Question:

I have a spayed German shorthaired dog. After she was neutered at six months, she began leaking and dribbling when lying down or sleeping. Can anything be done now for this botched spay operation? Any pills?

D.P., Burnsville, MN Feb 06, 2011

Answer:

This is a fairly common problem, and is probably a hormone-deficiency-related bladder/sphincter weakness. First, take a urine sample to be checked for bacterial infection of the bladder, because cystitis is common in young dogs and can cause incontinence. If your dog receives a clean bill of health, the veterinarian will probably prescribe phenylethylamine medication. This can have disturbing side effects in some dogs, such as heart palpitations, panting and restlessness.

The alternative, which is not without long-term risk, is hormone replacement with a periodic dose of DES (diethylstilbestrol). I have found this therapy to be most effective for our two spayed female dogs -- one requiring only occasional (every three months or so) medication with DES.

Question:

Iggy is our 2-year-old shorthair cat. He was a stray and trapped at 6 weeks old. We got him from our local humane society shortly after. Initially, Iggy had problems with explosive diarrhea. We tried six to eight dry-food brands, both from the store and the vet. He had problems with all. We then started giving him just canned food, and his problems cleared up completely. About six months ago, he started chewing on things. First, he was eating shoelaces. Then he started eating holes in fleece blankets and socks. He eats chunks out of things, and we never see them again (not in his stool or vomiting). I was wondering if he could have some type of dietary deficiency. He is otherwise active and playful. He loves to fetch! Iggy also wants to go outside and breaks through our screen door. Is there any safe way to secure a cat in the yard during the summer? He stands at the door and cries when the kids are out in the yard.

A.C., Burnsville, MN Aug 08, 2010

Answer:

Siamese and part-Siamese cats are notorious wool chewers, suckers and eaters. Premature weaning, lack of dietary fiber or, more likely, some essential mineral or other nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids may all play a role in this frequently obsessive-compulsive behavior. Try giving your cat a 1/2 teaspoon of catnip; and put a drop of fish oil and a pinch of chopped sprouted wheat grass or Barley Green for cats, working up to a 1/2 teaspoon daily of each. A 1/2 teaspoon of human grade pyrophyllite clay, such as Sacred Clay from Ee Wah Kee, may also prove beneficial. Many cats enjoy nibbling from a pot of wheat-grass sprouts, a natural source of fiber your cat may crave. Try giving Iggy regular walks in a harness. You hold the leash and follow him -- the reverse of a dog walk where the dog follows you.

Question:

A recent column in our newspaper caught my attention: "Cats Behaving Strangely." This sounded to me like "gift giver" cats. When I was a child on the farm, we always had several cats who lived in the barn or under various buildings. We fed them milk and food scraps, played with them and interacted with them. From time to time, we would find a dead squirrel or mouse on the porch -- a gift to us from one of the cats.

Our present cat makes us a gift of one of her beloved toys, which she keeps in the basement near her litter box. After we have gone to bed, she comes up the stairs carrying one of her favorite toys and mewing plaintively as she comes. She then sets the toy on the floor just outside the bedroom door and utters very distinctive meows, evenly spaced and of even tone and volume until I get up and accept her gift. Sometimes she goes back down and gets a second one for my wife, similarly announced and duly accepted. After this, she is satisfied and settles down for the night.

D.O.B., Burnsville, Md May 31, 2009

Answer:

You are absolutely correct. Cats give gifts to their human loved ones, similar to bringing prey to their kittens to play with and consume. As often happens, these toy gifts can also take on other symbolic significance for cats, being carried around and coveted like they would for their own kittens. Larger toys may be treated as prey, sex objects or surrogate mothers that they knead and nuzzle.