WDEL loves pets! That's why we've partnered with
the Delaware Humane Association to bring you the Pet Page.
Each week, we'll show you a cat and a dog from the Delaware Humane Association
who need good homes. You can also get answers to your pet health
questions in our new Ask the Vet
feature, plus useful information for any animal lover in our
Tip of the Month
section.
Pets of the week for November 4, 2009
Sire
I came here from another shelter. I'm not even really sure how I ended up there, but I sure can't wait to find a new home. I'm sweet, friendly, laid back, and get along well with other dogs.
Ebony
I'm a sweet girl in need of a forever home. I am a little shy but am hoping that you will see how special I am and will give me a forever home where I can feel safe enough to come out of my shell.
Last Week's Pets:
If you're interested in adopting one of the Pets of the Week, or seeing
what other pets are available for adoption, contact the
Delaware Humane
Association, 701 A. Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. Or call
(302) 571-0111
Humane Association Shelter & Animal Visitation Hours:
Mon: Closed
Tue thru Fri: 12pm-7pm
Sat & Sun: 11am-4pm
Adoption Fees:
Dogs: $125 (puppies under 6 months old are $195, senior dogs are $67.50)
Cats: $40 (kittens under 6 months old are $50)
includes spaying/neutering, vet exam, shots, collar, and more.
Adoptive families must meet DHA guidelines and be 18 years of age
or older.
Ask the Vet... Your chance to ask Dr. Mindy Cohan, VMD, our resident pet health
expert, what's on your mind!
Topic:Feline Spraying
Question from Margarita in Clayton:
Why is my 1 1/2 year old neutered cat spraying all of a sudden?
Answer from Dr. Mindy Cohan:
There are a multitude of reasons to cause cats to inappropriately urinate. "Spraying" implies urination on a vertical object. Male cats can also squat and urinate on the floor. Before you assume that your cat is having a behavior problem, have him checked by a veterinarian. It is important to rule out an underlying medical condition.
If you have several cats, you should have one more litter box than cats (e.g. 3 cats requires 4 boxes). Litter boxes must be placed in quiet areas of the house. I am not a fan of boxes in a basement because cats tend to dislike this out of the way location. Litter boxes should be spread throughout the home making access easy.
If you did not recently change the brand of litter, consider switching to "Everclean" litter. If your cat sees or smells other neighborhood cats, this can elicit urine marking. Stress in the household (construction, addition of new baby or pet) can cause inappropriate urinations. It is extremely important to keep the box clean, scooping several times a day.
If your cat is urinating in the same location, place aluminum foil or a food dish in the area. Cats do not like to walk on aluminum foil and they typically will not urinate where their food is located. A litter box can be placed in the preferred marking location.
If a medical problem is ruled out and environmental changes do not help, talk to your veterinarian about medications that might help your cat.
Pet Tip of the Month... Quick tips to help keep your pets healthy and happy.
Fleas
The scariest creature I encountered during the Halloween season was a flea. Fleas are tiny, but they can make your skin crawl and induce paranoid scratching. They can also pose serious health risks to dogs and cats. The heavy rainfall in the early summer created optimal breeding conditions for fleas. The H1N1 flu is not the only epidemic this season!
Fleas suck blood from pets and can cause anemia, a decrease in the body’s red blood cell count. When a flea takes a blood meal, flea saliva is transferred into the host’s body. It is the flea’s saliva that causes an allergic response and the severe itchiness experienced by dogs and cats. Dogs and cats that are allergic to fleas often develop scabs and hotspots from excessive scratching or licking. Fleas can also transmit tapeworms to dogs and cats and cause feline infectious anemia.
The pets with fleas that have presented this season are those that have not been treated with a monthly preventative. Many owners have become complacent about flea prevention. Once a dog or cat is infested with fleas, medications need to be started and the home environment must be treated. Vacuuming is helpful, but eradication of fleas usually requires the home to be sprayed by the pet owner or a professional exterminator.
If you suspect your pet has a flea infestation, consult your veterinarian. It is best to prevent these pests with the use of veterinary approved products. Most products are available in easy to use topical applications that are applied monthly. Always consult your veterinarian before using any insecticide on your pet. NEVER USE PRODUCTS LABELED FOR DOGS ON CATS!
