Question:

My 8-year-old, neutered cocker spaniel experiences adverse reactions to anesthesia.After minor surgeries, he paces constantly, seems disoriented, loses his balance and sometimes loses control of his bowels. This behavior can last up to four days.Our veterinarian uses the following: Ketamine, Valium, Torbugesic (Torbutrol), and injectable and inhalant Isoflurane. He says he cannot explain why this happens.The dog will possibly need surgery in the future, and I would like to solve this problem beforehand. Can you help? Thank you.

S.A., Hagerstown, Md Jan 13, 2008

Answer:

Ketamine is the most likely cause of your dog''s adverse reaction to the cocktail of anesthetic, analgesic and anxiety-relieving drugs. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that can make animals appear as though they are actually hallucinating. It is widely used to spay and neuter cats because it is a very safe drug, but can have long-term adverse psychological consequences in some animals.Ketamine is also a popular recreational drug; such hedonistic abuse contributes to why some seek to take the drug off the market. This would be regrettable since it is (in spite of its occasional adverse psychological effects in dogs and cats) effective when combined with other drugs to minimize animals'' pain, fear and shock during various surgical procedures.To order Dr. Michael W. Fox''s newsletter, Animal Doctor, on providing the best care for your animal companion, send a check or money order for $2 and a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Send your questions to Dr.

Question:

I have a white shorthair cat who is about 15 years old. She adopted us when we moved to an area of North Carolina that was a pine-tree farm.She was taken to the vet for her annual checkup and shots, and they said she has cancer. She has what appears to be a tick near the lower back part of one ear; and it seems that the top of that ear is eaten away. This has deteriorated since the beginning of the year. The doctor says she has cancer of the ears and the cancer could be cut off, but both ears would be lost.I was told to use Neosporin on her ears when she goes out, but that was a month ago, and she seems to be losing more each day. I hope you might have some suggestions for me. Thank you.

J.S., Gates, NC Jan 13, 2008

Answer:

Regrettably, skin cancer, especially affecting the ears, is quite common in white cats exposed to sunlight. Healthy cats need sunscreen on their ear tips and noses.Solar rays initially cause sunburn. Biting flies can chew up cats'' and dogs'' ears in the summer. The combination of solar and insect irritation and inflammation can soon lead to the development of cancer, the most common being squamous-cell carcinoma.Frankincense oil has been shown to rid horses of malignant melanomas when injected in and around the tumor and anointed over it. I would try a mixture of 10 drops each of frankincense, lavender and myrrh mixed with 10 drops of almond oil. Rub this into the cat''s ears two to three times a day for two to four weeks. Continue if there are signs of healing until there is no more inflammation.

Question:

We are the happy parents of a newborn son. Since bringing him home from the hospital more than a month ago, our 14-month-old wheaten terrier has had several accidents in the house. My husband thinks this is done on purpose.She mostly urinates in the nursery, even after she has just successfully visited her favorite spot outside. We clean the rug with enzyme cleaner and try to be vigilant about watching her, but she is still having these accidents.We tried to prepare our dog for the baby''s arrival by bringing home his hospital blanket and letting her smell it and introducing them outside before bringing the baby into the house. We have tried to keep her regular schedule and give her as much attention as before, but it is difficult.We truly love our dog and are very frustrated by this problem. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

W.F., Milltown, NJ Jan 06, 2008

Answer:

Your dog is probably reacting to the new baby by marking her territorial space in the nursery because she feels insecure. Also, the cries of the infant could trigger some anxiety and associated incontinence.Clearly, you went through the right steps to introduce the two. Now you need to help your dog not feel displaced by the baby.Some dogs will urinate to get attention. Ignore her piddling, quietly cleaning it up -- then sit on the floor, close to where she marked, with the baby in your arms. Call the dog over to you and give her lots of TLC. Let her sniff the baby and a soiled diaper. A few daily repetitions of this should help desensitize her toward the infant and the nursery and help her to be both continent and content with a new pack mate.To order Dr. Michael W. Fox''s newsletter, Animal Doctor, on providing the best care for your animal companion, send a check or money order for $2 and a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Send your questions to Dr. F

Question:

I am hoping that you can give me some information or questions to ask my veterinarian when I take my cats in for their yearly checkup.My cat, Miss Bean, is 10 years old. She tends to be overweight. Cutting down on her food does not help. She seems to be always starving. The veterinarian says she is well and has no health concerns -- no worms, etc."She has difficulty cleaning her "private" area (because she is short and overweight and can''t easily reach the area and because there are folds of skin in that area). Hence, she smells bad all the time. When she sits on the bed or someone''s lap, she leaves a horrible smell and sometimes a stain. We have her shaved so we can clean the area daily, but she still smells awful."We were thinking that a cat''s saliva neutralizes odors in the private area. Is this so? What, beyond what we are doing, can we do to neutralize the odors and keep her clean?.

L.H.C., Fairfield, CT Jan 06, 2008

Answer:

You and your cat share what many overweight and obese patients suffer: inability to properly groom and clean soiled posteriors. Saliva contains natural antibiotic-like compounds and substances that promote healing.Your best solution is to keep your cat''s hindquarters well shaved and use disposable baby wipes containing lavender and/or witch hazel. Wean your cat on to a home-prepared diet (see my newsletter) with some scalded raw-meat ingredients and feed about five to six small meals daily to reduce weight, but don''t starve the poor cat. Have her tested for diabetes, and if she comes up positive, eliminate all grains and vegetables from her diet.