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Rabies On The Rise

Last Updated: 12:29 AM 04/30/07 - The State Department of Health says reports of rabies are on the rise in Virginia, with confirmed cases up by 10 percent this year.

Homemade Pet Food

Last Updated: 10:33 PM 04/04/07 - Many pet owners are still feeling the affects of the "Menu Foods" recall. So they're cooking up their own concoctions to feed their pets.

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FDA: Plastics Chemical In Recalled Pet Food

Last Updated: 9:10 AM 03/31/07 - The FDA says a chemical used to make plastics has been found in recalled pet food.

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Pet of the Week Segments

Area SPCA's visit WHSV's News at Noon every Wednesday with a special guest - a cat, dog, or other animal that is currently up for adoption. Click on the link below to watch these segments. Contact information is provided at the end of each interview.

We'd like to remind you of the SPCA's classes available for pet owners. In Cat/Kitten 101, topics include clicker training, litter box blues, play biting and much more. It's an informational meeting so you don't need to take your cat or kitten with you. Classes are free for SPCA pet owners and members. If you are interested in adopting a pet, contact the Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA at (540) 434-5270, Augusta SPCA at (540) 885-7722, Cat's Cradle at (540) 438-5222, or click on the links below:

Rockingham SPCA

Augusta SPCA

Cat's Cradle

How Do You Know if Your Pet is Sick?

Prevention is the medicine. Have your pet fully vaccinated every year; supervise your pet; and provide your pet with a proper diet and adequate exercise. Even with all of the above, your pet may still get sick. While it can be difficult to know when to call the vet, here are a few guidelines in recognizing a sick pet:

Diarrhea
Unexplained or sudden weight loss.
Significant loss of appetite or increased appetite.
Vomiting.
Pawing at ears or shaking head.
Lumps on body.
Significant fur loss (not just shedding, which is normal); dull, patchy coat.
Persistent sneezing or coughing.
Abnormal discharge from the eyes or nose.
Stiffness or weakness in any joints; pet moves with difficulty.
Straining to urinate or defecate. Inability to urinate is an emergency - get your cat to the vet immediately.
Injury. Note: Keep the name and number of the closest emergency vet clinic (for after-hours pet care), as well as those of your regular vet, close by the telephone.

Pet Tips

Breeding season has arrived, so please have your dog or cat spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted litters. Paying and neutering also helps prevent cancer and other reproductive diseases, insuring your pet a longer, healthier life. Pets kept

indoors live longer. The average life span of an indoor cat is 14 years. The average life span of an outdoor cat is only 3 years. And keep in mind, it's a good idea to bring your pet indoors during cold or bad weather. When it gets cold outside...Cats like to hide under cars for warmth. So before you start your car in the morning, honk the horn or tap on the hood just in case. Here are some tips for housebreaking your dog: Verify that your dog is healthy. A urinary tract infection may cause the dog to urinate small amounts frequently. Take your puppy out after he or she wakes up from a nap, immediately after playing, and within 30 minutes of a meal

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