Amy Shojai's Blog, page 77

Flower Essences for Cats & Dogs: What Are They & How to Use Them

Flower Essences for Cats & Dogs: What Are They & How to Use Them

Have you ever used flower essences for dogs and cats? Do you think they’re effective? Or is this “woo-woo” stuff just a hoax that works, if at all, with a placebo effect?

I’m sharing this information from my FLOWER ESSENCE entry from Cat Facts, The Series 6 (F): The Pet Parent’s A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia which includes these topics:

False Pregnancy, Fear, Feline Hepatic Lipidosis (FHL), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), Feline Ischemic Encephalopathy, Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV), Feral, Flatulence, Fleas, Flower Essences, Food, Food Additives, Food Supplements, Fracture, and Frostbite

I’ve broken the massive book into discounted catnip-size alpha-chapter sections. Folks can choose which ones they most need. Each chapter will release every other week. Of course, you can still get the entire CAT FACTS book either in Kindle or 540+ pages of print.

Join Amazon Kindle Unlimited 30-Day Free Trial

WHAT ARE FLOWER ESSENCES FOR DOGS AND CATS

Flower essences are a type of “vibrational therapy” made from the essential oils of wild plants, trees, and bushes said to offer benefits to the emotional state of pets. Several brands are available. One of the best known, Bach Flower Remedies, consists of 38 individual essences made by infusing spring water with wild flowers either by steeping in the sun or by boiling.

TREATING DOG AND CAT EMOTIONS?

You’d think such things must come from a “new age” mentality, but Bach Flower Remedies were created by British physician Dr. Edward Bach in the early 1900s. He believed disease to be a physical sign and end product of unhappiness, fear and worry, and identified twelve “pathological emotional states” in people that the essences are designed to treat:

fear
terror
mental torture or worry
indecision
indifference or boredom
doubt or discouragement
over-concern
weakness
self-distrust
impatience
over-enthusiasm
pride or aloofness

We can’t know with certainty that pets feel the same emotions as people do, but holistic veterinarians have used the remedies with success, by attempting to identify the emotional state in dogs and cats.

BUT ARE THEY SAFE?

The great thing about Bach Flowers is they can be used safely by anyone. Even if you use the wrong remedy, although it may not help it won’t cause problems. The essences are easy to use. They don’t work in all cases, but when they do, they tend to work very quickly. You can combine them, but will get the best results by limiting to no more than three at a time.

Each individual flower essence treats a specific type of anxiety. They won’t cure behavior or health problems by themselves, but can help when used alongside other techniques. Occasionally more than one flower essences is combined into one remedy. The premixed Rescue Remedy, for example, contains the essences of Impatiens, Star of Bethlehem, Cherry Plum, Rock Rose, and Clematis. Rescue Remedy is considered an “emergency remedy” good for any kind of sudden stress or shock.

HOW TO USE FLOWER ESSENCES FOR DOGS AND CATS

While you can take the remedies undiluted, it’s best to prepare a treatment bottle from the full-strength glass “stock bottle” you purchase.

Obtain a glass 30 ml (1 oz.) dropper bottle and fill with spring water (not tap water).
Add two drops of your chosen Remedy to the new bottle of spring water. It’s best to limit this to three Remedies in the same bottle.
Shake well, at least ten times (practitioners call this “succussing”).
Store the stock bottle and treatment bottle in a dark, cool place. The stock bottle should last for a very long time in this way.

TREATING CATS AND DOGS WITH FLOWER ESSENCES

To treat your cat or dog, use the treatment bottle and shake it each time before putting three drops in the water bowl for Kitty and Fluffy to sip all day. It won’t hurt if the other pets also drink. Alternatively, you can mix the drops into a teaspoonful of plain yogurt for the cat or dog to take as a treat.

Since it’s a vibrational energy medicine, practitioners say that simply dripping the two drops on the pet’s forehead or a paw also works. Don’t let the dropper touch the skin, fur or mouth or you’ll contaminate the bottle. Holistic veterinarians usually advise giving three drops, one to four times a day as needed, until your pet acts like she feels better. More is NOT better—Bach Flower Remedies work best over a longer period of time.

Find out more details about catnip and other “F” topics in Cat Facts, The Series 6 (F): The Pet Parent’s A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia.

So…is vibrational energy a bunch of hooey? And just for the sake of argument…if it IS a kind of placebo effect (can pets have a placebo effect???) what’s wrong with that if your cat and dog feels better?

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Note: I am an affiliate of Amazon and some links earn me a small referral fee. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Second Story Kitty? Tips for Grounding Countertop Cruising Cats

Second Story Kitty? Tips for Grounding Countertop Cruising Cats

Do you struggle with how to keep cats off counters? Cats become pests with their determination to stay above it all. They cruise kitchen countertops, lounge atop doors and leap to refrigerator tops to ambush treats.

Today I’m traveling to New York to give a talk at the BlogPurr event about the different kinds of “cat parents” from drama-mamma to doting dad. Do your cats get away with everything, or are you a strict “parent?” It seemed appropriate to focus today’s blog on a common kitty challenge.

The urge to be the top cat seems a universal kitty vice. By understanding why cats scale the heights, cat care givers can provide legal outlets that keep both the kitty happy, and out of your butter dish.

Why Cats Love Heights

Cats come pre-programmed to seek elevated lounging spots. Think about it–a kitty walking on the wild side wants to see enemies (and potential munch-able critters) but remain invisible. A cat quite literally believes she “owns” the space she can see.

Cats also control each other’s interactions—or even the dog’s movements—with pointed stares. This cats-eye-power packs even more punch from an elevated perch, giving the cat ownership and control over even more territory. The cat that commands the highest perch is the high-cat-on-the-totem pole in that particular room.

What’s The Attraction?

Individual cats may have specific preferences for lounge spots. But in general, there are five reasons cats seek a particular place.

The taller the perch, the more important the cat.
Perches near important pathways like windows or stairways offer high kitty value.
Cats are furry heat-seeking missiles, so the tops of warm TVs or computer monitors, or snuggled under lamps prove irresistible. My cat loves to sleep in the paper well of my printer.
Lounging requires a soft, comfy surface like the back of chairs.
Kitchen counters and stove tops smell yummy or even have snacks within paw reach that keep the cat burglar returning to the scene of the cat crime.

You won’t keep your cat on the ground. Cats tend to avoid low spots with no view, or that are cold and uncomfortable. So give your cat what she wants with irresistible legal perch options and make forbidden spots unattractive.

Cats naturally love heights.

How to Keep Cats Off Counters & Grounding High Rise Cats

Evaluate your cat’s favorite perches, and make your choice better. My cat Seren loves to lounge on top of the piano (height) beneath a lamp (warmth) next to the window (view). To purr-suade her otherwise, we placed a three-tiered cat tree that’s TALLER than the piano and has a softer surface (comfort), still under the lamp beside the piano, and still in front of the window.

For your cat household, have at least one cat tree (or acceptable high-value lounge spot) for each cat. Otherwise, they may argue over who gets first dibs.
Make the legal lounge taller than the forbidden object, but nearby so the location remains attractive. An empty bookshelf can work, or even an inexpensive ladder. Put a cat bed stocked with kitty treats on the paint rack.
Make off-limits spots unattractive. Booby-trap counters so they’re no longer comfy. Double-sided tape products like Sticky Paws applied to place mats can be scattered on forbidden surfaces, for example.
Cats hate weird textures, too. Aluminum foil that covers stove tops can keep some cats at bay.
For hard case cats, invest in clear plastic carpet runner to line the counter top, dining table or other illegal location. Just place it nub-side up, and kitty will seek a more comfy spot to lounge.
You can also set up the SSScat[image error] Product, an aerosol can with a motion detector that hisses air to shoo critters away even when you’re not there.

Choose which battles to fight, because it’s hard to win them all—and you want your cat to like you. My cats are not allowed on the mantel where they play gravity experiments with fine breakables. But they won the battle of the dining room table where Karma and Seren lounge in plush cat beds beneath a stained glass lamp.

I’ve also trained Seren to exit the printer when I need it. Karma hasn’t quite gotten that message yet, though. In families, sometimes you must compromise.

What about you? How do you manage your counter top cruising kitties? Do tell!

Learn about more cat behavior issues in ComPETability.

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Note: I am an affiliated of Amazon and some links earn me a small referral fee. Please stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Doggy Stink Bomb? Dealing with Canine Flatulence

Doggy Stink Bomb? Dealing with Canine Flatulence

WHAT IS CANINE FLATULENCE?

Also referred to as passing gas, this stinky dog condition is both offensive and embarrassing to a dog owner. Gas is produced naturally in the intestines during digestion, and some dogs produce more than others. Usually, the obnoxious condition isn’t dangerous, but flatulence can be the sign of a health problem.

I’m sharing this entry about canine FLATULENCE, an excerpt from Dog Facts, The Series 6 (Chapter F) This chapter covers a lot of ground, and here’s the topic list:

Fading Puppy Syndrome, False Pregnancy, Fear, Fence, Feral, Flatulence, Fleas, Flower Essences, Flukes, Food, Food Additives, Food Supplements, Fracture, Frostbite, and Fungus.

I’ve broken the massive book into discounted treat-size alpha-chapter sections. Folks can choose which ones they most need. Each chapter will release every other week. Of course, you can still get the entire book either in Kindle or 630+ pages of print.

Join Amazon Kindle Unlimited 30-Day Free Trial

WHAT CAUSES CANINE FLATULENCE?

What and how the dog eats influences how much gas will be produced, and ultimately passed. Inappropriate food supplements, snacking from the garbage, or any sudden change in diet can make the problem worse. Diets that include highly fermentable substances, large quantities of milk, or simply gulping air when eating or drinking are common causes.

Gorging allows food to stay in the stomach for extended periods, and tends to make dogs more prone to gas. Feed your dogs separately to cut down on competition. Slow the gulper by placing a large non-swallowable ball in the bowl so she must eat around it. Invest in a foraging feeder, bowls designed to make dogs work to reach the food.

REDUCING DOGGY STINK BOMBS

Try offering the dog a more digestible diet. Check the ingredient list on the package and ask your veterinarian to recommend an appropriate choice. Change diets gradually over a week’s period, by initially mixing two-thirds of the old diet with one-third new. Progress to half and half, then one-third to two-thirds, and finally the new diet entirely.

The flower essence crab apple can help bring the body back into balance. Add two or three drops onto your pet’s tongue or in his drinking water each day. Adding digestive enzymes to your dog’s food may also help. As your holistic veterinarian for a recommendation.

Another helpful option is garnishing the dog’s regular diet with a tablespoonful of plain yogurt, which contains beneficial bacteria that helps digestion and reduces flatulence. Many dogs love the flavor. As a last resort, your veterinarian may prescribe a human medication that contains simethicone and activated charcoal to control the gas. There is also an anti-gas veterinary product called CurTail that contains an enzyme that aids food digestion and reduces flatulence. Amazon also has a number of potential remedies for dog flatulence[image error].

Find out more details about other “F” topics in  Dog Facts, The Series 6 (Chapter F).

Do you suffer from doggy stink bombs? How do you manage gassy pets? Any successful tips you can share? Fire away! (pun intended…)

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Note: I am an affiliated of Amazon and some links earn me a small referral fee. Please stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Are Ear Mites Bugging Your Cat?

Are Ear Mites Bugging Your Cat?

EAR MITES LOVE CATS (DOGS, TOO)

These tiny parasites are common in cats, and causes otodectic mange, more commonly known as ear mite infestation. Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) are a kind of arthropod that are actually related to and look something like spiders. The first four legs of all stages bear unjointed short stalks and suckers, and adult males also have suckers on the rear legs. Ewwww!

Ear mites are so tiny, the “evidence” may not be seen except under a microscope.

I’m sharing this information from my EAR MITES entry from Cat Facts, The Series 5 (E): The Pet Parent’s A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia which includes these topics:

Ear Mites, Ears, Eating, Eclampsia (Milk Fever), Electrical Shock, Elizabethan Collar, Endoscope, Enteritis, Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex, Epilepsy, Euthanasia, and Eyes

I’ve broken the massive book into discounted catnip-size alpha-chapter sections. Folks can choose which ones they most need. Each chapter will release every other week. Of course, you can still get the entire CAT FACTS book either in Kindle or 540+ pages of print.

Join Amazon Kindle Unlimited 30-Day Free Trial [image error]

EAR MITE LIFE CYCLE

The mites live on the surface of the skin of the ear and ear canal. Adult females lay eggs with cement that sticks them in place. After incubating four days, eggs hatch into six-legged larvae. Larvae feed for three to ten days, consuming the debris of the ear canal, and piercing the skin to suck lymph. Each larva hatches into an eight-legged protonymph, which then molts into a deutonymph. The deutonymph becomes attached to an adult male end to end by the suckers on their rear legs. If a female adult emerges from the deutonymph, fertilization occurs and the female becomes egg bearing. The life cycle lasts three weeks.

Intense itching with resultant scratching can damage the ear.

CONSEQUENCES OF EAR MITES

Ear mites are the most common cause of ear inflammation. Symptoms of ear mite infestation include brown, waxy debris in the ear canal, and/or crust formation. The crawling mites inside the ear canal produce intense itching and discomfort. Infested cats will shake their heads, dig at their ears, and show a variety of restless behavior.

Excessive head shaking or scratching at the ears caused by ear mites can result in secondary trauma to the pinna, the external portion of your cat’s ear. This can cause a kind of blood blister called a hematoma.

DIAGNOSING EAR MITES

Ear mites are extremely contagious, and outdoor cats are most commonly affected. These parasites aren’t selective; they infest many species, including cats, dogs, rabbits, ferrets and other pets. Kittens often acquire ear mites from their mother.

If one pet is diagnosed with ear mites, all the animals in a multi-pet household must be treated to prevent reinfestation. When left untreated, ear mites can cause severe problems of the middle and inner ear, which may affect the cat’s hearing and balance.

Diagnosis is made by actually seeing the mite. The parasite is tiny, white, and nearly impossible to see with the naked eye. Generally, the veterinarian will make a slide of a sample of the ear debris, and examine it under the microscope to identify the parasite.

HOW TO TREAT CAT EAR MITES

Treatment consists of flushing out the debris, and applying insecticide to kill the mites. Bland oil, like mineral oil squirted into the ear canal followed by gentle massage helps flush out the crumbly material. Because of the three week lifespan of the mites, more than one treatment may be necessary to kill the mites as they hatch.

A number of over the counter ear drop medications are available for treating ear mites in cats. Many of them contain insecticides such as carbaryl or pyrethrins in a mineral oil solution. Sometimes, steroids are necessary to help the inflammation subside, and antibiotic ointment may be indicated to treat bacterial infections.

NATURAL OPTIONS FOR TREATING EAR MITES

Holistic veterinarians may recommend using a green tea rinse, since it’s a natural antiseptic and can gently remove the ear debris caused by the mites. Steep a tablespoon of green tea leaves in a cup of hot water for three or four minutes, strain it, and allow to cool to room temperature. Flush your pet’s ear canal with the tea, using a small dropper.

A natural traditional way to treat ear mites is to suffocate the bugs with oil. Place two or three drops of vegetable oil in the pet’s ears, and massage. The oil also soothes the itch, but you’ll need to treat the ears daily for at least a month to catch all the maturing bugs, and your cat’s oily head may not be to his (or your) liking.

VETERINARY INTERVENTION

When the cat’s ears are very sore, sedation may be necessary to properly clean his ears. Even when ear drops are effective, some cats object to having their ears cleaned and treated, and unless the entire course of treatment is completed, the problem will recur. In addition, some cats are resistant to certain medications, or are hard for owners to handle and medicate at home.

For these stubborn cases, an injectable medication may be the answer. One or two beneath-the-skin injections of an insecticide called Ivermectin is effective, but not FDA approved for this use. Veterinarians may use the drug “off label” with the informed consent of their clients.

Find out more details about catnip and other “E” topics in  Cat Facts, The Series 5 (E): The Pet Parent’s A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia

Has your cat ever suffered from ear mites? How did you get rid of them? Please share your experiences! (Oh, and I hope you’ll forward this post to those who need the info…)

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Getting Ticked Off About Ehrlichiosis

Getting Ticked Off About Ehrlichiosis

Ehrlichiosis goes by many names, but no matter what you call it, this devastating dog disease can wreak havoc on your pet.

Hunting dogs exposed to ticks are at higher risk for tick borne diseases like ehrlichiosis.

I’m sharing this entry about EHRLICHIOSIS, an excerpt from Dog Facts, The Series 5 (Chapter E) This chapter covers a lot of ground, and here’s the topic list:

Ear, Ear Mites, Eating, Eclampsia, Ectropion/Entropion, Ehrlichiosis, Electrical Shock, Elizabethan Collar, Endoscope, Enteritis, Epilepsy, Euthanasia, and Eyes.

I’ve broken the massive book into discounted treat-size alpha-chapter sections. Folks can choose which ones they most need. Each chapter will release every other week. Of course, you can still get the entire book either in Kindle or 630+ pages of print.

Join Amazon Kindle Unlimited 30-Day Free Trial [image error]

WHAT IS CANINE EHRLICHIOSIS?

Canine ehrlichiosis is caused by one or several species of Ehrlichia bacteria, most commonly Ehrlichia canis (E. canis) or Ehrlichia lewinii (E. lewinii). This specialized bacteria requires an intermediate host, or vector, to infect its victim. The brown dog tick and the Lone Star tick are the primary vectors.

The disease has been reported worldwide wherever these ticks are found. Most cases in the United States occur in dogs living in the Texas Gulf coast regions and other southern states. All dogs are susceptible, but those with greater exposure to ticks. Outdoor dogs, working dogs and hunting dogs are at highest risk. Doberman Pinschers and German Shepherds seem to be more severely affected. Ehrlichiosis is diagnosed most often during the warm months of tick season.

Ticks attach themselves and may be hidden by fur.

HOW DO DOGS GET EHRLICHIOSIS?

The tick becomes infected when it bites an exposed dog and ingests infected blood. The tick may transmit the disease for up to five months after engorgement with infected blood. Once infected, transmission of the disease to dogs can occur in any stage (by larva, nymph, or adult tick). It is even possible for ticks to survive winter months and infect susceptible dogs in the spring.

The organism is passed to dogs in the tick saliva when the infected parasite takes a blood meal. Blood transfusion from an infected donor dog also has the potential to transmit the disease. E. canis initially invades and damages the white blood cells of the host dog. From there, the rickettsiae spread via the blood to lymphatic tissue including the liver, lymph nodes and spleen.

WHAT SYMPTOMS DOES EHRLICHIOSIS CAUSE?

Signs of the disease can vary greatly from case to case. That makes canine ehrlichiosis an extremely frustrating disease to diagnose. Dogs suffering stress are also more susceptible.

There are both acute and chronic stages of the disease. Dogs suffering from the acute phase exhibit sudden severe symptoms, or show few or no signs at all. Signs include:

a week-long fever
eye and nasal discharge
loss of appetite, depression
swollen legs
stiffness and reluctance to walk
weight loss
neurologic symptoms such as muscle twitches

X-rays may reveal signs of pneumonia. The acute stage lasts two to four weeks; dogs either recover, or proceed to the chronic phase of disease.

The chronic stage of the disease can last for several months, and appears to affect dogs with suppressed immune systems. The bone marrow is compromised, resulting in a reduction in the production of blood cells. Often, the dog will develop kidney disease. Low platelet counts may cause bleeding tendencies, and long nosed breeds like shepherds may suffer nose bleeds. Fatigue, bloody urine, discoloration and bruising of the skin occur in all breeds.

HOW IS EHRLICHIOSIS DIAGNOSED?

Diagnosis is based on signs of disease along with history of tick exposure. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, which isolates the DNA of the causative agent, is now commonly employed for confirmation. The PCR test, in combination with a test for antibodies to the Ehrlichia infection, is typically the best way to make a concrete diagnosis.

WHAT TREATMENT IS RECOMMENDED?

The antibiotic doxycycline is effective against E. canis when administered early in the course of the disease. Dogs may require six weeks or more of treatment before being cured, and some may benefit from fluid therapy or blood transfusions. Infection does not impart immunity and dogs can be reinfected. Dogs with chronic disease in which bone marrow is irreparably damaged may require months of therapy before any improvement is apparent, but prognosis is not good and often th

e dog dies despite treatment.

CAN YOU PREVENT EHRLICHIOSIS?

There is no vaccination available to prevent canine ehrlichiosis. The best way to protect dogs is to reduce or prevent exposure to ticks. In high-risk environments (i.e., kennel situations where the disease has been diagnosed), your vet may recommend a daily low-dose of antibiotic used as a preventative.

Ticks hate bright sunlight so keeping yards and fields mowed short, and limiting your dog’s ranging can help. Ticks carry many other kinds of “nasties” so using a vet-approved tick preventive in endemic areas may be recommended.

Find out more details about digging and other “E” topics in  Dog Facts, The Series 5 (Chapter E).

Does your dog get ticks? Are you using tick treatment to protect him? Has your dog ever suffered from a tick-borne disease? Please share your tips and tricks so others can help save landscaping and still enjoy their canine diggity dogs.

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

HIDE AND SEEK: Audio Book Now Available!

HIDE AND SEEK: Audio Book Now Available!

HIDE AND SEEK, THE AUDIO BOOK!

A mysterious contagion will shatter countless lives unless a service dog and his trainer find a missing cat . . . in 24 hours.

A STALKER hides in plain sight.

A VICTIM faces her worst fear.

AND A DOG seeks the missing—and finds hope.

And yes…that is MY voice (or should I say…VOICES) on the audio book! It’s now available here:

AMAZON

AUDIBLE

Coming Soon to iTUNES!

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

What to Do About Cat Dehydration: Know the Signs

What to Do About Cat Dehydration: Know the Signs

Cats evolved as desert creatures and have an amazing ability to conserve water, but cat dehydration can still kill. Even though cats seem to prefer to drink water in the weirdest places (the sink? your glass? the TOILET?!) they most often just don’t drink enough water. It’s important to know the signs of cat dehydration and provide ample drinking ops to keep kitty healthy and happy.

WEIRD FACTS! Wonder Why Pets Love Bathrooms? CLICK to find out now!

WHAT IS CAT DEHYDRATION?

Dehydration is the excessive loss of body water. Normal water loss occurs in the cat’s litter box deposits, through moisture exhaled with the breath, and through sweat. These fluids are replaced when the cat eats and drinks.

I’m sharing this information from my DEHYDRATION entry from Cat Facts, The Series 4 (D): The Pet Parent’s A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia[image error]  which includes these topics: Deafness, Declawing, Dehydration, Dermatitis, Diabetes Mellitus, Diarrhea, Dominance, Dreaming, and Drowning.

I’ve broken the massive book into discounted catnip-size alpha-chapter sections. Folks can choose which ones they most need. Each chapter will release every other week. Of course, you can still get the entire CAT FACTS book either in Kindle or 540 pages of print.

Join Amazon Kindle Unlimited 30-Day Free Trial [image error]

WHAT CAUSES CAT DEHYDRATION?

Any illness may prompt the cat to stop eating and drinking, and prolonged fever increases the loss of body fluid. Specific disease conditions such as diabetes or kidney failure, as well as injuries or illnesses that result in vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding are all common causes of dehydration.

SIGNS OF CAT DEHYDRATION

A normal adult cat’s total body water is approximately 60 percent of his body weight. Signs of dehydration become apparent when the cat loses as little as five percent of normal body water. A 12 to 15 percent loss of total body water results in imminent death.

The earliest noticeable sign of dehydration is the loss of skin elasticity. Dry mucus membranes are another sign of dehydration. The cat’s mouth is dry, the gums are tacky instead of wet, and saliva may be stringy and thick.

HOW TO CHECK FOR CAT DEHYDRATION

When the loose skin at the cat’s shoulder blades is gently grasped and lifted, it should quickly spring back into place upon release. When slightly dehydrated, the cat’s skin retracts slowly; more serious dehydration causes retracted skin to remain in a ridge, and spring back little if any.

When your cat suffers dehydration, her capillary refill time (the time it takes for blood to return to tissue after pressure is applied) is delayed. You can get a general idea of the state of dehydration with this easy test. I recommend you do this when your cat feels fine, to know what “normal” looks like.

Gently press one finger to the side of your cat’s gums; this will briefly block blood flow, and turn normally pink tissue white when the pressure is quickly released. Normally it takes less than two seconds for the white to return to pink. At seven to eight percent dehydration, capillary refill time is delayed by another two to three seconds. Longer than four or five seconds indicates severe dehydration. Such cats may also have sunken eyeballs, involuntary muscle twitches, and their paw pads feel cold.

VETERINARY CARE FOR CAT DEHYDRATION

A cat with noticeable dehydration needs immediate veterinary attention. Fluid and electrolyte (mineral) loss will be replaced, and steps taken to prevent further loss. Intravenous fluid therapy may be necessary.

In mild cases in which the cat is not vomiting, oral hydration with plain water may be sufficient. Your veterinarian may prescribe a balanced electrolyte solution such as Ringer’s lactate with five percent Dextrose in water.

Fluids for treating dehydration in children, such as Pedialyte, are also suitable for cats. They should be given as directed by your veterinarian.

Find out more details about catnip and other “d” topics in  Cat Facts, The Series 4 (D): The Pet Parent’s A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia[image error] 

Has your cat ever suffered from dehydration? Do you have a “kidney cat” and give fluid therapy at home? Please share your experiences! (Oh, and I hope you’ll forward this post to those who need the info…)

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Thriller Thursday: Just Fall…for Nina Sadowski #ITWBlog

Thriller Thursday: Just Fall…for Nina Sadowski #ITWBlog

Chills, thrills and spills with Thriller Thursday by Amy Shojai

THRILLER THURSDAY is a new occasional feature of Bling, Bitches & Blood. As a member of International Thriller Writers and alumni of the ITW Debut Author Program, it is my honor to showcase select ITW authors and books participating in the ITW Bloggers Program. If you love reading great books as much as I do, check out my Spotlight Guest Nina Sadowski! 

Hey there Sweet Peeps! Let me introduce you to Nina Sadowski and her new psychological thriller JUST FALL–for fans of Gillian Flynn.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

“What a terrific novel! JUST FALL arrived in the mail this morning and I read the book at one sitting, which I haven’t done in years.  Nina Sadowsky’s premise is original. here voice is clear, her storytelling skills are remarkable, and her pacing is perfect.  I may have to sit down and read this one again.”  Sue Grafton, New York Times #1 best selling author

“Character rich and compulsively readable, Nina Sadowsky’s JUST FALL is a marvelous surprise. Exploring the universal need for family and human connection and the cost incurred when those bonds are severed, JUST FALL takes the reader on a wild ride through the psyches of two damaged people who hope to find redemption in one another.  This novel is a winner.”  Diane Keaton, actress and author

“A devilish tale of love, lies and betrayal. Sadowsky twists our most cherished romantic fantasies and exposes them to be frightening facades hiding terrifying secrets.  Prince Charming, dream weddings and “happily ever after” are never what they appear to be in this wickedly fun crime drama. GONE GIRL meets BODY HEAT, packed with all the sex intrigue you want but never in the way you expect!” Ted Sullivan, writer and producer REVENGE, SUPER GIRL

AUTHOR BIO

Nina R. Sadowsky is an entertainment lawyer (in recovery) who has worked as a film and television producer and writer for most of her career.  JUST FALL is her first novel.

She has written numerous original screenplays and adaptations and done rewrites for such companies as The Walt Disney Company, Working Title Films, and Lifetime Television. She served as President of Production for Signpost Films, a film financier and foreign distributor, where she worked on such projects as the Academy Award nominated “The House of Sand and Fog.”

Sadowsky served as executive producer for the hit film “The Wedding Planner,” starring Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey, produced “Desert Saints,” an independent film starring Kiefer Sutherland,  produced the supernatural thriller, “Lost Souls,” which marked the directorial debut of Academy Award winning cinematographer Janusz Kaminsky for New Line Cinema, produced the telefilm “Northern Lights,” starring Diane Keaton for The Disney Channel, and served as executive producer for the animated half hour comedy pilot, “Quints” for UPN.  She also produced “Jumpin’ at the Boneyard” starring Tim Roth, Jeffrey Wright and Samuel L. Jackson, which was featured in the Sundance, Montreal and Torino film festivals.

She serves as adjunct faculty at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts program, teaching both writing and producing.

Connect with Nina

Twitter
Facebook
Website

JUST FALL…THE STORY:

JUST FALL is a psychological thriller that explores what happens after “happily ever after,” as a young bride discovers on her wedding night that her perfect husband is a killer; it is a metaphor for the perils and pleasures of intimacy and the fears we all have about revealing our “ugly sides” to those we love.

THEN

Ellie Larrabee’s life is perfect. She’s thriving at work, living in a fabulous apartment, and engaged to the man of her dreams. To all appearances, Ellie and Rob Beauman are a golden couple—blessed with good looks, success, and romantic chemistry that’s off the charts. Surely their future together promises nothing but happiness.

But on what should be the most wonderful day of her life, moments after saying “I do,” a shocking secret threatens to shatter Ellie’s happily-ever-after. She learns that the man she just married and loves with all her heart hides a dark past beneath his charismatic exterior. And the more harrowing truth she uncovers, the deeper Ellie is swept into a vortex of betrayal and uncertainty from which she may never escape.

NOW

On the island paradise of St. Lucia, Ellie isn’t basking in honeymoon splendor—she’s grappling with the chilling realities of her violently derailed life: Rob has blood on his hands and some very dangerous people on his trail, and only Ellie stands between him and the lethal destiny he’s facing. Rob never dreamed that Ellie would be dragged into the deadly world he’s trapped in—or used as a pawn against him. And Ellie could never have imagined how far she’d be forced to go to save the man she loves.

GET THE BOOK

AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
iBOOKS
INDIE BOUND

(Note the story contains “plenty of sex & violence.”)

Subscribe to Amy’s YouTube Channel

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Something A Little Different (Could Change Your Professional Life…)

Something A Little Different (Could Change Your Professional Life…)

Do you know about Joseph Michael free training?

If not, you should.

In less than 2 years, Joe’s flagship course, Learn Scrivener Fast, has enrolled 17,000+ students (!) and generated more than 7-figures in online sales.

And yes, I’m one of his students, can’t say enough great things about Scrivener. I use the program to write my thrillers (maybe you do, too). So when he reached out to me to share this news, I was happy to help out.

PAYING IT FORWARD WITH FREE STUFF

Anyway, Joseph is celebrating his 2 year “teachiversary.” (he’s a writer, and so it’s legal to make words up!)

To celebrate, he’s been “paying it forward” the past couple of weeks with give aways of some of the best practices he learned the hard way. I sent out the links to freebies to several of my email lists. In case you missed ’em, here they are again (don’t know how long these’ll stay available, though. This is for writers, readers, nonprofits, volunteers, you-name-it if you have a passion you’ve always wanted to share:

Joseph’s 10 Dirt Cheap Course Creation Tools (he uses ’em to create his courses)

Joseph’s Course Creation Bundle (love this! yep, I downloaded it…)

When this info hit the email lists, I actually got a couple of notes back saying, “there’s gotta be a catch.”

Guess we’ve been trained to be suspicious. That’s one reason I love my writers community because…

TO GOOD TO BE TRUE?

Uhm, nope. In the “indie” world, there’s a whole lot of support and sharing of resources. It’s what we do, sort of a new-age promo tactic but more than that–because it’s the right thing to do. I subscribed to Joseph’s email list ages ago, and he’s always got something neato-torpedo to share.

Now he’s stepping up the goodies so if you missed out on the other stuff, I wanted to share directly here with all my blog readers. Oh, and by all means SHARE this if you know others who might benefit (pay it forward yourself *s*).

A TEACH-ABLE LUNCH

To celebrate, he’s unpacking everything he’s learned in a new online training called 6-Figure Lunch Break: How One “Average Joe” Turned A 60-Minute Lunch Break Into A Profitable Six Figure Online Business (even without an audience or list).

The best part?

He gave me some free tickets to share! You can access the free training for a limited time here:

Register For The Free Training Here

In it, you’ll discover…

How a guy who couldn’t get a job as a pizza delivery guy ended up building a profitable online course business (and quit the 9-5 for good)
How to make extra money in 2016 (even if you have a job, family commitments, and other adult responsibilities)
 The one market trend that hit 56.2 billion in 2015 and is expected to double this year (and how you can tap into this wave before it passes)
 How ordinary people who are willing to teach what they know (even without being an expert) are doubling and even tripling their income

If you’ve ever wanted to profit from your passion, but didn’t know how, or you’re already teaching online but want to reach a wider audience and earn more money, watch the free training now.

I’ve already signed up. Cuz I know it’ll be worth it. Can’t wait to hear back what y’all think!

Enjoy!

Even if you can’t watch it right now, go ahead and sign up … then schedule a few minutes today or tomorrow to watch it. Don’t let the busyness of the day keep you from missing out on what’s most important to you!

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Black Cats, Kitty Myth-Teries Explained

Black Cats, Kitty Myth-Teries Explained

This post originally appeared right before Halloween. But today is National Black Cats Appreciate Day, so I’m updating the post–since loving cats and dispelling kitty myth-teries should happen all year long.

An early color mutation of wild cats was the solid black color–and also was apparently associated with cats being “friendlier.”

Take a look and keep a tally of just how many of these spooky cat tails—and tales—from around the world sound familiar even today. More of these cat myths can be found in my book Complete Kitten Care, too.