Cat veterinary group takes harder line against declawing
Dear Readers: The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association posted an announcement on Nov. 1 that the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) has revised its 2015 position on declaw- ing cats. The AAFP now strongly opposes declawing (or onychectomy) as an elective procedure.
This common procedure in the U.S. is either prohibited or simply not done for ethical, humane reasons in most countries. For more information, veterinary practitioners can go to www.catvets.com/ scratching, and cat caregivers can visit the AAFP consumer website, The CatCommunity, a twww. catfriendly.com/scratching.
Question: I saw a recent article by you about problems with incontinence, and my dog has a similar problem. My dog is staying with frie ndswho have two other dogs. Mine isa 16-year-old bichon/ shih tzu, who is peeing everywhere, including her bed at their home. She will be staying with them for four months this winter. At the mome nt,Iam taking her to a Banfield vet in a PetSmart store. She does not pee all over whensheiswithme.
I a m taking her to the vettoseeifshehasaurinary infection. I hav e no one else to leave her with. Any ideas will be much
— M.F., St. appreciated.
Louis
Answer: This is an old dog,andIfearshemay be put through stressful tests with the veterinarian, then put on medications for the incontinence that could make her even more anxious. But it is important to rule out cystitis and bladder stones. There maybesomedementiain addition to the anxiety, which could account for her incontinence when in an unfamiliar place away from home.
I would suggest that the caregivers give her 1 mg of melatonin at night to help with sleep, and also try Traditional Medicinals’ organic Nighty Night tea. The tea is for humans, available in m any grocery and health stores. Make th eteaan d le t one bag seep in a cup of hot water. When cool, give it to your dog in the morning and again in the early evening. Season with a little milk or gravy to encourag econsumption.
Save the bugs
While we celebrate winter festivities, people in most sta tes he arno crickets or other singing and buzzing insects, so vital for our pollinator-needing crops and for a healthy environment. The winter cold silences them. It is my NewY ear’s wish that people will realize the urgent need to stop the unnatural“s ilentspring”thatf ollow s.Itw as predict ed by the late Rachel Carson, andwearenowdeeply immersed in it. For details, visit www.rachelcarsoncouncil.org.