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  (through Sunday September 2, 2001) By Dr. Kelly Brodnik 1) Dog Needs Nose Looked At for Possible AutoImmune Disease Question: My lab's very black nose has a small opening on the otp, with pink showing through, above the nostrils. It doesn't seem to be from injury. Any ideas? M.S., Winchester, MA Answer: It is possible that your
dog may have an autoimmune problem with the nose, may be experiencing
sunburn or UV damage to the skin, skin cancer of the basement
membrane of the nose, injury due to digging or rooting, or may
have developed some type of bacterial infection. Any change in
the surface or color of the dog's nose should be examined by
your vet to get an early diagnosis and treatment. Good luck! Question: My 9 mo old outdoor cat has been sneezing for the past 3 days. I also noticed that she has a small scab and swelling on her neck. She's eating and is very active. Any suggestions? P.P., Erie, PA Answer: Your kitten needs to be examined by a vet. Many kittens will get infected with an upper respiratory virus (similar to the common cold in people), but it can rapidly become a serious problem if left untreated. Secondary bacterial infections set in, congestion gets worse and moves to the lungs, and the animal eventually stops eating, meanwhile its immune system becomes weaker and weaker and more susceptible to other infections. With the wound on the neck and being an outdoor cat, be sure to have the cat tested for feline leukemia virus and that it is up to date on vaccines.
Question: We rescued our Bulldog and brought him home a few days ago. He has had several blood-streaked bowel movements that are a cause for concern. We are feeding him a high quality dog food. His stools are not runny. could the hard nylabone he has been chewing on, have pieces that break off and irritate the intestines? I am puzzled as I thought these were the types of bones that were safe but the shredded pieces seem so hard. What is a safe thing for a big dog to chew on? G.G., Lakeland, Florida. Answer: Your Bulldog needs to be
examined (along with a fresh stool sample) by your veterinarian.
Any time there is blood in the urine of feces, this is not normal
and the causes can vary greatly. Some possible causes could be
the pieces of nylabone, but I have seen a dog that ate a whole
light bulb (glass) and never passed a drop of blood. Stress (being
moved to a new environment within the last few days) is a big
cause for blood in the stool. Other causes can include viral
infections, bacterial infections, parasitic infections, clotting
problems, toxin ingestion, trauma, etc. Get the dog in today. Question: OUr vet just diagnosed our cat with hypothyroidism, diabetes (in May), and asthma (had for several years). We give him a cortisone injection about once every 6 weeks. Are any of these conditions related? D.A., Owensboron, Kentucky. Answer: Hypothyroidism can be caused by any disease or problem that the animal is suffering from and in your cat's case, both diabetes and asthma are chronic problems that can cause the thyroid levels to be low. The asthma and diabetes are probably separate, but there is recent human research being done about the relationship between long-term steroid use and the formation of diabetes. So, it is possible that if the cat has had asthma and been receiving cortisone for that, that the diabetes may or may not have been a sequela. Some cats have shown a genetic predisposition for forming diabetes, however, and you must look at all angles before pointing fingers about where and how an animal contracted a specific disease.
Question: Is it safe to let our (vaccinated and healthy) dog lick our 6 mo old baby? (How about licking her all over her face?) Or might the baby get infected with anything dangerous in this way? Any measure we could take to MAKE it safe? N.K., Tel Aviv, Isreal. Answer: Animals can transmit many parasitic infections through their mouths (because they often lick their genitals and anus to keep them clean). For this reason, I don't recommend it. No measure of safety can be guaranteed even if the dog is tested parasite free at the time, he/she could become infected at any time.
Question: Furbie is 4 mos old and started diarrhea 4 days ago. He seems fine, is lively, happy and eating normally. He has not been on any different foods, and there is no blood in his stool. Sometimes the stool is of toothpaste consistency and other times they are a puddle. What do you think is wrong with him? Nikki, Saskatchewan. Answer: You didn't mention whether or not you had a stool sample checked out by a veterinarian. Most kittens (and puppies) can and do have some parasitic infections that they can get through their mother's milk, blood, or environment (or even other cats). Coccidia and giardia are common protozoal parasites that are microscopic and other potential parasites include worms, etc. Bacterial infections, viral infections and stress can also play a role in diarrhea. Many metabollic conditions (often in older animals) must also be ruled out if all of the other conditions check out normally.
Question: We have very recently moved and I own cats and one 3 1/2 yr old pit bull who are all strictly indoors and adore each other. The move has my dog crying every time we leave for work which he never did before. Would it help him to get another indoor dog, that is pet friendly, for him? L.R., San Antonio, Texas. Answer: Getting another dog would
definately entertain your Pit Bull but whether or not that is
the solution would have to be your decision (like what if the
second dog has behavioral problems that could be alot worse?)
I would try a few things: leave a television or radio on when
you go and try to slip out unnoticed. Try not to follow a routine
(which most people do when leaving, such as turning off/on lights,
getting your coat and shoes on, rattling your keys, etc). Try
leaving for short periods of time and returning and praising
the dog for not making any noise, gradually increasing the amount
of time you are gone. It is possible that he feels slightly threatened
in his new environment and will just take a little while to get
used to the fact that "yes" you will be back just as
you were at the other location. Sometimes, changes in work schedules
will affect pets because they are unaccustomed and don't understand
the changes. For some helpful hints, check out: The
New Better Behavior in Dogs : A Guide to Solving All Your Dog
Problems
Question: I have an 11 yr old cat that has been blind for a long time. She now has glaucoma in both eyes and the only options I have are to have her eyes removed and the lids sewn shut or to put her down. I don't want to do the latter, is the procedure I mentioned humane? I love this little cat and don't want to lose her, but I don't want to traumatize her, please advise. Thanks, K.S., Aurora, Colorado. Answer: Many cases of glaucoma can be successfully treated with medication and I am not sure why this isn't considered an option for your cat. My first suggestion would be to have your vet refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist in your area and get a second opinion from him/her. If surgery IS the final option, the cat can't see already and will just not be experiencing any more pain, which I think I a VERY humane option. Good luck and very good question. I wish the best for your little cat.
Question: My dog has a red area under her rear left leg, that is dry and she licks it occasionally. I have tried changing her diet and the vet has had her on prednisone. Nothing I have tried seems to work. Do you have any other ideas? C.W., Post Falls, Idaho. Answer: You need to consult with
your vet about why the treatment that he/she has provided (steroids)
is working or not working. My bet is that your vet is treating
the dog for a potential allergy. There are many things that need
to be ruled out such as fungal infections, bacterial infections,
and parasitic infections and if all of these have been ruled
out then you consider allergies, bug bites, etc. If it is in
fact allergies, you can try different combinations of antihistamines
as well as a good omega three fatty acid supplement that may
help your dog. Topical creams and collar to prevent her from
licking may also help the local area heal. Good luck and if allergies
are diagnosed, check out: Allergic
Skin Diseases of Dogs and Cats
Answer: Yes, there are tranquilizers
available to help sedate your cat(s) for transport and the most
common drug is called acepromazine. Your vet may not be able
to prescribe it for your cat in particular if there are any problems
with seizures, kidney problems, etc. But there are still others
your vet can choose from but you absolutely MUST NOT GIVE OTHER
THE COUNTER DRUGS TO ANY ANIMALS WITHOUT THE DIRECT PRESCRIPTION
FROM YOUR VETERINARIAN. Many OTC drugs can be toxic even fatal
if given to animals because their bodies can produce harmful
toxic substances when they break down medications that are not
made for them. Thanks for asking and if your vet can't help you,
get a second opinion. Good luck to all and thanks for the
questions! You can always join me on Wednesday from 2:00 PM -
4:00 PM (Eastern) 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Pacific) on our
website at www.petservice.com for our Ask the Vet Live. We would
love to have you join our LIVE CHAT! |
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