Have you ever noticed your cat’s nose go from pale to dark pink? Why would your cat’s nose change color like that? And is it normal or should you worry? This first time I noticed that my calico cat Merritt’s nose seemed a bit pinker than usual, I thought I was just imagining it. But when it happened again and again I got curious and a bit concerned. Merritt’s pale pink nose would turn a bright, hot pink when she was excited or after a bout of fetch (yep, she’s one of those doglike cats!). This got me thinking: why does my cat’s nose change color — and is it normal? Why does your cat’s nose change color? If, like me, you’ve noticed your cats nose getting brighter and more vibrant like some sort of kitty Rudolph on a foggy Christmas Eve, you’re not alone. “Cats noses can change color from light pink to darker pink, normally in times of excitement or stress due to a temporary elevation in heart rate and blood pressure,” says Jenny Kistler, DVM at Brandermill Animal Hospital in Midlothian, Virginia. “This is a normal event and is usually nothing to worry about as long as it is short term.” Dr. Sasha Gibbons of Just Cats Veterinary Hospital in Stamford, Connecticut, says that temperature also plays a role in a cat’s nose changing color. “The cat’s nose is highly vascularized (which means it has numerous small blood vessels throughout it),” Gibbons says.“These blood vessels can grow or shrink with different variables (such as heat, cold and high or low blood pressure). This can cause variations in the pink coloration of the nose. For instance, when a cat is cold, the blood vessels are smaller so the nose might appear light pink. When a cat is hot, or blood pressure raises, the vessels are larger so the nose may appear darker pink or red.”
Whether it’s a simple spay or neuter or something more serious, here's what should you know about caring for your cat after surgery. Nearly every pet cat, at some point in his life, undergoes some type of surgical procedure. If you’re lucky, the only procedure your cat will ever need is a spay or a neuter. Unfortunately, our beloved feline friends occasionally require additional surgical intervention, with some of the more common procedures being skin biopsy, tumor removal, bladder stone removal, laceration repair, tooth extraction and pinning or plating of a broken bone. Once your cat is out of surgery, the recovery process begins. Some surgeries require a period of hospitalization after the operation. Others are outpatient surgeries that allow the cat to be sent home the same day. Most veterinary hospitals provide clients with both written and verbal instructions for post-op home care when the cat is discharged from the hospital. The period immediately following surgery is when most complications occur, so it’s critical to carefully follow your veterinarian’s instructions. Check out these important tips for how to care for your cat after surgery. To read more on this story, click here:Tips to Care for Your Cat After Surgery
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Fountain Valley, California – A man was sentenced today to six months in home detention, followed by a year behind bars, for smuggling nearly 100 tiny “good luck” songbirds — most of which died in transit — in his luggage on a flight from Vietnam. Kurtis Law brought 93 of the colorful birds — worth an estimated $90,000 on the black market in the Southland — into the country on March 24. Investigators who searched his luggage at Los Angeles International Airport determined that the birds were at risk of extinction and were protected under the federal Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. According to court documents, songbirds can be purchased in Southeast Asia for $1 or $2 each, but fetch as much as $1,000 apiece in the United States. The protected birds found in Law’s luggage were Bali myna, Chinese hwamei, red-billed leiothrix and silver-eared mesia. Such species are sold illegally at some Chinese markets in Southern California and are thought to bring good luck. Prosecutors said the birds were individually wrapped and placed in Law’s suitcases under “horrific conditions” in a way “that allowed each bird little or no movement.”
If your pet was polled, how do you think you would rank? Would your furry friend praise your loyalty? Admonish your stubbornness? And what about smarts? Does your pet think you are intelligent? If you’re on speaking terms with your companion animal, you may be getting higher marks in that category than you think. “Historically, anthropomorphising has been treated as a sign of childishness or stupidity,” Nicholas Epley, behavioural science professor at the University of Chicago, told Quartz, “But it’s actually a natural byproduct of the tendency that makes humans uniquely smart on this planet.” To read more on this story, click here:Here’s Why People Who Speak To Their Pets May Be Smarter Than Those Who Don’t
There are a number of reasons your dog can become sick. While the average, well-cared-for dog doesn't tend to get sick very often, there are still some health issues that can occur. Taking steps to keep your dog healthy can minimize the incidence of issues like these. In addition, seeing your vet for routine wellness exams can help you discover health problems before they get out of control. Always watch your dog for any signs of illness. There are many health issues that can affect dogs. The following are among the most common. To read more on this story, click here:10 Common Dog Health Problems
Binghampton, N.Y. — April the giraffe, whose calf's recent birth attracted worldwide fame, has been cleared for another pregnancy — but not everyone's happy about it. Last week, Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, N.Y., announced the news to its fans on Facebook, along with a photo of April and Oliver, parents to the park's calf, Tajiri. Since it was posted Thursday, it has generated more than 53,000 reactions on Facebook and has been shared more than 9,000 times, as of Monday morning. However, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, better known as PETA and a vocal critic of animal mistreatment, responded negatively to the news. In a statement, Brittany Peett, PETA Foundation director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement, accused the park of having "wrung every dollar and video hit that it could out of this giraffe's pregnancy," and called on the park to "prioritize animal welfare over fleeting online fame and end its shameful giraffe-breeding program." When reached, park owner Jordan Patch was quick to dispute the accusations and emphasized the "tangible change" that the live stream, with its accompanying educational platform, has made in the world of giraffe conservation. To read more on this story, click here:April the Giraffe Cleared for Pregnancy, But Some People Aren't Happy
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Mochi ‘Mo’ Rickert, an eight-year-old St. Bernard from Sioux Falls in South Dakota, has got tongues wagging after she was crowned the Guinness World Records holder for the longest tongue on a dog. With her slobbery tongue dangling an impressive 18.58 cm (7.31 in) in length, Mochi is constantly stopped on the street by strangers, some of whom ‘stare and laugh’, her owner says. But Mo doesn’t let the attention get to her, she has the previous record held by a male Pekinese named Puggy whose tongue eat measured 11.43cm (4.5 in). Mochi found her new home with the Rickert family when she was two years old, through a rescue organization for large dogs. It was “love at first sight”, says owner Carla Rickert, who drove 11 hours with her daughter to meet Mo before adopting her. Carla describes Mochi as a “resilient, happy-go-lucky dog, with a big personality.” She also enjoys dressing up in costumes, having her picture taken, spending time with her family, or snacking on sweet potatoes. Mochi faces some obstacles as a result of her long tongue which include breathing challenges, extra slobber when she’s nervous, dirt, dust, leaves sticking to her tongue and help to pick things up off the floor. Her treats also have to be given in a special way, as she cannot grab onto them the same way other dogs do. “Mochi is so humble, she never brags or boasts but I know that she is as proud of her new record as we are. It feels truly amazing to be a part of the Guinness World Records: Amazing Animals book! We are so grateful for the opportunity to make other’s smile,” said Carla. Craig Glenday, Editor-in-Chief of the first edition of Guinness World Records: Amazing Animals said, “We are very excited to welcome Mochi and her record-breaking tongue to the Guinness World Records family as part of our new publication, Amazing Animals. Amazing Animals is not your typical animals’ reference book. Instead, it takes a sideways look at our favorite pets and wild animals. Its a chance for us to celebrate the barking mad side of animal record-breaking.” Guinness World Records: Amazing Animals, is a must-read for animal lovers. It explores crazy animal stories and fascinating facts from the wild and is available in shops and online now. To order on Amazon, click here:
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Mochi, a St Bernard from South Dakota, holds the Guinness World Record for the longest tongue of a dog.
The eight-year-old dog from Sioux Falls has topped the list for having a seven-inch tongue.
The 'humble' canine's huge tongue has landed her in the Guinness World Records: Amazing Animals book. The book also features the fastest, largest and tallest record-holders, but it's Mochi's tongue that saw her take first place.
His tongue is a whopping 18.58cm, but Mochi's owner described her as humble despite the record-breaking status.
Have you heard the “old wives tale” that feeding dogs bread can make their upset stomachs better? Well, this is one instance when the “old wives” know what they’re talking about… at least under certain circumstances.
Here are three situations when feeding bread to dogs can be helpful.
1. Your Dog Has Eaten Something with Sharp Points or Edges Dogs like to chew on bones, but sometimes they go overboard and end up swallowing sharp shards. Dogs have also been known to eat needles, nails, skewers—you name it and a dog has probably tried to eat it. Sharp points and edges can do a lot of damage as they travel through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In the most severe cases, they can perforate the esophagus, stomach, or intestines, allowing the contents of the GI tract to spill into the surrounding body part. If the abdominal cavity becomes contaminated in this way, a potentially fatal condition called peritonitis will develop.
When dogs eat a large meal of bread after ingesting something sharp, the bread can encase the foreign material, allowing it to pass more safely through the GI tract. Bread can also help protect the esophagus from sharp bits if a dog eventually vomits or is given medicine to make him do so. Some people recommend white bread, others whole grain. I don’t think it matters. Whatever you have on hand will do. To read more on this story, click here:Is Bread Helpful for a Dog’s Digestion?
