By the Tail Animal Care

12/26/2024

12/24/2024

Maybe the Grinch was grumpy because he didnt feel well! A reminder this time of year that behavior changes are medical until proven otherwise. See your veterinarian and/or a veterinary behaviorist whenever your pet is acting off or different!

12/11/2024

There’s a big difference

12/05/2024

12/05/2024

If you missed my appearance on the RISK! podcast, here's a little bit of my conversation with Gail, one of the storytellers. Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

11/27/2024

🍂 Thanksgiving is next week! 🍁 Keep your pets safe by learning about the 10 most common toxic human foods—and why they’re dangerous. 🐾

👉 Read more: https://aercmn.com/10-most-common-human-foods-that-are-toxic-to-pets

11/26/2024

With Thanksgiving just a couple of days away, it’s natural to want to treat our pets to a delicious bite of holiday food. However, it’s important to take caution and ensure the foods we offer are safe for them. Cats digest and absorb nutrients differently than we do, and even small amounts of harmful foods can lead to life-threatening complications.

Please avoid giving your cat the following foods (note: this is not an exhaustive list):

High-Fat Foods: Items like ham, bacon, gravy, and poultry skin can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis.

Nutmeg and Cinnamon: These spices can upset your cat's gastrointestinal system and may be toxic.

Garlic and Onions: All members of the onion family contain compounds that can lead to severe anemia in cats.

Raw Meat: Feeding raw meat poses a risk of bacterial infections. Similarly, raw dough containing yeast can cause bloat or alcohol poisoning.

Sugar-Free Products: Many sugar-free items contain xylitol or other substitutes that can dangerously drop your cat’s blood sugar levels.

Dairy Products: Milk, cheese, and other dairy items can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, leading to gastrointestinal inflammation.

11/25/2024

It’s so important not to judge people, but to help them improve moving forwards. They can’t do better if they don’t know better

11/22/2024

11/21/2024

I absolutely love this. We need to meet dogs where they are and recognize they have their own agency that we need to work within.

A little empathy goes a long way.

Whether you're frustrated because your dog destroyed the (second!) expensive couch you bought, or your neighbors are complaining about the incessant barking, or you're wondering how to pay the new vet bill from your dog injuring himself while trying to escape, you could use some empathy.

I know it might feel like your dog is just being bad, but the truth is that they're panicking.

They're destroying that replacement couch because their anxiety is so intense, they can't simply sit with it. They need some sort of outlet.

They vocalize all day because they are literally screaming to be saved.

They are injuring themselves to escape because (in their mind) their lives depend on it.

They need help, not manners.

I can help you. Reach out if you and your dog need help.

11/20/2024

Annual care visits for the tiny ones, especially as they age. You can do a lot to keep them more comfortable and make sure you have more time with them.

11/16/2024

Who’s this talented!?

11/16/2024

Getting your cat the care they deserve shouldn’t end in blood shed!

My carriers stay out year round and they get treats when they go in on their own. It’s makes so much easier - especially when I had an emergency earlier this year for my “maladjusted” heart cat.

11/16/2024

11/16/2024

I love everything about this. It’s also something that’s hard to convince families to stop doing because, “it worked for my last dog!” But, is it the healthiest thing you can do for your dog or cat? Nope!

Take the time to learn more about how to maintain the emotional health of your little ones.

Shutting down behaviours through aversive methods such as loud noises (shakers, rattles, clapping, shouting), air sprays or water sprays, shock collars or physical punishment may certainly suppress behaviour in the short term, which can be very reinforcing for caregivers.🐾🐈🐕

However, what we MUST consider is what effects this may have in the long term.🌟🐾

Animals will learn that they can no longer use certain behaviours to communicate, relieve stress or show their emotional state.🐶😿

This in turn may lead to learned helplessness, reduced welfare and quality of life, or in some instances to physical disease such as Feline Idiopathic Cystitis.💔

So, before choosing the easier option of shutting down behaviour, please consider what this may do to your pet in the long run…🌟🐕🐈

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11/13/2024

I know it’s tempting with rising costs across the board and it’s not likely continue to get better, BUT!, be careful if you decide to purchase from non-veterinary sites or when discount shopping.

This is not the first time counterfeit veterinary products have been found online and it won’t be the last. At best it won’t be effective, at worst it could cause harm.

11/12/2024

We get this question/statement occasionally, and people are always aghast when I tell them their dog just needs more socialization and exposure. Thought the thought of their dog being racist is somehow funny.

It’s not abuse and, no, your dog is not racist. And it’s not funny.

Can dogs be racist? This is a question I get from clients when they sheepishly bring this up in consults and sort of whisper "I think my dog is a racist." Is this a misunderstanding or prejudice or what? Read more in my post on this topic.

https://rescuedbytraining.com/2024/11/11/racism_and_dogs/

11/07/2024

****Update! You can now click this link for submissions https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/ef5e4d23883846e38c544cb5ab0880b6
Thank you all for your help!***

If your cat has been diagnosed with feline diabetes mellitus, you can help Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine!

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common disease of cats, that is due to a loss or dysfunction of insulin secretion, or diminished insulin sensitivity, resulting in hyperglycemia. The disease requires careful management, that may include daily insulin injections. Very little is known about the genetics underlying feline DM.

Our study aims to identify the regions of the cat genome that are associated with this disease, with the goal of developing a genetic screening test.

We are looking for blood samples (2-3 mL in EDTA tube) from diabetic cats to be taken at their next vet appointment. We also require diagnosis confirmation in the form of blood glucose values, urine glucose result, and/or fructosamine levels.

The study will provide a shipping box (containing blood tube, ice packs and prepaid FedEx label) for the sample to be mailed to the Cornell Veterinary Biobank.

If you are interested in helping with this study, please email Dr. Hayward ([email protected]) for more information, or provide your shipping address and phone number for a collection kit to be shipped to you directly.

This study is supported in part by FHC and the EveryCat Health Foundation.