Overview

Signs and Identification

• Inactivity
• Listlessness
• Uneasiness
• Yawning or panting
• Whining
• Excessive drooling
• Vomiting (even on an empty stomach)
• Fear of cars

Affected Breeds

Treatment

• Help your dog face forward while traveling by strapping him or her into the seat with a specially designed canine seatbelt.
• If you buckle your dog into the front passenger seat, position the seat as far as possible from the dashboard or disable the passenger air bag, which can be hazardous to dogs.
• Lower car windows a few inches to equalize the inside and outside air pressures.
• Keep the vehicle cool.
• Limit your dog’s food and water consumption before travel.
• Give your dog a treat or two every time he or she gets into the car.
• Give your dog a toy that he or she enjoys and can have only in the car.
• Give your dog a one- to two-week break from car rides.
• Use a different vehicle to avoid triggering your dog’s negative response to your usual vehicle.
• Take short car rides to places a dog enjoys, such as the park, especially if your dog associates car rides only with trips to the veterinarian’s office.

1. Accustom your dog to approaching the car without getting in it.
2. Spend time with your dog in the car with the engine off.
3. Take short trips (e.g., around the block).
4. Take longer trips. Reward your dog with praise and/or treats every time he or she does something well.

Prevention

We all know how important it is to have our cat companions spayed or neutered. But sometimes time gets away from even the best-intentioned cat caretakers -- and before you know it, you’ve got a cat in heat on your hands. Don’t delay a trip to the vet if you see the following signs.

1. Increased appetite and restlessness

2. Creepy calling and meowing

3. A dramatic increase in affectionate behavior

4. The "come hither" pose

                             

10 "Poison Pills" for Pets

Anyone who takes medication prescribed for someone else puts themselves at risk of illness or even death - and this applies to your pets, too! Although there are many medications used in both animals and people, the effects, doses needed, and other things aren't always the same.

About one-quarter of all phone calls to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) are about human medications. Your pet can easily ingest dropped pills or may be given harmful human medications by an unknowing owner, resulting in illness, or even death, of your pet.

The APCC provided us with the 10 most common human medication complaints they receive. Here they are, in order based on the number of complaints:

1. Ibuprofen – Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) is the most common human medication ingested by pets. Many brands have a sweet outer coating that makes it appealing to pets (think "M&M," but a potentially deadly one). Ibuprofen can cause stomach ulcers and kidney failure.


2. Tramadol – Tramadol (Ultram®) is a pain reliever. Your veterinarian may prescribe it for your pet, but only at a dose that's appropriate for your pet – never give your medication to your pet without first consulting your veterinarian! Too much tramadol can cause sedation or agitation, wobbliness, disorientation, vomiting, tremors and possibly seizures.


3. Alprazolam – Alprazolam (Xanax®) is prescribed as an anti-anxiety medication and a sleep-aid. Most pets that ingest alprazolam can become sleepy and wobbly; however a few will become very agitated instead. These pills are commonly ingested by pets as people put them out on the nightstand so they remember to take them. Large doses of alprazolam can drop the blood pressure and could cause weakness or collapse.


4. Adderall® – Adderall® is a combination of four different amphetamines and is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children. This medication doesn't have the same effect in pets as it does in people; it acts as a stimulant in our pets and causes elevated heart rate and body temperature, along with hyperactivity, tremors and seizures.


5. Zolpidem – Zolpidem (Ambien®) is a sleep-aid for people. Pets commonly eat pills left on the bedside table. Zolpidem may make cats wobbly and sleepy, but most pets become very agitated and develop elevated heart rates.


6. Clonazepam – Clonazepam (Klonopin®) is used as an anticonvulsant and anti-anxiety medication. It is sometimes also prescribed as a sleep-aid. When animals ingest clonazepam they can become sleep and wobbly. Too much clonazepam can lower the blood pressure, leading to weakness or collapse.


7. Acetaminophen – Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is a very common pain killer found in most households. Cats are extremely sensitive to acetaminophen, but dogs can be affected too. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage. It can also cause damage to your pet's red blood cells so that the cells are unable to carry oxygen – like your body, your pet's body needs oxygen to survive.


8. Naproxen – Naproxen (Aleve®, Naprosyn®) is an over-the-counter pain reliever. Dogs and cats are very sensitive to naproxen and even small amounts can cause stomach ulcers and kidney failure.


9. Duloxetine – Duloxetine (Cymbalta®) is prescribed as an antidepressant and anti-anxiety agent. When ingested by pets it can cause agitation, vocalization, tremors and seizures.


10. Venlafaxine – Venlafaxine (Effexor®) is an antidepressant. For some unknown reason, cats love to eat the capsules. Ingestion can cause agitation, vocalization, tremors and seizures.

As you can tell from this list, a medication that does one thing for people does not necessarily do the same for our pets. And although this may be the list of the medications about which the APCC receives the largest numbers of complaints, remember that any human medication could pose a risk to your pets – not just these 10.

You can keep your pets safe by following simple common sense guidelines:

• Always keep human medications away from pets unless you are specifically instructed by a veterinarian to give the medication;


• Do not leave pills sitting on counter or any place a pet can get to them;


• Do not leave pill bottles within reach of pets (You'll be surprised how fast your dog can chew through a pill bottle.);


• If you're taking medications out of the bottle and you drop any of it, pick it up immediately so you know your pet won't be able to eat it;


• Always contact your veterinarian if your pet has ingested any medication not prescribed for them;


• Never give your medication (or any medications prescribed for a two-legged family member) to your pet without first consulting a veterinarian.

...and last, but not least, always keep the number for your veterinarian and the APCC handy. You don't want to be looking for it in an emergency situation! 

All info in this blog post is from the AVMA. 

Devon Rex

An eye-catching breed that is still in its infancy, the Devon Rex will make its home in your arms and in your heart. Just independent enough to be an ideal cat for working families, the Devon will shower its people with love and attention when they are around, and stay out of trouble when they are not. And, because it sheds very little, it does not shower the home in hair. For those looking for a unique, warm, and loving companion, the Devon Rex is a perfect fit.

Physical Characteristics

Personality and Temperament

Demodectic Mange

Symptoms and Types

Causes

Diagnosis

Sarcoptic Mange

Symptoms

• Intense scratching
• Skin rash
• Crust formation in the affected area
• Hair loss (alopecia) 

Causes

Diagnosis