My cat has all of a sudden starting peeing on the
furniture. He did that before he was fixed but
hasn’t done it again until recently. How do I
get him to stop?

Jennifer

Inappropriate urination (which is the official name for peeing on furniture, carpet, floors, piles of clothing, or anywhere that is inappropriate) is a subject that is not savory. But it’s very important. I receive dozens of questions each week on this topic, both online and as a practicing veterinarian. Few things can be more damaging to the bond between pet and human. So, although I have touched on this subject before in this space, I think it’s important enough to cover again.

Inappropriate urination has two root causes: medical problems and behavioral issues.

Medical problems include such maladies as bladder infections (by far the most common cause of inappropriate urination), diabetes, kidney disease, certain hormonal conditions, sphincter control issues, and conditions in which the bladder becomes irritated or inflamed (including bladder stones, growths in the bladder, and a syndrome called FLUTD). Basic urine and blood tests (and sometimes X-rays) can identify most of these problems. Because any of these conditions can be painful at the least, and life-threatening in the worst case, any pet that urinates inappropriately more than a few times should see a vet.

If your vet runs the proper tests and does not discover a medical problem, then he or she will likely recommend treating the situation through behavioral modification. Tactics may include adding extra litter boxes, changing the size or type of boxes in the house, or changing litters. Stress often triggers inappropriate urination (even though most cats I know have very nice lives, they still can experience stress), so your vet may recommend steps to eliminate stress or reduce strife between cats in the house. In severe instances, antidepressant drugs may help with the situation, but I recommend these only as a last resort.

The long and short of it is that I recommend you have your vet evaluate your cat. It is what’s best for your cat, and for your furniture.

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I noticed that my eight-month-old Bichon has an
irregular heartbeat. I don’t hear a
murmur, but she could have one. She is
scheduled to see her vet next month for her next
round of shots. Should I be concerned?

Rita
Kerens, TX

If your dog is healthy and active, probably nothing is wrong. Most irregular heart rhythms (also known as arrhythmias) in dogs, especially young dogs, are benign.

The most common type of arrhythmia in dogs is called sinus arrhythmia. The heart of a dog with a sinus arrhythmia will beat at different rates when she is in different stages of breathing. Although sinus arrhythmias aren’t exactly normal, they almost never cause any problems.

In addition to sinus arrhythmia, there are several other causes of irregular heart rates. Although these are rare, they can be serious. To be safe, you should definitely keep that appointment with your vet next month. She will be able to determine whether the arrhythmia is anything to worry about. A test known as ECG (electrocardiogram) may be necessary. As well, she can confirm the absence of a heart murmur. Most likely, your dog will turn out to be healthy.

However, while you are waiting for the appointment, please monitor your dog for fainting, coughing, lack of appetite, or decreased ability to run, play, or exercise. These are symptoms of more serious heart conditions, and if you see them you should see your vet immediately.

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Hi Dr. B,

The strangest thing has happened to my three-year-old Boxer. One of his teeth has changed color. It is the fang on the left side. It suddenly became pink, and then slowly changed to grey. It doesn’t seem to bother him at all. What is going on here?

Barbara
St. Paul, MN

Your dog suffered trauma to his tooth. And the scenario that you have described is very common, especially in the canine teeth (fangs). It can happen to both dogs and cats.

The type of trauma that causes tooth discoloration is called concussive trauma. In short, it is trauma that injures the inside of the tooth, but does not break the tooth. The most common cause of this is biting down too hard on food or a toy.

Concussive trauma causes injury to an area of the tooth (known as the pulp) that contains blood and nerves. This causes bleeding inside the tooth, which turns it pink. Over time, the color changes to grey as the blood breaks down and is no longer fresh. It can be quite unsightly.

Unfortunately, it can also be painful, and it can lead to problems down the road. The most recent statistics I have seen state that 92% of animals with discolored teeth will have chronic problems with their pulp. Over time, these can lead to severe problems such as abscesses (infections), inflammation, and sometimes even bone infections.

Any dog or cat with a discolored tooth should be evaluated by a vet, preferably one with the ability to take dental X-rays. In some cases, the tooth is monitored with regular X-rays. For teeth with severe or chronic pulp problems, extraction (removal) or root canal may be needed.

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Dr. Barchas,

My partner has HIV. He was at his doctor’s office for a checkup the other day, and his doctor told him that we should find a new home for our Lab mix Buddy. He said Buddy might spread disease to my partner. My partner is not sick, but he is HIV positive. Can Buddy really make him ill? We love our dog and do not want to give him up. He gives us so much love and happiness.

Tom
Los Angeles, CA

I disagree with your partner´s doctor. Strongly. And I am not the only one. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is the preeminent and most widely respected authority on these sorts of matters says the following:

“You do NOT have to give up your pet.” (emphasis theirs)

This is the first line of the CDC brochure outlining their recommendations on pet ownership for people with HIV. I suggest that you read the entire page. Its website address is below.

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/brochure/oi_pets.htm

Now, with that out of the way, there are some issues to consider. First, for any attorneys who may be reading, I must emphasize that this article (and all of my articles on Dogster and Catster) is intended strictly for informational purposes. Under no circumstances should this information be substituted for live consultation with a practicing veterinarian or physician.

Furthermore, under certain circumstances, Buddy could be capable of spreading disease to your partner. The greatest risk comes from certain parasites and bacteria. However, if you keep Buddy free of disease and parasites, the risk to your partner is almost nil. Healthy cats and dogs pose very little risk to people with compromised immune systems. Your veterinarian can make specific recommendations on how to best keep Buddy healthy and parasite-free.

Also, immune-compromised people who are sick (such as people suffering from AIDS) have different needs, and the recommendations in this article do not apply to them. However, most of these people can and should keep their pets as well.

You mentioned that your partner is not sick. However, there is a chance his doctor knows something about his condition upon which he is basing the recommendation to give up Buddy. I recommend that you get a second opinion. Be sure to print out the CDC article to take to the appointment.

There is a final matter to consider. Pets make people happy. Happiness improves the function of the immune system. Therefore, consider the possibility that keeping Buddy in your lives will actually make your partner more healthy, not less.

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