petslife magazine preview edition
DESCRIPTION
Welcome to BC's Magazine for Pet Owners.TRANSCRIPT
A Second ChanceA story about a cat found by the side of the road,
unable to move, and her road to recovery.
Nicotinevs DogsBionic Dogs
Check out
the C
enterfold!
facebook.com/PetsLifeBC
@PetsLifeBC
Add your business today• Find a local business offering the Pet services you are looking for with our online Business Directory
• Check back often for the Latest News and Tips on Pet Prducts, Healthcare, Food and Fun!
• Coverage and Highlights on Pet Events in your community.
• Great Contests where you can win Free Pet Gear!
• PetsLife TV Coming soon!
petsl i femagazine.ca
2075 Hollyberry Court
Abbotsford, bC
V2s 3X3
Editor in ChiefdAVe Hopkins604.200.pets (7387)[email protected]
Contributorskendell de meneCH
dr. susAn CAlVerly
bri swAnson
Printed ByGlobe printers604.864.2349 globeprinters.com
On the Coverthis photo is of snickers and willow having a good time at Jericho beach in november 2011.
photo taken by off-leash photography.
PetsLife
Pet: A person, or domesticated or tamed animal that is kept as a companion and cared for affectionately.
That definition could not be any clearer. From dogs assisting in Search and Rescue atop BC’s mountains, to dogs sensing low blood sugar in diabetic children, to cats put to work keeping rodents out of our rural farm animals food supply; Pets are part of our daily lives.
We greet them with smiles and welcome them as part of our Human families. As
a Pet Owner myself, I couldn’t imagine it any other way. I have 3 young children
and I find it difficult to picture life as I know it without my 4th child, our 6 year
old Golden Retriever. As most Pet owners do, we want to share our stories and experiences with other Pet owners. We
want to know what is new in Pet Health, Pet Care, and of course the fun products like toys and treats so we can spoil our
companions. It’s this lifestyle that led me down the path to publishing PetsLife.
So, welcome! This is your introduction to PetsLife Magazine, BC’s Magazine for Pet Owners. We have been very busy over
the last year assembling a Dream Team. A team of veterinarians, Pet Experts and Industry Insiders to bring you the most
relevant, important, and entertaining information regarding your Pets. PetsLife, is your community resource for everything
Pets. Whether you are looking for upcoming Pet related Events, a new groomer to take your dog, or just want to read up
on what’s new in the Animal World.
Have a read through this little Preview Issue, then check us out online, on FaceBook, and on Twitter, to join the
conversation. You can also join our mailing list online to stay up to date on our events and contests.
Enjoy.
dAVe HopkinsEditor in Chief
604.200.PETS (7387)
Table of Contents
3 Letter From the Editor
4 Social Media Mentions
5 PetsLife Approved Products
6 Where’s the Goat?
10 Yuppy Puppy Review
14 Bionic Dogs?
17 Nicotine Vs Dogs
20 A Second Chance
LetteR FRom the editoR
3
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PetsLife
Social Media MentionsFree Kibble
@freekibble
facebook.com/freekibble
url: freekibble.com
Their goal is to help Animal Shelters with the cost of feeding
the animals by donating pet food. They have made it easy and
fun. Just go to their website, play the Kibble Trivia Game. All
questions are animal related and if you get the question correct,
Kibbles are Donated! Simple, Fun, Great Cause.
Go Pet Friendly @gopetfriendly
facebook.com/gopetfriendly
url: gopetfriendly.com
This is a great resource for those folks that love to travel with
their Pets. They have a list of Hotels, Campgrounds, Restaurants,
Activities and Services that all Welcome Pets with open arms.
You can even plan your Pet Friendly Road Trip on their site. Their
blog is updated live from the road all over North America.
SoCiaL media mentionS
PetsLife
PetsLife Products
PetSLiFe aPPRoved PRoduCtS
TwizThis funky looking dog
toy is part of West Paw
Design’s Zogoflex line
up. The Twiz is guaranteed
against dog damage,
100% Recyclable, Non-Toxic,
Buoyant, and dishwasher
safe. Product Review of the
Twiz coming soon. Ask your
local pet store for West Paw
Design products.
westpawdesigns.com
Retails for approx. $16.00.
Flash Gordon 3D Pet ID TagsThese custom 3D Pet ID
Tags are very unique.
Choose your custom
design, then choose from
the Bronze, Antique Bronze,
or Gold plated finishes.
Check out the product
review at PetsLife Online.
flashgordondesigns.com
Prices start at $39.99.
Leash LocketA revolutionary leash
that your dog carries on
a magnetic clip attached
to their collar. Available
in Small or Large, and a
variety of colours. Be
sure to check out the
review of this product
at PetsLife online.
leashlocket.com
Retail starting at
approx. $35.00.
K9 KelpA selection of Canadian
products based around
All Natural Oceanic
Kelp harvested from
Northern BC. Shampoos
and Conditioners, to
Deodorizing Sprays and
Treats. Find more info at
PetsLife Online.
k9kelp.com
Price varies by product.
5
Now folks, think about this. Of all the animals on Earth
(next to armadillos), goats have to be the least swim
savvy. They hide in the rain, avoid puddles at all costs
and have cloven feet…and horns! Goats are about
as far away from being swimmers as dolphins are
rock climbers. No goats enter in the Summer Animal
Olympics on the Aquatic Team! I drooled at
the challenge!
Being a good sport, Pat agreed to an appointment. A few
weeks later, on the afternoon of the swim, Pat loaded
Gracie in the back end of the single horse trailer
(Gracie loves a good car ride) and she loaded Dory in the
half walled front area where hay is usually carried, and
closed the doors. Pat headed out, stopping briefly at a
feed store to pick up supplies, then over the bridge from
Mission she drove. She unloaded Gracie and brought
her into the pool, leaving Dory to rest in the trailer.
Half hour later Pat went back to the horse trailer, loaded
a tired Gracie into her spot and opened the side door.
No Dory. Pat came back into the poolroom and told me
Dory was missing, and although she appeared very calm,
I could tell Pat was upset. I jumped out of the pool and
barefoot in my wetsuit, went out to the trailer. It must
have been about 4 PM at the time we started the search.
We looked in my yard, and the neighbors’ and out back
in the dog park.
I said to Pat: “How do you call her?”
Pat said: “GOAT!”
Where’s the Goat?
By: Kendell DeMenech
About four yeArs AGo i stArted swimminG GrACie tHe miniAture Horse wHo HAs dwArfism.
her mom is Pat. i like Pat a lot and we have become friends. talking one day, Pat told me she had not only miniature horses on her farm, but also goats and ducks. i asked her if i could swim a goat and she said: “Sure, dory would love it!”
6
Petslife
So barefoot in my wetsuit, we wandered the neighborhood shouting: “Goat! Goat!”
I must have very understanding neighbours or no one
was home, because not one head poked out of a front
door to peer at us. Pat worried she had jumped out of
the trailer on route, perhaps on the bridge, at the feed
store, or was lost in the field. I felt sick. We were quite
the sight poking our noses under foliage and wandering
into back yards yelling GOAT!
Then I had a thought. I went back to the trailer and
looked in the hay stall which had clean straw on the floor.
I have enough knowledge of goats to know that they
are notorious for eating their meal and within minutes
passing zillions of little black pebbles out their butts. No
pebbles meant Dory had not made it over the bridge,
much less to the feed store. I showed Pat, who smiled
and got in her truck.
Pat called me half an hour later from home to say she
had driven in to her drive way, gone to the stable, and
there lying in the corner half asleep with her sister
goat, was Dory. Pat thought that when she started the
engine of the truck, Dory had panicked, jumped over the
waist high door onto Gracie’s back, and out the end of
the trailer. Dory had obviously been home all the time
we were walking up and down Okanagan Drive
shouting “GOAT!”
I was so relieved that Dory was safe and we had not lost
her. A happy ending, thank goodness!
I did end up getting an appointment and swimming with
Dory but that is another story. Pat and I continue to be
good friends
and I am now
working on
trying to get an
appointment
with Pat’s sweet
miniature donkey
(hey, why not?).
WheRe’S the Goat?
Finally there’s an all natural shampoo bar that treats him like the person he is! “The Ultimate in doggy-style, It won’t leave build-up on your baby’s precious skin.
Let the pure ingredients of this easy-to-use bar add sheen and lustre to his canine coat.
All wholesale and fundraiser inquiries welcome.
citysoapcompany.com
100% NaturalTested on Humans
Kendell’s Biography
A passionate animal lover all my
life, I graduated from UBC with
a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in
animal psychology.
I spent many years working in the field of Aquatics
and K9H2O was created in 2001. Specializing in dogs,
but welcoming all animals to the pool, I am happy to
be able to return to, and focus my skills on animals.
I live in Abbotsford and have a daughter, 2 dogs, a
cat and a guinea pig.
Oh, and that nice little item from South Africa with the
yellow label has become the libation shared between
Pat and I. It’s called “Goats do Roam 2006. It, like Dory, is
quite dry.
DORY THE GOAT HAvING A SWIM
Pet Photo Contest
This is just a preview of some of the great photo’s we have had sent to us already! There is still time to
enter your pet photo. The winners will be selected and posted in our huge Premier Issue this Spring.
Send your Pet Photo’s to [email protected].
8
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Over 300,000 Canadians live with type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is a devastating disease that strikes children and adults suddenly — it lasts a lifetime.
Insulin is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent the risk of developing complications which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke and amputation.
JDRF’s mission is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Our research goals are to cure, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes, a non‑preventable autoimmune disease.
JDRF has funded over $1.5 billion (U.S.) in diabetes research. Over 80 per cent of JDRF’s expenditures fund research and research related education.
Help us find a cure for diabetes.
To make a donation, please visit our website www.jdrf.ca
Stefanie, 6 years oldDiagnosed at 4 years of age
www.jdrf.ca | 1.877.CURE.533
PetsLife Magazine is a proud supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. A percentage of all advertising profits
are donated to the JDRF. Not many people know, but dogs are on the front lines helping fight Diabetes in kids. Dogs can be
trained to sense low blood sugar, High blood sugar, and also to detect Ketones in the blood stream. They can be a huge help
when a child doesn’t show any signs that something isn’t right with their blood glucose levels.
We encourage you to take a look at their website and help in any way you are able.
9
100% naturaltested on humans
Spoiled Dog Shampoo Bar YUPPY PUPPY TM
Spoiled Dog Shampoo Bar
YUPPY PUPPY TM
made naturally
test
ed o
n hu
man
s
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Handmade with saponified oils of coconut, palm, olive, castor, jojoba; aloe vera, grapefruit seed extract, pennyroyal leaf; essential oils of clary sage, peppermint, eucalyptus.
If your dog has more toys than most children and is better dressed than most of your co-workers, finally there’s an all-natural shampoo bar that treats him like the person he is. Let the pure ingredients of this easy-to-use bar add sheen and lustre to his canine coat.
The ultimate in doggy-style, it won’t leave build-up on your baby’s precious skin. Because after all, these days, dogs are the only ones who can get away with wearing fur. Directions: Lather and rub bar into spoiled dog’s wet fur, rinse, and repeat if necessary.
Made in Canada © 2002 City Soap Company Ltd. www.citysoapcompany.com
®
Product Review
YuPPY PuPPY PRoduCt RevieW
Did you Know
On average, a 15 year old Cat has
slept for 10 years of its life.
My 6 year old Golden Retriever is the sweetest dog ever. She loves people, kids, other dogs, and easily makes friends with all of them! She fits right in as a member of our family. However, she has one habit I wish I could get her to kick.
She rolls around on things, smelly
things, and sometimes, very smelly
things.
From a “musty” spot in the dirt to
the rotting dead fish on the edge of
the creek. She smells it, and feels the
need to coat herself with the musk.
I have tried many dog shampoos
and soaps in an effort to find the
easiest one to use, that doesn’t
irritate her skin, and works! Enter
Yuppy Puppy by the City Soap
Company. This product comes in bar
form, and using nothing but the finest
natural essential oils and botanicals,
provides that squeaky clean, super
soft feeling to your dogs coat. It has a
light natural scent to it which is great
for those dogs with very sensitive
skin.
Soak your pooch, and just start
rubbing the bar around. It lathers
almost instantly, sopping up all
that top coat dirt on your dog. Keep
scrubbing and it gets down to the
under-coat and does what quality
soap should do.
The only step left is the rinse. In my
experience, not all dog shampoos
rinse out nicely. Some leave a greasy
feeling on the coat, or a really dry
damaged feeling. Not the case here.
You are left with a clean smelling dog
with a super soft and shiny coat.
The back of the box
has a fun little product
description to: “If your
dog has more toys than
most children and is better dressed
than most of your co-workers, finally
there’s an all-natural shampoo bar
that treats him like the person he is.
Let the pure ingredients of this easy
to use bar add sheen and lustre to
his canine coat. The ultimate in doggy
style, it won’t leave build-up on your
baby’s precious skin. Because after all,
these days, dogs are the only ones
who can get away with wearing fur.”
I should also mention that this
product is “Tested on Humans.”
The Yuppy Puppy bar retails for $6.95. You can find out more about the City Soap Company and their other products at citysoapcompany.com.
PetsLife
10
March 3&4, 2012Saturday 10am-6pm | Sunday 11am-5pm
NEWAsk A Trainer& Ask A VetFeatures!
NEWLOCATION!
Vancouver’s
PNE
NEWCUTEST PET
CONTEST!
www.PetExpos .comfor up to date show information visit us at
100’s of Pets& Pet Products
Exciting FamilyFun Features
Main StageExcitement!
EducationalSeminars
Vancouver’s8th Annual
Hello There!W
hy,
pets
lifem
agaz
ine.
ca
Hello There!
Aire
dale
Ter
rier
The a
ireda
le is
cons
ider
ed to
be t
he “K
ing
of th
e ter
riers
.” Bo
th m
ale
and
fem
ale a
ireda
les st
and
abou
t 23"
tall
and
usua
lly w
eigh
from
40–5
0 lb
s. Th
ey h
ave a
blac
k “sa
ddle
” with
tan
legs,
muz
zles
and
unde
rsid
e. h
istor
ically
, thi
s dog
was
use
d as
a W
artim
e disp
atch
Car
rier,
Gua
rd d
og, P
olice
dog
, and
also
a Bi
g-G
ame h
unte
r. They
are k
nown
to b
e int
ellig
ent,
cour
ageo
us, p
ower
ful a
nd aff
ectio
nate
.
This
bree
d is
grea
t with
child
ren
if th
ey ar
e rai
sed
toge
ther
, but
can
be re
serv
ed w
ith st
rang
ers.
The a
ireda
le re
quire
s 80
min
utes
of e
xerc
ise
per d
ay w
hich
is b
est s
plit
into
3–4
sess
ions
. They
are a
lso lo
w sh
edde
rs;
requ
iring
a go
od b
rush
ing
3 tim
es p
er w
eek,
and
prof
essio
nal g
room
ing,
clipp
ing,
and
strip
ping
, 4 ti
mes
per
year
.
…Th
ey al
so en
joy
long
walk
s on
the b
each
, bell
y sc
ratc
hes,
and
treat
s.
BionicDogs?
Many of you are probably too young to
remember the 6 Million Dollar Man. In the
1970’s it was one of my favourite Tv shows
with Lee Major’s playing the astronaut with
his right arm, both legs and his left eye
replaced with electromechanical or “bionic”
parts. As long as there have been wars to fight,
there has been a need for artificial limbs or
braces to shore up the injured ones. Braces
and artificial limbs, whether they were a peg
leg on a pirate or Terry Fox’s artificial leg, are
familiar sights on people all over the world.By: Susan Calverley
It seems to me as a veterinarian that lately human medicine has gone to the dogs. Now braces and prosthetics (artificial limbs) are available for dogs too!
Meet Sam, a happy; and until recently,
very active 8 year old Labrador
Retriever. His mistake was chasing
one too many rabbits through the
park when one day he came up
lame, and would not use his leg
anymore. He was diagnosed with
a torn ligament and cartilage in his
knee. Following surgery to remove
the damaged cartilage, he has now
been fitted with a knee brace and has
not looked back. In two months he
has lost 10lb and regained an inch
of muscle in his thigh. The brace has
protected the surgical repair on his
leg and he is ready to head to K9H20
for final conditioning to strengthen
his leg and get back to the business
of chasing rabbits.
Knee braces are just one of many
solutions that can be fitted to help
with many cases of arthritis or
injuries of both front and back legs.
Ask your veterinarian if a brace or
prosthetic limb can help your dog.
Geek Alertif you or your dog has ever suffered from a cruciate ligament tear, or you just have a fascination with all things scientific or Latin, a more complex explanation of how braces work on the knee follows:
Although the most common
method and the standard of care for
stabilizing the knee in the average
dog is surgery, there are a number
of dogs for whom surgery will
not be performed for a number of
legitimate reasons. The OrthoPets
knee brace (orthosis) is designed
to limit all of the abnormal motion
caused by a partially or fully torn
anterior cruciate ligament. It does
the job of the cruciate ligament,
only from the outside of the leg as
opposed to within the knee or stifle
joint itself. It prevents forward tibial
movement (the so called cranial
drawer motion); tibial rotation; and
knee hyperextension.
The device works because it
utilizes the dog’s normal muscle
contraction in the thigh and calf to
biomechanically unite the device with
the leg. In this way the hinges of the
device control all motion and thereby
prevent abnormal motion. There is
an odd misconception that a brace
(orthosis) restricts normal motion
and is static (non mobile) rather
than dynamic (mobile). In a properly
designed and fitted orthosis, the leg
can go through normal flexion and
extension comfortably, allowing the
dog to regain strength, stability,
and balance.
Every device is custom fit so they
are built for each individual dog
and comfort is as important as
15
PetsLife
function. Each device is made from a fibreglass mold
of the patient’s injured leg. This mold allows shaping
of the device for best fit and, more importantly, to
keep the device properly suspended on the leg. It is
recommended to have a basic orientation to teach
weight-bearing and proper gaiting (walking, trotting,
running) and then, as for surgery patients, professional
rehabilitation (physical therapy) for strengthening
and conditioning. Most importantly, if the meniscus
(cushion inside the knee) is torn or crushed, a minor
surgery to remove the torn portion is necessary to allow
return to weight bearing and function. For dogs that
cannot have surgery, a knee orthosis is the NEXT STEP
in veterinary medicine.
For more information, and to view dogs enjoying the benefits of their orthotics, check out orthoPets.com.
Did you Know
A Cat uses its whiskers to determine if a
space is too small to squeeze through.
INDOOR POOL FOR DOGS
• Pre and Post Surgical Swims• Weight Management• Recreational Swims• Conditioning for Sporting Dogs• Puppy Learn to Swim• Senior Swims
Ask about our Long Jump Classes!
3493 Okanagan Drive, Abbotsford, BCwww.k9h2o.com
e-mail: [email protected] for Appointment: 604-864-2284
BioniC doGS?
16
PetsLife
My Weimaraner, Abigail, took up the habit of
eating cigarette butts. The first time she ate
a cigarette, I didn’t think anything of it. Five
hours later however, at 10pm that night, I
realized I should have paid more attention.
At first we didn’t know what was wrong with Abi. She
was acting very strange. She was drooling constantly,
her eyes were glazed, and she was jumping at every
sound and movement. I tried to calm her down by
laying down with her and petting her, but every time
I moved my hand she would jump. I started to get
very worried at this point. Abi couldn’t
walk or sit up without falling over and
every few minutes she would jump up
and run out of the room as fast as she
could. I remembered that Abi had eaten
a cigarette butt earlier that day, so my
fiancé googled “cigarette butts and dogs.”
The amount of articles on this topic is
mind blowing. We found that all the symptoms Abi was
suffering (and many more that she fortunately wasn’t)
were caused by nicotine poisoning. The articles stated
that the affects generally took 5 hours to show, could
last anywhere from 2 to 8 hours, and the toxins would
remain in her system for another 12–16 hours. We read
that any dog under 30 pounds who has nicotine poison
should be taken to their vet immediately. Just one
cigarette butt is enough to cause this. Larger dogs are
to be monitored closely, and taken to the vet if they are
vomiting or have diarrhea. It was nerve racking to watch
Abi, but I’m sure it was worse for her. It took over 4
hours for the majority of the symptoms to wear off.
It is easy to confuse nicotine poisoning
with other poisonings such as strychnine,
chocolate, organophosphate insecticide,
and certain moulds. Hopefully, there will be
cigarette materials in the vomit to give away
the diagnosis.
I was amazed that something so dangerous to dogs
wasn’t more widely known about. In fact, when I called
our vet a month later after Abi ate another cigarette butt,
they told me that there was nothing to worry about. I
expressed my concern and told them we had watched
Abi suffer the symptoms and had researched the subject.
I got a call from my vet shortly after telling me they had
niCotine vS doGS
vs
DogsBy: Bri Cromier
i quit smoking 3 months ago. i
thought i was done with cigarettes, but
i was wrong.
i wAs AmAzed tHAt sometHinG so
dAnGerous to doGs wAsn’t more widely
known About.
17
PetsLife
researched the topic, conferred with other vets, and that
I was absolutely right. They told me to get Abi to their
office, or any vet immediately so they could administer
a dose of medicine to induce vomiting. I was at work
at the time and couldn’t leave, so I asked about using
hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting. They told me it
was best to see a vet, but seeing as how I couldn’t get
Abi in, they advised me on the right dosage amount for
her size and weight. I got Abi to drink hydrogen peroxide
(quite easily, seeing as a hound will eat/drink anything)
and less than five minutes later she vomited a huge pile
of white foam. Right in the middle of that foam pile was
the poisonous cigarette butt.
I was incredibly relieved that neither Abi nor I would
have to experience the effects of nicotine poisoning
again. Abi has since then eaten another 2 cigarette
butts, and I have given her 3% hydrogen peroxide to
induce vomiting each time (please contact your vet for
correct dosage before attempting to use it), and each
time we’ve been able to prevent her from becoming both
sick and “stoned” from the nicotine. Needless to say, I
keep a very close eye on Abi while we’re outside, and I
don’t let her go around people who smoke, or the areas
they smoke in.
I’m still looking into whether there is a reason she is
eating the cigarette butts. Possibly a vitamin deficiency,
or if she just likes the taste. Whether I can stop her from
eating cigarette butts or not, I am at least aware now of
how dangerous they are to dogs, and any other small
animal. I want all pet owners to be aware of this hazard,
because it is incredibly harmful and even deadly. Please
keep an eye on your animals and be aware of nicotine
poisoning.
niCotine vS doGS
Did you Know
All Dog Breeds, except the Chow, have
pink tongues. A Chow’s tongue is Black.
Photographythat captures the
unique personalityof your pet.
phone 604 864 6339 toll free 1 877 310 3500email [email protected] www.rastudio.ca
Book a studio session& receive a free 10 x 10
framed print ($177 value) Please mention ‘petslife’at time of booking. Valid
until March 31, 2012.
18
PetsLife
We are a full service hospital that also offers rehabilitation and specialized services.
GIVE US A CALL604.826.8456
VISIT US ONLINE missvet.cafacebook.com/mission.vet
OUR LOCATION7195 Horne St. Mission, BC
We are a full service hospital that also offers
ACCEPTING
NEW PATIENTS
We believe that wellness is more than just treating sick animals and preventing disease with vaccines. We want you and your pet to enjoy a vibrant, fun, long and loving relationship. This is what excites us about caring for your pet.
Word from the Vet:Dr. Susan Calverley
Nicotine poisoning is a real concern anywhere that a
pet may find cigarettes, cigarette butts, chewing
tobacco, nicotine gum or patches. Dogs, particularly
puppies, tend to chew things up
first and ask questions later. Cats
may find a cigarette butt to be a
nicely sized pouncing toy worthy
of chewing.
Luckily for pets and small
children, tobacco tastes terrible.
Even chewing tobacco must
have flavorings added to make
it worthy of oral enjoyment. Still,
cigarettes have plenty of nicotine
and even a small cigarette butt
can mean serious illness or even
death for a small pet.
The toxic dose for nicotine in
pets is 1/2–1 MG per pound of
pet body weight, while the lethal
dose is 4 MG per pound of pet
body weight. A cigarette contains
9–30 MG of nicotine depending
on the type of cigarette; while a
cigarette butt contains about 25%
of the nicotine of the original
cigarette despite its deceptively
small amount of tobacco
(smoking seems to concentrate
some of the nicotine in the tail
end of the cigarette). Cigars can
contain up to 40 mg. Chewing
tobacco carries 6–8 MG per
gram while the gum has 2–4
MG per piece and patches have
8.3–114 mg. Smoking a cigarette
yields only 0.5–2 MG of nicotine
but eating one is a different
ball game as all of the nicotine
becomes available for absorption into the body. One way
to rephrase this is that a 40 lb dog would get very sick
after eating one cigarette, but would need 11 cigarettes
to die from nicotine poisoning.
niCotine vS doGS
1919
A Second ChanceLost or neglected, abandoned or thrown out. it is sometimes very hard to find out the true story of an unclaimed pet. unless someone comes forward, one can only guess how the story goes.
PetsLifea SeCond ChanCe
staff and volunteers when Jodi suggested the Cat go to
the local aqua therapy rehab pool at K9H2O. Swimming
a cat? Was that not cruel? As everything else had failed
to get the Cat walking, it was worth a try.
All it took was one short 10 minute swim. By gently
letting the cat sit on a flotation mat in the shallow end
of the pool, and allowing the Cat to choose her time to
enter the water and swim to the edge, the “flight” part
of her brain was humanely engaged.
She did not scratch or bite or hiss.
Her short time in the water was
exhausting and she actually panted.
It was a huge amount of exercise
for her. The Cat was then wrapped
in towels, warmed, and dried. She
purred as her head and back were
rubbed, and she just licked her front
legs. Jodi then returned her to her
carry box and took her back to the
shelter. Once back in her room, to
everyone’s surprise, she walked! The events at the pool
had told the brain, and the brain told the legs, and
mobility returned.
She was very lucky, because after that swim she was
then quickly fostered out. It is so hard to find homes
for disabled or older Cats, especially Cats who have
black coats. Black or black and white (tuxedo) Cats are
considered by some to be less pretty or on occasion
people are superstitious about the color.
In December 2011, an adult Cat was found
by the side of a road in Abbotsford. The
black and orange hair along her back
was soaked and matted in smelly motor
oil, and was full of bugs. Because of
the condition she was in, and that she
could not move, it was suspected that
she was hit by a car. She just lay in the
gravel, spread-eagle on the ground. A
kind passer-by carefully transported the
cat to the SPCA in Abbotsford. Fearing
she may have broken bones or have a
spinal injury, she was then transported
to Ellwood Park Animal Hospital. The
staff and veterinarians kindly checked
her out and found that she was not injured, but was
grossly overweight. She tipped the scales at 19lbs, and
according to her bone structure and body size, should
have registered in at about 9lbs. This Cat was
so obese that she could not support her weight with
her own legs!
After getting a clear check on her physical condition,
her coat was then dealt with. The staff
thought she had taken refuge under
an old vehicle that was dripping oil. Or
had someone purposefully done her
harm by pouring motor oil over her?
No one knows. The staff had to shave
the matted fur and wash away the
accumulation of bugs that inhabited
her back. As they ran the razor, the
Cat quietly licked her front legs and
offered no resistance.
Returning to the protection of the SPCA, the female Cat;
thought to be about twelve years old, spent three days
at the shelter. Despite all their efforts, the Cat would
not get up or move. Getting her to move was extremely
important as it would be the first step towards weight
reduction. She needed to rebuild muscles that had
atrophied from lack of use. The staff tried introducing her
to other Cats, brought in toys and tried playing with her,
but she just laid there. Finally, the manager; Jodi Dunlop,
came up with a unique suggestion. Shock set in with the
“in 2011 tHe Abbotsford spCA HAd 524
CAts brouGHt in And of tHose, 287
were strAys”
2121
PetsLife a SeCond ChanCe
SPCA FACT“In 2011, the Abbotsford SPCA had 524 Cats brought in. Of those, 287 were strays, others were surrendered by their
owners, and some were seized. Almost as many kittens were brought in, a total of 308, and of those, 179 were strays.
An amazing 301 kittens were successfully adopted as well as 201 of the adult cats! A few cats were sent to other
shelters and foster care, and luckily some were found by their owners and returned to their homes.”
Because she, now named Charlie can walk, she has begun the road back to a safe body weight. She remains on a
dietary cat food and is under veterinary care to make sure the weight comes off slowly. However, considering how
obese she was, it is surprising that she only wants to eat a small amount of kibble just twice a day. She comes to find
her new owner and leads her to the dish to be fed, but she never searches for scraps or makes a fuss. Something
about her patient and gentle nature leads one to believe she had not been abused. Charlie was, and is a great
companion Cat; quiet, clean, polite and content. She has a wonderful lap-cat demeanor.
By mid January 2012, Charlie now weighs 16 pounds. She has a favourite toy that dangles from a stick on a string.
She also loves Catnip; one sniff and she is rubbing and purring. She loves having her head rubbed but if you scratch
her back (where the hair is growing in nicely), she licks her front legs! Two dogs live in her new house and she has
quickly established herself as the Boss. She has set up a “one foot” perimeter and the dogs quickly learned not to
enter it, or their nose would receive a slap from a paw. She loves to sleep on the bed at night and if you reach over
and touch her, she emits the most peaceful and gentle purr. Charlie has been successfully adopted and is on a safe
and happy road to recovery in her new home.
22
Here’s a look at the next issue
Featured in the next issue:
• Global bC morning news team and their love for Animals
• Stem Cell Transplant
• A dog with a nose for low blood sugar
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