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Pet Prescription and
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| INDEX OF ARTICLES | WAITING ROOM | EXAM ROOM | SURGERY ROOM | X-RAY ROOM | GENERAL TOPICS | IMPORTANT TOPICS | LAB and PHARMACY | PET PHOTOS | PET SUPPLIES | PET PHARMACY |
Frequently Asked Questions
Be sure to seek the
advice of your own veterinarian about any question |
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ThePetCheckup™ Find out about this unique in-home health test kit for dogs and cats that may revolutionize pet health care awareness! |
| To The CAT QUESTIONS |
| Q... from Amy G...I have a 5 month old toy poodle who has a very picky palate. He was eating dog food when we brought him home form the breeder, and didn't really like it. A month after we had him, he got sick from a can of wet food that sparked in the microwave. Due to his sickness, the vet put him on chicken and rice for a week. Unfortunately the transition back to dog food has been rough. We try to give him two teaspoons of Nutrimax dry at each sitting (3 times daily), but have to mix it with chicken, lean ground meat and even filet! He still spits out the dog food when it is mixed. The vet is not concerned because his weight is good (almost 3 lbs) and he is healthy and active. I've been told by people to just give him the dog food and when he is hungry he will eventually eat it. He is very tiny though, and I would hate to see him go hungry for days. I am also told that you can cook for the dog, which I am willing to do, and subscribe to a holistic diet with supplements. What is the best route, in your opinion, and how do I go about making his meal time easier? |
A...Hi Amy,
I think you may be overestimating the dog's capacity to eat. For example...a 3
pound poodle eating 4 ounces of food at one time would be equivalent to a 150 pound human
eating one and one-half pounds of food. These little dogs (and I also have a 3 pound
poodle!) often do not need nor care to eat 3 times a day. WE seem to think they need to
eat 3 meals because WE seem to need to eat 3 meals each day (plus snacks like popcorn at 8
p.m. and ice cream at 10 p.m.!)
My suggestion: Feed a very good food such as Purina Pro Plan Chicken and Rice dry food and
a little meat such as chicken once or twice a day. If the little guy doesn't feel like eating...don't force it
or get worried that he HAS to eat something. I have never heard of a dog starving while
good food was accessible. You probably should readjust your concept of how much this dog
HAS to eat...he really only needs a few ounces daily. And if you do not give the dog
choices, he eventually will eat more consistently and be more accepting of what you
provide. Dogs do NOT need variety in their daily rations. Get accurate weights over a
period of time and you will probably see that his weight is stable...he is eating only
what he needs.
| Q... from Richard A...My 2 year-old German Shepherd mix has a habit of vomiting once or twice a week. The volume of the discharge is usually small, yellow, and watery. I strictly control her diet - dry lamb and water, although she has a ceaseless desire to eat everything I eat, which I forbid. I fed her some canned food once. She wolfed it down and immediately threw it up five minutes later. It's obviously a painful experience for her and a frustrating one for me to clean up. How do I help her? |
A...Hello Richard,
If I were to have your dog as a patient there are a number of things that could be done to
see if she has a problem, for example some dogs that have intestinal parasites will vomit
on occasion and have a
sensitive stomach...so check a fecal sample for parasites. (Even if
you don't see any in her stool!)
I would definitely want to do a barium swallow followed by x-rays to see if she
has any defects in ability to swallow food directly into the stomach or possibly
a foreign object in her stomach (see
Esophageal Achalasia
for
a good example of this type of x-ray).
I would want to be certain that there isn't some ingredient in the food to which she is
sensitive by placing her on a test diet (see http://www.prescriptiondiets.com for a good test
diet).
Also...many dogs that are fed only once a day and would prefer and really need to be fed
more often because their blood sugar levels may at times be quite low, will vomit in
anticipation of being fed. It is almost as if they are so hungry that the stomach goes
into contractions and they will vomit a small amount of gastric juice ( there's nothing
else in the stomach to vomit) because of the stomach contractions. These dogs clear up
nicely if the owners will feed them two or three meals daily. Just divide the day's ration
into equal portions and feed more often. Also if she seems starved for food...is she
slightly thin?... she may really need more calories on a daily basis so just feed her more
total food each day and she may seem more satisfied.
Be sure to let your DVM know that you would like to find the reasons for the vomiting and
consider checking a stool sample (and maybe a worming for tapeworms anyway since these
worms are very difficult to establish as being present), check an x-ray, feed 2 or 3 times
a day, and check for food intolerances.
| Q...from Julianne...I know that there are no
"silly" questions, but you just might laugh at this one ! My dog is a Lab mix
(18 months old) and we just got him at a local Humane Society. He is adjusting to living
with me and my daughter, but when he gets excited or, more often, when he exercises a lot
he produces a LOT of saliva. It literally hangs out of his mouth and nearly touches the
ground ! Passers-by see it foaming and keep their distance. Can you explain this phenomena and give some advice ?? |
A...Hi Julianne,
This drooling problem is pretty common, actually. Sometimes it occurs when the dog's lower
lips droop, like in Saint Bernards, and the normal amounts of saliva cannot be directed to
the back of the throat. And I have seen a few dogs that when they get excited, exercise,
or are about to eat will hyper-salivate. There are medications, such as atropine, that
will inhibit salivation but probably shouldn't be used unless the problem is really
causing trouble. Be sure to have your veterinarian check his mouth for any bad teeth,and
check to see if the lower lips can be the cause of the trouble...there may be some surgery
that could be done on the lower lips that might help to direct the saliva back to the rear
of the mouth instead of to the outside.
Good luck!
| Q...from CHH...My boxer is very stiff, has not eaten in 3 days and has not bowel moved in 4 days or urine. Please help, the vet saw him yesterday and said there were not parasites or anything he could diagnose. Please help |
A... Hello,
My advice would be to get your dog to another veterinarian as soon as possible. From your
description there is certainly something wrong and you need to find a veterinarian who
will be more helpful...fast!
| Q...from Debbie...Hi I have a Beagle who is 11
years old he is male and has never been neutered. My mother has a Silky terrier who was
spayed recently my beagle has been trying to get at the terrier. He is constantly licking
her and humping her and whining and howling at her all the time. This has been going on
for a month now is there anything I can do to stop this??????? It is driving me and the
Terrier crazy and I don't think it is too healthy for My beagle Dudley. Please let
me know if there is anything that can be done besides having him neutered. I think he is
too old to have neutered right now. Thank you |
A...Hi Deb,
This often happens when the female dog has a bladder or vaginal infection. Somehow the
male dog can detect an odor that arouses him and he won't leave the female dog alone. Have
your DVM check a urine sample and examine her vagina with a scope. Odds are good that
there is an infection going on and once cleared up the old guy will forget all about her.
You can also give her a little scrubbing with a mild shampoo , well rinsed, twice a day
around her genital area to clean up any superficial odors that may be present. Also...I
have neutered many old male dogs and subsequently seen their quality of life greatly
improved. Many old male dogs have prostate problems that neutering helps to
alleviate...not to mention the male dog's subsequent lack of interest in females after the
neutering. But start with having the urinary tract evaluated in the female first.
| Q... from Barb...I was wondering if it was possible for a dog to have a stroke? About two months ago my dog totally collapsed while I have her out on her walk. She was totally unable to get up off the ground. When she did try to get up,she kept walking around in circles and her head was totally tilted to the right.Of course I contacted my vet and brought her in as an emergency,plus she was also vomiting. Also can hypothyroidism cause this?. By the way she seems to be doing better now. |
A...Hi Barb,
Yes, dogs can have strokes but they are very uncommon and happen in very old dogs. Usually
a stroke will cause long term disability. I believe that your dog had an episode of what
is called Vestibular Syndrome...something (such as a blood clot, slight hemorrhage,
infection,etc.) disabled the balance mechanisms in the dog's inner ear structures called
semi-circular canals, and sent nerve impulses to the brain that were inappropriate. The
dog feels like it just got off a merry-go-round, cannot walk straight, has a head tilt,
and has uncoordinated eye movements called strabismus. This disorder can be very scary at
first but most dogs recover in ten to 14 days.
I am sure your DVM looked in both ear canals (the outer ear...the inner ear
cannot be visualized with an otoscope) to see if any infection is present. Be sure to have
a complete physical exam done and, because I am guessing your dog is 9 or 10 years old, a
good blood chemistry analysis and urinalysis is
very important, too.
Hypothyroidism is an unlikely cause of Vestibular Syndrome but if you suspect
hypothyroidism, why not check for it?
Hope this helps a bit and best wishes!
| Q...from Linda...Dr. Dunn, I have a 9 week old Golden Retriever puppy that was whelped from my bitch. She is 1 of a litter of 9. I still have her and her brother and am waiting for a buyer for them. This am I noticed a small lump on the bottom of the left mammary chain. It appears to be moveable and when I push on it it seems to disappear. It does not appear to be painful and the puppy is moving well. No tenderness, no restrictive movements and appetite great. Plays with her brother and the only difference in the tow is she will lay down and rest before her brother does, but I attribute this to a difference in personality & temperament. I just lost a 7 1/2 yr. old Golden to mammary cancer last March and am worried that we may go through the same thing with a young puppy. Any suggestions? |
A...Hi Linda,
It would be extremely unlikely that the lump is a tumor...fortunately. There are a number
of causes for what you are describing, such as a small abscess that often occurs in
puppies in the lower mammary gland area, or even a small cyst. I honestly don't feel
comfortable telling you "not to worry" without actually checking the lump
myself. Sooo...it might be best to schedule a quick visit to your DVM for an opinion, that
way there will be no guessing involved. But do have it checked out when you can.
| Q...From Tom...I have a 8 month old Boston Terrier female. When she gets excited she sometimes starts to have a breathing disorder where she is trying to breath through her nose but just snorts real hard. It looks painful and taxing on her health when she does this. The vet we have said that her nose is fine and doesn't need to be clipped at the nostrils. Are you aware of this and is there anything I can do to help her get through these episodes. |
A... Hi Tom,
If she can breathe normally 99% of the time (and your DVM sees no
signs of an obstructive airway), my guess is that the dog is experiencing what
is called reverse sneezing. These episodes of reverse sneezing are characterized by
repeated spasms of sucking air INWARD through the nose, happens 6 or 7 times in a row, and
the dog has to stop what it is doing when these episodes happen. They make a sort of
snorting noise when this happens. Then when the episode, lasting only a few seconds, is
over, the dog acts perfectly normally.
If these occurrences are reverse sneezing, it is a result of mucous or other irritation in
the nasal sinuses toward the back of the throat and are not a sign of anything
serious...that is unless the episodes happen often during the day. If they happen only
occasionally I wouldn't be concerned because they aren't anything worse than a regular
sneeze. If they are occurring often during the day, then they can be a sign of pathology
within the nasal sinuses and should be checked out further.
Hope this helps a bit!
| INDEX OF ARTICLES | WAITING ROOM | EXAM ROOM | SURGERY ROOM | X-RAY ROOM | GENERAL TOPICS | IMPORTANT TOPICS | LAB and PHARMACY | PET PHOTOS | PET SUPPLIES | PET PHARMACY |
| Q...from Deb M...We recently landscaped our
backyard and our 16 month old Golden Retriever is constantly eating grass. She will sit in
the grass the entire time we play in the back yard and eat as fast as she can. Is this a
sign of a stomach problems, and is there cause for concern? |
A...Deb, I have never seen a correlation between
dogs (and cats) that like to eat grass and a specific dietary deficiency. There are
a lot of old myths that aren't true...like dogs eat grass to get rid of worms, or to make
themselves vomit, or because they need some roughage in their diet. Certainly eating
grass probably will make a dog vomit but I can't believe the dog thinks "Guess
I need to heave so I'll eat some grass".
I have noticed that many dogs and cats that vigorously eat grass often have
a sore or irritated throat from abrasions or infections. They may not eat that meat
scrap or their usual food but if they get outside they'll graze and actually make their
throat more irritated...so then they eat more grass and so on... And
I do think that a dog that has some stomach or bowel difficulties may eat grass, sticks,
paper and other foreign material out of frustration with the discomfort. Does
she seem gassy or have loose stool?
If she doesn't have any intestinal or throat trouble, eating the grass won't
hurt her (she may deposit a clump of grass on the living room floor tonight, though), but
be sure she is on a good diet and is free of worms and just try to distract her when she
starts her cow imitation. And I am not convinced that those "Greens" you
can buy to feed a dog or cat are valuable additions to a well balanced diet.
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| Q...from Brian K...Our dog Wynston is a year and a half old. He's pretty good about doing his jobs outside. However, every once in a while he decides to jump up on our daughters bed & relieve himself on her bedspread. Off to the laundromat the bedding goes. What can we do outside of closing her bedroom door? At times it's almost like he's telling us he's ticked off from being left alone for a short bit. Any helpful hints would be appreciated. |
A...HI Brian...
This is a common problem...even more so in cats. Is your dog neutered? If not there's a
good chance neutering would correct the problem. Also try to put something over the bed
before leaving for the day such as a plastic sheet...the dog won't like it and may
gradually turn off to the idea of relieving himself there. If you do close the door (an
apparent easy solution) you may find the dog will pick out another spot to baptize
somewhere in the house. Try the sheet trick and hopefully that will work. By the way,
whenever there are ANY difficulties associated with urinating, I always recommend checking
a urine sample for any abnormalities.
| Q...from O.J....My 6 wk old puppy has what I think is a hernia - what is this, what's it from, should I be concerned? will he need surgery? |
A...There are all sorts of hernias and their seriousness depends upon where they are located and how big they are. A hernia refers to an abnormal opening in a body wall. For example a diaphragmatic hernia can result from trauma where the diaphragm separating the chest contents and abdominal structures tears. Now some of the internal organs may move to areas they don't belong through the hernia in the diaphragm. You are probably referring to an umbilical hernia. This opening through the abdominal midline where the umbilicus (belly button!) is can be so large that sometimes the abdominal fat and other structures may push out of the abdomen and end up under the skin. Your veterinarian should examine the hernia and let you know if surgery should be done to close this opening before it gets even larger. Sometimes these hernias can be very serious.
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A... Scratching dogs! If I get one more question about scratching dogs...! Seriously, the numbers of dogs with symptoms of scratching could keep veterinarians busy with just these cases alone. Part of the problem is that there are so many possible causes for the scratching. Sarcoptic mites are often overlooked and the diagnosis of "Allergy" is made. Here, the worst thing to prescribe would be a steroid which is often prescribed when an allergy is suspected. Allergic causes must always be considered, though. There are literally hundreds of substances (called antigens) to which dogs can be allergic; the problem is to find the ones that are offending the dog. I would recommend that you see your veterinarian and firmly request that you get to the source of the itching. This might mean allergy testing AFTER sarcoptic mites are ruled out. Often a skin biopsy really helps in reaching a diagnosis. And until you get a definite diagnosis you won't know how to treat the cause of the itching and scratching. By the way, I know some collie owners who shave down the coat every spring, mostly in hot climates to make the dog more comfortable. Clipping the coat short , though, isn't the answer in you dog's case. And here's one more
question about scratching: ... My dog is a Cocker Spaniel. In a day I see
her rubbing her face (mouth area) on the bed or couch at least three to four times a day.
Is this normal? She has very dry skin. I see flakes on the back of her ears n some
parts of her body. From young she could not eat any other food except A...Many dogs have ATOPIC DERMATITIS, an allergy to
inhaled substances that cause chronic itching of the jaw and face as well as sometimes the
paws. Your dog may very well be a victim and you should consult with your |
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| A... Some dogs never seem to need a bath and others should be bathed every few weeks. The odor you detect from your dog is a result of common bacteria on the skin breaking down the oils naturally present on the surface of the skin. So, the oilier the skin the easier it is for the bacteria present to have a feast and create metabolic chemicals that we detect as odorous. Have your dog checked to see if he has a condition called seborrhea and then consult your veterinarian or groomer about the right shampoo to use to minimize the oiliness of the skin. You might have to bathe your dog consistently every two weeks to keep the odor and oiliness under control. |
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| A... I wouldn't. When dogs drink they actually throw the water toward the back of the throat with a neat trick of the tongue. I have seen some dogs drink so fast that some water contacts the sensitive tissues within the larynx which triggers a cough response. If your dog can run, play, pant and breathe without a chronic cough and only does it when drinking, I believe you can ignore it. |
| Q...my dog has epilepsy and she has very violent
seizures, her doctor has her on Phenobarbital (90mg) per day as well as potassium
bromide(2cc per day) but, like clockwork she's still having at least one seizure a month,
the potassium does prevent her from having a cluster of seizures, before she took it she
would 10 seizures in a 24 hour period and then have amnesia for about a week but, I want the seizures to stop completely. Is there anything you can suggest without my having a to give her more medication because I don't want my dog drugged up either, I want her to enjoy life, any advice you could give would greatly appreciated. |
A...It sounds like your veterinarian has done just
about all that can be done for your dog medically. The KBromide is sort of a last resort
as far as medications go. Sometimes increasing dosages can help but then the side effects
often are worse than the problem. My suggestion would be to consult with a veterinary
specialist in neurology. Dr. Allen Parker at the U. of Illinois Veterinary school in
Champaign, IL is one I am familiar with but there are more. Your veterinarian could look
up one for you or call the
AVMA office in Schaumburg, IL and they will refer you to one.
I have had a number of dogs, a schnauzer, Golden Retrievers and a boxer
come to mind whose seizures simply could not be subdued by medication. We finally
euthanized because we had a choice between a very unfortunate existence of drug clouded,
seizure-filled days for the poor dog or ending the ordeal for the dog and the owner.
However...you may go as far as getting a CAT Scan done ( very expensive
even if the human doctors will allow you access to the machine...but why not try?!) and
search for brain pathology. Just so you know, too, there are humans who suffer from
repeated seizures and sometimes specialized brain surgery is done to block or deaden the
areas that trigger the seizures.
My overall impression would be to think of the dog's quality of life
first...
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| A... German Shepards as a breed are predisposed to a condition called Perianal Fistulas. This can be a very difficult disorder to correct. Be sure there are no sores or inflammation around the anus. Most likely, though, he is having difficulty with his Anal Glands. These are actually little sacs on each side of the anus that normally fill with a foul smelling material that is excreted when the dog has a bowel movement. However, the openings can become obstructed and the sac contents build up and cause pressure the dog can feel. Have your veterinarian give him a good check up, possibly under light sedation because most Shepards won't let anyone inspect their "private areas"! The anal glands can be removed surgically if necessary. For more information, The Pet Center has a description of the Anal Glands topic at This Location. |
| Q... from Nat...My dog is constantly catching and sometimes killing , but usually wounding, possums that she finds in the back yard. She is allegedly, part Rottweiler, and part Labrador, if that helps to define her behavior. Can she get ill doing this? She also catches moles, birds and snakes. Should she have any extra vaccines to protect her from anything she might contract that I don't know about? We live in the suburbs, but have a 1/2 acre lot, and a pool, so lots of animals stop by. |
A... Nat, many dogs of almost any breed have an
underlying urge to pursue and catch moving objects (even live objects such as possums,
squirrels, birds, people on bicycles!). Some of these dogs will quit the chase when
they actually arrive at the game; others will actually bite and even kill the victim.
So your dog's behavior isn't unnatural or unusual. HOWEVER!! You
absolutely must monitor the dog's actions because it is a very tiny step up to the level
of killing someone else's pet dog or cat. And even worse would be the possibility of
the dog treating an unfamiliar child as if it were a possum. Believe me, tragedies
like that happen every day...and usually the dog's owners react with curious surprise and
say "Gosh, he never went after a human before." Some
dogs are very docile and compatible with children they know and see everyday...and
suddenly turn on a child that is unfamiliar or running and yelling in playfulness, or
perhaps is wearing clothing that is giving off odors of the child's own dog.
As far as contagious things...tapeworms, fleas, sarcoptic mites and skin
funguses (ringworm) come to mind as possibilities. Rabies vaccine is positively a
good idea and the usual distemper/combination vaccine should be up to date although I am
not sure just what viruses possums might carry. They certainly could be a source for
Rabies.
| Q...from Colleen C...How are cats claws removed? I have heard a number of things...none of which sound humane (although I can understand why it is done.) I have a polydactile (sp?) cat and have no reason to ever has his claws removed, but I was just curious and it wasn't mentioned on the site. Great Website, by the way! Well done. |
A... Hi Colleen,
That is a great question. It really does sound like an awful thing to do to any animal.
However, if the cat is going to be an indoor pet and it is causing either physical
harm to a person or other pet...it's time to declaw. Also, if the use of the claws
is causing destruction to your house and furnishings, and trying to direct the scratching
to a "scratching post" isn't helping, you might consider declawing.
The procedure is done under general anesthesia and the claw is secured and
pulled slightly to expose the first joint (between the first and second phalanx).
The incision is made just behind the first digit at the first joint and the tiny bone with
the nail is removed. Trying to remove only the nail has not proven to be a good
procedure because too many times part of the nail will regrow and further surgery is
necessary. Plus a nail remnant can be very uncomfortable for the cat.
The incision can be glued shut, sutured shut, or simply bandaged for 24
hours. Rest is recommended for ten days after the surgery...REST! What else do
cats do anyway! Most cats are slightly uncomfortable for a few days post operatively
then get right back to their usual tricks. There should be no bleeding or discharge
after the surgery and the toes should heal well.
| Q...from Brenda M... I have a ten year old cat. Last January we bought a new house and moved in and that's when the problem started. All of a sudden he won't use his litter box at all. We have moved many times in the past so I don't think that is the problem and I know he knows where the litter box is because I show it to him constantly. I am getting new carpet soon and want to know what I can do. |
A... Hi Brenda,
Very common problem! Be sure to have a urine sample checked by your DVM just in case
there's an infection or bladder stones/irritation present. Probably there is a
psychological motive for the misdirected urinating. Maybe there was a pet in the house
prior to your moving in and the cat can smell that he's in another's territory. Or maybe
he doesn't like the scenery near his litterbox...so try putting it somewhere very private
and don't clean it every day. If the cat is selecting a particular area in which to
eliminate, try blocking that area off or placing books/furniture over the spot
favored...make it uninviting.
You may have to resort to placing another litterbox at the site favored by the cat
temporarily, get the cat to use it, then gradually every day move the litterbox about 2
inches toward the area you wish the cat to utilize for elimination. You may have to keep
the cat confined to a single room while you are gone. Plus, when you get the new
carpeting, everything will smell different again to the cat and you may have to start all
over again!!
| Q...from Erin...
help !!! My 6
month old kitten seems to run on her own clock - which means at 6 am we get food wake-up
calls, and from then on (till about 10am) she is an absolute maniac!! bouncing off chairs,
ripping up newspapers, etc. She's sweet tempered, but this is crazy! Is there anything we
can do ??? p.s.- we've tried exercising her at night to tire her out, which helps a little-but still no sleep for us....... thanks, Erin |
A... Hi Erin,
What you describe is a common problem with some cats. They have so much energy that they
need you to play with them! They don't care what time it is, either. Her personality
probably is on the active side rather than one
of those cats that simply watch, purr, and sleep the day and night away. Soooo.....what do
you do? My suggestion would be to get another cat about the same age and let the two of
them play all day while you are at work. They will entertain each other rather than
causing you to provide the entertainment. Two cats are often much more fun to watch and
entertaining for their owners, too. Plus the maintenance and upkeep of two cats isn't
that much greater than to have only one. Watching cats interact can really be a riot
so if you are inclined, get one more, introduce them gently and soon they'll be great
pals.
| Q... from Lou...I have an indoor cat, about 12 years old, who vomits several times a week. Sometimes it is immediately after she eats, and it consists almost entirely of undigested kitty chow. Other times, it appears to be a bowel movement that she vomits up. Help! I'm so tired of cleaning the carpet! Is there something I can do for her? Otherwise, she is in perfect health. My vet has not been too helpful. Thanks for any suggestions you can offer. |
A... Lou, vomiting cats have kept thousands
of veterinarians up all night wondering what to try next to stop the problem. So for
every owner awakened to the retching in the middle of the night, or who discovers that
unpleasant blop of "what-the-heck" on the carpet, there's a veterinarian
planning his/her next move. The root of the vomiting problem is determined by ruleouts.
You must rule out foreign material in the stomach with x-rays, rule out
intestinal parasites such as tapeworms, rule out simple fur-balls acquired via grooming,
rule out food intolerances, rule out organic disorders such as kidney and liver
dysfunction, and rule out colon dysfunction such as constipation or inflammation.
Actually constipation is a very common cause of feline vomiting problems. My
own cat, BUMPER, had intermittent vomiting for two years and I ruled out all those thing I
mentioned. So I did an exploratory abdominal surgery and examined all the organs and
took a few biopsies of the intestine...everything was normal! After about 6 months
more of the same thing I repeated the abdominal exploratory surgery and this time I
discovered a subtle stomach wall cancer that most certainly was triggering certain nerves
along the stomach causing the vomiting.
One thing to be cautious of...if your cat is losing weight over a period of
time or its appetite is poor, here's a very real problem somewhere and you better find it
even if it means surgery. If the vomiting is more of a nuisance and the cat is
maintaining weight, is happy and otherwise healthy, after you rule out those things
mentioned above, you may be able to control the vomiting by customizing the diet.
Occasionally anti-emetics can be used, too, if all else fails.
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A... Mike, you are being too nice to your cat! Here's the problem...you are interpreting the cat's vocalizing as a plea for food when, in fact, the cat is probably not hungry at all. Many cats vocalize, sometimes they'll drive their owners out of the house! The vocalizing is a way for the cat to communicate with its owner and does not necessarily indicate pain, discomfort, or hunger. Plus, if you do "reward" the cat with food you are essentially training your cat to keep vocalizing. The situation with barking dogs is the same. Many dogs are quite vocal (we call 'em "Barkers") and if the owners interpret the barking as a request for food and give in with a treat they are actually rewarding the barking. This reinforces the dog's tendency to repeat the behavior. Here is what you should do...if your cat is otherwise happy and healthy, ignore the vocalizing. (You are thinking, "Yea, right!") Don't reward the behavior and if you are lucky, in 5 or 6 years the cat will learn to quiet down...maybe. |
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| A...First of all, Andi, you should consider brushing daily. With these breeds of cats there is such tremendous fur density that weekly brushing may not be enough. Sometimes, too, a brush with soft bristles will just pass over the fur surface and not get deep into the fur. You may need a steel comb to gently work through the fur to pick up any small mats before they get a chance to really develop. Regarding the tight mats that are there now...you may have to very carefully work a blunt-ended scissors between the skin and mat and very carefully cut upwards (away from the skin) to shear the mats into small parts. Then you can work them out of the coat. A groomer will be a big help here, too. Even if you have to have the mats cut out, leaving a sparse area, the fur will grow back in a few months. Your groomer may suggest a conditioner for the fur, too, that will help keep the fur less tangle prone. These conditioner are sprayed or brushed into the fur and help prevent matting. |
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| A...For a couple of reasons, Marcus. It is dangerous out there for cats, for one. You should see all the kinds of problems cats get into when left outside on their own. Many male cats that have not been neutered have an overwhelming drive to escape into the night when they detect a female cat in heat. If your cat is a male and hasn't been neutered, I believe you will find a great decrease in his desire to stay out all night after the neutering. (I have NEVER had a client tell me they wished that they DIDN'T neuter their cat or dog after the surgery had been done! You won't be the first, either.) Also, your cat probably sleeps all day and can't help being up all night. Somehow you need to keep your cat up all day so it will sleep at night! You might even consider boarding it for a few days at a good kennel. Here the cat will be kept up during the day to observe all the happenings in the kennel and when things quiet down at night it will sleep. When you pick the cat up in a few days it will be on your schedule and when you leave during the day you can leave the radio on, place some new toys around the house or even consider adopting a new cat from the local shelter to keep your cat entertained during the day. Now you'll both sleep better. |
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| A...Nope, they are not pin worms. In fact, contrary to what some folks think, dogs and cats do not get the pinworms that humans get. What you are seeing, though, are segments of a tapeworm. Tapeworms reside in the cat's small intestine and can cause a reduced appetite and weight loss. (Worms in dogs and cats do not spark an increased appetite but usually make the dog or cat feel uncomfortable, nauseous, or outright sick.) Tapeworms are acquired from the pet consuming (eating) small rodents, rabbits or other creatures and from ingesting fleas. (The fleas eat the tapeworm eggs and the eggs then are released into the pet's intestinal tract where they grow into adults.) Call your veterinarian and request prescription medication for tapeworms. Non-prescription wormers are not a good idea to use in dogs and cats! Keep your cat free of fleas and eliminate the hunting and there will be no more tapeworm segments brightening up your day! |
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