Online Pet Med Purchase Warnings

November 3, 2010 by · 8 Comments

The FDA recently released the following video as a reminder for what people need to be aware of when ordering medications for their pets online. There are many reputable online pet pharmacies, but the internet can be a vast wasteland and as a result there are sites which present false claims as well. So please be vigilant and educate yourself for the health and welfare of your pet(s).

Suspicious Sites

  • discounts without a prescription
  • no prescription required
  • selling expired drugs

Two pet medications that have a very high risk without veterinary approval:

  1. NSAID (Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug)
  2. Heartworm Prevention

If and when you do order a prescription online do make sure that the site is a Vet-VIPPS program (Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites). Look for the Vet-VIPPS logo before ordering.

Filed Under: Featured, Pet Health, Pet News · Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Princess & The Vet

August 18, 2010 by · 3 Comments



No this is not a budding romance. It is quite the opposite for my Princess, Miss Mia and her trips to the vet. Every year during her annual visit I have to trudge out her crate a few days in advance. She will circle around it through the course of that time, peaking in for a moment then scurrying away. She is very much aware when it is time for that visit….sigh. Out comes the towel for my protection while some very exorcist like sounds start emitting from that adorable mouth.

When we do arrive at the vet the examining room is in lock down mode, while the vet and her assistant prepare to remove Mia from her crate.  I sometimes think she would much prefer a bath rather than a vet visit.

Being that this is “Take your cat to the vet week” there are some important tips that Romeo the Cat shared with me to help spread the word.

Tips for Cat Carrier Battle:

  • Bring out cat carrier several days before the before the appointment.
  • Place treats or catnip in the carrier to make it more enticing.
  • Don’t force or push your cat into the carrier if you can help it.
  • Stand carrier on its end and gently ease the cat in, hind legs first.
  • For very stressed cats, a house call practitioner may be the best option.

Benefits of regular cat visits:

  • preventative
  • cats age faster
  • cats 10 years and older should visit vet every 6 months
  • regular dental care is critical to overall well being of your cat
  • cost effective

So please remember to take your cat to the vet for the overall health and well being of your cat. And for your peace of mind as well.

Win a 6 Month Supply of Feline Pine

Filed Under: Animals, Cats, Pet Health, Pet News · Tagged With: , , , , ,

Condoms for Cats?

July 29, 2010 by · 11 Comments

Well not really…… Rocky Mountain Alley Cat Alliance is distributing dime sized condoms as a lark. Marketing genius I think. And a great way to promote the continual need for spaying and neutering of cats nationwide.  Their “Beat the Heat” campaign is intended to promote The Feline Fix.

The Alliance celebrated it’s first anniversary on July 15th. Happy Birthday! With the assistance of generous donors they are the largest high quality, high volume spay/neuter cat clinic in Denver. And can offer low cost spay/neuter cat surgeries.

It will knock $5 off its surgery fees ($35 for tame cats, $20 for feral cats) for “cat guardians” who mention “Beat The Heat” when making a reservation at 303-202-3516 or www.rmaca.org.

With economic downturn adding to crisis of shelter overcrowding the euthanasia rate has more than doubled across the country.

Free and Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Database

http://twitter.com/thefelinefix

http://www.facebook.com/thefelinefix

Filed Under: Cats, Kittens, Pet Health, Pet News · Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Bionic Kitty

June 29, 2010 by · 1 Comment

Meet Oscar the Bionic Cat. Oscar lost both his hind paws in a farming accident in England. And he might have been subjected to getting around with a wheeled attachment or worse. But Noel Fitzpatrick, a neuro-orthopedic veterinary surgeon came to his rescue. He developed weight-bearing bone implants which gave Oscar a new lease on life.

The metal implants are custom designed and fastened directly to Oscar’s ankle bones, inside his fuzzy little legs. They jut out directly through the skin and fur with prosthetic paws attached to the ends of the implants.

“The real revolution with Oscar is [that] we have put a piece of metal and a flange into which skin grows into an extremely tight bone,” Fitzpatrick told BBC News.

“We have managed to get the bone and skin to grow into the implant and we have developed an ‘exoprosthesis’ that allows this implant to work as a see-saw on the bottom of an animal’s limbs to give him effectively normal gait.”

When I first read about Oscar and his new hind paws late last week I thought science was really pushing the envelope. How could a cat or any animal for that matter have the right quality of life? But after viewing this video Oscar seems to be getting along just fine. Hip, hip hoorah to Dr. Fitzpatrick and congrats to Oscar! May you live another nine lives…..

Filed Under: Animals, Cats, Pet Health, Pet News, veterinarians, Video · Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Preparing Ahead for Pets

June 22, 2010 by · 5 Comments

There has been much focus and deservedly so on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. But there are other communities that are being impacted by weather with hurricanes, tornados, wildfires and floods. Most recently the flooding in Nashville, Tennessee. Countless animals have been displaced being found wandering the streets, and in desperate need of homes. A spate of urgent requests for pet adoptions have been the end result.

To lessen the trauma of losing a pet and likelihood of pets seeking new homes BEFORE a DISASTER:

  • Prepare. Get a pet emergency supply kit, including food, water, medicines and medical records, first aid kit, collar with ID tag, leash or harness, crate or pet carrier and sanitation items.
  • Microchip: Make sure your pet is micro-chipped so that it may be easily identified. Keep registration up to date, and include emergency number of friend or relative that does not live in the immediate area.
  • Plan: What will you do in an emergency? Create a plan to get away and develop a buddy system.
  • Stay informed: Know about the types of emergencies.

DURING a DISASTER:

  • Make sure your pet is inside well before storm begins. And do not leave a pet chained outside.
  • Keep pet by your side to reassure them.
  • Never tranquilize a pet. It will be inhibited from using it’s natural survival instincts.
  • If you are instructed to evacuate do not leave pets behind.
  • Have pet emergency kit ready to take with you.

AFTER a DISASTER:

  • Re-orient dog to home by walking it on a leash. For both cats and dogs familiar scents may no longer exist.
  • Be aware of downed power lines, debris and reptiles.
  • Contact your local animal control office if a pet is missing to find out where lost animals can be recovered. Bring a recent picture of your pet, tattoo number or microchip number.
  • Do not let your pet eat food or drink water that might have been contaminated.
  • Pet behavior might change after the trauma of a disaster. Report any changes in behavior to your veterinarian.

DISASTER AFTERMATH:

  • After a natural disaster, displaced people and companion animals face many dangers. There are many hazardous, life-threatening situations for helpless strays and displaced pets.
  • Disorientation, panic and stress, and leads dogs and cats seeking refuge into hazardous situations when there are no longer familiar landmarks or scents.
  • Floodwaters contaminated with waste and bacteria can cause intestinal parasites and gastroenteritis.
  • Animals trying to swim in floodwaters can quickly become exhausted and drown.
  • Displaced dogs and cats are frightened, lost, thirsty and very hungry and do not understand that they should steer clear of standing water and any food they may find.

Some of you folks might remember the good fortune of this dog being rescued from river earlier in the year. He was certainly fortunate but there are so many animals around the country struggling to survive after being displaced from their families. Please do take preventative measures and plan in advance for not only your safety and well being but your pets as well.

Resources:

Animal disaster plans and resources by state

American Kennel Club

ASPCA

FEMA for Kids

Humane Society

Red Cross

Filed Under: Animal Rescue, Animal Safety, Animal Shelter, Cats, Dogs, Pet Health, Pet News, Pet Safety, veterinarians, Video · Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
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