Frances, our 10-year-old spayed cat, has taken two different antibiotics for a urinary-tract infection that still seems to be bothering her. Why hasn't the medication worked, and what should I do next? Is it safe for her to be on antibiotics for so long?
Not all cats with symptoms of cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder) are actually suffering from a bacterial urinary-tract infection, explains Michael Bernstein, D.V.M., head of internal medicine at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston, a division of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals/American Humane Education Society. Signs of urinary frequency and urgency may be caused by a variety of diseases besides bacterial cystitis, including bladder stones and idiopathic inflammation of the bladder wall. If your cat is still showing signs of cystitis after antibiotic therapy, a more in-depth investigation into the cause of her problem is indicated. This workup should include a urinalysis, urine culture, radiographs, and possibly an ultrasound examination of the bladder.
Herman, our five-year-old dog, seems to eat an awful lot of grass every time he's outside. He doesn't throw up but his stools are occasionally soft. Is this a problem? If so, what should I do about it?
No one really knows why some dogs eat grass, says Douglas Brum, D.V.M., a clinician at Angell Memorial. Occasionally dogs eat grass if they are feeling ill or have an upset stomach. You should make sure your dog eats a good-quality dog food, one that is complete and balanced. You might even try switching to a different diet to see if it helps. Since your dog eats grass all the time, it is most likely behavioral. As long as he does not vomit when eating the grass, it probably will not harm him.
What would cause a dog to have nosebleeds?
There are several possible causes of nosebleeds in dogs. The age and breed of the dog and the history surrounding the bleeding episode(s) will help form a suspicion as to the specific cause. The thin and tortuous turbinate bones within the nasal cavity are lined with a membrane containing a very rich supply of blood vessels. When the membrane is damaged, a nosebleed can result.
Direct trauma to the outside of the nose can cause bleeding; the level of trauma required, however, is usually severe enough to cause a fracture of the nasal bones as well. The nontraumatic causes include foreign bodies, unusual infections, cancer, blood-clotting disorders, and hypertension. Foreign bodies, usually of plant origin (twigs or grass awns) can become lodged in the nose, resulting in an infection and inflammatory response that may erode the membrane and cause bleeding. Routine bacterial infections do not usually cause bleeding, but unusual ones, such as ehrlichiosis, and fungal infections, such as from aspergillus, can.
In older, larger breeds such as the golden retriever or German shepherd, a common cause of bleeding from the nose is cancer of the nasal passage. Dogs with blood-clotting disorders can have spontaneous bleeding from various areas of the body, including the nose. Although uncommon in dogs, hypertension, when it occurs, can cause a spontaneous nosebleed.
Nontraumatic nasal bleeding is usually a clinical sign associated with a serious problem that will need veterinary care. Therefore, regardless of what owners perceive as the cause, an examination by a veterinarian is indicated anytime a dog has a nosebleed.
I recently adopted a rabbit and was alarmed to see his urine was red. The shelter said the rabbit was checked by a veterinarian and was found to be healthy. Is red urine normal? Should I have my new pet rechecked?
According to Tracey Ritzman, D.V.M., an exotics and avian specialist at Angell Memorial, red color in the urine of pet rabbits can either be normal (if due to pigmentation) or a sign of a health problem (if due to blood in the urine). In many healthy pet rabbits, the reddish color comes from plant porphyrin pigments that break down from normal substances in the rabbit's body. Rabbits that eat carrots and other fresh foods high in carotene are more likely to have red pigment in their urine. This pigmentation is more likely to occur in dehydrated rabbits or rabbits with excess calcium in their urine.
Blood in the urine (called hematuria) is not normal. Your veterinarian can determine the cause by performing a urinalysis. The presence of red blood cells indicates hematuria. It can occur in rabbits with a urinary-tract problem, such as a bladder inflammation, an infection, or the formation of stones (calculi). Intact female rabbits commonly develop problems with their reproductive system, including cancer of the uterus, hyperplasia, and polyps. It is recommended that all female rabbits not intended for breeding have an ovariohysterectomy to prevent disease of the reproductive tract. Other causes of hematuria can include trauma and toxin ingestion.
If the red urine persists, I recommend your rabbit have a complete veterinary evaluation. Fresh, clean water should be available to your rabbit at all times to prevent dehydration, and foods low in calcium such as timothy-based products should be fed to prevent dietary calcium excess.
Is broccoli OK to feed my dog? I heard it contains a substance that can cause problems in animals.
Rebecca Remillard, D.V.M., Ph.D., a veterinarian specializing in nutrition at Angell Memorial, is not aware of any substance in broccoli that may cause problems in dogs. Broccoli is in the Brassica genus, along with turnip, cabbage, cauliflower, and mustard species. In fact, broccoli and other similar vegetables are commonly used as a snack for dogs on weight loss programs.
ASK THE VET
Dr. Gambardella, chief of staff, Angell Memorial Hospital, welcomes your questions on animal health.
Write: Health Watch, Animals, 350 South Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130. You may also e-mail us at healthwatch@animalsmagazine.com or fax us at (617) 522-4885.
