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My cat talks, does you dog?

Of course cats can talk, perhaps even your less witty dog can too.

The only real issue is whether humans can listen or understand.

I’m sure that many ccpets.com readers like myself are sure that one day scientists will confirm the existence and literal meanings of cat meows, like the one which in cat-talk means , “I’d like my codfish cooked tad longer, please.”

I can’t prove to you yet that my roommate Rama is quite so eloquent because he meows pretty much the same way whether he wants food, water, attention, or a small bite of my medium rare fillet mignon au pauvre.

However, when Rama wants to have me pick him up or either put him on my warm lap, or take him with me when I head to the bedroom for my daily postprandial 10-minute nap he lets out a steam of endless yowls that would wake the
dead.

Who will teach pets to talk?

Of course, Rama is descended from Hindu royalty, and everyone knows that cats are far more intelligent than other pets.

When the day come when cats can talk and be understood by their human slaves (that’s us), I am confident that it is felines who will teach dogs and lesser species to communicate as well.

Just remember, Dogs have Owners, Cats have Staff.

What Is A Cat?

By Shiva

Our gentle eyes
that see so much,
our claws that have
our special touch.

Purrs to fool you
think “all is well,”
which really translate
into “go to hell.”

Our slinky movements
and graceful flare,
makes slaves like you
think we really care.

As we tear up your rugs,
your chair and your hand,
and when you’ve had
all the pain you can stand,

We’ll fly from the room
as you call nine-one-one.
and celebrate victory –
us cats have won.

Dog Friendly Places at the Cape

I will be vacationing with my dog, Bella (a 2.5 year old lab mix) in West Dennis from August 8-15th. I would like to include Bella in as much of our vacation activities as possible, so can anyone provide any suggestions of dog friendly ideas/places on the cape?

Goodbye to Rama

My loyal Rama is no more

It’s taken me a while to write this because Rama was as sweet a cat as I even shared a life with, and there have been dozens.

He was a sweet boy for all 18 of his Short-haired, Oriental years, putting up with his bossy bro Shiva who passed away three months earlier.

Rama lost half his already thin 11 pounds after his fraternal twin died, and he spent a lot of his last days on my lap.

I’ll never forget him, and still think I see him flashing through the house in the dark of night.

I can’t write any more – I weep for my old companion.

My cat is on Youtube

Our new kittens are whacked, and some days they think they are Kat King climbing a cardboard Empire State building, see here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmvkJfu1Wqk

Polar Bear Plunge This Weekend!!

This weekend we will be plunging for a wonderful cause: The Sampson Fund! We are raising money to go towards pets whose owners cannot afford the care they need.

Come out and support us!

March 7th, 2010
12:00 PM

West Dennis Beach

See you there!

Pet Food Drive with For The Love of A Pet

Hi There!

We are at it again! We will be collecting pet food items (unopened and unexpired) for “The Love of the Pet” pet food pantry. We will be collecting from now until April 17th.

You may drop off your donations at CARE at 79 Theophilus Smith Rd. South Dennis, MA 02660.

“For the Love of a Pet” is an amazing organization that assists families in need of pet food. Oftentimes the families that are helped may have recently had a job loss or some similar event that has taken them by surprise. The help that For the Love of a Pet provides can bridge the gap, and prevent pets from being surrendered to shelters from happy homes.

We need your help today! One can, a bag, anything you can do will make a difference. Please remember our food drive the next time you are picking up pet food at the store.

Chocolate Ingestion- A Reminder to the Easter Bunny to Keep Chocolate out of Reach of all Pets!

The call came in on a Sunday evening; a worried owner came home to discover her six year old cocker spaniel had gotten into a bag of dark chocolate candies, and had eaten at least a pound of them! He now was vomiting, and the owner was very concerned.

She was advised to bring him in for treatment right away, as the doctor feared the dog could have ingested a toxic dose of chocolate. Dark chocolate contains more of the concentrated, caffeine-like substance called theobromine that is toxic to dogs, and a relatively small dog eating so much of it was cause for grave concern. Ingesting high doses of chocolate can affect the nervous system, cardiovascular system and peripheral nerves, and usually requires supportive care and hospitalization to prevent potentially fatal damage.

When the little spaniel first came in he seemed to be doing better. Some of the trouble-making chocolate had been removed from his system when he vomited at home. However, there was no way of knowing how much toxin had already been absorbed, and as a precaution he was admitted into our hospital for the night, where he could receive IV fluids and be closely observed by our medical staff.

Once hospitalized, he was given liquid charcoal orally to help sop up any toxins lingering in his intestines. He seemed to actually like the charcoal, and his penchant for unusual treats is certainly what got him in trouble in the first place!

Within a few hours the little tan and white dog became increasingly agitated, and it was discovered he had a markedly elevated heart rate. He was given medications to treat the emerging symptoms of chocolate toxicity, and was carefully monitored. Soon he developed diarrhea and continued to be excitable and tachycardic (have an increased heart rate), necessitating more medications to moderate his racing heart and a sedative to calm him. He continued to have diarrhea that smelled like chocolate, and was black from the charcoal he was given!

With supportive care the friendly cocker spaniel gradually started feeling better as his symptoms subsided. He was able to go home that afternoon having recovered well from what could have been a tragic situation. If he hadn’t received the constant monitoring and care from our doctor and technician throughout the night the outcome could have been much worse.

If your dog ever accidentally ingests chocolate, please call a veterinarian right away. A doctor can tell you if your dog needs immediate treatment. C.A.R.E. is here to treat all pet emergencies any time your regular veterinary office is closed; nights, weekends and all major holidays. Nothing makes us happier than sending our patients home after successful treatment. And you can bet the cocker spaniel’s “mom” will be keeping her chocolate under lock and key from now on!

—Emily Murray, CVT

Physical Therapy and Weight Loss Can Give New Leash on Life!

The nine year old golden retriever was lucky. A year ago his veterinarian diagnosed a painful hind limb mass as a histiocytoma sarcoma. To prevent the spread of the cancer, the golden’s leg had to be amputated. He recovered well from the surgery, and the endearing older dog with soulful eyes and an often-wagging tail was fortunate to have a new lease on life. But that lease was limited by weight troubles that had plagued him his entire life, and now made mobility very difficult. His one remaining hind leg had to bear the strain of many excess pounds, and as a result he was very uncomfortable. For the past year since the surgery, he had to walk with the assistance of a sling, and had great difficulty to even stand up.
The golden first came to CARE to consult with our physical therapist, Nancy Bishop, to address his obesity and subsequent mobility troubles. His owners love him dearly and wanted him to have the best quality of life possible. Nancy found him to be painful in all three remaining legs and his back. An immediate plan for controlling his weight with diet and appropriate exercise was recommended, with physical therapy in our underwater treadmill being a primary component of his low-impact workout regime. The owners had planned to board him at a kennel for the next two weeks while they vacationed, but they instead decided to keep him at CARE so he could begin his rehabilitative program right away.
The next two weeks saw the lovable dog well on his way to a healthy, happy, and pain-free life. He received almost daily sessions in the underwater treadmill, allowing him to exercise in the gentle resistance of the water while alleviated from most of his body weight. He also received beneficial massages, heat therapy and range of motion exercises that promoted the healing and strengthening of his overburdened hind leg. His diet was limited to the appropriate nutrition for his lifestyle, including low calorie food supplemented with green beans and occasional healthy treats. He enjoyed his physical therapy sessions greatly, especially afterwards when he gets to play with Nancy’s golden retrievers, who assist her everyday demonstrating how to master rehabilitative exercises, and all of their toys. Like most goldens, he loves stuffed animals!
By the end of his stay at CARE, the cheerful retriever was walking without the need of a sling, and was even running uphill on his walks! He lost an impressive six pounds, and his discomfort in his limbs had greatly decreased. When his people came to pick him up he was sent home with a detailed program to follow, including exercise recommendations, a diet plan, and advise on how to keep him entertained with appropriate toys instead of food. He will be returning to CARE regularly to continue his physical therapy sessions, which is good for him and us, since we sure do miss him!
Besides being open for emergencies every evening, weekend, and all holidays, CARE hosts a comprehensive physical therapy program to address a variety of concerns for dogs and cats, including post-operative rehabilitation, weight management, and injury recovery. Veterinary rehabilitation has been demonstrated to speed recovery time, improve function, and restore performance following injury or surgery. The retriever’s story is just one example of the amazing recoveries facilitated by CARE’s physical therapy program every day.
-Emily Murray, CVT

Owner's Intuition is the First Step to Getting Life Saving Treatment

The cat’s owner knew something was wrong when he wasn’t eating or purring. Her pudgy cat with big yellow eyes and hair as black as a shadow just hadn’t been right for the past several days. He was hiding under the bed, acting sluggish, and had vomited a few times. Furthermore, he had not urinated that day.
She had owned this cat all of his twelve years and none of this was like him, so she brought him to her regular veterinarian. A bloodwork analysis showed the cat’s kidney function was dangerously compromised. It was recommended that she bring her cat to CARE for hospitalization and intravenous fluids to help combat inevitable kidney failure.
Upon arriving at CARE that afternoon, the emergency doctor discovered the cat was suffering from urinary obstruction. This is a life threatening condition associated with Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) in which the urethra becomes blocked by crystals, stones, or plugs of mucous. The cat was literally unable to urinate. In addition to his large painful bladder, his kidneys weren’t able to remove toxins from his blood and maintain a proper balance of fluids and electrolytes in his body. He was in danger of developing serious heart arrhythmias, succumbing to a coma, and dying. All of this can happen within twenty-four to forty-eight hours of obstruction.
The black cat immediately underwent a procedure to unblock his urethra and reestablish urine flow. An indwelling urinary catheter was placed to allow his urine output to be monitored and to prevent re-obstruction. He received fluid therapy to flush his kidneys and regain normal blood values, and medications to limit discomfort. The sweet big cat recovered very well, and was eating enthusiastically within several hours of his procedure! This was encouraging, as it meant he liked the new food he would have to eat from now on. He would need the prescription diet specially designed for cats with urinary tract disease to help prevent the formation of material in his urinary tract that could lead to re-obstruction.
In addition to this change, the cat’s owner was encouraged to take several other measures to help prevent him from blocking again. The cat should be encouraged to drink a lot of water, through constant access to fresh water and feeding of canned food for its increased moisture content. He needs all stress in his environment minimized, as added stress is found to correlate with this syndrome. And, perhaps most difficult for this happy eater, he would have to lose weight. Overweight cats have a greater risk of developing FLUTD. He will soon learn to enjoy playing and interacting with his owner more, in place of overeating.
Urinary obstruction is a common occurrence in male cats of all ages. It is a true medical emergency, and cat owners should be aware of the signs so they can seek immediate treatment for their cat if it ever happens. Any cat that has bloody urine, is straining to urinate (often mistaken for constipation), is urinating more frequently and/or in unusual places, is crying out while trying to urinate or licking excessively at their urinary opening is highly likely to be developing an obstruction. CARE is here every night, all weekend, and all holidays to provide immediate medical care in such situations.

Emily Murray, CVT

Play groups?

I found a nice fenced in field in the W. Barnstable area and am looking for play dates for my medium sized 1 year old dog. Is any one interested? My dog is very friendly, still a puppy and only wants friendly friends!

Let me know if you’re interested in meeting occasionally.

susan

A Dog and his Boy

The old lab’s stomach was gradually expanding. It was almost unnoticeable at first, but then he began throwing up and went off his food for many days. Suddenly one night he could not get up. His owners brought him to CARE right away, where he was found to be in a state of shock and very anemic. Most startling of all, ultrasound and radiographs revealed a huge mass growing from his spleen, crowding out his other organs. He would need surgery immediately to remove the massive invader and save his life.
A surgery of this proportion for a twelve year old lab is not an easy decision for an owner to make . . . especially since there was no telling if the growth was cancerous, and no time to wait to find out. However, for his family the choice could not be more obvious. They would do whatever it took to save their dog, even if it was for a precious few weeks or months. He was the only one who truly connected with their developmentally disadvantaged son, and even a tumor of this size could not obstruct their bond. The family quickly authorized surgery.
After four hours on the operating table, a blood transfusion, and the intense efforts of two of CARE’s emergency doctors, a fifteen pound mass was excavated from the dog’s abdomen. It took both doctors to heft its bulk out of him, and with that he was literally relieved of a great burden. The sincere grey-faced dog recovered from his ordeal very well: within a day he was back on his feet, taking wobbly – but much lighter – steps. His insides were back where they belonged, and he was voraciously hungry. His stomach had room for food again! Most importantly of all, he was able to go home to his very best friend sooner than expected.
The event proved to be only another adversity they would help each other overcome.
CARE is here to perform life-saving procedures at the moment they are needed. Without the advanced diagnostics and therapies the lab received, his outcome may have been tragically different. We could not be happier to send him home with his boy.
-Emily Murray, CVT