Our site, SocialDogCat.com, is primarily concerned with the health and welfare of pets.

If you need information on the behaviour of your dog or cat, on the functioning of diseases or vaccines, on the legal aspects that affect a pet owner, you can consult our pages and you will surely find the article that best suits your needs.

However, although the network is increasingly widespread, in some situations it is not reachable, because perhaps we do not have a compatible phone, or still do not have a computer at hand. Perhaps we might even lack internet connection.

The most serious situations are certainly those in which urgent intervention is necessary for our dog or our cat.

With all the warnings, it can happen that our dog suddenly starts shaking, or starts vomiting, or even gets hurt and we realize that a bone has broken. The first instinct is to take him to the vet, which obviously must be done, but it is not always the first choice.

In some situations, by the time we take the car and drive to our closest clinic it might be too late for the vet intervention.

We have decided to write an eBook. An electronic book that you can insert on any of your devices: computers, tablets, phones or eBook readers. Of course, you can also print it and read it on paper.

The title of the book is "Manual of First Aid for Animals", written by Valerio Guiggi, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and scientific director of the site, and by Antonella Schiavone, student in Veterinary Medicine.

The book has been designed for a double use: the first is obviously to do normal reading, which will be useful to inform you so that you are always ready in case of an emergency.

The second use is that of emergency situations: the book has been divided into sections that can be quickly consulted in conditions of need, so that you can immediately find information on what is happening to your pet and on how to behave before reaching the vet.

The eBook is designed to be carried with us, using smartphones and tablets; in the book you will find written explanations as well as schematic drawings to explain how to carry out the simplest operations, for example the first bandages for our animals.

The download is free. To download the book you simply register using the form you find on this page. Make sure you enter your correct email address, since an email message will be sent to that address in which you will find a copy of the book in various formats attached.

Choose the one that best suits the device you have, then copy the manual via computer to your eBook reader, smartphone, tablet, consulting it directly from your PC or print it.

You can also open the email directly from your smartphone or tablet: in this case you will need to install specific apps to be able to read it (for example, iBooks from the App Store if you have an iPhone or iPad, or Google Play Books from the Play Store if you have an Android device).

So check that the book works and remember not to delete it: if you have the device with you, even without an internet connection, you will always know what to do with your pet in situations of need.

The Animal First Aid Manual will be sent to your email address after registering on this page. If there are problems and the book does not arrive once registered and logged in, you can download the eBook via this page.

In recent days, news has spread that certainly did not go unnoticed by dog owners. The PD presented an amendment that provides for the payment of a fee for those who did not sterilize their dog.

This could be a step forward in the fight against stray dogs, a phenomenon that continues to be present in our territory, despite the commitment of volunteer associations and kennels in an attempt to control its spread. The deputies Anzaldi, Preziosi and Cova del Democratic Party have presented an amendment to the House that will most likely be included in the Budget Law, according to which: "the owners or keepers of non-sterilized dogs are required to pay an annual municipal tax, established by each municipality with its own resolution".

All dogs that have already been sterilized - or on the occasion of an upcoming sterilization - will have to obtain a certification from veterinarians authorized to access the regional canine registry, in which the intervention is certified and recorded.

However, the amendment provides some exceptions, which concerns "dogs owned by professional breeders, dogs exclusively used to guide the blind and to look after rural buildings and the flock; dogs used for Army and public security services; dogs belonging to social categories possibly identified by the municipalities ".

The goal is to raise the awareness of individuals and especially large companies, such as kennels and associations, to promote sterilization, which today represent the only weapon available for us to combat stray dogs. Therefore, if you have not already done so, this could be an incentive to have your pet neutered.

Source: http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/pd-arriva-tassa-i-cani-non-sterilizzati-1332413.html

 A very funny aspect of our domestic cats is related to the time of feeding. Many cats, in fact, often meow nonstop in front of the bowl, even though it is still half-full.

The cat has always been considered a very smart animal, due to some typical attitudes. Among these, we find above all its ability to ask continuously for food, even if the bowl is not empty yet. It would seem that, according to feline logic, there is no middle ground between a full bowl and an empty one. The view of the bottom of the bowl automatically indicates that the food is finished, and our task is to fill it. Immediately.

Partially, this reasoning is true, but some aspects should be clarified.

The cat is an animal that is very used to its routines and habits, so if it begins to understand that by meowing it will get food, it will do so very often. By doing this, the bowl will be constantly regenerated with new and fresh crunchies each time. We know very well, in fact, that he is able to evaluate the freshness of the food we offer him, so crunchies left in the bowl for several hours may no longer be interesting for him. If your cat belongs to this category of superfine palates, it will also tend to meow in front of a bowl full of food.

On the contrary, if the cat is desperate only at the sight of the bottom of the bowl, it will probably be enough for you to move it a bit, redistributing the treats inside. Et voila, the bowl is full again just by moving them around a bit. In these cases, the explanation could be more complex.

In nature, felines tend to prevent all aspects that can lead to deprivation. This means that if the bowl is half-empty, they receive some kind of alarm signal, which warns them of the impending fasting period. In this case, therefore, they meow to warn us that the food is about to end, so it would be preferable to fill it immediately, rather than risk finding it empty at the next peckish.

That is not all. In fact, some cats are "social eaters", which does not mean that they tend to tear their friends to pieces, but  they refuse to eat if they don’t have company. The typical situation is the cat who wants to be stroked while eating or just requires our presence. This will calm him down, allowing him to eat quietly.

So don't worry if your cats gets desperate in front of the half-full bowl. He sees the food, but he is just a little demanding.

picture explanation: piena = full     vuota= empty

Source : http://fluffsofluv.com/when-your-cat-is-hungrybut-has-plenty-of-food-left/

Certainly, Monty was not born yesterday, but in recent days, the story of this cat with Down syndrome is spreading with incredible speed. Of course, every time a striking case of this type appears, most of us find ourselves asking a thousand questions about the animal world, wondering how it is possible that dogs and cats can also be affected by this syndrome.

We want to give the answer to this question starting from another less recent case, the tiger Kenny. This beautiful specimen of white tiger was born on February 3, 1999 in the United States, and is the result of intense attempts to recreate an individual of this rare species, following numerous requests from zoos and exotic animal dealers. As it often happens when individuals with an extremely pure genetic heritage are crossed - in this case, a broad muzzle, white coat and blue eyes - errors may appear during the transmission of genes. This is exactly what happened to Kenny's parents, who gave birth to the only tiger with Down syndrome.

The disorder is evident already during the first days of life, considering the rather unusual physical traits for a white tiger. However, the actual mental difficulties only become noticeable several weeks later, when Kenny's attitude fails to break away from those of a cub in the body of an adult tiger.

Unfortunately, Kenny's story ends amidst studies and public exhibits in Arkansas in 2008, where he dies of cancer.

In recent days, however, news broadcasts and social networks are studded with photos of another similar case, which concerns a cat named Monty. His life begins, so to speak, when he is found by volunteers from a shelter in Copenhagen. However, little Monty can't find a home, due to his rather odd appearance. The very distant eyes immediately make possible adopters perceive that Monty has something wrong, making them keen on other cats.

After several years, however, Michael and Mikala decide to go to the shelter to adopt a life partner. Despite his unusual appearance, Monty manages to make them fall in love at first sight, finally obtaining the opportunity to conquer a family of his own.

After several days, the couple begins to notice behaviours that are rather peculiar to an adult cat, such as urinating in their sleep. After a thorough visit by the vet, they conclude that Monty is most likely an elderly cat, so his bladder begins to weaken, as it often happens after a certain age.

But Monty, as the people in charge of the shelter firmly state, is by no means an elderly cat. Michael and Mikala thus try to find out if it is a behavioural problem, linked to the presence of other cats in the house, and ask some friends to host Monty for a while. The result does not change, because Monty's bladder continues to function when he is asleep.

The answer to all these questions come a short time later, when the couple decide to investigate further. This is how they discover that Monty has one more chromosome than all other cats, he has three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two. This element is the hallmark of Down syndrome in humans, so according to experts, in the case of Kenny and Monty, it could be the animal equivalent of this genetic disease.

But is it possible then, that animals could be born with Down syndrome? How can we explain this?

Nature is a perfect mechanism, although it can often be considered cruel. In fact, in the animal world, all the weakest individuals tend to be eliminated by the so-called natural selection, of which Darwin has so much discussed.

This is why seeing a dog or cat with this syndrome is so rare. Simply, once the mother notices that something is wrong with one of the babies, she tends to kill him or push him away. As terrible as it may seem, in reality it is the only way nature can guarantee the survival of individuals.

It may happen, in any case, that some mothers do not notice the problem or deliberately decide to ignore it, just as it is not uncommon for some abandoned children to manage to do the same. So many cases appear like those of the tiger Kenny or little Monty.

The presence of Down syndrome in animals can be recognized both by some very specific physical traits, which mainly concern the appearance of the face - as can be seen clearly from the images of the two animals - but also by their behaviour.

Mental problems, typical of this genetic disorder, is more evident in humans, although some unusual attitudes can also be found in animals. In Monty's case, for example, the owners quickly noticed the cat's tendency to urinate in their sleep. In any case, as Michael states, “Monty is particularly sweet, playful and always happy, just like all kittens, despite the fact that he is now 5 years old. He is incredibly kind and very attached to me. He insists on sleeping between my legs every night”.

In short, despite their curious appearance, animals with Down syndrome remain trapped in a body that continues to grow faster than their brains, destined to remain eternal pups. In the meantime, however, sweet Monty is enjoying the popularity he has managed to gain thanks to his extraordinary history.

source: http://www.newsner.com/en/2015/09/meet-monty-the-cat-with-downs-syndrome-that-has-captured-hearts-around-the-world/

An unbelievable story, the cat who wanted to breastfeed his babies to try to save them. It is not just another sad story of abandonment, but a real story that should make us think.

It was September 8, 2014, when a box containing a big surprise was found at the foot of a dumpster near the playground in Candiolo, in the province of Turin: a cat with her two babies. The usual unscrupulous people have seen fit to get rid of them, putting all three of them in a box to be thrown away, carelessly, next to yet another bin.

Volunteers did not waste time and immediately transported the unfortunates to the nearest veterinary clinic. The situation was not the best for the two little kittens, who were still too small to survive without adequate care. In spite of everything, the mother cat did everything to try to guarantee her children the love, warmth and nourishment they need. It never separates from them and stayed still in the box all the time, lovingly enduring their incessant need to feed.

Meanwhile, after several searches, local volunteers manage to find a family to take care of all three. Everything is ready for arrival in the new home. The three even have a name: Alessandra, the mother, with the little ones Sofia and Alberto.

When everything seems to be going for the best, that bad news arrives. The little ones keep meowing at the top of their lungs and one of them still seems too small, considering that kittens usually grow up day after day. The suspicion is that the mother cat is actually unable to produce enough milk for both of them, so the vet and the volunteers immediately check the breasts, to clarify the situation.

Normally a lactating cat is expected to have all the breasts bulky, but what they discover leaves everyone speechless. Not only is there a single breast that is more swollen, but it is also very red, with the nipple strongly irritated by the vain attempts of the young kittens to feed.

That is not all. Looking a little closer, they also discover that Alessandra is actually Alessandro. An adult male cat who has dedicated whole days and nights looking after two unfortunate kittens, trying to save them with his own care and love. Although he had no food to offer them, he endured with great patience the babies clinging to his nipples, biting them and causing wounds.

The little ones are immediately entrusted to a volunteer, who takes care of feeding them with bottles and artificial milk for several days. Unfortunately, however, despite everyone's care and commitment, especially from Alessandro, Sofia and Alberto couldn’t make it because of various infections at a very young age.

This story surprised everyone. Alessandro is fine today, he has found a family that takes care of him and loves him, and has undoubtedly become the most famous male mom cat in Italy.

Source: http://www.lastampa.it/2015/02/18/multimedia/societa/lazampa/alessandro-il-gatto-mammo-che-allattava-i-mici-ArOZevLHNuOG6BsmMbb9hJ/pagina.html