Summary: Tickles Saves Pickles When this little pig got sick and needed a blood transfusion, his guardian, Maddie worked effortlessly to find a match. Thanks to social media, Pickles the Potbellied Pig was saved by Tickles - a 450 lb. donor pig, whom was also saved from the butcher in this ‘win-win-win’ hog story. Examining PVP’s Prior to Vet Visits Dr. Natalie Marks suggest that pet owners use Pre-Visit Pharmaceuticals (PVP) before you go to the veterinarian. This will make the visit easier and more pleasurable for your pet. She says these medications are not sedatives or painkillers, but are effective for easing anxiety. Dr. Marks is next on the Fear Free Pet Expert Series. Microchips FAIL About 15,000 family pets need to have a new microchip inserted because their old microchip no longer works. Especially sad news since it could lead to some pets being mistaken for strays and put down. Pets that are micro-chipped with a product called BioTec, manufactured by Virbac, are at risk. A letter from Virbac says, “It now seems possible all of those BioTec chips might fail over time.” We’ll tell you how to identify if you’re affected by this problem. Couple Stows Cat in Luggage A young Florida couple is facing animal cruelty charges after airport security agents at the Erie, Pennsylvania airport found a cat in their luggage. The 6-month-old female cat named Slim was literally inside the suitcase along with the couples’ clothing and other items. Luckily, the Erie TSA team spotted the cat during pre-flight inspections. Couple Rescues Handi-cats Joe and Lauren DiPaolo have devoted everything to rescuing handicapped cats, or ‘hands-cats.’ Their house is full of cats with one or multiple ailments. They’re providing life-long care for a feline without eyes, a kitty using a wheel contraption in place of legs, and one with a cleft palate, just to name a few of the maladies. You must hear them tell you their story of undying devotion.
