Here is our first video! Let us know if you have suggestions for the next show let us know. It's my first video so please excuse the nervousness. I hope you like it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C871YDLqBjA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Showing posts with label animal rescue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label animal rescue. Show all posts
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Monday, June 3, 2013
Do I Really Need To Get Kittens In Pairs?
The answer to this question is only if you want a well socialized adult cat. Kittens need each other to learn how to be well rounded cats. This can only be taught by being with other kittens or other cats. They need the mental, social and emotional stimulation that they can only give each other. If you think about it we can't learn how to meow from them anymore than we can teach them the English language. We need other humans like they need other cats. It just makes common sense.
http://www.goathouserefuge.org/two-kittens-are-easier-than-one/
http://www.mchumane.org/documents/kittencare.pdf
The above links have some very good insight into kittens. They are work and they are very, very, very busy. They also, like human children, haven't developed their adult personalities yet so just because they are sweet and snuggly now doesn't mean they will be as adults.
Having two kittens is actually easier than having one believe it or not. Two kittens will keep each other occupied and they will play with each other instead of bugging you all the time wanting to play! They will be tons of entertainment and will keep you laughing.
These pictures are very cute and show part of what playing is for kittens. If you only have one then this chewing and wrestling will happen on you instead of an appropriate playmate. Yes, you can show them a toy instead of you, but they are very social beings most of the time and will keep coming back to you for interaction.
They will pounce, jump and stalk one another as if they are prey which is very, very normal. If you have just one then they will do this with you! They may do this even if they do have a playmate, but redirecting them is easier if there is something else to focus their attention like another moving target that is their size and looks like them.
Another plus is when you are away from home, ex. at work, then they will have each other to snuggle with and play with so they are not bored. A bored kitten is like a bored puppy...destructive. They do not have the eduction yet to know right from wrong but if they have an appropriate playmate and appropriate toys then the likelihood of them getting into trouble is much lower.
Kittens are cute but if you want a pet whose personality is already developed then you might want to consider an adult for many reasons but 1) you know what you're getting personality wise, and 2) the chances of him/her doing well alone (if you only want one) are higher.
If you aren't sure what you want, then you might want to consider fostering until you know for sure. Not only does it save a life, it gives you a chance to spend time with an animal and give it a good home until the right family comes a long. It is definitely rewarding. Check with your local rescue organizations or shelters for more information.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope this has given you some insight. Tell your family and friends about us and if you have a topic you'd like to see discussed please let us know. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Flipbook! Again, thanks for reading.
http://www.goathouserefuge.org/two-kittens-are-easier-than-one/
http://www.mchumane.org/documents/kittencare.pdf
The above links have some very good insight into kittens. They are work and they are very, very, very busy. They also, like human children, haven't developed their adult personalities yet so just because they are sweet and snuggly now doesn't mean they will be as adults.
Having two kittens is actually easier than having one believe it or not. Two kittens will keep each other occupied and they will play with each other instead of bugging you all the time wanting to play! They will be tons of entertainment and will keep you laughing.
These pictures are very cute and show part of what playing is for kittens. If you only have one then this chewing and wrestling will happen on you instead of an appropriate playmate. Yes, you can show them a toy instead of you, but they are very social beings most of the time and will keep coming back to you for interaction. They will pounce, jump and stalk one another as if they are prey which is very, very normal. If you have just one then they will do this with you! They may do this even if they do have a playmate, but redirecting them is easier if there is something else to focus their attention like another moving target that is their size and looks like them.
Another plus is when you are away from home, ex. at work, then they will have each other to snuggle with and play with so they are not bored. A bored kitten is like a bored puppy...destructive. They do not have the eduction yet to know right from wrong but if they have an appropriate playmate and appropriate toys then the likelihood of them getting into trouble is much lower.
Kittens are cute but if you want a pet whose personality is already developed then you might want to consider an adult for many reasons but 1) you know what you're getting personality wise, and 2) the chances of him/her doing well alone (if you only want one) are higher.
If you aren't sure what you want, then you might want to consider fostering until you know for sure. Not only does it save a life, it gives you a chance to spend time with an animal and give it a good home until the right family comes a long. It is definitely rewarding. Check with your local rescue organizations or shelters for more information.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope this has given you some insight. Tell your family and friends about us and if you have a topic you'd like to see discussed please let us know. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Flipbook! Again, thanks for reading.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
The Weekend Was Busy...
There was just so much to do and not enough time to get it all done, but isn't that always the case. As far as our furry friends go, there is of course news to tell on the rescue front. There were a couple of kittens found on a nearby highway that were picked up by a fellow volunteer so they are now safe. There are always animals in danger of being euthanized at our local shelters as well because of space issues (i.e. too many animals coming in and nowhere to put them so they have to euthanize the ones there to make room). Then of course there are always adoption events for the animal rescue organization I volunteer with. The picture below is me holding a 6 week old kitten named Buttercup.
She is so sweet and had been playing off and on for the entire 3 hours she was at the event. We of course could not resist this photo opportunity. Would you have been able to resist her at all? I can't, that's for sure.
Then Thor and Megan, our Newfoundland nephew and niece, were there getting baths as well. Once they got done they were, as always, a big crowd draw and people were taking pictures of them and loving on them which they really live for. Thor's Wobbler's is getting worse apparently and he lost about 4-5 pounds this week which is really not good. He is so skinny it is truly breaking our hearts not just for him but for his parents as well. He of course puts on a brave face at the store. If you are owned by a large breed dog, please pay attention to their gate (walking habits) so you will know if it changes. There is no cure for Wobbler's.
All in all it was a great weekend and it is our hope to have many adoptions for the homeless animals and maybe even find some barn homes for homes with lots of land for some semi-feral cats. They are quite a help to those not only with barns but with lots of property.
If you are in the Raleigh, NC area and are willing to have at least one semi-feral cat on your property please contact me for some no costs details as to how you are able to have this for your land.
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and have a wonderful week. We'll talk more about the fur kids this week! Let me know if you have any specific you'd like me to discuss or if you have any input. Your family and friends might be interested in reading so please tell them about us and as always thanks for reading!
Monday, May 13, 2013
What Information Should You Trust When Looking Online? What Information Is Reliable?
Since we're all searching for answers on the internet nowadays I thought I would address what we should all be doing as pet parents when searching for answers. The 'world wide web' is a fascinating place and full of great information and resources for us to gleen insight and answers. However, should we really be trusting this information and treating our pets ourselves?
My answer to that is no because there is no substitute for medical professional insight. I am a person who will admittedly research things prior to calling people but I have experience in medical problems with both animals and humans. While I will never know everything (nobody ever does) I feel I have the ability to recognize a true emergency and will rush my animal or myself or other family member to an emergency room in a heartbeat if I feel it's necessary.
So how do we know what's helpful and what is random information someone made up? That is the harder part. I personally look for things that come from vets themselves who have experience, trainers, behaviorists, etc. I look for the length of time they have been in their specific business. I look at the actual experience they have in the field in which I'm researching.
I try to stay away from sites such as wikipedia because if universities do not allow it as a reliable resource then I won't trust it for information I'm looking for regarding the health of my furry and non-furry family members. Wikipedia is also a site others can add information to which may or may not be verified by someone in that field.
Our society is so '.com' oriented that researching information isn't all that uncommon. When we get into trouble when we start trusting all of the information we come across. If we are uncertain so to what to do after looking at information and our pet is eating and drinking and not acting in immediate danger then I personally just call the vet and tell them what is going on and let them tell me what to do. Often vets will tell you to bring your pet in because they can't make a diagnosis over the phone; however, giving the vet as much information as possible (yes, including things like feces and urine output, consistency, etc.) will help him/her tremendously. I do that with a vet our animal rescue organization uses frequently. I will send her an email sometimes including pictures to give her the best idea possible as to what is going on. Sometimes a phone call is necessary as well. If I do have to take the pet in then it will also save the vet time in asking unnecessary questions because he/she already knows some of the history.
I will never tell anyone not to go see their vet if it makes them feel better. Ultimately that is the person who, besides you, knows your pet best. If you just don't feel right about their condition or know that something "just isn't right" then you should always go with your gut feeling because that is usually right. I have learned that the hard way through my years working with rescue animals.
We all have our pets' best interest in mind and they are family members, but like our children we can't run them to the doctor every time they sneeze once and in my opinion you shouldn't. Some things are just normal. It's okay not to be paranoid but I would not disregard any gut feelings you have either.
Just use common sense when researching information and when all else fails and you still aren't sure what to do or where to go then call your vet. They would rather you call and it be an easy question or nothing at all than to not call and it be something serious.
As always, thank you for reading and if you have any questions, comments or concerns please let us know. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook! We also have a magazine on Flipbook you can subscribe to as well! Tell you family and friends about us.
My answer to that is no because there is no substitute for medical professional insight. I am a person who will admittedly research things prior to calling people but I have experience in medical problems with both animals and humans. While I will never know everything (nobody ever does) I feel I have the ability to recognize a true emergency and will rush my animal or myself or other family member to an emergency room in a heartbeat if I feel it's necessary.
 |
| My personal cat Joleigh |
So how do we know what's helpful and what is random information someone made up? That is the harder part. I personally look for things that come from vets themselves who have experience, trainers, behaviorists, etc. I look for the length of time they have been in their specific business. I look at the actual experience they have in the field in which I'm researching.
I try to stay away from sites such as wikipedia because if universities do not allow it as a reliable resource then I won't trust it for information I'm looking for regarding the health of my furry and non-furry family members. Wikipedia is also a site others can add information to which may or may not be verified by someone in that field.
Our society is so '.com' oriented that researching information isn't all that uncommon. When we get into trouble when we start trusting all of the information we come across. If we are uncertain so to what to do after looking at information and our pet is eating and drinking and not acting in immediate danger then I personally just call the vet and tell them what is going on and let them tell me what to do. Often vets will tell you to bring your pet in because they can't make a diagnosis over the phone; however, giving the vet as much information as possible (yes, including things like feces and urine output, consistency, etc.) will help him/her tremendously. I do that with a vet our animal rescue organization uses frequently. I will send her an email sometimes including pictures to give her the best idea possible as to what is going on. Sometimes a phone call is necessary as well. If I do have to take the pet in then it will also save the vet time in asking unnecessary questions because he/she already knows some of the history.
I will never tell anyone not to go see their vet if it makes them feel better. Ultimately that is the person who, besides you, knows your pet best. If you just don't feel right about their condition or know that something "just isn't right" then you should always go with your gut feeling because that is usually right. I have learned that the hard way through my years working with rescue animals.
 |
| My personal cat Blackberry |
We all have our pets' best interest in mind and they are family members, but like our children we can't run them to the doctor every time they sneeze once and in my opinion you shouldn't. Some things are just normal. It's okay not to be paranoid but I would not disregard any gut feelings you have either.
Just use common sense when researching information and when all else fails and you still aren't sure what to do or where to go then call your vet. They would rather you call and it be an easy question or nothing at all than to not call and it be something serious.
As always, thank you for reading and if you have any questions, comments or concerns please let us know. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook! We also have a magazine on Flipbook you can subscribe to as well! Tell you family and friends about us.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Time For A Poll!
So we've been doing this blog for almost two months now and we'd like to get your input! What topics do you want to see here? What do you want to see discussed on any blog? What do you research the most? What is most concerning to you?
Let us know what YOU want to talk about. After all, you are the reason we do this in the first place. You and your pet are important to us. We just want to get the information out there to everyone and educate people.
I've been in animal rescue for going on 7 years and I have seen and done a lot of things. People can be very, very cruel or they can be very, very giving. There has been one constant, though...the animals. They are the ones who are 99.9% of the time forgiving and the ones who aren't can't help it because of emotional damage that is irreparable.
A friend and I even stopped and picked up a rabbit that had been hit by a car when we were on the way to our vet to see if it could be saved. That is the kind of people animal rescuers are. They want to save the ones that others drive by and think "oh that poor animal".
But I digress. We can talk about anything you want to read about. If we don't know the answer then chances are someone we know will know. We know the experts.
Send us an email, tweet, message on Facebook or just leave us a note here! Doesn't matter how you get it here, just tell us about it!
We love to talk about our animals and I know you do too. We research everything our pets do and I know you do too so why not have one stop shopping. Why not let us do the research for you?
Whatever it is please let us know. Doesn't matter if it's medical, physical, mental, social, behavioral, etc. Give it your best!
We look forward to hearing from all you regardless of where you're from. Thanks for continuing to read and we appreciate each and every one of you.
Let us know what YOU want to talk about. After all, you are the reason we do this in the first place. You and your pet are important to us. We just want to get the information out there to everyone and educate people.
I've been in animal rescue for going on 7 years and I have seen and done a lot of things. People can be very, very cruel or they can be very, very giving. There has been one constant, though...the animals. They are the ones who are 99.9% of the time forgiving and the ones who aren't can't help it because of emotional damage that is irreparable.
A friend and I even stopped and picked up a rabbit that had been hit by a car when we were on the way to our vet to see if it could be saved. That is the kind of people animal rescuers are. They want to save the ones that others drive by and think "oh that poor animal".
But I digress. We can talk about anything you want to read about. If we don't know the answer then chances are someone we know will know. We know the experts.
Send us an email, tweet, message on Facebook or just leave us a note here! Doesn't matter how you get it here, just tell us about it!
We love to talk about our animals and I know you do too. We research everything our pets do and I know you do too so why not have one stop shopping. Why not let us do the research for you?
Whatever it is please let us know. Doesn't matter if it's medical, physical, mental, social, behavioral, etc. Give it your best!
We look forward to hearing from all you regardless of where you're from. Thanks for continuing to read and we appreciate each and every one of you.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Want To Give Back To The Community But Don't Know How? Here's An Idea!
I am working in conjunction with the great people at Calvin's Paws to hold a fund raiser. This fundraiser will benefit animals like Bob (pictured on the right) who came from a local military vet who found him with his tail injured. The vet tested him for FIV and Feline Leukemia and Bob came back positive for FIV. Most vets do not understand FIV and want to euthanize the cat but not this one. He did not want to do this and did the surgery on Bob to amputate his tail and called Calvin's Paws. They said they would take him into their program and profusely thanked him for saving Bob's life. Bob is now a happy healthy boy waiting for his forever home.
On the left we have Mary Russell. She was found at a church by a good Samaritan covered in so many fleas she was anemic. She was given a couple of baths to get rid of all the fleas, lots of good food with liver (to help with the anemia) and all of her medical treatment. Her fosters were really afraid she wasn't going to make it but kept the faith and worked very hard with her and as you can tell by the picture she is very spoiled. She doesn't have a voice, however, and whispers which her adoptive mom (which just happens to be the foster home also) loves very much.
Here on the right is Meerkat. He was found with his brother, Manor. When these precious boys first came to their foster home they sat up like little meerkats which is where they got their names. Manor left his foster home to find his forever home. However, Meerkat's foster mom could not let his special little boy go so she adopted him! He was very sick as a kitten often running a temperature of over 103 which is definitely high for a cat whose normal temperature is 102. She would often stay home from work with him because she couldn't bear to leave him home alone so sick when all he wanted was to be held because he didn't feel good.
Yes, he is definitely a spoiled little boy who is able to get into cabinets and retrieve his own treats now. He is definitely mischievous but just look at that cute little face..how can you resist.
Animal rescue is thankless, tireless and ultimately rewarding when these precious furkids find their forever homes. I have had the pleasure of working with some of the most giving people I have ever met who have the biggest hearts in the world. Their pockets are always empty, their homes are never clean (to most people's standards) but their hearts are always full of love with these animals.
Whether they are fostering cats, dogs or both there is never a dull moment and always something to do but when you see them in a great home with a great family who spoils them more than you could ever imagine it is worth it.
These people need our help! It takes money to do what they do and they work off not only donations but their own money sometimes and there is truly never enough. If you want to give back to the community now is your chance! By purchasing some items from amyedwards.scentsy.us (the Calvin's Paws fundraiser party) you are giving to the cause. There are tons of products to choose from and 80 scents to choose from. If you are interested or have any questions at all please contact me and I can give you direction. You will be getting a great product and helping a great cause at the same time. What better way to spend your money and a little time!
For any comments or questions please send me an email with "Calvin's Paws fundraiser" in the subject line and I will get back to you quickly. If you have a topic you'd like to see discussed here please let us know. Please tell your friends and family not only about the blog itself but about this great fundraiser! Thanks for reading!
Yes, he is definitely a spoiled little boy who is able to get into cabinets and retrieve his own treats now. He is definitely mischievous but just look at that cute little face..how can you resist.
Animal rescue is thankless, tireless and ultimately rewarding when these precious furkids find their forever homes. I have had the pleasure of working with some of the most giving people I have ever met who have the biggest hearts in the world. Their pockets are always empty, their homes are never clean (to most people's standards) but their hearts are always full of love with these animals.
Whether they are fostering cats, dogs or both there is never a dull moment and always something to do but when you see them in a great home with a great family who spoils them more than you could ever imagine it is worth it.
These people need our help! It takes money to do what they do and they work off not only donations but their own money sometimes and there is truly never enough. If you want to give back to the community now is your chance! By purchasing some items from amyedwards.scentsy.us (the Calvin's Paws fundraiser party) you are giving to the cause. There are tons of products to choose from and 80 scents to choose from. If you are interested or have any questions at all please contact me and I can give you direction. You will be getting a great product and helping a great cause at the same time. What better way to spend your money and a little time!
For any comments or questions please send me an email with "Calvin's Paws fundraiser" in the subject line and I will get back to you quickly. If you have a topic you'd like to see discussed here please let us know. Please tell your friends and family not only about the blog itself but about this great fundraiser! Thanks for reading!
Friday, April 12, 2013
Shelters vs. Rescue Organizations: What's The Difference?
I'd like to discuss today the differences between shelters and rescue organizations because I've had a lot of people over my years of doing rescue be confused and ask questions about this very topic. It can be very confusing when several places are supposedly doing the same thing.
Here's the difference: most shelters do euthanize animals on at minimum a weekly basis while rescue organizations do not. A local organization in my area has said they are no kill, but this has only served to confuse people because they think the shelter is no kill when in fact it's the adoption center that is no kill. The shelter euthanizes animals on a regular basis.
Shelters do what they can to find homes for the animals brought to them but the reality is not every animal can be saved and there just isn't enough money, manpower or space to help all the animals that are in need. I would love to say there is, but that's not reality. The ultimate reality is these animals are in the cages like you see below, they get upper respiratory infections (most of them, especially the babies) and once they do they are euthanized because there isn't enough money to care for them.
Rescue organizations do not have enough of those things either (money, manpower or space) but most have a cap on the number of animals they bring in so they can wait until the right home for their animals is found. Then they can take in more. Pleas for help are constantly coming in so people do not have to take their animal to the shelter but another reality is there aren't enough foster homes for these animals.
Ok, so to answer the question "what's the difference?" There ultimately is no difference except for grant money and the people backing the organization. They are all working toward the same goal...the welfare of the animals and finding them new homes.
So the bigger question is what can you do to help? If you have room for one animal to foster in your home, if you can volunteer your time, if you can donate some of your money then it will help. Here are some rescue organizations in the Raleigh, NC, USA area that would be very glad to have you help out with anything you are able:
www.calvinspaws.org
www.bfpa.org
www.safehavenforcats.org
http://www.secondchancenc.org/
http://www.snowflakerescue.org/
These are just a few of the very many in the area. Of course there are also breed specific groups as well if that is your interest for both dogs and cats. Most of the groups I listed above have dogs and cats so if you want to foster or sponsor an animal just let them know.
Our economy is so tough right now and everyone is feeling the tightening of the belt, so to speak, and many of our animals are being surrendered because of finances. Please search for groups to see if they can help out or if there are avenues so you can keep your animal with you so they aren't euthanized. If it's not possible, then please consider fostering while the group is looking for a home for your pet. That way there are few moves as possible which creates stress on the animal and that can create medical issues.
As always, we welcome comments, questions and any topics you'd like to see discussed here. Our goal is to provide you with the information you seek. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and tell your family and friends about us! Thanks for reading.
Here's the difference: most shelters do euthanize animals on at minimum a weekly basis while rescue organizations do not. A local organization in my area has said they are no kill, but this has only served to confuse people because they think the shelter is no kill when in fact it's the adoption center that is no kill. The shelter euthanizes animals on a regular basis.
Shelters do what they can to find homes for the animals brought to them but the reality is not every animal can be saved and there just isn't enough money, manpower or space to help all the animals that are in need. I would love to say there is, but that's not reality. The ultimate reality is these animals are in the cages like you see below, they get upper respiratory infections (most of them, especially the babies) and once they do they are euthanized because there isn't enough money to care for them.
Rescue organizations do not have enough of those things either (money, manpower or space) but most have a cap on the number of animals they bring in so they can wait until the right home for their animals is found. Then they can take in more. Pleas for help are constantly coming in so people do not have to take their animal to the shelter but another reality is there aren't enough foster homes for these animals.
Ok, so to answer the question "what's the difference?" There ultimately is no difference except for grant money and the people backing the organization. They are all working toward the same goal...the welfare of the animals and finding them new homes.
So the bigger question is what can you do to help? If you have room for one animal to foster in your home, if you can volunteer your time, if you can donate some of your money then it will help. Here are some rescue organizations in the Raleigh, NC, USA area that would be very glad to have you help out with anything you are able:
www.calvinspaws.org
www.bfpa.org
www.safehavenforcats.org
http://www.secondchancenc.org/
http://www.snowflakerescue.org/
These are just a few of the very many in the area. Of course there are also breed specific groups as well if that is your interest for both dogs and cats. Most of the groups I listed above have dogs and cats so if you want to foster or sponsor an animal just let them know.
Our economy is so tough right now and everyone is feeling the tightening of the belt, so to speak, and many of our animals are being surrendered because of finances. Please search for groups to see if they can help out or if there are avenues so you can keep your animal with you so they aren't euthanized. If it's not possible, then please consider fostering while the group is looking for a home for your pet. That way there are few moves as possible which creates stress on the animal and that can create medical issues.
As always, we welcome comments, questions and any topics you'd like to see discussed here. Our goal is to provide you with the information you seek. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and tell your family and friends about us! Thanks for reading.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
What Breed Is Right For Me?
So you've come to the point in your life where you want a pet. That's great! Cat or dog? Male or female? What age? What breed? So many things to think about before adopting. These are all great things to think about but ultimately researching the breed in particular is what is more important because for the most part each cat will have the general personality of the breed. However, there are exceptions to every rule so it is also important to visit with the particular cat as well to determine personality. Remember, baby animals do not develop their personalities until they are a little older so at 2-3 months old you have no idea what their personality is going to be like at 6-8 months old and even older.
If you are wanting a laid back cat that loves their people and likes to snuggle and isn't much of a climber then an Abyssinian is probably not your cat because they love to climb and are extremely playful. If you think you want a dog but aren't sure about the responsibility then maybe a Maine Coon is good for you because they are known as dogs in cat suits. Leash training them is fairly easy and they are laid back cats but can get on the larger side.
Here are a couple of good resources for cat breeds and this will give you insight into their personality, intelligence (believe me that's important), playfulness, grooming requirements, etc.
http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/catselectorindex.do
http://simplycatbreeds.org/
Here are the dogs:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/abc.htm
Finding the right animal for your family, lifestyle, and/or home is very important because if you get the wrong one it can go very badly and the animal can end up at the shelter which always a bad ending for the animal.
Just keep in mind if you are not an active person then most dogs probably are not for you. If you are an active runner and like being outside then a very large, 'fluffy', dog is not for you. Just because it's a pretty animal doesn't mean he/she is right for you.
In my experience, the most loving and affectionate cats are Ragdolls/Ragamuffins. They are great family cats and are good with kids. They tend to bond with one person, though. Maine Coons can be very affectionate as well but are more aloof. They have a small voice for their large bodies which is entertaining to me. They can growl a little when they are talking but are in general very gentle creatures. They are the gentle giants of the cat world.
In my opinion, though, the most appreciative animals are rescued animals. Most of them have had a hard life or have been given up by their families and simply want a good home to live out their days and have a loving family to love on and give all their attention to. Whether you find an animal on the street and take it in or go to the shelter and save a life they will be so appreciative and will love you for the rest of their lives.
I hope this has helped you in trying to figure out where to start in your search for the right pet for your family.
As always, we welcome any comments and questions and if you have a topic you'd like to see discussed here please let us know. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and please tell your family and friends about us! Thanks so much for reading!
If you are wanting a laid back cat that loves their people and likes to snuggle and isn't much of a climber then an Abyssinian is probably not your cat because they love to climb and are extremely playful. If you think you want a dog but aren't sure about the responsibility then maybe a Maine Coon is good for you because they are known as dogs in cat suits. Leash training them is fairly easy and they are laid back cats but can get on the larger side.
Here are a couple of good resources for cat breeds and this will give you insight into their personality, intelligence (believe me that's important), playfulness, grooming requirements, etc.
http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/catselectorindex.do
http://simplycatbreeds.org/
Here are the dogs:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/abc.htm
Finding the right animal for your family, lifestyle, and/or home is very important because if you get the wrong one it can go very badly and the animal can end up at the shelter which always a bad ending for the animal.
Just keep in mind if you are not an active person then most dogs probably are not for you. If you are an active runner and like being outside then a very large, 'fluffy', dog is not for you. Just because it's a pretty animal doesn't mean he/she is right for you.
In my experience, the most loving and affectionate cats are Ragdolls/Ragamuffins. They are great family cats and are good with kids. They tend to bond with one person, though. Maine Coons can be very affectionate as well but are more aloof. They have a small voice for their large bodies which is entertaining to me. They can growl a little when they are talking but are in general very gentle creatures. They are the gentle giants of the cat world.
 | |
| This is a baby Maine Coon...cute! |
In my opinion, though, the most appreciative animals are rescued animals. Most of them have had a hard life or have been given up by their families and simply want a good home to live out their days and have a loving family to love on and give all their attention to. Whether you find an animal on the street and take it in or go to the shelter and save a life they will be so appreciative and will love you for the rest of their lives.
I hope this has helped you in trying to figure out where to start in your search for the right pet for your family.
As always, we welcome any comments and questions and if you have a topic you'd like to see discussed here please let us know. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and please tell your family and friends about us! Thanks so much for reading!
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Dehydration: How Do I Tell If My Pet Is Getting Enough Fluid?
Drinking water is important for every living thing from plants to animals. Our pets are obviously included in this so how do we as parents know if they are getting enough? How do we know if they are dehydrated? There are a few simple ways to tell. One very simple thing to do is to make sure to leave water out for them to drink at all times. That really is the best thing to do. However, if you are already doing that then just watch their activity level. Are they playing normally (or not playing as normal)? Do they seem interested in the same things they have always been interested in? If the answer is yes...great!
Here are some physical signs you can look for if you want to check further. Your pet's eyes should always be bright and shiny and alert. If they seem dull or 'sad' seeming then more than likely he/she doesn't feel good. Another physical test for dehydration that I use literally all the time is to test the animal's gums to make sure they are moist and pink. If they feel tacky and are white then the animal is dehydrated. They normally do not like it that much but if they fight you a lot then they probably do not feel too bad.
Another physical test is what I like to call the "tent test". I pull up the scruff (skin on the back of the neck) so it looks like a tent and then let go. If it goes right back down then you have perfect hydration. The longer it takes to go down the more dehydrated the animal. I have seen rescued animals so dehydrated the tent just stayed up when I let go. That type of dehydration takes an IV of fluid in the vet's office for a day or two. Also, keep a check on their breathing because if the breathing is a little faster than normal you'll want to check the other things mentioned here. Cats are particularly sensitive to dehydration and can go into shock so keep a close eye on them if you think your cat is dehydrated.
So, what do you do if your pet is dehydrated? Obviously fluid but what else? Unflavored Pedialyte
will work wonders for hydration. It has to be unflavored or the animal won't normally drink it, though. Any of the baby animal meal replacements you can find in the pet stores will work as well since they tend to like the taste and it's fluid. You can also give them a little canned food (the kind with gravy) in with their dry kibble as well. Just be sure to monitor how much they get at a time when hydrating them because if they drink too fast (and most of them do) they will vomit everything right back up which does neither of you any good. Just give them small amounts of liquid at a time so their bodies have time to adjust to the liquid coming in and doesn't reject everything.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5852091_rehydrate-sick-dog.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_8671227_tell-cat-hydrated.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_8551695_keep-cat-hydrated.html
The important thing to monitor with this in addition to intake is output. If your pet is taking in a gallon of water, for example, but only outputting a cup then a trip to the vet sooner than later is warranted because something is wrong. There are many medical reasons this could be happening and you don't want to prolong a diagnosis or treatment. If you do end up at your vet's office, be sure to mention all treatments you have done at home to help your pet so the vet can give you an appropriate treatment and diagnosis. It's always important to tell your vet everything that is a change in your pet's life so he/she has the full story as to what is going on and what may or may not have contributed to your visit. If you only feed dry kibble, though, it is extra important that you leave water out for your pet at all times so he/she has access since they are not getting this moisture through their food. I personally feed dry only (wet only as a treat) and have a 2.5 gallon water container out all the time for two dogs and that lasts about a week or less depending on how long they have played and what the temperature is outside. They go through more on the weekends.
I hope this information has helped you and maybe someone learned something they didn't know. Feel free to research on your own or ask your vet anything you question here.
As always we welcome any questions and comments and hope you will let us know if you have any topic you'd like to see discussed here. We are always looking for something new and exciting to research and if you are interested in the topic then so are we! Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and tell your friends and family about us! Thanks for reading!
Here are some physical signs you can look for if you want to check further. Your pet's eyes should always be bright and shiny and alert. If they seem dull or 'sad' seeming then more than likely he/she doesn't feel good. Another physical test for dehydration that I use literally all the time is to test the animal's gums to make sure they are moist and pink. If they feel tacky and are white then the animal is dehydrated. They normally do not like it that much but if they fight you a lot then they probably do not feel too bad.
 | |
| This is what you are looking for when I mention "white gums" |
So, what do you do if your pet is dehydrated? Obviously fluid but what else? Unflavored Pedialyte
http://www.ehow.com/how_5852091_rehydrate-sick-dog.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_8671227_tell-cat-hydrated.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_8551695_keep-cat-hydrated.html
The important thing to monitor with this in addition to intake is output. If your pet is taking in a gallon of water, for example, but only outputting a cup then a trip to the vet sooner than later is warranted because something is wrong. There are many medical reasons this could be happening and you don't want to prolong a diagnosis or treatment. If you do end up at your vet's office, be sure to mention all treatments you have done at home to help your pet so the vet can give you an appropriate treatment and diagnosis. It's always important to tell your vet everything that is a change in your pet's life so he/she has the full story as to what is going on and what may or may not have contributed to your visit. If you only feed dry kibble, though, it is extra important that you leave water out for your pet at all times so he/she has access since they are not getting this moisture through their food. I personally feed dry only (wet only as a treat) and have a 2.5 gallon water container out all the time for two dogs and that lasts about a week or less depending on how long they have played and what the temperature is outside. They go through more on the weekends.
I hope this information has helped you and maybe someone learned something they didn't know. Feel free to research on your own or ask your vet anything you question here.
As always we welcome any questions and comments and hope you will let us know if you have any topic you'd like to see discussed here. We are always looking for something new and exciting to research and if you are interested in the topic then so are we! Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and tell your friends and family about us! Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) and Feral Colonies: Are They Good For The Neighborhoods?
The term TNR (trap, neuter, return) has been around for quite some time and rescuers have been doing this for just as long or longer to help control the feral cat population. What is a feral cat? These cats are ones that cannot be touched by humans and do not like humans. They normally will not come up to you but may watch from afar. These cats can only be caught with humane traps in order to be spayed/neutered and then re-released back where they were caught. It is important they are put back where they were trapped because introducing a feral cat into a new colony is nothing like introducing a new cat into a household. The hierarchy is extremely different and there will be fights for this hierarchy. Life threatening injuries can occur during these fights as well so it is just best to put them back where you found them.
Once the colony is established these cats will help control the mouse and bug population as well as some snakes. If these cats are taken away the rodents, bugs and snakes will come into your area and you will have problems with them. The cats go where the food is so if there is a colony then chances are there are mice.
The picture to the right is a cat in a humane trap. The animal is not harmed in any way. These cats are scared, confused and will strike out at you when you come close so you will need to be extremely careful. Placing a towel over the trap can help them feel safer because cats like tight places to hide in to feel safe.
Once this cat is neutered then recovery time will need to happen. This only requires a day for boys and a couple of days for girls depending on the vet's suggestions. Once this time is over, the cat can then be taken back to the place where he/she was trapped and released. This is also a time to be cautious and stand to the back of the trap and make sure the cat doesn't try to come around the trap to get to you. Most of the time they just want to get away from you and will run away.
Here are a couple of good links for information regarding TNR and feral cats.
http://www.neighborhoodcats.org/HOW_TO_WHAT_IS_TNR
http://www.aspca.org/adoption/feral-cats-faq.aspx
Some rescue organizations will adopt out what they call "barn cats" which is basically a semi-feral cat that doesn't necessarily like humans but relies on them for some food but will control the mouse population in a horse barn, for example. It is a great way to keep the cats safe from the various dangers such as cars, mean spirited people, etc. as well as solve a problem for people who may have a mouse problem in their horse barns. If you are even considering an outdoor only cat this may be the way to go for you and something you might want to consider. These cats are very outdoor savy as opposed to those who have never lived outdoors or who have grown VERY accustomed to living indoors and prefer the indoor life.
If you have stray cats around your area please contact your local shelter or rescue organization for ideas on TNR programs or organizations in your area because there are likely options for you and keep in mind they are there because there is a food source that you might be glad they are controlling.
As always thank you for reading our blog and your questions and comments are welcome. If you have a desired topic please let us know and don't forget to tell your friends and family about us. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook too!
Once the colony is established these cats will help control the mouse and bug population as well as some snakes. If these cats are taken away the rodents, bugs and snakes will come into your area and you will have problems with them. The cats go where the food is so if there is a colony then chances are there are mice.
Once this cat is neutered then recovery time will need to happen. This only requires a day for boys and a couple of days for girls depending on the vet's suggestions. Once this time is over, the cat can then be taken back to the place where he/she was trapped and released. This is also a time to be cautious and stand to the back of the trap and make sure the cat doesn't try to come around the trap to get to you. Most of the time they just want to get away from you and will run away.
Here are a couple of good links for information regarding TNR and feral cats.
http://www.neighborhoodcats.org/HOW_TO_WHAT_IS_TNR
http://www.aspca.org/adoption/feral-cats-faq.aspx
Some rescue organizations will adopt out what they call "barn cats" which is basically a semi-feral cat that doesn't necessarily like humans but relies on them for some food but will control the mouse population in a horse barn, for example. It is a great way to keep the cats safe from the various dangers such as cars, mean spirited people, etc. as well as solve a problem for people who may have a mouse problem in their horse barns. If you are even considering an outdoor only cat this may be the way to go for you and something you might want to consider. These cats are very outdoor savy as opposed to those who have never lived outdoors or who have grown VERY accustomed to living indoors and prefer the indoor life.
If you have stray cats around your area please contact your local shelter or rescue organization for ideas on TNR programs or organizations in your area because there are likely options for you and keep in mind they are there because there is a food source that you might be glad they are controlling.
As always thank you for reading our blog and your questions and comments are welcome. If you have a desired topic please let us know and don't forget to tell your friends and family about us. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook too!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Feline Herpes...What Is It and Can I Get It?
This is an extremely common question and the answer to the second part is no, you cannot catch feline herpes. The answer to the first part, "what is it", is a bit more in depth but I will try to give some insight. The most basic answer to this question is it's a virus much like a cold which 99% of cats are exposed to very likely early in their lives. While the exposure may not lead to any outbreaks the virus will lay dormant and stress will lower the immune system and can lead to an outbreak.
For instance, if you move to a new home and all of a sudden your cat starts sneezing a lot and his/her eyes are red and watery then it is likely he/she has an outbreak of the feline herpes virus. The very long, complicated name for this is feline viral rhinopneumonitis (FVR), rhinotracheitis virus and feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) and can lead to upper respiratory infections, but not always.
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/cat-care-herpes.aspx
The kitty to the right here appears to have an upper respiratory infection which is a bacterial infection which is what antibiotics will treat. Vets often given antibiotics in order to ward off any bacterial infections that may be lurking behind the herpes virus itself. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but just keep in mind that if your kitty is on antibiotics for a number of times then he/she will build up an immunity to them and over time they will not work for any infection he/she may have and that is definitely a bad thing.
Giving L-Lysine every day to your kitten/cat can help ward off any viruses that may be laying dormant in their system. L-Lysine is an amino acid that help stops the replication of viruses which allows their immune systems to fight off whatever is holding them down. Several rescue organizations give it to their wards to help with the stress of coming into a new place, getting used to a new way of life, new kitties, puppies, etc. It is available at any store you can get vitamins and is available in capsules so it can be pulled apart and the powder can be put on their food.
Here is a picture of swollen conjunctiva in a cat which is pretty indicative of feline herpes virus. It looks really painful and while none of them have ever told me it is I can only imagine it does hurt and it appears to also itch.
I know this seems a little graphic, but I really wanted you as pet owners to know what to look for with this virus.
Also, please know that it is really is not an emergency vet visit either. If you'd like your vet to see your pet that is fine, however, giving him/her Lysine for a week or so to see if it helps and a nice quiet environment will more than likely help if there is no color to the discharge. If you think to when you go to the doctor, don't they ask if there is color to the discharge? That's because they want to know if there is bacteria or not. Clear discharge means no bacteria. If your pet doesn't appear to be doing better with Lysine twice a day and a calm quiet environment in a few days then you can call your vet. I do NOT advocate not calling your vet by any means whatsoever.
If you'd like an eye professional to take a look at your pet that is wonderful too. Those experts can definitely tell you if there is any damage to your pet's eye or not. If you are in the Raleigh, NC, USA area I'd like to recommend Dr. English as he is one of the best. Check out his website:
http://aecassociates.com/
All of his colleagues are wonderful and extremely knowledgeable so if you take your pet to any of them you will not be sorry and will get the best care available.
I know sometimes things with our pets seem emergent (I know they do with my own personal ones sometimes) but if we take the time to educate ourselves a little bit prior to anything happening then maybe things won't seem so bad at the time.
As always, we welcome your comments, questions and any topics at all you'd like to see discussed here. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and be sure to tell your friends and family about us!
For instance, if you move to a new home and all of a sudden your cat starts sneezing a lot and his/her eyes are red and watery then it is likely he/she has an outbreak of the feline herpes virus. The very long, complicated name for this is feline viral rhinopneumonitis (FVR), rhinotracheitis virus and feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) and can lead to upper respiratory infections, but not always.
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/cat-care-herpes.aspx
The kitty to the right here appears to have an upper respiratory infection which is a bacterial infection which is what antibiotics will treat. Vets often given antibiotics in order to ward off any bacterial infections that may be lurking behind the herpes virus itself. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but just keep in mind that if your kitty is on antibiotics for a number of times then he/she will build up an immunity to them and over time they will not work for any infection he/she may have and that is definitely a bad thing.
Giving L-Lysine every day to your kitten/cat can help ward off any viruses that may be laying dormant in their system. L-Lysine is an amino acid that help stops the replication of viruses which allows their immune systems to fight off whatever is holding them down. Several rescue organizations give it to their wards to help with the stress of coming into a new place, getting used to a new way of life, new kitties, puppies, etc. It is available at any store you can get vitamins and is available in capsules so it can be pulled apart and the powder can be put on their food.
I know this seems a little graphic, but I really wanted you as pet owners to know what to look for with this virus.
Also, please know that it is really is not an emergency vet visit either. If you'd like your vet to see your pet that is fine, however, giving him/her Lysine for a week or so to see if it helps and a nice quiet environment will more than likely help if there is no color to the discharge. If you think to when you go to the doctor, don't they ask if there is color to the discharge? That's because they want to know if there is bacteria or not. Clear discharge means no bacteria. If your pet doesn't appear to be doing better with Lysine twice a day and a calm quiet environment in a few days then you can call your vet. I do NOT advocate not calling your vet by any means whatsoever.
If you'd like an eye professional to take a look at your pet that is wonderful too. Those experts can definitely tell you if there is any damage to your pet's eye or not. If you are in the Raleigh, NC, USA area I'd like to recommend Dr. English as he is one of the best. Check out his website:
http://aecassociates.com/
All of his colleagues are wonderful and extremely knowledgeable so if you take your pet to any of them you will not be sorry and will get the best care available.
I know sometimes things with our pets seem emergent (I know they do with my own personal ones sometimes) but if we take the time to educate ourselves a little bit prior to anything happening then maybe things won't seem so bad at the time.
As always, we welcome your comments, questions and any topics at all you'd like to see discussed here. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and be sure to tell your friends and family about us!
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Adoption...Is It Really Better Than Buying?
Working with a rescue organization can be very taxing and very rewarding at the same time. It takes a lot of time, energy, money (personal and organization) and emotions. It is definitely not for everyone. However, when you see an animal that has been thrown away by its former owners get a new home where you know they will be spoiled forever it is the best feeling in the world. So my question to everyone is...do you think adopting a pet is better than buying from a breeder?
Well today is going to be a personal opinion type of day so here goes. I personally do not think one is better than the other. My friend Thor (whom you have already read about) is from a breeder and has arthritis, allergies, has had two elbow surgeries, and now we found out he has Wobbler's Disease (a cervical or neck spine issue where the vertebrae compress on the spinal cord and cause pain and eventually paralysis-the only cure is surgery). His sister Megan (from a different breeder and litter) who is 19 weeks old hasn't shown any signs of any issues whatsoever. Both from breeders.
Rescued animals can have issues just like pure bred animals and I personally just believe it is genetics and what the animal has been through that creates who they are medically. I've seen cats who were living outside, eating who only knows what, come into the rescue group and come to find out they have allergies to the commercial cat food.
Does either animal make a better pet? Absolutely not. It completely depends on the temperament of the animal. I believe rescue animals appreciate the love, attention and a good home much more than those from breeders but that does not make them better pets.
What do you look for if you are adopting from a rescue organization? Most importantly what medical care the fee covers. I say this because if the fee doesn't cover at least 1 or 2 (depending on the age) distemper (FVRCP for cats) , a deworming, a FIV and Feline Leukemia or HW (heartworm) test depending on whether it's a dog or cat, flea treatment, heartworm prevent for dogs, rabies, spay/neuter and a microchip then you should really look elsewhere. No matter whether you are looking for a dog or cat there are certain things that are a minimum for rescue groups to take care of medically and in my opinion that is really the very basic and should be done.
Another thing you should look at is whether or not the group has a facility where the cats/dogs are held or if they are in foster homes. Dogs should really be in a foster home so the socialization is better. Cats can be in either but, in my opinion, a foster home is so much better because it gives the animal the chance to learn how to behave in a home with a family and get used to certain things like family life, kids, dogs, other types of pets, etc.
However, breeders have their animals in a home environment more than likely (if they don't I would personally look elsewhere) so that is not an issue for these animals. There should also be a minimum amount of medical care done on these animals as well and especially for large breed dogs and cats such as maine coons a cardiac check should be part of that process. The breeder should be ready and willing to give you the information on this as well. If they are not then be very skeptical and strongly consider going elsewhere.
Some people use pure bred animals as a status symbol and enjoy telling people they have a pure bred animal. That is not what a pet is supposed to be so if that is what you want the pet for then I'd rather you not get one at all.
So what should you do? Consider adopting first if at all possible. Thousands of animals are euthanized over North Carolina weekly and millions all over the United States because there are too many in the shelters. They have to make room for the new ones being dropped off so they have to euthanize the ones that don't get adopted the week before. Some of the shelters do not use very humane ways of euthanizing animals and will use a gas chamber where they pile in a bunch of animals and gas them to death. Does that remind you of the Germans during Hitler's reign? It's cold, harsh and not fun to think about but it's the truth.
If you have to have a pure bred animal then do your research first to make sure you understand the breed. For instance, if you want a rottweiler then you should know they are stubborn, hard headed, solid muscle and should start training at a very early age so you don't have an unruly rottie on your hands. Unruly rottweilers are dangerous and will probably end up in a shelter and euthanized. Socialization is important for all dogs and other animals but especially breeds people tend to be afraid of and not understand like Rottweilers and Pitt Bulls (althought that name is a culmination of several different breeds in and of itself). Also, regardless of the breed you choose the dogs should be temperament tested.
I hope I have given you something to think about whether you adopt or buy and as always please let us know if you have any questions, comments, concerns. Also, if you want a topic discussed please send it to us and we will definitely get it on the blog. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and tell your family and friends about us!
Well today is going to be a personal opinion type of day so here goes. I personally do not think one is better than the other. My friend Thor (whom you have already read about) is from a breeder and has arthritis, allergies, has had two elbow surgeries, and now we found out he has Wobbler's Disease (a cervical or neck spine issue where the vertebrae compress on the spinal cord and cause pain and eventually paralysis-the only cure is surgery). His sister Megan (from a different breeder and litter) who is 19 weeks old hasn't shown any signs of any issues whatsoever. Both from breeders.
Rescued animals can have issues just like pure bred animals and I personally just believe it is genetics and what the animal has been through that creates who they are medically. I've seen cats who were living outside, eating who only knows what, come into the rescue group and come to find out they have allergies to the commercial cat food.
 |
| "Pitt Bulls" were originally used for nannies |
 |
| This is actually what "Pitt Bulls" were bred for |
Does either animal make a better pet? Absolutely not. It completely depends on the temperament of the animal. I believe rescue animals appreciate the love, attention and a good home much more than those from breeders but that does not make them better pets.
What do you look for if you are adopting from a rescue organization? Most importantly what medical care the fee covers. I say this because if the fee doesn't cover at least 1 or 2 (depending on the age) distemper (FVRCP for cats) , a deworming, a FIV and Feline Leukemia or HW (heartworm) test depending on whether it's a dog or cat, flea treatment, heartworm prevent for dogs, rabies, spay/neuter and a microchip then you should really look elsewhere. No matter whether you are looking for a dog or cat there are certain things that are a minimum for rescue groups to take care of medically and in my opinion that is really the very basic and should be done.
Another thing you should look at is whether or not the group has a facility where the cats/dogs are held or if they are in foster homes. Dogs should really be in a foster home so the socialization is better. Cats can be in either but, in my opinion, a foster home is so much better because it gives the animal the chance to learn how to behave in a home with a family and get used to certain things like family life, kids, dogs, other types of pets, etc.
However, breeders have their animals in a home environment more than likely (if they don't I would personally look elsewhere) so that is not an issue for these animals. There should also be a minimum amount of medical care done on these animals as well and especially for large breed dogs and cats such as maine coons a cardiac check should be part of that process. The breeder should be ready and willing to give you the information on this as well. If they are not then be very skeptical and strongly consider going elsewhere.
Some people use pure bred animals as a status symbol and enjoy telling people they have a pure bred animal. That is not what a pet is supposed to be so if that is what you want the pet for then I'd rather you not get one at all.
So what should you do? Consider adopting first if at all possible. Thousands of animals are euthanized over North Carolina weekly and millions all over the United States because there are too many in the shelters. They have to make room for the new ones being dropped off so they have to euthanize the ones that don't get adopted the week before. Some of the shelters do not use very humane ways of euthanizing animals and will use a gas chamber where they pile in a bunch of animals and gas them to death. Does that remind you of the Germans during Hitler's reign? It's cold, harsh and not fun to think about but it's the truth.
If you have to have a pure bred animal then do your research first to make sure you understand the breed. For instance, if you want a rottweiler then you should know they are stubborn, hard headed, solid muscle and should start training at a very early age so you don't have an unruly rottie on your hands. Unruly rottweilers are dangerous and will probably end up in a shelter and euthanized. Socialization is important for all dogs and other animals but especially breeds people tend to be afraid of and not understand like Rottweilers and Pitt Bulls (althought that name is a culmination of several different breeds in and of itself). Also, regardless of the breed you choose the dogs should be temperament tested.
I hope I have given you something to think about whether you adopt or buy and as always please let us know if you have any questions, comments, concerns. Also, if you want a topic discussed please send it to us and we will definitely get it on the blog. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and tell your family and friends about us!
Thursday, March 28, 2013
FIV vs Feline Leukemia...Myths and Facts
Today I want to touch on another controversial topic...FIV and Feline Leukemia (FeLV) because there are a lot of websites out there giving misinformation and scaring people and getting the two mixed up. Here is the basic difference; FIV is extremely difficult to transmit and FeLV is much easier to transmit. FIV can only be transmitted through a very deep intramuscular bite as seen in unneutered feral males and can be transmitted from mom to baby. FeLV can be transmitted by sharing water and food bowls and through shared grooming. Unfortunately, some cats are double positive which means they test positive for both FIV and FeLV. It doesn't mean they should be euthanized immediately either.
Now for the more indepth information and the clinical stuff. First, neither of these viruses can be transmitted to humans or other non-cat species. Second, if your vet calls FIV "feline AIDS" you should find another vet because he/she has antiquated thinking and is not up to date on the latest research. FeLV is a retrovirus which means it's a family of viruses that can cause a variety of health issues and diseases and sometimes death. FIV belongs to a different retrovirus family called Lentivirus which means they are slow-progressing and long-life. However, with FIV the cats immune system can fight off the virus and the cat can eventually test negative as the cat ages and develops. In my work in rescue I have personally seen two kittens do this as they grew to adults. Their names are Bang and Tango (from the 80's big hair band Bang Tango) and they were recently adopted through http://www.calvinspaws.org/. This is just one group who has FIV cats.
According to Winn Feline Health, there are 4 possibilities once a cat is exposed to to FeLV and each one depends on the cat's immune system and how it handles the virus. Once exposure occurs the potential is for the virus to be completely fought off and the cat is resistant for an undetermined amount of time, it is not fought off and the cat secretes the virus through saliva, the cat does not produce an immunity to the virus immediately and it lies dormant in the bone marrow for an undetermined amount of time and these cats will either overcome the virus or the fact that they did not develop an immunity will allow the virus opportunity, and finally some cats will develop "latent or sequestered infection" which means they will not ever develop the infection and will not become contagious (winnfelinehealth.org).
http://www.v63.net/catsanctuary/vet_question.html
http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/health/felv-fiv.html
FIV, in my opinion and the opinion of several vets in my area, is not a big deal although you should keep these animals as healthy as possible. That being said, you should always keep your pet as healthy as possible no matter what. Giving your cat the amino acid L-Lysine can help stop the replication of any viruses that may be going on (http://www.l-lysinebenefits.net/lysine-for-cats/). This link mentions the herpes virus which is completely different than that in humans and another topic for another day. L-Lysine can be taken by humans as well so if you have some at home you can sprinkle approximately 1/5 tsp on your cat's food and it will help. It can be found at any health store or online.
FIV positive cats can also be put with negative cats without worry since it is so difficult to transmit. These cats are often the sweetest cats and will often live long healthy lives without any extra care needed. I personally have them integrated with my personal cats without incident.
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/felv.html
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/askDr/CW_FeLV.cfm
Please do your research and ask lots of questions before euthanizing a cat with EITHER positive test. Since the initial test was more than likely a simple SNAP test, which only tests for antibodies and not the actual virus, do the more indepth testing (IFA and Western Blot) before making any decisions. There is tons of research out there about both of these viruses and some things that can be done and you may find that nothing needs to be done.
I am more than willing to discuss this topic so please send me any question you have and if I don't know the answer I will find out. I do have contacts at the local Veterinary School here and can ask them questions as well.
As always I welcome your comments, questions, and concerns about this topic or any others. If you have a topic you'd like discussed please send it on and we will definitely put it out there for you and everyone else. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and tell your friends and family about us.
Now for the more indepth information and the clinical stuff. First, neither of these viruses can be transmitted to humans or other non-cat species. Second, if your vet calls FIV "feline AIDS" you should find another vet because he/she has antiquated thinking and is not up to date on the latest research. FeLV is a retrovirus which means it's a family of viruses that can cause a variety of health issues and diseases and sometimes death. FIV belongs to a different retrovirus family called Lentivirus which means they are slow-progressing and long-life. However, with FIV the cats immune system can fight off the virus and the cat can eventually test negative as the cat ages and develops. In my work in rescue I have personally seen two kittens do this as they grew to adults. Their names are Bang and Tango (from the 80's big hair band Bang Tango) and they were recently adopted through http://www.calvinspaws.org/. This is just one group who has FIV cats.
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| This picture came up when I searched for FIV cats...cute huh |
According to Winn Feline Health, there are 4 possibilities once a cat is exposed to to FeLV and each one depends on the cat's immune system and how it handles the virus. Once exposure occurs the potential is for the virus to be completely fought off and the cat is resistant for an undetermined amount of time, it is not fought off and the cat secretes the virus through saliva, the cat does not produce an immunity to the virus immediately and it lies dormant in the bone marrow for an undetermined amount of time and these cats will either overcome the virus or the fact that they did not develop an immunity will allow the virus opportunity, and finally some cats will develop "latent or sequestered infection" which means they will not ever develop the infection and will not become contagious (winnfelinehealth.org).
http://www.v63.net/catsanctuary/vet_question.html
http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/health/felv-fiv.html
FIV, in my opinion and the opinion of several vets in my area, is not a big deal although you should keep these animals as healthy as possible. That being said, you should always keep your pet as healthy as possible no matter what. Giving your cat the amino acid L-Lysine can help stop the replication of any viruses that may be going on (http://www.l-lysinebenefits.net/lysine-for-cats/). This link mentions the herpes virus which is completely different than that in humans and another topic for another day. L-Lysine can be taken by humans as well so if you have some at home you can sprinkle approximately 1/5 tsp on your cat's food and it will help. It can be found at any health store or online.
FIV positive cats can also be put with negative cats without worry since it is so difficult to transmit. These cats are often the sweetest cats and will often live long healthy lives without any extra care needed. I personally have them integrated with my personal cats without incident.
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/felv.html
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/askDr/CW_FeLV.cfm
Please do your research and ask lots of questions before euthanizing a cat with EITHER positive test. Since the initial test was more than likely a simple SNAP test, which only tests for antibodies and not the actual virus, do the more indepth testing (IFA and Western Blot) before making any decisions. There is tons of research out there about both of these viruses and some things that can be done and you may find that nothing needs to be done.
I am more than willing to discuss this topic so please send me any question you have and if I don't know the answer I will find out. I do have contacts at the local Veterinary School here and can ask them questions as well.
As always I welcome your comments, questions, and concerns about this topic or any others. If you have a topic you'd like discussed please send it on and we will definitely put it out there for you and everyone else. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and tell your friends and family about us.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Fostering...How Do You Get Started and Who To Foster For?
Are you thinking about a new pet but not sure about the commitment? What about fostering? There are a lot of organizations in the area who are full to the brim with cats and dogs who need foster homes. There are animals taken to the shelters every day that need either a foster home or adoptive home.
So what is involved in fostering? Do you have to adopt the animal? Well the involvement depends on the group and you. Some groups pay for food and litter as well as vet care (for cats) and some do not. Some groups will pay for training for dogs and some will not. It just depends on funding and whether the group has a trainer involved or not. As far as adopting the animal goes, you should never be required to adopt an animal as as foster parent. If that is part of the requirement you should not foster for that particular group.
Fostering can be very emotionally demanding and very emotionally draining because the animals you are fostering often have emotional issues from being surrendered. They are confused, scared and do not know what is going on. They have to learn they are safe and may have been abused so they have to overcome the mental issues from that as well. Some animals never overcome the demons from abuse depending on the level of abuse. The type of abuse may have to be taken into consideration as well. For instance, if a cat was used as bait for a dog fighting ring he/she may be afraid of dogs and may not be but that will be very easy to tell.
Medications may also be involved in fostering as well so it may be necessary for you to administer them for a cold or other infection if they have had an injury or ear issues, etc. Like humans, though, it's important to follow the vet's directions and give the medications as directed.
Fostering is also extremely rewarding, though. When a family finds your foster is the right one for their family and takes them home and they have already fallen in love with their new pet, you have a sense of pride and sadness at the same time. Pride comes from knowing where they came from when you first got them and where they are now and the sadness comes from watching them 'leave the nest' so to speak. I always ask for pictures and send follow up emails checking in to make sure things are going well. It's very important to do that so the people do not feel they are alone and just got dumped with a new animal and they do not have any support if something goes wrong.
Here is more information about fostering:
http://fosterdogs.com/getting-involved.html
http://matadornetwork.com/change/beginnersguide-to-fosteirng-animals/
www.calvinspaws.org
http://www.wakegov.com/pets/foster/Pages/default.aspx
For those in the Raleigh, NC, USA area I've included two good groups to contact about fostering. Anyone interested in those groups can either contact them directly or send me a note and I will help you get involved. There are many ways to volunteer your time besides fostering as well, but that is the biggest need.
Please considering fostering a homeless animal or volunteering with your local rescue organization or shelter. As always, we welcome your comments, questions, and/or concerns regarding any of our posts and if you would like to see a topic discussed please let us know.
Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and tell your family and friends about us!
So what is involved in fostering? Do you have to adopt the animal? Well the involvement depends on the group and you. Some groups pay for food and litter as well as vet care (for cats) and some do not. Some groups will pay for training for dogs and some will not. It just depends on funding and whether the group has a trainer involved or not. As far as adopting the animal goes, you should never be required to adopt an animal as as foster parent. If that is part of the requirement you should not foster for that particular group.
Fostering can be very emotionally demanding and very emotionally draining because the animals you are fostering often have emotional issues from being surrendered. They are confused, scared and do not know what is going on. They have to learn they are safe and may have been abused so they have to overcome the mental issues from that as well. Some animals never overcome the demons from abuse depending on the level of abuse. The type of abuse may have to be taken into consideration as well. For instance, if a cat was used as bait for a dog fighting ring he/she may be afraid of dogs and may not be but that will be very easy to tell.
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| This is a scared cat that will probably fight back |
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Medications may also be involved in fostering as well so it may be necessary for you to administer them for a cold or other infection if they have had an injury or ear issues, etc. Like humans, though, it's important to follow the vet's directions and give the medications as directed.
Fostering is also extremely rewarding, though. When a family finds your foster is the right one for their family and takes them home and they have already fallen in love with their new pet, you have a sense of pride and sadness at the same time. Pride comes from knowing where they came from when you first got them and where they are now and the sadness comes from watching them 'leave the nest' so to speak. I always ask for pictures and send follow up emails checking in to make sure things are going well. It's very important to do that so the people do not feel they are alone and just got dumped with a new animal and they do not have any support if something goes wrong.
Here is more information about fostering:
http://fosterdogs.com/getting-involved.html
http://matadornetwork.com/change/beginnersguide-to-fosteirng-animals/
www.calvinspaws.org
http://www.wakegov.com/pets/foster/Pages/default.aspx
For those in the Raleigh, NC, USA area I've included two good groups to contact about fostering. Anyone interested in those groups can either contact them directly or send me a note and I will help you get involved. There are many ways to volunteer your time besides fostering as well, but that is the biggest need.
Please considering fostering a homeless animal or volunteering with your local rescue organization or shelter. As always, we welcome your comments, questions, and/or concerns regarding any of our posts and if you would like to see a topic discussed please let us know.
Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and tell your family and friends about us!
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
What Do You Do If Your Pet Is Missing?
Accidents happen and sometimes your pet gets away from your home and gets lost. So what do you do? Who do you tell? Well the first thing you can do is print out a picture of him/her on a flyer and post it all over your neighborhood and tell all of your neighbors. Then what? Here's some ideas and links:
http://www.missingpet.net/cgi-bin/statepage.pl?NC
http://www.spcawake.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Lost_FoundLOSTpet
http://www.lostmydoggie.com/index.cfm?source=10
Wherever you live, there are shelters that can post flyers and information about your pet and they may even have online information so you can post your pet there as well in case someone finds him/her and looks up lost and found information.
This is also where microchipping your pet is extremely important. People can take your pet to a local shelter, rescue organization or vet to be scanned and your information will come up as the pet's owner and you can be contacted. I've personally seen this happen and had some happy endings for some people.
There are quite a few companies out there that deal with microchips and your vet can answer any questions you may have as well as implant the chip itself. It is not a surgical procedure and takes less than a minute to do. The chip itself is about the size of a grain of rice and is inserted just under the skin. It is worth the time you spend to have this done if your pet is ever missing because if someone finds him/her and you haven't had this done and they end up in the shelter they may not make it out because they might be put to sleep.
If you are interested in some companies that will register your chip send me a note or ask your vet. If you got your pet from a breeder then he/she should have already given you some information about microchipping.
If you find a stray animal please do not assume it's mean or feral because it may be someone's lost pet. If it's friendly and comes up to you call your vet and see if he/she will come out and scan the pet or if you can take the animal to your vet for scanning to make sure someone isn't missing their family member.
Again, if you would like more information on microchipping companies please contact me or your local vet.
We always welcome comments, questions, concerns and other notes. If you have a topic you would like to see discussed please send us an email and do not forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter! Tell your friends and family about us as well.
http://www.missingpet.net/cgi-bin/statepage.pl?NC
http://www.spcawake.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Lost_FoundLOSTpet
http://www.lostmydoggie.com/index.cfm?source=10
Wherever you live, there are shelters that can post flyers and information about your pet and they may even have online information so you can post your pet there as well in case someone finds him/her and looks up lost and found information.
This is also where microchipping your pet is extremely important. People can take your pet to a local shelter, rescue organization or vet to be scanned and your information will come up as the pet's owner and you can be contacted. I've personally seen this happen and had some happy endings for some people.
There are quite a few companies out there that deal with microchips and your vet can answer any questions you may have as well as implant the chip itself. It is not a surgical procedure and takes less than a minute to do. The chip itself is about the size of a grain of rice and is inserted just under the skin. It is worth the time you spend to have this done if your pet is ever missing because if someone finds him/her and you haven't had this done and they end up in the shelter they may not make it out because they might be put to sleep.
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| This is a microchip (on the left) |
If you find a stray animal please do not assume it's mean or feral because it may be someone's lost pet. If it's friendly and comes up to you call your vet and see if he/she will come out and scan the pet or if you can take the animal to your vet for scanning to make sure someone isn't missing their family member.
Again, if you would like more information on microchipping companies please contact me or your local vet.
We always welcome comments, questions, concerns and other notes. If you have a topic you would like to see discussed please send us an email and do not forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter! Tell your friends and family about us as well.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Introducing A Pet To Children...The Safe Way
Having a baby is a very exciting and busy time for a couple. If it's the first child and you have a pet then the stress can be heightened even more because what if the pet doesn't like the baby? What if the baby is allergic to the pet? Lots of questions with seemingly nowhere to find the answers. Well here's some answers to some all to frequently asked questions.
First, you don't have to give up your cat because you are having a baby. It won't smother your baby. That is an old wives tale that is not true. Your cat can get a long with your baby just fine with some ground rules just like anything else. As your child grows then he/she will need to learn how to interact with the cat as well. This goes for dogs too because kids do not automatically know how to treat animals. They have to be taught and they will learn by watching their parents as well.
http://www.healthypet.com/PetCare/DogCareArticle.aspx?title=Introducing_Your_Pet_to_a_Baby
http://familypaws.com/
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/pets_babies.html
Another cool fact is you may not even know you are pregnant but your pet will. You may wonder why they are all of a sudden more clingy or more protective or having elimination issues or want more attention than normal. If it's possible you may be pregnant then you might want to test because dogs and cats have an extraordinary sense for this type of thing and can sense hormonal changes.
Ok. So the test is positive. Congratulations! Now what? Just enjoy being pregnant and involve your pet. Once you decide on a name then you can say the name a lot so your pet hears it and gets used to it because you'll be saying it all the time anyway. Let your pet sniff the baby's clothing. Make this a positive experience for them as well. Making the nursery off limits is fine but the pet must know his/her limits in a positive, non-disciplinary manner so as not to let the pet feel the baby is bad. Baby gates to the nursery as a barrier are a good way to keep the pet out while still allowing him/her to view what's going on and feel a part of the family.
All of this being said, not all animals will love your children as much as you do so if your cat or dog is attacking you and you are pregnant it's important to look into whether or not he/she doesn't like children or if it is a medical condition. Do not assume you must give up your furry family member because you have a non-furry family member being added to the picture. We can learn a great deal from our pets.
I hope this has helped some of you and maybe sparked some thought in others. I've included some links to some of the experts that can give some more feedback and support as well.
As always, if you have questions, comments or concerns please let us know and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter! Also, click the follow button on this page as well.
First, you don't have to give up your cat because you are having a baby. It won't smother your baby. That is an old wives tale that is not true. Your cat can get a long with your baby just fine with some ground rules just like anything else. As your child grows then he/she will need to learn how to interact with the cat as well. This goes for dogs too because kids do not automatically know how to treat animals. They have to be taught and they will learn by watching their parents as well.
http://www.healthypet.com/PetCare/DogCareArticle.aspx?title=Introducing_Your_Pet_to_a_Baby
http://familypaws.com/
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/pets_babies.html
Another cool fact is you may not even know you are pregnant but your pet will. You may wonder why they are all of a sudden more clingy or more protective or having elimination issues or want more attention than normal. If it's possible you may be pregnant then you might want to test because dogs and cats have an extraordinary sense for this type of thing and can sense hormonal changes.
Ok. So the test is positive. Congratulations! Now what? Just enjoy being pregnant and involve your pet. Once you decide on a name then you can say the name a lot so your pet hears it and gets used to it because you'll be saying it all the time anyway. Let your pet sniff the baby's clothing. Make this a positive experience for them as well. Making the nursery off limits is fine but the pet must know his/her limits in a positive, non-disciplinary manner so as not to let the pet feel the baby is bad. Baby gates to the nursery as a barrier are a good way to keep the pet out while still allowing him/her to view what's going on and feel a part of the family.
I hope this has helped some of you and maybe sparked some thought in others. I've included some links to some of the experts that can give some more feedback and support as well.
As always, if you have questions, comments or concerns please let us know and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter! Also, click the follow button on this page as well.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Watching a New Family Get Their New Family Member
As you all know, I volunteer with an animal rescue organization (www.calvinspaws.org) and part of the job, so to speak, is getting to send an animal home with his/her new family. I got to do that today. This family has 3 daughters (two of them young) and the 7 month old kitten that they picked is simply perfect for them. I could not have picked a better one for them. Houdini is not phased by anything and loves to play better than life itself. The girls just giggled loudly every time he grabbed at the toys. They let the girls hold him in the very busy pet store and played some more with them in the back of the store where all the other cats are for the group. The family just really fell in love with little Houdini. Even the dad who said "I'm not really a cat person". It was wonderful!
The mom said she'd need to think about it but I could hear the daughters begging and begging for Houdini. Even the dad was convinced. The mom didn't have a chance. She came over to me and said "It looks like Houdini is the one". The little girls just squealed with delight and everyone was grinning from ear to ear...even the parents. It was obvious the love they already had for him.
The dad picked out the toys, the mom got the litter and litterbox, we did the paperwork and off they went. The girls informed me they would definitely play with him a lot. I did ask for pictures because we, as a group, LOVE to see pictures of the happily ever afters. I was assured there would be tons of pictures.
I love happy endings.
The mom said she'd need to think about it but I could hear the daughters begging and begging for Houdini. Even the dad was convinced. The mom didn't have a chance. She came over to me and said "It looks like Houdini is the one". The little girls just squealed with delight and everyone was grinning from ear to ear...even the parents. It was obvious the love they already had for him.
The dad picked out the toys, the mom got the litter and litterbox, we did the paperwork and off they went. The girls informed me they would definitely play with him a lot. I did ask for pictures because we, as a group, LOVE to see pictures of the happily ever afters. I was assured there would be tons of pictures.
I love happy endings.
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| This is little Houdini. |
Friday, March 22, 2013
To Declaw or Not To Declaw...Is It Really Necessary?
Today I want to talk about one of the most controversial topics out there for cats...declawing. No matter what your opinion is, it's likely you feel strongly about it and think everyone else is ridiculous. Well let's get the facts out in the open first. What is declawing? Is it removing just the nail or is it really more than that?
First, the surgery is NOT just removing the nail but amputating the first 'knuckle' of each digit. It is the equivalent of amputating the first knuckle of each of your fingers. That is a fact. A tendonectomy is severing the tendon of each digit so the cat cannot retract its claws. This does not mean you do not need to trim their nails. It is even more important you do that if this surgery is done because they cannot scratch on their posts in order to file them down. They will continue to grow. These are two very common surgeries.
Now for some more facts..16 countries have deemed this practice inhumane and have made it illegal. Those countries are: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, and Poland. There really is no way to keep your cat from scratching regardless because it is a natural behavior for them and they will continue to try even after the surgery. They do this to mark territory, stretch their "fingers" and a variety of other things. It is not because they do not like your furniture or you.
http://www.moggies.co.uk/stories/declaw.html
http://pictures-of-cats.org/Why-is-Declawing-Illegal-in-the-UK.html
There are alternatives to declawing such as Soft Paws (which your vet can apply), scratching post training, double sided tape on the areas you want them to keep away from (they do not like the feeling of tape on their paws), and antiperspirant spray on your furniture and other areas you don't want them scratching on (smells good and keeps them away).
Here are some pros and cons regarding declawing:
http://www.vetinfo.com/cat-declawing-procedure-explained.html
http://www.catsinternational.org/articles/scratching_and_declawing/Truth_about_Declawing.html
The picture may be a little graphic for some but that is the aftermath of a declaw surgery. As you can probably tell I am against declawing; however, I have adopted 2 already declawed cats. Their personalities are quite different. One of them has trouble jumping up on things compared to my clawed cats. The other one has behavioral issues and will chase down my other cats and attack them. I admit they are both very sweet and I have never had a problem with them biting. They are obviously indoor only cats, though, and if you just have to declaw then please keep them indoors. I will never advocate or agree with having an indoor/outdoor declawed cat.
Also, please discuss with your vet and others prior to making this decision because it is lifelong and there can be physical problems later on such as arthritis, pain while walking, potential behavioral changes (especially with young children), etc.
Here are some estimated costs as well: http://catdeclawing.org/declawing-cats-cost/
Here are some alternatives: http://www.thecatsite.com/a/declawing-and-alternatives
I've seen both sides of this and have done it to a former cat of mine in the distant past and will never do it again.
As always, I welcome any comments, questions or concerns. Please click the follow link to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
First, the surgery is NOT just removing the nail but amputating the first 'knuckle' of each digit. It is the equivalent of amputating the first knuckle of each of your fingers. That is a fact. A tendonectomy is severing the tendon of each digit so the cat cannot retract its claws. This does not mean you do not need to trim their nails. It is even more important you do that if this surgery is done because they cannot scratch on their posts in order to file them down. They will continue to grow. These are two very common surgeries.
Now for some more facts..16 countries have deemed this practice inhumane and have made it illegal. Those countries are: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, and Poland. There really is no way to keep your cat from scratching regardless because it is a natural behavior for them and they will continue to try even after the surgery. They do this to mark territory, stretch their "fingers" and a variety of other things. It is not because they do not like your furniture or you.
http://www.moggies.co.uk/stories/declaw.html
http://pictures-of-cats.org/Why-is-Declawing-Illegal-in-the-UK.html
There are alternatives to declawing such as Soft Paws (which your vet can apply), scratching post training, double sided tape on the areas you want them to keep away from (they do not like the feeling of tape on their paws), and antiperspirant spray on your furniture and other areas you don't want them scratching on (smells good and keeps them away).
Here are some pros and cons regarding declawing:
http://www.vetinfo.com/cat-declawing-procedure-explained.html
http://www.catsinternational.org/articles/scratching_and_declawing/Truth_about_Declawing.html
The picture may be a little graphic for some but that is the aftermath of a declaw surgery. As you can probably tell I am against declawing; however, I have adopted 2 already declawed cats. Their personalities are quite different. One of them has trouble jumping up on things compared to my clawed cats. The other one has behavioral issues and will chase down my other cats and attack them. I admit they are both very sweet and I have never had a problem with them biting. They are obviously indoor only cats, though, and if you just have to declaw then please keep them indoors. I will never advocate or agree with having an indoor/outdoor declawed cat.
Also, please discuss with your vet and others prior to making this decision because it is lifelong and there can be physical problems later on such as arthritis, pain while walking, potential behavioral changes (especially with young children), etc.
Here are some estimated costs as well: http://catdeclawing.org/declawing-cats-cost/
Here are some alternatives: http://www.thecatsite.com/a/declawing-and-alternatives
I've seen both sides of this and have done it to a former cat of mine in the distant past and will never do it again.
As always, I welcome any comments, questions or concerns. Please click the follow link to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Finding New Litters and Babies
Animal rescue people know when kitten season is coming but a lot of "normal" people do not and will often contact rescue organization, their vet or even shelters when they find litters and even infants. Most of the time these organizations are full to the brim with animals they already have so fostering these babies is hopefully an option for the finder.
The care needed for these little ones can be intimidating, however, but no need to worry. If you find a mom with babies all you need to do is put her in a small space like a large dog crate, bathroom or spare room with a box for the babies and she will do all the work for you! Occasionally there is a little one left behind, though, and this is even more intimidating than finding the family. While caring for the little one is hard work it is not complicated at all. Here are two links for kittens and puppies to help you figure things out.
http://www.kittenbaby.com/
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2108&aid=863
Animal rescue organizations can also be a great source of information as can your vet. Do not hesitate to ask but here are some things I like to keep on hand for kitten season:
Kitten Meal Replacement (KMR): found at any petstore in powder and liquid form.
Baby kitten soft food: doesn't matter what brand as long as it is a pate form
Baby kitten hard food: for when they develop teeth and start eating. I like Royal Canin baby cat but whatever kitten food available is fine.
Bottle for KMR when they are still bottle feeding and not eating food yet.
A scale for making sure the little ones are gaining weight.
Socialization is key as well so having more than one animal with these babies is wonderful for their development (mental, social and physical). Adopting kittens in pairs is always preferable because if the parents ever want another cat then the exposure and socialization is already there for them to be accepting of another housemate.
I hope this has helped and as always please let me know if you have any comments, questions or a topic you would like to see discussed here.
The care needed for these little ones can be intimidating, however, but no need to worry. If you find a mom with babies all you need to do is put her in a small space like a large dog crate, bathroom or spare room with a box for the babies and she will do all the work for you! Occasionally there is a little one left behind, though, and this is even more intimidating than finding the family. While caring for the little one is hard work it is not complicated at all. Here are two links for kittens and puppies to help you figure things out.
http://www.kittenbaby.com/
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2108&aid=863
Animal rescue organizations can also be a great source of information as can your vet. Do not hesitate to ask but here are some things I like to keep on hand for kitten season:
Kitten Meal Replacement (KMR): found at any petstore in powder and liquid form.
Baby kitten soft food: doesn't matter what brand as long as it is a pate form
Baby kitten hard food: for when they develop teeth and start eating. I like Royal Canin baby cat but whatever kitten food available is fine.
Bottle for KMR when they are still bottle feeding and not eating food yet.
A scale for making sure the little ones are gaining weight.
Socialization is key as well so having more than one animal with these babies is wonderful for their development (mental, social and physical). Adopting kittens in pairs is always preferable because if the parents ever want another cat then the exposure and socialization is already there for them to be accepting of another housemate.
I hope this has helped and as always please let me know if you have any comments, questions or a topic you would like to see discussed here.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Pet Sitting Thor and Megan the Newfoundlands
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| This is Megan at 17 weeks old. |
I was pet sitting for friends this weekend and they have two Newfoundlands. One is Thor who is 4 years old and the other is Megan who is 17 weeks old. Thor is a big teddy bear who loves people and all animals. He has had a few surgeries and has a hard time walking now. Megan, on the other hand, is 100% puppy. She loves to play with people and Thor and he shows her how to play nice while on the floor so they don't hurt each other.
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| Thor at 4 years old. |
These dogs are wonderful and are truly gentle giants. My friends also have cats. These dogs have managed to be trained by the cats on what kitty manners are and they definitely abide by this rule of the house. The cats that are their personal cats are all black except for one tabby and one torbie. They all have their own personalities just like humans. Every time a new cat comes in there is dissension among the ranks until everyone gets used to the new kid. That is very normal for cats, though. Slow introductions are best when introducing a new cat to help everyone get used to everything slowly.
My friends are volunteers in rescue with me. They help with cats that need special attention for anything from abuse to just needing to fatten up. It is truly amazing the affect a lot of love and some food can do for a life that has been basically thrown away because its former owners didn't want he/she anymore.
I love pet sitting for my friends and love their furry family members. They are like my own family and when one of them is sick they always text and call me to give me updates no matter what is wrong.
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