The CATalyst Council, in its mission to champion the cat, has been helping make over veterinary clinics as cat-friendly practices and is seeking to bolster relations between private practitioners and animal shelters.

A coalition of veterinary organizations, shelter organizations, and other stakeholders formed CATalyst in 2008 to elevate cat health and welfare. Last year, CATalyst and the American Association of Feline Practitioners began promoting the concept of cat-friendly practices. At the same time, the council started efforts to enhance shelter-practitioner relations.

Practice makeovers
CATalyst continues spreading the word that pet cats make fewer veterinary visits than pet dogs in the United States, even though pet cats are more populous.

"They're not getting the appropriate level of care just given their nature and given the perceptions and the beliefs that pet owners have about the health care of their cat," said Dr. Alexis Nahama, CATalyst board chair and vice president for marketing for VCA Animal Hospitals.

The council has been working with ThinkPets Inc., a provider of client communications and practice analytics, on a pilot project of making over veterinary clinics as cat-friendly practices to increase veterinary visits.

To provide information for the pilot project, ThinkPets surveyed 1,800 pet owners early this year about their attitudes toward veterinary care.

The survey found that if an animal had never been to a veterinarian, it was two times as likely to be a cat as it was to be a dog. A quarter of cat owners who had not brought their cat to a veterinarian in the past year did not think a visit would improve the cat's overall health or lifespan.

A third of cat owners said they would bring their cat to a veterinarian more often if the veterinarian explained the value and importance of preventive care. More than half of cat owners said transporting their cat to the veterinarian was difficult or very difficult.

The pilot program of cat-friendly makeovers involved 17 practices that are ThinkPets customers, said Dr. Jane E. Brunt, CATalyst executive director.

Dr. Brunt said a ThinkPets consultant assisted practices in developing or refining standards for feline wellness care by referring to the Feline Life Stage Guidelines from the AAFP and American Animal Hospital Association and to materials from the United Kingdom's Feline Advisory Bureau, which pioneered the concept of cat-friendly practices.

The pilot project featured 10 training webinars on cat-friendly practices and specific steps for client communication. In July, practices began sending letters with product offers and follow-up email messages to invite existing clients to bring in cats for a visit.

Comparing July 2011 with July 2010, practices in the pilot project had a 1.9 percent increase in invoices from feline patients and a 4.1 percent increase in revenues from feline patients. Among ThinkPets customers that did not participate in the cat-friendly makeovers, invoices from feline patients decreased 2.9 percent and revenues from feline patients increased just 0.2 percent, comparing July 2011 with July 2010.

Dr. Brunt said CATalyst plans to expand the cat-friendly makeover program to more practices next year.

"If we can fine-tune it and sustain it and replicate it over thousands of veterinary hospitals, it will be good for cats," Dr. Brunt said.

Shelter relations
In starting efforts to enhance the relationship between animal shelters and local practitioners, Dr. Brunt said, CATalyst facilitated a strategic alliance between the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators and the American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives. Now the council is developing materials to assist shelters and private practitioners in working together better at the local level.

CATalyst plans to identify communities to participate in a pilot project to implement the materials. The goals include encouraging adoption of cats from shelters and educating cat adopters about cats' needs for continuing veterinary care, beyond veterinary services that shelters provide before adoption.

"If you put things on the table and if everybody understands the big picture of their community's animal care world, then there would be opportunities to help more pets and help more people enjoy responsible pet ownership," Dr. Brunt said.

Dr. Nahama said CATalyst has talked with people in communities with good shelter-practitioner relations and in communities with poor relations. The materials for the pilot project to bolster relations include case studies of communities that have or are building good relations.

One aspect of the project is to urge people from the veterinary and shelter circles to agree on acceptable terminology—not referring to "the pound," for example. Another aspect could be to organize casual get-togethers of people from both circles in neutral environments such as dog parks.

Dr. Nahama said a common factor in communities with good shelter-practitioner relations is simply that "people know each other, people understand each other."

In addition to cat-friendly practice makeovers and efforts to enhance shelter-practitioner relations, CATalyst continues to promote feline health and welfare to the press and directly to the public. Among the council's resources for cat owners is a recently released video with five steps to reduce cats' resistance to carriers.

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Want to hear something really scary for Halloween?  According to the Pet Poison Hotline, the average cost to treat a pet for chocolate ingestion exceeds $1,000.

Aaaaaahhhh!! Scary, right?  Halloween is the most dangerous holiday for pets, the hotline says. Their calls spike 12 percent this time of year. Chocolate is the biggest culprit, being one of the most poisonous candies a pet might eat

But that's not the only thing to keep in mind. Here are a few other seasonal tips from the hotline: Trick or Treat escapes: Tons of pets get loose when people open their doors to greet trick-or-treaters. Make sure pets are safely in another room, or on a leash, before opening the door.

Too much costume: Nearly 15 percent of pet owners dress them up this time of year, according to the National Retail Federation. But to prevent accidents, the hotline wants owners to make sure their pet’s vision is clear, their movement is unencumbered and the costume is free of small pieces that can easily be swallowed. Pets can also become overheated and dehydrated if their outfits are too warm.

Sugar high: People can over-do it on sugar -- and so can the furry ones. Large quantities of sugar can  cause pancreatitis, the hotline says. Plus, they warn, candy wrappers can create intestinal obstructions which can be very serious.

Beware the raisin: Although children turn their noses up when folks drop raisins, a healthy snack, into their Halloween bag, the dried grapes can actually be lethal for pets. Raisins are extremely poisonous to pets – especially dogs. Even in small doses, raisin consumption can cause kidney failure in dogs and cats.

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Thanksgiving and Christmas often involve visits from family and friends, but unless your dog keeps all four on the floor, you might be the one in the doghouse. Some people will be frightened by a dog that greets guests at the door by jumping up. Others may be allergic, frail or easily knocked off balance. A pawmark or doggy drool on guests’ clothing is embarrassing, and while some visitors will say they love dogs and it’s no big deal, others will be annoyed.

Diane Morgan, who includes jumping up in her book “Complete Guide to Dog Care” from Animal Planet and TFH Publications, says dogs can be trained out of jumping at the door. But it takes time and patience and you may need to try different strategies to find one that works.Tucker, a 50-pound Labradoodle, can “sit, shake, high-five, lay down, roll over, stay, heel, do all that stuff,” said owner Mike Pentz, who lives in Columbus, Ohio. “The only time he doesn’t listen is at the front door.”

Pentz and his wife Yvonne worked with trainers using clickers, a leash, and commands to try to stop the behavior, but nothing worked. Finally they resorted to putting him in the laundry room when company arrives. Now, Pentz says, when the bell rings, Tucker runs to the laundry room and “waits for me to close the door.” Once guests have settled in, Tucker comes out, checks everyone out and lies down.

But Morgan doesn’t recommend putting a dog in another room as a way to prevent jumping at the door, because it can lead to other problems like whining, scratching or barking.

“Dogs are very pragmatic creatures. They do what works, what earns them rewards,” she said. Most want attention, so even simply telling the dog to stop or get down can be interpreted by the dog as attention.

The goal is to refocus the attention. About 85 percent of dogs care about treats and 15 percent care about toys, she said, so use what amuses your pet the most.

Here are some of Morgan’s techniques:

— Have a treat or toy in your hand when you walk in the door. Instantly throw it on the floor. The dog will soon understand that the best way to get the treat is to look on the floor, not to jump up.

— Teach the dog to sit. Once he is still, throw a treat on the floor.

— Try walking in the door with a can or jar of pennies. “Shake it really hard. It acts as a warning or signal to stay away.”

— Put the dog on a short leash and keep him at your side. “Have people get down low to greet him.”

— Walk in and ignore the dog. If you don’t give him attention, he will stop. Morgan added this warning: “He may become frantic at first and try harder and might ruin your clothes.” You may have to cross your arms and turn your back on the dog to be sure he gets the message.

— Last resort: When the dog jumps up, take him by his front legs and hold him like you are dancing. He will be real happy for about two seconds, then want down. Keep holding for several more seconds. Dogs don’t like staying on their hind legs. With repetition, the dog will get the idea.

No matter what method you try, “it will only work if everybody in the house is involved,” Morgan said. Take turns leaving the house and coming back, repeating the treat, the dance, the chilly reception or the noise, whatever you’ve chosen.

In addition, she said, before guests arrive, “make sure your dog has access to toys and things he likes. Make sure he gets some healthy exercise before dinner. Wear him out. The more tired he is before guests arrive, the better behaved he will be after. Make sure he is bathed and clean. You don’t want the dog to smell bad. And make sure his toenails are clipped in case he does jump.”

There are also things you should not do, she said.

— “Never yell at them. Believe it or not, that’s reward, getting attention.”

— “Never shove them in the chest. It will hurt the dog. And big challenging dogs like malamutes will think you are playing and will push back.”

— “Some people say step on their toes. No.”

— “Never pet your dog on his hind legs. Petting there encourages them to jump up.”Morgan says you can use the same techniques to retrain dogs who greet guests by sniffing them in embarrassing places.

Once you’ve made progress breaking the dog’s jumping habit, ask a friend to come over for a test run before your holiday party or big dinner. Despite the variety of approaches, it’s not uncommon for pet owners to find they simply can’t stop their dogs from jumping. Christy Myhre of San Antonio, Texas, named her Boston terrier Toki, which means rabbit in Korean, because she jumps so much. When company comes, Toki will jump several feet in the air to try to kiss them.

“I have tried for many years to control her,” Myhre said, but Toki is “all about eye contact and in your face.”Fortunately Myhre devised a simple solution: “I just scoop her up.”

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While keeping our pets healthy is a priority for all pet owners, the cost of providing this care can present quite a challenge, and can even deter folks from bringing their fur-friends to the vet.

According to the Bayer 2011 Veterinary Care Usage Study (recently published on Market Wire), the high price of vet care (which often means proper care is not affordable) often overrides an owner’s loyalty to their veterinarian.

The study shows that 26 percent of pet owners surveyed are now seeking ways to save money and would consider switching veterinary practices for options that are more affordable.

With that said, almost half of the pet owners surveyed replied that they would bring their pets to their vet on a more regular basis if the practice offered a monthly-billed annual wellness plan. The Advantages of an Annual Wellness / Well-Care Plan, and How They Make Vet Care Affordable

Veterinary clinics offering Well-Care programs do so as they are a convenient and affordable way for pet owners to provide their pets with preventative care on a regular basis. Many plans are billed monthly at a nominal fee which includes discounted and free services offered to subscribers. In many practices, pet owners who subscribe pay a one-time enrollment fee in addition to the monthly charge, the cost of which varies at different practices.

Included in many pre-paid wellness programs are discounts on vaccinations, annual wellness examinations, routine dental care, heartworm testing, nail clipping (a boon for dog owners), brushing teeth, and other simple procedures. Some programs often offer free vaccinations following the completion of the first year of coverage.

Although low cost or free vaccination and neuter/spay programs are available throughout the country, many of these programs do not offer the complete veterinary care necessary to monitor a pet’s overall health. Since animals age approximately at a rate of seven years to our one, an annual veterinary check-up is tantamount to humans visiting their doctor once every seven years.*

*Interesting Note: Veterinarian, Dr. Arnold Plotnick disagrees strongly with this popular cat-human age comparison. Check out his cat-human comparison chart. The Difference Between Wellness / Well-Care Programs and Pet Insurance

Wellness and Well-Care programs are distinctly different than pet health insurance. For example, pet health insurance programs, depending on the scope of the policy, may reimburse subscribers 50% or more for costly medical procedures, while Wellness programs may only offer a 10% reduction.

With all things considered, however, this writer thinks Wellness and Well-Care programs give pet owners an affordable alternative to the often more costly pet health insurance programs. What are your opinions about veterinary Wellness and Well-Care programs? Share them in a comment.

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When an abandoned dog was dropped off by police at the Berkeley Animal Shelter last month, staff found nothing out of the ordinary. But when she was taken to the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society last week to be spayed, the attending veterinarian discovered something odd: The dog had 38 pellet gun bullets lodged inside her skin.

Daphne, a one-year-old pit bull, was rescued by Berkeley Police Department officers last month in a parking lot at the corner of Addison Street and Bolivar Drive in West Berkeley, according to Kate O’Connor, manager of the city’s Animal Care Services. Last Tuesday, veterinarians at the humane society found — through x-rays — that the bumps under her skin originally thought to be ticks were actually bullets.

O’Connor said she believes the shots are the result of someone using the dog as target practice or possibly a neighbor who had gotten annoyed with the dog’s barking.

“Whoever did it was a very sadistic, sick person,” she said. Daphne was also found with her ears halfway cut off — a procedure that veterinarians do purely for looks, O’Connor said.

Seven months ago, two six-month-old dogs of the same breed — one of whom was found with a pellet in her face — were picked up in the same parking lot, according to O’Connor. Animal services staff believe the three may be sisters from the same home, she said.

“The idea is beyond me,” said Bela Kisamov, medical director at the humane society. “We work with these animals on a daily basis, and to know that there are people out there — people who would shoot a dog 38 times — is unfathomable.”

According to O’Connor, the city’s animal shelter sees many cases of neglect and cruelty each year, including instances of animals with their bones dislodged, chain collars imbedded in their necks and fur matted with blood.

“A lot of animals (who come in) are badly injured — I wouldn’t want to hazard a guess at how many,” she said. “In the last two years, the number has increased. I think the economy is affecting people so they can’t afford to have pets.”

According to statistics released by Animal Care Services, the shelter took in more than 1,500 dogs and cats from the public in 2010. Over 500 of those animals were adopted, but 93 were deemed untreatable and euthanized.

The staff at Animal Care Services are currently trying to find a home for Daphne, who, after being treated for her injuries, has recently been put up for adoption. O’Connor said staff are considering several interested people and are looking for somewhere the dog will feel safe and secure.

“The fact that (these animals) come through us and that we get to help them and put them out into the adoptable world is really rewarding,” Kisamov said. “It’s rewarding and heartbreaking.”

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The four-legged guests of honor at a ribbon-cutting Friday tried to contain themselves before the gates opened at the new dog park at the Murfin Animal Care Campus. Most of them sat patiently, wagging their tails, through the official speeches. But a few barked, catching the attention of Wichita City Council member Lavonta Williams. "They're saying they're ready to play," Williams interpreted. The dog park, near K-96 and Hillside, is the final touch at the Kansas Humane Society's 2-year-old digs. It features three fenced-in play areas for pooches — two for large dogs and one for small dogs. The small-dog area will always be open. The two large-dog areas will rotate to give the grass a chance to recover.

Dogs packed the park on its first day. Dalmatians, Chihuahuas, goldendoodles and Labrador retrievers sniffed each other, chased each other and slobbered on each other. Tammy Allen, chairwoman of the society's board of directors, kicked off the opening of the park by thanking supporters for their contributions to the campus, which combines the society's shelter and Wichita Animal Control.

Barry Schwan, who co-chaired the fundraising campaign for the campus, said the new center last year prevented 100,000 unwanted puppies and kittens through spaying and neutering, saved the lives of 9,056 homeless pets that were adopted by families or rescue groups, and reunited 1,700 pets with their families.

"We're helping more animals than ever before," Schwan said, adding that the society is moving closer to its goal of ending the euthanasia of adoptable animals by 2014. To do so, Schwan said, the shelter must reduce the number of animals coming in and increase the number of animals being adopted out.

Sue Kleinheksel, a volunteer for the society, was one of the first visitors to the park. She brought her mixed spaniel dog, Bridget, who had been adopted through a companion animal program. When Bridget's companion died, Kleinheksel adopted her. Bridget goes everywhere with her, she said. "How many dogs have gone to lunch at the Wichita Country Club or to dinner at Ya Ya's?" she asked. "She's been to a military funeral and puts on fashion shows."Bridget's collar was blinged out with Halloween decorations.

J.C. Combs and his wife, Karen, brought Chuck, their goldendoodle — a cross between a golden retriever and a poodle. The visit was Chuck's first trip to a dog park in Wichita. The city has another dog park at Chapin Park near MacArthur and Hydraulic. "This will be a great place to run off energy," J.C. Combs said. Williams said the dog park will give owners an excuse to exercise, too. Dog parks, she said, help dogs keep in shape and also help them socialize with other animals. "A tired dog is a happy dog," Williams said. The park will be open every day from dawn until dusk. Dogs must be at least 5 months old and current on all vaccinations, including rabies.

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Brian Cox took his dog, Cosmo to the vet for knee surgery but he ended up with a severe football-sized, third- degree burn on his body resulting in numerous complications. Cox lives on the Southside, and owns several dogs he describes as his children. He has no kids of his own.

Cox went to Pet Doctors on Beach Boulevard for the $1,600 knee surgery, but he said it turned disastrous when his pet was burned by a heating pad during the surgery. The burn was a third-degree burn and it ended up getting infected. "All his skin rolled off; I could see the muscles, the tendons, nothing but raw flesh," said Cox. "It really shook me up to see how bad he was."

Cox said it never should have happened. "To see the burns, you would think you would be able to at least sense the heat come off of it and touch it, and say 'this is too hot'."Cox is upset that he never heard from Pet Doctors checking up on Cosmo. He had to call to arrange follow-up care and said they seemed uncaring.

"They weren't calling me to find out how he was doing... They seemed to not be very concerned."Veterinarian Kris Kane said she loves Cosmo, a dog she has treated for a long time. "He's an awesome dog. I was devastated when I saw the burn."Kane did the surgery and she said she is shocked by Cox's impression that they did not care.

"I am really surprised he said that. We scheduled many rechecks. I came in on my days off to make sure I was the one treating him," she said. "We took responsibility for the burn, we treated it, we got him healed and, of course, we did not charge for any treatment at all."

But Cox thinks Pet Doctors should have offered more after what happened, such as care for his other pets. He said he is considering legal action. Kane is not worried about that, she said. "If you do everything right and you're honest, everything will work out well. I really don't think we did anything wrong."

The burns were caused by an electrical malfunction in the heating pad, she said. It was on prior to the surgery, then turned off during surgery but it apparently was still heating up, she said.

Doctors were not aware of it because the pad was covered and the dog was covered during surgery. They threw away the pad that day. First Coast News checked with the state of Florida and no complaints have been filed against that Pet Doctors clinic.

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San Francisco Supervisor Scott Wiener will introduce legislation today to regulate commercial dog walkers in the city. The legislation would require such dog walkers to obtain a permit, pay an annual fee and walk no more than seven dogs at a time while using city property, among other regulations.

"Commercial dog walkers provide a critical service to the many San Franciscans with dogs," Wiener said in a statement. "This service must be carried out in a professional manner that respects city property and the other users of that property."

The legislation was crafted with the input of several groups, including the SPCA, Neighborhood Parks Council and a dog walkers' group. Angela Gardener, of the San Francisco Professional Dogwalkers Association, said, "For the many professional dog walkers who are well-trained, who know how to care for dogs, and who respect the city property they use, this legislation will legitimate them and will require dog walkers who lack training or skills to get training."

Since he joined the Board of Supervisors in January, Wiener has taken the lead on dog issues in the city. Earlier this year, he also proposed a resolution opposing a proposal by the National Park Service to reduce the size of off-leash areas for dogs at 21 sites in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. In April, the board voted 10-1 in favor of Wiener's resolution opposing the federal plan, which has not yet been finalized.

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(POLITICS) Earlier this week, the House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill with a feature that will pair trained shelter dogs with veterans. Living with a pet can only improve the lives of our soldiers when they return from duty, giving them a helpful companion filled with unconditional love. We applaud our government for their effort on passing the Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act and hope to see this bill implemented after further approval. — Global Animal

Humane Society Legislative Fund, Michael Markarian: Much of the attention in Congress is focused on deficit reduction and partisan gridlock, but some bipartisan bills are still making progress. Yesterday the House unanimously passed a package of veterans’ health care legislation (H.R. 2074), and included in the final bill was the Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act (H.R. 198), introduced by Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., which will help pair vets with pets and is good for both soldier and canine.

The legislation would create a pilot program for training dogs as a form of therapy to help treat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other post-deployment mental health conditions. The dogs could come from shelters, and after training, they would become service dogs to assist veterans with disabilities.

Rep. Grimm, a Marine combat veteran from Operation Desert Storm, said in a press release, “As a veteran, and an American, I am thrilled that this legislation has passed the House, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass it without delay, so that it can be signed into law and allow us to begin providing assistance to our returning veterans.”

The bond between people and animals is a strong one—and can even be a healing one. Pets are good for our emotional and physical health, and studies show that having a pet can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Caring for a companion animal provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment and lessens feelings of loneliness and isolation in people of all ages.

For wounded warriors and disabled veterans, caring for a pet can help them re-enter society and minimize stress and depression. Service dogs can also reduce the suicide rate among veterans, and provide other critical help—such as letting them know when it’s time to take medication, waking them from terrifying nightmares, or detecting changes in their breathing, perspiration, or scent to ward off panic attacks. Such benefits can decrease the number of hospitalizations, and lower the cost of medications and human care.

Rep. Grimm’s legislation, importantly, directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to “consider dogs residing in animal shelters or foster homes for participation in the program.” This is not only good news for homeless dogs who might otherwise be euthanized, but it also has the potential to bring a more fiscally sound approach to the program and save tax dollars, as purpose-bred dogs cost as much as $50,000 per animal.

Our veterans need and deserve every opportunity to heal. This innovative legislation gives the wonderful dogs in shelters a chance to live and to serve by helping to heal the stresses and wounds so many soldiers battle when they come home. The Senate should swiftly pass this important measure—it’s a way to support the men and women who served our country, and give a second chance to the animals who ended up in shelters through no fault of their own.

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Barn cats are wonderful pets. They help keep the property free from vermin while adding to the homey ambience of the farm. Because barn cats live outdoors, they sometimes take on the life of a feral cat. Even though you feed them and make sure they have water, they might not be handled very often. If you want to keep your barn cat healthy, perform a simple exam on it once a week. On a day when your chores are light, sit outside and call your barn cat to you. Have it stand beside you or in your lap as you give it the following once over: Run your hands along the cat’s sides, under its tummy and around its head. You’re looking for lumps, bumps and abscesses, as well as ticks and embedded burrs and foxtails.

Gently lift the cat’s paws and examine them for cuts or foreign objects between the pads. Look inside the cat’s ears. They should be clean and odorless. If you see dirt or waxy discharge, your barn cat may be suffering from ear mites.

Using your first and second fingers, part the hair near the base of the cat’s tail to look for signs of fleas. If you see tiny black or brown specks on his skin, pick up a few and put them on a paper towel. Wet the spot and wait a few minutes. If the dark spots turn into small, diluted drops of blood, your barn cat has fleas.
If you find anything suspicious on your cat during this exam, contact your vet. Even though your barn cat is a tough, outdoor kitty, he still needs help staying healthy now and then.

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