Category: Educational

Spay And Neuter What’s It All About

Published on by Service Cats U.S.35 Comments

Mr. Sunshine!!! Where are you? Lady Spring!!! Me thought you was comin’ early? Oh, meowllo everypawdy how ya’ doin’? Member all dat purretty weather me had reported ‘bout? Well it went away and Old Man Winter came back with da colds, da storms and all. Mommy had been tellin’ me it was comin’ but me kept remindin’ her dat da weather guessers was sayin’ just da opposite. So Tuesday night when da sky started rumblin’ and lightin’ up like Cristmas trees mommy ‘splained to me dat da weather guessers must not know old man Arthur-Itis like she does. Me told mommy she needed to quit hangin’ out with old man Arthur-Itis cuz all he ever brought round was bad news, pain and yucky weather. Mommy agreed with me but sed he was an innerloper, an uninvited guest dat showed up whether you wanted him to or not. Bein’ da Southern Belle me is, me thinks dat’s just rude.

Dezi laying on the floor in front of the fireplace

It iz rude Dezi, but old man Arthur-Itiz visits most of us az we get older. I hiss at him and old man Winter ever year and yet they still come back.

Lexi enjoys a new nip toy on 2-23-2016

Well sissy me thinks sumpawdy shuld teach him sum manners. And dat’s all me’s gunna say ‘bout it fur now, cuz in all da stormin’ and cold we missed World Spay day.

As ya’ know we believe in spayin’ and neuterin’ your anipals. As with any medical purrcedure there’s a little controversary surroundin’ da when it can/should be done. Mommy remembers a long time ago when VETs recommended waitin’ till an animal was 6 – 8 months old or da females had their furst heat cycle afur altering. She even remembers a time when they thought it was good to let a female have 1 litter afur bein’ spayed. (shakes head) Fank Catness we know better today. With so many unwanted anipals in da world, da last thing we need is a bunch of kitties and puppies bein’ born to respawnsible pet owners. Anyways, in recent years spay and neuters have become commonplace in very young animals. Da new requirement seems to be dat da anipal in question must be 6 weeks old and weigh 2 pounds. This purrcedure is technically called a Gonadectomy and refers to the removal of the sex organs or gonads in both female and male animals. Spaying a female animal means dat da ovaries and usually da uterus are removed. Neutering a male entails removal of da testicles.

 

ASPCA clip art
ASPCA clip art

Neutering is about more than just de-sexing an animal. It can also alter some of da behaviors exhibited by in tact animals. Fur instance, neutered animals no longer feel da need to breed and pass along their genes and thus rarely exhibit territorial behaviors such as spraying, fighting or caterwauling. The medical benefits of neutering an animal include, reduced risk of mammary gland tumors, testicular cancer is eliminated, a decrease in da risk of prostrate disease and ovarian and uterine cancer is reduced or eliminated; especially ifin done before da furst heat cycle. And of course it does away with the vicious cycle of propagating and adding to da nummers of unwanted animals in shelters and rescues. As with any surgical purrcedure there are risks. But da benefits far outweigh those risks in most cases. Ifin you have any concerns da bestest thing to do is talk with your VET.

 

World Spay Day is an annual campaign by da HSUS and Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association to bring awareness to spay/neuter fur companion, community and street animals. But every day can be Spay Day as far as we’re concerned. Ifin you have trouble comin’ up with da funds to spay or neuter your furry furiend, check with your local shelter. More offen than not there is a low cost clinic dat can help you out. Even we have one about 35 miles from us. Mommy used to volunteer a lot; and me was spayed there many years ago now. Me was 6 months old at da time of me’s spay and sis Lexi was a bit older. But only cuz she was so tiny and her VET wanted to cut down on da risks of surgery by allowing her to gain weight afur goin’ unner da knife. Ifin him only knew. Sissy hasn’t seen those tiny days in a long time. MOL  Mommy purrsonally isn’t a fan of da Gonadectomies and purrfurs da 6 month time line, but we encourage you to talk with your VET ifin you have any concerns. Spay, neuter and adopt. Words to live by.

 

 

Contrary to some beliefs, neutering does not make your pets lazy or gain weight. Your anipal will stay active as long as you continue to purrvide stimulation. And a propurr diet and play life will keep your pet healthy and weight appropriate. Me’s gunna go now and try to find Mr. Sunshine. Or maybe me will just take a nap by da lectric fireplace.

Dezi looking back from the window on the cat tree licking her lips

What are your thoughts on early spay/neuters (Gonadectomy)?

 

Till da next time…………………………………..Be Blest!!!

 

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

Dezi and Lexi

References: Miriam Webster Dictionary (Definitions) and da ASPCA website (World Spay Day definition and clip art)             

10 Things To Look For In Kitties Mouth

Published on by Service Cats U.S.25 Comments

Cats, Kittens, Elder Cats, Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls lend me your ear.

Dezi with head back and mouth wide open

Dezi datz a bit dramatik don’cha’ think? 

Well sissy what me has to say is very purrtant. You oughtta know how purrtant it is.

I do lil sis I do. So habz at it. 

Fanks Lexi. Me wants to tell ya’ ‘bout Pet Dental Health Month today. You might be missin’ sum signs dat your pet be givin’ to let ya’ know they have a purroblem in their mouth. Furst let me tell ya’ da types of dental disease dat might be affectin’ your pet. We are not postin’ fotos cuz of their graffic nature and sum of our readers can’t handle it. To see fotos of da conditions listed below, click here.

1.  Periodontal Disease

2.  Tooth Resorption

3.  Feline/Canine Stomatitis

4.  Alveolar Mucositis

5.  Fractured Teeth 

Lexi lating on bed with mouth wide open

Parently Dental Disease is at da top of da list of things affectin’ your furry furmily member. Sis Lexi started losin’ her teeth when she was about 5 years old. Dat is not normal. She was basically born with Periodontal Disease. Her furst VET kuldn’t ‘splain it any other way, cuz even afur she had teeth she had red swollen gums. Over da years mommy and many VETs tried to help sissy to no avail. Till she started losin’ her teeth. With each lost tooth, da swellin’ and redness disappeared. We animals can survive and even thrive without our teeth. So long as we’s not havin’ to hunt and kill our own meals. Obviously sissy duz better with wet meals than dry, but wet meals be better fur her and most of us (specially kitties) anyways. Da typical symptoms of Periodontal Disease are:

1.  Bad Breath (trust me, you’ll know it. Tuna breath dusn’t hold a candle to disease breath)

2.  Unwillingness to eat

3.  Yellow Deposits on teeth

4.  Avoiding hard/dry foods

5.  Drooling

6.  Pawing at da face, ‘specially round da mouth

7.  Gums which bleed easily

8.  Red or Swollen Gums

9.  Pus round da teeth

10.  Missing or Broken teeth

 

Sumtimes kitty will rub their cheeks and mouth area on a hard surface or corner to help alleviate da pain. And sumtimes an unwillingness to eat is another purroblem altogether. Recently there’s been a lot of talk ‘bout Whisker Fatigue in cats. Me had this purroblem. But not anymore. Me won a Dr. Catsby’s feedin’ bowl from CK’s 10K give away and it arrived in time fur dinner last night. Dat was da furst meal in me’s whole life me sat and ate till it was all gone. Fanks CK and Dr. Catsby. Sissy wants a new bowl now. An unwillingness to eat can be a symptom of quite a few issues. Cats shuldn’t and can’t go without eating fur long periods of time. So ifin kitty is refusin’ to eat and it’s been more than 36 hours, get them checked out. Sum things are much easier to solve than others. Bad breath can also be caused by da foods we eat. Everypawdy knows ole tuna breath which goes away after a while or a new meal. But da bad breath of Periodontal disease dusn’t go away like tuna breath. As fur Droolin’, sissy and me both do dat when we luv on mommy and get all x’cited. Da drool dat goes with Periodontal disease is likely to happen any time, specially when kitty tries to eat. 

 

You know it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Ifin you suspect sumfin’ be wrong with kitty then it’s always bestest to make an appointment with your VET. We may not purreciate da trip, but our mouth and bodies will thank you. Periodontal Disease unchecked can lead to major health issues and can lead to death. Da toxins released into da body can affect all our major organs.

 

Are ya’ gunna tell ebberpawdy how to help kitty avoid Dental Diseases Dezi?

Yep sissy, me’s gunna do dat right now. Mommy sez it’s oh so purrtant to Know your kitty. When pawssible you shuld be lookin’ in kitties mouth at least once a week to check things like our breath. And what do our gums look like? Are they red and swollen or a bright purretty pink? Keep in mind dat sum kitties have dark spots on their gums cuz of their color pattern, but there shuld still be sum pink gum you can use as a guide. Whenever pawssible you shuld brush kitties teeth. Do Not use human toothpaste fur your pets!!! Ifin ya’ just can’t brush kitties teeth, there are purroducts on da market to help with kitties dental health; from treats to supplements. We don’t care fur da dental treats here, so mommy uses a supplement dat she adds to me’s food called Perio Support. It’s made by VetriScience. We met them at BlogPaws last year and they were gracious enuff to send us sum to try. It must be tasty cuz me eats it right up. It’s a powder dat mommy sprinkles over me’s noms. And of course have your VET check kitties mouth at their annual check up. A healthy mouth can go a long way to helping kitty stay healthy and happy.

Dezi with tongue out and toothbrush in paw

Me’s gunna wrap it up fur now. It’s time fur me to brush me’s teeth.

 

Dezi = Blue

Lexi = Green

 

How do you help your pet have a healthy mouth?

Is brushing part of your regimen?

What treats or supplements do you use?

 

Till da next time……………………………………….Be Blest!!!

 

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

Dezi and Lexi

Miserable Monday’s Pet Health Month

Published on by Service Cats U.S.35 Comments

dw-Dezi Miserablemondayed (635x640)

 

Mommy why do we all hate Mondays so? 

What are you talking about baby?

Well, You know every Monday when you open da front door you always say, it’s another miserable Monday.

Oh Dezi, that’s just a figure of speech. But Monday does represent the beginning of the work week for a lot of people. After having a couple of days to lounge around or sleep in; they’ve got to get up early and get back to work. For us it used to mean that we were going to have to deal with the manager harassing us after having a few days of peace while the office was closed. But since our apartment was flooded and remodeled she hasn’t really done too much of that. The only time we really have to deal with her now is the monthly inspections, lease renewal, and when something breaks.

Is dat why you’ve been followin’ sis Lexi round wiff a piddle pad; cuz we have a ‘spection comin’ up? (mommy laughs) 

Well sort of sweety. But I also don’t want to have to clean up a mess if I can avoid it. But thanks to the prayers of everybody she’s feeling much better today.

Me hopes she keeps feelin’ better too mommy. This is National Pet Health month and me likes it a lot better when sissy be healthy.

Me too honey. I prefer it when you both are healthy. That’s why even tho’ y’all don’t like it we have to see the VET at least once a year. Whether people believe in vaccinating every year or not, we need to make sure that you and all the other anipals are otherwise healthy. Catching illnesses and diseases early means we have more treatment options and sometimes even cures.

Like when me got sick wiff da pee purroblems? 

Yes Dezi, like when you got sick. A few changes to your diet and environment and now you’re all better. And even tho’ we can’t cure sis Lexi’s kidney disease, we can treat her and make her more comfortable. And when secondary issues occur we can treat and most of the time cure those. You know I want you girls to be around for a very long time.

And we wanna be round fur a very long time too mommy. So as much as kitties hate goin’ to da VET it’s really purrtant to have dat annual check up. Da VET shuld check our weight and general appearance to make sure we’s not over or unner weight and dat our furs be lookin’ good. They shuld check our heart and respiratory rates wiff dat funny microfone dat they put in their ears. An adult kitties heart rate shuld be ‘tween 145 and 200 beats per minute and we shuld be breathin’ 20 to 40 times a minute. Baby kittens will be a little higher, but those nummers are da norm. Da VET shuld also talk to our humans ‘bout parasite control. You know fleas, worms, ear mites and da like. Fur those of us in da South, flea treatment is usually a year round thing. And yep, even inside only kitties need to be treated. Those nasty fleas can hitch a ride on you humans and once you get an infestation, they be hard to get rid of. Not impawssible, but hard.

 

Me luvs to go fur strolls, but not to da VET
Me luvs to go fur strolls, but not to da VET

Da VET shuld also ask ‘bout behavior issues. This is really purrtant fur kitties since we offen hide our illnesses and our behavior can offen give away dat sumfin’ be wrong. And then of course da VET shuld always look in our mouths to check our teefies and breath. You know they don’t make falsies fur us anipals so da teefs we have in our mouths now have to last us a lifetime. And our breath can also signal illnesses. Course it can also tell da VET you eat too much fish. MOL  And of course fur da older kitties, a blood panel and other tests may be needed. You wanna be as healthy as pawssible in your twilight years. We be livin’ longer these days. And cuz of dat it’s really purrtant to take care of da body you have. And da VET is one tool in da bag dat be a necessity. Quality food and a happy environment are also very purrtant to keep da anipals in your life healthy.

I'z wiff Dezi. Strollz are grayt, but not da onez dat end at da VETz
I’z wiff Dezi. Strollz are grayt, but not da onez dat end at da VETz

Dat’s enuff talk of da VET fur today. Mommy has to get ready fur da ‘spection we have comin’ up so we’s a little behind at da moment, but we plan on getting’ caught up wiff our visits this week. In da meantime, we hope you all have a pawsum miserable Monday. Me’s gunna join sissy fur a little mid day nap while mommy runs da carpet monster.

 

Do you do anything special to keep your anipals healthy?

 

Till da next time……………………………………….Be Blest!!!

 

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

Dezi and Lexi

Mommy, Why Do Our Friends Have to Die?

Published on by Service Cats U.S.35 Comments

5 Ways To Help Your Pet Get Through the Grieving Process

 

Mommy why duz it have to get cold outside? Why duzn’t da sun always shine? Why don’t all kitties have a home? Mommy, why do our furiends have to die? And why duz me feel so sad when they do?  

dw-3916 Dezi steps edit (640x480)

Oh Dezi you sure are full of questions today aren’t ya’? Honey, I don’t know why our friends have to die. I mean, I know that death is part of life, and the Bible says that it’s appointed unto man but once to die. (Hebrews 9:27) And that means all creatures who live on this planet, including our friends baby. Sometimes they just get old and their body gets tired and just can’t go on. And sometimes they get sick and there is no cure for what they have. And sometimes as awful as it is there are accidents that take our friends way before their time. Us humans have control over a lot of things, but only God controls life and death. God allows us all a chance to live and find happiness like we have with each other; until the day He calls us back to heaven. Our friends in heaven are no longer sick or old or in pain. As much as we loved them and wanted them to be a part of our lives forever, they are in a far better place now. The sads we are left with are called grief honey.

 

Grief comes in stages and no one can escape going through them. For humans the five stages of grief are:

  • 1.  Denial 
  • 2.  Anger 
  • 3.  Bargaining 
  • 4.  Depression 
  • 5.  Acceptance 

But animals grieve as well and we, your care takers should be sensitive to that. When an animal bonds with another animal or human, they grieve the loss of that animal or human. Grief in animals can be harder to spot because often the changes are subtle and can range in severity. Some of those changes are:

  • 1.  Appetite (eating less or not at all) 
  • 2.  Becoming more or less vocal 
  • 3.  Appear lost or confused 
  • 4.  Wandering in an attempt to find their lost companion 
  • 5.  Change in sleep patterns (sleeping more or less)
  • 6.  Spending more time with a toy or item used/favorited by their lost companion (clothing, blanket, bedding, etc.) 
  • 7.  Becoming more clingy to remaining household members
  • 8.  Acting Out 

These are just a few symptoms of grief in animals. As humans we must pick up on these subtle changes and do what we can to help you get through the grieving process. A few ways we can help are: 

  • 1.  Let survivors view the body of their lost loved one. ( funerals are for the living. A last chance to say goodbye and accept the finality of a loved ones’ passing.) 
  • 2.  Spend extra quality time with the surviving pet(s). Grooming, longer walks and more playtime are just a few ways to spend that extra time. 
  • 3.  Maintain your routine as closely as possible. 
  • 4.  Maintain discipline for those pets that act out. 
  • 5.  Depending on the severity of grief, adding a new animal to the household might be more stressful. Know your pets, you will be the best judge of when it’s time to bring home a new furry friend.

 

Although you can’t speed up the  grieving process, remember that cat’s shouldn’t go without food for more than 24 hours before it starts affecting their health. And if this process drags on, a trip to the vet might be called for to make sure there’s nothing physically wrong. Animals, just like humans will get through it. God has given us all the capacity to love, accept loss and love again. And also remember your anipals pick up on their humans’ emotions.  

4698 Lexi cat tree edit (556x640)

Fank you mommy fur takin’ da time to explain what meez sads are and how to help us anipals get fru it. Me hopes this will help meez furiends too. We have lost so many furiends this year and it’s still January. Me wants it to stop, but at least now me knows dat they are goin’ to a better place and dat me can get over da sads. Weez joinin’ Rascal and Rocco fur da Pet Parade and tomorrow weez’ll be sharin’ meez Carwood Derby entry fur Cat Scouts. Weez changin’ da day we share our adoptable furiends so stay tuned. 

dw-sp Dezi stroke sketchmultiply (640x588)

Do you know any other ways to help you or your pets get through the grieving process? 

 

Till da next time…………………………………….Be Blest!!!

 

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

Dezi and Lexi