by: Richard Delgado



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In this issue:



1) "Should I Worry About Those Lumps on My Pet?"



2) "Do I Have an Over-Protective Dog?"



3) "Pros and Cons of Declawing your Cat"



4) "Tell Us What You Think!"





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1) "Should I Worry About Those Lumps on My Pet?"



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As a pet owner, stroking your dog or cat is probably

something you do often and quite happily. Most likely,

you know your pet pretty well and would notice anything

unusual, like a lump that wasn't there before.



If that happens, you'll probably react with concern and

fear. That's probably a good reaction to have because

that will spur you on to take your pet to the vet's for

a check-up.



Sometimes, lumps or bumps will turn out to be minor

and require just a little treatment, or none at all.

But the lump could also be a cancerous tumor that will

require surgery to remove and possibly additional care like

chemotherapy or radiation treatment.



I FOUND A LUMP! NOW WHAT?

The first step is to take your pet to the veterinarian. The

doctor can examine your pet and take a look at the lump,

and decide the next course of action based on knowledge

and clinical experience.



WHAT IS THAT LUMP?

A lump can be a fat deposit (lipoma), an injury (like a

bite or scratch) that has become infected, a plugged

gland or hair follicle, a cyst, wart, or a benign or

cancerous tumor. The vet will first visually examine

the lump to help identify what it is. Some of the things

they will note is the size, shape, texture, whether it seems

to cause your pet discomfort or pain, and if fluid or

blood is coming out of it.



WHAT WILL THE VET DO NEXT?

In many instances, the vet will take a sample of tissue

using a needle and syringe. Or, the vet might remove a

piece of the lump or the whole thing. The sample will

then be evaluated to determine what the lump is and

what should be done about it.



Following diagnosis of the sample, the vet

will recommend a course of action such

as more tests, or complete removal of the lump.

What you and your vet decide to do will take into

account what the lump is, if it's harmful or

harmless, and your pet's general health and age.



The best thing you can do for your pet and for

your peace of mind is to take the time to examine

your pet regularly, moving your hands gently over

his/her head all the way down to his/her toes and

back to the tail. Take a look into his/her mouth,

as lumps can also appear on the lips or gums.



Our pets can't talk to us, so it's up to us to be

observant and take quick action when something is amiss.



References: www.thepetcenter.com/exa/lumps.html

http://www.pets.ca/articles/article-lumps.htm

http://www.pets.ca/articles/article-lumps.htm





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2) "Do I Have an Over-Protective Dog?"



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Throughout history, dogs have been used for the protection of

people and property. It's comforting to know that our furry

friends may do what they can to ensure our safety if we're

ever in danger. But in most people's every day lives, they

don't need their dogs to bare their teeth, growl, lunge, and bite.



Unfortunately, there are many pet owners who have dogs that

exhibit aggression because they are being overprotective. If this

behavior is left unchecked, it can cause inconvenience or

even have tragic consequences. The dog that can attack a

burglar who enters your home can, without training and

discipline, just as easily attack a visiting friend.



In general, the overprotective dog is one that is in control

of the household. The dog is the leader, not the human.

This is a big problem because when the dog assumes

the leadership role, he/she takes all responsibilities.

That means they are in charge and won't listen

to those pack members lower on the totem pole (you).

Since they are in charge, they must protect their

territory, which includes space, objects, and people.

If anyone outside of the pack tries to encroach on the

overprotective dog's territory, they will react with

aggression.



Common signs of aggression include growling, snarling,

curling the lip, lunging, snapping, and barking. When these

signs occur when someone outside of what your dog would

consider the "pack" enters your space, then your dog

is probably being overprotective.



Before you decide your dog is just being overprotective,

make sure there is nothing medically wrong. Sometimes

pain or illness will cause a dog to act aggressively.



When you have identified your dog's aggression as over-

protectiveness, realize that you have to take charge as the leader and

provide the proper discipline and training for your dog.

Remember to see things as a dog would. Dogs in the wild

live in packs and there is room for only one leader. You have to

be that leader and be the one to decide who is the threat

to your pack and who is not (friends, family, the mail carrier, etc.)



Of course, it's best to identify and address this issue when

your dog is young, but older dogs can ALWAYS be trained

to behave appropriately.



Contact a qualified professional dog trainer and/or behaviorist

to understand your dog better and to find ways to train your dog

to behave.



One of the most important things to recognize is that the dog

is not being "bad" and should not be punished. The dog is

only doing what comes naturally -- protecting his pack as the

leader. It's up to you to take on that role for you and your dog.



References: www.unclematty.com/training/dangerdogs.htm



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3) "Pros and Cons of Declawing your Cat"



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At one time or another, every cat owner has probably looked

at their shredded couch corners or drapes and wished that their

beloved pet didn't have such sharp claws. In fact, some owners

don't just wish, but take the step of surgically declawing their cats.

I'd like to address this practice (which I strongly oppose),

its pros and cons, and give you my take on it.



WHAT IS DECLAWING?

To declaw a cat, you have to go to your veterinarian. It's a

surgical procedure that requires general anesthesia and some

recovery time. Declawing is not simple, nor easy - it's about

amputating the last joints in a cat's toes.



This is serious surgery with permanent consequences. Imagine

if you had the last joint of all your fingers cut off.

Think of how your world and how you behave in it would

change forever. I don't think it's a stretch to make this

comparison.



After declawing, also called Onychectomy, the cat must

stay in the hospital for a time. As with many procedures,

the ideal time to declaw is when the cat is 3 to 5

months of age, and it's not recommended at all for

older cats.



With bandaged paws, the cat is sent home for a recovery

that can be painful and psychologically traumatic.

Cats need their paws to do everyday tasks, such as walking

and using the litter box. As I mentioned, think of if

you lost all your finger tips. Things we rarely give

much thought to, like picking up a pencil or turning the

pages of a book, become a big deal.



While the cat is recovering, exercise must be restricted,

especially jumping. The cat should not be active for about

a week. If the cat breaks open a scab and the bleeding

doesn't stop in about 20 minutes, he/she will need a vet.



Regular litter must be replaced by shredded paper

for a week or so. The smaller bits of clay litter or sand

can get stuck in the cat's paws where the wounds are and

cause infection.



In addition, swollen paws, reluctance to walk after

about 24 hours, and other signs of unusual physical

or behavioral changes will require a vet visit.



PROS

Of course, the big pro in declawing a cat is for the

owner -- no more scratching people or furniture.



CONS

First there is the surgery. It will cost you money and

cause pain for your cat. And as with any surgery involving

general anesthesia, there are risks to consider.



Recovery will be uncomfortable and maybe even traumatic

for the cat. Some cats might even have difficulty adjusting

to declawing and may exhibit a personality change or

behavioral problems.



Cats need their claws for self-defense. If your declawed

indoor cat happens to get out by accident, he/she

will be pretty defenseless. And, if you have a dog in the

family as well, the cat will need their claws to be able to

fend off an overeager or aggressive canine.



MY OPINION

Personally, I don't believe in declawing cats. As an

owner of 2 cats, I know it can sometimes be annoying to

have my pets scratch me or my sofa, but I chose to

take in cats and it's something I just learn to deal with.

It's in a cat's nature to scratch, mainly to mark his/her

territory. And, I do have a dog who sometimes may play a

little too rough with the kitties, and they need a way to

tell him that enough is enough.



Better than declawing your cat, you just need to keep your

cats nails trimmed, provide a tall scratching post, or you may

consider using plastic claw coverings.



* Trimming nails

Remember to use appropriate clippers and trim

only the very end of the nail. You don't want to

cut too much and hit that pink portion of the nail

or you will cause pain and bleeding.



* Scratching post

Get a scratching post that is tall enough so that your

cat can stand on his/her hind legs and stretches his/her

front legs up high. Also make sure that it is solid

and stable. I noticed that my cats won't use those

smaller scratching posts that easily tip over. Also, they seem

to like the sisal rope posts, and do not even look at the carpet

covered posts. Each cat is different, so find out what yours likes.

Entice your cat to use it by rubbing some catnip

onto it and giving him/her treats as a reward when they scratch it.



*Plastic claw covers

These little covers are just glued on and you replace

them as they wear out or fall off. They are usually

used only on the front claws and can last a few months.

If you Google "cat claw covers," you'll get some

hits such as Soft Paws or Soft Claws nail covers.



My cats stay indoors, but on the off-chance that

they get out of the house, I like knowing that

they can at least defend themselves.



References: www.talktothevet.com/ARTICLES/CATS/catdeclawing.HTM

http://www.catscratching.com/



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4) "Tell Us What You Think!"



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We'd love to hear what you think of this issue! This is

just one issue, with much more important information

coming in future months.



Please send your comments, questions, and ideas for

upcoming issues to us at:



rdelgado@thewoofpack.com



Your feedback matters to us!





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Copyright 2008 by The Woof Pack.

All rights reserved.



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