cat

There may come a time when your pet needs immediate care outside the normal operating hours of your regular veterinarian.

You know your pet and his normal habits and behavior better than anyone, but you may be unsure if your pet needs emergency care. Following are some signs you can look for that will help you determine if you are dealing with an urgent situation.

Changes in behavior are often a sure sign that there is something going on that needs to be treated immediately.

Dogs and cats are notorious troublemakers. Getting into the garbage, knocking things off of shelves, snatching the last bite of your sandwich if you leave it for just a second. These behaviors can be frustrating but they are generally harmless.

Some irritating pet behaviors are not so innocent. What if, instead of ingesting the last bit of your sandwich, your pet eats something more dangerous?

Urinary obstruction in cats can be a serious situation that demands immediate attention. If your cat has a complete blockage this can become a life or death situation.

Urinary or urethral obstruction is not uncommon especially in male cats. The urethra of a male cat is a long thin tube as opposed to the shorter, wider tube of a female cat. This leaves it prone to blockages.

Blockages are usually crystals that have built up in the urine, bladder stones or mucus plugs that are lodged and blocking the flow of urine through the urethra.

If your cat has a blockage it needs to be removed immediately.

Mish Mish sat by the door, patiently staring back into the kitchen at me.

“Meow,” she finally insisted.

“You want to go into the backyard?” I asked. “But it’s still raining.”

Our fluffy orange tabby sat up, dog-like, on her little haunches, her raised front paws seemed to beg. Where she had learned this endearing gesture I will never know. Though she came to us eight years ago, she has never chosen to reveal her past life to us.

I had been working in the garden the day I first saw her peering at me from within a dense clump of daylilies. When my eyes met hers she mewed, crept out, and mewed again. She was tiny and emaciated.

There was a kindness in his eyes that drew me in from the moment I first saw him. We had an instant connection; but he was not meant to be mine. A friend knew I had helped other animals get homes in the past and she asked me to help her find one for this beautiful cat.

The cat was jet black; he had soft, sleek, fur and was very affectionate. He would wind himself around your legs constantly, purring and would jump into your lap when you sat down. I found myself attached to him quickly; but knew the task ahead, was to find him a home.

It was easy to find this cat a home. It made me happy to see his new owner thrilled to come and get him.

John, Peppy and I had recently moved to a small town in Alberta from B.C. One evening while on an exploration of the area by car I saw something out my window.

I yelled, "John! There is a kitten on the side of the road! Turn around!"

John turned us around but we didn't see the kitten at first.

John then saw her on THE OTHER SIDE. Much to our surprise and delight, the wee thing had crossed the 110 kilometer, very busy highway and SURVIVED.

I hopped out of the car armed with my warm, white sweater.

Frightened, hissing and tearing up the side of the ditch covered in tall grasses, I watched this tiny bundle of fur.

You've been planning your vacation all year, but your cat may not be as excited as you are to have you away from home. Although many people believe cats prefer to be on their own, kitties get lonely and can become anxious when their surroundings change. As a responsible pet owner, you will want to make sure your kitty is safely and comfortably cared for while you're on vacation.

Imagine eating the same diet from infancy all the way through adulthood? As we move through life our needs keep changing – from the amount of calories we must take in to the balance of nutrients that keep us healthy.

“Our pets have similar needs,” says Dr. Mike Bondar, Veterinarian and Host of Animal House Radio.

Do you know a "cat lady" - or anyone else who keeps an over-abundance of
pets? Has a home in your neighborhood become a zoo of unruly animals?
Are you worried for the well-being of a loved one who is keeping too
many pets? "Animal hoarding" is a serious disorder which can become
dangerous to the animals and humans.

YOU can help an animal hoarder. It's not too late to put an end to the
obsession and find a healthier home for the neglected pets and a better
life for someone overwhelmed by pets. The Emmy Award-winning television
producers from Intervention are starting a new documentary series that
helps friends and family confront compulsive animal owners, offering
compassionate and professional care for both the person struggling with
animal hoarding as well as their pets.

The Pet Friendly Canada Newsletter
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