The Pet Lover's Guide Summer 2017

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THE

guide

SUMMER 2017 | FREE

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Yummy! FROZEN TREATS FOR YOUR DOG OR CAT

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT BEFORE ACQUIRING A

Rabbit

How to Handle Pet Find us. Like us.

SEPARATION ANXIETY



Welcome Pet Lo ers! It's summer

and with summer comes warm weather and family vacations. What do you do with your pets while you travel? In this issue Jordan Walker writes about How to Handle Separation Anxiety in pets. It's important to prepare ahead of time so you won't worry or have emergencies arise while you're away. Let's not forget ourselves - it's important to take the time to find balance, use sun screen and stay hydrated and eat healthy. Cats like healthy treats to. And not all of them like Catnip. We've provided a great article on a list of new plants your cats will love. Don't forget July is Adopt A Shelter Rabbit Month. Believe it or not, there are many Rabbits at the Shelters needing loving homes. But like many other furry pets, rabbits have different personalities. So before considering a pet rabbit, please educate yourself about the responsibilities of owning a rabbit. Read more about things to think about inside this issue. One of the greatest Veterinary Schools in the US often provides us wonderful stories about difficult cases they acquire. Although this case study took place in February, we wanted to share the story of Bella who underwent an innovative

approach for her case. She's a lucky girl that will live a longer healthy life thanks to UC Davis Veterinary Medical Hospital. On the Cover, is a Tucker. Tucker has a special story and we're trying to assist his rescue, CARES, with raising money and awareness about his condition. We hope this story and the photo's of Tucker warm your heart. He's one lucky Pooch that's being cared for by an amazing foster. Tucker is available for adoption, so please reach out to CARES if you're interested. You may donate to his cause by visiting their website: www.caresforanimals.org . Thank you Heather Kostik for providing us with fantastic photo's o of Tucker. He sure makes for a great Cover Dog. We hope your summer is off to a good start and will be full of adventure! Mark your calendars for the many great events, hosted by non-profits, happening in various areas this summer. See inside for details

The Pet Lovers Guide is looking for dedicated person’s to help sell advertising. The position is commissioned based. Please contact me by phone or email for additional information. Please feel free to send comments, suggestions, criticisms or praises to my email: thepetloversguide@comcast.net For advertising, please contact me at 707-731-9775 or thepetloversguide@comcast.net

The Pet Lovers Guide is free and published quarterly. The purpose of the magazine is to provide people with information pertaining to pet-related services, products and organizations in our local area. We also promote health, wellness and prevention by educating the public in all aspects of raising a pet. This is a complete guide to pet-related business in Solano, Napa and Yolo County.

Thank you for your continued support and readership. Warmly,

Michelle Morris-Adams Owner/Publisher

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PeT L VeRS

guide

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OWNER/PUBLISHER Michelle Morris-Adams

EDITOR

Lauren Silva

DESIGNER Crystal Scott

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS David Barratt Jackson

UC Davis Veterinary Hospital & Medical School Jordan Walker, Writer and Pet Lover jordan@jordanwalk.com | www.jordanwalk.com

COVER PHOTO Heather Kostik

The Pet Lovers Guide is free and published quarterly. The purpose of the magazine is to provide people with information pertaining to pet-related services, products and organizations in our local area. We also promote health, wellness and prevention by educating the public in all aspects of raising a pet. This is a complete guide to pet-related business in Solano, Napa and Yolo County.

If you would like to contribute letters, stories or advertising, please contact Michelle at: PHONE 707-207-3031 or 707-731-9775 EMAIL thepetloversguide@comcast.net ONLINE www.thepetloversguide.com

5 About Our Cover dog, Tucker 10 How to Handle Pet Separation Anxiety 14 Bella's Journey with UC Davis 16 Why do Cats Urinate in the House? 18 DIY Catsicle Summer Treat Recipe for Your Feline 20 PB & Fruit Ice Recipe

22 Things To Think About Before Acquiring A Rabbit 25 New Plants for your Cat to Love MORE... 8 In Loving Memory 27 Resource Directory If you would like the Pet Lovers Guide to be mailed to you directly, the cost is $1200 for 6 issues. Please email your address to: thepetloversguide@comcast.net. THE PET LOVERS GUIDE | SUMMER 2017

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About Our Cover Dog

A

fter seeing a video of a blue nosed pit bull puppy posted in the Facebook page of CARES (Center for Animal Rescue and Education in Solano), a kind and compassionate woman Corinne contacted the rescue group and offered to foster Tucker on August 2015. Tucker was taken from an unfit family by a Bay Area shelter, found severely neglected and needed an urgent medical attention. Tucker’s condition shocked everyone who saw his condition most especially Corinne. He is unable to walk, and instead scoots about in squirming motion, dragging his paralyzed back end. When Corrine got Tucker, he was severely underweight and weak. But despite his poor medical condition, he was the happiest little guy. Within a few months with the time Corinne spent to improve Tucker’s health, he had gone from 31 lbs. to his current 56 lbs. Although Corrine has fostered many dogs, she was a bit reluctant to take on Tucker because she was not sure if she is going to be equipped to provide him the care he needed. Tucker as a puppy, just only 3 months old had been used as a bait dog by his owner. During the alleged attack by another dog, Tucker had his right leg torn off, left with such a serious injury to self heal. As a result of the trauma, he developed paralysis, a neurological deficit causing incontinence (inability to control his urination), inability to control his bowel movement, and ataxia in his remaining leg. Tucker’s remaining rear leg; it’s as if he has no clue what he is doing with it. He still can move it and he can still even support himself on it for only short periods of time as long as he is standing. As soon as he tries to walk, he can sometimes make it a few feet but inevitably, he topples over. With the aid of hydrotherapy as recommended by a specialist, he can gain strength and improve his mobility. As far as his incontinence he does not really know when he needs to pee and when he needs to poop, it just happens.

Poor sweet baby had the most horrible disparities imparted on him in his first few months of puppy life. Up until he was saved from the previous owners that he had been severely abused, horribly injured and left to suffer without veterinary treatment, starved and neglected. THE PET LOVERS GUIDE | SUMMER 2017

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With the help of family, friends and complete strangers who knew of Tucker’s predicament donations have been raised to pay for his expensive veterinary costs (Xrays ,MRI, a custom fit wheelchair, laboratory tests, and a penis prepuce surgery to “lift” his penis and prevent it from dragging on the ground when he scoots). But there is still more to be raised. We would like for Tucker to have hydrotherapy to possibly strengthen his remaining leg and make him more mobile without causing injury. He drags his leg and “nub” causing abrasions and bleeding. Behaviorally, Tucker is a dog-friendly dog. He lives with six other dogs and lovingly plays with all of them. He lives on a farm and is literally face to face (through a wire fence) with goats, chickens, emus , and horses. He gets to go in the farm yard with Corinne in his wheelchair and does not want to chase any of the animals, but instead stares intently with great interest and awe at the animals. He even kissed a horse on the nose ! He is really funny and appears to be happy despite the raw deal he was dealt.

HELP TUCKER

ADOPT TUCKER

With his hydrotherapy treatment as planned, we are reaching out for financial support from people. Donations could be made by one of the following options: Visit www.caresforanimals.org and click donate. (Make sure to add a memo that is it for Tucker). OR: By mailing a check to CARES at: 96 Springstowne Center Suite B Vallejo, CA 94591 Donations towards Tucker’s treatment is a tax deductible expense. CARES EIN # is : 47-3608185

70%

More than of the unwanted animals in Solano County are put to death each year.

Those interested in adopting Tucker should contact CARES at adoptions@caresforanimals.org.

Are you willing to help make a difference?

Every life is a story...

Visit our website for info on low-cost spay/neuter options

catalesrescue.org 6

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CARES is an approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization under the State of California. (EIN) is 47-3608185

CARES: Center for Animal Rescue and Education in Benicia & Solano Cty, is dedicated to providing loving, humane care, and support that includes foster and adoption services for animals, while also educating current and future pet owners in animal care. For donations, please visit our website below.

(707) 319-7345 http://www.caresforanimals.org/

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In honor of my cats & all the furry animals that touched my heart & soul, The Pet Lovers Guide Dedicates this Memorial Page to each and every one of those who have lost a pet, a companion, a family member. Each of these animals has a story and brought much joy to their owners. This is our way of continuing the memory and legacy of our special friends. Until we meet again...Rest In Peace

Blu

LEXY Diamond

Mr Wiggles

Cody

Bubbles

Solstice

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Tina


pet

therapy

WINDSOR VALLEJO Care Center

VALLEJO, CA 2200 Toulumne

Just one more way Windsor achieves the highest quality person-centered care, delivered with dignity, respect, compassion and integrity, enabling us to enrich and enhance every life we touch.

* Vallejo, CA 94589

The Windsor Experience. The Right Choice.

Call (707) 644-7401 or visit www.windsorcares.com Furry family members welcome while you visit your loved ones in our facility.

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Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy IV Therapy Wound Care

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Pain Management Complex Post-Surgical Needs Stroke, Cardiac, Diabetic Care Recreational Therapy Pet Therapy

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Daily Activities Community Outing Nintendo Wii Fit Program Holiday Parties Barber Shop

• • • •

Religious & Spiritual Services Multi Lingual Staff Volunteer Programs WanderguardTM Security System THE PET LOVERS GUIDE | SUMMER 2017 9


How to Handle Pet

SEPARATION ANXIETY By Jordan Walker

Does your pet show destruction behaviors whenever you leave? Well, he might be experiencing separation anxiety. Learn tips on how to handle this problem.

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Jordan Walker wants to help pet owners in many ways. Hence, he decided to share his passion for animals by writing regularly for Coops and Cages and other blogs. In this article, he shares some tips on how to handle pet separation anxiety.

If

your pet appears worried whenever you reach for the door, ruins stuff when you head out of the house, goes insane when you arrive from work, and keeps an eye on you suspiciously in case you leave, he might be experiencing separation anxiety. Then again, that’s no reason to panic. There’s always a solution to that. Here are several ways to ensure your pets remain calm and happy while you are away.

1 Talk to the vet. It’s always a great idea to seek advice from the vet first, especially if your pet shows odd symptoms like vomiting and aggressiveness. These behaviours might just be related to certain medical conditions that should be taken care of.

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2 Avoid leaving departure hints.

7 Give him a challenging task.

Your pets can easily pick up hints of departure like getting your car keys or putting on your shoes. So, to help them adjust quickly, get rid of those cues by not letting them know what’s happening. Pick up the keys and just put them in a box. Wear your shoes, but just stay at home. Whenever you have a business trip, leave your suitcase at home to make them think you won’t take long.

If you leave, give them a challenging task like food puzzles. That way, they can associate your absence with something enjoyable and fun. Then again, use a variety of puzzles so that they won’t get bored. You can hide tiny bits of food around the house for a scavenger hunt game. If you plan to leave for a longer period, ask the persons at home to hide treats at least twice a day in different areas.

Even if you intend to stay at home, it is important to give your pets enough time to adjust for separations. If you leave them without prior approaches, it will be difficult for them to adjust. Separations could be short like going to the grocery or checking the mailbox outside the house.

Are you willing to leave your television on while you’re out? If yes, then do so. Leave it tuned to a pet-friendly channel or play videos that your pets will love to keep them entertained.

3 Prep them with short absences. 4

Offer them a wide assortment of toys.

As part of responsible pet ownership, when you leave, make sure you keep your pets busy. Leave their favorite toys to keep them entertained. Provide them with a place to relax, such as cat beds or dog kennels.

8 Provide them entertainment.

9 Create a peaceful environment.

To soothe your pets, play good music while you’re away. Doing so will promote calmness and relaxation. Also, you might want to leave your shirt near your pet’s resting areas. That way, they will feel you’re near even if you’re not.

10 Hire a trustworthy and reliable pet sitter.

If your budget permits, you can hire a reliable pet sitter to look after your pets when you are not at home. He or she should keep them entertained in your absence. If you plan to go out of town for weeks, consider someone stay with them for weeks for a more regular interaction.

11 Consider obedience training.

Many believe that the cure for separation anxiety is discipline and obedience training. Through this approach, your pets understand what is expected of him when you are not around. So, if you have time, bring them to training classes. Show them what you want them to do in the house if you are out of their sight. Let them know their daily routines.

12 Teach them the importance of crates. 5 Create perching areas. Cats enjoy high and vertical places, where they can have a better view of the world. Thankfully, cat scratching posts can provide such kind of view for them. By providing these places, they could relax and sleep whenever they need to, especially when you are not at home.

6 Keep departures and arrivals unnoticed.

Whenever you prepare for departure, don’t leave a hard goodbye to your pets. Instead, make it low-key. It should not involve heavy emotions. As you arrive, greet them only when they stop seeking your attention. Attend to them once they are calm, such as when they’re sitting or lying.

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When you are at home, have your pets familiarize the importance of the crate. This is especially important for dogs. Have them start with short periods and gradually increase the time span. Feed them there and don’t forget to give their favourite toys to keep them occupied. At the end of the day, you must remember that pets are family. Hence, if possible, do not leave them. Take them with you if you are planning to go on a vacation. For sure, there are plenty of pet-friendly destinations in the vicinity that would keep you both entertained and relaxed.

Jordan is the lead content curator for Coops and Cages as well as a couple of other petrelated blogs. His passion for animals is only paired with his love for “attempting” to play the guitar. If you would like to catch more of him, you can by following his Twitter or Facebook accounts.


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with

T

herapeutic plasma exchange has made headway in veterinary medicine over the past few years as a state-of-the-art blood purification procedure, joining the ranks of hemodialysis and hemoperfusion. See how this newer process saved Bella, a 5-year-old pit bull with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. “Case of the Month” – February 2017

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Bella, a 5-year-old female pit bull terrier, was acting lethargic a few months ago and then produced dark urine and was icteric (jaundice-like). Her owner Carol, a veterinarian and UC Davis alum, knew something was wrong and ran blood tests on Bella. The tests indicated extremely low red blood cell (RBC) counts, and Carol suspected a case of immune-mediated


hemolytic anemia (IMHA). IMHA can be a fatal disease, as it causes a dog’s immune system to destroy its own RBCs (which carry oxygen to the cells and pick up carbon dioxide). Over the next two days, Bella received two transfusions of packed RBCs and was started on treatment to suppress her immune system, but she did not respond well to the treatment. Carol knew it was time to seek alternative treatment options with the specialists at the UC Davis veterinary hospital. After admission to UC Davis, the Emergency and Critical Care Service worked with the Transfusion Medicine Service to administer two additional packed RBC transfusions to Bella, after her RBC count dropped significantly overnight from her admission figure of 22 percent to 12 percent. Dogs should normally have a count of more than 40 percent. Luckily for Bella, UC Davis operates the largest veterinary blood bank in the western United States. Bella’s transfusions were swiftly performed with blood from the hospital’s local canine donor base. Several times a week, locally-owned dogs visit the hospital to donate blood. The blood is then processed and stored in an extensive onsite bank, allowing the hospital to perform more than 600 transfusions per year. Since there was so much breakdown of RBCs, despite appropriate treatment, veterinarians with the Internal Medicine Service discussed with Carol proceeding with the use of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). TPE has made headway in veterinary medicine over the past few years as a state-of-the-art blood purification procedure, joining the ranks of hemodialysis and hemoperfusion. TPE is an apheresis (removal of impurities from blood) treatment

in which plasma contaminated with damaging (pathogenic) antibodies, toxins or abnormal proteins is separated from the patient’s flowing blood and exchanged with donor plasma that is returned to the patient to render the patient less susceptible to or free from immunologic attack or other pathologic processes. Unlike hemodialysis or hemoperfusion (in which impurities are removed from intact blood), TPE separates the blood into its component fractions, and the pathogenic fraction is removed or specifically altered prior to return to the patient. The remainder of the (purified) blood is returned to the patient. The pathologic component is delivered to a waste bag and discarded. Bella received three TPE treatments while at UC Davis. After her first day of treatment, she did not need any further blood transfusions. On her sixth day of hospitalization, her RBC count had increased to 32 percent and her reticulocyte (new RBC growth) count continued to show a strong regenerative response to the anemia. Bella was healthy enough to be discharged that day, but still remained at risk of forming blood clots, which can be a cause of significant mortality in IMHA patients. As such, she was also prescribed anticoagulant medications. Additionally, to help suppress her immune system from attacking her own cells further, Bella was placed on an immunosuppressive therapy of medications. Two weeks after discharge, Bella showed a positive recovery at her recheck appointment. She was bright and her RBC count was at 40 percent, within the normal range. She will need to continue immunosuppressive therapy for at least 4-6 months to keep her in complete remission of IMHA.

Davis that shows TPE to be emerging as an innovation in veterinary therapeutics for IMHA and should be considered a first-line, rather than a delayed, therapy for animals with severe IMHA unresponsive to initial blood transfusions or medical therapy. “We are very grateful for everyone at UC Davis,” said Carol. “Her TPE treatments were lifesaving, and everyone treated her with loving care.”

ABOUT THE VETERINARY MEDICAL TEACHING HOSPITAL The William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California, Davis—a unit of the #1 world ranked School of Veterinary Medicine— provides state-of-the-art clinical care while serving as the primary clinical teaching experience for DVM students and post graduate veterinarian residents. The VMTH treats more than 50,000 animals a year, ranging from cats and dogs to horses, cows and exotic species. To learn more about the VMTH, please go to www.vetmed. ucdavis.edu/vmth. Timely news updates can be received on its Facebook (www.facebook.com/ ucdavisvetmed) and Twitter (www. twitter.com/ucdavisvetmed) pages.

Bella’s success is one of many examples at UC

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Why Do Cats Urinate in the House? By David Barratt Jackson

T

here are many reasons why your cat might be peeing in the house, anything from cleanliness, change of territory and the scent of another cat. Let’s look at why cats urinate in the house and what you can do to make it stop. Making your cat stop urinating on the carpet is easier than it seems. Many cat owners cannot keep an eye on their pet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so it becomes difficult to see what they are doing, where and why they are doing it. I want to run through some real life situations that have happened to me, and how I stopped the constant urinating on carpets. Why do cats urinate in the house, and what you can do to make it stop. One of the many reasons cat owners find themselves in this predicament is down to health issues. A couple of years ago my male cat was starting to pee just outside his litter tray, and then over a few days, he spread to other rooms and before I knew it, the house was starting to smell of urine. He had never done this before, he was always clean and never missed the spot when it came to doing his business. Over the next couple of days, I made more of an attempt to follow him, only to find he wasn’t peeing as normal. The short story is, he had a urinary infection, and the vet mentioned that he might be associating the pain he felt when he urinated to his litter tray, and so he avoided going in. I don’t want to scare you, but if this sounds like something that could be happening to your cat, then either give your local vet a call, or take him in for an examination.

If the above is not something you think is happening, then lets run through another couple of reasons of why cats urinate in the house. A change of territory is also another reason for random urinating, as they are simply marking their new home with their smell. You may see this happen for only a couple of days, but if it continues, then there might be other issues to look at. Cleanliness is something I must mention, because it has happened to me in the past. If you have an indoor cat which uses only a litter tray, then having a dirty box is something of a no go area for many cats. Daily cleaning is essential, and the urinating in carpets will start to fade within days. Make sure your cat has easy access to his tray when it is cleaned. These simple steps above may sound obvious, but many people have busy lives and forget that the simple things are usually the problem. If you think your cat has health issues, then don’t waste any time in having the vet give him a health check. Stop your Cat Peeing on the Carpet. This easy to read book, has helped me and thousands more around the world. You will also find cleaning tips, and how to tell if your Cat is trying to tell you something.

About the Author: My name is David Barratt Jackson. I have been working with Cats for the past 10 years, on everything from training to cleaning. If you are having a problem with your cat Peeing on your Carpet and not using their Litter Tray, then I can help. Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.

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DIY Catsicle Summer Treat recipe for your Feline

Bubbling Well —PET MEMORIAL PARK—

For Those Who Care Providing Cremation & Burial Services Servicing the North Bay Area for over 43 years!

The Chicken Chicken Tuna Pop By Louise Hung

Over Looking The Napa Valley

What you need:

Primal Pet Foods Chicken Mix, some tuna water from a can of tuna, a dash of the Honest Kitchen’s Pro Bloom Instant Goat’s Milk (optional), water, Dixie Cup. I used the Primal Chicken Mix, not the nutritionally complete Primal Formula, because I use it as a base to make my own raw cat food, and it’s just what I have around. But really, I think any high quality raw ground chicken or raw chicken frozen cat food will work. Thawing the chicken meat to just pliable but still “crunchy,” I gently pressed it into the bottom of a Dixie Cup, just under a quarter of the way full.

Offering Custom lasered Urns & Keepsakes!

Then I mixed in just enough chilled tuna water (I just put the can in the fridge for a while then opened it) and a bit of regular water (if needed) to make the mixture uniform but still textured. If you want to mix in a dash or two of the Pro Bloom Goat Milk for a probiotic boost, mix it in with some tuna water/regular water until completely dissolved and smooth, then add the mixture to the meat and stir. Put the Dixie Cup with the meat pop mixture in the freezer for about an hour then cut away the Dixie Cup and serve.

bubbling-well.com (707) 794-PETS (7387) 2462 Atlas Peak Rd. | Napa 18

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So there you go. If your cats are toasty on these hot summer days, a catsicle might be just the treat to chill them out. If you try one of my creations, I hope your cat enjoys it like mine did. Or maybe these examples will inspire you to come up with a recipe of your own!


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PB & Fruit Ice A wonderful Summer treat recipe for your dog This is an easy one. No oven, no cookie cutters.. just some waiting and happy, happy dogs. INGREDIENTS n Water n 1/2 cup Peanut Butter n 1 cup Chopped Fruit (I used strawberries) n 2 tablespoons Flax seeds

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Blend the peanut butter and water and pour into the bundt or cake pan. 2. Add chopped fruit and flax seeds. 3. Allow to freeze for 4 to 6 hours before placing in the grass for your pups. Or add whatever you want. All you need is water and … and any dog safe item or food that you can think of. Treats, toys, chicken, liver … whatever your dog likes. It’s keep them cool and occupied and it’s so much fun to watch them uncover the goodies with each lick.

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Looking for a new friend? Napa County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center is just the place for you. We have many wonderful animals up for adoption. Cats, kittens, puppies, dogs, chickens, birds, rabbits and more are all waiting for their new homes. Stop by and meet a new friend today.

Hours open to the public Monday - Saturday 11:00 am to 4:45 pm 942 Hartle Court, Napa, CA 94558 707-253-4382

Microchipping, Dog License, Humane Trap Rental, Volunteer Opportunities

http://www.countyofnapa.org/AnimalShelter/

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Things To Think About Before Acquiring A Rabbit Rabbits have been popularly kept as pets in Western nations since the 1800s. Rabbits can adjust well to indoor life, and can even be litter box trained. Like all pets, rabbits need a considerable amount of care and attention. Often people purchase rabbits from a breeder. Many people prefer breeders under suspicion that some pet stores sell cross bred rabbits. Such a breeder who has a litter of young rabbits available for sale can be found in the newspaper classified ads listed under “Pets” or “Livestock.” Some can be found through rabbit breeders’ club publications or through rabbit-related magazines, which often include a breeder listing. With the advent of the Internet, many breeders advertise their stock online.

Finding a local rabbit breeder is generally preferred to shipping rabbits for long distances, as it can be stressful for the animal. Many pet shops nearly always carry smaller breeds of rabbit such as the Netherland dwarf, the Holland lop, and the Mini-Rex. These breeds, although smaller than ‘normal’ rabbits, still live long and healthy lives. A point to note is that often smaller breeds of rabbits are prone to tooth problems such as malocclusion. Rabbit rescue organizations or a local humane society are increasingly common places to find adult rabbits, who may already be spayed or neutered and docile from handling. Though most rescued rabbits are healthy, some may require special care for health conditions or behavioral problems resulting from prior abuse.

Training and Play Pet rabbits can be trained to urinate and defecate in a litter box or on a newspaper in a specific corner of a room. The litter box may also be placed inside the rabbit’s cage or the rabbit can be trained to treat the cage itself as the litter box. Litter training becomes much easier once a rabbit is spayed or neutered. Rabbits cannot learn voice commands like a dog, but can recognize different patterns of the voice. For instance, If a rabbit is disobeying, for example biting, simply make a high pitched noise, or an extremely bass noise and the message will be conveyed. Rabbits can be taught their names, although they recognize the pattern of the noises more than the words. Rabbits are intelligent, and enjoy games and toys. It is possible to permit a rabbit to run loose in the home if rooms have been rabbit-proofed (i.e. dangerous chewable items such as electric cords are removed from the pet’s reach). Rabbits have a tendency to chew on items in their space, particularly wires, although they can be trained not to chew.

707. 748. 4249 tritan-electric.com

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It is important that if a rabbit is allowed to roam in a house that it be impossible for the rabbit to chew or get into dangerous or valuable items. They do not possess the same comprehension as a dog or a cat, and often don’t understand if punished physically; rather they will become scared or confused if some kind of punishment is used, as they do not see the damage they have done. If all this is taken into consideration, rabbits make excellent house pets.


Companionship OTHER RABBITS Unneutered rabbits frequently fight when paired with another rabbit of the same gender. Generally fighting is a result of sexual mounting, which is engaged in by rabbits of both sexes upon other rabbits of either sex; this behavior stresses the rabbit being mounted and can make it aggressive toward its cage mate. Unneutered rabbits of opposite sexes will breed rapidly, so a pet owner should not leave them together, even if they do not fight. Because of these problems, it used to be preferred to keep rabbits caged individually. However, it is becoming common to spay and neuter pet rabbits allowing male and female rabbits to live together. Fighting can result even from pairing altered rabbits. Keeping rabbits in pairs can limit behavioral problems (such as general aggression, biting or withdrawal) which may arise if rabbits are kept single. Pairs of bonded and desexed rabbits, usually one of each gender to a pair, can often be adopted from animal shelters. These have usually already had all their major expenses taken care of (desexing) and they will rarely fight or harass each other, taking the trouble out of bonding two separate rabbits.

GUINEA PIGS Some books recommend keeping rabbits and guinea pigs together to meet their social needs. While some people have seen success with this technique, the current consensus is that rabbits should never be kept in the same cage with guinea pigs. A rabbit can easily harass or injure a guinea pig; this can lead to severe distress or even death for the guinea pig. It may be unintentional or due to being startled, since the rabbit is larger and stronger so can seriously injure a guinea pig. They also have differing nutritional requirements, so it is therefore preferable that rabbits and guinea pigs are fed separately. Guinea pigs require additional Vitamin C in their diets that rabbits don’t. Lack of Vitamin C may lead to scurvy. Additionally, guinea pigs typically show very little interest in social activities necessary for the rabbit’s well-being, such as grooming; this limits the intended benefit of housing the guinea pig and rabbit together in the first place. It is generally recommended that dogs should never be left alone with rabbits as their predatory instincts (or overenthusiastic play) can lead to the dog attacking the rabbit spontaneously. Cats, on the other hand, can become close and safe potential companions if properly introduced to the rabbit and they are of at least roughly equivalent size. In fact, when the cat is introduced in a home with a resident rabbit, the rabbit sometimes will act aggressively to establish his territory and the cat, which does not have such concerns, will typically cede the point to the resident.

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Monthly Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic for Feral / Domestic Cats Sponsored by

Please Register at: http://hsnb.org/clinics/ Hosted By

Location: HSNB 1121 Sonoma Blvd Vallejo, CA 94590 (707) 645-7905 Tuesday - Sunday

   

Spay or neuter FVRCP vaccine Wound inspection and treatment Flea/flea eggs combing, and a topical flea medication (The flea medication also treats ear mites and some intestinal parasites)

Feral Cats will receive a mandatory ear tip $15 for Feral Cats; $30 for Domestic Cats. CASH ONLY! All cats must be in separate traps or hard-sided carriers; no soft carriers, no boxes, no more than one cat per carrier, no exceptions.

It can be an overwhelming task trying to find a veterinary practice that is right for you and your pet. At American Canyon Veterinary Hospital, we understand the importance of establishing a relationship with a veterinary professional you can rely on. We are committed to providing our patients with quality care, and the latest advances in modern veterinary medicine.

Dr Swarnjit Singh - DVM, PhD

707-644-2284 Julie Allen - Practice Manager / Senior Veterinary Technician Jessi Allen - Office Manager / Client Services Supervisor Amee Cross - Director of Public Relations / Veterinary Technician

Pet Packages Puppyhood Guarantee Package

Kitten Care Package

Senior Wellness Packages

Dental Packages

Services Wellness Services Diagnostic Services Surgical Services Dental Services OFA and Breeding Services

Sunday, Sept 10th 10-3pm Raffle Prizes Giveaways Parking Lot Party ...and more Proceeds to benefit Whiskers Tails & Ferals

American Canyon Veterinary Hospital • 100 West American Canyon Road, Suite K9 • American Canyon, CA 94503 Phone: 707-644-2284 • Fax: 707-644-2242 Hospital Hours: Mondays: 10am - 6pm, Tuesday - Friday: 8am - 6pm, Saturdays: 9am - 4pm, Sundays: Closed

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New Plants for Your Cat to Love —Great News for Cats Who Don’t Like Catnip— San Antonio, TX, March 16, 2017 - A new study by an international team of renowned researchers and feline experts shows that three largely unknown, non-toxic plants will make even the most finicky cat happy, even those who don’t like catnip. When compared, more cats enjoyed a plant called silver vine than catnip.

These plants were offered to 100 shelter cats, and nearly all of them rolled around from excitement in response to at least one of the plants. 80% of the cats completely loved silver vine, 67% enjoyed catnip, and 50% got very excited when smelling Tatarian honeysuckle wood or valerian root. “Our results suggest there is a big chance (80%) that a cat who doesn’t like catnip will respond euphorically (or perhaps I should say euflorically) when smelling the other plants,” said lead author Sebastiaan Bol, Ph.D. “This discovery opens a lot of windows for cat owners whose feline companions aren’t excited by catnip or other stimulants.” Cats responded more intensely to silver vine than to catnip, especially older cats. The strongest response was observed when cats were exposed to a special part of the silver vine plant, called fruit galls. The presence of a small fly is required for the silver vine plant to produce this special type of fruit.

Above: Indigo, a cat at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in Riverside, CA, acting goofy with a sock containing silver vine.

Has catnip lost its appeal with your cat? Spruce up the action with silver vine (Actinidia polygama), a natural catnip alternative. These powdered packets contain safe, natural powder of silver vine. Cats love the stuff, and you'll love watching their euphoric reaction.

Interestingly, scared and old cats responded just as often and intensely to all the plants as outgoing and younger, generally more playful, cats did. Along with Dr. Bol, the primary investigator and founder of Cowboy Cat Ranch, this study was conducted with among others Tony Buffington, DVM, Ph.D., professor emeritus at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and currently a volunteer clinical professor at the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and Stefan Schulz, Ph.D., professor at the Institute of Organic Chemistry at the Technische Universität Braunschweig in Germany.

Available online at

The full-text article is freely available via the website of BMC Veterinary Research: https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12917-017-0987-6

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THE PET LOVERS GUIDE | SUMMER 2017

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Hassle Free Printing We Take Printing Seriously…Not Ourselves.

5,000 postcards $149 • 10,000 flyers $349 • 1,000 magazines $995 (16 pages, 60# paper)

Call 210-804-0390 for Special Online Pricing!

Visit us at www.shweiki.com

CONTACT US TO SCHEDULE YOUR PLANT TOUR 210-804-0390 • Email samplEs@shwEiki for a frEE quotE or call 512-480-0860

501(c)(3) non-profit

Our Mission: To educate the public on the importance of spaying and neutering of their animals and how we as the public can help stop the overflow of unwanted pets in the shelters throughout California

Our adoption events will now be held on every 1st and 3rd weekend of the month. Adoption will be held at our ranch by appointments. 1st and 3rd Saturday will be at the Vacaville Petsmart, 11-3:30 and the 1st and 3rd Sunday will be at the Fairfield Petco from 11-3:30. We hope this helps those that are wanting to visit our adoptable dogs and see the farm animals tinytimspals@yahoo.com

https://www.facebook.com/tinytimspalsallpetrescue

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RESOURCE DIRECTORY SOLANO COUNTY Community Animals & Adolescents Together Vallejo, Ca http://caatrescue.webs.com/ kriskitty@comcast.net CAT & DOG RESCUE Cat Tales Rescue Solano County catinfo@catalesrescue.org http://catalesrescue.org/ Cat Rescue Humane Society of the North Bay 1121 Somoma Blvd Vallejo, Ca 707-645-7905 http://hsnb.rescuegroups.org/ Vallejo Animal Control 707-645-7906 Benicia Animal Control 707-745-3412 SCARF 680 Vintage Court Fairfield, CA USA 94534 http://www.scanimalfoundation.org tm2004@comcast.net CAT & DOG RESCUE

International Bird Rescue 4369 Cordelia Road , Fairfield 707-207-0380 http://www.bird-rescue.org Solano County Animal Care Shelter 2510 Clay Bank Road Fairfield, CA 94533 (707) 784-1356 Phone http://www.solanocounty.com The Animal Place Sanctuary and Education 3448 Laguna Creek Trail, Vacaville 707-449-4814 http://animalplace.org SPCA of Solano County 2200 Peabody Rd Vacaville, CA 95687 707-448-7722 http://www.solanospca.com Paws for Healing A Canine Therapy Program Serving Northern Calif 707-258-3486 www.pawsforhealing.org Spirit Horse Therapeautic Riding Center of SF Bay Area 707-720-6360 http://www.spirithorsebayarea.org

Solano Feral Cat Group PO Box 1221, Suisun, Ca 707-421-5515 www.solanoferals.org

Humane Animal Services Serving Vacaville, Fairfield, Suisun City, Dixon, and Rio Vista 707-449-1700 http://www.humaneanimalservices.org

4 Paws Pet Rescue Vacaville, CA 95688 www.4pawspets.petfinder.com fourpawspets08@yahoo.com CAT & DOG RESCUE

Suisun Wildlife Rescue Injured or orphaned wild animal, please call 707-429-HAWK (4295) http://www.suisunwildlife.org

Premier Animal Rescue P. O. Box 6763 Vacaville, CA 95696 707-592-4601 Cat Rescue Dog Works Doberman Rescue 149 Briarwood Drive , Vacaville 707-448-3850 http://www.dogworks.org Joleene: jladyman@castles.com Leanne: lozadobe@juno.com The Dog Spot Rescue Rehabilitation & Rehoming Center P.O. Box 5126 Vacaville, Ca 95688 thedogspotrescue@aol.com Northern California Italian Greyhound Rescue Fairfield, Ca 707-446-1858 (Barb) http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/norcal.html

LAPS P.O. Box 6596 Napa, CA 94581 707-265-6642 http://www.lovinganimalsprovidingsmiles.org A volunteer animal-assisted therapy group serving Northbay counties

SONOMA & LAKE COUNTY Golden Gate Basset Rescue POBox 4958, Petaluma 707-765-2690 http://www.ggbassetrescue.org North Bay Canine Rescue and Placement PO Box 4522, Petaluma 707-763-7736 http://northbaycanine.org Petaluma Animal Services Foundation 840 Hopper St, Petaluma, Ca 94952 707-778-PETS (7387) www.petalumaanimalshelter.org California Animal Rescue Santa Rosa, Ca 707-293-4470 Car.rescuegroups.org Dog Rescue Countryside Rescue 3410 Guerneville Rd., Santa Rosa 707-494-0491 http://www.countrysiderescue.com/ CAT & DOG RESCUE Forgotten Felines of Sonoma County 1814 Empire Industrial Ct Santa Rosa, CA 95403 PO Box 6672, Santa Rosa, Ca 95403 707-576-7999 http://www.forgottenfelines.com

Whiskers, Tails, and Ferals 1370 Trancas Street, #206, Napa 707-942-9066 http://www.whiskerstailsandferals.org CAT & DOG RESCUE

Paws for Love Foundation P.O Box 9004, Santa Rosa, Ca 95405 209-795-4575 Ellyn@pawsforlove.info http://www.pawsforlove.info The Paws for Love Foundation is a resource for shelters and rescue organizations.

Napa Humane Society P.O. Box 695, Napa 707-255-8118 http://www.napahumane.org

Wine Country Greyhound Adoption PO Box 6266, Santa Rosa 800-924-7397 http://www.winecountrygreyhounds.com

Napa County Animal Shelter 942 Hartle Ct, Napa, Ca 94558 707-253-4382 http://www.countyofnapa.org/AnimalShelter/

Special Pets Rescue P.O. Box 1247, Lower Lake 707-350-7008 http://www.specialpetsrescue.org Sonoma Humane Society 5345 Hwy 12, Santa Rosa, Ca 95407 707-542-0882 http://sonomahumane.org

NAPA COUNTY

We Care Animal Rescue 1345 Charter Oak Ave., St. Helena 707-963-7044 http://wecareanimalrescue.org CAT & DOG RESCUE

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Sonoma County Animal Care and Control 1247 Century Ct Santa Rosa, CA 707-565-7100 http://sonoma-county.org/shelter/index.htm California Animal Rescue PO BOX 2179 Healdsburg, CA 95448 707-293-4470 rescuedcritters@gmail.com http://car.rescuegroups.org/ http://www.californiaanimalrescue.com/ Pet's Lifeline 19686 8th Street East. , Sonoma 707-996-4577 http://www.petslifeline.org CAT & DOG RESCUE A Leg Up Rescue 925 Lakeville Street #265 Petaluma, CA 94952 www.aleguprescue.org aleguprescue@me.com Dog Rescue Big Dog Rescue Penngrove, Ca 707-665-0332 http://www.homelesshounds.us Dog Rescue Chihuahua Club of Northern California, Rescue Renee' Harris, 707-887-0190 P.O. Box 1696 Forestville, CA. 95436 Email: ScooberNoggin@aol.com Golden Gate Gordon Setter Club Rescue P.O. Box 1578 , Middletown 707-987-9463

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

Bay Area Poodle Rescue 1442 A Walnut St #204 Berkeley, CA 94709 www.bayareapoodlerescue.org 510-286-7630 bichons4evr@comcast.net

YOLO & SACRAMENTO Northern California Boxer Rescue Davis, Ca 866-989-NCBR (6227) http://www.ncbr.org Small Dog Rescue Roseville, Ca Serving Placer County, Rocklin, Lincoln, Roseville and Sacramento http://www.smalldogrescue.org NorCal Cocker Rescue, Inc. 1731 Howe Ave., #264 Sacramento, CA 95825 (916) 541-5149 NorCalCockerRescue@gmail.com http://www.norcalcockerrescue.org Russell Rescue Inc, Ca Kerry McAllister, 916-600-7352 norcal@russellrescueca.com http://www.russellrescueca.com Nor Cal Aussie Rescue 10556 Combie Road #6200, Auburn 530-268-1600 http://www.norcalaussierescue.com Rotts of Friends Animal Rescue 34505 County Road 29 Woodland, CA 95695 Phone: (530) 661-0213 RottsOfFriends@gmail.com

ARF- Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation 2890 Mitchell Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 (925) 256-1273 www.arf.net Cat/Dog Rescue and Adoptions

Yolo County Animal Services 2640 E. Gibson Rd, Woodland, CA 95776 (530) 668-5287 http://www.yolocountysheriff.com/services/animal-services/ https://www.facebook.com/YCAS.Shelter

Outcast Cat Help PO Box 963, Martinez, CA 925-231-0639 www.outcastcat.org Cat Rescue

The Yolo County SPCA P.O. Box 510 Davis, CA 95617 (530) 902-6264. M-F 8a-6p http://www.yolospca.org/

Umbrella of Hope 4080 Railroad Ave, Suite C.,Pittsburg, CA 94565 (925) 567-3997 beourpet@gmail.com www.beourpet.org CAT & DOG RESCUE

Small Animal Rescue & Adoptions Rats, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs, Mice, Chinchillas www.northstarrescue.org

Milo Foundation 220 South Garrard Blvd., Point Richmond 415-454-6456 marin@milofoundation.org mpr@milofoundation.org www.milofoundation.org

OTHER

Save A Bunny Mill Valley, Ca 415-388-2790 www.saveabunny.org Dalmatian Club of America Rescue Sherry GuIdager 916-771-0282; MariIyn DromgooIe 510-708-2642 Dalmatian Club of Northern California Rescue 510-886-9258; Janet Langford Gray 408-2574301; Barb & Mike Dwyer 925-672-3980

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Dachsund Rescue Northern California Chico, Ca - Monti Markel, 530 895 3148 San Leandro, Ca - Vicki Ronchette, 510-483-2631 Northern California American Malamute Association 800-399-8155 http://ncama.org NorCal Irish Setter Rescue 208-683-2765 (Paul) or 510-524-2602 (Debra) http://ncisrescue.org/index.html NorCal Golden Retriever Rescue 405 El Camino Real Suite 420, Menlo Park 650-615-6810 http://www.golden-rescue.org NorCal German Shorthair Pointer Rescue P.O. Box 933, Menlo Park 408-402-2092 http://www.norcalgsprescue.com Nor Cal Beagle Rescue Bay Area: 510-770-0208, Sacramento Area: 916691-1817 http://www.norcalbeagles.com NorCal Collie Rescue 650-851-9227 http://www.calcollierescue.org Great Dane Rescue of Northern California 15255 Clydelle Ave, San Jose 916-652-6444 (Colleen) http://www.gdrnc.org Great Pyrenees Rescue of Northern California P O Box 574, Georgetown 1-877-PYRENEES http://www.gprnc.org/index.php German Shephard Rescue of Northern Calif P.O. Box 1930, Cupertino 1-800-728-3473 http://www.savegsd.org/ Golden State German Shepard Rescue PO Box 2956, Alameda , CA 94501 877-447-4717 goldenstategsr@earthlink.net www.gsgsrescue.org Border Collie Rescue of Northern California 831-422-8176 (Ann) http://www.bcrescuenc.org West Coast Mastiff & Large Breed Rescue 39252 Winchester Rd #107-253 Murrieta, CA 92563 http://www.wcmastiffrescue.com/ wcm.rescue@yahoo.com Afghan Hound Rescue Northern California P.O. Box 3508, Redwood City 650-678-9984



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