Q & A: Ask the Veterinarian
Dr. Robin Brennen weighs in on your pet health questions.
Dr. Brennen joined Bideawee in April 2006 after over 14 years in private veterinary practice in New Hampshire and New York, and consulting to veterinary practices and shelter operations nationwide. She is also a Commander of the United States National Disaster Medical System's Veterinary Medical Assistance Team, a group of highly trained veterinary professionals deployed to assist local governments in the face of federally declared disasters (Katrina, Rita) or foreign disease outbreaks.
She speaks nationally on the subject of disaster preparedness and animal welfare. Dr. Brennen received her DVM from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and holds an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Brennen is a proud adopter of Alvin, a deaf Boston Terrier, she fell in love with at Bideawee.
Q: Hello, I have a GSD who will be 8 yrs. old in April. I've noticed
today that I found drops of blood on the floor. I found the blood
coming from his penis. He isn't neutered. What could cause bleeding
from the penis?
A:
Un-neutered male dogs are susceptible to prostate enlargement, infection and cancer. The latter two which can cause a bloody penile discharge.
Infection would be the most common and likely diagnosis. In addition, urinary tract infections, bladder stones and bladder tumors can be the culprit. Rarer are certain blood disorders like low platelet counts that
minimize clotting and penile or urethral tumors.
You need to seek veterinary attention to distinguish the difference. Most of the above are treatable.
Please get him to the vet!!
Q: My chihuahua is 9 yrs old, has never been spayed and still gets her period. She
seems miserable, is it normal for them to have their period so late in
life?
A:
Since the average life span of a Chihuahua is 16+, your dog could be considered middle-aged. They can cycle late into life.
Un-spayed females are more susceptible to serious uterine infections and
have a higher incidence of certain cancers. I would speak to your vet
about the risk/benefit ratio to spaying her.
Q: My 13 year old lab is drinking a lot of water and just urinates where
she is and appears to be losing weight, in addition when she goes to
the bathroom she doesn't squat just walks as she is going.
A:
Increase thirst and urination can be the symptoms of several illnesses.
Diabetes, kidney disease and a hormonal imbalance called Cushing Disease.
The only way to distinguish between them is with a full physical
examination, urine samples and blood tests. All three have some form of
treatment, but you need to get a diagnosis first.
Please take your pup to the vet as early intervention is always better.
Q: My 12 year old cat cries ALL THE TIME. He usually starts around 11pm
and then will walk around the apartment all night crying (and purring)
until the next morning. I have not had a full nights sleep in over 6
months. I took him to the vet and he is on thyroid medication and
high blood pressure medication, but the crying has not stopped at
all...if anything, it has just gotten worse. I just don't know what
else to do!
A:
This is a tough one. My first question is he a Siamese? These cats can be
loud mouths!
Obviously you need to rule out all medical conditions. Both hyperthyroidism
and hypertension can be causes of excessive vocalization. You need to make
sure that both conditions are well controlled. Pain from arthritis,
senility, blindness and deafness can also trigger this behavior.
There are some drugs that can be used to treat alterations in sleep/wake
cycles due to senility (Cognitive dysfunction) like prozac, elavil and
melatonin but you will have to work with your vet to determine if any of
these are appropriate considering the other medications he is on.
You may also want to put a white noise machine in your bedroom or ear plugs!
Q: My four year old cat, who has been fixed for over a year and half
keeps spraying all over the apartment when in heat. I do not know why
she is doing this. Please help!
A:
Your cat should not be in heat if it has been fixed!
So that has to be the first thing that needs looking into.
It is possible to leave a small amount of ovarian tissue behind when spaying an animal. Or, ovarian tissue was growing in another location that wasn’t detected at surgery. This is rare, but not impossible. Once that tissue is removed the heat cycles should stop. So step one is to determine if in fact, your kitty is still having heat cycles.
Then you need to address the urine marking. Cats spray for a variety of reasons and even spayed and neutered cats will express themselves this way. Spraying is an important part of nonverbal communication among cats to define territories or to express discontent or objection to change. Cats only have so many ways to get our attention as they are limited in ways to express themselves.
First you need to make sure this is marking behavior and not inappropriate urination that may indicate a medical problem or a litter box aversion. Urine marking is witnessed by seeing the cat backing up to an object, pointing its tail in the air and spraying urine, much like a skunk. Marking is often of vertical objects (walls) and not horizontal (Floors).
Sexual excitement often triggers marking behavior which is why it is most common among intact cats.
Cats resist change so if something new is occurring in your life such as:
o Moving to a new home
o Getting a new cat or dog
o A new baby or family member
o New furniture or rearranging
o Moving the litter box
o Dirty litter box
o Changing brands of litter
There are drugs you can use to minimize spraying. But all of this needs to be done under the care of your veterinarian. This entails getting to the root cause of the behavior. You will also need to get rid of the odor, because sometimes that will trigger more spraying. There are some good products on the market that break down the urine. You cant just use routine household cleaners as that covers up the odor, but it is still detectable by your cat. Pet stores have many urine odor removers for sale, and your vet probably does too.
You have a good chance of controlling this once you find out what the real problem is that is trigger the behavior.
Q: How can you tell if your pet is overweight and what's the best way to tackle this problem?
A:
America is home to the most obese people in the world. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), a staggering 33% of American adults are obese and obesity-related deaths have climbed to more than 300,000 a year, second only to tobacco-related deaths. That's the trend so it is no surprise pets may walk in their owner's footsteps.
The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention reports that nearly half the nation's pets are classified as overweight or obese by a veterinary health care provider, including 43 percent of dogs and 53 percent of cats. That's roughly 85 million pets!
Pet owners often don't take this condition seriously. But the reality is obesity can cause or exacerbate Osteoarthritis, type 2 Diabetes, respiratory problems, heart disease, high blood pressure and many forms of cancer. A recent study by Purina found that overweight animals lived 1.8 years less than their leaner counterparts. Are we killing our own pets with kindness?
Too much food and not enough exercise is the recipe for disaster. Caloric intake should match metabolic need. Following the instructions on the back of a bag of pet food is not always the best guideline. And snacks add up. One large Milkbone® is 112 calories! An ounce of cheddar cheese fed to a 20-pound dog is the rough equivalent of one-and-a-half hamburgers for a human. For a 10-pound cat, that same ounce of cheese is the equivalent of three-and-a-half hamburgers. On top of that, city dwelling animals tend to be couch potatoes.
Most pet owners would do anything to keep their furry friend healthy. A 30 minute romp in the park can go a long way to keeping your dog mentally and physically fit. There are many interesting cat toys that stimulate play behavior and burn calories in your kitty. So lets get physical!
If you think your pet is pudgy work with your veterinarian to formulate a diet and exercise program. He/She may want to run some tests to make sure your companion is healthy and rule out underlying disorders like thyroid disease. Cats, in particular need to be under the guidance of your veterinary health care team as they are prone to serious liver problems if they lose weight too rapidly.
October 14th is National Pet Obesity Day. Many pet food manufacturers are hosting weight loss challenges to motivate you to go out and get Fluffy and Fido Fit. Doing so could add two years onto your pet's life. Sounds like a mutually beneficial investment to me!!
A: I am a fan of the citronella collars. To my knowledge there are no adverse side effects. It is possible that after your dog is trained not to bark, you may be able to discontinue use.
However, did your dog always bark or is this something new as she got older? Sometimes there can be causes of increased barking, like early senility or sight or hearing loss. If this is a new behavior, you may want to have her checked out by your vet. Q: Are tear stains harmful and how can I keep them under control?
A: Tear stains are caused by the enzymes found in tears reacting with the bacteria on the skin. Animals may generate excessive tears due to an eye irritation, or an anatomical problem involving the tear duct and drainage. In normal animals, tears are constantly produced and drain out through small ducts in the eyelids. The ducts empty into the nose. (That is why your nose runs when you cry). In animals with blocked ducts, the tears overflow the lids and run down the face.
Dogs with longer hair around the eyes can constantly have hair touching their corneas, and that will cause the eye to tear up in an attempt to wash it away. Sometimes the liquid will be "wicked up" by the hair. Other dogs have small hairs growing inward on their eyelid that rub against the cornea causing an irritation. Big prominent eyes, like in a Persian cat, stretch the eyelid and may cut off the drainage system. This is a fairly common cause that can't be corrected.
So my suggestion is to get your pup a check-up to make sure there is not anything correctable causing the issue. Your vet can recommend products that can alleviate the discoloration. Keep the fur trimmed around the eye, since continuously moist fur can be a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast infections. Q: I've heard that garlic is bad for dogs. Does that mean the fresh kind or powdered? But I've also heard garlic is good for getting rid of fleas...
A: Onions and Garlic contain a substance called thiosulphate which dogs (and cats) lack the enzyme to properly digest. Thiosulphate causes oxidation of hemoglobin (which carries oxygen) in canine red blood cells (RBC) The molecules forms clumps, weakening the cell membranes of the RBC's . These clumps, called Heinz bodies, protrude from the cell and eventually cause rupture, shortening the life span of the cell. When enough red cells are destroyed, anemia occurs and the body is starved for oxygen.
Toxic dose is about 1-2 cloves of garlic per kilogram of body weight. I don't know the concentration of thiosulphate in the powdered form, but it is best not to risk it - especially because garlic, in spite of what you've heard, is not a very good flea control to start with. Q: Jake is an 11 yr old husky/german shepard mix. Recently, Jake was run over by a car while sleeping in the grass at the park. Jake thankfully had no broken bones, but dislocated his right hip. His hip was put back in place and he had to wear sling. A few days later his hip was back out. We have an appointment with a orthopedic surgeon. Is there anything i can do to prevent Jake from hurting himself or hurting his hip more?
A: You have one lucky dog. Hip dislocations are common with car hits. Depending on the extent of the trauma and the conformation of the dogs hip prior to replacement, not all stay in and therefore require surgical reduction.
Remarkably, dogs also adjust to going from 4-3 legs! However, maneuvering stairs may be challenging and should be avoided. Otherwise, I bet you can see him getting along fine.
I am sure that the trauma of the dislocation has caused some inflammation and subsequent discomfort. Most of the pain is from the incongruity of the joint and bone rubbing on bone and the stretiching of the soft tissue of the joint capsule and surrounding muscle and tendon. If he holds his leg up and doesn't use it, he is minimizing the movement to some degree, in his own attempt to decrease pain. Pain management with the use of doggy NSAIDS are probably indicated and if you notice more than mild discomfort a drug called tramadol can be prescribed. You need to discuss this with your vet as both require a prescription and should only be used under the discretion and supervision of a veterinarian. Never medicate your pet with anything over the counter. Tylenol and Motrin can be toxic to animals so it is best to seek counsel from your vet.
Q: My cat is an eleven-year-old male who has always been large; but now he weighs thirty pounds! I can't get the weight off of him. All he eats is 2/3 cup of a high-fiber dry food called Wellness - no snacks, no people food. This does a number on his bowels; but he's still not losing weight and he cries all the time for food. Any suggestions?
A: I would counsel you to work very closely on a weight reduction program with your veterinarian. Your vet will want to give the cat a full physical exam and try to identify any disease that may be present that could interfere with weight loss. After a clean bill of health a calorie-restricted diet should be implemented, and maybe even an exercise routine.
Overweight cats are prone to a disease called hepatic lipidosis if they are significantly restricted from calories in an abrupt manner. Weight loss should be slow and controlled. That is why I recommend you seek help and guidance from your vet.
Q: What are good vegetables and fruits to give to dogs? Do you have a couple of good sites where I can find this information? Thanks!
A: I am a big proponent of veggie snacking! Most vegetables make good, low-fat treats for our dieting canines. However, dogs do need meat in their diet as well, so a complete vegetarian diet may be significantly lacking in some important amino acids and other minerals and vitamins.
Carrots, corn, peas, broccoli, and string beans can be made more flavorful by quickly blanching them in boiling water with some bullion cubes added.
As for fruits, stay far away from grapes and their derivatives, like raisins. They are highly toxic to dogs, as are onions and garlic.
Bone Appetit!
Q: My cat of eight years has recently developed a strong fear of my 10-year-old cat. Her fear is so strong that she will only leave her hiding place to eat and drink. She will even sleep in her own urine and feces. Is there anything I can do to stop her from ruining my house? I have been to the vet several times and they can't seem to come up with anything! Please help.
A: I think this question would best be answered by a veterinary behaviorist. The behavior you are describing is quite unusual and far too complex to diagnose without an in-person visit.
Behavior changes in a cat can also be medical, so a full exam and some screening tests may be useful to rule out underlying disease.
It may be useful to make one room this scaredy cat's sanctuary. Use stress reduction tools such as Feliway and chamomile. Provide enrichment in the form of scratching posts, cat nip, and an appropriate place to hide, like a kitty cave (a bed that looks like an igloo), or even a paper bag or a box. It has to be some place she feels safe other than her litter box! And if you are using a covered litter box, you may want to take the cover off if she is using that as a hiding place. Feed her in this room and spend time with her. And most of all, do NOT give your other cat access to her.
Sometimes drug therapy may be necessary to further decrease her anxiety.
At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself what is this cat's quality of life. If she simply can't function with another cat in the household, you could consider finding her a home where she is an only child. I know that is a sad option, but could be in her best interest if all else fails. But if you want to seek all possible options before you make that decision ask your vet for a referral to a Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist.
Good Luck!
Q: Abby, my three-and-a-half-year-old spayed female cat, has a bladder infection and diarrhea. I own one other cat. The vet's office has recently had a change in doctors. The new doctor we saw Monday and Wednesday dislikes Abby because she growls and hisses while there, and she has a history of biting as a kitten, as well as is "uncooperative" (according to the vet). Abby and my other cat, Daisy, have never gotten along well but tolerate each other. Abby has had what I call "goopy eye" where her left eye drips fluid. Her former vet prescribed Viralys for the eye and amytriptyline for behavior (which works very well). I'm wondering if her bladder infection and diarrhea can be related to the eye problem for which Viralys was prescribed. Is it stress? We moved in September. I can't afford the emergency vet and this new doctor at my regular office is no help as long as she dislikes Abby. Any thoughts?
A: Feline Lower Urinary Track Disease (FLUTD) or Interstitial Cystitis needs to be managed by your veterinarian. There are many factors involved and each cat has a different set of reasons for being afflicted. If your vet does not meet your needs and/or is not able to handle your cat (not all cats are cooperative! Mine is quite a grizzly bear when I bring him in!), then you should seek another vet.
Causes of FLUTD type symptoms (increase frequency of urination, straining and blood in the urine) can include stress, diet, bladder stones, and rarely infection. Very few adult age cats actually have a bacterial infection. Managing stress and increasing water consumption is typically how the symptoms are controlled. A good article can be found at: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/urinary.html
It is highly unlikely that the eye problem and the bladder problem are related. However, diarrhea can be caused by the administration of some oral medications.
Though this disease has been around for an eternity, we are still unsure of why it occurs. We do know that women have a similar condition and there have been recent advances made in human medicine to treat. But you need to work with a veterinary that you are comfortable with the help you mange this.
Q: I came home from work and found that my dog had blood clots in both of her eyes, in the white parts of them. What does this mean?
A: By blood clots, I am going to assume that you see visible red lesions on the sclera (which is the white part of the eye) and that they are actually part of the eye and can't be wiped away. On that assumption, I would highly suggest that your dog see the vet.
Small hemorrhages, know as petechia, are usually caused by platelet disorders. Platelets are the blood cells that facilitate clot formation. Abnormalities in platelets either in their numbers or their function can cause blood vessels to leak. You can see evidence of this on the body (look in the non haired regions) the whites of the eyes, the gums, and in more severe cases the urine, stool and lungs.
There are many things that cause platelet abnormalities including some tick borne illnesses, drug administration, and auto-immune disorders. Treatment depends on the cause.
This can be a very serious disorder and prompt diagnosis and treatment is necessary.
Q: My dog is part lab and Irish setter, weighs about 50 pounds and is eight years old. Last summer, he got a large lump on his anal gland. We paid $1,500 for surgery to have it removed - and it's already growing back!
A: It's about the size of a small marble. Is this something my dog is always going to have a problem with? Is there something we can do to prevent this from getting any larger or from coming back again if he has to have surgery again?
A: Kay, it's hard for me to answer your question, not knowing what the lump actually turned out to be. Was it cancerous? Was it benign? Is your dog neutered?
The most common growth found around the anus is a perianal gland tumor. In unneutered male dogs, this is typically benign (adenoma), and in female dogs it is usually malignant (adenocarcinoma).
There is no real way to tell the difference, however, without a biopsy.
Neutering your male dog may decrease the incidence. While the tumor may actually be benign, it can still cause problems. Lots of tumors get traumatized from the dogs licking and chewing in that area, and they will bleed and be a source of discomfort.
It is best to bring these questions up with your vet, as I am sure a biopsy was done on the mass that was previously removed. What it is will determine if and what can be done to prevent in the future.
Q: What is your opinion on distemper and corona vaccinations for dogs, and what is the difference between the one-year and three-year rabies vaccination? Many vets say the 3-year vaccination is enough and that the Distemper and Corona Vaccinations are unnecessary. Thank you.
A: I base my decision on whether or not to vaccinate after I have discussed with the owner their pet's risk factors. I tailor my vaccines to the individual needs of the animal.
Having said that, I do not consider the Corona virus to be a core vaccine. I personally have never vaccinated a dog with this vaccine in 16 years of practice. This disease rarely occurs in dogs and when it does, it is usually mild and self-limiting. My sentiments are supported by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), who published their recommended vaccine guidelines late 2006.
Distemper is a life-threatening disease and I have seen many cases, mostly in the Caribbean, but some in the US early in my career. This is absolutely an illness you want to prevent in your pet. After the dog's initially booster series (puppy vaccines then boosted 1 year later), the vaccine can have duration of immunity lasting over 3 years. But without measuring titers (the presence of protective antibody) you don't exactly know when the protection wears off. General AAHA guidelines recommends every three years or more. When discussing when to re-vaccinate with your veterinarian, you want to consider age, travel history, exposure to other dogs and prevalence of this disease in your community.
Rabies vaccine is manufactured as a one- and three-year vaccine. ALL dogs must be
vaccinated one year after the initial vaccine for proper immunization. State and local statutes dictate whether or not your dog is required to have a one- or a three-year vaccine. Duration of immunity for rabies vaccines is long: However, you are governed by ordinances as to frequency. The only reason you should use the one-year (after the initial dose) should be if you are required to by law. Otherwise, there is no need for annual revaccination.
Hope this helps. You can read more about the AAHA recommendations at http://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocuments/VaccineGuidelines06Revised.pdf
Q: I recently fostered a dog that I fell in love with. Unfortunately, I didn't know that she couldn't be around other dogs because of her
"kennel cough," or she would infect them. The problem is, I've heard it is deadly for puppies and she happened to infect four dogs - a senior
(seven years), and three puppies (ages 7 to 9 months). I was told their medication would be $1000 just for two dogs. Is that true? And, could
my dogs die from having kennel cough?
- Sasha
A: Sasha, in most animals, kennel cough is like the common cold. In an animal with a decent immune system, it can resolve on its own with no
treatment in 7-10 days. Most veterinarians try to hasten the resolution by placing animals on antibiotics, most commonly doxycycline, which
is relatively inexpensive. Some dogs need cough suppressants when the cough is so constant that it keeps them and everyone else up at night.
But over all, in most dogs, it is no more dangerous than a cold. The causative agents are a viral/bacterial pair (Canine Parainfluenza and
Bordetella Brontiseptica) that infect the upper airway.
However, for the old and the young, with less immune function can become quite ill as the bacterial aspect of the infection can move down
into the lungs causing pneumonia. If this happens, things can become quite severe, requiring hospitalization and aggressive treatment.
This does not happen in the majority of dogs infected, but it can, and early treatment and a trip to your vet can minimize this occurrence.
There are vaccines that will minimize the symptoms but they rarely prevent the disease outright.
There is always a risk when you take in a stray animal into your home , as you cant tell whether or not he is harboring disease, but fostering
is a very important to the rescue community and I thank you for opening up your home to an animal in need.
Q: My dog started growling this morning for no reason. When I approached him, he stood up and growled at me, then my wife. He has always been
gentle with an excellent temperament. He is a 12-year-old [bichon]. What gives?
- Chris
A: Chris, honestly, I can't answer you.
Aggression can be triggered by many things, medical or behavioral. As a rule of thumb, if your otherwise sweet-natured dog undergoes a drastic
personality change, you may want to have a good physical exam and some medical screenings to make sure nothing is happening to him healthwise.
Pain, visual loss, hormonal imbalances, cognitive dysfunction, and other brain disease are potential health issues that can trigger aggression.
If the trip to the vet doesn't turn up anything and the behavior continues to escalate, you may want to seek the advice of a veterinary behaviorist.
My cat just returned this morning from a 5 day stay at the vet. He
had a blocked bladder and was catheterized for 72 hours. I just
noticed that he is leaking urine so much so that where he was laying
had a pool of urine and there was a trail of droplets everywhere he
went. I called his vet and he said it may be inflammation from
removing the catheter. I'm worried that it's something more. Is this
common, will it continue?
Blocked cats can be tricky.
Sometimes the bladder walls are so distended from not urinating for awhile
that they don't function right, though this doesn't happen very often. He
could still have a partial blockage or just a really inflamed bladder that
causes him to leak. I think you need to take him back to your vet.
Sometimes it just takes a few days for the inflammation to reside. There
are some drugs that can help this. Please follow up with your vet as he is
familiar with your kitty. If he/she isn't helpful, or giving you the
counseling you deserve to understand this complicated problem, then you may
need another opinion.
Blocked cats are usually the result of a syndrome called Feline Interstitial
Cystitis. It is a complex and poorly understood disease, even though we
have been seeing it for over 30 years! We have tried many remedies over the
years, and have though we have figured out the cause, but the truth is, we
haven't. At this point it is thought that increasing the cats water
consumption and lowering stress helps. Canned food is preferred over dry.
Do a google search on it and arm yourself with some information and then
speak with your vet
Did your dog have symptoms of Lyme disease when he went to the vet
(lameness, fever) or did your vet detect he was positive on a routine
screening when he was checked for heartworm???
It is hard to predict the future, but most dogs with Lyme Disease have no
symptoms. Others experience joint pain and lameness with or without a
fever. Fewer go on to develop more serious problems like Lyme Nephritis
which is an inflammation of the kidneys that can be quite harmful. Though I
have seen some dogs progress to that stage, they are few and far between and
I have diagnosed Lyme infection in thousands of dogs in my career. Most of
those had absolutely no evidence of disease.
Going forward, I would suggest a few things. First off, have your
veterinarian routinely screen your dog's urine. We look for protein in the
urine which can indicate that the kidneys are starting to become a bit more
porous than they should be, a consequence of Lyme Nephritis that is better
to detect earlier rather than later. Secondly, practice good tick control.
The jury is still out on whether or not to vaccinate dogs that test
positive. There are strong pros and cons which change on a daily basis. We
simply don't know enough about the natural disease yet to all agree on what
is the best course of action. Since Lyme disease fell within my radar some
10 years ago, my opinion on whether or not to vaccinate has changed a
handful of times. Newer research is suggesting you should, however a
consensus paper drafted by the American College of Veterinary Internal
Medicine strongly argues against it. That was written in 2006 and already
some researchers have poked big holes in it.
The best advice I can give you is to discuss this with your veterinarian so
the two of you can decide on the next course of action that is right for you
dog.
I have to fly cross-country next month and would like to bring my 13
lbs. dog with me. What precautions should I take to make the trip
more comfortable for her?
All major airlines will require a health certificate to board the plane.
This needs to be done a maximum of 14 days in advance, and it will also be
required for the return trip. So you may have to find a vet where you are
visiting to complete that for you.
As far as travelling, how does your pet do in the car? That is a good start in determining how she will do on the plane (I assume she will be in the cabin with you). An anxious dog may need a mild sedative; a well adjusted pooch may need nothing. You will have to discuss this with your veterinarian and they can recommend if this is necessary.
Usually I recommend not feeding your pet prior to the journey to minimize vomiting and other accidents. Water, is ok to offer during the flight. And you may just want to have the carrier heavily blanketed, just in case they need to relieve themselves.
If this is a highly or easily stressed pup, it may be better to leave them
at home with a friend.
My 7 month old kitty has never spent the night alone. With the summer coming, I tend to go away on the weekends (leave Friday, back by Sunday night). I know that cats are good by themselves for a night or two, but since Mookie has never spent the night alone, I'm a little concerned. Should I be? Or am I worrying for nothing? I was going to have a friend stop by on the days I'm away to change his litter and water, and to play with him for an hour. Will this be a good idea or silly?
It is hard to answer your question without the proverbial crystal ball or a video security system set up to spy on kitty while you are away.
When you leave an animal alone, you do incur a risk that something unforeseen could happen. But this is true even when you leave for work.
There is an element of uncertainty that one accepts as a pet owner. Take that out of the equation and you are left with the possibility of emotional distress. But in my opinion, it is often the human who frets more about leaving the kitty alone than the kitty does. In fact, my cats probably don't even notice I am gone.
Having someone pop in is a good idea for your piece of mind and also to ensure a clean litter box and check on food and water. Cats that prefer pristine litter boxes can develop bad bathroom behavior in an owner's absence that is often viewed as "spite" but really it is that the box is dirty and they don't want to use it anymore, so they go elsewhere--usually on your bed!
All in all, you need to make arrangements that allow you to enjoy your time away without worrying, ensure your pet's needs are met and his health status isn't compromised in your absence. Just an FYI, in my opinion, cats do prefer the comfort of their home and in general rather stay behind then make the trip or get dropped off at the kennel.
Why does my dog chew on his feet? He just goes to town on them!
One of the most common causes of feet chewing in dogs is allergies. Food is a big allergy culprit. Allergies can cause the skin to become inflamed and itchy. I imagine it is much like having poison ivy. As the dogs continue to chew, they sometimes end up causing mild secondary bacterial infections that are also itchy. It is a repetitive cycle.
Certain parasite infections like mites, fungi, or yeast can also cause inflamed feet.
And then there are some dogs that chew because they have a sort of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Allergies in dogs can be challenging to treat, and often times it is a problem that flares up over and aver again. Work with your vet to get this puzzled solved.
To schedule an appointment with the Bideawee Veterinary Practice nearest you, please contact us.
My cat is 19 years old. Lately she will meow loudly and lose control of her legs. We took her to the vet and were given high blood pressure medication and the doctor told us that her retinas have detached. Could my cat be having a stroke as often as once every two days? Or can a heart condition cause these actions?
Hypertension (high blood pressure) can affect all organ systems and is a problem in older cats. Sometimes this just happens and other times it can be attributed to other diseases such as hyperthyroidism and kidney disease. You always want to search for an underlying cause.
While you are looking, however, you should also take steps to decrease the blood pressure. Hypertension is very damaging to a cat's body. High blood pressure causes small blood vessels to leak or even rupture. This is especially evident in tissues like the eye (leading to detached retina) or the brain (resulting in stroke = cerebral vascular accidents). Hypertension also increases wear and tear on the kidneys and the heart, compounding problems for cats with kidney or thyroid disease. So yes, I would say it is possible for some of your cat's symptoms to be caused by this disease.
The good news is, hypertension can be controlled with medication and sometimes goes away by itself if you treat the underlying cause (if there is one). Left managed, however, it can be quite serious.
Are there any special considerations I should know about when spaying a very small Chihuahua? She was a rescue and we think she's about 2 to 2 and a half years old, and about 3 lbs. I wonder if there are any issues relating to operating on a dog this small, i.e., taking her to a vet that regularly cares for small dogs, etc. I've also seen mention of laser surgery and its benefits in terms of reducing discomfort, healing time, etc. and am curious to know your thoughts on that as well.
With any animal regardless of size, a thorough health evaluation is necessary. Lots of vets do pre-anesthetic blood work to also assess risk.
We frequently spay/neuter 2 pound animals, so size isn't so much the issue as health is.
Anesthesia is risky business no matter how old/young or big/small an animal is. I take it very seriously. Knowing as much as you can about your patient helps you assess risk and minimize it but you never alleviate it. There are always unknowns. Good veterinary hospitals prepare for those unknowns by placing catheters, administering fluids, keeping their patients warm, using monitoring devices to measure heart rate and oxygenation levels and blood pressure, and having experienced staff in the surgical suite monitoring the patient.
We don't routinely use laser for spay/neuter in our practice, but we do practice balanced anesthesia and pain management to minimize discomfort.
When I woke up this morning and I went to let my two dogs out, I noticed that there were two piles of throw up; both were extremely watery with a little bit of food in it and there was a pool of blood by itself. What does it mean that one of them threw up blood? I have looked it up and got a whole range of answers. I am not sure which one did it, so should I take them both to the vet or watch them to see if it happens again? Please let me know, thank you so much!
Vomiting, with or without blood, is a sign of either primary gastrointestinal disorders, or metabolic disease. Because there is an endless list of possibilities ranging from good to bad, it is best that you seek council of a veterinarian that has the benefit of examining your dog and getting a better history. Of course, you need to know which dog is the one vomiting. Vomiting can be self limiting as in the case of "a stomach bug," but can also be a symptom of a more chronic disease and it is best not to assume either one. Just get him to the vet and work with him to figure out the problem. The blood makes me a bit more nervous. It could be that it is actually bloody diarrhea rather than vomit. Either way, both can lead to dehydration and other problems if not tended to promptly.
This disease can be serious, but it also can be treated. I would ask the vet what to expect in the short term, what needs to be done in the long term (as this can re-occur) and what to look for that should concern you so you can catch an any set backs early.
My 10.5 yr old rat terrier, Annie was just diagnosed with anemia. I have limited resources and am told by some that diagnosis can be
costly. Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
There are many causes of anemia, the most likely may be Auto Immune Hemolytic Anemia, which is where the body attacks its own red blood cells for no apparent reason. Any internist is going to want to rule out other causes (tick borne disease, bone marrow problems, cancer, etc). What you need to do is be up front with the vet about your financial capabilities and construct a program that will give your dog the best chance of recovery. In return, by not being able to complete a full complement of diagnostic tests you have to accept that they can only treat what they suspect and sometimes this doesn't work.
This disease can be serious, but it also can be treated. I would ask the vet what to expect in the short term, what needs to be done in the long term (as this can re-occur) and what to look for that should concern you so you can catch an any set backs early.
For the past 2 weeks, my kitty has barely been eating and I just noticed his nose is white. Is he sick? Should I bring him in to see the vet?
Any time your pet acts out of his normal character, it may be cause for concern. Cats in particular are creatures of habit. Skipping several meals is a good indicator that something may be wrong, as is increase in water consumption, changes in elimination patterns, and alterations in behavior.
Sometimes not eating is a result of stress, abrupt changes in diet or dental problems. However, lack of appetite is a very general symptom of many feline illnesses, like kidney, liver, or intestinal diseases. It will take a trip to your vet and probably some diagnostic tests to figure this out.
Cats can become quite ill from prolonged anorexia on top of what ever it was that stopped him from eating in the first place. Feline Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver Syndrome) is a direct result of such "starvation". In order to produce energy for important physiologic body functions cats that don't eat are forced to mobilize fat stores. Unfortunately the kitty's liver doesn't process the transformation of fat into utilizable energy very well and the liver becomes overloaded with fat, which prevents it from doing its job. This is a life threatening problem.
So bottom line is, please seek veterinary attention to get to the bottom of this.
My Puppy has lots of blood in his stool, and I am going to bring him to the vet. Usually what causes the blood in his stool other than parasite? Can stress or food cause that? Does your Vet Practice do blood work?
Blood in the stool is caused by colitis. Colitis is an inflammation/irritation of the colon, the colon being the last part of the large intestine that is responsible for absorption of water, fecal storage and a tiny bit of digestion. When any part of your body is inflamed, you can see bleeding. Lots of bacteria live in the colon and they are responsible for breaking down the stool contents even further to produce products that actually nourish the cell of the colon. They also are responsible for gas production.
A few things actually can cause colitis, or it can be a disease in and of itself, like in people (Crohn's disease) or in Boxer's (Histiocytic colitis). Whipworms and Giardia both intestinal parasites, are common causes especially in puppies. Dietary changes, stress (boarding is a big stressor in some dogs) and garbage ingestion are also common and are usually short-lived and easily treated.
If this has been going on for awhile, usually a month or more, or it has been unresponsive to various treatments, further investigation is warranted. Some animals have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or food allergies that need more in depth diagnostics to figure out. Polyps and intestinal tumors are less frequent causes of blood in the stool. Furthermore, Bacterial overgrowth with Clostridium organisms can complicate matters and should be ruled out.
I suppose a brief mention of Hemmorhagic Gastro-Eneritis is in order, however, that is a pretty dramatic presentation that you have not described. The stool is all blood, very foul smelling, the dogs are generally very ill and it warrants immediate veterinary care to prevent dehydration.
Taking your dog to the vet is the best advice and should never be substituted. Without having the pleasure of meeting your dog, it is impossible for me to make a diagnosis.
My cat is always "blinking" one of his eyes and it's always quite watery. Sometimes I need to blot it. Should I take him in to be treated for something? It's been a few weeks now. Also, his ears are quite dirty. We clean them then they are dirty again in a couple of weeks. Not sure if that is normal? Thanks so much!
Your cat may have an eye infection which is often caused by a Herpes Virus. It is quite common.
It is also possible that there is a scratch on the surface of the eye. Squinting can indicate pain and these scratches can be quite painful.
Either way, it is worth a trip to your vet.
Dirty ears can be caused by ear mites or an ear infection. It is best to find out the cause. You can damage the ear by over cleaning and you should never put any liquids into the ear of a cat unless instructed by your veterinarian. Certain cleaning agents, like chlorhexadine, can damage the ear drum of cats.
What favorite people foods can harm my pet?
Several foods that we like to munch on can actually be harmful to your pet. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure, onions and garlic can affect red blood cells and cause life threatening anemia, chocolate can be mildly toxic but consumed in large quantities can be fatal, bakers chocolate is 8-10 times more potent. The toxic ingredient in chocolate is theobromine and that affects the central nervous system, heart, and blood pressure, much the same way caffeine does to some people. Certain brands of gum containing the ingredient xylitol can cause a life threatening drop in blood sugar. It is always important to remember that foods that are tasty and safe for humans are not always safe for your pet.
Can I give my pet an aspirin if he isn't feeling well?
Because pets are not people, it is not recommend you administer any human prescription drug or over-the-counter medication to your pet. Always consult a veterinarian first. Tylenol is extremely toxic to kitties and can cause death from even one tablet. Sometimes our curious critters can get into our medication even if we think it is out of reach. Never assume they will be fine, always consult your veterinarian or call Poison Control.
How do I take care of my dog's teeth?
It is important to take care of your pet's teeth. Your veterinarian or vet technician can show you some techniques, like using a toothbrush or washcloth to rub the outside surface of the teeth; this is where tartar and plaque can accumulate causing gingivitis, dental disease, and bad breath. This source of infection can, over time, cause problems with his kidneys and heart. There are special types of toothpaste formulated for doggie and kitty use-using "people" toothpaste, which was meant to be spit out and not swallowed, is not good for pets.
Why do I need to spay or neuter my pet?
The reasons behind spay/neuter are threefold. First, by spaying your female pet or neutering your male pet, you are doing your part to decrease the number of unwanted animals brought to shelters each year. Secondly, you are limiting the chance that your pet will get sick later on in life; sex hormones can contribute and actually increase the likelihood of certain diseases in dogs and cats. Life threatening uterine infections and mammary cancer in females and testicular cancer in the male dogs can result. Thirdly, certain behavior issues may be curtailed when your pet is spayed/neutered. Unless you want to breed your animal, spay/neuter is the responsible thing to do and is ultimately in the best interest of your pet.
Should I microchip my pet?
In a word: YES. A microchip is smaller than a grain of rice and implanted in it is an identification number that can be "seen" by using a hand held scanner that most veterinary hospitals and shelters have. Having your animal permanently identified increases the chances that you will be reunited with your pet in the event that he or she is lost, stolen, or displaced in a catastrophic event. These chips can be easily implanted by your veterinarian, and when you register your pet, the data is kept in an easily accessible database that will facilitate you if your pet is recovered. Bideawee advocates universal micropchipping. Every animal we adopt is microchipped before leaving us and our vet practices only charge the public $20 for the procedure. For more on our microchip program, please click here.
Why is my dog rubbing his bottom along the carpet?
There may be different reasons your pet is scooting along the floor. Some of the more common things that can cause this behavior are fleas, tapeworms, a skin irritation, vaginitis (in female dogs), or a problem with the anal glands. Cats and dogs have an anal gland located on each side of the rectum. When the stool exits the body, it presses on these glands, which secrete a liquid onto the stool. This liquid has a very distinct odor and we believe the purpose of the odor is to mark the stool and thus mark the animal's territory. Sometimes these glands can overfill and then your dog will then try to put pressure on the glands by scooting along the floor or larger dogs may try biting at the area. Sometimes anal glands can become impacted or infected by these irritations, so if you see your dog scooting, you should make an appointment to see your veterinarian who can manually express the glands and make your dog more comfortable.
How will I know if my cat is sick?
Cats are creatures of habit. You should consider taking your cat to the veterinarian if: she misses more than one meal, shows a sudden change in eating habits, drinks excessive amounts of water, stops using the litter box, develops puffiness or a lump under the skin, hides for more than a day, becomes suddenly short-tempered or intolerant of attention, shakes his head frequently, changes his routine or loses interest in his favorite games, stops grooming.
One question is chosen each month to be answered for this column. As always, if your pet is experiencing an emergency or displaying physical symptoms or any out-of-the-ordinary behaviors, please contact your veterinarian immediately.
Bideawee is not responsible for any medical information provided to you by this feature and is not liable for the health or well-being of your animal by virtue of making this feature available to you.
