Question:

Three months ago, we added a 7-week-old female kitten to our household, which already had a 1-year-old female cat. We slowly introduced them in separated rooms for a few days, and within a week, they were cleaning each other, wrestling and sleeping together.However, now we have noticed the older cat surrenders completely to the kitten, refusing to play as soon as the little one comes into view. The kitten constantly jumps on the older one, chases her and seems to terrorize her. The older cat doesn''t appear to be threatened, but she will often just run away from the kitten. We try to pay extra attention to the older cat who seems to have "aged" overnight, becoming more docile, aloof and less affectionate than she was before the new, energized kitten arrived.Is it possible the kitten is playing the alpha role; or is the older cat depressed at losing her only-child status? Did we go wrong in getting her a younger companion?.

K.W., New York, NY Nov 27, 2005

Answer:

It takes time for newly introduced cats to work things out, and sometimes one will show some change in personality (as you have witnessed).My interpretation of what you describe: The older cat is being very accepting of the feisty kitten and simply remains passive when attacked playfully, a clear sign of mature tolerance. The kitten will eventually learn to play gently, realizing the older cat is not interested in playing when she runs off.So, put in playtime with the kitten and continue giving the older cat extra TLC.No, you didn''t go wrong. In a few months, I bet they will be inseparable companions for life.

Question:

We adopted a female Shih Tzu from a small animal-rescue shelter, and she is a wonderful pet. There is only one thing wrong with her:We cannot leave her home alone, even for an hour, or she will poop in at least three different places, even though we always take her out before we leave. She loves everyone, will stay with anyone and is completely housebroken otherwise. We tried a cage, but she pooped in the cage and was a mess when we got home. Our friends and neighbors are happy to baby-sit her, but there are times when it isn''t convenient.We''ve had dogs all of our lives and have never experienced this problem. Please advise.

R.R., Naples, FL Nov 27, 2005

Answer:

Your dog is suffering from separation anxiety. Her digestive system gets so upset when she is left alone, she has to defecate repeatedly. A worst-case scenario is that she develops chronic, stress-related colitis.Try making your departure enjoyable and rewarding. Fill a couple of hollow, rubber Kong toys or beef marrow/shank bones with peanut butter and put them out for her. Leave the house for two to three minutes and return, ignore any poop and pet her only when she sits, remains quiet and accepts a treat. Make several trips in and out over several days, gradually increasing the duration of time away. Leaving on a radio or TV program may help your dog feel less alone.If this desensitizing and remotivating program fails, have your veterinarian put the dog on a seven- to 10-day course of Valium, then try the program again. And don''t lock your dog in the cage -- keep the door open and she may like it as a secure den.

Question:

I have two dogs: a black Lab, age 12, and a German shorthaired pointer, age 10. Both dogs have lipoma (fatty tumors).What causes this? Can anything be done to reduce the size? My Lab was operated on about seven years ago. I will not put her through surgery again, but she now has a tumor growing on the same spot as the one removed.My male shorthaired pointer has one next to his penis, about the size of an orange. Another one is around his right hip. And there''s a small one starting up on the left side -- it''s the size of a walnut. I can move all of these tumors, so they don''t seem to be connected to anything.Neither dog seems particularly bothered by the tumors. Should I just leave well enough alone and do nothing?Thank you for any advice you may have.

C.B., Naples, FL Nov 27, 2005

Answer:

The jury is out about why dogs develop lipomas. They are not cancerous malignancies, so they need not be removed unless they interfere with the dog''s mobility and comfort, or are severely disfiguring. Yes, they often grow back in the same area after surgical removal of large growths.Injections with colloidal silver are said to shrink lipomas, but I have yet to find any clinical reports confirming this claim and would welcome that information from any veterinarians -- or the claim that daily doses of L-carnitine can help reduce and prevent these fatty tumors. The best prevention is regular exercise, plus a low-calorie diet and maintaining a lean body with good muscle tone. This problem in older dogs is often linked with reduced activity associated with various conditions, especially arthritis, low thyroid function and obesity.

Question:

Our two all-American mutts own us. One is a terrier type with medium-length black hair and has definite herding instincts. The other is a hyperactive Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix.Since the beginning of the cold weather (and what has turned out to be a monsoon season), the black one has been itching like crazy, but neither dog has fleas. Recently, the Chihuahua mix has started scratching, too.In a recent column, you mentioned the effect of sunlight on a dog''s skin. In view of the lack of sunlight this season, is it all right to give them vitamin D in pill form (used as a supplement)?They already get a combination of flaxseed and cod-liver oil every day and are fed a regular diet of brown rice, canned green beans and cooked ground beef (or chicken or turkey, whatever is available).Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

N.E.K., Neptune, NJ Nov 27, 2005

Answer:

Assuming no one smokes in your home (that can make dogs itch), you are challenged to sleuth out what allergen is making your dogs so uncomfortable. The allergen (or a number of allergens that may be inhaled, absorbed by skin contact or ingested internally) releases histamine in your dog''s skin and that makes it itch.Have your veterinarian prescribe an antihistamine medication. Thoroughly flea-comb the dogs -- just one flea can trigger hypersensitivity and intense scratching. Also, have your dogs checked for mange. If you have a new carpet or other new surface (like a sofa where the dogs lie), cover it with a thick cotton sheet and see if that helps after shampooing both dogs. Lastly, try not feeding them any beef for two to three weeks, and then test other ingredients similarly.Good detective work is nine-tenths the cure.HELP STILL NEEDED FOR KATRINA''S ANIMAL VICTIMSThousands of dogs, cats and other animals still need to be rescued from the worst natural disaster to strike the United States, and thousands of

Question:

We have an 18-month-old golden retriever named Bentley, who has a skin condition that causes huge dandruff-like flakes all over his body. The flaking seems not to bother him -- he doesn't itch or scratch abnormally -- but following him around the house with a vacuum cleaner is getting a bit overwhelming. So far, we've tried two special shampoos from the vet, brushing him daily, bathing him every other day, giving him vitamin E tablets, extra-strength Denorex people shampoo, changing his diet -- everything. He's currently eating Pro-Plan chicken adult dog food (which he likes); we've also tried Wellness (which he refuses to eat). Our vet says he might grow out of this condition. But if it's in his genes, he might not. With two other dogs and cats in the house, cooking special meals is out of the question. Is there anything else we can do to help our flaky Bentley?.

B.J.McA., Nokesville, Va Nov 20, 2005

Answer:

Excessive production of dry, rather than oily, dandruff could mean your young dog has an idiosyncratic (individually unique) nutritional need that regular, balanced dog food does not satisfy. Your veterinarian should consider testing supplements such as flaxseed oil, vitamin A, zinc and selenium. A weekly shampoo with a product containing selenium (like Selsun Blue) may also help. The possibility of early onset of hypothyroidism should be considered, too.

Question:

Recently, we had a horrific experience with a rare water mold/fungus called pythiosis. It is a fungus-like organism found in standing water, such as ponds and swamps. Endemic in states bordering the Gulf of Mexico, it has been diagnosed in dogs as far north as southern Indiana.Pythiosis was identified and confirmed in our darling 4-year-old Lab, Alice. She had gastrointestinal pythiosis, which is usually fatal because, by the time one becomes aware of the problem, it''s too late. We were alerted when Alice began to turn her nose up at food (which never happened before).With the description of vomiting, constipation and lethargic behavior (which are the same signs for so many other illnesses), the veterinarians did every test imaginable. After exhausting noninvasive procedures, they recommended exploratory surgery and discovered a mass in her mesentery tissue, which was diagnosed as lymphoma. Little did we know at the time that we would be praying for it to be lymphoma.As I''m sure you''ve surmised, we had to eu

T.H., Vienna, Va Nov 20, 2005

Answer:

This fungus-like disease, generally fatal to dogs, also occurs in horses (equine pythiosis) causing "kunkers" (lumpy growths on the skin, also invading the respiratory and digestive systems and bones). "Swamp cancer" is another name for it. Cases have also been reported in cattle, cats and humans. It is common in tropical and subtropical countries around the world.Since they are of vital ecological importance, swamps and wetlands should not be drained or treated with chemicals to eradicate this or other potentially harmful organisms. We should simply keep our distance and keep our animals out. Standing water -- if close to human habitation or recreation areas -- should be routinely checked by local health authorities. Botulism is the most lethal biological product from such sites. With global warming/climate change, an expansion of diseases currently prevalent in warmer regions is to be expected.

Question:

We have an 8-year-old cat, Nelly, who has a strange fetish: Whenever she encounters a plastic bag (grocery, trash, diaper), she licks it obsessively. Her housemate, Shaneequa (roughly the same age), has never done this sort of thing (nor have any of the dozen cats I''ve lived with over the years).Any thoughts on why Nelly can''t stop licking?.

M.S., Silver Spring, Md Nov 20, 2005

Answer:

Many people with cats write to me about this feline addiction to plastic. Some also lick paper money and photographs. Paper money is sized with an extract of tallow (animal fat), and photos often have an emulsion finish that contain stearates derived from animal fat, which are used to soften plastic.Cats also like various soaps, hand and face creams, and other toiletries. These, too (unless the label declares "no animal ingredients" or "all vegetable products"), contain extracts of animal fat and other materials. I would check the label and only buy if it says, "not tested on animals." If cats could read, they surely would agree with my choice!Finally, since plastics contain phthalates and other potentially toxic petrochemicals, do not let your cat lick plastic or eat and drink out of plastic bowls.

Question:

I''m not very good at writing, but I will try my best:My male beagle is 8 years old. He was having seizures, so we went to the vet and she said to just let him be. It got to a point where he was having seizures twice a week, so I tried an experiment.I read a book written by seven veterinarians and concluded that most dog food is garbage -- a lot of what is rejected for human consumption goes into commercial dog food. So we''ve put our dog on a diet of lamb and rice. I also started putting 2 tablespoons of tuna water (which has omega-3) on the dog''s food.He hasn''t had a seizure since! The vet said she can''t believe it, but I told her I have the living proof -- no seizures for over 1-1/2 years. I hope this might help others with similar situations.

P.P., Kalamazoo, MI Nov 20, 2005

Answer:

There are many factors that can cause seizures in dogs -- from influenza and tumors to genetic defects, nutritional deficiencies and certain food ingredients.Your discovery of a cure for your dog is worth noting. But don''t overfeed the tuna -- it is high in mercury. Flaxseed oil is a safer source of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids. One teaspoon per 30 pounds of body weight daily, mixed in with the food, is good for all dogs.

Question:

I have a longhaired cat, about 12 years old, who was a stray. Lately, I have noticed blood in the stool. She seems to be feeling OK -- playful, eats well, cold nose and no pain when I put some pressure on her lower extremities. She is an indoor/outdoor cat, and I keep up with her shots.Do you have any idea what the problem might be?.

C.L., Houston, TX Nov 20, 2005

Answer:

Chronic constipation is a common and painful condition in cats, especially those fed entirely on dry food or a low-fiber canned food. Check your cat''s litter box and, with your hand in a plastic bag, feel how hard the stools are. They should "squish" easily. Hard stools can often lead to small tears in the rectum and fresh blood in the stools. The pain associated with defecating can lead some cats to develop a pain-linked aversion to using the litter box, so they evacuate in other parts of the house.Ask your veterinarian about a mild laxative for your cat. Adding a teaspoon of olive oil to her food and a tablespoon of chopped sprouted wheatgrass, alfalfa or mashed lima beans (to add fiber to her diet) will greatly ease her condition.

Question:

The letter about Lily the cocker spaniel reminded me of the concern shown by my hound, Frasier, after my wife died a few years ago.When I was feeling morose and sorry for myself, Frasier would climb in my lap (all 45 pounds of him) and lavish me with love and kisses. Spot, my all-gray terrier mix, on the other hand, would leave the room to avoid the bad scene. Spot was my wife Sharon''s dog -- or, rather, Sharon was Spot''s person -- so she had her own grief to reconcile.Without the companionship of these two dogs, dealing with the loss would have been much harder. I can see why so many people die soon after losing a spouse. But, with the help of animals, we can carry on.

C.W., Clifton Park, NY Nov 20, 2005

Answer:

Thanks for sharing your heartwarming experiences. Yes, dogs, especially, can help us through emotionally devastating times. They have the ability to empathize -- feel what we are feeling. So they are worthy of far more respect than they are given. And yes, they, too, need love to "carry on."