July / August 2014 Issue of Pet Me! Magazine by Pet Me! Magazine

July/August 2014

Your Guide To All Things Pets

Desert Dogs PLUS: Curiosity A Review of Acral Lick Dermatitis Urinary Health Problems in Cats & Much More!

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to good homes

Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2014

Awesome

Adoptables

To meet any of these adoptables contact FUREVER PURR RESCUE (661) 255-9979 or email Castaiccats@aol.com All of these wonderful cats are healthy, up-to-date on shots, altered, microchipped and have tested negative for FELV/FIV. Please consider opening your home and heart to one of these very special cats in need.

Princess Pandora (aka Pandy) – Rescued from a hoarding Callie – She is a flirty little girl who knows that her looks get her situation with her babies. She has an alpha personality is playful, social and very affectionate. 4 yrs. old.

everywhere. You can’t say no to those gorgeous blue eyes. Callie would do best where she would have an enclosed patio. She likes the outdoors. Gets along with other cats. Low maintenance. 2 yrs. old.

Amelia – If she were human, she would have a toe ring, nose ring, belly ring and would dye her hair hot pink. She is a firecracker! You will never be bored with this fun and social girl. 2 yrs. old

Jack – Abandoned by his family because they couldn’t afford him. He is a shy, sensitive, sweet boy that loves to snuggle in bed. He would do best in a quieter home. Jack doesn’t mind being the only feline in the house. 8 yrs. old.

Samantha – This gorgeous long hair Calico was dumped by her family because they had allergies. She is very petite and sweet. She will need some time to get to know you. She is only 3 yrs. old.

Tux – Very sweet boy. He is declawed. He gets along with other cats. Tux likes his toys and is social. He is 7 yrs. old.

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Contents 4 Desert Dogs 11 Interview with Dr. Hyun Oh of Animal Medical Center 12 Stop That Licking! A Review of Acral Lick Dermatitis 15 Curiosity 16 Litter Box and Urinary Health Problems in Cats 20 Best Friends Animal Society’s Strut Your Mutt 21 Adopt Us 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 PUBLISHER AND EDITOR Bridget Alves Caroline Squires ART DIRECTOR Doug Conboy COVER PHOTO Caroline Squires PUBLISHED BY Pet Me! Publications Find Us On Facebook and Twitter Pet Me! Magazine

Summer is here! We know all too well how hot it can become in Santa Clarita Valley and how important it is to keep our animals safe when temperatures soar into the triple digits. Many of us make concerted efforts to keep our four-legged companions cool. These pets might enjoy a summer hairdo, laps around the pool, walks after the sun has gone down, or dives through sprinklers. Whatever it may be, our pets enjoy ways to beat the heat just as much as we do. Even though we have transitioned into the summer season, part of the spring season still lingers. As many of you know, kitten season started in the spring and will continue into late fall, which means there are many kittens available for adoption at shelters and rescue groups. We have some adorable kittens that are in need of a home featured on page 21. These kittens were in the May/June feature article, “A Shelter Story,” and Josie, our cover girl, is also ready for adoption along with her siblings. Our feature article, “Desert Dogs,” discusses the perilous state of the stray and abandoned animal problem of the Antelope Valley, an adjacent desert community east of SCV. Additionally, in this issue, Pet Me! has several articles regarding common health issues for dogs and cats and how you can help keep your pet healthy. I’m also very pleased to announce that Pet Me! Magazine has a new editor, Caroline Squires. Writing articles and raising awareness of animal-related issues within our community are passions of hers. As always, thank you for your wonderful email and kind support. Please continue sending your input as it assists us in providing you with the information you want. We appreciate the privilege of bringing you Pet Me! Magazine. Have a safe and fun summer!

Bridget Alves Publisher

Pet Me! Magazine

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Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2014

Desert Dogs

By Caroline Squires

“S

tray and abandoned animals are a big problem in my desert community,” stated Nicole Graves, a resident of the Antelope Valley for 25 years. “When I drive by a box on the side of the road, I have to stop and check to make sure an animal isn’t inside.” Graves has lived in both Lake Los Angeles and near Little Rock (east of Lancaster) and reports that this is an ongoing problem. I don’t know about you, but the thought never crosses my mind to investigate a discarded box on the side of the road. I have been a resident of Santa Clarita Valley for 32 years, and after being involved with animal rescue for 12 years, I feel as though I’m hyper-vigilant about strays as I drive, however, I don’t see strays on a daily basis in SCV. Graves explained that over the years she has seen a growing number of strays roaming the desert. Most have been abandoned or are strays that escaped their yards. Whether it is a lone dog or packs of strays, these once loyal companions roam the desert and take up residence in areas that are almost uninhabitable. The high desert is no place for family pets. The lack of shelter, scarcity of water, and no viable food source to sustain them means these dogs have a slim chance of survival. Some dogs may beat the odds for a short time by digging

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holes to seek shelter and by eating food left out by people who don’t want to see the dogs starve to death. However, despite the efforts of concerned animal lovers, many of these desert dogs meet their untimely end from starvation, exposure to extreme heat or cold, coyotes, fatal injuries caused by dogfights, or from getting hit by a car. Unfortunately, adult dogs aren’t the only ones left to fend for themselves; litters of puppies have also been found in boxes on the side of the roads and in vacant lots. With so many pets in need of help, concerned citizens started to take action. Graves has been involved with animal rescue for many years and subscribes to several Facebook pages that are dedicated to help residents cope with the high number of strays roaming their communities. I met with four Antelope Valley residents who subscribe to these Facebook pages. Tammy Seymour stated, “I think now, with the economy the way it is, it has gotten way worse. I’ve found more dogs in the last 3 years than I have in the past 10 years. There are so many that I’ve chased and haven’t caught.” Seymour brought Hope, a 2-year-old German shepherd chow mix that she was able to catch, to our meeting. She was told about a dog that was living in the desert for at least 2

Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2014

Antelope Valley desert. Story photos by Caroline Squires. months and was surviving off scraps of food left out for her intermittently. She was able to trap Hope and take her home. Even though she has had Hope for almost 7 months, she is still very shy and still requires a lot of TLC. Carrie “Poe” Grooms, founder of the Facebook page, Hope for the Antelope Valley Angels, explained, “I wanted to raise funds for people to bail their animals out [of the shelter] and raise money to buy food, because so many people are going through such hard times because of the economy; they’re dumping or surrendering their dogs and if we can provide them with food then the dogs can stay in their home. We also have helped rescues by donating food to them because they were hit hard with the economy. We have definitely grown; when we first put the word out, it was just 5 of us, then 20, and now we have 4,500 members.” Her Facebook page is used to network lost and found pets, raise funds, and to connect animal lovers who live within the same community. Grooms and her associates work with a lot of rescues and have actually started their own rescue called Secondhand Animals. One of the outcomes of her Facebook page is that it allows people to do something. She puts the word out about what they need/want and people act.

One such Facebook post reads: “Black lab adult dog on Ave Q and 160th St East Palmdale in the Lake Los Angeles area. He was resting in a little shaded area by a bus stop, no collar on him. When I tried calling him he ran away going towards the empty lot by the Lake Los Angeles school. I’m on my way to school and can’t go after him. If someone can please help him.” The abandonment issue alone is very concerning. It’s been reported by witnesses that dogs are dumped on the side of the road; sometimes even being thrown from a moving vehicle. Graves explained that a friend of hers helped a pit bull that was left by a stop sign and it stayed in the same spot for a week waiting for his owner to return. She mentioned that many people had commented they had seen the dog for days, but no one did anything to actually help him until her friend came along and took him home. Kelly Baldorf, member of Hope for the Antelope Valley Angels, commented that she often times will help a dog get out of traffic and do her best to catch it. I asked her if she receives assistance from people when she tries to help a lost pet. Surprisingly, she said that often times people honk and don’t

continued on page 7 Pet Me! Magazine™

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Rescued desert dog, Hope. 6 Pet Me! Magazine™

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continued from page 5 help. Baldorf responded, “They honk because I’ve stopped traffic…because I’m delaying them.” Darmaris Cruz is another resident and Facebook member. She brought her foster, Missy, a beautiful 2-year-old husky, that was found abandoned in the desert with another husky. Cruz helps Secondhand Animals by fostering pets and helping to rescue strays. Even though these women give their time to help, it’s not enough. Grooms stated that she had 36 voicemails on her phone that she hadn’t even checked yet because she didn’t have time to get back to the callers. Because Grooms’ number is “out there” people call her seeking help, but as much as Grooms would like to spend all her time helping pets and people, she has a full-time job and her own pets to care for and manage. The stray and abandoned pet issue is complex and much larger than these ladies can handle – even with 4,500 members. In order to understand what rescue groups and animal lovers like these women are up against it’s important to understand the numbers. The animal shelter that services the Antelope Valley is the Los Angeles County Animal Control Center based out of Lancaster, which at its farthest, is about 40 minutes away from

Rescued desert dog, Missy. some of the areas it services. It services an area that is about the size of the San Fernando Valley and Simi Valley areas combined. To compare, Santa Clarita Valley’s animal control center is the Castaic shelter, which services an area of 250 square miles. According to the 2012 U.S. Census Bureau, SCV has a popula-

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continued from page 7 tion of around 178,000 people, whereas the area the Lancaster shelter services is almost 500 square miles, and according to the 2012 U.S. Census Bureau, Lancaster has a population of around 158,000 people. According to the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control, the Castaic shelter has a total of 6 animal control officers, with 1-3 officers on duty during the day, and the Lancaster shelter has 10 officers with up to 4 officers on duty during the day. While writing this article, I wanted to know how many dogs and cats were at each shelter. Castaic had 58 dogs, 35 cats, for a total of 93 pets. Lancaster had 150 dogs, 106 cats, for a total of 256 pets. Lancaster has almost three times the amount of pets to care for as the Castaic shelter does, but the amount of officers doesn’t match the ratio. With three times the amount of animals to care for, one would expect that the Lancaster shelter would have three times the amount of officers, yet they have less than double. Ideally, it seems the Lancaster shelter would benefit from having at least 8 more officers to care for the nearly 300 pets in their care. What perhaps is the most unsettling are the statistics (see the charts to the left): During the 2010-2011 fiscal year, the Lancaster shelter euthanized a total of 12,401 dogs and cats whereas the Castaic shel-

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ter euthanized a total of 955 dogs and cats. Shockingly, it would take the Castaic shelter 12 years of euthanizing pets to equal the amount the Lancaster shelter euthanizes in just one year! Data source: http://animalcare.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/ acc/about_us/animal_statistics/ During the 2010-2011 fiscal year, 19,537 pets were brought to the Lancaster shelter, which averages to an astounding 53 pets a day, whereas 4,198 pets were brought to the Castaic shelter, which averages to about 11 pets a day. Seymour discussed an area of concern and contributing factor to the problem, “It’s sad because the shelter will have owners who love their dogs and want their dogs, but they cannot afford to get them out, so they have to leave them there.” Grooms commented that the shelter has called her group to ask if they could pay the $60 to cover the cost of a bail out fee that the owner couldn’t pay. Seymour continued, “I’ve seen people crying on the floor and saying good-bye to their dog; they don’t have the money to get them out…especially when they have multiple dogs that got out.” Grooms suggested, “Can’t the county just bill them?” Perhaps a payment plan could be used that would allow owners to pay their fee at a later time. Nonetheless, Secondhand Animals has assisted when they can to help with bail out fees. It is evident that this is definitely a community issue, which will require multiple strategies to get the problem under control. Some innovative county and city shelters have been allowing volunteers to counsel people who bring their pet(s) to the shelter, which allows for a proactive versus reactive approach. Secondhand Animals has a similar goal; they would like to be able to talk to owners who are bringing their pets to the shelter to see if it is due to a lack of funds, lack of food, if a fence is needed to keep their pet secure, if a gate needs to be repaired, etc., because Secondhand Animals has resources and community members that are willing to help provide necessary items that would allow the pet to stay with its owner. Other strategies include: • educating the public about resources such as low cost/no cost spay and neuter clinics, vaccine clinics, microchipping, etc. • creating a coalition of rescue groups, animal control staff,

Two desert dogs rescued by ARV. community leaders, concerned citizens, animal lovers, and business owners to work on a united front to aid pets • funding out-reach programs • increasing shelter staff • enforcing abandonment laws • supporting rescue groups who provide help and resources to the Antelope Valley An example of rescues helping the Antelope Valley is Animal Rescue Volunteers, Inc. (ARV), based in Simi Valley. ARV’s president, Staci O’Connell, described how her group

continued on page 10

Willow is sweet but timid. She is the 15th dog rescued from the desert by ARV. Pet Me! Magazine™

Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2014

continued from page 9 helped to save 15 desert dogs. O’Connell was informed by a good Samaritan that an older couple who lived in a rural area in the Lancaster desert had been feeding stray dogs. Those dogs eventually had litters and their numbers multiplied. Once O’Connell was alerted to the situation out in the desert, she, along with several other volunteers, went to the location to help the dogs. ARV started in September capturing the dogs that had congregated near the property. In all, ARV made 4 treks out to the desert, and their final trip took place on February 17th. With traps, crates, and a volunteer’s homemade dog food, ARV set off to help the 3 remaining dogs. They arrived late in the afternoon and immediately saw a white female. O’Connell said, “We set the trap Left to right Damaris Cruz with Missy, Kelly Baldorf (back), Tammy and waited. The female went in the Seymour and Hope, Carrie “Poe” Grooms (back), and Maddy Seymour. trap, came out, and went back in, but nothing happened! We reset the trap by arranging the food better. Same thing again – it did not spring!” Eventually, as the female dog inspected the trap, the other two walked up to the trap. The girl walked in, and the boy followed, which resulted in trapping both of them. They were also successful in trapping the final female dog, which turned out to be pregnant. O’Connell explained that most of the dogs had been out there for less than a year and averaged in age from a few weeks old to 2 years old. O’Connell ended up fostering several of the desert dogs at her home. She noted that the older ones were shy and timid, but adjusted to her and her family, whereas the younger ones are more leery and still hide when they are outside. Who knows what would have happened to the desert dogs had they not been helped by caring individuals. There are so many people that go out of their way to help, and often times, they are the ones who get little or no credit for what they do. With such a large, complex stray and abandonment issue, it will take caring people – a lot of caring people – working together to improve the situation and end the unnecessary and senseless effects of it. If you would like to help Animal Rescue Volunteers, Inc. and Secondhand Animals, please visit their websites: www. arvsimi.org and www.lpsecondhandanimals.com. 10 Pet Me! Magazine™

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Interview with

Dr. Hyun Oh of Animal Medical Center By Caroline Squires

or many of us, our pets are part of the family, and we will go to great lengths to keep them healthy, which means regular visits to the vet’s office to seek the care of a professional. It is at these times that we trust and rely on someone to provide the special skills, knowledge, and treatment that we cannot. With around twenty veterinary clinics in SCV, it might be difficult to decide which one to visit. Many of us ask our friends whom they use and then weigh our options, read online reviews, or…read articles in Pet Me! Magazine like this one about Dr. Hyun Oh, who owns Animal Medical Center (AMC) in Granary Square. Dr. Hyun Oh is not a new veterinarian in our area by any means, but he is a new business owner. He actually worked for AMC for 7 years and bought the clinic from its previous owner in November 2013. Dr. Oh’s passion for what he does is evident to me when I spoke with him. He loves his job because he enjoys being in a field where he can work with animals and people. He commented, “A pet is part of a family, when I treat a pet not only does it get better but the owners are happy and have a better life too.” He spoke to me about how he enjoys the investigative work that goes into diagnosing an animal, “Animals can’t speak; they try to express their feelings, but often times it takes blood work and sometimes X-rays to determine the cause of their condition. It thrills me to figure out what’s wrong with the pet. I feel like a detective. I spend a lot of time talking with the owner to gather a lot of information.” Something unique about his practice is that he uses western and eastern medicine. He studied acupuncture treatment and applies this knowledge when working with pets. By utilizing his understanding of herbs, homeopathic and holistic medicine, he is able to provide a variety of options to treat his patients. In addition to those treatments, Dr. Oh’s clinic also has a non-needle acupuncture machine. He explained sometimes older pets develop chronic joint pain and starting them on chemical medicine can often times have harmful side effects, which is why he likes to use K-Laser therapy. After several treatments, he has witnessed dogs that could barely walk move with greater ease. He noted that the K-Laser is also helpful in treating chronic ear infections, working as an anti inflammatory, and in lessening gingivitis as it helps with the inflammation of gums (especially in older cats). In addition to cutting-edge technology, Dr. Oh also offers a specialist service that helps cut down on costs and travel time for pet owners. Dr. Oh has several specialists, including an orthopedic surgeon, who will visit AMC for pets that require

special care. Overall, Dr. Oh’s goals are to help pets, provide excellent care, and serve his community.

AMC offers first-time clients a free exam, discounts to military/ servicemen/servicewomen, and also provides a senior discount. Their website is easy to navigate, professional, and you can even schedule an appointment online. AMC is open Monday through Friday 8am-6pm, Saturdays 8-2, and closed on Sundays. Location: 25848 McBean Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355 Phone: 661-255-5555 http://www.amcvalencia.com/ Free training evaluation w hen you mention the ad below!

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Stop That Licking! A Review of Acral Lick Dermatitis By Amy Shumaker, DVM, DACVD Dermatology for Animals

h, that incessant licking! Acral lick dermatitis/granuloma (ALD) can affect not only our patient’s quality of life but our clients’ as well. With a thorough work up and appropriate therapies, a happy resolution can be achieved with this very frustrating disease. ALD is a common, multifactorial disease in dogs and is characterized by compulsive licking of a lower extremity, resulting in formation of a proliferative, ulcerative and alopecic (hairless) plaque. This disease often occurs in middle age to older dogs. Although ALD can occur in any breed, breed predispositions include the Doberman pinscher, Great Dane, Labrador retriever, Irish setter, golden retriever and German shepherd. In the literature, ALD is commonly categorized as a behavioral abnormality. However, as only a percentage of dogs respond significantly to behavior modifying drugs, other underlying etiologies also contribute to the disease. ALD can result from hypersensitivity reactions (atopic dermatitis/environmental allergies, food allergy), bacterial or fungal disease, demodicosis, trauma and foreign bodies, orthopedic disease

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such as arthriritis, neoplasia (cancer) and neuropathy. A concurrent secondary deep bacterial infection almost always perpetuates the disease process. Diagnosis As with most dermatologic diseases, appropriate diagnosis is based on characteristic clinical appearance, a thorough history and additional diagnostic tests. Important historical questions include age of onset, involvement of other areas of the body, any history of trauma, lameness/other orthopedic problems, and if licking preceded or resulted from the onset of the lesion. Appropriate diagnostics include any combination of the following: skin scrapes to evaluate for demodicosis (a type of mange), cytologic evaluation for the presence of bacteria, fungal culture, X-rays to evaluate for orthopedic disease, and biopsy to rule out a cancerous process. As the majority of dogs with ALD have an underlying allergy trigger, an eight week elimination diet trial with a prescription diet and/or workup and treatment for atopy/environmental allergies with skin allergy testing and allergen desensitization is recommended. As the majority of cases have associated deep and superficial bacterial infections, culture may be recommended in those that do not respond to empirical therapy as bacterial resistance is a common problem in veterinary medicine. Treatment There is no single treatment for ALD: ALD is a multi-

Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2014

Acral lick granuloma immediately prior to laser ablation therapy

Lesion immediately following laser ablation factorial disease, and, therefore, successful treatment is contingent upon identification and treatment of the underlying primary problem as well as resolution of any concurrent infection. When treating deep infections, it is not uncommon to treat for 8-12 weeks or longer. Concurrent use of steroids with treatment may be beneficial in reducing inflammation as well as some of the pruritus associated with the underlying disease. Steroid options include topical (ointments or liquids), systemic (eg. Prednisone) or intralesional injections. Those cases with environmental allergies as the underlying condition should be treated appropriately (allergen desensitization therapy based on

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Lesion 3 weeks post laser ablation therapy

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continued from page 13 skin testing, or various medication options). ALD resulting from a confirmed food allergy should be treated by avoidance of offending food allergens. Any orthopedic issues should be addressed with medications (nonsteroidals or other pain medications), physical therapy or acupuncture. Gabapentin has reportedly been helpful in reducing neuropathic pain and may be beneficial in ALD cases suspected to have a neuropathy. Cancerous conditions should be treated surgically, if amenable to surgery, and with any other recommended treatments (chemotherapy, radiation) based on tumor type. ALD resulting from a behavioral disorder has been successfully treated with behavioral-modifying medications such as clomipramine, naltrexone, fluoxetine, and others. Laser ablation therapy can be a faster, effective way at treating granulomas. Laser ablation therapy has many benefits, including achieving a cosmetic outcome, “capping” the nerve endings to reduce the sensations that trigger the licking behavior, and essentially sterilizing the tissue that is ablated. It is essential that while undergoing therapy that the licking is controlled. Mechanical barriers such as E-collars may be necessary to help prevent licking during the initial phase of therapy. Case An 8-year-old Doberman pinscher presented for a year long history of an acral lick granuloma that occurred fol-

lowing amputation of a toe of the left front paw. Despite extended use of antibiotics and various topicals prescribed by the referring veterinarian, the lesion and the licking persisted. Additionally, the owner cleaned and bandaged the lesion daily (to help control licking). Because very slow improvement was noted with protracted therapy, laser ablation therapy was elected. Preoperative blood work revealed concurrent undiagnosed hypothyroidism, and thyroid supplementation was instituted prior to the procedure. A tissue culture was submitted for bacterial culture. The acral lick granuloma was ablated, treated topically with an antibiotic ointment and bandaged. An antibiotic was prescribed based on the culture results. Follow up 3 weeks later revealed significant improvement in the lesion with resolution of the licking. On clinical evaluation, the skin was no longer proliferative/thickened, and no erosions or ulcerations were appreciated. In conclusion, ALD is very frustrating to both owners and veterinarians. With significant chronicity, these lesions can be more challenging to resolve, and therefore, addressing the disease at onset will aid in a successful outcome. With appropriate history, identification of the underlying trigger, and appropriate therapy, these lesions can be successfully treated and controlled.

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Curiosity By Sylvia Hathaway, Acupressurist & Reiki Master josephinesplace@msn.com

e are ever on a quest of discovery; each for his own particular interests. This is certainly not a one-size-fitsall endeavor. Some may seek the idyllic spot in nature, another may thrill at a new cuisine, and yet another to the latest ride at an amusement park. The quest begins in the mind. What drives us on this search is an innate sense of curiosity. And it is ‘curiosity’ that fuels life. It leads not only to discovery (whether of new worlds or new solutions) but drives invention itself (as a means to get ‘there’). Each of us in our own capacity can enjoy its rewards. Each of us, to our best ability, can provide ways for our companion pets to enjoy its rewards also. Curiosity creates purpose. It stimulates adventure. It relieves

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boredom. It’s fun! Cats are intensely curious; most can’t bear a closed door of any kind. It is believed that the symbol used to indicate a question (“?”) derives from a cat’s tail; complete with ‘dot’ when viewed from behind (you’ll never see a question mark the same again). Perhaps it is the anticipation of discovery that stimulates the mental processes that will (hopefully) lead there. Providing the mind with something to wrestle with is a good thing...good for acuity...good for agility...good for focus. And as you may have guessed, is good for helping resolve many behavioral issues that pets may have. We must recognize that the wonderful furred (and feathered) beings that enhance our lives are intelligent and resourceful. They benefit greatly from mental stimulation, which promotes less environmental sterility. It is for us to tantalize and to invite curiosity. Allow it. Feed it. Offer up your shoes after you’ve returned from a hike. Hide a few treats in an empty tissue box, and move it to various locations every week or so. Leave a lower, pet-friendly cupboard door ajar. Invite curiosity into your home and let it stay. It feeds the adventure of life!

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Litter Box and Urinary Health Problems in Cats By Dr. Gina Johnson, Happy Pets Veterinary Center

any cats may go their entire lives without a single litter box problem. However, inappropriate elimination is the leading reason healthy cats are relinquished to shelters. Understanding the causes of inappropriate elimination in cats can help reduce accidents in the house and maintain the bond between owners and their cats. Urinating outside the litterbox can be due to health problems or behavioral reasons. Any cat urinating outside the litterbox should be evaluated for a medical problem that may be causing the inappropriate urination. Uncommon medical problems include: bladder cancer, kidney or bladder stones, and urinary tract infections. Diseases that cause cats to drink a lot of water

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and urinate a lot include: diabetes, kidney disease, and hyperthyroidism; cats may urinate outside the box because the box fills up with urine much more quickly than it did before. The most common medical cause of urinary problems in cats is Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, or FLUTD. FLUTD is a complex condition where stress, environment, diet, age, and type of cat can all play a role. Indoor, young or middle-aged neutered male cats are at greatest risk for FLUTD. In some cats, normal commercial dry foods can predispose the cat to develop urinary crystals, which can coalesce and form a blockage in the male cat’s narrow urethra, or irritate the bladder. Stress plays a large role in causing signs of FLUTD. Sources of stress in indoor cats

Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2014

may include a change in routine such as a new job for the owner. Other stressors can be rearranged furniture, conflict with other pets, lack of toys or mental stimulation, or new people in the house, such as a baby or houseguest. Signs your cat may have FLUTD include straining in the litter box frequently, trying to urinate and only producing small amounts, urinating outside the litter box (especially on cold or soft surfaces that feel soothing to the cat, like bedding or a bathroom tub), blood in the urine, or crying when urinating. In some cases FLUTD can become life-threatening, most commonly in males; if the urethra becomes blocked, the cat is unable to urinate. This is fatal if not treated, as toxins build up in the bloodstream, causing the heart to slow down and eventually stop. It is also excruciatingly painful because the bladder continues to fill with urine that cannot be expressed. If your cat is trying to urinate and cannot it is an emergency and the cat should be seen immediately. Blocked cats may also be severely lethargic or painful. Any cat with problems using the litter box should be seen for a medical workup, which can include a physical exam, bloodwork to check for kidney disease and other systemic problems, a urinalysis to check for crystals, or x-rays to check for stones. If the cat is found to be normal, behavioral reasons like stress can also cause inappropriate urination. Helpful tips to avoid behavioral causes of urinating outside

continued on page 18

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Pet Me! Magazine™

Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2014

continued from page 17 the box are as follows: •M ake sure to follow the n+1 rule of litter boxes. For every cat you have, you should have as many litter boxes as cats,

plus one extra to help avoid cats fighting over the boxes, and to allow pets to use the box in a secluded area. • Cats enjoy scratching posts and tall areas they can watch their surroundings from. Enriching their environment can help reduce stress. • Feliway is a synthetic feline pheromone that can be sprayed or diffused in a room. It helps cats feel calm and relaxed and is safe to use with medical treatments if needed. • Try different litters if your cat seems to dislike one. A sudden litter change can precipitate the cat going outside of the box as well; some cats only prefer clumping or pine litter. • Clean the box on a daily basis; you would not want to use a dirty bathroom either. • Keep food and water separated from the litter box. At the first sign of inappropriate urination, checking with your veterinarian can help to rule out or treat medical problems. Behavioral interventions can also help many cats. Inappropriate elimination is a frustrating problem for cat owners, but knowledge of some of the causes can help to stop the litterbox problems and keep your cat and your home happy and healthy.

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18 Pet Me! Magazine™

Amy Shumaker, DVM, DACVD Valencia Veterinary Center 23928 Summerhill Lane Valencia, CA 91354 Phone: (661) 855-4870

Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2014

Pet Me! Magazine™

Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2014

Best Friends Animal Society’s

Strut Your Mutt

By Lori Fusaro, Best Friends Animal Society

est Friends Animal Society’s Strut Your Mutt may just be the most fun you can have helping to save the lives of homeless dogs and cats in your neighborhood - and around the country. The annual fundraising dog walk, fun run, and festival culminates in a day of fun for four- and two-legged participants of all ages. The Los Angeles Strut Your Mutt takes place on Saturday, September 6 at Will Rogers State Historic Park, 1501 Will Rogers State Historic Park Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90272. Dogs and their families share a leisurely walk and fun run, followed by a festival and a special movie screening with Eat|See|Hear for all things dog, including doggie yoga, pet portraits, refreshments, music, contests and post-run pet massages. Strut Your Mutt raises money for local animal rescue groups and shelters. For many participating organizations, this lively Best Friends’ Strut Your Mutt event provides the bulk of their operating funds for the year. Participate on your own - or as part of a team - to raise funds for a shelter or rescue organization. Don’t miss the chance to have a ball… and make a difference for homeless pets in Los Angeles! To learn more, visit www.strutyourmutt.org.

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20 Pet Me! Magazine™

Pet Me! Magazine™ JULY/AUGUST 2014

BRANDY

JOSIE

Adopt Us

You might call us stowaways. We were rescued from the shelter when we were still in our mama’s belly…and no one knew. We are now 11 weeks old and thankful to the foster who rescued our mama. We are all in great health, super playful, and fun…not to mention really cute too! We love spending time together as one big family, but now it’s time for us to find a family of our own. If you’re in the market

ANGELO

DEWEY

for a kitty, please come meet us! Furever Purr Rescue (661) 255-9979.

BRANDY

JOSIE and DEWEY

ANGELO Pet Me! Magazine™

Cal Pet Crematory (310) 278-0633 (818) 983-2313 (323) 875-0633 www.calpet.com Guardian Animal Aftercare (818) 768-6465 www.guardianaftercare.com Pawpular Pet Suppliers Fox Feed 17028 Sierra Highway Canyon Country, 91387 (661) 252-9790 www.foxfeed.com Pet Supply Santa Clarita 26831 Bouquet Canyon Road Santa Clarita, 91350-2372 (661) 296-2654 www.petsupplysantaclarita.com Dermatology for Pets Amy Shumaker, DVM, DACVD Valencia Veterinary Center 23928 Summerhill Lane Valencia, CA 91354 (661) 855-4870 www.dermatologyforanimals.com 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 Rescue Organizations Visit our website for a complete list of rescue organizations

Best Friends Pet Adoption Center 15321 Brand Blvd., Mission Hills, CA 91354 (818) 643-3989 Bestfriends.org

22 Pet Me! Magazine™

Pets

for all things Brittany Foundation Agua Dulce (661) 713-5240 www.brittanyfoundationonline.org

Citizens for Sheltered Animals, Inc. 21150 Alaminos Dr, Saugus, CA 91350 (661) 513-9288 www.citizensforshelteredanimals.com Forgotten Angels Cat Rescue (661) 273-9822 www.forgottenangelsrescue.org Furever Purr Rescue (818) 635-6473 castaiccats@aol.com New Leash On Life Animal Rescue adopt@nlol.org (661) 255-0097 Ratz Nest Rat 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 Great Groomers Precious Pets 27737 Bouquet Cyn. Rd. Suite 124 Saugus, CA 91350 (661) 296-2020

Trusted Vets In and Around SCV

All Creatures Veterinary Center 22722 Lyons Ave # 5 Newhall, 91321-2876 (661) 291-1121 www.wecarevets.com Animal Medical Center 25848 McBean Parkway Valencia, 91355 (661) 255-5555 www.amcvalencia.com Canyon Country Veterinary Hospital 18840 Soledad Canyon Road Canyon Country, 91351-3772 (661) 424-9900 www.wecarevets.com Cinema Veterinary Centre 23460 Cinema Drive, Unit L Valencia, 91355 (661) 253-9300 www.cinemavet.com Happy Pets Veterinary Center 27550 Newhall Ranch Road Valencia, CA 91355 (661) 295-9972 www.happypetsveterinary.com Peaceful Pets In-Home Euthanasia Services (661) 621-3750 peacefulpetsinhome@gmail.com www.peacefulpetsservices.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.VIPVeterinaryServices.com

See individual ads for details on Low Cost Spay/Neuter and Vaccine Clinics and FREE New Client Exams!

Animal Aftercare

Best Boarding Facilities Canine Country Club 20341 Blue Cloud Road Santa Clarita, 91390-1259 (661) 296-0566 www.cccofscv.com

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