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Rottweiler with Hip Dysplasia

1) Question: Our 7-mo-old Rottie has hip dysplasia. I was wanting to know is there a certain food or supplement that we should start him on? J.H., Winston Salem, North Carolina.

Answer: Surgery is the best option to cure your Rottie from the problem it is suffering from. Your vet will best be able to evaluate your pet for anesthetic and surgical risk, but oral medications will not take care of or cure the problem. Talk to your veterinarian about using Cosequin, which is a specific combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate made especially for dogs that will help to keep the cartilage within the joint healthy and prevent further arthritis from forming. It works in about 50% of animals and is well worth a try. Surgery is generally the best option for dysplasia in a dog this young.

Older Hamster Having Eye Problems

2) Question: I have a 2 1/2-yr-old hamster that is one eye is always crusty and closed. Sometimes it opens and other times the other eye does the same thing. What do you think it is? M.S., Woburn, Massachusettes.

Answer: In older hamsters, the immune system may become weaker allowing infections to occur that wouldn't occur necessarily in a younger hamster. The eye problem could be the result of many things such as overgrown teeth, conjunctivitis (infection/inflammation) of the eye, viral infection, etc. It is best to get to the root of the problem by having the hamster checked by your veterinarian and given the appropriate medications. Often, foreign objects can be the culprit, such as pieces of bedding, food, corn husks, etc can be the irritating source which needs to be promptly removed and any secondary infection taken care of. Get your hamster in today. Also, check out: Guide to Owning a Hamster: Accommodations, Feeding, Breeding, Exhibition, Health Care.

Cat Salivating When Sleeping

3)Question: My cat is salivating out of his mouth and nose when he is sleeping. There is also some discharge out of his nose at times, I have notices this for 2 days, after I had left him with a friend and he came back. What do you think that the cause could be? Liddy, Farmville, Virginia.

Answer: It is possible that your cat may have picked up an upper respiratory tract infection, incurred a substance to which it was allergic too, or this has occurred coincidentally with another problem such as dental disease, etc. You should take your cat in to your veterinarian to check the condition of your pet's teeth and overall evaluate it for infection. You didn't mention whether or not your pet is up to date on vaccinations, if not, then viral exposure would be more likely. Good luck!

Debate Over Boston Terrier Tails and Ears

4) Question: Please settle a debate between me and a friend. She says that as tiny puppies, Boston Terriers have their tails docked and ears done, also. I say they are born that way? J.F., Burleson, Texas.

Answer: I, too, have found conflicting information. In a guideline book for tail docking, Boston Terriers are listed as a breed that should be docked leaving one-third of the entire tail length. There is a note, however, that docking does disqualify the Boston Terrier from showing, indicating that they are supposed to be born that way. My suggestion is to call several breeders and consult with a book of AKC standards regarding the breed. Their customer service number is 1-919-233-9767 (American Kennel Club). Check out: Boston Terriers : Everything About Purchase, Care, Nutrition, Breeding, Behavior, and Training. Good luck!

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Cat with Heartworm Disease and the Use of Prednisone

5) Question: I have a question about my 12-yr-old cat who has tested positive for heartworms. I am getting conflicting advice about giving her prednisone. She is not asthmatic and her lungs are clear. When should she be started on prednisone (before or after lung problems) and what are the risks? She is taking metaclopramide for vomiting and is not vomiting as long as she eats soft food. V.C., Pueblo West, Colorado.

Answer: Heartworm infection in cats is becoming more and more common. Many of the treatment modalities available to treat heartworm disease in dogs is not yet approved for use in cats. Treatment in cats can be risky as cats can tend to have problems with thromboembolisms than dogs. Treatment should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the attending veterinarian who is familiar with the types of problems your cat is having in regards to the heartworm infection, stage of disease, and extent of damage. Also, your veterinarian has your cat's medical history, results of any blood tests, and knows the current health status of your pet. I would go with what your vet advises you to do regarding your particular case, but should you have any doubts, always go for a second opinion, possibly with an internal medicine specialist. Good luck and sorry I could not be more specific in your case! It is heartworm season now and heartworm disease CAN be prevented in cats! Ask your veterinarian about Heartgard or Revolution for your cat and get your cats on prevention so you don't have to deal with problems like these!

Declawing Dog Because It's Ruining the Floor

6) Question: We just had hardwood floors layed and our 1-yr-old Boxer is really scratching the finish w/her claws. Can we get her declawed? I hate to gate her in the kitchen on the tile floor, but my husband is very angry with this situation. her vet said walk her on concrete along with filing, but it is not working. I hope we can declaw her so we can keep her as an inside pet. Thanks! Monies, Jacksonville, Florida.

Answer: I, personally, have never declawed a dog. Some vets will practice this type of surgery, but it is very painful and much more complicated than declawing a cat, which is usually the front feet only. Not too mention it will be much more expensive. I would definately try other alternatives. You have had the dog longer than you have had the hardwood floors, did you consider this problem prior to purchasing the floors? Is it possible to lay carpet (even purchase a carpet remnant for the majority of the room) in one room that the dog can be kept in when unsupervised? Do you think the dog would suffer less staying in the tiled area when unsupervised, then amputating the last digit on every toe of every foot? Why isn't keeping the nails short and filed working? Since you live in a relatively warm climate, why not keep the dog outside when not supervised? I personally feel that this surgery would be very painful and could result in chronic pain and limping, and would consider other alternatives......

Chicks are Dying

7) Question: Some of my chicks have died. The chicks started out droopy and the next day they died. My chicks are 3 weeks old. Is there a vaccination recommended for chicks of this age? What might be their sickness or disease? J.A., Mission, Texas.

Answer: I am not sure what type of bird you are referring to, but generally people refer to chicks as baby chickens, so this is the assumption I will be giving you information on. First, environmental concerns may be a problem from the environment being too hot, damp, dry, cold, etc. Improper nesting materials can cause upper respiratory or digestive problems if ingested or inhaled. Parental problems (in those left with parents) are a major cause of problems and stress is the number one cause of parenting problems. Infectious disease is a very common cause of neonatal death such as Giardia, chlamydia, viruses, bacteria, trichomoniasis, contaminated food or water sources, etc. Parents of chicks can be asymptomatic carriers (meaning the parents may not show any clinical signs of infections but can still pass them to the offspring). You should have your chicks examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Check out: A Guide to Raising Chickens : Care, Feeding, Facilities (Storey Animal Handbook) Good luck!

Cat Going Through Heat Every Couple of Weeks

8) Question: How long is a cat about 7-mos of age going to go through heat? She has not been spayed yet, so it is normal that she goes through it every other week? S.A., Saskatoon, Canada

Answer: Cats are what we call "induced ovulators" meaning they do not ovulate until they are bred. Yes, it is normal for her to go through "heat-like" symptoms every couple of weeks (about every 10-11 days) until she is bred. I still recommend spaying her ASAP!

Pug with Recurrent Diarrhea

9) Question: My 2-yr-old Pug has diarrhea every 4 days. He was taking Flagyl for 14 days and he was tested negative for worms. He is playful for 3 days then on the 4th day mopes around. I've already spent over $600.00 Any guidance for my vet or for me? A.A., New York, New York.

Answer: I don't know if the fecal test included tests for giardia or coccidia, but those should both be evaluated. Also, food allergies could be another source of the problem. Check around the house for possible toxins that the dog could be getting into periodically (I had one dog that was digging up old fruit pits in the back yard, etc). Bacteria are another source of infection in animals and a fecal culture may not be a bad idea to rule out things like Salmonella, etc. Blood work might be a next step in determining what is going on with your Pug. It is frustrating dealing with recurrent problems, but finding the underlying cause is key to finding the appropriate treatment. Good luck!

Cat with Urinary/Possibly Host of Other Problems

10) Question: Male cat (6-7-yr-old) diagnosed with blocked urinary tract. Blockage cleaned up but cat still lethargic. Biopsy revealed very diseased bladder, thick and bloody. On antibiotics (Baytril), improved 1rst few days, but now won't eat or drink (only by syringe), and the hair has not grown back on the stomach. Stressed and urinating at pill time. Vet to try something other than Baytril in one week and now believes something else may be wrong, but unable to advise us at this time and is checking with peers. Cat goes back in one week for follow up. Won't walk, legs stiff from lying around, but not showing any signs of pain. What could possibly be wrong? We are at a total loss. Thank you. M.R., Calgary, Alberta.

Answer: You didn't mention whether or not any blood work has been done to check the cat for kidney or other organ disease, or if the cat has been checked for feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency virus, or feline infectious peritonitis. Also, were the stones surgically removed from the bladder? If so, what type and were xrays taken to see if any stones existed higher up in the urinary tract, such as in the ureters or kidneys? If stones where the cause of the blockage, was the pH of the urine tested and changed with diet (if possible)? Could the cat have had a traumatic injury (such as being hit by a car) and suffering from nerve damage to the back end? Ideally, if the cat is not eating and drinking on its own, it should be hospitalized on intravenous fluids to maintain hydration and observe urination habits, possibly administer medications by injection, and be fed via a nasogastric tube to insure support until the cause is determined and the proper treatment can be instituted. I hope this has helped give you some direction. You and your vet can always seek help from a veterinary internal medicine specialist-ask your vet for one in your area.Good luck to you and your cat, I hope you find the cause and can help! Keep asking questions.