Question:

My husband and I are expecting our first child in five months, and we are concerned how this will affect our 14-year-old cat and two 4-year-old dogs. The cat has been around babies and seems happy to avoid them, but the dogs have never been around a baby. We socialized the dogs with children early in their lives and the dogs like children. What can we do to best prepare all of our pets for the new addition to the household?.

C.M., Annandale, Va May 30, 2004

Answer:

Purchase a life-like baby doll that cries when tilted, swaddle it, pretend to nurse it and get your companion animals well-habituated before the real baby arrives.When that day comes, let them see and sniff the baby, praise them, and always give them extra attention between diaper changes and feedings so that they don''t feel displaced.Let them into the baby''s room only when you are there and keep a net over the top of the crib for good measure to keep the cat out. Some animals do get upset when babies cry, so keep your cool and reassure the animals that the baby is OK.Never leave the baby (or, when he or she is older, the toddler) alone with any animal, since accidents can happen.

Question:

Recently, I walked down the fish aisle at the local PETsMART. I was appalled to see more than 100 small, clear plastic cups, each with a single Beta fish inside. Some were too big to even turn around inside the too-small cups.I said to the manager that I was aware that Betas are carnivorous and had to be segregated. However, there had to be a better way to do it. His explanation was, "That''s the way it''s always been done. All the pet stores do it."I reject the manager''s premise that "it''s always been done that way so it must be the right way." That theory has been rebuked consistently throughout the history of mankind. Animal lovers the world over have decried inhumane conditions foisted upon animals who are dependent on their caregivers. Fish should have no less protection.PETsMART prides itself upon the care they provide for their animals, even to the point of refusing to sell dogs and cats and promoting adoption instead. I would hope that PETsMART and other pet stores rethink their policy of the cruel pra

L.P.T., Friendswood, TX May 30, 2004

Answer:

You should contact The Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20037, since they have close ties with PETsMART''s animal charity division and share your concerns. Mark your letter to the attention of Wayne Pacelle, the president-designate of the HSUS.I agree with you that humane treatment is most urgently needed. This includes standards of care established according to species'' needs and properly-trained staff in order to reduce the stress and suffering of these fish and other animals, especially caged birds and small mammals for sale in pet and variety stores from coast to coast.ANIMALS IN THE NEWS: PARROT PRODIGYScientists and the lay public alike are in awe of an African gray parrot called N''Kisi, who has a vocabulary of 950 words. He uses words in context, with past, present and future tenses, and even invents new words. Seeing another parrot hanging upside down from its perch, he said to observers, "You got to put this bird on the camera" according to a BBC News report. N''Ki

Question:

I have a Maltese, Dixie, who constantly licks and bites on her paws. I have taken her to two different doctors and they both gave her the same medicine, prednisone, which did not help, but put weight on her. I''ve tried changing her diet, I don''t let her go outside on the grass -- I''ve tried everything. Nothing has helped. Everyone says it is probably allergies ... but to what? Please help.

B.D., Houston, TX May 30, 2004

Answer:

Prednisone is clearly not the solution for your dog''s problem. It might provide some temporary relief, but in the long-term is likely to cause more harm to her already-impaired immune system.I am disturbed that neither veterinarian considered what you are feeding your dog, since food-related allergies are very common in dogs today and can cause skin problems and destructive self-chewing.Your dog needs a thorough clinical evaluation, including liver and kidney function, thyroid and an "elimination" diet to check for possible food allergies.Ruling out a physical cause is not easy, and a cost-saving approach is to give her some natural food supplements that may help, such as primrose or borage oil, nutritional yeast, vitamins A and C and zinc (which will also help boost her immune system). A holistic veterinarian can assist you in this regard.To locate such an animal doctor in your area, check the Web site of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association at www.ahvma.org for their referral directory.

Question:

Thank you for your column that appeared in my daily newspaper this morning regarding adopting parrots. I think it''s shocking to learn how many people have a parrot but don''t know what kind it is, much less its proper care, and don''t make an attempt to find out.I''ve also had experience with "bird clubs," and it''s been disappointing because it seems most of the members are also breeders and that is the thrust of their interest. Most barbaric of all are the fund-raising "bird expos" in which many birds of all ages, including un-weaned babies, are crowded together for several days in one large, drafty room and are for sale to anyone -- regardless of background -- with the money to buy them. Often, the culmination of these events is a raffle in which the "prize" is an innocent young parrot.Thank you for telling it like it is. My vet says that we are not far from having to euthanize parrots, as we do dogs and cats in this country, due to over-breeding.

W.H., Springfield, Mo May 23, 2004

Answer:

It''s good to hear from an enlightened parrot lover! Many people love their captive parrots because they are such intelligent, aware, humorous and affectionate soul mates. But -- just like wolves, ocelots, wolf-dogs, ocecats and other wild and half-wild hybrid species kept as captive pets -- too many parrots suffer because of inadequate facilities that deprive them of their behavioral and emotional/psychological needs, impose improper diets, and foster a lack of understanding of correct handling and communication methods. That also goes for elephants, dolphins and orcas, orangutans and chimpanzees, and lions and tigers in most zoos, marinas and circuses (the vast majority of which should be closed on the grounds of animal cruelty).

Question:

Several years ago I took my two healthy 12-year-old cats to the vet for checkups. They received booster vaccinations. One cat immediately developed diabetes and was dead from renal failure in three months.I''m concerned about geriatric care for my now 14- and 15-year-old cats. But, having moved to a new neighborhood, the vet I interviewed insisted on treating my cats as feral, if at all, unless they had rabies boosters first.I want my cats to continue to live in comfort as long as possible and die dignified natural deaths. Am I being unreasonable to think that elderly, strictly indoor cats do not have rabies and do not need booster shots? They had shots as youngsters.

S.L., Falls Church, Va May 23, 2004

Answer:

The veterinarian only has your word that your elderly cats are "strictly indoor cats" and is perhaps being unduly cautious. Even so, a sick kitten was found recently wandering around Betlsville, Md., and tested positive for rabies. Several people who had contact with the cat had to be given rabies antiserum treatment.I would take your word, consider the age of your cats and take blood tests to determine if they really do need "booster" vaccinations. Why not find another veterinarian who is a bit more accommodating?

Question:

Please comment on the condition known as bloat, or gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV), in large dog breed dogs. Our 8-year-old German shepherd dog recently died of this condition. She was a healthy dog, but suddenly became sick with vomiting that progressed to dry heaves, lethargy and abdominal distention. By the time we got her to the animal hospital it was too late.Why does this condition occur, and are there steps that can be taken to prevent bloat from happening? We recently became the owners of another German shepherd dog puppy and don''t want to go through that experience again.

S.F., Agawam, MA May 23, 2004

Answer:

Bloat, as you sadly discovered, is an acute, painful and often fatal condition. It is more common in large, deep-chested dogs. Many veterinarians advise feeding such bloat-prone breeds three to four small meals a day, and suggest that their owners avoid feeding them dry foods that rapidly swells when water is added, as when a dog drinks after eating. Soak such food in water, gravy or milk before giving it to the dog, and do not let the dog engage in vigorous physical activity soon after eating. Also, don''t feed a dog who has just been very active or is hot and thirsty.Some ingredients in dry food, like soy, may play a role in the genesis of bloat, but more research is needed on this serious canine crisis before a clear, science-based protocol can be established to prevent its occurrence.

Question:

I lost my wife a couple of years ago and adopted Fred, a shepherd dog mix.A friend said I was wrong in letting Fred drink water from the toilet: "There''s a lot of germs and bacteria even in a clean toilet." I see no harm in it. Am I wrong? Fred also has a pail of fresh water outside.

C.B., Lockport, NY May 23, 2004

Answer:

Would you drink out of your toilet? If not, then why let your dog? Bacteria from what you void into the toilet, along with grease from the food you eat, coat the sides of the toilet. That''s why people regularly scrub and disinfect the bowl.I doubt that you have such a spotless toilet that its water is drinkable; if you do, then your dog is probably also drinking disinfectant. So, please, close the lid and give your dog a bowl of fresh water in the house.

Question:

I wonder if my parakeet needs to go to the vet for a checkup. Every few days he throws up some milky stuff on the mirror in his cage. I feed him a good diet including fresh fruits and vegetables and organic seed mix. Please advise.

B.H.M, St. Louis, Mo May 23, 2004

Answer:

Your parakeet is doing what many birds do when they live alone: using his reflection in the mirror as a source of social stimulation. Some birds will court themselves, fall in love with their own image (like Narcissus), and then start producing what is called crop milk, a secretion from the digestive system of either sex that is used as a source of nourishment when caring for nestlings. Constant production of crop milk can weaken a bird, so you should periodically remove the mirror from his cage to stem this obsessive behavior. It is a sad response to extreme social deprivation from his own species, and is best rectified by keeping compatible birds together in pairs or social groups.

Question:

Sadly, I must take issue with some of your advice. You stress a good diet for our pets, yet you invariably tell people about adding supplements without first explaining what a good diet entails.A dog should be on a regular feeding schedule consisting of natural, nutritionally balanced dog food.Good food can cure a number of common problems. Please alert your readers to the fact that there are good commercial dog foods available. The savings on vet bills and supplements will offset the difference in price. If the dog has problems that are not food-related (such as joint and hip pain), then the inclusion of supplements is appropriate.Forcing pills and powders down after bad or inadequate food will not fix the root problem. Giving a daily allergy pill to an animal who is allergic to his food is tantamount to cruelty.A commercial for a given brand of food may show a dancing dog. That means they made a good commercial. However, it doesn''t necessarily mean they make a good dog food.

Experienced, Shelton, CT May 16, 2004

Answer:

No commercial pet food company pays me to mention their name, but I will specify one brand because my dogs do well on it as part of their daily diet: Flint River Ranch. You can visit their Web site at www.flint-river-ranch.info/home.htm for more information.You are right that there are good commercial dog foods, but no one food can be guaranteed to be complete and balanced for each individual animal. So I advise feeding a variety of foods of different types and brands.Supplements (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, omega fatty acids, etc.) are important for us and for our animals, because nutrient-deficient soils mean nutrient-deficient crops and nutritional deficiencies in our food -- and in what we feed our animals. Consult a holistic veterinarian before giving any supplements to your pet, since over-supplementation can cause health problems. Whole foods that are certified organic are likely to contain more nutrients because organic farming improves soil quality.

Question:

I have a Goffin''s cockatoo. He''s been with me since 1991 and has been a wonderful, talkative companion. His name is Bud.Bud developed feather plucking, so I took him to the vet and went through these tests: Ps exotic/avian; Lx Avian Feather Picker Profile No. 59; Lx Head and Feather. The vet recommended Prozac (.10 mg). It worked for a while, but now he is plucking again and his Prozac was increased to .15 mg.He has toys and is happy, but I hate to see his breast without feathers.

R.E.P., Saginaw, TX May 16, 2004

Answer:

I am not familiar with the abbreviated test notations conducted by the veterinarian, but I presume your bird was tested for mites and that a behavioral profile was made to help determine possible causes.There are many reasons why pet birds pull out their feathers. Your bird''s nutrition should be reviewed and fresh fruits and other whole foods provided.Does Bud ever have a chance to bathe? Has there been any change in the family, or some stress that could have triggered this self-comforting (but ultimately self-mutilating) behavior? Does he spend long hours alone?Sharing his life with a preening-mate of his own kind could make a big difference. Perhaps you could find a healthy and compatible companion from a bird rescue facility.