Hello, My cat Reesee is 20 lbs and has a very
small frame. I have a multiple cat household and
they all eat from the same bowl. How do you
attack a weight issue for one kitty without
causing the other “normal” weight kitties to
lose unneccesarry weight?

Desiree
Sanger, TX

Desiree, take heart from the fact that you are in good company. I have dozens of clients who are in your predicament. One cat in the house has, shall we say, a robust appetite. The others are less food-motivated. If you restrict the total amount of food offered to all of the cats, the one with the strongest appetite will probably consume the lion’s share.

There are, however, some tricks that you can use to fight this situation. They are all schemes that restrict the amount of food that the heavy eater consumes, but allow the light eaters to get their share as well.

One method is to abolish the all day, all-you-can-eat buffet system and feed meals instead. The light eaters can be fed together. Reesee, however, will have to eat in a separate room. This allows you to control how much Reesee eats, but it is less convenient than simply having one food bowl out all the time. Also, it won’t work if the light eaters can’t transition from grazing throughout the day to eating only at mealtimes.

If Reesee is like most 20-pounders I know, she isn’t as limber as her cohorts, nor can she jump as high. If the method above doesn’t work, you can try leaving food for the more active cats on a counter or shelf that Reesee can’t get to. Be creative. For instance, some people install baby gates to block access to food. Fit cats have no problem bypassing such obstacles. Heavier cats might not manage to get through. However, remember that a truly dedicated individual may be able to accomplish remarkable feats in order to get what she wants–food, in this case.

Finally, if you want to go high-tech, you can keep the all-day food source in a room that is accessible by an electronic pet door. These devices allow only specified individuals (the thin cats) to pass through them. This option is more expensive than the others. But if convenience is your priority, it could be the way to go.

Here is a disturbing story from the May 16, 2006 issue of The Week.

A Minnesota man who struck and killed a dog while driving is suing the animal’s owners for damaging his car. Jeffery Ely says he has nothing but compassion for the Munthe family, whose 13-pound Miniature Pinscher, Fester, was killed instantly in the collision. But Ely claims that the impact drove pieces of his Honda Civic’s fender into its radiator and that he should be reimbursed the $1,100 cost of repairs. “I love dogs,” said Ely. “But once you get them, they are your responsibility.”

Wow. Talk about adding insult to injury. I am not an attorney, but based on my understanding of animal law, Ely may win the case.

The story does not mention whether poor Fester was on leash at the time of the accident, but I’ll bet that he wasn’t. I’ve never met a dog who was hit by a car while on-leash. Please remember that leashes are not simply required by law in most places. They also are important for the safety of your pet.

Hi there, Dr. Barchas!

Shannon
Middletown, Ohio

I have met many pets with severe overbites. In my experience overbites occur more often in dogs, but plenty of cats have them as well. For the most part, they lead normal lives.

Most overbites are cosmetic problems. A Chihuahua with an overbite won’t win at Westminster, but she will still be able to lead a regular Chihuahua life.

In some pets, overbites can cause a syndrome (called malocclusion) in which the teeth don’t fit together properly. In many cases malocclusion is harmless. In others, it can lead to dental wear or other problems. And, if a pet has a severe overbite the canine teeth (the fangs) of the lower jaw may grow into and damage the tissue of the palate or mouth. This is rare, and can be treated with orthodontics or extraction of the lower teeth.

You definitely should have a vet check your cat to rule out severe malocclusion. However, since she has so few teeth, there probably won’t be an issue.

And speaking of the lack of teeth: I doubt it’s a cause for concern. The tissue from which the teeth germinate most likely was absent from the affected area of jaw. Dental X-rays wouldn’t be a bad idea, but if your cat is behaving and growing normally, X-rays aren’t mandatory.

I also see no need for special toys or food. You mention that your cat is eating well, so there’s probably no reason to change things up. Your cat may look a little different, but I suspect that she will lead a normal life.

For those of you who live in foxtail territory, be careful! I just finished working a shift at an emergency hospital in northern California, where foxtails reign supreme. In a period of 12 hours, I was party to the removal of five foxtails from pets. Two were in ears, two were in noses, and one was in an eye.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with grass awns (colloquially called foxtails), I recommend that you check the link above. Foxtails aren’t present in every locale. But in areas where they grow, foxtails are public enemy number one as far as pets are concerned.

Foxtails occur where long grass (especially wild barley) has gone to seed and dried. They are sharp, irritating plant parts that can embed in the socks of hikers, or in virtually any body part of a pet. If a foxtail works its way into a pet’s ear, he may shake his head violently, rub the ear, or whine when the ear is touched. In the nose, foxtails cause violent sneezing. Foxtails embedded in eyes cause phenomenal pain, squinting, and swelling. In the skin, they cause bleeding, swelling, hair loss, and excessive licking.

Regardless of location, embedded foxtails are painful and have the potential to migrate to distant parts of the body. And once one is embedded, you’ll be looking at a costly vet bill to search for it. Removal is not guaranteed.

My advice: learn whether foxtails are present in your area. If they are, learn what they look like. And then, avoid them like the plague! If you let your pet roam through tall, dry seeded grass, you may end up in the waiting room of a veterinary emergency clinic–nobody’s favorite place to pass time.

This link to an article by Jon Katz on Slate.com is a few years old, but its topic remains utterly timely. The article discusses the heartbreaking story of a nice, affluent family that adopts a lovable Golden Retriever named Ernie.

The family is made up of well-intentioned, decent people. The Golden is a friendly, sociable, normal dog.

But the family members are busy. Nobody takes the time to bond with and train the dog properly. Lacking the proper bonding and training, the dog becomes confused and anxious, and begins to act out. From the article:

As he went through the normal stages of retriever development—teething, mouthing, racing frantically around the house, peeing when excited, offering items the family didn’t want retrieved, eating strange objects and then vomiting them up—the casualties mounted. Rugs got stained, shoes chewed, mail devoured, table legs gnawed. The family rejected the use of a crate or kennel—a valuable calming tool for young and energetic dogs—as cruel. Instead, they let the puppy get into all sorts of trouble, then scolded and resented him for it. He was “hyper,” they complained, “wild,” “rambunctious.” The notion of him as annoying and difficult became fixed in their minds; perhaps in his as well.

A practiced trainer would have seen, instead, a Golden Retriever that was confused, under-exercised, and untrained—an ironic fate for a dog bred for centuries to be calm and responsive to humans.

A vicious cycle developed in which the dog, through no fault of his own, ultimately became marginalized and unloved by the family.

Complaining that he was out of control, the family tried fencing the back yard and putting Ernie outside during meals to keep him from bothering them. The nanny stuck him there most of the day as well, because he messed up the house. Allowed inside at night, he was largely confined to the kitchen, sealed off by child gates.

At no time did the family fail to offer Ernie high quality food, veterinary care, or walks (although the walks he did receive seemed wholly inadequate to me). However, in my opinion they failed to give Ernie one of the most basic necessities of a dog’s life: true love.

Sadly, I see this situation regularly as a veterinarian. Clients ask about behavior problems in dogs that are well-meaning, but have not benefitted from appropriate training and bonding. The dogs are not at fault for these problems. There is no way to avoid it: if you want a good relationship with your dog (or with anybody, for that matter) you must invest your time in it.

I have an eight-month-old Boxer and since she’s been
about two months, she’s had severe recurring mange.
It’s a cycle: she starts losing fur, we take her
in, get her diagnosed, she gets a mange bath,
antibiotics, she takes the meds for three weeks and is
fine! Her fur grows back, the meds stop then
another two or three weeks will go by and she gets it
again! We feed her high quality food, exercise her
regularly and keep her kennel very clean. Any
suggestions on how I can help take care of this
myself? The vet bills are mounting!

Katherine
Moreno Valley, CA

I am sorry to hear that you and your dog are going through such a frustrating ordeal. Based on your description of the problem and your dog’s age, it sounds like your dog is suffering from infestation with Demodex, also known as puppy mange.

Demodex is ubiquitous. It is a type of mite that is present in the hair follicles of virtually every dog. Most dogs suppress the mite with their immune systems. However, some dogs’ immune systems can’t keep the parasite completely under control. This happens most often in dogs less than 18 months of age–hence the name puppy mange.

In these dogs, hair may fall out in small patches, or it may fall out over large portions of the body. In either case, the problem can be persistent and frustrating.

The good news is that the vast majority of dogs outgrow the problem by the time they are two years old. The syndrome resolves as the immune system matures.

If your dog is losing only small amounts of hair and her skin is comfortable, you may not need to treat her at all. Many people simply monitor the spots and wait for the problem to resolve.

However, if your dog is losing large amounts of hair, she needs to be treated to prevent skin infections and secondary problems. Your best bet will be to have regular mange baths performed for a period of at least six to eight weeks. The most effective form of mange bath can only be performed at a veterinarian’s office, because the active ingredient in the shampoo is potentially toxic. I realize that this option is expensive, but in the long run you will save money if you tackle the problem aggressively.

Either way, take heart in one fact: your dog will almost certainly outgrow this problem eventually.

My sister’s cat Snooky (an 8-year-old female
Maine Coon) has a bleeding nose. My sister
thought it was from allergies but the bleeding,
while not effusive, has continued. Snooky is
eating, drinking normally, energy is normal, no
fever, no signs of lethargy or depression. My
sister has an appointment with the vet but she is
terrified that it is some form of cancer. Snooky
does venture outside but mostly is an indoor cat.
She lives in Georgetown, near DC, and is across
from a large park. Can you please comment on this,
Doctor? Thank you.

Joanne
Staten Island, New York

I am sorry to say it, but nosebleeds in pets are often caused by serious conditions.

Unfortunately, your sister is correct to worry about the presence of a nasal tumor. They are a leading cause of bloody noses in older pets (8 years of age isn’t that old, but Snooky is still at risk). However, nasal tumors often are accompanied by wheezing and weight loss, and there are other causes of bloody noses. So it is by no means a foregone conclusion that a tumor is present.

Other causes of bloody noses include trauma, dental disease, foreign objects lodged in the nose (which is more likely in cats that have access to outdoor areas such as parks), and blood clotting disorders. Allergies usually do not cause nosebleeds.

Snooky definitely needs to see a vet. However, I should warn you that getting to the bottom of the problem may be difficult. Diagnosing chronic bloody noses may require blood tests as well as anesthesia for a thorough oral exam, X-rays and rhinoscopy (a procedure in which an instrument is used to visualize the inside of the nose and sinuses). Some cases require CT scans.

I wish I could offer better news. I hope, for Snooky’s sake, that the problem is easy to uncover and treat.

Hi Dr. Barchas,

Lexington, KY

I think you’re performing a wonderful service for your clients by brushing their dogs’ teeth. And, as you point out, you are contributing to the health, well-being, and longevity of the dogs you walk.

I am continuously surprised by how many people refuse to brush their pets’ teeth. Of course, I understand that it’s inconvenient. Nonetheless, dogs and cats need their teeth brushed for the exact same reasons that we brush our own teeth. Tooth brushing is incredibly beneficial for feline and canine health.

However, I’m afraid I can’t sign off on using the same tooth brush for all of the dogs that you walk. I realize that dogs sometimes eat garbage or other revolting and unmentionable substances, so it doesn’t seem like sharing a toothbrush between several of them would be a big deal. Nonetheless, there is a slight risk of spreading some viral and bacterial diseases between the dogs, even if you thoroughly rinse the brush between each pet.

If your clients absolutely refuse to buy tooth brushes for their dogs, you can try to find low-priced soft bristled human toothbrushes and buy them yourself. Human toothbrushes work fine for pets, and they may cost less than canine-specific brushes.

Chemotherapy for cancer causes severe side effects in many people. Patients may lose their hair, become weak, and suffer from extreme nausea. Some patients feel that the treatment is worse than the disease.

In cats and dogs, side effects from chemotherapy usually aren’t as severe. In fact, many pets tolerate entire courses of chemo without showing any side effects whatsoever. But not every pet that is treated for cancer is so lucky–side effects do occur sometimes.

Therefore, an article in the April 18, 2008 issue of The Week offers encouraging news for pets and people who are diagnosed with cancer. An excerpt from the article follows.

A new technique minimizes the nausea and other side effects of chemotherapy at the same time that it kills more cancer cells. Curiously, the method isn’t a drug or a therapy, but an extremely restrictive diet: Patients are told to starve themselves for two days before every dose of the toxic chemotherapy drugs.

The method works by causing normal cells in the body to enter a state in which they are less affected by the chemo drugs. Cancer cells, however, do not enter this state and therefore are still susceptible.

Although the method appears promising, I confess that I have some reservations. Weight loss and emaciation are common among animal cancer patients, and I personally would be extremely hesitant to withhold food for two days from an already underweight animal.

However, studies on the technique are still in the early stages. As we learn more, it may turn out that the method could help some pets as well as people.

Pets are good for people. I firmly believe that, and I have mentioned it repeatedly on this blog. People with dogs get more exercise, on average, than people who don’t have dogs. (The other day I saw a very elderly man walking his Jack Russell Terrier. Without the dog, I have a hunch that gentleman would rarely leave the house.) Pets provide companionship and a sense of well-being to the people with whom they live. Cats and dogs are used in hospitals and nursing homes to cheer and comfort patients–with remarkable success. They can be trained to assist people with vision impairment, Parkinson’s disease, hearing loss, and even diabetes.

Of course, most of us on Catster and Dogster will agree that pets are good for our health and well-being. And a growing amount of scientific evidence is proving that pets benefit us in ways that are not so self-evident.

A recent article published by the AFP (a French global news agency) states that children who live with dogs may get an immune system boost from the family pet.

Blood tests showed that, in households with dogs, children were less at risk from becoming sensitised to pollens and inhaled allergens–the triggers for asthma and wheezing, allergic rhinitis and eczema–than counterparts in dog-less homes.

Sadly, the article also contains some disappointing news.

Oddly, though, the benefit seen in the children’s antibodies did not show through in terms of symptoms, the study found. Children with a dog were as susceptible to asthma and the other problems as counterparts without the pets.

This statement should not be construed to imply that the children were not receiving a health benefit from their canine companions. The study provides potent evidence that a household pet can help to stimulate the development of early childhood immune systems.

As scientists and doctors love to say: more research is necessary.