Who knew that trick-or-treat time would become a pet parent’s favorite holiday? My Inbox has been flooded with animal costume contests, some that you enter in pet person and others that just require a photo.

PetSmart even has a “Howl-O-Ween” Central section of its Web site – and costumes are on sale right now. Local PetSmarts already had their in-store contests and pet parades, and the photo competition ended last week. The grand prizewinner was this tabletop pup. But I say extra credit should have been given to whoever was able to get a cat into Elizabethan finery; this was the only feline among the finalists.

The PetSource.org costume photo contest still is going on, if you want to get in on the action. Click here to enter. The competition ends on Friday. The winner gets a buncha pet swag, plus $1,000 to give to the local humane society or shelter of his/her choice.

So: Are you trick-or-treating with your pet this year? What’s your costume? I noticed there are some companies selling owner-and-pet ensembles, so you can go as a matching pair.

Here are some things to remember to help your dog or cat have a Happy Howl-O-Ween:

* Don’t feed candy to dogs or cats – especially chocolate or raisins, as these foods can be toxic to animals.
* If you go trick-or-treating outside, keep your pet on a leash and scan the ground for dropped candy that might be scarfed up.
* Keep decorations away from pets.
* Put your pet in a secure spot inside if trick-or-treaters will be coming to your door.

And be careful when picking out your party animal’s outfit. The pet-purrfect Halloween costume is:

* Roomy but does not drag on the ground in a way that would trip your pet.
* Has no parts that could be easily chewed off and swallowed.
* Made of flame-retardant material.
* Should not have tight masks or capes that could choke your pet.

Thanks to the Animal Medical Center in New York City and VPI Pet Insurance.

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Pet owners in urban South Florida often don't consider rabies a threat to their animals. But at least eight people had to receive rabies shots just last month after being bitten by a kitten, living in a feral cat colony west of Boca Raton.

World Rabies Day, coming up this Sunday and in its second year, seeks to spread information about this disease that is easily preventable. More than 600,000 animal vaccinations in 74 countries were administered last year through World Rabies Day events. In Africa, where rabies is a serious problem, most of human deaths are in children under age 15.

Rabies cases have been reported in every state except Hawaii, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and are especially prevalent in the country's east coast states. The disease is caused by a virus, secreted in the saliva, that attacks the nervous system and can be fatal. Only mammals can get rabies. Here is what you can do to protect your pets, from the American Veterinary Medical Association:

* Have your pets vaccinated.
* Try to keep your cats and ferrets indoors as much as possible, and supervise dogs when outside.
* Don't leave uncovered garbage or pet food outside, as it may attract wild or stray animals.
* Teach children never to approach or touch any animal they do not know, even if it appears friendly.
* Observe wild animals from a distance and if they are acting strangely, call animal control officers.
* Do not keep wild animals as pets.

Does your pet need a rabies vaccine? Here are some inexpensive options:

Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control will have a low-cost rabies clinic tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 27, at Micanopy Pavilion in Okeeheelee Park, off Forest Hill Boulevard in West Palm Beach. Cost is $15 for a rabies shot and microchip.
Click here for more information or call 561-233-1200.

Broward County Animal Care and Regulation offers rabies clinics on various Saturdays throughout the year. The next clinic is from 9 am to 4 pm, Oct. 4, at Mary Saunders Park in West Park, 4750 SW 21st St., Hollywood. Cost is $15, cash only.
Click here for more information or call 954-831-4000.

The Humane Society of Broward County is offering a mobile medical clinic, including rabies vaccinations, this Sunday (Sept. 28) in the parking lot behind the society's main building on Griffin Road. Click here for a previous post with detailed information.

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Hey, I'm back. Thanks for your patience, SSS! readers!

Emily wrote while I was away, asking what kind of litter she should get her cat that she is having declawed tomorrow. Do any of you have suggestions?

I saw some recommendations for Yesterday's News, by Purina. Made of recycled newspapers (gee, and people say the newspaper business has no future), it supposedly is less harsh on tender paws.

But dear Emily:
What I really would like to recommend to you is rethink having this surgery performed on your cat. Because it is surgery, and painful surgery. It's not a manicure. Those paws indeed will be tender.

I recognize that living with a feline that loves nothing more than destroying your furniture can be maddening. Our living room couch hasn't looked the same since Frances Jeanne came to stay.

But there truly are ways to manage clawing without resorting to something that is painful, cruel -- and may possibly alter your cat's behavior for life. We put a double-sided sticky film (available in many pet stores) on spots that Franny seems to prefer. The texture doesn't feel right to her, so she doesn't scratch.We also have scratching posts -- both vertical and horizontal, and different sizes -- scattered everywhere throughout the house.

And if she goes after something that isn't critical, we just let her destroy it. Franny LOVES scratching the telephone directory that sits on the telephone stand. Big deal. We'll get another when she finishes shredding it.
As for the couch? We've just decided to live with the one we've got while Franny is a member of our household. We'll throw a slipcover over it when we have company.

And we cover all of our upholstered surfaces, which have a texture that makes cats want to scratch it, with old towels and sheets. It doesn't look too classy. But it saved a large ottoman by the window that is Franny's favorite place to sleep.

Declawing literally is removing the first joint from the cat's toes. It would be like taking off the first joint of your own finger. The procedure has been banned from the United Kingdom and some veterinarians here won't do it.

There is a lot of information out there about declawing.
Click here to read one that covers a lot of details about what the surgery involves, and things you can try to alter scratching behavior rather than declaw.

It also has a link to an interesting article at the end, by a vet technician, on what she sees when she cares for a patient that was just declawed. I hope you'll read it.

I'm not trying to be judgmental. But if you love your cat, Emily, please reconsider. You and your cat will be grateful.

Do you have an opinion about declawing? And do you have any other suggestions how Emily can get her cat to stop scratching?

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Bob, a good friend of my family's, just forwarded me one of those viral e-mails that's making the rounds. Turns out this one is true. And it contains information all dog owners need to know.

The note, from an indentified woman, talks abut how her dachshund Chloe scarfed down a pack of sugarless gum -- a move that could have killed her dog.

Many sugarless products contain xylitol. According to the Animal Poison Control Center, of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the substance can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar if eaten by dogs, leading to depression, a loss of coordination and seizures.

There also appears to be a link between liver failure and xylitol.

Dr, Eric Dunayer, a toxicology specialist at the center, told the Journal of the Veterinary Medical Association in 2006 that the center was starting to hear of cases where symptoms occured even when dogs ate smaller amounts of the artificial sweetner. In these instances, the signs of problems might be delayed as much as 12 hours.

Bottom line: If your dog gets into your sugarless gum, candy or baked goods, call your veterinarian immediately.

You also can get more information at the ASPCA Poison Control Center by clicking here.

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Dolan will be making an unexpected visit to Dr. Cindy tomorrow (Please don’t tip him off. He's hard enough to wrestle into the carrier as it is). Reason: For such a big guy, he feels pretty bony lately underneath all that fur. I’m worried he’s losing a lot of weight.

Which makes me think about the unthinkable. The big C.
Cancer.

Cancer is very common in companion animals, the main cause of death for older dogs and cats. It accounts for almost half of all pet deaths annually, according to the Pet Cancer Awareness Web site.

I stumbled across this easy-to-understand and well organized resource while I was doing some research in advance of our veterinarian visit. It’s funded through the Blue Buffalo Foundation for Cancer Research, started in 2003 by the Blue Buffalo holistic pet food company. The company's founding family became interested in animal cancer after their own dog, Blue, was diagnosed.
Click here and check it out the Web site for yourself.

Two things I didn't know:
* Certain breeds of dogs are genetically prone to cancer: Golden retrievers, labrador retrievers, rottweilers, Bernese Mountain dogs and boxers. This is due to improper breeding practices.

* Over-vaccination may weaken your pet's immune system, making them more vulnerable to cancer. Cats can get "vaccine-induced fibro sacroma," a cancer that develops on your pet's skin specially where he/she has been vaccinated. At our vet's suggestion, we started cutting back on vaccinations awhile ago, as both of our cats are out of kittenhood and stay indoors. But we discussed it in terms of it the cats really needed them, rather than a potential harm to their health.

The 10 early warning signs of cancer, according to the site:
* Abnormal swelling that persists
* Sores that don't heal
* Weight loss
* Loss of appetite
* Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
* Offensive odor
* Difficulty eating or swallowing
* Loss of stamina or hestitating to exercise.
* Persistent lameness or stiffness
* Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating.

Please keep your fingers crossed for Dolan. I'll let you know how he does.

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Seems like every couple weeks, I read yet another amazing story on how modern technology is allowing companion animals that before would have been euthanized to live long, happy lives. Here is the latest, from the Animal Crazy blog at the Orlando Sentinel via the University of Florida-Gainesville.

Dachsie Lance, from Miami, had a spinal condition that caused him to lose function in his back legs. Although he could not be helped through surgery, the veterinarians at the university suggested Lance get a doggie wheelchair and instructed his owner, Claudia Machado, how to care for him.

When he isn't chasing his Frisbee, Lance today works as a certified therapy dog at Miami Children's Hospital and other medical facilities. Read on for the heartwarming details.

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Rates of obesity in pets are rising in this country, just as it is for their human companions. So with all the quick-fix fat fighters out there for people these days, should we be surprised that there now is one for animals?

Slentrol, from Pfizer Animal Health, is the first prescription diet pill for dogs to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. It works by keeping some fats from being absorbed by the small intestine, giving the dog the sensation of being full. Hence, the dog isn't hungry and eats less. The medication, when administered properly, will allow your pet to lose about 3 percent of his body weight every month.

"If your dog is obsese, help is available!" says the Pfizer Web site. "Managing obesity in your dog is not a matter of 'looking good.' It's about managing the potential for serious health consequences."

Agreed. There are about 17 million overweight or obese dogs out there. And yes, they are more prone to arthritis, lung and heart problems -- and, in general, live shorter lives. But is a pill, rather than diet and exercise, really the answer for most dogs?

The Coco The Blogging Dog site had a recent post outlining Slentrol's risks, drawn straight from Pfizer's data. Tests showed dogs on Slentrol were more at risk for vomiting and diarrhea, although those symptoms often lessened as the treatment continued. But two dogs in the Slentrol control group developed corneal ulcers. A 5-year-old healthy beagle developed seizures. A dachshund had to be hospitalized for aneroxia. (Click here to read the full Coco post).

The reality is: All medications have risks, including those for animals. Is this one worth it?

Would love to hear from any veterinarians or dog people who have had experience with Slentrol.

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Eastern equine encephalitis cases are on the rise in Florida, with four times as many infections in the first six months of this year as for the same time period last year.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is advising all horse owners to get their animals vaccinated – and for people to take steps to reduce the mosquito population, as the insects transmit the virus.

There have been 45 confirmed cases of equine encephalitis so far this year. One last month involved a Palm Beach County horse that had to be euthanized. The disease is 90 percent fatal to horses. Symptoms include fever, listlessness, stumbling and circling.
There also has been one confirmed case of West Nile virus, which also is transmitted by mosquitoes, in a Madison County horse.

While vaccines aren’t foolproof, they are critical in fighting mosquito-borne viruses. State officials say owners should check with their vets to make sure their horses’ vaccinations and boosters are current

Click here for a fact sheet on Eastern Equine Encephalitis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Equine encephalitis also can be contracted by people, especially in rural areas, and can be deadly. Keep reading for what you can do to protect yourself and keep down the mosquito population.

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Dogs were receiving bone marrow transplants before humans, as canines were research subjects when the procedure was being developed. Now, dogs with lymphoma can get the life-saving treatment in their own right, say veterinary oncologists at Washington State University -- for a price.

Medical technology is advancing for companion animals, just as it is for their human friends. And with it comes the same questions we ask about advanced medical treatments for ourselves and our two-legged loved ones. When is it time to say "enough" and let go? And with pets comes a second, more complicated query: When does "too much" mean too much money to prolong an animal's life?

Trudy, growing older

The story by Tom Paulson of the "Seattle Post-Intelligencer," which ran Monday, is below. But I also encourage you to click here and read Paulson's accompanying piece about his golden retriever, Trudy, who had a rare blood disease.
"I had to ask my veterinarian to kill my beloved dog recently," Paulson starts out... But not before he spent $7,000, trying to buy a few more months with her.

BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTS -- FOR DOGS
BY TOM PAULSON c.2008 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
May 12, 2008

SEATTLE -- The bone marrow, or stem cell, transplant, a procedure that every year saves tens of thousands of lives and won for the Seattle physician who pioneered it the 1990 Nobel Prize in Medicine, appears poised to come full circle and finally become more widely available to those who first made it all possible.
Dogs.

"They helped us figure out how to help save ourselves, and so this represents a big give-back to the canine species," said Dr. Jeffrey Bryan, a veterinary oncologist at Washington State University.

Bryan is spearheading a project to soon launch what would be the world's first large-scale clinical transplant program for dogs. The program is expected to become available to treat dogs with lymphoma sometime this summer.

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In honor of National Pet Week, Sit, Stay, Speak! will be offering tips and information this week about pet care. Here's the first:

Pet Proof Your House

Kids aren't the only ones that can be harmed by common household chemicals and products. The chocolate you crave can poison your dog, cat or ferret. Your kitten may look cute tossing around that rubber band or piece of string but it can cause an intestinal blockage if swallowed.

Some other hazards perhaps lurking in your home sweet home:

* Antifreeze containing ethylene glycol has a sweet taste that makes it attractive to pets, but even a tiny slurp can be deadly. Instead, use antifreeze made of propylene glycol, which is safe if consumed in small amounts.

* Cedar and soft wood shavings may smell good, but emit fumes that can harm hamsters and gerbils.

* Many common over-the-counter medications -- asprin, ibuprofen, vitamins and cold medicines -- can be toxic to animals. Put away medication bottles and tubes, and pick up any stray pills off the floor.

* There is a long list of human foods that are potentially harmful to pets, including; onions, coffee grounds, macadamia nuts and alcoholic beverages.

* Fumes from non-stick cookware or self-cleaning ovens can harm birds.

* Certain common household plants are poisonous including; azaleas, geraniums, philodendrons and dieffenbachia (I know this one for a fact because in college, my puppy chewed on my dieffenbachia. Fortunately, she pulled through.)

Click here for the complete list of common household pet dangers, from the Humane Society of the United States.

Have any events for National Pet Week? Let us know.

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Yes, now there truly can be a “hamster hospital” and a "ferret physician."

The American Veterinary Medical Association just announced that it has approved an “exotic companion mammal” specialty practice designation. The group includes ferrets, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs and similar pets.

There now are 38 specialties recognized by the AVMA, with a total of 8,885 board-certified practitioners. Some designations are specific to certain animals, like birds, while others focus on practice areas, like dentistry or nutrition or behavior. Click here for a complete list of specialties.

It takes about four years, after earning a college undergraduate degree, to graduate from vet school. Veterinarian specialists must go through extensive additional training, usually for a minimum of another two years, plus publish professional research or case studies. They also must pass board exams.

Vet specialists usually do not do routine animal health wellness care, but instead focus on complicated cases or specific procedures. Often, family veterinarians will refer their clients to specialists.

Surprisingly, there aren’t as many veterinarian specialists for dogs and cats, the most common companion animals, as you might think. The AVMA lists 435 canine and feline specialists.

Oh, and PS, because I know someone will bring this up: I understand that you can't technically interchange the term for doctors seeing human patients with the one for doctors treating animals. But who can resist using the phrase "ferret physician?"

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TV Channel 10-WPLG Miami is carrying a story about Hex, a six-legged newborn kitten that was the only one in his litter. Hex actually is more of a cat-and-a-half; look carefully and you can see the bottom half and two legs of another kitten extending from his abdomen. (Go the Local 10's Web site here, and you'll get a better idea).

Veterinary Specialists of South Florida think the extra legs and body came from Hex's Siamese twin that never fully developed. His Cooper City family wants to do the surgery that would remove the extra appendage, and repair the intestines; his vets say Hex "could pull through."

The catch: It will cost between $2,400 and $3,000.
Hex's family is asking for donations to Veterinary Specialists to help.

So: Is it worth saving Hex and other domestic animals born seriously deformed? If the family can't pay for the surgery now, will they be able to afford other medical complications that might come up later?

On the other hand: You look at the video of the little guy, scampering around like any other 6-week-old kitten, and it's hard not to reach for your checkbook. What do you think?

If you vote "save Hex and I want to help," click here for contact info for Veterinary Specialists, which is collecting contributions toward the cats' care.

(photo from Local 10.com)

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Dread that vet office visit with your kitty? You’re not alone.

Statistics from the American Veterinary Medical Association -- kind of like the AMA for dogs and cats -- show that while the number of cats in households is growing, the number of overall veterinary visits for the same has decreased.

Dr. Kimberly May, AVMA’s assistant director of professional and public affairs, says there may be several reasons. Cats hide the fact that they are sick better than dogs, for one. And I can speak to how much fun it is to wrestle Dolan or Franny into what they consider The Plastic Box of Death.

At the February CATalyst Summit in Palm Springs, vets and animal experts from around the country gathered to discuss the problem. Some suggestions included developing feline lifespan wellness guides for vets and owners, and creating cat-friendly vet practices.

But if we don’t want kitties to become second-class citizens, we cat people need to suit up and get our animals the medical attention they deserve.

Having said that: Any good tips on getting a fractious cat into a carrier? Don’t tell me about the blanket trick. I already tried it with Franny and it didn’t work.

(photo from the American Veterinary Medical Association)

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