I thought I'd use this entry to answer a couple of questions that Shelley left in the comments :)
What does "TT" stand for in the dogs' popup info boxes? It stands for Temperament Tested and is a certification given by the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS). The test consists of 10 subtests, each of which measures the dog's reaction to various stimuli such as contact with friendly, neutral, or unfriendly strangers, unusual noises, and unusual footing. You can see a full summary description of the test at the ATTS website. All four of my dogs have this certification.
How much of the information for arthritis in dogs applies to cats as well? Apparently it is quite risky to give NSAIDs of any sort to cats so they have fewer relief options than the dogs. I didn't know until recently that cats could safely benefit from the glucosamine/chondroitin combo. The makers of the brand usually prescribed by vets (Cosequin), Nutramax Laboratories, now markets a variation specifically for cats. It's packaged in smaller capsules containing cat-sized doses, and it is also chicken and tuna flavored so you have the option to sprinkle the powder on the cats' food.
Kathi, the more I get to know you the more thoroughly impressed I am with your intelligence quotient! You are so knowledgeable when it comes to info about dogs/cats/birds and also techy PC stuff. You rock, hon and I am so honored to call you my friend. :) Thanks for always being so wonderful and sharing all your info with the rest of us, so that we can benefit (and our pets can, too!) from your know-how! :)
Thank you! I've heard of the temperament testing thing and often thought how cool it would be to have my cats done. Completly pointless since I already know we are perfect for each other but still. I've seen it used in places like the SPCA to help ensure the cats and dogs go to appropriate homes. It may not be exactly the same version, but similar. I think it's a great idea.
I've written down the name of the arthritis stuff. I realised yesterday when walking around uni that I didn't mention that Mandy is the cat with arthritis. This is important (Mandy is evil *giggle*). Mandy does not take pills and won't eat food doctored with anything (well nothing I've tried so far). Even liver-flavoured worming paste was a nightmare. We get the vet to worm her now and we hope like mad she doesn't get an abcess or anything. Basically giving her any form of medication involves a certain level of trauma for her (and my fingers, lol) and I'm not willing to do that unless there is a specific need. This is why I'm not giving her any preventative stuff now even though I know the (minor) joint damage is there.
Now, what about the other abbreviations in the pop up boxes? *giggle*
I give my labrador Shark Cartilidge (sp?) pills for his arthritis I'm not sure if its approved for kitties or not though....seems to really help him though, he can chase his ball all day and not limp at all where it used to be he'd barely be able to use his back legs at all after about an hour of ball :)
heh heh- my poor baby dog would not pass any kind of a temperment test, except maybe distemper! Could your dogs be therapy dogs? A friend of mine takes her poodle to a nursing home each week and the dog and the residents love it. They go to a home in a less than affluent area that hasn't been able to get a therapy dog so everyone is very happy.