HART-Empire Network II - Pet Related Channel

Easy Tricks to Medicating Your Cat

By Paul Duxbury

Many pet owners dread these words, “Give your cat one of these pills twice a day.” Any pet owner knows the frustration of forcing a pill down the throat of a cat who does not feel well and who is not a willing participant. Before you don your protective armour to medicate your cat, try these easy tricks to get your kitty to take medicine.

Pet owners can agree that giving a cat medicine is not their favourite job in the world. Many times, you end up with bite marks or bleeding from little claws. There are some easy ways to medicate your cat that will help you administer the medication. Giving your cat medicine properly can also help reduce stress in your cat.

If you are giving your cat a pill, there are a few tricks to remember. Following these simple and easy tips will help make medicine time for you and your cat a breeze.

Oral Pills and Drops: The first thing to do is to follow your vet’s instructions. Most oral medications should be given with food or water. Make sure that your kitty has access to both of these immediately following. The next thing to remember is that a cat that is not stressed will be easier to medicate. Try to give your cat his or her medicine when he or she is relaxed. Do not make medicine time a chasing game. If your cat knows what is coming, he or she is likely to run or hide. Comfort your kitty by giving loving pats and by sitting in a quiet room. If you have to do it alone, cradle your cat under one arm and take the other hand and gently press the sides of your cat’s mouth with your thumb and forefinger. Make sure your cat’s head is tilted up slightly. Drop the pill into the back of the mouth and promptly shut your cat’s mouth. You must remember to hold your cat’s mouth closed until the pill is swallowed. Be very careful not to block your cat’s nose when doing this. Sometimes a cat will throw pills up after being medicated. If you find a soggy pill on the floor, it will be necessary to give your cat another pill.

Oral drops are often much easier to give your cat than pills. If your cat requires antibiotics request that your cat is prescribed the drops instead of the pill form. Most cats like the flavour of drops. Vitamins and antibiotics can both be given in liquid form. When you are giving your cat liquid medication, it is very important to use the dropper given with the prescription. This ensures that the proper dosage is given. You will need to give your cat the medicine in much the same way as the pills. Hold your cat under one arm and open the mouth with one finger on each side of the mouth. As soon as you put the drops in, close the mouth and hold shut until the cat swallows.

Some pills can be given inside of food such as canned food or hidden inside a piece of meat. It is not recommended to give cats their medication in their water because if they do not drink all of the water, then they are not getting the proper dosage. Also, pills can make the water taste strange to the cat and could lead to dehydration. Another tip is to crush a pill into smaller pieces and mix with meat flavoured baby food or tuna. Most cats will eat this and not even notice they are getting medicine.

Injections: If you cat requires daily injections of medication at home, such as insulin, it is very important to follow a schedule. Cats with diabetes usually need two injections twelve hours a part. When giving your cat insulin, remember to not shake the vial. Roll the vial in your hands very gently to mix. When you are ready to give your cat the injection, place your cat on a comfortable surface and have your cat lie down. Gently pull the skin up at the back of the neck. This is the perfect place for injections because cats usually are not bothered by the shot. Insulin needles are very thin so you will not need to push the syringe in very far. After giving your cat injections a few times, it will become easier on you and your cat.

For more information on caring for your Cat check out Paul’s site at www.basic-cat-care.co.uk

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Understanding Cherry Eye/The Third Eyelid

By Audrey Frederick

Humans, dogs and cats have a lot of features in common. We share many of the same reactions to stress and pain, but there is one thing that cats, canines and most other animals have that we don’t, and that is the third eyelid.

What is the third eyelid?

Well, medically it is known as the “nictitating membrane.” In English it is an eyelid that provides extra protection for the eye. Rather like the wiper on our windshield. Our windshield wipers are usually connected to a container of water to clean our windshield, the third eyelid contains a gland that provides tears to keep the eye moist, among other things. It also provides antibodies and an enzyme that can inactivate bacteria.

What is Cherry eye?

Cherry eye is a condition that affects dogs usually during their first year.

There are some breeds, more than others that are effected by this condition: Cocker Spaniels, English Bulldogs, Mastiffs, Basset Hounds, Beagles, Boston Terriers, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese and Pugs are the most affected breeds. However, it can happen to any dog.

In my opinion it is ugly and scary, though it looks worse than it is. It is a red looking bump that seems to be growing out of the corner of the dog’s eye and you feel like it is going to “pop out” at any moment. Of course, it is not..

Most doctors say it is a congenital defect in the ligament that holds the gland of the third eyelid in place. It can be surgically repaired, however sometimes the surgery doesn’t hold the gland in place and it comes back up for all to see. Seeing it does not mean that it is not functioning, it just means it is not pretty to look at. Removing the gland if surgery can’t hold it in place is not recommended as this gland produces tears necessary for your dog’s eye. Without it your dog can suffer from “dry eyes” and that can be very painful.

The interesting thing is, if surgery does not hold the gland back in place and it pops up, time can work on your side as the “cherry eye” may decrease in size.

Even though this gland only supplies about 30 percent of the eye’s tear production, keeping it, no matter how bad it may look, is insurance for your dog’s eyes. It is tears that help keep the cornea of the eye healthy. The cornea has no blood vessels of its own, so the oxygen and nutrients that are supplied to it come through the tears.

Cherry eye is not known to be painful, but it can be irritating to the dog and what do dogs do when something irritates them. They scratch and it is the scratching that can cause problems that lead to eye injuries.

Today with the advent of many new techniques in veterinary surgery most of the time, positioning of the gland is successful. When a problem arises, there are other “tricks” a surgeon can perform that will remedy the problem.

On the positive side, this condition is not a “life or death” type of a situation. It can go unattended for a while, though cosmetically it bothers you more than the dog, it really needs to be attended to.

There is nothing you can do to prevent this from happening, but there are safe and effective ways to fix the problem.

Now what has this to do with cats?

Cats have a third eyelid, too. It sits for the most part on the inside corner of the eye. You might even see a bit of it peeking through.

Cats do not get “cherry eye.” However, if they are really ill or under a stressful situation the eyelid will start to cover the eye.

I have 10 year old feral cat, Mr. Boots, that did not have a chance to have a life as a treasured kitten. He came into our lives as a 10 week old kitten (more or less) and whatever conditioning had been in his past life had already made a mark on him forever.

Several years ago our “grandfather cat” died. Mr. Whiskers ruled the household and the other cats with a gentle but stern hand. His death then allowed our second in command cat, Isaac to be in control of the rest of the cats. Isaac became a tyrant and poor Boots shivered in his boots. The stress caused the third eyelid of his left eye to cover his eye and I became panic stricken.

The cat was scared to death of Isaac (and so was everyone else) so to make a long story short, Mr. Isaac packed his bags and went on to become a “nursery mouser” at a friend’s plant nursery.

Peace was restored and within a few weeks the third eyelid retracted back into its normal shape and life went on (well, sort of.)

The third eyelid in a cat functions the same as in a dog, keeping the “windshield clean. However, it only appears in time of serious stress or illness. If the third eyelid appears and stays around for a few days, please take your cat to the vet even, if the cat does not appear to be ill.

The Burmese cat is the breed most often affected by this condition.

As always, if your pet has any sign of not feeling well or is acting out of character, please call or see your vet. An ounce of prevention can save many veterinary dollars.

Motherhood not only brought me a boundless supply of children, it also filled my life with many animal critters that gave me an opportunity to learn much. Sharing some of this knowledge that I have learned through the years has become part of the “fun” I call my life. For other interesting stuff come and visit me at www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com

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Should You Give Children Hamsters

By Hal Storm

Getting a pet for a child is a great idea because it gives them responsibility and a buddy. Hamsters are a popular choice, but are they a good choice?

Hamsters are a type of rodent that belongs to the order Cricetinae which consists of about eighteen species. They come from the Middle East and Southeastern Europe and have become very popular as pets and lab animals because it is very easy to breed them in captivity. The most popular type in the pet store is known as the Syrian or Golden Hamster. They are smaller than Guinea Pigs which make them more suited for smaller homes, but they are equally as sociable.

There are several advantages of a hamster as a pet. The hamster is inexpensive, and does not cost much to feed or maintain. They do not require the care nor can they cause the problems of larger pets such as cats and dogs. It is quite possible to turn the complete responsibility of the hamster over to your little one. The pet can be kept in the child’s room and is not likely to roam the house, bark at night, or chew the furniture. If it barks, you certainly don’t have a hamster!

Although the hamster does not require much maintenance, it does need some. Like any living thing, it needs water and food. Its living area needs to be cleaned on a regular schedule. This is being mentioned as an advantage because one of the best things about pets and children is the opportunity to teach responsibility to the child by making them the pets care giver. It is a good idea to oversee this responsibility carefully though. The lesson you want to teach is not necessarily how to deal with grief and loss.

There are some disadvantages to the hamster as a pet. They are cute and they can be funny to watch when they are active, but they are also nocturnal. They are going to be on a totally different time schedule than your child. They are going to be running around their home late at night, playing and being cute while the child is sleeping. When the child is awake and wants to play with his hamster, the hamster will be curled up under his bedding and not much in a playing mood.

Although the hamster is somewhat social, it is not usually going to be up to the standards that the child was hoping for in a pet. Instead of playing, or even sitting still the hamster is going to run for cover most of the time, and once they get loose and hide they are not easy to find. The bottom line is that they are not dogs and cats, and with their shorter life spans and nocturnal habits they will never be that kind of long term pet. However, they are not expensive, can teach responsibility, and kids do love them. On a final note, keep them out of hot areas. They can die if it gets to hot, which is not going to make your little one very happy at all.

Hal Storm is with www.PetStoreYeti.com - your free resource for pet tips and advice.

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Educating Your Little Ones About Pets

By Hal Storm

Pet ownership offers so many benefits to kids it isn’t even funny. Still, you need to educate your kids on the responsibilities of having a pet or things can turn tragic.

Educating children about pets can be a difficult task. This is especially true of younger children who have a hard time telling the difference between the household cat and that cute stuffed animal in their toy box. They see something cute and furry and all they want to do is grab it. This is a problem not just for the cat or dog but also for the child. Pets will defend themselves regardless of how well trained they are, and a child who pulls on a tail or is pulling the animal by the leg is likely to get bitten or clawed unless the pet is really used to it. Even if it is, making the pet miserable isn’t a good idea.

Even when dealing with older children, there is an important need to educate them some basic facts about pets. It is easy enough to show the older child the danger of abusing the animal and this is not the major problem. The pet is not something that exists just for fun and pleasure, but rather they are living things with needs that must be met. When a child is taught how to care for a pet, they are being taught basic responsibility. The job of feeding the cat or walking the dog can be the first chore of a child beyond the tasks relating to his own care.

It is a common story. The child clamors for a pet and once the parents give in and bring the pet home, it is the parents that have to take care of them. It is all well and good to do those chores that are fun like taking the dogs for a walk or playing with them, but cleaning up messes is a different story. This is where the chance comes to make the pet ownership into a responsibility training experiment.

One good approach to educating children the responsibility of pet ownership is to consider a lower maintenance pet like a fish or a hamster. Even such exotic pets such as hermit crabs or turtles can work in this situation. When you select such a pet for your child, you can make the pet the child’s responsibility. A fish tank can be kept in the child’s room, for example, and the fish does not run all over the house making messes on the carpet or chewing up the furniture. Yet the fish does need to be fed, and the hamster needs its cage cleaned. The basic needs are still there as well as the responsibility.

Pets and children are a natural mix. Many dogs and even cats become very attached to children. Dogs that would not hurt a flea can turn into vicious beasts when they see a child threatened. A cat who would not allow itself to be petted to save its life will allow a little child to treat it is a stuffed animal. In nearly every situation, buying a pet is a good idea.

Hal Storm is with PetStoreYeti.com – your free resource for pet information.

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Tootle, 132206

Tootle is a bright-eyed ~1.5 year old female tortoisehell who is used to living with dogs. Her owner did not want her anymore. Tootle has been waiting for a new home since November. She is a friendly cat content to nap the days away, when she’s not busy playing! She can be a frisky & opinionated young lady & we think she’d do best with adults only, or older children 12yrs+. As a longterm resident, her fee is 50% OFF, only $48.06 and includes her vet exam, ownership handbook, vaccine, 14-day health period, microchip & more!

Princess, 130037

Princess is one very lucky girl with a sad story. Princess was brought to us when her owner refused to seek medical treatment for her broken leg after being hit by a vehicle. She was not doing well and required surgery. Since her surgery, she’s recovered in foster care & has been a pleasure to work with. She has great family potential! While her leg will never be “normal”, she gets around just fine! Princess likes other dogs & is easy to walk on leash. As a longterm dog, her fee is HALF OFF, only $88.06 and includes her spay, tattoo, pet insurance, vaccine & more!

Check out www.winnipeghumanesociety.ca for details on our environmentally-friendly new shelter, slated to open Fall ‘07!

Did you know? All cat & dog adoption fees include spay or neuter, microchip, 6 weeks of pet insurance, vaccine & much more!

If you would like to adopt one of these pets, please contact:

Chantal Young,
Adoption Coordinator
Phone: (204) 982-3558
Email: chantaly@humanesociety.mb.ca

The Winnipeg Humane Society
5 Kent Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
R2L 1X3
Phone: (204) 982-2021
Fax: (204) 982-2047

www.winnipeghumanesociety.ca

Where every adoptable dog finds a home and cats get a second chance at life!

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How could I NOT share this with you :)

Ten Peeves that Dogs Have About Humans


1. Blaming your farts on me..
not funny.. not funny at all !!!

2 Yelling at me for barking..
I'M A FRIGGIN' DOG, YOU IDIOT!

3. Taking me for a walk, then not letting me check stuff out.
Exactly whose walk is this anyway?

4. Any trick that involves balancing food on my nose...
stop it!

5. Any haircut that involves bows or ribbons.
Now you know why we chew your stuff up when you're not home.

6. The sleight of hand, fake fetch throw.
You fooled a dog! Whoooo Hoooooooo what a proud moment for the top of the food chain.

7. Taking me to the vet for "the big snip", then acting surprised when I freak out every time we go back!

8. Getting upset when I sniff the crotches of your guests. Sorry, but I haven't quite mastered that handshake thing yet.

9.Dog sweaters
Hello ???, Haven't you noticed the fur?

10. How you act disgusted when I lick myself.
Look, we both know the truth, you're just jealous.

Now lay off me on some of these thing's, We both know who's boss here!!!
You don't see me picking up your poop do you ???

EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY.A DOG ALWAYS OFFERS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.
CATS HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT!!

Why The World Needs Pets

By Bill Clanton

They won’t hold a grudge. They won’t leave you for someone else. They know how to show their affection. They even know your feelings better than you do. Who are “they”? Well “they” go by many names, but most of the world just calls them “Pets”. Pets are wondrous creatures whose powers go beyond that of spiritual or magical. Perhaps that power is what the world needs more of.

Recently while being interviewed by a local newspaper reporter I was asked the question, “Why do you think that pets have become so popular in recent years?” I thought for a moment and then answered. “We are a nation at war, a nation still recovering from the after effects of September 11th, a nation rebuilding in the wake of a devastating hurricane in the South, all while living in a media spoon fed world with terror attacks in every news break.” I then went on to explain the key thing that separates us from our pets. If I were to go to a human friend for emotional support, I could only expect so much. You see, they could be affected by the same negative worldly stress that depresses me. However, my pet remains unaffected. This newspaper reporter agreed with my statement and we spent several minutes talking about the idea of “unconditional love”.

Unconditional love is a phrase that I have heard people from all walks of life relate totally to pets. I find it amazing that so many people with different backgrounds, cultures, and languages can come to this same agreement. When we are at our lowest of lows our pet will still be there. Pets fill the void in our lives.

Another incredible aspect of pets is in the case of loved ones away from home. While loved ones may be over seas fighting to preserve freedom, pets are fighting battles here on the emotional frontlines in our homes. Our pets are armed with the weapons of mass affection. A wet nose, a wagging tail, a friendly purr, and soft snuggly fur remain a strong hold of the pet arsenal. In a few short moments a pet can bring us from a face full of tears to a face full of cheers.

They always aim to please expecting nothing in return. I have never heard of a dog not loving his master because his master forgot say “I love you”, or a cat ignoring her caretaker because they got home late from work. Wait, I am talking about cats so actual results of the previous statement may vary. My point is that we could learn a tremendous amount about humility and humanity from our pets. Humans using the powers gained by observing our pets could one day actually bring about world peace. In the mean time we take it one heart at a time.

The next time you find yourself alone, hurt, sad, or frightened, just find your furry friend, open up your heart, and let the power heal you.

Bill Clanton is Program Director and Co-Founder of All Pets Radio ( www.allpetsradio.com ), an online radio station for Pet Lovers and Pets alike. Having worked in broadcast radio for the past 15 years and always living around pets of all kinds, Bill felt that bringing these two loves together would be a perfect match.

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Horse Dental Health – An Interview With a Horse Dental Specialist

By Ronnie Kellner

My Quarter horse, Chelsea, was losing weight. I increased her grains but she still continued losing. She had no symptoms of disease and showed no discomfort when chewing hay, although she was taking a little longer to eat it. So, I call my veterinarian, Dr. Heather Ross. She is a horse dental specialist.

Dr Ross arrives with her tool box. She washes this giant metal-syringe-like-tool. It is used only to clean out the mouth with water. Like with any dentist, I am apprehensive.

First of all Dr. Ross spends time with the horse to relax her and make friends.

She then gives her a dental exam. No root canal or braces needed. Thank goodness! I breath a sigh of relief. Horses never have root canals or braces…it is just a joke. Horses are not prone to cavities. But if they do get one, the cavity tends to be far advanced and has been caused by a defect. The affected tooth tends to abscess and the tooth has to be removed.

Chelsea needs her teeth floated. Floating is done by filing down sharp jagged teeth. This makes chewing more comfortable. Jagged teeth can hinder chewing and cause abrasions within the cheeks. A light sedation is used for Chelsea to make her more comfortable.

The Dentist keeps the horse in her stall for the sedation and the dental work. She attaches the speculum to the mouth. It looks like a halter with metal torture instruments attached to it. (Just like any dentist). But it only looks torturous and is used simply to keep her mouth open.

I hold Chelsea’s head up. Dr. Ross has a light attached to her forehead and starts to file the back teeth. The horse is relaxed. The file is big. She has a various sizes of files. She switches them depending on the area of the mouth she is working on. I change positions and now I hold the horse’s tongue out of the way while Dr. Ross uses a power tool file for a portion of the work.

Dr. Ross recommends NOT using a power tool if the horse is less than 7 or 8 years old. She cautions veterinarians to be very careful with power tools if just out of vet school. “You have to be very strong to use the instruments. It is not only precision required but strength as well to manipulate these giant tools.”

Chelsea’s nose twitches in enjoyment. The first and only horse ever who enjoys have the dentist visit.

Yes, a visit from the dentist is costly but it is important and worth the expense. Here are some great reasons to have your horse’s teeth checked on a regular basis.

Due to the discomfort of neglected teeth the horse can become difficult to manage. You then invest money in more training, then a different bit. You finally decide to sell the horse due to its bad temper. All the horse needed was a visit from the dentist.

So when you weigh the pros and cons of doing regular dental work for your horse; there are no cons. The expense is worth it. And that goes for humans as well. That’s you! Don’t forget that yearly visit to your dentist.

“What kind of jobs are there for a person interested in working with horses?” I ask the good doctor. I am thinking of myself, I feel I am doing a great job holding the horse’s tongue and maybe I could be a Veterinarian’s assistant full time, and saunter about with a stethoscope dangling from my neck. I would look so cool. My fantasy bubble bursts when Dr. Ross gives me the cold hard facts: to do any kind of horse dentistry you must be a veterinarian. And… no, she does not use an assistant. She prefers that the owner assists with their horse. Sometimes she has veterinarian student volunteers come with her on her rounds. This helps a student decide what kind specialty they would like to pursue.

But, there are jobs out there if you love working with horses. To become a veterinarian Technician you must take a 2-3 year course. But that will not guarantee you a job with horses. Lots of people want to work with horses. Here are some job ideas:

• Horse barn manager

• Riding teacher

• Trainer

• Stable operator

• Horse massage therapist

Some useful tips from Dr. Heather Ross

A lb. of carrots a day is enough. More than that can give a horse gas and make it uncomfortable.

Never feed by hand – big horse rule.

Do not use round bales for your horse. They are too big, are left out in the rain and tend to develop mold inside. Horses can get respiratory problems from moldy hay.

visit my website www.livingwithhorses.com

Horse keeping and stable management information for the novice horse rider. Information you need to know – fast! Just click on the heading in which you are interested.

If you are thinking of making a big change in your life, and moving to the country and buying horses, this website will give you a taste, a feel for what your new life might be like.

And if you are just fantasizing about living the life you love….well… just do it. Maybe this website will help those horse lovers out there who have not until now envisioned themselves living their passion – horses – I dived into a life surrounded by horses and I have no regrets. If you only have one life – why not live it doing what you love…and not only on your annual 2 week holiday.

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An All Barkie “Hot Dot” Classic

Found On: Freddie’s Blog: Ruff ruff ruff ruff ruff ruff ruff ruff! .. Thanks Freddy!

According to the YouTube Blurb ..

Yes, friends… a rare look at a few minutes from “Hot Dog”, one of the ten “All Barkies” shorts made by Jules White. As you may know, White was the genius/despot behind the 3 Stooges shorts.. naturally, the man who would later film 4 shorts with Shemp after Shemp died would think a series of dogs playing poker and getting married would hit it big!

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Guinea Pigs

By Dane Bergen

Guinea pigs originated from the Andean region of South America, presently known as Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru. They were a food source for mountain tribes around the year 2000BC. They are still to this day used as a food source in that area. They also live off of families scraps and are used as pets or collectors of evil-spirits in healing ceremonies. European trades transported quinea pigs to Europe, people saw them as exotic pets.

Where do Guinea Pigs get their name and why?

No one knows for sure just how the guinea pig came to be called a “pig”. They really are not pigs but are larger rodents. However they do tend to make noises that are very similar to that of a pig. They alos have some similar physical features with a pig. Their heads are large, with a rounded hind end, and with no tail. The guinea pig is also able to survive in cramped conditions such as a “pig pen” therefore they were easier to transport to England. Even in other languages they are referred to as pigs. The Dutch often called them “Guineas Biggetie” (Guinean piglet). In Germany they use the term “Meerschweinchen” (little sea pigs). The Germans gave the guinea pigs the name from when they would stop in the New World to stock up on provisions and would purchase large amounts of guinea pigs for their main source of meat.

What kind of environment do Guinea Pigs live in?

Guinea pigs are very social animals living in large groups consisting of sows (females) and boars (males), the offspring are called pups. Their life expectance is any where from four to eight years. In the year 1997 it was recorded that a guinea pig lived for a record of 15 years. Guinea pigs mate for life unlike similar rodents who have several different mates. Domesticated guinea pigs generally are kept in groups of two, either all females, all males, or one female with a neutered male. All male groups usually do well as long as there is no females brought into their environment and they have enough room in their cage.

When in the wild they can be found in little groups grazing grass a lot like a herd of cattle. They are more active during dawn and dusk making in harder for predators to see them. When the are frightened they can move surprisingly fast. Domestic guinea pigs are often more active for longer periods of time and taking little naps in between.

Domestic guinea pigs usually are kept in plastic cages with softwood chip bedding. They are kept indoors, they are not capable of handling exposure to the elements or predators.

If you want to know more about Guinea Pigs including free information, reviews and much more, then please visit www.GuineaPigsUncovered.com

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