June is Adopt A Cat Month!

ADOPT-A-CAT MONTH®

Brought to you in June by American Humane Association

Each spring during “kitten season,” thousands of newborn kittens join the millions of cats already in shelters across the country. That means your local shelter has tons of cute, cuddly newborns, in addition to all the mellow, older cats and everything in between. And the shelter staff are ready to help you adopt your very first cat — or to bring home a friend for another beloved cat!

"TOP TEN" CHECKLIST FOR ADOPTING A CAT

1. If you’re thinking about adopting a cat, consider taking home two. Cats require exercise, mental stimulation, and social interaction. Two cats can provide this for each other. Plus they’ll provide more benefits to you. Cats’ purring has been shown to soothe humans as well as themselves – and they have an uncanny ability to just make you smile. A great place to start your search is online. Sites like petfinder.com let you search numerous shelters in your area simultaneously to help narrow your search and more quickly find the match that’s right for you and your new feline friend.
2. Find a cat whose personality meshes with yours. Just as we each have our own personality, so do cats. In general, cats with long hair and round heads and bodies are more easygoing than lean cats with narrow heads and short hair, who are typically more active. Adoption counselors can offer advice to help you match the cat’s personality with your own.
3. Pick out a veterinarian ahead of time and schedule a visit within the first few days following the adoption. You’ll want to take any medical records you received from the adoption center on your first visit. Kittens in particular should accompany you to make the appointment – even before the exam itself – so staff can pet the cat and tell you that you’ve chosen the most beautiful one ever.
4. Make sure everyone in the house is prepared to have a cat before it comes home.Visiting the shelter or animal control facility should be a family affair. When adopting a new cat with existing pets at home, discuss with the adoption facility how to make a proper introduction.
5. Budget for the short- and long-term costs of a cat. Understand any pet is a responsibility and there’s a cost associated with that. A cat adopted from a shelter is a bargain; many facilities will have already provided spaying or neutering, initial vaccines, and a microchip for permanent identification.
6. Stock up on supplies before the cat arrives. Be prepared so your new cat can start feeling at home right away. Your cat will need a litter box, cat litter, food and water bowls, food, scratching posts, safe and stimulating toys, a cushy bed, a brush for grooming, a toothbrush and nail clippers.
7. Cat-proof your home. A new cat will quickly teach you not to leave things lying out. Food left on the kitchen counter will serve to teach your new friend to jump on counters for a possible lunch. Get rid of loose items your cat might chew on, watch to ensure the kitten isn’t chewing on electric cords, and pick up random items like paper clips (which kittens may swallow).
8. Go slowly when introducing your cat to new friends and family. It can take several weeks for a cat to relax in a new environment. It’s a great idea to keep the new addition secluded to a single room (with a litter box, food and water, toys, and the cat carrier left out and open with bedding inside) until the cat is used to the new surroundings; this is particularly important if you have other pets. If you’ve adopted a kitten, socialization is very important. But remember – take it slow.
9. Be sure to include your new pet in your family’s emergency plan. You probably have a plan in place for getting your family to safety in case of an emergency. Adjust this plan to include your pets. Add phone numbers for your veterinarian and closest 24-hour animal hospital to your “in-case-of-emergency” call list.
10. If you’re considering giving a cat as a gift, make sure the recipient is an active participant in the adoption process. Though well-meaning, the surprise kitty gift doesn’t allow for a “get-to know-one-another” period. Remember, adopting a cat isn’t like purchasing a household appliance or a piece of jewelry – this is a real living, breathing, and emotional being.

Common Causes of Seizures in Cats

Cats are typically less adventurous than dogs when it comes to toxins, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center warns that many of the most common toxins that cause seizures in cats are due to human actions.

For example, some pet owners will apply a flea-control product made for dogs, not knowing how dangerous that is for cats. Owners may also overdose the pet or accidentally give the wrong medication.
Permethrin is, as always, the most common cause of seizures in cats. This can happen when a dog flea-prevention product is applied to a cat or when the cat licks a recently treated dog, presses up against him or rests in the same spot.

Other Problem Products

• Ibuprofen can cause serious CNS signs at very high doses. Depression, ataxia, coma and seizure top the list.
• Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia) oil. This is most commonly an issue when high strength preparations (often 100%) are ingested or applied to cats.
• Alpha lipoic acid is found in many supplements. At high doses, it can cause hypoglycemia, seizures and hepatotoxicity.
• Minodixil is used in humans as a systemic vasodilator and as a topical treatment to stimulate localized hair growth. Any exposure in cats can cause death. The most common signs in cats are pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, compromised cardiac function and death.
• Acetaminophen is a potent inducer of methemoglobinemia, especially in cats. Seizures may be seen secondary to hypoxia in patients with methemoglobinemia.
• Baclofen is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant. It is extremely potent and can cause severe signs such as depression, coma, apnea and seizures.
• Bromethalin is a neurotoxic rodenticides, and cats are significantly more sensitive than dogs. We can see a convulsant syndrome with bromethalin that is often refractory to any type of long-term treatment, making decontamination supremely important for these cases where dosages have the potential to cause toxicosis.

What Can Cause Seizures in Dogs

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Plants

Mushrooms
Brunfelsia (Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow)
Sago palm

Food

Xylitol
Caffeine
Ethanol
Dark chocolate

Rodenticides/Insecticides

Metaldehyde
Bifenthrin
Strychnine
Zinc phosphide
4-Aminopyridine

Illicit Drugs

Cocaine
Amphetamines
Cannabis
Synthetic cannabinoids

Miscellaneous

Ethylene glycol
Mycotoxins
Bee eting Envenomation
Homemade play dough or salt dough

Do Cats Hold Grudges?

Do Cats Hold Grudges?

January 17, 2013

A cat’s memory can last as long as 16 hours compared to a dog’s memory, which typically lasts no more than 5 minutes, according to research at the University of Michigan.  What’s more, researchers at Tufts University found the structure of cat brains to be similar to humans. Cats have the same lobes in the cerebral cortex (the “seat” of intelligence) as humans. Cat owners aren’t surprised. They’ll tell you their cats remind them when it’s mealtime, are able to open doors, and use body language to communicate. And yes, some cats are still perturbed (hours later) for something like being shooed off the sofa.

How does memory affect a pet’s behavior?

Veterinarians and animal behavior specialists agree there is a great deal we don’t yet know or understand about our pets’ abilities to remember. But many owners say their cats have good memories, and insist cats are especially skilled at remembering events related to pain or pleasure.

A visitor, for instance, who routinely gives the pet a treat or kind attention may be associated with something pleasant. On the other hand, a cat’s carrier may be associated with confinement, a trip in the car, or visit to the veterinarian. A cat’s reactions and changes in behaviors in these kind of situations can also reveal underlying problems.

Strange behaviors are just normal for cats, aren’t they?

It’s true, our feline friends have a reputation for being independent, moody and finicky. This generalization leads many cat owners to just accept unwanted behaviors, such as withdrawal, litter box avoidance, aggression or urine marking. They may believe these are just ‘cat quirks,’ or think their cat is being spiteful.

“Many cat owners don’t know unwanted behaviors can be signs of an anxiety disorder, and their pet may be suffering unnecessarily,” said Heidi Lobprise, DVM, Virbac. “If treatment for anxiety is delayed, the constant stress can lead to aggression, as well as an increased risk of skin conditions, weakened immune functions, digestive issues, even heart disease.”

Are anxiety disorders in pets a rare condition?

You may be surprised to learn how many cats (and their owners) are suffering through anxiety-related behavior problems. Nearly 60 percent of pet owners say they have one pet that experiences anxiety; and 40 percent say they have more than one pet with anxiety problems.1

What if my cat has an anxiety disorder?

Always start with appropriate training methods to change unwanted behaviors. Additionally, veterinarians now have new ways to help with anxiety disorders in pets. Therapeutic options include ANXITANE® (L-Theanine) Chewable Tablets, a nutritional supplement proven to reduce anxiety in pets with few side effects.2 Given daily along with appropriate behavior training, ANXITANE Tablets help to keep cats and dogs calm so they can learn new behaviors.

Questions lead to better answers.

Learn more about anxiety disorders in cats and dogs at www.virbacpets.com.

Tips for a Pet-Safe Easter

With Easter right around the corner, we want to remind pet parents of a few holiday dangers.

• Beware of Easter lilies. These toxic plants can be fatal if ingested by our furry friends.
• Keep candy bunnies in check—chocolate goodies are toxic to cats, dogs and ferrets. And any treats containing xylitol an artificial sweetener used in many candies, chewing gum and baked goods—may be toxic too!
• Decorations can be dangerous, especially Easter tinsel. Kitties love to nibble colorful plastic grass, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting and dehydration.
• Baby chicks and rabbits are not Easter gifts. While these festive babies are adorable, resist the urge to buy; they grow up fast and often require specialized care! Thousands of ex-Easter bunniesand chicks are abandoned each year when their novelty wears off.

Dental Month Is Coming!

10 Reasons Why You Should Take Care of Your Pet's Teeth

February is National Pet Dental Health Month ! 

To celebrate, we've pulled together some of our best dental-health articles for cats and dogs, which you can page through below, as well as the top reasons caring for your pet's teeth is so important.

Here are our top reasons why dental care is really important!

1. A pet with healthy teeth equals a pet with better breath !

2. Dental disease can actually lead to problems with your pet’s organs , such as the heart.

3. Retained baby teeth can cause problems in pets too! Did you know that full grown dogs have 42 teeth and full grown cats have 30 teeth? Before their adult teeth grow in, though, their baby teeth have to fall out. Sometimes, not all of the baby teeth want to come out. This can lead to problems like gum irritation and tartar buildup.

4. Caring for your pet’s teeth can prevent other health problems, saving you tons of money over the long term!

5. You need regular dental care and you brush your teeth everyday – why wouldn’t your pets? Your veterinarian and these handy videos can help you learn to brush your dog's teeth and your cat's teeth .

6. Did you know that 4 out of 5 dogs over the age of 3 years have some sort of periodontal disease? It can be caused by the buildup of plaque, so it’s important to go in for regular dental checkups and cleanings. Learn more about the importance of removing plaque from your cat’s teeth in our video, Why Is It Important to Remove Plaque On My Cat's Teeth?

7. Pets that don’t get dental care can painfully lose their teeth – this can be terribly painful and cause serious health problems.

8. Your dog and cat are very good at hiding pain – you might never know that your pet has a serious dental problem until it’s very advanced. This is yet another reason it’s important to take your pet in for regular dental checkups.

9. Teeth wear out! Your pets are tough on their teeth. Learn the symptoms to keep your pet from experiencing the pain of severely worn teeth .

10. Learn more about the importance of dental care by visiting our dog dental-care centers and our cat dental-care centers .

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call

Is it an emergency?

13 animal emergencies that should receive immediate veterinary consultation and/or care

1. Severe bleeding or bleeding that doesn't stop within 5 minutes
2. Choking, difficulty breathing or nonstop coughing and gagging
3. Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, coughing up blood, or blood in urine
4. Inability to urinate or pass feces (stool), or obvious pain associated with urinating or passing stool
5. Injuries to your pet's eye(s)
6. You suspect or know your pet has eaten something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)
7. Seizures and/or staggering
8. Fractured bones, severe lameness or inability to move leg(s)
9. Obvious signs of pain or extreme anxiety
10. Heat stress or heatstroke
11. Severe vomiting or diarrhea – more than 2 episodes in a 24-hour period, or either of these combined with obvious illness or any of the other problems listed here
12. Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
13. Unconsciousness

The bottom line is that ANY concern about your pet's health warrants, at minimum, a call to your veterinarian.

The Holiday Season Is Upon Us!

‘Tis the season for friends, family and holiday feasts—but also for possible distress for our animal companions. Pets won’t be so thankful if they munch on undercooked turkey or a pet-unfriendly floral arrangement, or if they stumble upon an unattended alcoholic drink.

Check out the following tips from ASPCA experts for a fulfilling Thanksgiving that your pets can enjoy, too.

Talkin’ Turkey 
If you decide to feed your pet a little nibble of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and well-cooked. Don't offer her raw or undercooked turkey, which may contain salmonella bacteria.

Sage Advice 
Sage can make your Thanksgiving stuffing taste delish, but it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of certain essential oils.

No Bread Dough 
Don't spoil your pet’s holiday by giving him raw bread dough. According to ASPCA experts, when raw bread dough is ingested, an animal's body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery.

Don't Let Them Eat Cake 
If you’re baking up Thanksgiving cakes, be sure your pets keep their noses out of the batter, especially if it includes raw eggs—they could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning.

Too Much of a Good Thing 
A few small boneless pieces of cooked turkey, a taste of mashed potato or even a lick of pumpkin pie shouldn’t pose a problem. However, don't allow your pets to overindulge, as they could wind up with a case of stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse—an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. In fact, it’s best keep pets on their regular diets during the holidays.

A Feast Fit for a Kong 
While the humans are chowing down, give your cat and dog their own little feast. Offer them Nylabones or made-for-pet chew bones. Or stuff their usual dinner—perhaps with a few added tidbits of turkey, vegetables (try sweet potato or green beans) and dribbles of gravy—inside a Kong toy. They’ll be happily occupied for awhile, working hard to extract their dinner from the toy.

   

Santa Monica Pet Medical’s

Halloween costume event!

Oct 19^th, 2014

10am – 2 pm

Pet photos & fundraising for “Pennies for Pets”

Beware the Bug: Parasite Prevention and Screening for Dogs

Reviewed by Peter Kintzer DVM, DACVIM in April, 2014

Halloween isn’t the only time for creepy crawlies. As the weather gets warmer and you spend more time outside, your pets are more likely to be exposed to sometimes-serious infections and parasites. Each year, many pets are diagnosed with diseases carried by insects and parasites. Cost of treatment can be expensive and some diseases can lead to serious illness. Just as bad, many of these diseases can be transmitted to people the very same way our pets get them.

Pet Health Network and DogsandTicks.com are looking out for your whole family with tips for parasite and disease prevention, ways you can test your preventive-health prowess, questions to ask your veterinarian about preventive-health screenings and prevalence maps of some of the most-common pet-health infections. Check out these quick parasite prevention tips from the Companion Animal Parasite Council and Dr. Ruth MacPete, then learn more about parasites A-Z below:

• Deworm your pets according to your veterinarian’s recommendations
• Keep your pets on monthly year-round parasite preventatives
• Take your pet to the veterinarian annually for routine parasite screenings
• Wash your hands after any exposure to soil, sandboxes, and raw meat
• Don’t let children eat dirt or food that has fallen to the ground
• Pick-up after your pet and keep your yard free of feces
• Cover sandboxes and play areas

	Parasites 101 Pets, Parasites and Protecting Your Family By Dr. Ruth MacPete All dogs and cats are at risk for parasites. External parasites like fleas and ticks are usually easy to spot if you know what to look for, but others, like intestinal parasites and heartworm, can easily go undetected. Learn the basics about protecting your whole family from parasites. Read more> See the Companion Animal Parasite Council's 2014 Parasite Forecasts>
	Parasites 101 Help Us Protect Dogs: Spread the Word! Check out and share our free Beware the Bug website badges, info-graphics and help us keep pets and families safe: Info-Graphics Website Badges
	Intestinal Parasites and Dogs Intestinal Parasites and Dogs A-Z Reviewed By Bill Saxon DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC These harder-to-detect parasites can cause issues from weight-loss, to diarrhea, to human infection. Find out what you need to know about common intestinal parasites, which ones to ask your veterinarian about and how to protect your whole family. Read more>
	Fleas and Dogs Fleas 101 By Dr. Ruth MacPete Although fleas can be a year-round problem depending on where you live or whether they have settled inside your home, summer marks the peak of flea season. Get the facts about preventing, detecting and getting rid of these pesky parasites.  Read more>
	Heartworm and Dogs Mosquitoes, Dogs and Heartworm Disease Reviewed By Peter Kintzer DVM, DACVIM Mosquitoes can carry the Heartworm parasite, a dangerous and common parasite that can affect your dog's heart and other organs. Get the facts on Heartworm prevalence, screening and prevention to keep your pup safe.  Read more>
	Dogs and Ticks Dogs, Ticks and Tick-Borne Parasites Reviewed By Peter Kintzer DVM, DACVIM Ticks are more than just creepy; they can spread a number of different diseases that affect both pets and people. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, anaplasmosis, tularemia, and babesia. So what can you do to protect your pets and your family from tick-borne diseases?  Read more>
	Cats and Parasites Cats Get Parasites Too Reviewed By Peter Kintzer DVM, DACVIM Are you a proud cat parent as well? Don't forget that kitties need protection against many of the same parasites as dogs.  Read more>

Pet Owner Alert!

CLIENT ALERT!!!!!

Since Monday, we have seen 2 rattlesnake bites, heard about 3 more and have treated 2 cases of rat poison ingestion.

Please, please, please take care when hiking with your dogs!  Keep them on leash at all times and watch the path before you.

Please, please, please make sure that any rat poison is up and away from where your pets may get into it!

The dangers of rat poison to dogs and cats

Dr. Justine Lee, DVM, DAVCECC, DABT

Posted May 04, 2012 in Pet Health

Rat poison, bromethalin, brodifacoum, rat poison toxicity, pet health

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Dr. Justine Lee explains the dangers of active ingredients in rat and mouse poisons. For more from Dr. Lee, find her on Facebook!

As the weather gets colder, mice and rats start seeking shelter in warm locations… in other words, your house! Unfortunately, the start of autumn means the start of mouse and rat poisoning, putting your dog or cat at risk.

In today’s blog, we’ll talk about the 4 different types of active ingredients found in these mouse and rat poisons. These poisons all work (and kill) in different ways, so pay heed!

While the most common type of mouse poison (e.g., brodifacoum, bromadiolone, etc.) often affects your dog’s ability to clot properly, new EPA mandates by the government are reducing the availability of this specific type of poison (called an anticoagulant rodenticide or “ACR”). Unfortunately, this means that newer, different types of poisons are cropping up. Not even all veterinarians are aware of these newer active ingredients!

Depending on what type of mouse and rat poison was ingested, clinical signs can vary. When in doubt, please don’t use these poisons around your house if you have pets. I’m never an advocate of using these types of poisons, as they pose a threat to wildlife, pets, and birds of prey (e.g., raptors like red-tail hawks, owls, etc.). I’d rather you use the more human snap trap – much safer to you and your pet!

Anticoagulant rodenticides (ACR)
These ACRs inhibit the production of Vitamin-K dependent blood clotting factors (made in the liver), so when ingested in toxic amounts by dogs or cats, it can result internal bleeding. Thankfully, there’s an antidote for this type of mouse and rat poison: Vitamin K1, a prescription medication readily available at your veterinarian. With ACR poisoning, clinical signs don’t take affect for 3-5 days. However, left untreated, ACR poisoning can be fatal. Signs to look out for include:

• Lethargy
• Difficulty breathing
• Pale gums
• Coughing (especially of blood)
• Vomiting (with blood)
• Bloody nose
• Swelling or bumps on the skin (e.g., hematomas)
• Collapse
• Bleeding from the gums
• Death

Treatment includes decontamination, Vitamin K1 orally (typically for 30 days), blood transfusions, plasma transfusions, oxygen, and supportive care.

Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
As an emergency critical care veterinary specialist, this is my most hated type of poisoning. Only a small amount can result in severe poisoning in both dogs and cats. This type of mouse and rat poison results in an increased amount of calcium in the body, leading to kidney failure.  Unfortunately, this type has no antidote, and is very expensive to treat, as pets typically need to be hospitalized for 3-7 days on aggressive therapy. Clinical signs include:

• Inappetance/anorexia
• Lethargy/weakness
• Decreased or increased thirst/urination
• Halitosis
• Kidney failure
• Tremors
• Weight loss
• Death

Treatment includes aggressive IV fluids to flush the calcium and kidney poisons out, medications to help decrease the body’s calcium level (e.g., pamidronate, calcitonin, steroids, diuretics), and frequent blood work monitoring.

Bromethalin
While this type of mouse and rat poison sounds like some ACR types (e.g., bromadiolone, brodifacoum), it’s totally unrelated to clotting and is not treated with Vitamin K. This is a mouse and rat poison doesn’t have an antidote, and works causing brain swelling (e.g., cerebral edema). Clinical signs include:

• Lethargy or anxiety
• Walking drunk
• Vomiting
• Tremoring
• Seizuring
• Coma
• Death

Treatment includes inducing vomiting, administering activated charcoal, IV fluids, anti-seizure medication, muscle relaxants, and supportive care.

Phosphides
While this type of poison is less common, you should care, as it’s potentially poisonous to you, your family, and your veterinary staff! Phosphides are typically used to kill slightly bigger creatures like moles and gophers (and is less commonly used as an active ingredient in mouse or rat poisons).  When ingested, the phosphides product a toxic gas in the stomach called phosphine gas.  Clinical signs include:

• Drooling
• Bloat
• Gastric-dilatation volvulus
• Inappetance
• Anorexia
• Lethargy/weakness
• Difficulty breathing
• Death

Treatment includes not feeding your dog (no milk, bread or other “anti-poison home remedies”). That’s because if there’s food in the stomach, it actually makes the poisoning worse and results in more phosphine gas production. This same gas is poisonous to humans too, so make sure you don’t inhale the gas. In other words, if you’re driving to your veterinary clinic and your dog vomits at home or in the car, make sure to ventilate the area well (e.g., open the windows, turn on the air conditioner in the car, etc.). Likewise, when the veterinary staff induces vomiting in dogs ingesting phosphides, they should do so outside or in a well-ventilated area. Treatment includes anti-vomiting medication, antacids, IV fluids, and supportive care.

If you’re not scared off by mouse and rat poisons now, your dog’s in trouble! When in doubt, keep all mouse and rat poisons out of reach of your family, children, and pets. If accidentally ingested, contact your veterinarian immediately to find out how to treat it. With aggressive treatment, the prognosis is fair to excellent, depending on what type of poison they got into. As with most poisons, the sooner you identify the poisoning, the sooner you treat it, the less problems for your pet (and the less cost to you!).

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.

- See more at: http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/pet-health/dangers-rat-poison-dogs-and-cats#sthash.h8rLJpVt.dpuf