Kidney failure is very common in older cats, but can occur at any age. Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) is an advancing, irreversible deterioration of kidney function. Keep in mind that when cats don’t feel well, depending on the personality of course, they do not like to show signs that they are sick. In order to hide their symptoms, a lot of times they’ll hide themselves. If your usually upbeat and friendly cat is making himself scarce lately, start looking for symptoms of illness. Some symptoms of kidney failure are:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Increased volume of urination
• Decreased frequency and volume of urination
• Urination in the middle of the night
• Blood in urine
• Decreased appetite
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Reluctance to move or lethargy
• Weight loss
• Poor or unkempt fur

This is not a complete list, and as you see, symptoms vary. Don’t take any chances- we take our kitties in for blood work at least once per year, just to be safe.

Causes of kidney failure vary as much as the symptoms. Parasites, age, cancer, infections (viral, bacterial or fungal), inflammation, trauma, genetics, auto-immune diseases, reactions to medications or poisons are just some of the causes.

There are many different tests that your veterinarian can perform to determine a diagnosis- chemistry panel tests, urinalysis, complete blood count, radiography, and ultrasonography are some of the tests your vet may talk to you about.

If caught early, there are treatments such as fluid therapy, diet change, electrolytes, vitamins and fatty acids that may help your cat get through kidney failure. Chronic Renal Failure can come on very quickly, though and it is not guaranteed that a cat can live through it. Early detection and healthy living is a good way to do all that you can for your cat. Remember, if you pay more for higher quality foods, you’ll probably spend less on vet bills in the long run.

The difference between friends and pets is that friends we allow into our company, pets we allow into our solitude.  ~Robert Brault

It’s already happening: dog deaths due to heat stroke in hot cars

I had another tip prepared for this week, but after reading four news articles this week about dogs dying of heat stroke, I changed my plans. It’s only April but spring is early this year. And as I learned, even the most dedicated animal rescue volunteers can lose track of time with deadly results.

They found four dead puppies, one dead adult dog, one adult dog in extreme distress from heatstroke, and the three dogs suffering and deteriorating. They attempted to revive the dogs and then went the vet clinic, where the adult dog in extreme distress was euthanized. Three dogs lived. The volunteers and the rescue operator (who was not present) were devastated and suspended their rescue operations. The two volunteers are each charged with nine counts of animal cruelty. (Staged photo—no animal was harmed.)

Be prepared to take action to help save a dog from dying of heat stroke

What can you do if you see or hear an animal stuck in a hot vehicle? First, observe the situation carefully but quickly. Walk all around the vehicle, looking at all window openings, and notice if the motor is running with air conditioning on. Is there some shade? Is the dog or cat panting heavily and continuously? Or is the panting intermittent and related to the stress of your approach? Look for signs of drool or spittle around the mouth that might indicate prolonged panting.
If the animal doesn’t appear to be panting heavily and the air conditioning is running, leave, taking note of the time. Return in 15 minutes to check to ensure that the air is still running.
If the animal isn’t panting heavily, and the windows are generously open or the vehicle is in shade, leave, taking note of the time. Return every so often to check that the panting has not increased.
If the animal is already laying down, panting heavily and unable to rise, you must spring into action immediately. Act like a rescuer would, because heat stroke will kill this beloved pet in a few minutes. Enlist a passersby to witness your actions and quickly break a window with your elbow or a heavy object. Ask the witness to dial 911, and ask another one to RUN to the store service desk to insist on an immediate public address to the owner (describe the car and animal). Remove the suffering animal from the vehicle to a shady spot on nearby grass if you can do it safely, and fan the air overhead with anything handy. Ask if anyone has a water bottle; if so, dribble water into the animal’s mouth, and wet his ears and neck to speed cooling. Wait for the authorities and owners to arrive. Ignore any theft alarm; you are not a thief. You are a rescuer saving the life of someone’s pet.
If the animal is standing or sitting upright and panting heavily, you have more time. Write down the vehicle make and model, color, and license plates. Enlist a passerby to go to the service desk to request a public address to the owner. Stay with the dog or cat until the owner returns. If the owner doesn’t return in 10 minutes, and the animal is panting more heavily, call 911.

Why is heat so deadly to dogs?

They can’t perspire to exhaust body heat like we humans can. The only way they can rid their bodies of excess heat is through panting and limited perspiration through their paw pads. Heat stroke is quick to kill, and very young or old, obese, or unhealthy animals are more susceptible. What are the symptoms outside of heavy panting and drooling? Look for signs of restlessness (laying down and rising again and again), lethargy, dark tongue, lack of coordination, and even vomiting.
If you see dogs playing sports or running with their owners on hot days, be sure to say something! Veterinarians will tell stories of how quickly a happy dog can become overcome with heat stroke and die on a hot day. They will play or run until they drop. Vet clinics see them rushed into care by distraught owners, but only some can be saved.

Please forward to animal lovers you know, and reproduce freely. Please credit Sunbear Squad.

The reasons for spaying are compelling and well-known:

• Overpopulation and the resulting mass euthanasia and neglect. There can never be enough good homes for all the puppies and kittens born, including purebreds.
• It avoids heat cycles, unwelcome visitors fighting on the lawn, accidental pregnancies, unwanted puppies and kittens, inconvenience and expense.
• Better-behaved pets – Spayed pets are less likely to spray or mark or roam. They are less aggressive toward humans and other animals. 85% of dog bites involve intact pets.
• Healthier pets
  • Females spayed before their first heat cycle have 96.4% less risk of breast cancer. Spaying after the first heat but before a litter still reduces the risk by 84%. Breast cancer is four times more common in dogs than in humans.
  • Spayed females have no risk of uterine infection, or uterine, ovarian, or cervical cancer.
  • Dogs and cats have their own sexually-transmitted diseases, many fatal, and some potentially contagious to humans. Spayed and neutered pets are rarely exposed to these diseases.
  • There are many complications associated with pregnancy, having babies, and raising a litter – infections, emergency c-sections (very expensive), seizures due to calcium deficiency, etc. The risk of pregnancy and rearing a litter is far greater than the risk of anesthesia and spaying.

• Overpopulation and the resulting mass euthanasia and neglect. There can never be enough good homes for all the puppies and kittens born, including purebreds.
• It avoids fighting over females, trying to escape looking for females, and the resulting inconvenience and expense that results. Males can smell a female up to 3 miles away, and will often get in trouble out looking for girls. Most of the animals hit-by-cars and lost are intact males. Smaller dogs are often killed by larger ones.
• Neutered pets are less likely to spray or mark or roam. They are less aggressive toward humans and other animals. Eighty-five percent of dog bites involve intact pets. And who can stand the aroma of Tom Cat urine?
• Dogs and cats have their own sexually transmitted diseases, many fatal, and some potentially contagious to humans. Feline Leukemia, for example, is the leading disease killer of cats in our area, and is spread through fighting and sexual contact. Spayed and neutered pets are rarely exposed to these diseases.
• Neutered males have no risk of testicular cancer. Prostate cancers, and other prostate problems, are very common in older un-neutered males.

LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER, VETERINARIANS and VACCINATIONS:

• Gwinnett Humane Society- www.gwinnetthumane.com 770-798-7711
• Georgia SPCA- www.georgiaspca.org 678-765-2726- address: 1175 Buford Hwy. Suwanee
• WellPet Humane * low cost veterinarian*- www.wellpethumane.com, 770-455-1101-address: 5342 Peachtree Rd. Chamblee, 30341
• Humane Society of Northeast GA- http://www.humanesocietyofnortheastgeorgia.org 770-532-6617- address: 845 West Ridge Rd. Gainesville, 30501
• Spay Georgia- www.spaygeorgia.org -770-662-4479
• Lifeline Animal Project- www.atlantapets.org 404-292-8800- address: 129 Lake St. Avondale Estates, 30002
• Spay and Neuter Team of Atlanta- www.spay-neuterteam.com 678-581-4055-address: 470 Franklin Rd. Suite 105, Marietta 30067
• Atlanta Humane Society-*low cost veterinarian* www.atlantahumane.org 770-830-2763- address-981 Howell Mill Rd. Atlanta, 30318
• Dekalb County Humane- www.dekalbhumane.org 770-593-1155-address: 5287 Covington Hwy. Decatur, 30035
• Woods Animal Hospital * low cost veterinarian*- (770) 448-6735- address: 11 Thrasher Street, Norcross
• West Georgia Spay/Neuter Clinic- www.westgeorgiaspayneuter.com – 678-840-8072- address: 525 E. Montgomery St. Suite B, Villa Rica, 30180
• Athens Regional Spay and Neuter Clinic- www.athenshumanesociety.org – 706-353-CATS- address: 1781 Mars Hill Road, Watkinsville
• Crossroads Veterinary Services- *low cost veterinarian* www.crossroadsveterinaryservices.com – (706) 224-3200 or (706) 743-7614- address: 210 West Main St., Lexington, 30648
• Friends of Animals- http://www.friendsofanimals.org/programs/spay-neuter/index.html – 1-800-321-PETS
• The Georgia Animal Project- www.theanimalproject.org – 770-704-PAWS- address: P.O. Box 689, Holly Springs, GA 30142-0689
• Humane Society of Cobb County- www.humanecobb.org – 770-428-5678
• Leftover Pets, Inc.- www.leftoverpets.org – 800-978-5226
• · Pit Bull Rescue Central- www.pbrc.net
• Project Catsnip- www.projectcatsnip.org – 770-455-7077
• Spay Elijay- www.homeward.petfinder.com – (706) 698-HOME
• Save Our Strays, Inc.- http://www.saveourstraysatlanta.com- 770-972-5067
• Cherokee County Humane Society- www.cchumanesociety.org – 770-928-5115
• Pet Assistance and Welfare Society of Athens (PAWS)- Email: operations@pawsofathens.com – 706-310-0663
• Cat Care Hospital (Marietta) - 770-424-6369
• Casper’s Fund- www.caspersfund.org – 678-318-1886
• Forsyth County Project Spay Neuter- www.projectspayneuter.com – 770-887-1565
• Helping Prevent Homeless Pets, Inc.- 770-887-1565
• SNAP (Spay Neuter Assistance Program)- http://www.fultonanimalservices.com- 404-794-0358
• Peach Pets Animal Hospital *low cost veterinarian*- www.peachpets.com – (770)814-9000- address: 6955 McGinnis Ferry Rd, Suite 104, Johns Creek , GA 30097
• Society of Humane Friends of Lawrenceville- www.societyofhumanefriends.com – 770-962-4301
• Humane Society of Hall County Low Income Spay and Neuter Clinic- 770-532-6617, E-mail: hshc1@bellsouth.net
• Madison-Oglethorpe Animal Shelter, Inc.- www.moas.org – 706-795-2868, address: 1888 Colbert-Danielsville Rd.  Danielsville, GA 30633
• Humane Society of Morgan County- www.humanesocietyofmorgancounty.org – 706-343-9977
• Paradox Farm Spay and Neuter (Conyers/Oxford)- 770-972-5067
• Paulding County Animal Control- 770-445-1511- E-mail: animalcontrol@paulding.gov
• Paulding County Humane Society- www.pauldinghumanesociety.org – 770-443-3565
• Conyers/Rockdale Humane Society- 770-922-4618

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.  If you want to be happy, practice compassion.  ~Dalai Lama

Click below to watch the video:

The Truth About Pet Food

Did someone mention food? I like food.

Do you feed your pets a certain brand of pet food? What is it and why did you choose it?

Josie enjoys a raw diet

A kindly gesture bestowed by us on an animal arouses prodigies of understanding and gratitude.

- Sidonie Gabrielle Colette

Here’s the list:

The recalls on this list are primarily Class I. Definitions of Class I, II, and III recalls. Additional information about how recalls are conducted can be found at FDA 101: Product Recalls – From First Alert to Effectiveness Checks.

Note: This compiled list represents all pet food recalled since January 1, 2006. If and when new information is received, this list will be updated. The “Information Current as of” date provided above indicates when this Web page was updated; it does not indicate the date when the pet food recalls listed below were initiated. Once listed, each of the recalled pet food products remains listed, even if there are no new recalls associated with that product. Although we have taken care to make sure the information is accurate, if we learn that any information is not accurate we will revise the list as soon as possible. For initiation dates of specific recalls, click on the brand name and then the recall numbers that appear on these pages. For recalls that occurred before September 1, 2008, a date range might appear in the initiation date field. The date range indicates the timeframe within which multiple recalls of this product were initiated. For recalls that occur September 1, 2008 and after, the actual initiation date of each recall event is provided for each product. If a new recall is initiated for a product that had previously been recalled before September 1, 2008, the food product will be listed again, with the new recall initiation date. If a new recall is initiated for a product that had previously been recalled after September 1, 2008, the initiation date of the new recall event will be added to the previous date listed.

Healthy and happy Nancy

Seizures-Convulsions

Definition: Involuntary contractions of muscles caused by abnormal cerebral stimulation or dysfunction.

Causes: Seizures or convulsions can be caused by epilepsy, poisoning (from toxic substances like lead, organophosphate and strychnine) or head trauma (mostly caused by being hit by a car or a fall).

A seizure caused by poisoning is an emergency situation. The veterinarian needs to know the amount and type of poison ingested. It is best to bring the suspected container with you.

Signs: Falling, chomping jaws, stiffening of the body, paddling motion of the legs, jerky and uncontrollable movements lasting two to three minutes. Prior to and after the seizure the pet can have a low level of consciousness, be unresponsive and not know who you are. The pet may also empty its bladder and bowels.

Actions For Survival: Stay calm, reduce external stimuli (lights, sounds, people). DO NOT restrain the pet or place anything in its mouth. Clear the area of hard or sharp objects that might cause harm. If possible, pull the pet away from objects and onto a blanket to help reduce injury.

First Aid: Seizures:

• Be sure that your pet has a heartbeat and is breathing. If so, place a rolled-up blanket or towel under the head for protection.
• When the seizure has stopped, monitor breathing. If the pet has no history of seizures, transport to the nearest veterinarian or emergency animal hospital. If the pet has a history of seizures, take note and transport only if the seizure is not like its “normal” seizures
• Keep the pet comfortable in a quiet, dark place
• Clean up any mess and make a note as to the duration and frequency of the seizure for the veterinarian. If the seizure lasts longer than what is “normal” or the pet has repeated seizures, then you should contact its veterinarian.

A seizure caused by head trauma is an emergency situation. Treat as other life-threatening symptoms present themselves (i.e. CPR, Rescue Breathing, shock, bleeding, etc.). Transport the pet to its veterinarian or nearest emergency animal hospital immediately, moving it as little as poss ible.

Note to Pet Owners: Keeping records of a pet’s health is important, especially for a pet that has seizures.

You can contact my instructor, Jennifer Perry at 770-575-1423 or  Jennifer@PetTechAtlanta.com. Her website is http://pfa.pettechatlanta.com/.

May all that have life be delivered from suffering.
– Buddha

Jennifer Perry
770-575-1423
www.PetTechAtlanta.com
Jennifer@PetTechAtlanta.com

The purity of a person’s heart can be quickly measured by how they regard animals ~ Anonymous

We’ve all seen the commercials showing these terribly sad, poor dogs and cats in cages with Sarah McLachlan as the spokes person. Most of us, anyway. Our hearts break when we see it and we know that this is happening all over America. What can we do about it? The easiest thing for you to do is do not buy a puppy until extensive research has been done on the breeder. There are a lot of puppy “stores” that will tell you that they do not buy from puppy mills, but ask them for the address of the puppy’s breeder and go there. You need to see the surroundings of the puppy and meet the puppy’s parents. Any breeder that can’t allow this or any puppy “store” that cannot give you an address has something very shady is going on.

There are so many wonderful, adoptable dogs that need a home. My Mom, Vicki Lunceford adopted a Lhasa Apso from Atlanta Pet Rescue, Sassy, and she is a puppy mill rescue. She’s coming around very well, but she has a lot of issues that my Mom has had to find answers to. Before rescued, puppy mill dogs are kept in small cages and never let out, sometimes more than one per cage. This makes it more difficult to teach house training and leash training, among other learned behaviors. Patience and understanding are required to adopt one of these  dogs, but to see the pride on one of these dogs’ little faces when something finally clicks is priceless.

Below is a story that I found on the ASPCA site about a few rescued pups that need a home and some that have been adopted.

The Lucky 34—Meet Our Puppy Mill Survivors

On February 7, 34 dogs who once endured terrible living conditions in a notorious puppy mill operation in Holly Springs, MS, were transported to the Big Apple in search of new forever homes. The dogs, many of whom are small breeds, are not the cute, cuddly pups often displayed in pet shop windows, but mothers and fathers who were used as breeding stock at the puppy mill.

These special pups have spent their entire lives confined to tiny wire cages, which inhibit natural behaviors like running, playing and even stretching. Trading the stark environment of a puppy mill for novel sights, sounds and sensations can be tremendously overwhelming for these sheltered animals. Simple behaviors like potty training, sitting on laps or even walking on a leash are challenging activities. Ample recovery time helps, so too does the dedication of a very special adopter—one who will provide lots of love and unconditional acceptance.

Think you have what it takes to care for one of these special pooches? Here are a few of the extraordinary puppy mill survivors who are just waiting for laps to call their own.

Clementine

Check out teeny Clementine. She’s a bit of a nervous Nelly, but who can blame a girl? Clem needs an experienced adopter—are you that pro? If you can help our little Miss Sunshine come out of her shell and experience the world with freedom and love, you may be the perfect pet parent for her.

Lugini

Lugini is a sweet and shy Chihuahua boy with lots of love to give. He just needs a little time to get comfy—after all, he’s seen a lot in his short life. Like most puppy mill survivors, Lugini is a high flight risk as he startles easily and may bolt. It is wise to always keep him on a leash or enjoy playtime in a fenced-in yard. While a true work in progress, this special munchkin is bound to make you laugh and smile.

For more information about adopting one of these dogs, please visit our Adoption Center online and for expert tips on living with a puppy mill dog, visit ASPCA.org.

JUST ADOPTED!

Buffy

Buffy is a sensitive girl from Mississippi—a true diamond in the rough. A sweet little Rat Terrier, Buffy is healthy physically but fairly damaged emotionally. She lived for years in a mill churning out puppies for money. While she needs a little extra time to warm up to strangers, Buffy’s true colors were recently noticed by a visitor to our Adoption Center. We are happy to report this tiny pup is happily settling in to her new forever home!

Betty and Wilma

These sugary-sweet sisters endured some rough times at the Mississippi puppy mill before landing in the Big Apple—and their lack of experience shows. Both tend to lag a bit behind on walks—like most mill dogs, they have never experienced walking on a leash. And neither of the girls are potty trained—also common with mill dogs who have been forced to relieve themselves in their cages for years. Despite these minor setbacks, these two sisters wowed potential adopters with their sweet-as-pie kisses and have recently been adopted!

We have enslaved the rest of the animal creation, and have treated our distant cousins in fur and feathers so badly that beyond doubt, if they were able to formulate a religion, they would depict the Devil in human form.  ~William Ralph Inge, Outspoken Essays, 1922

Here is what you’ll need:

• Durable waterproof case
• An informative First Aid guide
• A cold pack
• 6 to 8 cotton tipped applicators
• Eye irrigate
• Gauze pads
• Antibiotic ointment
• Petroleum jelly
• Flexible bandages that adhere to themselves (and not to your pet’s hair)
• Syringe
• Iodine ointment
• Scissors
• Adhesive tape
• Rectal thermometer
• Tweezers
• Gloves

For Birds: First Aid Kids Would Have:

• Stainless steel hemostatic
• Antiseptic wipes and swabs
• Forceps
• Cohesive bandage
• A curved tip syringe
• Sterile gauze
• Styptic powder

For more information, visit the Humane Society of the United States or call the American Red Cross. All agencies will be happy to help you at any time. Be sure to check out all the websites on Disaster Planning for Pets. There is a wealth of information to use. Here is a list of a few of these websites:

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.
– Charles Darwin