Reasons To Act More Like Your Pet

Pets aren’t always easy to take care of, and they often require a substantial time commitment (something you’re all too aware of at, say, 3 a.m., when Bing Clawsby is finally ready to go outside and do his business). But pets provide an amazing return on that time investment, especially when it comes to your health. Case in point: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pet owners tend to have lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels than non-pet owners. But that’s not all. Pets also model many surprisingly healthy behaviors that humans would do well to emulate. Here are just a few, according to veterinarians, dog trainers, and other pet experts. 

1. They focus on what matters most. You may get grumpy after a bad day at the office, but your pooch never does. “Companion animals mostly care about food, love, and shelter (not always in that order). As long as they have those things, they don’t need much else,” Mary Gardner, DVM, a veterinarian and cofounder of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice tells Yahoo Health. “Pets also don’t complain much at all. People believe they hide their pain; I simply think they manage it differently.” If humans could model these behaviors, Gardner adds, we’d be healthier, happier, “and more people would want to be around us.” 

2. They practice portion control (even if not by choice). Snowball might not want to limit her kibble intake any more than you want to limit your tortilla-chip intake. Nonetheless, she typically eats reasonably sized helpings of nutritionally balanced food — and never gets to eat straight out of the bag. Follow her lead. “Both animals and people need structure and regulation when it comes to portion size,” says Jme Thomas, executive director of Motley Zoo Animal Rescue based in Redmond, Washington. 

3. They know how to de-stress. Your pooch doesn’t pour a glass of cabernet when the going gets rough (though, yes, it would make a very popular YouTube video if she did). She may, however, start begging for a walk or to play a game. Smart dog! “Actively seeking healthy activities — that function as de-stressors when stress levels are high — helps to reset people as well as dogs, and bring us back to a productive and functional status, from which many things feel a lot more ‘do-able,’” Marisa Scully, a certified dog behavior specialist in Philadelphia, tells Yahoo Health. 

4. They hit the hay. People don’t get enough sleep: According to a 2014 survey by the National Sleep Foundation, 45 percent of Americans said that a lack of sleep had impaired their activities at least once in the previous week. Learn from your cat or dog, who knows just how important it is to get enough shut-eye, says Jeff Werber, VVM, president and chief veterinarian of Century Veterinary Group in Los Angeles. “Whether it’s a lazy dog day afternoon, or a quick cat nap, you won’t find them burning the candles at both ends.” 

5. They stretch! There’s a reason one of the most common yoga moves is named downward dog. Dogs (and cats) stretch constantly — and we should do the same, notes certified dog behavior consultant Russell Hartstein. Why? Stretching can improve flexibility and reduce your risk of injury. 

6. They’re open to new things. Animals are naturally curious. “Open a box or empty a bag and before you know it, your cat will have climbed in to investigate. Walk your dog past a gardener planting flowers and chances are she will check it out before moving on,” Werber says. “And they’re always up for some fun. A game of catch, a walk, a visit — bring it on.” Since research has found that seeking out new experiences can keep people feeling young and healthy, we’d do well to follow suit.

7. They’re comfortable getting zen. Numerous studies have found a correlation between mindful meditation and reduced stress, decreased heart disease, and a stronger immune response — and that’s something your cat already knows how to do instinctively. “Each morning I sit on the sofa with my cat, Turtle, while I drink my first cup of coffee,” says Kristen Levine, a pet living expert. “We spend about 10 minutes together, her getting neck and head rubs, me enjoying her purring and having a few meditative moments at the start of the day.It sounds simple, and it can be, but depending on the activity, it can have a powerfully relaxing or invigorating effect for both human and critter.” 

Source: https://www.yahoo.com/health/7-health-lessons-our-pets-teach-us-112252958927.html

The Cat Run

What is this you say? Running cats ? Cats running from what? Is this an event?

No...nothing to do with cats running at all. It is about Kitty Lifestyles.

Many cats live their entire life indoors. That is the safest lifestyle for most cats...no cars, no attack dogs, no predators, no cat fight wounds. Very safe and often quite dull. Owners can liven up the lives of indoor cats by providing a stimulating environment. Cat beds on window ledges to view the great out doors, hiding small bits of food about the house to simulate hunting activity, walk ways around the house about 18" down from the ceiling with kitty doors allowing them to move from room to room. All these things are great but kitties do like to play the role of the great out door hunter, explore the wilds and lounge in sunbeams.

At WBVC most of our kitty patients live in a very urban area. Vancouver sports a huge population of urban wild life many of which consider cats the piece de resistance when it comes to gourmet dining. When they redesigned a local golf course they found in excess of 200 cat collars in one of the coyote dens!! In addition to coyotes there are many racoons and skunks...both of which can be a challenge for  out door cats.

Dr. Rurak and Ben have several cats in their home. Somehow cats manage to find them and then what is one to do? Invite them in of course. To increase the kitty square footage Ben built a network of cat walks throughout the house. As mentioned these are ledges that go along the walls close to the ceilings with cat door ways between rooms and resting places strategically spaced here and there. When you are in the home you don't realize they have several cats as the kitties have additional floor space! This was great but one of their kitties fondly called "Fish" has a tendency to run out the door whenever it is opened. He takes one on a grand tour before he comes back in again. He can't be left outside because the coyotes are lurking in the bushes waiting for a treat!

Dr Rurak had the solution. She and Ben would build an out door enclosure for the kitties. They would have access through a small window. The cat run, with various ledge levels to explore and lounge on, was a huge success!! The roof over hang provides shelter even on the rainiest days and there is plenty of space to sun bathe. Although rarely successful the kitties have the opportunity to hunt mice, frogs and birds that may be so foolish as to enter the enclosure.   An added advantage is that the cats much prefer the great out doors as a toilet so there is less mess in the indoor litter boxes!!

My kitties did not have a cat run:(  Their out door activities were restricted to highly supervised time on the patio and the occasional escape. The kitties loved the escapes but I did not! Seeing Ben 30 feet up a tree and Linus at 35 feet was not my idea of a good time.

The solution...Ben designed and built my cats the most wonderful cat run!! We put in a window that the kitties could go through but humans could not. The adjoining cat run sits partly obscured by a growth of bamboo. It is about 50/50 out in the open and under the eaves. It is a maze of cat walks, resting ledges and hidey holes. There is a brick area below the window to hopefully keep some of the dirt from coming into the house...I also placed a door mat under the window on the inside. There is a sand box toilet...which the kitties love.

Linus has been very brave...exploring all areas with gusto. Charles is a bit more cautious and hasn't made it to the top level. In time he will get there.

All that is left to do is the interior decoration. Cat beds on the resting places and a soft light for evening. I had the idea of a chandelier...to give an eclectic touch. However my sorte to the second time around store gave me a bit of sticker shock! I found just what I had envisioned...a small 1920s crystal chandelier..it was perfect. However there were some problems. First the proprietor was horrified that it would be going in a cat room (one strike against that shop). Second he said it would likely corrode if out doors and third...the final straw..it sported a $1200.00 price tag!!! Definitely beyond my budget so it is time to rethink the interior decor. Perhaps Ikea will have something that sparks my interest:)

For those of you that would love to have a cat run for your kitty but don't have a Ben to build it there are pre fab kitty runs available on line... from tiny cat ledges to cat walk mazes. ...just search "cat run" and several options pop up.

So to keep your kitties both safe and happy consider creating a cat run.

Here are photos of Charles and Linus's Super Run.

Tranquil kitty space

Blends in with the home 

Resting ledges..note the detail of drainage / ventilation holes

Bamboo seclusion. Wire is buried deep into the foundation.

Many levels

Open to the sky

Afternoon shade

Linus peeking at Charles

Linus and Charles

So much to explore!

Linus

Charles

                                                              THANK YOU BEN

The Veterinary Journey of a Much Loved Dog.

                      ....an 18 month adventure

Allow me to introduce Mattie.... a 10 year old, neutered male, Maltese Yorkshire Terrier mix... a whopping 10 pounds of wonder.

Mattie initially came to us with a sore foot. In veterinary lingo..pododermatitis...in normal terms an infected, inflamed sore area between the toes, also affecting the nail bed. His owner reported he had suffered from this on many occasions in the past.

During his general examination it was noted that he had:

• a pot bellied appearance with a distended abdomen
• a large liver with edges extending beyond his ribs
• a thin hair coat especially along his sides
• mild-moderate dental calculus
• restricted range of motion in his hind limbs, abnormal patellar (knee cap) movement on both hind legs and joint changes in the left knee

His general appearance, and recurrent skin issues, gave us concern that he may have a condition called "Canine Cushings" that results in excess circulating cortisol (steroid) and associated complications.

Mattie was about to begin his journey! 

Blood and urine tests were run. He was given antibiotics for his sore foot and his owner was instructed to clean his foot daily with an antiseptic soap. The tests revealed elevated liver enzymes, a low urine concentration, excess protein in his urine and a high urine protein/creatinine ratio without specific kidney disease. These test results were very suspicious for Cushings.

Initial testing was done to rule in/out Cushings. There are two common tests for this:

• a Low Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Test
• an ACTH Stimulation test

The former test was run....and, to our amazement, it was normal!

Given the excess protein in his urine, his blood pressure level was checked. It was high. Mattie was put on medication to help manage both his elevated blood pressure and the protein in his urine.

For a few months Mattie went along without further incident. On his medication his blood pressure returned to normal.

Then Mattie came in lame behind.... he was hurting. We knew he had chronic issues in his hind limbs and suspected these issues were now causing him to be painful. Observation of how he was moving, and an examination, confirmed his hind end was troubling him. Radiographs (X-rays) were taken and showed signs of osteoarthritis and inflammation in both of his knees.  These we not the only changes noted. His liver was indeed very large and he had a calcified stone just in front of his os penis. (Yes...male dogs do have a bone in their penis!) Despite this finding his owner assured us he was having no problem urinating.

Treatment options, both surgical and medical, were discussed with his owner. As the urethral stone was not causing any problems at the moment his owner opted for a "wait and see" approach. Given his age, the chronicity of his problems and his medical issues a more conservative medical management  route was chosen for his lameness, rather than the more aggressive surgical option for correction of his patellar and cruciate ligament abnormalities. Mattie was put on pain medication and a joint protectant. He resumed his normal activity level and continued to pass urine without difficulty. Mattie felt well on his medication.

Periodically Mattie had his urine checked to monitor the protein level. Despite an increase in his medication, his protein/creatinine ratio was increasing and his blood pressure was high again. We were concerned. Bloods were run and his liver enzymes were higher than before. Mattie had something going on and we had to determine what it was.

The possibility of Cushings remained a concern. This time we ran an ACTH Stimulation Test. It was positive! Once a dog is determined to have Cushings the physical origin of the problem must be determined as treatment options differ depending on the origin of the problem. To make a long story short, the problem can originate in either the pituitary gland in the head, or the adrenal gland in the abdomen. Medication is used to manage Pituitary Cushings and surgery is the treatment for Adrenal Cushings. In a normal dog the pituitary secretes a substance that activates the adrenal to produce cortisol. When adequate amounts of cortisol are circulating in the blood the pituitary does not ask the adrenal to make more; when levels are lower the pituitary gets active, and signals the adrenal to produce more. This is type of control is called a negative feed back loop. Thus either the pituitary (the general) or the adrenal (the manufacturer) can be out of control. In order to determine where the problem is one can do a blood test (High Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Test) and an abdominal ultrasound. If the blood test is positive the problem is the pituitary. If it is negative it is likely the adrenal that has gone wrong and an ultrasound can confirm this. Mattie's problem was his pituitary. Now there is a definitive diagnosis  and treatment can be started. Treatment for Cushings is tricky and requires medication to control the adrenal production of cortisol. Clinical signs, and blood test results, help determine the correct dose of the required medication. In Mattie's case it took quite a while to fine tune his oral medication to fit his specific needs. Cushings is controlled/managed, not cured, so life long medication is required. His owner, WBVC and Mattie are a team ... all are invested in keeping his problem well controlled.

Unfortunately, Mattie's journey had not ended!

His dental disease had rapidly worsened while his Cushings disease was not fully under control! Mattie required major dental work. Under general anaesthesia he had a dental prophy, to remove his plaque and calculus, and his mouth was charted. Gross abnormalities were noted and it was determined he required dental radiographs. At WBVC these are done with a special dental x ray unit using DR digital technology. The x rays showed extensive apical root abscessation and bone resorption. Mattie required several extractions.

 Even though he was under general anaesthesia, regional local anaesthetic blocks were used in order to avoid an excessive depth of general anaesthetic, and to aleviate post operative pain. Teeth with more than one root are cut into sections with a high speed dental drill before the roots can be removed. Once the root is removed the empty socket is cleaned, and packed with special material, to help healing. The tissue around the the tooth is surgically fashioned to make a flap that is used to close over the defect left after a root extraction. Mattie had seven teeth extracted! He did very well and went home with pain medication, and anitbiotics. A few days after his dental surgery his owner said he was running around like a puppy...he hadn't felt so well in years!

However, the issue of the urethral stone had been left unaddressed and, unsurprisingly, Mattie started to have difficulty passing his urine! He could still pass urine, but it is a pitiful stream. We are able to pass a small catheter and get a urine sample from the bladder. Calcium oxalate crystals were in his urine.. his urethral stone would likely be Calcium oxalate as well. The stone needed to be removed and his owner did not want him to undergo surgery. Fortunately, thanks to modern technology, there was a solution for Mattie's problem....laser lithotripsy! Under general anaesthesia a flexible ureteroscope was passed into the penile urethra. The stone was firmly adhered to the lining of the urethra. Once directly visualized the stone was fragmented in the urethra using laser lithotripsy! The pieces were removed using a basket attachment on the tiny endoscope. No more stone...no more urinary problem. Unfortunately Calcium oxalate stones tend to recur over time. Specially formulated diets do help reduce the incidence of recurrence.

Our Mattie continues to do well...we hope this medical journey is at an end!