My New Cat Window Perch!

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Posted by on December 15, 2011 – 8:40 am
Filed under Pet Product Reviews

Look what Harley and I got! This is my new Cat Window Perch.  It is perfect for lounging around and enjoying the view.  And I am a kitty who enjoys lounging! I weigh about 7 pounds, so I have lots of space to roll around.

The Cat Window Perch is perfect for lounging!

Since my Mommeh installed it, I had to check everything for safety.  Luckily, it was easy to install because my Mommeh is not very handy.  It sticks to the windowsill with strong velcro.  Velcro reminds me of the barbs on my tongue! It also comes with screws you can use on wooden windowsills if you prefer.

Lucky for me, that cat window perch was easy to install!

The Harley Quinn likes it, too. You can see he takes up the entire perch.  Harley weighs about 12 pounds, but he is a long cat!  If you are a hefty kitty, it might be a tight fit.

The Cat Window Perch is good for small to medium sized cats.

I am trying to display my proud, happy and satisfied expression. Did I do good?

My proud, happy face shows that I love my Cat Window Perch!

I think this would make a very most excellent holiday gift! There is also a Heated Cat Perch for kittehs that live in a colder climate!

Inappropriate Urination in Pets

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Posted by on December 14, 2011 – 8:20 am
Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog

Inappropriate urination is a common clinical complaint in dogs and cats.

 Inappropriate urination is a common clinical complaint in both dogs and cats.  One of the first goals we have as veterinarians is to find out whether the inappropriate urination is due to behavioral or medical reasons.  Behavioral problems are most common in very young and older pets.  Many puppies (especially the toy breeds) will often take several months to fully house train.

At the other spectrum, older pets may exhibit senile changes leading to inappropriate urination, as well as have other geriatric medical illness leading to undesirable urination.

Any pet with history of inappropriate urination should have a complete physical exam and urine analysis performed at the local veterinarian. If needed, additional blood tests, x-rays or ultrasound can also be done.  Another important differential for this complaint is whether the pet is involuntarily leaking urine where it lays or sleeps, or whether there is increased urgency to urinate.

Incontinence is managed totally differently from inappropriate urination because of inflammation or infection.  Treatment will depend upon underlying causes and may include antibiotics, anti-spasmodic medications such as Amitriptyline, or medications such as prescription Proin for those incontinent pets.   Drugs like Anipryl (i.e selegiline), and fatty acid supplements such as Super pure Omega 3, and antioxidants like Proneurozone all can help with older pets.

Finding the Right Veterinarian

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Posted by on December 13, 2011 – 9:00 am
Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right veterinarian for your pet.

 Finding the right veterinarian can indeed be a difficult task.  It is often best to start with word of mouth referrals from friends or relatives who have had positive experiences with a particular veterinarian.  I would then recommend visiting the veterinary facility to find out as much as is possible about the practice, both in terms of cleanliness and organization, as well as to interview the veterinary staff to find out about practice philosophy and patient care.

Some of the important issues to discuss include vaccination protocols, hospital services in terms of diagnostics, therapies and surgery, as well as if frequent referrals are needed for specialists.

Office hours, and after-hour emergency care is also important, should your animal companion get sick late at night, or on weekends or holidays.

It is preferable that there be separate waiting rooms for dogs and cats, and that the staff is friendly and that technicians and veterinarians are available to answer questions.  Location is important as well; if the veterinarian is too far away, that could present trouble during inclement weather and rush hour traffic.

The internet is an excellent source of information on veterinary doctors.  Many veterinarians now have websites that offer much detail regarding veterinary staff and practice philosophy.  It is even possible to read client reviews regarding the practice directly on the internet.  Probably the least important factor in finding the right veterinarian should be cost.  However, during this tough economic time, many animal guardians are balancing tight budgets with financial allocation toward pet health care.

I Have Curly Fur!

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Posted by on December 12, 2011 – 9:00 am
Filed under Pet Talk

Sometimes people ask me, “Daisy, why are you called a Curly Cat?”  The answer is that I am a Devon Rex cat, which means I have very soft, curly fur!   The Devon Rex breed is said to be intelligent and mischievous, and we are sometimes referred to as a “monkey in cat’s clothing.”
Devon Rex cats have soft, curly fur.
Here is a close-up of my curls.  The very first Devon Rex cat was named Kirlee and he was discovered in 1959 in Devon, UK.  The curliness in Devon Rex fur is caused by a natural mutation.  While most cats have guard hair, down hair and awn hair, a Devon Rex cat will have very little guard hair.  My fur usually goes every-which-way and I look sort of like a well-loved plush toy.
Devon Rex cats have very little guard hair.
Devon Rex cats even have curly whiskers! They are brittle and tend to break easily. You can see some of my eyebrows are broken off!  Devon Rex cats are supposed to have a strong chin and a short muzzle.
Devon Rex cats have brittle whiskers that often break off.
We have huge, elfin ears.   Look, even the fur inside my ears is curly and frizzledy!
Devon Rex cats have large, elfin ears.

My fur is not shiny like cats with straight hair.  Here is what I would look like if I had straight fur.   How do I look?
Daisy is pretending to be a cat with straight hair!

I wish I could let you pet me so you could feel my curly fur.  Um, and I also just like getting pettin’s!

Lumps and Bumps in Senior Pets

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Posted by on December 11, 2011 – 8:40 am
Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog
As dogs get older, it is very common to find the appearance of various lumps and bumps either above the skin, or felt under the skin. Some dogs may have multiple growths all over the body.   In fact, the incidence of skin growths in dogs is probably much higher than it is in people. Fortunately, most of these growths are benign ones such as warts, cysts, skin tags and fatty tumors known as lipomas.

While benign growths comprise the vast majority of these lumps, malignant cancers known as mast cell tumors may sometimes mimic other growths. If in doubt, a veterinary exam and needle aspiration of the lump will often distinguish mast cell tumors from the more common benign growths outlined here.

Lumps and bumps on or under the skin are common in older dogs.

After 20 years of clinical experience, both as a holistic and traditional veterinarian, I am convinced that over-vaccination of adult and senior pets plays a significant role in many of these growths.  In fact, the homeopathic remedy Thuja is often quite helpful in the management of many of these cases, and is one of the major remedies in treating diseases brought about by vaccination.

While one must follow the law with regards to rabies vaccination, I would strongly recommend skipping other core viral vaccinations such as parvo and distemper in adult pets previously vaccinated.  Fortunately there are now blood vaccination antibody tests, which can document existing immunity, thus avoiding giving vaccines that are no longer necessary.

Winter Health Tips for Pets

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Posted by on December 10, 2011 – 8:30 am
Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog

Take extra care in the winter months to keep your pets healthy and safe.

 There are several health tips that are important to keep in mind when trying to keep our pets healthy during the winter season.  For those pets normally kept indoors, it is especially important not to leave them outside, as well as to make sure they are warm, dry, and away from cold drafts.   You may wish to consider clothing these pets with pet sweaters, especially those with thin hair coats, who are more likely to suffer the effects of harsh winter temperatures.

While fireplaces are increasingly used, animal guardians also must take precautions with pets so that they don’t get burned if they lie too close.  During winter months, pets may also need extra calories to help replace heat lost through body metabolism in keeping core temperatures stable.  It is important, however, not to give extra fatty holiday treats that may lead to pancreatitis, or potential toxins such as grapes, raisins and chocolate.

Holiday decorative plants, including holly and poinsettia also may be toxic if ingested.   For those traveling with pets, make sure not to leave pets alone in very cold cars.  For those pets that spend a lot of time outside, it may be helpful to have a pet door leading into the home as well.

Specially developed igloos may also be of use during the cold weather. I highly recommend warm, insulated shelters that are elevated off the ground. This is especially important with cats, who will often seek out shelter inside car engines during the cold winter months.   It is often better to take pets on shorter more frequent walks during the winter months, in order to prevent prolonged exposure to cold temperatures.

Animal guardians also need to be careful around lakes, streams and ponds that often ice over, and which present environmental hazards to both people and pets.   Other environmental factors to be careful with include careful monitoring around antifreeze chemicals, which often are very tasty to companion animals, and which may lead to digestive upset and acute kidney failure. During the winter months, pets also may be exposed to rock salt used on area roads and sidewalks. Some dogs are quite sensitive to rock salt, which may lead to dry, cracked or ulcerated paw pads.  I will often recommend topical products including vitamin E, aloe vera, and dilute green tea, which can often soothe inflamed and cracked skin.

Old arthritic pets also may need extra care during winter months, as this is the time of year when old, creaky painful joints may flare up.  These pets may benefit from various medical treatments, including dietary supplements such as Super Joint Enhancer, Proanthozone, Super Pure Omega 3 and Yucca Intensive.

Is your pet ready for the cold winter months?

How to Make It a Doggone Great New Year

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Posted by on December 9, 2011 – 8:30 am
Filed under 1800petmeds

The following is a guest post from Bella the Boxer.  Bella is a dog author, and today she provides us with some tips on making the upcoming new year the best, ever.  Thanks, Bella!

Bella the Boxer provides tips on how to make this new year the best, ever!

Greetings! My name is Bella, and I’m a connoisseur of cheese, a chaser of squirrels, and an expert on helping humans work smarter and be happier. I’m also a dog, and one of the greatest things about being a dog is having a free pass to give people the kind of straightforward advice that they don’t often hear from each other. (I guess there’s just something about a dog’s soulful eyes and happy, wagging tail that gets humans to sit up and pay attention.)

Since it’s the time of the year when humans start to think about New Year’s resolutions, I thought I’d share some of the wisdom that comes naturally to dogs of all shapes, sizes and pedigrees—and which everyone (even cat people!) can use to unleash their potential and create success:

Keep your eyes on the ball.

Stop multitasking and practice the art of concentration.  When I play with my little red rubber ball, I give it my full attention, energy and talent. Nothing else gives me the same sense of satisfaction!

Make happiness happen.

Focus on the positive and look for the humor in every situation. Aside from dogs, who are the happiest creatures on Earth? Those who make it their business to be happy!

Sit, stay and listen.

Talk less and listen more. When I wag my tail more than my tongue, people know that I’m listening. And after a while, I get to know something.

Shake off setbacks.

Don’t let the word “no” dissuade you. If you don’t fail, you don’t learn. Dogs aren’t perfect. We take risks and we make mistakes, but we shake off setbacks and take off running again.

Build your pack.

Surround yourself with colleagues, coaches, mentors and friends. Humans like to say that it’s ‘every man for himself.’ That’s silly. We all need a pack of supporters to succeed.

Show genuine appreciation.

Don’t just be grateful—show it! Kick up your paws and celebrate. Appreciation is gratitude in action. It’s something you feel from the tip of your tongue to the end of your tail—and it makes everyone feel good.

Get out and play!

Put down the gadgets and gizmos, step away from the computer, and learn how to play. Play is a dog’s way of connecting with real people, real dogs and real tennis balls. You know—the things in life that are most important.

How Will YOU Tap Into Your Inner Dog in the New Year?!

Secrets of a Working Dog from Bella the Boxer

Leave your comment below and we will give away a free autographed copy of Bella’s book to one lucky commenter!

***

Adapted from Secrets of a Working Dog: Unleash Your Potential and Create Success by Bella The Boxer with co-authors Ellen Galvin and Patrick Galvin. Available at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and www.BellaTheBoxer.com.

Anesthesia-Free Dentistry

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Posted by on December 8, 2011 – 8:00 am
Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog
Periodontal disease has been said to affect some 80% of pets over the age of three. Left untreated, periodontal disease may lead to infection and abscessation of teeth and roots, as well as secondary infection and/or organ dysfunction of the heart, liver and kidneys.

From early puppy and kittenhood, animal guardians are increasingly being instructed to have an active role in dental disease prevention by regularly

 Anesthesia-free dentristry for pets is an alternative, but not a substitute for proper ultrasonic scaling.

brushing their pets’ teeth with products such as C.E.T Enzymatic Toothpaste, or using natural products such as Leba II or PetzLife.

In spite of client education and participation in dental care, many pets will still often require, at some point in life, a dental scaling to remove unwanted plaque and bacteria. Typically this would involve general anesthesia in order to clean teeth properly. However with increasing awareness of the risks of general anesthesia, many holistic-minded veterinarians are now offering anesthesia-free dentistries to their clients.

While it is wonderful to offer non-anesthesia alternatives to animal guardians, anesthesia free dentistries are not substitutes for proper ultrasonic scaling, especially in those cases with advanced dental disease, or those pets with infected/abscessed gums. However if implemented early in dental healthcare, periodic anesthesia free dentistries can indeed improve dental hygiene and long term overall health. To learn more about this wonderful service see Pet Dental Services.

Controlling Excessive Barking

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Posted by on December 7, 2011 – 8:30 am
Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog
There are several methods you can use to train your dog not to bark excessively. Dogs may bark for many reasons. Barking can be due to territorial issues directed at other animals or humans.  Frustration or anxiety may cause excessive barking, and medical health problems may also contribute to barking in dogs.

It is important to socialize puppies to as many new people and situations as possible. Proper training with a good trainer is essential to preventing unwanted barking. Crate training from puppyhood can decrease dogs’ anxiety when left alone. Purchasing or adopting a second dog may reduce departure anxiety and stress vocalization.

Some dogs will also bark for increased attention.  It is important to never reward barking with any type of attention, play, food or affection.  Training the dog to a quiet command can be very helpful for controlling undesirable barking.  I recommend first using a stimulus that will cause the dog to bark, and then pair that with a “bark” command.  Dogs that bark on command can then be taught to turn off the barking by removing the stimulus and then saying “hush” or “quiet” just before the barking lets up.

Always give a reward as soon as your dog is quiet.   Another method to quiet an already barking dog is to place a treat by the nose of a barking pet.  Most dogs will immediately stop barking to sniff the treat.  At the same time, use the word “quiet” or “hush”, and then praise him and give him the treat.  Once repeated over many times, this will hopefully stop the unwanted behavior.   Remote leashes and head halters can also be used to disrupt barking. Gently pull on the leash to close the dog’s mouth, and coincide that with a verbal command of quiet.  Quiet behavior can then be reinforced by releasing the mouth, and then giving a reinforcer such as praise or food if the dog remains quiet.

There are several wonderful exercises outlined in the book “How to Get your Dog to Do what you Want” by Warren Eckstein.  This is a very useful training book that I recommend to all of my clients.

Intestinal Parasites in Dogs and Cats

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Posted by on December 6, 2011 – 9:00 am
Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog

Intestinal parasites are common in dogs and cats.

Intestinal parasites are fairly common in dogs and cats, and can cause varied symptoms from digestive tract signs (including diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal distention,  weight loss along with changes in appetite) to respiratory symptoms (coughing, difficulty breathing).

Most intestinal parasites are not seen visually in the stool samples by owners, and are usually identified by finding their microscopic eggs in a stool check performed by the veterinarian.

Exceptions to this would include tapeworms, which are often identified by the presence of mobile, flat white rice-like segments seen in the stool or near the anal opening or tail base of affected pets.  Clients also occasionally see pets vomit long stringy worms known as roundworms.

Because the most susceptible populations are young puppies and kittens, it is important to not only check stool samples at least twice from the ages of 6 to 16 weeks of age, but also to worm these youngsters with broad-spectrum wormers such as Pyrantel, Strongid or Nemex.   This is especially important when there are young children present in the house, as certain parasites such as roundworms and hookworms may be transmissible to people.

With adult pets, I recommend checking stool samples at least once yearly. Monthly heartworm preventative medications such as Interceptor and Heartguard Plus not only prevent heartworm infestation, but also control and treat many common intestinal worms, which is why it is recommended to keep dogs and cats on these preventatives year-round.  Parasites such as whipworms and Giardia are sometimes difficult to identify in stool samples, so veterinarians will often worm pets for these when clinical symptoms of diarrhea, weight loss or vomiting are present in adult pets.