Question:

I need to know if it''s safe to feed chicken, ham and oxtail bones to dogs. I don''t believe in feeding dogs and cats bones. What about their intestines? Don''t bones tear their intestines up?My grandson has two Rottweiler dogs -- an adult and a puppy. He gets upset with me when I tell him not to feed his dogs bones. So I decided to let you handle this. Please advise.

B.H., Winston-Salem, NC Jun 26, 2005

Answer:

Lay down the law with your grandson because you are absolutely right. Only raw beef marrow bones (soup or shank) are safe for dogs, as they don''t splinter and cause internal injury.Other bones that splinter easily can lodge in animals'' throats, perforate the intestines, and cause impaction when a large volume of soft bones are chewed and swallowed. Knotted rawhide chews can also pose a problem when the knot is swallowed and blocks the intestines. Rawhide sticks made of ground-up pieces of animal skin may harbor harmful bacteria, and because they can be easily chewed up may result in severe constipation and intestinal impaction.

Question:

I have a cat with the following issues: extreme weight loss (down 6 to 7 pounds); constant hunger and crying for food; drinking a lot of water; urinating in puddles; and with runny stools that appear to have an oil base.I''ve been to the vet several times and spent a fortune. We tested the cat for diabetes and thyroid problems. We also checked for any type of worms, but the vets are baffled as to what''s wrong with him.He has no signs of discomfort or pain, just constant hunger and thirst. He attacks every time the refrigerator is opened or if there''s any food around. He has eaten through grocery bags to get at food. I have to keep him separate from the other family cat or he will eat all his food, too. And I caught him eating his own stool a couple of times. I can''t seem to ever feed him enough.I have no intention of euthanizing him, but I''m at my wits'' end. I have to lock him up every time I''m in the kitchen preparing food or trying to eat. I had to wrestle him once over a hambone he grabbed out of the refri

R.M., Amsterdam, NY Jun 26, 2005

Answer:

Your cat''s symptoms point to hyperthyroidism and diabetes. But since your veterinarians have ruled these out and have no solution after varied tests, I would next rule out disease of the pancreas and associated malabsorption of food, especially in view of the oil in his stools. Then consider your cat''s age as a possible contributing factor in his changed behavior.Senile, degenerative changes in the brain can have profound effects on behavior. A trial run of 6 to 8 weeks on an anti-anxiety drug like clomipramine or Xanax may help. Other senile changes in the gastrointestinal/digestive system could interfere with absorption of nutrients.I would also advise giving your cat a multi-mineral and multivitamin supplement, acidophilus and pancreatic enzymes to facilitate the digestion of food -- all under veterinary supervision.

Question:

I am interested in knowing if a dog that is used for breeding only and kept in a kennel all of her life can be housebroken. She is three years old.

C.G., Hamel, MN Jun 26, 2005

Answer:

Poor dog, kept in a kennel all her life just to be a puppy-making machine. There are millions like her on commercial puppy-mill breeding farms. That''s why I advocate adopting lost or surrendered puppies or adult dogs from local shelters.Kenneled dogs usually use one area to evacuate -- as far away from their sleeping and laying area as possible. So it should be fairly easy (a few accidents are to be expected) for her to learn to go outside of the home. You can facilitate this by putting some paper towels soaked in her urine (or containing her stools after an indoor accident) outdoors in a spot where you want her to go. Then praise her when she does the right thing in the right place. But if she was housed in a small cage with a wire-mesh floor and no run, like some dogs I have seen, she may be extremely difficult to house-train -- yet nonetheless willing with due patience and understanding from you.

Question:

I was caring for my brother''s cat at my home for four days. On the evening of the last day, the cat went ballistic -- it was like a scene from "The Exorcist"! The only thing she didn''t do was the 360-degree head-turn and green projectile vomiting.She hissed, growled, howled and charged at me more than once (I''d never heard a cat howl before). She pooped on my rug and kept me from entering my own bedroom. I felt so sorry for her. Her owners finally arrived and calmed the little darling down in just 10 minutes.Two things: I had accidentally startled her and she had eaten part of a poinsettia leaf. The next day I visited the family and the cat licked my hand. I am still very skittish about this, though.What on earth happened? I feel terrible that I may have caused an animal that much anguish.

R.P., Arlington, Va Jun 26, 2005

Answer:

I appreciate your calm concern for the cat. I doubt that nibbling on the poinsettia could have flipped her trigger, since I have never heard of this plant making cats psychologically disturbed and aggressive when a small quantity has been ingested (toxicity scares about poinsettia plants are overblown).My guess is that this cat had never been in your home before and basically "freaked out," as some cats will do in a totally unfamiliar environment. (More often, they''ll run away and hide rather than attack.) Strange smells, sounds, objects, animals and people can trigger the flight-or-fight reaction in cats. In this respect, they are less rational or domesticated than dogs, who are usually more people-oriented and less upset by a change in surroundings. Perhaps you put on some cold cream or body lotion that altered your scent. Or something you were wearing could have altered the image of you in the cat''s mind, and resulted in her terror and defensive reaction. But most likely it was your change of scent that s

Question:

My dog Molly needed to be euthanized. When she began to moan I knew she was in great pain and needed help. We had her put to sleep right away.I wonder about pain control, but no one seems to know very much about animals and pain. I know they feel pain but that, unlike humans, they''re inclined to hide it.Perhaps I waited too long to intervene. Perhaps I should have taken action before she became vocal about her pain. It seems that animals are much more stoic and noble than humans could ever be.Do you have any knowledge in assessing pain in animals, especially dogs? The local vets really don''t seem to know. I would like to know for myself so I don''t put my concerns aside when someone tells me not to worry.

H.S., St. Louis, Mo Jun 26, 2005

Answer:

My condolences to you -- it must have been a long ordeal for both you and your dear Molly. Rest assured, you made the right decision. All animals experience pain, some being more sensitive than others.When in pain, some animals become more withdrawn and less active, or act as though they have been punished or done something wrong. Others become more snappy and irritable, and a few will really act-out -- trembling, panting, salivating, yelping or screaming. Still others will moan and solicit human attention and make it quite clear that they need to see a veterinarian. Individual variation in response to acute and chronic pain is considerable in dogs, humans and other animals, the physical pain being compounded by fear, anxiety, and, in some cases, nausea and side effects of trauma or infection.More veterinarians are using analgesics, especially after surgical procedures in which postoperative pain is most likely, and are becoming more informed about pain and fear assessment. This can be a challenge, especiall

Question:

My father was raised on a farm in Europe and none of his animals had fleas. He attributed this to the brewery mash he used to supplement the diets of the farm''s horses, dogs, cows, etc. We have found brewer''s yeast to be 100 percent effective for both our dogs and cats.

M.H.S., Coarsegold, CA Jun 19, 2005

Answer:

Being in California with no winter to kill off fleas, your findings are especially important. Readers please take note: Before purchasing costly and hazardous flea-killing chemicals, try brewer''s yeast or nutritional yeast (but not baker''s yeast), giving 1 teaspoon per 30 pounds of body weight mixed with the animal''s food. And get a flea comb to monitor your animal''s coat. Even if you do not see any fleas, tiny flecks of black, coal-dust like particles (which make a reddish-brown stain on wet white paper) in the animal''s fur are flea feces, and mean the animal has fleas.

Question:

Is there one breed of small dog that would be better than another for a family with an Alzheimer''s patient? There are no young children in the family so the dog would only be around adults and would spend most of its time with the Alzheimer''s patient.I particularly want a small dog because I know of another Alzheimer''s patient who has one that lies on his lap for hours at a time, and both dog and patient seem content, maybe even happy. The dog licks the patient''s face and the patient smiles.Would a Pomeranian be a good choice? I''m drawn to that breed, but the first consideration has to be a temperament that would be compatible with this situation.

M.C., Salisbury, Md Jun 19, 2005

Answer:

Take your question to your local animal shelter and they can look for a small, older dog who will fit like a glove in the "pet-facilitated therapy" context of being a companion for a patient with Alzheimer''s disease.So many dogs, especially older ones who have been abandoned or surrendered for various reasons, are happy to sit all day long on a person''s lap, giving and receiving tender loving care.Make sure the caretaker of the Alzheimer''s patient takes good care of the dog -- regular walks, physical activity, no overfeeding and periodic veterinary checkups, plus a full health checkup prior to any contact with the patient. Animals can be a great comfort to human patients of every age, and have healing powers that are being more widely recognized.

Question:

Our white Oriental shorthaired cat, Shelby, has a habit of biting her hair out and scattering tufts around the house. As a result, she looks quite moth-eaten and has a couple of spots where there is no hair at all. Our vet recommended giving her flaxseed oil to soften her coat and we have been trying that. She has had an eyedropper-full every day for over a month now, but while the behavior has lessened, it has not gone away.What can be done to stop her from this self-mutilating habit? She is a very sweet cat and a lovable pet, but this hair pulling is very distressing.

S.F., Washington, DC Jun 19, 2005

Answer:

Have your veterinarian evaluate your cat for hyperthyroidism and food allergy. If all physical causes are ruled out, consider that there may be some psychological/emotional stress factor in the home. At that point, explore medicating Shelby for three to four weeks as a trial with an anxiety-relieving drug such as valium, or a natural product like valerian.

Question:

I acquired a 9-month-old black Lab in October. When I took him to the vet I was told that he has excessively dry skin and to put a little fat in his diet. I did this, but he continues to scratch nonstop and he''s losing hair. What else can I do for him?Also, he is quite "mouthy," especially if he can''t get his way. I have tried rattling pennies in a can, squirting water and using rolled newspaper across his nose -- nothing works. Any suggestions?.

P.C., Detroit, MI Jun 19, 2005

Answer:

I would not advise putting fat in your dog''s food. A far better remedy for a dry coat is a tablespoon of vegetable oil, like safflower or flaxseed oil, and a teaspoon of brewer''s or nutritional yeast.The veterinarian should check your dog''s stools for worms, which are common in young dogs, who can have lackluster coats when these parasites rob them of nutrients.Your dog''s "mouthy" behavior is his way of making playful contact. So play with him -- throw a toy for him to retrieve, have a tug of war with an old knotted towel and giving him beef marrowbones to chew.In order for your dog to learn his boundaries and for you to learn better control, some basic obedience training is also clearly called for.

Question:

We have a 7-month-old kitten who has been neutered and de-clawed. We had him de-clawed because he would scratch my husband and me all the time. Now he wants to bite.He''s like a Jekyll and Hyde -- real sweet one minute, and the next trying to bite one of us. I get it the worst because I''m with him most of the time. He has drawn blood and it really hurts. The only thing that deters him is a water pistol.Some people say he''s just playing and will outgrow it. We''re not young but we really love the kitten. Please tell us what to do.

M.S., Miami, FL Jun 19, 2005

Answer:

Cats like to go wild when they play, so put down the water pistol and put on a glove and rough-play with your young cat. Also get a string with a fluffy toy on the end, and entice your cat to catch and "kill" the toy that you animate by pulling the string.Cats who have been de-clawed often bite more, possibly a compensation for what I consider to be an unnecessary and unethical mutilation because cats need their claws, and soon learn not to scratch while playing.