The Greenwood Veterinary Clinic

Dr. Matthew Singer, VMD 806 West Center St. Greenwood, Ar 72936 (479) 996-4127

Monthly Archives: April 2012


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10 tips to help keep your cat’s brain young

Cats are living longer than ever before — it’s not unusual for felines to reach their mid-to-late teens or even early twenties. A longer lifespan, however, can leave felines frazzled if their once-spry brains aren’t properly stimulated. In fact, cats over the age of 15 can develop feline cognitive dysfunction (FCD), a cat version of Alzheimer’s disease in which a starchlike, waxy protein (beta amyloid) collects in the brain.
Feline Cognitive Dysfunction

The symptoms of FCD can frustrate owners because they often mimic other behavior problems. In addition to acting disoriented, cats with the condition may cry and pace, get lost in the house or even stuck in corners. They can also act scared and have trouble sleeping. Most felines with FCD develop hit-or-miss litter box tendencies — yuck! — and even when they do find the box, they may not know what to do with it. Perhaps most heartbreaking: Some senile kitties tend to shun petting, ignore people and other companion animals, and stop recognizing a beloved owner.

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for FCD, but your vet may prescribe medication that may help. But even with treatment, afflicted cats can develop senility behavior signs again, which is why it’s important to focus on feline brain health long before FCD has a chance to strike. Brain function studies in dogs proved that problem-solving activities kept canines sharp, connected to the world around them and even extended their lifespan. The old saying “use it or lose it” also applies to cats, so here are some simple tips for keeping your feline mentally fit well into her golden years.
Helping Your Cat Stay Mentally Spry

1. Train the Brain Early. To slow the progression of aging in the brain, make sure your cat is physically active and mentally engaged throughout her life — starting when she’s a kitten.

2. Play Daily. Cats thrive on routine, and building play into everyday life increases the chances that she’ll stay active in later years. Homemade toys like wads of paper, socks stuffed with catnip and ribbons that you can drag on the floor cost little but bring huge rewards.

3. Keep Her Physique in Check. Overweight cats avoid physical exertion and prefer sleep and lap time to brainteasers. To encourage exercise and problem solving, place food bowls at the top of stairs or cat trees.

4. Create Some Kitty TV. Place bird feeders and birdbaths outside windows for your cat’s viewing pleasure and brain-stimulating entertainment.

5. Build Obstacle Courses. Set up cat trees, empty boxes, paper bags and other hiding spots, so your feline can lounge, climb and explore.

6. Adopt a Younger Pet. A playful cat or dog, when introduced safely and correctly, can turn back the clock and inspire an old-timer to move her tail — and jump-start her sluggish brain.

7. Offer a New Leash on Life. Teach your cat to walk on a leash, so she can safely explore the yard — or simply use her brain to troubleshoot how to get out of the darn thing.

8. Teach With Treats. Call out “Fluffy, come!” Then turn on the can opener, and when the cat runs to you, reward her with a snack.

9. Pick Up a Puzzle. Toys that dispense treats mimic feline hunting behaviors, keeping cats entertained and mentally sharp.

10. Make Treasure Hunts Out of Meals. Hide saucers full of small amounts of food all over the house — and place them at different levels, so your cat must seek out the morsels.

Once cats reach their senior years, their companionship becomes even more precious. If you pay attention to your kitty’s mental health, you’ll keep her connected with life — and you — as long as possible.


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Daily did you know that?

Many dogs will circle around a spot before they settle down to rest. While no one can be certain of the exact reason why canines do this, the ritual is likely a residual habit from the days when wolflike dogs lived out in the wild, says veterinary behaviorist Dr. Karen Sueda, DVM, of the VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital.

Your dog’s ancestors had to sleep outside, in the elements, without much warmth or safety. Walking around a spot was a way to stamp down grass, leaves or snow and create a soft, level surface — something akin to carving out a nest.
Circle There and Dig This

After she circles, does your dog scratch at the bedding or carpeting before curling up? Just like circling, the digging action is probably an ancestral behavior related to staying safe and comfortable.

In extreme heat, digging a hole was a way to reduce a dog’s body temperature by surrounding herself with cool soil that could help regulate body heat. When it was cold — or even freezing — climbing into a hole allowed a dog to retain body heat and keep cozy.

So why haven’t our pampered house pets evolved away from these behaviors?

Don’t worry — circling is not a sign that your pet has heard the call of the wild. Adaptive behaviors tend to linger long after they’ve lost their usefulness if there’s nothing to discourage them or “select against the habit,” Dr. Sueda says.
When Circling Could Be Cause for Concern

Restlessness can be a sign of discomfort or even pain. If your dog is repeatedly circling and digging but can’t seem to get comfortable, she may have a health problem, such as arthritis or neurological problems.

You should observe your pet to see if she’s having trouble getting up and settling down. If she’s restless, take her to the vet to rule out pain and get a proper diagnosis.


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Pets and kids, like peanut butter and jelly.

This story was taken from Vetstreet.com

 

 

My wife and I raised our two children in an animal-rich environment. Dogs, cats, horses, and more — our children always had animals in their lives.

Since I’m a practicing veterinarian that’s probably not a surprise. But what may come as news to you is that children are better off with animals in their lives. And that’s not just the animal lover in me talking; that’s the scientist.
The Benefits of Pets to Kids

Research has shown time and again that animals are good for kids. Here’s why.

Pets may prevent allergies. An increasing body of research shows that being raised with pets not only helps prevent allergies to animals but also to other allergy triggers, such as ragweed. Who wants to decrease the odds of a lifetime of sniffling and wheezing? Everyone! This doctor’s advice: keep your pet.

Pets may help prevent obesity. We all know that the United States has an obesity problem and that children are now diagnosed with many of the health problems once seen only in overweight adults. Part of the problem, we’re told, is that children aren’t active enough; they’d rather play video games than go outside and play real ones. But an Australian study suggests that children with family dogs were less likely to be overweight or obese. This is probably because they play together — and not Wii.

Pets may improve grades. Another body of work suggests that children with pets have an advantage when it comes to science, in part because they enter school with observations of animals that give them a foundation on which to build. And children who practice reading to dogs — a popular program nationwide — improve their reading skills dramatically because dogs listen without criticism or correction and encourage interaction.

Pets teach responsibility. My children grew up caring for animals (and caring about them, too, of course), and I think it taught them a great deal about thinking about the needs of others. Responsibility is a tricky subject, though, and can become a tug-of-war between parents who want children to handle animal care and kids who don’t want to be nagged about their chores.

I always recommend that the primary responsibility for pets stays with parents and that the role of children in caring for their animals be matched with what’s appropriate for their children’s ages. In other words, don’t expect a first-grader to remember to clean and fill a water dish every day. Older children can handle harder tasks, and some will relish the chance to take on more in caring for their pets. Encourage them in their grown-up behavior.

Pets teach unconditional love. This is the one benefit of having pets that everyone knows. Pets are always there for children, never need a reason to listen, and never criticize. Growing up can be difficult, and many times children just need to talk and be listened to. There’s nothing better for that than a purring cat or a tail-wagging dog. To pets, children are always perfect just the way they are.


A Personal Note

My daughter is now raising her own child with the same respect for and love of animals her mother and I raised her with. I’m proud of her, and I’m delighted to show off this little video of my granddaughter’s first words. As you can see, Reagan’s siblings are dogs and her first words? A bark! What can I say? In our family we love our pets!


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Get your kids involved in training your pets!

Today is National Kids and Pets Day — and we all know that there’s nothing cuter than a polite child with a well-behaved pet. But, like children, many dogs and cats misbehave because they’ve never been taught any differently. Just as our children have to be taught to say “please” and “thank you,” animals need training to learn how to use their good manners. Getting your children involved in training their pets helps to create well-mannered pets at the same time that it deepens the bond between your kids and their animals. You can read much more on the story here!


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Roosevelt gets FWD!

Border Collies love to run.

But when Stephanie Fox met Roosevelt at the New England Border Collie Rescue three years ago, the pup’s malformed front legs made it impossible for him to do what he loved. Fox saw the puppy’s potential, though, and she knew there had to be a way to get him up and running.

Fox got Roosevelt a wheelchair to help him get around, just like his namesake, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was stricken with polio as a child, reports the Bangor Daily News.

While many dogs use wheelchairs for their hind legs, Roosevelt needed support for the front of his body. So Fox invested in a $900 wheelchair for Roosevelt and had it re-engineered to support his front legs.

“The only difference between Roosevelt and other dogs is that instead of a collar, I snap on his wheels to take him out,” she told the paper. “It’s his front-wheel drive.”

Now there’s nothing holding this Portland, Maine, dog back.

“People think he should have been put down because they think he’s suffering,” Fox said. “But he wakes up happy every day.”


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Daily Did You Know That?

Q. Is there any reason I can’t use dog shampoo on my cat?

A. From a medical perspective, cats are different from dogs, including the way they react to flea-control products. If you use a dog shampoo that contains ingredients for combating fleas, you may put your cat at risk. This is true even of natural ingredients meant to repel fleas, so ask your veterinarian to recommend a feline-friendly shampoo. In general, you should consult your vet before using any dog product on your cat.

Many readers may wonder why someone should bathe a cat at all, since most felines groom themselves. I can think of a couple of reasons it’s a good idea to get your cat used to water: You may sometimes need to wash off something your cat got into, which you don’t want him to ingest when he licks his coat. Weekly rinsing also reduces the sneezing, wheezing and itchy eyes associated with allergies to cats. You don’t have to bother with soap for allergies, though: Just rinsing a cat weekly reduces the dander that triggers allergy attacks. (This method is not effective for individuals with life-threatening allergies, who should consult a physician for advice on dealing with severe reactions.)

That said, you may have a difficult time convincing an adult cat to tolerate bathing. However, it’s easier with kittens — if you proceed gently, with praise and treats, you’re more likely to end up with a cat who puts up with regular rinsing.

 

 

And……………..

 

- An African ostrich egg weighs almost 30 pounds and is so strong that a 200-pound man can stand on it without it breaking.

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