Cats, a Dog, and Chickens....Oh My.

When most people think of pet sitters, they think of dogs and cats. Of course, that's the majority of my clients, but I also take care of horses, chickens, hermit crabs, whatever.......

Orange tabby Pete and torbie Annie watching the resident hens....from a distance. 

Murray gets a bit closer, and the hens seem to really like him, often following him around. 

I haven't taken care of any snakes yet, and just don't think I could ever feed one live prey. And I refuse to take care of spiders. So, if any of you have tarantulas or such and need a pet sitter, sorry.   :-)

Making Adjustments

Pet sitting is often about making adjustments. We try to keep the pets as close to the same schedule as they are used to, but it's often not possible to be there at the exact time they are used to having dinner or their special treat. In the end, that's OK since their routine has already changed. The owners are gone so of course things aren't the same. After a visit or two, they get used to the fact that when this other person (the pet sitter) comes in, they will be on a slightly different schedule.

Eating patterns often change as well. I've had more than one pet stop eating for a day or two after their owner left. It's usually nothing to worry about. They will soon get used to the new routine and will give in to their hunger and start eating again.

Sometimes you have to employ little tricks as well. I am currently pet sitting regular clients Gracie, a Beagle, and her sister Emma, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Gracie has recently been put on a special diet of prescription kidney dry and canned food. They both get their dry food mixed with a bit of water and a bit of regular canned food. Gracie then gets a couple spoons of her prescription canned food mixed in and both bowls are warmed for a bit in the microwave.

Now usually, this works out fine for them, but during this set of visits, Gracie has decided she doesn't really want to eat all her food. So, I had to come up with a trick or two. It has ended up with me going ahead and putting her food in the bowl with water and letting it soak so it will be soft for my next visit. Then, I mix that softened up food with the canned food, mushing it all together. Seems to work pretty well. During one visit though, Gracie decided this still wasn't quite right, so I grated some carrot into the bowl and mixed it in. (Both dogs get a treat of a carrot at each visit, so I just put a bit of the one I will give her later into the food.) Yep, so far that's worked.

All animals can be a bit finicky, and they will react to changes in their daily routine. As a pet sitter, it's my job to work within that change, keeping them as close as I can to the usual. Of course, nothing can beat the day their owners walk back in that door, making their world right again.

Updating Soon

We have been down (blog-wise) for various reasons for nearly a year now. We are working on getting this thing going again, and plan on posting regularly beginning in September. So, come back and check out the blog on September 1st.

I love this cat. Makes me smile every time I see her. Just look at that expression. So priceless.

I have to admit, the first time I saw a picture of this cat, I wondered if it had been Photoshopped. So I ran a search and found that no, she really does look like that....all grumpy and such. 

You can visit her at Tard the Grumpy Cat. 

Happy Independence Day

All of us here at Tri-County Critter Sitters (humans and resident cats alike) would like to wish all of you a wonderful and safe 4th of July holiday.

And don't forget to make sure your pets are safe during any fireworks displays. The loud noises are very scary to them and local shelters get a lot of calls on July 5th with reports of pets who ran away during the previous evening's fireworks. 

Pet Food Recall

Diamond Brand Pet Food Recall:  Please go to this site and pass along the information to other pet owners. Diamond brands has put out a recall on cat and dog food due to salmonella. Two cats have died and humans have even gotten sick from handling the product.

Purchasing Pet Meds Online

Those of us who have pets that need regular medication know first hand how expensive it can get. Many people go online to try and find those meds at a cheaper price, which is OK, if you do your homework and know exactly what you are getting into.

I stopped by my vet's office today and picked up a pamphlet on this topic put out by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine. In the pamphlet, they point out that among the reputable pharmacies online, you will also find sites that are "fronts for businesses breaking Federal, State, and sometimes, international laws". Without knowing it, you could be ordering medication that is counterfeit, mislabeled, outdated, improperly stored, etc. What you get may not be the actual drug, may be contaminated, or may have the incorrect amount of the drug in it. You just never know. And if you do purchase online, the drug maker will not stand behind the product's guarantee in most cases.

One thing that is recommended is that, if you find the drug cheaper online, you go to your vet with that info and see if they can match the cheaper price. Many will be willing to do this. But, if they can't, and you still want to purchase your meds online, the CVM suggests you protect yourself by doing your homework and "being online pharmacy A.W.A.R.E."

A: Ask your veterinarian

Before you make that online purchase, talk to your vet. Ask them if they have ever worked with that particular online pharmacy and if they trust them. Also, ask if they have other clients who have used that pharmacy and, if so, what kind of experience they had.

W: Watch for red flags

When making a purchase from an online pharmacy, keep an eye out for red flags. Take care if the site does not require veterinary prescriptions for prescription meds (if they do not, they are breaking the law); the site has no licensed pharmacist available to answer questions; they do not list a physical business address, phone number or other contact info; they are not based in the US; are not licensed by the State Board of Pharmacy in the state where they are based; they do not protect your personal information; their prices are dramatically lower than your vet's or other websites' prices; they ship you medicines that you didn't order or that look different from what you usually get.

A: Always check site for accreditation

Besides the usual Federal and State licensing and inspection requirements, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) in 2009 created a voluntary program called Vet-VIPPS (Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites). These accredited online pet pharmacies are licensed in the states from which they ship the meds, have completed a 19-point review and online survey, undergo yearly VIPPS review and accreditation, and undergo NABP on-site surveys every three years. Plus, these accredited pharmacies have to meet other criteria including protecting client confidentiality, strict quality assurance, and making sure the prescription orders are valid.

R: Report problems and Suspicious Online Pet Pharmacies

If your pet has a reaction to a medicine purchased from an online pharmacy, or if it appears the medicine isn't working as it normally does, contact the medicine's maker, let them know. You can also find info on how to report a problem to the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine here.

E: Educate Yourself About Online Pet Pharmacies

The very best defense against these illegal online pharmacies is education. Do your homework. Research, research, research before purchasing your pet's meds online. Remember the old saying: Knowledge is power.

Your own vet is the best bet when it comes to purchasing meds for your pet. They have examined your pet and know its medical and treatment history. They are there to personally speak to you about the medication and any possible side effects to watch out for. They use current, unexpired meds and keep them properly stored on-site. Your vet is your pets best friend, next to you of course.

For more info:
US Food and Drug Administration

National Association of Boards of Pharmacy

American Veterinary Medical Association