Giving a Pet as a Gift this Christmas?

Were you thinking of giving a puppy or Kitten as a Christmas Present?
Perhaps you were going to buy that cute puppy for your partner, family member, or kids.
Maybe you even considered adopting one from a shelter or humane society.
Before you purchase or adopt a pet this holiday season, think again.
Many animals that are given as Christmas Presents, end up in shelters all over the country because the person who received them was either not ready for a pet, did not take the time to train them, or they were unaware of the costs involved in raising a puppy or kitten. Vaccinations, deworming, food, health care, training, and toys - all cost - and they can add up pretty fast. Be sure these costs are taken into consideration before you get a new pet.
If you have any questions about getting a pet, discuss it with your veterinary health care team before you make that commitment. Pets are a lifetime commitment and should never be given as a present.

Click image to enlarge. 

Holiday Giving

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Once again, Royal City Animal Hospital is holding our annual "Operation Santa Paws" charity supply drive for the Guelph Humane Society. 

We will be collecting any donations you can provide to help support the life saving work of our friends at the shelter.  

They have a wish list of items they are always in need of, some items they need but they have trouble getting the finances for, and items to help keep their administration costs down. 

This list can be found by clicking this link to the Guelph Humane Society, or you can pick up a copy in our office at Royal City Animal Hospital 245 Edinburgh Rd S in Guelph. 

Please give generously, they really need your help so they can continue to help the animals in need.

Recently, The Guelph Humane Society asked for specific donations of a good Washer and Dryer. Lets hope Santa can provide. 

One Cat tells the tale of his own Dentistry

Hi, allow me to introduce myself....my name is Nosey. 

Like you, my owner takes me to the Royal City Animal Hospital in Guelph for my annual check-ups.  Despite all my squawking, I really don't mind going.  I just make it sound like I don't want to be there. What other way do we have to communicate with our owners?  Oh, I have a few tricks and my favourite one is drooling.  Now, truth be told, that one got me an extra visit to see Dr.Drewry.  Drooling is taken very seriously as it could signal a variety of problems that need to be properly assessed.  OK, I wasn't feeling the greatest but for me, I was lucky.  My owner took me to the hospital right away.  I'm just glad that she was so observant for she admits that my earlier sneezing would not have elicited the same quick response.  Tests were conducted and they all came back clear, so I'm healthy, except when they inspected my teeth.  We cats have a unique situation that occurs with our teeth, which needs to be monitored regularly.  I can't explain it to you but the staff at Royal City will be most happy to provide the information.  Just ask them.  They spoke at length with my owner, explaining the procedure and potential costs, for nothing is certain until they can view our whole mouth.  Like our owners, we should have a regular dental check-up.  

So what happened to me?  I was booked in for an extensive dental appointment, where they put me to sleep.  That was great for I didn't hear or feel anything.  Once the plaque was removed, the team were able to discover the "root" (excuse the pun but it's my attempt at humour) of my problems and dealt with it quickly and efficiently.  I was lucky; it wasn't as bad as it could have been.  While I was sleeping, they also gave me my annual shots, which was very thoughtful of them.  When my owner collected me, later that day, she was advised that I might be a bit groggy and not ready to eat just yet.  Boy, were they wrong!  I got home and immediately devoured my dinner, and then raced around the apartment for good measure.  I haven't looked back!  So my fellow cats, don't be a scaredy-cat (like my owner) and go get that annual dental check-up done now.  

Life is just purrrrfect for me.  

If you would like to know more about your pet's oral health, Call my friends at Royal City Animal Hospital in Guelph and they would be happy to help you just like they did me (and my mom).
                                                                                           Nosey B. 

10 Behaviour Myths in Dogs: # 9

Myth # 9:  He has a behaviour problem.  Send him to a trainer!

The behaviour of all animals is a result of complex interaction among genetics, early development, and environment. For this reason, behaviour problems can vary greatly in their underlying causes and must be treated appropriately.  If your pet is fearful, aggressive, destructive or is eliminating inappropriately, we recommend you see your veterinarian first. Some of these issues may have underlying medical causes which need to be eliminated first.  We often work in conjunction with trainers or will be able to recommend a trainer for you.  Many people are not aware that there are veterinarians who have specialized in animal behaviour.  These individuals are board-certified and have received the same rigorous advanced training that any specialist would receive. Dr. Gary Landsberg is one such person.  You may be interested in his website at Animal Behaviour Resources Institute

FACT: It is important to be aware of the variety of professionals available to help with your pet’s behaviour problem.  If we are unable to help your pet, we will send you to someone who can!

Call Royal City Animal Hospital today, to make an appointment to discuss your pet's behaviour.

10 Behaviour Myths in Dogs: # 8

Myth # 8: Dogs chase their tails or spin in circles because they are bored.

Repetitive behaviours such as pacing, spinning, tail chasing, and foot licking have many causes.  To infer they are caused by boredom oversimplifies a complicated problem.  These behaviours may be caused by frustration or conflict.  They may be secondary to certain medical problems that cause itching, pain, or discomfort in a body part.  Sometimes they are caused by seizures or other forms of brain dysfunction.

FACT: Repetitive behaviours are complex problems that require evaluation, diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Please let us know if you are concerned about any of these behaviours in our own pet.

Cold Weather Life Saving Tip

Royal City Animal Hospital would like to remind everyone, that as the cold weather approaches, please bang on the hood of your car before you start the engine. 

You could be saving a life. 

In the cold weather many outdoor cats seek warmth and refuge from the elements by jumping up into the engine of cars. This can lead to injury or death if they are there when the car starts. In addition, some cats will be under the car, and can easily be run over when you move the car. 

Halloween Costume Contest

Royal City Animal Hospital will be holding a
Halloween Pet Costume Photo contest. 

How to enter: 

Join our Facebook page and submit a photo of your pet dressed in a Halloween Costume,
 and you will automatically be entered in the contest. 

The photo that gets the most "Likes" will be the winner.
It is as simple as that. 

The prize is a gift bag of pet related items - books, poop bags, treats, etc. 

Submit your entry today. 

World Rabies Day September 28th

September 28th is World Rabies Day. This is a day set aside to promote awareness, education, and work to promote the eradication Rabies world wide.
At Royal City Animal Hospital, we are committed to informing our clients and the public about the threat of Rabies, and what to do to prevent the spread of this deadly disease.




Get the Facts about Rabies by checking out these links:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs099/en/
http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/
http://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/articles/diseases/rabies/

10 Life-threatening Behaviour Myths in Dogs: #7

Myth # 7:  If you use treats to train a dog, you will always need them to get the dog to obey your commands.

The principles that govern the laws of learning have shown this to be completely untrue.  Treats are an excellent means of reinforcing a behavior. Clear and consistent reinforcement is necessary when you initially begin teaching any animal a new behavior.  For some animals, a vocal reward, toys, or petting may serve as good reinforcers, but food is for many animals the most salient reinforcement there is.

courtesy of Shutterstock

The rules of learning show that when first teaching a new behavior, reinforcing every single time the behavior is performed on cue will lead to the fastest rate of learning.  This is known as continuous reinforcement.  Once a behavior is learned, intermittent reinforcement is the best means of maintaining the behavior and making it most resistant to extinction.  This means you only need to use treats periodically once the behavior is learned,

People who believe that an animal is not responding because it knows there is no treat available have usually failed to use reinforcement appropriately or don’t realize that the pet has actually not learned the behavior.  It is common for pet owners to think that an animal has learned a command long before it actually has!

FACT:  When used correctly, positive reinforcement training with food rewards is far more likely to be effective and has less chance of doing harm than most other forms of training.

stay tuned....another myth coming soon

Did you Know?

Did You Know.....

On average, cats spend 2/3 of every day sleeping. 

That means a 9 year old cat has been awake for only 3 years of its life.1

Midnight - taking one of his many cat-naps

10 Life-threatening Behaviour Myths in Dogs: #6

Myth # 6: He must be angry with me.  He knows what he did wrong.

Many dogs show submissive behaviours when their owners arrive home.  These behaviours of tucking the tail, lowering the ears, avoiding eye contact, and slinking away do not mean “I am sorry” in dog language.  They mean “Stop acting angry at me.”  They mean that the dog has learned to associate the return of people to the home with the presence of feces, garbage, or other destroyed items on the floor. The dog is not angry – he is afraid because n the past when people arrived home and these things were on the floor he was yelled at or hit.  Even if the dog was not yelled at or hit, the angry body language of the human is clear to the dog and the dog still learns to feel fear when people arrive.  Punishment in these circumstances does not teach the dog anything (except to fear the arrival of people).  The dog is completely incapable of associating any punishment with the behavior he performed minutes or hours before.

FACT:  Dogs do not eliminate on the floor or destroy items out of spite.  The most likely cause of the behavior is anxiety or lack of appropriate exercise and stimulation (or incomplete house-training).  Rather than being angry at your dog, seek help from a professional.  Your dog is suffering.

                                                           STAY TUNED FOR ANOTHER MYTH....COMING SOON

Midnight has found a home

After months of searching, and waiting.....

our little man "Midnight" has finally found a family to call his own. 

We couldn't be happier for everyone. 

We know that he will be very happy with them, and they will enjoy his company as well. 

We are confident that Tucker and Midnight will become fast friends. 

Charity Dog Wash - Update

Our 3rd Annual Charity Dog wash was held this past weekend (Sunday Sept. 9th).
The Charity we chose to support this year was the Autism Dog Services.
In addition to bathing, and nail trims, we also held raffles for prizes, a photo booth, nail polishing station, as well as guess the staff pet match up games.
With the support of the community and our many sponsors, we were able to raise over $700 for the Autism Dog Services organization.  Thank you to everyone who came out.

10 Life-threatening Behaviour Myths in Dogs: #5

 Myth # 5: "Dogs that are aggressive are acting dominant."

While some dogs truly exhibit dominance aggression, they are much rarer than the popular media would have you believe.  The problem with outdated dominance theories is that they result in the recommendation of confrontational styles of training based on the erroneous belief that owners have to physically dominate their dogs.  Not only is this dangerous, but it is usually ineffective and has resulted in damage to the human - animal bond far more often than it has led to success.

FACT: Most dogs with aggression problems are anxious or afraid and are more likely to respond to reward-based training under the supervision of a qualified animal or veterinary behaviorist.

            Stay tuned for another myth....coming soon   

Charity Dog Wash Sept 9th ways to help

Charity Dog Wash

Sunday Sept 9th

If you are unable to attend the dog wash on September 9^th, but would like to donate to Autism Dog Services here are some options for you: 

You can give cash or a cheque (made out to Royal City Animal Hospital) to any staff member or mailed in; or, call Martha or Lisa at 519-763-4992 with your Visa or MasterCard payment.  

At the conclusion of the dog wash all donations will be forwarded to Autism Dog Services.

There will be a representative from Autism Dog Services (with a service dog!) at the dog wash who will be available to answer any questions you have about the organization.

Any donation will be gratefully accepted. 

These service dogs literally change the lives of autistic children and their families.  Please consider supporting them!!

Barbara Drewry

Guess Who is Celebrating a Birthday?

Someone very special to the staff and clients at Royal City Animal Hospital is having a Birthday. 

Teya will be 4 years old on August 30th. 

We wish her a very happy birthday. 

10 Life-threatening Behaviour Myths in Dogs: #4

Myth # 4: I want that new medication I heard about to treat my pet’s {insert behaviour problem here}

Medications alone rarely solve a behaviour problem.  Behaviour modification and environmental modification are usually necessary to achieve long-term, lasting improvement.  Some medications have been shown to increase the speed with which the behavior modification takes effect and can be considered another useful tool in treating behavior problems, but they are not the sole remedy.

FACT:  Medication can play an important role in the treatment of a behaviour problem but only if used appropriately as a part of a complete treatment plan.   

                                                                                                                                                Stay tuned for another myth....coming soon

"What food do you feed your own dog?"

What do you feed YOUR dog?

Teya

I am often asked this question by clients.  As a veterinary hospital we have access to all of the many the therapeutic diets that are available.  Several years ago, the staff and I decided that we wanted to try and simplify choices for ourselves and our clients and we made a conscious decision to carry the Medi-Cal brand (soon to be Royal Canin Veterinary Diets).  

We made this decision for several reasons:  

1. The company is Canadian

2. The product is guaranteed i.e. if your pet doesn’t like the diet, you get your money back

3. We receive phenomenal support from the company in terms of continuing education seminars, and consultations with specialists such as nutritionists and specialists in internal medicine

4. Only the highest quality ingredients are used.  If a shipment is rejected at the plant it is returned and purchased by another company with lower standards

Most of you know I own “Teya”, a 3 year old Golden Retriever.   I fed her Development Puppy formula as soon as I got her at 7 weeks.  Unfortunately, she had a “sensitive stomach” and had diarrhea several times a week.  After doing multiple checks for internal parasites and doing blood work to make sure there were no underlying problems, she was switched to the Puppy Gastro formula.  She did very well on this diet: normal stools with only 2 bowel movements per day and a lovely coat.  At about 20 weeks she transitioned to Adolescent formula (now Puppy Large Breed) and stayed on that diet until she was 14 months.

Dental disease is a huge problem that we frequently encounter in veterinary medicine.  Pets are living longer lives and sometimes their teeth are not well cared for.  I do not have time to brush Teya’s teeth, so I wanted her on a diet that would do that for me!  Dental Diet works in 2 ways: (1) it has a mechanical scrubbing action; (2) each piece of kibble is coated in an enzyme that helps to reduce plaque as it mixes with saliva.  I have been extremely pleased with this diet: Teya is now 4 years old and her teeth are perfect!  I also know that the diet is highly digestible and is supplemented with Vitamin A, biotin and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to promote healthy skin and a luxurious coat, both of which are important to me.

Barbara Drewry 

10 Life-threatening Behaviour Myths in Dogs: #3

click image to enlarge

Myth # 3: My dog is aggressive/fearful/shy because he/she was abused as a puppy.

While this may be a possibility in the case of some re-homed dogs whose exact histories are unknown, the most common cause of fearful behaviour in dogs is inadequate or inappropriate early socialization. Fearful behavior is also heritable, so some dogs are born with a predisposition to shyness or fearfulness.  Proper socialization is even more critical in these animals.

FACT:  No matter the cause, dogs that exhibit fearful or anxious behaviour may be suffering and should be evaluated by us.  These pets can be helped in many different ways. Ask your veterinarian for advice and a good Dog Trainer in your area that may be able to help. 

click image to enlarge

images from Dr SophiaYin can be found at her website

Stay tuned for another myth....coming soon

Charity Dog Wash Sun. September 9th

This is our third annual charity dog wash. This year we are supporting the organization that supplies and trains service dogs for children with autism. It costs roughly $30,000 to train each service dog and they receive no public funding. Barbara Drewry

10 Life-threatening Behaviour Myths in Dogs: #2

Puppies Socializing

Myth # 2:  "Puppies shouldn’t go to puppy classes until they have had all of their vaccinations or they will get sick"

The critical period for socialization in dogs lasts from the fourth to the fourteenth week of life.  During this time, puppies learn about their environment, other dogs, and people. Poorly socialized dogs are more likely to exhibit behaviours that make them unsuitable as a pet and result in relinquishment to an animal shelter or euthanasia. Therefore, the likelihood of death due to poor socialization is greater than the likelihood of illness or death due to contagious diseases.  Of course, this is only true if the puppy class is managed properly.  All puppy classes should:

·        Only mix puppies of similar age

·        Require that all puppies have their first vaccination several days before the beginning of classes

·        Be held on an indoor surface that can be sanitized

·        Clean all puppy waste immediately and disinfect the soiled area

·        Not allow any puppies into the class that show signs of illness

FACT: Proper early socialization can save a dog’s life and is the best way to ensure that you end up with a pet that is well adjusted and a joy to live with for many years.

http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/puppy-socialization-stop-fear-before-it-starts

click to open

STAY TUNED FOR ANOTHER MYTH....COMING SOON

Finnegan...begin again

Bob and Finnegan

Norfolk Terrier

Katherine and I visited our friends, Bob and Erica on the weekend.  They have a new Norfolk terrier puppy called Finnegan who is a going concern!  Bob has considerable experience as a dog owner:  h3we has trained dogs for hunting and has bred dogs.  (If you check our blog post for January 6, 2012 you’ll see a posting about his lovely dog “Nike”.)  Bob brought Finnegan in to see us last week; I examined Finn and administered his vaccines and Greg met with Bob and Finn to discuss puppy issues, such as house training, diet and behaviour.

During our visit on the weekend, Bob told us that he had visited 3 of the puppy trainers Greg had recommended so that he could observe a class before he signed up with Finn.  Of the three classes he observed, there was one in particular that he felt would be suitable for Finn.

I was so impressed that someone with Bob’s experience with dogs would enroll his puppy in classes, let alone take the time to investigate 3 different trainers.  All of the trainers are ones that we recommend but not every trainer will necessarily be a good fit with you and your puppy.  I meet so many clients who say to me:  “I’m not taking my dog to classes; I’ve had dogs before.”  As Bob knows, every pup is different and each one requires an individual approach.

We also know that pups who are taking to training classes have a 90% chance of becoming good canine citizens and only a small chance of being surrendered or euthanized because of undesirable behaviour.  We will be running a series of short articles on “Early Puppy Socialization Classes” in the next little while which will outline some of the benefits.  Puppy classes are also be a great introduction to various dog sports such as obedience, agility, tracking, and retrieving.

Have fun Bob and Finn; you’ll make a great team!!

Barbara Drewry

10 Life-threatening Behaviour Myths in Dogs

Starting today we will be running a series of short articles addressing some of the common myths about dog behaviour.  Please check back frequently!

Myth # 1:  

"I’m embarrassed to talk to my veterinarian about my dog’s behaviour.  I’m afraid that I am the cause of the problem!"

Many factors play a role in the development of behaviour problems, including genetics, early experiences and environment.  While you can worsen a pet’s behavior with inappropriate training methods, it is highly unlikely that you caused your pet’s behaviour problem.  Some medical conditions and medications can also contribute to behaviour changes, so please consult us when you pet exhibits worrisome behaviours,

FACT: Don’t hesitate to ask us about any problem that may affect your pet’s well being and his relationship with you and your family. Most behaviour problems are at least manageable – if not curable.  The sooner you seek advice, the higher the likelihood we can successfully treat the problem.

stay tuned for another myth...coming soon

Is your Dog a Picky Eater?

Do you have a dog that doesn’t eat his/her dog food? If so – you may need to look at what have you done to contribute to this problem.

Do you give your dog a lot of table scraps, treats, or rewards? He is likely to turn up his nose at his dinner of just regular food if that is the case.  Imagine asking your child would they prefer grilled chicken and broccoli or ice cream – the answer will undoubtedly be ice cream.

If your dog is a picky eater – there are ways to encourage healthier eating.

Before you bring your dog home, have a feeding plan in place. Everyone in the family should be following the same rules all the time or else it won’t work. Decide what food to feed, how much they need per day, time of day for meals, and when treats or snacks will be used and for what purpose (i.e.: training).

Changing diets frequently for flavour, or to give your dog variety is not helpful. The best thing to do is provide your dog with the best quality of dog food you can, and maintain consistency. Too much change only teaches the dog to hold out for something better until you have exhausted most options and nothing is ever good enough. When you do transition your dog’s food – do so slowly over a period of 7-10 days – start with about 20% new food added to 80% of the old food for a couple of days and then gradually increase the new food and decrease the old food in small increments until you are feeding the new diet exclusively. This will help prevent any diet change related diarrhea or intolerance.

Do not feed from the table or offer table scraps. This will cause your dog to hold out for tastier (and less healthy) options other than his own dog food. This will also reinforce begging behaviours, and increase him to health concerns such as diarrhea and pancreatitis.

Do not let the dog associate your food with theirs. Avoid “top dressing” with pieces of your food to encourage them to eat. This will give the dog the belief that there is tastier food they could be getting and thus they will hold out for that instead. Dogs should never see food as coming from your plate.

The Queen's Corgi's

Queen Elizabeth with her Corgi's

The 2012 Olympic Games in London, England have begun, and while watching the opening ceremonies, one thing really stood out for me: Queen Elizabeth's dogs seem to be overweight.

That's right - of all things to notice from the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony - my mind focused on some overweight Corgi's.  I think this is a great time to discuss obesity and pets and what you can do about it for your own pet. Obesity is not a breed standard and her dogs could certainly stand to lose a little weight.
As with humans, obesity in dogs is the most common nutrition-related health condition in our society. Is your dog obese? Risk factors include increased age, spaying/neutering and inactivity. These breeds are most at risk:

• Labrador Retrievers
• Cairn Terriers
• Cocker Spaniels
• Dachshunds
• Shelties
• Basset Hounds
• Beagles
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
• Collies

Happy Anniversary

Royal City Animal Hospital is happy to announce that this blog has been in production for 1 year.

Our goal is to provide our Guelph area clients (and our readers from all over the world) with information that helps them become the owners their pets need them to be. We enjoy sharing  stories that will educate, inform, and entertain our readers to help them be the best pet owners they can be.

We strongly believe an informed pet owner is a good pet owner, and that knowledge is power.

To quote Oprah Winfrey:

  "When you know better, you do better"

http://royalcityanimalhospital.com/

Let us know what you think. Share your comments, opinions, and feedback. Tell us what you want to know more about and help us serve you better. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr.

Molly's Road to Recovery

Meet Molly.  She is a 6 year old Bouvier cross who recently tore the cruciate ligament in her knee.  This is a relatively common injury in big dogs and in fact it is the second time Molly has done it (fortunately she only has two knees to rupture!).  It is now believed that there is a genetic factor involved as 40-60% of dogs that rupture one ligament will rupture the second one within 2 years.

The first time around Molly had a traditional surgical repair in which an artificial ligament was placed in the knee.  Since then, surgeons have developed and perfected a new technique called a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO).  This surgery involves cutting and repositioning the top portion of the tibia bone thereby changing the angle of the knee joint and eliminating the need for the cruciate ligament.  A metal plate is used to reconnect the bone.  This newer surgery has proven to have excellent recovery times and fewer post-op complications than the traditional repair.

     

Molly's pre-op xray is used to calculate the current angle of her knee joint

An xray after surgery shows the metal plate and the new configuration of her knee.


Now that the surgery is finished, the real work begins! Molly will require a diligent physical therapy program to ensure she regains full use of the knee and prevent muscle loss during recovery.  Keep watching the blog as we follow Molly through her rehab program here at Royal City.


To learn more about the TPLO procedure click here
http://vetsurgerycentral.com/tplo.htm

Parasite Profile: Roundworm

What is Roundworm?

Roundworms are parasites that live freely in the intestine, feeding off of partially digested intestinal contents. Their name is derived from their tubular or "round" shape. 

How did my pet get Roundworm?

Infected dogs shed the microscopic roundworm eggs in their feces. Other dogs may become infected by sniffing or licking infected feces. Roundworm eggs can also be spread by other animals such as raccoons, rodents, earthworms, roaches, and birds.

Roundworm Lifecylce

What are the symptoms of Roundworm?

Roundworms live in the intestines of infected animals, depriving them of nutrients. A heavy infestation of roundworms can block the intestinal tract. Signs of roundworm infection in dogs include: weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, malnutrition, and weakness. Infected puppies may have swollen abdomens, the "pot-bellied pup" look that only sounds cute, but is anything but.

How is Roundworm diagnosed?

In puppies, clinical signs such as stunted growth, potbelly, and recurrent diarrhea are a good indication of roundworm infection. Definitive diagnosis is made by microscopic examination of the dog's feces. Roundworms may also be visible in the pet's feces and resemble cooked spaghetti.

http://roundwormpictures.com/Picture-Roundworm.php

How is ROUNDWORM treated?

Your veterinarian has several treatment options for Roundworm that are very effective and safe for treating roundworm.  A frequent de-worming protocol will be recommended by your veterinarian for treating puppies and kittens to ensure treatment is effective. 

Can my dog or cat give ROUNDWORM to me or my family?

YES.

If your dog or cat is diagnosed with Roundworm, good personal handhygiene, and environmental disinfection are very important to prevent the spread to humans. Immediately pick up and dispose of all fecal matter that your pet produces to help limit potential reinfection, or the spread to other pets. Any surfaces that can be safely treated with bleach, should be disinfected with a diluted bleach solution (approximately 1/4 cup bleach to 1 litre water), Lysol and other common household disinfectants may also be effective. 

If you have any questions about Roundworm or other intestinal parasites, please contact us at Royal City Animal Hospital at 519-763-4992 for more information. 

GUELPH HUMANE SOCIETY NEEDS YOUR HELP

Guelph Humane Society

Recently, our friends at  the Guelph Humane Society have been over run with an influx of cats being surrendered. In a 36-hour period this week the humane society had 67 cats come in for adoption, pushing the total number of cats at the Wellington Street facility to 120. 
http://www.guelphmercury.com/news/local/article/760136--guelph-humane-society-is-swamped-with-cats

They are having trouble making room for this many cats, and need help to locate homes for them. 
They have recently lowered their adoption fees for cats from $229 to $115. This is an exceptional savings, and quite a deal as all cat adoptions include: spaying/neutering of the cat, micro chip, first shots, flea treatment, deworming and six weeks of pet insurance.


Here at Royal City Animal Hospital, we will be sending some supplies to the Guelph Humane Society to help them deal with the situation as best they can. We will be sending them a large supply of kitty litter, and some kitten food as there are a number of mothers nursing young kittens. 


If you can help in any way, please contact the Guelph Humane Society at 519-824-3091, or visit their website as  they have a 'wishlist' of items they always need, please check it out. http://guelph-humane.on.ca/how_you_can_help.htm
Thank you for helping this wonderful organization continue to do some amazing work. 

Arthritis in Cats

Does your cat have arthritis?

Did you know that it is estimated that 92 % of cats over the age of 12 have osteoarthritis, and that 100% of cats over the age of 15  have osteoarthritis?

Cats are very good at hiding their pain, so how can you tell if your cat has arthritis? 

The following list are some signs that your cat may have arthritis:

• Inappropriate urination - litter box concerns
• Limping/lameness    
• Lack of interest in jumping up 
• Avoiding Stairs     
• Retracting from touch     
• Grouchiness   
• Change in normal Behaviour
• Weight loss  
• Constipation    
• Vocalization  
• Excessive Grooming
• Lack of Grooming   

If you think your cat may be suffering from arthritis, please contact your Veterinarian for more information and a better assessment. There are many treatment options available for your cat to help them deal with the arthritis, and relieve their pain. There are diets specifically formulated to help reduce the clinical signs of arthritis, and decrease inflammation. There are Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatories drugs(NSAIDS) that your veterinarian might prescribe to help relieve pain and inflammation. There are supplements that can be given (containing Green Lipped Mussel Powder) which also helps reduce the signs of arthritis. As well as other modalities which alone or in conjunction with other treatment options can help your cat feel great and act younger. Before starting any of these treatment options, be sure to consult your veterinarian to work out a treatment plan is the best for your cat's needs.