12 year old Schnauzer with Liver Disease

Q: My 13 year old schnauzer has liver disease. It has been a year watching her fade away. Her weight was 18lbs all her life. She is now 12lbs. Doesn't seem to hear, is confused at times, drinks lots of water, and is starting to have pee accidents. She is on Hills prescription diet and a prescription called selegiline twice per day. I got a second opinion with the only difference that the doctor added same, milk thistle,and cholodin. With the new 3 drugs she got bad diarrhea for 4wks. Went back to regular vet and he stopped all 3 new meds. Her stools started as a canary yellow and now are grey-brownish. She poops 4 to 6 times per day.I,am a senior who loves her dearly along with 2 other dogs. I have anxiety and it pains me to see her like this. The vet suggested possibly to put her down because of my health. I just can't Is she in the final stages, what is going to happen? Could she make Xmas. Please help me what to know what to expect. Carol

A: Carol, One of the greatest responsibilities we have as responsible, loving owners is knowing when it is time to say goodbye. Quality of life is a very subjective assessment and everyone defines it differently. There is a good survey put together by a leading veterinary oncologist:

http://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-practice-news-columns/bond-beyond/quality-of-life-scale.aspx

that might be useful in making the best decision for her. There is really no way to know how long she will continue to be with you. End stage liver disease is very hard on the body and I do think that you want to let her go before she starts suffering that much.-- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Chihuahua Going in Circles

Q: Well I have a 4 year old chihuaua and for some reason he won't stop going in circles and crying unless I'm right there petting him his eyes are always buggy but today they seem a little more out there. I thought it was the wind but we have 2 more chi and a yorkie they seem fine.

A: Is it ALL the time or just on occasion. If it is all the time I would be concerned about a condition similar to vertigo in which the brain cannot properly assess body position and that leads to the constant turning in on direction. Severe inner ear infection and brain problems can lead to this.

If it is on occasion I would suspect either mild seizures OR possibly severe sterotypy or OCD.

I would definitely take him in for a good evaluation and discussion of potential causes.-- Rachel Peeples, DVM

How to Handle a Bubble Over a Surgical Incision

Q: Hi, I have a 5 year old Chihuahua named Manny. About a year ago, he had to have emergency surgery because the vet found stones in his bladder. (actually missed these on the xrays the first 2 times and it got worse over time till they finally found it) Well, to make a long story short, they cut him open, they took them out and now a year later, he has what appears to be a bubble or growth right where his incision was. I don't know if it is a stitch that turned inward and got infected.

I don't know what to do? Is it dangerous if we let it go? Or should I get it checked out? Probably dumb questions. But I am at a loss. The bubble is squishy and not hard so I don't think its anything like a tumor. But wanted to some insight on if this is common and what they could do without it costing me an arm and a leg? Sincerely, A concerned mommy

A: There are many possibilites but yes the most likely though it would be that one of the internal sutures has started to irritate the body and it is reacting to the irritation. If it is not warm or painful and there is no thick discharge then it is likely not infected. Warm compresses and gentle massage of the bubble (encouraging it to open and drain) will help speed up the healing process -- ie the body expelling the suture material. Often it will take three or four bubbles and draining to be done. IF there is any question at all along the way though get him in to see your veterinarian. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Cat Stops Using His Litterbox -- Sometimes

Q: Hi Savannah I need your help on this please.. I have cat whom was using the litterbox every time he needed to and the litterbox is in the bathroom because I have a small apt. And for the past two weeks he would pee on the rugs in the bathroom but thing is he will poop in the box. Yes I change litter but try to stay with the one I like but I had never had this problem with him before. I don't understand why he pees outside the litter box and poops in the litterbox?

Any advice I am tired of cleaning it up and washing everything. And I do want to add is that it is a covered litterbox but he never seemed to mind it until recently. Thanks and looking forward to your advice so I can fix this. -- Pam B.

A: Oftentimes urinating outside the litterbox is an indication of an urinary tract infection. I would definitely recommend taking a urine sample in for tests to determine if there is infection or inflammation present.

If there is no medical reason, then try adding a litterbox that is larger than the present one and has a different type of litter in in. Sometimes cats will develop a problem with litterboxes they have used with no problem for years. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Bichon Spits Up Bile-Colored Fluid Some Mornings

Q: Hi, I have a Bichon puppy dog aged 7 months and every so often he seems to retch and bring up a yellow looking bile. Only does this in the mornings. Maybe once a month or so. He does not be eating grass.I would appreciate if you could help me. Thanks a lot -- Geraldine

A: Many dogs will periodically in the mornings, especially if they are fed in the late afternoon/early evening and, therefore, have empty tummies for 12+ hours. The empty tummy has a build up of acid and it gets irritated. The first thing I recommend trying is adding on a small meal or large snack right before bedtime -- this puts something in the stomach overnight to help reduce the acid buildup. If that does not help talk with your veterinarian about acid reducing medications. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Lab Develops Lump on Side of His Penis

Q: I am worried about my 9-year-old yellow Lab who is a male. He acts fine and is eating well, but I just noticed a large lump on one side of his penis opening, and nothing on the other. And, of course, it's a Saturday and so I can't call my vet. Thanks! --Edie

A: Edie -- if it is still a concern (sorry for the delay in response I have been offline for a couple weeks) I would definitely recommend having it examined. Just like humans, as dogs get older lumps develop and cancer has to be a concern. Most often it is something benign but it is better to determine the nature of the lump so that if it needs to be addressed it can be. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Chihuahua Has Swollen Nose and Ear Spots

Q: My Chihuahua has a swollen nose and ear spots. Any clues?

A: There are many possibilities, depending on what you mean by ear spots. If it is red spots then in conjunction with the swollen noes some sort of allergic reaction would be my most likely thought.-- Rachel Peeples, DVM

ShiTzu Puts His Toys in a Circle

Q: Hi Savannah this might sound a little crazy but my folks who are perfectly normal got a dog (ShiTzu) and when they got him he was a mess and he was totally neglected. Now he is a beautiful dog with a awesome personality.

Thing is when they first got him, and to this day he still does this -- if he is left in the room by himself for a bit he takes all his toys and lines them up in a circle. All the time. My folks have taken pics of it too show everyone what he does. But the thing is he thinks he is Alien. Because of the way the toys are put. Now remember I told you my folks are perfectly normal NO mental problems of any kind.

But would there be a reason for their dog to do this? I have seen it myself and it is crazy. He is such a cute dog. It is a little over a year now.

What would that mean behavior wise? He not mean and has never hurt anyone and he doesn't even bark or growl unless he hears something outside. He does tricks etc... And it could be one of his tricks by doing what he does with his toys.

He even moves his bed from one end of the laundry room to the door that faces the kitchen so he can see what is going on. He is so adorable.

Can you please answer this crazy question so I can let my folks know what you think. Thankyou. -- P.B.

A: The question at hand is - why does he put his toys in a circle -- yes? Without knowing his full history there is no way to tell you for sure but I suspect it was something that he developed out of boredom or neglect or possibly if there were other dogs in his previous home to keep watch on "his" belongings so the other dogs would not get them. Much the way that early childhood behaviors become habits for us, so too with dogs oftentimes behaviors continue on when there is no longer the stimulus or reason for it. It does not sounds like it is harming him or anyone -- I wish my dogs were that neat with their toys :)!! I would definitely chalk it up to a past learned behavior that has just stuck with him. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Yorkie with Slipped Disc Does Not Respond to Treatment

Q: Let me try an explain, maybe you have some answers. I am sure looking. On Tuesday he (Casey my 7 lb Yorkie) jumped off a bed that was a little higher than our own. As the day progressed he started shaking and only walking, on three legs. He has had back problems before, but this time it seemed worse.

I took him into the vet on Wednesday and they gave him a steroid and antibiotic shot. Saying he might have neurological damage. Meaning he was having problems with his back. I took him home and spent the day and night with him on the couch. He was still shaking and breathing shallow. The vet wanted to see him on Thursday, so I brought him in. He gave him another steroid shot, but this time intravenous. I again took him home and stayed very quiet. Carried him when I moved to anther room. Slept on the couch with him so he would not jump off. He had a restless night after 3:00am. Could not get comfortable.

That morning he started throwing up, violently, each time worse than the last. I had to hold him, it was so bad. Also a little diarrhea. I wrapped him in a towel and we went back to the vet. While waiting to see the vet, Casey started to throw up again, and I went to put him on the floor and he was limp before I got him there. I started yelling and I lost it. I don't know what they did in the back, but about 30 minutes later he brought Casey in all wrapped up. He just was not himself, but I said my good byes.

The doctor said he worked on him all afternoon, blood tests and Xrays, all normal expect he had a slipped disc. He felt he was too weak for surgery. I agreed. The vet said he was in a lot of pain. Casey might have been in pain, but usually he yelped loudly. This time it was shaking, not yelping.

The vet asked me many questions, one being what did he eat that was not good. I was with him constantly and he ate nothing. He would not go outside even. He said there was nothing else he could do for Casey and he was not in good shape. It was time to put him down. Casey was miserable, I had seen that for 3 days and each day was worse. So I agreed. And I knew he had stopped breathing here at home at least once. But I shook him and he came back.

I really do believe he gave Casey too much steroids, my gosh the little guy only weighed 7 pounds soaking wet! I may never know, but do feel that something went terribly wrong. And I lost my best friend.

Your opinion or knowledge on this would be helpful. -- Pam

A: I know we need answers when a loved one is taken from us but sadly too often there are none. I really have no way to tell you what might have happened to poor Casey. I definitely concur that the original signs strongly suggest a partial to full disc herniation. Steroids is the medication of choice for disc herniations. I have no way to comment on the appropriate dosing since I have no idea what dose was used.

Usually overdose on steroids will lead to ulcerations and liver damage but that is usually a slow and gradual process. The sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea is definitely suggestive of some other problem developing but who is to know what that is. Was it related to the disc problem and a disruption of nerves to the stomach/intestines? Was it an infection that got worse with the stress of the back problem? There are just too many possibilities and not enough facts to make any kind of determination.

Sadly things take our loved ones from us and we struggle to make it make sense. And most often there is no reason and no sense to what happened. I am truly sorry and I wish I could give you the closure that you need. All you can know is that you loved him, you did everything for him that you could, and in the end you did the most loving and caring thing an owner can do - unselfishly say goodbye. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Great Dane Loves to Chew Plastic

Q: My 9 month old Great Dane mix constantly chews on and eats anything plastic! Anything! Plastic knifes and forks, containers, cases... he chews them thoroughly and usually eats most of them. This has been going on since I got him three months ago. He's never gotten sick! But it is very strange, and very annoying. What could cause it and is there any way I can stop this?

A: Chewing is a very normal dog behavior especially when they are getting their adult eeth in. It sounds as if he simply likes the texture of the plastic for chewing and therefore has developed a preference for it. It has not caused a problem thus far but that does not mean it won't. I would recommend being vigilant about keeping plastic out of his reach and giving him more appropriate things to chew on like bones and dog chews. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Cat Has BMs Outside the Box

Q: My cat has started having her BMs outside her liter box. She urinates in the box. Why?

A:If the feces is normal then the most likely thought would be that she has developed some sort of problem with the litterbox. Kitties will go years fine with a particular litter and a particular box and then one day decide it is not good enough. I would recommend getting another box -- much larger and deeper and use a different litter- something dirt like that it is easy to bury the feces in.

If that does not help then consult a behaviorist -- there are some marking and anxiety behaviors that will result in this behavior but most often it is a litter box issue. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Beagle Seems to Have Recurrent Infection

Hi, I recently just found your website and have found it to be very helpful. I have a six year old female beagle that has been sick for about three months now. It started with what we thought was ear mites, but turned out to be an ear infection that had spread to the rest of her body. She also had pneumonia and a staph infection.

We took her to the vet who treated her and the ear infection got better and the staph infection seems to be gone, but she is still not herself. She is very lethargic and has lost a considerable amount of weight. She also keeps getting these sores mostly on her ears and chin area that look like hotspots but I think they may be the staph infection coming back. She is housed with another beagle who shows no signs of sickness. What could be wrong with our sweet Jessie? I hate to see her suffer and want to get her better or end her suffering if nothing can be done. Thanks for your advice. -- Sharron T.

A: What testing has been done? It definitely sounds as if the infection has lodged in another part of the body or has damaged some part of the body or maybe there is an underlying problem that led to the infection to begin with. If it has not been done recently I would recommend general bloodwork including a thyroid level and go from there based on the results. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

English Bulldog Q: My year-old English Bulldog started coughing yesterday, would gag and spit out a good amount of white phlegm. He seemed ok otherwise, ate and drank well, and played and followed me around in the house and outside as usual. Most of the day today he did the same except that his coughing was less, he still gagged and spit up a little phlegm and seemed to better than yesterday. I thought he was getting better, but this evening he won't eat, but did drink quite a bit, has just sat around looking sad and is sleeping now making a rattling sound when he breaths. His breathing is fairly fast. I know that I should get him to a vet because he seems truly sick tonight. Do you think it is ok to wait until the morning to see my vet?

A: I am sure that you have already addressed this problem ( my apologies I was out of town) but for future reference -- one quick check to see how severely the lungs are affected is to check the gums. They should be nice and pink - if they are bright red, blue, purple, white, or grey in color then time to rush in to see someone. If the gums are nice and pink and he is able to get up to move around then it is PROBABLY okay to wait a few hours to have him examined. If there is any doubt at all - err on the side of caution and get him in to see someone. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Puppy with Runny Nose and Vaginal Pus

My puppy has a runny nose and vaginal pus and she had a fever. What would cause those symptoms?

A: There are quite a few viruses and secondary bacterial infections that can affect those two areas. With a fever that indicates that the infection is affecting the entire body and not just those areas. I think the best option is a trip to your veterinarian so the best medications can be determined and started. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

5 Year Old Female Cat has Issues

Q: Hi, I have a 5 year old female cat who's having some issues. I actually have three cats, but I am 99% sure I have narrowed it down to the 5 year old. I started noticing small amounts of clear liquid mixed with blood around the house. More commonly near the litterbox. Just yesterday I noticed two bigger piles, and this time there seemed to be diahrea in it. It's been going on for maybe a year now, she doesn't seem to be in any pain or discomfort. Just wondering if it's necessary to take her to the vet. Thanks!

A: It is very hard sometimes to differentiate behavioral vs medical causes of inappropriate urination/defecation. I would recommend taking a fresh urine sample and a fresh fecal sample in for your vet to check for infections/parasites. If all is clear then discuss with your veterinarian some behavioral causes and modification techniques for those behaviors -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Our Stray Dog

Q: Our stray dog has been very sick. His systems are coughing and lost a lot of weight - he's lost so much weight that he can't is skin and bones almost. He's very weak. We have tried to get him into a kennel to take him in but he is fighting and biting so we quite. Is there something we can buy to help his systems?? Carm

A: Unfortunately there are so many potential things that could be wrong ranging from heartworm disease to intestinal parasites to infectious disease to internal organ problems it is impossible to say what might help him and what will hurt him. Have you contacted a local shelter or rescue to see if they have a live trap that you can use? Good nutrition and vitamins like C, B, and E will help overall health. Depending on what is going on these may help a lot, a little, or not at all! -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Dachshund - Pregnant

Q: My moms Yorkshire terrier decided to have a fling with our 5 year old mini dachshund. She is getting ready to whelp and I just wanted to know if dachshunds are more susceptible to whelping problems and what I should be looking for. I have attached a picture so that you can see her. I am sorry that it is not better. Thank you for taking the time to answer everyone's questions, it means a lot to us to have someone that is knowledgeable help us with our pet problems.

A: Cute names. As to birthing problems - nothing routine with Dachshunds. They tend to be fairly "wide" for their size so the birthing canal is large in proportion to their overall body. Furthermore they have small, narrow heads which are less likely to get "hung" in the birth canal (compared to say a Bulldog's or a Shih Tzu's). All small dogs are prone to fatigue and low calcium during whelping (sugar water/Nutrical and oral calcium can help offset this) and low calcium while the pups are nursing.

Good luck and definitely talk with your veterinarian about danger signs during whelping and who to call if she needs an emergency C-section.-- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Infection Dooms Puppy with Possible "Swimmers" Condition

Q: I recently bought a Shitzhu puppy from a woman here in Maryland, she told me that he had a deformity called "swimmers" and that he would grow out of it. The day after we bought him had gotten progressively worse and upon taking him to the vet I was advised that I should put the puppy down, that it's hind quarters were paralyzed and that he had a fever of 105.7 and he was believed to have meningitis (my puppy was in a comatose state when I took him to the vet).

After I was at the vets office I spoke to the woman I bought him from and she said my puppy had never actually been to a vet, she administered his shots herself. Is it possible she misdiagnosed him? I have looked at so many sites and I keep seeing different information. Some say "swimmers" is a condition that affects the development of the diaphragm and spine, others say it affects the muscles in the legs. Which is it? I know this won't bring him back but I want to pass this information along. Thank you. -- Kristine A.

A: Kristine -- "Swimmers" is a condition caused by an excessively large puppy especially on a slick surface. The weight of the pup and its inability to get traction on the slick surface and raise its body up results in flattening of the chest which affects spinal development, lung development, heart development, diaphragm development, etc and oftentimes deformity in the legs as well (splayed/bow-legged).

There are many manifestations of this -- some mild, some severe -- and different body parts can be affected differently in each individual situation. Swimmer pups are often immunocompromised as well resulting in increased susceptibility to infection.

It is very possible this pup WAS a swimmers pup that contracted the infection. It is also possible that it was a genetic/congenital abnormality and again the infection was secondary. Or it could have all been related to the infection. Unfortunately there is no real way to know for sure. I suspect if the physical deformity had been present for a while (since 1-2 weeks of age or longer) that the infection was secondary because as you unfortunately found out infections tend to progress rapidly especially at this age.

I am so sorry you, and even more so this poor puppy, had to go through this. I know it is heartbreaking but do take some consolation in the fact that you did the loving, humane thing for this puppy and ended its suffering. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Lab Favors Back Leg and Starts Shaking

Q: My 5 year old chocolate lab started favoring his back leg and crying. I looked over each of his toes and his leg and there doesn't seem to be any cuts or anything hurting him specifically when I feel down his leg and toes. Then he started shaking through his enitire body to his head, a lot like what a person does when they have the flu, even his jaw shutters. His nose has also become quite runny. He has become lethargic and sad.

Nothing has changed in our environment. Weather, food, yard, water, etc... are all the same and my other chocolate lab is healthy and doesn't show any signs of illness.

A: He definitely needs to go see your veterinarian - many very serious illnesses including the tickborne diseases like Lyme and Ehrlichia can present like this. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Larger Beagle Mix Breeds with Min Pin -- any Problems

Q: My male beagle mix bred with my pure bred female min pin. i have two questions. One is I am affraid the pups may be to big for her to deliver. She weighs only 14 pounds and he approx. 25 pounds. Also,they bred 3 times that I am aware of but she is still bleeding. Is this a sign she may not be pregnant and I can prevent a pregnancy by seperating them or is it to late?

A: The female dog will complete her heat cycle regardless of whether or not she gets pregnant so the continued discharge is not indicative either way of whether or not she is pregnant. Further complicating the matter is that the female dog whether or not she is pregnant has EXACTLY the same hormonal changes after she has been in heat so determining pregnancy can be challenging. At this stage if they have already bred then the potential for pregnancy is there. Not allowing any more breedings will make pregnancy less likely then if they breed multiple times but she most certainly can get pregnant from that one breeding. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Hot Weather Brings on Panting and Vaginal Leaks

Q: My dog is a Husky Shepherd, and when its very hot outside she breaths heavy and leaks by the vagina, it doesn't look like urine. My husband was wondering if it's an infection of some kind. This only happens when she's breathing heavy (panting) and she's hot. Can you tell me what this is. I'm concerned. thank you

A: The vaginal tract does produce secretions to lubricate and protect its tissue from irritants/infecting agents. It may be that when she pants the increased pressure on the abdomen expels some of that tissue. But there could also very well be an infection especially if she has not been spayed. I definitely think it warrants a check by your veterinarian. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

What are Good Reasons to Neuter My Shih Tzu

Q: I need some good reasons to give my husband for neutering a 5 month old Shih Tzu pup. We also have a two year old male Shih Tzu who is neutered. My husband feels having the two year old neutered messed up his personality. He feels he has no get-up- and-go and is depressed. He sleeps more than the five month old and can be a little moody when he wakes up.

He thinks the youngest will not mark inside if he's potty-trained and should have no other problems because no female is around. Give me some good reasons other than marking and competing for females that I can tell my husband so that I can convince him that this puppy needs neutering also. I want the puppy to have the best quality of life. Thank you, -- Lyn

Q: From a behavior standpoint intact males are more likely to demonstrate dog aggression (particularly same-sex dog aggression), dominance behavior including dominance related behavior toward humans, inappropriate urination (lifting the leg or not), mounting/"humping" behaviors both on humans/other dogs and on inanimate objects, escaping (to go find females especially if there are ones in heat) and destructive behavior (sexual frustration often is redirected into destructive behaviors).

From a medical standpoint intact males are more prone to prostate enlargement, prostatic infection, and prostatic cysts; testicular cancer; and several of the cancers in and around the anus like perianal gland tumors.

As to affecting behavior - most often neutering occurs around the time that puppyhood is ending and the dog starts maturing into an adult. There is NO proven effect on personality from anesthesia or spay/neuter procedure. The changes seen around the time of routine spay/neuter are linked to growth and mental development. I suspect your older Shih Tzu would have been like that regardless of neutering or not. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Lethargic Chihuahua Puppy

Q: I got a 4 month old chihuahua puppy today. He was very cuddly when we got him. He has had three sets of shots and has been wormed three times. She does nothing but sleep and does't want to eat or drink although I got a little water down and also a little food. All he wants to do is sleep. He seems very depressed and thin. He also has a discharge from his eyes which the breeder said was tears but it looks a little pussy. He also doesn't have much hair. I think he came from a puppy mill. What should I do?

A: My apologies for the significant delay in response. I will trust that you have resolved this problem and he is doing much better now. For future reference -- puppies do sleep a lot, but they should be very active and playful when they are awake. The stress of going to a new home can make them "shut down" for a day or so but they should quickly come out of it. Not eating and drinking at all is always a sign of significant concern especially in a young, small puppy as they can quickly get debilitated and dehydrated rapidly worsening any underlying condition. Hopefully your veterinarian has checked him out and he is on the road to recovery if not already there! -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Beagle / Basset Hound has Accidents

Q: I have a 10 year old Beagle / Basset Hound female. Within the last 2 months, she's begun having 'accidents' in the middle of the night, consisting of diarrhea, with noticeable blood and mucous. I've noticed she is also shedding much more than normal. The accidents have become more regular in the last two weeks. I have a vet appt next week. She appears healthy in every other way. No lack of appetite or thirst. Any advice on what I might be dealing with, would be appreciated.

Thanks so much,
Kristine
Milwaukee, WI

PS: I love Savannah. Planning my third trip for this coming October! :)

A: Glad that you like this area - it is a lovely place to visit especially in the spring and fall.

My apologies for the delay in response - hopefully this will still be relevant.

I would be suspicious of a dietary cause for the sporadic diarrhea and maybe also for the increased shedding. Low thyroid would also be a top consideration as well as it can lead to both of those. I think a general workup including a fecal check and bloodwork WITH a thyroid level would be my recommended starting place. And go based on these findings. If all the test results are normal I would try a bland "intestinal" diet to see if it will minimize the bouts of diarrhea. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

One Year and Four Month Old Kitty

He has always been a quiet kitty and not a large eater. I was preoccupied with a dying cat and suddenly realized that my kitty was sick as well. He had upper respiratory congestion and a runny nose. I hadn't seen him eat for days, and I hadn't seen him use the litter pan for days either.. I started him on Klavamox, 62.5 mg twice daily. He weighs 7.8 lb. after the first 2 doses I brought him to the vet. The temp was slightly elevated (103.7). However, the runny nose had already subsided by the time I got him in. The vet didn't see the runny nose, I had seen it the day prior to the vet visit. the respiratory congestion was still there, and the vet suggested that I switch antibiotic to Baytril (22.7 mg tab) , 1/2 tab daily. I continued with the Klavamox, however, and he had 4.5 days worth. Now today, I switched him over to Baytril.

I just found that he's got blood, red blood, on his rectum. Since I don't see him poop, I can't say that he's got bloody stool. I just don't know.

I'm very frightened about this. I am wondering if this could be from switching antibiotic?

Again, he was never much of an eater, but i haven't seen him eat any food in days. i have started giving him nutracal, 1/4 inch twice a day. i see him drink a lot of water. but sometimes find him sitting hunched over the water bowl and not drinking.

i intend on bringing him in to be seen again, tomorrow, but is there something i can do for him tonight? i'm reluctant to force feed him. i have prednisolone in the house and thought it might help with the bowl inflammation, but i am afraid that it might do more harm than good, since no one knows what's really wrong with him.

A: I am sorry it has taken me several days to get to your question -- I will trust that he has been checked and is doing better! For future reference -- I would avoid prednisone/prednisilone when there is an undetermined infection occuring and/or if you suspect GI ulceration as these medications can make both worse. Force feeding done in small amounts and gently can help boost energy and give strength. You do have to be careful to not cause the kitty to aspirate into the lungs any of the food as this can cause severe problems. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Chihuahua with infrequent urination

My 1 year old female chihuahua has had a schedule of urinating every 4 to 5 hours - on rare occasions she has gone 6 hours. The last two days she has gone at 7:30 in the morning and not again until 4 in the afternoon. She seems to be drinking regularly. Is something wrong with her? Thank You Debby Ward

A: So long as the urine is normal and she has no trouble urination I would not be concerned. It may just be that her bladder has finished developing and she can "hold it longer" or that now that she is through most of her growth her metabolism is slowing down resulting in less waste including urine. If there is any doubt have your vet check her and/or a urine sample but nothing you describe sounds concerning.-- Rachel Peeples, DVM

What is the best amount of dog food to feed a 10 lb dog?

Q: I feed my rat-terriers Science Diet RD (it is the only food they have no problems with and also Thank God,still enjoy eating!) I feed my Capone Boy 1/2 a cup twice a day. I was giving him 3/4 a cup (2xday)but he started gaining weight, so I went down again, but feel that I am not feeding him enough. What is the healthiest and best choice amount? Also he has always been my lover-boy, right on me on the couch, and in bed cuddled in my arms. For the past couple of months though he has started sitting on his own on the love seat, and does not want to cuddle in bed anymore. He whimpers sometimes, and I thought it was his teeth , but we just got them cleaned (and his blood work came back primarily fine, but w/a slightly high calcium read and that he was slightly dehydrated . My vet said not something to be concerned with as an EMERGENCY and that in a few weeks , if I wanted to, we could do another blood work on him. He also gets , right where his ear meets his head, but still on the ear part, a liquid blister. It is not attached to the skin, and its not the same feeling as fatty deposit's he has on his neck,side areas . It is not hard, it does not hurt, and has no scent. He had this on his other ear , same spot, and I popped it. This one is a little bigger, and I squeeze but am scared to hurt him , though as I said, they do not seem painful, he does not cry or try to get away. The first one I popped is now a little stony feeling thing. Are these scary developments? I would have brought them to my vets attention on the teeth cleaning day, but I forgot. Thanks for your time, and God bless you for sharing your doctoring wisdom. Sincerely, 3 Terriers and 2 Cats owned, Susan

A: There is no set amount to feed - just like in the human world every individual has different metabolic levels and different energy demands. Feeding to effect - ie maintaining a proper body condition is the correct thing to do. If you feel he is still hungry you can try adding on low calories additions such as frozen vegetables but be careful that does not upset his stomach/intestines.

As to the blisters - it is very hard to say if they are of concern or not. They could be small cysts, small inflammatory nodules, or early growths. I think it may be worth a trip to your vet just to put your mind at ease regarding the nature of those sores. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Maltese Needs to See Vet

I have a 9month old maltese x poodle she had eaten a couple of bread rolls and has been finding it hard to pass a motion. I have been giving her cooked pumpkin every second night which has helped her to pass but when she passes she yelps her anus looks red.What can i do for to make it more comfortable for her

I think it may be worth a trip in to see your veterinarian. She may have impacted/full anal glands or may have partial to full obstruction of her colon. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

What Causes Constipation in a Shih Tzu?

Q: My elderly mother has a 6 year old Shih Tzu who has been constipated for two days w/o having a bowel movement.(Snoopy-dogs name). He is not acting himself, nor has he been eating. Is there something we can do at home for him? Instead of going to the vet? My mom nor I can afford to do that, although if worse came to worse we would have to come up with the money some how because this dog means so much to my mom.Please respond a-s-a-p. Thanks Mary

A: Mary - the first thing I would be concerned about are his anal glands. If you have any groomer friends or vet tech friends they can show you how to check his anal glands and empty them if they are full. This is the most common cause of the symptoms that you are describing. If the anal glands are full, he is not going to get better until they are emptied out. The fiber laxatives such as Metamucil and Benefiber can be used -- a small teaspoon per meal -- to help with constipation. Again tho if the constipation is the secondary problem this alone won't help. And finally there are many other reasons for the symptoms that you describe - if he is not doing better soon I would take him in for a checkup. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

9 Year Old Maltese has Hair Loss

Q: Please help I am terrified that something is extremely wrong with my maltese. She has been slowly losing her hair for several years now and has very little left. You can see more skin than hair and she has practically none on her belly. She shakes a lot, always has, could be nerves or stress and for a few years she moans a lot. Also, I think you should know that I live in the Midwest with very cold winters and warm summers. My home doesn't heat or cool well so I have wondered if she just has a skin disease from the extreme temperatures. In the winter we both practically live underneath an electric blanket. Please let me know if you can help us. Thank you for your kindness and this wonderful and informative website.

A: There are so many potential causes of hair loss it is hard to say what are potential/likely causes in this specific case. Low thyroid is one of the most common reasons, allergies, chronic skin infection, nutritional imbalances, metabolic diseases, etc can all disrupt the hair follicle and hair growth. I think it would definitely be warranted to take her in for some general bloodwork including a thyroid level and go from there based on the bloodwork.-- Rachel Peeples, DVM

How can you tell if a dog is dead?

Q: How can you tell if a dog is dead? Are open eyes and a protruding tongue classic symptoms? I touched the dog's eye and there was no reflex action, does that indicate death? I recently had my dog euthanized, and for some inexplicable reason I've been worrying that she may have still been alive (I saw no signs of breathing). I was not present for the euthanization, which I now deeply regret. I'm no longer in possession of the dog, as I had her cremated. Please help, this has been bothering me recently.

A: The most reliable way is the absence of a heartbeat for a few minutes. Deep anesthesia can result in no reflex action but a heartbeat still be present. I know it is hard not to have doubts and worries associated with euthanasia -- even when our heads and most of our heart know it is the right thing to do there is always a little doubt and guilt associated with the decision. Rest assured that your veterinarian made sure that your dog was dead before sending her to be cremated. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Male Chihuahua

Q: Last night my 8lb. male chihuahua and 14 lb. female Jack Russell got into a fight. Shortly afterwards I noticed that everytime that my chihuahua jumped off the couch that he grunted or groan as if pain. This morning upon rising he acts as if he is very stoved up > and is not moving normally. When the Jack Russel, who is very active, bumps into him he wimpers as if in a lot of pain. I have given him half of a low dose safety coated aspirin and I am alternating cold and heat pad to his back. I am not allowing him to jump up or down from the couch, but picking him up and setting up or down. While laying on the couch he seems to be resting fine. I thinking that maybe he has pulled a muscle or something, what do you think?

A: Soft tissue injury/bruising is definitely a possibility. There is always the possibility of a more serious orthopedic injury as well. I would definitely recommend getting him into your veterinarian especially if he is not improving in 5-7 days. I would not wait that long, however, if he seems to show NO improvement or if he worsens. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

My Loving Pekingnese

HI, my name is Joy i am a 6yr old pekingese i was adopted here in > tx by a loving lady whom loves me very much but she got in a bind > at the home where we lived and had to let me stay with her aunt > well i recently came back home with her, she took me to the vet and > had me checked out and updated on all my shots and tags. also got > microchipped. but during the vets exam in my mouth he said he > noticed my jaw was not in place or something of the sort . now my > tongue is not hanging out and i do love to eat i dont seem to have > any problems with my mouth but when my loving owner came to pick me > up the vet stated that he thinks my jaw is fractured or i may have > been born with this, and that he would have to exray my mouth. what > i want to to know is could this be possiable is this something that > happens with my breed or is this sighns of possable abuse please > i want to know . so i can give my owner some sort of relief so she > wont be so upset and depressed about me. please email me with > your responce at jessitayl7@verizon.net > Thank you Unfortunately it can be hard to differentiate trauma from congenital with chronic "lesions" -- there are some signs on the radiographs that can help tell the difference but they are not absolute. So sadly your owner may never know exactly what happened. Pekingnese are not at higher risk of congenital jaw abnormalities but that does not mean it cannot happen. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

17 Year Old Dachshund

I have a 17 year old dachsund. In the last couple of weeks he has started to have a problem with incontinence. He also appears to not want to stand. It looks like he might have injured his lower spine. Could this be a cause for the incontinence? He has never had this problem. He eats well and has no other problems.

A: Injuries (and arthritic changes) in the "lower back" aka the spine in and around the pelvic area can most definitely lead to incontinence both urinary and fecal. There are several good medications that can help relieve some of the irritation/inflammation to the nerves and spine as well as medication to help with the incontinence. I would definitely speak with your veterinarian about an appropriate medical regime to help improve his quality of life.-- Rachel Peeples, DVM

French Bulldog Rubbing Penis

Q: I have searched the internet for info regarding my 1 year old frenchies habit of rubbing his penis to see if it is a common trait in frenchies. I haven't found anything other than some you tube videos showing that it appears somewhat common. I assume because they cannot lick themselves, this is what they do. Now, however, one side of his penis is raw and has scabbed over with pussy scabs. Earlier this year I got Animax ointment from the vet and I put some of that on the scabs but it may have made it worse. Any insight on your part would be appreciated.

A: Rubbing the "belly" and/or the penis is a common practice amongst many dogs -- I have not seen a breed specificity to it. If he is traumatizing himself and creating sores then I would recommend checking with your veterinarian to be sure there is not a medical component to it like allergies or topical irritation. If the sores are not healing then he likely needs some oral medication to augment the topical. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Female Bassett Hound with Vaginal Puss

Q: I have a 7 month old female bassett and I have noticed yellowish green puss coming out of her vaginal, what could this be? She doesn't act like she feels bad, but she does go outside and urinate alot but has since we got her at 4months.

A: IF she has recently been in heat then I would be very concerned about a uterus infection - so get her into your vet ASAP as this can be a very serious and even fatal condition (much like appendicitis in humans). If she has not been in heat in the last 2 months, then most likely it is a mild case of vaginitis. Vaginitis can be JUST inflammation - this commonly occurs in conjuction with irritation/allergies elsewhere such as runny eyes/runny nose/irritated skin/etc. The vaginal tract much like the nose produces a thick mucoid material to trap dirt, debris, irritants, etc. Vaginitis can also be infectious - bacterial, yeast, etc. It is VERY important to discuss with your veterinarian treatment options b/c many times oral medications make the problem worse especially antibiotics. I find that a mild douche is often the best treatment for vaginitis.-- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Male Cat with Matted Fur

Q: Hi, My male cat, Tuxie, has developed very matted fur at the base of his spine where his tail begins and then up along his spine that runs about half way up his backbone. The rest of his fur is fine. It is just the area beginning from his mid back to the beginning of his tail and it is hair running along his spine only. It is thickly matted and has the consistency of a thick piece of felt. The rest of his fur is just fine and he seems to be eating well. I don't know if he has some sort of disease or he is just too lazy to groom himself there.

Thank you for any help you may be able to give me. --Helen

A: Without evidence of any skin problems AND especially if he is overweight then most likely it is just inability to groom that area. Oftentimes the skin will be really flaky as well since normal grooming works to remove the dead skin before they flake. The mats need to be cut out and then I would recommend brushing that area regularly to see if that makes a difference. Of course if there is any indication of raw, irritated, infected, or in any way otherwise abnormal skin definitely get him into your veterinarian for an exam.-- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Shihtzu with Runny Eyes

Q: Hi I have a 1 &1/2 year old adorable male SHITZU named SIMBA. My problem is that his eyes always appear to be running or wet. There also many times is a white mucous like substance right on one of his eyeballs. I clean his face and eyes daily, but it always comes back. A friend of mine has a female Shitzu and has similar problems with her eyes. He recommends human teardrops. Is this safe? Does it help or should I take him to the Vet? Linda from Las Vegas Thank-you in advance I love your website!

A: I am glad that you like the website -- and thank you for the kind comment about it :)!

As to Simba's eyes -- one of the things that we humans created when we took the normal dog skull and flattened it to make all the brachycephalic (flat nosed) breeds was abnormal eye sockets. In the normal dog the eye socket is deep enough for the eye to sit in it and there be a space in the corner of the eye for the tears to collect and drain via the tear duct. In the process of altering the skull, the eye sockets became more shallow and, therefore, the eye sits further forward blocking that space and the tear duct opening. Since the tears cannot drain normally (ie via the tear duct because it is blocked) they have to find some other way to drain and that is why the eyes are constantly "wet" looking. As the fluid in the tears evaporates it leaves a thick white to grey material on the eye and a reddish-brown stain on the fur. Because this is an anatomical problem no medicine is going to make it better. So long as there is no infection (neon yellow or green discharge) it is a normal part of being this breed. Unfortunately all things come with a cost and "tearing"/eye material is the cost of making the face shaped like it is in these breeds.-- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Male Cat has Matted Fur

Q: Hi, My male cat, Tuxie, has developed very matted fur at the base of his spine where his tail begins and then up along his spine that runs about half way up his backbone. The rest of his fur is fine. It is just the area beginning from his mid back to the beginning of his tail and it is hair running along his spine only. It is thickly matted and has the consistency of a thick piece of felt. The rest of his fur is just fine and he seems to be eating well. I don't know if he has some sort of disease or he is just too lazy to groom himself there.

Thank you for any help you may be able to give me. Helen

A: Without evidence of any skin problems AND especially if he is overweight then most likely it is just inability to groom that area. Oftentimes the skin will be really flaky as well since normal grooming works to remove the dead skin before they flake. The mats need to be cut out and then I would recommend brushing that area regularly to see if that makes a difference. Of course if there is any indication of raw, irritated, infected, or in any way otherwise abnormal skin definitely get him into your veterinarian for an exam. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Cat Biting

Q: I hope you can advice me on this so I can let my client know why her cat does this to her.

She has a cat that starts licking her and then bites but not so hard that her skin bleeds or anything. (she has done it too me also) I think it is a form of wanting attention or play. She also will lay on my clients stomach why she is sleeping and start licking my clients lips. And sometimes when she is awake. My client is not sure why her cat bites her even though I gave my thoughts on this so I am asking you since you know about animals. And I will let her know what you think. Thankyou --Pam Borgos

A: This is a very common behavior amongst the feline species in interactions with one another and to a lesser extent in interactions with other species. There are many theories on why it happens ranging from sexual to dominance to "that is how they show affection" to . . . In truth we are not really sure why biting often is a part of the feline's attention seeking behaviors. The licking of the lips/face is a common "allogrooming" behavior - meaning one cat grooming another cat. The face, lips, chin, etc is the hardest part of the body for the cat to clean itself so commonly its 'friends' will help it out by cleaning these areas. This is definitely a social bonding interaction (ie affectionate). -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Westie Spitting Up

Q: Hi, I have a 2 year old Westie with a very weak stomach. We have her on Evo dog food which stays down great.

However, she occasionally will make a "hacking" sound and then sometimes spits up a thickish watery liquid - it really doesn't seem like it is coming from her stomach but just sort of comes out of her mouth on its own.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you --Judy Kilborne

A: I cannot say with absolute certainty but what you describe sounds more respiratory that it does gastrointestinal. This is analogous to the human with sinus drainage that coughs/clears the throat and brings up phlegm. This is a very common behavior in many breeds, amongst 'allergic' dogs, and it can happen in any individual. If it is happening a lot - discuss with your veterinarian some sort of antihistamine therapy to help decrease the respiratory secretions. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Lab Mix Exhibits Mixed Symptoms

Q: Hi. I own a yellow lab mix and about 5 days ago she started acting weird. She isn't playful, she won't eat, her stool is very runny but not bloody, she vomits sometimes, and she drools a lot. She does drink water once in awhile, but she puts her nose in it and blows bubbles then she drinks it. Our vet said it might be Puppy Parvovirus over the phone. But when we looked it up over the computer some of the signs that were on the site didn't show up in my puppy.

But recently we have seen a lot of shaking in through her body. It's really scary and she's been really depressed. She's also about 8 months old. What do you think could be the real problem and do you think we should take her into the vet? Please help my puppy and family before its to late. Thank you so much!-- Kirsten

A: If she is not getting any better and from the sounds of things may be getting worse yes I would get her in to see your vet as soon as you can! There are so many causes of these nonspecific signs (diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, loss of energy) that it is impossible to even hazard a guess without an examination and at least a couple of tests. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Could These Be Symptoms of Distemper?

Q: Hi, I have a question about a puppy I just picked up from our local animal shelter. First I'll give you the time line of events though...

On July 7, I called the pound about a pack of 7 dogs that had been abandoned for over a week. We were told (just AFTER he had loaded all of them into the truck), that they were all just going to be put down. There was a 4 month old puppy in that pack, and she was the only non agressive one, and couldn't see her put down just for existing!

July 8, I went to the shelter to see about adopting her. I was told it would be 30 days before I could.

July 11, I went to check on her, she was doing fine, same with July 14, and 19th

July 21, I got a call from the shelter supervisor who told me she had developed a cough. He allowed me to take her home and get her treated.

July 22, I took her to my vet to see what he thought. She had a 103 degree fever. He couldn't say for sure that it was distemper, but didn't want to rule it out. He gave her two shots of antibiotics and a 10 day supply to come home with.

Since then, Her cough has all but gone away, she has never lost her appetite. (She eats like a horse) No diarea, no vomitting, no discharge from her eyes or nose. Her fever went away that afternoon, and hasn't returned (I check it about 3 times a day)

Now my question is, is it possible that she could actually be recovering? That she may not develop full on distemper? She has a lot of energy just like a normal 4 1/2 month old puppy. I don't want to get my hopes up, but I do want to know. Everything I have read online talks about the first signs being discharge from the nose and eyes, not wanting to eat, vomitting and diarea. She has none of these at all. What do you think? Thank you so much! -- Lee C.

A: Lee there are many reasons for a cough and a fever -- kennel cough being one of the most common. The only way to know if it was distemper is to test for it. Given her lack of other symptoms and quick improvement I would lean more toward a "simple" respiratory infection than distemper. The couple cases of distemper I have seen have been very, very sick dogs and they take weeks to fully recover if they ever do! -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Toy Poodle Lethargic

Q: We left our little 7 month old poodle home on Friday to enjoy the day at the lake. We came home and she greeted us happily and then wandered into the closet and hid. There was a thunder storm erupting, her first of the season, so we figured she was just scared. The next day she threw up some foamy bile and did not eat and acted like she was very sad that we left her. It's 3 days later, she has no temperature, yet she still does not want to eat and now when she drinks water (she has been drinking fine) it seems she "spits" it back out within about 1/2 hour of drinking it. What could be her problem? Is she just depressed or is this more serious? I thought with no temperature it could not be that serious? Thanxs from ---Zera

A: Fever can definitely be an indication of serious illness but many serious conditions happen without a fever. Given the duration of the clinical signs and especially the fact she is not keeping water down I would strongly recommend a trip into your veterinarian. Dehydration can rapidly develop under these circumstances and cause profoundly serious complications.

As to what it might me - anal gland impaction or infection is my first thought but there are many, many possible causes of the clinical signs that you describe. -- Rachel Peeple, DVM

King Charles Spaniel

Q: Dear Dr.,
I have a 7 months old male pup. He is a very fussy eater. He is ok and very playful. I've noticed once in a while when i take him out for a walk, he tends to have excess saliva and suddenly it will stop. I've noticed it twice.

He is an indoor dog i.e. I live in a condo and it rains a lot and he is not fond of the rain. we take him out for walks but not as often or like other dogs that live in houses with yards.

He is fine throughout and only when we take him out and after he sniffs around.

Is this anything serious? Please let me know. Thanks --Rainn

A: If it is mainly happening when he is actively smelling things or even putting them in his mouth it may be a normal psychological response to something that smells yummy OR irritates his nasal passages/mouth. If it is only happening then, I would not be concerned at the moment. Watch closely though that it does not start to happen other times. -- Rachel Peeple, DVM

Airdale Biting Paw

Hello,
Please can you try and help. My Airedale dog, has been licking her paw for a couple weeks now. At first I did not think anything but now she is biting and chewing at the top rear paw, it seems as if she actually bit off the fur and looks like a nail is missing between the other 2 claws AND SWOLLEN PINKISH COLOR. The swelling is about half the size of a golf ball. She is obsessed with chewing at it. What could it be? Will she need surgery or do you think it can be fixed another way? Thank you -- Mary

A: Excessive licking can be hard to treat/stop because while it often starts for medical reason it quickly develops behavioral components similar to OCD in people. The first thing that needs to be done is to physically prevent her from chewing on it - bandage MAY work but Elizabethean (Lampshade looking) collars are often the only solution. The more she chews the more damage and the more risk of infection and other serious complications. Surgical removal sometimes is helpful but often these dogs chew the incision and cause problems OR allow it to heal and then chew another sore.-- Rachel Peeple, DVM

Does Tea Cup Maltese Need Nutracal?

Q: Hi. I have a teacup Maltese who is a little over 4 months old and weighs 1 pound, 12 ounces. I got her a little over 3 weeks ago and since I have had her, she has gained 7 ounces (she came home at l pound 5 ounces). She eats very well, at least 3 times a day, canned dog food, canned chicken thighs and boiled chicken which I make, and mix all together. I always have it available to her in her crate which she goes in and out of (I have her paper trained as she is so small). The pet store I got her from told me to give her Nutracal at least 3 times a day. I was doing this but stopped about a week ago because she eats and drinks so well and I don't want to give her diabetes or a "sugar high" if she doesn't need it. So, that is my question. I have always heard that these little teacups need Nutracal 3 times a day but she seems so healthy and playful I don't think she needs it - am I right? Obviously if she stops eating at any time or seems weak I would give it to her again but that hasn't been the case. Please help me - I don't want to do my dog a disservice by not giving her something she should be getting, but I don't want to "over do" it either. Thank you so much for your time!

A: If she is eating well and growing well then the Nutrical is not NEEDED. It won't hurt anything and there is no reason not to do it but it does not have to done. The concern with our small/toy dogs especially when little puppies is low blood sugar and regular nutrical helps that. Giving her nutrical WON'T cause diabetes anymore than eating candy will cause it in people. So don't stop out of that concern. So long as she eats regularly there is no need for nutrical but it won't hurt to give it.-- Rachel Peeple, DVM

10 yr old Shih Tzu with Liver Disease

Q: My 10 yr old shih tzu male had pre-anesthetic bloods drawn 4 mos ago in preparation for dental surgery. Abnormal liver values were noted and he was put on denamarin after an untrasound revalued nothing alarming. He was diagnosed with reactive hepatopathy. He was just retested after 2 1/2 mos and values were more elevated that at first. He now has to have a liver biopsy but had blood work to check coagulation and that was slightly abnormal. I am now waiting for a decision as to whether or not the biopsy can be done. There was no tumor observed on the ultrasound. Does that mean there could be one but too small to be detected? What else might be occurring and is it fixable or should I start preparing myself for the worst? Thank you in advance for your response.

A: There are many reasons for liver enzymes to be elevated - liver infection, liver inflammation, liver cancer, etc. Yes, there could be a small tumor or more often infiltrative cancer which does not form one lesion but is spread throughout the tissue. Chronic active hepatitis is another possible condition - - this seems in most dogs to be an auto-immune disease. And there are many other possibilities.

How serious it is and how fast it will progress to impact his quality of life really depends on what the exact problem is. There are lots of things that can be done to help the liver both in supplements (does the denamarin have milk thistle extract in it? If not I would definitely add that on), medications, diets, etc. I know it is hard not to assume the worst but prepare for the worst and hope for the best and hopefully you will have some answers soon. Once you know what you are dealing with then you can determine what can best be done for him! -- Rachel Peeple, DVM

Great Dane Just Finished Cycle

Q: Hello, I have a question about my Great Dane she is just one year old . She has just finished her heat cycle, she has a yellowish drainage coming from that area!! She seems fine in all aspects. Do I need to be worried??? Thank You

A: It really depends on the appearance of the discharge. A thin straw colored discharge is normal from mid-heat through the end of the heat cycle. A thick "neon" yellow or green discharge indicates a bacterial infection and does warrant a trip to your veterinarian. The main concern would be pyometra (uterus infection) which behaves much like appendicitis in humans - filling up with infection and rupturing leading to septic shock and possibly death. Not trying to scare you just saying it can be something very serious or normal depending on how it looks.-- Rachel Peeple, DVM

Sheltie Anal Glands

Q: I am getting a Sheltie soon. Do they need their anal glands extracted? I had a cocker that needed it. Thank you, --Melaney Lozier

A: Anal gland "issues" are highly variable between individual dogs. There is frustratingly no real predictability to it. As a general rule, the smaller the dog the more likely they will be to need regular anal gland expression but there are many large/giant dogs that need it and many small dogs that don't. I would have the anal glands checked when ever he/she is at the vet or groomers and based on what they find (full or empty) that will determine IF this particular dog is prone to full anal glands and how often he/she will need them expressed.-- Rachel Peeple, DVM

Cat Bleeding from Rectum

Q: My 9 yr.old male cat was bleeding from the rectum suddenly this evening. he cleaned himself up and when I looked area over it appears to have stopped. He has never been outside and has been on "CD Feline" dry catfood since the age of 4 because of bladder disease. Could this have been a cyst?

A: There are many reasons to have blood from the rectum ranging from infected/impacted anal glands to intestinal ulceration to infection. I would certainly recommend a trip to your veterinarian especially if it recurs.-- Rachel Peeple, DVM

Itchy German Shepherd

Q: HI, MY GERMAN SHEPHERD IS 2 YEARS OLD, SHE IS ALWAYS CHEWING HERSELF, WE HAVE HER ON A RAW MEAT DIET AND VEGETABLES, EGGS,FISH OIL FOR DINNER. IN THE MORNING SHE GETS KIBBLES WITH NO GRAIN, COTTAGE CHEESE, ALFALFA AND KELP.PEOPLE STOP AND TELL US THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH A BEAUTIFUL COAT. IT SHINES,YET SHE CAN'T STOP CHEWING HER FUR. SHOULD WE TAKE HER TO A DERMATOLOGIST? NANCY :-) OUR VET SAID GERMAN SHEPHERDS ARE PRONE TO ALLERGIES, BUT WE DO NOT WANT HER ON CORTISONE SHOTS FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE.

A: There are many reasons for a dog to be itchy. I will assume that fleas have been taken out of the equation? If not the first step is aggressive flea control both on the dog and in the environment. The next step is to rule out other external parasites. We are seeing lots of atypical sarcoptic mange which presents as just an itchy dog. These dogs are not the traditional "mangy" looking dogs with relatively normal coats and often it is just one dog in the household that is affected (traditionally sarcoptic mange is highly infectious and spreads between dogs). Therefore, it is recommended before pursuing extensive allergy testing that mites be ruled out as a culprit in the itching. There are several options to do this - my preference is three injections of ivermectin 7-10 days apart. Revolution can also be used as can topical products like paramite or mitaban dip. If this does not bring relief then diet is the next consideration. A hypoallergenic diet needs to be used - there are several commercial ones available and there are recipes for home prepared forms. A food trial lasting a MINIMUM of 12 weeks on this diet and NOTHING ELSE ORALLY needs to be done to see what, if any changes, occur. If there is significant reduction of clinical signs then a food allergy is part of the problem and determination of the exact food allergen can be pursued OR the dog can just stay on the hypoallergenic diet. If the hypoallergenic diet does not address any or all of the symptoms then allergy testing either via blood testing or skin testing can be done. This will screen for external allergens such as pollens, grasses, molds, etc. Hyposensitization injections can then be formulated and used to hopefully reduce the allergy symptoms.

There are many medications out there that can be used to help with itching -- antihistamines (benadryl, claritan, etc) are the "first line" of defense. Supplements like Omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants (Vit C,E, etc), etc can help with overall skin health. And the final medical option are the medications that suppress the immune system to reduce its "out of control" response to nonpathogens like pollens and grasses. Steroids are the traditional medication in this class but recent human crossovers provide is with other medications like atopica.

I would definitely talk with your veterinarian about starting a diagnosis plan and go from there. Much can be done by your "local" veterinarian and yes a dermatologist consult would be a good idea but most are going to want fleas, mites, and food allergies investigated first before pursuing other alternatives.

Good luck -- itchy dogs can be very frustrating to control and provide comfort to! -- Rachel Peeple, DVM

Poodle with Hunching Problem

Q:: I have two poodles. Lucy will be two on September 26 and Emma will be 1 on December 28. They are very close and play together, kiss and lick each other. I first was acquired by Lucy when she was 12 weeks old, I fell in love and it has only grown. At that time I had a friend living with us who has a nine year old terrier mix, a Bichon-poo age 7, and a part-time visitor Yorkie-poo age 8. Lucy very nearly drove them crazy with her puppy play, but they tolerated and disciplined her with kindness. When their owner accepted a job in Waycross, I got Emma so that Lucy would not be alone. Lucy has always been full of life loving to run, play, fetch, run, swim, run, and eat. Beginning at about 1 year of age she began hunching me and later Emma. I have read this is a dominance thing for the most part, so I would simply say no and move her. Emma now readily resists her and will nip at her (good for her). The other night, however, she jumped up in my lap for her nightly loving rubs and kisses only to look at me with a bewildered look and began hunching my arm. I had great difficulty disengaging my arm (scratches) and she just could not seem to stop. She just had this pitiful look on her face. It really did not seem to be a dominance issue. Could there be some sort of pituitary tumor or other condition causing or exacerbating this behavior? She has always been healthy and was spayed at about 5 months. She has been to obedience school twice and does pretty well as long as she is on a leash, but will bolt across streets, hills, dales and rivers if not restrained. Emma, on the other hand, has not yet been to obedience school and will stay close and follow me around the yard. Lucy seems very sensitive and if I raise my voice at my husband (he has Alzheimer's) she ducks under the bed for a while. I have never over disciplined her. Lucy also seldom uses the pad to poo but will tinkle on the pad most times. Lucy sees her vet regularly and is groomed on a 6 to 8 week cycle with a bath given midway between. She weighs 18.5 lbs and her papers say she is a toy poodle (HA!). She is not significantly over-weight for her height and length, both of which place her in the top end of a miniature poodle. The breeder says that every 7th or 8th generation you will get a throw back when breeding toys and get a miniature. I just want her to be happy, healthy and well behaved- should I be concerned? If so what sort of work-up should be done?

Thank you for the great service you render us overly concerned and zealous pet owners.

Harriett Kirby Tifton, GA

A: While there are some medical conditions that can lead to specific behaviors I am not aware of any excepting maybe a reproductive hormone imbalance that might lead to this behavior. From what you describe I think MOST of the times it is occurring is in normal behavioral context. I do think the episode that happened the other night may be crossing over into OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder -- like people who wash their hands 30 times). I would recommend stopping this behavior as soon as you get the first clue that it might start (ie look for warning clues) and distract her into some other activity. A full examination and some blood work is never a bad idea but no specific medical conditions come to mind that have this as a "usual symptom."

-- Rachel Peeple, DVM

Wet Spots in Cat's Fur

I have a cat who's almost a year old. Recently, Ive noticed spots that are wet in her fur. I dismissed it as where she had cleaned. I woke up today and noticed she has a lot of it, and also she is missing fur. My dad says its white blood cells...Her skin is red and she's constantly messing with it. Is it serious or will it go away?

There are just so many possibilities for skin problems/sores as you describe ranging from allergies to infection that my best advice is to have a veterinarian look at her - it could be mild and resolve itself, it could be serious and progress to infection and other problems.-- Rachel Peeple, DVM

5 Year Old Lab and Choking Noise

Q: Hello!!!
First, I have to apologize for my English. I understand pretty much everything, but my spelling..... not so good!

I was looking for information on the medicine that was just prescribed to my dog. Guafensn100/Dextromethrpn 10 mg-1 tablet 3 times daily + Doxycycline 100 mg-2 tablets Twice daily, and happened to find your email. Hopefully you can give me some advice.

My dog, Rocky is a 5 year old black lab. His health has been perfectly fine till last week, when I decided to take him to a new vet for his regular check-up vaccines. After this check up, I decided to buy like a medical insurance for him and this covered a lot of extra exams. I dropped him off the next morning and they call me like around noon to let me know he was ready and that all the tests (rectal, dental, ophtalmic, otoscopic, neurological, tonometry....), came out just fine. That same afternoon he started doing a weird noise, like he was choking. I rushed him to the vet's office and he found no apparent reason. He told us to bring him home and to check on him very closely. He got a little bit better, but like 2 days later he started doing it again, but this time sounded more like a cough. He even threw up because of the effort he made trying to get rid of what seemed was bothering him. After that, he sneezed and I noticed like mucus with blood came out of his nose... and he did it again and again with more blood every time. I rushed him again to the vet, who prescribed what I mentioned above, even though his lungs sounded perfectly clear. Today he is barely coughing or sneezing but, instead he seems to have runny nose and of course, his appetite has decreased to the point that he doesn't want to eat at all and MY BIG WORRY is that we are boarding him on Saturday. We are leaving on a trip for 2 weeks !!!! First, I don't know if when I tell the kennel that he is sick and needs this 2 medicines they are going to take him, and second, my worst worry is that he gets even sicker while we are gone!!! I feel so bad because he was perfectly fine before this appointment for the general check-up/vaccines. I'm pretty sure he got something while he was there.... WHAT SHOULD I DO??? Is there anything that I can get over the counter for his runny nose?? I don't want to go back to the vet's office. I don't know how much money I have spent since last week, even with this insurance. PLEASE HELP!!! --L. Marie

Sorry, I made a mistake with the address yesterday.... Here we go again.... please help!!! The update today is that he is not coughing at all but has a runny nose, licking his nose constantly, and of course has no appetite at all. I have to take him to a boarding facility tomorrow... what can I do? Anything over the counter that could give him like an instant relief??.... Attached is my email from yesterday.....Thanks a lot, --L. Marie

A: The guaifenisen/dexamethropram combination is an expectorant and cough suppressant to help clear all the airways -- it is very similar to Mucinex in people. The doxycycline is an antibiotic.

Unfortunately with the nonspecific signs he is showing there are many problems that could be causing his symptoms. Inappetance can occur for many, many reasons some minor some serious. I think the only way to know for sure is to take him back to the veterinarian's office.-- Rachel Peeple, DVM

Piebald Doxie

Q: I have an almost two year old mini-doxie. Two years old next month.

She seems to have a health issue and has been taking Metronidazole Tuna Susp 50 mg/ml of 1 ML orally every night for almost year and half. She has had diarrhea and a lot of the time she will throw-up/spit up. They did a look see when she was spaded and I was told she was like a preemie baby.

Every-time the Vet and I've have tried to reduce her medicines and/or change her diet to see if we can take her off within a week she is back to the diarrhea so bad it becomes liquid.

Is it possible to just keep her on the medicines for the rest of her little life? Or is there any other way to heal her? What will happen? Am I shorting her little life? She is so lively except for when we change and/or try to stop/reduce the medicine.

She is very small and only weight 7 pounds 2 oz's. She is called a Piebald Doxie Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. I've even thought of going to another Vet for second opinion only it is getting so expensive I am beginning to think it maybe a problem for me as I am retired and on limited income. Thank you.-- BL Price & "Trixie"

A: Without a specific diagnosis it is hard to say whether or not she can ever be off the medications. Ideally, yes, we would like to wean off the medication and one of the hypoallergenic or intestinal diets MIGHT help that happen but it might not. There are always long-term effects with any medication but metronidazole has few long-term effects so the benefits to her at this stage definitely outweigh the risks based on what you have described. How much further you work this up is certainly up to you -- food trial, blood tests, fecal tests, endoscopy, biopsy, etc may all be needed.-- Rachel Peeple, DVM

Arkansas Cats

Q: I have several "feral type" cats on our farm. This summer the younger ones are getting matted eyes that get better and worse some days. They seem weak and sickly. What do you think this matted eye sickness is? Thank you

A: Upper respiratory infections are very common in kittens and adult cats too for that matter. The eyes are commonly infected as well (conjunctivitis aka pink eye) with most of the upper respiratory virus/bacteria. Usually a round of antibiotics and eye ointment will clear it up - assuming you can catch/handle them to medicate them. If it does not resolve with a round of medication I would > strongly recommend testing for Feline Leukemia or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus as both can cause recurrent/relapsing illnesses since they damage the immune system. -- Rachel Peeple, DVM

Swimming Chessie

Q: Our 2 yr old Chessie, loves the water, but swims a little, then points his nose up into the air and dog paddles, then starts to go under. Why? We are going to get him a life vest. Thanks Peace --Cynthia Roller, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School

A: While most dogs innately know how to swim there are certainly some that do not. It sounds like he is one of the latter. You can work with him to help teach him how to swim - sometimes they will learn and sometimes they can't. I think a life vest is a great idea either way.-- Rachel Peeple, DVM

Is it Dangerous to Sedate Shih Tzu with Pinched Nostrils

Q: I think my four month old shih tzu has pinched nostrils. He snores badly when he sleeps and wakes very stuffy. I have read that he will outgrow this condition. I would like to have him neutered at the appropriate time, but I'm afraid that having him sedated will cause him to have problems breathing during the surgery. Should I wait for him to outgrow the pinched nostrils before he is neutered? I also have a two year shihtzu male who is neutered. If I wait to neuter the 4 month old, will problems develop between my two pups? Thanks so much in advance, -- Lyn

A: Lyn -- In my experience most of the brachycephalic (short faced) breeds do not outgrow stenotic nares (pinched nostrils). Now it may change some and improve a little as they get their adult conformation but I have never seen it improve significantly. So I don't think waiting for that is going to be a fruitful wait. You can talk to your breeder about his/her lines regarding this and I won't say it is impossible but it is highly improbable that he will be dramatically different in 4 or 6 or 12 or 24 months regarding the shape of his nostrils.

Anytime a brachycephalic breed is anesthestized there are additional concerns about their respiratory tract ranging from their nostrils to their palette all potentially blocking their airway. With an endotracheal tube in and oxygen being delivered thru the tube this pretty much by passes the nostrils as a source of airflow. I would definitely talk with your veterinarian about how he/she does anesthesia and if they do not intubate during surgery find someone in your area that does.

As to will problems develop if you leave your male intact longer than "normal" -- no way to know the answer to that. Same-sex aggression and conflict is MUCH more common than opposite-sex issues and one or both being intact escalates the risk of that significantly. Will your particular two males have issues if the younger one is left intact -- maybe and then again maybe not. There is just simply no way to know. -- Rachel Peeple, DVM

Kitten Starts to Go Outside Her Box

Q: I rescued a kitten from a rescue center and she initially seemed to adapt well, using her litter box without incident. Her stools have always been loose. Recently, in the past week she is now defecating in my bedroom at least once a day. What could be causing this sudden shift in behavior? -- Lori J.

A: First thing to look at/for are issues with the litter box. Did something scary happen there? Has the environment around/near the litter box changed? New litter? Different type of litter? Any new addition to the house hold? Etc.

Defecation only is rarely a marking behavior and especially with her loose stools it may just be a logistics issue - she can't make it to the litter box and dribbles where she is. Have you had her checked for intestinal parasites or other possible causes of the diarrhea? -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Can Toy Pom's Sneezing Indicate Heart Problems

Q: I have a 10 year old toy pom his name is Syris. For about 6 weeks now he has been sneezing and green snot comes out. He sounds so congested. We tryed Benelyn for kids, then we put him on antibiotics (seen vet twice, and has been on these twice). She now wants to do an x-ray of his heart. My question is, I can not see the relationship of sneezing and snot if he's starting to develop a bad heart. Advise?

A: If he is congested, especially in the lungs, the heart can be involved. Has a culture been done of the nasal discharge to determine what the infection is and what antibiotic would be most effective? That would be my recommended starting point if it has not been done. A chest radiograph (X-ray) will help determine if there is any inflammation/infection in the lungs as well as any possible heart involvement (heart disease can often be characterized by respiratory problems). A radiograph of the nasal cavity can help detect any nasal masses or areas of extreme inflammation. And then there is endoscopy which can go look at these areas.

Definitely diagnostics are in order - which ones are most appropriate will depend a lot on what has been done and what the physical exam findings suggest as the underlying source of the problem. Again tho if a culture and sensitivity has not been done on the nasal discharge talk with your veterinarian about maybe starting with that because if it is a nasal or sinus infection that is the best way to detect what type of infection and what medication will make it better. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Kittens and Clavamox

Q: I have 62.5mg pills of clavamox that were given to me for an adult cat that I took in with an upper respiratory infection that someone dropped off on the front steps of the president of our rescues' house. Well that cat got better, but I now have a kitten that is under 1 lb. that I took in and it has an upper respiratory infection and I know she needs the antibiotics and I can't get a hold of anyone right now as the vet's office is closed right now.

I was wondering if you could tell me how to dilute the pills and dose this kitty as she is very sick. She has green snot blowing out her nose and really weepy crusted shut eyes. She weighs 12oz. I'm not sure how much water I dilute the pill with and the amount to give her. I know I give it BID but just not the exact amount. If you can help me I would really appreciate it!!! Thanks! Jessica

A: Dose of Clavamox is roughly 62.5 mg per 8-12 lbs. So a 3/4 lbs kitten needs about 1/8-1/10 of the tablet. These tablets usually quarter pretty easily and then try to halve/third the quarter to get 1/8-1/10 tablet. Clavamox does come in a liquid form which is much easier to dose tiny kittens -- I would recommend as soon as you can getting her into the vet for some eye ointment and antibiotic suspension.--Rachel Peeples, DVM

"Pregnant" Great Dane"

Q: Hi there, My 2 year old unsprayed female Great Dane has begun having a false pregnancy. She carries toys around with her and tries to make them nurse. I noticed that her teats were getting swollen and today I noticed that one of them is quite large and there is milk in that one for sure. I read that you shouldn't touch the teats or her belly as this will stimulate milk production. This has been going on now for about 5 days. I ordered a homeopathic remedy that is supposed to help dry up the milk but that won't be in until next week. Is there anything that I can do for her in the mean time? She seems a little depressed and is acting quite primal.

I noticed during her second heat (she has had 4 now) that she was showing some similar signs of a false pregnancy but it wasn't this severe. I was told to put her on vitamin Co Q10 for one week after her heats and I have been doing so. I don't know what else to do, I would take her to the vet but I would rather treat this naturally. Any insight into this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your time. --Adriane

A: Every female dog irrespective of whether or not she gets pregnant will undergo the same hormone changes as if she were pregnant. This means every female dog after every heat has psuedopregnancy. HOW clinical this psuedopregnancy is (ie how much we see) is highly variable. Because this is a NORMAL part of dog physiology there is nothing medical that will stop or prevent this that does not also have a devestating effect on the body. My best suggestion if the pseudopregnancy is becoming problematic is to have her spayed. This will also prevent risk of pyometra as well as other medical problems.

If spaying is not an option, then it is strictly management to help control/alleviate the symptoms until the hormonal levels return to normal. --Rachel Peeples, DVM

8 Month Old Chihuahua

Q: My chihuahua is 8 months old and is a male. He has not be neutered and only just started getting erections a week ago. At that same time he began acting timid and scrunching up, not moving around. It worried me and I took him to the vet. He said that my boy has a slipped disk in his back that was why is was not moving much and hunching up funny. He was given a cortisone shot and an anti-inflammatory shot. I am still continuing that treatment with varied results, Superoxide dismutase shots every other day. The vet also brought up the pup's recent erections and them possibly being inside the sheath and causing pain. He switched to the disk after a physical exam. I haven't notice the dog in pain and I find a slipped disk in a puppy a little strange. I have noticed 98% of the time he's acting weird he does have an erection and that it doesn't completely emerge, it's usually just the tip. Also he had two ball shaped swollen things on the outside of the sheath, near the base on either side. I have heard of bulbis glandis, I believe is the term and that they are used during mating to keep the animals together. I am however worried that he shrinks up and shakes, only acts strange when he has an erection and his facial expression conveys pain and even embarrasment. I know that's silly, he doesn't know to be ashamed of it, there's no reason to be, but I feel the source of his discomfort has to do with his penis staying nearly completely inside the sheath and it usually happens when someone comes home and he's excited to not be alone anymore. He used to jump up and lick you but now he cowers down and he is "excited". I don't think neutering him will fix it because I think they can still get erections, just not pollunate. He only weighs 4 pounds and because he is so little, the neutering surgery is expensive. I wasn't planning on having it done because he doesn't go outside and he'd be hard pressed to find a feral bitch his size anyway.

A: Most erections are testosterone driven so actually neutering him will tremendously reduce the number and frequency of the erections. From what you describe especially the very close connection between the erections and the discomfort I too would think it most likely that they are the source of his problem. Without examining him, though, I cannot say it a slipped disc is NOT likely as it can cause very similar symptoms although they tend to be more constant.--Rachel Peeples, DVM

Shih-Tzu with Vision/Balance Problems

Q: Gizmo, our 18-month old Shih-Tzu is having vision and balance problems. He stumbles, walks in circles and has difficulty locating and recognizing us. His appetite is good, but he is definitely not his usual self. The Vet says he has elevated liver enzymes and likely needs more blood, x-rays and neurological tests. Can you tell us what these symptoms usually indicate?

A: All I can say is nonspecific liver dysfunction. This could be hepatitis, a liver mass, a liver shunt, gall bladder blockage, etc. Some poisons will also cause these symptoms. I definitely concur with your veterinarian that additional tests are needed to determine what can be done to alleviate the current symptoms and correct the underlying cause! --Rachel Peeples, DVM

Shitzu with Swelling Above One Eye

Q: I have a Shitzu that is 18 months old. All of a sudden she has swelling right above one eye. It is red. Do you know what I could do for this?

A: There are many things that can cause swelling in this area. The most common is an insect bite/sting -- usually this is raised, red, warm, and often itchy. Benadryl both topical and oral is the best option to help combat this. Other possibilities are trauma, abscess, a growth, etc. As sensitive as eyes are in general ESPECIALLY in the "flat-faced breeds" I would strongly recommend getting your veterinarian to look at it as soon as you can to be sure the eye itself is not in danger. --Rachel Peeples, DVM

5 Year Old Portuguese Water Dog Not Peeing

Q: We just adopted a retired breeding dog. We are away on vacation and she had diarrhea in the house a few nights ago. I went to Kmart and got her a Hartz worm tablet in case she had worms. She has peed a few times since then, but not pooped and yesterday she only peed once. She has not peed yet this morning. She is behaving absolutely fine and seems happy as can be. Should I be concerned?

A: Unless the formulation has recently changed the Hartz worm tablet only takes care of roundworms which are rarely a problem in adult dogs. Whipworms and hookworms are most often the worms of concern in this age group so if you suspect worms I would definitely recommend seeking a broader spectrum dewormer.

As to the urination - if she is not straining or seeming uncomfortable I would give her 24 hours and see. If no urine in 24 hours OR if she starts to feel poorly or uncomfortable get her in to see your veterinarian

Rachel (bless you for adopting an 'older' dog -- if more people would rescue it would be so much better. Most people don't realize that older dogs bond as or more strongly than pups and are SOOO much less work! Give me the adult/older dogs to adopt and foster any day!) --Rachel Peeples, DVM

English Setter with Extended Abdomen

Q: I have a 10 yr old English Setter, who in the last month has lost weight, drinking excessively and has a very hard extended abdomen. Still eating fine, but getting pickier. The vet suspects cancer. There are no swollen glands, and all his blood work comes back normal, except his RBC, HCT and HGB are low. The vet does not suspect cushings because of the lack of hair loss. I am currently experiencing a lack of funds, and would appreciate any insight or advice you may have. Thank you! --Susan Tesreau

A: Susan -- there are limited reasons for a hard, distended abdomen. Fluid retention, mass, and enlargement of existing organs. At his age and with lack of other problems on bloodwork I would concur that cancer is my first thought and specifically with the anemia -- hemangioma or hemangiosarcoma are my top two considerations (spleen or liver or both). Frustratingly what can or can't be done to help him out depends entirely on what the cause is and finding that out means more testing. So not much insight or advice other than to try high calorie foods to help maintain body condition and get ultrasound and radiographs done as soon as you can. --Rachel Peeples, DVM

Female Boxer Vaginitis

Q: I just noticed that my four month old female boxer has green gooey stuff coming out of her vagina and was wondering if I need to be worried? Thank you --Sarah

A: Mild vaginitis is common in adolescent female pups. If she is urinating normally and does not seem uncomfortable in that area keep it clean and you can flush it with a small amount of plain douche. If she seems to be straining when urinating or uncomfortable take her in to see your veterinarian as it may be ascending into the bladder.--Rachel Peeples, DVM

10 Year Old Shiatsu

Q: I have a 10 year old Shiatsu who was going to have laser soft palate surgery because of snoring and loud breathing. The blood test beforehand showed high lipase and amalyse. Surgery was thought to be to dangerous until blood test showed more normal results. Latte has been on low fat diet since but he now seems to get episodes where he goes very quiet and does seem to be in some distress but gets tremors or pulsing in his throat and down the front of the chest. He also raises his right leg slightly at times and his head has a slight movement. This sometimes happens after he has eaten and sometimes after he gets off the bed in the morning. These have become frequent recently but previously he had a couple of episodes then nothing for a month or five weeks. In between these episodes he is quite normal, excitable when someone comes to visit or knocks the door. I am baffled, so is my vet. Can you shed any light on what might be the problem? Thank you

A: I am afraid I really have no more insight to offer you without seeing the episodes. It could be mild seizures, it could be muscle spasms, it could be . . . It might be worthwhile to visit a neurologist to rule out any neurological problem --Rachel Peeples, DVM

German Shepherds with Yeast Infections

Q: Both my German Shepherds have skin yeast infections right now. My vet gave one of the dogs antibiotics that made him sick so he can't take them. It's too strong. I threw out their old beds, got them baths and now I have decided it has to be their food. I had started feeding them Beneful some months back. So I changed their food over the weekend to Nutro Natural for skin and coat. I have been mixing in yogurt. What else can I do? I read today on some sites that some other people had problems with Beneful because it didn't have enough fatty acids.
Thanks --Jennifer Thomas

A: If they were diagnosed with a skin YEAST infection then they need to be on topical antifungals and maybe oral antifungals to get rid of the yeast. What caused the yeast infection is hard to say...could be food sensitivity or external allergen or . . . The underlying cause can be hard to downright impossible to diagnose. General symptomatic treatment with skin supplements (fatty acids especially), Nutro is an excellent food choice, antihistamines can help with itching, and medicated shampoos,topical sprays/creams can help relieve the symptoms as well.

Skin problems can be very difficult to deal with I know. It is a frustrating step by step process -- formulate a good plan with your veterinarian and start sorting through the possible causes.--Rachel Peeples, DVM

Loose Tooth in Elderly Greyhound

Q: Hi, hoping you can offer some advice. My 11 year old greyhound has a loose tooth. It's the very back tooth. I've been using a dental product on her teeth to avoid a cleaning because I am afraid of the anesthetic risks at her age and with her breed and of course the cost. Her teeth are all clean but the very back tooth on either side didn't clean up as well and I noticed today that one is loose. Will it fall out on it's own or should I be concerned? Thanks so much

A: The main concern is infection that can set in around a loose socket/root. I would talk with your veterinarian about doing pulse antibiotic therapy to help offset the risk of infection and maybe too about anesthetic/sedation alternatives that might allow lower risk for the procedure. Once the root is damaged enough the tooth will fall out the concern is the damage to the jaw until then AND the possibility of local and systemic spread of bacteria from the mouth. --Rachel Peeples, DVM

Female Bassett Hound

Q: I have a 2 year old Female Bassett Hound who is spayed. Yesterday while lying at the foot of the couch sleeping she woke up yipping very loud and biting at her privates. She then started favoring her left back leg. This was very strange considering she acted o.k. all night up to that point. I let her out during the night and she threw up and then again today. What could this be?

A: There are so many different symptoms here it is hard to pin it down. It could be anal glands or spinal/nerve inflammation, several different/separate issues, etc. I definitely think a trip to your veterinarian is in order especially with the repeated vomiting.--Rachel Peeples, DVM

9 year Old Basenji

Q:I took my Basenji to my vet on May 23. He was biting his butt, scratching and whining/squealing. No fleas noted. He was given Dexamethasone IM, 20 Cephalexin 250mg, and had anal sacs expressed. He is also on 25mg Benadryl twice a day. He does have seasonal allergy problems. He's still biting his butt, and scratching. Do you have any suggestions as to what else it might be? One of my vets suggested Cushing's but we haven't tested for that as of this date. Thank you for any information you can provide.

A: Well certainly topical irritation has to be the first thought. It might be worth talking with your vet about trying a short round of prednisone to see if that will short-circuit the itching. Have you tried any topical medications such as hydrocortisone sprays or wipes, benadryl sprays/wipes, etc?? Other possibilities are a pinched nerve or nerve inflammation. Often times nerve irritation will present as "paraesthesia" meaning abnormal sensation which the brain can translate into itching. I have not seen Cushings present like this but if other symptom suggest Cushings it is worth checking into. --Rachel Peeples, DVM

Dachshund with bloody stool

Q: Hello There, My boyfriend and I are animal lovers and have three rescued cats, three rescued birds and 2 dogs ( 1 a rescued Shepherd and the other a Dachshund named Austin, given to us 6 years ago from a family friend)

It is Austin we are worried about. Currently as he has had loose, bloody stools. We took him to our vet and he had a fecal and rectal exam, the fecal was negative for parasites but while doing the rectal exam it was discovered that he had an infection in one of his anal glands. He was put on baytril and I compresssed the area twice a day with a Nolvasan-sp? until the abscess burst.

He seems to have great energy and no more infection now, eating normally, but still the loose stool and some blood and mucous. The vet and I are worried about Colitis and I have had him on a chicken and brown rice diet with organic chicken broth and steamed veg over a little bit of kibble, but still the loose stool. He had blood tests 7 months ago before having dental surgery and the results were normal.

Our vet suggested a Dye test. He would have to be left all day and I was wondering if there is some other dietary change we could try first, he is terrified of strangers and the vet and it is very stressful for him and I worry about that. Our vet (Dr. Werber / Century Veterinary Clinic CA) also mentioned some kind of colitis where Austin would have to be on IV fluids for a few days to flush him out, what is this? The less invasive the better, and I am not into a lot of drugs unless really needed...........................any ideas, help!! Sincerely --Mary A.K.A. Austins Mom

A: Mary - I will certainly defer to your veterinarian regarding what treatment is best given the fact that he is observing and examining the dog. That said, have you talked or has he mentioned trying metronidazole (flagyl) for 2-3 weeks? Sometimes a mild bacterial colitis or a subclinical giardia infection will present with chronic diarrhea. Whipworm infestations can also present like this - whipworms are notoriously hard to find on a fecal examination. A three day round of panacur would not be a bad idea either to rule out whipworms as a possible cause. Something else to consider is water -- I find some dogs do much better on distilled water than on tap or even bottled water. Some interesting research into the effects of fluoride on the human body shows inflammatory bowel disease as one of the more common effects of people sensitive to fluoride. NO such research has been done in animals but as mammals are mammals it is a logical conclusion that some dogs MIGHT have a similar sensitivity.

That is where I would start and based on his response to the medications decide what tests would yield the most information. Good luck and hope he gets to feeling better soon! --Rachel Peeples, DVM

German Shepherd Pup has One Descended Testicle

Q: Hi, my German Shepherd is 7 months old and is very healthy apart from only having one descended testicle. Our local vet didn't seem to concerned and says it can take up until 12 months for both testicles to descend. My concern is that if the other testicle does not descend, can it be surgically descended or will it need to be removed? I would prefer they both remained, as I'm sure he is.

A: It is not impossible or unheard of for testicles to drop up to a year of age. That said, MOST that have not descended by this age will not. As to surgically "descending" them - this is usually not advised b/c of the risk of trauma to the urethra and penile tissue in that area. I would recommend a specialist if you are going to attempt this. Removal out of the body (to scrotum - not advised - or completely) is imperative because if it remains at too high of a temperature (ie body temp rather than outside temp) the testicular tissue runs a significant risk of turning cancerous.

From an ethical/responsible owner viewpoint - it is best to neuter dogs whose testicles did not descend normally. They run a VERY high rate of producing male offspring with NO testicles descended and other reproductive tract problems. --Rachel Peeples, DVM

7 mo old Mastiff Mix

Q: Hi there, I wondered if you could help me. We have a 7 month old mastiff cross American Bulldog pup who is extremely loving and loyal. Unfortunately, two weeks ago we noticed he had red patches on his stomach and around the base of his penis which has gotten progressively worse. It now looks like he has some blisters or sores. Our vet advised is that it could be an allergy to his food or even hayfever and that it is not uncommon and didn't seem worried about it. We were told to change his diet to chicken and rice twice a day and to give him piriton to fight the allergy. That was 5 days ago and it seems worse than it was. I don't think it's helping that he continually licks the affected area, however he doesn't seem to be in any pain or discomfort with this , but as you can imagine it is quite alarming and we are getting extremely worried about him. Have you ever dealt with or heard of these symptoms before? Is there anything we can do to help this at all?? We would be grateful of any advice you could give us. Kind regards --Gemma

A: Red bumps anywhere on the body but especially on the thinly haired area of the abdomen is not uncommon. It is usually an irritative/allergy reaction to something topical but it can be a mild skin infection and/or food allergy. I would definitely have him rechecked since it is getting worse b/c it may be getting infected. Until you can get him in (it being a holiday weekend) clean it gently with a weak betadiene solution and then apply a topical hydrocortisone cream/spray. Distract him for a few minutes to prevent him licking the cream off before it can be absorbed. Do this two to three times a day until you can get him rechecked. --Rachel Peeples, DVM

Can Fox Terrier be Pregnant

Q: Thank you so much for your time in answering my question. My kids are grown so I decided to go to my local shelter and give a loving dog a good home. I brought home a 6 to 7 yr old Fox Terrier mix with the sweetest personality she is only about 10 pounds. I noticed while rubbing her belly there was a very noticeable lump (I did not see it at the kennel nor was I told about it).

Well while she laid there I happened to notice that it moved so being in shock I realized she was with pup I made a vet apt but don't go for 3 days that's as soon as they can get me in because we are a new patient. But I'm worried because the pup is so noticeable it seems to be just under her skin not down in her belly. I'm new to this so are pups that noticeable in little dogs and it lays right where her leg crease is and I have know clue to any signs if she was to go into labor. Should I call and try to get her into a vet sooner? I can send you a pic so you can see for yourself cause I have already taken many pics to pass on line to welcome my new girl to the family.

A: Given the location I am somewhat suspicious about it being a puppy. Not saying it isn't but the uterus is inside the belly and should not be right under the skin. I am more suspicious that it is an inguinal hernia (likely a birth defect) and you are seeing intestines there (the movement is the contractions of the intestines). Can you feel legs or nose or any structures or it is just mush?

As to signs of labor - very intense panting like she cannot catch her breath, nesting (scratching sheet, blankets, etc into a pile), not eating/drinking, and then contractions are the usual warning signs of whelping. Rachel Peeples, DVM

When Should a Kitten be Declawed

Q: How old should my kitten be before he gets declawed?

A: Routinely we do not like to declaw kittens until they are spayed/neutered (4-6 months) so they do not have to undergo a separate anesthesia. Anesthesia is the main concern in determining a minimum age for any surgical procedure. Until then or instead of the procedure do consider management steps such as lots of scratching posts all around rubbed with catnip to make them attractive, the claw covers called soft paws, etc. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

How Do You Treat a Dog with Liver Problems

Q:I recently noticed that my 12 year old mixed breed dog was showing signs of swelling. I took him to my vet suspecting congestive heart failure. He did some blood work and said it was the liver that was causing the problem. Three of the numbers he got back from the blood work, all related to the liver, were triple their normal levels. He advised me to get a ultrasound performed, but I don't have the fiances to cover such an expensive procedure, especially when he gave very little hope that even with the ultrasound we would find anything treatable.

Without the ultrasound, he said all he could do was treat him symptomatically. He is giving him lasix for the water retention and SAMe to help the liver function. I was wonder if you could recommend anything additionally.Any suggestions/ideas you may have would be greatly appreciated.

Also, about six months go, he started licking and gnawing his front paws and hind legs profusely. I often find large wet spots several feet wide from his constant licking. I was wondering if this could be related to his other symptoms in any way. -- Darren S.)

Q: Milk thistle is an excellent supplement to help the liver. Otherwise, no suggestions other than what you are currently doing.

Re: licking: Possibly - the liver filters many things out of the body and when it is not doing its job things can start to go wrong in all sorts of places. More likely tho is that the itching is infections/inflammation/allergy related and probably not related to the liver disease. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Swelling in Greyhoud Comes and Goes

Q: I have an 8 ½ year old Greyhound that we rescued from the tracks. He has developed a pocket under his throat. I appears to come and go and does not bother him when he eats or drinks. When I grab it, it feels firm but mushy sort of. It is not a defined lump at all. Is this something that I should be concerned with? Can you give me some ideas as to what it could be? Thank You,

A: Maybe on the concern factor. It sounds a lot like a cyst or maybe an area of fluid accumulation. Most fatty deposits (often in that location and feel that way) do not come and go. I would have your veterinarian check it at the next opportunity. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Toy Poodle has Major Itching Problem

Q: I have a CKC registered 7 month old Toy Poodle. It is a male and we have had him for about three months. The first week we had him we noticed him constantly biting on his tail (its docked). when we took him to the vet they gave him all the shots he needed checked for worms and after my husband insisted on something for itching he was given a steroid shot.

Nothing has helped now it seems worse, he is now biting on his paws too and he doesn't stop until they are raw. He is an inside dog that gets regular baths very seldon do I even see a flea. Please I'll try anything it makes me feel horrible when he starts whining and scratching. -- Melissa J.

A: I would definitely recheck with your veterinarian and have some diagnostics ran to see if they can determine what is occuring. Sarcoptic mange can present like this - it is relatively easily treated with ivermectin injections, Revolution applications, and some dips. Allergies especially food allergies can cause intense itching especially of the feet. Skin infections, demodectic mange, ringworm, etc can all lead to itching as well.

Until you can get into see your veterinarian -- topically you can try any of the hypoallergenic/soothing shampoos, hydrocortisone sprays/creams, "benadryl" sprays/creams/gels, and orally you can give benadryl at 1 mg per pound (children's is 12.5 mg per dose and adult is 25 mg per dose) up to every 6 hours. But definitely get him back into your veterinarian. Itching can be caused by so many things - what helps one will make another worse. --Rachel Peeples, DVM

Local Doggy Daycare

Q: Are there any good Doggie Daycare or Pet Walking services in the Savannah area? Please let me know! Thanks.

A: Since leaving the Savannah area to work in Hinesville over 2 years ago sadly I have not kept up with the pet services in that area. To my knowledge there are no doggie daycares but I may very well be wrong on that. I do know there are people who will do Pet Walking and Pet-sitting but no longer have the list of those doing it, sorry! I would recommend calling one of the area veterinary clinics (such as Georgetown Veterinary Hospital - 927-3900) and ask. __ Rachel Peeples, DVM

Q: Can ducks get Lyme Disease?

A: To my knowledge Lyme Disease has never been reported in any non-mammalian species. Therefore I am going to say NO b/c as far as I know no reptiles, birds, amphibians, etc can be infected with it. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Cavalier Pups Responding to New Diet and Filtered Water

Q: Thank you so much for responding! I am the one that had two Cavalier pups with salmonella/bloody mucus diarrhea. I have taken your advice and switched to the rx diet (EN), using filtered water and so far so good. Diarrhea comes and goes but so far no more mucus present. I am pleased that the stools are mostly firm and when it is loose, there is no mucus present. They are healthy otherwise and gaining weight as they should be. I can handle the on again off again diarrhea as long as it keeps clear of the blood/mucus! Again, thank you so much for your advice and caring enough to answer my email!! -- Marie

A: Marie - I am so glad that they are doing well. As an interesting "footnote" to this that may be relevant - in doing some research into various things related to your pups and some other health conditions I ran across a study linking irritable bowel syndrome in people to excess fluoride in drinking water. NO studies showing this in dogs but it might explain why the distilled water helped. Even if it isn't the answer I am glad that they are doing better and I hope they continue to do so. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Toy Poodle Recuperating Slowly After Spaying

Q: We got my toy poodle spayed today. Everything I am reading says they bounce right back. She does not look or act like she feels good at all. She is not drinking water. I did get her to eat a little. But how long will this last? And how can I get her to drink.I'm praying that in the morning she feels some what better. About how long does it take if your dog does not bounce back ? Thank you

A: "Bounce right back" is somewhat of a subjective phrase. It is usually meant in comparison to us humans who often take weeks to recover from major abdominal surgery. It is very normal and common for dogs to be sleepy, inappetant, and not their "usual" selves for 24-48 hours after surgery mainly due to the lingering effects of the anesthesia. Also, while dogs deal very well with the associated discomfort that comes with surgery they still experience it. So some tenderness and ouchiness is not unexpected.

I usually tell people to give their pet 36 hours to get back to normal as far as appetite and overall mentation and 3-5 days to get back to relative normalcy after surgery. Every dog is an individual and just like some people tolerate pain better than others so too does this happen in the dog world. It is not uncommon for some dogs to take 10-14 days to get back to normal (energy and activity) after surgery. Do not worry about eating or drinking until tomorrow. If she does before then - great!

If he is not eating okay in 36 hours; does not drink for 12 hours; starts vomiting or has trouble swallowing; incision is markedly swollen, red, open or oozy; or continues to feel poorly after 2-3 days then definitely start to worry and get her into see your veterinarian. --Rachel Peeples, DVM

Dog That Swallowed Plum Seed Doing Fine

Re: Swallowed Plum seed in our 2 and 1/2 pound tea cup. Thank God the plum seed broke down and has came out. We took her to get X rayed and it is gone . Thank you so much.

Rachel's response: I am SO glad to hear that it has passed and that she is doing well! -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Cavalier King Charles Puppies

Q: Hello! I appreciate your taking the time to read this question, I hope you can shed some new light on my problem! We have aquired two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels from a very reputable breeder in Atlanta. They are now 6 months and 4 months old. When we got our first one, she had solid stools for the first 4 or 5 days she was home. Then she got bloody, watery diarrhea. A fecal analysis came back positive or giardia. We treated that with Flagyl and her stools firmed up. Then a few weeks later, we got our younger pup. He had solid stools for about 3 or 4 days and he,too, got bloody diarrhea. All of his fecals came back negative. By this time, our first CKCS also had the diarrhea back as well. After putting them on the Rx diet, Purina EN Dry, per our vet. their stools still were still loose/watery/bloody and now had VERY large amounts of mucus in it. We have a fenced yard, but back up to the water, so I am wondering if some of the "bugs" have come from wildlife passing through.

After several failed attempts to isolate anything in a regular fecal exam, and courses of Albon and Fenbendazole that were unsuccessful, our vet sent off a sample to UT Knoxville. It came back negative for parasites, but positive for corona and salmonella. Our doctor did not want to treat with any antibiotics and said to just let it run its course. So after 4 more weeks of constant diarrhea/mucus/blood (the pups were playing and eating/drinking normally during all this time) We had another sample sent to UTK to recheck for the salmonella. It came back negative, but we still had the same blood/mucus/runny stools. She suggested another fecal sample to check for parasites. By this time we had spent over $400 on fecal samples and we took them to another vet for a second opinion. He suggested putting the pups on Flagyl 1/2 of a 250mg tab twice daily for 10 days. Their stools firmed up after 3 days on the meds. They have been off of he Flagyl for about 1 1/2 weeks now and the diarrhea/mucus is back! No blood as of right now, but definitely diarrhea, with just a little yellow mucus.

Would this be caused by a bacteria since the mucus/diarrhea has come back after stopping the meds?? I have them on a pro-biotic every day per the suggestion of our new vet. I am running out of money and ideas as to what this could be other than a bacterial infection. I wouldn't think it would be a pancreatic insufficiency since they are both growing and gaining weight at a normal rate.

During our initial visit with our new vet, he suggested if the anitbiotics did not help, then we should test for pancreatic problems or a endoscopy or ultrasounds, etc. If both dogs are displaying the same symptoms, would an ultrasound be useful? I could see an endoscopy if it were one dog only displaying these symptoms, but what good would it do if both dogs are displaying the same symptoms? It is all very expensive to have these test. Due to unfortunate circumstances, our funds are now very limited for all of these test. If the stools firmed up before on the Flagyl, would a endoscopy be necessary? We will do the test if we have to, but would rather avoid them.

Any suggestions/ideas you may have would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you!!

Marie

A: Marie - I am with you in that I would be thinking dietary, infectious, or environmental before I was thinking something pancreatic or intestinal seeing as how BOTH pups are affected. Just one I would think more the other. Have you had the water tested? Maybe try filtered or distilled water to see if that helps? And what about a different food - the EN diet is one option but if it is more a food intolerance or allergy (coming from similar lines it is possible both are sensitive to the same thing) a hypoallergenic diet might be a better choice. How long have they gone on the metronidazole (Flagyl)? Sometimes it can take 3-4 weeks to "knock" out an infection.

That would be where I would start - 3-4 weeks on metronidazole, distilled water, consider a diet change and see what happens. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

American Eskimo with Degenerative Myelopathy Diagnosis

A: Hello, my dog (Cobie) is 10-1/2 years old. She's an American Eskimo and an AMAZING dog. She's great with our young son and daughter and I can't imagine losing her yet.

Around the beginning of this year (2008), I noticed her back right paw dragging a little. I did not think a whole lot about it because she was so active and has always been very healthy. Over the past few months, she has slowly gotten worse. Now she has trouble with her stability and she struggles to walk because she's losing control in her entire back side.

We went to our vet about 1-1-/2 months ago and had some x-rays taken. Everything looked fine. We gave her some anti-inflamation medicine for 10 days but she did not show improvement. We recently had tests done (physical exam, CT scan and others) and the results are "degenerative myelopathy". There were no slipped disks present or tumors on or in her spine area.

One thing that intrigues me though. The vet shaved her right front leg area and the skin is VERY bruised. They called me and let me know of this situation. They did some kind of blood clotting test and everything turned out normal.

Cobie is regressing very fast and I can't quite let go without asking more questions. Do you have any suggestions for me? Have you seen a correlation between a bruised leg and the loss of controlling the hind legs? In any way, shape or form, could this be a misdiagnosis or do you have any recommendations because she's declining very fast.

Thank you!

Brian Raugh

A: I have not seen a correlation between bruising and DM except when it progresses to the point the leg is not controlled well and bumps into things. I sadly do not have a whole lot more to offer than what has been done. The degenerative conditions are so frustrating because it is the body that is the problem so we have a hard time fighting/correcting it. There is always the possibility of a misdiagnosis but what you describe and the lack of other problems detected by the extensive tests certainly make DM a very likely diagnosis. I am so sorry she and you are having to go through this. I lost my 10 year old Akita to the same thing and it is so very heartbreaking to see them go through this without a way to make them better -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Is Nose Color a Problem
for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

Q: I have a question concerning the pigment on the nose of my new Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, now 2 months old. The breeder has told me that the spotting (black with too much pink) is because she is young and that it will likely fill in all black by one year. I am concerned because at 4 weeks of age, she seemed to have more black in her nose & in different places. Now, her nose seems to have less black and the black has moved around to one side so that the left side is pink. Is this permanent?

He also told me that sea kelp and sunlight would help bring in the black. I have included photos. Both mom & dad have all black noses. Do you have any information on this or know where I may obtain it? Many thanks,

A: First off what a lovely pup - I ADORE all the toy spaniels :-)! As to your specific question -- there is not a lot of research into how nose pigment fills in. I can tell you from personal experience it can take a while. One of my Akitas had a speckled nose and it slowly filled in to become solid black over the course of a year! The breeder knows his/her line best to know if "mismarked" noses are a likely problem or not.

I commonly see the slow to fill in noses with dogs who have white markings on the face (like my Akita). Sorry to not have more scientific answers for you or links to send you to. I would not be worried about the pigment right now. See how it changes over the course of the next couple months. IF it continues to lose black pigment then it will likely end up pink or mostly pink. If it starts to gain black pigment then it will likely fill in. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Lab's Tail Droops Is It Limber Tail Syndrome?

Q: I have a seven year old female black lab. Yesterday we gave her a bath and she was fine, then this morning I woke up and she was acting strange. Holding her tail in between her legs, walking a few feet then laying down. She acted like she had to go to the bathroom so I let her outside and she appeared to try to lift her tail to go, but couldn't and laid down instead. Now I've already called the vet and I have an appointment this afternoon, but I've been doing research and have learned about limber tail syndrome and was wondering if that's what it could be? I really can't afford to keep bringing her to the vet so any help you could offer or advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks so much -- Jessica C.

A: The tail staying drooped could definitely be limber tail syndrome. The only walking a few steps does have me concerned about something more serious. I would have her checked for any signs of neurological problems or spinal abnormalities. If those seem all okay (ie there are no neurological problems with the rear legs) then it probably is limber tail. Limber tail usually resolves within 7-10 days left alone. Sometimes medication is needed especially if they seem painful. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Older Rat Terrier shows Signs of Arthritis and Internal Bleeding Q: We got a rat terrier in 1992 from the animal shelter. She has been through a lot with us and she seems to be sick. We took her to the veterinarian, after the threw up, staggered and collapsed. He seemed to think it was a heart arrythmia, which developed from a Level II hear murmur. The arrythmia smoothed out after a week of medication however, there were no other improvements. She seems to have stiff back legs, is hunched over, it seems like she has to stop and thnk before she is able to move her legs.

She also has black gooey stools, no appetite, her teeth seem to be highly discolored (we thought they were due for a cleaning, but the veterinarian stated that they were fine) and her tail is between her legs. She did jump off the bed and landed wrong, as well as trying to jump into the camping trailer we have and landed wrong there too. Other than that, everything has been normal up to 3 weeks ago. Do you have any idea what could be going on? We would appreciate any input you could give. Thank you, -- Tamara and Richard B.

A: Wow - if she is 16+ years of age that is wonderful! She has definitely had awesome care especially with her rough start in life. Unfortunately her age also means there are a lot of problems that could be developing that are very serious. I am quite concerned about how dark the feces is as that indicates bleeding into the intestinal tract.

The stiff legs COULD just be arthritis as could the hunched back. The tail between the legs can be associated with spinal arthritis or full/infected anal glands. A partially herniated spinal disc could also cause the problems that you are seeing with the legs and tail. None of this somewhat "normal" or routine problems tho would really account for why she does not want to eat and why the feces is so dark -- that makes me very concerned that she is losing enough blood into the intestines to cause her to be anemic.

I would STRONGLY recommend bloodwork (complete blood count and full chemistry profile) on her as a starting place. Abdominal radiographs (Xrays) and/or ultrasound may be needed. Organ failure, cancer, ulcers, etc all have to be considered as likely possibilities given her age and the clinical signs. Hopefully it is "just" arthritis with a severe anal gland infection but I definitely think with the severity of the problems it is a good idea to look a bit more to sure things are okay internally! -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Young kitten May Have Intestinal Parasites

Q: My children were given a kitten at the park a week ago, the people that gave them the kitten believed it to be about 8 wks old. He was doing really well, very playful, he started acting strange yesterday, he was sluggish, and had a clear to whitish discharge coming from his anus.

This morning he had a little more energy but he is purring really loud and vibrates alot when he purrs. Also, he is meowing squeaky and kind of weak. Please help we've become very attached to him and are very happy to make him a part of our family. Let me add that we don't believe he has been vaccinated and he is an outdoor kitten, he lives in the garage which opens up to a covered patio.

A: I would be very concerned about intestinal parasites such as worms and coccidia AND/OR an intestinal infection. Both of these can progress to cause severe weakess, dehydration, and even death in the very young animals. My best advice is to get him into your veterinarian for a fecal check and appropriate medication from there. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Maltese Swallows Tampons

Q: I have a 9 pound Maltese that knocked down the garbage can in the bathroom and swallowed a few tampons and paper! What can I do?

Tampons are one of the more frequent items requiring surgical removal mostly due to the shape and the string associated with them. The only thing you can do is wait to see if she can pass them on her own and if not she will need surgery. I would give your veterinarian a heads up and discuss things that might help their passage as well as what to watch for and when it is time to intervene with radiographs (Xrays) and surgery. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM

Rottweiler Puppy Late in Dropping Testicles

Q: I have a four month old Rottweiler male puppy. I took him to a show and was told by a trusted breeder there that the testicles should have dropped by 8 to 12 weeks. When I got home I called the breeder I bought him from and told him about the problem. He told me he has the brother from the same liter and has the same problem. He told me that I should take mine to the Vet and he would do the same and that maybe they could be late bloomers. Is this possible?

A: Testicles normally have dropped by 8-12 weeks. Most responsible breeders will consider anything after 4 months as worrisome even if they do eventually drop. Worrisome because that means they have a high likelihood of having offspring whose testicles do not descend at all. So while it is still possible that the testicles will descend it becomes increasingly more unlikely each week that they are not descended. Furthermore with a littermate also having this problem I would be concerned about genetics in this line concerning this issue. -- Rachel Peeples, DVM