Pet talk

We have “puppy uppers” and “doggie downers”, but is your pet ready for Botox?  It might be closer to reality than you think.

Veterinary researchers from the

From the first study results, it appears that although Botox does nothing to prevent or repair joint damage, it seems to inhibit the neurotransmitters involved in pain perception.  And that will be a huge breakthrough for those of us with elderly, arthritic pets.

Personally, I own an elderly male boxer with severe arthritis.  In fact, Tigger was very close to being put down few months ago due to me being unable to find a drug that relieved his pain.  The drugs currently available either were ineffective, or caused such terrible side effects (nausea, diarrhea, ulcers, liver failure, ect…) that Tigger had just decided not to move at all.  Fortunately I found Novox and that has helped him regain an interest in living.  But it too, has side effects which poor Tigger has to cope with daily.  With Botox, the promise is effective pain relief, without those other life altering consequences. 

Of course in a perfect world, the perfect drug would not only prevent the pain, but repair the damaged joint.  And maybe someday a therapy will accomplish that goal.  (Stem cells seem to be a very promising step in that line of treatment)  Until then I would be happy to have my old Tigger completely back. Although he is happy to see me and ready to protect the yard from every bird, rabbit, or intruder who happens to wander in, he still limps.  But he is not ready to leave yet, and frankly, I am not ready to let him go.   

Have lots of leftovers?  Well, give it to the chickens……not the dogs.  Veterinarians around the country report increased number of cases of digestional disorders this time of year because of leftovers being fed to the dogs.  The high fat content of turkey skin and drippings will cause some dogs to need hospitalization.  And that is not even mentioning turkey bones, which are always a no-no.  Do the dog a favor and skip the left overs all together.

Now the cat is another story.  Cats do well on left over turkey meat, liver and giblets.  If they will eat them, go ahead and feed it to them.  Cats need a higher fat diet than a dog and do well with meal time surprises.  Just don’t go over board and keep the milk in your cereal bowl.  (Cats can get a good case of diarrhea from it.)

Have chickens?  Give them the table scraps—just be sure to dole them out over the next week instead of dumping it all in the pen at once.  Even a garbage disposal animal like a chicken can be made sick by too much of a good thing…..hum….kinda like people right?

In

So what constitutes ownership?  Feeding?  If so, I “own” a lot of birds in my backyard.  What about paying for medical care?  Again, if that is the case, I own a lot of foxes, birds, and rabbits.  If you love an animal enough to claim ownership, I think you need to care for the animal in a true sense of the word.  Pets that are allowed to roam free face numerous dangers that shorten their life span and allow them to suffer horribly.  Is that what an owner wants for their pet? 

Do I endorse this type of action against roaming pets?  No.  But responsible owners do not let their pets terrorize the neighborhood either.  Keep your pets within your eyesight at all times.  Do not allow them to trespass on others property, and never let your dogs or cats live freely outside.  Besides getting caught in traps and left to starve to death, they may be shot or hit by a car.  If your pet needs its “freedom”, you do not need your pet. 

Looking for something to do this weekend?  Love animals?  Well don’t forget about the Pet Expo at the Rock Financial Expo center.  It’s all weekend and from the commercials I’ve seen, it looks like a lot of fun.

Interested in doing something horsey?  Then head up I-75 to Birch Run.  They’re having the Mid Michigan Horse Expo at the Birch Run

Still not convinced to come out and play?  Anita Alden is having a driving clinic at Odyssey Training Stables.  For $25.00 you can listen and learn from one of the driving world’s best competitors, Andy Marcoux.  Stay for a catered dinner and ask the expert your own questions.  A “must do” for those interested in learning to drive or for those training their horse to pull a cart.  Check out her website: odysseytrainingstable.com for more details.    

Get out and have some fun!!

Most pets require some type of dental care.  Dogs, cats, hamsters, rabbits, gerbils, ferrets and even horses require routine dental examinations and preventative care to ensure a long and healthy life.

Dogs and cats benefit from frequent brushing just as humans do.  If tarter is allowed to accumulate, it causes gum infection.  When the gums get infected, this allows bacteria to enter the blood stream and is carried throughout the body and eventually to the heart.  Here it may proliferate on the valves to cause heart murmurs, clots and heart failure.  In the kidneys, lungs and spleen, it grows silently until massive infections overtake the animal.    If you have trouble keeping the tartar at bay, try encouraging your pet to chew rawhide, and eat crunchy food.  And if this fails, a trip to the veterinarian for a complete tooth cleaning (under sedation), will be in order.  Use products designed for the pet and you may have to try a few before you find one your pets like.  Cats tend to be more difficult to work with, but if you start your kitten early they generally become accustom to it as just another step in the grooming process.    

Rodents and rabbits need to be examined periodically to make sure their teeth are not over grown.  Over grown teeth may eventually cause pain and the only symptom they display may be loss of weight.  Over grown teeth are easily clipped back using a dog nail clipper.  If you see any evidence of infection, (bleeding, redness or swelling), take your pet to a veterinarian—as it will need treatment for the infection as well at the tooth problem.

Equines grind their food on the back molars with a side to side motion.  This tends to cause sharp areas at the cheek and tongue surfaces.  These “points” are filed down in a process termed “floating”.  Loose teeth, partially erupted teeth, “Wolf” teeth (small teeth that interfere with the bit) and points all cause a multitude of problems from weight loss to riding issues.  Equines of all ages need to be routinely examined for tooth problems as a part of their yearly physicals.

Its time again for the Pet Expo!  Everything pet and everything you could ever want FOR your pets, all under one roof.  They even have pets, if you need one of those—plenty of adoptable animals from rescue groups around

It is happening next weekend starting on Friday Nov. 16 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 18.   And the best part is that it is all indoors.  If you are like me with the weather getting cold and the daylight getting dimmer and dimmer, a little indoor activity is welcome about now.  The Rock Financial Showplace is an excellent venue for this type of show and even the large animals (llamas and horses) can feel right at home.

Demonstrations, displays, and seminars put on by professionals are on tap for the weekend.  So ditch the winter coat and come play inside for a weekend of fun and education.