Spring is in the air!! Unfortunately, so is the mournful sound of the neighbor's cat in heat, accompanied by the chorus of tom cats fighting amongst each other for her favors. Soon, the mew of kittens will be heard. Sadly, many of these kittens will be homeless or succumb to trauma or disease if not properly cared for. Why is this particularly a springtime phenomenon? This is because cats, unlike dogs, are stimulated to go into heat as the daylight hours start to lengthen–hence the spring and summer arrival of the majority of kittens. (Interestingly, horses will start to go into heat as the days start to shorten.)

Spaying or neutering your pet is one of the most important things you can do to help your pet lead a longer, healthier life. For female cats, the ovaries and uterus are removed. This obviously prevents them from coming into heat or ever having kittens. It also removes the chances of any ovarian or uterine tumors or infections. What is not so obvious is the fact that spaying your pet may also reduce the incidence of breast cancer. (This is especially true for female dogs.)

For male cats, the testicles are removed from the location in the scrotum. Occasionally, one finds the testicles located in the groin or in the abdomen. This condition is hereditary. These "retained" testicles definitely should be removed, as they are "hidden" and are a more likely a source of tumors. Benefits from neutering the male include reducing aggressive tendencies toward other males, which helps prevent fighting. Cat fights are a common way of spreading bacterial and viral infections, particularly the Feline Leukemia or the Feline Immunodeficiency viruses. Neutered male cats are much less likely to roam the neighborhood and will have a greatly reduced tendency to mark or spray their territory with urine. Testicular tumors and infections are rare in cats, but these, too, are prevented by neutering.

The most benefits from spaying or neutering are seen in young animals. Typically, your veterinarian will perform these procedures around six month of age, after the pet has matured a little and has been fully vaccinated. Thanks to the very safe, modern anesthetics, however, these procedures can actually be performed on very young and very old animals safely. If there is any question about the safety of a procedure, your veterinarian will likely perform some blood tests or take radiographs prior to surgery.

As you can see, in all aspects, this is one area where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Schedule an appointment to spay or neuter your pet this month!

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Internal parasites are common problems for household pets. However, few people realize how many types of parasites can infect their animals. Signs of parasites can include failure to gain weight, poor hair coat, and diarrhea. There are many animals, however, that will appear normal yet harbor parasites. We commonly can see most tapeworms in dogs and cats as small white worms the size of a grain of rice. Other types of worms are not so visible. They live in various parts of the intestinal tract and only their eggs may be shed in the stool. Your veterinarian looks under the microscope to find these. Sometimes the eggs are not found with a single stool sample–multiple exams may be needed to discover parasites. Accurate diagnosis of the type of parasites an animal has will allow your veterinarian to prescribe the appropriate type of treatment to rid an animal of these pests. It is important to have any new pet checked for parasites that could be detrimental to an animal's health. Even birds, reptiles, rabbits and some rodents can harbor intestinal parasites and should be checked annually.

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 Fido's Bite (breath): Is it worse than his bark?

Health conscious pet owners are significantly extending the length of their pet's lives. By starting young animals on a comprehensive early vaccination schedule, early spaying and neutering, and following with annual checkups and vaccinations, most serious diseases can be prevented or picked up early and treated. As pets reach their senior years, the most common serious ailment then becomes dental or periodontal disease. Long-standing gum and tooth infections are as significant to your pet's health as they are to your health–and you brush regularly!

The health of your pet's mouth affects his heart, kidneys and liver, not to mention his overall feeling of well-being. Ideally, a preventive maintenance program, started as early as 8 weeks of age, will keep your pet from ever developing dental abscesses, periodontal disease and tooth loss.

On your puppy's or kitten's first veterinary visit, your veterinarian checks to be certain there are no detectable early problems, such as jaws that are out of alignment or cleft palates. If problems are seen, you will be advised what to do or watch for. As the young pets mature, they loose their "baby teeth" and have all permanent teeth in by 6 months of age. At this time most pets are usually spayed or neutered. If a permanent tooth has come in and the baby tooth has not been lost, the baby tooth can easily be extracted during the spaying or neutering procedure. Two teeth cannot occupy the same spot, or both will develop gum disease and be lost.

It is by this age that you can become comfortable (or not) with brushing your pet's teeth. Many techniques exist and most veterinarians can give you guidelines for getting started. All techniques involve letting your pet enjoy the experience. Associating it with rewards of affection and playtime, along with a pleasant tasting dentifrice (toothpaste) are key to success. Realistically, many people have difficulty training themselves and their pet to enjoy this good habit. Cats can be particularly crafty at training you to avoid the encounter. For these pets, annual exams will allow your veterinarian to assess your pet's oral health and advise you on any problems developing.

Feeding hard foods can help somewhat in preventing tartar buildup, as can specially designed chew-toy treats. An exciting development in this area is the introduction of a tartar control diet that is being made available through veterinarians only. These products will not correct or reverse any existing disease, however. If your pet has these problems, he will not chew the food or treats with the affected teeth. These problems need to be resolved before a maintenance program will be useful.

When your veterinarian recommends a teeth cleaning, it will involve general anesthesia to produce the optimum results. This allows excellent visualization of all surfaces of each tooth, thorough cleaning above and below the gums, identification of periodontal problems and oral tumors plus an opportunity to remove or repair broken teeth, locate cavities and to polish and apply fluoride. Most pets can be anesthetized very safely with human gas anesthetics. Middle-aged to elderly pets are those in most need of dental care as a rule, and their overall health should be evaluated first via a thorough physical exam, blood panels or chest radiographs.

With all that you do to insure your pet's good health, care for the teeth will insure a more comfortable mouth in the senior years. He will be better able to eat and keep himself fit if attention to his dental health has not been neglected.

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Before rabbits were pets–when they were bred and maintained for commercial purposes only–their diet was dictated by the need for rapid growth and not a long, healthy life. The typical rabbit diet consisted of a variety of free choice foods throughout the day, a minimum of exercise, frequent treats and little or no hay.

As we've all become aware of the wonder and joy of house rabbits, we've also become more knowledgeable about their proper diet and feeding. The old feeding practices lead to obesity, foot problems, liver and skin disease, diarrhea, and hairballs in our loved pets. We now know that proper nutrition is the single most important factor in disease prevention and longevity of house rabbits.

A good rabbit diet is one that increases the motility or normal movement of the intestines. And, the most important contributor to normal motility is fiber. Rabbits eating adequate fiber in the form of hay rarely have gastrointestinal problems such as hairballs and infections.

As rabbits have become more popular, the commercial market has offered a multitude of treatments for what are generically labeled as hairballs. These include papaya tablets, papaya juice, pineapple juice, and laxatives. Rather than treating hairballs, you should focus on preventing hairballs. Finding hair in the stomach of a rabbit is normal - but poor feeding practices and a lack of exercise lead to slowing of the gut and the accumulation of hair. That's when serious problems requiring aggressive veterinary attention develop.

An ideal daily feeding program for adult pet rabbits consists of the following:

If you use this diet, you do not need to give your rabbit vitamins. Neither does he need a salt lick. You should also avoid "gourmet" rabbit pellets as they often contain additives such as nuts and dried fruit that lead you back down the path toward gastrointestinal problems.

Healthy, happy rabbits are a result of proper nutrition and exercise. Many rabbit owners spend too much money on food and vet bills when a simple diet of hay, vegetables, fruit, and pellets provide the best opportunity for a long and loving relationship with their wonderful friend. If you have additional questions about your rabbit's diet, please feel free to call the Hospital.

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Is your cat the Houdini of the cat world when it comes to receiving medications? Here are a few tips on how to restrain your cat when giving it medications.

If your cat is relatively cooperative you can gently but firmly press it against the table. You can further immobilize the cat by wrapping it snugly in a blanket or towel. Cat bags can be purchased at pet stores if you prefer to use a commercial restraint product.

Fractious cats are best handled by having another person available to firmly hold one of the cat's front legs with one hand, and place the other hand on the scruff of the cat's neck. A variation of this method is to position the cat on its side with your assistant firmly holding the front legs in one hand and the back legs in the other hand.

When no one is available to help you restrain your cat for administrating treatments, try kneeling on the floor and placing your cat between your legs. Gently press your legs against your cat's sides to immobilize it. Your cat's head should be facing forward when held in this position.

Whatever method you choose, it should be the least stressful for both you and your cat.

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Before making airline reservations for your feline friend, find out the airline's requirements for pet travel. Usually there is an extra fee charged for pet transportation. Choose an airline that hand carries your pet to and from the plane, otherwise your pet may end up on a conveyer belt with the luggage. Some airlines allow cats to travel in the cabin, provided that the pet carrier fits under the seat.

When selecting your flight plan, try to take as direct a flight as possible to avoid long layovers or numerous connections. There will be less chance that your cat will miss a connecting flight or be exposed to extreme conditions while waiting on the tarmac.

Your cat should be current on all vaccinations and in good health. If your cat is easily excited or stressed you may want to discuss with your veterinarian the option of tranquilizing your cat for the trip.

Securely attach the identification tag and feeding instructions to the pet carrier. The feeding instructions are especially important for long trips, such as going from coast-to-coast or abroad.

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Cat Owner's Guide to Giving a Home Health Exam ...

There is no better time to do a home health checkup on your cat then while it is resting contentedly on your lap on a cold winter's night. Doing health checkups on your cat in-between regular visits to the veterinarian can help detect a health problem early. Careful observation is the key to discovering illnesses or problems. A cat's general appearance and behavior can be one of the first signs an owner notices when their cat becomes ill.

The eyes should appear clear and bright with no evidence of tearing or cloudiness.

Ears should be clean with no detectable brownish wax buildup.

Check the area around the lips for any unusual bumps or sores. The gums should be pink and moist, without redness or swelling at the tooth margin. There should be no detectable bad breath. The teeth should be free of tartar buildup.

A cat's hair coat should be shiny and silky. Unusually greasy or dry and brittle hair can indicate a hormonal or dietary imbalance. Look for signs of fleas and any unusual lumps or bumps that indicate the presence of an allergy or tumor. Remove any hair mats.

Any abnormalities should be checked by your veterinarian. He/ she can do diagnostic tests to determine what is causing the deviation from normal health for your cat.

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November and December are busy months, filled with holiday plans and celebrations. A little pre-holiday planning where your pets are concerned will really pay off. Why? Because this is the season that your veterinarian typically sees an increase in the number of "emergency" visits. (Picture this: The table is set, the guests are arriving, and Sparky is busy throwing up the holiday turkey you were just about to carve ....) Pet hazards abound this time of year. Keep these tips in mind and all of you will be able to enjoy the season.

Toxic Items: Certain holiday plants can be toxic, usually just causing vomiting or diarrhea. The common ones include mistletoe, poinsettia and pine needles – the needles being mainly an irritant. Try to place these out of reach until you have determined if your pet wants to nibble.

Attractive Nuisances: Tinsels, ribbons, sparkling ornaments, garlands and extra electric cords are all temptations for playtime. Cats and kittens are especially intrigued. String and ribbons can easily get knotted up in their intestines, necessitating surgery.

Holiday Feasts: You may be tempted to include your pets in the sharing of goodies but bear in mind those rich foods – holiday meat bones and sweets – can really upset your pet's digestive tract. A better alternative is to use treats designed for animals, and not too many; your pets can suffer from weight gain by the end of the holidays, too. Pay particular attention to avoiding chocolates for your pet – large amounts can actually be toxic.

Home Hazards: Holiday candles and blazing hearths, when not supervised, can catch a wagging tail or curious whiskers on fire.

Loneliness and Stressful Encounters: Your pets generally prefer the status quo. Increased absences and frequent large gatherings can be stressful, causing illness. Try not to disrupt your pet's routine overly much. Pay additional attention when you get home from a long day of shopping or travel. It will also help lower your stress level!

Boarding: If you are leaving for the holidays, make your boarding or pet travel arrangements in advance and make certain your pets are up to date on their vaccinations. Bring along any special diets or medications your pets may need.

Pets as Gifts: Be very careful if you are thinking of giving a pet as a holiday gift. The recipient needs to be involved in this decision for everyone to be happy with the new arrival. Often a better option is to give information, books or gift certificates and let the recipient choose the perfect time and perfect pet.

New Year's Resolutions for the Pet!

1. Start that diet!  See your veterinarian if you think your pet needs a prescription diet food in order to lose the extra weight.
2. Get more exercise for you and your pet.  (Don’t overdo it at first!)
3. Prevent a litter of unwanted animals.  Spay or neuter your pet in January (many cats start to go into heat as early as January or February).

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