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Some form of identification is necessary for your pet. Of the millions of dogs and cats euthanized each year, many are lost pets whose owners cannot be found. Animal shelters or rescue organizations cannot hold pets for an extended period of time. If an owner is not found, the animal gets adopted out (luckily) or eventually euthanized.

Pet identification is a must!

There are several forms of pet identification - collar tags, tattoos and, more recently, implanted microchips. All are excellent forms of identification; however, which is the best?

The best form of pet identification is a combination of collar-tag and either tattoo or microchip. Even though tattoos and microchips are permanent forms of identification, they are not readily noticeable by the average person. If a lost pet has a collar with a name tag (bearing the owner's name, address and phone number), he or she can easily be returned to the owner.

Collars and Tags

Sturdy Dog Collar

These are a necessity. Collars (with information tags) are a quick way of identifying the animal's owner. Along with the owner's information, the ID tag should have the name, address and phone number of the pet's veterinarian. Attached to the collar, the ID tag should also be accompanied by the dog's license/rabies tag.

Tattoos

Tattoos have been used to identify dogs and cats for many years. The tattoo consists of numbers and letters usually found on the groin or upper rear leg. The number is registered with the National Dog Registry, or if the dog is a pure bred, with the American Kennel Club.

The chief problem with a tattoo is that it does not provide immediate identification when the dog is found. Most people do not look for a tattoo, and if they do see one, they do not know what to do. Another problem with tattoos is that many become illegible as the animal gets ages.

Microchip

Microchips are rapidly becoming a very popular method for identifying pets. Once the microchip is inserted, the pet is identified for life. Microchips are safe, unalterable and permanent identification for pets.

The microchip is a tiny computer chip or transponder about the size of a grain of rice. The chip is inserted under the skin between the shoulder blades of a cat or dog, in much the same way that a vaccine is administered. The microchip is coded with a unique 10-digit code. Each microchip that is inserted contains a unique code, specific to the individual pet.

When a pet is found, a scanner is passed over its body. If a microchip is present, the scanner registers the unique 10-digit code. This 10-digit code is maintained in a database with information regarding the pet.

Vet scanning for a microchip.

Your pet needs to have identification 24 hours a day. For immediate identification, there is absolutely no substitute for a collar with appropriate tags. Along with the collar and tags, a permanent form of identification is highly recommended. It appears as though the microchip is gradually replacing the tattoo as the preferred method for permanent pet identification.

An animal that has trouble going up or down the stairs, can't jump up on the furniture, and / or seems to be in constant pain may have a back problem

Disk problems are the most common back problems in dogs. The disk functions as a shock absorber between the vertebrae, commonly known as the bones of the back.

When these disks are injured or degenerate, they put pressure on the nerves, creating a "pinched nerve." Aside from a pinched nerve, the injury can interfere with nerve impulses that are sent down the spinal cord. Without a complete functioning nervous system, advanced cases can cause a wobbly gait, leading to paralysis in the hind limbs.

Dogs with short legs and long bodies are most affected by disk problems. Commonly affected breeds include dachshunds and basset hounds.

Basset Hound

Dachshund

Early detection is very important in the treatment of back problems. As soon as a problem is noticed, strict rest is recommended. Unlike humans, dogs don't lie on their backs and certainly don't do very well in traction. Strict rest, and particularly no jumping, is best for the animal.

In more pronounced cases, your veterinarian may recommend surgery in order to remove the affected disk. Back surgery is generally pretty expensive and there are risks that go with it. Back surgery is generally performed by a surgeon / specialist at a referral veterinary hospital.

The earlier the surgical procedure is done, the higher its success rate. Back injuries in dogs are like spinal cord injuries in people. Once paralysis sets in, the success rate declines rapidly, and some veterinarians elect not to take their patients to surgery.

Early detection and a veterinary examination are essential for quick recovery from a back injury. Depending upon the severity of the injury, most dogs recover quite well with medication, rest and lots of TLC. Dogs that have more complicated injuries may be candidates for more complicated back surgery.

1. What is the scientific word for a cat's whiskers?

A. Jactitatae
B. Oscillatae
C. Vibrissae
D. Quaverae

2. How many total whiskers does the average cat have coming from the 'whisker pad' (the puffy area between the top corners of your cat's mouth and the outer edges of his nose)?

A. 20
B. 24
C. 12
D. 16

3. How many times thicker than ordinary cat hairs are cat whiskers?

A. 2-3 times
B. 1-2 times
C. 3-4 times
D. 4-5 times

4. Whiskers are rooted very deep in the cat's face, in an area rich in nerves and blood vessels. Compared to cat hairs, how many times deeper in a cat's tissue are whiskers set?

A. 3 times
B. 4 times
C. 2 times
D. 5 times

5.Cat whiskers can give an indication of your cat's mood. When the whiskers are relaxed or pushed forward, which of the following is NOT how your cat feels?

A. happy
B. defensive
C. curious
D. content

6. It is okay to trim or cut your cat's whiskers.

A. True
B. False

7. Whiskers help the cat feel his way around. This is because whiskers are so sensitive that they can detect the slightest change in ...?

A. Air currents
B. Air speed
C. Air temperature
D. Air humidity

8.When can whiskers be a 'bother' to a cat?

A. When he is playing with string
B. When he sleeps on his side
C. When he tries to eat out of a bowl
D. When he is hunting

9.Cat whiskers fall out and are replaced.

A. True
B. False

When explaining pet death to children, it is important to be straightforward and honest. For many children, a pet's death is the first time they experience grief over death. Handling a pet's death in a positive way empowers children to handle grief in the future.

Children Cope Better When A Pet's Death Is Explained Honestly

The terminology that is used when explaining pet death to children is crucial. Euphemisms and clichés do not work. When explaining pet loss, use the words "death," "dead," and "dying" instead of "putting to sleep," "with the angels," or "visiting Uncle Harry" (an uncle who died a few months ago). These are all concrete words that children can wrap their brains around. Be clear, because children's minds may extrapolate harmful connotations from sugar-coated explanations.

A common euphemism for euthanasia is "put to sleep." There is no reason why children wouldn't think of this as a reversible process - "If the pet is asleep, let's just wake him up." Lying to your children by telling them that the pet ran away or that you gave it to a friend is a bad idea. Your children may exhaust every possibility looking for a lost pet, and the empty feeling of a pet that suddenly disappeared is worse than the truth about euthanasia. All of this only gives children a different kind of grief. If you say that you gave their pet to a friend, they wonder why their best friend would abandon them or why their parents would want to separate them from a creature that meant so much to them.

Instead, if you have made the decision to euthanize, it's a good idea to explain it in these terms - because we love Fluffy so much we do not want her to suffer. We are helping her to die because she is experiencing pain that we can no longer treat.

Talk about the death of a pet before the death occurs. Involve your child in the decision-making process. Not including children in the process makes them feel completely powerless about what is going on with their pet. If the pet has a terminal disease, talk honestly about the options with your children.

If the decision is made to euthanize a pet, your veterinarian can explain the medical aspects of death. The veterinarian can describe how euthanasia is done, and how the pet will look in death - the eyes do not close and the body may be warm for a few hours then later become stiff. If the pet dies or need to be euthanized as a result of an injury or traumatic accident, the veterinarian can also explain what went wrong.

Parents often wonder if a child should be allowed to be with the pet during death and see the body afterward. It may be a good idea to ask a child what he or she wants to do. If the parent or child does not want to be present during the euthanasia process, then they can go back into the room to say goodbye. Seeing that the pet is actually dead often helps give children and parents a sense of closure.

Involving Children In The Process Can Help Them With Closure

Grief issues do not just happen in the veterinary hospital; they happen after the children (as well as the adults) leave. Sometimes the grieving occurs months, or even years, later. During the grieving process, family members at various age levels will react differently. Children under two can sense stress in the house even though they do not know the cause. If this is the case, comforting them and paying extra attention to them may help. Children two to five years old typically believe they are invincible and regard death as a reversible feat that cartoons like the roadrunner and coyote enact. Although they may not understand that their pet is dead, explaining death concretely now helps them understand it better at a later date.

Eight-year-olds might understand that death is irreversible; however, in their minds, the universe revolves around them. If they think bad thoughts like, 'I don't want to walk Fluffy today. I wish she would just die' and then a couple months later, Fluffy dies, a child this age might believe that their bad thoughts caused the death of the pet.

Showing your own grief in front of your child is healthy. Grieving and crying in front of a child validates to the child that these emotions are OK to express. Hiding grief might make children wonder why you don't miss Fluffy. This could lead to them wondering if you would be sad if they died.

Children may react in ways that surprise adults. They may draw pictures of their pet underground, bury dolls, or ask shocking questions about what is happening to their pet's buried body. All of these responses are normal and healthy.

Families can be creative about memorializing their pet. Plant a tree. Put an engraved stone in your cat's favorite spot in the house. Encourage children to draw pictures. Each family member should be encouraged to memorialize their pet's death in a way that is meaningful to them.

If you or a member of your family is having trouble dealing with the loss of a pet, call your veterinary hospital for information. There are many Pet Hotline telephone services and counseling services available to families that have lost a pet.

Guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats, and rabbits often are called pocket pets. Over the last few years, the popularity of pocket pets has increased dramatically. This increase in popularity is due to several factors.

In today’s modern family, it is not unusual to have both adult members leaving for work early in the morning. Since no one is at home during the day, a dog is often an impractical pet. Aside from the fact that dogs need to be exercised and walked throughout the day, many residences and condominium communities do not allow dog and/or pet ownership.

Pocket pets have become popular due to the fact that they are small, cute, fuzzy, relatively inexpensive, and found at most local pet stores.

Small size and low cost do not mean that pocket pets can be neglected. To remain healthy, these little creatures need the same care and attention as other domestic pets. Often overlooked by most people, pocket pets can have very special nutritional and housing needs.

Housing

Proper housing is a major factor in keeping pocket pets healthy. Your pet’s house should be made of glass, stainless steel, or durable plastic. Avoid wood and other porous substances as they are difficult to disinfect properly. Also, remember that these little creatures are avid gnawers. They can easily destroy, or even escape from, a poorly constructed home.

The house should be large enough to allow the pet(s) room for exercise. The exact area needed depends upon the species and size of the pet. Be sure to provide an area where your pet can hide. A hide box gives the animal a safe refuge if scared.

Bedding materials should be nontoxic, dust free and absorbent. Wood shavings, ground corncob, or shredded butcher paper meets these criteria. All bedding should be changed at least twice a week. The entire area plus all of its furnishings should be cleaned and disinfected with a dilute chlorine-bleach solution once a week (one-part bleach to thirty-parts water).

Food and water

It is best to use ceramic food dishes to prevent damage from gnawing. This type of dish also is less likely to tip over, decreasing the chances of contaminating the food with urine or droppings. A water bottle with a sipper tube is preferred to a dish.

Good quality, fresh commercial food, appropriate for each species of pocket pet, should be the main part of your pet’s diet. Fresh foods such as green leafy vegetables, carrots, alfalfa sprouts or hay should also be fed three to five times a week. Many pocket pets do not tolerate sudden changes in diet, so be sure to introduce new foods gradually and in small amounts.

If you are feeding a balanced commercial diet, most pocket pets do not require vitamin or mineral supplements. However, it is recommended that guinea pigs receive additional vitamin C. Supplementation can be provided by adding 200 milligrams of vitamin C per quart of drinking water.

Handling

Pocket pets often are given to children as a first pet. However, the inexperienced child can easily mishandle these animals, resulting in injury to the pet or a potentially serious bite or scratch to the child. Adult supervision is recommended until the child gains experience in handling the pet.

Handling always should be gentle, but be sure that support is firm. Go slowly and try not to startle your pet before picking it up. If it is asleep, leave it alone or carefully awaken it first.

Signs of Illness

General signs of illness in pocket pets include:

• decreased appetite
• discharge from mouth, eyes or nose
• loose stools
• lethargy (inactivity)
• lumps or bumps
• flaky skin or hair loss

Call your veterinarian if your pet is showing any of these signs. However, it is best not to wait for disease symptoms to appear. Just like dogs and cats, pocket pets benefit from a yearly veterinary examination.

If you have questions concerning the specific needs and diseases of your pocket pet, please don’t hesitate to contact a staff member at your veterinary hospital.

Rising gas prices and climate changes have many people worried about the future of our planet and pet owners are no exception. Luckily, help appears to be on the way. From organic pet toys to bio-degradable cat litter, many companies are finding new ways to help pets and their owners lessen their carbon footprint. Watch this video to see ways that you can help your pet “go green”!

Rabbit Spay: If not spayed, 90 percent of female rabbits will develop uterine cancer. We highly recommend spaying your rabbit.

Lead/Zinc Testing: Lead and zinc toxicity is very common in birds. Symptoms may include weakness, bloody droppings, regurgitation, seizures or other strange behavior.

Avian Blood Sexing: A blood test can answer the simple question, "Is it a boy or a girl?"

Dentistry: If your pet has bad breath, drools a lot, paws at his face, or is showing a preference for soft food, he may be experiencing tooth problems.

Endoscopy: Some foreign bodies, if detected in a timely fashion, may be removed via endoscopy, avoiding possible abdominal surgery.

Psittacosis Testing: Birds can harbor a disease called Psittacosis, which is contagious to humans, especially if the person is immunosuppressed.

Deworming: All kittens and puppies should be routinely dewormed. A negative fecal sample does not necessarily indicate absence of parasites; eggs are shed intermittently.

Urinary Obstructions: Male cats that appear unable to urinate should be seen immediately. They may have a urinary blockage, which if left untreated can be fatal.