Sophie's World

“Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what you want.”

~Joseph Wood Krutch

Photo by Big Tall Guy

I guess I’m pretty lucky as far as Sophie goes. She’s really a laid-back cat. Except for a brief UTI battle, she’s been healthy and happy. Of course, I think it helps that she is the only cat in the house and gets attention lavished upon her on a daily basis.

An acquaintance of mine was lamenting about her own cat the other day. She and her husband had just moved into their new home. Jack, her cat, wasn’t taking the move well. He wasn’t eating very well and was acting very spooky at any sound. Even after a month, the house didn’t feel like home to him. A trip to  the vet revealed no illness or condition that could explain his behavior.

Another friend had told me about a product she had used when her mother-in-law, much to her chagrin, had moved in. It didn’t help that Mother didn’t particularly like cats. My friend started using a product called Feliway. It’s an electric diffuser that emits an imitation cat pheromone that let Nature take over and calm her cat. It worked.

I recommended it to Jack’s owner. The jury is still out with him, but if you have a cat with anxiety issues, Feliway may just do the trick.

“By and large, people who enjoy teaching animals to roll over will find themselves happier with a dog.”

~Barbara Holland

Photo by law_keven

Perhaps we need a program like the one that exists with schools: all children must be vaccinated. All pets must be up-to-date on their vaccinations. The concern is not just for pets, but for people as well. Some diseases such as rabies and leptospirosis are zoonotic, meaning that they can spread to people.

The latest threat to pets comes from Virginia where a canine influenza outbreak is spreading. Dogs in four states have been affected. While no people have become sick, the potential exists. The virus is especially dangerous. Virtually every dog that is exposed becomes infected. While not all dogs will develop clinical symptoms, the virus has a morbidity rate of 80%. Certainly, with odds like that, disregard of simple preventive measures comes with a greater price.

During these tough economic times, it’s hard to make ends meet, much less not cut back. Your pet’s health is important, not only for your sake, but your family’s as well. Make preventive care a priority for your pet.

Photo by omniNate

“It’s really the cat’s house – we just pay the mortgage.”

~Author Unknown

Photo by Bluxfire