What Exactly Are Heartworms? Can Cats And Dogs Get Them?

Heartworms are extremely dangerous worms that begin with a single mosquito.  The name "heartworm disease" can be misleading when dealing with cats because it is mostly a lung issue and not a heart issue; however, the heart is affected in dogs when the disease has progressed significantly.

The treatment is very hard on a dog's body as well because it is basically small doses of arsenic that are injected to kill the larvae and worms but obviously not the dog.  The vet will have to watch your dog for a period of time to make sure everything goes well and your dog will have to be kept quiet for a period of normally 6-8 weeks.  There is no real approved method of treatment for cats as of yet and the diagnosis is extremely complicated.

http://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/heartworm.html

http://www.petsandparasites.org/dog-owners/heartworms

So what do we as pet parents do about this?  Well most importantly everyone should be on heartworm prevention regardless of your geographic location and whether or not you have seen a mosquito.  There are places outside of the USA that are prone to mosquitos as well and humans as well as animals should be protected against various diseases.

http://www.mosquito.org/mosquito-borne-diseases 

PLEASE GIVE ME PROTECTION!

Heartworm disease is an easily preventable disease and all it takes is giving your dog a monthly preventative.  You can also give your cat a prevention as well since statistics have shown the cats who have shown positive for heartworms have been indoor only cats.  It is rare, but it does happen to cats as well. 

So what are the symptoms?  What should we look for in our pets?  Well if they are coughing more than normal or the cough is persistent, get very tired after a little to moderate activity, they begin losing weight and their coat isn't up to par.  If your pet gets tired after just mild activity and they begin to lose weight but are eating the same amount or more food it is imperative you get him/her into the vet immediately for a heartworm test and/or chest x-ray.  Heartworms are deadly if allowed to progress too far.

http://www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/resourcesforyou/animalhealthliteracy/ucm188470.htm

http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/heartworm-disease-in-dogs/773

This prevention should, in my opinion and my vet's opinion, be given year round without interruption.  There is no reason to skip this protection for your pet (cat or dog) just because it is winter and we do not feel these creatures are not out because we may be wrong.  I know here in the Southeastern United States our winters are getting warmer (not that they were very cold anyway) which to me is a justification to treat our pets all year. 

Please talk to your vet and get his/her opinion and advice.  Also check out the links I have provided here from reputable sources.  If you have other sources for me please send them to me because I am always looking for research information to share with people outside of this blog.

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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.

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.

 

http://vet.osu.edu/wobbler-syndrome

 

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. 

 

http://www.aspca.org/adoption/feral-cats-faq.aspx

 

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!

Is Giving Up Your Pet The Best And Only Option?

Are you moving?  Having a baby?  Think you've developed allergies?  Well surely the only option is to give up your pet.  NO!  That is not necessarily true!

There are a lot of places in your area that will accept your pet if you are moving and if you cannot afford to pay the pet fees up front most places will work with you and allow you to make payments. Your local shelter may have suggestions as to which apartments allow pets and which ones allow "bully breeds".  There are some that will allow them and most that won't and some will allow them if you get a note from your vet saying s/he is a mix of something that is not a "bully breed".  In my opinion that is not appropriate since those dogs are normally very sweet but you can read about supposedly dangerous breeds on another blog I wrote on this site.

If you are having a baby and already have a pet then you can work with a behaviorist.  Cats especially can sense hormonal changes in your body even before you can so your cat or dog may act differently toward you before you even know you are pregnant.  If that is the case and you have been trying to get pregnant then take a test to see because you may be expecting!  This does not necessarily mean you have to give up your pet unless there is some aggression involved that cannot be resolved through working with a behaviorist such as the one listed below.

http://familypaws.com/

Finally, what I want to touch on is quite honestly the most abused reason for giving up an animal...allergies.  The truth is if you think you might be allergic to cats then spend some time with several cats prior to adopting one so you will know for sure if you are allergic to the one you want to adopt prior to take him/her home.  Getting allergy tested is also an option.  Once you bring this animal into your home then the dander is there.  Cat dander is stickier than dog dander is can stay in your home for at least 6 months even after the cat is gone so the fact that you give the cat away doesn't mean the allergen is necessarily gone unless you wash every surface to include furniture and curtains.    People also think that they are allergic to the fur but that is also not the case.  It is the protein in the animal's saliva to which they are allergic.

http://www.asthmacenter.com/index.php/News/details/pet_allergy/

There are so many things to help with allergies, moving and babies and it doesn't necessarily mean you have to part with your furry family member.  Adopting or even purchasing a pet should be a lifetime commitment so giving them up to a shelter where they may be euthanized should not be an option unless aggressiveness is an issue and even then that should be medically checked prior to rehoming.

Of course, not everyone will agree with today's post and I do not expect that however I am hopeful that it will create some thought in case someone is thinking about giving up their pet.  Lots of things happen when animals lose their homes to include not eating, depression, not drinking, behavioral changes that can be perceived as aggression, etc.  Please see some advice before surrendering.

If you have any comments or questions please let us know and tell your family and friends about us.  Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Flipbook!  Thanks for reading!

Allergies...Does Your Pet Have Them?

Many people are allergic to animals but what about your pets having allergies?  I'm sure some of you know what it is like to have a pet with allergies and what has to be done to figure out what they are allergic to but let's go through the process for those who may not know what's involved and are curious.

First, let me start out by saying if your pet has a tremendous amount of fur loss and appears to be suffering from severe itching, won't eat or is not eating normally, etc. please take him/her to the vet immediately. 

Now, lets look at some of the signs and symptoms of allergies.  Obviously itching is one of them.  Itchy watering eyes and red patches/pustules on the skin or between the toes are two more.  Here is what that could look like:

So how do you figure out what your pet is allergic to?  Well the first thing to think about is whether or not you have just introduced a new treat, food, shampoo or chemical into your home.  Having the carpets in your home cleaned can aggravate sensitive skin and your pet may be allergic to the chemicals used during that process.  Also, if you have started using a new pet shampoo your pet may be allergic to one of the ingredients. 

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-allergies.aspx

http://happytailsspa-blog.com/2009/11/18/what-is-my-dog-allergic-to/

Of course there is the obvious and that is food and treats.  It is completely possible for your dog to be allergic to rawhide (if you give them), bully sticks or literally any treat or food on the market.  Even if it says it's hypoallergenic there is always that possibility. 

So you haven't introduced anything new?  Well allergies can develop over time and are most common to appear between the ages of 1 and 4 years.  So how do we figure it out?  Well the first thing is to cut things down to the basics.  Cut out all treats, chews, etc. down to their food and water.  Do this for at least eight weeks.  It will be hard but it is necessary to figure out what's going on.  If the signs and symptoms go away then you know it's one of the treats or chews.  If it doesn't go away, then you know it's an ingredient in the food.

Assuming it's not the food, begin introducing one thing at a time for eight weeks at a time.  For example, introduce a training treat back into their diet for eight weeks  and if the symptoms do not return then you can introduce another treat or chew they are used to until you find the culprit.

If it IS the food then it is time for a trip or call to the vet to see if s/he can do some testing to find out what ingredient your pet is allergic to and go from there.  Food allergies, while common, can be difficult to diagnose without testing.  Sometimes it takes a dermatologist to do further allergy testing.
http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/caring-for-a-dog-that-has-food-allergies

 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=74

It is also possible that your pet is allergic to the same things you may be allergic to such as grass, mold, pollen, dust, etc. and will need allergy medication.  While this is not as common it is completely possible and something you should rule out when talking with your vet.

Above all, if you are nervous about your pet's appetite or condition please call your vet because there is nothing more important than their health so you shouldn't risk it if they are not eating and/or drinking normally or not acting appropriate or something just "doesn't feel right" to you as their parent because you ultimately know them best.

Let us know your thoughts, comments or questions.  We'd love to hear from you!  Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and Flipbook!  Your family and friends who have pets or are just curious about animals might want to follow us so be sure to tell them about us too.  As always, thanks for reading!

Dangerous Breeds Of Dogs...Do They Exist? Is It The Owner And Not The Breed?

There are a lot of people in this world who will swear that there are certain breeds of dogs that are more dangerous than others.  Here in the United States if you have one of the breeds that is deemed dangerous then you will have a hard time renting an apartment or getting homeowners insurance as well.  Why is this the case?  Are they really that dangerous?  I personally do not think so and here is my experience with both sides of the fence.

My grandmother had a toy poodle when I was growing up named "Cupid" and I literally could not pet that dog because he would growl and bear his teeth at us every single time we went over there.  My grandmother was the only one who could ever touch that dog.  We all hated him.  Years later a German Shepherd mix (yes this is one of the breeds considered dangerous) wandered up in our yard and she was by far the sweetest dog in the whole world.  She played with my brother and me and was the best family dog.  I rescued a Rottweiler from the shelter and was able to take her to a nearby children's park where she let the kids lay on her, pull her ears, etc. without so much as a growl.  A pitt bull was rescued from a shelter having mange, being scared, etc. and he has turned out to be extremely loving and will roll on his back for everyone he sees including toddlers so they can pet him. 

http://www.animallawcoalition.com/breed-bans/article/552

http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Articles/OtherBreedBites/AllDogsBite.htm#Allbreeds

http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/dog-fighting/breed-specific-legislation.aspx

http://stopbslintn.tripod.com/id14.html

http://stopbslintn.tripod.com/id15.html

That is only three examples of experiences I have personally had with dogs.  Humans do not understand the breed when they get them sometimes and just say "I've always wanted a rottweiler" or whatever the specific breed is.  What they do not understand is rotties, as they are nicknamed, are very hardheaded, stubborn, strong-willed and definitely not for first time dog owners.  They MUST go through training and consistency is key with them.  They are fantastic family dogs and great with kids.  The same goes for pitties (aka pitt bulls which are actually 4 breeds incorporated into one name).

Research is key with dogs, or any pet for that matter, and if it has teeth it can bite.  The question when meeting a new dog is not "will it bite" it's "is he/she friendly" or "may I pet your dog".  Also, do not ever go up to a service dog without asking first because these dogs may be working and it is not appropriate to interrupt that working process for them without the owner's permission.

So if people say small dogs bite more than these bigger dogs why don't we ear about it more?  Well, my opinion is because the big dogs can cause more damage than the small dogs and people are more afraid of big dogs.  Ignorance is the cause of a lot of fear in society for a lot of issues not just this one.  Just because a small dog doesn't cause a lot of damage when it bites you doesn't make it right for the incident not to be reported.

What is the definition of a bite?  A true bite will not only break the skin but cause blood to be seen and there will be puncture wounds with bruising.  The picture below is healing but you can see the injury.

This picture is not healed and shows you what a bite can look like soon after it happens.

I don't show you these for shock value but merely to give you an example of what a real bite looks like.  Often times people think because their dog nipped them that was a bite.  That is not the case.  Dogs will do that to let us humans know they are not happy with what is going on and they want to be left alone.  It is best we listen to their request.

It is always best to supervise children around dogs regardless of the temperament of the dog because like I said before, if it has teeth it can bite. 

Lets stop talking about specific breeds and start educating ourselves on personality and what it takes to be responsible pet owners.  Stop expecting animals to be humans.  Take your dog to training classes.  Supervise your dog while he/she is with your children and anyone, for that matter. 

We welcome respectful comments and questions.  Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Flipbook and don't forget to tell your friends and family about us.  As always, thanks for reading!

Should My Pet Lose Weight? Is It Really That Dangerous?

Some of us struggle with weight loss more than others and our pets may as well; so what can we do to help?  Well we should probably read our pet food label like we do our own and talking to the vet or a nutritionist is part of that process.  This will give you a myriad of answers depending on the person you talk to but I am confident one thing will be the same...lower caloric intake and increase exercise.  Seems to be the baseline for humans as well. 

One thing that is acceptable by a wide variety of vets to do is lower your pet's food consumption and substitute green beans for the remaining amount they are used to getting.  So if they are used to getting 3 cups of food at a time then give them 1.5 cups of pet food and 1.5 cups of green beans.  The beans have no calories at all but will give them the substance they are used to having and will help fill them up.

Feeding high protein, high moisture is important but the type of protein is just as important.  If you're feeding a higher fat protein then it's unlikely your pet will lose weight.  Lower proteins like turkey would be better for weight loss. 

Another trick, if it's within your schedule, is to feed them several small meals a day to keep them full, their insulin levels steady and they do not feel like they have to eat as if their next meal isn't coming for several hours.  This will also help their metabolism as well which is a key to helping their weight loss as well.

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/03/03/weight-loss-for-fat-cats.aspx

http://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/evr_ct_obesity_in_cats_and_what_to_do_about_an_overweight_cat#.UZTlpaAYGCo

http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/digestive/c_multi_Obesity#.UZTmLKAYGCo

So what can cause obesity in animals other than the obvious?  There are actually medical conditions such as thyroid disease, diabetes and believe it or not the spay/neuter of your pet can contribute to it as well.  This is not to say you shouldn't get your pet spayed/neutered but merely something to take note of and keep an eye on your pet's weight.

If putting your pet on a diet doesn't work then you may want to take him/her to the vet and have some blood work done to make sure there is no medical reason for the weight gain.

This is a chart that happens to be dogs that will show you how to tell if your dog is overweight.  It is the same for cats as well.  I try to make sure my dog has a waist (an indent toward the back legs) and if that starts going away then I know I am feeding him too much and I need to back off of his food or we need to start exercising more. 

I hope you will take this information to heart because obesity in animals is just as bad or worse for animals as it is for humans.  Diabetes, heart disease, and joint pain, are just some of the issues that can be created by extra weight in animals. 

Let us know if you have any comments or questions and by all means ask your vet about anything you have seen in this blog.  Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and now Flipbook!  Your family and friends might be interested in knowing about us too so don't forget to tell them about us too.  As always, thanks for reading!