Dog got tummy trouble? An introduction . . .

Pepto-Bismol and Pepcid aren’t just for us homo sapiens anymore.  Increasingly, pet owners are turning to these products to help their canine companion’s “heartburn, nausea, indigestion, upset stomach, and diarrhea.”  At least a few questions arise in my mind around the number of dogs with tummy issues and how we choose to treat them:

1.  Are dogs today more prone to tummy trouble than generations past?

2.  Are drugs necessary to treat GI issues in dogs?  Isn’t there a more “natural” way?

3.  Are drugs safe and effective?

I think I know some of the answers, but in the interest of not sounding daft I’m gonna do some research and share what I find in the coming weeks.  Thanks to Lori for bringing it up!

A gentle reminder, dear readers, I am not a vet, nor do I pretend to be.  You ahould always consult your vet before giving your dog any medications, human or otherwise.  Also remember that medications that are safe for a dog could be dangerous or fatal for you, your cat or other species of pet and vice versa!

Puppies in need!

Just got this note from Jill at one of my favorite rescue groups . . .

“Hi all, I know money’s tight for everyone but one of Thumping Tails’ best friends and volunteers rescued not one but three young dogs in need last week. We couldn’t turn them away but their care costs money. All 3 are healthy, happy and highly adoptable. None are being kenneled, all are in foster homes and have gotten any medical care they need — something we are proud of with the standards we set at Thumping Tails Animal Rescue. But we need to raise funds to make sure these dogs stay safe until we get them adopted. The pups need to be spayed, Penny’s teetering on the edge of pneumonia right now… it all costs money. Whatever you can donate is appreciated and please pass on to everyone you know — every penny helps!!! Thanks for caring. And to learn more about our group, you can see our website at www.thumpingtails.org (although my computer crashed 2 weeks ago so some of the dogs for adoption are not current).

To help these puppies: http://www.firstgiving.com/3lostladies“

Cat keeping you up at night?

Fairly common problem with no simple solution!

Just found a great article by Dr. Nicholas Dodman which might be of help  . . .

http://www.petplace.com/cats/cats-that-talk-and-talk-dealing-with-hypervocalization/page1.aspx

Coyotes in Westwood?

In the Sept/Oct issue of The Pet Press a reader wrote in to complain that humane law enforcement wasn’t taking her seriously when she reported “that some sadist was killing pets” in her neighborhood.  She was told that the recent deaths of cats in her area was due to coyote activity.  She writes, “THERE ARE NO COYOTES IN WESTWOOD, south of Wilshire.  There are coyotes in canyons, the valleys, the hills, BUT NOT WESTWOOD.”

Now, I can’t say for a fact whether the cats in the reader’s area were killed by coyotes.  In fact it is more likely that the cats were hit by a car or cars or mauled by a stray or off-leash domestic dog.  What I can say for a fact is that THERE ARE COYOTES IN WESTWOOD.  The sighting that startled me most was a coyote standing at the corner of Ohio & Westholme watching the evening rush hour traffic go by!  Coyote activity has also been heavy lately in Rancho Park, which is, I believe “south of Wilshire.”

Not to be gruesome, but if a coyote attacks a small animal, it generally eats at least part of it (usually the lower half, I’m told).  If the dead animal is fairly intact, it probably wasn’t coyotes.

Sadly, there are also “sadist”s who kill cats and dogs for pleasure or to stop noise or soiling that they attribute to someone else’s pet.

I understand the reader’s anger that the authorities wouldn’t come examine the dead cats (authorities did come in Rancho Park) because it is useful for pet owners to know what they’re up against.  I also understand that the authorities have limited resources and are reluctant to examine every dead pet when they’ve already established coyote activity in a certain area.

Cat owners need to be realistic.  Domestic cats allowed outside are likely to be injured or killed at some point by outdoor hazards (including other domestic cats that may fight with them).  On the other hand, cats love to get out and see the world.  Each owner gets to weigh the pros and cons, each cat lives with the consequences . . .

ROMP event!

One wonders what one was thinking doesn’t one !

On October 25th, ROMP is hosting a fundraiser for the Cornell Club of Los Angeles’ Scholarship Endowment. Sounds stuffy, I know, but it should be great fun since it’s really a dogapalooza in disguise.  I just hope no one wears nice clothes!  For more info, go to: http://www.cornellclubla.com/article.html?aid=540

If anyone has any suggestions for making the day a success, bring ‘em on!

Pictures and video from the event to follow . . .

Beginning to blog about beasts . . .

Dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, fish and other assorted beasties are pretty much my entire life.  Beasts are great company, but sometimes, just sometimes, I like to chat with other humanoids.  Of course, all I usually talk about are dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, fish and other assorted beasties.  Soooo, I’m gonna blog about the beasts — thoughts, problems, solutions . . . feel free to join the fray!  Let the games begin!