Q:
We recently adopted a stray cat we think is a female. Is there
any way to find out if she has been spayed? We really don’t want
any kittens.
Q:
We recently adopted a stray cat we think is a female. Is there any way to find out if she has been spayed? We really don’t want any kittens.
A:
There are two different ways to determine whether or not a female kitty has been spayed.
Typically, most veterinarians clip the fur from the tummy area (where the suture line would be if she were spayed).
A small scar located on her abdomen near her umbilicus (her navel) usually indicates this surgery has been performed. If no scar is present, she’s probably intact or unspayed.
But if there’s any doubt, your vet can also run a laboratory test to see if she has estrogens in her blood. Spayed females have little, if any estrogens.
And make sure your veterinarian checks to see that she’s not already bred and pregnant. The vet should also scan her for an identifying microchip to see if she might be someone else’s pet.
Your new-found friend needs some vaccinations anyway. So when you take her to the vet’s office, have someone clip her tummy fur. Here’s hoping she’s already had the surgery and that you have many happy years together.
Q:
What is the normal time for pregnancy of a dog? How long are cats pregnant? Can either of these be spayed when they are pregnant?
A:
Typically the average female dog is pregnant for 60-62 days (although I’ve seen some go a little shorter or longer than this). The gestation period for a kitty cat averages 62-65 days.
The spay procedure involves removal of both the ovaries and the uterus. It’s always better to do this before an animal is ever bred. But it can, indeed, be done during pregnancy.
There’s a slightly higher risk of surgical complications with pregnant patients because of increased blood flow to the uterus.
The surgery becomes most risky during the last trimester (3 weeks) of pregnancy. But since there are so many unwanted puppies and kittens in the world, I always recommend this procedure even for patients in early to mid-gestation.
Q:
What’s the best way to get a dog to lose weight? Rufus, our dog, is huge and he eats just about anything, including the cat’s food. We’re afraid to feed him a diet, because when he’s hungry, he gets really crazy.
A:
Two things will help Rufus lose weight. The very best method for removing those extra pounds off his frame is exercise. It doesn’t take much, only half an hour twice a day. Small walks together will give him a new purpose in life and get his mind off food for at least a while.
The other part of a good weight loss regimen is good diet. If he’s been eating the cat’s food, it’s no wonder he’s packing a few extra pounds. It’s time to lock him in an area where he can’t get to the other animal’s food.
But here’s an even better idea – take him to the vet. Veterinarians have special prescription diets that are specially formulated to help a heavy dog or cat lose weight quickly.
These foods are low in calories, high in fiber and well-balanced with vitamins and minerals. With some of these, Rufus could eat as much food as he does now and still lose weight.
You and he will both be happy when he loses his extra pounds. His activity level will increase and he’ll be a perkier pooch and a better pet. Get started right away!
SPECIAL NOTE:
Our community has lost another icon. Julius Rocca, known to so many of us simply as Rocky, passed away last week after a lengthy illness.
Anyone who ever went into Rocca’s market in San Martin and saw Rocky in his “crow’s nest” near the meat counter remembers him as a friend. Rocky and Eleanor ran the store and raised their family right in the heart of San Martin. Their store still is arguably the most recognizable landmark in our town.
Go in there today and you’ll get the groceries you need and you’ll also probably run into someone you know who can tell you the latest news of the town.
Small-town family stores are a rarity these days. But San Martin is lucky. Every trip into Rocca’s is a step back in time and a glance at what small town America was and should still be.
Rocky and Eleanor left us with a legacy that lives on forever in the hearts of us all who still stroll the aisles of their family market.
