This Week's Q&A's: (through 05/31/00) Ask the Vet - This Week's Top Ten By Dr. Kelly Brodnik 1) Cat Scratching Til Raw Question: Our cat scratches it's neck until the hair is gone and the neck bleeds.She has done this for awhile now. She is healthy otherwise and just had 3kittens, can you help? S.O., Mooresville, Indiana. Answer: It is possible that your cat is suffering from allergies, hormonal imbalances, parasites (some that can go to human beings), and she issuffering and should be taken to your vet for proper diagnosis and treatment. This is not a normal behavior and with break-through of the skin, she could have a secondary bacterial infection. Get her in today! 2) Guinea Pig Has Rash Behind Ears Question: My guinea pig has a rash behind its ears, with little white bumps. Is this a vitamin C deficiency? It has been scratching alot! Help! Hayley, Wynewood, Pennsylvania. Answer: Skin problems in guinea pigs is not uncommon. They can be caused by many sources, such as parasites, bacterial infections, fungal infections, allergies, and many more. Parasites such as lice and mites are common culprits. Vitamin C deficiency can start with skin disorders but usually we see a poor haircoat with many dry, patchy areas, anorexia (decreased appetite), and large, malodorous stools. See our website under the "Drug and Disease Library" for more information on Vitamin C deficiency in guinea pigs". You should take your pig in to your vet today and find the cause so it can be appropriately treated. Good luck. For more information on guinea pigs check out Guide to Owing a Guinea Pig: Reviewed: 3) Dog with "Hematoma" Could have Anal Gland Disease Question: Male, approx. 5-yrs-old, Cocker Spaniel had a hematoma about 2 inches from the left of the anus. It bled within a couple of days. What could cause this and is it common? What to do if it should happen again? P.H., N. Billerica, Massachusettes. Answer: It is common in Cocker Spaniels to experience problems with their anal glands (small glands just inside the anus at about 4 oclock and 8 oclock. These glands normally empty to the outside of the body, but in some breeds they may become impacted or full, then infected. Once infected, they continue to swell and become very painful until they rupture to the outside of the body and drain. Antibiotics and placement of proper drains are necessary for treatment and prevention involves frequent expression of the anal glands by your veterinarian. Seek medical attention today! 4) Cats with Distemper Question: My mother is raising a stray cat that was diagnosed with distemper. Will these kittens have distemper? They are now 3 weeks old. I hope you answer this question so that I know what to do. D.M., Akron, Ohio. Answer: You need to take the stray cat as well as the kittens in to be examined by your veterinarian. Distemper is a severe, life threatening, highly contagious disease and can look like many other viruses or infections. It is highly contagious and if this stray cat has distemper, it is out infecting many other cats in the neighborhood. Your cat and kittens should be tested for feline leukemia virus as well as other blood tests to rule out distemper virus. Get them in today! 5) Myositis in a Dog Question: I need info on mastica for muscle myositis that my dalmation has been diagnosed with including treatment, recovery, cure, etc. T.S., Southport, North Carolina Answer: Masticatory muscle myositis is an autoimmune disease to certain specific muscle fibers found in the masticatory (chewing) muscles of some large breed dogs. Steriod therapy is aimed at controlling the immune response, thus decreasing the breakdown of these particular muscle fibers. Azathioprine can also be used to help decrease the need for steriods or decrease the dose long term. Muscle atrophy will occur over time and fibrosis (hardening) is a possibility. Decreasing dosages of steroids are recommended until the lowest dose necessary to control signs is obtained. Relapse of swelling and spasming of the muscle may occur. 6) Cats Immune to Lice? Question: Are cats immune to lice? If no, are there any way that a cat in the household can cause reinfestation? L.M., Carrollton, Ohio. Answer: Cats are NOT immune to lice and can be infested with the species Felicola subrostrata. Lice can cause the animal to be very itchy to the point of self mutilation. Secondary bacterial infection of the skin can occur following bites. Eggs may be dropped from the furcoat and lie in the environment and hatch within 2-3 weeks in warm weather. Disinfection with appropriate louse control insecticides is imperative as well as disinfection of the environment, bedding, cracks and crevices, etc. Try your local PETCO store for supplies. Be sure to have the parasite correctly diagnosed before treatment as other parasites may cause similar signs and won't respond to the same treatments. Good luck! 7) Dog with Arthritis-Other Options Question: Our Vizla has been diagnosed with arthritis, xrays were done. The arthritis is not severe. We are treating with Cosequin and Adequan injections. We have seen little to no improvement in 8 weeks. Our dog "carries" his rear right paw almost constantly, but is able to go up steps and jump on the sofa with no visible signs of pain. We are considering administering Etogesic in conjunction with Cosequin. Are there any known side effects which are life-threatening from Etogesic? K.Q., McMurray, Pennsylvania. Answer: You didn't mention the age of your dog, the type or location of the arthritis and the presence or absence of other health problems. I must ask why surgery is not an option depending upon the cause? The medications you are giving so far have some minor analgesic (pain control) properties, but your dog may need some extra help. Etogesic is a once-a-day anti-inflammatory, but as with any medications, they are not without side effects common to any antiinflammatory such as gastrointestinal upset (possible vomiting, diarrhea), liver problems, ulcer formation, bleeding problems, etc. It is wise to ask your vet to evaluate your options from surgery to possible choices of antiinflammatories that are right for your particular dog and its health condition. Keeping the dog from jumping onto sofas and going up and down stairs (in other words resting) would help improve pain that the dog may be experiencing until the problem can be treated. Good luck! 8) Cat with FIV (Feline AIDS) Question: I adopted a cat who has spent the last 4 years outdoors. Today he wasdiagnosed with Feline AIDS. My vet says there is no potential danger to humans and the cat may remain healthy for anywhere from a few months to long years. Is there any research indicating the potential danger to humans for living with a cat with Feline AIDS? My children are 12 and 15 and I don't want to do anything to risk their health even though we have become quite attached to this tabby already. S.M., Orlando, Florida. Answer: I am not aware of any connection of a case of Feline AIDS being transmitted to people. It is my understanding that the virus is very host-specific (meaning it only likes cats). For more information on current research being performed in these areas, contact Colorado State University, Veterinary Teaching Hospital at: 1-970-221-4535. Good luck! 9) Dog with Difficulty Breathing Question: I adopted a dog and the night I brought her home she was having difficulty breathing. I took her to the emergency vet who said she had a fever and nasal drip. He gave me medicine to treat Bordetella (kennel cough) which was an antibiotic and something for cough. He warned me of the possibility of distemper and I am very "on edge". I don't want to lose my new best friend. Tell me how I might tell if this is distemper. Thank you so much!. L.B., Baton Rouge, Louisianna. Answer: Your little dog will need to have some blood tests to try and help determine what type of infection or problem your dog is dealing with. Both are common problems, especially in animals that come from kennel situations because the animals come from all over the area and some are vaccinated while some are not. The close proximity in kennel situations leads to rapid spread of disease-because infected animals will not show any signs of illness for 7-14 days AFTER infection-which means they are infecting other dogs before we even know they are sick themselves!! There is no one test for Canine Distemper Virus, but blood tests can help. If you are concerned about your pet, ask to have it hospitalized, observed, tested and monitored. Early treatment leads to better prognosis. Good luck with you and your little dog. I hope it is not distemper, but if it is, you are doing the right thing by asking questions and getting started on early treatment. Everyone else out there: Remember: Canine Distemper Virus is preventable with proper vaccinations! Get your pet in for shots BEFORE it becomes overdue! 10) Cat with Tartar and Gingivitis Question: What do you do for a cat with tartar and Gingivitis? C.R., Urbana, Illinois. Answer: Your cat will benefit from having a professional dental cleaning involving an ultrasonic scaler that removes microscopic levels of of bacteria, tartar and plaque-which cause inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). Cats generally need to briefly under anesthesia in order to clean above the gumline and to lie still during the procedure so that the teeth can be properly cleaned. Polishing of the teeth follows scaling and prevents bacteria from being deposited in any micro fractures of the teeth. Some animals require antibiotic therapy following or prior to dental cleanings based upon the severity of infection. Some teeth that are not salvageable may need to be removed. As with any anesthetic procedure, a complete physical examination and blood tests are necessary to determine if the animal is safe to undergo anesthesia and to determine the proper anesthetic drugs to be used for your particular animal and its health condition. Tartar and gingivitis can be prevented by brushing of the teeth, feeding dry food only (wet food tends to stick to the teeth whereas the mechanical motion of "crunching" hard food tends to help clean), and keeping up with routine dental examinations. Make an appointment with your veterinarian today! Good question!

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