Question:

My 10-year-old male cat has been chasing his tail, hissing and growling. This has been going on for about six months. At first I thought he might be plugged-up, but he has been going to the bathroom with no trouble.He is very aggressive. Last May, he was asleep on my lap and as I was pushing him off he attacked me -- bit both my arms. I got infection and had to go to the doctor twice because the infection wouldn''t heal and my arms looked like I''d been in a catfight.He has been neutered and his front paws are de-clawed. My doctor suggested that we put the cat to sleep, but my husband wouldn''t hear of it. I talked to my vet about this, but he doesn''t seem concerned. We''ve had the cat since he was 5 weeks old. I buy Meow Mix -- it seems this is the only food he likes. He won''t eat canned food. Do you have any suggestions?.

M.G., Swartz Creek, MI Sep 25, 2005

Answer:

Your cat''s seemingly psychotic behavior is extremely serious considering his evident distress and suffering, and your emotional and physical trauma and potentially serious bite wounds.Your cat''s anal glands need to be checked and the tail X-rayed for possible fracture (after accidental trapping in a refrigerator or other door, which might have gone unnoticed).Take your cat to a veterinarian who shows more concern for a full physical checkup. Some cats suffering from hyperthyroidism can go a little crazy and become aggressive, so his change in behavior and aggression need to be taken very seriously.

Question:

I was interested to read in your column the letter from G.V. in Washington, D.C., about the golden retriever who collapses, then gets up after a few seconds.Our 15-year-old peekapoo had the same symptoms. The vet X-rayed her and discovered a huge tumor on her heart, taking up almost the entire chest cavity.Perhaps G.V.''s vet should X-ray their dog as well. Unfortunately, our dog had to be put down, but perhaps theirs can be helped.

N.C., Tryon, NC Sep 25, 2005

Answer:

There are many reasons why animals suddenly collapse, and even if the animal seems fine after the first time this occurs (other than obviously slipping on a smooth surface and having difficulty getting up), immediate veterinary attention is called for. Brain, spinal cord, heart/circulation, and other organ and system disorders (especially in older animals) can cause sudden collapse, incoordination, and muscular tremors and weakness. Repeated episodes in younger animals could be due to other factors such as low blood calcium, or adverse drug or vaccination reaction and even poisoning.Animals so afflicted may show fear or panic, but pain may not be evident. Even so, it is an emergency situation and a "let''s wait and see if she''s better tomorrow" attitude is unacceptable.

Question:

I read an article in your column regarding "terrier's dandruff" and wanted to share a success story with you. My dog had severe skin problems -- he used to scratch his skin raw until it bled. He only had one strip of fur on his back, and only because he couldn't reach it with his teeth. He would roll on concrete to try to scratch it that way. He was on many prescriptions like prednisone, tetracycline, thyroid medication -- none of them worked. One day six years ago, I looked for a dog food with low protein content. I found one at 14 percent (most are 22 to 30 percent). Within six weeks, he stopped itching and now has a beautiful coat of fur. He is so happy now.I think there are proteins (such as horse, chicken and beef) that can cause these allergies. Please suggest this solution to your readers. My dog is now fine and content.

R.K., Homestead, FL Sep 25, 2005

Answer:

Thank you for confirming what I stress constantly in my column -- namely, that many skin problems in dogs and cats are diet-related. And so many animals like yours suffer such a miserable existence interminably, with a burning, itching skin problem that never goes away. Congratulations on your success in spite of veterinary treatments that were to no avail and probably made things worse -- like treating food allergy/hypersensitivity with prednisone that can further disturb the immune system, rather than considering a dietary cause for your dog's condition and chronic misery. I doubt that your choosing a lower-protein-content food did the trick but, rather (as you imply), you were lucky in finding a brand that did not contain the ingredients that harmed your dog -- like corn, beef and dairy byproducts, for example.

Question:

In reference to a recent article about a dog eating his own feces, we were told years ago to never pick up feces or do yard work while our dog was in the yard with us. It may be anthropomorphic, but it''s possible that a dog thinks he should keep his space tidy by cleaning it up himself.For us, this problem stopped when we no longer did "dog patrol" -- pruning, raking and other yard work -- in our dog''s presence. I thought you might find this tidbit interesting.

C.B., Southern Shores, NC Sep 25, 2005

Answer:

Your letter adds another perspective to poop-eating pooches. It is a natural aspect of maternal behavior to eat all puppies'' poop in order to keep the den and puppy play area clean. So some dogs may engage in coprophagia just to clean up their living area, especially the backyard or an enclosed kennel.Dogs, like other animals, often show extreme self-consciousness about the cleanliness of their body surfaces that can lead to obsessive-compulsive behaviors like intense self-grooming, licking and chewing to the point of self-mutilation. Some coprophagic dogs may be in this category of anxiety-driven, comfort-seeking clean freaks, and punishing them only makes things worse.

Question:

I have a Rottweiler dog who chases shadows obsessively. She is a 1-year-old rescue dog and is in a house with many other dogs. She is very loving, but is becoming increasingly more impatient with the other dogs and loses sleep because of this.We don''t want to put her to sleep, as she is so young and very willing when you can get her attention. We have to drag her outside many times, though the other dogs are all excited and running for the door. The dogs are getting more intense in their behavior and even harm themselves.Please help. We rescue many dogs and keep them in the house with us until we adopt them out.

S.J., Ventura, CA Sep 25, 2005

Answer:

Rottweilers and Doberman pinschers are particularly prone to developing the obsessive-compulsive behavior that you are experiencing with your dog, regardless of stimulation and the companionship of other dogs.This shadow-chasing obsession, which borders on a hallucinogenic/epileptogenic syndrome, calls for a holistic approach. This should include a natural, whole-foods diet -- ideally one that''s organic and home-prepared, with none of the preservatives, artificial colors or food-industry byproducts that are present in most commercial processed dog foods. Avoid the use of flea- and tick-preventing drops, sprays and dips, as well as all unwarranted "booster" vaccinations. Have serum/blood titers taken to determine the dog''s immune status and, for good measure, have a full thyroid function performed.Consult with your veterinarian and put your dog on a trial with an anxiety-relieving psychotropic medication like Valium, Xanax or Prozac; adjust the dosage so that it does not overmedicate the dog, but takes the ed

Question:

I read your syndicated column as often as I can. Would you please be so kind as to address a few common questions I have concerning my 2-year-old Australian shepherd dog?1) Will giving him table scraps trouble him, or should he be given strictly dry dog food? Since he was 6 months old, I''ve been feeding him (along with his puppy chow) food from the table. Is this OK?2. Is there any kind of bone that he can have? My veterinarian advises against all bones. Are there any bones that my dog can safely digest?3. My dog came to me with a docked tail. I am always asked whether he was born this way or if it was surgically removed at birth. Which is it? Thank you.

C.S.A., Dearborn, MI Sep 18, 2005

Answer:

1) Yes, and also give him a teaspoonful of vegetable oil. 2) Give him beef marrow (or "soup"'') bones only; chewing these will keep his teeth and gums healthy. 3) Your dog, like other breeds, was born with a stumpy tail. But tail docking is a common practice done on various purebreds and working dogs -- a mutilation that I deplore. Dogs'' tails are important instruments of communication.

Question:

I just read an article about how dangerous clumping kitty litters are. Is this true? Can they cause diseases and block digestive tracts? Last January, I was using un-clumping litter, then I switched to clumping. But then I read this article and now I''m confused. What is the best litter to use?.

A.F., St. Louis, Mo Sep 18, 2005

Answer:

The theory goes that clumping litter may get onto cats'' paws and be licked off and swallowed, thus causing internal problems. But I have no clear evidence of this being a health risk. The main thing is precaution -- avoid litter that sticks to paws and/or is very dusty, since cats could inhale litter particles while digging and covering their excrement and suffer the consequences.Also, litter boxes with covers can become ammoniated inside if not kept clean, leading to cats developing an aversion to entering such enclosed boxes, since the foul air plus dirt irritates their respiratory system.

Question:

I have a very active, 1-year-old mixed-terrier dog who is normally a bundle of energy. But I have noticed that when I put on his coat or sweater to take him for a walk in cold weather or because the house is chilly, his whole personality changes.He immediately becomes very quiet and wants to hop up on the sofa or bed and sleep. It is very out of character for him to become so docile. The coat or sweater is not restrictive in the least and it is comical to see him transform before our eyes. What causes his activity level/personality to change so dramatically?.

C.A., Norfolk, Va Sep 18, 2005

Answer:

What an interesting observation you made on your dog''s sudden change in personality once he is dressed!Wearing a coat or sweater could have a calming effect on your dog, who may feel like he''s being gently held and restrained all over.Working in India helping animals with various injuries and health problems, my wife, Deanna, has found that many dogs -- especially those in treatment suffering from mange (a terribly irritating skin disease) -- become calm and rested when tightly swaddled in a towel or blanket. Swaddling also gives comfort to many dogs who are terrified by thunderstorms and fireworks.

Question:

Mocha is a 9-month-old chocolate Lab/German shorthaired pointer mix. He''s a neutered, indoor dog, one of three.Mocha has been very good with housebreaking and rarely has an accident. If he does make a mistake it''s usually our fault for not paying attention when he''s asking to go out. However, we have this strange problem that I''ve never had with any of my pets -- he urinates on the bed!This is not a good thing. He has done this on two different beds, but mainly on just one. He first did this as a small puppy, probably by accident, but now he will go up there and immediately urinate, even when we''re watching -- it seems deliberate. I''ve cleaned the beds as thoroughly as I can to try to remove any scent that he might be attracted to, but nothing has helped so far.Also, Mocha loves to chew things. Are the rawhide chew bones OK for him? We have to keep him supplied with something or he''ll find things to chew that he''s not supposed to. What''s best for puppies to chew?.

K.V., Lamberton, MN Sep 18, 2005

Answer:

Most likely, your young dog is either responding to the surface texture of the beds as though he were outdoors on soft dirt and grass, or else he''s actually "marking" -- staking out places in the house in competition with the other two dogs.First, have him checked out for cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), since animals suffering from this condition sometimes deliberately urinate in front of their human companions and caregivers. This is an unlikely possibility, but important to rule out.This bed soiling could be associated with excitement and submission, so simply ignore him. Do not punish him. Make going up on the beds unpleasant by placing several mousetraps that are set and placed upside down under sheets of newspaper laid out on the beds. The loud snaps they make under the paper will scare him, and he should quickly develop an aversion to getting up on the beds, upon which he should never be allowed for several months.Young dogs like to chew things, and the safest item is a 3- to 4-inch long piece

Question:

My 3-year-old cats, who are both neutered, like to wrestle a lot. The bigger but younger cat, Tiger, has a tendency to overpower the smaller but older cat, Midnight. Lately, I''ve noticed that, as if they were mating, Tiger has been grasping the scruff of Midnight''s neck and hunching over as if he were a tom and Midnight was a queen.Also, Tiger has been licking walls. Some are wallpaper, some are painted. This has been going on since he was about 2 years old. Our family thinks it looks funny, but we are also concerned about possible harm from the paint. My cats are not littermates. Please advise.

A.A. (age 12), Waldorf, Md Sep 18, 2005

Answer:

Your observations of your cats at play are accurate. They are, indeed, engaging in sex play, and Tiger is asserting his dominance over Midnight, who has learned to submit. Don''t interfere, since this would upset their relationship and possibly lead to fights and injuries.Hopefully, your indoor paint is lead-free. Cats sometimes become obsessive wall- and floor-lickers when they have a chronic stomach irritation, like fur-balls or more serious problems. So mention this behavior when your cats go for their annual health checkup. Some forms of pica (eating/licking dirt, clay or chalk) can indicate a nutritional deficiency, most likely in trace minerals, or a lack of fiber/roughage in the diet that a holistically oriented veterinarian can help you investigate.