November/December 2012 Issue of Pet Me! Magazine by Pet Me! Magazine

November/December 2012

Your Guide To All Things Pets

Calming Your Stressed-Out Dog PLUS: Avoiding Christmas CAT-tastrophies Christmas Stocking Toys Stop That Licking! A Princeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Passion... & Much More!

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Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

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

Now Open Sundays 9am-1pm!

Meet our new doctors Dr. Susie Osmundson and Dr. Gina Johnson!

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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Contents

4 Avoiding Christmas CAT-tastrophies 6 Pet Stop In New Larger Location!! 7 Giardia, Your Pet, And You 8 Christmas Stocking Toys 10 Understanding Your Senior Pet 12 How to recognize when your cat is in pain 13 Pets and Stress 14 S top That Licking! There is help for your itchy pet 16 Animal Consciousness 18 SPARCing hope and saving lives… 22 Holidays: Calming Your Stressed-Out Dog 24 A Prince’s Passion... 26 P rotect Your Bird From Potential Holiday Hazards 27 What is Parvo? 28 T oys for Rabbits: Alleviate Rabbit Boredom with Interactive Toys 30 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

The kids have been asking for a puppy or kitten all year long and you’ve been putting it off. But, the holidays are finally here and now might just be the perfect time to add a new family member. Bringing a new family member into a home is a huge commitment. This time of year is one of joy and tears for me, joy when I think of the many families that will be adding a new pet, and tears for the pets that I will watch dropped off at the shelter because they are too old, too dirty, too smelly or just taking up room and “we’re having company for the holidays.” It goes without saying, but sadly I can’t say it enough because it continues to happen, please never buy a pet, always choose adoption. I’m blessed to be sharing the holidays with family and friends both two legged and four legged. Have a safe and healthy holiday. Peace & Blessings

Bridget Alves Publisher & Editor

Pet Me! Magazine Please Contact Us For A Subscription – Annual Subscription By Mail: $12 PUBLISHER AND EDITOR Bridget Alves ART DIRECTOR Doug Conboy PUBLISHED BY Pet Me! Publications Find Us On Facebook Pet Me! Magazine

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T CA Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

Avoiding Christmas

By Kim Shumann

eparating cats and Christmas trees can be a full time job, especially if you have a kitty that likes to eat the leaves. Holiday decorations can be a safety issue, as well as an annoyance. Let’s look at some of the issues. Christmas trees and other holiday decorations can be a lot of fun, but they can also pose risks. More than one cat has become injured or worse by holiday decorations. The Tree and Your Cat While many holiday decorations can pose a threat to your cat, the tree can be extremely problematic. Here are some problems you may experience. • Climbing - While fake trees tend to be difficult to climb, real trees are a favorite climbing spot for cats. I have, over the years, found more than one cat sitting in the branches. If your cat gets up there and the tree is not properly secured, it might end up coming down. • Eating leaves - Many cats like to eat plants. Real Christmas trees have a strong scent which may draw your cat to them, and the needles on the tree may be a nice snack. Some cats, however, will even eat fake trees as well, or at least chew on them. Either of these can be dangerous if swallowed. • Dangling ornaments and tinsel - Cats usually love to play with items that dangle. Dangling ornaments may end up as unwilling cat toys, and your cat may end up choking. Some ornaments are very fragile and create

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unsafe splinters or glass shards when broken. Tinsel and other decorations are highly dangerous if swallowed as they can tangle up in the intestines. This can be life threatening. Keeping the cats off the tree with a barrier is nearly an impossible task. As we know, cats are great jumpers, so it’s hard to keep them away. You can’t reasonably lock your cats in a room somewhere, and you can’t reasonably lock your tree in a room where no one sees it. So, what to do? Below are some suggestions for both encouraging your cat to avoid the tree, and some safety precautions as well. • Make the tree less attractive - Fewer dangling ornaments would probably make the tree less attractive to your cat, but that may not be possible. Lots of dangling

Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

-tastrophies things on the easy to reach branches are to be avoided. Before you decorate the tree, try coating the tree, concentrating on the lower limbs with a cat repellent. • Make another area more attractive - While making the tree less attractive, make another area more attractive. If your cat is just seeking additional stimulation, then providing an area with a cat tree, a scratching post, and plenty of toys may go a long way. • Use verbal and non-verbal punishment - If you notice your cat going for the tree, a firm “no” and a noise such as hand clapping will often work as a deterrent. Some people use spray bottles as punishment to train their animals. Some cats don’t take well to this treatment, however, and if you haven’t been using it since your cat was a kitten, this may backfire.

Safety Precautions • Secure the tree - Make sure you secure the tree so that if your cat climbs in it, it won’t topple over.

• Use cat repellent - As mentioned above, use a cat-safe cat repellent in and around the tree to keep your cat off of it. You can spray Bitter Yuck (which is based on rosemary) on the lower limbs to discourage chewing. To prevent climbing, you can also drape rosemary clippings over the branches and also around the trunk as cats generally will avoid rosemary. Also, you can use lemon scents to keep your cats away from the tree. • Place tinsel up high - Place tinsel up high so as not to encourage your cat. • Other safety precautions - Do not use hooks to hang ornaments as they can be dangerous if swallowed. If you have a real tree, keep your cat away from the water in it. you can block access to it in different ways, and/or keep lemon and other citrus scents around it.

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Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

Pet Me! Spotlight

Pet Stop In New Larger Location!!

et Stop has been in business in the Santa Clarita Valley for over twenty years, providing their customer’s pets with premium pet foods and supplies. Holistic, grain free, all natural and prescription diets are just an example of the pet foods you can find at the Pet Stop. They also have supplements, shampoos and many other products only sold through veterinarians. Newly located in approximately 4,800 square feet of supplies and services, Pet Stop offers a one-stop shop solution for all of your pet care needs. Pet Stop also offers grooming seven days a week in their new on site grooming facility. The new grooming area includes central air conditioning and stainless steel enclosures, which are sanitized every day for your pets protection. Veterinary Outpatient Services with Doctor Tami Theis happen every Thursday and Sunday. Customers can enjoy the

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large flat screen TV while awaiting Doctor Tami’s gentle and soothing approach to their individual pet’s needs. The Pet Stop also provides professional dog training! Make sure your pet is a good citizen of Santa Clarita… a well trained pet becomes a wonderful forever member of your family! And if you need a pet ID tag engraved, they can do that in-house, custom to your needs, with over 50 tags to choose from!!! The Pet Stop is located inside the “Santa Clarita Market Place” at Sierra Highway and Via Princessa, next to the “Stater Brothers Market” just a half a block away from “Costco”, and only two blocks from the 14 FWY with easy access! The Pet Stop is now located at 26870 Sierra Highway, in Santa Clarita. Open Monday through Friday 9 – 8, Saturday 9 – 6, and Sunday 9 – 5. Visit their website at www. petstopsantaclarita.com.

Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

GIARDIA, By Dr. Gina Johnson, Happy Pets Veterinary Center

iardia is a protozoal parasite that can cause mild to severe diarrhea or no symptoms at all. It affects pets and people, and should be viewed as a zoonotic disease; that is, a disease that can be passed from animals to people. Giardia can be found in the environment. Common sources of infection include water that has been contaminated with feces, undercooked meat, international travel, and feces of animals or people with the parasite. The parasite is spread through cysts that are shed in the feces. An animal can be infected with Giardia but may not shed cysts all the time. Symptoms of Giardia infection in cats and dogs include persistent diarrhea, pale stool, or feces with an especially foul odor. Some animals may not have symptoms at all. In people, symptoms can be mild, or people may have moderate to severe diarrhea and stomach upset. Giardia is diagnosed by your veterinarian with a fecal sample. Samples should be no more than a few hours old.

YOUR PET, AND YOU

If your pet is diagnosed with Giardia and is shedding cysts, they should be treated. Your veterinarian can prescribe an appropriate treatment plan for your pets. All pets in a household should be treated if one animal is affected. Giardia cysts can linger in the environment for a long time, so the house also needs to be thoroughly disinfected. To avoid Giardia in your household, practice good hygiene by picking up pet feces right away and always washing your hands after touching your pets. Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems are at greater risk of contracting Giardia. Preventing your pet from drinking from lakes and rivers, and making sure that you and your family do not drink unfiltered water while camping or hiking will help to prevent Giardia in your household. If you believe that you or a family member may have been exposed to Giardia, make sure to consult with your healthcare provider.

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Christmas Stocking Toys

Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

ur pets might not know it’s the holiday season, but that doesn’t mean they won’t enjoy opening gifts. While some people may think that giving presents to our pets is “out there,” most owners actually do give presents to their furry and feathered family members. With all the hustle and bustle, your pet will enjoy the extra attention. Plus, getting a good laugh out of watching your cat, dog or bird tear into wrapping paper can be entertaining Don’t be fooled though, I believe that most animals know something special is going on, they just don’t know what. If you want a Christmas stocking for a pet, you can find one at your local pet store. These used to be rare, but now you can find so many different types, it may be hard to choose just one Christmas stocking for a pet. If you can’t find the perfect Christmas stocking for your pet,

Making Christmas dog and cat treats can be fun and a great alternative to buying treats that may be harmful. Baking healthy, tasty treats for your pets is now a holiday tradition in many homes. Children love to help make dog treats for gifts, so make sure you include them in the fun! While you’re baking cookies and other goodies for your family and friends, why not set aside a little time for the dogs in your life? Dogs are always grateful, and its fun to give them homemade dog treats that you made yourself! Make baking dog treats part of your traditional family fun at Christmas…

Molasses Cat Treats Things You’ll Need: 1 tbsp. olive oil r 1 1/2 cup whole wheat flou 1 tsp. catnip r flou e 1/2 cup all purpos 2 tsp. dried kelp 1/2 cup soy flour Large Mixing bowl 3 tbsp. wheat germ Rolling pin 1/2 cup powdered milk Airtight container l bow Large mixing Fork 2 eggs 1/3 cup milk 2 tbsp. olive oil 2 tsp. catnip san cheese 1/2 cup shredded Parme 2 tbsp. molasses or chicken 1 1/2 cup leftover turkey or squash, mashed n pki pum ked coo cup 2/3

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you can make your own. You can buy any stocking you like, and you can add their name to the outside of the stocking. Then all you have to do to complete a Christmas stocking for a pet is to fill it with the things your pet will love. While it may be tempting for some to get that gigantic chew bone or the brightly colored squeaky toy, some caution is advised before shopping for pets. Know who you are shopping for: As with a gift for a human, realize that each pet has their preferences (chewer, ball player, etc.) and some may have health conditions that require special attention when deciding on a gift. Food allergies are common in pets, so tuna treats are not the gift for the fish-allergic feline. Some pets have special dietary needs. Fatty or sugary treats are not appropriate for the diabetic or overweight pet. Whenever buying food or treat gifts for animals that are on

Holiday Dog Treat Recipe

Ingredients: You can use a mixer with a dough hook 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour or a bread machine. 1 cup unbleached flour I prefer the bread machine, as it’s so muc h easier. If you use a 1/2 cup oats mixer, simply adjust the directions for making bread with your 1/3 cup bran mixer. Place everything in the bread mac hine on the dough cycle. 2 tablespoons dry milk • When the dough is ready, roll it to1/4” 1 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast thick with a rolling pin. 2 tablespoons Spearmint Leav es or 1 teaspoon peppermint extr act • Cut into mini dog bone shapes and bake at 250 degrees F for 1/2 cup applesauce about an hour. Check to make sure that 2 teaspoons green food coloring they don’t get too brown. or Spinach Powder (to get the color desired) •T urn off the oven and let the mini dog bones dry completely in 7/8 cup water the oven—This works best overnigh t.

If you’d like to dress up your dog bone s, why not try a little dog treat icing? These Christmas dog treats will keep for at least a month, so you can make them well ahead of the holid ays. Dogs love the mint flavor, and mint is helpful to dogs with digestive problems or sensitive stom achs. Mint will also help to freshen your dog’s breath!

a at germ and powdered milk in r, all purpose flour, soy flour, whe flou at whe le who the bine Com ip, large mixing bowl. nts along with the milk, oil, catn and add it to the dry ingredie milk. of s drop e mor Beat the egg lightly with a fork few a add k, s. If the dough is too thic a shredded cheese and molasse kness of about 1/8 inch with red surface and roll it to a thic flou tly ligh a on gh dou the e Plac allow rolling pin. utes. Prop the door open and pieces and bake them for 20 min Cut the dough into kitty-sized g. l in the oven before removin the molasses cat treats to coo treats in an airtight container. Store the cooled molasses cat

Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

a special diet or allergic to certain foods, remember to check the labels carefully - even when labeled as “beef ” or “chicken” there are often other fillers, such as corn or fish, that may cause problems for sensitive pets.

or string (tree tinsel, gift wrap, or cat ‘fishing pole’ type toys). Once consumed, the ribbon will bunch up in the intestines and can be fatal. These toys are OK with supervision, but after playing, the ribbon toy should be placed in closed area, such as a closet.

Toys to Avoid •Toys that resemble common items Caution is advised when purchasing toys that are stuffed animals or resemble “regular” items such as shoes. Pets may not differentiate between their toys and human toys (or shoes). This is especially important in a house with small children - stuffed animals abound and the shoes are about the same size as the ‘toy’ ones. •Dyes and preservatives Pets don’t care what color it is, the colors added to treats and chews are for the people. (Think of the stuff dogs eat in the yard.) In addition to not being healthy, dyes may stain furniture, bedding and carpet where your pet is slobbering all over the treat. •Flimsy construction and dangerous materials Thin rubber squeak toys and Mylar ribbon cat toys are colorful and fun, but left unsupervised, a pet may chew and consume parts of these toys, with potentially very serious consequences.

Ingestible Toys Not Always Digestible Rubber balls and chew toys can also have serious consequences when consumed. If large enough pieces are swallowed, they can cause an intestinal foreign body obstruction, also potentially lifethreatening. Smooth objects (balls, coins, and marbles) and hard rubber toys may cause an obstruction in the intestines and may require surgery.

String Alert Cats can be victims of dietary indiscretion as well as dogs. Given the chance, many cats will continue to consume a ribbon

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Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

Understanding Your

Senior Pet

By Bridget Alves

t becomes a reality with the first signs of grey hair whether you are two legged or four legged…you are getting older! I watched as my faithful companion Lana slowly began to show signs of aging. What once was my hiking and running partner was now steady at my heels as we slowly walked around the neighborhood. I had even taken to slowing my own gait to allow her to keep up. I knew that one day this would happen as she aged, and I knew that it was my job as her protector and friend to make sure the transition to becoming a senior would be as comfortable as possible. Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements ~ Just as we need to make adjustments for changes occurring in our body as we age, so do our pets. Arthritis affects a large percentage of older dogs. Daily supplements containing Glucosamine and Chondroitin can be very helpful. Clinical reports show that Glucosamine Chondroitin is able to boost the production of cartilage and can prevent further damage. These supplements are extremely beneficial. For more severe arthritic cases many veterinarians suggest a prescription drug for relief. A common pain medication is Tramadol. Personally, I had great luck using this medication with my senior. Oooh the pain ~ With those sore arthritic joints often comes the difficulty of bending over to eat and drink. An elevated dog feeder is the perfect solution to take the pressure off of the sore joints. You will also want to make sure that your pet is receiving appropriate amounts of vitamins and minerals. Quality dog food is critical for keeping your senior pet healthy. You will want a food high in protein, fiber, antioxidants and essential fatty acids. Read pet food labels carefully. The first ingredient in your dog’s food should be a specified meat not a meat by-product, but the real thing. Many of the premium foods include Glucosamine, Chondrotin and probiotics in their ingredients. I always recommend shopping for your pet food at a pet supply store with an educated staff. If your pet is prone to weight gain they will be able to point out foods that are palatable and will keep your older pet fit and healthy. Ouch it hurts~ Simple acts like walking up stairs or jumping into the car can

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be very painful for the arthritic senior. Invest in a ramp or lift to ease the struggle. If you are feeding on a tile or wood floor their legs may begin to slide apart. Consider feeding on a rug or non slip surface. With a smaller senior pet carriers or strollers is a great way to enjoy a walk together and preserve their strength. An orthopedic bed is a great investment for any senior, Costco often carries them and they are not terribly expensive. Ooops, I didn’t mean to do that ~ Incontinence is often a symptom of getting old. As my senior girl struggled with incontinence I found several inexpensive ways to deal with keeping her bed dry and clean. One solution was to buy inexpensive mattress covers (approx. $2) and cut them up and wrap them around her bedding before replacing the cloth casing. There are also Waterproof Liners available for many orthopedic beds. Are my pearly whites still pearly?~ If you have set up a brushing ritual from an early age, which is ideal, you will have the opportunity to keep your pets teeth clean and get a good look at them on a regular basis. As our pets get older it’s good to keep a close eye on gum color and rotting or loose teeth. Dental disease is very common in older dogs. If you decide to have a professional teeth cleaning they will most likely require blood work. A blood panel for a senior is worth every penny. Blood work will alert you to anything out of the ordinary that may need attention. Pets are notorious for hiding pain and discomfort. Love me as I am ~ Be patient with your senior. If your senior could talk this is what you would hear; I wish I could be fast like I was when I was younger ~ I’m sorry I wet the bed and the floor sometimes – I really couldn’t help it ~ I’m not lazy sometimes I just can’t, I’m sorry I’m a little smelly – I would love you if you were smelly ~ I wish I could jump up in bed with you like I used to, but my legs hurt ~ I wish I could talk so that I could tell you how I’m feeling ~ It hurts my feelings when you shoos me out of the room ~ please be patient with me, I have unlimited patience with you ~ Please embrace my senior mistakes…. You’ll miss me when I’m gone.

Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

LUKE

SARA

E ESSE

TENN

My name is Tennessee and I’m looking for a new home. I am the most special cat here at my foster home so you can go ahead and ignore the others…they can’t hold a candle to my lovely presence. I was turned into the shelter as a stray. I’m a good girl. I use my litter pan. I love to be petted and fussed over. I will fuss over you too ♥ I could care less if other cats are around, in fact they sometimes irritate me and I would do best without them sharing my human. I would love to have a home of my own again. I am 3 years old. I come with my all of my shots, I have tested negative for feline leukemia, and I am microchipped, and spayed. Please come meet me ♥

I’m Sara. I’m 5 months old. I’m playful and friendly. I’m a little bit of a prankster and might bite the tip of your nose if you try and kiss me ;) I love human interaction. I like to be held and I love toys! I am spayed, up to date on my shots, healthy and I have tested negative for feline leukemia. I’m here with my brother Luke and we would love to be able to be adopted together. Please come meet me ♥

My name is Luke and I am 5 months old. I am a Maine Coon and will be very big. I am super lovable and like to be held. I purr constantly. I am up to date on my shots, I am neutered and have tested negative for feline Leukemia. I am in foster care with my sister Sara. We would love to be adopted together ♥

We are currently in foster… a foster home is not the same as a forever home ♥ We need a place to call home and a human of our own ♥ When a foster cat is adopted and that space is freed up we can pull another shelter cat to safety….

Awesome

Adoptables

To adopt one of these pets please email castaiccats@aol.com or call 661-255-9979 or visit our website at www.PetMeMag.com We were rescued from the shelter ♥ we need forever homes ♥ please consider adopting a shelter or rescue pet

BLACKS

pumpkin Poor little Pumpkin is so sad. He is trying to recover from the fact that his mom of 10 yrs. decided to have a human baby and dumped him and his brother at the shelter. The boys were very bonded, unfortunately that brother never made it out of the shelter and Pumpkin is alone and sad. He is really a sweetheart, who rolls over when spoken to. Pumpkin would do best with someone who understands cat behavior and can help him get through his trying time. Pumpkin is very deserving of a loving home and a human who won’t abandon him again. He is currently in foster and would love to meet you.♥

♥ Meet Blacks! Blacks was surrendered to the Castaic Shelter because his family was moving….so at 11 yrs. old Blacks was loaded into a carrier and dumped! For Blacks this was extremely stressful since Blacks is a total love bug who would prefer to be in your lap or following you around. Blacks, who looks like a mini panther, longs for attention and never runs out of purrs and head butts to show how much he loves you. Blacks is very vocal and loves to have long conversations. He prefers that he is with his human at all times. Blacks is declawed so he is furniture safe and must be an indoor kitty only. Blacks is up to date on his shots, neutered and has tested negative for feline leukemia. Blacks would make a perfect addition to any home♥

KITTY

My name is Kitty and it seems like I have been waiting forever for my own human. I was left at the shelter because my owner had dementia. I’m only 5 years old. I’m very friendly. I would be a perfect lap cat. I would prefer a quieter environment. I like to spend time watching television, cuddling, and relaxing together. Please come meet me!

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Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

How to recognize when your cat is in pain (and what you can do about it) By Dr. Tracy McFarland,The Cat Doctor & Friends

e humans are such cry babies! We whine about our pain, even a sunburn or a blister, until we get relief. The market for human pain relief is a multibillion dollar business for the pharmacy companies. Cats are different. In the wild, it isn’t helpful to tell the world when you’re injured or ill and vulnerable, especially if you’re a small cat in a big world. Cats are very secretive about any physical problems, and will try to hide them from you, if they can. How do you figure out that your cat has a problem? It’s all about routines. Cats are creatures of habit, and they tend to keep to a set routine most of the time, with favorite napping spots, mealtimes, and play times on a schedule. It’s up to us to notice their preferences, and accommodate our schedules, right? If your cat starts “slowing down”, sleeping more than usual, having difficulty with jumping up or down, or has a change in appetite or thirst, these could be signs of pain. If your cat is either less affectionate or more “needy” than usual, that can also be a sign of pain. More obvious signs of pain and distress are lameness, unusual head or chewing movements when trying to eat, or rarely, a distinctive low pitched mournful howl. Chewing and licking a certain body part can indicate discomfort, and matting over the hip area can indicate hip or back pain. Your first move should be a telephone call and/or visit to your veterinarian to determine what exactly is wrong. For example, strange chewing or teeth grinding can indicate either a dental problem or a digestive condition, and the treatments are different. Lameness in a front leg can indicate injury or illness in the front leg, or a neck problem. When dealing with a cat in pain, I want to find the underlying problem and remove it as a source of pain whenever possible. Once your veterinarian has determined that your cat is experiencing pain, and has treated any illness or injury related to or causing the pain, what next? If there is still some pain, what can be done to alleviate discomfort safely? When I graduated from veterinary school at UC Davis in 1984, there were no real options available for pain relief in cats. Now, there are several good choices, depending on the type of discomfort. For short term pain relief of acute pain, such as post tooth extraction or other routine surgery such as a spay or simple laceration repair, I would reach for buprenorphine, an opioid which gives excellent pain relief for 8 to 12 12 Pet Me! Magazine™

hours. Butorphanol only works for about 2 hours in cats, so it isn’t very useful. For more severe acute pain, such as major gastrointestinal or orthopedic surgery, I apply a 25 microgram fentanyl transdermal patch which provides around the clock relief for several days. Another option for post operative pain relief is meloxicam or the new kid on the block, onsior. These are oral medications, but I have some concerns about meloxicam and its effects on kidney function. For chronic pain, such as that caused by degenerative joint disease (arthritis), I often start with glucosamine/chrondroitin and baby aspirin. Yes, aspirin can kill cats, but it’s surprisingly safe and effective if used at the proper dose and dosing frequency. For cats who don’t hate car rides too much, acupuncture can be very effective for both chronic and acute nerve and joint pain.

Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

Pets and Stress By Sylvia Hathaway, Acupressurist & Reiki Master josephinesplace@msn.com

ur lives are full of stress. This is not news. Nor is it news that our animal companions help us to de-stress. It may surprise you, however, that they rely on us for the same purpose. The relief you feel when you are greeted at the door by your tail-wagging mutt is no greater than the relief she feels that you are home; ending her boredom and loneliness. Let’s play! Throw that ball! Let’s unwind... And what about that cat that showed up one day; and never left? The one who purred to be fed; and purred while he ate; and purred, content, curled beside you; your tensions melting away. For him you’d eased the stress of hunger and perhaps of abandonment.

We tend to pass off short term stressors as a normal part of life: fireworks, vacuum cleaners, trips to the vet. But consider how over-reactive some of our pets are to these. Do you call them ‘high-strung’ or ‘timid’ or ? Most often the underlying reason is a state of un-relenting (chronic) stress caused by a major trauma in the past. Not necessarily from an ‘evil deed’ (although it could be); it could be the trauma of surgery (especially if they were already ‘hurting’ and perceived treatment as further torture). Becoming stuck in the emotion of a trauma is common in animals as well as humans. Any new stress is magnified by the anxiety that is already in place. Chronic stress weakens the whole body; beginning with the immune and digestive systems. Many behavioral issues can also be traced to stress. It is imperative, however, that before jumping to that conclusion, you have your veterinarian give them a through exam; including any labwork or other diagnostics which may be appropriate. And, since stress can cause illness, it’s important to treat the stress condition, too. Stress is basically an emotional issue. Chronic stress exhibits out-of-balance, scattered emotions. Here’s how to start regaining joyfulness in life: First, Focus: Set a routine playtime; same time, everyday, for at least 10 minutes. There is comfort in routine. Second, Re-balance: Add the appropriate flower essence(s) to the water bowls (or fountains) everyday. Although the use of these essences is a whole article in itself, a good place to start would be to use Rescue Remedy® for pets (by Bach Flower Essences). It works like emotional first aid. Just be sure to always dilute it; never put it in your pet’s mouth full-strength. And Third, Treat your troubled companion to a Reiki session. Reiki (pronounced: ray-key) is a form of energy work that is most noted for its ability to calm and relieve stress. It can even help resolve past trauma and it has an almost magical quality to it that animals really respond to. It also leaves a very pleasant feeling in the whole room and in you too.

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Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

There is help for your itchy pet By Amy Shumaker, DVM, DACVD Dermatology for Animals www.dermatologyforanimals.com

ll dogs and cats itch and lick some, but when it is visibly annoying to you or your pet is creating lesions (red skin, crusts, scabs) or suffering from chronic ear and/or skin infections, then there are therapeutic options available. Itching (manifested by scratching, licking, chewing, rubbing, or hair-pulling) can be an indication of several different conditions, but most likely due to an allergy. There are several different allergies, with environmental allergies and food allergies being the more common. In this issue we are going to focus on environmental allergies. Environmental allergies (atopy, atopic dermatitis) generally manifests between 1-3 years of age or 1-3 years of moving to a new environment (e.g. northeast to southwest), although

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Intradermal allergy test some dogs and cats will start at an earlier or later age range. The condition can be seasonal or non-seasonal (year-round) depending on what your pet is allergic to. With seasonal allergies, generally the problem is due to various pollens of grasses, trees and weeds. With non-seasonal signs, then not only are the pollens the problem, but potentially molds (indoor or outdoor molds), house dust mites or even human dander may be contributing. If the symptoms are seasonal, then your pet has environmental allergies. If non-seasonal symptoms, then the problem can still be environmental as mentioned above, however, a food allergy could also be contributing to the problem or could be the sole cause. In cases with non-seasonal symptoms, an elimination diet trial may be recommended to determine if food is playing a role. There are several options for treating environmental allergies. What option you choose for your pet will often be based on severity of symptoms, length of time your pet is affected (a short season vs. year-round), and which treatment course you feel most comfortable with. I personally approach treatment for environmental allergies with a two-tiered approach. The first being a “supportive therapy” approach, and the second being a “big gun” approach. Supportive therapies can be effective in controlling about 1520% of dogs and cats with environmental allergies. Supportive therapies include bathing, fatty acids and antihistamines. Unfortunately there is no one amazing shampoo that will stop your pet from itching for 4 weeks or more. Once you rinse off the shampoo, you rinse off the majority of the activity. Therefore, bathing helps in three main areas: 1) removing allergens from the coat, helping to reduce exposure to your pet as exposure to allergens is percutaneous (through the skin), 2) using cool water is soothing to inflamed skin, and 3) medicated

Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

shampoos can be helpful at controlling and preventing skin infections that are often secondary to allergies. For dogs with environmental allergies, I recommend once weekly bathing with a gentle shampoo containing aloe and/or oatmeal or a medicated shampoo geared at controlling infection. Fatty acids , specifically omega-3 fatty acids in fish oils, have been shown to have mild anti-inflammatory effects and can be useful at controlling some of the inflammation involved in allergies. There are several forms of fatty acids available (fish oil supplements, veterinary omega supplements, or a diet high in fatty acids such as a fish-based diet or “sensitive skin” diet). Antihistamines are often very safe to use long-term in animals with minimal side effects, but ask your vet for specific antihistamine and dosing recommendations. The “big gun” approach involves either medications or a “nondrug” approach such as skin testing and desensitization. For medications, current options are steroids (such as prednisone) or Atopica® (cyclosporine). Steroids are often very useful at controlling the inflammation that drives a significant amount of the itching in environmental allergies. However, chronic, long-term steroid administrations (injections or pills) can create undesirable side effects, including increased thirst, urination, and appetite, predispositions to urinary tract infections or bladder stones, diabetes, high blood pressure and liver disease among many other side effects. Therefore, we like to try to minimize the amount and frequency a pet is on steroids. Atopica® is a drug that has been FDA approved for treatment of environmental allergies in dogs and cats. The most common side effects include gastrointestinal disturbances (vomiting and diarrhea), although these tend to be transient side effects. Other side effects may include urinary tract infections or, rarely, gingival hyperplasia (overgrowth of the gums), which is often reversible if the drug is reduced or discontinued. Atopica® has less desirable side effect than steroids, but can be costly in larger animals. If steroids or Atopica® are used as a long-term treatment, your vet will want to monitor blood work and urine at least once to twice yearly to make sure there are no other adverse effects. My favorite approach to treating environmental allergies is intradermal allergy testing (skin testing) and desensitization therapy. With skin testing, we inject small amounts of numerous allergens (pollens, molds, house dust mite, human dander, cat dander) to induce a reaction. We then create a serum that contains extracts of what your pet reacts to. Injections are then given to modify the immune system to desensitize or hyposensitize your pet to what they react to in the environment. This approach to environmental allergy treatment is the only approach that is geared at actually treating the disease and not just controlling the symptoms and is a more “natural” approach to treatment. However, as this is modifying the immune system, response can take time (on average 2-5 months but may be up to a year). Therefore,

we try to work with you and your pet at helping to control the itching until the injections take effect. About 70-75% of dogs and cats will improve 50% or more with allergy injections. Generally skin testing is performed by board-certified veterinary dermatologists. Thus, there are several options for treating your pet, but unfortunately there is no current “cure” for environmental allergies. Treatment for your pet is likely to be life-long, but once you have the allergy under control, then the itching should improve as should the frequency of ear or skin infections and quality of life. If your pet has a problem with allergies, there is help!

Pet Me! Magazine™

Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

Animal By Marilyn Logan

Consciousness

An international group of prominent scientists signed the Cambridge Declaration of Consciousness which supports the idea that animals are conscious and aware to the degree that humans are. This is not a new concept to animal lovers, but it’s the open acknowledgment that is significant and an important step for a more compassionate world. The statement was signed in July in England by a group of prominent neuroscientists, including Diana Reiss and Christof Koch, in the presence of Stephen Hawking. “The weight of evidence indicates that humans are not unique in possessing the neurological substrates that generate consciousness. Nonhuman animals, including all mammals and birds and many other creatures, including octopuses, also possess these neurological substrates.” In a world built on the exploitation of animals, it is understandable that it has taken so long for science to officially recognize the consciousness of other species. The 17th century French philosopher, Rene Descartes, drew a line between human and non-human animals when he wrote, “I think, therefore I am.” Most people realize, now that there is more to our companion

animals than previously thought. I think of my cat. Leo who sat, in the middle of the night, at the closed bedroom door of my roommate and meowed until I got up. When I went into her room, I discovered that she was unconscious. I immediately called the paramedics. Leo probably saved her life. The past decade or so has seen an increase in studies on farm animals. For example, pigs have shown the ability to play video games (using their snouts to move joysticks and hit targets on the computer screen with a cursor.) According to animal behaviorist, Donald Broom, pigs can recognize themselves in the mirror, a sign of complex cognitive processing and an indication that they have a certain level of awareness. Recently, there was a video on youtube showing a pig rescue a baby goat who was struggling to stay above water in a lake at a petting zoo. Now that science has officially recognized the obvious, when will the inhumane treatment of many animals decrease significantly?

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Adopt Me

♥ Meet Maverick! Maverick is in desperate need of new family to who can give him the love he deserves. Maverick was dumped at the shelter at 12 yrs. old because his family was expecting a baby, he was so depressed he sat staring at the cage corner for days and became sick. Maverick is a big boy, and while he could stand to lose a few pounds, a crash diet of depression was not in the best interest of his health. I agreed to bring Maverick into my foster group so that he could recover and find a home. This is what I’ve learned about Maverick while he’s been here: He is extremely sensitive, he is very loving, his feelings can be hurt easily and he

wears them on his sleeve, he has many expressions, he is particular about his food and doesn’t like certain textures. He desperately wants to snuggle up in your arms and has no idea he is 21 lbs! He talks to let you know what he’s thinking. He likes his belly rubbed and will let you know by rolling over on his back. Maverick would make an IDEAL companion. He will need some work with his diet. Maverick is declawed so he is furniture safe and must be an indoor kitty only. Maverick is up to date on his shots, neutered, healthy, has recently had a senior panel of blood work done and is in excellent health and has tested negative for feline leukemia.

Pet Me! Magazine™

Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

SPARC

By Dani Caouette

anta Paula Animal Rescue Center, also known as “S.P.A.R.C.”, is a new “No Kill” Shelter located in the city of Santa Paula. It is a California state non-profit community-based organization, comprised of a vast coalition of staff, volunteers, city leaders, police and animal advocates, all combining their time and resources to create the first and only dedicated “no-kill animal shelter” in Ventura County. S.P.A.R.C. is a place where stray and abandoned dogs and cats of Santa Paula can be brought for humane care without the risk of being killed due to lack of space, treatable illness or serious injury. “The idea of opening a local shelter was first discussed amongst a group of 8 animal advocates at a June 2011 meeting in Santa Paula. Exactly one year later, S.PA.R.C. opened its doors as Ventura County’s first and only open- access, no kill animal shelter!!! “Don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done, because we’re doing it!” said Diane Rowley, President of Board of Directors for S.P.A.R.C. S.P.A.R.C. is focused on rehabilitating and re-homing these abandoned pets through educating the community and developing close relationships with rescue groups. S.P.A.R.C. 18 Pet Me! Magazine™

ing ho

works with partners, such as Shelter Hope Pet Shop, in order to help adopt pets quickly and educate the public on how to avoid these pets ending up in the shelter. Shelter Hope Pet Shops are humane shelter adoption “pet shops” inside busy mall locations, where every dollar goes back to save more lives. They find new homes for the countless pets flooding our shelter systems and provide community outreach with services and education. “Partnerships like this one are important for several reasons. It provides a boutique style showcase to show off the wonderful dogs that shelters have in their care and also illustrates how completely unnecessary it is to buy a dog when you can adopt one.” Rene Ruston of S.P.A.R.C. added, “There is a particular sense of satisfaction knowing you’ve saved a life, instead of buying and contributing to the overpopulation currently plaguing our shelters.” S.P.A.R.C. serves as a model for other cities to create the same community based solution, to better serve their companion pets. In the first four months of the shelter being open, S.P.A.R.C. has impounded the dogs and cats of Santa Paula at almost twice the rate of previous years, at the same time saving approximately 50 animals per month from a different fate if they were to be sent elsewhere. “In the short time we have been in operation, we have far exceeded

Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

ope and saving lives… the number of animals we anticipated would be in our care and have experienced a variety of issues to date. No matter the situation, we will do whatever it takes to save the lives of these vulnerable animals. That means treating “Parvo” dogs, conducting surgeries for serious broken bones and finding homes for the difficult behavioral issues. All animals are treated equal.” said Janeen Anderson, Executive Director of S.P.A.R.C. Approximately 5 million to 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year, and approximately

3 million to 4 million are euthanized...60 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats. These are national estimates noted by the ASPCA... According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), less than 2 percent of cats and only 15 to 20 percent of dogs are returned to their owners. Most of the pets returned were identified with tags and/or microchips. Many strays are lost pets that were not kept properly indoors or provided with any type of identification.

continued on page 20

Pet Me! Magazine™

Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

continued from page 19 The NCPPSP study notes that approximately twenty-five percent of dogs who enter local shelters are purebred!!! Others are now considered “Designer Dogs”... and the best of all by many accounts, the mutts! These are all very highly adoptable

20 Pet Me! Magazine™

pets that end up in the shelter system one way or another, and need to find new homes as quickly as possible. Shelters, including S.P.A.R.C also deal with too many litters and not enough forever homes. Only 10 percent of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. The cost of spaying and neutering a pet is less than the cost of raising puppies or kittens for one year. Spaying and neutering your pets directly affects the number of homeless pets the will end up in a shelter situation. Although it is impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the United States, estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million! The average number of litters a fertile cat can produce is one to two a year; the average number of kittens is four to six per litter. The average number of litters a fertile dog produces is one a year; the average number of puppies is four to six. Unwanted pets end up dumped in the shelters, which are left to care for, and re-home, in the best case scenario, such as Santa Paula Animal Rescue. If communities can come together, educate, adopt, and create places like S.P.A.R.C., we may just be able to become a “No Kill” Nation.

Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

The Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center, www.santapaulaarc. org, is not just about saving the animals of Santa Paula...it is about saving them all. But saving them all has to start somewhere. They “want to be a pebble in a pond” as they say… When S.P.A.R.C. succeeds, fewer animals end up at the county shelter, more animals are returned to their homes or adopted, more animals are rescued and transported to safe destinations and more animals receive appropriate veterinary care. S.P.A.R.C. had 314 dogs and cats impounded in their first three months of operation and they expect to help approximately 942 animals before the end of their first year of operation. The shelter also provides spay/neuter, vaccination, licensing and other services to help the community at large deal with the pet overpopulation problem. S.P.A.R.C. depends upon fund raising, grants, sponsors and donations from the greater public in order to serve this community issue. DHP Elite Training and The Running Network in Camarillo are sponsoring a “5-n-10K Trot” in Mission Oaks on Thanksgiving Day to benefit S.P.A.R.C. How awesome is that?!? It’s a fun way to spend the morning and work off some calories while doing a good deed, before “chowing” down at Thanksgiving Dinner! For more information about Santa Paula Animal Rescue, or their adoptable dogs and events, you can visit http://www. santapaulaarc.org.

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Calming Your Stressed-Out Dog By Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff

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Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

e are not the only ones who may have some stress during the holiday season - our pets, generally sensitive to our moods and feelings as well as the changes in routine, may also be under some unusual stress. And like us, some animals exhibit stress in the form of fears and phobias. Before the holiday season starts and before guests begin to arrive is a good time to work on some fears and phobias that may manifest themselves during this time. Fear of different people and/or children Children are great big bundles of energy to a dog and groups of people at parties are not much different. During the holidays your dog may be encountering both situations quite a lot and you are best off getting your dog used to them before they come around. Dogs that are not used to children or other visitors may either act shy, go into hiding, or even become aggressive. The best way to deal with this is to start getting your dog used to strangers before the holiday season starts. First, invite one person that the dog is fond of who does not live with him come to the door and have him distribute a treat and quietly pet the dog. Then bring in several people the dog is familiar with so he’ll get used to a group. Add one person that the dog does not know, all the while praising the dog and giving him treats when he shows good behavior with guests. Add a child and then more children until the dog is familiar with a group. Remember to always supervise children with dogs. Fear of noises The holidays may bring with them a lot of noise.Of course unless you live in certain areas of the country, thunderstorms are not likely to be a problem at this time. But if you have a particularly sensitive dog, even the banging of pots and pans during Thanksgiving can cause anxiety. A noise phobia may be traced to a particular bad experience of a noise, but often, no triggering event can be ascertained. The owner’s attitude can influence the severity of the fear. Similarly, if the owner attempts to overly comfort the animal, the animal interprets it as confirming there really is something to be afraid of. The petting or comforting is really positive reinforcement of an undesirable behavior. Products such as valerian and chamomile Ultra-Calm and Rescue Remedy have been used with some success. These two products should be given about 1 hour prior to a stressful event. Never underestimate the power of exercise Your pet should receive vigorous exercise daily. Having a regular exercise schedule can help with many different types of anxiety and fears. The exercise will help to tire the animal, both mentally and physically, and may make her less responsive to the fearful things. In addition, exercise has the effect of increasing natural serotonin levels, which can act as a sedative. Whether your pet has fears or not, the holiday season is a time to really pay attention to your pet. It will do you both a world of good.

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Prince’s Passion… Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

By Dani Caouette

orenzo Borghese, commonly known as Prince Lorenzo Borghese, is a member of the House of Borghese, a cosmetics entrepreneur and the featured bachelor on the 9th season of ABC’s reality television show, “The Bachelor”. But did you know he is also President of Animal Aid USA , Founder of Royal Treatment Pet Products, HSN’s #1 pet line, and a passionate animal advocate? Recently, Prince Lorenzo, along with a network of pet lovers and animal rights advocates, embarked on a multi-state rescue caravan in July 2012, aimed at raising awareness to common animal cruelty practices in America’s animal shelters. The Amazing Grace Caravan was inspired when Grace, one of a group of dogs slated to die by gas euthanasia at the Hinesville, Georgia shelter, managed to survive the gruesome ordeal and received national attention in the aftermath. Dani Caouette caught up with Lorenzo while taping an animal adoption segment for the new Ricki Lake Show.

24 Pet Me! Magazine™

Dani: “What started you on the path of Animal Advocacy?” Lorenzo: “I don’t like seeing animals suffer and therefore, I wanted to make a change.” Dani: “How have you used your skills to get the message out to the masses?” Lorenzo: “I don’t have much skill, but what I have is passion and the ability to tell stories. Sharing stories about how animals are poorly treated is my most favorite story to tell as it provides people with knowledge. Without knowledge, changes would never occur.” Dani: “I think providing knowledge and making people aware of this is a skill, and you do it well… What was the goal of The Amazing Grace Caravan? Lorenzo: “To ban the gas chamber, promote adoption and promote spay and neuter.” Dani: “Why are you so passionate about this cause?” Lorenzo: “Because it’s a cause that is 100% focused on helping animals. As they can’t help themselves in many situations, it’s up to us to make sure they are treated humanely and protected.” Dani: “What do you want people to know about the Gas Chamber?” Lorenzo: “It’s an extremely inhumane way to euthanize an animal. It can take longer than 30 minutes to kill an animal and the animal’s brain function and consciousness often shuts down after that animal’s vital organs shut down. The AHA, HSUS and AVMA all feel that the most humane way to euthanize an animal is by lethal injection. I believe most Americans feel this way too. So why is the gas chamber legal? It must be banned.”

Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

Dani: “If Grace could speak to us, what do you think she would say?” Lorenzo: “Please help my friends by banning the gas chamber and adopting!” Dani: “How do you hope to make a positive change?” Lorenzo: “I hope to be a voice for the voiceless by protecting animals.” Dani: “What moment stands out the most for you throughout your advocacy for animals?” Lorenzo: “When I went to Liberty Animal Control and saw all the dogs we saved. They seemed so scared in their cages. Seeing them run out of the cage and jump on us all is a moment I’ll never forget. It’s as though they knew we were there to save them.” Dani: “What was your first pet?” Lorenzo: “ I had a goldfish named Ed.” Dani: “When did you know you wanted to help animals?” Lorenzo: “As soon as my dog Belle entered my life. She was the sweetest dog to ever have lived. To know there are many out there just like her who are being abused is what provides me with my motivation to make a change.” Dani: “How can people get involved to help animals?” Lorenzo: “Please adopt and please sign our anti-gas chamber petition at www.animalaidusa.org”.

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Protect Your Bird From Potential Holiday Hazards By Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff

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et accidents increase dramatically during the holidays. If your pet bird spends time out of the cage, have a safe area in which he can play. Keep in mind that if your bird accidentally escapes from his cage during the holidays, there are more hazards than usual. We do not mean to spoil your fun with these cautions, but hope to keep your holidays safe and pleasant. •P revent exposure to electrical wires, which could cause dangerous burns or electrocution. Conceal them or use petproof covers. Otherwise, your bird may mistake them for a chew toy. •P revent access to holiday plants. Never allow your bird unsupervised access to poinsettia, holly, mistletoe, or other plants commonly used to decorate during the holidays. •A decorated tree is a magnet for birds, but unfortunately has the potential for causing problems. Do not allow your bird to have access to the tree. Tinsel, flocking, and artificial snow can be dangerous. The tree may also be coated with potentially harmful fire retardant, fertilizer, or insecticide. Larger decorating lights can become hot and cause burns. Some decorations may have small pieces that could be broken off and swallowed, causing digestive problems.

• Many of the foods we set out during the holidays can be unhealthy or even toxic to birds, including chocolate, sugary cookies, salty snacks, and other favorites left out for nibbling and, of course, alcoholic drinks. • Perfumes, potpourri, adhesives, glues, cleaning products, and of course, fumes from heated Teflon®, can all be toxic. • Do not let your bird out of his cage when you have open flames in the house. Stoves, candles, and fireplaces always pose a serious threat. • Do not tie ribbons on your pet or his cage, or leave them lying around. The inks and metals used in gift wraps and ornaments can be toxic. These items also pose chewing and entanglement risks. • Discourage guests from bringing their dog or other pets into your home. If they do, understand that your pet and theirs are sure to be anxious. Keep them separated and do not relax your vigilance. We hope these tips help you and your bird enjoy a happy, fun, and safe holiday season!

For everything birds Check out The West Valley Bird Society. Learn more about birds, training, adoptions and wildlife. www.thewestvalleybirdsociety.com

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Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

What is Parvo?

Birds • Supplies • Grooming • Cages • Fresh Food • Boarding Under New Ownership

By Evelyn Vega, DVM, MS, Happy Pets Veterinary Center

arvo is a viral infection that destroys the inner linings of the small intestine as well as causing the pet’s infection fighting white blood cells to be depleted, leading to a severe intestinal infection, anorexia, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Parvo virus almost always effects puppies less than 8 months old usually and unvaccinated adults. Dobermans, Rottweilers, pit bulls, German Shepherds and Dachshund are commonly effected, but all dog breeds are susceptible to it. If you suspect your pet has Parvo it is best to take it to your veterinarian as soon as possible. They will do a quick in house test that requires a small amount of fecal material to test if your pet is positive for parvo. This virus is very resistant and can survive more than 7 months in dirt, longer if frozen over winter months! Therefore if your pet has been diagnosed with parvo, it is very, very important to disinfect the environment to prevent other dogs from acquiring this horrible disease. Diluted Bleach (1:32 bleach/water solution) effectively kills the virus. The best preventative is vaccination; puppies can be vaccinated for Parvo as early as 6 weeks of age, then repeated every 3-4 weeks till 16 weeks of age.

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Pet Me! Magazine™ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

Toys for Rabbits: By Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff

abbits love to chew and explore. Not providing adequate means of chewing and exploring creates boredom, and also goes against their very nature and instincts. Most owners are quickly enamored by their rabbit’s curious nature, and see it as a way for their pet to acquire mental and physical stimulation, as well as necessary tooth wearing. Rabbits like to explore many textures and toys at once, and you will need to be careful about the types of toys you provide. Make sure they are made of nontoxic materials because it is likely your rabbit will chew on them. Be certain there are no small pieces that may come loose and become a choking hazard. Also, if you are allowing your rabbit some play time outside the cage, use an exercise pen, and make sure he cannot access electrical cords, heating/cooling vents, wood furniture, or anything else that might be dangerous or off-limits in your home. (Remember, rabbits think those things are just as much fun as toys.) Every few days, it’s a good idea to rotate the toys you allow your rabbit to play with to add more variety. The following are some of the toy options that rabbits love to toss, dig at,

28 Pet Me! Magazine™

Alleviate Rabbit Boredom with Interactive Toys

explore, or chew, and you may already have some of these items around the house. • Untreated wicker baskets, balls, and hampers (no finishes or varnishes) filled with hay or shredded newspaper • Cardboard (fashioned into tunnels) • Wooden boxes • Shapes made of woven grass, such as balls or mats • Cardboard rolls from toilet paper or paper towels • Small plastic/wicker toys (e.g., balls) • Toys that dispense food • Toys to toss • Wooden or natural parrot toys (with no loose or small parts) • Stainless steel measuring cups or small bowls • Chew Blox • Old towels (only if your rabbit does not try to ingest any of the material) Be sure you always supervise your rabbit during playtime so he remains safe. When you offer your rabbit toys, you help alleviate boredom and strengthen the bond you have with your furry friend.

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18840 Soledad Canyon Rd Canyon Country CA 91351

661-424-9900

www.canyoncountryvet.com Hours: Mon - Fri 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sat 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

FREE

EX AM

services. valid for emergency First time clients, not er 31st, 2012. Valid through Decemb

Pet Me! Magazine™

Animal Aftercare

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 Chris’ K9 Clippery 19413 Soledad Cyn. Rd. Canyon Country (661) 251-0011 www.chrisk9clippery.com So Cal Grooming 28011 Seco Cyn. Rd. Santa Clarita, 91390 (661) 513-0778 www.socalgrooming.com Precious Pets 27737 Bouquet Cyn. Rd. #124 Saugus, CA (661) 296-2020 Pawpular Pet Suppliers Bird Bungalow 21021 Soledad Canyon Rd Canyon Country, CA 91351 (661) 284-6200 Canyon Pet Center 19154 Soledad Cynd. Rd. Canyon Country, CA (661) 250-7356 Fox Feed 17028 Sierra Highway Canyon Country, 91387 (661) 252-9790 Pet Stop 26870 Sierra Highway Santa Clarita, CA (661) 251-3867 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 30 Pet Me! Magazine™

Lancaster Animal Shelter 5210 W. Ave. I Lancaster, CA 93536 (661) 940-4191 www.animalcare.lacounty.gov 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 Saffyre Sanctuary (Horse Rescue) Sylmar, CA www.saffyresanctuary.org Save A Kitty, Inc. (818) 825-3096 www.SaveaKittyCA.org PetSave Foundation Bunny Rescue (661) 478-7360 www.petsave.org St. Bonnie’s Sanctuary/ Lange Foundation 27567 Oak Spring Canyon Rd. Canyon Country, CA 91387 (661) 251.5590 http://langefoundation.com Trusted Vets In and Around SCV 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 18840 Soledad Canyon Road Canyon Country, 91351-3772 (661) 424-9900 www.canyoncountryvet.com Cinema Veterinary Centre 23460 Cinema Drive, Unit L Valencia, 91355 (661) 253-9300 www.cinemavet.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 VIP Veterinary Services 26111 Bouquet Cyn. Rd. Suite D-5, Saugus, CA 91350 (661) 222-PETS www.VIPpethospital.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

Pets

for all things

Santa Clarita’s Premier Dog Lodge Trish Cohen (661) 618-6628 www.hasshaus.com Pampering Pet Sitters 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 K9 Manners Matter Colleen Lange B.S., ABCDT (661) 993-2366 Training@k9mannersmatter.com Alternative Medicines & Healing Sylvia Nahale Hathaway Acupressurist & Reiki Master (661) 378-8612 josephinesplace@msn.com

Upcoming Events GRAND OPENING Cinema Veterinary Centre Saturday, November 3rd. Bring your pets and family! Games, Prizes, Food & Fun! 23460 Cinema Drive, Unit L Valencia, CA 91355 661-253-9300 OPEN HOUSE The Cat Doctor & Friends Annual Open House Saturday, November 10th, 10am – 3pm Raffle, Refreshments, Samples, Demonstrations The Forgotten Angels Cat Rescue will be open for Adoption!! FOX FEED CUSTOMER APPRECIATION SALE! Saturday, Nov. 17th 8am – 4am First 50 Customers Receive a Free Halter & Lead Rope! ~Free Raffle Prizes ~Free Food & Drinks ~Great Deals & Steals 17028 Sierra Highway Canyon Country, CA 91351

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