![Pets [HQ] - Australia's pet directory of pet supplies and pet advice](/cms/images/petshq/logo.gif){kind=logo}
Ask Dr Cam Day - your pet problems solved
|
Dr Cam Day is a veterinary behaviourist and media presenter.
He is one of the few veterinarians in Australia working full-time as a Veterinary Behaviourist. He consults with dog, cat and bird owners in Queensland and Northern New South Wales helping to solve problems with their pets including aggressive behaviours, excessive vocalization, house-soiling, anxieties, phobias and compulsive disorders.
He also consults to media organisations and is Brisbane's radio Pet Vet (a role he has been enjoying since 1984). He appears weekly on Brisbane radio stations and has written for many publications over the years.
He owns and operates www.Pethealth.com.au a unique online resource for pet behaviour and health care remedies.
He is an Adjunct Associate Professor with the University of Queensland and is the current and inaugural chair of the Queensland Government Animal Welfare Advisory Committee.
|
.jpg)
Who is Dr. Cam Day?|
|
We have a beautiful 10 month old female boxer dog, who is very boisterous at obedience school where she is only interested in playing with the other dogs, and not even interested in any of her treats. We are somewhat embarrassed with her behaviour. We are wondering if we shold try to get her to socialise with other dogs and to be obedient otherwise she is going to be a burden to herself and everyone else. At home she will do as she is told, but she gets over excited when visitors arrive.........what should we do? |
|
|
Boxers are called the Jokers of the Dog World. They have boundless energy and at 10 months of age, your boxer has an active body but a soggy brain! That she plays with other dogs is useful for socialisation but it does need to be controlled. She has no interest in treats because she is too "immersed in the emotion the moment".The answer is simple. To reduced unwanted behaviour you need to reward wanted behaviour. Reward-based training is like growing an Oak Tree of knowledge from a seed you plant. Every time you fertilise that seed of knowledge the Oak Tree grows more quickly. So the next question is – what behaviour should your Boxer grow when she is being boisterous?/p> While there are many answers, we find the most useful sequence is to follow the three step process of Leave (the other dog alone) Come (to me) and Sit for 5 full seconds. The five second site is reinforced with a smile and a soft rewarding voice and then a food treat. But – you need to teach this sequence away from the dog school when she is not ‘immersed in the emotion of the moment’. So teach the sequence in the comfort of your own home. Now repeat that sequence of Leave – Come – Sit for 5 seconds again and again in your home and you will grow your Oak Tree of knowledge. Then and only then, should you move to the dog school. With dogs, reward-based training grows precise knowledge very easily but you need to know how to do that. Listen to the two hours of Podcasts and other information on this link. Your Boxer will be delighted! Dr Cam Day |
|
|
My dog, Bowler, is a 4 year old Siberian Huskey cross. He continues to find a way to escape from our yard and the disturbs the neighbours by barking at them. He never escapes when we are home. This is making our neighbours cranky and the Council are now involved. |
|
|
Escaping is caused by many different 'emotions' and determing that underlying need is really important. That Bowler is barking at your neighbours is not good news and that's why the Council is now invovled. Be careful because potentially they could declare Bowler to be a menacing or even a dangerous dog. Some dogs escape because they are bored but usually bored dogs just roam the street looking for fun. If you think that's the problem then our No Bored Dogs routine is what you need.
Others escape because they have an anxiety associated with their home-alone time. This could be a separation anxiety, a noise phobia or other causes of fear and anxiety. If this is the case you would note that Bowler shows fear and anxiety when he is roaming. The anxiety could be causing the aggression but there are many other reasons for the aggression too. Start by getting your vet to check Bowler for any medical condition and then work on the behaviour with your vet or better still a veterinary behaviourist. Dr Cam Day |
|
|
I have moved from a leafy large residence where my cat was able to spend her days investigating the creek that ran behind my house to a busy suburban residence that has a lot of foot and road traffic. So now, she is really restricted to the areas that she can go to 'investigate'. She has since become very 'cuddly'; and will follow me around and talk to me continually while I am at home. I try to play with her and provide her with toys around the house but she isn't interested in the toys and as I work so much I don’t go and play with her outside during the week. Can you suggest any solutions? |
|
|
With cats, it’s hard to compete with the wonders of the outside world. Cats that are allowed to roam benefit from the broad tapestry of challenges life gives them – a rich lifestyle maybe - but usually very short. Cats kept indoors are much safer and live longer and suffer less disease – but yes, boredom can be a problem. The answer is to give the cat the largest territory possible but the safest and the environmentally richest one you can manage.There are various cat enclosure systems that will allow your cat outside access with safety. Catmax and Cat Nip are two well-established brands but there are others. If an enclosure is not possible then you need to work hard to provide a rich lifestyle for your cat where things change on a regular basis. Playing with your cat is important when you are home and a bamboo garden stake with a bootlace attached makes a good ‘fly-fishing rod’ where you can flick the boot lace back and forth to stimulate your cat's predatory instincts. When you are not at home, look at various ways in which you can provide change during a cat’s boring day. Timer activated food bowls are readily available. Some cat owners use a Kong Time machine to deliver toys, food items and, yes, Kong toys, to their cats. We often advise cat owners to use a process called Fan Fare Fun. Place a pedestal fan on a timer plug so it turns on and off during the day. Place the fan at table height and make it ‘blow’ interesting items such as ping pong balls and feathers off the table during your absence. Crazy! To make your cat more content in its new home, also consider the use of Feliway Pheromones . Dr Cam Day |
|
|
My children have pet mice, 2 females. I never thought I would like them but I actually find them quite amusing. They are very tame and get lots of cuddles from my 6 year old son and 8 year old daughter. One of their friends has a pet rat and they have asked me if they could have one too. Since my mice are in a huge, palace-like cage, I wondered would it be Ok to keep the mice and rats together? Would they become friends? |
|
|
The answer to this is easy. Don’t do it! By all means consider a rat as a pet. They can make fabulous, interactive companions for children. They don’t, however, make great friends for mice. In fact, rats may even kill mice. This is not a learning experience that your kids would enjoy so if you are considering adding a rat to your family, make sure you give him or her, their own luxurious palace. Dr Jo |
|
|
We are ready for a dog. The problem is my family can’t agree on which breed to get. I would like a smallish Terrier, husband wants a Labrador, son (16) would like a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and daughter (7) a Maltese. Then we cannot agree on a boy or a girl, although we will have it desexed. Can you give us some tips on how to choose the best dog for us please? |
|
|
Choosing a dog for your family is a serious business or it should be, as you will live with this new family member for the next 12 to 14 years so I think it is great that you are making an informed decision. Here are some tips for picking the right canine companion: 1. Breeds Research all the breeds you are interested in. Meet breeders and owners of these dogs. Find out the worst things about your shortlisted breeds, their health and temperament. If you can live with this, you will be well on the way to accepting this breed of dog into your life. 2. Lifestyle Examine your lifestyle as a family. Are you active, busy people or the opposite? Who will do most of the work with this dog? Be realistic. Then I suggest that you go with the breed that suits the member of the family who will look after it most or the person in the family that is most at risk of an energetic canine. This does not necessarily mean their choice of breed but a breed that suits them. 3. Try before you buy Borrow or look after a dog, preferably of the breed you are interested in, for a few days. Then you can identify which family members are less willing to walk the dog or pick up poo. Sometimes the novelty of life with a dog wears off very quickly and it tends to be Mum who is left with the workload. Be prepared! 4. Individual While breed of dog is important, often dog owners make their choice solely based on aesthetics, the way the dog looks. It is the dog’s temperament that you are going to have to live with. Ensure you select a puppy whose personality fits in with your lifestyle. You have a young child .You should not choose a “pushy” puppy, nor the quietest of the litter. Good breeders these days will interview you. You must do the same with them. Together you can then make an informed choice of individual. With regard to the gender of your dog, this is a personal choice and luckily humans are split about 50-50 on their preferences. As a very general guide you will find that boys play more and are more energetic while girls are more loveable and show less aggression. Desexing is the way to go. 5. Other choices If you are still finding it hard to choose a breed, then you might like to do what my family did. Since we could not agree on the perfect breed, we decided that a mixed breed puppy was the ideal option and so we gave a home to an unwanted young dog. Check out pounds and shelters near you (you may like to start your search on the internet). Good luck with your decision making and your future life with your canine companion. Dr Jo |
|
|
|
|
|
Barking is the most common problem reported to local councils. Dogs bark for many reasons, including boredom, stress, disturbances in the environment, pain, excitement and to get attention. Barking is a symptom of an underlying problem and to reduce or remove this unwanted symptom you have to work out the cause. Did something change in your life or your dog’s to cause her to start barking? Perhaps you can rectify this. It sounds to me that, in your dog’s case, it is very likely disturbances that are causing her to bark but may also be boredom, separation-related stress or attention seeking. Some things to try include:
Since barking is such a common problem and can be one of the most annoying pet problems in our society, I have written a booklet, Barking Problems Solved, to help dog owners understand why their dog barks and how to solve the problem. This is available at pet and vet stores. Details at my website www.petproblemsolved.com.au. Dr Jo |
|
|
|
|
|
Noodle is what I call an “Attack Cat” and they are relatively common in the feline world. He probably does not attack you because he gets everything he wants from you. It is only when he is not getting attention on his terms - lots of cuddles and humans to obey his demands - that he attacks. It could also be that your boyfriend stimulates him a little too much and Noodle chooses to relieve his energy and/or stress on Brian! I suggest that you and Brian time how long or count how many pats Noodle can take prior to attack. Then reduce this by between 10 and 50%, and gradually build up over time. Brian must also ignore Noodle’s attacks, as anything he does to respond to these will be giving Noodle attention, therefore reinforcing the unwanted behaviour. Easier said than done - Ignoring a cat intent on using his claws and teeth is not easy! Brian might like to try wearing thick gloves so he does not feel the pain and react. But the gradual desensitisation and habituation to Brian’s pats are the best long term solution. Watch out for Noodle’s ears flattening, tail swishing and/or whiskers moving forwards, just before he bites. Lots of cats give us these warning signals prior to attack. Remember to give Noodle lots of stimulation with games and treats and then hopefully he won’t attack humans for fun. Dr Jo |
|
|
My cat, Penny, wakes me up every morning at the crack of dawn, sometimes even before it is light. She starts meowing softly then it gets louder and louder. If i ignore her she will pounce on me. My partner seems to be able to ignore her but i can't! When I get up she likes to be fed and to play. She is a domestic short hair (moggie), is 5 years old and is very healthy. |
|
|
Over-activity and crying behaviour can be a sign of medical conditions in cats, so a vet check may be necessary before attempting to change your cat's behaviour. Being active at dawn and dusk is a normal feline behaviour and given the chance our domestic felines will often revert to their wild ancestor's nocturnal behaiour. To prevent his happening your cat needs a lot of stimulation during the daylight and evening hours so that she is more prepared to sleep overnight. So ensure when you are home that you play entertaining, interactive games with Penny. The easiest solution will be for you to put your cat out of earshot so that she cannot disturb you at night or in the morning. And remember to shut the bedroom door. If you feel bad about this, then get yourself some earmuffs and ignore all her activity. If you do get up, don't play with her as this will reinforce her demands. Just attend to her needs as quickly and quietly as possible. Interestingly, recent studies have shown that owners respond to their cat's insistent meowing and it has been suggested that cats are manipulating humans. I'll leave that for you to decide. Dr Jo |
|
|
My dog is about to stay with a friend while we go on holiday. He is a Labrador and good with our 2 cats but my friend has a rabbit and I'm not sure how Maxie will respond. I don't think he has ever met a rabbit before. Do you have any tips for smooth introductions? |
|
|
The introduction of canines to potential prey species is never easy and all interactions will need to be monitored. I suggest that you start this prior to your holiday so that you are in charge of your dog’s behaviour. Introduce the dog by taking him over to the enclosure, preferably when the rabbit has been removed. Allow him to sniff and observe but not touch in any way. You will need to keep the dog on a leash and very much under your control. Practice this many times prior to meeting the rabbit. When the rabbit is safely back in his enclosure, you can repeat this exercise with the dog, again on the leash. Your dog should be under your (or your friend’s) command at all times. If this is difficult for you, you should work on training and leadership skills prior to introductions. Praise and/or reward all the dog's calm behaviour. It is worthwhile never leaving the dog alone with the rabbit until you are absolutely sure that he will not annoy or chase the rabbit. Any time he manages to chase or get a reaction from the rabbit, it will reinforce unwanted behaviour. You might also like to check if your friend has an area of yard that the dog or the rabbit may be relocated, should things not go as smoothly as planned. Good luck! Dr Jo |
|
|
My lorikeet attacks all family members except me! He likes to sit on my shoulder but it’s no fun for my kids or my husband who get chased and bitten if they come near. What can I do? |
|
|
Parrots often bond strongly to one particular person. While it is normal behaviour in the wild, to bond to another bird, in our homes it can create the sorts of problems you are experiencing. We need to get the other members of your family involved in the day to day care of your bird. Let them feed the bird, giving him his favourite food or treats and introduce play toys. If necessary, you will have to reduce your interaction with the bird for a while and keep him lower than shoulder height, both in and out of his cage. This way he will gain more respect for the other humans in the family. When your bird becomes aggressive, put him back in his cage. Instead of him ruling the roost it is time for humans to demand some respect. Always be gentle in your avian interactions and your bird will enjoy your company. Dr Jo |
|
|
|
|
|
It could well be the cool days and expecially the cool nights of winter that have prompted your dog's change of behaviour. It could also be a change in your routine or your dog's health so a vet check may be best to rule out any illness. It is quite normal for dogs to communicate to us by scratching at doorways although perhaps not our desired means of communication. Some owners get around this by installing a doggy door so their dog has the freedom to come and go as they please. If this is not an option, you can deter your dog scratching and gnawing by covering your door in deterrents such as citrus oils or bitter sprays available from pet stores or by erecting a barrier such as wire mesh. Destructive behaviours such as chewing can be a symptom of separated related distress, so if you think your dog could be suffering from separation anxiety, ensure you provide opportunity for your dog to cope with short separations from you, gradually building them up over time. You should also ensure you never respond to your dog while he is scratching or chewing as this will reinforce the unwanted behaviour. Instead you must wait until he is quiet before you let him in. Some owners have success with teaching their dog a different method of asking to be let in. This involves setting the dog up with one person outside to command him to bark, or even ring a bell that’s at his height, and the other person to let him in when he does so – his reward. Good luck! Dr Jo |
|
|
My family are considering a Cocker Spaniel/Poodle cross-female from a rescue. Do these dogs have any particular problems? We are worried about digging under fences especially as our last dog, a maltese shitzu dug under the side fence and was killed by the bull mastiff that used to live next door. |
|
|
It is difficult to guarantee how any dog will turn out. There are medical conditions and behaviours specific to breeds and there is just as much variation within individuals of any breed. A good guide to what you are likely to come across in inherited canine or feline breed disorders can be found at the Sydney University website Listing of Inherited Disorders (LIDA) www.vetsci.usyd.edu.au/lida/. With a mixed breed, you may have elements of both breeds arising. Temperament-wise, it may be difficult to tell exactly what sort of personality this dog has, although being a rescue dog, the previous owners will already have an indication of what unwanted behaviours she has exhibited. Many rescue shelters and organisations these days carry out behavioural assessments to ensure that the dog is safe for rehoming and to alert the new owners to any behavioural problems that exist. With digging behaviour, some breeds may be more prone to digging but so are some individuals. It is difficult to remove the behaviour from dogs so better to provide an appropriate outlet for it – sandpits or visits to the beach. Also better to ensure your fences are adequate, both height and depth prior to taking on another dog. Lastly ensure your dog has enough stimulation, in the form of exercise, games and training and does not suffer from separation anxiety. Boredom and anxiety are the likely causes of dogs digging to escape. Dr Jo |
|
|
I am going to be moving interstate next month and I am concerned about my 4 year old Burmese cat Mia. We have lived in my existing house since she was a kitten which is in a quiet area with lots of bush area to play in during the day. My new house is closer to busier roads and has less play areas for her and obviously is a brand new environment. Also we will be transporting her via car (approx 10 12 hour drive). All of her vaccinations are current but I am having her vet checked / boarded for a few days while the removalist comes etc she will be vet checked etc and sedated the morning we leave to ensure she is not stressed by the moving process. However can you please provide me with some guidance for our car ride and settling her in. |
|
|
Moving house can be one of the most stressful things we do in life and this can also apply to our pets so we need to make Mia’s transition as smooth and anxiety-free as possible. This means keeping her routines and belongings as close to normal as possible in your new home. This is not the time to throw out old food bowls, toys or blankets. Boarding your cat may be a good option if it is difficult to supervise her while the removalists do their work. Otherwise confine her to one room until you are ready to leave. I am not a huge fan of tranquilising pets while transporting them as this may mask illness or stress but, if your cat finds car travel stressful, this may be a better option than listening to mournful meows the entire journey. In your new home confine your cat to a small area to begin with. One room or two is fine as long as her familiar belongings are there and she has your company. You can gradually increase the amount of space and freedom she has. Allowing two weeks to acclimatise is good. If you intend to allow your cat the freedom of the great outdoors, then accompany her outside to investigate, ensuring she can’t escape from your garden. This is a good idea even in indoor cats as it familiarises your cat with your garden and how to return to the safety of indoors should she ever escape. Remember to update your cat’s tag and registration details. You may decide to keep your cat indoors for safety or at least encourage her to spend more time at home. This means enriching her home environment and activities. Consider building a cat enclosure in your yard, providing scratching posts, litter trays and a variety of toys that you rotate on a regular basis. This should help keep your cat amused. Lots more tips on keeping cats happy at home on my website www.petproblemsolved.com.au Dr Jo |
|
|
We have a 12 yr old male Rottweiler who has many issues. Our most concerning of these is his aggressiveness towards other animals (ALL animals from birds, cats, lizards etc) However he loves people. His female companion passed away from cancer 3 years ago we thought his aggressive behaviour would subside however it did not. He has been desexed and when away from the family home he has to be muzzled and on a tight leash at all times. He has not been socialised with other animals as a puppy, other than the neighbours dogs which were incredibly aggressive towards us and him. Is it too late to reverse his aggressive behaviour? |
|
|
It is never too late to teach your dog but, at your dog’s age it may be more of a case of management than cure. As you have experienced, a lack of socialisation and significant negative experiences combine to result in a distrust of other animals. Long term improvement of this situation needs a program of gradual desensitistion to other animals. This involves a very careful and controlled series of introductions, best done under the supervision of an experienced professional. Contact an animal behaviourist or ask for a referral from your vet. Management involves avoiding potentially dangerous situations. Crossing roads, walking in the other direction and avoiding canine eye contact will help minimise the threat. If you do have to meet other dogs then approach in an indirect route and keep up some light, happy talk which helps convince many dogs that they are about to encounter a friend rather than foe. Try not to become too stressed yourself as this will be communicated to your dog. A secure leash is essential and a muzzle may give you some peace of mind. It may also be wise to tell people not to approach with their pets. Please remember that a degree of aggression is normal in all animals. Without it, we would not be able to eat, defend our property or our young. It is modern human society that sees aggression as unacceptable and, quite rightly, we try to reduce the risk and impact where possible. Celebrate the fact that your dog enjoys people. Dr Jo |
|
|
I have a problem with my female boxer Bella. She is a humper. When I talk to my husband, the kids, even the cat, she humps my leg. Almost as if she doesn’t want anyone else in the picture. She wants me all to herself. I know it isn’t normal, but what is going on in her head? |
|
|
Humping, or possibly more commonly called mounting behaviour is common in canine communication. Humans tend to associate it with sexual behaviour which is why we find it tremendously embarrassing when our dog humps other dogs, our legs or worst still, our friends’ legs. And girls do it just as much a boys! While mounting does take place in the sexual repertoire, it also occurs during play, during fights and, as you’ve discovered, as a means of getting attention and controlling humans. Bella has no doubt learnt that grabbing your leg gets your attention. This behaviour distracts you from your previous occupation, talking to your family, and diverts your attention to her. Thus Bella’s humping is always rewarded. To stop this behaviour, you need to remove the reward. In other words, you give her no attention. If she gets the chance to start mounting then you must ignore her by giving her no physical attention, no verbal attention and no eye contact, which are all considered rewards in Bella’s mind. Better than waiting for the behaviour to happen, why not teach Bella a more appropriate behaviour to perform. Teach her to go and sit on her mat when you need to talk to your family, where a favourite toy or treat can be given. In this way she is being rewarded for calm, quiet behaviour. If this is difficult to teach you may need to practice it when you have more time and patience on your hands, not when you are in the middle of an important conversation. Otherwise I would suggest that you either put Bella out of the room or you control her behaviour by having her on leash, again rewarding her for sitting calmly by your side. Dr Jo |
|
|
I have 3 cats and continue to struggle to keep my house smelling clean. They tend to disregard the litter tray and I have tried so many things and just feel like giving up! Any miracle cures? |
|
|
So you mean you have a 'wee' problem with your cats! You need to be quite wise when cleaning up after your cats. Cats are very sensitive to smells and odours, including the perfumes of commonly-used cleaning agents. Enzymatic laundry detergents such as Bio Zet are quite effective but there is a wonderful product called Bac to Nature which is my favourite. It's likely your cats are not using the litter tray for five reasons. Firstly the tray may not be clean enough. Secondly you may not be using the correct litter. Thirdly you may have the trays in the wrong location or fourthly the litter trays themselves may not be the correct design for your cats.The last reason for soiling is that some cats are quite anxious and territorial and such cats can spray around your home. There are many roads to travel for this solution!
Dr Cam Day
|
|
|
|
|
|
Separation anxiety and noise fears are two of the most common anxiety disorders from which dogs can suffer. The problem is that each on its own can be severe and together they are bad bed mates, each feeding off the other in a dog-debilitating frenzy. Wether to ‘molly coddle’ or not is an interesting point. What you dog needs is to be calm and happy and if that means giving him attention then that’s not a crime. So, the goal is to make your dog calm and content in your absence. This can sometimes be created by lifestyle enrichment techniques. We use something we call the No Bored Dogs Routine for that. You should also teach your dog to be calm and content when you are away by practicing getting him away from you for short periods when you ARE home and use the No Bored Dogs Routine to create that separation. If your dog is inside when you are absent from him then look at how Pheromones can help by creating a Den-like environment for your dog that calms him in your absence. For the noise fears, remember that dogs hear, see, smell and even feel (the rain and wind) of storms and this can terrify many dogs. So a sound proof Den is ideal for the fears that occur when you are absent. Many use a laundry for that or a walk-in wardrobe can sometimes work. If he panics with noises when you are home then try derailing the cascade of fear with game play routines. Some dogs really become calm when massage is combined with a calming voice. And lastly – many anxious or panicking dogs can benefit from the wise and thoughtful use of medications but you will need to see your vet for that. Dr Cam Day
|
|
|
I have heard that kidney disease is becoming quite common in older dogs and cats and want to know whether it is related to what you feed them through their lifetime? Is it a myth that they shouldn’t eat human food and how does their diet affect their behaviour? |
|
|
If kidney disease is becoming more common it’s probably because pets are living longer. Going back when I first graduated in 1981, dogs were dying from heartworm disease, parvovirus, distemper, being hit by motor vehicles and from tick paralysis and from poor nutrition. There are so many excellent preventative products on the market now that these causes of death are now almost not existent or at least, much less common. We shouldn’t feed pets as if they were humans. They have their own set of nutritional requirements and one of the reasons why pets are living longer now is because of the species-specific diets that are now available for dogs and cats (and birds and reptiles and fish and …..) Your pet’s diet can occasionally affect his or her behaviour and we see some pets that are like kids on red cordial. In such cases, these pets can benefit form low-allergen diets which can calm their demeanour. There are diets for old dogs with the doggy equivalent of Alzheimer’s Disease and diets that help pups become brilliant Canine Einsteins. Dr Cam Day |
|
|
My Cockatiel Arnold has been a bit quiet in the last few days. Usually he chirps and chatters and is quite cheeky. We love him for all his badness. However, in the last two days he has stopped chatting and has been very quiet. He looks OK but should I be worried? |
|
|
Cockatiels are a bundle of laughs and very cute pets. However like you, I am also concerned about Arnold's lack of energy and his overly quite nature. Birds are programmed not to show illness visibly because if they do, they are often picked on by other birds or by predators. That means that if your bird is looking a bit unwell, is could be more seriously sick than is obvious. You will find more information about birds and how they hide their illnesses on this facts sheet. So, get Arnold off to your local vet for a full check up. There are some common diseases that can affect birds and you will find more details on those, and much more on bird health care and behaviour via this link. Dr Cam Day |
|
|
We love our pets and our dogs and cats share our house with us. So, while we cuddle, pat and sometimes even kiss our pets (ok I know we shouldn't) should we be worried about diseases that they can spread to us? |
|
|
It's good that you love your pets and, like you, our pets share our house too.That's what pet ownership is all about. Pet owners usually state that their pet has equal station in their affection to their children and that's the correct attitude in my opinion. You will find a lot more information about pet ownership on this link. You may also get a real laugh by reading Why I Hate My Cat and this article will tell you what the 'white coats' tell us about our relationship with our pets. However, you do need to be cautious about various diseases that, while very rare, we can catch from our pets. There are various parasites, such as worms and other bugs, that our pets can share with us. For cat owners, the disease toxoplasmosis is one you need to know about. If you are in the habit of kissing your feathered friend then the condition Psittacosis is another disease of concern. However, there are many more benefits to our health from owning pets which are well described in this article. Simply put, proper hygiene will protect your health and that of your pets. Dr Cam Day |
|
|
We have just had to put Harry, our beloved Labrador to sleep. He was 15 years old and had many health problems, including really bad arthritis. While we had him on many medications for his illnesses, we found it really difficult to determine when was the correct time to do this hard task. Yes, saying goodbye to my best friend was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life! We really miss him and to be honest are having more troubles coping with his parting that we thought we would. Did we do the right thing? |
|
|
My condolences to you and your family. One of the sad consequences of pet ownership is that we normally outlive our pets. And as we go through life we replace one pet with another and every so often we have to make that sad decision again. However, we have a duty to ensure that our pets don't suffer and thoughtful, considered and humane euthanasia is often one of the kindest and most unselfish of favours you can do for an unwell pet. Sometimes we do need to put the comfort of our pets in front of our own needs. There are many conditions that create the need for euthanasia and the pain of arthritis is a common one. Yes, you did the right thing. However, that doesn't mean to say your grieving is any easier. Many are not prepared for the range of emotions that we go through when we need to euthanase our pets. Guilt, anger, disbelief, sadness - they are common but, mostly are soon replaced with fond memories. However, sometimes it can take a bit too long to get over the grief and if that's what's happening with you, then there are many who can help you with that. Don't be embarrassed in seeking help if you need to. Your vet can guide you to people who can help if you need it. It may help you to read this article on euthanasia and this one on grieving.And also this range of articles on the benefits of pet ownership should help.Take care of yourself at this time.
Dr Cam Day |