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  (through Sunday November 25, 2001) By Dr. Kelly Brodnik 1) Dog Needs Some Testing Question: My dog has something wrong with his stomach, I think. He has a mucus like fluid in his stool. Some days it looks like actual tissue strands or skin that has been through a shredder. They are red in color like pink tissue. His stomach makes all sorts of watery noises and he can't get comfortable. When he is on worm medicine or on antibiotics they go away, but still come back. Could you please give me some idea of what it might be? C.G., Warner Robins, Georgia. Answer: You need to have your veterinarian
run a test on some stool (fresh) from your dog. Your vet will
need to check for both worms, protozoans, and bacterial overgrowth.
Once a diagnosis is made, then appropriate treatment can begin.
Without it, you are just shot gunning the diagnosis and will
end up spending much more in the long run. Good luck. Question: My guinea pig is having an abscess-like growth under her cheek. Is it a common bacterial disease and what is the treatment for it? Thiru, Tamil, India Answer: The treatment will depend upon exactly what the problem is. The mass or growth could be an enlarged lymph node, an abscess, a foreign object lodged under the skin, irriation in a tooth root, overgrown teeth, etc. Your vet will need to examine this little gal and find out what is going on to treat it effectively. Get her in today. For more veterinary information on guinea pigs, check out: Diseases of Domestic Guinea Pigs
Question: My cat, 2 1/2 yrs old, has a dime-size tumor just behind her left shoulder. Another smaller tumor is farther down over the ribes. Might these possibly be only cysts? They have increased in size. She eats well and is in good spirits, although it is hard to put weight on her. I am afraid that if it is cancer it may spread throughout her body if operating brings it out of remission. Any thoughts? T.O., Kitchener, Ontario Canada. Answer: You should have these masses
looked at. If your cat was recently vaccinated, some cats will
form this size of lump at the vaccination site, but they usually
go away within one month's time. You need to ask your vet where
he/she vaccinated your cat if vaccines were recent. If not, then
you should have the masses either removed or aspirated (needle
that sucks out some cells of the tumor) and sent to the lab for
diagnosis. Good luck. Question: Is there a generic brand for Torbutrol? T.W., Del City, Oklahoma. Answer: The only veterinary approved drug that I am aware of is Torbutrol or Torbugesic (injectable and tablet forms). The human form of the drug goes by the tradename Stadol but the actual drug name (the active ingredient) is called butorphanol tartrate. You can ask your local pharmacist if there is a generic form available to humans and if your vet can prescribe it cheaper for you.
Question: My lovebirds left eye became milky in color. I took him to the vet yesterday and he says birdie has cataracts. He says he has no experience with this and he referred me to someone out of state. I was wondering if you know of any medicine (eye drops) that I can use to help him? What should I do? YanYan, Honolulu, Hawaii. Answer: There are many causes of
cataracts in birds and other animals such as inflammation, metabollic
problems such as diabetes, traumatic injury to the eye, nutritional
problems, toxin ingestion, electric shock, and certain drugs
as well as hereditary conditions that can result in cataracts.
There is no one way to treat all of these problems and you must
find out which one it is causing the problem. Ask your vet to
refer you to an avian veterinarian (one who specializes in birds)
in your area. If he/she cannot, then call: the Association of
Avian Veterinarians at Adina Freedman at 1-561-393-8901 in Florida.
One vet that is listed in the AVMA (Amer. Vet. Medical. Assoc.)
as a veterinary ophthalmologist is Dr. Maya Yamagata in Honolulu,
Hawaii, but an address is not listed. You can try calling the
American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (in which Dr.
Yamagata is listed) to find her location. Their telephone number
is: 1-785-532-5690. Good luck. Also, a book that you may recommend
to your vet, check out: Avian
Medicine & Surgery
Question: I adopted a sneezing kitten and was given Clavamox to treat her. I accidentally fogot to wash my hands between administering oral meds to her and my older cat. My older cat has current rhino/distemper vaccinations and I am wondering if she can still catch the virus under these circumstances? Thanks for your help. K.M., Chicago, Illinois Answer: Yes, it is always possible for one animal to catch a virus from another but vaccinations make this very unlikely. The problem is if the virus is not one that is routinely vaccinated for and thus your older cat may come down with similar symptoms. Both should be treated concurrently with antibiotics if they are both showing signs of upper respiratory infections (which antibiotics are only prescribed to take care of bacterial infections secondary to some viral infections) but won't cure viral diseases. Washing hands not only prevents spread of any diseases from animal to animal but from people to animal, people to people, etc. and is ALWAYS a good idea.
Question: Our 7 yr old female cat has been having trouble completely eliminating her stool, the residual dropping remains on her anus until she sits somewhere and it rubs off. We love her dearly but this is most distressing. What should/can we do? Best regards, M.G., Hainesport, New Jersey Answer: You didn't mention whether this symptom was a new one or if this has been a continuing problem since birth. If it is new, I suggest you taking her into the veterinarian for some testing to see if she is well hydrated and her kidneys and liver are functioning properly. If not, she may be slightly dehydrated, which can cause stool to become drier, thus more sticky. She may also have a problem with furballs and this can cause stool to stick when fibers of hair are still up inside that are part of hairs that she is trying to eliminate. Hairballs can be treated also. Have your vet check her for parasites, anal gland impaction, and sphincter tone when you are there to rule out other possible causes. I hope it turns out to be something simple to help you cure your problem.
Question: We think my dog has a bladder infection....she really hates going to the vets.....is there anything we can do without going to the vets? J.L., San Juan, Capistrano, California. Answer: No. If she has any symptoms associated with bladder infections it is caused by a bacteria that must be treated with appropriate antibiotics. If it is left untreated, it can go into the kidneys and become life-threatening if it enters the bloodstream. It also may not be a bladder infection and could be something as severe as a blockage to the urethra which can result in bursting of the bladder (another life threatening situation). Please get her in ASAP.
Question: My feline has just been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and radioiodine treatment has been recommended. My vet based this solely on the fact that she had a higher T4 but no chest xray was done to rule out kidney or heart! Should I have this done before I try treatment (very costly)? L.M., Glenmoore, Pennsylvania. Answer: You need to feel comfortable with the diagnosis and treatment plan that your vet has discussed with you. If you do not, make a list of your specific questions and call the doctor and have him/her return your call when all of your questions can be answered fully and to your satisfaction. I cannot make any recommendations because I have not seen your cat and your vet needs to hear your concerns as hyperthyroidism can affect the heart and other areas of the body. Radio active iodine will destroy thyroid tissue (that sometimes forms in other areas besides just the thyroid gland) so it will naturally take care of any "abnormal" thyroid tissue. Tapazole ( a drug to treat hyperthyroidism) has been used with some success in treating cats with hyperthyroidism, but it is very toxic to some cats. Surgical removal of the thyroid gland is also possible, but then there is the risk of leaving behind thyroid tissue in abnormal areas of the body. A second opinion may be just what you need if you don't get satisfaction from your doctor. Good luck.
Question: My 3 yr old Springer had a few dry scabs on his rear legs. When I touched them, they crusted off the area and underneath was red/sore skin. Each area is circular in shape, any chance of ringworm? He is allergic this time of year and he is on special food/vitamins, etc. Thank you. J.W., Wallkill, New York Answer: Yes, ringworm (a fungal infection
not a parasite as the name implies) is possible and is seen in
dogs as well as cats. The only way to diagnose ringworm is to
have a fungal culture done to see if it grows on appropriate
medium. Ringworm can be transmitted to people and other animals
so it would be best to get the dog in and have it tested for
everyone's peace of mind. 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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