This Cute Pet: 12/2/07

For the dog who has everything.
A diamond and gold dog collar.

Larry, The King of Rock and Roll
Watch this video presentation.

Cats and Holiday Safety

Take care of your furry friend this holiday season. There are some hidden dangers that you should be aware of.

1) THE TREE. With a live tree, the water that gathers in the reservoir at its base is poisonous from the tree's sap. The tree-preservative chemicals people use are poisonous as well. It is a good idea to keep cats away from this water. A good way to do this is to cover it with something such as a tress skirt of block is with gifts.

Cats like to climb trees. Try to surround the tree with gifts or other kinds of blocks to prevent the cat getting injured or you losing any nice ornaments.One tip is to spray the tree with a bitter anti-chew spray.

2) DECORATIONS. Tinsel, if swallowed, can cause intestinal obstruction. Be sure to secure ornaments with twist ties .

3) GIFTS. Obviously you want to keep food gifts away from kitty. Also, be aware of ribbons. Cats love strings and ribbons however, they can be easily swallowed which can lead to problems.

4) FOOD. Don't feed your cat table scraps. Remember, chocolate is toxic, and it only takes a small amount to be fatal.

5)Attention. With all of the activities going on during the holiday season, it is important to remember to give your cat special attention. It is good for you and your cat.

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New- American Red Cross Cat First Aid Guidelines

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Are You Allergic to Pets?

Allergies due to pets can be caused by;

-Animal skin secreting a proteirn
-Saliva and urine of the pet this allergy reaction is caused by the allergens that become air borne when the saliva dries out.
-Dead skin cells of the animals that are shed can also cause allergy. Inhaling air mixed with dead cells causes a reaction in the airways of the lungs making it difficult to breathe.

Symptoms may include;

Sneezing
Difficulty breathing
A Rash

The severity of the reaction varies in each individual but if not treated or checked in time can lead to asthma. Be sure to consult a physician if you suspect an allergy to pets.

Treatments

People allergic to pets should not come in contact with the pets. It is very important to ensure the cleanliness of the house. Carpets, upholstered furniture, mats and rugs are the reservoirs of allergens.

There is no permanent treatment of pet allergies. However, there are various medications available that can help control the symptoms. These include nasal sprays, eye drops and antihistamine pills.In case, the allergy creates asthma like symptoms, medication like broncho-dilators and inhalers are given to relax the airways of the lungs.

Again, consult your physician if you suspect an allergy.

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Warning Signs in your Aging Dog

1. Limping or lameness. Probably caused by arthritis. Could also be a symptom of a joint disease, injury, various diseases, and cancer. Your dog may be reluctant to exercise, and have trouble rising or handling stairs.

2. Change in appetite or weight. An increased or decreased appetite, or unexplained weight gain or weight loss can be linked to many different conditions. See a vet to get an accurate diagnosis is critical for effective treatment.

3. Abnormal chewing,difficulty chewing, chewing on one side, face rubbing, or bad breath. These may be symptoms of a dental disorder, sinus disease, or mouth tumor.

4. Increased water consumption. Drinking more water, usually accompanied by more frequent urination, can be associated with kidney or liver disease, diabetes, or other endocrine disorders.

5. Changes in urination. Increased urination or straining during urination or dribbling urine, or unexplained accidents in a house can indicate a problem of the urinary tract.

6. Behavioral changes. Such as seizures can be signs of canine cognitive dysfunction or various neurologic disorders.

7. Lumps and bumps. Small, benign fatty tumors are common in older dogs. However, they should still be checked out.

8. Depression. It is important to keep letting your dog know that he is loved and give him attention.

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How to Start a Tropical Fish Aquarium

Are you interested in starting a tropical fish aquarium?
Here are some tips for you. It is advised that you check with the experts at a fish store for more precise instructions as well.

1. If you are just starting out, you should start small. Your local discount store is a good place to pick up your beginning supplies. This will be 5 or 10 gallon sized.

You will also need to pick up distilled water (6-11 gallons, depending on the size tank), a filter (check the size so that is best fits the tank), a heater (again, check the size to make sure that it fits the tank capacity), and start checmicals (ask the nice people at the store to suggest the correct ones).

Do not buy the fish,. Fish will not be able to live in your tank for a couple of weeks. The tank needs enough time to grow the correct type of bacteria needed for fish.

2. Stocking your tank.

After the initial two weeks have gone by, you can start thinking about filling it up with goodies. It is said that you will need one gallon of water to keep 1 inch of fish. Make sure that your keep this ratio in mind before deciding to add more fish to your aquarium.There are many kinds of beginner fish out there that are inexpensive. Zebra Danios, White Clouds, and Platys are great starters.
Other suggestions- Give the fish plants to hide in.There are also neat looking statues etc. that they can swim through.

3. Maintenence.
Clean/change the tank water at regular intervals.Every one to two weeks is suggested. This will help to remove any solid waste that will accumulate, keep the ammonia and other byproducts in tact, and also greatly improve the appearance of your tank.By cleaning your tank, it is suggested that you remove 1/3rd of the water and replace it with DISTILLED (not tap) water, wipe the algae from the sides, replace your filter cartridge, and check/maintain your chemical balance (easy to do- check with your pet store for advice).

4. Feeding.
Check the label on the food container. Generally, you will feed them 2-3 times a day. Be careful about choosing fish food that will not discolor your water.

Keep in mind that some fist do better in cool water (gold fish for example) and others do better in warm water and some do better in salt water. Do not mix these fish.

Don't get upset when fish die. Often it is because of something you had nothing to do with. When they do die, be sure to scoop them out asap and check your chemicals in case there is something wrong with your water.

That's it!
Again, check with a professional for the best advice!

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Advice about pet poisoning.

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PET PAMPERING

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For the last three years, the editors at Dog Fancy, one of the country’s leading canine-centric magazines, have compiled a list of the best cities in the U.S. to be a dog, naming San Diego as this year’s winner of their DogTown USA award. Chicago and Portland Ore., topped the polls in previous years.
San Diego
The warm Californian climate makes this a year-round animal playground, and there’s a wonderful selection of both pet-friendly and off-leash beaches.
Long Beach, Calif.
Belmont Shore is fast gaining a nationwide reputation for hosting several annual pet parades and doggie beauty contests, such as the Easter and the Howl o’ween parades.

Carmel, Calif.
Portland, Ore.
Seattle
Chicago
New York
Orlando, Fla.
Colorado Springs, Colo
Austin, Texas

Happy travels!

Sandy Robins is an award-winning pet lifestyle writer. She is a member of both the Dog Writers Association of America and the Cat Writer’s Association of America. She lives in Southern California with a menagerie of well-traveled pets.

Don't miss these Travel stories from msnbc.com

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Cat survives 19 days with head stuck in a peanut butter jar.

In Tennessee, a girl who has fed a feral cat she calls Wild Oats for several years, is now thinking of changing the feline's name to Survivor.

The girl says the cat survived for 19 days with a peanut butter jar stuck on its head.The family saw the cat several times with the jar on its head and tried in vain to catch it. When they did not see the cat for a week, they thought the worst.

"I thought she was going to die with that jar on her head," said the girl.

When they found the cat on the next Wednesday, she was too thin and weak to flee. They caught her with a fishing net and used some oil to get the jar off her head.

They gave her water and treated her wounds and on Friday she began to eat again.

Memphis veterinarian Gerald Blackburn said he's heard similar stories of pets getting trapped for days or even weeks at a time and surviving. Blackburn said the cat may have lived off of its excess fat.

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PET DIABETES

As with people, the incidence of diabetes in cats and dogs is increasing. Not so much of a problem in decades past, diabetes now affects as many as one in 50 of the animals, some statistics show, especially pudgy pets.

Dogs are often diagnosed with diabetes because the owner notices the dog has suddenly gone blind due to the rapid cataract development that often occurs in diabetic dogs.

Cats are often diagnosed with diabetes because the owner notices the cat has weak rear legs (often referred to as called diabetic neuropathy, ) or it is walking on its hocks.

Diabetes results when the body doesn't produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that processes glucose. As a result, the body's tissues cannot use glucose for energy, and the sugar builds up in the blood and urine.Veterinarians say that while obesity clearly is linked to diabetes in pets, it appears to contribute to the disease differently in cats and dogs.

Fat cats are prone to diabetes because they develop insulin resistance, meaning their bodies don't effectively use insulin. As a result, the pancreas pumps out more insulin as well as another hormone called amylin.

Risk Factors-

OBESITY - both obese cats and dogs are at risk for developing type II diabetes. Cats over 15 pounds are at high risk.
DIESTRUS in the unspayed female dog. The period of sexual inactivity after the female is receptive.

Symptoms:

— Drinks unusual amounts of water

— Urinates much more frequently

— Eats ravenously but still loses weight

Causes

genetic
infectious viral diseases
immune-mediated destruction of the pancreatic beta cells
pancreatitis
drugs: glucocorticoids (steroids) and progestagens (reproductive hormones)
predisposing diseases: hyperadrenocorticism, acromegaly

Diagnosis-A diagnosis of DM is made based on clinical signs, physical exam, and lab tests. Findings typically include persistent hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar) and glucosuria (glucose in the urine). Often, ketones are present in the urine or blood.

If you suspect that your pet has diabetes, consult your vet. It can often be easily managed.

For more information http://www.petdiabetes.org/

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$10,000 reward for a missing parrot.

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Nearly half of all dog and cat owners intend to buy their pets holiday gifts
Source cnn.com

After reviewing countless trends, themes and styles, PetSmart's (NASDAQ: PETM) compilation of top holiday gifts for pets is complete and is nothing short of over-indulgent, fancy, whimsical, and, at times, even aromatic (when it comes to bedding, anyway).

"This season," says Dog Fashion Expert Rashell Cooper, "we focused on finding the right fabrics, colors and textures to live up to the theme of over-indulgence." To that end, Cooper recommends pampering the dog in your life with sweaters and coats featuring faux fur, tweeds and animal prints. "Fashion also meets function," she adds, "in the form of quilted reflective jackets and reversible vests."

Like their canine counterparts, says Cat Expert Heather Tobey Anderson, felines are finally enjoying more and more gift-list options, like holiday hats, a Santa cape and fancy collars. "For any cat parents that may have felt left out during the holidays -- this is no longer the case," she says. "Dogs are rolling over to share the spotlight with the cats."

Then there's the loofah -- better known as "Bo-Bo." According to Dog Toy Expert Jim Smith, "Pet parents are increasingly eager to add the latest 'Bo-Bo' to their collections. In addition to our traditional assortment, we unveiled Mrs. Claus and even a 'Bo-Bo' for cats." But you don't need to take Smith's word for it to know the long, plush toys are well sought after or why. "Just check out any of the YouTube videos that feature pets with their 'Bo-Bos' and you'll get it," he says.

No one, and that goes double for Small Animal Merchandising Expert Sandy Hobson, wants to see small pets left out in the cold. That's why she suggests the Habitrail habitat and scented bedding (yes, really -- scented bedding for small pets) as gift options, especially for tweens looking to give their gerbils or hamsters a more colorful, contemporary look or pleasant scent.

Sometimes the basics just can't be beat, at least from the dog's perspective, that's why rawhide, bones and chews are always at the top of the list. "We may wrap them up in bows or make them look like candy canes," says PetSmart Dog Chew Expert Tim Cogil, "but as far as dogs are concerned, they're just great to chew."

Savory earth tones of browns, burgundies and greens complete the home décor look of dog-bed gift sets (with matching blanket and plush toy), while stockings, stocking stuffers and stocking holders -- for both dogs and cats -- round out PetSmart's Top Holiday Gift Ideas for Pets, 2007.

For more information or to talk with a PetSmart Expert, call the PetSmart 24-Hour Media Line at 623-587-2177.

PetSmart, Inc. is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. The company operates more than 993 pet stores in the United States and Canada, a growing number of in-store PetSmart PetsHotel® cat and dog boarding facilities, and is a leading online provider of pet supplies and pet care information (www.petsmart.com). PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and pet products; and offers complete pet training, pet grooming, pet boarding, doggie day camp and pet adoption services. Since 1994, PetSmart Charities, Inc., an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization, has donated more than $52 million to animal welfare programs and, through its in-store pet adoption programs, has saved the lives of more than 3 million pets.

CONTACT:
Jennifer Ericsson or Michelle Friedman
PetSmart 24-Hour Media Line
623-587-2177

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There are positive health benefits to owning a dog or a cat.

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Zoo Books
Looking for a great gift for young children?

They will love this one. Zootles is a magazine that introduces kids 2-6 years old to Zoo animals. The pictures are inspiring enough to get children excited about their next visit or thinking about their last one. This is the kind of a gift that they will go back to and look at again.