Study finds mountain lions are feasting on house pets

A pet owner’s nightmare, their dog or cat being eaten by a mountain lion, appears to happen with some frequency, according to a new report from the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The report detailed that 107 mountain lions were killed last year legally under provisions of special depredation permits. Of those 107 lions, the stomach contents of 83 were analyzed, and 52 percent were found to have eaten cats, dogs or other domestic animals, the report said.

Only 5 percent had eaten deer, which are supposed to be their favorite prey, but are harder to catch than house cats. Of the rest of the lions detailed in the report, 16 percent were not studied, 9 percent had empty stomachs, and 18 percent had contents that were too digested to be identified.

If pets also accounted for a good share of that 18 percent, that would mean more than 60 percent of the lions in the study ate cats, dogs and other domestic animals. The report had not been released to the public, but the DFW provided it quickly when requested.

The DFW also confirmed the numbers and warned pet owners to keep their cats inside and their dogs leashed when outside if living in areas near open space or when visiting park lands.

Read More Here:
http://www.sfgate.com/outdoors/article/Study-finds-mountain-lions-are-feasting-on-house-6829205.php

Shots for Spots

Our thanks goes out to everyone who donated and came out to show support for the cheetahs. The Shots for Spots event raised over $8,000.00 for the Cheetah Conservation Fund! It was a wonderful night of giving and having a blast! 

Shots for Spots 2015

Dr. Kureshi Presents at the Storz Sales Meeting

Dr. Kureshi recently attended a sales meeting in Santa Barbara for Karl Storz - the leading endoscope manufacturer. He was honored to be selected to speak and answer questions about how he uses the Storz Video Otoscope to help diagnose and treat chronic pet ear problems at Cupertino Animal Hospital and Pet Ear Care Center.

Dr. Kureshi / Storz Sales Meeting Santa Barbara

Dr. Munir Kureshi / Storz Sales Meeting Santa Barbara

Home Dental Care for Cats

Cats are especially good at hiding pain and they could be hiding some serious tooth decay. It's important to create a routine at-home dental care plan for your cats to not only prevent problems, but to catch dental problems early on.

To help illustrate how to do this, Dr Kureshi has made a short video: Home Dental Care for Cats

https://www.facebook.com/cupertinovet/videos/1022050857814619/

Some Peanut Butters are Toxic to Dogs!

Before you give your dog a pill with peanut butter, please read the ingredient labels and make sure it does not contain xylitol.

Xylitol is highly toxic to dogs. Even a small amount eaten by a dog will cause a dangerous drop in glucose causing weakness and a lack of coordination, seizures, coma, permanent liver failure and even death.

What to do if you think your dog has eaten xylitol? 

If your dog eats any quantity of any xylitol containing product, please contact a pet poison control hotline right away and they'll be able to guide you as to what to do next.

ASPCA Poison Control Hotline: (888) 426-4435

Learn more

http://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/ispeanutbuttersafefordogs

http://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/lesserknownpettoxicitiesxylitoltoxicityindogs

What Pet Owners Need to Know about Canine Influenza

• Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) is not the same as Canine Parainfluenza or Bordetella. Many different pathogens can play a role in canine (kennel) cough. Talk to your veterinarian about the vaccination options that are most appropriate for your dog.
• Canine influenza is highly infectious and the virus spreads very quickly from dog to dog.
• Canine influenza H3N8 has been documented in 40 states and the District of Columbia.
• Canine influenza virus can be spread by direct contact with respiratory discharge from infected dogs, through the air via a cough, bark, or sneeze, and by contact with contaminated objects such as dog bowls and clothing.
• To prevent the spread of disease, wash your hands with soap and water or disinfect them with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after contact with dogs.
• Dog owners whose dogs are coughing or showing other signs of respiratory disease should not participate in activities or bring their dogs to facilities where other dogs can be exposed to the virus.
• Call your veterinarian immediately if your dog has the following symptoms:

• o Coughing 
• o Discharge from the nose or eyes 
• o Loss of appetite 
• o Lethargy/lack of energy 

• More information is available at doginfluenza.com.

Free Facial Recognition App For Your Dog

We thought everyone would like to know about this cool app!

http://patch.com/california/temecula/free-facial-recognition-app-your-dog-0#

Free Facial Recognition App For Your Dog
Just snap a photo, register your pampered pooch--you'll be notified if picked up by a shelter, vet, or even a neighbor through social media.

By Bea Karnes
Animal shelters around California are adopting, one-by-one, a new tool in their efforts to reunite lost dogs with their owners.

They’re using Finding Rover, a phone app that allows you to snap a photo, register your dog for free, and you’re done. You may also upload a recent photo on your computer, giving dog owners a chance to search for lost dogs after they’ve gone missing.

Shelters, vets, or even you can snap a photo of a found dog and see if it’s been registered on Finding Rover.

Napa County became the first in Northern California to adopt Finding Rover. San Diego’s already on board.

Finding Rover is available on iOS and Android devices.

--Photo by Bea Karnes