My Pet World: More activity during the day might quiet squabbling cats
For more info on enriching your cat's environment, check out The Indoor Pet Initiative: http://indoorpet.osu.edu/
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Q: Our 5-pound Yorkie licks everything. Our veterinarian says this is a nervous habit. She licks herself, her bedding, the floor, the furniture and her toys. We don't like the option of anti-anxiety medications. Any advice? -- J. B., via cyberspace
A: Dr. Kate Knutson, of Bloomington, MN, says the first thing she'd do is take a look in your pup's mouth.
"Periodontal disease is painful, and the dogs lick. Soon, it also becomes a habit. I see this in all dogs, but most commonly in small dogs," she notes.
Knutson, president of the American Animal Hospital Association, says another common cause of persistent licking is nausea. She suggests full-mouth x-rays, blood work and a thorough physical exam.
Meanwhile, enrich your dog's environment. Create activities your Yorkie can enjoy when you're away. Leave food or treats in puzzles, available at pet stores and online. Also, make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise.
Only when all possible medical explanations are ruled out does a compulsive behavior, or "nervous habit," become a real possibility that might benefit from anti-anxiety medication. Still, there's no magic pill. A referral to a veterinary behaviorist makes sense with this diagnosis.
Learn more about compulsive behaviors in dogs in the new book "Decoding Your Dog," co-edited by myself, Dr. Debra Horwitz and Dr. John Ciribassi, authored by members the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, New York, NY, 2014; $27).
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Q: My boyfriend and I have two cats, Tony and Norbert. Tony has had frequent hairballs for some time. My vet says nothing is wrong, but I don't believe Tony's constant vomiting is normal. Now, both cats are puking all over the place! What's going on? -- M.D., Minneapolis, MN
A: Dr. David Twedt, an internal medicine specialist at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Fort Collins, says the vomiting you describe is, indeed, not normal, and something is wrong.
"Starting with the obvious: Brush your cats' (coats) daily," says Twedt. "Additionally, ask your veterinarian about hairball medications. If that doesn't help, consider a referral to a (veterinary) specialist in internal medicine. There may a dietary food allergy, and because this is common, perhaps both cats have the same problem. Also, do your best to rule out that the cats are getting into something they shouldn't, such as eating plants."
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Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he'll answer those of general interest in his column Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve's website is www.stevedalepetworld.com; he also hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." He's also a contributing editor to USA Weekend.
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