I have 2 female cats, that I would like to have
spayed. What I am wondering is if it is a good
idea to have them both done at once, or one at a
time? They are both 5 years old, house pets, and
were born here in our house, never separated. They
are inside cats, but their “heat cycles” always
seem to be on and off, then on again. Please
advise me what is the best to do, bring them both
in, or let one heal before the other one gets
spayed? Thank You.

Linda
Oak River, Mb. Canada

It doesn’t really matter.

If both cats are spayed at the same time, they will recover at the same time. This will reduce the total recovery time. While your cats are recovering from their surgeries, they must not run or play. It will probably be easier to manage this if the surgeries are done at the same time.

What are the downsides to performing both surgeries on the same day? For some people, having both cats in the hospital could lead to worrying, hand-wringing, and loneliness. And, I suppose that a freak event, such as a fire at the veterinary hospital on the day of the surgery, could put both cats at risk. The odds of that are very low indeed!

On balance, it probably makes the most sense to spay both cats at once. But you should do whatever makes you comfortable–either choice is completely reasonable.

• How Should I Prepare my Pets for Spays and Neuters?
• Discussion on the optimal time to spay or neuter
• Does Pet Food Cause Health Problems?
• What Questions Should I ask my Vet Before Surgery?
• Why Are my Dog’s Legs Giving Out?

Most of us are acutely aware that millions of unwanted dogs and cats face euthanasia each year in the United States. I was surprised, however, to find out that unwanted horses are alarmingly common as well.

I first became aware of the problem in 2006 when a representative from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) sent me a preposterous e-mail. The message urged me to oppose legislation that would close horse slaughterhouses in the United States. The quote below is from the e-mail.

Rep. John Sweeney (R-NY) today will offer an amendment . . . that will drastically harm the welfare of horses . . . [t]hese changes will affectively [sic] shutdown [sic] the horse slaughter plants and will force the estimated 70,000 unwanted horses to find a new home.

I had to read that e-mail four or five times before I could believe it. The AVMA was claiming that, if you are a horse, it is better to be slaughtered than to find a new home. I was furious. To me it looked like a leading organization, with a mission to protect the interests of veterinarians and animals in the USA, was shilling to industry.

I still believe that the AVMA was pandering to the horse slaughter industry when its representative sent that e-mail. Despite the AVMA’s opposition, a ban on horse slaughter in the USA was enacted.

And, alarmingly, it turns out that horse welfare may have been adversely affected by the ban.

The AVMA reported on January 15, 2008, that horse slaughter is now being outsourced to Mexico. The number of horses sent to Mexico for slaughter each year has increased from approximately 11,000 before the US slaughterhouses were closed to approximately 44,500 after. And, it is suspected that many horses that are sent to Mexico for “breeding” or “recreation” are also ending up in slaughterhouses. The conditions inside the slaughterhouses are not known. Most of the meat is exported to Europe.

I suspect that the problem of unwanted horses will be as intractable as that of unwanted dogs and cats. But I am not convinced that re-opening the American slaughterhouses is the solution.

• AVMA Releases Animal Welfare Brochure for Vet Students

Many people are frustrated when
veterinarians recommend Elizabethan collars for their
pets. Elizabethan collars, also known as space
collars or E-collars, are plastic cones that are
fitted around pets’ necks to keep them from
excessively licking areas of their body. They also
keep pets from scratching their faces or ears with
their feet. The point of E-collars is to prevent
self-trauma. They are often applied after surgeries
or other medical treatments.

And they are a serious nuisance.

Dogs wearing E-collars generally become walking
disasters. When a large dog rams his E-collar into
your shin, it hurts. If he rubs it against the wall,
it can scrape off the paint. E-collars may knock
over furniture or priceless vases. They make walking
and climbing stairs difficult.

Cats wearing E-collars can’t groom themselves, and
they generally become foul-tempered. Some cats go
ballistic, and will struggle ceaselessly to remove the
apparatus.

It is not surprising that many people ask me if their
pet really needs to wear an E-collar after surgery or
some other treatment. The answer is: it depends on
the pet. Some pets will ignore wounds or surgical
incisions and allow them to heal. Others will not.

There is only one way to find out whether your pet
truly needs an E-collar—let him go without it. But
that is a serious gamble.

I was recently walking on a beach in Halong Bay,
Vietnam. There is a type of coral in Vietnam that
causes a serious reaction if it contacts your skin. A
small piece of this coral evidently found its way
between my foot and my flip-flop.

My foot started to itch mildly. So I scratched it.
That made it itch more. So I scratched more. Which
made it itch more. And this cycle would have
repeated indefinitely if I had not known that I would
eventually scratch my way down to the bone.

I had to apply a mental E-collar to myself. I wanted
to scratch that foot, but I forced myself to stop.

An acquaintance present at the time assured me that if
I allowed her to urinate on my foot the situation
would resolve immediately (this apparently is a common
local cure for such situations). I declined her kind
offer, and instead applied a cream containing a
medicine related to prednisone. The itching went away
after a few days, but I had to keep my mental E-collar
on until it did.

My point in telling this story is that dogs and cats
do not understand that repeatedly licking or
scratching an area will damage it. And they can cause
very serious damage to themselves in no time flat. I
have seen cats lick surgical incisions open in less
than an hour. I have seen dogs lick their foot raw
to the level of the bone in a similar amount of time.

Pets cannot use mental E-collars. As annoying as it
may be, they need the real thing.

• No Related Post

My very good friend Buster, who never misses an opportunity to watch me in the kitchen, was observing me make breakfast this morning. He showed special interest in the raisins that I put on my cereal.

Raisins and grapes are believed to be toxic to dogs. I use the word believed because it has not been proven conclusively that grapes and raisins themselves are toxic. Some scholars suspect mold or fungus present on the fruits is what causes kidney damage in some dogs that eat them.

Regardless of the toxin’s identity, you should not let your pet eat grapes or raisins.

What truly strikes me is not that grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs. Plenty of human foods should not be eaten by pets (chocolate is another example). The interesting thing, to me, is that nobody thought that grapes or raisins were dangerous before 1999. Before that, many vets recommended grapes as a healthy, tasty dog treat.

Our understanding of the world and its systems is continually evolving. Accepted truths are upended regularly. The body is very complex. There will be more surprises in the future.

• Protect Your Cat From Five Common Hazards

Being bitten or scratched by patients is an occupational hazard for veterinarians. In the United States, a veterinarian who is injured by a patient can not sue the animal’s owner.

Laws state that veterinarians have special knowledge of animal behavior and should be able independently to assess whether a pet is a threat. We have the right to refuse to treat an animal that we decide is hazardous. However, if we are injured by an animal that we have elected to treat, we cannot hold the owner liable.

A court ruling last fall set a precedent that will expand the group of people who are not able to seek damages from animal owners.

A kennel worker was mauled by a dog. She sued the owner of the dog. The court ruled that kennel workers, like veterinarians, have special knowledge of animal behavior. They therefore cannot hold owners of animals liable for injuries sustained while working. The ruling likely applies to all staff members at boarding, grooming, and veterinary facilities.

At first glance, this sounds like good news for people who have nervous pets that lash out at vets or groomers. However, the ruling may have a dark side for these animals.

First, the ruling allows injured animal workers to sue owners who do not disclose their pet’s previous aggressive or nervous behavior. In other words, if a pet has ever bitten or scratched a person and its owner does not disclose that fact, the owner can be sued.

As well, there is no doubt that America is a sue-happy place. Some day, a kennel worker will be bitten by a dog. He will start looking for someone to sue. He won’t be able to sue the dog’s owner, but he will be able to go after his boss. And he will probably win. After all, employers have a legal obligation to provide a safe workplace.

What could happen next is frightening. A combination of workplace safety laws, insurance company policies, and litigation precedents could make it impossible for veterinarians to treat any pet that anyone in the facility feels may be dangerous. In the worst-case scenario, nervous or nippy animals may not be able to receive any form of veterinary care whatsoever.

I hope that this scenario does not play out. But in the crazy world of the US legal system, I fear that anything is possible.

Due to the controversy that surrounds the terminology, I try to avoid using the words owner and guardian. However, this post deals with legal matters and litigation. Courts unambiguously and consistently use the word owner. I have followed that precedent in this post.

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Hello doc, my name is Jim. I have a 12-year-old
yellow Lab named Buster. My vet is giving him
Zubrin to help ease is pain. Is there anything
else we can do?

Jim
West Palm Beach Florida

Zubrin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). I touched upon these drugs in a recent post.

NSAIDs are commonly prescribed for pain from surgery or arthritis. Since Buster is a 12-year-old yellow Labrador, I am guessing that he has arthritis. Sadly, most 12-year-old Labs do.

In most cases, NSAIDs are the most powerful treatments for arthritis. But there are many other steps you can take to help reduce Buster’s pain and improve his quality of life.

First, manage his weight. Excessive weight causes severe stress on arthritic joints. If Buster is overweight, getting a few pounds off of him may significantly improve his situation.

Also, I recommend physical therapy. The simplest form of physical therapy is mild exercise. Leashed walks are enjoyable for both the dog and the person walking the dog, and they help to keep joints limber and flexible. They also help to keep weight down. Do not engage in any physical activities that cause Buster to be sore or in pain the next day. But do allow him to enjoy activities that are fun and that don’t cause follow-up repercussions.

Another form of physical therapy you can perform at home is passive range of motion exercises. With Buster at rest, gently take each joint in each of his legs trough its normal range of motion. If he shows any sign of discomfort, be more gentle. This helps to maintain flexibility. It should be done several times each day.

As well, consider a nutritional supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Many clients report that their pets’ (and their own) symptoms of arthritis are less pronounced when these supplements are offered. As well, omega-3 supplements may help to ease arthritis pain. There is still some debate among experts about the efficacy of oral administration of both of these supplements, but neither is likely to cause any harm.

Finally, you can talk to your vet about advanced physical therapy (such as underwater treadmill walking), or injectable forms of glucosamine. These therapies are more involved and more expensive, but are often remarkably effective.

• Why Are my Dog’s Legs Giving Out?
• What Causes Cysts in Pets?
• Can Dogs and Cats Take Herbal Cleansers?
• Does Pet Food Cause Health Problems?
• What Causes Chronic Limping in Young Dogs?

An article about bubonic plague appeared on several sites recently.

Plague a growing but overlooked threat: study

By Michael Kahn
Tue Jan 15, 10:45 AM ET

LONDON (Reuters) - Plague, the disease that devastated medieval Europe, is re-emerging worldwide and poses a growing but overlooked threat, researchers warned on Tuesday.

While it has only killed some 100 to 200 people annually over the past 20 years, plague has appeared in new countries in recent decades and is now shifting into Africa, Michael Begon, an ecologist at the University of Liverpool and colleagues said.

A bacterium known as Yersinia pestis causes bubonic plague, known in medieval times as the Black Death when it was spread by infected fleas, and the more dangerous pneumonic plague, spread from one person to another through coughing or sneezing.

“Although the number of human cases of plague is relatively low, it would be a mistake to overlook its threat to humanity, because of the disease’s inherent communicability, rapid spread, rapid clinical course, and high mortality if left untreated,” they wrote in the journal Public Library of Science journal PloS Medicine. (Emphasis added)

The article goes on to say that each year, 1,000 - 3,000 people are infected with plague worldwide. The US has 10 - 20 cases per year.

I admit that the numbers are not of pandemic proportions. And, thanks to antibiotics and improved sanitation, mass death on the scale that occurred in medieval times is not likely. But the article makes an important point: bubonic plague is spread by fleas.

The fleas that spread plague most often infest rats, but they can spread to other animals. In fact, cats are susceptible to plague, and are known to contract the disease periodically in California.

Plague is just one of many human and animal diseases that fleas spread. And it is just one of many reasons why I hate fleas. So, I beg of you: use a good flea preventative.

• Do Indoor Cats Need Regular Flea Preventatives?
• What’s the Best Flea Preventative?
• Why are all of the dogs in America suddenly itching?
• Can Dogs and Cats Take Herbal Cleansers?
• Does Pet Food Cause Health Problems?

My cat (Katy) snuggles up close to me when I am
going to bed or getting up and she nurses on the
sheet or my pajamas - why do cats do this?

Pat
Winter Park, FL

Katy’s behavior is very common. It is the feline equivalent of a child sucking his thumb. They do it when they are relaxed and comfortable. It is especially common in younger cats. And, it is generally harmless.

Some cats suck on sheets or clothing. Since they are limber creatures, many cats suckle their own nipples. A favorite nursing spot for some cats is an ear lobe of a person in the house. At 4:00 in the morning, this is very annoying indeed!

If Katy’s behavior bothers you, then gently correct her and encourage her to stop. Over time, there is a good chance that Katy will outgrow the habit. But even if she doesn’t, rest assured that it will probably never cause her harm.

• Does Pet Food Cause Health Problems?
• How Should I Prepare my Pets for Spays and Neuters?
• What are the Most Common Causes of Vet Visits?
• Do older pets shed more?
• Can cats get blackheads?

My 13-year-old cat sheds a lot. I’ve tried
bushing and vitamins, but there is still no change.
Does my cat shed because of his age or can it be
something else?

Josephine
Kansas City, MO

As many middle-aged men know, the quantity and composition of one’s hair changes with age. The manufacturers of Rogaine have made a fortune from this fact.

In animals, coat quality changes with age as well. The hair coat may become less supple, or more likely to clump or mat. More or less shedding may occur. So, there is a chance that cat’s age is contributing to the shedding.

What can you do? The first step is to make sure that no medical condition is playing a role in this. Thyroid disease, diabetes, and a number of other conditions can cause changes in hair quality. As well, if your cat has developed any bald spots, they could be signs of trouble.

If your cat hasn’t had a recent veterinary checkup, I’d recommend one. Hopefully the vet won’t find anything wrong.

And, most likely, there isn’t anything wrong. It is a fact of life: pets shed. If your vet determines that your cat is healthy, then I recommend the following: feed a high-quality diet, brush your cat regularly, use a good flea preventative and buy a good vacuum cleaner.

• Does Pet Food Cause Health Problems?
• How Should I Prepare my Pets for Spays and Neuters?
• What are the Most Common Causes of Vet Visits?
• Is it normal for cats to nurse on objects?
• Can cats get blackheads?

The Morris Animal Foundation (www.morrisanimalfoundation.org) has announced a drive to cure cancer in dogs within the lifetime of a dog: 10 - 20 years. They are dedicating $30 million to the campaign.

It is a very ambitious goal, and a very admirable one. The medical advances involved in reaching such a goal would not only benefit dogs. Cats and even people would benefit as well.

For more information, go to curecaninecancer.org.

• Study Reveals High Levels of Dangerous Chemicals in Pets’ Bodies
• Vaccines Poised for a Comeback
• Which Breeds Are Most Likely to Develop Cancer?
• What Causes Cysts in Pets?
• Can Dogs and Cats Take Herbal Cleansers?