Things to Think About Before Declawing Your Cat

Things to Think About Before Declawing Your Cat

Declawing, known as onychectomy, is a significant surgical procedure performed under anesthesia that removes the tip of each digit of a cat's forepaws, typically from the first knuckle out. It's essential to consider several factors before opting for this procedure.

Health Risks and Discomfort 

Declawing is not a simple surgery; there's a slight risk of death, and declawed cats may face an increased risk of infection and lifelong discomfort in their paws. It's a major procedure that should not be taken lightly.

Alternatives and Criticism

Many veterinarians are critical of declawing, and some refuse to perform it. The absence of claws can deprive cats of their main defense abilities, hinder stretching and exercise habits, compromise balance, and lead to insecurity and biting tendencies.

Legal and Ethical Considerations 

In some countries, declawing is considered an act of animal cruelty. Laws in Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland forbid declawing, and it's restricted in many other European countries. Britain, for example, faces challenges placing imported declawed cats in shelters, often resulting in euthanasia.

Alternative Solutions 

Instead of declawing, consider alternatives like applying blunt, vinyl nail caps that attach to the claws with non-toxic glue. These caps require periodic replacement as the cat sheds its claw sheaths, but they provide a less invasive option. Keep in mind that even with caps, cats may still experience difficulties compared to having their natural claws.

Before deciding on declawing, it's crucial to weigh the potential risks, ethical considerations, and available alternatives. Seeking advice from veterinarians and exploring humane solutions ensures the well-being of your feline companion.

Read More

Great Tips On Building A Dog House

Great Tips On Building A Dog House

Over 50% of the population allows their dogs to stay indoors, sharing couches or even beds with their owners. If you're considering building a dog house for your beloved pet, here are some simple rules to follow.

Size Matters

Ensure the dog house is big enough to accommodate your dog's potential adult size. Measure your dog standing, sitting, and in their most comfortable, stretched-out position. The entrance should allow them to look out while standing or sitting without discomfort.

Elevate and Ventilate 

Raise the dog house several inches from the ground for airflow. Add nickel-sized holes for ventilation and consider a wind block to provide warmth. Install a partial wall to allow your dog to escape bad weather, and provide a comfy bed or pillow inside.

Sloped Design

Make the floor and roof slightly slanted toward the entrance to prevent rain from coming in. Ensure good insulation but avoid painting the interior.

Orientation Matters

Face the dog house away from prevailing winds and storms. In the United States, east-facing entrances are recommended to avoid cold air whipping through.

Easy Cleaning

Install hinges on the roof for easy cleaning. Regular cleaning is essential for your dog's health.

Remember, if your dog spends a significant amount of time outdoors, providing a comfortable and weather-resistant shelter is a great way to show your love and care. These tips should help you get started on building a cozy home for your furry friend.

Read More

Your Pets and Arthritis

Your Pets and Arthritis

Recognizing the warning signs of arthritis in your pet is crucial. Arthritis, whether in humans or animals, refers to joint inflammation, with various types like rheumatoid, degenerative, and infectious arthritis, each having distinct causes. Factors such as infections, autoimmune diseases, trauma, and certain medications can contribute to joint inflammation.

Common clinical signs of joint disease include stiffness or lameness, often exacerbated by cold weather or exercise. Advances in medications and surgical techniques offer new options for treating canine joint diseases.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, involves cartilage defects or erosion. While it can be inherited, it's often a part of the normal aging process in older dogs. Infectious arthritis results from bacteria entering the bloodstream, causing inflammation in one or more joints. Bacteria from gum issues, periodontal disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, or Lyme disease can damage cartilage and joint structure.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune-related disease, is common in toy breeds. An overactive immune system leads to antibodies gathering within joints, causing inflammation, accompanied by fever and depression. Hip dysplasia, a hereditary arthritic condition, starts as a partial dislocation of the hip joints, gradually wearing down cartilage due to abnormal strain.

detection and treatmen

Early detection and treatment are crucial to minimizing the effects of arthritis. Veterinarians may prescribe antibiotics, immunosuppressive drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins, supplements, or even cortisone as needed. Your observations and communication with your veterinarian play a vital role in addressing your pet's joint health.

Read More

Your Questions About Canine Hip Dysplasia - Your Questions About Canine Hip Dysplasia.

What is canine hip dysplasia?

Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is a real headache in veterinary medicine because it's super tricky to prevent and treat. CHD is a bone development issue where the thigh bone's head doesn't fit well into the hip socket, messing up the cartilage, wrecking the joint over time, and causing pain and swelling. Don't mix it up with hip arthritis, though; it's actually the main reason for arthritis in the hips.

How is canine hip dysplasia passed on?

CHD is a hereditary deal. It gets handed down from parent dogs to their pups. So, the best way to kick it out is to stop dogs with hip dysplasia from making more pups. But it's not a walk in the park because not all dogs with hip dysplasia show signs, and seemingly normal dogs can still pass on the gene, keeping the disease around.

How can you tell if a dog has hip dysplasia?

Dogs with hip dysplasia are usually less peppy and struggle to get up from sitting. They might limp in the back legs, hop like a bunny when running, and avoid going upstairs. But these signs usually don't pop up until the dog hits middle age. In serious cases, some pups can show hip issues as early as 5-6 months old.

How does a vet confirm hip dysplasia?

Unfortunately, there's no blood or genetic test yet to spot if a dog is carrying CHD. Diagnosis mostly happens through check-ups and x-rays. X-rays help gauge how bad it is and track progress. There are two main types:

1. Hip-extended ventrodorsal view x-ray: It gives a front view of the pelvis and hips, showing the arthritis severity.
2. PennHIP radiography technique: It spots hip looseness in dogs as young as four months.

What's the deal with treating hip dysplasia?

• CHD doesn't have a full-on cure, but there are non-surgical ways to ease the symptoms. Pain and inflammation drugs like Rimadyl, Ectogesic, and Deramaxx do wonders. Weight loss, controlled exercise, and physical therapy can also help in some cases.

• When the non-surgical route isn't cutting it, there's surgery. Two main types: Prophylactic surgery prevents arthritis progression, while therapeutic surgery deals with already arthritic hips.

• Prophylactic surgery: Triple pelvic osteotomy cuts the pelvis in three places, rotating the hip sockets for better coverage. It's effective if done before arthritis or joint damage. Pubic symphysiodesis, manipulating pelvis growth, is still under study for its effectiveness, mainly done on young dogs.

• Therapeutic surgery: Total hip replacement is for larger dogs, using high-quality materials to replace the socket and ball. It's successful, eliminates pain, and gets the dog back to normal. Another option is femoral head ostectomy, removing the top of the femur to stop painful grinding, allowing a false joint with scar tissue. It works better for smaller, muscular dogs and not so much for mild arthritis.

Can you dodge canine hip dysplasia?

Top prevention move is careful breeding because it's hereditary. Delay hip dysplasia onset by controlling weight gain in the early months and ensuring pups don't stress their hips too much. Check pedigrees for OFA, PennHip, or GDC certifications when getting a pup.

To sum up, recognizing and managing canine hip dysplasia is vital. Early detection and responsible breeding are key, along with considering both non-surgical and surgical options for treatment. By staying informed and proactive, we can improve the lives of dogs dealing with hip dysplasia.

Read More