1. How will I know if my pet is sick?
2. Help! My pet has bad breath. Can you advice?
3. Found a dog?
4. Does pet fur cause asthma?
5. How do I protect my pets from household dangers?
6. Dental care for your pet
7. Why should I sterilise my pet? And where can I do it?
8. Lost Pets
9. How can I learn more about pet care?
10. How long will my pet live?
11. Is it OK to feed my pet human food?
12. Is it OK to chain/cage my cat or dog?
13. My pet seems listless, lacks appetite...
14. How often should I groom my pet?
15. Does the SPCA have pet care leaflets available?
16. How do I keep fleas off my pet?
17. How do I tell a good boarding kennel from a bad?
18. How do I take care of my older pet?
19. How do I pet-proof my house?
20. How to cope when your pet dies
21. Puppy and kitten healthcare - Helping you help yourself (Part I of II)
22. How to care for newborn puppies and kittens

1. How Will I Know if My Pet Is Sick?

1. Animal is inactive/listless
2. The animal has a poor appetite, reduced appetite or is completely off food
3. The animal is panting, shivering or trembling (he/she may have fever)
4. The animal is vomiting, has diarrhoea, is sneezing, coughing or wheezing
5. There is a focus of pain in the animal e.g. abdominal discomfort, back pain
6. The animal is visiting the toilet frequently or straining to pee or poo
7. There is eye or nose discharge, or the animal has difficulty breathing
8. The animal has blood in the urine, faeces or vomit
9. The animal is having fits, is walking in circles, or tilts the head to one side
10. Weight loss that is drastic and pronounced in your pet

If any of these occur, do not self medicate! Consult your veterinarian. Early treatment could save your pet's life!

back to top

2. Help! My Pet Has Bad Breath. Can You Advice?

• 1. Severe build up of tartar and plaque
• 2. Gingivitis: bacterial infection of the gums, leading to severe redness and swelling of the gums.
• 3. Stomatitis: inflammation and infection of the oral cavity.
• 4. Infection of the tonsils, pharynx or larynx (throat area)
• 5. Tumors in the mouth
• 6. Respiratory infection
• 7. Foreign body like bone stuck in the mouth cavity or in between teeth.
• 8. Systemic diseases like organ failure (happens more often in older animals)

The clinical signs are obvious. You will detect a foul smell from your pet's mouth. There is build up of tartar and plaque especially at the molars. There may be pain when you try to touch or open the mouth. The gums are inflamed red and bleeds easily. There may be increased salivation and the saliva may be mixed with yellowish pus. Your pet may have difficulty eating and feel discomfort/pain when chewing. Ulcers or lumps may be found in the oral cavity and may cause distortion to the shape of the face.

What should I do if my pet has bad breath?
Daily cleaning and monitor of your pet's mouth is important. If the condition of your pet's teeth is not too bad, then it is important to start daily cleaning of the teeth and the mouth. This can greatly decrease the risk of dental problems and mouth infections. Use an appropriate toothbrush and paste/dental spray to daily brush your dog's teeth. A cloth can also be used to gently wipe the surface of the teeth and the mouth to get rid of food debris. Chewing bones like greenies or rawhide can also help with removal of food debris.

If the condition is worse (i.e. severe halitosis, swollen gums, increased salivation or pain at mouth when touched), then it is important to bring your pet to the vet for a thorough mouth and dental examination. Be prepared that your pet may need to be sedated for a proper examination. General anesthesia is needed if dental scaling and polishing is opted to remove the buildup of tartar and plaque. Any decayed tooth (or teeth) will be extracted during the procedure. Antibiotics and pain killers are often prescribed after a dental procedure.

Any lumps in the oral cavity must be checked by a vet as soon as possible because mouth tumors can grow very quickly. Surgical removal of the lump is needed but often difficult.

back to top

3. Found a lost dog?

• 1. Advertise that you have found the dog in the Straits Times classifieds `Found' column. This service is free.


• 2. Have the animal scanned at the nearest vet. clinic or the SPCA (during office hours at SPCA) to see if the dog has a registered microchip.


• 3. Check with the SPCA (6287 5355) and nearby vet. clinics if anyone has reported the animal lost and to contact you if such a report is made.


• 4. Ask your neighbours in the vicinity of where the dog was found, whether they know who the owner is.


• 5. If it is wearing a licence tag, call the AVA: 1800 476 1600 (during office hours) which keeps a register for licensed dogs.


• 6. **If the pet's owner cannot be found, please consider keeping the animal or re-homing it if possible. The SPCA takes in about 800 animals each month and with so few potential homes available, we are sadly not able to keep every lost pet for adoption.

back to top

4. Does Pet Fur Cause Asthma?

AVA has stated on their web site: PETS DO NOT CAUSE ASTHMA.
Asthma is a genetically inherited condition. Attacks can be triggered by house dust, dust mites, pollen, lint, stress, cold water and animal hair/saliva. Animal hair/saliva are not considered to be major triggers. If a pet is suspected, it is recommended that the physician does proper allergy tests to confirm this before any decision is made to remove the animal.

back to top

5. How Do I Protect My Pets from Household Dangers?

1. Keep your animals away from toxic plants.
2. Do not confine your pets in places where you keep chemical and cleaning products.
3. Make sure you clean up spilled chemicals thoroughly before you let your pets back into the area.
4. Keep sharp utensils and objects like blades, knives and scissors in places your pets cannot reach.
5. Chocolates are toxic to dogs. Keep them away from areas where your dog can reach them.
6. Deter pets from chewing on stray electrical cords by securing them and spraying with bitter apple spray or other discouraging scents.
7. Always be on the look-out for your pets, especially when entering or exiting the house and driveway.
8. If you have cats which like to look out of the windows, please ensure that you have proper grills to prevent your pet from falling out of the window.

back to top

6. Dental Care for Your Pet

All pets are at risk of developing dental problems.

Plaque (a combination of bacteria, proteins, sugars, white blood cells, minerals and water) may form on teeth and lead to mouth odour, pain, infection and tooth loss.

Plaque causes periodontal disease (gum disease). Pockets of infection may form around the roots of the tooth and after mixing with food particles and minerals in saliva, some plaque will harden to form tartar. Early signs of periodontal disease include reddening or inflammation of the tooth-gum margin, called gingivitis.

Do not wait for signs of dental problems (mouth odour, yellow-brown crusty tartar, pain or bleeding gums) to start preventive dental care.

Use a pet toothbrush and toothpaste. Brush daily. If your dog does not tolerate toothpaste, try a dental spray daily.

Treatment and Home Care
If your pet has dental problems, your veterinarian on examination may recommend dental scaling and polishing. Following scaling/polishing, it is vital to maintain your pet’s teeth and gum health at home.

Physical brushing of the tooth is the most effective means of removing plaque. Use a toothbrush and toothpaste designed for animals. Do not use human toothpastes as they froth, which may be a frightening experience for your pet.

Daily brushing should be started as early in your pet’s life as possible.

• Approach the animal from the side, not face to face.

• Gently lift up the lip at the front of one side to reveal the canines and incisors.

• Brush them slowly and gently for a few seconds then stop, let the pet lick the toothpaste then give lots of praise.

Repeat this routine at the same time every day until the animal accepts the procedure. Brush the front teeth of the other side as well. Include the premolars in the tooth brushing.

Feeding large pieces of raw vegetables, tough meat or large hard bones (that the animal cannot crack and swallow) will help clean the teeth as well. A diet containing dry food may reduce the rate of accumulation of plaque. However, tooth brushing is still the most important and effective means of preventing periodontal disease.

back to top

7. Why You Should Sterilise Your Pet, and where you can get it done?

Pet ownership has gained popularity in Singapore, especially over the past few years. Despite this upsurge, the unwanted cat/dog population looms high. The SPCA takes in close to 10,000 animals a year.

People often ask the SPCA : “Why do you kill animals, isn’t very cruel?”
The sad reality is, homes cannot be found fast enough; there are always new pets to accommodate and space is limited. In the long run, it is more humane to put an animal to sleep than to leave it starving on the street where it is prone to catching diseases.

Pet owners can help solve this problem by sterilising their pets.

So... what is sterilisation?

It is an operation carried out on an animal's reproductive organs to prevent it from producing off-spring; the procedure is performed under general anaesthetic, so the animal feels no pain.

There may be slight discomfort for one or two days afterwards, but it is soon over, and your pet’s chances of a healthy life are enhanced.

Better Health
Unaltered cats and dogs often suffer from cancer of the reproductive organs, testicular tumors, ovarian tumors and chronic uterine infections such as pyometra and metritis.

Sterilised animals have reduced chances of getting these ailments. Its weight will not be affected.

Another problem facing unaltered animals, is frustration caused by the compulsion to breed. The scent of a female on heat can drive a normally contented canine or feline berserk, and the urge to roam the streets in search of a mate starts with a chain of other potential problems - fighting with other animals, getting hit by cars or catching contagious diseases. Frustration does not help your pet’s mental health either.

Better Behaviour at Home
A sterilised animal is more relaxed and loyal member if the family. Dogs retain their guard dog instinct after this operation. A neutered tomcat will usually abstain from spraying foul-smelling urine, fighting and caterwauling, while male dogs will have a much reduced urge to mount people’s legs.

• 1. Control dog and cat over-population


• 2. Reduce the number of domestic animals abandoned or euthanased


• 3. Improve the health of your pet with an affordable operation


• 4. Protect the health and safety of others by reducing the threat of rabies, bites and traffic accidents caused by stray animals

• 1. Eliminates the heat cycle (estrus) and stops bloody discharges


• 2. Ends crying, nervous pacing and frantic attempts to get outside


• 3. Ends unwelcome visits by suitors


• 4. Reduces or eliminates the risk of mammary tumors


• 5. Eliminates the dangers of mastitis (inflammation of the breast), ovarian cysts, miscarriage andcomplications of delivery


• 6. Removes discomfort, distress and distraction


• 7. Increases life expectancy

• 1. Stops the mating drive and reduces urge to roam


• 2. Reduces mounting of furniture and people’s legs


• 3. Stops a cat from spraying to mark territory


• 4. Lowers the risk of male genital problems and prostate diseases


• 5. Removes discomfort, distress and distraction


• 6. Increases life expectancy

back to top

8. What Should You Do If Your Pet Goes Missing?

1. Small dogs and cats can hide or get stuck in the most unlikely places. Search your home and garden thoroughly. Look behind the fridge, in the washing machine, laundry basket, drawers, wardrobes etc. We’ve heard of a cat hiding inside a hole in the mattress! If you have a garden, don’t forget to look inside drainpipes, under empty flowerpots and up trees and rooftops. Some cats like to sleep under cars or scramble into the space between the top of the tyre and the engine.

2. Call the SPCA at 6287 5355. We take in dozens of lost animals each month. We’ll advertise it in the ‘Found’ section of the Straits Times Classifieds for two days. Unfortunately, we don’t have the space to keep lost animals indefinitely. Usually, if the animal hasn’t been claimed after the third or fourth day, it will be either put up for adoption or euthanased. So please report your missing pet to us as soon as possible. You should also advertise in the `Lost’ column of the Straits Times. The number to call is 1-800 6289-9988.

3. Call the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority at 1-800 6476- 1600. They might have picked up your missing pet.

4. Check the ‘Found’ column of the Straits Times Classifieds. Someone might have found your pet and advertised it!

5. Prepare a flyer/notice about your lost pet. Include a full description of your pet – name, breed, sex, size, colour and any distinguishing characteristics. It’s useful to put a photo of your pet on the notice. Don’t forget to include your contact number.

6. Put the notice up in as many places as possible, such as the bulletin board at SPCA’s reception, veterinary clinics, Cold Storage supermarkets and around the neighbourhood where you lost your pet.

7. Search and search again, especially in the late evening. Lost pets will be frightened and may hide during the day. Bring a torchlight to look into dark corners or drains. Take a box of your pet’s favourite food and shake it as you call out its name. If your pet has a squeaky toy, bring it along too.

8. Enlist the help of as many people as possible – friends, neighbours, family and give them copies of your lost pet notice. Street cleaners, security guards and children might have seen your pet, so stop to talk to them

9. If you find your pet, please take down the notices you put up, thank everyone who helped and most importantly, try to prevent it from happening again!

- Ensure that windows, gates, fences and doors are securely fastened, with no gaps or holes that your pet can squeeze out of.

- Keep your dog leashed when out in public. Just because your dog has never run away doesn’t mean he won’t do it the next time he catches sight of a squirrel or sniffs something exciting. Make sure collars and leashes are in good condition and fit correctly. Many dogs go missing because of flimsy or old collars and leashes.

- Never let your cat or dog wander outside the home without supervision.

- Identification tags are inexpensive and can be bought at most pet shops. Your phone number and/or address is written or engraved on the tag. Lost dogs with up-to-date licenses and ID tags attached to their collars have much better chances of being reunited with their owners.

- Ask your vet about microchipping your pet. Ensure microchip is registered with the AVA and SPCA.  A tiny chip with a special number is inserted under your pet’s skin. The SPCA and AVA scan incoming animals and if your lost pet has a microchip, we can get in touch with you right away.

- Sterilise your pet. Animals that are sterilised are less likely to wander. And another advantage – sterilised pets are healthier, happier and won’t add to the exploding number of unwanted animals in Singapore.

back to top

9. How Can I Learn More About Caring for My Pet?

You can buy books, videos, even CD-ROMs about pet care.

You can also call us on any working weekday from 10.30am - 4.00pm for free advice or even become a member of the SPCA.

Click here for more details on joining SPCA as a member.

back to top

10. How Long Will My Pet Live?

If cared for properly, with the right diet, exercise, vet check-ups and lots of love and affection, you can expect to share many wonderful years with your pet.

A dog or a cat will live 10-20 years, a rabbit 5-8 years, guinea pigs about 6 years, chincillas 8-15 years and a hamster about 2 years.

Remember, a pet is a lifetime of committment.

back to top

11. Is It Ok to Feed My Pet Human Food?

Once in a while, as a special treat, it is OK. Try a new type of food/treat a little at a time to watch our for any allergies. However if your pet develops vomitting, diarhoea or skin allergies, stop all human food at once.

Often your pet will crave and even enjoy a particular food (e.g. Milk) but may not be able to digest it properly and end up having diarrhoea and/or vomiting.

back to top

12. Is It Ok to Keep My Dog Or Cat Chained Up Or In A Cage?

No. This is not an acceptable practice. Chaining or caging up your pet constantly is inhumane; your pet can become restless, agitated, distrustful, physically ill or develop psychological problems.

Caution to pet owners
An owner tied up his dog on a chain. While he was out, the dog got entangled in it thereby restricting its movement. When the SPCA responded to the call along with the police, the dog was already dead.

A post mortem revealed that the dog had died of heatstroke, unable to seek shade because of the chain restricting him.

Many pet owners tie their dogs up - the number of reports received monthly by SPCA are testament to this. Unfortunately, they do not think of the serious consequences which can occur as a result.

back to top

13. Does Your Pet Seem Listless, Lack Appetite, Lose Fur, Cough & Generally Seem Unwell?

Bring your pet to your nearest vet immediately.

back to top

14. How Often Should I Groom My Pet? Do I have to groom a short-coated dog?

For Long-Coated Dogs (e.g.Collie or Pomeranian):
- profesionally groomed every 1-2 months if desired
- bathed every 1-3 weeks, depending on dog's lifestyle
- daily brushing of coat

For Short-Coated Dogs (e.g. Jack Russell):
- specialised grooming not needed
- bathed every 1-2 weeks
- brushing of coat 2-3 times weekly

back to top

15. Does the SPCA Have Pet Care Leaflets Available?

Yes. We have Pet Care leaflets for rabbits, mice, guinea pigs, hamsters, dogs and cats that are available to you free. Either come down to the SPCA at Mount Vernon Road to pick them up , or email us at educationpr@spca.org.sg and ask us to send them to you.

back to top

16. How Do I Keep Fleas Off My Pet?

Try monthly tick/flea spray prevention or anti-tick/flea shampoo weekly. There are also various other ways; SPCA recommends that you bring your pet to the vet for preventive treatment. A natural way is to add raw garlic to your pets’ food - the taste/smell emanating from the pores is totally loathsome to fleas! (and to some owners too!) - you could also buy garlic pearls from a reputable pet shop to give your pet according to the instructions on the bottle.

Of course, you could avoid them altogether by making sure the environment your pet lives in is flea-free. Flea sprays for furniture and gardens are very effective. And try to stop your pet wandering - they can pick up fleas from all sorts of places outside your home which you have no control over - and they could get into trouble or injured by wandering too.

back to top

17. How Do I Tell A Good Boarding Kennel from A Bad?

There are no hard and fast rules here. It could be you follow friends' recommendations, or you visit a few, talk with the people running them, see if you feel comfortable with them and the way they treat the animals. When you are there, check the kennels, ask if they have an attending vet to see to your pet should he fall sick and ask if they require all animals to be vaccinated as a boarding requirement.

It may be you don’t feel comfortable boarding your pet so you may want to find a pet sitter whom you can trust to go to your house and look after your pet.

Or perhaps you could enlist family members or friends to feed, clean, exercise and keep your pet happy while you’re away. Don’t go by price with a kennel - it does not mean the more expensive the kennel the better it will be for your pet. The only safe answer is to trust your instincts - whatever feels right after the proper research, probably is.

back to top

18. How Do I Care for My Older Pet?

The ageing process
As our pets age, their bodies begin to slow down and their vital organ functions start to decline. They become less active, sleep more, and are more prone to disease. Not all animals go on to develop all the age-associated changes, nor will these changes occur in a fixed pattern. As a result, we can't predict when certain changes will take place or if they ever will. We can, however, help to prevent and minimise these changes by ensuring that our pets are fed well, housed comfortably and have regular check-ups at the vet.

It's chow time!
In general, our older pets are less active so they don't need as many calories as when they were younger. It's a good idea then to feed them with a ‘senior’ diet (if available) because these diets have been specially formulated to meet their needs at this stage of life. Our older pets also don't see, smell and taste their food as well. It may help to warm up their food (for dogs and cats) to enhance its flavour, or even to hand-feed them.

Your pet's comfort
Ageing animals are also less adaptable. They are less able to cope with stressful events such as temperature changes so make sure that your dog or cat is warm at night, or that your hamster or bird is housed where it is neither too draughty nor too hot.

Ensuring your pet's comfort also means making sure that your pet has a reasonably comfortable surface to lie on, and that its immediate environment or sleeping area is kept clean and hygienic. Some older animals develop severe mobility problems. They spend a lot of time lying down in one spot and may even start to urinate and defecate in their beds. These animals will need extra cushioning to ensure that they don't develop bedsores, and will need their beds to be regularly cleaned and kept dry.

Regular visits to the vet
Taking your pet to the vet for regular check-ups (at least once a year) is also a good idea. That way, problems can be identified early and treated before they worsen. Your vet may advise blood or urine tests to check general organ function or a chest/abdominal x-ray. Even if the results are normal, the findings will serve as a baseline for future reference.

Older pets are also more prone to developing lumps and bumps on their skin. These growths may be benign (harmless) or malignant (i.e. nasty and will spread to other parts of the body). Your vet may then advise that a sample be taken or that the lump be completely removed. Sometimes an x-ray of your pet's joints may be needed if it has problems walking and climbing the stairs. Your pet may also require dental scaling and polishing if there is a lot of tartar on its teeth or if it has tooth decay.

In general, be watchful for any changes in your pet's appetite, drinking habits and behaviour. Some of the things to look out for include increased thirst/ urination, loss of weight, vomiting/diarrhoea, poor appetite and frequent coughing. If anything concerns you, take your pet to the vet. Don't wait until it's too late! It also pays to do some homework beforehand. Different species of animals have different needs. The sort of diseases that they're prone to developing will also vary. Go find out what your pet's specific needs are and how you can prepare for its old age!

back to top

19. How Do I Pet-Proof My Home?

1. What are the most common dangers to pets? For example, sharp corners, certain types of flooring etc.

Depending on the species of the animal, different materials pose different risks. For dogs - sharp corners, rugs, dangling decorations, pot plants, insecticides, pesticides, etc.

For cats - dangling decorations, strings, rugs with frills, dried flowers (not so much a danger but cats love to bite and chew on them and this will cause vomiting).

For rabbits (which are allowed to roam around at home) - electrical cords, plastic, newspaper (chewing and ingestion of these will cause severe impaction and obstruction to the guts).

For other small exotics - air fresheners and any scents as they are very sensitive to airborne particles, insecticidal sprays.

2. What are the most commonly destroyed property and how to prevent it? For eg, leather sofas that get scratched, or dog pee on wooden furniture and other staining.

For sofa/couches, parquet flooring and glassware decorations - to prevent accidents, shelves used for decorations should be affixed with lids/doors. Trim your pets' nails regularly. Sometimes you can get them filed.

For cats, buy a scratching pole or get some old cardboard boxes for them to scratch on. Soft Paws is a little plastic cover that can be fitted to the trimmed nails of cats (go to www.softpaws.com). This is a good alternative to declawing your cat.

There are also infrared motion detectors that can send ultrasonic sound waves to deter cats and dogs from entering certain areas of the house (www.catscram.com).

3. What are some substances that pets commonly consume by mistake but which are harmful to them? For eg, candles, incense etc.

See Point 1.

4. Should certain household arrangements be made specially for an incoming pet? For example, removal of electrical wires. Do dogs like to chew on wires?

It is sensible to hide or remove all exposed wire cables. Any sharp corners of a coffee table should have a plastic corner cover. Any exposed chemicals should be kept far away from your pets.

Cats love to sit by the window and watch the world go by, so it is wise to keep the windows closed, or affix window grills.

Also do not put shelves or tables beside the window. Any dangling decorations should be removed because cats and dogs are very curious animals.

5. Are there any other points which pet owners should take note of in order to make their home safe for them and their pets?

Basically, most Singaporean homes are safe for our pets. Be aware of the things that you leave lying around, such as sewing thread, needles, socks, and any form of decoration.

Dogs and cats are really curious and while playing with these things, they can ingest them and it will cause severe gut obstruction that may need surgical removal of the foreign objects.

It is advisable to keep toilet doors closed if your dog or cat loves to venture. This is to prevent spillage and ingestion of any chemicals.

back to top

20. How to Cope When Your Pet Dies

Many of us who keep pets treat them like our family members. We love them so much that we celebrate their birthdays with specially made treats, dog parties and walks. Some of you will even bring your dogs to pet cafes and spas for their special day! Some of my patients are 'children' of the family - a lot of young couples are opting to keep pets rather than having children. To them, their furry companions are their children.

Unfortunately, it is inevitable that we, as owners, tend to outlive our pets. When these beloved family members pass on, it is normal to feel intense grief and sorrow. Some people take weeks to recover, others may take years. It is important to deal with these feelings to be able to come to terms with this reality of life.

Most people go through 5 stages of grief. It is important to recognise these stages and learn to deal with your emotions, no matter how difficult it is and no matter how long it takes.

Stage 1: Denial
Some of my clients bring in their aged pets with complaints of appetite and weight loss. They know that their aged companions are not well. Some of these owners delay the visit to the vet, thinking that Snowy will 'recover' on her own. But after physical examination and detailed blood works, it is found that Snowy is not very well at all. When they are told of the seriousness of the illness, often they will cry and exclaim: " But Snowy never falls sick! She has not been to the vet for any problems before!" Denial is a type of defense mechanism as we try to shield ourselves from such a painful truth.

Stage 2: Anger
"It is all your fault! Why do you keep giving Snowy all those treats!? Why did you not bring her to routine vet check ups? WHY?"

After we fail to shield the painful truth, we begin to feel angry. This is when we try to find fault and blame others or even ourselves for the condition that our pet is suffering from. Some even lash out at the vet for making a wrong diagnosis - " This can't be true, there is something wrong with your blood machine. You are talking nonsense!" This anger may translate to guilt. We feel responsible for the state of our pet's illness. And we wish that we had done something about it earlier.

Stage 3: Bargaining
This is the 3rd state of emotion that we may feel- to do something in exchange for our pets' recovery. "Maybe if I changed Snowy's diet now, she will be better? Maybe if I give her this medicine then she willl be fine?" We ask for God's or our higher power to give us a miracle. We become hopeful and seek other options. Some bring their pets for second opinions and other treatment options. . If our finances permit, it is always good to seek other treatment options with an open mind.

Stage 4: Depression
This is when the reality sets in. The truth that hurts the most becomes a fact. We become deeply saddened. This is an important stage to allow ourselves times to face the hard truth. We can cry, we can seek a listening ear and pour out all our feelings. Some of us prefer to write about it in our journal or make a poem as a dedication to our beloved pet. Whatever manner of expression you choose, I think, this is the most crucial stage of us to recover from the pain and grief.

Stage 5: Acceptance
When we have bravely confronted our sorrow and grief, this is when we begin to accept the truth that our beloved companion is no longer with us. This is when we will still feel a pinch of sadness as we look at the photos and remember the happy times we spent with our pets, but still have the strength to smile and be thankful that we have wonderful memories of them. This is also when we will consider adopting another pet as our new family member.

It is always important to follow through all these stages of emotions before deciding to keep another pet. It is important to remember that each animal is special and different from the other. Do not rush to find a 'substitute' when you are still in stages 1-4 because you will need time to heal in order to love another again.

I have come across some pet owners who say that they don't want to keep any more pets anymore after the death of the first. I can understand where they are coming from. It is not easy to face the death of someone you care for and love so deeply. It is not always so easy to go through those 5 stages of grief.

My own personal experience is a little different. I will never stop having pets even though I have experienced many of their deaths. I see them as different chapters of my life. For a start of a chapter, there will always be an ending. For an ending of a chapter, there will always be a brand new chapter. Each of my pets is uniquely different from the other. For each animal that I have taken care of and loved, it gives me special joy to know that there is an unique and special bond that we had once shared. And as a pet owner, I make sure that it is my responsibility to give them all my love and care that I can offer in their life time. Hence even when it is the end of the chapter, I will feel no regrets as I know that this special bond will be one of the many sweet memories in my life.

back to top

21. Puppy and kitten healthcare - Helping you help yourself (Part I of II)

Deciding to get a pet is an exciting prospect but is often a bigger step than one may realise. Animals bring love into our lives and invoke it within us too. They, however, have basic needs and face common challenges of illness. It thus certainly helps to understand what these common issues are and how we can address them in order to maintain a healthy and responsible ?pet-owner? relationship.

Examination of Puppy or Kitten at Time of Purchase/Adoption
- Breed: Being familiar with breed types and the challenges of looking after them is very important (i.e. Long fur coat in a tropical climate very often pose challenges for skin, ear and eye care; Large breed dogs may not be permitted in certain housing conditions; Activity level of breed is important with respect to the owner?s lifestyle/age.)

- Age: Check date of birth and try getting an older puppy/kitten at about three or more months of age. Very young animals (i.e. six to eight weeks old) tend to be more fragile and may pose a challenge for first time owners. Carefully assess a two to three month old animal before purchasing it.

- Gender: There are no hard and fast rules but males tend to be more energetic/dominant than the females. Note that aggression in any animal can be sometimes difficult to assess at a young age.

- Records of Treatment: When were vaccinations done and at what intervals (i.e. intervals of three to four weeks). Vaccinations challenge the immune system to build antibodies and puppies/kittens often go through a phase of ?stress?. As such, if a puppy/kitten was recently vaccinated, check for signs of general health (refer below). Do note that animals that are unwell should not be vaccinated until treated and recovered. Check de-worming records too. De-worming may be done initially every two to four weeks from or before time of vaccination, followed by three monthly/annually thereafter.

- Physical Examination: Check that puppy or kitten is bright, alert, with good body condition and not lethargic. Have a good look at the eyes and nose for signs of discharge. Examine both the ears (flaps, margins and canals) and skin (both exposed and beneath the fur coat) for any signs of inflammation/lesions/discharge/ odour. Stools should be firm and formed if noted. Do not ignore abnormal health signs in puppies or kittens and consult your veterinarian early.

Common Diseases Encountered and Seen in Veterinary Practices
It is not uncommon to notice signs of a young puppy/kitten being unwell. This may be noted amongst both sale animals and strays being fostered or adopted. It is not necessarily normal and acceptable that a young animal shows signs of being unwell. Please have the animal checked or attended to if this is noted. Severe respiratory (i.e. coughing/sneezing) or digestive compromises (i.e. vomiting/diarrhoea) can lead to death in puppies and kittens if left unattended.

On a general note, an animal that is not coughing or sneezing and is eating, drinking, urinating and defecating daily is essentially well. Having said that, puppies with viral infections such as Parvovirus/Canine Distemper and kittens carrying the FIV/FELV/Coronavirus (FIP) or F.Herpes virus have been known to appear well and progressively show signs of illness at any time during the growing months/years. These viruses are highly infectious amongst the respective species and can severely compromise or be life threatening to an affected animal. They are not however transmissible to humans.

Respiratory Tract: Kennel Cough, Canine Distemper (viral), Cat Flu (Feline Herpes/Calicivirus)
- Sneezing: Frequent sneezing should be addressed but the occasional sneeze should not be ignored either especially if a spray or discharge is noted. Clear discharge often leads to pus-like discharge and should be checked. In kittens, signs of cat flu may be present with conjunctivitis/ocular discharge too. Separate kittens (especially strays) with flu signs from other kittens/cats at home. This applies to puppies and dogs too. Bacterial infections can spread but viral infections readily spread via airborne/contact exposure.

- Coughing: A persistent/progressive cough needs to be checked. Puppies or kittens can tire easily with a cough and should not be allowed to run and exert themselves either. Separate coughing puppy or kitten from other animals of the same species. Bronchitis or Pneumonia can be present if cough is not checked/left untreated.

Digestive System: *Common Gastrointestinal Infections include (a) Internal Parasites such as Worms or Protozoans (i.e. Giardia, Coccidia, Isospora etc), (b)Viruses (i.e. Parvovirus), (c) Bacteria (e.g. E-coli/Salmonella/Camphylobacter).
- Vomiting and Diarrhoea: A healthy puppy/kitten should be able to retain food consumed and pass firm and formed stools. Do note that vomiting and diarrhoea can readily cause lethargy and dehydration in a young animal. This is because essential nutrients, fluids and electrolytes are lost in these processes. In severe cases, anaemia can result from blood loss too. While a change in diet may trigger an episode of softer stools, very often *infectious agents are noted on fresh faecal examinations. ALWAYS have your pet checked by a veterinarian if you notice signs of vomiting/diarrhoea. A persistent infection if left unattended can significantly weaken a young animal and cause the unfortunate loss of life. On that note, do always carefully examine environmental exposure factors when purchasing a puppy/kitten.

- Inappetence: A healthy puppy or kitten should have a good appetite and be fed a few times a day based on age and size. Do have your pet checked if it is not eating/has a poor appetite.

Skin:
- Common skin infections seen in puppies and kittens include fungal infections (i.e. Ringworm/Malassezia), bacterial dermatitis and flea and ear mite infections. Ticks are blood-sucking insects that can infect dogs. Tick prevention is strongly recommended as they are known to transmit blood borne parasites (i.e. Babesia/Erhlichia) that can significantly debilitate an animal. Speak to your veterinarian about tick prevention. Mite-based infections in puppies such as Scabies/Demodex need to be confirmed via skin scrapes and managed thereafter.

- It is not uncommon to find that certain dog breeds are prone to skin diseases which often have a hereditary component (i.e. Canine Atopy and Demodex Mange).

- Have your veterinarian check your puppy/kitten?s skin if you notice parasites/inflammation/lesions such as pimples, flaking skin or balding. The occasional scratching is normal; however excessive itching may be a sign of irritation/skin infection or associated with an allergic reaction and should be addressed.

Ears:
- Abnormalities if noted are often seen in ear canals with an odour or discharge or ear flaps with lesions. Infections area often associated with bacteria, fungus or mites.

- Have your veterinarian treat any infections and seek their advice on ear care and management.

Eyes: Ocular lesions/swelling/discharge should be checked by a veterinarian.
- Kittens with cat flu may be present with conjunctivitis and should be treated. Similarly certain dog breeds may be prone to ocular lesions if their eyes bulge. Note too that allergic reactions may also present with peri-ocular swelling and redness and that skin infections can predispose to ocular infections too.

Concerns Of Zoonosis
- You can pick up ringworm/scabies from your pet. This can be easily treated by your doctor.

- Flea allergy dermatitis may be experienced when adopting a young stray with fleas. Do also note that tapeworms causing gastrointestinal upset are transmissible via fleas.

- The parasitic disease Toxoplasmosis can be transmitted via faecal contamination from affected cats. Pregnant ladies should exercise hygiene when handling cat litter.

- Heartworm disease seen in dogs is transmitted via a life cycle involving mosquitoes and can cause congestive heart failure if left unattended. Early prevention and regular de-worming is advisable and differs from treatment. This disease is not transmissible to humans.

- We are also fortunate that Singapore is rabies-free and has been so for several decades.

back to top

22. How to care for newborn puppies and kittens

To download this article, please click here.

The SPCA would prefer not to take in such young animals and tries to persuade members of the public who have found them, to keep them, take care of them and re-home them (the SPCA does not keep newborns for adoption) because chances are the animals will not survive for long in a shelter atmosphere.

Why? You may ask. Puppies and kittens under four weeks of age require round-the-clock feeding (every three to four hours) and need specialised care. They do not have the anti-bodies from their mother's milk to protect them from falling sick and keeping them in a shelter facility subjects them to being exposed to viruses which may be present in other animals that arrive through our doors.

This is why the SPCA does not generally keep most animals under three weeks, because their chances of survival are slim - even within a 24-hour period, a seemingly healthy kitten could fall sick due to stress and other factors.

Caring for puppies and kittens from new born to four weeks
First, if you have found a stray kitten/s or puppy/s with its eyes not yet open, chances are it is not yet two weeks old (usually their eyes will open at two weeks). If you can keep it with a view to having it as pet, or finding a home, we thank you for helping to reduce the number of strays coming in to the SPCA.

We provide a few guidelines/tips below for those who are committed to helping us save lives by taking responsibility for feeding and caring for stray puppies/kittens that they have found. You may be experienced already and have successfully raised these animals, but for those who are new at it, we hope that the following will be helpful.

Keep them warm
As they do not have the warmth of their mother to nestle up to, you must provide a box/container with warm bedding (e.g. blanket/towel) and preferably a warm hot water bottle (if you do not have one which you can buy from a pharmacy, you can substitute with a normal water bottle filled with warm water) wrapped up in a towel. A reading lamp can also provide warmth but you should keep it at a distance from the animal in case it gets too warm - the pet should be able to move away from the light if need be. The container should be kept in at natural room temperature (not air-conditioned) and away from fans/drafts.

Feeding
Feeding of very young animals can be done with a syringe (available at pharmacies) or bottle.

What to feed?
Milk powder Animalac is available from pet shops or a cheaper alternative is Carnation Evaporated Milk - one parts milk to one part water.

When to feed?
Generally kittens/puppies that have not yet opened their eyes will have to be fed every three hours. They will usually wake up from sleep and cry (like babies do) when they are hungry. As they get older week by week (3 to 4 weeks) the intervals can be increased e.g. at four weeks they can be fed - four to five hourly.

Amount to feed?
Although bottles are may be preferred by some, the hole where they suckle must not be clogged with milk, otherwise the animals will be sucking air into their system which could become life threatening. With bottle feeding also, the animals go at their own pace which means that feeding could take you quite a long time, especially if there are four or more in the litter. Syringe feeding should be done from the side of the mouth (not in the middle) to ensure that the milk goes down the right way, otherwise it could go down into the air passage. With syringe feeding you can feed around two to three ml per feed - the best gauge if the animal has had enough - it will turn its head away and refuse to drink anymore when you try to put the syringe/bottle into its mouth.

You will need to hold the young animal by the scruff of their neck on their back (see picture) whilst putting the syringe/bottle into the mouth. If you do not have control or are not firm in your control, it will make things more uncomfortable for the animals, and the feeding session will probably take twice as long. The animal may not receive the desired amount either, if you spend too much time fussing! Having said that - everyone is new at this in the beginning, and practise makes perfect. You may face resistance because the animals are not used to this initially and will struggle around - the firmer and more confidently you hold them though, the faster they will adapt, and the faster you can get food to the hungry!

The more efficiently you can complete the feeding session, the faster the animal can go back to slumber land after it pees etc. (it is advisable not to play too much with the very young, as they need to eat and have a restful sleep).

Toilet Time!
Once you have fed the animal you have to get a piece of cotton wool, dampen it and rub it along its stomach towards the rear end areas so as to stimulate it to urinate/defecate. Normally a mother dog or cat will lick its newborn to aid it to do these things, but in the absence of their mother, you must be the one to take charge of this duty. If the stool is watery and persists, consult a vet as soon as possible. If stool is soft, this is normal.

Cleaning up
It is important to clean up any milky messes (usually around their mouth area), or any 'toilet mess' before you put the animals on their warm bedding to sleep.

Weaning
Kittens and puppies that are raised by humans from very young, generally can be weaned earlier - at 4 to 5 weeks old, they can be fed solids - e.g. cereal with milk or canned food mixed with water. Again, this will be a messy process and should be done on newspaper. You should place the mix in a shallow solid dish and lead the animal to the food - initially they may not be in the know, so you may need to dip your finger into the food and place it within licking reach so that they know this is their food. It does not take long for them to pick up the scent and the taste. Meals should be fed regularly at same intervals. E.g. 7am, 12pm, 5pm, 10pm

Health Check
If you are keeping the animal as a pet, or finding it a home, do take it for a veterinary check at a clinic in your area. It is advisable to take the animal/s for de-worming at around five weeks of age. Vaccinations against major feline/canine diseases will need to be done at around eight weeks of age.

back to top