I took my dog to the vet after realizing that his limp was caused by a split toenail on his front paw. Is there any way to prevent his nails from splitting again?
Douglas Brum, D.V.M., a clinician at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston, a division of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals/American Humane Education Society, advises that the best way to prevent split toenails is to regularly clip your dog's nails and keep them short. If nails are allowed to grow long, they are much more likely to get caught on objects or be subject to trauma.
After my mother's dog survived two strokes, my mom wanted to give him baby aspirin to prevent further strokes. My vet advised against it because the dog had to be put on Rimadyl for his arthritis; he said it's unsafe to take the two medications together. Two weeks after being taken off the aspirin, he had a third stroke and died. Was there any other blood-thinning drug we could have given?
Etienne Cote, D.V.M., a cardiologist at Angell Memorial, explains that when a dog has a 'stroke,' the underlying problem (i.e., what is happening to the brain) is often much different from when a human has a stroke. In people, a blood clot to the brain is a common cause of strokes, and so blood thinners are used as prevention. In dogs, however, other processes not involving blood clots are usually to blame. Acute vestibular disease (a problem with the balance center of the brain, causing sudden falling and difficulty rising), some types of brain inflammation, and even bleeding from a brain tumor can cause strokes in dogs. In the last case, blood thinners would only make bleeding from a tumor into the brain even worse. Furthermore, giving aspirin and carprofen (Rimadyl) together can cause nausea, loss of appetite, and stomach upset. Carprofen alone is less likely to cause stomach problems, but it has no blood-thinning properties (only anti-inflammatory properties).
Your veterinarian's concern therefore was twofold: adding blood thinners probably wasn't going to help (because blood clots are rarely the cause of strokes in dogs); and it could do harm by worsening any bleeding into the brain, by causing digestive problems, or both. These were sensible concerns, and the decision not to give blood thinners was appropriate. I am sorry that despite these wise decisions, your dog lost the battle against his illness.
I caught my cat eating his litter several times. Is this dangerous for him?
Most litters are nontoxic, since their manufacturers understand that the cats will be cleaning their feet, answers Jean Duddy, D.V.M., a clincian at Angell Memorial. Eating large quantities of litter at one time can be dangerous from the standpoint of causing an obstruction. Check your brand to be sure it is nontoxic; most products list a toll-free phone number for consumer inquiries.
While most cats may eat a small amount of litter at some time or other, those that do this frequently should be checked by their veterinarian. Some cats may eat litter as a result of anemia or mineral deficiencies, which can be determined by blood tests.
Pica is the ingestion of foods or foreign material not for nutritional needs. A complete check up to rule out physical causes is in order for these pets. If no physical problems are determined, then treatment or referral for a behavioral consult may be needed. Cats can get obsessive/ compulsive disorders.
I plan on taking my four-year-old German shepherd on a few hikes in the woods this summer. How can I prevent him from picking up Lyme disease?
The best way to keep your dog from picking up Lyme disease is to avoid tick exposure. Ideally, you should stay on the trail and avoid areas with tall grass or lots of ground cover. Some products on the market are excellent at preventing ticks from attaching to your dog. The best and safest of these can be prescribed by your veterinarian. Both topical treatments and certain types of collars can be very effective.
After your hike, examine your dog and remove any ticks that are present. It takes 24 hours for a tick to transmit Lyme disease, so rapid removal is important.
There is also a vaccine For Lyme disease. It is not routinely administered at our hospital, but may be considered if your dog is at high risk of contracting the disease. Discuss this option with your veterinarian.
Loco, my three-year-old terrier mix, loves to eat slugs and other grubs. Is this normal, and is it harmful to him?
According to Dr. Bruin, some dogs seem to enjoy eating insects and bugs, and most dogs tolerate this quite well. But such behavior should not be encouraged, since certain invertebrates could cause illness or even allergic reactions. Some insects can still sting while in the dog's mouth. Others may contain noxious or caustic materials that could burn the mucous membranes of the mouth. Although such problems are rare, why take a chance?
I was wondering if there was some sort of lotion for my pet rat, who has very dry skin. Because she grooms herself a lot, it would have to be safe enough for her to ingest.
According to Connie Orcutt, D.V.M., an avian and exotics specialist at Angell Memorial, skin problems in rats are most often associated with parasites (for example, mites), an environmental problem (such as a contact reaction to a type of bedding), or malnutrition. Dry skin does not usually occur as a primary problem in rats as it may with people.
You should take your rat to a vet for an examination before trying anything new. Some topical products could make the situation worse if they bother your rat and she overgrooms as she tries to remove them.
My mom is allergic to dogs, but she would like to get me a puppy. Could you please tell us what dogs would be good to get?
There is no breed of dog that is truly hypoallergenic, according to Richard Anderson, D.V.M., a dermatologist at Angell Memorial. The poodle, Bedlington terrier, and Kerry blue terrier have long, wooly or coarse coats that tend to shed less. Although these breeds are occasionally recommended as hypoallergenic dogs to people with animal-dander hypersensitivities, there appears to be no scientific documentation For this claim. Excessive shedding of hair in the house environment can be prevented through routine grooming. Bathing the pet weekly may also help reduce an owner's allergic reactions.
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.
