Hi Dr. Barchas,
I know that the feline rabies vaccine has been associated with fibrosarcomas at the site of injection. Is it possible for the vaccine to cause tumors in other locations? Someone told me that the three-year rabies vaccine was more likely to cause cancer - is this true?

Tera
Columbus, OH

You have asked some very good questions. I’ll do my best to answer each of them.

Vaccine-associated fibrosarcomas are cancers that develop rarely at the site of rabies or feline leukemia vaccines. They appear to occur only in cats. The cause of the tumors is very poorly understood.

The cancers develop at the site of injection. I have not seen any reports of vaccines causing tumors in distant locations. Therefore, it is extremely unlikely that your cat’s abdominal tumor was linked to a vaccine. Fibrosarcomas can develop naturally, and if your cat suffered from a fibrosarcoma in her abdomen it likely occurred spontaneously. I sincerely doubt that your decision to vaccinate your cat contributed to her death.

Three-year rabies vaccines usually contain a component called adjuvant that is designed to help stimulate the immune system. One-year vaccines generally do not contain this component. Some people have hypothesized that adjuvant contributes to fibrosaroma development. These people therefore speculate that the one-year vaccine may be less likely to cause cancer than the three-year vaccine. I have not seen conclusive proof of this.

For instance, some studies have suggested that merely inserting a needle into the skin may trigger a cascade of inflammation that ultimately leads to cancer. This implies that the adjuvant is not to blame.

Also, remember that one-year vaccines must be given three times as often as three-year vaccines. The relevant question therefore is whether one-year vaccines are three times less likely to lead to cancer.

A few years ago I attended a lecture by a representative of a company that produces one-year, non-adjuvanted feline rabies vaccines. After the lecture I cornered her (literally–she was trying to get away and I backed her into a corner) and asked the following question. I remember it verbatim.

Can you provide quantitative evidence that three-year vaccines are three times more likely to cause cancer as your one-year, non-adjuvanted vaccine?

Her answer was no. To this day I have not seen any study that proves that three one-year vaccines are safer than one three-year vaccine (if anyone is aware of such a study, please let me know).

It is unlikely that your remaining cat will develop a fibrosarcoma from her rabies vaccine. Fibrosarcomas develop in approximately one out of every 3000 - 10,000 cats that receive the vaccine. I have no reason to believe that your cat is at increased risk.

Although vaccine-associated fibrosarcomas are not common, I still recommend that you never accept a one-size-fits-all vaccination plan for your pet. Good vets always are willing to talk about the risks and benefits of vaccination. Make an informed decision.

Photo: Myriah after removal of a vaccine-associated fibrosarcoma.

• JAVMA Study Reveals Many Vets Aren’t Following Feline Vaccination Guidelines
• Why Aren’t Titers Used in Lieu of Vaccines?
• What are the Rationales Behind Rabies Vaccine Schedules?
• Why do Elderly Cats Suffer From Chronic Sinus Congestion?
• How Long Should Laboratory Testing Take?

My son recently got a lab/pit bull mix who is 4 months old. He just called me & said the dog’s jaw sometimes quivers when she yawns or she will whine and then the jaw will start to quiver.

Lori
Milford MI

Jaw quivering is a form of trembling. Usually it is harmless.

Jaw quivering is especially common in older dogs (and people). In these individuals it usually is progressive but it almost never compromises quality of life.

Four-month-old puppies generally do not suffer from progressive jaw trembling. The shaking is more likely a transient issue that occurs as the puppy’s nervous system matures.

Rarely, a quivering jaw may be a sign of poisoning or a serious neurological disorder. However, I’ll bet that your son’s puppy is simply going through a phase. I don’t think you should worry too much about this matter.

• Is it OK for Pets to Threaten Guests?
• New Website is Better Than Sliced Bread!
• What are the Treatments for Hip Dysplasia?
• Where do Vaccine-Associated Tumors Develop in Cats?
• What is a French Spay?

Have you ever heard of a French Spay? I took my Yorkie to a vet to get spayed, and they almost lost her. The vet said that she was oozing blood from some of her organ tissues, and couldn’t find where the blood was coming from. So, instead of doing a regular spay, and make more cuts on her, the vet did what she called a French Spay.

Laura
Somerset, CA

Until you wrote to me, I had never heard of a French Spay. And a Google search revealed that the term isn’t commonly used. But after sorting through several worthless links, I found a discussion forum that seemed to offer the answer. A French Spay is an ovariectomy.

Normal spays, as every vet I know performs them, are ovariohysterectomies. In this procedure, the ovaries and uterus are removed from the body. In a French Spay only the ovaries are removed.

A French Spay will render a dog infertile and will eliminate heat cycles. Because the uterus need not be transsected, there is less risk of bleeding during surgery. However, a dog with an intact uterus will be at slight risk for uterine infections or cancer later in life.

If your dog was bleeding abnormally during surgery, a French Spay probably was a wise choice. However, I am worried about the abnormal bleeding. Bleeding like that doesn’t just happen–there has to be a reason.

Yorkshire Terriers and other small breeds of dogs are prone to a problem called liver shunt. This can lead to bleeding problems (and many other issues) in some cases.

I’d recommend that you pursue this matter further. Blood tests and diagnostic imaging may help to determine whether it is safe to correct the inguinal hernia that you have described.

• Are Irregular Heat Cycles Normal?
• Why do Dogs Honk Like Geese?
• New Website is Better Than Sliced Bread!
• Why do Puppies and Kittens Produce so Much Waste?
• Why has my dog Stopped Eating?

I was wondering what are the “official” signs of an insane cat or as the vet told me a “special edition”?

Jazmin
Montreal, QC

In my opinion “special edition” isn’t the most diplomatic way of describing a cat whose behavior and temperament aren’t “normal”.

Of course, the word normal needs to be in quotes because the truth is that there is no way to define a truly normal personality in any species. And there certainly is no official definition of insanity in cats.

There is no DSM-IV for cats (heck, we don’t even have a DSM-I in veterinary medicine). Nonetheless, it is clear that cats and dogs can suffer from anxiety disorders (including separation anxiety in dogs), obsessive-compulsive behaviors (such as psychogenic alopecia in cats), impulse control problems, and a host of other psychogenic issues. (Vets use the term psychogenic in place of psychological.)

Brains are exceptionally complex organs. Hereditary traits and environmental conditions during development can lead to irregular brain circuitry and chemistry that are linked to behavioral or psychogenic issues in pets.

At this time, the field of veterinary behavior (which is the closest thing vets have to psychiatry or psychology) is still more or less in its infancy. But in due course I am confident we will make great strides towards understanding the basis of “abnormal” behaviors in pets. And maybe, some day, we will even have our own DSM.

• Foraging Balls May Help Reduce Unwanted Behaviors in Dogs and Cats–and Pigs.
• Where do Vaccine-Associated Tumors Develop in Cats?
• How Rapidly Should Feline Bladder Infections Resolve When Treated?
• Why do Puppies and Kittens Produce so Much Waste?
• How Contagious are Tapeworms?

My three-year old spayed female cat is being treated with Clavamox for a UTI. She’s had five doses of the Clavamox over the past 2 1/2 days, but is still spraying urine and also calling loudly as though she were in season. She has never done this before, but has also never had a UTI before. Is this to be expected? How soon should I expect a reduction in symptoms?

Scotti
Cypress, TX

Bladder infections are common in both cats and dogs. In dogs and in older cats, they are the most common causes of uncomfortable urination, bloody urine, and inappropriate urination (cats, dogs). However, in young cats such as yours, another syndrome can have identical symptoms to a bladder infection: feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD).

FLUTD is a process in which urinary chemistry imbalances lead to painful urination. It is linked to crystals in the urine and abnormal urine pH levels. In all cats it is very uncomfortable. In male cats it is linked to a potentially fatal complication called urinary obstruction.

Most bladder infections improve dramatically with one or two doses of antibiotics. If your cat has not had urine tests to confirm a bladder infection, I am suspicious that she may not have an infection. You should talk to your vet about this.

FLUTD usually is treated through dietary changes. It is a chronic problem that can cause intermittent pain and, in male cats, chronic risk of urinary obstruction. It is important to determine with certainty which problem your cat has.

• Why is my Cat Urinating Outside of the Litter Box?
• Why do Pets Urinate Inside the House?
• Why do Cats Urinate Outside of the Litter Box?
• Where do Vaccine-Associated Tumors Develop in Cats?
• What is the Official Definition of Insanity–in Cats?

My 7 month old puppy pees at least 10 times a day and poops like 4-5 times a day. After he goes to the bathroom he comes in and drinks a full bowl of water then an hour later has to pee again.

Kortnie
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

Anyone who has lived with one knows that puppies and kittens produce proportionately more waste than adult dogs and cats.

Their rapid growth is the reason for this. Young animals must process a great deal of food to make muscles, organs, and tissues. They need to drink large amounts of water in order to process the large amounts of food. And, because they eat and drink so much, they produce large amounts of waste.

Young puppies also urinate more often than adults until they are house trained (this is a behavioral matter). Also, puppies may urinate as a sign of submission. And many different diseases and syndromes may cause changes in urination.

But based on your description, I’m guessing that your puppy is urinating and defecating normally.

• Can Littermates Have Different Fathers?
• How can I Prevent Weight Gain in my Pet After Neuter or Spay Surgery?
• Is Diabetes Common in Puppies?
• How can I Know if my Pet has Parasites?
• Are Pets Being Over-Vaccinated?

Hi Dr. Barchas,

Name and location withheld

I may have bitten off more than I could chew when I decided to discuss canine marijuana ingestion twice (here and here; you can also check out my website for more information on the subject here) on this blog.

Yesterday I spoke on the phone with a person who tracked me down on the internet. She was interested in using medical marijuana to help with lack of appetite in a dog who was undergoing chemotherapy. The dog had been to a number of specialists and clearly had received the best possible medical and home care. The client was exploring every possible option to promote a high quality of life for the pet. (My answer, in short, was that evidence-based studies on the subject were lacking. However, if adverse side effects could be avoided, the therapy might be beneficial. The legal ramifications of such therapy are uncertain but possibly (although probably not) serious depending upon the jurisdiction. The client elected to experiment cautiously.)

On the same day, I read the question posted above.

I am not a specialist in animal toxicology. This blog is not a clearinghouse for questions about pets and illicit substances.

Nonetheless I feel that rushing to judgment is not in the best interest of the animals involved in these sorts of situations. What follows is my best attempt at an answer. To the questioner:

Methamphetamine vapors almost certainly are harmful to cats. Cats’ lungs are exquisitely sensitive. Second-hand cigarette smoke can trigger or exacerbate a number of feline respiratory problems. Although methamphetamine vapors contain less tar than cigarette smoke, it is hard to imagine that second-hand meth is not deleterious.

That said, it also is hard to imagine that your cat’s lymphoma was caused by exposure to methamphetamine. Meth has numerous adverse effects on the body. It may well be a carcinogen in cats–this matter has not been well studied. But the carcinogenic effects of any substance of are dose-dependent. Second-hand exposure to methamphetamine vapors will not lead to high levels of exposure.

Bottom line: I doubt that methamphetamine exposure played a role in your cat’s illness. It is more likely that a hereditary predisposition to lymphoma was to blame.

I recommend that you monitor your Main Coon’s appetite, thirst and weight. Seek veterinary attention if you note any irregularities. I consider it unlikely that he or she will experience adverse effects from exposure to the illicit substance.

• Alarming Diagnoses Lead to Concerns of Cancer Epidemic
• Where do Vaccine-Associated Tumors Develop in Cats?
• JAVMA Study Reveals Many Vets Aren’t Following Feline Vaccination Guidelines
• Why do Elderly Cats Suffer From Chronic Sinus Congestion?
• Canine Lymphoma Treatment Takes Big Step Forward

I have been told by some that a Cane Corso is not a Cane Corso unless they have the tail and ears cropped and docked. What is your opinion? I have a six-week-old female named Lupa. I have also asked numerous vets, and they have told me that they do not do this procedure. Help, I need answers.

Sandra
Philadelphia, PA

Don’t do it.

A Cane Corso is a Cane Corso regardless of whether her ears are cropped and her tail is docked. A Cane Corso is a Cane Corso whether she has four legs or three and two eyes or one. A Cane Corso is a Cane Corso whether she is black, fawn, or brindled.

The breed standards for many breeds call for tail docking and ear cropping. The breed standards are on the wrong side of history.

Here is another 30 year prediction, to go on the record with my 30 year prediction yesterday regarding antibiotic feed additives. In 30 years, almost nobody will own dogs with cropped ears or docked tails.

There are two reasons why I am confident of this. First, public opinion is rapidly turning against the practices of ear cropping and tail docking.

You alluded to the second reason why the practices will die out in your question. Fewer and fewer vets are willing to perform the procedures. I do not perform them. Nor do most of the vets I know.

The vast majority of vets who dock tails and crop ears are older. In 30 years they won’t be practicing. You won’t be able to get your dog’s ears cropped even if the breed standards haven’t changed.

But they will change. The inevitable cannot be delayed forever.

Photo: Look at those beautiful ears! By Claudio Domiziani. License: CC.

• Teen With Gumption Plans to Drive the Final Nail Into Debarking’s Coffin
• Ear Cropping and Tail Docking set to go the way of the Dodo Bird
• Report of Lawsuit Gives me Another Reason not to Dock Tails
• AVMA Comes Out Against Ear Cropping and Tail Docking
• Ear Cropping and Tail Docking Create Ethical Dilemmas for Vets

Dr Barchas,

Salma

You started your question by mentioning that you’d already searched my website. That’s a surefire way to get your question to the head of the line.

Tapeworms are common and disgusting intestinal parasites of cats and dogs. However, they are not terribly pathogenic. This means that although they are bad for the health of their hosts, tapeworms rarely cause overt disease.

The most common tapeworm in cats (and dogs) is spread by fleas. The tapeworms are not directly contagious. As long as no fleas infest the cats in the house, the tapeworms should not spread. The key to controlling the problem is to use a good flea preventative in all of the cats who aren’t pregnant . . . and possibly the one who is (more on this below).

Prescription tapeworm treatments are generally pretty safe. So are high quality flea preventatives. However, it is best to avoid medications during pregnancy. In an ideal world, no cat would ever need medicine while pregnant. In your case, one must weigh the risks against the benefits.

The safe use of tapeworm medicines and flea preventatives during pregnancy has not been established. However, neither praziquantel (the most commonly prescribed tapeworm medicine) nor any high quality flea preventative is a documented teratogen (a compound known to affect fetal development). If you use the medicines, the kittens will probably be fine. This is especially true during the last trimester of pregnancy (the last 21 days), which is not that far off.

Try to keep your house flea-free. Use a high quality flea preventative on all of the non pregnant cats in the house. If I were in your situation, I would also apply the same sort of medicine to the pregnant cat. However, you must accept the very remote risk that flea preventatives could cause harm to the kittens.

Likewise, I would treat the pregnant cat for tapeworms. This may (but almost certainly won’t) lead to problems in the kittens. Tapeworms are only mildly pathogenic. But they are pathogenic.

I believe that the benefits of flea and tapeworm treatment outweigh the risks in your situation. But it is not an open-and-shut case.

• How can I Know if my Pet has Parasites?
• Why do Puppies and Kittens Produce so Much Waste?
• Do Tapeworms Cause Itchy Rears?
• Can Littermates Have Different Fathers?
• Why do Cats Develop Sores Near Their Ears?

What is the best way to treat car sickness for dogs? We’re planning a cross country trip with our newly adopted Border Collie. He is not car saavy, and we’re trying to get him used to riding.

Karla
Los Angeles, CA

Carsickness is quite common in puppies, cats, and kittens. Some adult dogs also suffer from the syndrome.

In my experience, carsickness has two root causes. One is anxiety. Puppies who are not yet habituated to car travel often throw up or have diarrhea (or, best of all worlds, both) when they travel in vehicles. Cats and kittens are naturally agoraphobic and often become nervous whenever they are away from home.

True motion sickness also contributes to carsickness in pets.

It sounds like you are already working on my number one recommendation: get your pet used to the car. One patient of mine would throw up as soon as the car was started. His owners beat the problem by keeping him in the car for thirty minutes each day (naturally, they used common sense–the car was not parked in the sun!) without starting the engine. They gradually worked through starting (and immediately stopping) the engine, to backing out of the driveway and stopping, to going around the block, to going to the park, to driving across the country.

Pets that suffer from refractory carsickness may benefit from medications to prevent the syndrome. Cerenia is an anti-nausea medicine that is labeled for preventing carsickness in dogs. Diazepam (Valium) and dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) also may be effective in some individuals. Medicines should be used only under the direction of a veterinarian. They also should be used only as a last resort, after habituation has failed.

For more information on carsickness, go to my website:

http://drbarchas.com/carsickness

Photo: Buster’s only complaint is that he never gets to drive.

• Sign in Yard May be a Considerate Warning, or a Clever Ruse
• Two Product Reviews in Two Days–This One’s for the Together Tag
• Can Pets Become Addicted to TV?
• Why do Puppies and Kittens Produce so Much Waste?
• New Developments in Artificial Hearts May Soon Benefit People, Cats and Dogs