Cleaning Cat Ears

Dogs come when they're called; cats take a message and get back to you." Or maybe your cats won't come when they are called because they can't hear you. It is probably time to learn how to clean your cat's ears. Ear cleaning is an important part of your cat's grooming and overall health care. You can avoid some serious problems by learning how to clean your cat's ears or by having a vet or professional groomer do it for you.

Let's begin with a quick cat anatomy review, so you're familiar with all the parts of a cat's ear.

• The Outer Ear: Also known as the pinna or ear flap. This is the visible part of the cat's ear and it is usually upright with a pointed tip. Some breeds are an exception, such as the Scottish Fold, which has a floppy ear.
• Ear Canal: This is a two inch tube-shaped organ that leads to the eardrum. The eardrum, also known as the tympanic membrane, is the essential part of the cat's hearing. The eardrum vibrates when it picks up sound.
• Inner Ear: The part of the cat that's responsible for maintaining equilibrium and balance.

It's safe to assume that your cat is probably not going to look forward to his ear cleaning episode. Following a few simple steps can make the process quicker and easier for both you and your pet. You do not need to clean your cat's ears constantly, but you should check them every other month and be aware of symptoms that might indicate problems with your cat's ear health. The most common problem for cats is a parasitic infestation from ear mites. If you notice your cat scratching his ears excessively or shaking his head, this may be a sign of ear mites or another type of ear infection. A trip to the vet will be necessary.

Supplies You Will Need For Cat Ear Cleaning:

• Ear cleaning solution
• Cotton balls or swabs
• Warm water
• A plastic eyedropper
• Large towel for swaddling a nervous, squirming cat

Step-By-Step For Easy Ear Cleaning:

• Always have your veterinarian examine your cat's ears first before you attempt to clean them yourself.
• Clean the ear with a ceruminolytic (de-waxing) agent. Ear cleaning solutions for a cat can be found at any pet store.
• Hold the cat in your lap swaddled in a towel
• Fold the cat's ear back so that the ear canal is accessible
• Fill the ear with de-waxer solution and massage the ear gently
• Release your cat for about five minutes giving him time to shake his head.

The solution will help loosen any wax so you can remove it more easily. You probably want to have all the doors to the room closed, as the first reaction your cat is going to have once you release him is to take off.

• Wipe the inside of your cat's ear with gauze or a cotton swab
• Never used a cotton tipped applicator! (Q-Tip). You may accidently puncture your cat's ear drum with this type of tool, so it is much safer to stick to cotton swabs.

If you have never cleaned your cat's ears, you should be observant of symptoms that may indicate an ear mite infestation or other infection. Some things to look for include redness, discharge, small black spots that resemble coffee grounds, odor, scratching or head shaking. Normal ear wax will be light brown. Any kind of liquid discharge from your cat's ears is serious and you should contact your vet immediately.

Fast Facts About Cat's Ears:

• There are hundreds of ear cleaning and ear mite products for your cat. Most are available through your pet store or on the Web. Ask your vet to recommend a solution so that you are confident you're purchasing the most effective product.
• Dogs are more prone to ear infections than cats
• Persian cats are more prone to ear infections than other cat breed
• The external canal (Otis Externa) is where most infections occur in a cat
• Chronic ear infections are extremely serious and can close a cat's ear canal. If this happens it will probably require surgery.

If you have an indoor cat and it is your only pet, it will be less likely to catch a contagious infestation such as ear mites. It's still a good idea to gently clean your cat's ears from time to time and be aware of the signs that could indicate a problem.

Source: http://www.catster.com/cat-health-care/cleaning-cat-ears

Halloween Safety Tips

Attention, animal lovers, it's almost the spookiest night of the year! The ASPCA recommends taking some common sense precautions this Halloween to keep you and your pet saying "trick or treat!" all the way to November 1.

1. No tricks, no treats: That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can produce stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.

3. Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.

5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume may cause undue stress.

6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturale or donning a festive bandana.

7. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

8. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.

9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn't dart outside.

10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver, increasing the chances that he or she will be returned to you.

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/halloween-safety-tips.aspx

Are You Allergic to Your Pet?

Although more and more people are discovering the beneficial effects of owning a furry bundle of joy, the fact remains that roughly 15 to 20 percent of the population is allergic to animals. The result? Countless owners in unhappy, unhealthy situations—and their beloved pets are the cause! Allergen is the medical term for the actual substance that causes an allergic reaction. Touching or inhaling allergens leads to reactions in allergic individuals. Symptoms can include red, itchy, watery eyes and nose; sneezing; coughing; scratchy or sore throat; itchy skin, and most serious of all, difficulty breathing.

The most common pet allergens are proteins found in their dander (scales of old skin that are constantly shed by an animal), saliva, urine and sebaceous cells. Any animal can trigger an allergic response, but cats are the most common culprits. People can also become allergic to the urine, dander and saliva of exotic pets such as ferrets, guinea pigs, birds, rabbits and rodents. There is no species or breed to which humans cannot develop allergies. Fur length and type will not affect or prevent allergies. Certain pets can be less irritating than others to those who suffer from allergies, but that is strictly on an individual basis and cannot be predicted.

Once the diagnosis of a pet allergy is made, a physician will often recommend eliminating the companion animal from the surroundings. Heartbreaking? Yes. Absolutely necessary? Not always. Keep in mind that most people are allergic to several things besides pets, such as dust mites, molds and pollens, all of which can be found in the home. Allergic symptoms result from the total cumulative allergen load. That means that if you eliminate some of the other allergens, you may not have to get rid of your pet. (Conversely, should you decide to remove your pet from your home, this may not immediately solve your problems.) You must also be prepared to invest the time and effort needed to decontaminate your home environment, limit future exposure to allergens and find a physician who will work with you. Our three-part program follows:

Improving the Immediate Environment

1. Create an allergen-free room. A bedroom is often the best and most practical choice. By preventing your pet from entering this room, you can ensure at least eight hours of freedom from allergens every night. It's a good idea to use hypoallergenic bedding and pillow materials.
2. Limit fabrics. Allergens collect in rugs, drapes and upholstery, so do your best to limit or eliminate them from your home. If you choose to keep some fabrics, steam-clean them regularly. Cotton-covered furniture is the smartest choice, and washable blinds or shades make good window treatments.
3. Vacuum frequently using a vacuum equipped with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arresting) filter or a disposable electrostatic bag. Other kinds of bags will permit allergens to blow back out of the vacuum.
4. Install an air purifier fitted with a HEPA filter. Our modern, energy-efficient homes lock in air that is loaded with allergens, so it’s smart to let in some fresh air daily.
5. Use anti-allergen room sprays. These sprays deactivate allergens, rendering them harmless. Ask your allergist for a product recommendation.
6. Clean the litter box frequently. Use lowdust, perfume-free filler. Clumping litter is a good choice.
7. Dust regularly. Wiping down the walls will also cut down on allergens.
8. Invest in washable pet bedding and cages that can be cleaned often and easily.

Decontaminating Your Pet

1. Bathe your pet at least once a week. Your veterinarian can recommend a shampoo that won't dry out his skin. Bathing works to wash off the allergens that accumulate in an animal’s fur.
2. Wipe your pet with a product formulated to prevent dander from building up and flaking off into the environment. Ask your veterinarian to suggest one that is safe to use on animals who groom themselves.
3. Note any symptoms of dermatitis exhibited by your companion animal. Dermatitis often leads to accelerated skin and fur shedding, which will up your allergen exposure.
4. Brush or comb your pet frequently. It’s best to do this outdoors, if possible. (The ASPCA does not recommend keeping cats outdoors, so make sure your feline is leashed if you take him outside.)

Taking Care of Yourself

1. If possible, have someone other than yourself do the housecleaning, litter box work and pet washing, wiping and brushing. If you must clean the house or change the litter, be sure to wear a dust mask.
2. Wash your hands after handling your companion animal and before touching your face. The areas around your nose and eyes are particularly sensitive to allergens.
3. Designate a “pet outfit” from among your most easily washed clothes. Wear it when playing or cuddling with your companion, and you’ll leave other clothing uncontaminated.
4. Find a physician, preferably an allergy specialist, who will make sure that your pet is the cause of your allergies and will help alleviate your symptoms. Medications and immunotherapy (desensitizing shots) can often allow you and your companion animal to remain together happily ever after.

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/allergic.aspx

Cat Behavior

Does your cat often misbehave around guests, whether by jumping up on people, or even showing aggression? The holidays are swiftly approaching, so it is the perfect time to start pet behavior counseling or training! Ask us for our recommendations to help make your cat a well-behaved greeter of your holiday houseguests this season.

June is National Pet Preparedness Month

When preparing for emergencies, keep every member of your family in mind, including your pets. All the information in this article comes from www.ready.gov, your location for all the resources you need for any emergency.

If you are like millions of animal owners nationwide, your pet is an important member of your household. The likelihood that you and your animals will survive an emergency such as a fire or flood, tornado or terrorist attack depends largely on emergency planning done today. Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling an animal emergency supply kit and developing a pet care buddy system, are the same for any emergency. Whether you decide to stay put in an emergency or evacuate to a safer location, you will need to make plans in advance for your pets. Keep in mind that what's best for you is typically what's best for your animals.

If you must evacuate, take your pets with you if possible. However, if you are going to a public shelter, it is important to understand that animals may not be allowed inside. Plan in advance for shelter alternatives that will work for both you and your pets.

Make a back-up emergency plan in case you can't care for your animals yourself. Develop a buddy system with neighbors, friends and relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Be prepared to improvise and use what you have on hand to make it on your own for at least three days, maybe longer.

Preparing for Your Pets Makes Sense. Get Ready Now.

Use the Red Cross emergency preparedness checklist for pets as a guide.

Ultrasound Highlight

Trixie

Trixie was brought into us a few weeks ago and was afflicted with bloody urine that did not stop, even after multiple visits to other doctors. We worked her up and she had multiple, fine stones in her bladder and we then took her to surgery and removed the stones. She is doing great now!

Acupuncture Highlight

Cats & Lilies

Lilies are a popular Easter flower, but did you know that they can actually be toxic to your cat? Like the Christmas poinsettias, lilies can attract the attention of your cat, and then have a toxic effect when ingested. Keep those Easter lilies far from your pet's reach this season, or look into artificial options. The art of artificial flowers have gotten so advanced that your guests won't be able to tell the difference...and your cat will be safe.

It's Poison Prevention Week!

It's Poison Prevention Week and we want to warn you that some common foods can be poisonous to your pet. Foods such as avocado, chocolate, macadamia nuts, and even grapes are dangerous for your pets! We encourage you to invest in some delicious, pet-safe treats and avoid feeding any table scraps to your pet, in order to avoid accidental poisoning.

Click here for a list of people foods that are dangerous to pets!