Wool Suckling: a Cat’s Tale

Sully is a 6-year-old male Domestic Short Hair (DSH) cat, and he can’t resist suckling on his favorite blanket. Sound familiar? What he is doing is called wool suckling, or wool sucking. It is a fairly common behavior, especially for cats under a year of age.

Causes for Wool Suckling

There are several possibilities for what’s behind the wool suckling. A likely one is that the kitty was young when he or she was weaned or was weaned too quickly. For cats, wool suckling is a natural way to comfort themselves, but usually, this behavior ends before the kitty is a year old.

Sully was found when he was 7 to 10 days old. His mom bottle-fed him until he was around 6 weeks old and started offering him food (canned food mixed with milk replacer) as soon as he learned how to lap. This created a need for him to self comfort. He prefers really soft velvety blankets, probably because that is what his mom put in his box when he was little.

Another possibility could be stress or even anxiety related. If there are sudden changes in your home, it could trigger separation anxiety, all which could cause your kitty to need the comfort of suckling. Wool suckling is much like humans sucking their thumbs.

Some other reasons could be the lack of environmental stimulation or dietary fiber, nutritional deficiencies, or underlying medical conditions. Oriental breeds also have a greater tendency for wool suckling behavior than other breeds.

What Should You Do?

Experts say that in some cases, cats will just suck on the material without ingesting any of the fibers. However, ingestion of fabric or other materials could cause a dangerous abdominal blockage, which can require surgery to remove. If your cat fits in the first category, you may just wish to tolerate the suckling behavior and let your cat have that bit of comfort. But if you feel your pet's behavior is harmful or destructive, you should consider making adjustments. As a pet parent, you know your cat best and will have to decide what to do about the wool suckling, if anything.

Possible Solutions

If you do see that the wool suckling behavior is a problem then first have your cat examined by the veterinarian to rule out any potential underlying medical cause for the behavior. In addition, talk to your veterinarian about your cat’s diet in case there is a dietary deficiency.

Next, you can try a few things that have been known to help. You will probably want to begin with the basics and just to remove or hide the item or material that your kitty is sucking on. You can also divert your kitty’s attention with play, get a scratching post, or get a cat tree to climb. Also make sure your litter box and the area where your kitty eats are clean and he or she feels safe.

Sully’s mom hasn’t discouraged him from wool suckling because he doesn’t bite the material or break off fibers that could cause digestive issues, and it does give him great comfort. Sully’s house mate, Avery, doesn’t so much do wool suckling, but he does do a lot of kneading. Avery was also a bottle fed baby.

Get to Know Dr. Kristie Stanton!

Many of you probably already know Dr. Kristie Stanton.  She has been one of our General Practice doctors for the past 4 years at our Chandler location. Growing up in the small town of Parker, Arizona, Kristie, always had a love of animals raising and showing chickens and pigeons, as well as participating in 4-H.  Dr. Stanton, started working in the veterinary field as a teenager as a kennel attendant and then progressed to becoming a veterinary assistant.  

She achieved her DVM at Colorado State University in 2009. After graduation she pursued an internship in medicine and surgery at VCA West Lost Angeles Animal Hospital from 2009-2010 and then joined us here at 1^stPet-Chandler! One of her favorite things to do at work is performing puppy and kitten exams, but she has many stories of clients and patients that are dear to her heart. 

When not at work, Dr. Stanton, loves to go hiking and traveling. She recently hiked down to Havasupai, AZ and declares it to be one of the ‘most beautiful places I've ever seen.’  She also loves to be at home cooking and spending time with her fiancé (wedding in April 2015) and their 5 dogs and 2 cats! 

Halloween Pet Safety Tips by Dr. Keith Joyner

It's about time for the annual visitation by all those little neighborhood ghosts and goblins, not to mention the ninja turtles and princesses.

It's always such fun.

But if we are pet owner's, we have the responsibility of keeping our pets safe and the visiting children and their families safe too.

Remember, some children are frightened by even small dogs and cats. And worse yet, some are so comfortable with them that they may rapidly approach your pet and startle it into a reactive self-defense snap or scratch!

Not to mention, the door opening so many times gives the pet a chance to run out of your house, and with people around, there are lots of distractions and excitement. Many pets become lost under such circumstances. Holidays like this always result in a surge of lost pets.

So, what should you do?

1. Put your dog on a leash before answering the door. That way you can control it and prevent it from going out the door. Some dogs, if they are too rambunctious, will need to be put in a crate for the evening.

2. Unless your cat is very social with strangers, you may want to lock it in a bedroom or utility room to keep it safe and calm. Social cats need to be on a leash so they don't run out the door.

3. Don't let your pet get close to other people's children. Unexpected things can happen very quickly. Safety first, always!

4. Dogs LOVE candy. Given the opportunity, they'll steal what they can. Chocolate can be toxic to dogs if enough is eaten, and can cause fatalities. Just sugar in candy can cause a toxic reaction if enough is consumed. So guard your supply and your children's collections.

Halloween is a great time for kids and pets, but let's keep both safe!

-Dr. Keith Joyner 

Get to Know Erin Lawrence!

Meet Erin Lawrence! Erin, is a Certified Veterinary Technician, that works at our Chandler location. She has worked for 1st Pet Veterinary Centers, for over 7 years now in our Emergency and Critical Care Department. Her love for animals has always been part of Erin. Growing up, she participated in 4-H and was involved in gymkhana. Prior to working at 1st Pet, Erin worked 2 years at an emergency veterinary hospital in California, and as a groomer 2 years prior to that. Erin loves caring for our critical patients at 1st Pet. Seeing them go home after being hospitalized is very rewarding. 

One of her favorite memories is regarding a cat that was hospitalized for a month and no one could get the cat to eat any food. The kitty ended up eating for the first time for, Erin! Erin, describes the emotions by saying, “ It is one of the best feelings in the world when you can get a sick cat to eat. When she went home it was both sad and happy tears that were shed from me.” We truly love our patients as they are our own here at 1st Pet!

In addition to caring for the patients, Erin, loves training new Technicians and Assistants that join 1st Pet. She has worked hard to grow and learn and become a Certified Veterinary Technician during her time here at 1st Pet! Now she passes on what she has learned to others. When not at work, Erin, enjoys spending time with her husband and young daughter as well as their 2 cats and 3 dogs! They enjoy camping and fishing and hanging out together. Erin, is truly an asset to our 1st Pet Team!

Team Member Highlight: Viviane Ildefonso Williams

If you have come in to 1st Pet Veterinary Centers in Mesa, you have probably met our vivacious Veterinary Assistant, Viviane Ildefonso Williams. Viviane, has worked with us at 1st Pet for the past 7 years. Her favorite part of the job is helping sick patients and by helping them, they get to go home with their family. That’s the whole reason why we do what we do here at 1st Pet!

Prior to entering into the veterinary field Viviane’s life was all about swimming, even coming close to making the Olympics! Her love for kids and swimming are evident as she continues to teach her kids how to swim. Viviane, has been married for 13 years and together they enjoy their furry ‘kids’, comprised of 4 cats and a Border Collie puppy named, Frankie. We are happy to have, Viviane, on our Team at, 1st Pet!

Laser Therapy For Cats

FIRST Regional Animal Hospital is excited to offer our clients Companion Laser Therapy. Laser therapy provides a non-invasive, pain-free, surgery-free, drug-free treatment which is used to treat a variety of conditions and can be performed in conjunction with existing treatment protocols.  Relief and/or improvement is often noticed within hours depending on the condition and your pet’s response. Whether your pet is rehabilitating from trauma or injury, healing from wounds, or simply aging, your companion can benefit from this innovative approach to treating pain.

Applications for laser therapy include:

•        Treatment of arthritis, degenerative joint disease, or hip dysplasia

•        General pain management (sprains, strains, and stiffness)

•        Post-surgery pain (spays, neuters, declaws, and other surgeries)

•        Skin problems (hot spots, lick granulomas, infections)

•        Dental procedures

•        Fractures and wounds (bites, abrasions, and lesions)

•        Ear infections

How does it work?

Laser therapy stimulates the body to heal from within. Non-thermal photons of light are administered to the body for about 3 to 8 minutes and absorbed by the injured cells. The cells are then stimulated and respond with a higher rate of metabolism. This results in relief from pain, increased circulation, reduced inflammation, and an acceleration of the healing process.

What can my pet expect during a laser therapy treatment session?

Simply put, it provides relief. As the laser is administered, your pet will relax and enjoy the treatment. The almost immediate relief of pain will allow your pet to be comfortable and any anxiety that your pet initially experiences will dissipate. Occasionally, angry cats will start to purr and canine companions will actually fall asleep during their therapy session. Frequently, after therapy, we hear: “He’s acting like a puppy again” or “She can actually jump onto the chair again.” Pain relief is provided in just a few minutes of therapy and that alone improves the quality of life for your companion.

What are the signs that my pet can benefit from Companion Laser Therapy?

Many of our laser therapy patients are older animals with musculoskeletal ailments. Some signs that your senior companion is experiencing pain or discomfort are:

•        Abnormal sitting or lying posture

•        Circling multiple times before lying down

•        Restlessness

•        Whining, groaning or other vocalizations

•        Limping, unable to get up or lie down

•        Difficulty getting into car or down stairs

•        Lack of grooming

•        Won’t wag tail

•        Licking or biting area

•        Lack of appetite

•        Trembling

Contact our practice today to schedule an appointment or obtain additional information.

Laser Therapy Reduces Pain and Speeds Healing

FIRST Regional Animal Hospital is excited to offer our clients Companion Laser Therapy. Laser therapy provides a non-invasive, pain-free, surgery-free, drug-free treatment which is used to treat a variety of conditions and can be performed in conjunction with existing treatment protocols.  Relief and/or improvement is often noticed within hours depending on the condition and your pet’s response. Whether your pet is rehabilitating from trauma or injury, healing from wounds, or simply aging, your companion can benefit from this innovative approach to treating pain.

Applications for laser therapy include:

•        Treatment of arthritis, degenerative joint disease, or hip dysplasia

•        General pain management (sprains, strains, and stiffness)

•        Post-surgery pain (spays, neuters, declaws, and other surgeries)

•        Skin problems (hot spots, lick granulomas, infections)

•        Dental procedures

•        Fractures and wounds (bites, abrasions, and lesions)

•        Ear infections

How does it work?

Laser therapy stimulates the body to heal from within. Non-thermal photons of light are administered to the body for about 3 to 8 minutes and absorbed by the injured cells. The cells are then stimulated and respond with a higher rate of metabolism. This results in relief from pain, increased circulation, reduced inflammation, and an acceleration of the healing process.

What can my pet expect during a laser therapy treatment session?

Simply put, it provides relief. As the laser is administered, your pet will relax and enjoy the treatment. The almost immediate relief of pain will allow your pet to be comfortable and any anxiety that your pet initially experiences will dissipate. Occasionally, angry cats will start to purr and canine companions will actually fall asleep during their therapy session. Frequently, after therapy, we hear: “He’s acting like a puppy again” or “She can actually jump onto the chair again.” Pain relief is provided in just a few minutes of therapy and that alone improves the quality of life for your companion.

What are the signs that my pet can benefit from Companion Laser Therapy?

Many of our laser therapy patients are older animals with musculoskeletal ailments. Some signs that your senior companion is experiencing pain or discomfort are:

•        Abnormal sitting or lying posture

•        Circling multiple times before lying down

•        Restlessness

•        Whining, groaning or other vocalizations

•        Limping, unable to get up or lie down

•        Difficulty getting into car or down stairs

•        Lack of grooming

•        Won’t wag tail

•        Licking or biting area

•        Lack of appetite

•        Trembling

Contact our practice today to schedule an appointment or obtain additional information.

Laser Therapy

FIRST Regional Animal Hospital is excited to offer our clients Companion Laser Therapy. Laser therapy provides a non-invasive, pain-free, surgery-free, drug-free treatment which is used to treat a variety of conditions and can be performed in conjunction with existing treatment protocols.  Relief and/or improvement is often noticed within hours depending on the condition and your pet’s response. Whether your pet is rehabilitating from trauma or injury, healing from wounds, or simply aging, your companion can benefit from this innovative approach to treating pain.

How does it work?
Laser therapy stimulates the body to heal from within. Non-thermal photons of light are administered to the body for about 3 to 8 minutes and absorbed by the injured cells. The cells are then stimulated and respond with a higher rate of metabolism. This results in relief from pain, increased circulation, reduced inflammation, and an acceleration of the healing process.

Applications for laser therapy include

• Treatment of arthritis, degenerative joint disease, or hip dysplasia
• General pain management (sprains, strains and stiffness)
• Post-surgery pain (spays, neuters, declaws and other surgeries)
• Skin problems (hotspots, lick granulomas, infection)
• Dental procedures
• Fractures and wounds (bites, abrasions and lesions)
• Ear infections

What can my pet expect during laser therapy session?
Simply put, it provides relief. As the laser is administered, your pet will relax and enjoy the treatment. The almost immediate relief of pain will allow your pet to be comfortable and any anxiety that your pet initially experiences will dissipate. Occasionally, angry cats will start to purr and canine companions will actually fall asleep during their therapy session. Frequently, after therapy, we hear: “He’s acting like a puppy again” or “She can actually jump onto the chair again.” Pain relief is provided in just a few minutes of therapy and that alone improves the quality of life for your companion.

What are the signs that may pet can benefit from Companion Laser Therapy?
Many of our laser therapy patients are older animals with musculoskeletal ailments. Some signs that your senior companion is experiencing pain or discomfort are:

• Abnormal sitting or lying posture
• Circulating multiple times before lying down
• Restlessness
• Whining, groaning or other vocalizations
• Limping, having trouble getting up or lying down
• Difficulty getting into car or down stairs
• Lack of grooming
• Won't wag tail
• Lisking or biting area
• Lack of appetite
• Trembling

Please contact FIRST Regional Animal Hospital to schedule an appointment or for more information. Call 480-732-0018, or use the link below to set up an appointment.

Online Appointments
Please use our convenient Online Appointment Form to make an appointment for your pet(s). Making an appointment has never been so easy! Appointments may be made Monday, Tuesday, and Friday 1pm–8pm and Wednesday and Thursday 9am–11am and 1pm–4pm.

Online Prescription Refills
Please use our Online Prescription Refill Form to request a prescription refill for your pet(s). We will notify you when you can pick up your pet’s needed medication(s) at FIRST Regional Animal Hospital.

Does an MRI Hurt a Microchip?

With MRIs becoming more available, the question about their impact on identification microchips in pets has come up.

This study was based on 53 client-owned patients implanted with a microchip and undergoing MRI of various areas of the body for a variety of medical conditions.

General anesthesia was induced and each patient's microchip was scanned with a universal microchip scanner; the chip number was recorded. Patients were moved out of the magnetic environment, and microchips were scanned again. Patient information and chip number were recorded. Chip numbers before and after MRi were compared.

For all 53 microchips scanned from 53 patients, the same number was read accurately following MRI of a variety of sites.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These date indicated that MRI did not interfere with the functionality of these microchips. This information is valuable for practitioners recommending MRI for their patients and for clients who have invested in implanting a microchip in pets.

Pets & Cookouts

The weather is getting warmer and many people are firing up their grills for burgers, hotdogs, steaks and ribs. Dogs love the smell of meat, and some dogs will do anything to get some for themselves. Knowing this, it's important to use extra caution around the grill during cooking. Remember, your dog won't use caution about which part of the meat he eats if he grabs a piece, and swallowed bones could mean injury, or even death. It's just not worth it! Keep Fido inside during the grilling festivities.

Pets & Easter Chocolate

Chocolate is delicious to most of us, but for your pet, it's a different story. Chocolate can contain high amounts of fat and methylxanthines (a caffeine-like ingredient), which can cause flu-like symptoms in your pet if eaten. Some of these symptoms could include vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, seizures and in severe cases it can be fatal. Avoid endangering the life of your pet...give them pet-safe treats instead!

Tomorrow is 'If Pets Had Thumbs Day'

Potentially 2 New Strains of Distemper Affecting Pets Throughout the Country

(PHOENIX) – As cases of the highly contagious, often fatal distemper disease surface throughout the Valley, the Arizona Humane Society is issuing a community wide health alert to pet owners within Arizona. While increased occurrences of distemper typically arise in the spring due to an increase in the number of litters of puppies, signs of the disease are appearing much earlier as cases have recently emerged as far away as Florida, Ohio and Georgia. 

        There is also evidence to suggest that two new strains of distemper indigenous to Europe have made their way to the U.S. and while the typical incubation period for distemper is one to two weeks the new strains may have even longer incubation periods. In addition, distemper was once thought of as a disease that primarily affected puppies who have not had all of their “puppy” shots; however, there is evidence of older pets with unconfirmed vaccination histories becoming infected with the distemper virus. 

        This extremely contagious whole body viral disease is shed in bodily secretions of infected animals and spread via inhalation. Once inhaled, the virus moves to the lymph nodes where it begins reproducing. The virus then spreads to the blood and the cell lining of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, urogenital and central nervous system of infected animals. Symptoms vary from dog to dog, but often include: discharge from eyes/nose, coughing, lethargy, lack of appetite, callusing of nose/foot pads, vomiting, diarrhea and seizures.

        While AHS vaccinates all animals upon intake into its shelter, it is imperative that the community is diligent and does the same by updating their pet’s vaccinations as directed by their veterinarian. Distemper, just as the equally fatal parvovirus, is a community problem. Therefore, people must be very careful when taking their pets to communal areas such as dog parks or other public areas with unknown dogs. In addition, unvaccinated dogs are at high risk for contracting the disease. Currently, there is no specific treatment or cure for the distemper virus.

                For dogs suspected of having distemper, it is imperative that they be checked by a vet immediately and isolated from other dogs within the home. In the event your pet is diagnosed with the distemper virus a thorough cleaning of your home with disinfectant is necessary.

        AHS is taking every precautionary measure available to ensure the health of the animals in our care and in our community. In addition, AHS is working closely with our vaccination representatives as new information becomes available while also working in conjunction with Oklahoma State University regarding a research study so we can gain more information on the deadly virus.              

Raw Food Diet Controversy

Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips

November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know?
-Cancer accounts for nearly 50% of all disease-related pet deaths each year
-One in four dogs die of cancer.
-Approximately 1 in 4 dogs develops a tumor of some kind during his lifetime.
-Just like in humans, cancer can occur in any part of your dog’s body.

Are you aware that November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month? Run your hands over your pet and feel for any unusual lumps or bumps. If you feel something new or unusual, let's take a look at it. Dogs and cats can get benign lumps such as lipomas and sebaceous cysts, but they can also get much more serious tumors, like mast cell tumors, melanomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and many others. Many of these can be diagnosed with a simple in-office procedure involving a needle aspirate and then a microscopic exam of the cells obtained. A fine needle aspirate is generally less painful than a vaccination, so don't hesitate to get that lump checked out. The importance of annual check-ups regardless of the age of your pet is critical in the prevention of cancer. 

Here are the top 10 early warning signs of pet cancer listed out by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

1. Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
2. Sores that do not heal
3. Weight loss
4. Loss of appetite
5. Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
6. Offensive odor
7. Difficulty eating or swallowing
8. Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
9. Persistent lameness or stiffness
10. Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating

Better to be safe than sorry, and much better to catch something sooner rather than later!

Team Member of the Month

We are proud to announce Stephanie Heitz as our Team Member of the Month! She is currently attending the Veterinary Technician program at Kaplan College and will graduate at the beginning of 2012. She will then hopefully be working toward a DVM. We are proud to have her as a part of our team!

 

Did You Know...

Did you know that Sir Isaac Newton, who first described the principle of gravity, also invented the swinging cat door for the convenience of his many cats? The story goes that Newton, working on laboratory light experiments, was repeatedly foiled by unwanted light from a cat pushing open a door. Not wanting to banish the cat, Newton cut a hole in the door, and attached a piece of felt to block out unwanted light. Since Newton and the cat were now happy, the world's first cat flap solved the light problem nicely. Do you have a Cat Flap in your home for your feline friend? If so, you have Sir Isaac Newton to thank!

 

Pets and Heat

The Arizona heat is intense! Be mindful when walking your dog this summer, that the sidewalk is very hot and can burn the pad of their paws. We encourage you to minimize exercise with your pet during the heat of the day and walk or play in the morning or evening. Remember, short-faced dogs cannot regulate their temperatures as well as long-nosed dogs can. Large dogs are also more at risk for this, but we need to be careful with all pets. Don't let your pet overexert themselves or they can get heat stress, heat exhaustion or even heat stroke! Dogs can still overheat with water and shade, so minimize outdoor exposure when it is hot and sunny.

 

Proper Way to Remove a Tick