PAWPRINTS

Archive for November, 2008

Santos, a black male Persian, was crowned “Best in Show” at the 2008 CFA International Cat Show, held Nov. 21-23 in Atlanta.

The Cat Fanciers’ Association hosted the largest cat show in the Western Hemisphere, featuring 729 pedigreed felines, at the Georgia International Convention Center. Every cat entered in the show was evaluated by a team of six professional judges, and reviewed according to a written standard for its breed.

The top cat, Kuorii Santos of Cuzzoe,  was bred in Italy and is owned by Justin Pelletier and Brandon Moore of Raleigh, N.C.; Paolo Carnevaletti of Venice, Italy; and Linda Acomb of Fallbrook, Calif.

Among the breeds found at the show were the popular and easily recognized Persian and Siamese, as well as the Maine Coon, Cornish Rex, Oriental and hairless Sphynx. The show marked its 20th anniversary this year.

Other winners at the show were:

Exerpts from Pet Care Informataion from the ASPCA

As responsible pet owners, we agree to care for our furry friends in sickness and in health. Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, and Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, ASPCA Executive Vice President and Science Advisor, offer the following tips to help you save money on your pet’s health care.

Schedule Regular Check-Ups
Don’t skip your pet’s yearly exam. It’s much more expensive—and risky—to treat illnesses than to protect against them.

Personalize Your Pet’s Vaccines
Hard times are not an excuse to skip your pet’s annual shots, but it does make sense to talk to your vet about personalizing your pet’s vaccine protocol. Some vaccines are optional, while others are essential in preventing serious diseases.

Spay or Neuter Your Pet
Spaying or neutering your pet can save a lot of money by preventing serious health problems including uterine, ovarian and testicular cancer. Many local shelters provide resources for low-cost or no-cost spay/neuter surgeries.

Brush Your Pet’s Teeth
Dental disease—such as tartar, gingivitis, loose or infected teeth—can lead to heart and kidney problems and expensive procedures. Start a daily dental routine to keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy.

Protect Your Pet from Parasites
Flea and tick infestations can cause a host of costly medical problems from minor skin irritations to life-threatening anemia. Stick with a topical flea and tick solution to keep the critters at bay.

Toss the Cigarettes
Secondhand smoke is no joke for pets—it can cause asthma, bronchitis, lymphoma and oral, nasal and lung cancers. Quit now and you’ll save money on vet bills. At the very least, avoid smoking around your pet.

See a Specialist
Pet parents can reduce costs by getting a pet’s condition diagnosed and treated by an expert as quickly as possible. Veterinary specialists are available for everything from skin disease to cancer, and will often work within your budget.

Consider Pet Health Insurance
If the cost of an emergency vet visit or serious illness would be a financial strain, consider investing in pet health insurance, while your pet is healthy. Be sure to read the fine print, though—not all plans are created equal.

Buy High-Quality Pet Food
Buy high-quality pet food. Good nutrition is essential for pet health. Avoid overfeeding your pet, which can lead to obesity and other health problems.

Shop Smart
Whether looking for pet food, medicine or grooming supplies, the smart shopper clips coupons and buys in bulk. It’s also a good idea to shop veterinary practices by comparing fees for preventative care.

For the best in pet nutrition, visit Natural Nutrition

Find out more about Pet Health Insurance