You've Found A Baby Kitten Or Puppy...Now What?

Finding baby kittens and puppies can stress anyone if you love animals because the first question is normally "what do I do with it?" Here's some good information about what to do and if you're up to it some supplies you can get to feed the little one.

http://www.kittenbaby.com/

http://puppies.about.com/od/NewOwners/a/Development-Birth-to-3-Months.htm

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

http://www.2ndchance.info/orphanpuppy.htm

The links above provide some really good information about bottle feeding and the development stages of both kittens and puppies.  As far as guessing their age, I have personally found it useful to calculate it at 4 ounces per week of life.  For instance, if the kitten weighs 8 ounces we can safely assume he/she is 2 weeks old.  Obviously this is a guesstimate since the only way to know exactly how old your baby is is to see them born.

These guys are really super cute, but they are deceivingly a lot of work.  They are also extremely busy figuring out what's appropriate behavior and what is not and will play almost non-stop.  They will also fill a litterbox so it is extremely important to stay on top of that as well.  Kittens defecate their body weight every day which is quite amazing given how small they are.

These guys are even more work in that potty training is involved.  They have to learn to go outside and not in your home!  That requires lots and lots of trips outside to show them where they can go potty.  Their bladders are also not as big so they will have to go a lot more than their adult counterparts.

These babies are extremely cute and sweet but if you find one or more then it is important you check with a local vet or rescue organization if you aren't sure what to do.  It is work but definitely worth it in the end.

If you have any questions, comments or need information on how to go about finding a local rescue organization please let us know. Please follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Flipbook.  As always, thank you for reading!

Should You Avoid The Asphalt When Walking Your Dog? Why?

Since it's officially summer time here in the United States we need to start thinking about how hot not only we can get during the day but also how hot the pavement gets because we walk our dogs on that hot pavement and it can do damage.  If you have ever walked barefoot across a parking lot in the summer time you know it hurts.  It's the same thing for your dog.  We cannot think just because they are animals and have paw pads that they are indestructible because that is simply not the case.  If they walk too long on the hot pavement it will burn the skin off those pads.

This is what can happen if your dog is allowed to walk to long on the hot pavement.  It's painful and obviously need treatment.  If you live in a place where it doesn't get hot then you will need to protect their little feet from extreme cold if that is your weather.  Most cold weather places do use mitts on their dogs paws to protect them from the ice and snow.  That is something that will protect your dog from the heat as well.  Just be careful that this doesn't overheat your dog because animals release heat through the pads in their feet as well as their tongues and other mucus membranes so pay very close attention to their breathing and take water along for them as well so they can cool off too.  Walking in the shade or grass is best, if possible.  If it's too hot for you to go without shoes it will be too hot for your dog.

http://www.activedogs.com/product.php?id=125

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753821

The above links are for two types of mittens for your dog's paws when walking in cold or hot weather.  I highly recommend these for hot summer days and cold snowy or icy weather or if you just want to keep your dog from sliding on slick surfaces to prevent shoulder and hip injuries.  It will be a very weird sensation for them at first but they will get used to it and will be pros at walking in them in no time!

If you have concerns about this please ask your vet or trainer to get suggestions or advice.  We want your pet as safe as possible.

We welcome comments, questions and concerns so do not hesitate to ask.  Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Flipbook!  As always, thanks for reading.

The First Day Of Summer! Don't Leave Pets In The Car.

It's officially the first day of summer here in the United States.  That means the hotter temperatures are here and in some cases have been around for a while already.  So what does this mean for your pets?  Well first and foremost they should always have access to water while they are outside.  Animals do not sweat so it is harder for them to release body heat to cool themselves down. 

If you see your dog panting harder than normal or your cat panting at all this means they are too hot and need to be cooled down.  How is this done?  First you need hose your dog off with cool water and get him/her in the shade.  Once this is done take them indoors where there is air conditioning.  If your dog is outdoor only then you should consider more shade and providing more water and potentially ice water at times.  If you just cannot bring your dog indoors you may want to consider your garage as an alternative since there is a concrete floor which is cooler.  Providing a fan or portable A/C unit is also a good idea since as the summer wears on the garage will heat up.

Outdoor cats do tend to find cooler places to stay during the day such as under decks in the dirt; however, water is still extremely important for them as well.  Do not think just because cats are more independent that the heat cannot and will not bother them as well.

So what will happen if your pet gets overheated and nothing is done?  Heat stroke is a very real possibility in your pet and it will happen a lot quicker in them than it does in humans.  It will kill your pet very quickly as their bodies are literally cooking on the inside as their temperature rises.

I personally had an experience with this and watched as the dog paced the floor, panted extremely hard and was obviously very uncomfortable.  We had no idea what to do at this point in time and did our best to no avail.  She passed away on the way to the vet.  Her temperature was 108 degrees internally.  A normal temp is 102 so you can see this was extremely high. 

Our ignorance led us to do a great deal of research and educate ourselves on how to prevent this from happening again.  Fortunately we had the opportunity to keep another dog alive through this very same situation because we were educated this time and did the right things.

People should also not leave their dogs in their cars.  If you have to go into a business then you should leave the car running with the A/C on if you cannot bring your dog in with you.  Same thing with cats.  The temperature in your car heats up to dangerous temps very very quickly and any outside temp over 70 can kill your dog or cat in the car if left for too long in the car.

It is very important that we as pet parents think of these things so we can keep our furry family members as safe as possible.  I personally do not take my dog anywhere I cannot take him in with me so I do not have to leave him in the car.  That's just so I don't have to worry about him either being taken or getting sick because I wasn't aware of the temperature.  I do not judge others for leaving theirs in the car as long as the A/C is on though.  If the A/C is not on, however, and I see it then I will take your dog especially if it is hot outside.  That's animal cruelty in my opinion.

We welcome your opinions and comments and questions.  Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and Flipbook.  As always, thanks for reading!

Dog Fighting...How To Recognize It And What To Do About It.

We've all heard about Michael Vick and his dog fighting ring, I'm sure.  Does this type of thing really exist in our own neighborhoods though?  I mean we like to think we live in a safe area.  Unfortunately this illegal activity can exist anywhere.  Your neighbors may even be participating in this behavior and you will not even know it unless you know what to look for.

http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/dog-fighting/dog-fighting-faq.aspx

If you hear someone asking for free kittens then that is a red flag.  Do not be fooled by the fact that they may have children with them.  Free kittens or cats are ALWAYS a bad idea for this reason.  They are used for bait to help make these dogs fight.  The kittens do not stand a chance and will always be killed in a horrible way.  They are then just tossed in the garbage like trash.  People will also look for free dogs and come by to see if they are submissive.  Submissive dogs make good bait as well because they will not fight back and if they do these people will tape their mouths shut so they can't fight back.  This is all an effort to make the other dog get a taste for fighting and blood so they will continue to do this behavior.  These people praise the behavior so the dog thinks it is a good thing to do.

The dogs will also more than likely be chained up outside with very heavy chains.  There will always be more than one and it will be breeds like pittbulls, rottweilers, etc. that people are already afraid of and feel are aggressive.  Unfortunately what a lot of people do not know is these breeds were originally used as nannies or herding or general working dogs...they were never deemed aggressive.  Humans made them that way and have inbred them so the genetics are not as they were initially so these dogs have gotten a bad rap over the years.

The dogs used for fighting are most likely not vaccinated or cared for medically either.  Why should they care for them medically if they are just going to let them kill each other?  The dogs may be heart worm positive, have tick borne diseases, distemper, or any variety of other medical issues.  Unless rescued from this situation, these dogs will never be treated for any medical condition they may or may not have and any injured dog will not receive treatment for injuries.

Gypsy with dog fighting injuries.  Notice she has no ears and is missing a leg.

The graphic picture above is not meant for shock but to show you what can happen to another dog during a fight.  This is definitely considered animal cruelty and is also very illegal.  People spend many years in jail if they are found guilty of this activity. There are also activities beyond just dog fighting such as drugs found to be involved as well.

Please check the link above for information as well as the links on this blog for more information regarding what to look for and if you do stumble upon what you feel is a dog fighting ring please leave immediately and call the police!  Give them the address and as specific a location as possible but do not go back there as the people would rather see you dead than to go to jail.

If you have any pertinent information to add please feel free to comment or ask any questions.  Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Flipbook and be sure to remind your family and friends about us.  As always, thanks for reading.

Adopting From An Agency Or Shelter...Is There A Health Guarantee?

The answer to this is no.  There is never a health guarantee even if you go to a breeder.  There is absolutely no way to guarantee the health of any animal unless there is genetic testing and even then it's impossible to tell whether or not a recessive gene will rear it's ugly head and bring out the disease or illness.

Take Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) for example.  This is an ultimately deadly disease most common in the Maine Coon, American Shorthair, Devon Rex, Ragdoll, and British Shorthair breeds.  It is basically the heart not properly functioning and its inability to pump blood effectively.  The walls of the heart will also thicken as the disease progresses so symptoms will get progressively worse.  There is no cure but there are medications that your pet can take to potentially prolong their life.  HCM is a genetic disease and can be detected through genetic testing however, your vet may tell you that your pet has a heart murmur.  If you have any of the above mentioned breeds you will want to pursue this further with more testing to make sure it is only a heart murmur and not HCM.

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/cliented/hcm.aspx

http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/Pages/06_Meurs_final.pdf

Another disease that is not able to be tested for is Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP).  This too is a deadly disease that can come on very quickly and will take your cat's life.  FIP is caused by a coronavirus very common in cats but doesn't often result in FIP.  This is found often times in multi-cat homes, catteries and shelters.  This does not mean that people should have only one cat at a time or not adopt from shelters or rescue organizations or seek breeding options. 

This cat is exhibiting the sign of enlarged belly consistent with FIP

Is there a vaccine?  Yes, but it's safety and effectiveness aren't able to be verified so I personally would not risk it out of my own paranoia.  FIP is not common and if your pets are healthy then there is no real reason to worry about it but it is worth knowing about.

If your cat all of a sudden stops eating, is very lethargic but his/her belly continues to grow it is time to go to the vet quickly.  Again, THERE IS NO DEFINITIVE TEST FOR FIP.  I personally know of one vet who was set on a FIP diagnosis for a cat and was set on euthanasia but decided to do one more test.  This test found it was NOT FIP and that cat is alive today because of this $140 test.

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/fip.html

http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/Pages/FIP_Web_2010.pdf

I do not write about these two specific diseases to scare anyone but to bring up the fact that there are no guarantees when you either adopt or buy a pet.  You, as their parent, have to be diligent in their health care and not just keeping them healthy and providing the appropriate care needed but being your pet's advocate.  You are their voice.  Nobody can tell you about genetic disorders if you are adopting and potentially even purchasing from a breeder.  Just due diligence on you and your vet's part will help keep your pet healthy.  It is unfair but it is a fact.  Appliances come with guarantees, not animals.

Please give us your respectful comments and questions.  Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Flipbook!  As always, tell your family and friends about us and thanks for reading.

Animal Cruelty...What Is It And How To Help Prevent It? It Isn't Just About The Animals.

This topic is so hard for some people and if you are in the trenches helping abused and neglected animals who are part of cruelty cases then it is even harder.  Most people will say even if they do not like cats or dogs or animals in general they would never hurt one on purpose.  That is the norm.  Then there are people who have such disregard for life that they get enjoyment out of seeing another living creature hurt.  These people would also have no problem hurting another human do please do not fool yourself into thinking they wouldn't hurt you too.

The definition of animal cruelty is:  the crime of inflicting physical pain, suffering or death on an animal, usually a tame one, beyond necessity for normal discipline. It can include neglect that is so monstrous (withholding food and water) that the animal has suffered, died or been put in imminent danger of death.  (http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Animal+cruelty)

Here is a link to find the animal cruelty laws in your US state:
http://www.aspca.org/Fight-Animal-Cruelty/Advocacy-Center/state-animal-cruelty-laws.aspx

Please do not use the word "cruelty" frivolously because it is very serious to accuse someone of this crime.  Cruelty does not include letting your cat be indoor/outdoor or having an outdoor dog despite what your opinion on this topic may be.   There also has to be proof so be sure if you are going to accuse someone you have absolute proof and a local animal law attorney can help you with figuring out what this entails.

http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/reporting-cruelty-faq.aspx

http://aldf.org/article.php?list=type&type=85

Here are some pictures of one type of act of cruelty from the folks at "Unchain Your Dog".  
http://www.unchainyourdog.org/FactsPhotos.htm

I won't post anymore pictures because I do not want people to receive pleasure out of viewing thing that evil from this blog.  Suffice it to say, the research that happens on cats, dogs, and the slaughtering of animals can be considered cruelty and if you really want to see the pictures you will have to research them yourself.  I warn you, though, it is extremely disturbing.

Please talk to your local law makers about this topic and try to get laws passed that will help stop this behavior.  There is absolutely no reason for this behavior to continue and no reason these animals should be treated like this.  At the very least start with unchaining dogs and fighting the people who continue to have dog fighting rings on a daily basis because these type of people aren't just fighting dogs, they are more than likely into other illegal activities as well.

http://aldf.org/article.php?id=927

This topic isn't just about animals, it's about saving our communities and keeping them and the sentient beings in them safe.  If we all start to think outside the box and work with law enforcement to put these criminals in prison and work to get harsher laws for these crimes then we can begin to feel safer about 1) having those indoor/outdoor cats, and 2) maybe allowing our children to play safely in local playgrounds and in our own backyards.

This is a hot topic so please keep any comments respectful, but we do welcome any comments as long as we all respect everyone's right to an opinion.  Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Flipbook.  As always, thank you so much for reading!

Getting Yourself And Your Pet Ready For Storm Season

Here in the Southeast United States it is officially hurricane season.  This begins every year on June 1 and some people take it more seriously than others.  So in order to take the middle of the road with preparation I thought I would mention some things in we can do not only for ourselves but for our pets as well in case we do have a hurricane, or any storm.

Regardless of the storm there should be a few things we should always keep on hand and one of those things is a gallon of water per person per day.  That is normally my rule of thumb so everyone stays hydrated.  When it is hot and there is no air conditioning and people are sweating it is extremely easy to get dehydrated.  You should also keep a gallon of water per day per pet on hand as well for the same reason...hydration.  However, your pet cannot sweat so it is even more important to make sure your pet stays hydrated.  Animals pant to release heat from their bodies.  They also release heat from their paw pads.  If your pet is panting excessively then you might consider hosing him/her down with the garden hose to keep them cool.  Do NOT put wet cloths on their body because that will keep the heat in and that is very, very bad for them.

Of course another thing to keep on hand is non-perishable food.  Not just for yourselves but for your pet as well.  Canned food is good as is dry food.  You will just need to make sure you really keep an eye on the expiration date of these foods and if they are coming close to due then feed your dog or cat the foods and buy more to keep on hand.  There is nothing wrong with rotating this food.  You can also keep your pet's favorite treats the same way.  For dogs, if you use the natural chews then once again keep an eye on any expiration dates they may have.  For cats, the freeze dried treats you will want to make sure you store properly so they do not go bad.

Since I live in the Southeastern United States, I can say with confidence that if there is a hurricane and the eye of that storm has come over your area you can reasonably expect to be at least a week without conveniences depending on the category level of the hurricane.  I personally went through a category 3 hurricane and the eye went over my area and we were without power (and water although we had a well at the time) for a week.  I also work full-time in the public safety arena so I'm familiar with the damage various storms can do as well and how they can affect people's lives.

If your pets are not microchipped I strongly encourage you to get them done in case something happens to them and they get lost.  Vets and shelters will scan found pets and this will allow you to get your pet back.  This is especially important if you have outdoor or indoor/outdoor cats or outdoor dogs. 

Keeping your pets up to date on their vaccines is important as well not just during storm season but all year.  Especially rabies but your vet will have others he/she recommends as well.  These are important for the health of your pet.

Please prepare for the appropriate storm season in your area.  This will save time and energy and worry later on if there is a storm that hits your area.  Not only do you owe it to yourself but you owe it to your pets to prepare them as well.

Be safe and let us know if you have any questions.  Please follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Flipbook.  As always, thanks for reading.