three-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to State dog fighting charges.
Outlined in the indictment were the horrendous details about the dogs that were hanged, electrocuted, drowned and subjected to other acts of cruelty. However, due to the public outcry and outrage which ensued after the Vick story was released, several states tightened their laws about dog fighting. This drew public attention to the horrors surrounding the dog fighting industry which all dog lovers pray will help to end this cruel and inhumane "sport" permanently.
Some loyal supporters still feel that Vick's punishment was more severe than deserved due to his celebrity profile and that people make mistakes in judgment.
What are your thoughts? Do you feel that Vick's punishment fits the crime? Leave a comment and share.
Stories about "coincidences" which seem to randomly occur online always capture my interest. I am particularly enamored with stories pertaining to animals. Of course I am of the opinion that while we may think that we are searching for that purrfect furry companion, I suspect that somehow these pets have their very well developed radar working full blast and they find us. Of course the proof is in the pudding, so to speak, and I think that this little "tail" certainly gives a lot of credence to my suspicion.
One of my internet pals, and blog mentors, JJ, also known to the blogosphere as Astaryth, is also a very talented photographer and writer. Since networking is very popular with bloggers, we get to meet some of the most amazing people, and learn so much about their interests and hobbies.
JJ, a follower of the blog, "Putting the Fun in DysFUNctional", found a delicious entry with compelling photographs of some adorable kittens a few weeks ago while reading the entry, http://luvmydoxies.blogspot.com/2009/04/wordful-wednesday-kitten-edition.html. She also follows the blogger on Twitter where she read a "tweet" that these fostered kittens were being neutered and spayed in preparation for an upcoming adoption event. JJ contacted her since she lived nearby, to tell her that one of the kittens had already made paw prints on her heart.
Visiting the local PetSmart where the adoption event was being held, she saw the little black and white kitten, and after holding her, it took only a nanoseconds to decide that the little tuxedo ball of fur had captured her heart; a permanent loving home had been found.
Of course, a very special name was in order. Taken from the Greek Mythology, she was named Nyx, (the primordial goddess of the night). Of course her tiny paws will grow big enough to fit that very powerful moniker. It seems that Nyx felt totally at home from the very moment she arrived at her permanent new digs.
In her email announcing her new family member, she wrote, "My husband just laughed and laughed when I got home. I've almost exclusively had black cats all my life. My D.K. which I had lost to cancer at 13 two years ago was a tuxedo. I had said when I was ready for a new kitty (yes, it took a long time) I was going to get something besides black, and -definitely- not a Tuxedo because I miss D.K. so much.
"Nyx walked into our house and into our hearts. There was none of the usual getting used to being in a new place. She came in, checked the place out, and within an hour it was as if she had always been with us. Her foster Mommy obviously did a wonderful job of giving her confidence in herself. She is just a delight and makes us laugh and laugh. She and Morgan, our Corgi, accepted each other within minutes of her coming into our home and they are both my little loves, and I look forward to many years of love, laughter, and joy from the two of them."
Now I ask you, isn't this just one of the most magical adoption stories you have read? I do believe that "when the pupil is ready the teacher appears." I bet that Nyx has already taught JJ a few things. Nyx has reminded me that remaining open to a window of opportunity to receive the love that a pet can offer, (even if in our rational minds it is not something we might consider), that we have been chosen. It is a good thing to surrender to that magic.
Watching the Preakness Stakes in the Company of Cats
I must preface today's rather unusual blog item with a few introductory remarks. By now it is more than likely apparent to our readers that I am an avid animal lover. All felines have captured my heart, and while my experience with canines is less extensive, I am very fond of them and eager to learn more about this amazing species. It is also no secret to anyone, that I am passionate about horses, and actively involved in supporting legislations designed to protect our beloved equines from cruelty, neglect and slaughter.
Photo credit: AP Photo/Garry Jones This being said, on Saturday, May 16 at approximately 6:00 PM, my husband and I, along with our two cats, Hubble and Hush Puppy, made ourselves comfortable in front of our wide screen TV. Two weeks ago, we all watched the Kentucky Derby together and were blown away by Mine That Bird's phenomenal win, so we were all eagerly awaiting the running of the Preakness Stakes. Now you may think I am fabricating a tale here but believe it or not, our cats must have intuitively "picked up" our enthusiasm and anticipation. They usually just flop on my hip and catch their "zzzzzzzs" but they were wide awake and watching, just as they did for the 135th running of the most exciting two minutes in horse racing; The Kentucky Derby.
Of course this past Saturday's Preakness Stakes was a record-setting day in horse racing. For the first time since 1924, during Calvin Coolidge's Presidency, has a filly won the Preakness Stakes; the second leg of the Triple Crown. This is one of the most prestigious races in the Sport of Kings. I was immediately struck by the interesting coincidence that the filly named Rachel Alexandra's talented jockey shared the same first name as the former president. "This has to be a good omen", I thought. And I beamed when Calvin Borel rode the filly to victory. The crowd went wild! With Mine-That-Bird, the 50 to 1 long shot Kentucky Derby winner right behind her, that fabulously athletic filly, Rachel Alexandra captured the Black- Eyed- Susans, by one length.
However, once the race was over, and all the hoopla was done for the day, our two cats assumed their usual position . . . glued to my hip . . . and back into dreamland. I do imagine however, that I caught one of them, as he drifted off for his nap, wishing it was possible for him to become a feline companion to such a gorgeous filly. After all, he is aware that most horses enjoy an intelligent and affectionate feline to keep them company.
Another week has come and gone. I bet you that most of us are all shouting, "T.G.I.F".
With aching sore shoulders and a disgruntled back caused by sitting at my computer for hours on end, I, for one, am looking forward to a relaxing weekend.
But come to think of it . . . purrhaps a soothing massage may be just the ticket to gently launch me into a much needed restful and peaceful space. But where can I find the best masseuse?
I think I have located one that is just purrfect for me. In fact, on one of my internet surfing adventures, I ran across a short intriguing video uploaded to YouTube by chadamoc7 promoting a promising professional massage therapist.
Now all I have to do is to make an appointment. I just hope he has an opening. He obviously has earned his motto, "The paws that refreshes".
It would indeed be a doggone shame if the video did not relax you. We knead to know if there were beneficial effects from watching, so please leave a comment and let us know . . . either way!
ASPCA Helps Get Animal Cruelty Conviction at Puppy Mill
I must applaud the ASPCA's tireless work in regard to exposing the deplorable conditions of puppy and kitten mills around the country. Late last week, I learned about a victory toward that end, which was won through the efforts of Dr. Melinda Merck, the ASPCA Senior Director of Veterinary Forensics. In March, 2009, the conviction that she helped obtain, by her testimony at the trial of Kathy Bauck, the operator of Pick of the Litter Kennels in New York Mills, Minnesota.
This breeder not only sells animals to pet stores, but also on the Internet and has housed, on the property up to 1,300 dogs of at least 32 different breeds. This breeder was first arrested in August 2008, charged with an array of counts of torture, animal cruelty and also practicing veterinary medicine without a license. However, on March 24, her four and a half day trial which included six hours of jury deliberation, she was cleared of all felony charges, but was found guilty of four misdemeanors; one count of animal cruelty and three counts of animal torture.
It is this writer's opinion, however, that the punishment may not fit the "crimes". While the ASPCA and other animal welfare groups work diligently to stop these abuses, I strongly feel that individuals sitting on juries in cases like the one cited above, need to take stronger action in order to support the groups who are so motivated and dedicated in their attempt to end these inhumane acts toward innocent animals.
Jason Smith, a free-lance animal cruelty investigator started working at Pick of the Litter in early 2008, in order to collect evidence against Ms. Bauck. He provided the Otter Tail County Sheriff's detectives with videos and his personal testimony of the alleged abuse occurring at the facility. Included in the footage of the videos were starving and injured dogs and showed Ms Bauck dipping dogs into vats containing insecticide. Dr. Merck was contacted by the veterinarian working with the prosecution about a month before the trial was scheduled. She said, "I was asked by the prosecutor to review all the video and case files and provide expert opinion."
Since Pick of the Litter had a history of complaints and citations dating back to a 2006 cease-and-desist order from the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine in response to learning that Ms.Bauck was performing surgery on her animals without a license, both the facility and Ms.Bauck were no strangers to the ASPCA investigators.
Bob Baker, ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Initiatives Investigator said, "Kathy Bauck has been a chronic problem. I visited her facility in 1998 and reported her to the USDA for violations of the Animal Welfare Act--but as far as I know, there was no follow-up on the part of USDA." One has to wonder why there was no follow up action at that time.
On Friday, May 1, after her sentencing hearing, Ms. Bauck was given 90 days in jail, 20 of which are to be served immediately. Only if she violates her probation, will she have to serve the other 70 days. Additionally, she was also sentenced to 80 hours of community service by the officiating judge, who added that she must allow unscheduled inspection visits in all areas of her facility if she plans to continue her participation in the operations of the kennel.
What is it going to take to once-and- for- all shut down such a facility that demonstrates incompetence and lack of concern for their animals? I just don't understand this at all.
What are your thoughts about puppy and kitten mills? Do you feel that these facilities should be banned from doing business? Leave a comment and share your opinions.
Is your cat a "wool eater"? Have you discovered your cat chewing on items around your house which puzzle you? While not extremely common, there are kitties that seem to delight in ingesting objects which can totally mystify and frustrate their caretakers. In fact, I cannot recall how many times I have been asked about why some cats seem to be magnetically attracted to non-food items and appear to eat them with gusto. In my experience, Siamese and Oriental Shorthairs seem on the top ten hit parade for consuming these unusual items, demonstrating a passionate zest for wool sucking and chewing on wooden objects.
But of all the cats with which I have shared my heart and home, the weirdest one was a half-Siamese neuter named Nemesis, whose obsession for wool nearly drove me crazy. One night when my husband was taking a shower, without thinking, he left his expensive brand new wool bathrobe on the bed. Several minutes later I heard a blood-curdling shriek emanating from the bedroom. I dashed into the room, worried that he may have fallen; thankfully he was fine. But I fell on the floor laughing after discovering that Nemesis had chewed a gigantic hole in the back of my husband's bathrobe.
The "cupboard was bare", so to speak. My husband became unglued as he modeled his "air conditioned" bathrobe and of course he was highly concerned about our cat. Two hours later, much to our relief, Nemesis upchucked the remnants of his "bedtime snack".
The ingestion of non-food items for both cats and humans is due to a condition called Pica. The underlying cause of this disorder is not precisely understood, but it is by its very nature, extremely dangerous to a cat, since indigestible items can become lodged in the intestines and cause considerable damage. A few of the more popular objects range from wool, leather, wood and shoes, to rubber, silk, rubber bands and even children's plastic toys.
Some experts theorize that this condition may be caused by nutritional deficiencies, or even feline leukemia, or feline Aids. If your cat is dining on non food delicacies, it is crucial to arrange an appointment with your veterinarian.
A practical and easy first line of defense which protects your cat and your possessions is to keep these objects away from your cat and stored safely out of reach. I also had a kitty that loved to chew on my stuffed animals, so sadly I had to relegate my collection into the closet.
Veterinary Checkups: How Often are they Really Required?
I was rather amazed and somewhat alarmed at the results of one of the most recent polls on Petside.com. The question was "How often do you take your pet to the vet?"
The results were:
(28.57%): once a year
(12.99%): every 3 months
(18.18%): twice a year
(40.26%): only when they're sick or need shots
After I participated in the poll and learned that I was in the 18.18% of responders who picked "twice a year" as an answer. What concerned me greatly was the rather overwhelming majority of folks who take their pets to the vet only when their pets are sick or need "annual" vaccinations.
Based on my 40 plus years of experience being owned by some amazing kitties, I feel strongly that that it is crucial that all pets minimally have annual wellness exams performed by a vet. Once a health baseline is established, it is much easier for our veterinarians to catch any subtle changes in our pet's physical condition. Since animals age approximately seven times more "rapidly" than humans, it is far more essential that annual exams are performed to rule out any serious illnesses, any physical discomfort and hidden injuries. Since my cats are now senior "catizens", they receive bi-annual exams.
Additionally, as our pets get older, routine blood tests and other diagnostic tests given will be able to facilitate the diagnosis of any serious underlying medical conditions. Early detection and treatment can add many years of excellent quality to our pet's lifespan. Aging pets are at risk for diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid conditions and other medical problems. If these conditions are discovered early they are far easier to be successfully treated or controlled. Additionally the cost of veterinary care through early detection is frequently far less expensive than a condition which has remained dormant or undiscovered for long periods of time.
Annual visits allow our vets to monitor our pet's weight more accurately. Since obesity is a common problem for our pets, due to overfeeding, giving those extra yummy treats too often and lack of exercise, the annual examination is an ideal time to discuss any needed dietary changes. Overweight pets are at high risk for heart disease and other serious medical conditions.
Annual dental checkups, especially in older pets are essential to their overall health as well. Checking for and treating cavities, bad breath and oral infections can prevent a host of systemic problems, and help preserve our pet's wellbeing. There is nothing more rewarding to pet owners than a bright, white pet smile!
The annual exam also provides us an opportunity to discuss any behavioral problems which may have presented themselves. Litter box avoidance and personality changes are often a sign that something is amiss. So that famous saying, "an ounce of prevention prevents a pound of cure" certainly applies to remind us to arrange those annual veterinary exams.
How often do you bring your pet for a complete head to paw examination? Tell us about your veterinary schedules by leaving a comment.
World's Oldest Pooch Turns 147! In dog years, that is...
Ahhh ....the "dog days of summer" will soon be upon us, but apparently for one special Dachshund, counting the number of those hot and sultry days might indeed be difficult.
The Guinness Book of World Records presented this senior "dogizen" a certificate naming her as the World's Oldest Dog. Chanel, bless her little doggie heart, just turned twenty one on May 6, 2009. I am truly impressed! Chanel was also presented with a visit to a doggie hotel and spa to for further pooch pampering.
Jamie Panas, a spokesperson for the Guinness Book of world records said, "Chanel is the Guinness world record holder for the oldest living dog." A veterinarian's certificate was presented as well.
Photo credit: Meredith Daniels, Newsday / MCT In "dog" years, Ms.Chanel has reached the incredible age of 147. The former record holder was a dog named Butch, who lived to the astounding age of 28, which calculated into dog years to be 198.
This little lady is seriously doted upon by her fur "mom", Denise Shaughnessy, a high school principal's secretary. She adopted this canine celebrant when she was just a tender six week old puppy, from a Virginia rescue shelter. While Chanel could run circles around most folks when younger, she takes it easy these days. She tires easily, suffers from joint problems, a benign tumor on her hind leg, and must wear dark glasses to protect her eyes, which are covered with cataracts. She does take short daily walks, but prefers to lounge around the house most of the time.
Taking everything into consideration, Chanel continues to live a protected peaceful life in the company of her loving owners. According to Mrs. Shaughnessy, she takes excellent care of her and commented during the birthday celebration, "I treat her like a person."
While providing Chanel the best physical care and feeding her nutritious dog food may be mainly responsible for her lofty age, I would bet my bottom dollar that Chanel must also have inherited some powerfully healthy genetics that have contributed to her extended long life. But no matter what the reason, The Shaughnessy family definitely has reason to celebrate this auspicious occasion.
So Happy Birthday from all of us to you, sweet Chanel. You are truly an inspiration for all pet lovers in the world.
Watch part of the birthday celebration with the video uploaded to YouTube by miolesou.
Do you think that advanced veterinary care and improved nutrition has extended the lifespan of our pets? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.
Glow in the Dark Dogs - Medical Research or Animal Testing?
While I have often written about some of the exciting and promising research which scientists working in tandem with veterinarians are using to treat dogs and cats, many of these procedures may positively impact the treatment of humans as well. But after I read this "breaking news" in the field of animal research, I am also compelled to express my dismay and concern about some of the lengths researchers are going to in order to find "cures" for human diseases.
A group of scientists in South Korea have recently announced that they have "engineered" four beagles that "glow red" through the use of cloning techniques. These scientists hope their research will develop cures for humans.
Photo by AP Photo/ Seoul National University, HO
Ruppy two days old: the world's first transgenic female
beagle dog carrying fluorescent genes The South Korean scientists are presently working with four beagles, all of whom are named "Ruppy", a name which combines "ruby" and "puppy". The dogs appear to be "normal" beagles in daylight but they glow red using ultraviolet light. Their thin-skinned nails and abdomens appear red even to the naked eye. Professor Lee Byeong-chun, the head of the research team at Seoul National University calls them "the world's first transgenic dogs carrying fluorescent genes; an achievement that goes beyond just the glowing novelty."
Professor Lee told the Associated Press, "What's significant in this work is not the dogs expressing red colors but that we planted genes into them." The team has identified, through DNA tests, the dogs as clones of a cell donor, and announced their accomplishment on "Genesis", the Journal Website.
U.S. and Japanese scientists have already cloned fluorescent pigs and mice, but this development is a breakthrough since this is the first time modified genes have been successfully cloned in dogs, according to Professor Lee.
Skin cells extracted from a beagle by the team who inserted the fluorescent genes into the dogs, implanted them into eggs, and then inserted them into a local mixed breed surrogate female dog's womb.
While further details have not been announced so far as research is still continuing, Dr. Lee is hopeful that this procedure will lead to finding new treatments for conditions like Parkinson's, a genetic disease. Veterinary professor Kong II-keun of South Korea's Gyeongsang National University said, "We can appraise this is a step forward" toward finding cures for human diseases. What is important now is on what specific diseases (Lee's team) will focus on."
Read more: "South Korea claims to have cloned glowing dogs to help cure human diseases" by visiting http://www.nydailynews.com
While I feel strongly that research geared to find cures for both human and animal disease continues, why can't scientists use "in vitro" methods as an alternative to experimenting on live animals? Usually more accurate, in vitro is far easier to perform, is less expensive, and most of all does not require using live animals for research. With the modern techniques available to scientists today, I cannot understand the continuation of using live animals in research geared to human medicine. Perhaps I am alone in my feelings, but it really gets to me.
What are your thoughts about live animal research in the field of human medical science? Leave a comment and share.
Springtime is the season when those of us who enjoy gardening and landscaping are once again busy mowing lawns, visiting nurseries to buy those beautiful plants and in general decorating and getting our green thumbs working. We are relieved that winter is a thing of the past, and we passionately spend time in our gardens, we enthusiastically plant shrubs and flower beds.
Even though some plants may be quite attractive, at the same time, we need to exercise caution and be mindful of the types of plants that we bring into our homes, no matter how appealing, or how beautiful they may be. Many plants appear benign but some plants can be extremely toxic and hazardous to our dogs and cats.
One of these horticultural lovelies, The Sago Palm while it is an attractive houseplant is also highly toxic to pets. According to an article I found while recently researching poisonous plants, the sago palm, also known as the Coontie Palm, Cardboard Palm, cycads and zamias; Scientific name: Cycas revoluta, zamia species, is a plant that causes severe reactions, such as vomiting, melena, increased thirst, bruising, gastrointenteritis, blood problems, liver damage and failure which may result in death.
Family: Cycadaceae
Toxicity: Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Horses
Toxic Principles: Cycasin
The ASPCA has seen an increase of more than 200 percent sago palm and cycad poisonings since 2003, most of them have resulted in fatalities. Veterinary toxicologist and vice president of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant warns that all parts of the plant are toxic, "not just the seeds or nuts".
So, dear gardener and plant lovers, please take the extra time to research plants with which you plan to surround your home, whether it is in your garden or in your home. Visit the ASPCA's website which lists toxic plants at http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/
If you suspect your pet has ingested any toxic plant, call your veterinarian immediately or call the ASPCA 24 hour hotline poison control center directly at: 1-888-426-4435.
What precautions do you take when adding plants to your garden or your home? Leave a comment and share your experience with us.
Having lived with felines and involved in the fascinating world of these magnificent creatures for over 40 years, both as a former CFA registered breeder of Siamese, Oriental Shorthairs, Burmese and Russian Blues, and also as a concerned cat servant and writer, I have yet to find a topic which is more explosive and controversial, which also sparks a huge emotional reaction for cat owners, than the subject of declaw surgery.
While this item is not designed as a debate, I felt that presenting the facts rather dispassionately, providing them may help owners to make a more informed decision.
The USA has not banned this practice, though twenty-five other countries around the world have already made the surgery illegal, as it is considered cruelty to animals. What concerns me more are the number of people who elect to have their cats declawed, are not routinely given all the facts about what declaw surgery entails, so are not completely informed. As a result, owners are often shocked by common post-surgical complications, protracted pain and behavioral problems which declawed cats often display. A few concerned veterinarians in the United States are already refusing to perform this procedure.
While the American Veterinary Medical Association's stance on declawing reads, "Declawing of domestic cats should be considered only after attempts have been made to prevent the cat from using its claws destructively or when its clawing presents a zoonotic risk for its owner(s) and adds, "It is the obligation of veterinarians to provide cat owners with complete education with regard to feline onychectomy", it is not my experience that this information is freely shared with clients. In fact, many people are shocked by post-surgical complications and behavioral problems which frequently occur after the surgery has been performed.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, (HSUS), "People choose to declaw their cats for a number of reasons: Some are frustrated with shredded drapes or furniture, some are worried about being scratched, and others simply feel that a declawed cat is easier to live with. In many cases, cats are declawed preemptively, as a part of a spay/neuter package offered by veterinarians, even before claw-related problems occur".
"Declawing is not a simple surgery", HSUS continues. "Too often people believe that declawing is a simple surgery that removes a cat's nails, the equivalent of a person having her fingernails trimmed. Sadly, this is far from the truth. Declawing traditionally involves the amputation of the last bone of each toe and, if performed on a human being, it would be comparable to cutting off each finger at the last knuckle. Declawing can leave cats with a painful healing process, long-term health issues, and numerous behavior problems. This is especially unfortunate because declawing is an owner-elected procedure and unnecessary for the vast majority of cats."
Here is additional data extrapolated from a study of cats that were declawed.
Published 2/1/03 on CourierPostOnline.com, "Eighty percent of the cats that are surrendered that are declawed are euthanized because they have a behavioral problem.... Declawed cats frequently become biters and also stop using litter boxes... One or the other...," said William Lombardi shelter director, Gloucester County, New Jersey. A study of 163 cats that underwent onychectomy (declawing), published in the Jul/Aug 1994 Journal of Veterinary Surgery, showed that 50% suffered from immediate postoperative complications such as pain, hemorrhage, and lameness; and long-term complications, including prolonged lameness, were found in nearly 20% of the 121 cats who were followed up on in the study.
It is this writer's opinion that declawing is an unnecessary procedure. With patient and consistent training and seeking alternatives, a cat's claws can be safely preserved, resulting in a happier and much better behaved kitty.
What are some alternatives to declaw surgery? Actually they are rather simple and relatively inexpensive when compared to the cost of the procedure with possible serious side-effects.
* Provide your cat with a rough textured scratching post that is high enough to allow the cat to stretch out fully.
*Cats need their claws to be able to stretch and balance. A cat tree is an excellent alternative as well.
*Soft paws, (vinyl coverings glued to the claw) prevent scratches and damage to property.
* Learning to trim your cat's claws, keeping them short and blunt works wonders to prevent scratches.
I am a complete sucker for all animals. As a result I throw caution to the winds.
Frequently it is "love at first sight" and I get hooked quickly. I am not just talking about our common house pets such as cats and dogs, gerbils or even ferrets; I must admit I am absolutely fascinated by domestic mice and rats.
Don't tell anybody, but when we lived in upstate New York, I even went out of my way, to feed a family of little grey house mice that visited us when pickings were slim during the height of winter. My heart went out to an adorable brown mouse on our kitchen floor early one morning, while he was sitting up on his haunches staring at me with the saddest deep brown eyes. How could I refuse a meal to such a starving little critter? Of course I limited their nutritional supplementation to the kitchen, a room in our house which was off limit to our cats.
My husband was very worried about my sanity, but fortunately for the teeny mice...he did not thwart my need to nurture them. Don't worry, no harm came to any of us; they only showed up early in the morning to grab a bite and then retreated back to the outdoors once spring arrived.
So after extensive research I was delighted to learn that domesticated mice and rats make excellent pets. While their wild brethren can rank high on the list of rodents considered pests since they may carry disease, they also are an integral part of our ecosystem. However, the domestic varieties bear little resemblance to their wild counterparts. Domesticated for over a century, these diminutive darlings still are not completely accepted. They continue to be highly misunderstood species by many people who remain prejudiced against them.
With limited space in our homes, or if we reside in apartments where cats and dogs are not permitted, why can't folks consider them as an ideal substitute for more traditional pets? After all they take up little room, are inexpensive to care for, are highly intelligent and affectionate to their humans, and are entertaining to watch. They actually interact with people much in the same way as our canine and feline companions.
They rarely bite and once an owner learns the correct way to handle them, they can be trained easily. However since they are gnawing animals, they should not be permitted to roam the house freely, as wooden furniture may be just too tempting to ignore.
And if you happen to have a resident feline, with introductions made carefully and patiently, domesticated rats and cats can become the best of buddies. If you doubt the veracity of this statement, take a moment to watch this amazing video uploaded to YouTube by chibudgielvr.
What blew me away is that the video already has over 4,222,884 hits. Chibudgielvr writes, "Rat loves cat... cat tolerates rat. A really cute interspecies relationship :) My rat, Peanut, follows (my cat) Ranj around everywhere! She gives him kisses and hugs." The charming background music is "Sock Hop" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com).
Don't you wish that the world's diverse population would get along so well? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.
I am constantly amazed at the astounding procedures being developed in the field of veterinary medicine today. With each and every new treatment I read about, it get a great deal of hope that should one of my pets become ill with a serious and difficult to manage condition, that there is a ray of sunshine on the horizon. Cody's story is just one of many innovative treatments which are being explored by progressive veterinarians around the country.
Coty, a very active and robust Alaskan Husky living in Richmond, Utah, got hit hard with degenerative arthritis. His owner, Dan Miller said it was hard to watch his dog, once capable of 40 mile runs lose mobility. He said, "Painkillers never really seemed to make a difference, at least in her stride, the limp in her stride."
She was treated with the many standard arthritis medications available, including glucosamine and acupuncture, but nothing seemed to help her to really make any significant progress. Mr. Miller was, of course was quite devastated with apparent options to help his beloved dog.
But that was when North Logan vet Dr. James Israelsen of the Mountain View Veterinary Health Clinic came to the rescue, suggesting stem cell treatment as a possible alternative. And since the procedure was very expensive, Dr. Israelsen even offered to perform the treatment at cost in order to cover his clinic's expenses, and payments to the Vet-Stem of San Diego.
On March 16, 2009, Dr. Israelsen removed about 60 grams of fat from Coty. He shipped the material to Vet-Stem, in a specially prepared temperature-controlled container. Vet-Stem then extracted stem cells from the dog's fat, shipping them back to Dr. Israelsen's clinic. Dr. Israelsen then injected the cells right into Coty's elbow, the joint that was affected. This process took about three days to perform.
According to Mr. Miller, although Cody is not yet showing any signs of progress so far, Dr. Israelsen says that this is not uncommon. He says it may take between one and three months from the time of the injection for improvement to become evident. Dr. Israelsen is indeed a pioneer in the field of veterinary stem-cell treatment, as most practitioners use more traditional drugs and therapies, many of which have been used for humans over the years. And if it works on Cody, perhaps his success will open many doors for human treatment as well.
So you bet I will be doing a heck of a lot of research online shortly to learn of any updates about Cody's progress.
How do you feel about non-traditional treatments for pets? Leave a comment with your opinion.
I love receiving gifts! When the UPS man delivers packages to the front door, generally I know what products I have ordered, but the other day a mysterious box appeared. I had no idea what was in this cardboard box.
The only clue was the return label marked "entirelypets.com". What in the world did this package contain? My curiosity piqued, I could hardly wait to open it!
I don't know about your cats, but I have, on several occasions, caught our two kitties surfing the Internet. Of course, since they are predators by nature they enjoy hunting! New cat products are of particular interest. While reading is not their strong suit, they sure can recognize a cat toy that strongly appeals. In fact, I suspect that my two fur kids are gifted with a special form of feline only E.S.P (extra sensory purrception).
Since Mother's Day is around the corner, my two delightful felines obviously thought that the name of the holiday was "Mouser's Day", and since I have not been blessed with human children, the cats took pity on me and found me a present. Of course, logically this gift was based upon the research they undertook to ensure that I would enjoy playing with this intriguing toy as much as they would. I am sure they must have secretly planned hours of uninterrupted play time with this new gadget. Bless their little furry hearts!
They bought "us" an Undercover Mouse! I quickly assembled it, and placing it on the floor, I immediately turned on the power. Driven by three AA batteries (not included), the little mouse tail hiding under the bright yellow plastic sleeve ran around in circles at varying speeds, tantalizing my cats unlike any other toy they have in their collection. I was mesmerized and overjoyed that they were having so much fun. This toy is not one that will soon become boring!
Since we have developed a real fondness for the Undercover Mouse, my cats have pleaded with me to spread the word by writing this short review. Hubble and Hush Puppy are lovingly reaching out to all kitties who enjoy Internet access and who may be carefully purrusing the optimum "Mouser's Day" present. They said, "Rest assured, fellow felines, this toy will be a huge hit in your home. Just make sure that you order spare tail and feather wands with your order to keep the fun going."
To have a first paw experience of the toy, watch this short video. We think it will clinch the deal!
Have you noticed any unusual charges on your credit cards lately? Just ask your kitties about them; They may give you one of those "Cheshire Cat" smiles.
