Disaster Preparedness for Pets

Severe weather can be scary, especially for pets.  When making emergency plans for your family, be sure to include your pets.   

• Make sure that all of your pets have microchips and the registration is current.  Also make sure that all of your pets are wearing collars with current tags for quick identification.
• Make a kit that includes at least a week’s supply of food and medications, leashes, a carrier for cats and small pets, and a recent photo of you with your pets for identification purposes. Additionally, it may be a good idea to keep up-to-date vaccine records in case you need to go to a shelter or hotel that requires it.  Be sure to keep these items in a water proof container. 
• In case your family needs to evacuate your home, be sure that you know ahead of time a place to go that will allow pets. 
• Bring pets inside long before severe weather is warned.  Your pets can sense storms approaching long before they hit and can panic and hide.  It’s always a good idea to have crates with heavy blankets over them set up in your shelter area to place pets in.  Not only will this help protect them, but will keep them from getting loose during a crisis.

Once your family has a plan, be sure to review it with all members and do practice runs ahead of time.  A little prepping goes a long way in keeping not only your two-legged but your four-legged family safe!  

-Amanda Ward, R.V.T.

Kutter Pet Care Center 

Does My Cat Have Hairballs?

Does My Cat Have Hairballs?

The retching!  The mess on the carpet!  How to tell the difference between whether it's hairballs or vomit and what you should do about it. 

Hairball?

• Hairballs:  Hairballs are normal occurrences caused when cats inadvertently swallow their fur when grooming themselves.  Normally, the fur will pass into the intestines but sometimes it gets trapped in the stomach.    The cat will then cough, retch, or hack in an effort to bring  it up.  When they are able to bring the hairball up, it doesn't look like a ball  but rather a 'tube' of compacted hair in a puddle or liquid stomach contents.    It is common for a cat to pass a hairball once every week or two.  

Rarely hairballs cause a problem.  However on rare occasions, they can become impacted in the intestinal tract causing a life threatening condition.  Sign to watch for are not eating, lethargy, inability to pass stools, or repeated unproductive retching episodes. 

To help prevent hairballs (and save your carpet!) implement routine brushing or grooming sessions, feed a high fiber hairball formula diet, and use a laxative hairball remedy such as Laxaire. 

  

Vomiting:  The biggest difference between hairballs and vomit is the presence of hair.  Vomit would comprise of food kibbles and digested material without any tubes of hair.   Occasional or frequent vomiting is not normal for cats and requires veterinary attention.  Some cats will do what we call the "scarf and barf" where they vomit up whole kibbles right after eating which could be caused by eating too quickly.  Other causes of vomiting could be a sign of a metabolic condition, intestinal parasites, poison ingestion, or food allergies.   

If your cat is having trouble with any of these symptoms, we're just a phone call away.  Your cat and your carpet will thank you!  

-Amanda Ward, R.V.T

Kutter Pet Care Center 

Common Pet Poisons

Did you know that March is Pet Poison Prevention month? Would you be prepared if your pet ingested or came in contact with a known toxin?  Read on to find out what the most common poisons in dogs and cats are and what to do in case of exposure.  

                                                                                                                                                                                             

Poison Control Hotlines 

It's always a good idea to post close at hand your veterinarian's number (316)733-4222 , the number of an emergency clinic (316) 262-5321, and the number for the Poison Control Center. Before you call, note the time your pet was exposed to the toxin, the type of product ingested, the manufacturer's name and any ingredients you can find listed on packaging. 

     ASPCA Ani-Med   1.888.721.9100 

    ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center   1.888.426.4435 

    National Animal Poison Control Center   1.800.548.2423  

         If you need to speak to a veterinarian there, this service will be billed to a credit card. An alternate 

         number is (900) 680-0000. A veterinarian's services on this line will cost a flat fee for the first five 

         minutes, and an additional fee per minute for each additional minute. These charges will be billed 

         to your phone bill. (Call them for current pricing) 

    Kansas State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital    1.785.532.5679

        FREE 24 hours poison control hotline for pet owners and veterinarians. Be patient. The person 

        answering the phone may have to take a few minutes to consult the vet on duty. 

    Pet Lover's Helpline   1.900.776.0007    

  

    Tuft University School of Veterinary Medicine   508.839.5395 

                                                                                                                                                                                                

Plants and Foods Toxic to Pets

Here is a quick reference guide to the more common house and garden plants and foods (and other substances) that are toxic to most all animals. If you have these plants or foods, you need not dispose of them--just keep them away from your pets. Although it is impossible to list all possible poisons, these guidelines may help you begin to remove or place out of reach most potential problems. 

This list is NOT ALL INCLUSIVE 

 * Indicates that a substance is especially dangerous and can be fatal.

Foods which are toxic and poisonous to pets:

Alcohol (all alcoholic beverages, ethanol, methanol, isopropyl) 

Almonds* 

Apples seeds 

Apricots* 

Avocado Pits* 

Broccoli (in large amounts) 

Cherry pits 

Chocolate (all types)* 

Coffee grounds, beans & tea (caffeine) 

Figs 

Garlic* 

Grapes 

Hops (used in home brewing) 

Macadamia Nuts 

Milk 

Mouldy/spoiled foods 

Mushrooms 

Nutmeg 

Onions* 

Peaches* 

Pear seeds 

Plum seed/pit 

Potato (leaves & stem, peelings, and unripe green potatoes) 

Raisins 

Rhubarb leaves* 

Sugar Free items with Xylitol (see below)***

Tomatoes (leaves & stem, and green tomatoes) 

Walnut hulls 

Yeast dough* 

Plants which are toxic and/or poisonous to pets:

Almonds* 

Amaryllis bulb*

Andromeda

Anthuriaum* 

Apple seeds (contain cyanide) 

Apricot* 

Arrowgrass

Autumn crocus (Colchicum Autumnale)* 

Avocado (leaves, seeds, stem, skin)* (fatal to birds) 

Azalea (entire rhododendron family) 

Begonia* 

Bird of Paradise 

Bittersweet 

Bleeding heart* 

Boxwood 

Bracken fern 

Buckeye 

Buttercup (Ranunculus) 

Caffeine 

Caladium* 

Calla lily* 

Castor bean or castor oil plant* (can be fatal if chewed) 

Cherry pits (contain cyanide) 

Cherry Chinese sacred or heavenly bamboo* 

Chocolate Choke cherry, unripe berries* 

Chrysanthemum (a natural source of pyrethrins) 

Clematis 

Crocus bulb 

Croton (Codiaeum sp.) 

Crown of Thorns 

Daffodil 

Daphne 

Delphinium, larkspur, monkshood* 

Dieffenbachia 

Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia)* 

Elderberry, unripe berries* 

Elephant Ear 

English ivy (All Hedera species of ivy) 

Fig (Ficus) 

Four-o'clocks (Mirabilis) 

Foxglove (Digitalis)* 

Garlic* 

Grapes/raisins

Hemlock 

Hemp 

Hyacinth bulbs 

Hydrangea* 

Holly berries 

Iris corms 

Jack-in-the-pulpit* 

Jasmine 

Jerusalem Cherry, Winter Cherry (Solanum pseudocarpum) 

Jimsonweed* (Datur stramonium, D. metaloides, D. arborea) 

Kalanchoe* 

Lantana* 

Larkspur 

Laurel 

Lily (bulbs of most species) 

Lily (Easter Lily, Tiger Lily) 

Lily-of-the-Valley* 

Locoweed 

Lupine species 

Marigold 

Marijuana or hemp (Cannabis) 

Milkweed* 

Mistletoe berries* 

Monkshood  

Morning Glory* 

Mostera, aka Split-Leaf Philodendron or Swiss Cheese Plant 

Mountain laurel 

Mushrooms & Toadstools (various) 

Narcissus, daffodil 

Nettles 

Nightshade (various species) 

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) 

Oak* (remove bark for use as a bird perch) 

Oleander* 

Onions* 

Peaches* 

Pear seeds 

Pencil cactus/plant* (Euphorbia sp.) 

Periwinkle (Vinca rosea) 

Peyote (Lophophora williamsii) 

Philodendron (all species)* 

Plum pit/seed 

Poinsettia (many hybrids, avoid them all) 

Poison Ivy 

Potato (leaves & stem, peelings, unripe green potatoes) 

Precatory Beans (Crabs Eye, Rosary Pea, Jequirity Bean Used in jewelry. Extremely toxic when seedcoat is broken, as it is when the seeds are strung

Rhodedendron 

Rhubarb leaves* 

Rosary Pea (Arbus sp.) (can be fatal if chewed) 

Scheffelera (umbrella plant)* 

Shamrock (Oxalis sp.)* 

Skunk Cabbage 

Snow-on-the-Mountain 

Spurge (Euphorbia sp.) 

Tobacco 

Tomatoes (leaves & stem, green tomatoes) 

Tulip 

Walnut hulls 

Water Arum 

Wisteria 

Yew*

Other substances that are very harmful include (but are not limited to):

Acetaminophen 

Acetone 

Antifreeze 

Aspirin

Bleach

Boric Acid

Brake Fluid

Carbon Monoxide

Carbuerator Fluid

Cigarettes and other nicotine products and smoke 

Cleaning Fluids

Cosmetics 

Crayons (dangerous for birds) 

Deoderant

Deodorizers

Detergents

Diet Pills

Disinfectants

Drain Cleaners 

Dyes

Fungicides

Furniture Polish

Gasoline

Hair Coloring

Herbicides

Insecticides 

Kerosine

Laundry supplies & fabric softener 

Laxatives

Lead 

Liquor

Lye

Matches

Mercury 

Metal Polish

Mineral Spirits

Mothballs

Nail Polish & Nail Polish Remover

Paint 

Paint Remover 

Permananet Solution 

Phenol 

Photo Developer

Rodent poison 

Rubbing Alcohol

Rust (dangerous for birds) 

Shoe Polish

Sleeping Pills

Slug/Snail Bait

Soap

Sugar Free foods (see below)***

Suntan Lotion 

Tar

Turpentine

Window Cleaners

Wood preservatives and shellac 

Xylitol sweetener - found in many diet drinks

Fumes dangerous to birds: smoke-filled air, insecticide spray, deodorizers, spray cleaners, fumes from fresh paint, gas, and overheated Teflon (very deadly). 

Toxins Explained

Chocolate/Caffiene: Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic. After their pet has eaten a large quantity of chocolate, many pet owners assume their pet is unaffected. However, the signs of sickness may not be seen for several hours, with death following within twenty-four hours. Symptoms include Staggering, labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tremors, fever, heart rate increase, arrhythmia, seizures, coma, death. Cocoa powder and cooking chocolate are the most toxic forms. A 10-kilogram dog can be seriously affected if it eats a quarter of a 250gm packet of cocoa powder or half of a 250gm block of cooking chocolate. These forms of chocolate contain ten times more theobromine than milk chocolate. Thus, a chocolate mud cake could be a real health risk for a small dog. Even licking a substantial part of the chocolate icing from a cake can make a dog unwell. Semi-sweet chocolate and dark chocolate are the next most dangerous forms, with milk chocolate being the least dangerous. A dog needs to eat more than a 250gm block of milk chocolate to be affected. Obviously, the smaller the dog, the less it needs to eat. 

Onions/Garlic: Onions and garlic contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate. Onions are more of a danger. Pets affected by onion toxicity will develop haemolytic anaemia, where the pet’s red blood cells burst while circulating in its body. Symptoms include Hemolytic Anemia, labored breathing, liver damage, vomiting, diarrhea, discolored urine. The poisoning occurs a few days after the pet has eaten the onion. All forms of onion can be a problem including dehydrated onions, raw onions, cooked onions and table scraps containing cooked onions and/or garlic. Left over pizza, Chinese dishes and commercial baby food containing onion, sometimes fed as a supplement to young pets, can cause illness. While garlic also contains the toxic ingredient thiosulphate, it seems that garlic is less toxic and large amounts would need to be eaten to cause illness. 

Grapes/Raisins: As few as a handful of raisins or grapes can make a dog/cat ill; however, of the 10 cases reported to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), each dog ingested between 9 ounces and 2 pounds of grapes or raisins. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and lethargy. 

Macadamia Nuts: Macadamia nuts are another concern, along with most other kinds of nuts. Their high phosphorus content is said to possibly lead to bladder stones. Dogs develop a tremor of the skeletal muscles, and weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters. Affected dogs are often unable to rise and are distressed, usually panting. Some affected dogs have swollen limbs and show pain when the limbs are manipulated. 

Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources: Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system. Cooked bones splinter EVEN MORE. 

Milk and other dairy products: Some adult dogs and cats do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhea. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets. 

Raw Eggs: Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella. 

***Sugar Free foods with Xylitol: Veterinarians warn that a commonly used sweetener might cause liver failure in dogs, and perhaps even kill them. Researchers said for dogs, ingesting even a small amount of xylitol, found in many sugar-free foods, can trigger significant insulin release, which drops their blood sugar and can be fatal. Their report in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association appears to strengthen the suspected link between the sugar substitute xylitol, thought to make dogs sick, and possible liver failure. Xylitol, a naturally occurring product, is found in many sugar-free chewing gums, candies, baked goods and toothpastes. Researchers Sharon Gwaltney-Brant and Eric Dunayer with staff at a poison unit of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Urbana, Illinois, gathered information on eight dogs treated between 2003 and 2005 after eating products containing xylitol. Each dog became ill, and five died or had to be put down because of liver failure, possibly from ingesting xylitol. One dog who had to be euthanized had eaten four large, chocolate-frosted muffins containing about 1 pound of xylitol. "People don't think sugar-free gum can kill their dog. I didn't before I got into this. But this is something people should be aware of," Gwaltney-Brant, who co-authored the study with Dunayer, said in a statement. Gwaltney-Brant said for dogs, ingesting even a small amount of xylitol can trigger significant insulin release, which drops their blood sugar and can be fatal. "A 22-pound dog who consumes one gram of xylitol should be treated," she said, adding that further studies were needed to definitely establish a cause-and-effect relationship. 

NOTE: Pets owners should not assume that human food is always safe for pets. When it comes to chocolate, onions, garlic, raisins/grapes and macadamia nuts, such foods should not be given at all. Be sure that your pets can’t get into your stash of chocolates, that food scraps are disposed of carefully to prevent onion and garlic toxicity and that your dog is prevented from picking up macadamia nuts if you have a tree in your garden. 

Top 10 Human Medications That Poison Our Pets from aspca.org

Although pet parents are well aware of poisons lurking around their home, many don’t realize that some of the biggest culprits are sitting right on their own nightstands. In 2007, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center received 89,000 calls related to pets ingesting over-the-counter and prescription medications. To help you prevent an accident from happening, our experts have created a list of the top 10 human medications that most often poison our furry friends.

If you suspect your pet has ingested any of the following items, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435. And remember to keep all medications tucked away in bathroom cabinets—and far from curious cats and dogs.

NSAIDs NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen or naproxen are the most common cause of pet poisoning in small animals, and can cause serious problems even in minimal doses. Pets are extremely sensitive to their effects, and may experience stomach and intestinal ulcers and—in the case of cats—kidney damage.

Antidepressants Antidepressants can cause vomiting and lethargy and certain types can lead to serotonin syndrome—a condition marked by agitation, elevated body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure, disorientation, vocalization, tremors and seizures.

Acetaminophen Cats are especially sensitive to acetaminophen, which can damage red blood cells and interfere with their ability to transport oxygen. In dogs, it can cause liver damage and, at higher doses, red blood cell damage.

Methylphenidate (for ADHD) Medications used to treat ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in people act as stimulants in pets and can dangerously elevate heart rates, blood pressure and body temperature, as well as cause seizures.

Fluorouracil Fluorouracil—an anti-cancer drug—is used topically to treat minor skin cancers and solar keratitis in humans. It has proven to be rapidly fatal to dogs, causing severe vomiting, seizures and cardiac arrest even in those who’ve chewed on discarded cotton swabs used to apply the medication.

Isoniazid Often the first line of defense against tuberculosis, isoniazid is particularly toxic for dogs because they don’t metabolize it as well as other species. It can cause a rapid onset of severe seizures that may ultimately result in death.

Pseudoephedrine Pseudoephedrine is a popular decongestant in many cold and sinus products, and acts like a stimulant if accidentally ingested by pets. In cats and dogs, it causes elevated heart rates, blood pressure and body temperature as well as seizures.

Anti-diabetic Many oral diabetes treatments—including glipizide and glyburide—can cause a major drop in blood sugar levels of affected pets. Clinical signs of ingestion include disorientation, lack of coordination and seizures.

Vitamin D derivatives Even small exposures to Vitamin D analogues like calcipotriene and calcitriol can cause life-threatening spikes in blood calcium levels in pets. Clinical signs of exposure—including vomiting, loss of appetite, increased urination and thirst due to kidney failure—often don't occur for more than 24 hours after ingestion.

Baclofen Baclofen is a muscle relaxant that can impair the central nervous systems of cats and dogs. Some symptoms of ingestion include significant depression, disorientation, vocalization, seizures and coma, which can lead to death

-Amanda Ward, R.V.T

Kutter Pet Care Center 

Dogs with Jobs

Dogs and people have been working side by side for thousands of years. Modern training has led to dogs becoming a vital part of many people's lives, not just as companions, but as contributing members of our society.    Dogs have a sense of smell 50x more sensitive than ours making them an essential tool for search and rescue, drug and bomb detection, and tracking and apprehending of fugitives.  In addition to their scent capabilities, canines can detect oncoming seizures in epileptic persons, give assistance to those who are wheelchair bound, and to be a friend to those in need.  Here are some of our local dogs with jobs! 

  

Abigail and Barbara like to match outfits

"Abigail", a 5 year old Maltese is one impressive little doggy. She can jump through hoops, bow, do push-ups, play piano and can even read! Her owner, Barbara Davis, holds up a written command and without any other cues, Abigail will perform the command that is on the card!  With her friendly, outgoing personality and her bag of tricks, she visits local hospitals including a local children's oncology specialist to bring a smile to patients' faces.  Abigail is a Certified Therapy Dog.  She underwent rigorous training in obedience classes and has been certified through Therapy Dog International. TDI is a volunteer organization dedicated to regulating, testing and registration of therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers for the purpose of visiting nursing homes, hospitals, other institutions, and wherever else therapy dogs are needed.  She is currently at the TDIA Outstanding Volunteer level meaning that she has completed over 150 visits.  Her current number is 232!   Barbara says what makes Abigail a good therapy dog is that she is intelligent, loves people, and has a good trainer.  She says that Abigail's job is to make people happy and to help get their minds off their troubles.    She also says that Therapy Dogs can even be wonderful therapy for their handlers.  If interested in having your dog become a Therapy Dog, you can contact Therapy Dog International, 88 Bartley Rd.  Flanders, NJ 07836 (973)252-9800.

"Recon and Sam":  In the fall of 2005 Laurie Vickery became interested in canine search and rescue so she joined K-9 Search and Rescue of Kansas as a founding member with Recon, her German Shepherd. K9SARK is an all-volunteer group of people dedicated to training themselves and their dogs to National Association for Search and Rescue (N.A.S.A.R) standards.  They work with law enforcement and emergency management agencies and their services are available free of charge to any community who needs help in finding lost or missing people. 

Recon on the job

Recon was rescued by the Vickerys from a neglectful family when she was a puppy.  Being a high energy dog that is eager to please, she did very well in training as long as she got time to play.  She is very intelligent and, as Laurie states, you can tell her wheels are always turning.  She is certified by Therapy Dog International , is Certified in Wilderness Search, and is trained in Disaster Search.  Also she has passed her national certification through NASAR, earning their Canine SAR tech II and III!  Together they have worked several cases searching for lost and missing persons.  In 2007 Laurie and Recon were activated and arrived 2 hours after the May 5th EF-5 Greensburg tornado.    

SAR came be very rewarding for the dog and their handler but it can also be very dangerous.  In spring 2010, Recon contracted a potentially deadly tick-borne disease that affects the blood.  After days of intensive care, she pulled through and, with vigilant monitoring, is doing well today.  Due to health, she no longer participates in search activities but is happy spending time with and playing with her brothers. 

Sam

 Recon isn't the only hero in the family.  Sam is a German Shepherd that, at 8 months old was rescued from the Shelter.  He was deemed too shy to be put up for adoption. He was then, on his last day, saved by Missouri German Shepherd Rescue.  The Vickerys received a call to foster Sam for 2 weeks and after hearing his story they decided to take him home to meet the rest of the pack.  He fit in very well with their other three shepherds so when Laurie found out that someone wanted to adopt him, she couldn't let him go. Since Sam is a high energy dog and would do anything to play ball they decided to test him for SAR.  It proved to be a great thing helping him to overcome his shyness.  Sam knows that as long as he finds the subject he gets to play ball.  Laurie is happy to report that he has come a long way with the support of the team and his other canine friends.  He is now a Certified Area Search Dog.  Laurie says that it just goes to prove what a lot of love and patience will do to help overcome their fears.

Thor in his uniform

"Thor" and his handler, K-9 Master Patrol Officer, Mickey Farris make up one of Andover's two K-9 units.  Thor is a 2 year old Belgian Malinois from Holland and Officer Farris is a former Veterinary Technician who followed his lifelong dream of becoming a police officer. Thor was picked from several dogs for his smart, easy-going disposition and for his excellent prey drive.  Thor is considered to be a dual purpose police dog.  This means that not only can he sniff out illicit drugs but can also, on command, track down and detain suspects until officers arrive as well as help to track missing persons .  Training Thor included a 10 week/8-10 hour-day training session at the canine academy which included socializing and bonding time between the two partners.  In addition to his initial training, he undergoes 8 hours every week of drug detection training.  Interestingly Thor is trained to specifically answer to only Officer Farris's Dutch and German commands.  A typical day for Thor involves riding along during traffic patrols, assisting in search warrants, and, 4-5 times a month, performing drug sweeps in schools.  When not on duty, he resides at home with Officer Farris.

  Officer Farris describes his relationship with Thor as a working partnership based on trust where they are each considered equals.  He gushes about how smart Thor is and how very good he is at sniffing out drugs.  He told a story about how one time, during a routine exercise, drugs were hidden behind a fire extinguisher and Thor literally broke the glass to get to them!   Officer Farris points out that although police dogs take a lot of time and money to train, they are very well worth it.  Just the presence of a K-9 unit in a community can help deter crime.   Additionally they can help prevent physical confrontations with suspects, and are a great educational tool.   

 For more information, you can call Andover Police Department.  (316) 733-5177

Written by Amanda Ward of Kutter Pet Care Center

"Shadrach"  Eleven years ago Scott and Lisa Rolik moved to the Wichita/Andover area.  In 2005 the Roliks wanted to get involved and contribute to their new community, and found a unique and rewarding way to accomplish this using Shadrach, their 1 year old Bassett Hound’s, special talents. 

Scott and Shadrach joined the Sedgwick County Emergency Management K9 Search Team.  The SCEM K9 team is an organization of Wichita area volunteers and their canine partners who, when called into service by Sedgwick County Emergency Services, deploy certified canine teams to assist in locating lost and missing persons at no cost to the community or families.

 There are three types of canine teams with specialized capabilities within the organization.

1.  The trailing team, using a scent article and the residual scent remaining on the ground, follows the path of a missing person from the last known location.

2.  The area search/wilderness team, using scent dispersed in the air, covers large areas quickly using a grid technique.  They can either find a specific person using a scent article or can be instructed to find anyone in an area.

3.  The human remains detection team, using scent dispersed in the air, will alert on any decomposing human scent in an area containing bone, teeth, tissue, blood and even ashes, and they can discriminate between human and animal remains.  This is Shadrach’s specialty and where he received his certification.

 Training is intensive for both dog and handler, and can take 1 to 2 years to achieve certification for deployment.  Canines and their handlers train every weekend as a group and train on their own time.  The handlers training includes crime scene preservation, navigation, CPR, human and pet first aid, weather safety, hazardous materials, radio communications, and a series of FEMA administered incident command system classes.

 The most important traits in a search dog are their drive and temperament.  Dogs should be willing to please their owners, have a high prey drive, and must be friendly to other dogs and people. 

In addition to Shadrach’s accomplishments as a certified search dog, he is also an AKC Canine Good Citizen and a certified Therapy Dog.  

Shadrach

-Amanda Ward, R.V.T

Kutter Pet Care Center 

Why Do Cats Purr and Other Strange Cat Behaviors Explained

Watch one of the million cat videos on You Tube and you'll see: cats are strange creatures! While the species has many fans it is often very misunderstood.  These are some of the top questions that we get asked about cat behavior.

Why do cats purr?  Cats purr for many reasons.  Most people think a purring cat is a happy cat.  While this is true, cats can also purr when they are scared or hurt.  It is theorized that cats purr to self-soothe when they are in tense situations.  Studies also have shown that cats purr at a frequency at which can stimulate bone healing!

Why do cats knead with their paws?  Kneading or "making biscuits" originates at birth when kittens nurse.  The action is said to stimulate milk flow.  This behavior can be displayed in adult cats as a sign of contentedness and affection.

Why does my cat always put it's rear end in my face?  Some people tend think when their cat does this or when it sits facing away from them that it's a sign of disrespect.  Actually it shows a deep trustfulness towards you and that they feel safe.  It also puts them into a perfect position to watch out for and guard the two of you.

Why does my cat scratch and try to cover it's food and water bowls?  Cats will do this to cover up excrement in their litter box.  As a result it is a common misconception that when they try to cover their food or water they are unhappy with it or that it smells bad.  The truth is that it is a survival instinct to hide the odor of their food so as to not attract other predators. Also it prevents their prey from being tipped off.

Why do cats head bop or cheek rub?  When cats bump or press their heads to you or other cats they are using the glands located on their head to scent mark.  The same can be said when they rub their cheeks or mouth on objects or people.  The reason for this is much more complex than territory marking.  In the wild, where feral cats tend to live in colonies, scent marking is important for identification of fellow colony members.  When they do it to their human family it is a sign of friendliness and affection.

Why does my cat bite or claw me when being petted?  This Jekyll and Hyde behavior can be very confusing to their owners: cats will seek attention and suddenly attack them for seemingly no reason.  The fact is that every cat has a individual threshold of how much stimulation it can take.  Once this threshold has been reached the cat feels that the only way to make the stimulation stop is by biting or scratching.  To prevent being attacked be sure to watch for signs of your cat becoming discontent such as cessation of purring, tail flicking, and ears pointing backwards.

Why does my cat scratch furniture?  Despite what their owners think cats don't scratch the new sofa for the thrill of destruction and they are not merely sharpening their claws: it is a territorial behavior.  Feral cats will scratch objects to leave visual and scent cues to warn other cats to stay away from their turf.  Also the action helps alleviate stress and stretches their back and shoulder muscles.   To help keep your furniture intact, provide your cat with appropriate scratching surfaces.  They prefer tall, stable scratching posts made from sisal rope.  Be sure to provide a variety of scratching posts in different locations of your home including the areas that Kitty frequents the most.

Why do cats like catnip?  Catnip is an herb in the mint family that contains a chemical called Nepatalactone that causes euphoria in cats.  The ability to react to catnip is inherited and about 30% of cats lack the
gene that causes it.  Also young kittens and elderly cats tend to not have a reaction and kittens may actually be repelled by it.  Catnip can be given in dried or fresh form either sprinkled loose on surfaces or inside of toys.  Typically when cats inhale the chemical, the reaction causes euphoria and stimulation while ingestion of the herb causes calming and sedation.  This kitty "high" will last 10 to 20 minutes and it takes about 2 hours to reset your cat's ability to react again.  Be careful to limit exposure to 3 times a week or your cat may lost it's ability to react to it.  Another interesting tidbit is that even big cats such as tigers love catnip!

Why do cats open their mouths when smelling things?  Have you ever noticed when your cat is sniffing something interesting they open their mouths slightly?  This is sometimes called "stinky face" but the proper term is the Flehmen Response.  Cats, like many other animals, have scent receptors in the roof of their mouths and by opening them, they are better able to smell.  Cats are most likely to do this when smelling other cats or urine.


Does your cat have any lovable idiosyncrasies?  We'd love to hear them!

-Amanda Ward, R.V.T. 
Kutter Pet Care Center 

How to protect your pets during freezing temperatures

To say it's cold out there is an understatement!  With wind chills in the sub-zero range it is dangerous for people as well as animals.  Protecting your pets from the elements is extremely important and can be a matter of life or death.  Here are some tips:

1.  Bring your pets inside! This is the best case scenario.  Limit your pet's time outdoors to quick potty breaks and put them in a sweater if they tolerate it.  If your pet cannot come indoors, at least put them in an insulated garage with warm, dry bedding.

2.  If you cannot bring your pet inside provide adequate shelter:  Provide an insulated shelter such as a doggloo or well made doghouse.  Make sure that it is elevated a few inches off the ground and faces away from the wind.  Also, cover the opening with a water-proof flap like plastic or burlap and fill with STRAW.   Hay or blankets can get wet and moldy.

3.  Make sure outdoor water bowls are thawed! Frequently check water bowls and break ice as needed.  Also be sure to use a plastic bowl as it doesn't freeze as quickly and wet tongues can't stick to the plastic.

4.  Protect against frostbite and chemical burns from ice melt products.  Be sure to shovel around dog houses and walkways to keep paws from being snow-packed and frost bitten. Wipe paws when they come inside and use pet-safe ice melt products.  Many can cause burning and irritation or be harmful if ingested.

5.  Bang on your car's hood before starting it.  Many outdoor cats will seek refuge in the warmth from your vehicle's engine so be sure they have time to escape.

6.  Keep your pets well groomed.  A clean, well groomed coat will help keep pets insulated.  However, try not to shave hair down to the skin during winter months.  Also, if you give your pets a bath make sure their coat is completely dry before allowing them to go outside.

7.  Don't leave pets in the car!  It can be just as dangerous to leave pets in cars in the winter as it is in the summer.  In the cold your car can act like a refrigerator and won't offer any protection from the cold.

8.  Keep rodenticides out of your home.   During the winter mice want to seek refuge in your home and it is tempting to use rat poisons to help control them.  The best advice is to not use them at all.  These poisons are just as tasty to your pets as they are to the rodents and can be fatal if ingested.  Even if you think that you are keeping them out of reach, some determined and resourceful dogs can still find ways to get to them.  Also rats and mice can drag the poisons out and into the reach of your pets.   Finally, your pet can ingest the toxins by eating a rodent that's already eaten the poison.   Use live traps instead and eliminate their food source by keeping crumbs cleaned up and pantry foods stored in mouse-proof containers.

Finally, if you see a pet in your neighborhood that isn't being properly cared for in the weather contact your local Animal Control or sheriff's office.  Report what you see and note the date, time, location and description of the animal. Also, respectfully follow up with the animal control agency a few days later if the situation isn't remedied.

Stay warm everybody!  

-Amanda Ward, R.V.T

Kutter Pet Care Center