Understanding the Apgar Score in Animal Shelters: This insightful blog explores the critical role of Apgar scores in assessing the health and vitality of newborn puppies and kittens in shelters. By providing a straightforward overview of the Apgar score's parameters - heart rate, respiration, reflex irritability, muscle tone, and color - the article highlights how this quick and efficient method can be a game-changer in improving neonatal care in a shelter environment.
Category: Cat Breeding
Dive into the world of cat breeding. This section provides essential insights into selecting mates, understanding feline genetics, and ethical breeding practices. Perfect for breeders at any level aiming to enhance breed standards and contribute positively to the health and diversity of cats.
[BLOG] Nutrition in animal shelters: about dietary transition and its importance
Understanding the critical importance of dietary transition in animal shelters is essential for the well-being of both cats and dogs. This blog explores the challenges and strategies associated with changing diets in a shelter environment, emphasizing the need for careful management to prevent gastrointestinal issues. Transitioning diets can significantly impact an animal's health, influencing everything from digestive health to nutrient absorption.
[BLOG] Colostrum and kittens’ immunity : tips for a healthy start
Understanding the pivotal role colostrum plays in the development of a kitten's immune system is crucial for breeders and cat owners alike. This blog highlights the essential benefits colostrum provides to newborn kittens, ensuring they kick off life with robust health. Colostrum, the first form of milk produced by the mother post-birth, is laden with antibodies and nutrients, vital for disease protection and overall growth. For kittens, the first hours after birth are critical; their ability to absorb these life-saving antibodies diminishes rapidly. Insights into ensuring kittens receive this vital nutrition, potential challenges in natural feeding, and the importance of timing for optimal immunity are provided.
[BLOG] Nutrition in animal shelters: the importance of food storage !
In animal shelters, proper food storage is critical for ensuring the health and wellbeing of dogs and cats. This blog explores essential tips and strategies for managing nutrition in shelter environments, highlighting the significance of maintaining food quality to prevent nutritional deficiencies and foodborne illnesses. Discover how implementing robust food storage practices can lead to healthier, happier animals ready for adoption. We cover everything from the selection of appropriate food containers to the importance of a clean storage area, providing actionable advice for shelters looking to improve their nutrition management.
[BLOG] Nutrition in animal shelters: beware of the “cup mistake” !
Ensuring consistent and optimal nutrition in animal shelters is crucial for the health and wellbeing of both dogs and cats. This blog explores the importance of maintaining a stable diet for shelter animals to support their growth, immune system, and overall health. With a focus on the unique nutritional needs of shelter pets, it highlights strategies for implementing a consistent feeding regimen that caters to the varied dietary requirements of different breeds and life stages
[BLOG] Nutrition in animal shelters: the consistency principle
Ensuring consistent nutrition in animal shelters is crucial for the health and well-being of resident cats and dogs. This blog explores the significant impact of stable dietary practices on animal health, focusing on the key aspects of nutritional consistency. By highlighting the challenges shelters face in providing balanced meals and the solutions to overcome these, we underscore the importance of dietary planning and execution. Understanding the nutritional needs of shelter animals can lead to improved health outcomes, supporting their journey towards adoption.
[BLOG] Weaning diarrhea in kittens: what I learnt this year at the NAVC
This post uncovers the intricate balance between nutrition and digestive health during weaning, offering practical solutions for breeders and cat owners. Learn about the impact of premature weaning and the simple yet effective measures to mitigate lactose intolerance symptoms in kittens, ensuring their smooth transition to solid foods.
[BLOG] 2014 SFT meeting: news worth sharing with shelters (Part I)
At the 2014 Society for Theriogenology meeting in Portland, OR, specialists in animal reproduction convened to exchange insights on the latest breakthroughs. This post explores the relevance of these discussions to shelters, emphasizing contraception and population management in canine and feline reproduction. Highlights include a study on penile spines in feral cats and their reproductive adaptations, as well as innovative research on using nicotine as a non-surgical contraception method in dogs and cats
[BLOG] Sanitation in shelters: why there should be no animal around while cleaning & disinfecting
Ensuring a clean and disease-free environment is crucial for animal shelters. This blog emphasizes the importance of maintaining rigorous sanitation practices during the cleaning and disinfecting process. Highlighting the risks associated with the presence of animals in the vicinity during such activities, it underscores the potential for disease spread and the adverse effects on animal health. By outlining best practices for shelter hygiene, it aims to educate shelter staff and volunteers on effective strategies to minimize health risks for both animals and humans.
[BLOG] The compulsive “animal petter”: why it is a threat & how to prevent this in shelters
Understanding the dangers of compulsive petting in animal shelters is essential for maintaining a safe and stress-free environment for animals awaiting adoption. This blog explores how excessive handling can negatively impact pets, particularly those that are already under stress due to their shelter surroundings. It emphasizes the need for creating awareness among visitors and volunteers, highlighting practical strategies for prevention. The piece underscores the importance of training and setting boundaries to ensure that interactions between humans and shelter animals are both positive and health-promoting. By prioritizing the well-being of pets, shelters can significantly improve their chances of successful adoption and long-term animal health.
DR. EMMANUEL FONTAINE 