Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital Newsletters
Newsletter for March 2005
Hello friends:
In this issue:
Flea season is here
Pet trusts
Basic rabbit care
Pet sitters week
Flea Facts ... Flea season is
here....time to start protecting your pet again
* Flea fossils date back to the Lower Cretaceous period, meaning fleas
have been around for about 100 million years. At that time, their neighbors
might have been a
Tyrannosaurus Rex or Triceratops!
* Some fleas can jump 150 times their own length. That compares to a human
jumping 1,000 feet. One flea broke a record with a four-foot vertical jump.
* Undisturbed and without a blood meal, a flea can live more than 100 days.
On average, they live two to three months.
* Female fleas cannot lay eggs until after their first blood meal and begin
to lay eggs within 36-48 hours after that meal.
* The female flea can lay 2,000 eggs in her lifetime; if all 53 million dogs
in the U.S. each hosted a population of 60 fleas, we'd have more than six
trillion flea eggs
surrounding our pets. Laid end-to-end, those eggs would stretch around the
world more than 76 times!
* The female flea consumes 15 times her own body weight in blood daily.
* While adult fleas all suck blood from a cat or dog or other mammal, their
larvae live and feed on organic debris in the host animal's environment.
* Flea larvae are blind.
* If you happen to see one flea, there may be more than 100 offspring or
adults looming nearby in furniture, corners, cracks, carpeting or on your pet.
* The cat flea, which infests both cats and dogs, is a tropical insect and
cannot tolerate freezing temperatures for long periods of time. However, they
are well
adapted to indoor living.
* While there are more than 2,000 known species and subspecies of fleas, only
one flea species -- the cat flea -- accounts for almost all the fleas found on
cats and
dogs in the United States.
* Fleas are often confused with bedbugs, lice and ticks.
* The largest recorded flea is the North American Hystrichopsylla schefferi,
measuring 12mm in length - almost 1/2-inch!
(information from Bayer,
maker of Advantage flea control)
Pet Trusts
If your pets outlive you, have you provided for them?
More than a dozen states (including Tennessee) have adopted the Uniform Trust
Act of 2000-01, which recognizes the interests of companion animals in civil law
There's only one thing that scares animal lovers more than the thought of their
pet dying -- and that's the thought of their pet surviving them.
Apparently, it's a common concern. More than a dozen states, in fact, have
adopted the Uniform Trust Act of 2000-2001, which recognizes the interests of
companion animals in civil law. In 2001, U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore.,
introduced the Morgan Bill, named after his collie, in Congress; the federal
bill would make it easier for pet owners to create trust funds for their
animals. The Morgan Bill has gone to the Ways and Means Committee but has not
been acted on.
As eccentric as it seems, many average Americans are concerned -- and
legitimately so -- about their animals' future well-being, Fort Wayne, Ind.,
attorney George Martin says.
"The bottom line is, someone has to take care of the animal after the owner's
death," he said. "Otherwise, he's abandoned. He's out the door, literally.
Something -- positive or negative -- is going to happen to it. It might be
something that's not so pleasant to think about."
You don't have to leave your pets' futures to fate. Here are tips for protecting
them before and after you're long gone:
Take your health, age and future lifestyle plans into account when adopting a
new pet. For example, Peggy Bender, spokeswoman for Fort Wayne Animal Care &
Control, recalls an older woman who chose a small dog over a large one because
she knew she'd eventually be moving into a nursing home that didn't allow big
pets.
Rely on Animal Care & Control in case of emergency. When owners die, are
hospitalized or are involved in house fires, car accidents or other emergencies,
their pets may be taken (by first responders or family members) to the shelter
until relatives or friends can be notified, Bender said.
The shelter will keep the animal for up to 10 days, until other arrangements can
be made. The shelter offers free care for the first three days, and charges $10
a day for each subsequent day.
"We will also make arrangements if an extension is needed," Bender said.
The pet will be released to the person who has power of attorney for the owner,
or another caretaker designated by that person. The shelter also will keep
relinquished pets.
As with all animals officially surrendered to the shelter, Animal Care & Control
will evaluate the pet for its adoption program, but will not guarantee that it
will be accepted into the program. Euthanasia is a possibility.
Keep in mind that animals cannot inherit money directly, Martin said. Don't
bother trying to name your pets as beneficiaries; even if you die intestate --
without a legal will -- the animals will never be in line to inherit your
fortune.
Consider leaving your pet to a beneficiary in your will. Although it may seem
crass to treat your pet like property, it's actually the simplest way to ensure
that a specific person will get your pet after your death, Martin said. If you
want to leave money for your pet's care as well, you can also will the money to
the same person.
This comes with a major caveat, however: The beneficiary is not legally
obligated to accept the pet, nor is he or she bound to spend the inheritance on
the pet, Martin said. "They could buy shoes or something with it."
If you want guarantees, talk to your lawyer about setting up a trust for your
animals. Unlike a beneficiary, a trustee is required to dole out money for the
purpose designated -- in this case, for your pet's care throughout its lifetime,
Martin said. A trustee does not have to be a relative; he or she could be an
employee of a bank, for example, or a lawyer.
Setting up a trust can be an expensive and complex process, especially in
states, such as Indiana, that have not adopted pet-trust statutes.
"It may be more trouble than most pet owners are willing to endure," Martin
said. "Maybe I just attract a callous type of client, but I've actually never
had one set up (a trust fund) for an animal."
Choose a caretaker you trust, preferably someone other than the trustee. Ask if
he or she will commit to your animal's care, and allow time to think it over.
Ask one or two alternates, too, in case your first choice is unable or unwilling
to take your animals after your death.
Ideally, the caretaker should not also serve as trustee; having different people
fill each role provides a system of checks and balances.
Determine how much money to set aside for your pet's care. Your veterinarian and
attorney may be able to help you come up with a reasonable figure that takes
into account inflation, the animal's life expectancy and possible health
problems as the pet grows older.
"Animals are like people -- they're probably going to need more care as they get
older," Martin said.
Do not put more money into the trust than will be needed for your pet's care.
Large amounts may tempt relatives to break the trust.
Basic pet rabbit care
Rabbits have become popular companion animals and backyard pets. As pets,
rabbits are small, relatively easy to care for and quiet. What’s more, they can
be litter box-trained! Like all companion animals, rabbits have their own
biological characteristics, nutrition and housing needs.
A varied diet is important
The preferred diet for a pet rabbit is a high quality, high-fiber pelleted food.
Loose hay—mixed grass hay, timothy hay or high-quality grass clippings—should be
fed ad lib. Alfalfa hay can be offered during the growth stage, but then
discontinued because of its high protein content. A rabbit’s diet should be
supplemented with dark, fibrous, leafy greens (Kale, mustard greens), fresh
vegetables (carrots, broccoli) and a small amount of fruit (strawberries,
apples). A proper diet is essential because nutritional problems are common in
pet rabbits.
Rabbits produce two types of fecal pellets: Mucus pellets and dry (hard)
pellets. The mucus pellet is a night feces, produced in the early morning hours,
and immediately ingested by the rabbit. It is a source of B vitamins, amino
acids and fatty acids. The dry pellets are not normally ingested.
Due to the rabbit’s digestive tract physiology, one common nutritional problem
is hairballs. Feeding high-fiber diets, minimizing stress and boredom, and
brushing frequently can generally prevent hairballs. Hairballs can cause rabbits
top stop eating. Feeding fresh pineapple juice had reportedly aided in the
breakdown and passage of hairballs.
Housing & Bedding
Rabbits are best housed in wire-bottomed cages with access to a smooth surface.
The cage should be well ventilated and easy to clean. Grass hay is a good
bedding material because it is edible. Wood chips or pelleted cellulose are
good, too. Cedar chips should be avoided because of dust and irritating oils
that may be associated with them. Generally, carpeting should not be used
because of the potential for "carpet hairballs" if eaten by the rabbit. If
housed outdoors, rabbits should be provided with shelter and shade. Indoor
rabbits should be cages when unattended—The most common behavioral problem seen
in pet rabbits is chewing rugs, furniture and electrical wires.
Safe Handling Instructions!
A rabbit’s ears are highly vascular and help regulate hear as well as sensing
sound. The ears are fragile and sensitive and should not be used for restraint.
The rabbit skeleton is also fragile, making the lumbar spine susceptible to
fracture. It is important to hold rabbits properly and securely to avoid
struggling that can lead to broken backs. Rabbits can be carried by grasping the
loose skin over the shoulders with one hand, tucking the rabbit’s head under one
arm and placing the other arm under the rump to support the weight. An
alternative is to pick up a scruffed rabbit by cupping the hindquarters with the
other hand to prevent the rear legs from kicking back. For restraint, a towel
works well.
Regular Checkups
Rabbit owners should have their rabbits examined by a veterinarian at least once
a year. Obesity, malocclusion of the teeth, not eating, diarrhea, parasite
infections and fractures are common health problems that veterinarians see in
rabbits. In the United States, no vaccines are approved for use in rabbits, so
proper nutrition and management are essential in keeping a rabbit healthy and
disease free.
Pet Lovers Worldwide to Celebrate
Professional Pet Sitters Week, March 6-12, 2005
Professional Pet Sitters Week was introduced by Pet Sitters International (PSI),
in 1995. PSI is the world’s largest and most progressive organization for
professional pet sitters. When asked why PSI sponsors such an event, Patti
Moran, president of PSI explained, “Professional pet sitting has become an
important service industry over the past 10 years. Many professional pet sitters
put in long hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year, so they can provide
personal in-home care for pets of all kinds. Their dedicated service affords
their clients the ability to leave home on business or vacation with the
knowledge that their beloved pets are in the capable hands of caring
professionals. The tireless efforts of these small business owners and their
staffs truly deserve recognition.”
Joining in the celebration are pet sitters from around the world, including
those from Australia, Canada, China, the Cayman Islands, England, France,
Greece, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Scotland, South Africa, the U.S. and Wales.
And there will be plenty of pet owners celebrating right along with them.
According to PSI, the professional pet-sitting industry services approximately
10 million homes annually. With more than 62% of U.S. households alone owning
some kind of pet, it can easily be seen why PPSW has become a global event.
For pet owners, at-home pet sitting provides a unique alternative to boarding
facilities or having to rely on family and neighbors to check in on their pets.
Pet sitters come to the home daily, enabling their furry, finned or feathered
charges to maintain regular routines, including feedings, walks, potty breaks
and the administration of pet medication. Regardless the task, pets always
receive one-on-one care and attention from a pet-sitting professional. PSI
points out that pets experience less stress and adjust better to their owners’
absences when they remain in their normal environment. This reduction in stress
creates a positive impact on a pet’s overall health and well being. To the
delight of many pet owners, most professional pet sitters provide the added
benefit of home security by bringing in their client’s mail and newspapers,
rotating lighted areas, opening and closing draperies and attending to other
details that make the house appear occupied while an owner is away.
Priest Lake maintains a list of pet sitters for your convenience. Call 361-4646
for information.
To learn more about PPSW and how you can participate, or visit the PSI Web site,
www.petsit.com.
Best Regards,
The doctors and staff of Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital