Weatherproofing your pet

Hi All,

Libby here. 

First off, BRRR! It's cold outside. And I haven't even physically been outside. But the cold coming off the coats of PPAC clients, is enough indication about how murderously cold it is outside. I've never been happier to be an indoor cat!

Now, don't be fooled by the topic of today's blog. We're not really going to talk about weatherproofing. That's just silly. And let's be honest, just like humans, there's not much to do about the imminent approach of cold weather. (Ok, I suppose you can make a decision to pack on a few extra pounds to insulate yourself. But, we DO NOT advocate that approach for your pets, here at the PPAC!)

That said, there are some things you can do to help keep your pet as safe and warm as possible as the cold creeps in. Did you know that this is supposedly the coldest weather we've experienced since 2002? INSANE! Precautions must be taken.

So, here goes.

You've probably seen some dogs walking around outside with little rubber dog boots. No, they are not some weird, new, Lady Gaga inspired fashion statement. They are rubber boots meant to protect your pet's little feet from the harsh winter weather! Not only do they keep feet dry, they also protect the soles of paws from the salt mixture people lay down to melt snow and ice. Unless people are consciously using dog-friendly types of salt, this substance can be super painful to a pet's paws. Ouch! Protect those paws!

My next cold weather suggestion is the beloved (or dreaded) doggy coat. Some pet owners are all about accessorizing their best friends. Others are less enamored with silly looking (albeit adorable) outerwear. So my two cents on this matter are, would you walk outside without a coat in 20 degree weather? Should your pet be subjected to the cold just because you think they look a tad silly? No! Keep them warm. And if you see your pet shivering, put a coat on them!

In this weather, you also need to be extra cautious when it comes to pets with pre-existing health conditions. You know when you walk outside and it's so cold it hurts to breathe? Now, imagine if you were predisposed to breathing and cardiac issues. Even worse, right? Same goes for pets who have these conditions. Take extra precautions when bringing these pets outside in the cold winter months.

My final cold weather tip relates to antifreeze. This substance is super useful in cold weather. And super toxic to your pets. So always keep this (and all other harmful substances) out of your pet's reach.

Just a few tips to keep your pet safe this winter!

Til next time,

Libby

The Truth About Cats and Dogs

Hi All,

Libby here. I hope you are having meaningful Martin Luther King Jr. Days.

Today's topic is both near and dear my heart but, it can be a bit of a sensitive issue. So I've decided to treat it with all manner of discretion.

In the words of the great Salt N' Pepa, Let's TaIk About Sex. 

Joking aside, as a pet parent, it's important to understand the ins and outs of animal procreation so you can act in an educated manner when it comes to the well being of your pet. This information might be tremendously obvious to all of you - if this is not new news, my apologies. And for the rest of you, it's time we had the 'chat'.

Just like humans, animals reach a point of sexual maturity. Once sexually mature, female dogs go into heat approximately every six months and female cats experience go into heat once a month or so. During these time periods, the male counterparts of dogs and cats are extra attracted to the female and, well lets say... things can get quite rowdy.

So why all this info about animal love? Well, aside from a desire to curb excessive population growth, (do you know how many pups and kittens are in a litter!?) since there are so many homeless cats and dogs and we want to help keep this in check, there are also significant health benefits to spaying and neutering your pets.

When making the decision whether or not to 'fix' your pet, keep in mind that you don't want to do this while they are too young; recent studies show that premature spaying and neutering can  make your pet more inclined to skeletal problems. That said, the decision to go ahead and fix your pet is actually beneficial to their health. Spaying your female cat or dog will help them avoid uterine infections later or rare genital tract tumors later on in life. Neutered male cats and dogs are less prone to prostate infections as well as testicular tumors.

Now please don't think I'm up on some soapbox advocating one way or another or, trying to twist your arm to spay or neuter your pet. Each pet owner is responsible and capable of making educated and responsible decisions for your pet. But, I wanted to share what I know and let you and your pets go forth and procreate. Or not as the case may be.

Til' next time,

Libby

Find a kitty, pick it up.

Hi All,

Libby here.

Let me paint a picture for you. You're walking along, minding your own business, when all of a sudden, an adorable cat makes its way into your path. Perhaps you're a bit cautious at first but, when the kitty wends its way in and out of your legs enough times, you realize you're not shaking him off so easily. In fact, the little guy is kind of growing on you. So you take off your coat, scoop the little fella up and take him home with you.

Happy little family, right?

Not so fast!

Let's be honest. You exercise a lot of caution when picking other items up off the street-shoes, clothing, ya know. So why wouldn't you do the same when it comes to a stray animal?

Now, I'm 100% in support of saving stray cats from a life on the streets but, you need to be careful and make sure you're doing everything you need to, in order to insure the safety of both yourself and your pet.

When you take home your new family member, you would be smart to bypass your home and go straight to your vet to check for the following:

1. Ringworm-humans can contract this disease so you want to make sure to treat your new pet before bringing them home.
2. Fleas- This itchy pest can infest both you and your home.
3. Feline leukemia and feline AIDS- both of these diseases can lower your pet's immune response and leave them in harm of contracting other illnesses.
4. Earmites-these bugs are super itchy to your pet so beware!
5. Upper respiratory disease- this can cause your cat to have runny eyes, nose and, in a worst case scenario, can cause the eyeball to rupture.
6. Intestinal parasites- worms and other one cell organisms that can cause severe diarrhea!

Obviously, these various maladies are pretty heavy duty and shouldn't be handled lightly. Once your vet treats any existing conditions and offers preventative care for others, your new pet will be ready to join you at home.

Safety first!

Til' next time,

Libby

'Eating Like A Stoner' Or: How To Look Out For Diabetes

Hi All,

Libby here.

I hope you are one week closer to making all of your New Year's resolutions come true.

If you are, that makes one of us. I haven't been doing so well on the 'nice front' as per my blog post last week. So, I figure I'll work extra hard on my other resolutions-ie imparting my extensive medical knowledge to you fine folks.

To that end, in light of the recent holiday season (granted it's coming to an end but I'm still riding on my holiday high), this week's post relates to excessiveness. Excessive drinking and eating are two symptoms of the condition du jour, amongst others.

Drinking and eating  are good in moderation, of course. Most things are. But, when you notice your cat or dog eating, drinking or urinating excessively, and losing weight in spite of this, your pet may have diabetes. Another tell-tale sign of diabetes is if your animal is walking low in the saddle. This means that the lower joints on your pet's hind leg (their ankle joints) are down low to the ground

Recently, a two year old cat came into the PPAC displaying these symptoms. When Dr. S. asked about the cat's recent eating habits, the owner remarked 'Man, my cat is eating like a stoner'. HAHAH. Come on, that's pretty funny! 

Well, when Dr. S. heard about the cat's excessive eating, he pressed the client further and found out that the cat had also been drinking and peeing more than usual. Blood and urine tests were then taken, and it was discovered that the cat not only had diabetes, it also had a urinary tract infection; the excess sugars in the blood stream (results of the diabetes), can sometimes cause UTI's.

Dr. S. gave the cat antibiotics to treat the UTI and twice-daily insulin injections to treat the diabetes. Now here's where it gets a bit tricky. The proper amount of insulin is not always easy to determine immediately. So, if your pet does in fact have diabetes, and you are committed to treating them, it might take a bit of finagling to figure out the appropriate amount. Once that has been sorted out however, your pet can continue to live a healthy life!

Stoner jokes aside, diabetes is serious but it can be treated. So if you notice your pet chowing down stoner style, bring them in for a checkup.

Til' next time,

Libby