The discussion then proceeds towards a series of topics where Dr Vijay and our co-founder Mr. Animesh chat about. The first question asks about the importance of vaccinations in puppies and the appropriate vaccination schedule one should follow once they get a puppy home. Dr Vijay gives a quite insightful answer for this question by first highlighting the importance of ensuring the right source through which one gets a puppy home.  Also, a puppy should be at least 2 months old before one adds them to their family. The first vaccine (Puppy DP) should be given around 40-45 days followed by DHPPI and others.

Welcome Back to FBS Talkies, an interactive show where experts have very insightful conversations about various pet-related issues with the Co-founder of Fur Ball Story and Animal Behaviourist, Animesh Katiyar. This week we had Dr. Shelly Mattoo Jalali, the founder of SJS Pet Care & Clinic, and an expert Vet. She holds 15 years of experience and an ocean of knowledge in this field. The episode was filled with amusing facts and incidents that made us think twice about our actions.

Finding the cause of your dog's sluggish behavior may be difficult for you as a pet parent. Dr. Shelly made the observation that a typical sign of fever in animals is lethargy. The expert expressed concern, stating that many pet parents don't realize their little ball of joy is unwell, which is why they have been so worn out. They mistakenly think of it as "me time." This widespread perception is particularly prevalent with new pet owners. In addition to being sluggish, other signs of fever in animals include:

Unusual behavior

Reduced intake of food or loss of appetite

Body ache

Tail is downward

High body temperature

Sitting alone in a corner

Fever is also indicated by a dry nose and hot ears, but these symptoms may also simply be brought on by a warm atmosphere. Therefore, as soon as you observe one of these two symptoms, check your dog's temperature. With that in mind, Dr. Shelly and our host discussed how some pet owners are hesitant about the method of checking. Unfortunately, there is no alternative; you must lubricate the thermometer's tip and place it in your dog's butt. But don't worry; they probably won't even notice.

Knowing whether the fever is deadly or not is important after diagnosis. Dogs' typical body temperatures range from 101 to 102.5 degrees; 103 is the trigger point, but if the temperature is 106 degrees or higher, you must administer first aid and rush straight to the vet clinic. If a fever of 106 or higher is not treated right away, it might be fatal. You can apply a wet cloth (dipped in regular water) to the paws or rub alcohol behind the ears or to the foot pads to reduce body temperature.

What is the most frequent mistake that pet owners make? It is self-treatment.

Animesh Katiyar, our host of FBS Talkies, revealed an instance in which he witnessed a pet owner giving human medications to their pet. Dr. Shelly then revealed a fact that left the audience in disbelief. Did you know that feeding your pet human medications might kill them or harm their liver and kidneys? Giving human medicines without consulting a vet might have serious side effects and possibly result in their death. However, you can opt for alternative medications such as herbal ayurvedic medicines like Fev Pet. It is made with Papaya, Giloy, Turmeric, and Kalmegh. These herbs help in relieving the pain and bringing the temperature down. As the episode moved ahead, Dr. Shelly shared how pet parents are scared of allopathic treatment and pressurizes for the herbal treatment. But it is important to understand that there is no remedy that fits all. You have to switch to alternatives according to the need and situation.

At the end of the episode, Dr. Shelly talked about her journey as a female vet. She shared that in her experience, she had interacted with a lot of women who were taking care of the animals and she encouraged the future generation to opt for this noble career option.

FBS Talkies is a talk show presented by Fur Ball Story. It’s a series of episodes where various pet related issues are discussed with some highly reputed animal welfare workers, veterinary doctors & trainers.

For the first episode of FBS Talkies, we had Ms. Aavritee Naithani as our guest speaker. She runs a welfare center dedicated to animals called Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Center (SGACC), New Delhi. The chat between Aavritee and our Co-Founder, Animesh Katiyar, was very productive and insightful. Multiple issues related to the life of a rescuer, how to rescue any animal, doctors at the welfare center, were discussed. Moreover, some general behavioural issues that any pet faces and the steps to rectify them were talked about.

About Our Guest

Ms. Aavritee is a lawyer by profession and started working for animal welfare during 4th year of her college. Her shelter (SGACC) is the only animal care shelter in Delhi-NCR which is dedicated to all animals. As of now it’s home to over 2500 animals ranging from dogs, cats, equines, cattle, other injured wildlife and many more. The role of an animal shelter consultant and manager is a highly taxing one. SGACC, without any discrimination, is a haven for every animal who needs a home and especially those who’re in need of medical care and treatment.

Aavritee further explained her shelter’s daily routine. They rescue about 5-10 animals daily with the help of their self-owned, private, and government-run ambulances. They’re fully equipped to provide thorough care and treatment through their team of experienced vets and parameds.

Rights & Laws for Animal Welfare Workers

The agenda of this video is to spread awareness among pet parents and welfare workers about their rights and laws, and to be self-sufficient to tackle any situation. Upon asking about the same, Aavritee said that even before she became a lawyer, she educated herself about the basics of lodging an FIR and approaching police authorities to report cruelty acts. Further, she asserted that every animal lover must be aware of “Prevention of Animal Cruelty Act” and have a copy of it with them.