After some anti-biotics and some anti-inflammatories, along with claw covers so he can’t scratch himself raw, Mr. Charlie is starting to look much better. We are pretty sure that he is feeling better too! Mr. Charlie appears to be about 3 – 5 years old and seems to be in pretty good health. We are hoping to determine the cause of his allergic reaction.

Mr. Charlie has not been with any other cats yet, due to his conditon, but he doesn’t seem bothered by seeing or smelling them. He will most likely acclimate well to any home. Please come meet Mr. Charlie!

Dora is about 5 – 6 years old, and is spayed and all 4 declawed. Dora would probably do best in a home without young children, since they may intimidate her. Dora seems fine around the other cats here, and should acclimate well to calm dogs. Please come meet Dora – this sweet girl deserves a second chance!

Dental health is one of the commonly overlooked areas in owning an animal. Most people don’t realize that cats, dogs, and other animals need proper dental care to keep their teeth and mouths healthy just like people do. Without proper care, pets can get many conditions and diseases that humans are also prone to. These include tartar and plaque buildup, gingivitis, rotting teeth, and gum disease. Poor oral health is also a major contributor to bad breath! When left untreated, these seemingly insignificant issues can have dire consequences. Tartar buildup and gingivitis can be quite painful and cause cats to stop eating well. Gingivitis infection can also spread to other organs (such as the heart and kidneys) through the bloodstream and lead to failure of those organs. Luckily, there are many easy ways to help your pets maintain good oral health.

The easiest way to promote good oral health is by adding an oral care food to your pets diet. There are multiple formulas of oral care diets – be sure to ask your vet which diet would be most appropriate for your cat. Oral care diets are generally larger, crunchier kibbles that act as a scrubber almost on the surface of your cat’s teeth to help remove buildup from the teeth. Most oral diets seem to be very palatable and cats will eat them readily.

The best way to care for your pet’s teeth at home though is regular brushing. There are many varieties of pet toothbrushes, from ones that look like small human toothbrushes to ones that slide over your finger. Some people will also use gauze squares wrapped around their fingers instead of an actual toothbrush. There are also different choices for animal friendly toothpaste. You do NOT want to use human toothpaste on your cat; it can cause stomach upset. Animal toothpaste comes in a variety of flavors such as seafood, poultry, and malt. Animal toothpaste is also designed to stay on the teeth not get rinsed off, so don’t worry about how you’ll get your cat to rinse! Most cats will accept tooth brushing if you introduce it slowly. It is best to start when they are kittens, but it is never too late to start a dental care routine! You can also ask the vets to give you some tips on how to introduce brushing to your cat.

In honor of Pet Dental Month, we are offering free “Lift the Lip” exams. A lift the lip exam is an appointment with one of our veterinary technicians who will visually check the status of your cat’s teeth and gums. The tech will let you know if your cat’s teeth look great, can use some preventative measures, or need a dental cleaning soon. If your cat does need a dental procedure, we will schedule you a pre surgical exam with the doctor who will be performing the dental procedure to discuss what will happen and make sure the cat is healthy enough for the procedure.

Also, anyone who schedules a dental procedure during the month of February will receive a free 7 lb. bag of Science Diet Oral Care food!

If you are interested in scheduling a “Lift the Lip” exam, please call the office at 734-973-9090.

We estimate Berry to be around 2 – 3 years old. She has been spayed, microchipped, tested (negative) for FELV/FIV and Heartworm, has had fecal testing and deworming, and is current on vaccines. This sweet girl deserves a loving home – could it be yours?

Many cats are overweight and even morbidly obese these days. This is especially true of indoor only cats since they don’t have to hunt for their food, run from predators, or use a lot of energy staying warm, etc. like their outdoor counterparts do. Being overweight can cause many problems for cats such as diabetes and joint problems. These are serious issues in themselves which can also lead to other issues, such as problems with using the litterbox and problems walking.

Luckily, there are plenty of options for encouraging your cat to lose weight and get healthier. The easiest thing to do is start portioning their food into several small meals during the day rather than letting them graze out of a full bowl all day. For most cats, 1/4 cup of dry food or around 3 ounces of canned food twice per day is sufficient nutrition for most healthy adult cats. You can work with your vet to devise a customized diet plan for your cat’s individual needs.

Another way to encourage weight loss is by making sure your cat gets more exercise. Playing with your cat is a great way to build a relationship while getting them more fit. There are many types of interactive toys on the market to encourage play. Some cats prefer feather type toys, others go crazy over laser pointers, some will chase (and occasionally retrieve!) jingle balls, and lots of cats LOVE catnip! There are even toys out there that you can put food and treats in which will dispense a few kibbles every now and then as the kitty bats the toy around.

A final idea to encourage weight loss in your cat is to get them a buddy! Many cats enjoy playing with and chasing other cats. Having multiple cats in the home encourages play even when you aren’t home to get out the toys.

If you have questions or concerns about your cat’s weight, please call the clinic at 734-973-9090. We would be happy to set up an exam, make a custom diet plan, and discuss exercise and feeding options with you and your furry friends. Let’s make 2012 the start of a healthier lifestyle for your cats!

Lanson is a big boy – about 15 pounds, and not too overweight! He is also very cute and has a good personality. Lanson is neutered, up to date on vaccinations, FELV/FIV negative, has had fecal testing and deworming, is current on flea and heartworm preventative, and is ready to make someone very happy! Please come meet Lanson.

Puddin is approximately 12 years old, is spayed and up to date on all health care. She appears to be very well taken care of and healthy. puddin previously lived with a dog, so she should adjust well to other pets as long as they aren’t too rambunctious. Puddin would love a quiet home where she can get lots of attention. Please consider adopting this sweet girl!

Chloe is probably 3 – 5 years old. She has been spayed, is FELV/FIV negative, is up to date on vaccinations, has had fecal testing, deworming, and is current on flea and heartworm preventative. Chloe would do great as an only cat, and should acclimate fine to another mellow cat that allows her to have her own space. After all those kittens, she is ready to enjoy some quiet time where she is the center of attention! Please consider giving Chloe the wonderful home that she deserves.

We would also like to remind everyone that we close at noon (12pm) on both Christmas Eve (December 24th) and New Years Eve (December 31st). We will be closed both Christmas Day (December 25th) and New Years Day (January 1st). We will be open normal business hours all other days during the holiday season.

Happy Holidays to All!

Please come by the clinic and meet Butterfinger – this is one candy bar you won’t regret!