Rickets is a vitamin D deficiency or otherwise known as calcium, it's rare for cats to get it, but they do. If the kitten has bowed legs that could be a sign. The only thing a vet will do is change the cats diet and possibly add a vitamin supplement, but since cats only need a small amount of vitamin D, it will be small doses. It could have been caused by not the right nutrition, or simply a defect in the cats gene coding. Few people imagine that such a thing as rickets exists among kittens, just the same as with growing children, resulting in deformed spines and crooked legs. This is caused by improper feeding on foods which are not bone forming. The first symptoms are lameness when jumping, and in bad cases the kittens become unable to walk at all, and cry when the spine is touched near the tail. If steps are not taken immediately to effect a cure, the cat has to be destroyed or the spine becomes shortened and a lump forms near the tail on the back, the legs become bowed and enlarged at the joints. Excessive milk and cereal feeding can cause rickets, as the animal becomes too fat and the legs are not strong enough to carry the weight. Very lean meat, free from fat and gristle, with no other diet, will also result in rickets. Kittens bred from old cats are very subject to this disease, and need more than an ordinary diet. To learn more about rickets, please read: Disorders Associated with Calcium, Phosphorus, and Vitamin D in Cats
Do you know why animals get rickets? Rickets is a deficiency of vitamin D. They get it from not having enough vitamin D in their diet. It could also be a deficiency in phosphorus, calcium or simply that the animal is not getting enough sunlight. Rickets have the same causes in dogs as they do in humans. Diet is very important to your pet. Try adding Cod Liver Oil to meals daily and make sure your dog gets plenty of sunshine. There are cases where this treatment helped tremendously! If you dog has rickets they must be under a veterinarian's care immediately and receive treatment to prevent permanent bone deformities. For more information on rickets, please read:How to Treat Rickets in Dogs
RENSSELAR, N.Y. (NEWS10) - A local group is calling for a statewide cat licensing law. This comes after a Selkirk man was bitten by a stray cat that tested positive for rabies last week. The group, Responsible Animal Care USA (RAC), without licensing, there is mechanisms to ensure that cats have had the appropriate vaccinations to help prevent the spread of dangerous disease and illness. “By allowing cats to roam-free without proper identification, there is no way to confirm if the animal has been vaccinated, if it is owned, and where it resides, said Robert Strong, RAC president and Bethlehem resident. This only complicates a growing homeless cat problem facing communities around the state and across the country.” RAC says cat licensing could also provide local governments additional revenue to expand services that include cat management. To read more on this story, click here:Local Group Calling for Statewide Cat Licensing Law
Nabisco's parent company redesigned Barnum's Animal Crackers boxes to show the animals roaming free — and not in cages — after pressure from PETA. These cookie critters are tasting freedom. After spending 116 years behind bars, the majestic beasts on boxes of Nabisco Barnum’s Animals Crackers are no longer being depicted in lock-up. Nabisco’s parent company, Mondelez International, redesigned the snack's packaging in response to pressure by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. PETA, which has denounced using animals in circuses, wrote a letter to Mondelez in the spring of 2016 calling for a redesign, according to AP. “Given the egregious cruelty inherent in circuses that use animals and the public’s swelling opposition to the exploitation of animals used for entertainment,” PETA wrote to the food giant, “we urge Nabisco to update its packaging in order to show animals who are free to roam in their natural habitats.” Mondelez agreed and started working on a makeover. Rebooted cookie boxes, which declare “new look, same great taste,” are on U.S. store shelves now. The new boxes have the same lettering and color scheme, but a zebra, elephant, lion, giraffe and gorilla wander side-by-side outside, instead of being confined in circus boxcars. To read more on this story, click here:Nabisco Animal Crackers Boxes Got A Makeover And Now The Animals Are Roaming Free
The call from the train operator came in just before 11 a.m. on Monday to the New York City subway’s command center, an alert unusual even for a system accustomed to morning commutes with delays: There was a breaking situation unfolding on the tracks. Two goats were on the lam.
The white goats with brown heads spent the morning trotting along the N train line in Brooklyn, making their way from the Fort Hamilton Parkway stop toward the 8th Avenue stop, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the subways.
“We’re told they were munching grass,” said Jon Weinstein, a spokesman for the M.T.A. They were tranquilized and captured just before 1 p.m., according to the M.T.A. Fortunately, the portion of the Sea Beach line the pair chose for their ramble has been closed to train traffic for station rehabilitation. They did, however, graze close to an electrified third rail. By 11:30 a.m., subway crews joined by the police had corralled them onto one of the closed tracks, according to the M.T.A. Riders experienced temporary service changes to the southbound N train. Around noon on Monday, the police boarded an empty N train, which ferried officers down the track to retrieve the wayward herbivores.
Where the goats came from is unclear, though there are a number of slaughterhouses in the area where they were found. Other animals, like cows, have absconded from slaughterhouses in the area in the past. “They do not have names as far as we know,” Mr. Weinstein said. They might by now. Jon Stewart, the comedian, and his wife, Tracey, picked up the goats in Brooklyn and transported them part of the way to Farm Sanctuary’s shelter in Watkins Glen, N.Y., a spokeswoman said. “There, they will receive medical examinations and the world-class, individualized care,” Farm Sanctuary’s spokeswoman, Meredith Turner-Smith, said in a statement. Both goats are male, and are of the Boer breed, which is commonly raised for its meat, Ms. Turner-Smith said. Mr. Stewart, the former host of “The Daily Show,” and his wife have been supporters of the shelter since 2015, when they opened Farm Sanctuary’s fourth location at their farm in New Jersey. Tracey Stewart is also on the board of directors of the farm animal protection organization that operates shelters in New York and California.
Houston, Texas - In the 800 block of Azalea in the Garden Oaks neighborhood, you'll often spot two Yorkies, a cat and a neighbor who everyone seems to know. "He's a pretty laid back guy, very friendly," Mark Klein said. "From day one he has been an amazing neighbor and he is an amazing neighbor," Tina Sabuco said. Charlie George moved into the neighborhood more than a decade ago. He often strolls the street with his two dogs and cat. "I try to walk the dogs every morning and every evening," Charlie said. But lately his neighbors have noticed he is having a hard time during his walks, a set back due to leukemia. Charlie was diagnosed three years ago. "So we thought it would be nice if there were chairs for him to rest along the way," Sabuco said. Sabuco helped effort "Chairs for Charlie." There are now lawn chairs in front of more than a dozen homes, with a sign that reads, "Chairs for Charlie. Or for others in need of a rest." "Ours is a very cozy chair and it rocks a little bit, so if he ever wants a rocking experience, he can sit in our chair," Georgia Lister said. The chairs come in all shapes, sizes and colors. The chair in Klein's front lawn is blue. "Well that's his favorite color, so we got a blue chair for Charlie," Klein said. Charlie found the chairs during one of his walks this week, after returning from the hospital. "It made it real for me that people really care about me and they're looking out for me," Charlie said. They're also looking out for his wife, Sandra, who often accompanies him on the walks. One front lawn has two yellow chairs, one for Charlie and one for Sandra. "It's incredible, the support," Sandra said. "I think it's really important when you're going through something like this that you feel the love." It's a street full of good neighbors, giving Charlie the strength to keep going. "I intend to walk to the end, God willing," Charlie said.
We can learn a lot from dogs with disabilities! They can enjoy life to the fullest with just a little help from us. Every dog is a challenge, but also a learning experience, but most of all, a disabled dog is a joy. They appreciate everything life has to offer and never say "why me?" Just as you need companionship, dogs on wheels also need to know that you are there for them, remember they love you very much and shine in your praise and attention. Show you care by getting your dog a wheelchair. Train your dog to use the wheelchair by providing encouragement and praise. Take your dog to meet other dogs on wheels and pets around the neighborhood for playtime. Adoption The Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA), Washington, DC, frequently takes in animals who may have a harder time finding new homes. This may be because of ongoing medical problems. Or it may simply be due to an animal’s advanced age. It is our conviction that these animals are equally deserving of a good home, and that they have as much love and companionship to give as any animal. Products for dogs with disabilities Today it is possible to find help for any kind of special needs a dog may have. There are products available to make life better for your four-legged friend. For physical disabilities you can find wheelchairs, lifts, ramps, boots, orthotics, and the list goes on. You can buy a helmet for your pooch and take him for massage or acupuncture. If your dog suffers from a long term illness like diabetes or heart problems, there are many medications that can prolong the quality of life for your best friend. Social Interaction One of the most difficult things to judge with a disabled dog is how much social interaction do they need? Are they getting enough? Too much? One thing I've noticed is that because dogs don't realize they are disabled, they will try and do everything they once did - even if they can't which may lead to frustration. The obvious solution is to find a way that your disabled dog can socialize with other dogs (if he feels comfortable doing that). If you have other dogs in your household, don't isolate him. He will enjoy their company. On the other hand you may need to protect him from "the pack". A pack senses the disabled dog is not 100% and may decide to finish him off. It's important you watch for clues and are aware because the disabled dog cannot defend himself should the pack attack. Only you will know the fine balance of your pack and what will work best. Disabled dogs would love the company of others and particularly their owners. Ideally you want his "space" to be near the busiest areas of the house (unless he is recouperating from surgery or some other temporary disability that requires quiet and rest). A disabled dog will enjoy watching the comings and goings, love the attention, and will do much better than a dog isolated in a spare bedroom with no interaction. Even dogs that can't get around in wheelchairs enjoy toys and your loving attention.
What is a hairball? A hairball is a small collection of hair or fur formed in the stomach of animals that is occasionally vomited up when it becomes too big. Hairballs are primarily a tight elongated cylinder of packed fur, but may include bits of other elements such as swallowed food. Cats are especially prone to hairball formation since they groom themselves by licking their fur, and thereby ingest it. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says, that during a cat’s daily grooming regimen, they may inadvertently swallow loose hair, which generally passes through the digestive system into the cat’s stool. Some hair can remain, however, and collect in the stomach or small intestine, causing the cat to hack, gag or retch until he vomits the offending detritus. How to Recognize Hairball Problems:
Cylindrical (cigar-shaped) masses on the floor or furniture.
Constipation, or hard stools with hair showing.
Dry, matted coat
Frequent dry coughing or hacking, particularly after meals
Lack of interest in eating.
Depression or lethargy.
Why Don’t Dogs get Hairballs? Unlike cats, dogs are not particularly fastidious when it comes to cleaning themselves. Dogs can tolerate being dirty, stinky, and messy. Cats, on the other hand, groom excessively and don’t require baths. They have a naturally barbed tongue that grabs shedding hair. Because dogs don’t groom, they don’t develop hairballs The number one way to avoid hairballs on the floor and in your cat is brushing!
