City of Asylum

So how do you avoid unnecessary Veterinary bills caused by too many visits to the Vet or the incurrence of emergency charges if we wait until the situation becomes critical? Cat health and cat behavior are very closely linked and one will likely affect the other. Considering cats can’t communicate with you directly when they are not feeling well, the best barometer for your cat’s overall health is your cat.

The best thing to do is to know your cat. If you know your cat you will be able to recognize when her behavior or physical appearance changes, thus indicating an underlying health problem. All cats do not behave in the same way so what might be completely normal for your cat might be a serious indicator for someone else’s cat. Spend some time with your cat to figure out what makes her tick; pet her, examine her skin, take her temperature and weight regularly to determine a healthy baseline. Once you have the physical basics down, consider the most common aspects of your cats’ personality when determining if she needs a trip to the Vet:

1. Grooming habits: Cats spend the majority of their time sleeping or grooming themselves so this area can be a great area to gauge how well your cat feels. Cats typically do a fantastic job grooming themselves so when you suddenly notice that her coat appears matted, oily, rough or dry that is typically a good indicator that your cat is sick. You might also have noticed that she is obsessively grooming a spot you have never seen her groom before. This could also be an indicator of a physical malady such as an infection from flea bites or mites within the skin.

2. Eating habits: Is your cat finicky when she eats or does she eat her entire meal in what seems like a few bites? Appetite loss is a common health indicator; however, if your cat is typically finicky than it might be completely normal for her to go a couple of days without food. On the flip side, if your cat wolves down every meal and goes a day without one it might be time for a trip to the Vet.

3. Sudden behavior changes: If your otherwise sweet cuddly cat will no longer let you touch her or if your off the wall hyper cat will hardly get out of bed, pay attention. Malaise, aggression or other significant changes in behavior can be obvious symptoms of illness. If your cat does not typically act that way and the behavior persists for more than 24 hours it is time to get to the Vet. If your cat is lazy all the time then you should not be concerned if he is lazy!

4. Elimination habits: How often does she go? What is the size or texture? You don’t have to measure, but you should be aware of what is normal so you will know when to be concerned. If abnormal elimination habits persist it is a good indicator that a trip to the Vet is in order.

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With so many people pampering their pooches it isn’t surprising that many people travel with their dogs. This is especially true for short trips involving less than a day’s drive. With so many people hesitant to board their dogs in traditional kennels they often opt to take their four-legged friends with them. So how can you ensure a safe and fun-filled trip for your family and your dog? There are several steps you can take to ensure a fun-filled trip for all involved:

1. Do your Homework: Dogs have never been more popular than they are now and certain industries reserved for people are now rolling out the red carpet to welcome their pets. Some hotels offer doggie spas, special dog beds complete with treats on the pillows and doggie day care. There are a slew of web sites designed specifically to help you find dog friendly accommodations sure to please the entire family. Web sites such as www.dogfriendly.com and www.petswelcome.com are full-service sites allowing you to search for dog friendly beaches, RV parks, hotels, cabins and even resorts! You can also search your destination city for dog friendly eateries, off leash dogs parks and highway rest stop guides. When deciding on lodging choices make sure to call ahead to obtain the pet policy as there are typically fees involved. Ask the attendant if they have any breed or size restrictions and request a run-down of the fees involved. Hotels typically charge a nightly fee or a deposit and some charge a mandatory cleaning fee upon checkout.

2. Talk to Your Vet: When preparing for your trip, make sure to schedule a quick visit to your Veterinarian before you go. You should obtain a current rabies tag and a proper identification tag for your dog if he does not already wear them on his collar. While you are there you should request a copy of his vaccination records and any other pertinent health information. If your dog gets injured or falls ill on your trip those records will be helpful to a Veterinarian in another city who has never met your precious pooch. When traveling across borders into Canada or Mexico a certificate of health might be required so be prepared for that as well. You might also consider discussing a prescription for an anti-anxiety medication or a mild tranquilizer (depending upon how well your dog tolerates travelling in a car) with your Veterinarian.

3. Safety First: Always consider appropriate safety measures when travelling with your canine companion. Make sure he has a doggie seatbelt consisting of a properly fitting harness and an attachment for your car’s seatbelt to ensure he is safe and secure and remains in one place for the drive ahead. When making pit stops along the way try to stop at rest stops or welcome centers to allow proper places for your dog to eliminate and always make sure that Fido stays on leash when outside of your vehicle. Perhaps the most important safety measure of all is never to leave your furry friend alone in the car unattended. Dogs left unattended in cars (even with the windows cracked) run the risk of heat strokes and even death. Always leave the car running with the air-conditioning on when your pooch pal is in the car!

4. Pack Accordingly: Your dog loves his routine, but can enjoy a road trip if he is reminded of the security of home. Remember to bring his favorite blanket; the scent will remind him of home. Don’t bring too many toys to clutter your car, but one or two will be helpful in keeping him occupied. Also remember to bring enough food for the trip. The last thing you want to do is scramble around on vacation in a strange city looking for his brand of food if you run out. Try storing the food in a large plastic container or 2 quart storage bags that seal to protect freshness. Also remember to bring bottled water, travel bowls and any necessary medications. Now go and have fun with the two and four-legged family!

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It is no surprise that there are a handful of dogs chosen by the majority of Americans. People have come to understand certain breeds and appreciate their characteristics. While there are over 150 breeds to choose from, there are a dozen favorites owned by the majority of Americans. While there are many rescue groups who specialize in adopting mutts, there are just as many who specialize in certain breeds.

Pure bred dogs make up 25% of dogs in shelters and most ended up there because their humans could no longer take care of them for one reason or another. While adoption is the right choice for some, others prefer going through a breeder. Most people who use breeders to obtain their dogs do so because they are in love with certain breeds and want to make sure they get the top of the line when it comes to their favorite. They want to know where he came from and meet his parents to try and ensure they get exactly what they want. With all of the stories on the news concerning puppy mills and other breeders of ill-repute, how do you select a reputable one?

First and foremost, never buy a pure-bred dog from a pet store! Pet store dogs are purchased from puppy mills where dogs are subjected to cruelty and bred with no regard to the health of the mothers or puppies. These pups are weaned from their mothers too quickly, live their entire puppyhood in cages and are often inbred, have higher rates of genetic disorders and suffer health problems more often than dogs raised by reputable breeders.

You should also avoid buying pups advertised in local newspapers by people commonly referred to as back yard breeders. These breeders keep their dogs outside in kennel runs and breed them randomly with the dogs of their neighbors and friends in order to turn a quick buck. They are typically not knowledgeable about breed standards and do not perform genetic testing or provide proper Veterinary care for the dogs they breed.

Now that you know what to avoid you can begin searching for the right breeder. You should start by asking your Veterinarian for referrals. Most reputable breeders have excellent relationships with their Vets and will appreciate that you received a referral from them. If your vet does not have any suggestions, try a local dog show. Attendees of dog shows are often breeders, handlers or trainers of the crème de la crème of dogs. They love their dogs and treat them as members of the family and will know of breeders who do the same. These are the breeders you want to seek out.

Once you have made a few calls you should arrange to visit the breeder to evaluate the quality of his operation. There are many things to look for on your first visit. A responsible breeder will: keep their dogs inside the home, not outside in kennels; encourage you to meet and spend time with the mother and or father and show you where the dogs spend the majority of their time.

They will be able to provide you with Veterinary records, the proper papers on the parents, references from satisfied customers and be able to explain breed standards and genetic health issues associated with their breed. Remember that good breeders do not always have a supply of puppies on hand and that is a good thing. This means that they do not breed the mothers too frequently and risk damaging her health in order to turn a profit. You might have to put your name on a waiting list, but it will be worth it for you in the long run.

Reputable breeders will expect certain things from you and do not sell their pups to the first person who comes along who can afford to pay the fee. It is not out of the ordinary for responsible breeders to ask you for personal references or to sign a contract.

These breeders will expect you to provide proper Vet care, spay/neuter your dog (unless you wish to show him) and introduce the pup to your entire family before they will accept your money. They might also require you to surrender the dog back to them in the event that you can no longer take care of him. This process can be time consuming and expensive; however, if you wish to buy a dog it is well worth it in the end to do things right on the front end.

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