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  (through Wednesday October 31, 2001) HAPPY HALLOWEEN! By Dr. Kelly Brodnik 1) Fireworks May Be Problem Question: My dog seems to be depressed. He is eating/drinking ok, but not keen on going out of the house. There have been alot of fireworks going off and he is scared. How can I help him deal with his anxiety? Thank you. C.M., Dnundee, Tayside Answer: Fireworks and loud noises
such as thunder, etc can all lead to fear and anxiety in animals
because they basically don't understand what is happening and
causing the noise. Desensitization with noises that gradually
get louder in the dog's presence is one way to help ease the
anxiety. Another idea is to keep the dog in an area with the
least exposure to the noise (a basement) and keep a radio on
fairly loud playing soft music to drowned out the noises outside
when you aren't with the dog. Getting advice from an animal trainer
is also a great idea. Check out our website for future dates
of our Ask the Trainer live in which you can write in and get
a direct response to your problems! Question: My 18-mo old male cat goes outdoors for about 10 hours a day. Tonight when I brought him in from outside, he had saliva pouring from his mouth. It has been an hour now and it is still pouring out by the spoonfuls. It is also coming out of his nose and his eyes are watery. Do I need to take him to the vet? How serious could this be and what are the possible causes? Thanks. C.L., Hattiesburg, MS. Answer: Hypersalivation is a sign of a problem in cats and can be caused from anything that would result in nausea (100's of things), toxic poisions, mouth problems (such as dental disease), electrical shock (eating electrical cords), etc. This cat needs to be seen immediately!
Question: My hamster seems very weak and his eyes are closed all the time (sticky) and his fur isn't all glossy, but is stuck together. What is wrong with him? Annie, New York, New York. Answer: This hamster is very sick
and needs to go to your vet Immediately. Weakness it and of itself
is a huge problem and can signify many medical conditions that
need medical attention. As for the fur, it is also a sign of
major problems and the eyes alone would warrant an exam. It is
suffering and needs help immediately. Please get this little
guy in right away! For more information on hamsters, check out:
Guide to Owning a Hamster : Accommodations, Feeding, Breeding,
Exhibition, Health Care Question: Buddy is 10 mos old but only has 1 testicle. A lady told me he may have problems later on if that other testicle stays up there. Is this true? He is like our baby and we don't want to have him cut. Please advise. He is in a fenced yard and inside. Thanks, C.G., Norfolk, Virginia. Answer: Your lady friend is absolutely correct. Undescended testicles (a congenital problem-often hereditary) are in an abnormal environment when they do not descend into the scrotal sac where they stay cooler than body temperature. At abnormally higher temperatures, they can mutate and become cancerous and should be removed. A dog with one undescended testicle is called a "cryptorchid" and should not be used for breeding as it is hereditary and should be neutered.
Question: My cat is itching his chin and now it has begun to scar and bleed. He can't stop itching it. I wash it as much as possible. What could be causing this? Is there an ointment I can buy to lessen the itching? N.W., Ft. Lewis, WA Answer: Your cat may be suffering from a couple of problems being feline ance (pimples), staph or bacterial infection, fungal infection, or allergic reaction to foodbowls plus or minus a secondary bacterial infection. Your cat needs to be examined and treated for this problem today.
Question: Do large dogs get roundworms? Is there a treatment I can purchase over the counter that will kill them? M.E., Aloha, Oregon. Answer: It doesn't matter how big a dog is as to whether or not is can get parasites, just whether or not it was exposed to them. Yes, large dogs do get roundworm and the only way to properly treat them is to have your vet identify them (as there are many other parasites that could also be infecting your dog at the same time) and to prescribe a dewormer. Many over the counter products are not in high enough doses to treat large worm burdens, plus, you are not sure your dog has roundworms unless you have positively identified the eggs under a microscope. Good luck and get a fresh stool sample to your vet today.
Question: My Teddy Bear Hamster appears to have an infection behind the right eye. It became swollen and appears anucleated, with a bag of pus now formed at the edge of the orbit. I am flushing the eye with peroxide several times a day. Any other suggestions for care and treatment? S.K., Melbourne, Florida. Answer: Peroxide is not made to use in the eye and you could be making the problem much worse. Your hamster needs to get in and be examined and placed on antibiotics. Without seeing the severity of the problem, it may be necessary to remove the eye if it is no longer functioning, has a tumor in it, etc. Get your hamster in immediately.
Question: I would like to know what age should both testicles be descended? Loletta, No address given. Answer: Both testicles should be descended at birth. Often, they are difficult to feel when the animal is smaller, but usually you can feel them both by the time they are about 8 weeks of age.
Question: My 11-yr old female cat has been successfully treated for megacolon with propulsid, lactulose, and WD food. My stockpile of propulsid is running low. Is there anything else that vets are having success with to treat this? P.W., Cumberland, Rhode Island. Answer: Surgery is an option that works well in many cats to remove the section of colon that has lost nerve function. As for finding more propulsid, your vet will be able to help you locate a compounding pharmacy or veterinary pharmacy that can provide you with your prescription. Good luck.
Question: My dog is seven years old (Alaskan Malamute) and lost bladder control. What is the cause and what can I do? R.H., Chico, California. Answer: Causes of incontinence can
be from urinary stone formation, crystal formation, tumors, cysts,
polyps, infection, inflammation and problems with other parts
of the urinary tract or even from hormonal imbalances. Your vet
needs to help you find out which is the cause of your dog's problem
and will need to test some urine to find out what is going on.
Get your dog in today. 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! |
A Book Worth Owning...  ...Click to Purchase! Sponsored by:  Retractable Leashes Ideas for New Pet Owners & Pet Lovers Dr. Kelly Brodnik D.V.M.  Chat Live with PetService's ASK THE VET Dr. Kelly Brodnik D.V.M EVERY WEDNESDAY! ASK THE TRAINER Terri Desnica Certified Trainer EVERY SATURDAY! Please tell your fellow pet loving Internet friends about PetService.com! Click below and email a few...  Receive weekly pet health tips for dog, cat, bird, reptile and small animal lovers from PetService.com    Gifts Galore!  Arrive  Electronic Gear  Learn It Time  MaxiSport 
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