My pet Lucky is a Shih Tzu. Her hair often tangles up into hairballs on her body. Is there a way to untangle the knots?

Sonny, Angono, Philippines

Long-haired dogs and cats are prone to knotting, also known as matting, of the hair. Mats can be very uncomfortable, and can lead to a number of unwanted behaviors, including aggression (from pain) and pulling out hair.

Mild knots sometimes can be broken down with a sturdy comb. However, if this procedure is painful for your pet, or if the knots are so tight that skin damage may occur from combing, it should not be done.

Severe matting is best dealt with by removing the hair with clippers. Your groomer or veterinarian should do this. Don’t cut your pet’s hair with scissors. Many of my patients have suffered injuries when their owners accidentally cut through skin, rather than hair, with scissors.

Once your pet is free of mats, regular brushing and grooming will help to prevent recurrence. Especially in dogs, oily skin can contribute to matting, so frequent bathing may be in order as well.

• No Related Post

My four-year-old female cat is well on her way to licking her belly raw.
Most of the fur is gone and now a small sore spot has developed. Why
does she do this? She seems perfectly happy, active and she eats well. How can I get her to stop this practice before it gets worse?

Kristin, San Francisco, CA

Overgrooming with hair loss is a common problem in both cats and dogs. There are a number of factors that can cause excessive grooming.

If you live in an area, such as San Francisco, where fleas exist, they are the most likely culprit. Pets that are allergic to fleas may suffer extreme irritation that leads to obsessive grooming. Usually, no fleas can be found on these pets because they spend so much time grooming. However, any time your pet has skin problems, proper flea control with Advantage or Frontline should be your first step.

Ringworm, although not as common as fleas, can cause overgrooming and skin sores. Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin, and it can spread to people. Your veterinarian can run tests to determine whether ringworm is playing a role in your pet’s skin condition.

Finally, some pets will overgroom due to psychological issues. In cats especially, stress, anxiety and boredom can lead to obsessive grooming of the abdomen, thighs, and back. This condition, known as psychogenic alopecia, can be difficult to address, but increased enrichment (in other words, playing more with your pet) usually is recommended. For the most severe cases, medications can be prescribed as a last resort.

• No Related Post

Hearing about the human and animal suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina has been absolutely heartbreaking. I live in an area that is prone to earthquakes. Do you have any advice on disaster preparedness for pet owners?

John, Los Angeles

It’s not possible to be prepared for every contingency that can occur during a natural disaster. However, there are several steps that I recommend to help keep pets safe during emergencies.

Start by preparing a kit that contains a week’s supply of food, water, and, if applicable, medications for each pet. Keep the kit in a convenient place, where it will be readily accessible in the event of a natural disaster.

Purchase a carrier for each pet in the family. Carriers for cats and small dogs can be purchased at most pet stores. Airline crates for large dogs are slightly harder to find, but are available through many stores and on the internet. In times of crisis, your pet will be much safer inside a carrier or crate.

Microchip your pet. Microchips are the easiest and most reliable means of permanently identifying cats and dogs. If you are separated from your pets during an emergency, a microchip is your best bet for being reunited.

Finally, in the event of an evacuation, take your pets with you if possible. Unfortunately, this option was not available to many of Katrina’s victims. However, your pets will always be safest if they are with someone who loves them.

I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to the many thousands of people and animals whose lives have been affected by Katrina.

• No Related Post

Hi Dr. Barchas,

My three-year-old Viszla goes crazy when she is left alone. She barks constantly and will chew on furniture and the door frame. She is causing a lot of damage to my house. I’m worried that she could hurt herself as well. What can I do to help her?

Sarah, Toronto, ON

It sounds like your dog has separation anxiety. And, judging by the number of questions I receive on the subject both online and in my practice, a lot of people and dogs are facing this issue. Separation anxiety is one of the most common and, unfortunately, frustrating behavioral problems that dog owners face.

Dogs with separation anxiety become very agitated when left alone or when not receiving attention. They may bark, pant, chew on household objects, dig, or pace. In severe cases, dogs can injure themselves in their agitation. I have seen dogs that jumped through plate glass windows in their panic.

The key feature of separation anxiety is anxiety, not separation. Dogs with separation anxiety frequently will have symptoms of other anxiety disorders such as fear of storms or fireworks. Cats can suffer from separation anxiety, too. Cats with the disorder frequently urinate outside of the litter box while their owner is away.

There are two basic approaches to dealing with separation anxiety: behavioral modification (training) and medication. Of the two, behavioral modification is more effective and should always be tried first.

Many behavioral modification techniques can reduce the build up of anxiety that dogs face when their owner is preparing to leave the house. Owners can shift their morning routines so that dogs can’t predict when they will leave. Also, owners should avoid prolonged and emotional goodbyes when leaving. Your veterinarian should be able to recommend a number of ideas tailored to your specific situation.

For some dogs, behavioral modification alone is not enough. These dogs may benefit from medications that help to alleviate anxiety in general, and therefore reduce separation anxiety. The most commonly used medications include Valium and antidepressants such as Clomicalm (which is marketed specifically for separation anxiety) and Prozac. That’s right: Prozac.

Separation anxiety rarely can be cured completely. However, with diligent training and, in some instances, medication, usually it can be controlled.

• No Related Post