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Older cats have special health needs and may require more attention and care than younger kitties. The aging process varies between species - if you own a senior dog, your cat may not be considered a senior, even if they are the same age! You should consider your cat a senior around 10 years of age. As your cat ages, changes occur in his physical condition that warrant more frequent visits to the veterinarian. If medical problems are recognized and treated when they are first detected, the treatment may be easier for your cat and less costly for you. Twice-a-year wellness examinations are recommended in order to diagnose medical problems during the early stages.

A geriatric exam is more extensive than a simple check-up and includes a complete physical exam, oral and rectal examinations and a recording of body weight and body condition. The veterinarian will also examine your cat's ears, eyes and various internal organs. Some laboratory work may be done, including a complete blood count, urinalysis, fecal exam and perhaps endocrine blood tests and other complementary examinations. Establishing a base line is an added benefit and can ultimately help, should there be any changes, even small ones, to your cat's health.

As cats grow older, their organs may become less efficient and they may be less resistant to infections and other diseases. As a responsible cat owner, you want your cat to remain healthy and active for as long as possible. It is important to be aware of any condition that may warrant our attention.

General Tips for Your Aging Cat

Diet - Cats are carnivores, and even older cats still need plenty of protein. In fact, sometimes they need more protein than ever before as the digestive organs become less efficient

Joints - As your cat ages, joint pain and stiffness may develop. This may mean that your cat becomes less active and his or her energy level may decrease. Your cat may become tired more easily and want to nap more often. Muscle tone tends to reduce, which may further reduce your cat's ability to run, jump and climb. This decrease in muscle tone and exercise also contributes to the stiffening of joints.

Senses - Hearing, sight and smell can all become less acute with age and you may need to make allowances for these changes. Watch these changes. Unfortunately, hearing aids and contact lenses still have yet to be fit for cats! Be cognizant of indications of impaired sight, such as bumping into furniture, or loss of hearing, such as if your cat stops reacting to its name or familiar sounds. Eye infections, cataracts, decreased night vision, or even blindness is common; however, these can also be symptoms of a larger problem.

Dental - Older cats are more likely to develop tooth and gum conditions. If your cat has sore gums or loose teeth, he or she may be reluctant to eat, or it may cause food to drop out of his or her mouth. Gum disease not only leads to loss of teeth, but can also cause heart and kidney infections if bacteria enter the bloodstream through enflammed gums. Examine your cat's mouth regularly and ask us for advice if the teeth or gums do not look healthy.

Urinary - Urinary incontinence or inappropriate urination is common in an aging cat. Inappropriate urination may also be the result of a urinary tract disorder, kidney problem or symptomatic of a larger problem. Changes to your cat's litter or litter box location may also trigger urinary issues. Consult our veterinary staff if your cat suddenly becomes incontinent or begins to urinate more frequently.

Behavior - As your cat ages, his or her behavior may change significantly. You might interpret this as simple aging, but it actually might be due to a treatable geriatric disease like cognitive dysfunction. Some typical signs include confusion, disorientation, decreased activity, changes in the sleep/wake cycle, loss of litter box training, or signs which suggest a decrease in your cat's interest in, or ability to interact with, his or her environment or with you.

Kidneys - Excessive thirst and frequent or uncontrolled urination are often signs of kidney problems or diabetes. Since the kidneys process and eliminate waste products into the urine, it is important that these organs remain healthy. Ask your veterinarian about available treatments, such as those provided by holistic and traditional medicine, for slowing down kidney failure and making your cat feel good.

Coat - As cats get older, their temperature sensitivity increases because their coats are often poor and not as resistant to temperature changes. Tolerance of cold temperatures and wet conditions decreases, and the need for a dry, draft-free, sleeping area is a priority. If your cat does go outside, do not leave him or her outside for long periods of time in cold or wet weather. In hot and humid weather, use air conditioning and/or fans to help keep your cat cool.

Grooming - Provide regular grooming. This helps to remove dead hair and prevent hair balls that may cause vomiting or intestinal impaction. Grooming also gives you a chance to inspect your cat for parasites, skin disorders and unusual lumps or lesions that may require our attention. Besides the health benefits, many older cats enjoy the extra physical contact!

Even if your cat seems perfectly healthy, regular geriatric check-ups are important to manage many of the changes associated with aging. Cats over nine years of age should have a veterinary examination twice a year. A complete geriatric health maintenance program can provide a means to target age-related health problems, institute preventive health care measures, and detect any disorders early enough to provide appropriate medical treatment. Cats can be the most rewarding companions when they reach middle or old age; they know you, have a special routine, and have spent years as a companion to you. Maintaining the health of your aging kitty is a part of your mutually beneficial relationship and can provide both of you with many more years of love and companionship.

Many of us experience those stressful moments in the day when all we want is to be surrounded by the unconditional love of our dog. We don’t even have to say anything – they just know. They sense our tension or fear, and come to our side. This is exactly what Rosie does, except it’s not at your doorstep or in the yard. It’s in court.

Rosie is the first judicially approved courtroom dog in New York, and specializes in providing comfort to witnesses under stress. Rosie recently provided comfort to a 15-year-old girl testifying to a jury about being raped by her father. When Rosie sensed especially bad moments, she would lean in to comfort the teenager. According to a psychologist who worked with the teen, she “kept hugging Rosie” throughout the trial. The trial ended in June with a conviction, and the defense now plans to appeal the case – with the golden retriever at the center of the legal debate.

This new practice raises legal questions as to fairness and validity. The public defender’s office raised a number of objections to the use of Rosie in court, who they believe “infected the trial with unfairness,” and thereby led to a violation of their client’s constitution rights. As cute as Rosie was, the defense argued that the dog may lead the jury to draw certain conclusions, including that the therapy dog helps the victims expose the truth while under distress. The Prosecutor in the case argued that dogs do not affect the case, and merely help to ease the witness’s trauma on the stand.

With many new cases popping up around the country, the high courts of New York are likely to examine the case in great detail.

What do you think? Should Rosie be allowed in Court?

If you are thinking of adding a loving and loyal canine companion to your family, you will want to consider many factors in selecting the type of animal which best suits your family and lifestyle. The time and effort you invest in making this decision is well worth it—your new family member will be a part of your life for the next 10 to 12 years, or more!

Once you and your family have agreed that the time is right to make a commitment, you will need to decide what kind of dog is right for you.

Where Do You Begin Your Search? - Your local animal shelter is a good place to start. It usually has a wide variety of puppies. Generally, these puppies receive careful medical exams and have already had initial vaccinations. Spaying or neutering is usually included in the adoption fee, and can be performed when the puppy reaches the correct age. Most shelters also have excellent support services, such as free behavioral counseling.

In addition to visiting your local shelter, you may wish to talk to local obedience training facilities, a groomer, reputable breeders and a practicing veterinarian to help you find that perfect puppy.

Consider Your Lifestyle - Breeds such as hunting or working dogs require more exercise than some smaller breeds and may crowd an apartment or small home. Do you have a fence to contain your new companion? What about grooming? Keep in mind that all dogs shed their hair coat at least twice a year in the spring and fall. Some breeds shed constantly and some breeds need to be groomed regularly by a professional.

Purebred vs. Mixed Breed - Any puppy or dog can make a great pet, no matter where it comes from. If the prospective owners take the time to properly socialize and train the puppy, then its parents should have no bearing on whether or not it is a good companion. If you still aren't sure, here is some further food for thought

• The Purebred Puppy - Each breed of puppy was bred with a specific purpose in mind. Knowing as much as you can about a breed will help you in making the right selection. Your local library or book store has books on specific breeds. Investigate the breeds of puppies you are most interested in to find out if this is the breed that will fit best into your family's lifestyle.
• The Mixed Breed Puppy - Mixed breed dogs are the most popular in America. They come in all shapes, sizes, coat styles, colors and personalities. As suggested earlier, your local shelter is an excellent source for finding your mutt. If you are simply looking for a loving companion, you need not look further than your local humane shelter.

Choosing the right puppy takes time. Owning a dog is a serious commitment and should be taken with reasonable consideration. A puppy requires just as much attention as a young child and deserves to be given a caring home. Whether you choose a purebred pup or a mix from the shelter, it is important to know that you are giving yourself a loving companion and forming a relationship that will last forever.

About two weeks before the kittens are due, a nesting box (or queening box) should be introduced to the expectant mother. This box should be made from a washable material and located in a warm and secluded area. The bottom of the box should be lined with an absorbent material that can be changed frequently. Newspapers, towels, or clean rags make excellent bed liners.

The first stage of labor may last anywhere from several hours to an entire day (24 hours). The queen is restless, fidgety, and usually refuses to eat. The expectant mother may pace about the house or begin digging in the queening box. Abdominal contractions signal the end of this period and the beginning of active labor.

Straining of the stomach muscles (contractions) marks the beginning of the second phase of labor. As the mother continues to strain, less time elapses between contractions. Generally within 15 minutes to one hour after contractions begin, a fluid-filled sac appears at the vaginal opening. This sac surrounds the first kitten.

After several contractions, the first kitten is born. The time interval between successive kittens can range anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Some experienced mothers are able to complete the entire birthing process in 30 minutes.

Generally when each kitten is born, it is enclosed in a membrane or sac. The mother usually licks the kitten's face and breaks the sac. If this sac is not immediately broken by the mother, human intervention is required. The sac must be opened, and the kitten's face must be rubbed. Rubbing the kitten's face with a clean cloth is an excellent method to stimulate breathing. Sometimes the kitten is born without a membrane or sac. If this occurs, the sac will follow the kitten, arriving together with the umbilical cord.

There are two normal positions for delivery. The kittens can come out "head first" or "rear first". A "rear first" delivery is generally more difficult than a "head first" delivery.

Human intervention is required when a kitten is lodged in the birth canal. When this occurs (and the mother is not able to expel the kitten herself), the mother must be restrained and gentle traction applied to the kitten. The kitten is grasped with a clean dry towel and pulled in a downward position, toward the mother's feet. When a kitten is lodged in the birth canal for a considerable amount of time, it is usually born dead.

A greenish-black discharge occurs between births. This discharge is normal and is often blood-tinged. If a reddish discharge occurs at the beginning of labor, and the expectant mother strains for more than one hour without delivering kittens, immediate veterinary attention is required.

After each kitten is born, the remaining portion of the sac should be removed from its face. Any mucus surrounding the nostrils should be cleared away. Kittens should be dried with a clean towel and rubbed in order to stimulate breathing. Using a fine-diameter thread, each umbilical cord should be tied about one inch from the kitten's belly. The cord is cut on the far side of the knot, and the remaining stump (with the cord) is dipped into a white iodine solution. If the kittens are similar looking, it is best to number each one with a permanent marker.

Nursing Kittens

When the mother is relaxed and she settles down with her kittens, it is safe to assume that the birthing process is over. A small amount of vaginal bleeding is normal and this often continues for 2 or 3 days. If bleeding seems heavy or continues beyond this period, veterinary attention is required.

How Well Do You Know Our Presidents' Dogs?

Question 1:

What president had a dog who pulled off the French Ambassador's pants at a White House event?
Ulysses S. Grant
Teddy Roosevelt
Woodrow Wilson

Question 2:

What assassinated president had a dog who was murdered?
Abraham Lincoln
William McKinley
John F. Kennedy

Question 3:

What Cold War-era president housed four "pupniks" after his dog had a Soviet romance?
John F. Kennedy
Gerald Ford
Jimmy Carter

Question 4:

What president ordered a destroyer to retrace its route when he learned his dog had been left behind?
Harry S. Truman
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Dwight D. Eisenhower

Question 5:

What president caused an outcry when he picked up his beagle pups by the ears?
Theodore Roosevelt
Herbert Hoover
Lyndon B. Johnson

Question 6:

What president had a spaniel whose dog house was decorated with framed political photographs?
John F. Kennedy
Ronald Reagan
George H. W. Bush

Question 7:

What president said, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog"?
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Harry Truman
Bill Clinton

Question 8:

What president claimed his dog Checkers was the only campaign gift he accepted?
Calvin Coolidge
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Richard Nixon

Question 9:

What president had 36 dogs, but would not let his slaves keep dogs?
George Washington
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson

Question 10:

What president had a dog who sat in his own hand-carved chair during cabinet meetings?
James Buchanan
Rutherford B. Hayes
Warren Harding

How Well Do You Know Our Presidents' Dogs?

Answers To Questions

Question 1:

What president had a dog who pulled off the French Ambassador's pants at a White House event?
Ulysses S. Grant
Teddy Roosevelt
Woodrow Wilson

Correct answer: Teddy Roosevelt. Roosevelt's pit bull, Pete, horrified White House guests by tearing off the ambassador's pants with his teeth.

Question 2:

What assassinated president had a dog who was murdered?
Abraham Lincoln
William McKinley
John F. Kennedy

Correct answer: Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln's mutt, Fido, was stabbed to death by a drunk in the street a year after Lincoln was assassinated.

Question 3:

What Cold War-era president housed four "pupniks" after his dog had a Soviet romance?
John F. Kennedy
Gerald Ford
Jimmy Carter

Correct answer: John F. Kennedy. Kennedy's terrier, Charlie, mated with Pushinka, daughter of Sputnik dog-in-space Laika.

Question 4:

What president ordered a destroyer to retrace its route when he learned his dog had been left behind?
Harry S. Truman
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Dwight D. Eisenhower

Correct answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt had a destroyer turned around to fetch his Scottie, Fala, from the Aleutian Islands. The rescue cost taxpayers an estimated $15,000.

Question 5:

What president caused public outcry when he picked up his beagle puppies by the ears?
Theodore Roosevelt
Herbert Hoover
Lyndon B. Johnson

Correct answer: Lyndon B. Johnson. A picture of Johnson lifting his beagles, Him and Her, by the ears was afront-page item in newspapers around the world. Johnson thought this was the correct way to pick up puppies.

Question 6:

What president had a spaniel whose dog house was decorated with framed political photographs?
John F. Kennedy
Ronald Reagan
George H. W. Bush

Correct answer: Ronald Reagan. Reagan's King Charles spaniel, Rex, had his own luxurious home.

Question 7:

What president said, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog"?
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Harry Truman
Bill Clinton

Correct answer: Harry Truman

Question 8:

What president claimed his dog Checkers was the only campaign gift he accepted?
Calvin Coolidge
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Richard Nixon

Correct answer: Richard Nixon. "The kids love the dog, and we're going to keep it," Nixon said of the black-and-white cocker spaniel.

Question 9:

What president had 36 dogs, but would not let his slaves keep dogs?
George Washington
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson

Correct answer: George Washington. Washington had 36 foxhounds, but feared that if his slaves had dogs, the slaves' dogs might harass his sheep.

Question 10:

What president had a dog who sat in his own hand-carved chair during cabinet meetings?
James Buchanan
Rutherford B. Hayes
Warren Harding

Correct answer: Warren Harding. Harding's Airedale Laddie Boy had not only his own chair, but his own valet.