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Ask The Vet: Dog's Gastrointestinal Problem Can Cause Floor Licking
Q: Sheba, my 7-year-old spayed female mixed-breed dog, has been licking the floors constantly for the past month. What do you think is happening?
A: Research in dogs shows that stomach and intestinal problems can trigger ELS, or excessive licking of surfaces, including floors, carpeting, walls, doors and furniture.
In one study, researchers ...Read more
Ask The Vet: Pets Transfer Poison Ivy Oil to People
Q: We discovered poison ivy in our woods. If our cats and dogs touch it, can it cause them problems? What if they rub up against us humans?
A: Neither cats nor dogs suffer from poison ivy rash, but their coats easily transfer the oil in poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac to humans. This oil, called urushiol, causes the common poison ivy ...Read more
The Benefits of an Indoor/Outdoor Cat in a Suburban Environment
Cats have long been a favorite companion for pet owners, offering a blend of independence and affection that appeals to many households. While the debate over whether to keep cats strictly indoors or allow them outside continues, pet owners in suburban environments may find that an indoor/outdoor lifestyle offers a balanced approach. Allowing a ...Read more
Ask The Vet: Wobbly Kitten With CH Can Have Good Quality of Life
Q: My friend adopted a kitten she named Clown because she's so funny to watch. Clown has a condition called CH, which makes her wobble like a drunk and sometimes fall over. What exactly is CH?
A: CH is cerebellar hypoplasia, a condition caused by incomplete (hypo-) development (-plasia) of the cerebellum, the part of the brain that coordinates ...Read more
Ask the Vet: Garlic and Onions Toxic to Dogs
Q: Whenever my partner and I treat ourselves to roasted garlic on warm French bread, our dog begs for some. Is garlic safe for dogs?
A: No, so please don't let him snack on it. Garlic, onions and related vegetables are members of the genus Allium, and all are toxic to dogs.
Garlic is more toxic than onions, which are more toxic than shallots, ...Read more
What to do when your elderly dog has diarrhea
If your elderly dog has diarrhea, there are steps you can take to help manage their condition while keeping them comfortable.
Monitor for Other Symptoms
Diarrhea in older dogs can be caused by diet changes, infections, food allergies, stress or underlying health conditions like kidney disease. Watch for signs like lethargy, vomiting...Read more
Ask the Vet: Which brands are best for my cats?
Q: I heard that byproducts are bad for pets, so I want to buy cat food that is free of them. What brands do you recommend?
A: Actually, byproducts are full of nutrients, and it would be unwise to forgo them.
A byproduct is something produced or left over when something else is made. In the U.S., most people who eat meat consume only the animal...Read more
Ask The Vet: Many Effective Therapies for Dogs With Osteoarthritis
Q: Grayson is my first dog now that I'm an adult living on my own, though I did grow up with dogs. When I was a kid and our dogs got old and arthritic, they were euthanized.
Gray is aging and, I think, developing arthritis, but I am reluctant to take him to his veterinarian because I'm not ready to discuss euthanasia. Are there treatments these...Read more
Ask The Vet: Parasites Commonly Infect Indoor Cats
Q: Can cats that stay indoors get parasites? My veterinarian recommends that I apply a parasite preventive to my cat Seymour's skin every month, but I don't understand why it's necessary.
A: While cats that spend time outside are more likely to encounter parasites, even indoor-only cats can become infected. Three types are common.
The first is...Read more
Ask The Vet: Canine Carsickness Common But Treatable
Q: We recently adopted Rufus, a young adult dog who becomes anxious every time he's in the car. He pants, whines, drools, licks his lips and sometimes even throws up. What can we do about this?
A: The most effective way to help Rufus feel calm in the car is behavior modification. Through a series of small steps, you'll teach him that car rides ...Read more
Ask The Vet: Living With Pets Protects Children From Allergies
Q: We have several cats, and we provide foster care for kittens from a rescue organization. I am pregnant with my first child, and we don't want our child to grow up allergic to cats. While our child is young, should we stop fostering and limit access to our family cats?
A: Quite the opposite. For years, physicians have recognized that ...Read more
Ask the Vet: Collapsing Trachea Causes Dry, Honking Cough in Small Dogs
Q: Our Yorkshire terrier Bentley has a dry, honking cough. His veterinarian said he has a collapsing trachea and recommended we walk him on a harness rather than a neck collar to take the pressure off his throat.
Is there anything else we can do to minimize his coughing and help him catch his breath? Please tell us more about this condition.
A...Read more
Ask the Vet: Save Money on Veterinary Care by Preventing Disease
Q: My income is limited, but I wouldn't part with my dog, Max, or cat, Mimi, for anything. How should I spend what I've budgeted for pet health care?
A: The best way to save money on pet care is to prevent disease rather than treat it. Let's start with some free ways to do that.
First, keep Max and Mimi slim. Research shows that slim dogs live...Read more
Ask the Vet: Prepare Now for Natural Disaster
Q: Climate change seems to be causing more hurricanes, flooding and wildfires than we had years ago. If something like that happens here and we're told to evacuate, what should I do about my cats?
A: Take them with you. The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act, or PETS Act, became law in 2006, ensuring that pets and service animals ...Read more
