May 2008 News Letter


 
Happy Mothers Day

Grooming for your senior pet

Older pets often groom less and may have trouble cleaning those hard to reach areas.  They may also have additional skin issues or conditions that require extra care, cleaning, and monitoring.

1.     Changes in the skin and coat:  The coat could be dry and flaky or oily and greasy.  Arthritic and mental changes may make it hard for the pet to reach certain areas.  Therefore you may have to assist them in their bathing, combing and medicated shampoos.

2.     Bumps and Lumps:     Any skin growths should be seen by your veterinarian first.  They should be carefully groomed around if your pets gets groomed or clipped regularly.   Sometimes they just need monitoring for growth and often they need to be removed by your veterinarian and sent to a laboratory for identification.

3.     Nails:     As your pet ages, the nails may be more brittle and become thicker.  Nails and nail beds become overgrown.  If your pet dislikes nail trims, you can take it to the veterinarian to have them trim the nails, or you can trim them yourself with caution and not to cut into the quick.

4.     Grooming Aids:     Look for brushes and combs with plastic tipped teeth, they are more comfortable against the skin.  If your pet objects to water and needs bathing, check out the variety of waterless shampoos that may make the job easier and less stressful.



Feline Urine-Marking

Urine-marking can be a troubling behavior for cat owners and may indicate some hard to handle stresses in the cat's life.  This is the number one reason that cats end up in shelters, pounds and on the street.

Recognizing urine-marking
1.   It  typically involves interesting varied locations
2.   It usually involves multiple sites.
3.   It often involves a small amount of urine deposited on a vertical surface.

Diagnosis and treatment
1.   Patterns;   visitors in the house, departure of a key person, new pets, or even the opening of porches and windows and doors in the springtime
2.   Neutering or spaying:   Neutering reduces the chance of spraying or marking 90% of the time.  Intact females often spray when in heat
3.   Medical Examination:   Always rule out possible medical causes by taking the cat to your veterinarian when symptoms occur
4.   Litter boxes:   Make sure there is enough litter in the box.  Keep one extra box for each cat you have
5.   Odors:  Clean all urine marks as soon as possible with an enzymatic odor neutralizer.  A black light can detect urine marks.
6.   Stress:  Address any stresses in the cat's life, such as a conflict with another cat or separation anxiety
7.   Outside visitors:  Shield the cat from the view of the outside by closing curtains and keeping the patio door closed.
8.   Pheromone spray:  Using a pheromone spray (Feliway) can deter some cats from urinating in particular locations.  The active ingredient is oleic acid.  It is thought to deliver a message of "peace and love" rather than "keep away".
9.   Medication:  There are certain behavioral medications that can reduce the urine marking in some cases.  Ask your veterinarian for some suggestions.  A medical problem would need to be eliminated before any medication is given.



Top Pet Names:

Top Dog Names:    Male                                           

 1. Max
 2. Buddy
 3. Jake
 4. Rocky
 5. Bailey

Top Dog Names:    Female
 
 1. Molly
 2. Maggie
 3. Daisy
 4. Lucy
 5. Sadie

Top Cat Names:     Male
 
 1. Max
 2. Tigger
 3. Tiger
 4. Smokey
 5. Oliver

Top Cat Names:     Female
 
 1. Chloe
 2. Lucy
 3. Cleo
 4. Princess
 5. Angel


Casualties of the War on Bugs
Fleas; Ticks:
Mosquitoes:


Surviving Home Renovations

Many times, spring and summer are the times that we do home improvements or renovations. He are some suggestions to make this an easier time for both you and your pets.

1.     Counter the chaos
    If your pet is staying at home, you might consider a mild tranquilizer to counteract the different noises, smells and sights that they'll encounter.  Put the pet in a room where they will feel safe.
2.     Protect the workers
     Even though the workers enjoy the pet, and the pet greets the workers with excitement, it is best to keep the pet in a place where it will            not have contact with the workers.  There is always a chance of a bite situation.  This way the workers can do their jobs undisturbed and there is no chance of your pet biting one of the workers or escaping out an open door or yard.
3.    Clean up
     When the workers leave for the day, be sure that the mess is cleaned up ad there is nothing left around that could endanger your pet.
Check carefully for nails, paint, sharp items, wood with nails in it, chemicals,etc.  Put everything out of your pet's reach.
4.     Vacate the premises
    If the workers are constantly entering and leaving the house it may be best to take your pet elsewhere for the duration of the renovation.  You my want to board them at a daycare facility, or take them to a friend's house during the day.  This will remove the pet from the stressful situation.

Renovating, and home improvements are stressful to people but the also can be stressful to the four-legged occupants of the house.  I hope this helps with those times.  May your summer home improvements be stress free for you and your pets.