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  (through Sunday November 18 2001) By Dr. Kelly Brodnik 1) What Age to Neuter? Question: At what age is a male dog too old to be neutered? Buzzerio, no address given. Answer: A male dog should be neutered
anytime after about 12 weeks of age (some shelters neuter at
8 weeks and the dogs do just fine). As for the top end of the
age for neutering? The sooner the better to prevent unwanted
health problems such as enlarged prostate, prostate/testicular/scrotal
cancer, and unwanted behavioral problems such as territorial
urination, humping, running away, etc. I have neutered dogs as
old as 15 years when they present with tumors. I am sure there
are vets out there that have neutered dogs much older, but the
sooner the better. Question: Our house cat seems to be in heat and we do not wish to have her spayed. Is there anything we can do to help her get through this? How long will all the mating calls last? Thank you. Shawna, Lethbridge, Alberta. Answer: Your cat will go in and out of heat about every 11-14 days until she is bred or is spayed. Cats are induced ovulators meaning they do not ovulate until they are bred and she will continue to cycle through her hormones until this happens. Usually cats go in and out of heat twice a year. I would consider having her spayed (unless of course, you are breeding a showcat or quality bloodline), because it also prevents unwanted medical conditions such as mammary cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, pyomtera (infection in the uterus which can be life-threatening), and other behavioral problems such as vocalization, rubbing up against people, placing her rear end in your face, etc.
Question: The vet thinks my dog has septic arthritis and it has been 2 months still she is on no meds. She is very lame and I would really like the name of someone who can help her. We live in Oregon. Donna, Brookings, Oregon. Answer: It sounds like a second opinion
is a great idea. Your dog should be on antibiotics if the diagnosis
is sepsis. Your dog should also possibly have xrays and testing
for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease, Lupus, and other
diseases causing joint pain. As for a good vet in your area,
you should ask neihbors and friends who they take their pets
to and call and get a copy of your records sent to that person.
Good luck. Question: My cat delivered a stillborn kitten 6 months ago and she delivered one healthy kitten two days ago. Is this normal? She seems fine? S.S., Boston, Massachusettes. Answer: Yes, cats go into heat about every 6 mos when bred. My only question is, why isn't she spayed? Are you breeding her for show or bloodline quality? If not, I suggest getting her spayed and for more reasons for this read question number: 2 above.
Question: The dog (Giant Schnauzer) is 10 yrs old and has been pacing and when she gets into a corner cannot back up. She stumbles and there is difficulty in her eating and drinking. She cannot lap and can only lick the food and water. She had a seizure. Vet put her on phenobarb and then discontinued it. She is taking Soloxine and Flagyl. Vets are stumped. Any help? Please? S.B., Grand Junction, Colorado. Answer: Yes, your dog needs to be evaluated for a neurological problem involving the brain. A complete neurological exam will help determine the location of the problem thus the treatment and prognosis. If your vets are not familiar with this type of examination, have them refer you to a veterinary neurologist in your area (there are several in Denver). Or try taking your dog up to Colorado State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Fort Collins. Good luck.
Question: My 10 yr old cat seems to have a neurological problem that my local vet is having trouble treating (or diagnosing). She walks very unsteadily as though her limbs are numb. She sits with her front paws stretched way out in front of her and her head tilted way down. We've ruled out diabetes, leukemia, FIV, and thiamine deficiency. Any suggestions? J.R., Redding, California. Answer: You didn't mention whether or not you had her electrolytes (calcium, potassium, sodium, etc) checked in her bloodwork. Also, you might try looking at her heart and its function and see if it is up to par. A test for FIP (feline infectious peritonitis) must also be ruled out. You can always ask your vet for a referral to a veterinary neurologist in your area. Good luck!
Question: My Dachschund has four pups, 10 days old and one has a skin problem. It is a spot about twice the size of a quarter and is crusty. Do you have any suggestions on what this could be? Thanks. L.D., Sherman, Texas Answer: You didn't describe the location, but if it is near the umbilical cord it could be an infection. Also, your vet will need to rule out fungal infection (such as ringworm). The pup may require antibiotics or antifungals to treat this problem so get the pup in today.
Question: My cat keeps vomiting a foamy substance which has a pink tinge to it, what can this be, otherwise, quite happy and playful. She is 12 yrs. old. S.W., Doha, Qatar. Answer: This is not normal and your cat needs to be seen by your vet immediately. Potential causes could be tumors in the digestive tract, hyperthyroidism, obstruction in the digestive tract, ulcers, allergies (food), hairballs, or the result of many metabollic disorders such as diabetes, etc. Get the cat in today.
Question: My dog was spayed recently but she is getting infected spots on the suture line. Is that dangerous? N.M.V., San Antonio, Texas. Answer: If these spots are infected, they usually will not heal by themselves, are irritated and will cause the dog to lick at them, thus infecting and irritating them more. You should go back to the vet that spayed your dog (or any vet) and get the dog looked at. Infection may just be skin deep, but the problem could go deeper than just the skin and a vet needs to see this. Good luck.
Question: My cat is 5 yrs old and is weak, poor appetite, weight loss, weak kidneys, and seems to always wheeze when he breaths. His blood tests have ruled out leukemia and any serious abnormal blood disorder, our vet suspects that maybe its infectious endritous (?) but today we think he coughed up a worm, kind of brown, do you think he has lung worms? No name, Ennis, Ireland. Answer: It is very possible. This
illustrates the point many veterinarians make of running a series
of tests often referred to as a "minimum data base"
(including a blood chemistry panel, urinalysis, fecal and xray
of chest/abdomen) with a sick animal. This will help rule out
many possibilities that the owner ends up coming back in for
when the case is not a cut and dried case (which most are not).
Your cat needs more testing, possibly a fecal and an xray of
the chest. Good luck. 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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