Surprise...Ferrets as Gifts

Cute and cuddly, ferrets hold a special appeal to many people. Unfortunately not everyone holds this view, or even if they do, they might not be ready for a ferret at this time.

Almost every spring between the middle of January and the end of March, we see a surge of young ferrets dropped off at the shelters.

“I got it as a gift”, is often the reason given. People usually have good intentions, but don’t think things through. A friend says that they would love to have a ferret, but for some reason they don’t have one. This doesn’t mean that buying them one would be the perfect present. Maybe the reason they don’t have one is because they live in a no pet apartment, or maybe a family member is allergic to animals. Maybe they don’t have the finances right now to buy a cage, supplies and food or to pay for vaccinations and other veterinary care.

Also, people often express interest in an animal, but that doesn’t always mean that they actually want one. I love tigers and leopards, but that doesn’t mean that I would want someone to go out and get me one! I would not have room for one, nor do I have the time and proper resources to provide the attention and care that such an animal would require.

If you still want to give someone a ferret as a gift, don’t make it a surprise. Let them know that you were thinking of getting them a pet ferret and would like to have them come along to pick it out. This lets them know that you are planning a special gift for them, yet gives them a chance to say “No” if necessary. If they say yes, then at least you know that they will be getting the animal that they want. What if you had bought an albino and they really wanted a sable? Or what if they preferred a female rather than a male?

Another option would be to buy a couple of books on ferrets and give them to the person along with a note letting them know that if they still want a ferret after reading up on them and learning about them, then you would be honored to take them to get one.

If the person does decide that they want a ferret, suggest going to a shelter since there are so many ferrets in need of homes. This way you will be giving the ferret a gift, too – a gift of a new home!

Laura Stauffiger is the proprietor of Laura’s Critter Care, an in-home pet sitting service in Amherst, and a member of Pet Sitters International. For more information, visit her website or send an email

Summer Paw-Care Tips

Summer Paw-Care Tips

This is Winston. He is my newest client. I just had to post him because he is so adorable!

Cancer In Pets

Cancer in Pets

Cells naturally divide and increase in numbers in a process called mitosis. Normal cells divide to replace those lost or injured and then stop. Cancer cells are abnormal in that they continuously multiply uncontrollably, and may grow into adjacent tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. The accumulation of these cells eventually become large enough to produce lumps, masses, or tumors that can be detected. The tumor can be benign or malignant.

Once we have a complete understanding of your pet's health and type of cancer, we can design an appropriate treatment plan

Benign tumors are not cancerous and can usually be removed. The majority of these do not return, nor do they spread to other parts of the body.

Malignant tumors are cancerous. They can also be removed but can invade nearby tissues and organs and can metastasize. metastasis is when the cells break away from the tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system to form secondary tumors at different locations.

*** It is important to realize that if your pet has been diagnosed with some form of malignant cancer, it does not necessarily mean the end of his or her life. Many pets can be cured or go into remission for months or years.

Cancer Therapy

Cancer therapy in pets includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. One or a combination of these treatments may be used and is tailored to your pet individually. Whether a treatment or therapy is appropriate for your pet with cancer depends on:

1.The type of cancer (based on biopsy or cytology)
2.The grade or stage of cancer (how aggressive or fast moving it is)
3.The location of the growth
Surgery:

Surgery may be warranted in cancer treatment for many reasons including:

a.Surgery to remove or destroy cancerous tissue including the removal of some tissue around the tumor and/or nearby lymph nodes.
b.Surgery to remove samples of the tissue from a suspicious area for testing and evaluation to confirm a diagnosis or identify the type of cancer.

Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to treat cancerous cells. Chemotherapy is used at Georgetown Animal Clinic as a treatment for non-operable cancer involving more than one part of the body or post-surgical if the cancer is one that is likely to metastasize. The goal when using chemotherapy is to control the cancer and prolong survival while still maintaining a good to excellent quality of life for the patient. It is very important to understand the difference between complete remission and a cure.

For example, the majority of dogs with lymphoma (a cancer of the lymphoid tissue) will enjoy a rapid and complete remission following initiation of chemotherapy. Lymphoma, however, will ultimately relapse. A cure means the cancer is totally gone and will not likely return.

Radiation Therapy:

Radiation therapy is the treatment of cancer and other diseases with ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation deposits energy that injures or destroys cells in the area being treated (the target tissue) by damaging their genetic material making it impossible for these cells to continue to grow. Although radiation destroys both cancer cells and normal cells, the normal cells are able to repair themselves and function properly. Radiation therapy is generally used to treat localized solid tumors. Radiation therapy is performed at a facility specialized in this technique.

Treatment protocols for cancer is determined based on:

◦Your pets overall health and medical history
◦The extent of the disease
◦Expectations for the course of the disease
◦AND MOST IMPORTANT, informed decision

http://www.georgetownanimalclinic.com/site/view/101361_CancerinPets.pml

Fun Facts About Pets

Fun Facts About Pets

I LOVE WHAT I DO!!

Here are 2 of my clients, "Luigi" & "Max". They are very sweet dogs.

Local Businesses Will “Go to the Dogs” on Friday, June 25, 2010

This June, the “dog days of summer” will take on a whole new meaning at workplaces across America . On Friday, June 25, water coolers will be joined by water dishes; the blue-plate special will be kibble with gravy; and the collars worn by the day’s special office visitors will have leashes attached to them.
That’s how the scene will be set when thousands of hard-working dog lovers are joined by their canine companions in commemorating the 12th year of Pet Sitters International's Take Your Dog To Work Day(TYDTWDay®).
Laura Stauffiger of Laura’s Critter Care encourages local businesses to join forces with professional pet sitters and animal shelters, humane societies and rescue groups on this special day to celebrate the great companions dogs make.
Over the past decade, companies have increasingly embraced the event. Last year, there were more than 125,000 visitors to the Web site in the months of May and June alone seeking ways to participate in TYDTWDay. Created by Pet Sitters International (PSI) and bolstered in 2008 by sponsors Comfort Zone with D.A.P. and Modern Dog magazine, this unique awareness event has encouraged businesses to open their doors to employees’ well-mannered dogs on this day.
The day is built around a positive approach to confronting the not-so-positive issue of pet overpopulation—an issue that impacts nearly every community in the United States and beyond. PSI believes that TYDTWDay bolsters pet adoptions from animal shelters, humane societies and rescue groups by educating the working public on the benefits of responsible pet ownership and the power of the human-animal bond. A fun, interactive and dog-centric Web site takeyourdog.com is available to cubicle-dwelling canine enthusiasts and skeptical bosses alike who are seeking information on how to get involved.


Laura Stauffiger, invites anyone interested in learning more about the advantages of hiring a professional pet sitter to visit her Web site, www.laurascrittercare.com. To learn more about Take Your Dog To Work Day and how you can participate, visit takeyourdog.com.

Services Offered By Laura's Critter Care

* Pet Sitting Visits

* Overnight Pet and house Sitting

* Dog Walking

* Doggie Play Date

* Quick Stops/Puppy Checks (shorter visits)

* Dog and Cat Bathing

* Yard Clean Up

* Pet Taxi and Errand Service