Question:

My 9-year-old golden retriever is suffering from allergies that are affecting his quality of life. We have been to a canine dermatologist, and we were told he is allergic to wool and dust mites. He is now under the care of an excellent and loving veterinarian, but lately the problem has gotten worse.Presently, he has two bald spots on his back, each about 12 to 14 inches long. He has been on Prednisone and antibiotics for years, and I bathe him twice a week, but now I can''t get it under control. I have tried using topical anti-itch creams and even a gentle diaper-rash cream to ease the redness on his back.I have tried switching foods, but nothing is helping. He loves to roll around in the grass, and I wonder if that has anything to do with his condition. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

M.A., Miami Shores, FL Aug 27, 2006

Answer:

The veterinary dermatologist is no doubt correct in saying that your dog is allergic to wool and dust mites. But why has he become allergic? Why has his immune system become dysfunctional? Treatment with Prednisone at this stage could make matters worse.Have your dog checked for thyroid dysfunction and Cushing''s Syndrome, commonly associated with skin problems. Put him on a whole-food, home-prepared diet plus 1 teaspoon daily, each, of flaxseed oil, Brewer''s yeast and powdered seaweed (kelp), and a multivitamin/multimineral supplement that includes vitamins C, A and E, zinc and selenium. Some dogs with seasonal allergies benefit from 1 teaspoon per 30 pounds of body weight of locally made honey and/or bee pollen mixed into their food every day.But remember, one flea can cause hot spots, so use a flea comb to rule out fleas, and look for flea poop, a telltale sign if you do not actually see any fleas. Flea poop looks like tiny flecks of coal dust. Consisting of digested dog blood, it turns reddish-brown when

Question:

Some of our church members are extremely saddened by and tired of hearing about all the cases of animal abuse in our area. In New York state, cats especially do not have the same rights as dogs, and we would like to know what our parish can do to change this. Can you please direct us as to what steps we can take to help protect cats from further abuse?.

A., Troy, NY Aug 27, 2006

Answer:

Local religious organizations can do much to protect the welfare of animals in the community and in the natural environment. The old view of putting humans first is wearing thin as more people are realizing that when we harm the Earth, we harm ourselves, and that animals are part of the community, with interests and rights. My book "The Boundless Circle: Caring for Creatures and Creation" (Quest Books, 1996) explores the role of religion and the responsibilities of people of faith in conservation and animal protection.Have a representative from your local humane society speak to your group, and set up a committee to coordinate and support a cat-rescue organization. If you are Catholic, check with Catholic Concern for Animals (www.catholic-animals.org). Founded in the United Kingdom, it now has a branch in the United States. For more information, contact CCA-USA Chairman Jan Fredericks at Godscre@msn.com, or write to P.O. Box 266, Wayne, NJ 07474-0266.I would be happy to publish contact information for other

Question:

My 1-year-old Italian greyhound displays odd behavior concerning treats. She will eat them when I first give them, but after one or two, she''ll refuse them.The thing that puzzles me is that I gave all the same treats to a neighbor who has a cat. My dog will go to the cat''s dish and eat the treats that she refused in our house. (We visit the neighbor almost every day.) Also, she will eat the treats that she refused from me whenever the neighbor gives her one. Why?.

L.M., Rockville, Md Aug 27, 2006

Answer:

Hunger is not the only motivating stimulus that makes dogs want to eat. Just like humans, some dogs will eat when they are anxious or insecure; or when they are jealous or competing with another animal for food or attention; or when they are conditioned to be given a treat for being obedient and performing some task. Some dogs seem to eat to please the giver, especially when they are being nursed through an injury or illness, just like people.I know of one dog that put one of her cookies on the coffee table next to a cheese tray and looked longingly at the cheese. Offering a fair exchange, perhaps?

Question:

My cat is 15 years old and no longer grooms herself. Lately, she has been putting her legs in the toilet bowl and in the mutual bowl of water for our pets. Why?We are now keeping the covers down on the toilets, but we can''t cover the water bowl for the pets. She is also doing a lot of "prowling," even though she''s strictly an indoor cat.

O.H.D., Pleasant Valley, NY Aug 27, 2006

Answer:

Like dogs and people, when cats get old, they sometimes do unusual things, such as your cat''s obsession with water. Sometimes they will covet a particular toy or wander compulsively from room to room, often yowling, as though they are searching for something.For hygiene''s sake, keep your toilet lids down. If the hand basin or sink is easy for your cat to reach, let her dabble in a little water. She is probably developing senile dementia, or dysphoria, as I prefer to call this common condition. Give her a warm pad to sleep on and a full-spectrum grow light. She may have arthritis or some other painful condition that makes her restless, so a veterinary appointment is warranted. Analgesics and a warm place to sleep might help if this is the problem.

Question:

We have a problem with our 3-year-old dapple dachshund, Daisy. We rescued her and her sister, Sweetpea, two years ago from a hobby breeder''s garage in Livermore, Calif., through our local dachshund-rescue organization. The girls were 11 months old at that time. Sweetpea is deaf and blind on her right side due to birth defects resulting from the breeder''s inexperience in breeding two highly recessive dogs. Daisy''s eyes are malformed, but she can see and hear. They were not socialized or house-trained. They were incredibly shy, having never been out of the garage before, but they''ve come a long way in the last two years.That said, many problems continue. Daisy urinates submissively anytime she thinks she has done something wrong (e.g., if we verbally scold her for eating feces -- another problem) or when she has to do something she doesn''t want to do (e.g., put her harness on or get picked up, although she is happy to go on walks or be cuddled). She has trained us in how to approach her to avoid this most of t

K.K., San Francisco, CA Aug 27, 2006

Answer:

I wish there were more people like you to take in abused and neglected dogs and give them a chance to enjoy life.Your veterinarian is right: Daisy is not likely to grow out of her submissive urination. Most dogs do grow out of such behavior, but with Daisy''s traumatic past, her fear and shyness might be permanent.This behavior might be complicated by a weak sphincter and chronic cystitis or bladder stones, which need to be ruled out as possible contributing factors. Treatment with phenylpropanolamine or Xanax on a trial basis is one approach your veterinarian might consider. Ignore her stool-eating. She is probably doing that to clean up her own mess, and discipline won''t help. Just try to clean up before she does. You might try "play therapy," encouraging Daisy to chase, wrestle and enjoy a tug-of-war game. This may improve her disposition and make her more outgoing and self-confidant, thus less likely to be a submissive piddler.

Question:

Sam is a happy, healthy indoor cat around 7 years old. He''s a good eater, plays well with his housemate and is a wonderful pet.However, for the past several months, he''s had itchy ears. The vet found nothing wrong upon examination. I''ve wracked my brain to find the cause.Could it have anything to do with his diet? I feed both cats about 3/4 cup of dry Science Diet and a few tablespoons of canned chicken or beef.

M.B., Mamaroneck, NY Aug 20, 2006

Answer:

If your veterinarian has ruled out ear mites, your cat could be showing signs of an allergy to one or more ingredients in his diet.The most common food ingredients that can cause itching, skin and ear inflammation and diarrhea are corn and wheat meal and gluten, dairy products and beef. Some cats are allergic to fish and may develop extensive eczema.Not all cats that scratch and groom themselves excessively (even creating bald spots) have food allergies. There are other causes. One is a hyperactive thyroid gland, which can increase skin temperature and sensitivity.

Question:

I live in Maryland and am soon moving to Indiana. My cats are 10 and 16 years old. They do not like to ride in their carriers and have never ridden in the car for more than 30 minutes at a time. We plan on stopping to let them out for walks, feeding, etc. They are leash-trained and love to go outside with their harnesses and leashes on.What do you think about sedating them? Do you have any suggestions to make this 10- to 11-hour drive easier for them?.

B.H., Rockville, Md Aug 20, 2006

Answer:

Cats and dogs respond better to being put in a crate for transportation when they have been preconditioned.Preconditioning entails encouraging the animal to eat next to the open crate and to lie on a pillow, towel or blanket in front of the crate door. Gradually move the food bowl closer to the open crate at each feeding until the animal has to enter the crate to eat. Then put the blanket in the crate and give the animal a treat for lying down inside. Once these patterns are established, close the crate door briefly, keeping the animal inside the crate for longer periods each time while you talk soothingly and encourage the animal to accept the confined space.

Question:

We adopted Bo, our male bulldog/retriever mix, when he was 8 months old from our local humane society. Not long after, Bo started limping and favoring his right rear leg. We had him X-rayed and the vet found arthritis developing. The vet prescribed Rimadyl. The dog needs it just to get through the day because of the pain in his hindquarters.Why would a dog develop arthritis at such an early age? And could you give us advice on any other treatment you would recommend?.

F.V., Labelle, FL Aug 20, 2006

Answer:

Your dog is extremely young to have arthritis. He may have some other joint problem, like hip dysplasia (a separation of the growth plate at the end of the bone) or an inflammation of the bursa or joint capsule. The cause could be trauma or a developmental abnormality.Hot and cold packs, plenty of rest with restricted physical activity for three to four weeks and twice daily massage therapy, as per my book "The Healing Touch for Dogs" (Newmarket Press, 2004), may help considerably. A soft pad to sleep on is also called for.These measures (pending a more definitive diagnosis) are warranted, and the sooner you get your young dog off the Rimadyl, the better. Long-term use could harm the dog''s liver and kidneys.

Question:

I found your column on booster shots very interesting. I''m enclosing a letter from my vet, who believes as you do regarding all the booster shots.

A.B., Lakewood, NJ Aug 20, 2006

Answer:

Thank you for sharing the letter from your veterinarian outlining for his client''s cats and dogs the same vaccination protocols I have long advocated. I could share with you the hate mail I have received over the years from those with a vested interest in not seeing any reduction in the frequency of vaccinations being given to companion animals. Your vet also follows the core guidelines for vaccinations for dogs and cats as recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners.Puppies and kittens are given a series of vaccinations at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age, then at 1 year old, with core vaccine-booster shots given three years later. Blood tests to determine vaccine titres can be done to see if revaccination is called for.These precautions are necessary in order to minimize adverse vaccination reactions while maximizing animals'' protection from infectious diseases.

Question:

A few months ago my cat, Chino, had a blood test that indicated he has borderline hyperthyroidism. The vet gave me a Web address that explains what the disease is and how it is treated. What shocked me is that a study done in 2004 showed there is a strong correlation between cat food in pop-top cans and this disease.Apparently, the cans are lined with something called bisphenol A-diglycidyl ether, which reacts with the oils in the cat food. Years ago, when all the cans had to be opened with a can opener, this disease was almost unheard of. I have two neighbors whose cats had this disease. It comes on at about age 13, the age Chino will be this spring.Although I make a premium dry cat food available at all times, my three cats really look forward to this pop-top treat each evening. I will now have to limit them to the dry food, with occasional cans of non-pop-top moist food (which do not come in many varieties).Why is this health risk not told to the general public? Are vets and others afraid of repercussions

P.A.B., Ballston Lake, NY Aug 20, 2006

Answer:

I mentioned this issue previously in my column after I read an article in the highly reputable Journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association.All of the canned-food industries, human and animal, have a serious issue on their public-health and liability agendas. They are on notice to eliminate this endocrine-system-disrupting toxin from their can linings.The bisphenol compound is not the only endocrine- and immune-system-disrupting chemical we humans have released into the environment. Others contaminate our drinking water, meat, dairy products, fish and much else we and our companion animals consume. Dioxins and PCBs are two groups of poisons that can also harm the thyroid gland and entire hormonal and immune systems. The good news is that organic agriculture and aquaculture are the most promising antidotes for this poisoned planet and our toxic food chain.