The Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum

Last month I visited the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum, an organization designed to “inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world by fostering love, appreciation and understanding of the Sonoran Desert.”  My friends raved about this place that combines a zoo, botanical garden and natural history museum all in one gorgeous setting.  The animals …

Diagnosis Of Hyperthyroidism In Cats

Diagnosing hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) is much easier than hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone).  A blood sample is collected and analyzed for the total amount of T4.  In general the normal range of T4 for a cat is 0.5 to 4.7 micrograms/deciliter, although this might vary slightly depending upon the lab.  A T4 greater than 4.7 is indicative of hyperthyroidism.  Cats …

Wash After Handling Pet Food

Unfortunately, pet food can be contaminated with a variety of pathogens including salmonella and E. coli.  Dry and canned food, treats and supplements formulated for animals may all be contaminated just like food produced for human consumption.  Feeding raw diets to dogs, cats and ferrets are especially dangerous because freezing and/or refrigeration does not kill bacteria or parasites.  As reported …

Free Sterilization of Feral Arizona Cats

Attention all feral cat guardians!  Friday November 11, 2011 is Free Feral Friday.  The Altered Tails Barnhard Clinic is waiving the normal $25.00 sterilization fee and will spay or neuter feral cats for free.  Each cat will also be vaccinated for Rabies.  A donation is requested but not mandatory.  Bring the ferals in humane cat traps, no kennel …

National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week

This week, November 6th-12th, 2011 is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.  Given all the animals who need homes and the wonderful people who undertake this emotionally hard work, I am delighted to pause and honor the shelters.  I also have an idea – wouldn’t it be grand if from now until year-end we could collectively raise …

Foothills Animal Rescue

I was honored when asked to speak about the human-animal bond to the volunteers and staff of Foothills Animal Rescue.  The event is their volunteer appreciation day on November 13th.  This is a wonderful rescue organization in my neighborhood in Scottsdale.  They have a great heart for animals.  Here is more information about Foothills Animal Rescue:  …

Clinical Signs of Hyperthyroidism In Cats

Hyperthyroidism or excess thyroid hormone production is a common problem in older cats.  For unknown reasons,some cats develop tumors on their thyroid glands as they age.  Although the majority of these tumors are considered benign because they do not metastasize, that does not mean that they do not affect the cat.  Thyroid ademonas secrete large quantities of thyroid hormone, far more …