FurBabies Place

Inspired by the charm of wildlife, especially the owls that live nearby, the 42-year-old Russian artist Marina Yamkovskaya has been creating lovely animals since 2014. And these adorable one-of-a-kind owls are the cutest thing we've seen today.

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If you have a cat, you’re probably familiar with hairballs, those yucky sausage-shaped lumps of hair that she occasionally regurgitates on your floors or furniture. While you may assume hairballs are normal and natural, if your cat chucks them up on a frequent and regular basis, she may have a health problem that needs to be addressed.

Hairballs may have several causes

When a cat grooms herself, the little hooks on her tongue pull out loose hair. This hair is swallowed and ends up in the gastrointestinal system. In a healthy cat, the hair will move normally through the GI tract to be passed in the feces. In some cases, however, the hair accumulates in the stomach and forms a dense clump that eventually has to be passed through vomiting. Because the wad of hair has to move through the esophagus on the way back up, it usually appears tubular in shape once it’s out on your floor.

1. Up until fairly recently, it was believed that hairballs were simply caused by too much shedding, leading to excessive ingestion of fur. And this is certainly a factor. Longer-haired breeds such as Persians, Himalayans and Maine Coons can be especially prone to hairballs. But even short-coated breeds can develop hairball problems.

2. Excessive grooming may be an issue with some cats. Allergies or other uncomfortable skin problems that prompt a lot of licking and biting may result in the ingestion of extra fur. Excessive grooming may also be a behaviorial problem arising from stress, or can even indicate a neurological condition. So if your cat seems to spend an inordinate amount of time washing herself, whether she has hairballs or not, take her to the vet for a checkup.

3. In recent years, with more studies being done on the gut microbiome in humans and animals, another reason for hairballs in cats has come to light. The gut microbiome is a system comprising billions of microorganisms that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. When the microbiome gets out of balance, a variety of digestive problems can result. Gut motility is affected, which means ingested fur doesn’t pass through the GI tract as it should. Instead, it builds up in the stomach, from which it eventually has to be voided through vomiting.

What should you do about hairballs?

The best way to treat hairballs is to get to the root cause of the problem before taking steps to alleviate it.

• If your cat is regularly throwing up hairballs, start by taking her to a holistic or integrative vet for an evaluation. This is the only way to determine if there are any underlying health problems that may be contributing to the hairballs.
• Avoid commercial hairball remedies. Many of these contain petroleum, and it doesn’t take rocket science to know that giving your cat petroleum can’t be good for her.
• Switching to a high quality, whole meat-based and grain-free diet can also help. A good diet improves overall wellness, including gut health and motility. Take it very slow when switching your cat to a new diet – too abrupt a change can result in digestive upsets and diarrhea.
• Make sure your cat has 24/7 access to fresh, pure water. If she doesn’t seem to drink as much as she should, add a bit of warm water to her food, or invest in a pet drinking fountain – many times, cats are more attracted to water that’s moving.
• Be sure to groom your cat regularly, especially if she’s long-coated. Many cats love being brushed. Be sure to use grooming tools that won’t scratch her skin.
• Ask your vet about any supplements your cat might benefit from. For example, Omega-3s can improve her skin and coat health and help reduce shedding, while probiotics may be needed to help balance her intestinal flora, if this is a problem.

Hairballs may seem like nothing much to worry about — and if they happen only rarely, they probably aren’t. But if your cat is regurgitating them frequently and regularly, it’s time to take her to the vet to find out what’s going on, do what’s need to fix the problem — and minimize the number of messes you have to clean up!

¿Alimentos húmedos o alimentos secos? Cuál será la mejor opción para alimentar a nuestro perro. La decisión puede llegar a ser complicada, por eso el día de hoy te daremos algunas indicaciones o consejos para que puedas elegir de la mejor manera lo mejor para el cachorro.

Una costumbre que deberemos tomar es la de leer las etiquetas de los envases, así se podrá ver que la mayoría de los alimentos que están disponibles en el mercado cuentan con todos los componentes para volverlos alimentos completos, esto quiere decir que contarán con todos los nutrientes para que cachorro o el perro adulto cubra sus necesidades diarias.

Otra alternativa será la de elegir los conocidos como alimentos húmedos, que pueden venir en latas o en bolsas. En muchos casos estos son más costosos, pero también son una buena alternativa.

Ventajas de los alimentos secos

Los alimentos secos nos aportan muchos nutrientes en un volumen más reducido, por tener un bajo contenido de agua los alimentos secos ocupan mucho menos espacio, se los puede almacenar en un espacio más pequeño, lo que es un punto muy favorable en los perros de gran tamaño. La masticación ayudará a mantener su dentadura limpia y sana.

En el caso de los cachorros se puede ver que en un comienzo pueden rechazar los alimentos secos, pero con el paso de los días los terminarán aceptando y disfrutando. En estos casos se puede ablandar un poco el alimentos sumergiéndolo en agua tibia.

Ventajas de los alimentos húmedos

Los alimentos húmedos son una opción para saciar los grandes apetitos de los perros. Los alimentos húmedos suelen tener la mitad de las calorías que una porción de alimento seco, si al perro le encanta comer y tiene un apetito infinito se le puede dar alimentos húmedos para reducir la posibilidad de que se vuelva obeso, el elevado contenido de agua de estos alimentos también ayuda a que tomen una gran cantidad de líquido, reduciendo el riesgo de las infecciones urinarias.

Los perros de corta edad suelen tragarlos y masticarlos con mayor facilidad, por eso es una buena alternativa para los que son más perezosos a la hora de comer.

Foto | Pixabay

Source: http://perrosycachorros.net/perros-posts/alimentos-humedos-o-alimentos-secos-tips-para-elegir-lo-mejor/

Features September 2018 Issue

The messy truth about dog diarrhea: diagnosing the cause of a dog's diarrhea and firming things up can be complicated!

By Catherine Ashe, DVM

All dog owners know the feeling of coming home after a work day and smelling that smell. Uh-oh. Your dog has diarrhea. It’s a pretty common affliction of our canine friends. Now comes the inevitable question: “Should we go to the veterinarian?”

The truth is, much like people, sometimes dogs just get diarrhea. Much as we do not see the doctor for every bout of diarrhea, similarly, dogs do not always need medical attention for a short-lived enteritis (inflammation of the intestines). Often, diarrhea can be managed with at-home therapy and convalescent care.

Why Do Dogs Get Diarrhea?

The causes for acute diarrhea in the absence of other signs are varied and include dietary indiscretion (for example: getting into the garbage), gastrointestinal bacteria including Campylobacter, and GI parasites such as hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and protozoal infections. In most cases of acute, self-limiting diarrhea, a cause is never identified.

If your dog seems otherwise normal, and he is currently on monthly parasite preventative medication, then symptomatic treatment at home is appropriate. Usually most diarrhea will run its course within two to four days, although in some cases, it can last longer. If there are any other signs of illness like vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, or pain, a veterinary trip is in order.

At-home treatment for acute diarrhea can include the following: a bland diet such as boiled hamburger or chicken with broth and rice for a few days, a probiotic such as Fortiflora (available only through veterinarians) or an over-the-counter probiotic and frequent walks. Avoid using human remedies such as loperamide, also called Immodium. This medication has an opioid in it, and it is easy to overdose a dog unintentionally.

If your dog continues to do well other than diarrhea, three to four days of at-home treatment is appropriate.

Diarrhea can make anyone sad and miserable, but if your puppy doesn’t respond to symptomatic treatment in a couple of days, or your dog fails to respond within three or four days, it’s time to head to the vet for an examination and testing.

If Your Dog's Diarrhea Doesn't Go Away:

If diarrhea doesn’t resolve with treatment, or your dog develops other signs, it is time to seek a veterinarian’s opinion. Diarrhea is considered chronic when it persists for more than three weeks despite treatment.

Diarrhea may seem like a simple problem, but it can actually be very complicated. Your veterinarian will proceed in a stepwise fashion (outlined below) to find the cause:

Thorough Questioning

Your veterinarian will ask a series of questions about your dog’s overall health, diet, vaccine history, and preventive care strategy. He will then ask more in-depth questions about the diarrhea itself. This will help determine what kind of diarrhea is occurring.

Diarrhea can be characterized as small bowel, large bowel, or mixed. In the case of small bowel diarrhea, you may see a normal to increased frequency, small volumes of loose, watery stool that can be tarry or black (representing digested blood). Often, your dog can “hold it” until going outside.

In the case of large bowel diarrhea, there will be an urgency to go. Your dog may not make it outside unless you are paying close attention. There is often mucus covering the stool, and there may be bright red blood as well. Your dog will usually strain for quite some time during or after having a bowel movement.

In some cases, the diarrhea can be mixed small and large, and this can be more difficult to sort out. Your veterinarian will likely ask many questions during this part of the visit.

Head-to-Toe Physical Examination

Next comes a thorough physical examination. Initially, your pet should be weighed. Weight loss is always a concerning sign. The exam will include checking the eyes, mouth, ears, palpating the lymph nodes, listening to the heart and lungs, deep palpation of the abdomen, and a rectal exam.

The rectal exam is the most important part! This will help the veterinarian see what the diarrhea looks like, as well as feel for any problems in the rectal area and descending colon. A temperature should also be checked. If a fever is present, this can help focus your veterinarian’s attention to certain areas such as viruses and bacteria.

Once this is completed, your veterinarian should have a good sense of what type of diarrhea your pet is having, possible causes, diagnostics, and treatment options.

Small Bowel Diarrhea

Generally, veterinarians will start out with conservative diagnostics and treatment for this type of diarrhea. The causes for small bowel diarrhea can be incredibly varied and run the gamut from fairly benign and treatable (parasites) to more serious (Addison’s disease).

Initially, a fecal examination may be the only test conducted. This requires a small sample of stool from your dog. The veterinarian will check this to rule out parasites such as hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, protozoal organisms, and bacterial overgrowth.

Even if your dog is up-to-date on monthly prevention, it is still possible to find breakthrough parasitic infection. This is why a fecal is done. If parasites are found, your veterinarian will treat with an anti-parasiticide like fenbendazole, pyrantel, and/or Albon. He will also discuss environmental control, as these parasites can persist in the soil for long periods of time.

If nothing is found on the fecal, your veterinarian will likely still prescribe a course of the dewormer fenbendazole in case of a false negative fecal. Other treatments at this stage should include a novel protein diet, as your pet may have a dietary sensitivity or allergy. This means switching your dog to a protein and carbohydrate source to which he has no previous exposure. Examples include bison, venison, duck, and kangaroo usually paired with potato, rice, or pea.

At this stage, many veterinarians also prescribe metronidazole (also known as Flagyl). Metronidazole is an antibiotic, but it is also thought to have immunomodulating properties that help calm an inflamed GI tract. Many dogs will have an “antibiotic-responsive” diarrhea that will clear up with this treatment.

With this initial approach, your dog should be back to normal within three to 10 days. If within a week, you are not seeing improvement in your dog’s signs, then your veterinarian will move on to further diagnostics and treatments.

A complete blood count and chemistry analysis should also be run (see “Physical Exams for Senior Dogs”). This will give a global picture of your dog’s health. Significant dehydration, a decrease in protein levels, or changes in your dog’s condition (loss of appetite and/or weight loss) can indicate a more systemic health problem.

If metronidazole is not helping, then Tylosin may be used. Tylosin is another immunomodulating antibiotic that can help with GI inflammation. It may also have a probiotic effect in the gut by increasing the numbers of enterococci bacteria in the small intestine. It is very unpalatable to dogs and cats, and your veterinarian will have this medication compounded, in most cases (or have you place it in their food).

Again, your veterinarian will monitor for around a week. If symptoms do not improve, more advanced testing will be recommended.

A gastrointestinal panel (blood test) must be submitted to an outside laboratory. The veterinarian will likely recommend fasting your dog beforehand. This evaluates levels of vitamins found in the body - particularly cobalamin (vitamin B12) and folate (vitamin B9). Dogs with gastrointestinal disease often display impaired absorption of these critical vitamins. This diagnostic also evaluates trypsin-like immunoreactivity. These tests can indicate whether there is a bacterial overgrowth or a condition called exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

In the case of bacterial overgrowth, antibiotic therapy may be needed.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is a common disorder of German Shepherd Dogs, as well as other breeds. With this disease, the pancreas does not secrete appropriate digestive enzymes. Treatment is supplementing the diet with enzymes to help break down food and assist your pet in absorbing nutrients.

Another test that may be done concurrently is a resting cortisol test. Cortisol is a steroid made by the adrenal glands. In Addison’s disease (also called hypoadrenocorticism), the body does not produce enough cortisol or water-regulating hormones (called mineralocorticoids).

Addison’s can be difficult to diagnose, as symptoms can present in many ways including weight loss, shivering, decreased appetite, lethargy, chronic diarrhea, intermittent vomiting, and electrolyte imbalances.

Treatment for Addison’s involves replacing the cortisol and mineralocorticoids that the adrenal glands are not making. There is also a form of Addison’s called atypical. This occurs when only cortisol production is reduced. Replacing this lack with oral steroids can manage this condition.

If all of these tests are normal, and no obvious cause is found for the ongoing diarrhea, your veterinarian may offer referral to a veterinary internal medicine specialist (DACVIM). At that time, more extensive testing such as abdominal ultrasound, exploratory surgery, and biopsy may be recommended. These will rule out invasive fungal infection such as histoplasmosis and pythiosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer.

Large Bowel Diarrhea

Large bowel diarrhea presents a diagnostic dilemma. Frequently, the causes are difficult to fully diagnose. In many cases, a response to treatment rather than extensive testing is used to make a presumptive diagnosis.

Like small bowel diarrhea, large bowel diarrhea can be caused by parasites, particularly whipworms. An initial diagnostic test will be a fecal examination. Keep in mind, however, that whipworm eggs are very heavy and are not always found on a fecal examination.

If your veterinarian does not find parasites, as with small bowel diarrhea, he will likely still recommend a course of fenbendazole, an effective anti-parasiticide that kills whipworms. They persist for long periods of time in the soil, so managing the environment is critical to preventing re-infection. Further, not all preventives cover against whipworm infection. Check with your veterinarian regarding your monthly treatment to ensure that your dog is protected against whipworms.

An antibiotic trial may be the next step. Clostridial colitis is a possible cause of large bowel diarrhea. It is poorly understood, as some dogs can have Clostridium bacteria but not be ill, while others can become very sick. Diagnosis is very tricky and recommendations change continually. Generally, clostridial infections respond very well to amoxicillin or Tylosin, so your veterinarian may try a course of antibiotics to both diagnose and treat the diarrhea.

A fiber trial – a dietary trial with a fiber-enriched food – may also help diagnose and resolve the problem. In some cases, the addition of a fiber-enriched food may be all that your dog needs to get back to normal. Your veterinarian can help select a fiber diet appropriate for your dog.

Many dogs are allergic to certain components in food (the immune system responds and causes the diarrhea), while other dogs are just “sensitive to” to specific dietary items (immune system is not involved). Again, diagnosis might be tricky. As a result, your veterinarian will likely prescribe a dietary trial. In this case, your dog will be placed on a hypoallergenic diet. There are several on the market that are made from hydrolyzed protein. This is when the protein is broken down into such small units that the immune system does not recognize the initial protein. This type of diet must be rigorously followed if it is to be successful. Treats, flavored heartworm medications, and table food will render the trial useless.

At this point, more blood tests will likely be called for. If your dog has evidence of bloodwork changes and weight loss, concerns for more serious systemic illnesses such as fungal disease and cancer come to the forefront. At that time, you should consider that referral to a veterinary internal medicine specialist (DACVIM) is likely best for your dog.

A Note About Boxers

About 30 years ago, Boxers were noted to have a severe, progressive disease of the colon (histiocytic ulcerative colitis) that caused very bloody, mucoid, large bowel diarrhea and resultant weight loss.

It was recently found that this is highly responsive to a common antibiotic called enrofloxacin (also known as Baytril). If empirical treatment is attempted, it must be continued for several weeks to ensure that all the bacteria are killed; if the bacterial population is not completely eliminated, the most resistant bacteria can come back with a vengeance.

If enrofloxacin doesn’t work, a biopsy of tissue from the colon is the best way to diagnose or rule out other possibly treatable diseases such as fungal infections.

Dog Diarrhea: Not A Simple Matter

As you can see, diarrhea can be a complicated problem to solve. Keeping a thorough history on your dog, documenting his diet and parasite prevention strategy in particular, as well as monitoring bowel movements closely, can help your veterinarian tremendously.

When diarrhea becomes chronic, it can take weeks to months to sort out the underlying cause and find an effective treatment. Be patient and work closely with your veterinarian. Follow recommendations and do not try random remedies recommended by random sources! With time, patience, and a good veterinarian, a solution can generally be found.

Catherine Ashe graduated the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. After a small-animal intensive emergency internship, she practiced ER medicine for nine years. She now works as a relief veterinarian in Asheville, North Carolina, and loves the GP side of medicine. In her spare time, she spends time with her family, reads voraciously, and enjoys the mountain lifestyle.

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When the news broke about Karl Lagerfeld’s death on Tuesday, my first thought was of Choupette, his beloved Birman cat. Choupette was not only the apple of her daddy’s eye, she was a star in her own right with a sizable social media following. She wrote a sweet blog post about her dad’s passing on her website. It is quite possible that Choupette may inherit part of Lagerfeld’s vast fortune estimated at $200 million. According to the Daily Star, Choupette was living a life of luxury – with her own personal bodyguard, multiple maids and an iPad. Lagerfeld had assured, long before his death, he would make sure Choquette would be able to go on living in the style she was accustomed to and once told a French TV station that “Choupette is a rich girl. She has her own fortune”, hinting at the fact she is written into his will.

If you missed any of the stories featured on the Conscious Cat this week, here’s a recap: on Monday, we addressed the topic of responsible cat care, on Tuesday, we introduced you to the Tomlyn® line of supplements, on Wednesday, Allegra and Ruby shared their favorite sun puddles, on Thursday, we reviewed Raw Paws cat food, and on Friday, we introduced you to the cats of Bohemian Rhapsody.

I came across this video of Ruby from a few years ago earlier this week. It still makes me smile. Enjoy!

Have a great weekend!

Photo via Instagram @karllagerfeld

By Andrea Powell

Taylor Swift Paid for Boy’s Autism Service Dog: Click “Next” below!

Una storia commovente da Imola: l'ospedale ha permesso ai due cani di andare a trovare il padrone ricoverato prima che questi morisse.

Questa storia arriva dall'Ospedale di Imola. Qui il signor Elvio è morto all'età di 86 anni, a causa delle complicanze di un ictus che lo aveva costretto al ricovero sin dal mese di ottobre. Tuttavia il signor Elvio, prima di lasciare per sempre i suoi cari, è riuscito a veder realizzato il suo ultimo desiderio: dire addio di persona a Piero e Gilda, i suoi due cani. L'ospedale è riuscito a rendere possibile tutto questo: in via del tutto straordinaria, i due cani sono stati ammessi in ospedale, in modo che Elvio potesse salutarli.

Il signor Elvio e la figlia avevano fatto richiesta all'Ospedale affinché fosse concesso l'ingresso a Piero e Gilda, i due cani del paziente ricoverato. La struttura sanitaria ha acconsentito ad accogliere tale richiesta, a patto che i due cani fossero sani, vaccinati e muniti dei necessari certificati di buona salute. Ottenuta anche l'approvazione dell'Asur, l'ospedale li ha fatti entrare per la stessa via attraverso la quale di solito passa la biancheria, il cibo per i pazienti e i carrelli delle pulizie.

Una stanza apposita è stata allestita per questo commovente ultimo incontro. La stanza, poi, è stata adeguatamente ripulita e sanificata. La figlia Maurizia ha così raccontato al Corriere della Sera: "Non riusciva a parlare bene ma mi ha sussurrato che era felicissimo. La gioia gliela leggevo sul volto, non ho avuto bisogno delle parole".

Lo stesso Ospedale di Imola ha poi voluto raccontare questa storia sulla sua pagina Facebook. Alice Bonoli, responsabile della struttura, ha così ricordato: "Parlando con la figlia ho capito che aveva voglia di rendere la cosa pubblica. Anche Elvio era contento di poter mostrare il suo legame con gli animali. Si è fatto fotografare, Maurizia ha ripreso la scena anche in un video. Così ho postato la storia sulla pagina Facebook dell’ospedale. Per renderla per quello che è, umana, calda. Interessante. Ma mai avrei immaginato di ricevere cinquemila like, 432 commenti e 1.057 condivisioni. Significa che potenzialmente 150mila persone possono aver letto il post".

Questo il racconto dell'Azienda Usl di Imola sulla sua pagina Facebook:

Questa storia dimostra che, con le opportune accortezze e rispettando i necessari protocolli, è possibile far entrare gli animali in ospedale, anche quelli non specificatamente addetti alla Pet Therapy.

http://media.petsblog.it/0/0d5/ospedale-andria.jpg" alt="Andria, da 15 giorni i cani attendono l'uscita del padrone dall'ospedale" />

Via | TGcom24

Foto | Pagina Facebook dell'Azienda Usl di Imola

Hey, cat owners! Some nice large, functional cardboard cat scratchers are 51 percent off on Amazon.

GoPets Premium Cat Scratcher $18 (usually $39), Amazon

TODAY editors, writers and experts take care to recommend items we really like and hope you’ll enjoy! Just so you know, TODAY does have affiliate relationships. So, while every product is independently selected, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the revenue.

I have a cat who love these things. So, I bought one this morning. It doubles as a storage solution for cat toys and a lounge.

Here's why I use cardboard cat scratchers:

When I adopted Ollie, fear settled in. Would this new kitten destroy all my furniture?

A cat had scratched up my friend's gorgeous leather dining room chairs, which I saw with my own eyes. So, looking at my adorable little fur ball conjured up images of the ruined (but formerly beautiful) seating arrangement.

With dreams of a living space worthy of a West Elm catalog, I couldn't let that happen to me.

The internet provided a solution: cardboard cat scratchers — one for the living area and one for my bedroom.

Long story short, Ollie hasn't scratched my furniture and we've been happily coexisting ever since. Instead of my leather couch, upholstered chaise lounge or mattress, he scratches these cardboard things.

My kitten likes these scratchers more than his cat tower

Truth be told, I also bought a nice, expensive cat tower a few months after getting Ollie. But, he doesn't scratch it nearly as often as he does the cardboard scratchers. Considering I spent a lot of money on the tower, it enrages me a little.

Alas, Ollie likes what he likes.

I actually bought the scratcher this morning

You have to replace these things after they get worn down, so I ordered one from this Amazon deal today. It's a good price, the reviews are solid and I know my kitten will use it.

I will continue buying them forever

Look, I love my cat. But, I don't trust my cat. So, I'll order these cardboard cat scratchers on a regular basis for the foreseeable future.

They're small enough to fit in most living areas and easy on the wallet, so I'm in.

If you have an untrustworthy cat (aka any cat) I'd suggest picking one up too.

GoPets Premium Cat Scratcher $18 (usually $39), Amazon

The price will show up at $19 when you open the page, but clip the coupon and it'll be $18. That's a price I'm willing to pay (and did pay) to keep my sanity and leather couch in tact.

Need a litter box?

While we're at it, if your cat gets litter all over your house, I found a solution for that too. Behold: the perfect litter box.