Question:

We have a decision to make about what to do with our 11-month-old, male, neutered, well-behaved, spoiled, much-loved Siberian cat. We''ve planned a two-week vacation and are worried about him -- we''ve only left him for a couple of days before. Would it be best to leave him in his own environment with people attending to his basic needs or take him to someone who would play with him so he wouldn''t be alone so much?

M.R., Massapequa, NY Apr 26, 2009

Answer:

If no one can come and stay at your home while you are away, I would opt for your friend''s place where the cat will have human companionship and not be alone. However, if another animal resides there that the cat does not know or get along with, I would decide otherwise. If the person cannot sleep over in your home, he should at least visit and feed no less than three times a day. Turning the television on and off at the times you normally do may also help. Cats all alone can become terrified, anxious and so stressed that they may have an attack of cystitis, or if already on the cusp, come down with an acute heart or thyroid problem. Some will actually self-mutilate, pulling out their fur all over. So you have every reason to be concerned. Could you plan a vacation some time when you can take your cat along? Many cats love driving in the car once they are habituated.

Question:

We have a multi-cat household that has functioned quite well over the years. That includes a once-feral mother cat and her son, about 9 and 8 years old, respectively. Both spend most of their time in our bedroom. Though the mother sleeps on our bed with us, we can''t touch her. Her son lets us pet him, but picking him up or giving him a pill is not possible without a fierce struggle in which we both get hurt.

For about two months, the son has been licking his inner thighs. It has gotten to the point where the fur is gone and it''s red. He will let us briefly touch his thighs, but will flee if we try to put ointment on them. We''ve been putting Rescue Remedy in his wet food and now have Feliway in the bedroom, but the behavior continues. Given how resistant he is to being restrained for pilling, we can''t figure out what to do other than give him lots of attention and try to keep things as stress-free as possible. Any suggestions would be most welcome as we are devoted to our cats.

M.G., Silver Spring, Md Apr 26, 2009

Answer:

How wonderful that you give shelter and loving care to a feral cat and her son! If the other cats are not licking and scratching themselves because of possible fleas or mites, I would first suspect that the self-mutilating son is suffering from either a hyperactive thyroid or anxiety. Both could make him even more difficult to handle. The vet needs to perform a blood test and give him a thorough checkup. A top-loading cat carrier might be the easiest container to put him in when you are ready for an appointment. Wear gloves and a thick long-sleeved sweater or coat for protection, since he may protest loudly being put on a carrier or crate!

Question:

I have two 3-year-old female cats that I adopted a year ago from a no-kill shelter. One of them, Janie, has a triple whammy of a problem. She vomits almost every day and has been diagnosed with irritable bowel disease. In addition, she has chronic herpes that periodically manifest when she coughs, sneezes and has runny eyes. Finally, she has developed chronic diarrhea.

In August, her current vet put her on a prescription diet (Hill''s Z/D) and, after discussing a number of possibilities with me, gave her a steroid shot to stop the vomiting. It was magic. She stopped vomiting immediately. One week later, she developed a massive herpes flare-up. The vet prescribed an antibiotic for the herpes, and she was fine in about 10 days. But, you guessed it, she developed diarrhea as a result of the antibiotic and hasn''t returned to normal and is vomiting again. The vet prescribed some drops to stop the diarrhea, but she would not take them. He said she could have the steroid shot up to four times a year to control the vomiting, but I hesitate to do this for fear of another outbreak of herpes, which leads to antibiotics and the diarrhea problem. All of this hasn''t slowed her down much. The two cats play and race around the house on a regular basis. Her littermate, Julie, is a healthy cat with seemingly no problems. They are inseparable and if anything happened to one of them, the other would grieve terribly. I hope you can help. Obviously, the Z/D is not helping, but I don''t know what to do with all three ailments working against her.

B.N., St. Louis, Mo Apr 26, 2009

Answer:

At the root of the problem is most likely a food allergy or hypersensitivity, especially to corn and soy gluten. Clearly, from the continued course of treatment proposed, one of the poor cat''s three afflictions will likely be aggravated. The cat''s immune system and intestinal flora need to be treated with an appropriate probiotic and herbal and nutraceutical supplements like fish oil that have few, if any, harmful side effects. Weaning the cat onto a more natural, even raw, biologically appropriate diet would be my treatment goal. For dietary details and more information on finding a holistic veterinarian in your area, visit www.DrFoxVet.com/info.

Question:

I have two pet sheep about 8 months old. They are not related. Both were bottle-fed. One of them has had a lot of problems: She is blind due to an infection at birth and is about 14 pounds smaller than the other. I''m worried about the fact that the normal one has started butting and pushing the blind one around. I know this is probably due to instinct, but it is difficult to watch. Is there anything I can do to stop this? I raised the blind lamb. The other one was purchased as company for the blind one. Do you think a goat or another lamb would help this situation or make it worse?

J.K., Lexington, NC Apr 26, 2009

Answer:

I hope that by the time my reply is published your lambs have worked things out, rather than one or both being butchered and consumed. Be sure that the lambs have plenty of living space with secured, fixed objects like troughs and sheltered areas to share and be alone in. Also provide a raised step-up platform or grassy earth mound to climb and play on. Keeping them in a small pen could be problematic. If the butting is not especially hard, the normal one may be learning how to become the leader or guide for the blind one, who in turn must learn to keep a certain distance at times or move in a particular direction. Sheep have subtle ways of communicating, as I learned years ago working on a sheep farm, and they do need space. One of the most stressful things for them is to be separated from their flock. So hanging a bell around the neck of the lamb who can see may help the blind one feel close every time the guiding lamb moves, and not keep having to make head-butt contact.

Question:

I am writing in response to one of your articles about the cat that loses its fur in small patches. My 16-year-old Siamese has similar afflictions -- usually losing the fur on her ears. She is allergic to strong scents -- burning candles, air fresheners, perfume and especially litter. I switched to Arm & Hammer unscented litter, and she very rarely (one to two times a year) has fur falling out. I also used OTC hydrocortisone ointment to relieve the red, burning and itching. This is such an easy problem to fix (just eliminate scented items). I hope this helps someone else; it isn''t just food allergies anymore.

A.C., Fenton, MI Apr 26, 2009

Answer:

Letters like yours contribute to progress in veterinary medicine and pet healthcare because you have done the research to get your cat back to better health. I have found many reports on the health hazards of synthetic chemical fragrances and their volatile dispersing agents. Many contain hazardous phthalates. At the top of everyone''s shopping list should be "all products scent/perfume-free" -- from paper products to kitty litter, household cleaners, detergents, room fresheners and deodorizers. At the bottom, put "buy organic essential oils" like the citrus-based Orange TKO cleaner. Synthetic materials like plastic food containers and vinyl flooring can emit phthalates, and consumers are to be warned that this group of chemicals can make for a hazardous environment for all family members, pets included.

Question:

I am a first-time dog owner and have discovered your column in our local newspaper. I''ve been to your Web site and am taking it all in. We want what''s right for our 11-month-old Lab/husky mix. Ella is sweet, friendly and very active. She gets lots of exercise on our ranch, running alongside my horse and me as we ride. She''s great about sitting, staying and coming. Our big problem is that she''s 50 pounds and jumps up on everyone. I''ve tried turning my back on her, putting a knee in her face as she jumps, shouting "no" and trying to keep her in a "stay" position. I refuse to use a shock collar (as some have suggested), but she leaves dirty paw prints and almost knocks people over. How can I get rid of this rude behavior?

E.F., Houston, TX Apr 19, 2009

Answer:

Welcome to dogdom -- there''s no better enrichment for most of us sedentary folks than to share our lives with one or more dogs. Ella is still an adolescent craving attention, approval and fun and games. She needs to learn her boundaries in terms of what behavior is acceptable and when and where. She''s at the right age to start a school where you will learn how to better communicate your wishes and intentions. Alternatively, ask her veterinarian for a dog trainer or behavioral-therapist referral. Some first-time dog owners overindulge, are inconsistent in rewarding desired behaviors, and may not even know how to play with their dogs. Ella needs to learn self-control, and acquiring such internal inhibition is best accomplished with the help of an experienced dog trainer or behavioral therapist.

Question:

I had a female Weimaraner for more than 14 years. We traveled together, hunted together, and she was usually within a few feet of my side while I worked my little farm. Locals joked that she was an extension of my hip, which wasn't far from the truth. About four months before she was killed, she started to have hip-mobility problems (difficulty in getting up) and a daily dose of aspirin and glucosamine arrested that ailment, but it was obvious age was catching up to her. Her end came when she broke away from a farm visitor and loped under a truck. In all her years, she was good at looking out for her own welfare, and this accident was so unlike her personality. I have a hard time trying to understand why this happened. I am asking, in all seriousness, if dogs ever become suicidal. I have enjoyed many different dogs over my lifetime and consider myself very tuned to their traits and habits. Believe me when I tell you that a Weimaraner has a very distinct and strong personality. I cannot help but think she knew her time was drawing to an end.

M.M., Enderlin, ND Apr 19, 2009

Answer:

I sympathize with your loss -- it must have been a terrible shock to lose your beloved canine companion so suddenly. My guess is that she could have been suffering from dementia. Considering her good age, this is highly probable and could have been compounded by impaired vision and hearing. If she was depressed before this fatal event, the possibility of a willed death is something to consider. Animals do know when they are seriously ill or injured, often seeking a quiet place sometimes outside of the home to lie low to self heal. They are frequently found dead or dying, but that is not proof of death awareness. Still, since they do respond to loss and mourn the death or absence of a loved one, I remain open on this topic and would appreciate receiving the observations of other readers.

Question:

What is the best way to keep a cat''s nails trimmed down? I have a 3-year-old indoor cat. She has three different kinds of scratchers: One is corrugated cardboard, and the other two are the sisal kind. She uses them occasionally, but has continually used my couch, which is now ruined. I was taking her on monthly visits to my vet to trim her nails, but she became so violent and unmanageable that I quit taking her. I notice, here and there, that a whole nail falls out. Do cats shed their nails?

B.A., Fort Worth, TX Apr 19, 2009

Answer:

Yes. Cats do shed their nails like when one gets snagged by loop carpets and rugs. There''s a nail trimmer that works like a rotating file that some dogs and cats are more accepting of than clippers, snippers or shears; it''s safer, too. But first you must learn how to restrain your cat by wrapping it in a large towel or small blanket and get someone to help you do the trimming. It is debatable whether claw trimming deters cats from scratching -- some may scratch more to sharpen their claws.

Many cat owners live with claw-raked furniture, call it "cat art," and throw decorative covers over their furniture as needed for houseguests. I wonder why you need to trim your cat''s claws in the first place. Since cats have retractile claws and dogs don''t, dogs have more of a problem with their nails than cats. And what length is "too long"? My rule of claw is: If claws get snagged easily when the animals are active, they are too long. I commend you for not having your cat declawed. For details about the potentially harmful consequences of this widely performed surgical mutilation, check my Web site, www.DrFoxVet.com

Question:

Do you have any recommendations for dogs with arthritis and joint problems? My black Lab/husky is 12 years old and having a hard time walking and getting up.

T.J.D., Fargo, ND Apr 19, 2009

Answer:

The regimen for arthritic dogs (and cats, too) is a soft bed or sleeping pad; regular, daily massage therapy and acupuncture treatments when pain is severe; daily supplements, including fish, flaxseed or hempseed oil; turmeric; chondroitin; MSM; and glucosamine. Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), along with corticosteroids, are best avoided because of harmful side effects, especially with long-term use. Giving an over-the counter NSAID like Aleve at what might seem to be a safe dose for three or four days could kill a dog.

Question:

We have had cats and dogs (and horses and donkeys) for more than 40 years. Several months ago, my husband came home with a kitten (6 to 8 weeks old) that he found huddled on a major highway near our home. Since the shelters are overflowing, we decided Cricket could be our new buddy. He is growing and healthy, has had two vet checks, and is now 5 months old. But we are encountering behavior we have never dealt with before. We reach for him or try to pet him, he flattens his ears, his eyes get black, and he jumps for our arms and bites hard enough to occasionally draw blood. Evenings, he loves laps and cuddling, etc., and doesn''t seem antisocial; but daytime he''s a terror. When he bites, I firmly say "no bite" and immediately hold his attention or grab his scruff. Do you think he will outgrow this when he is neutered? We wouldn''t want this behavior as an adult. He will be an indoor cat, and we won''t declaw him.

S.D., Waconia, MN Apr 19, 2009

Answer:

Your best solution would be to neuter Cricket as soon as possible. Then consider adopting a healthy, young, spayed adult cat that is older and bigger. Part of his problem may be lack of social stimulation and active games, which a companion cat would best provide. A behavioral consultant could help you to avoid being bitten once it is determined whether the biting is aggressive- or dominance-related, defensive- or fear-related, or is associated with either aggressive play or the so-called "love bite" or "prey bite." There''s a chance he just wants to play rough with you and has not learned how to be gentle. The best therapy may be motivating and entertaining the cat with a toy to chase, catch or kill -- like a fluffy, stuffed toy, catnip-filled mouse or a sock tied to a string that you pull.