Vet Blog
11/01/09
 Hello, Dr. Barchas!
I wrote to you about a year ago about my kitty that was born with an overbite and asked how common were there etc etc…well, since then she has gotten a bit worse unfortunately. The vet said a tumor has infected her poor deformed jaw and could slowly suffocate her to death because it’s pressing on her throat and eye. We are currently treating her with cortisone and Antirobe, which we see a small change but these medicines never seem to last long enough because abscesses keep coming back. My question is there any hope of this turning a tumor around? Does this seem like the only thing that could be done or used to treat this infection/tumor in the bone? Is there body that could help us on the cost of further treatments? She’s only 2 years old and too beautiful to let go…I would appreciate any help or advice.
Thank you!
shannon
Middletown, Ohio
Overbites are very common in cats. Usually they are harmless. Cats are lucky to be less superficial than humans–cosmetic trivialities like overbites don’t lead to social ostracism or low self esteem.
Severe overbites can be more than a cosmetic problem. In some cases the teeth of the lower jaw can grow into the tissue of the upper jaw. This can lead to painful infections or areas of chronic inflammation (irritation).
The areas of chronic inflammation can look just like tumors. True tumors are extremely rare in the mouths of two-year-old cats.
I therefore wonder whether your cat actually has a tumor. It sounds more likely that a wayward tooth is causing chronic inflammation that looks like a tumor. I suspect that dental work (specifically, extraction of teeth that are growing improperly) might remove the source of inflammation and solve the problem permanently.
I agree that it is too soon to give up on your cat. Some local SPCAs have veterinary hospitals that offer discounted services to needy individuals. If such a facility is available in your area perhaps your cat can benefit from a procedure that will allow her to live a normal life.
Photo: no sign of an overbite on Ben.
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10/30/09
 Dr. Barchas,
One of my Pit Bull rescues has patchy bald spots on his face. The vet has tested several spots on two separate occasions and consistently show negative for mange. Any ideas what else could be causing this?
Thank you!
Paoline
Atlanta, GA
You don’t mention how old your dog is. If he is less than two years old, I am guessing that puppy mange is causing the bald spots.
Yes, I know, your dog twice tested negative for mange. But the test for puppy mange (which is caused by a mite called Demodex) occasionally yields false negatives. The test involves scraping the skin with a scalpel blade. This process harvests skin (and any parasites contained within the skin) from the affected area. The harvested sample is scanned under a microscope. If Demodex organisms are seen, the diagnosis is clear. If none are seen, then one of two things could be going on: either puppy mange isn’t causing the spots, or no Demodex organisms happened to be present in the area that was scraped.
Puppy mange most commonly causes patchy baldness without skin irritation (the spots generally aren’t red or itchy). The spots most commonly occur on the face. In my experience Pit Bulls are extremely susceptible to the syndrome.
If your dog’s spots aren’t bothering him and they aren’t coalescing to take over his face, I recommend that you try to wait it out. Almost every dog outgrows the problem by two years of age.
For more information on the syndrome, go to my website:
http://drbarchas.com/demodex
Photo: no sign of puppy mange on Tank.
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10/19/09
 I have a year old chihuahua and for some reason her feet smell…I have washed them on and off which helps for a bit but it keep’s happening. Any idea whats going on with my baby’s feet?
Joann
Ridge, NY
Do your dog’s feet by any chance smell like corn chips? I am guessing that you are experiencing the infamous syndrome that Dogster folks refer to as Frito feet (click the link to see what I have written on the subject before).
Dogs’ feet have areas of reduced air circulation. The spaces between the toes on the top of the feet and between the pads on the bottom of the feet are most prone to this. The reduced air circulation in these areas allows more moisture to build up in these spots than elsewhere on the body.
Bacteria and yeast grow in slightly greater numbers in these humid areas. The bacteria and especially the yeast give off a slight odor that causes the characteristic smell of Frito feet.
The overwhelming majority of dogs with Frito feet do not have pathological infections. The syndrome is harmless. Eliminating the odor is very difficult, but it also isn’t necessary.
If your dog’s foot odor is truly offensive you should have a vet check him out to confirm that the skin is healthy and that something else isn’t going on. But I’m guessing that nothing’s wrong.
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10/16/09
 I have a nine-month-old mix — we got her at a rescue center and they do not know for sure her breed. We were told that she would weigh between 25 and 35 pounds (by our vet). Well at 55 pounds of solid dog I have a question – How many times a day should we feed her and how much? The vet thinks she has the following breeds mixed – Husky, Welch Corgi, Lab and Pit bull. She has short hair and seems to shed about every 4 months.
Nancy
Goodyear, AZ
You illustrate in your question the reason why I never try to guess how big a puppy will be when full grown. This is especially true of non-purebred dogs. Dogs are like people. Some grow early, and others grow late. Either can be normal, and this makes it devilishly hard to guess how big a puppy will be when it is an adult.
The tallest person in a sixth grade class may be among the shortest of the cohort during high school graduation. And the shortest person in the sixth grade could be among the tallest in the twelfth. In general I refrain from speculating on the final size that I expect juveniles of any species to reach.
But your question was about feeding. How much should a dog (or cat, or human) eat? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to that one. Different lifestyles, activity levels, and baseline metabolisms all come into play. The type of food eaten is important, too. Active dogs that eat low calorie food need to eat large amounts in order to survive. Sedentary indoor cats that eat calorically dense diets can get by on close to nothing.
Formulas exist to calculate energy needs for pets. I haven’t used them in years, but I do recall that they involve body mass to the 3/4 power. I also recall, vividly, that the formulas are useless. They make great theory, but real life is more complicated–and at the same time more simple.
I recommend that you feed your pet the amount of food necessary to grow, thrive, and maintain a healthy body weight. That may sound obvious, but it is true. The only method that truly works in my experience is trial and error. If your pet is overweight, feed him less. If your pet is underweight, growing or training for the Iditarod, feed him more. Tinker until you get it right.
Two meals daily is the standard for dogs in the United States, but this rule isn’t set in stone. Some animals, most notably small breed puppies, should be fed more often (young Yorkshire Terrier and Chihuahua puppies should be fed at least four times each day to prevent low blood sugar). I have some patients that eat three square meals every day. Others eat only one (although I generally don’t recommend one meal each day due to an anthropomorphic opposition to going 23 1/2 hours without food).
For most pets the number of meals fed doesn’t matter anywhere near as much as the total amount of food offered. Your dog, as you mention, is “solid”. To me it sounds like you’re doing things right.
Photo: Pogo’s weight looks fine.
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10/14/09
 Cat lovers take note: this entry does not just cover dogs!
My 3-year-old Rottie/Shepherd mix seems to be very touch sensitive. He quivers when he’s touched on his flanks and back. It seems to be in surprise rather than pain, as if he’s not expecting to be touched, though he doesn’t react similarly to touch elsewhere and he doesn’t object to it – it just seems to surprise him. He doesn’t whine or otherwise vocalize. He sees his vet regularly and is in good health.
Margaret
South Austin, TX
Trembling and quivering are very common in pets. Almost anything that can make a human tremble or quiver can make a pet do so as well. There are some exceptions. For instance, I have yet to see a dog or cat tremble upon hearing his favorite piece of music.
Certain medical conditions and metabolic irregularities can lead to trembling, quivering, or increased sensitivity to touch. But based upon your description I doubt that your dog has a medical problem.
Every person has experienced a chill go down the spine when his or her skin was touched in just the right way. That is what I suspect is happening in your dog.
The most sensitive area on many pets is along the back, especially near the tail. This area appears to have highly sensitized nerve endings. Many cats especially are prone to twitching their skin when this area is stroked. Some cats are so sensitive in this area that they engage in compulsive grooming behavior when scratched near the base of the tail.
Flea allergies sometimes exacerbate the sensitivity of the skin and may cause increased twitching when pets are handled. But I am guessing that fleas aren’t playing a role in your dog’s behavior. As long as your dog doesn’t seem distressed when you pet him, I see nothing to worry about.
Photo: there are no reports of excessive skin sensitivity in Sophie.
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10/06/09
 On vacation our little Min Pin(7 lbs) was bitten by a bee/wasp/yellow jacket on the hind leg. Of course she cried and limped and refused to let us put ice on it. I was able to dab a bit of witch hazel on the bite. About 2 hours later her muzzle began to swell. We watched for signs of breathing problems and she seemed Okay. I am unsure if the sting caused the swelling or the witch hazel that she promptly licked off. The site of the bite did not swell. It just looked red.
Since we were camping and it was a weekend with no vet care close by we watched her closely all nite. By morning the swelling had gone down considerbly. After reading many blogs about how serious this could have been I am now frightened to take her anywhere outside. What should we do to be prepared if another incident occurs?
Carol
Sewickley,PA
Arthropod (that is to say, bug) bites and stings are very common in pets. In warm climates they can occur at any time of the year.
Dogs most frequently are stung on the mouth or muzzle as they try to catch an insect in flight. Cats most often are stung on the front feet when they pounce on or bat at a bee, wasp, spider, or other arthropod (bug).
Most stinging arthropods (such as bees, wasps, yellow jackets, and fire ants) inject a toxin that is painful and locally irritating. Some animals will develop a body-wide, or systemic reaction to the toxin. This is the equivalent to a human suffering from an allergic reaction to a bee sting.
Animals that suffer systemic reaction to arthropod stings or bites may develop hives, itching, red skin, vomiting, diarrhea, or swelling of the face. These symptoms can progress to shock, which can be fatal. Also, animals that develop facial swelling also may develop swelling in the throat, which can compromise breathing.
Witch Hazel can cause allergic reactions as well. However, based upon your story I suspect that your dog’s facial swelling was caused by the bee sting.
If your pet is stung by a bee or other arthropod, stay calm. If a stinger is in place and your pet will tolerate you handling the area, use a fingernail to scrape out the stinger gently. Do not squeeze the stinger or use tweezers, since this may cause additional poison to be injected through the stinger.
Diphenhydramine, also known as Benadryl, is readily available over the counter at drug stores. I pack this medicine any time my pal Buster and I go to the wilderness. Diphenhydramine is available in a children’s suspension that allows accurate dosing in small dogs. A dose of 0.5 to 1.0 mg per pound of body weight will prevent shock and reduce the likelihood of facial swelling, hives, and other systemic reactions in many cats and dogs after an arthropod bite or sting. Never use a combination product that contains pain killers, anti-inflammatory drugs, or decongestants in a pet.
Remember that this sort of home remedy is no substitute for veterinary care. Some animals will suffer side effects from diphenhydramine. For many animals, diphenhydramine alone will not be enough to halt a systemic reaction to an arthropod bite or sting. But if you are in the middle of the wilderness and getting to a vet isn’t an option, diphenhydramine can make a big difference.
Finally, remember that some types of bites and stings are more serious than others. If your pet is bitten by a black widow spider or brown recluse spider, for instance, simple remedies such as diphenhydramine will not suffice to address the situation.
Photo: Mlouis.
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10/01/09
 Dear Dr Barchas,
At what age does a kitten’s eye color change from its babyhood deep blue? I’ve never been sure of my cat’s age exact age, and suspect she was weaned too early, like, at four weeks. To this day four years later she is still attached to one particular sweater of mine, she kneads and suckles, her pupils dilated til she looks all soft eyed.
Ana
Denver, CO
Kittens’ eyes generally change color between two and three months of age. However, in this matter like all aspects of maturing there are individual variations. Some kittens mature earlier than others. And some kittens keep their blue eyes into adulthood (think Siamese).
Experts in animal behavior generally believe that kneading and suckling are adult manifestations of juvenile behaviors. The theory is that kneading and suckling are like a feline version of thumb sucking. The behaviors generally are harmless. I have no explanation for why your cat prefers one sweater over other objects. I have yet to see any compelling evidence that links adult suckling behavior to early weaning.
Experts in animal behavior also generally believe that living among humans is an adult manifestation of juvenile behavior in cats. If this is true (and I recognize that some people may not accept it), then kneading and suckling simply are points further along the same scale of behavior that allows cats to be our companions.
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10/01/09
 Hi Dr. Barchas,
Do you have any experience with cats who have been exposed to methamphetamine vapors? We lost our 4 year old cat to lymphoma and I am feeling like the worst cat parent ever…it’s no longer an issue, and we are having our 10 year old Maine Coon thoroughly checked out, and have been totally honest with our vet. Bottom line: is this my fault? and what kinds of long term symptoms might we watch for in our Maine Coon?
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.
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09/26/09
 Pet food discussions seem uniquely capable of getting readers of this blog excited. Let’s shake things up.
Recently a reader brought up a question in the discussion of corn as a pet food ingredient. The reader was curious about the allergenic effects of corn. Is corn likely to cause allergic reactions in dogs and cats?
Cats and dogs with food allergies most commonly suffer from skin and ear problems. Gastrointestinal upset also is possible.
Numerous studies have been performed to assess the most highly allergenic food ingredients. A paper published in the September, 2002 issue of Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery attempted to tabulate the results of 22 different studies into a cohesive set of data. This “study of studies” has the advantage of large sample sizes that are likely to be statistically significant. It has the disadvantage of being authored by Philip Roudebush of the Hill’s Science and Technology Center. Although I can’t see any evidence of data twisting in the paper, readers should be aware that the data were tabulated by a person employed by a pet food manufacturer. Consume as many grains of salt as you desire while reading the results.
The leading food allergens in dogs as determined by the study of studies are listed below. Numbers in parentheses indicate percent of food allergy cases caused by each ingredient. They do not indicate the likelihood that a pet will suffer an allergic reaction after consuming the ingredient.
Beef (34%)
Dairy (20%)
Chicken (20%)
Wheat (16%)
Egg (7%)
Lamb (5%)
Soy (5%)
Corn (3%)
Pork (2%)
Rice (2%)
Fish (1%)
In cats, the following allergens were found to be most problematic.
Beef (29%)
Dairy (29%)
Fish (23%)
Lamb (7%)
Chicken (7%)
Wheat (5%)
Corn (5%)
Egg (4%)
A different study of studies was published in April, 2006 in the online journal Critical Reviews in food Science and Nutrition. The authors were Belgian, and in a quick review of the matter I could not find evidence of links to pet food companies. Here are their conclusions.
The leading allergens in dogs as determined by the authors are beef (36%), dairy (28%), wheat (15%), egg (10%), “diverse” (includes corn, rice, “biscuit”, chocolate [They're feeding chocolate to dogs in Belgium?! Don't they know it's potentially toxic? And isn't Belgian chocolate too good to give to dogs?], and gluten) (10%), chicken (9.6%), “canned foods” (8.6%), soy (6%), “dry foods” (6%), pork (4%), rabbit (1%) and fish (1%).
The authors concluded that the leading allergens in cats are “commercial foods” (ingredient causing allergies undetermined) (25%), beef (20%), dairy (15%), fish (13%) “diverse” (includes penicillin, “brand’s essence”, gluten, and viscera) (11%), lamb (7%), poultry (5%), barley and wheat (5%), additives (2%), rabbit (1%) and egg (1%).
Percentages in both studies may not add to 100 due to rounding.
Readers are invited to post links to additional studies in the comments section.
Photo: may cause allergic reactions in dogs. That leaves more for me!
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09/25/09
 A reader responded to one of my recent tirades (here and here) against outdoor cats with a very reasonable question. Why, she asked, is it OK for dogs to go outside but not OK for cats?
My pal Buster, a dog, goes outside every day. But I would never dream of allowing a cat to go outside.
When Buster goes outside he is accompanied by a human. For his safety he is kept on a leash whenever he is not playing fetch in a secure area.
I would never, ever consider opening the front door for Buster to spend the afternoon outside unattended. I doubt he would make it 10 minutes on the streets of San Francisco without suffering serious trauma.
But unattended outdoor activity is standard operating procedure for many cats.
If dogs were allowed outside in the way that many cats are, veterinary emergency hospitals would be as common as gas stations or convenience stores. Canine life expectancy would drop 80%.
I know many cats who are allowed outdoors only on leash (cat harnesses and leashes are readily available at pet stores). None of these cats is likely to get into fights or be hit by cars. They are, however, at risk of contracting feline leukemia.
Cats and dogs are not equipped with the wherewithal to thrive outdoors in human society. It is our responsibility to look out for them.
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Hello, Dr. Barchas!
You have questions. 