What pets do you have? Feel free to post pics!

[goofynina]

At my house?  you mean HER house, lol, she rules the damn house, walks all over me (literally) she is too damn spoiled (and very much loved) she loves to sit by the window and tease Jane, she takes her toys to the window, i really think she needs a friend to play with but Sam isnt thinking so, lol,  thank you so much for asking 

[paddbear0000]

Paddbear, can you tell me the pros and cons of declawing a cat, i declawed my last cat and he was fine and i really want to get Xena declawed but still unsure. 

First and foremost, I am pro declawing. I just want to set the record straight. I have owned 7 cats in my life and every single one has been declawed. None of them have ever suffered psychologically or behaviorally or had balance problems. The American Veterinary Medical Association even states that there is no evidence of this in declawed cats. And they were all jumping off furniture within 3 days of the surgery. I've assisted in the declawing of 2 of my cats, and am well aware of how it works. Contrary to popular belief, as long as the surgery is done properly, it is, like any surgery, safe. If you do it, I would recommend finding a vet who does it with lasers as opposed to a blade or nail clippers. The recovery time is shorter and less painful. And yes, it is surgery, so there will be pain, but only for a few days. The cat will be sent home with pain medication, antibiotics and instructions to use paper litter for a week. Other than that, there isn't much to the after care. They will be jumping very soon! As for pros, it saves your furniture and your body. If you need to be very careful of infections, it is a very wise idea, as cat scratches can cause an infection of the parasite Bartonella, better known as Cat Scratch Fever. This parasite is carried naturally in cat's blood. As far as negative, it involves pain for the cat and there is a risk of infection or bleeding. If the cat is to go outdoors at all, do not declaw it. Their claws are their defense mechanism from predators. It allows them to escape up trees and fight off other animals. It would be cruel, and possibly life-threatening to declaw them.

I hope this helps somewhat!

[oswald]

cat scratch fever ?  i had that.  i got it from some kid next store.  i went to see the doctor to give me the cure, i think i got it some more.

[Chris]

I got ahold of her, and she only had 1 left, so this is the one I am getting:

(My sister in law will bring it down Thanksgiving week with her so I won't have to get a way up there to get it)

Better late than never as they say. Congradulations on getting a dog. I didn't look to well if anyone mentioned those puppy pee pads, but from my experience, they do not work. The pups just chew them up like they are a scented toy from heaven.
Good Luck

[Falkenbach]

Baths... how often does this lil puppy need one? I was thinking, twice a week?

I'd say once a month! Bathing a dog too frequently can actually irritate their skin. If you're keen to keep the dog extra clean, then maybe every fortnight at the most.

[paddbear0000]

I got ahold of her, and she only had 1 left, so this is the one I am getting:

(My sister in law will bring it down Thanksgiving week with her so I won't have to get a way up there to get it)

Better late than never as they say. Congradulations on getting a dog. I didn't look to well if anyone mentioned those puppy pee pads, but from my experience, they do not work. The pups just chew them up like they are a scented toy from heaven.
Good Luck

Zoe LOVES those things! They're like candy to her. 

[angela515]

Baths... how often does this lil puppy need one? I was thinking, twice a week?

I'd say once a month! Bathing a dog too frequently can actually irritate their skin. If you're keen to keep the dog extra clean, then maybe every fortnight at the most.

Ok ty 

[Hawkeye]

cat scratch fever ?  i had that.  i got it from some kid next store.  i went to see the doctor to give me the cure, i think i got it some more.

Well the first time that I got it
I was just 10 years old
I got it from some kitty next door
Well I went and seen the doctor
And he gave me the cure
I think I got it some more
lyricsdownload.com

[highlite36]

Hey, Angela, have you and the kids NAMED the puppy yet??  Names are soooo important and so beautiful!  They fully represent the essence of the dog.  It's almost like they grow into the name that they are given!  I named my dog after the well known and cute basketball player, Gilbert Arenas.  What do you want to name your new baby?

[angela515]

Hey, Angela, have you and the kids NAMED the puppy yet??  Names are soooo important and so beautiful!  They fully represent the essence of the dog.  It's almost like they grow into the name that they are given!  I named my dog after the well known and cute basketball player, Gilbert Arenas.  What do you want to name your new baby?

Oh yah.. they named him "Cody". They fell in love with that name ever since seeing the movie "Surf's Up" because the main penguin is Cody. So, when I showed them the picture of the new puppy.. they both unanimously said his name is "Cody". 

[ODAT]

Paddbear, can you tell me the pros and cons of declawing a cat, i declawed my last cat and he was fine and i really want to get Xena declawed but still unsure. 

I did a paper on this very subject when in college. I'll attach it when I get home. (supposed to be working right now...lol) I agree with paddbear and so does my paper!

[xtrememoosetrax]

Paddbear, can you tell me the pros and cons of declawing a cat, i declawed my last cat and he was fine and i really want to get Xena declawed but still unsure. 

I did a paper on this very subject when in college. I'll attach it when I get home. (supposed to be working right now...lol) I agree with paddbear and so does my paper!

Oh good, I would like to read it. I also REALLY appreciate paddbear's very informative post on this; thanks, paddbear, for taking the time. I've had (stilll have three) lots of cats with claws, and they can be SO destructive. Last time I had a declawed cat was probably about 30 years ago, and she seemed fine. And now, with advances in surgical techniques, pain managment, etc., it stands to reason that it has got to be better that it used to be. And certainly preferable to leaving an animal homeless or euthanizing it because of bad behavior.  However, in recent years, there has been so much info out there that is militantly ANTI-declawing, so I got convinced that it must be bad. So it's very interesting to hear the other side, which sounds perfectly sensible to me.

Thanks much for the info.

xm

[Hawkeye]

If you do it, I would recommend finding a vet who does it with lasers as opposed to a blade or nail clippers. The recovery time is shorter and less painful.

Finding a proper vet to do this is very important.  Some of the "old school" vets actually just rip the claws right out which stretches the tendons in the toes and can cause lots of pain for your animal.  Most clip off the nail at the first knuckle which is common practice.  I have not personally heard of lasers being used but it would be a much more effective and more painless way of doing it.

[paddbear0000]

If you do it, I would recommend finding a vet who does it with lasers as opposed to a blade or nail clippers. The recovery time is shorter and less painful.

Finding a proper vet to do this is very important.  Some of the "old school" vets actually just rip the claws right out which stretches the tendons in the toes and can cause lots of pain for your animal.  Most clip off the nail at the first knuckle which is common practice.  I have not personally heard of lasers being used but it would be a much more effective and more painless way of doing it.

The laser method is gaining popularity all over. That's what we used at the vet I worked for. It's much safer and humane this way. I have never heard of a vet who just rips the claw out. You actually have to remove the last bone in the toe, not just the claw. Otherwise, it would grow back. They are either cut out, or evaporated out, as is done by the laser. Either way, the animal is under general anesthesia and is sent home on pain meds.

[Chris]

When I was taking veterinary technician classes, we would be taught to use both lasers and surgically doing it. Most vets in my area do not use the laser yet though when talking to other students woring at other clinics. The clinic I worked at did it surgically, but the had doctor wanted the laser, but main owner did not want to approve the purchase.

[paddbear0000]

Yeah, those things ain't cheap! I'm surprised we had one because my boss was the biggest tight wad on the planet. He found out he could charge slightly more with the laser. Every penny counted!  Part of the reason I quit was because he cared more about the money than the animals.   

[Chris]

The vet I worked for cared about the animals and was only part owner, his daddy was the rest of the ownership who never stepped in to see what the heck went on in the place to understand the needs to stock more of certain things and the need for newer equipment. The doc was great though, he wanted to teach us who were going to school in the surgery room on what to do, what to look out for, and how to help during surgery. Oter doctors there were not like that as much.

[Falkenbach]

On the subject of claws, I did a complete u-turn on the subject of dew claws in dogs.

Dorothy's breeder used to remove the dew claws on her puppies, and I used to dislike the idea. Over the years, I changed my mind completely.

Dorothy herself still has her dew claws. And I hate the damn things. Then, after I was a dog groomer for a couple of years, I saw far too many causing problems for the dogs, growing around and digging into their pads, or because they had grown too long the would be getting caught on things and ripped off in a painful manner...... Get rid of the darn things from day one, I say! Darn dew claws. Hate em!!!

[SheilaW]

Pepper, my 8 year old unknown breed cat

Katie, my 8 year old pure German Shepherd

Chaos, my aptly named 2 year old Dane/Mastiff mix

[angela515]

Beautiful animals!

[Joe Paul]

Great looking pets 

[Falkenbach]

Pepper looks a bit like Xiola, a cat I had many years ago.

[jbeany]

My gram just got a new cat named Barney.  He's very cuddly and lovable, but he's 25 pounds of pure fur terror when he gets wound up.  His previous owners used to lock him in his cat carrier for a time out when he did something he wasn't supposed to do.  Now, when he misbehaves, he runs to his carrier, gets in and pulls the door shut on himself.  Hehehehehehe!

[Sluff]

Great pictures Sheila. I love that German Shepard.

[goofynina]

Hey Sheila, me loves you pets Chaos looks like a ton of love, but that is one dog i wouldn't want to get mad, or that gorgeous German Shepherd either,  they look healthy and happy and that is all that matters, and i bet Pepper tells them what to do huh?  lol,  thanks for sharing their pics