Question:

I am writing in regard to your article in which you requested feedback from people whose animals have encountered breathing or lack of oxygen difficulties related to sleeping under sheets or covers.I have four dogs. Three are pit bull terriers and my male is a boxer/pit bull mix.Two of my female pits love sleeping under blankets and don''t have any problems at all. My other female, however, also loves sleeping under blankets but is constantly in and out from under them all night long.My boxer mix, if he''s under blankets even for a short period of time, will come out panting like crazy. I thought it was because it was hot and had no idea that it could be a breathing problem from lack of oxygen until I read your column. He doesn''t go under the blankets very often, but I now know his crazy panting is for lack of oxygen.I guess the female pit comes out to get more air. I''ve had to not let her sleep with me anymore because she keeps waking me up trying to get back under the covers.

M.S., Troy, NY Aug 14, 2005

Answer:

Your poor boxer/pit bull mix wants to act like the rest of the pack, but because of his condition (called brachycephaly, or blunt, pushed-in face), he can''t breathe like a normal dog.Pugs, bulldogs and other breeds with this condition have relatively elongated soft palates that set up a negative pressure in the windpipe, acting like a valve. This results in frequent snorting, snoring and difficulty in breathing during exercise and in hot, humid weather. The negative pressure can lead to constriction and collapse of the trachea (windpipe). Such dogs are at risk when being crated and flown by air, and those with severe breathing difficulties should be operated on to reduce the size of the soft palate.As a postscript, I am shocked at the news that Denver, Colo., municipal authorities are rounding up and euthanizing pit bulls under some fatuous "dangerous breed" legislation. All dogs can be dangerous if they have not been properly raised or selectively bred to be docile and sociable.

Question:

This is in response to your recent column regarding lawn chemicals and the "bad neighbors" who use them.I was quite surprised to read that you refer to people like me with perfect lawns as "bad neighbors." Many of us do not appreciate neighbors who let their dogs out to urinate and defecate on our lawns. Who, indeed, is the bad neighbor?I agree that use of harmful chemicals would not be a good idea if I had a dog of my own. In that case, I would be a bad caregiver. But I''m not responsible for neighbors'' dogs on my lawn.

S.A., Fresno, CA Aug 14, 2005

Answer:

I both agree and disagree with you. Yes, people should not let their dogs roam free or allow them to urinate and defecate on other peoples'' lawns. Dogs should be trained to go by the curb or sidewalk grassy verge, and all droppings should be bagged and carried home for disposal.But I say "no" to chemical lawn treatments (go organic or put down Astroturf instead), since lawn chemicals -- fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides -- are neither good for the environment nor for most living creatures. Indeed, some are linked with Parkinson''s disease and other serious human health problems. The chemicals that you put on your lawn do not stay on your property, but get washed and blown away, the cumulative consequences of which are increasingly harmful to us, to wildlife and to the environment. There are natural, organic ways to create and maintain a beautiful lawn and garden.We all have a long way to go before we are good neighbors to the larger Earth community.

Question:

I have an 8-year-old yellow Labrador dog who has developed a urine leakage problem.His bed will be wet in the morning and he leaves spots wherever he''s been lying. Our local vet has given him shots of testosterone, which takes care of the problem for about a month. We''ve tried to cut down the frequency of the shots, but the problem recurs in about seven weeks.Is there anything else we can do? He''s a very active dog.

J.H., Buffalo, MN Aug 14, 2005

Answer:

Urinary incontinence is rare in male dogs compared to neutered females. The testosterone hormone replacement therapy may help, but it can have harmful side effects if not carefully monitored.Be certain that the veterinarian has ruled out prostate disease, infection, calculi (stones) and cancer in your dog''s urinary bladder. All those problems can make a dog incontinent and want to urinate more frequently, as can chronic kidney disease and diabetes, which are very common in older dogs who compensate by drinking more water.DIET AND URINARY PROBLEMS IN CATSRecent veterinary research has given further impetus to the dietary revolution for cats, who for too long have been given commercial processed foods high in carbohydrates (starch). Japanese veterinary researchers have shown that a reduction of dietary carbohydrate can help in the prevention of struvite urolithiasis -- crystals of magnesium, ammonium and phosphate -- that can cause serious health problems, especially in young cats. These crystals form when the

Question:

I have a shih tzu who is 10 months old. He scrapes and chews my wood furniture around the bottom, even on surfaces that are vertical. I''ve tried spanking him and giving him a bone, but he persists and is ruining everything, even wood paneling. He''s chewing and tearing holes in throw rugs, and now I''ve found he has torn my carpet. I feed him only dry dog food. Is there something lacking in his diet?Also, lately his ears have a terrible odor coming from them. I had another shih tzu for 13 years and never had any trouble like this. I would appreciate any advice you might have.

M.M., Lenmore, CA Aug 07, 2005

Answer:

Young dogs like yours not only go through a teething period where they like to chew things, but they also chew out of curiosity, boredom and sheer pleasure. Some also chew things when they are left alone for extended periods, possibly as a self-comforting activity to alleviate separation anxiety. This can turn into obsessive-compulsive behavior.So give your dog extra attention, lots of physical activity outdoors and games indoors (such as catch-and-retrieve and tugs-of-war with a knotted rope) and various chew toys. Marrowbones (or a rubber Kong toy) stuffed with peanut butter will also occupy your dog and satisfy his oral impulses. Use a shake-can full of pebbles or nuts and bolts to discipline him when he''s caught chewing things he shouldn''t, and re-motivate him by playing with him.No dog should be fed only regular dry dog food, and I urge you to go to the library and read up on pet nutrition. You may want to get a copy of Ann Martin''s book "Food Pets Die For" (NewSage Press, 2003).Anytime a dog''s ears sme

Question:

Two years ago, I adopted a calico Persian cat from the Persian Rescue Organization. Recently, I took her to my veterinarian for a checkup and her rabies and distemper shots. He recommended that I bring her in sometime in the near future and have her teeth cleaned. I am somewhat reluctant to do this, as she would have to be under anesthesia for the procedure.Do you recommend that cats have their teeth cleaned?I''ve been trying to get her used to me cleaning her teeth. I use a piece of gauze and rub her teeth. She doesn''t like this much, but I''m hoping she''ll get accustomed to it in time.

I.M., Moorhead, MN Aug 07, 2005

Answer:

One of the most common and serious health problems in cats is neglected dental disease -- buildup of scale or calculi with associated gum infection, hyperplasia and secondary tooth-root infection and abscess formation. A painful, bacteria-ridden mouth can make it difficult for cats (and dogs) to eat and enjoy life, and they can develop halitosis (which must be disturbing to them) and worse -- the bacteria proliferating in their infected and inflamed gums can get into the bloodstream and infect internal organs, especially the heart and kidneys.So, waste no time in getting your cat''s teeth cleaned. Once her teeth are cleaned, keep on top of rubbing or brushing her teeth with kitty toothpaste or a mixture of salt and baking soda.

Question:

My cat, Woody, is a spry, 14-year-old neutered male. He is strictly an indoor cat and has enjoyed excellent health over the years.For various reasons, Woody has not seen a veterinarian in about eight years. I''ve noticed, recently, that he occasionally has bad breath -- usually this is evident when he''s been grooming himself. I''m thinking that perhaps teeth-cleaning is in order.I''m concerned that any veterinarian I take Woody to, after this length of time, will insist on a full regimen of shots before they will treat him, and that these may do him more harm than good considering his age and general good health. What would you advise?.

C.R., Sterling Heights, MI Aug 07, 2005

Answer:

Cats should be checked by a veterinarian once a year, and twice annually when they are old, like yours. Neglected dental problems cause many cats much misery and can shorten their lives considerably.Your cat should not be vaccinated shortly before dental work is done since the combination of surgery, anesthetic and vaccines could seriously impair his immune system.Since your old cat is an indoor cat, the only vaccination your vet should insist upon (if it is mandated by law) is an anti-rabies vaccination. If this must be done, the appointment for dental work should be at least three weeks after the vaccine is given.

Question:

We have a 16-year-old male Lhasa apso. He still has many good days left, and we''d like to keep him going as long as possible. We''re hoping to get your thoughts on the following:He began coughing (almost gagging) a few months ago. The coughing sounds deep and sometimes he coughs nine or 10 times in a row (the last cough is a wet cough). We visited a few specialists who were unable to diagnose the condition (partially my fault, since we do not want to put him through a tracheal wash procedure at his age). We''ve tried Theodur (100 milligrams a day), but discontinued it since it didn''t appear to help after a few weeks. We''ve also tried prednisone for a week or two. He is currently on Hycodan (25 milligrams a day). The coughing can be bad, but the unusual thing about it is that it generally only occurs during the night when he is sleeping (there may be an episode or two during the day, but it''s constant at night).We were hoping this pattern might indicate something to you. Please comment.

D.R., Washington Township, MI Aug 07, 2005

Answer:

Have the veterinarians ruled out congestive heart failure? This is the most common cause of fluid buildup in the lungs and chronic coughing.Chronic bronchitis is compounded by constriction of the trachea or windpipe in smaller breeds and blunt-faced (brachycephalic) dogs and can be difficult to clear up, but periodic treatments with antibiotics and expectorants can help. Do not use over-the-counter human cough medicines and expectorants since these can be harmful to both dogs and cats.Presumably, you don''t smoke -- second-hand smoke can harm dogs and cats. An air purifier and a humidifier in the winter will help ease your dog''s condition. And a vaporizer dispersing essential oils (like eucalyptus, sandalwood, oregano and frankincense) may also provide considerable relief in his sleeping area.

Question:

Except for the required rabies vaccinations, I have been following your advice about cutting back on yearly pet immunizations. This is very hard for our local veterinarians to accept. I may well refuse to get the boosters, but when I go to board the pets, have their teeth cleaned, or hospitalize a sick, elderly or frail pet, the doctors insist that they have the immunizations for the safety of the other animals. I have even had a local pet spa connected to a veterinary hospital refuse to give my elderly dog a bath because she was not "up to date." They gave her the shot and charged me $30 for an office visit, which the dog did not need. I had deliberately made the decision not to have her get the shot at her annual visit to my vet.Also, my vet insists on Bordetella shots every six months for animals that will be boarded with him. Another veterinarian with whom I board only requires it once a year. I now board my older, frail cats at a feline-only specialist veterinarian. She does not require Bordetella at al

S.H., Onancock, Va Aug 07, 2005

Answer:

Your letter raises important issues that, in short, show how overboard people have gone with companion-animal vaccinations. Part of the rationale is based on twisted thinking in terms of liability if a boarded animal were to get sick: the best way to avoid this, the logic goes, is to insist on "up to date" vaccinations for all boarded animals. It reminds me of the billions of poultry, pigs and dairy cows that are given tons of antibiotics to control diseases aggravated by how these animals are treated. These medications put us all at risk, as harmful bacteria become resistant to antibiotics.Half of the "science" of vaccinations is myth, and no one has the right to demand that vaccinations be "up to date" -- there is no such thing. Once an animal is vaccinated there''s no "up to date" without a blood titer test being performed. Most vaccinations against viruses are good for several years. Vaccines against bacteria that cause Lyme disease and kennel cough (Bordetella) are not as long lasting.No animal should be