Question:

The city where I live has an ordinance that prohibits anyone from keeping any animal "wild by nature," like ferrets and wolf hybrids. My brother keeps ferrets, and it''s OK since he lives in another state. He wants to give me one. He says they''re not wild. What''s your take on this?.

V.L., Minneapolis, MN May 01, 2005

Answer:

First of all, I am totally opposed to the breeding and owning of wolf-dog hybrids, because many suffer from extreme timidity and temperamental instability.I am also opposed to people keeping any wild species as a "pet." Wild animals belong in the wild. The importation of exotic wild species for the pet trade should be prohibited by the federal government for public health, humane and environmental reasons. There has been a resurgence in the sales of baby turtles, even after this was made illegal in 1970 after thousands of children developed salmonella infections from these animals.Now that an approved rabies vaccination is available for ferrets there is no reason why municipalities should prohibit their ownership, so it is now OK for you to keep a ferret in your state. They are a domesticated species, after all. Be aware, however, that the rabies vaccination has some risks for ferrets, who should be carefully monitored after vaccination.

Question:

I am disturbed by some advice that newspaper columnists give about pets when they usually deal mainly with household tips and personal problems. They don''t often cite any veterinary authority. Freedom of speech and opinion is fine, but when it comes to giving advice about animals, where do they get off condoning such things as having pet birds'' wings clipped so they can''t fly, and encouraging keeping wild animals as pets?.

Disturbed, Washington, DC May 01, 2005

Answer:

The advice given by popular columnists about companion animals is usually sound, common sense and often includes a quote from a veterinarian. But I find they sometimes miss a golden opportunity to fully address the issue and educate the reader. This is understandable -- they are not veterinarians, animal psychologists or care experts, after all. Hence the kind of shallow response about having caged birds'' feathers regularly clipped "for their own good" (so they can''t fly into fans or boiling water or open windows, etc.). Such a practice (and other mutilations, like de-clawing cats and docking dogs'' tails and ears) need to be questioned on ethical and humane grounds rather than being promoted by popular columnists. The same goes for keeping wild animals and imported "exotics" as "pets" and indirectly endorsing such behavior by giving unqualified opinions on their care.

Question:

Recently, my daughter called late at night, sobbing as she told me that she had brought her small Border collie to an emergency veterinary hospital. The collie was found lying in a field adjacent to her home, bloodied and unconscious. Her four German shepherds were running about, seemingly unaware of the small dog. (She has raised German shepherds and loves them dearly, as they do her.)The four shepherds include a young male, two young females and adult female named "B" -- my daughter''s personal shepherd who acts as the alpha female and is quite bossy. The collie, an older female named Stinky, has challenged B several times, but my daughter has always intervened and blood was never drawn. My daughter had left her home that evening with all five dogs loose in the yard (a very large yard of several acres). The only dog with blood on its fur was B. The collie died at the vet''s.I believe the dogs should have been reprimanded, perhaps while holding an item of Stinky''s that had her smell on it. My daughter believe

D.S., Burke, Va May 01, 2005

Answer:

Your daughter addresses the one behavior of dogs that I find despicable (I can count many more for my own species), namely ganging up on a smaller dog.Both you and your daughter are half-right on this issue. It is important to discipline dogs as soon as possible after they have done something wrong, because they tend to live in the here and now and won''t understand why they''re being punished later on.This is not to imply that dogs have no conscience or moral sensibility. But sometimes they act impulsively and lose self-control. This is especially true in a pack situation, where a group of dogs gangs up on another dog, who becomes the group''s prey or victim.I would have carried Stinky''s remains home, called the four shepherds over, and made them feel my grief, pain and rage. They would most likely understand and mourn -- unless B is more human than dog in that, like a psychopath, she has no conscience and is thus incapable of remorse, or is simply lacking in instinct/impulse control -- another major problem i

Question:

Every summer it alarms me to see people running with their dogs. It''s my belief that no dog, whatever the breed, will naturally run nonstop for miles, as people often do. Forcing a pet to engage in constant, strenuous activity, especially when the weather is hot and humid, is nothing short of animal abuse.This potentially deadly combination of factors apparently has never occurred to those who run with their (leashed) dogs. Recently, I observed a muzzled dog running with its owner. It took a great deal of restraint for me not to confront the dog''s owner, and the image has haunted me ever since.There''s no question that dogs need regular exercise, but it''s also true that they''ll do just about anything to please their owners -- even suffer. Because it''s still early in the season, I implore you to quickly address this situation in your column. Thank you for everything you do on behalf of all animals throughout the world.

B.L., Albany, NY May 01, 2005

Answer:

I share your concern, as do many of my readers. I wish you had confronted the jogger with the muzzled dog. I consider many joggers obsessive-compulsive types who are so self-involved that they are not fully aware of situations that put their dogs at risk.In hot, humid weather, joggers sweat and can easily keep cool. But dogs can''t sweat and must pant to stay cool. Sensible dogs don''t run under such conditions, and older dogs and those with short muzzles should never be forced or encouraged to run long distances in hot and humid weather.

Question:

I''m having a difficult time finding information on holistic flea, tick and mosquito control.My husband and I have a beautiful 2-year old female Airedale. Every topical flea control that we have ever used causes her to become lethargic for as long as 48 hours. When I try to discuss this concern with our current vet, her comment is "There''s no real harm being done." I just feel that there has to be something "natural" I can use instead of pesticides. Any information you could give us would be greatly appreciated.

B. & S.K., Fort Myers, FL Apr 24, 2005

Answer:

I do not appreciate your veterinarian''s response since I have received many letters from readers whose dogs and cats have had serious, occasionally fatal, reactions to the new brands of anti- flea and tick drugs. They should not be used when an animal like yours has an adverse reaction. The animal''s immune system and thyroid function could be harmed and neurological problems may develop.A holistic approach to flea and tick control for dogs and cats includes daily checking with a flea comb and dunking trapped insects in a bowl of warm, soapy water; vacuuming the house every week thoroughly and covering any sofa or carpet where the dog likes to lie with a throw-cloth that should be laundered weekly; removing brush and dead vegetation from the yard; 1 teaspoon of Brewer''s yeast (not Baker''s or bread-making yeast) in the food; and daily spraying with a watery solution of any floral-scented shampoo, rubbed into the coat and let air-dry. When fleas are out of control, a relatively safe shampoo with pyrethrin is us

Question:

You might have some fun explaining this one:Smudge, a male, bearded collie (alias Smudley, son of Sedgley), at 1 year old could leap from a near standstill to a height of over 10 feet, with a big, goofy grin. He is also an accomplished rear foot, walking pickpocket.At 8 years old, Smudge (with a full beardie coat) was a relatively complacent sort, loving to run laps in the park. This past summer we had the groomer shear his coat down (very short). He has very sensitive skin and when the extreme heat hit in September he spent his days scratching and biting his fur into skintight mats. Since the shearing, his energy level is revitalized incredibly and now his exercising moves are amazing -- leaping and, at a full run, reversing direction immediately.Do you recommend keeping him trimmed to maintain this renewed vitality?.

R.J.Z, Detroit, MI Apr 24, 2005

Answer:

Dogs like to feel good and when they have a greasy, dirty and itchy skin they do get miserable -- depressed, less playful and often more self-involved chewing, licking and scratching.Often after a shampoo, my own dogs have a burst of energy for the day that I attribute to their feeling good.Cool weather perks up most dogs. So your dog, feeling cooler with less fur and feeling better because his skin is healthier, points to the importance of taking good care of dogs'' coats for their psychological and physical wellbeing.Going to a good groomer isn''t, therefore, just to make the dog look good, but also to feel good. Be aware, however, that dogs with shorn coats can get sunburned; and with less insulation need to wear a doggie coat if there''s a cold spell, especially if the dog is old and arthritic.SPRING TIME REMINDERS:-- Now is the time for a full health check-up with the vet plus a heart worm blood test.-- Get new toys, bed or sleeping pad, scratch post, collar and ID tag if worn.-- No very strenuous activity

Question:

My cat Snooks is a 6-year-old altered male shorthaired alley cat. For the past six months or so, he has been progressively losing hair on his inside upper legs and in small patches on his lower legs. I see him cleaning himself and biting as though he has fleas (which he hasn''t), but I do not think he is actually pulling out his hair, although my husband does think so.Snooks is, and always has been, a house cat so he does not come into contact with other animals. His diet is the pop-top canned commercial cat food you mentioned in your column, plus one dry cat food.Is this phenomenon perhaps caused by the disease called hyperthyroidism which you wrote about in a recent column? If not, do you have an idea what might be causing it? Please advise.

H.H.N., Fort Myers, FL Apr 24, 2005

Answer:

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism (that may be associated with chemical poisoning from the can-lining of pop-top cans containing commercial cat food that also may contain thyroid-harming contaminants) include weight loss, increased appetite, irritability and excessive grooming with hair loss (especially on the flanks and inner thighs) and also heart complications as the disease progresses.So waste no time and have your cat tested for this most common endocrine disease in cats today and for which there is an effective course of treatment that can help cats enjoy a normal life. Please, no more pop-can cat food, and consider making your own cat food from known, ideally organic, ingredients. Veterinarian Dr. Donald Strombeck''s book "Home-Prepared Dog and Cat Diets" published by Iowa State University Press is a good resource.

Question:

My nephew and I have a disagreement. His brother''s dog pooped in the house. She is 2 years old and house-trained. I believe she pooped because we were not home to let her out.My nephew told his brother to rub her nose in her droppings. He thinks that is how you train a dog not to mess in the house. I wouldn''t let him rub his dog''s nose in the droppings. I don''t think it was her fault, and punishing her in that way would confuse her.

L.T., Fresno, CA Apr 17, 2005

Answer:

You are right. The dog probably pooped in the house because she couldn''t hold it any longer and should have been taken out to evacuate as a matter of routine before being left alone. Considering that she is already house-trained, it would have been cruel and unnecessary punishment to rub her nose in the mess. That would do nothing to stop her from doing it in the future, and could make things worse since she may then poop in the house because she is more anxious when left alone.With house-trained dogs, it''s best to ignore such occasional accidents. One old dog I know of was so upset with the accidental mess she deposited in the living room when her owners were out that she dragged a bedcover from upstairs to cover it up.

Question:

Our beloved dog died last fall and we have bought two puppies from the same litter for our new housemates. My husband thought that puppies should be raised with their own species and that they would be happier if we bought the pair and raised them together. Is that accurate?Regardless, we now have them and I wondered if you can share some thoughts on discipline, training and any other tips for two 3-1/2 month old cockapoos.

D.G., Houston, TX Apr 17, 2005

Answer:

I applaud your decision to get two pups from the same litter so that they will always have contact with their own kind, experience their "dogness" and not become too human-attached, as often happens when only one dog is in the family. I feel that most animals who are raised together are almost always happier and healthier than those who live alone and only have human contact.Two important pointers: The two pups may develop very different temperaments and you will respond to them differently, but you must show them equal affection to avoid jealousy or sibling rivalry. Establish yourself as the parent/pack leader figure, being consistent in verbal discipline and showing impartiality if and when they fight so that they can work out which of them is the dominant one.

Question:

Thank you for all your help on keeping our furry friends healthy.I have a cat, Barney, who is due for his distemper and leukemia shots. Barney is a housecat with his own 6-foot fenced-in yard. It is safe from any other animals. He goes in and out a few times a day and we keep an eye on him constantly -- he has no contact with other animals.We''ve heard from a veterinary doctor that the FeLV shot is not necessary for a housecat and that it can sometimes cause cancer. Would you please help us and let us know your opinion on this?.

M.L, Portsmouth, Va Apr 17, 2005

Answer:

Your cat should be vaccinated, but not if he was vaccinated last year. Feline distemper and viral leukemia vaccinations are usually good for three years.If Barney was last vaccinated three years ago, then he''s due. Have the veterinarian inject the vaccines as far down Barney''s legs as possible. This makes it easier to deal with injection-site cancer than if the vaccines are given between the shoulder blades or by the thigh.Infected cats could get into Barney''s yard and leave virus-contaminated body secretions on vegetation that Barney could pick up by sniffing or rubbing against and then grooming himself.