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Personally, I would prefer if all cats stayed inside and never went out. It's a rough and scary place out there, even in the best neighborhoods. Outdoor cats are up against cars, other cats, dogs, wildlife, and more. And don't forget all the parasites cats can pick up from being outside, or the possible exposure to both natural and man-made toxins. Not a day goes by in my practice when we are not treating an injured cat due to one of these hazards.
With that being said, I do understand that the outdoor-indoor decision is not always so black and white. My family cat, Sally, was a stray barn cat that someone brought to my office. She had just had kittens and had already lived a tough life outside. I fell in love with her. So I had her spayed, vaccinated, and cleaned her up. I brought her home to live with my family, and my plan was to keep her inside for the rest of her life. She would have regular meals, a clean litter box, and kids to play with -- a perfect and safe life.
My plan lasted all of one week. For the first week, she was happy indoors and loved all the attention. She got along with my kids and my dogs. But then she started standing by the door, wanting to get out. Having been a barn cat, she had some real street smarts. So when I tried to slip in and out of the front door, she learned to hide across the room and dart for the door when opened. And she was fast, so she got out often.
One day, when as I was trying to get her back inside, I noticed how she was just sitting on our deck, looking happy in the sun. Right then I realized that my everyday struggle to keep her inside was no good for either of us. She was much happier going outside. So I rethought my plan and concluded that there are some pets you just cannot keep indoors. She was miserable being inside all the time. And as soon as we started letting her out -- making her an indoor-outdoor cat -- she was happy.
In appreciation for my change of heart, she rewarded us daily with "gifts" that she'd catch outside. The only problem was that her "gifts" were usually alive, resulting in our having to chase a chipmunk, squirrel, bird, mole, and even a snake out of our house. My wife still hasn't recovered!
As a veterinarian, I would love for all pets to live inside in controlled environments without the exposure to so many outdoor dangers. But for many animals this is torture. If you have a cat like Sally, the best you can do is try to protect it as much as you can. Keep its flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives current. Try to get it to stay in your yard away from cars, and watch it carefully for any signs of trauma or abscesses.
What has influenced you to allow or prevent your cat from going outdoors? What steps do you take to keep your wandering cat as safe, healthy, and protected as you can?View Thread
One of my patients, Tiger, is a cat who is grumpy even on a good day. You can pet him, but it has to be quick. If you linger too long, you will get bitten. On top of his gloomy disposition, he also has seasonal allergies. So when his allergies flare up, he will attack even his owner. She walked into the same room with Tiger during one of his flares, and he actually ran over and bit her! After treating his allergies multiple times, we noticed that he calms down once they're under control. Since the owner is scared of him when his allergies are bad, I am very proactive about treating his allergies with antihistamines so that his behavior and demeanor remain more controlled.
I have canine patients who display symptoms of obsessive compulsive behavior, such as repetitive barking, excessive grooming, and circling. These behaviors, too, will often get much worse at times when pets are uncomfortable. Dogs may start barking incessantly. And their owners can't get them to stop until we deal with any additional issues. So when a pet in this situation is brought to me for a behavioral consult, in reality, she may need to be treated for an unforeseen medical condition first.
I have a few patients whose allergies trigger their excessive grooming behaviors. The grooming and licking can get so bad that pets will actually lick themselves raw or pull out all their fur. Once I have treated the condition, a pet sometimes will not stop licking his hotspots. This keeps the existing inflammation active and leads to a very frustrating cycle. Once we finally break the cycle, I do everything I can to keep the animal's skin issues under control from then on. Many of these pets are very sensitive to all allergens, such as fleas and ticks. So I make sure they have good flea and tick protection on all year round. Again, I want to do everything I can to prevent the cycle from starting again.
The connection between certain pet behaviors and wellness is understandable. I know when I don't feel well, I certainly have less tolerance for all types of annoyances. And why should our pets be any different? A pet that's in pain or is suffering from inflammation might do things that seem to be out of his nature, which is yet another reason to make sure our pets are cared for and comfortable. So, if your pet starts displaying unusual behavioral problems, always consider that there may be a medical condition that started the behavior. You cannot always just work on fixing the behavioral problem; you may have to investigate and treat an underlying medical condition before things will improve.
Have you ever had to deal with a pet's behavioral decline due to illness? Share your story about what you did for your furry friend.View Thread
We don't know what is wrong with him, but ever since his visit to the vet he has been getting worse, and new things start to pop up. Our vet is puzzled as well. So if anyone has any ideas please let me know. We are very worried we might lose him, and he is a very important member of our family.
Thank you
-JView Thread
I have 3 cat's and the litter is changed 2x a day. They are all indoor kitty's that get to go outside in a fenced back yard daily, supervised.
I question food mainly because when I researched the brand of food I was using I found it is not really good for them, I switched to a better brand and that's when 1 of them (I think my girl kitty) started to have very acidy pee. It didn't smell bad before the food change.
I will have her blood and urine checked though.
And thank you again..
It is wonderful to have a web site where we can get answers to our questions!View Thread
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Hope this helps...
Dr. Bernadine CruzView Thread
You can have your cat cultured...throat would be the most common site. What antibiotic would be dictated by what organism is found and its susecptibility.
As mom always said...wash your hands after playing with your pets. Smoochy, wet kisses should probably be avoided.
Dr. Bernadine CruzView Thread
Thank you for taking a photo and posting it...very helpful. Glad you checked for fleas. You are smart to think of this as one of the most common reasons for your Lab to be fussing with her hind quarters. Some dogs are so sensitive, that it may only take a bite or two from the flea to set off a mad chewing rampage. The bump in your photo appears to be a wart but be sure to check to see if it has any legs...it could be a tick! Use a bright and a magnifying glass if necessary to check for legs.
You did not mention how old your pet was. Chewing on both hips may be an indication of underlying hip pain...does your dog have any history of rising more slowly or showing any hesitancy to jump?
Even though you were recently at your veterinarian's .... sounds like it is time to see him/her again.
Best of luck...
Dr. Bernadine CruzView Thread
Dr. Bernadine CruzView Thread
Best of luck...
Dr. Bernadine CruzView Thread
Best of luck...
Dr. Bernadine CruzView Thread
You might try having your housemate observe your cat when you leave to go to the market or doctor's appointment. How does it react? If it does show signs of being stressed, you should start separating yourself from it for very brief periods of time (go to the bathroom without it) and slowly extend these periods of time.
I hope this helps...
Dr. Bernadine CruzView Thread
Best of luck...
Dr. Bernadine CruzView Thread
Myth # 1: Ticks are insects.
Ticks are actually parasites that belong to the arachnid family. An arachnid is classified as having eight legs, although the front legs of some species have converted to a sensory function. Ticks are joined in this class by other wonderful creatures such as spiders, scorpions, and mites.
Myth # 2: Ticks live in trees.
Many people think that if they live in an urban setting -- where there are few trees -- their pets are safe from ticks. Unfortunately, ticks are everywhere. Many are found living in grass. They sit at the end of blades of grass and cling to warm bodies as they pass by. Then they migrate upwards on their hosts, which is why they are usually found around the head and neck of a pet.
Myth # 3: Ticks are easy to kill in the environment.
Ticks are great survivors. They can live in some of the toughest environments. They will actually cease their own development in order to survive in harsh conditions. This is why environmental control of ticks can be very difficult.
Myth # 4: If you live in a cold environment, you do not have to worry about ticks.
As I said before, ticks can stop their own development and wait until environmental conditions are more favorable. They are also good at laying eggs in areas where they can survive, such as your house. This is why year-round tick protection is so important.
Myth # 5: If your pet gets a tick-borne disease, it will be easy to diagnose.
The tick-borne diseases that veterinarians deal with most often include Lyme disease, ehrlichia, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Each of these is very difficult to diagnose and symptoms may not appear until long after the tick is gone. It may take multiple blood tests to confirm a diagnosis.
So, if you were not worried about ticks before, you should be. Not only are they tough to kill and the source of some significant and hard-to-diagnose diseases. They are something your pet can pass on to you and other people they come in contact with. So remember to protect your pet from these nasty little parasites.
Was anyone surprised by the truth behind some of these myths? What bits of information have you heard about ticks and tick-borne diseases that have struck your curiosity? Share them with the Community.View Thread
My dog whom is my companion will be 10 in November!
My other dog whom is my companion and guards me will be 8.
I picked both of them out as well. I love them so much.
Only one sleeps with me, my female. My male guards the house. But I do wish he slept with me too. He comes up and checks on me if I do not get up early or sneeze or even drop something, it is funny, but helpful.
Similiar to your pet, if I do not feel well, neither one leaves my side, I have even had to bring them water.
My dogs love their blankets also. I always have blankets for each of them to cuddle up in as well.
I also have to be very careful about saying going OUT, Outside, Walking, they both just up from where ever they are and come running to the front door ready to go out for a walk. My female dog will sit on my recliner and cry when she wants to go outside in the backyard, I wish I could get a video of her doing that.
You will love this: my female dog will get up in my office chair that swirls and my male dog then spins my female dog, it is incredible, they are so smart and creative! I really have tried to video that, but when I get the video camera, they stop doing it and look at me instead!
Happy Birthday early to Colby and many more!! And you and Tom as well!View Thread
I notice when my dogs hair is just a little longer, she is more prone to allergies from just walking around. But when she is cut short, she is easier to bath, more comfortable and cooler. An allergice dog many times is a hot dog: REALLY, just sleep next to them when they are flarred, you will be hot too!
I do notice the first few days after my dogs hair is cut very short, they have a little trouble adjusting to the new cut, they get like people possible razor burn. But it goes away and my dogs have never gotten infected from my groomer, they just act like they are cold and their skin is more sensitive. My one male dog, i will sometimes put a soft cotten shirt on him, because i am able to, he does not have any skin issues.
my dog with skin allergies, i put a blanket on my bed or where ever she sleeps, so if she gets cold she is able to cuddle up in the blanket.
I hope these suggestions help.View Thread
Keep the ears clean! Zymox is good ear cleanser, some have hydrocortizone, so check labels. Her ears keep getting infected,red and irritated like her skin. I bring her to a dermatologist, and use the recommended ear treatments, but as soon as i stop the problem comes back.
I have been told that my dogs case is very difficult due to her allergies and hypothyroid disease. Ask your vet about your dogs thryroid function. My dogs problems would be less if her thyroid disease had been diagnosed and treated sooner. Now i am trying to keep her comfortable/healthy at 10 years old which is very expensive and difficult. Recently i discovered some foods I was feeding her had the aspergillus enzymes in them in several varieties which may have been causing her more problems, but I did not know about her allergy to aspergillus mold until this month when I asked for her allergy testing results again, for my records. So always try to get all of your dogs testing results from your vet, and make copies.
For dogs that can use other shampoos I have been told and have used Zymox shampoo and conditioner. the Zymox conditioner is probably the best because it truly deflakes your dog without stripping the oils and you can use it often as recommended on the label even if you do not need to bath you dog yet, you can just use the conditioner.
Another recomendation is with probiotics, make sure they are made in the USA and the ingredients are from the USA as well by a good company. Not all probiotics are made the same. a good way to make sure your dog can take them is to call the company and ask for samples, good companies will send samples before you have to make a purchase and that is wonderful. Same with foods as well. I recently purchased some products and when I received them only one stated it was made in the USA only, nothing about the ingredients being from the usa, and that was not on the website, so beware , look at the labels carefully, just because it says made in USA, does not mean ingredients are from the USA as well!
After having several dogs with allergies because of the breed I like, I think dogs with allergies do better on wet/dehydrated foods over dry foods, probobly due to wet food/dehydrated foods tend to have less to no preservatives and preservatives can cause allergies to be worse.
Investigate homeopathic chinese herbs: I have read over over again that they work as an alternative. Traumeel homeopathic medicine works great for pain and it has almost no side effects unlike non steroidal.
I do not know about vitamins need information.View Thread
He only eats chicken and rice [brown> aand veggies
eats better than most peopleView Thread
Drew Weigner, DVM, ABVP
The Cat Doctor
Board Certified in Feline PracticeView Thread
Best of luck...
Dr. Bernadine CruzView Thread
Dr. Bernadine CruzView Thread
Best of luck...
Dr. Bernadine CruzView Thread
Dr. Bernadine CruzView Thread
You may want to try a few different approaches. Rather than have each trip to the vets be stressfilled, stop by the practice for a 'happy visit'. Have the staff offer a tasty treat to your dog and then leave. You may need to do this several times before the pet realizes that this place isn't that bad. You may want to ask your veterinarian for a sedative that you administer at home before going to the office. This can help to take the edge off. You can work with a board certified veterinary behaviorist and you can also try another veterinary practice or another veterinarian at the same practice. Sometimes a pet reacts better to one person than another. Keep working with your dog. It sounds as though you have a lot of love and patience.
Best of luck...
Dr. Bernadine CruzView Thread
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