Cats are naturally curious creatures and get into lots of things and this leads to thousands of accidental poisonings each year.  Many times a cat will knock over a can of a chemical like anti freeze or something along theses lines and lick their paws containing the chemical. In some cases cats are poisoned by evil, diabolical, sick humans. Here are some signs to look for.

• drooling
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• abdominal pain
• twitching
• nervousness

If you suspect that your cat has been poisoned, here’s what you can do.

1. If she is comatose, wrap her in a blanket and take her to the vet along with the suspected chemical or item that caused the poisoning.
2. If the cat has an odor of the poison on his or her skin, wash the entire cat with mild soap until the odor is gone. Cats will continue to lick areas that contain poison if it is not washed off. Flushing the mouth with clean water may help with decontamination.
3. If the cat has not vomited, and has not ingested a caustic or petroleum product, give her one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide every ten minutes until she vomits. Do not exceed three doses. If no vomiting occurs within thirty minutes take her to the vet right away.Caustics include battery acid, corn and callous remover, dishwater detergent, drain cleaner, grease remover , lye, and oven cleaner, Petroleum products include paint solvent, floor wax, and dry-cleaning solution.
4. Call the pet poison control hotline for further instructions: ASPCA Pet Poison Control (888) 426-4435. (There is a charge for this service.)

If you have evidence that another person is responsible for poisoning your cat, contact the police immediately and do anything you can to prosecute this person. They deserve to be thrown in jail.  When I was very young, one of my cats was poisoned by my next door neighbor. I still have a sharp image etched in my mind of finding my dead pet lying in my neighbors garden. Unfortunately at that time, my parents did not do anything to prosecute this horrible neighbor. They were more concerned about keeping the peace in the neighborhood.Don’t take this route, do everything you can to find out who poisoned your pet and have this degenerate thrown in jail!

Remember, your pets count!

Is there such a thing as cat scratch fever and is it something to worry about?  It’s true getting scratched by a cat can lead to health problems. In most cases, there’s no need to worry. Cat scratch disease also known as cat scratch fever is caused by bacteria that can be transmitted from an infected cat to a human through a scratch or bite. Most of the cases occur in children who have been scratch by a kitten. The symptoms of cat scratch disease usually include an infected wound, swelling of the lymph nodes and a fever. In most cases, the disease is relatively mild and no treatment is required.  However, people with compromised immune systems should see a physician because they may need antibiotics.

Remember, your pets count!

The term “Ringworm” can be a bit confusing. This condition is not really caused by a worm. It’s actually caused by by a fungus that resides on the hair and skin of animals. Some symptoms can include bald spots, dandruff and wide spread hair loss. Unfortunately, you can’t look at your pet and be able to tell whether or not he has ringworm. Your vet has to do some tests in order for find out for sure. If your pet does have ringworm, some treatment can include topical fungal cream, whole body shampoos, or an oral anti fungal agent. Prompt treatment is important because ringworm is also contagious to pet owners.

Remember, your pets count!

All pets need a veterinarian.  It can be difficult to know which one to choose.  Look for qualifications, experience and references. Ask lots of questions such as, are the office hours convenient? Do they keep detailed records on the patients? Do the doctors take courses to keep their medicine up to date?  How do they handle emergencies? It’s also important to look around the clinic. Check and see if it looks like a clean and safe environment. Ask other people for their recommendations. Your veterinarian should be someone you can rely on so trust your instincts. If you’re uneasy about someone, keep looking.  Don’t settle on a veterinarian that you’re not comfortable with.

It’s spring and the time we should start being concerned about ticks which can carry several diseases including Lyme Disease. We need to make sure that we protect out pets.  Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose. Symptoms are usually vague and can include lethargy, joint pain and fever.  If you live in a wooded area where there have been cases of Lyme disease, you should talk to your vet about products that repel ticks. You should always check your pet after walks or other outdoor activities.  If you do find a tick, grasp it with a tweezer as close to the skin as possible  and pull it straight off.  If you can, put it in a tight container. If you notice that your pet is developing a problem, contact your vet and he will determine whether or not it’s Lyme disease.

Remember, your pets count!

Before you bring a new puppy home, you should prepare your house. Young dogs seem to get into anything and everything within reach. If you’re not prepared, their curiosity could prove dangerous. Start by looking at your house the way dog would see it. Look down low for items that could be hazardous such as trash, electrical wires or sharp objects. Make sure that you keep pesticides, chemicals, medicines and anti freeze out of reach.  The best idea is to store these dangerous items in a locked cabinet.  Some houseplants can also prove poisonous to pets so keep them up high.  Remember, no matter how well that you think you puppy proofed your home,  you still need to watch your new dog every carefully.

Remember, your pets count!

Fatty acids are specific poly unsaturated fats that keep your dog’s coat and skin shiny and healthy. One class, the omega 6 fatty acid are especially important to an animal’s health because they help support the immune system and help regulate the blood flow. Fatty acids are not automatically produced by your dog’s body, so they must be provided in their diet. They’re naturally found in animal fats and vegetable oils and most commercial dog foods contain the proper types and ratios. Some dogs with skin problems and certain health conditions may benefit from fatty acid supplements so ask your vet for a recommendation. He or she may suggest adding sunflower oil to your pets food.

Remember, your pets count!

After your pet has had an operation, you’ll need to keep an eye on him. He’ll need plenty of rest and relaxation. So if your dog or cat has recently been spayed or neutered, or had other surgery, keep him away from other pets and children while his incisions heal. Watch for signs of infection at the incision site. Oozing, swelling and redness are signs that the incision may be infected. Post operative pets are often in a weakened state and less able to feed themselves or resume normal bathroom habits. Cats should remain indoors for several weeks after surgery. During this time, your pets appetite and activity level should steadily improve. If not, call your veterinarian.

Remember, your pets count!

Does your cat have you wrapped around her little paw? My does, in fact she’s gets V.I.P. treatment.  She sleeps in my bed every night. I prefer to sleep on one side but my cat , Mollie prefers me to sleep on the other side facing her. Here’s how she gets her way. I begin to doze and I suddenly hear Mollie “meowing” in my ear insisting that I turn over and face her. Crazy right? If I don’t obey her, she will step onto the night stand and methodically knock over my things. First, my cell phone is knocked out of it’s charger and onto the floor, then my pictures get knocked over one by one. Finally, I give in and turn over. She then snuggles up to me and goes to sleep. She’s purring her little heart out and I’m lying awake unable to fall asleep. This is not Mollie’s fault, it’s my fault for not setting the proper boundaries when she was young. Do you cater to your cat? Remember, cats never forget and will go to extremes to get their way.

Remember, your pets count!

How many times have you heard someone say “I don’t need anyone, I do fine by myself?” The truth is that humans do need other humans.  Cats by  nature are solitary predators, unlike dogs who hunt in packs. It doesn’t take much to know that your dog is showing you affection. He will jump, bark and give you a big sloppy kiss. Cats, on the other hand are also affectionate but they display their affection in a subtle manner.  They  are also highly social animals. When they are given the comforts of home, they don’t have to compete for bare necessities.  Many times we don’t notice when they purr while being pet or how excited they are when they touch us with their nose, raise their tail when they see us or blink their eyes slowly. These are all signs of affection. So when you think that your cat could care less whether or not you’re around, think again.

Remember, your pets count!