"We Love Our Seniors"
Dogs and cats over the age of 7 are considered seniors and deserve special attention.  They are at risk for the development of cancer, diabetes, arthritis and other serious medical conditions.  Often these conditions come on gradually, and owners cannot detect the ongoing discomfort they may cause.  To keep your pet feeling his best and with you as long as possible, we recommend twice yearly check ups along with diagnostic testing to screen for common geriatric disorders!

Puppy/Kitten Packages

The purpose of the "Puppy/Kitten Package" is to offer the newest patients a comprehensive medical plan for the first 4 months of life at a discount.  It is during this time that a young puppy/kitten is vulnerable to several diseases because the protection from her/his mother is waning and it is imperative that the immune system be stimulated in a timely manner to ensure the highest possible protection for the puppy/kitten.

Also, during this early vaccine plan, our technicians and doctors will educate you on pertinent issues that can affect you, your pet and your relationship with your pet.  Feel free to ask any questions that are not addressed routinely by our staff.

We recommend spaying and neutering puppies/kittens at 16 weeks of age.  That also ties in with their rabies vaccines and licensing for your puppy.

We also offer puppy socialization parties, in addition to behavioral education. Grooming, feeding guidelines, training, housebreaking and so much more is covered at each exam.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Howel-o-ween from all of us here at Tierrasanta Veterinary Hospital!

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Top 20 Facts about Rabbits

Here is a list of the top 20 interesting facts about rabbits…

1. The World’s Largest Rabbit named “Darius” weighs approximately 50 pounds and is currently 4 feet, 3 inches. Although this might sound unbelievable, “Darius” is indeed a real rabbit that currently lives with its owner Annette Edwards from the UK. It has been reported that Darius thinks he is a dog.
2. The “most valuable” rabbit on Earth, “Darius”, is currently insured for around $1.6/million and has his own personal caretaker aka body guard. (Not that anyone would be brave enough to mess with a 50 pound rabbit anyhow, lol)
3. In the wild some female rabbits can produce about eight litters of bunnies per year.
4. The largest litter of bunnies every reported consisted of 24 kits.
5. Rabbits are natural runners and can reach speeds of up to 30 to 40 mph.
6. Domesticated rabbits that people raise do not open their eyes until they reach about 2 weeks of age.
7. Baby domestic rabbits are actually born fur-less.
8. Rabbits have 28 teeth.
9. The World’s oldest rabbit on record lived to be 16 years old.
10. The average lifespan of a domesticated rabbit is around 5 to 8 years.
11. Pet rabbits generally live longer than rabbits used for production and those living in the wild.
12. With the right guidance rabbits can be trained to live indoors perfectly.
13. In the UK the rabbit is the third most popular pet option.
14. The average heart rate of a rabbit ranges between 130-325 beats per minute.
15. It is estimated that over 2 million U.S. households own a pet rabbit.
16. Thousands of rabbit shows take place annually in the Continental United States alone, each year.
17. Male rabbits are referred to as “bucks” and female rabbits are referred to as “does”.
18. Believe it or not, a rabbit’s teeth never stop growing throughout its life.
19. Rabbits can jump up to 36 inches or higher.
20. In general rabbits are very clean animals that will groom themselves and even each other.

Living with a House Rabbit

Why a House Rabbit?

Perhaps you’ve just adopted your first rabbit, or maybe you already have a rabbit and would like more information to help you understand her better. The House Rabbit Society, a national nonprofit organization, recommends that you keep your rabbit in the house rather than outdoors. Rabbits are intelligent, social animals who need affection, and they can become wonderful companion animals if given a chance to interact with their human families.
The Benefits of Spay and Neuter
Although most rabbits will use a litterbox, hormones may cause unneutered males and unspayed females to “mark territory.” Spaying or neutering your rabbit improves litterbox habits, lessens chewing behavior, decreases territorial aggression, and gives your rabbit a happier, longer life. Have your rabbit neutered between ages 4 to 6 months, depending on sexual maturity, by an experienced rabbit veterinarian.
For rabbits more than 2 years old, get a veterinary checkup first.
Housetraining
Rabbits may have free run of the home. However, it’s best for most–and necessary for some–to start with a cage. To make cage time learning time, fasten a litterbox in the corner of the cage that your rabbit chooses for a “bathroom.” As soon as he uses the box consistently, you can give him some freedom. Place one or more large litterboxes in corners of the running area outside the cage.
Use only positive reinforcement (treats and praise)–never punishment.
Bunny-Proofing
Bunny-proofing your home is part of living with a house rabbit. It is natural for rabbits to chew on furniture, rugs, drapes, and, most deadly of all, electrical cords. Cords must be concealed so that the rabbit cannot reach them. Exposed cords can be encased in vinyl tubing (found at hardware stores). By splitting the tubing lengthwise with a utility knife the cord can be pushed inside it.
Give your rabbit enough attention, safe chewables, and toys, so that she is distracted from chewing furniture and rugs. A cardboard box stuffed with hay makes an inexpensive playbox. Young rabbits (under a year) are more inclined to mischief and require more confinement and/or bunny-proofing than mature rabbits.
House Rabbits and Other Animals
House rabbits and indoor cats can get along fine, as do rabbits and well-mannered dogs. Dogs should be trained to respond to commands before being trusted with a free-running rabbit, and supervision is needed to control a dog’s playful impulses (this is especially true for puppies). Adding a second rabbit is easiest if the rabbits are neutered adults of opposite sexes, and they are introduced for short periods in an area unfamiliar to both rabbits.

Major Health Problems

Intestinal blockages: Because rabbits groom themselves constantly, they get furballs just as cats do. Unlike cats, however, rabbits cannot vomit, and excessive swallowed hair may cause a fatal blockage. Rabbits can also develop a serious condition known as GI stasis which has many of the same symptoms.
If your rabbit shows a decrease in appetite and in the size of droppings, get advice from a rabbit veterinarian.
Prevention: keep bunny brushed (less hair is swallowed); provide exercise time/space–at least 30 hours a week; give a fresh handful of hay daily; add fresh vegetables gradually to the diet; give petroleum laxatives during a heavy molt or if synthetics have been swallowed.
Bacterial balance: A rabbit’s digestive tract is inhabited by healthful bacteria. If the “good” bacteria balance is upset by stale food or a sudden change in diet, harmful bacteria can take over the digestive track and kill the rabbit.
Prevention: Keep all rabbit food in a cool dry place and make dietary changes slowly, giving a new food in small amounts. If no abdominal gurgling or loose stool results in 24 hours, the food may be offered again. If your rabbit goes outside, check for pesticides and toxic plants. (A list is available from your local poison center.)
Infectious bacteria: Many rabbit diseases are caused by bacteria, not viruses, and can be treated with antibiotics. If your rabbit shows symptoms of a “cold,” take him to a veterinarian familiar with antibiotics that can be safely used in rabbits. Oral drugs of the Penicillin family, such as Amoxicillin, should NOT be given to a rabbit, since there is risk of destroying good intestinal bacteria.
It’s Up to You
Find an experienced rabbit doctor before a problem develops. If your rabbit has been harassed by a predator, take him to a veterinarian even if no injuries are apparent. When it is over, keep your rabbit cool with nearby wet towels or ice.
Regularly check eyes, nose, ears, teeth, weight, appetite, and droppings.
Danger Signs
Don’t waste valuable time!  Call your veterinarian immediately if you see:
Diarrhea with listlessness
Sudden loss of appetite with bloat and abdominal gurgling
Loss of appetite with labored breathing
Loss of appetite with runny nose
Head tilt
Incontinence (urine-soaked rear legs)
Abscesses, lumps or swellings anywhere
Any sudden behavior change
Have List

HOUSING
Roomy cage, pen or other habitat
Resting board
Litterbox (in cage)
Pellet bowl or feeder
Water bottle/crock
Toys (chew & toss)
Pet carrier
RUNNING SPACE

Indoors:
Bunny-proofed room(s)
Litterbox
Toys (chew & dig)

Outdoors:
Fenced patio/porch/playpen (with floor)










CONSUMABLES
Limited pellets daily
Fresh water
Hay /straw (for digestive fiber and chewing recreation)
Fresh salad veggies/fruit (add gradually)
Barley/oats (very small amounts)
Wood (for chewing recreation)
Multiple enzymes (digestive aid)
Petroleum laxative (when needed for passing hair)
GROOMING
Flea comb
Brush
Flea products safe for rabbits (no Frontline!)
Toenail clippers
SUPPLIES
Dust-free litter (not wood shavings)
Pooper scooper
Whiskbroom/dustpan
White vinegar (for urine accidents)
Hand vacuum
Chlorine bleach (for disinfecting)
Newspapers

Misc cat facts!

• Six-toed kittens are so common in Boston and surrounding areas of Massachusetts that experts consider it an established mutation.
• The silks created by weavers in Baghdad were inspired by the beautiful and varied colors and markings of cat coats. These fabrics were called "tabby" by European traders.
• Cat families usually play best in even numbers. Cats and kittens should be acquired in pairs whenever possible.
• Cats lived with soldiers in trenches, where they killed mice during World War I.
• A male cat is called a "tom" (or a "gib," if neutered), and a female is called a "molly" or "queen." The father of a cat is its "sire," and mother is its "dam." An immature cat of either sex is called a "kitten." A group of cats is a "clowder."

• Cat litter was "invented" in 1947 when Edward Lowe asked his neighbor to try a dried, granulated clay used to sop up grease spills in factories. (In 1990, Mr. Lowe sold his business for $200 million.)  Related page:  Other Things You Can Do with Kitty Litter
• The cat appears to be the only domestic companion animal not mentioned in the Bible. *
• The cat does not exist in the Chinese Zodiac, but it does in the Vietnamese version, instead of rabbit. See Folklore, Superstitions, and Proverbs.

Historical Trivia

• Miacis, the primitive ancestor of cats, was a small, tree-living creature of the late Eocene period, some 45 to 50 million years ago.
• Phoenician cargo ships are thought to have brought the first domesticated cats to Europe in about 900 BC.
• The first true cats came into existence about 12 million years ago and were the Proailurus.
• Experts traditionally thought that the Egyptians were the first to domesticate the cat, some 3,600 years ago.  But recent genetic and archaeological discoveries indicate that cat domestication began in the Fertile Crescent, perhaps around 10,000 years ago, when agriculture was getting under way. (per Scientific American, 6/10/2009)
• Ancient Egyptian family members shaved their eyebrows in mourning when the family cat died.
• In Siam, the cat was so revered that one rode in a chariot at the head of a parade celebrating the new king.

• The Pilgrims were the first to introduce cats to North America.
• The first breeding pair of Siamese cats arrived in England in 1884.
• The first formal cat show was held in England in 1871; in America, in 1895.
• The Maine Coon cat is America's only natural breed of domestic feline. It is 4 to 5 times larger than the Singapura, the smallest breed of cat.
• There are approximately 100 breeds of cat.
• The life expectancy of cats has nearly doubled since 1930 - from 8 to 16 years.
• Cats have been domesticated for half as long as dogs have been.

Cat's Physiology

• Both humans and cats have identical regions in the brain responsible for emotion.
• A cat's brain is more similar to a man's brain than that of a dog.
• A cat has more bones than a human; humans have 206, but the cat has 230 (some cites list 245 bones, and state that bones may fuse together as the cat ages).
• Cats have 30 vertebrae (humans have 33 vertebrae during early development; 26 after the sacral and coccygeal regions fuse)
• The cat's clavicle, or collarbone, does not connect with other bones but is buried in the muscles of the shoulder region. This lack of a functioning collarbone allows them to fit through any opening the size of their head.
• The cat has 500 skeletal muscles (humans have 650).
• Cats have 32 muscles that control the outer ear (compared to human's 6 muscles each). A cat can rotate its ears independently 180 degrees, and can turn in the direction of sound 10 times faster than those of the best watchdog.
• Cats' hearing is much more sensitive than humans and dogs.
• Cats' hearing stops at 65 khz (kilohertz); humans' hearing stops at 20 khz.
• A cat sees about 6 times better than a human at night, and needs 1/6 the amount of of light that a human does - it has a layer of extra reflecting cells which absorb light.
• Recent studies have shown that cats can see blue and green. There is disagreement as to whether they can see red.
• A cat's field of vision is about 200 degrees.
• Unlike humans, cats do not need to blink their eyes on a regular basis to keep their eyes lubricated.
• Blue-eyed, pure white cats are frequently deaf.
• It may take as long as 2 weeks for a kitten to be able to hear well.  Their eyes usually open between 7 and 10 days, but sometimes it happens in as little as 2 days.
• Cats can judge within 3 inches the precise location of a sound being made 1 yard away.
• Cats can be right-pawed or left-pawed.
• A cat cannot see directly under its nose.
• Almost 10% of a cat's bones are in its tail, and the tail is used to maintain balance.
• The domestic cat is the only species able to hold its tail vertically while walking. You can also learn about your cat's present state of mind by observing the posture of his tail.

• If a cat is frightened, the hair stands up fairly evenly all over the body; when the cat is threatened or is ready to attack, the hair stands up only in a narrow band along the spine and tail.
• A cat has approximately 60 to 80 million olfactory cells (a human has between 5 and 20 million).
• Cats have a special scent organ located in the roof of their mouth, called the Jacobson's organ. It analyzes smells - and is the reason why you will sometimes see your cat "sneer" (called the flehmen response or flehming) when they encounter a strong odor.
• Cats dislike citrus scent.
• A cat has a total of 24 whiskers, 4 rows of whiskers on each side. The upper two rows can move independently of the bottom two rows. 
• Cats have 30 teeth (12 incisors, 10 premolars, 4 canines, and 4 molars), while dogs have 42. Kittens have baby teeth, which are replaced by permanent teeth around the age of 7 months.
• A cat's jaw has only up and down motion; it does not have any lateral, side to side motion, like dogs and humans.  
• A cat's tongue has tiny barbs on it.
• Cats lap liquid from the underside of their tongue, not from the top.
• Cats purr at the same frequency as an idling diesel engine, about 26 cycles per second.
• Domestic cats purr both when inhaling and when exhaling.
• The cat's front paw has 5 toes, but the back paws have 4. Some cats are born with as many as 7 front toes and extra back toes (polydactl).
• Cats walk on their toes.
• A domestic cat can sprint at about 31 miles per hour.
• A kitten will typically weigh about 3 ounces at birth.  The typical male housecat will weigh between  7 and 9 pounds, slightly less for female housecats.
• Cats take between 20-40 breaths per minute.
• Normal body temperature for a cat is 102 degrees F.
• A cat's normal pulse is 140-240 beats per minute, with an average of 195.
• Cat's urine glows under a black light.
• Cats lose almost as much fluid in the saliva while grooming themselves as they do through urination.
• A cat has two vocal chords, and can make over 100 sounds.