This Week's Q&A's: (through 06/25/00) Ask the Vet - This Week's Top Ten By Dr. Kelly Brodnik 1) Dog Died Bleeding from Nose and Mouth Question: My friend just called very upset because she came home and found her English Bulldog dead in his pen. He had no marks on him but he was bleeding from his nose and mouth. He shared his pen with a smaller female Bulldog, but there were no marks on him. Do you have any ideas as to what could have caused this to happen? What causes bleeding from the nose and mouth? Could her other dog be in danger? Thank you for any help you can give. M.P, Dawson, Alabama. Answer: Bleeding from the mouth and nose can indicate a number of conditions such as heart disease, primary lung problems, severe parasitic infection, toxin exposure, clotting disorders of the blood and other blood diseases, trauma, and other, less common causes. Your friend's other dog is in danger until the cause is discovered. It may be necessary to have your veterinarian perform a detailed necropsy (autopsy) in order to determine the cause. 2) Turtle's Shell Is Peeling Question: My daughter's small turtle's shell is peeling and it hasn't been eating. Should we be worried? K.E., Glendale, Arizona. Answer: You didn't mention whether your turtle was a box turtle or a water turtle and the cause of the problem you are mentioning can vary depending upon the environment of the turtle. Water turtles can develop fungal infections of the shell and box turtles can have similar symptoms from other causes. Given that the turtle is not eating, it is time to get it to a veterinarian that specializes in the care of reptiles. For more information (but not in place of a physical exam by your vet) check out the following book Guide to The Turtle. Reviewed: 2) Boxer with Flank Baldness Question: My 5-yr-old spayed female Boxer has developed bilateral flank baldness. She has been treated with antifungals and it progresses. The areas are also hyper-pigmented. Does this sound like seasonal flank alopecia and will it eventually stop? Should she be tested for hypothyroidism? Please advise. No name, no state. Answer: It is possible that she is hypothyroid and should be tested to rule out this common problem. As for seasonal flank alopecia, it is a possibility even in spayed animals, as hair growth problems can be associated with hyperestrogenism or hypoestrogenism. She could still have problems with growth hormone, pituitary hormones, adrenal glands, and many other causes such as pineal gland abnormalities that distinguish photoperiods for animals and can cause hormone release at times when it should not be released. A visit to a veterinary dermatology specialist would not be a bad idea and this specialist can work in conjunction with your veterinarian to determine and treat the cause of this alopecia. Good luck! 3) Snake with Dry Crusty Areas Around Eyes Question: My snake (a Royal/ball python) has dry, crusty areas around both eyes. They look like healing scabs. Her eyes are very dry and indented-not retained eye caps. She is also refusing food for a couple of months now, which is not like her. What could be wrong? M.R., Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire. Answer: It is possible that your snake is suffering from parasitic infection, such as mites. She may also be experiencing severe dehydration which can lead to similar signs-especially if she is not eating. Could the scabs be wounds from live prey that have become infected? Most reptile problems result from a management or husbandry defect and you should evaluate humidity, temperature, light exposure, etc. with your veterinarian. You need to take her in and have her examined to get to the root of the problem. Xrays, a fecal sample test, and mite check would be a good place to start as well as rehydration if she is dehydrated. Get her in today! For more information on snakes, check out What's Wrong With My Snake?. Reviewed: 4) Cat with Ringworm Infection, How Long To Wait for 2nd Cat? Question: If you have had a cat with ringworm in the house, how long must you wait before it is safe to bring in another cat? A.J., Los Angeles, California. Answer: Spores from dermatophytes can remain in the environment for one year and can still be viable (infective). All floors, carpeting, and furniture must be vacuumed very well to remove infected hair. Surfaces that will not be damaged by 1:10 solution of bleach to water. Dispose of any grooming equipment or bedding used by the infected animal. Wash hands thoroughly after handling infected animals. Examine all other animals in the household even dogs, hamsters, gerbils, etc. Treat all infected animals in the household at the same time. Treat the infected cat until tests are culture-negative before introducing the new cat. Disinfect bedding, etc. on a regular basis and vacuum and disinfect air vents. Never use the same grooming equipment on a cat that was infected on another cat. Infectious diseases (feline leukemia, etc.), stress, and other problems can decrease a cat's immune system and make them more susceptible to ringworm infection (a fungal infection). Be sure the new cat is tested negative for feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline infectious peritonitis, and is current on all vaccinations for its age, and not showing any signs of illness such as sneezing, crusty eyes, nose, etc. prior to introducing the cat into the new home. Good luck! 5) Dog With Arthritis-Ok to Walk? Question: My 10-yr-old mixed breed dog is taking Cosequin 3X a day for arthritis. Is it okay to still keep taking him for walks? Walks are less than a mile or about 30-45 minutes. Thank you. F.S., East Meadow, New York Answer: Cosequin will help rebuild the cartilage in the joints that your dog suffers from arthritis, which will help reduce pain. It is effective in about 50% of animals that are taking it-which are pretty good odds. As for how much exercise the dog should receive, that question needs to be assessed by the person who is most familiar with your dog's medical condition (including heart, lungs, etc). In most cases, mild exercise helps to keep the range of motion in arthritic joints that would otherwise become stiffened and atrophied if not used. I would ask your vet specifically how much exercise your particular dog should be receiving based upon medical status. Good luck! 6) Cat with Oral Cancer Question: I have a 19-yr-old male cat diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma under his tongue. It has spread back to the tonsils. He seems healthy and alert, but is he just going to start starving until I put him to sleep? Gail, Bartlett, Illinois. A) Yes, it is always a possibility that oral tumors can lead to starvation in the later stages, but you didn't mention whether or not your cat was currently eating or not?? I would suggest a visit to a veterinary oncologist who specializes in the treatment of tumors in animals and may be able to surgically resect the tumor and provide chemotherapy and possibly radiation. Atleast find out what your options are and the possible outcomes, expenses, and side effects. Good luck and congratulations on having a cat for 19 years that says a lot for how well you take care of your pets! 7) Dog with Giardia Might be Resistant to Treatment Question: My 2-yr-old Male Shih Tzu has been treated for giardia for 3 months. Many doses of meds-now a second dose of flagyl and he is not responding to treatment. What do I do now? K.T., Buffalo, Minnesota Answer: Talk with your vet about using the giardia vaccine in conjunction with treatment. It may help the body's immune system help to fight the infection. It may be time to switch to a different antibiotic, and wouldn't be a bad idea to rule out other infections with a stool culture (if not already done). There has been a lot of research being done lately regarding the protozoa Giardia, because it can become resistant to treatment and can also be transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa. Ask your vet about Giardia vaccine today! Check your local PETCO store for a Vetco Mobile Vaccination clinic that offers giardia vaccinations to both dogs and cats at a reasonable rate. For a location near you, check out our website www.PetService.com. under vaccination clinic locator. 8) Pregnant Dog-Owner Wants to Spay After Puppies Born Question: We adopted a stray dog and much to our dismay, she was pregnant. She has had the puppies and how long after the puppies are weaned should we spay the mother dog? This information would be a great help. Thank you. M.W., El Paso, Texas Answer: She could be spayed as soon as the puppies are weaned about 5-6 weeks of age. You are a nice person for taking her in and caring for her despite the predicament. 9) Cat Defecating Inappropriately Question: I have a 13-yr-old tabby that acts like he is 6 months old, but has been defecating at the entrance to doorways primarily in the mudroom. He is an indoor cat and wants to go out and I thought this was his way of getting even. His stool is soft, but lately it has been light brown and very pungent. 8 months ago he had his thyroid gland removed, which didn't alter his behavior. Could this be behavioral or medical? M.F., Amesbury, Massachusetts. Answer: It is possible that it could be either or even both. Animals that are hyperthyroid (assuming your cat was until it had surgery), the amount of stool produced will increase (because food intake usually increases). Diarrhea can sometimes be a symptom as well. It would be wise to have a recheck blood test for thyroid hormones as sometimes thyroid tumors can develop elsewhere in the body and cause similar signs. It may also be behavioral and may involve any new development in the environment such as new people, new carpet, new furniture, new schedules, etc. but may also have to do with a change in litter, litterbox, litterbox location, etc. It also may involve simple mechanics in which the cat can't hold it until it reaches the litterbox or the entrance to the litterbox location is blocked or difficult to get too (or the cat has to pass something SCARY to get to it!). Complicated beings are cats. Time to recheck on the health record to rule out health concerns-the easiest variable to rule out. Good luck and check out The Cat's Mind: Understanding Your Cat's Behavior. Reviewed:

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