Ready to Relive the ‘90s? Let see how many of these famous TV pups you remember from your favorite 90's sitcom shows...make a list first (NO CHEATING!!) lol These are in no particular order other than maybe starting with the less obscure :-) 10) Eddie from Frasier: A Jack Russell terrier known for his fixed stare and scene-stealing antics, Eddie belonged to Frasier’s father, Martin Crane. Moose, the dog who played him, also starred in the film My Dog Skip and fathered another canine actor named Enzo. Moose died at the age of 16 of old age. 9) Brian from Family Guy: This sassy dog, created and voiced by Seth MacFarlane, is the family pet of the Griffin family. Brian walks, talks and has an affinity for dry martinis and the Griffin’s youngest child Stewie. Brian has also made appearances on MacFarlane’s other shows, American Dad! and The Cleveland Show. 8) Santa’s Little Helper from The Simpsons: The Simpson family’s pet greyhound, Santa’s Little Helper made his first appearance in the premiere episode of the show. After being abandoned by his owner for losing races at Springfield Downs, he was adopted by Homer and Bart, who brought the dog home on Christmas Eve. 7) Wishbone: This curious Jack Russell starred in the series Wishbone and was known for his curious nature and big imagination. During his days at home in Oakdale, Texas, Wishbone would daydream about being a character in stories from classic literature including Oliver Twist,Romeo and Juliet and Joan of Ark. 6) Comet from Full House: The beloved Golden Retriever of the Tanner family, Comet’s mother Minnie gave birth to a litter of puppies (including Comet) on Jesse’s bed during the third season of Full House. He was played by a dog named Buddy, who also starred in the film Air Bud. 5) Murray from Mad About You: The Buchmans loveable but dimwitted pet, Murray was found as a puppy in the show and was with his owner, Paul when he met his future wife, Jamie. Murray was played by Maui, a collie-mix that was found in a California animal shelter by famed animal trainer Boone Narr. 4) Dreyfuss from Empty Nest and Golden Girls: This 100-plus pound St. Bernard-Golden Retriever mix was treated “like gold” on the set of the series Empty Nest, a spin-off of The Golden Girls, according to Examiner.com. 3) Buck from Married With Children: The Bundy’s wisecracking pup, Buck appeared in the first 10 seasons of the show as himself and in the 11th season of the show as Lucky, the reincarnated version of himself. 2) Stinky and Nunzio from Dharma and Greg: Dharma and Greg’s adorable pups, Stinky is a long-haired mutt and Nunzio is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi that Dharma gave to Stinky on his Bar Mitzvah. 1) Speedy the Dog from The Drew Carey Show: This Golden Retriever, who also appeared in Full House as Comet’s understudy, got around using a doggy wheel chair. Speedy came to live with Drew after he broke up with his girlfriend, Lisa.
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Cats and Their Odd Behavior The more time you spend with your cat, the more you’ll probably start to notice—she’s got some weird habits, doesn't she? Here are 5 of the most common odd cat behaviors and get to the root of why they do them. 1. Kneading: From time to time you may catch your cat doing something a little strange: kneading. This occurs when your kitten rhythmically alternates her paws, pushing in and out, usually against something soft. While no one is 100% sure why cats take on this behavior, there are a few theories. For starters, baby kittens will knead instinctively when they’re young to help stimulate their mom’s milk production. In this way, some people think cats continue kneading as they get older because the action reminds them of the rewards of nursing. Other theories for why cats do this include that it’s their way of showing affection, it helps them limber up after a nap or prepare a soft, comfy spot to lay down in, or that it’s an easy way to scent-mark their territory. For female cats, many also believe that kneading is a way of displaying to male cats that they are ready and able to mate. 2. Chewing on Plants: Dangling leaves aside (which, let’s be honest, are just fun for your cat to chomp at), some cats chew plants because they find comfort in the act, or as a way to get your attention. Of course too much of a good thing can be … well … bad. Cats who eat excessive grass or plants usually end up throwing up. Excessive grass eating may actually be a sign of a gastrointestinal disorder such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, consider asking your family veterinarian help you determine if your cat's "grass habit" is a problem or not. 3. Face Rubbing: Your cat’s cheeks contain glands that he uses to deposit his own unique scent. By rubbing his furry little cheeks on everything he sees, your cat is actually being quite territorial, marking off what he considers to be “his” in your home. 4. Rolling: Have this ever happened to you: You approach your kitten in the hallway to say hello, and she immediately throws herself on the ground, rolls onto her back and exposes her tummy to you? If it's a familiar scenario, be happy. Cats who roll over and expose their stomachs are actually relaxed and comfortable, calm and content. When she does this, your cat is showing you that she loves and trusts you—and probably wouldn’t mind some scratches at the moment, either. 5. Bringing Gifts: Cats are natural hunters, which we already know, and so it only makes sense that if you have an outdoor cat she will, from time-to-time, be stalking some prey. And you know how you like to bring your furry best friend home a treat every now and then to let her know how much you love her? Well some experts believe that dead mouse on your doorstep could be herway of telling you just how much she cares about you.
What's Ailing Your Cat? Cats may have nine lives, but you want to make sure kitty hangs on to all of them for as long as she can. No matter how much love and care you give your furry companion, things happen. But by knowing how to recognize the most common conditions affecting cats, you may just be able to save your pet's life. 10. Hyperthyroidism. The most likely cause of hyperthyroidism is a benign tumor on the thyroid gland, which will cause the gland to secrete too much of the hormone. Take your cat to the vet if it starts drinking and peeing a lot, shows aggressive and jittery behavior, suddenly seems hyperactive, vomits and/or loses weight while eating more than usual. Treatment depends on other medical conditions but can range from using drugs to regulate the overactive gland, surgical removal of the gland, and even radioactive treatment to destroy the tumor and diseased thyroid tissue. 9. Upper Respiratory Virus. If your kitty is sneezing, sniffling, coughing, has runny eyes or nose, seems congested and has mouth and nose ulcers, chances are it has an upper respiratory virus. The two main forms of the virus are the feline herpesvirus and calicivirus. Once at the vet's office, the cat may receive nose drops, eye ointments and antibacterial medication, especially if it has a secondary infection. 8. Ear Infection. Ear infections in cats have many causes. These might include mites, bacteria, fungi, diabetes, allergies and reactions to medication; some breeds are also more susceptible to ear infections than others. So it’s definitely a good idea to have your kitty checked if it's showing symptoms such as ear discharge, head shaking, swollen ear flaps, stinky ears and ultra sensitivity to ears being touched. Treatment, of course, depends on the cause, but will include eardrops, ear cleaning, ear and oral medications and in severe cases, surgery. 7. Colitis/Constipation. Colitis is a fancy word for inflammation of the large intestine. While the most obvious sign of colitis is diarrhea, sometimes it will hurt the cat to poop. Thus, in trying to hold it in, the cat may develop constipation. There are many causes of colitis, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, allergies and parasites, among other diseases. Signs include straining to poop, lack of appetite, dehydration and vomiting. Your vet will test for the underlying cause and treat it accordingly. This may include a more fiber-rich diet, de-worming, antibiotics, laxatives and/or fluids. 6. Diabetes. Like humans, cats suffer from diabetes, too, though this is usually seen in older, overweight cats. Symptoms include increased thirst and peeing, peeing outside the litter box, lethargy and depression. While causes of feline diabetes are not really known, there is a link with diabetes and being overweight. Treatment, therefore, includes daily health monitoring, diet changes, exercise, and depending on the cat’s needs, either daily oral medications or injections. 5. Skin Allergies. Kitties, like you, are known to suffer from allergies, although their allergies show on the skin. If your cat scratches, or chews on its skin a lot, has a rash or loses hair in patches, a trip to the vet is a good idea. Causes of skin allergies vary from reactions to food, fleas, pollens, mites, and even mold and mildew. Treatments may include allergy shots, diet changes, medication and antihistamines. 4. Intestinal Inflammation/Diarrhea. Diarrhea is a sure sign of an intestinal inflammation. It affects either the cat’s small or large intestine and may due to a variety of factors, including diet changes, eating contraband foodstuffs, allergies, bacteria overgrowth, worms and even kidney disease. Symptoms include diarrhea, lack of appetite and vomiting. A visit to your vet will sort out the cause, and treatment may include hydration therapy, a bland diet, dietary changes and anti-diarrhea medications. 3. Renal Failure. This is a serious condition, which is common in older cats. While the underlying causes are not yet understood, recent research suggests a link with distemper vaccinations and long-term dry food diets. Make sure you request blood tests on your regular wellness checkups, since symptoms often don’t show up until 75 percent of the kidney tissue is damaged. The main symptom is excessive thirst and peeing, but the cat may also show signs of drooling, jaw-clicking, and ammonia-scented breath. While it’s not curable, renal failure (when not severe) can be managed through diet, drugs and hydration therapy. Kidney transplants and dialysis can also be used. 2. Stomach Upsets (Gastritis). An inflammation of the cat's stomach lining is simply referred to as gastritis. This condition may be mild or severe, but regardless of its type, make sure you bring your cat to visit the vet if it doesn't show improvement in a day or two, or if the symptoms are severe. Gastritis has many causes, from eating spoiled food to eating too fast to allergies or bacterial infections. If your cat is vomiting, belching, has a lack of appetite or bloodstained poop or diarrhea, a visit to the vet will help straighten things out. Treatments depend on the cause, but generally include medication, fluid therapy and even antibiotics. 1. Lower Urinary Tract Disease. Coming in at No. 1, lower urinary tract disease can turn very quickly into a life-threatening illness for your cat, especially if there’s a blockage caused by crystals, stones or plugs. When total blockage occurs, death can occur within 72 hours if left untreated. Therefore, whisk your cat off to the vet or emergency center ASAP if you see any of the following signs: peeing outside of the litter box, straining, blood in urine, crying out while attempting to pee, not being able to pee, excessive licking of genitals, not eating or drinking, yowling while moving and lethargy. These signs will generally occur regardless if the urinary tract disease is due to stones, infection or urethral plugs. Treatment includes catheterizing to drain the bladder, medication to dissolve stones or blockages, and in recurring cases, surgery. You know a friendship is close between two animals when their rescuers name them Idgie and Ruth after the two main characters in the movie, “Fried Green Tomatoes.”
What makes this animal friendship really special is the fact that Idgie is a Dachshund and Ruth is a paraplegic cat. The pair were found outside a gated home in Geneva, Fla. in October. Idgie is thought to be around 2-years-old and Ruth is about 7-months-old. However, when animal control arrived at the scene, picking them up wasn’t an easy task. Idgie was fiercely protective of her feline pal and barked anytime someone came near. Seminole County Animal Services finally did remove the pair from the streets and they soon learned that when they separated them at the shelter the protective Dachshund was constantly looking for her feline friend. As a result, they put the pair together in a special pen. It’s unknown what caused Ruth’s condition, but it doesn’t appear to be an injury. The cat can only get around by dragging herself around with her two front legs. The non-profit TEARS, Every Animal Receives Support, paid for experimental therapy and acupuncture. Unfortunately, the procedures proved ineffective. Although the pair appeared to be well-cared for when they were found, no one ever came to claim the duo. Jacqueline Borum, a local resident who owns Hollywood Houndz Boutique & Spa and runs a non-profit called Project Paws, which raises money for animal rescues in emergencies, gave the pair a home in her shop. Staff moves, feeds and bathes Ruth daily and Idgie gets plenty of walks and treats. When they aren’t getting attention from staff and customers alike, you can find Idgie curled up around Ruth, keeping her safe and warm. Borum told the Orlando Sentinel that Idgie is sweet as can be, except when another dog comes anywhere near Ruth. Since veterinarians do not know what’s causing Ruth’s paralysis, it is unknown if her condition will continue to worsen, or how long she has, but Borum says she will make sure the pair isn’t separated, for no matter how long that may be. "Time Machine" stars buffoonish man who thinks boy and his Golden Retrieverpower their machine with chips: In the not so distant future, your pet store may begin carrying bags of Grasshopper and Rice or Mealworm and Potato pet foods on their shelves. Population growth, climate changes and agricultural, fishing and hunting methods are having a great impact on the worldwide protein supply. The move to feed our pets the same as ourselves is adding greater demand for protein. A sustainable solution that is being considered is the use of insects as a protein source for pet food.
The Case for Insect Protein in FoodsPresently, nearly one-third of the world human population includes insects as part of the daily diet. Insects, particularly mealworms, provide protein and omega-3 fatty acids that are comparable to the amounts found in meat and fish. Insect farming is much more efficient and sustainable. Most insects can be raised using waste from slaughter plants, grain mills, food processing plants and restaurants. Raising livestock requires much greater resources. It is estimated that 70% of grains and cereals produced are fed to livestock. It is also estimated that each pound of meat requires 2,400 gallons of water. Insects are very efficient in food conversion. Crickets require only one-half pound of food to produce 1 pound of body weight. It takes 20 pounds of grain to produce 1 pound of beef, 10 pounds to produce 1 pound of pork and 5 pounds to produce 1 pound of fish and chicken. 80% of a cricket’s body is edible compared to only 55% of the body of poultry and pork and 40% of the body of cattle. 30% of the world land mass is presently used to graze or raise food for livestock. Insect farming requires far less land use. The farms themselves can be contained in relatively small facilities. Insects emit fewer greenhouse gases and ammonia than livestock, making insect farms much more environmentally friendly. Worldwide there are an estimated 1,900 species of insects that are considered edible. They inhabit a wide variety of climates. Such biodiversity and environmental flexibility makes insect farming much less restrictive than raising livestock. Large buildings with controlled environment are also possible. This allows production in urban industrial sites with local access to an ample supply of food waste. The farms could be co-joined to pet food manufacturing facilities and reduce transportation costs. Many species of edible insects naturally cluster in large groups. This eliminates animal welfare concerns that are common with farming practices of livestock. Little is known about the pain perception of insects. This combined with an indifferent or disgusting attitude toward insects is unlikely to evoke public concern over methods of killing insects. Livestock harbor diseases that are contagious to humans. Zoonotic diseases, like “bird flu,” “West Nile,” and “mad cow” have caused widespread epidemics in many parts of the world, including the U.S. Such zoonotic disease potential is unlikely with insect farming. Insects are more distantly related to humans than mammals, and they are cold-blooded. This makes the adaptation of zoonotic diseases in insects difficult. Feeding insects to pets is not new. Owners of small reptiles and some birds feed insects to these pets. It only requires a change in attitude about eating insects that keeps them from becoming part of the diet of cats and dogs. Avoiding Super Bowl Sunday Disaster... Super Bowl Sunday is a great excuse to get together with friends and family and pig out while watching football. Unfortunately, many of those same party foods can be dangerous for your pet. Here are five things you should keep far, far away from your cat or dog on Super Bowl Sunday. 1. Alcohol: Having a frosty one with your friends is quite alright (if you're of legal drinking age, that is). Allowing your pet to partake of the beer is quite another. Consumption of as little as a few ounces of beer or other alcoholic beverages can result in ethanol poisoning in dogs and cats. Signs of poisoning include involuntary urinating, hypothermia, slowed breathing, and even heart attacks. 2. Chicken Wings: Despite being an enshrined staple of football parties, chicken wings may prove problematic if your pet should stealthily grab one (or two!). In fact, the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) recently warned pet owners not to feed their pets chicken wings due to the risk of intestinal obstruction — or worse. Another often overlooked risk of chicken wings is salt. “One buffalo wing has almost 160 to 200 mg of sodium,” said Dr. Ernie Ward, founder and president of APOP. “That’s about the amount of sodium recommended for a 20-pound dog in a day. Feeding a dog too much salt can cause high blood pressure and can contribute to kidney and heart disease.” 3. Chocolate: Though it comes in many shapes and sizes, one thing rings true for all forms of chocolate — it can be poisonous to your dog or cat. The compound in chocolate that is of major concern is theobromine, which is most concentrated in dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate — the kind of chocolates found in brownies and chocolate chip cookies, in other words. Chocolate poisoning can cause heart arrhythmias, muscle tremors, and seizures.
4. Soda: Americans will spend over $2 million on sodas and other soft drinks during Super Bowl weekend, according to Shape.com. That is a lot of soda and a lot of caffeine, which isn't so great if your furry friend should get to any of it. Caffeinated drinks (and foods) can cause your dog or cat to suffer from restlessness, breathing issues, heart palpitations, and muscle tremors. 5. Guacamole: Your tortilla chips just wouldn't be the same without some guacamole piled atop them. Sadly, this creamy dip's recipe calls for three ingredients that are dangerous to dogs and cats: avocado, garlic, and onion. When consumed in sufficient quantity, onions and garlic can cause gastrointestinal issues, elevated heart rate, and red blood cell damage. Avocado toxicity, meanwhile, can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of stool production. Pet dentistry has become an established aspect of good veterinary care. And for good reason! One of the best things a pet owner can do to insure the overall health of their pet is to do routine checking of the teeth, gums and oral cavity. Look at the two photos below -- one shows a healthy state of oral hygiene, and the other ... well, you can see for yourself that this dog has some major problems. A healthy mouth with normal bacterial flora and sound gums and minimal plaque buildup. An unhealthy oral cavity with all sorts of unfavorable bacteria, gum and inner lip ulcerations, receding gums, root exposure and plaque buildup.The dog whose photo is on the right runs the risk of toxin absorption into the blood stream. Bacteria, too, can invade the body through the blood stream by gaining entrance into the oral lesions. This is called bacteremia. If the bacteria get a chance to settle and reproduce in the lining of the heart or heart valves, a serious condition may result called bacterial endocarditis. Kidney damage and joint problems are a common sequele to bacterial invasion via the unhealthy oral cavity. What Veterinarians Can Do: What if a seven-year-old dog was presented for annual vaccinations and during the physical exam the veterinarian notice the plaque on the teeth and inflamed gums at the margins of the teeth and gums? If left to its own evolution, the dog's gingivitis and plaque would worsen over time. The dog would eventually develop cavities in the teeth, gingival recession, bacterial contamination, loose teeth and root exposure. It probably would hurt, too! Typically, the dog would be admitted in the morning after an overnight fast from food and water. If the routine blood tests are normal and the dog is judged to be a good candidate for anesthesia and dentistry, we can begin. There are various pre-anesthetic sedation that are utilized, depending on the dog's size and the veterinarian's preference. After the dog is relaxed general anesthesia will be applied. This, too, can be in various forms. In this case, we will discuss using an endotracheal tube, which is regulated throughout the procedure so that work can be done painlessly and still have the patient at a safe level of anesthesia. An ultrasonic instrument is used to separate the plaque from the teeth. It sprays cooling water at the time it works it's cleaning magic on the teeth. After the teeth are "scaled" a light buffing is done to polish the teeth.
Often, an animal will need a root canal procedure performed or require a tooth to be capped. While many pet owners do not expect their pet to have these services performed, they can and should be done in certain circumstances. Gingival plastic surgery can be done, as well. Sometimes the best thing to do is to remove a severely damaged or markedly loose tooth. Once the gum heals, the pet seldom shows any signs of missing the offending tooth or teeth. As the dog awakens, the endotracheal tube is removed and antibiotics are prepared for administration at home for 7 to 10 days. Further instructions are given to the owner as to beneficial oral care for the dog. Hopefully s/he won't need further dentistry; but there are some patients who need ultrasonic cleaning almost every year. Be sure to take a good look in your dog's (or cat's) mouth and inspect it for any foul looking or smelling characteristics. If you are suspicious that something isn't right, make an appointment with your veterinarian for a dental checkup. Both you and your pet will feel better when oral hygiene is an important part of your pet health care routine. There is no excuse for allowing a pet's oral health status to deteriorate to conditions like the dog on the right. It's up to you to keep a look-out for teeth and gum problems. Poisonous to: Cats, Dogs
Level of toxicity: Generally mild to severe Common signs to watch for:
While the occasional chocolate chip within one cookie may not be an issue, we worry about certain types of chocolate – the less sweet and the darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is to your dog. Baker’s chocolate and dark chocolate pose the biggest problem. Other sources include chewable, flavored multi-vitamins, baked goods, or chocolate-covered espresso beans. The chemical toxicity is due to a methylxanthine (like theobromine and caffeine), and results in vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, inflammation of the pancreas (i.e., pancreatitis), an abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, and rarely, even death. Dogs make up 95% of all our chocolate calls, as cats are usually too discriminating to eat chocolate! In smaller dogs, even the wrappers from candy can result in a secondary obstruction in the stomach or intestines. Poison type: Foods Alternate names: chocolate-covered espresso beans, milk chocolate, Baker's chocolate, white chocolate, cocoa mulch, cocoa hull, caffeine, theobromine, methylxanthine, xanthine, Vivarin, tea, coffee, cacao mulch, cocoa powder, Halloween candy, weight loss supplements, theobromine, dietary supplements, coffee beans, energy drinks, green tea, guarana, NoDoz, No-Doz Dogs: Top 10 Toxins of 2013
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