July/August 2012 Issue of Pet Me! Magazine

July/August 2012

Your Guide To All Things Pets

Stray It Safe PLUS: Keeping Your Pet Cool Puppy Mills Why Dogs Bark Fireworks and Your Pet & Much More!

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Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2012 To adopt one of these pets please contact Castaic Animal Shelter at 661.257.3191 or visit our website at www.PetMeMag.com All dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and come with a free vet visit!

Susie

4-5 years

Our lovely Susie was a momma who had beautiful puppies, of course the pups are all adopted and now it must be Susie’s turn. Susie gets on great with other dogs and cats too! She loves to snuggle with her human buddies and would love a new family to love. Susie walks very nicely on leash and is working hard on her housetraining. Please come and meet this beautiful little black and white Chihuahua mix, her soulful eyes will melt your heart!

9 years young Charley may look a little unusual, a German Shepherd on Corgi legs, but his heart is definitely in the right place! Charley loves all dogs and is a bit of a ladies man. He takes a little longer with people but when you have his trust and love it is something to treasure. Charley is the current Volunteer favourite, we all love him and cannot wait for him to find his perfect family. He walks nicely on leash, is very social around other animals and is most likely housetrained. Come and meet Charley, maybe our favourite will soon be yours too!

Charley

1 year This is one handsome beagle mix! He is very playful and fun to be around. He would love an active family who will include him in all their fun activities. Theodore is loving and sweet, is good with other dogs and great with people.

Theodore

Come and meet this handsome guy, he could be the perfect match for you.

1 year If you have plenty of energy we have the perfect dog for you! This gorgeous scruffy terrier is a little dynamo. He’s fun and silly and totally adorable, he walks nicely on leash and is good with other dogs.

He’s your typical busy terrier so if you know the breed come and meet this little guy, he needs a new family to love!

2-3 years

Shih Tzu Mixes

These 2 cuties came to the shelter showing obvious signs of neglect, their coats and skin were dry and sore and they were malnourished. They were probably backyard breeders, both have had multiple litters considering their young age. Luckily they are cleaning up well and their zest for life is undiminished! They are fun and happy and all the volunteers and staff adore these little cuties.

Tan Terrier mix 2 Pet Me! Magazine™

They are sisters but can be adopted together or separately and both will make their new families very happy.

JULY/AUGUST

Contents 4 Stray It Safe

Learn how to prevent an unprovoked dog attack.

8 Keeping Your Pet Cool & Hydrated During the Heated Months Avoiding the pitfalls of dehydration.

10 Puppy Mills

Marilyn Logan shares her story.

12 Why Dogs Bark

Is there an easier solution to quieting your pooch?

16 Fireworks and Your Pet

Tips on how to keep your pet safe and sane this holiday season.

17 Laser Therapy for Your Pets Check out this great alternative to traditional surgery.

18 Grooming Your Cat

Keeping your cat clean and mat free.

22 Directory for All Things Pets

Advertising Information Direct: 661.255.9979 Fax: 866.259.9201 29743 Seco Cyn. Rd. #518, Santa Clarita, CA 91350

email: petadv@petmemag.com Web: www.petmemag.com

Please Contact Us For A Subscription – Annual Subscription By Mail: $12 PUBLISHER AND EDITOR Bridget Alves ART DIRECTOR Doug Conboy COVER PHOTO Yoti Telio, Santa Clarita Photographic Studio PUBLISHED BY Pet Me! Publications Find Us On Facebook Pet Me! Magazine

Summer is officially here! With temperatures soaring into the 90’s, as they often do here in the SCV, it’s important to remember to stay hydrated. It’s of equal importance for your pet. Valencia Veterinary Center shares tips for keeping your pets cool in the summer. Of course, never leave your pet in the car for any length of time regardless of how cool it may seem outside.

While many seem to know that we don’t need more pets populating our planet, breeding still thrives and though we’re getting better, people still buy pets. In this issue we take a look at puppy mills and the very sad contribution they make to pet overpopulation and how we can come together to end this unnecessary practice.

It’s surprising to me how many dogs escape their yard simply out of frustration from lack of attention and decide that if no one will walk them, they WILL walk themselves. Although, these are dogs that may be friendly in their own home; pets behave different when out of their normal environment. In the article Stray it Safe, Kim Schumann tells us what behaviors will help to insure your safety and your child’s, in the event a stray dog is encountered.

Kitten season seems extraordinarily busy this year and it seems adoptions at the shelters are struggling. Black cats and kittens have less of a chance of adoption, more so than any other breed or color. I’ve had black cats my whole life and currently have 3 in my household. The gorgeous twin sisters featured on the cover are available for adoption at the Castaic Shelter.

In an effort to encourage people to adopt adult and senior pets, Found Animals put in place a discount program featuring an adoption fee of only $9 for any cat over 9 months. Spread the word and help some of our wonderful senior and adult shelter cats find homes.

Thank you so much for reading and supporting Pet Me! Magazine. Enjoy the summer and keep your pets and yourselves safe and hydrated.

Bridget Alves Publisher & Editor

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Stray It Safe

By Kim A. Schumann

P

arents, you’ve all taken the necessary precautions to ensure your child’s safety while not in your presence.

You’ve created code words, improvised scenarios and instilled in them the importance of being cautious when it comes to dealing with strangers. Not everyone they meet is going to be trustworthy. Not everyone they meet is going to be harmless. So you prepare them the best you possibly can for any precarious situation or threatening individual they may encounter.

But what if the perpetrator were a stray dog? Would your child know what to do if approached or chased by a less than friendly stray out roaming your neighborhood?

800,000 Americans a year seek medical treatment for dog bites; half of which are children. Of those bitten, 386,000 require treatment in a hospital emergency room and approximately 16 will die as a result of their injuries. Children between the ages

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of five to nine years old have the highest rate of injury (with the rate decreasing as children age).Two thirds of the injuries among children ages four years and younger are to the head or neck region and the injury rate in boys is significantly higher than those of girls.

Preventing Dog Bites Reviewing with your children a few basic preventative behaviors may keep them from serious injury or death: Be aware of your surroundings: In neighborhoods, playgrounds, school yards etc. children should always be cognizant of stray dogs. The earlier they are detected, the more time your child will have to seek safety. Never wait until a dog approaches to see if he or she is friendly, by then it could be too late. Talk to your children about the areas where they play, plan ahead of time where they would go should a stray dog appear.

Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2012

On a playground: perhaps there is a tree or a jungle gym they could climb? Getting to higher ground may buy them some time until help arrives. Your neighborhood: are there pre planned “safe houses” your children have access to? Providing your children with a network of approved neighbor’s houses they can escape to will help to keep them safe when they aren’t close to home.

Never approach an unfamiliar dog: The majority of your child’s exposure to dogs will be the family pet or the pet of a friend. In younger children this can build a false sense of security or the misconception that all dogs are approachable and friendly. While all children should be monitored with all dogs (approximately 70% of all dog bites are from a family dog or familiar dog) children should be taught that they should under no circumstances approach any dog running loose on the

streets. A seemingly friendly dog’s demeanor can change in an instant if he or she perceives any kind of threat. Instruct your children to come to you immediately if they see a stray in the neighborhood and report it to Animal Control.

Do not scream or run: This is going to be the tricky part but please read this very carefully, it could mean saving your child from serious injury or death. Dogs by nature are predatory animals. When someone or something is running, they are going to chase after it. If unexpectedly your child is approached by a stray dog they must ignore their instinct to run.

They will never out run the dog and the chase will heighten the dog’s prey drive. The result will always be your child being taken down by the dog, who at this point isn’t playing and has every intention of attacking your child. Most dogs find screams upsetting simply because they don’t understand the origin of the behavior. It’s loud and confusing, a signal of distress. They want it to stop, so they may try to get to the part of the body creating all the noise. ”Be still like a tree with eyes to the sky”: If approached by a stray dog your child should: stand perfectly still with their arms crossed up on their chests (no dangling arms or hands).

They should not make eye contact or stare directly at the dog. Again, this is going to go against all of your child’s first instincts but it is imperative that you teach them the necessary skills to keep them safe. Practice this with your children and make sure they understand why this is important. In most cases the dog will sniff and as soon as they realize there is no threat they will continue on their way. Your child should maintain this position until the dog has moved on, has it’s back turned and is clearly no longer interested. At this point they should walk calmly to safety, arms still up and still not looking directly at the dog.

“Roll into a ball and cover it all”: In the event that your child is knocked down or taken down by a dog they will become even more vulnerable. At this point, the dog is in attack mode and your child has to learn to protect their head and neck. Teach them to roll into a ball, tucking their knees up and into their chests as tight as they can. Have them tuck their heads down, chins into their chest as far

continued on page 6

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continued from page 5 as they can. Then they will lock their fingers over the backs of their necks, using their forearms to cover their ears. This position will protect their necks, faces and other vital parts of the body for a short time until help arrives. Practice this position with your child. Even if they are playing with a dog and they get knocked down, it’s a good idea to get into this position to avoid accidental injuries or bites. Dogs will instinctively go for the neck, ears or face even when playing.

It isn’t Rocket Science: Using common sense when dealing with dogs, familiar or unfamiliar can prevent most dog bites. Never leave your children unattended around any dog. Everyday it seems there is a new story on how a trusted family dog has seriously injured an infant or toddler. Instruct your children to never disturb a dog that’s eating, sleeping or caring for puppies. No one should ever put their face directly up to the face of any dog, familiar or not. To a dog, doing that along with direct eye contact is perceived as a threat. The friendliest of dogs are capable of biting if pushed far enough or feel threatened. If a dog is with its owner teach children to always ask for permission to interact

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with the dog first. Do not allow your young children to walk the family dog unsupervised; any one under the age of sixteen is not considered a proper, legal custodian when walking a dog.

These are very simple rules yet dog bites and dog attacks are on the rise. Remember, all dog bites must be reported. Seek medical attention and then call your local animal control agency to report the incident.

Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2012

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Keeping Your Pet

Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2012

Cool & Hydrated During the Heated Months

By Marla Turnbull

F

or those of us that live in sunny Santa Clarita, it can be helpful to remember hot weather safety tips year round.

With the heat of summer, it is especially important to consider our pets’ potential to become overheated and dehydrated.

Fresh cool drinking water needs to be available at all times.

Put bowls in different areas on especially hot days, making it easier for pets to get to water and stay hydrated. Water bowls for outdoor pets should be placed in shaded areas so they stay cool. Cats instinctively get their moisture from food. If they are on a dry kibble diet, consider integrating moist food.

In addition to proper hydration, providing adequate shade is essential to keeping your pet cooled. A dog house can trap heat and should not be considered shade. Consider installing an awning or other tented structure that will remain shaded regardless of which direction the sun is shining. Air flow through the structure is also important so that the area underneath remains cool.

Schedule your dog’s walks, playtime, beach visits and other outings in the evenings and early mornings to avoid the sun when it is at its hottest. This can help lessen the risk of your dog overheating or getting heatstroke, which can be fatal.

Sidewalks, pavement and sand can also get very hot on your pet’s paw pads. Paw boots are available for those dogs willing to wear them. Bringing along water on walks and excursions is also a good idea.

When venturing out, it can be beneficial for some pets to wear sunscreen. There are sunscreens designed specifically for pets, but human grade sensitive skin or baby sunscreens are okay. Some ingredients however, such as common Zinc Oxide are toxic and should always be avoided.

One last, but crucial reminder is to never leave your dog in the car on a hot day. Even in the shade with the windows down, the interior of a car can reach over 100 degrees in mere minutes. Leaving a dog in an open bed truck while driving or

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stopped is also dangerous. In addition to the hazards of the sun’s rays, flying debris can get into animals’ eyes.

Keeping these precautions in mind can help ensure you enjoy a safe, healthy and happy summer with your pets.

Valencia Veterinary Center is located at 23928 Summerhill Lane in Valencia. For more information please call 661-263-9000 and visit www.bestvalenciavet.com

Adopt Me

Frazer was brought to the shelter by his owners to be euthanized. They said he was incontinent, and couldn’t walk, and had been that way for 7 months. The owners were made aware that the shelter does not have a service where you can bring in your pet to be euthanized, and he would go through the same protocol as a surrendered cat. Their decision was made and they “just wanted to leave him here.” So wonderfully sweet, yet terribly confused, that at 15 yrs. old his family abandon him and left him to sit in a metal cage by himself, Frazer made friends with the volunteers and staff. Volunteers have since taken Frazer to a vet and had xrays and blood work done. His blood levels are all within normal (though a kidney diet food was suggested to prevent any kidney problems in the future), along with glucosamine to relive any pain caused from what looks like it may have been an old untreated injury. Other than walking with a limp the vet said he is in good shape. Frazer is the quintessential loving lap cat looking for a warm lap to live out his senior years on. His new family/companion will be provided with all of his current vet records and xrays. If you can find it in your heart and home to help Frazer please contact castaiccats@aol.com. Frazer can be adopted for $9 through a current promotion sponsored by Found Animals at the Castaic Animal Shelter.

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PUPPY MILLS

By Marilyn Logan

D

o you know what a puppy mill is? I watched Oprah Winfrey’s expose of puppy mills a few years ago. I was shocked and horrified to see the cruel and inhumane treatment of these dogs. Beings treated like they are machines; not living, feeling beings. Picture hundreds and even thousands of dogs kept in cages all the time with just the minimum legal space allowed: six inches larger than the dog on all sides.

Females are bred as often as possible, and when they can no longer produce they are discarded.

I learned more about puppy mills in 2011 when I volunteered for Best Friends Animal Society’s puppy mill initiative. I went to the Westside Pavillion mall in Westwood two Saturdays a month to sit at an informational table and hand out literature about puppy mills. We asked people to not buy from Barkworks, a pet store in the mall that sells dogs from puppy mills. We encouraged them to adopt from shelters or adoption groups or to buy from reputable breeders.

Most people were sympathetic to our cause. Sometimes someone who had bought a puppy from Barkworks would tell us the problems they’d had with the dog. The financial and emotional stress they’d endured. Puppies sold at pet stores are likely to have health problems due to neglect, in-breeding, and over breeding.

The first day I volunteered I went into Barkworks. The dogs are kept in plexi-glass-like cages with a few small holes to let air in. Most of them were sleeping or looked very lethargic. They are only let out to run around for about fifteen minutes a day. I wanted to shout out to the customers, “Don’t buy a puppy here.

They come from puppy mills.”

A few people feel they are rescuing a dog if they buy a puppy mill dog. But that dog is just replaced with another from a puppy mill. Puppy mills exist for one reason: to make a profit by selling dogs in pet stores or on the internet. Puppy mills are legal and regulated by the federal government and some state governments. However, government regulations do not ensure a humane life for a dog; they do little more than require food, water, and shelter.

I received some good news from a volunteer I worked with at Westside Pavillion. Barkworks says that they are going to

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convert to selling only shelter dogs on March 1. Also, the mall owners are not going to renew their lease which runs another five years.

Adoption groups often rescue dogs from puppy mills. In 2011 over seven hundred dogs were rescued from deplorable conditions in a Midwest breeding facility.

Many U.S. cities, including West Hollywood and Glendale, have passed a ban on the retail sale of pets. This year Ireland enacted legislation to regulate dog breeders, effectively banning puppy mills.

In the U.S. about four million dogs are bred in puppy mills each year while nearly five million animals are killed in shelters each year. More than twenty percent of dogs in shelters are purebred. You can find your perfect rescued puppy or dog by going to the local shelter or try http://adoptions.bestfriends.org or www.petfinder.com.

Marilyn Logan is a retired elementary and adult school teacher.

As a spiritual counselor at Agape International Spiritual Center in Culver City she co-directed the Animal Kinship Ministry and co-facilitated a bereavement group for pet loss from 1997-2010.

Marilyn lives with her two beloved cats in Newhall and loves all animals. She has been writing since she was a child and has taken writing classes in UCLA Extension and privately. Marilyn is currently in a writing class at the Santa Clarita Senior Center. She does pet sitting for cats and small dogs.

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Why Dogs

BARK The Weather When it comes to vocalizing dogs, the general rule is: the warmer the weather, the more the dogs will bark. Of course, you expect to hear more barking as the weather gets warmer, because the dogs are more likely to be outside and you are more likely to have your windows open. But I don’t think it’s just that you hear them more, I’m convinced they actually bark more as things heat up, especially at night.

Dogs seem to nap more in the heat of the day, which means, when the sun goes down and things cool off, they are refreshed, wide awake and ready to burn off some energy. So it’s not surprising that, in addition to more barking in general, you get an awful lot more nocturnal racket in warm weather. I’ve lived in neighborhoods that had a high quality of life in the winter, only to deteriorate into a sucking pit of misery in the dog days of summer. It’s so frustrating that after waiting all day for the cool of the evening, you end up having to sleep in a sweltering room with the windows closed because of the noise of a dog who is standing outside barking as he enjoys the cool night air.

Nature versus Nurture Beyond the weather though, what accounts for the differences in barking patterns between dogs? Why does one dog bark while another dog, in the exact same situation, remains silent, or, for that matter, why does a given dog bark at one thing and not another?

Nature Tens of thousands of years ago, some of our ancestors came into the possession of baby wolves. The pups fell in with people so early in life that they bonded with them and found a niche in human society. As successive generations of these animals were born and raised among people, our ancestors noticed differences between the individuals. Some were bigger, some were smarter, some were faster, some were easier to train, some were better swimmers and some were better hunters.

At some point people realized that, if they mated two of their domesticated wolves who were strong in the same trait, 12 Pet Me! Magazine™

they were likely to produce offspring who were even stronger in that characteristic. They found that by mating two great hunting wolves, they could produce a litter of superior hunters, or by mating two obedient wolves, they could beget a more obedient litter. There began to develop then, a science of selectively breeding wolves as a way of customizing that population to better meet the needs of their human companions.

In some places the major problem was one of security. In those locations, humans bred guard wolves characterized by their predisposition to sound the alarm and defend the group.

In another place they raised large, powerful animals because they required beasts of burden. In other places the humans bred swift runners to hunt on land, while people elsewhere worked to produce strong swimmers that could help with the harvest of waterfowl.

Humans around the world began to selectively breed wolves or the descendants of wolves. They sought to make each successive generation more in the likeness of what they conceptualized as the ideal canine companion. Over time, through the process of selective breeding, the descendants of those first cubs ceased to be wolves and evolved into dogs.

Some of the humans who genetically engineered the evolution of the dog had little use for canines that barked much, so they selected breeding stock that was more vocally restrained.

Those dogs are the ancestors of today’s quieter breeds.

On the other hand, some humans intentionally bred dogs who showed a marked predisposition to vocalize. Out of those dogs came, among others, today’s terriers who lapse into intense, frantic barking with little or no provocation.

So, we say that some dogs just “naturally” tend to bark a lot, which really means that, by virtue of their genetics, they are predisposed to bark. It’s important to note that having a genetic predisposition to bark doesn’t mean that the dog has to bark. It just means that he is inclined to do so.

Nurture The extent to which a dog will tend to bark is determined by his genetics. However, whether or not the dog actually barks

Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2012

is ultimately determined by the consequences of vocalizing. If barking works out well for the dog, he will bark some more. If barking consistently brings about an undesirable consequence, the dog will soon stop barking. So, like most other behavior, barking is the product of its consequences.

There is then interplay between the dog’s natural tendency to bark and the consequence that follows barking. For a dog strongly predisposed to be silent, just a bit of punishment is enough to discourage barking. In contrast, for a dog strongly predisposed to bark, it takes a conscientious owner administering a well thought-out program to keep a serious barking problem from developing.

Therefore, in answer to the question of why a particular dog is barking in a disruptive manner, it is fair to say he is doing so because his owner failed to arrange the consequences with enough care to ensure the proper behavior of the animal.

In other words, he is barking because of the way you have arranged, or failed to arrange, his environment. For most dogs, there is some natural inclination to bark at the mail carrier, the neighbor’s cat or other such stimuli. But whether a dog acts on his inclination to bark at a particular thing at a particular time is a matter of conditioning/training, and training your dog is your responsibility.

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continued on page 14

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continued from page 13 Natural Instinct + Conditioning + Alternatives = Frequency of Barking A dogs barking, then, is a function of his natural inclination, in combination with his behavioral conditioning. There is one other important variable that influences barking behavior, which are the alternatives available to the dog.

If a dog has plenty of other interesting things to do, he can be easily dissuaded from barking, even if he has a strong natural predisposition to sound off. On the other hand, if the dog’s only alternative to barking is sitting alone in silence, then it will take a more focused effort to keep him in line.

Underestimating the Needs of Dogs Dogs are pretty damn bright. Most people underestimate the potential of their dog because they mistake their inability to teach the animal for the animal’s inability to learn, but even a stupid dog is a far sight smarter than most people imagine.

Underestimation of the canine species is a common shortcoming among humans. We also underestimate the canine capacity to experience emotional distress and, worst of all, we underestimate their needs.

Dogs are extremely social animals that need to be included

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as valued members of a family group. They need the mental stimulation of new places, new people and novel situations.

They need to walk and explore and interact in intensive games with both humans and dogs, and they need the opportunity to learn and face challenging situations. The rule is, the smarter the dog, the more he needs these things.

The Canine Need For Exercise Dogs are a lot like children in a way. You can only expect them to sit still for so long. Some breeds have a capacity to exercise that is twenty times greater than that of humans, and they actually need to get out and push themselves physically; the terriers, sporting and Nordic breeds, being chief among them. It is extremely difficult for a dog to behave in a civilized manner when he is surging with physical energy he needs to burn off. If you deny him the opportunity to romp, you should not be surprised to find that misbehavior, very likely in the form of recreational barking, soon follows.

Most dogs really need to get 45 minutes a day of active exercise. That means running, chasing, romping, fast walking, swimming, or the like. Running your dog next to a bicycle can also be a good way to go if your situation allows.

If you are going to be leaving your dog alone all day, you should take special care to exercise him in the morning before you leave for work. Then he can sleep and rest up when you’re

Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2012

gone, as opposed to looking for ways to express his vast reserve of untapped energy.

It’s definitely true that some breeds of dogs need an amazing amount of exercise; however, some others don’t need, nor can they tolerate, tremendous physical exertion. The amount of running necessary to warm up your Husky is more than enough to run your Basset hound to death. So, read up on your breed, and know his capacity for exercise before you sign him up to run that marathon with you. Also, keep in mind that dogs need to be given time to get in shape. Start by giving your dog a little exercise and build on that slowly as the dog’s physical condition gradually improves.

Barking As A Function of A Lack of Need Fulfillment When you look closely at the situation of a chronically barking dog, you will usually find the animal’s need for exercise and stimulation is not being well met. Of course, if the owner would take responsibility for training his dog, that would put an end to the noise. But if you go beyond that to address the question of why the dog wants to bark, you’ll see that boredom, loneliness, and unexpressed energy are at the heart of the problem. When you hear a barking dog, you are usually listening to the sad tale of a neglected animal that desperately needs to have his life restructured.

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irework Season can be a stressful time for all pets. It is a lot of fun for us, but for our pets it is very loud and scary.

Consider bringing your pet in for an annual exam early and speak with your veterinarian about mild tranquilizers or holistic products that will help keep your pet calm on noisy nights.

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Here are some safety tips for the Fourth of July holiday: • Keep your pet in a safe and secure area

• Avoid taking your pets with you to firework shows or parties • Make sure your pet is monitored outside at all times • Avoid the temptation of giving your pet extra treats from the BBQ, and never give your pet alcohol

• Do not leave your pet outdoors on a lead, they could become entangled, risking injury or death

• Keep pets away from matches, lighter fluid, open fire and fireworks

Remember, even the most well behaved pet can become anxious during firework season. Many pets will try and escape enclosed areas out of fear to look for their owners or get away from loud noises.

Every year many pets never find their way home due to the high volume of pets running away at this time without identification. Make sure that your pet always wears a collar with proper identification, and also has a registered microchip in case their collar falls off. A microchip can be the only voice a lost pet has!

If your pet has a microchip, make sure that your current information has been registered with their microchip company. If you are not sure, simply call your pet’s microchip company and review your information with them.

If your pet does not have a microchip, Happy Pets Veterinary Center periodically offers discounted Microchip Administration and Registration.

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Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2012

L

aser therapy is the use of specific wavelengths of light to create therapeutic effects. For over 30 years laser therapy has been used successfully in humans for a variety of conditions such as arthritis, muscle pain, back injuries, sprains, strains, and inflammation. Now pets can benefit from laser therapy for these same conditions! The best part is there is no sedation or restraint needed and most pets find it to be a pleasant and comforting experience.

The effectiveness of laser therapy has been proven by many scientific studies. Laser therapy works in two ways, first by increasing circulation to the affected area thus drawing in water, oxygen, and nutrients to the site creating an optimal healing environment. As the injured site heals and returns to normal, function is improved and pain is relieved. Secondly, the laser light also works at the level of the cell by increasing metabolic activity within the cell which improves the transportation of needed nutrients which in turn initiates the production of ATP. ATP is like gasoline that powers the cell to perform its functions.

Laser therapy can be performed on all pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, guinea pigs and other pocket pets. Laser treatments are cumulative in nature meaning that multiple treatments may be needed in order to achieve the best results.

How often a pet needs treatments depends on the condition being treated. If it is an acute injury, meaning it happened recently, daily treatments may be needed. If it is an old injury, then we may treat 2-3 times a week for 5 to 8 (or more) treatments.

Laser therapy has helped us increase the benefits of acupuncture; it allows us to sometimes reduce the amount of oral pain medications given. We have used it to treat bad skin and ear infections. It has helped wounds and surgical incisions heal quicker thus decreasing the time a pet has to wear that dreaded e-collar.

Your pets are a special part of your family and you want them to have the best quality of life they can have. Laser therapy is another option we now have available to us that can help achieve that goal. For more information on Laser therapy, feel free to contact us at Happy Pets Veterinary Center.

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Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2012

Grooming Your Cat What the Cat Doctor Wants You to Know

claws can actually overgrow and end up penetrating into their footpads, causing painful infections.

Active Cats who go outdoors tend to keep their claws in good operating condition, but indoor cats need their claws trimmed regularly. It helps a lot if you start this activity with your cat as a

By Dr. Tracy McFarland, The Cat Doctor & Friends young kitten. If you’re beginning with an adult, you may want to was watching a popular television show featuring “talents” try just one or two toes at a time when your cat is very drowsy. performing various activities, some very dangerous. Inevitably Gently take the paw into your hand. If your cat is foot- sensitive, the smiling emcee would say, “Don’t try this at home.” you may want to work on getting your cat accustomed to having However, when it comes to grooming your cat, you’ll want to try his or her feet handled, while you give treats, prior to attempting nail trimming. at least some of these activities at home.

Next, gently squeeze your cat’s toe until the claw becomes When first deciding on the type of cat you want to have, you should ask yourself some basic questions first. Do you enjoy completely visible. Unlike many dogs, cat claws are almost always brushing and combing a cat on a daily basis? If the answer is yes, a pale in color so you can easily see the “quick”, or blood vessel that medium or longhaired cat is a good choice for you. If you like your resides in the first half of the claw. You will want to avoid cutting cats completely self-cleaning, stick with very shorthaired cats. A this vessel as your cat will bleed and be painful. The nerve to the plush shorthaired cat will need less grooming than a Persian and nail lies adjacent to the blood vessel.

Happily, it is easy to avoid nicking the “quick” since it is so more than a Siamese.

Let’s start with an activity that every cat needs done-- the visible.

Simply snip a few millimeters off of the tip of the claw, often dreaded task of trimming your cat’s claws. As a veterinarian, I’m amazed how often this basic task is neglected. In older cats, leaving some claw past the “quick”. Your veterinarian or

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Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2012

groomer can demonstrate for you.

Don’t forget the dewclaws, which are analogous to human thumbs. The front claws need to be trimmed every week for young kittens and every 2 to 4 weeks for older cats. The rear claws don’t need to be trimmed at all for many cats unless your cat is elderly and inactive.

Moving onto brushing and combing, shorthaired cats need a few strokes using a sturdy flea comb, with tines that lie close together. During shedding season you might do this daily, but most of the year you only need to do this weekly.

Medium and longhaired cats can be divided into two groupssilky coats that don’t tend to clump and “matt”, and powder-puff coats that matt easily.

Matting refers to dead undercoat that should be shed getting trapped under living hair. Serious matting should be handled by a professional groomer or veterinarian. I have had to repair many a skin laceration (cut) caused by a cat’s owner trying to cut mats off. Prevention of mats is easier. Have your veterinarian or groomer show you the type of “rake” brush or comb to use to remove trapped undercoat before mats form. Powder-puff coats will need significant brushing daily, and silky coats at least 2 to 3 times a week.

If your cat becomes severely matted over most of his or her body, a groomer can do a “ lion cut” which will radically decrease your grooming chores until the coat fully grows out, and make your cat

much more comfortable. If your older cat starts developing mats over his hip area, it may signal arthritis starting to develop. If an older cat is no longer grooming at all, please see your vet as soon as possible, as there may be a serious illness or dental problem.

Bathing is best done by professional groomers, unless your cat is an extremely mellow shorthaired cat. Of course most shorthaired cats don’t need baths unless they have gotten something stuck on their coats or they’re extremely dirty. Don’t bathe a cat with mats present as the mats will get much worse. If you must bathe a cat, use tepid water and gentle soap designed for use on cats. Rinse very thoroughly and dry with a warm towel.

You may need a blow dryer for longer-haired cats – another good reason to let the groomer bathe him or her!

With regular claw trimming and daily to weekly combing or brushing, visits to the groomer can be minimized or eliminated.

Shorthaired cats rarely need baths, and silky haired cats can easily be managed at home. Powder puff coated cats such as Persians will benefit from regular trips to the groomer, unless you opt for a lion cut which will cut your trips down to once or twice a year. This is ideal for the cat who is nervous and really hates going to the groomer. Mobile groomers who come to you can be helpful, since your cat won’t be exposed to the sight, smells and sounds of other pets.

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20 Pet Me! Magazine™

Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2012

Here at Happy Pets Veterinary, we offer many different services to keep your animals healthy & happy.

We see exotics,birds, reptiles, & pocket pets • Quality veterinary medicine • Dental & surgical services • Digital x-rays/ultrasound • In-house lab work • Compassionate euthanasias • Vaccine clinic Weds. 9a-12p and Sat. 3p-5p • Laser therapy for pain control • House calls (call for availability) • Pet shuttle services (call for availability) • Homeopathy, Chiropractic, Chinese Herbs and Acupuncture

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Directory for all things Ark All Animals Pet Cremation Services (661) 212-4647 www.arkallanimals.com Cal Pet Crematory (310) 278-0633 (818) 983-2313 (323) 875-0633 www.calpet.com Guardian Animal Aftercare (818) 768-6465 www.guardianaftercare.com Great Groomers So Cal Grooming 28011 Seco Cyn. Rd. Santa Clarita, 91390 (661) 513-0778 www.socalgrooming.com Pawpular Pet Suppliers Bird Bungalow 21021 Soledad Canyon Rd Canyon Country, CA 91351 (661) 284-6200 Fox Feed 17028 Sierra Highway Canyon Country, 91387 (661) 252-9790 Pet Supply Santa Clarita 26831 Bouquet Canyon Road Santa Clarita, 91350-2372 (661) 296-2654 Dermatology for Pets Amy Shumaker, DVM, DACVD Valencia Veterinary Center 23928 Summerhill Lane Valencia, CA 91354 (661) 855-4870 Animal Control Centers Castaic Animal Shelter 31044 N. Charlie Canyon Rd. Castaic (661) 257-3191 www.animalcare.lacounty.gov Lancaster Animal Shelter 5210 W. Ave. I Lancaster, CA 93536 (661) 940-4191 www.animalcare.lacounty.gov 22 Pet Me! Magazine™

Rescue Organizations Brittany Foundation Agua Dulce (661) 713-5240 Citizens for Sheltered Animals, Inc. 26893 Bouquet Canyon Rd. C-318 (661) 513-9288 www.citizensforshelteredanimals.com Forgotten Angels Cat Rescue (661) 273-9822 www.forgottenangelsrescue.org Ratz Nest Rescue (661) 303-7872 www.ratznest.weebly.com Save A Kitty, Inc. (818) 825-3096 www.SaveaKittyCA.org PetSave Foundation Bunny Rescue (661) 478-7360 www.petsave.org Trusted Vets In and Around SCV All Animal Veterinary Group 3419 Soledad Cyn Acton, CA 93510 (661) 273-0909 www.arkallanimals.com All Creatures Emergency Center 22722 Lyons Ave # 5 Newhall, 91321-2876 (661) 291-1121 www.all-creatures-emergency.com Animal Medical Center 25848 McBean Parkway Valencia, 91355 (661) 255-5555 www.AMCValencia.com Animal Specialty Group 4641 Colorado Boulevard Los Angeles, 90039 (818) 244-7977 www.asgvets.com AV Animal ER & Critical Care 1055 W Columbia Way Lancaster, 90039-1105 (661) 729-1500 www.avanimaler.com

Canyon Country Animal Hospital May 5th 1pm – 5pm 18840 Soledad Canyon Road Canyon Country, 91351-3772 (661) 424-9900 www.canyoncountryvet.com Happy Pets Veterinary 27550 Newhall Ranch Road Valencia, 91355 (661) 295-9972 www.happypetsveterinary.com Seco Canyon Animal Clinic 27935 Seco Canyon Road Santa Clarita, 91350 (661) 296-8848 www.secocanyonanimalclinic.biz Stevenson Ranch Veterinary Center 25832 Hemingway Ave. Stevenson Ranch, 91381 (661) 799-0655 www.srvc.com The Cat Doctor & Friends 26055 Bouquet Canyon Road Santa Clarita, 91355 (661) 259-5288 www.catdoctor.com Valencia Veterinary Center 24036 Summerhill Ln. Santa Clarita, 91354 (661) 263-9000 www.bestvalenciavet.com Best Boarding Facilities Canine Country Club 20341 Blue Cloud Road Santa Clarita, 91390-1259 (661) 296-0566 cccofscv.com Castaic Canine Camp 36975 Ridge Route Road Castaic, 91384 (661) 257-0957 www.castaiccaninecamp.com Santa Clarita’s Premier Dog Lodge Trish Cohen (661) 618-6628 www.hasshaus.com

Pampering Pet Sitters

A-Z Critter Care (661) 524-6224 http://www.a-zcrittercare.com Kyle’s Custom Critter Care caninecommands@hotmail.com (661) 305-4981 kylescustomcrittercare.com Heirloom Pet Portraits Santa Clarita Photo Studio (661) 775-0890 www.scphotostudio.com Dog Trainers Dog Gone Happy Tami Cox (661) 310-4133

Pet Therapy Program Looking for Participants Kaiser PermanenteWoodland Hills Paws of Love pet therapy program is actively recruiting new pet therapy teams. You must have a dog to test and certify to be a pet therapy team. For information, please join us at an orientation Tues. July 10 @ 7PM, Auditorium C, entrance 5, Kaiser Woodland Hills, 5601 De Soto Ave. Woodland Hills, Ca. 91365. Kindly RSVP to marshanonstop@msn.com, 818-881-2122, or Avi.E. Zaraya@kp.org, 818 710-4143. This is a volunteer activity with activities and benefits.

NO DOGS PLEASE at this workshop.

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Animal Aftercare

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Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2012

Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2012 To adopt one of these pets please contact Castaic Animal Shelter at 661.257.3191 or visit our website at www.PetMeMag.com Please visit our remodeled Cat Habitat. Interact with the cats and kittens in an open environment.

9 Lives for $9 – Adopy any adult cat (9 months and older) for only $9.

All cats are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and come with a free vet visit!

Tennessee

Tennessee is a three year old spayed female currently for adoption at the Castaic Shelter. Tennessee came in to the shelter as a stray and was very nervous upon arrival. She was listed as being “skittish” but has since settled down and would like to go home with someone rather than be in a cage.

Tennessee would do best as a solitary cat with her own sofa and access to the television remote so she can watch her fave tv show “The Mew”. Once Tennessee settles into her new home and feels secure, slow introductions to friends and family would suit her best. Don’t expect her to be too social right away but once she comes to know the routine she will settle right in and be part of the action.

Oatmeal is a huge love bug.

She is declawed and can be indoors only. She is very talkative and wants attention all the time. She is shy at first, but warms up to the sweetest girl who melts in your arms. Oatmeal would probably work best in a single cat home. Oatmeal has tested negative for feline leukemia, is micro-chipped, spayed and ready to be with her forever human.

Oatmeal

Princess fits her name to a tea. She is 5 years old. Gets along fine with other cats, prefers boy cats, but will tolerate girls. Princess was surrendered with her brothers and both were adopted right away.

Princess has been at the shelter since April 1st, and is patiently awaiting her forever human to rescue her. She is very friendly, playful, and loves to be brushed. She would rather just let you pet her and not be picked upJ. She is very engaging and she WILL demand your full attention. She is gorgeous and very in need of a place to call home.

Princess

My name is Kitty and I am 5 years old. I was surrendered to the shelter because my owner had dementia and was no longer able to care for me. I am a petite, shy, friendly lap cat. I am used to living in a quieter home. I would make an ideal companion for a senior or single family home. I’m healthy and very sweet. I am micro-chipped, spayed and ready to start my life over again with my new forever human.

Kitty

Daisy

My name is Daisy! I’m 1yr. old. I’m friendly, healthy, I love attention, I come with my all of my shots, I have tested negative for feline leukemia, and I am micro-chipped, spayed and ready to be with my human. I do best with older children. I come with a certificate for a free vet visit! Please come meet me!

Papa was surrendered along with his best friend Mama. He is a five year old neutered male and is currently at the Castaic Shelter. He and Mama are being held in separate cages and this makes Papa sad.

They are both sizable kitties and wouldn’t have room if they were housed together. Papa is a big love and would love nothing more than for someone to come and take him and Mama home. He doesn’t mind children as long as they are well behaved and know how to act around cats. A small dog wouldn’t be a problem either as long as Papa had someplace to go if he wanted some peace and quiet. If you would like to come and take Papa and Mama home come see them at the Castaic Shelter!!

Mama was left at the Castaic Shelter along with her best friend Papa. Their owners could no longer keep them so they were surrendered together. Mama is a six year old, spayed curvy gal who celebrates her rubenesque figure. At the moment she is in one of the smaller cages at the shelter and she finds It difficult to stretch out. What Mama would love is for someone to come and take her and Papa home, so they can enjoy a new forever home together. The two of them would do well with older children, smaller dogs and big comfy couches to lounge on. Mama is a bit depressed these days and would need some patience as she makes the transition but she would love to become a permanent part of your home.

Papa

The twin sisters featured on the cover are available for adoption.

Contact us today to take these two great kittens home!

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Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2012

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