My Pet World: Vaccines can mute threat to pets from animal droppings

Q: The people where I live are brain dead. The neighborhood is plagued by geese, ducks and nasty squirrels. There are laws against feeding these animals, but people do it anyway. As result, I walk my beautiful pup in poop. I have to bathe him constantly. I also disagree with my neighbors, who say leptospirosis is not a problem. What do you think? -- J.K., Longs, SC

A: Canada geese are particularly talented when it comes to manufacturing poo. Some reports indicate a goose can produce over a pound of excrement daily. Ducks most often do their business in the water, and squirrel droppings are tiny, so these animals shouldn't be much of a problem.

Of course, dogs don't see animal droppings as a problem. Dr. Mark Russak, of Berlin, CT, past president of the American Animal Hospital Association, concedes that canine taste buds tend not to be all that discerning. Some dogs think goose poo is a delicacy.

Canada geese may help spread bacteria that's resistant to antibiotics. A recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control study of a resident flock of Canada geese in Georgia and also in North Carolina showed that antibiotic-resistant E coli could be carried by the birds.

Although it is possible for geese to carry salmonella and/or campylobacter, it turns out that a greater concern is the water they swim in and sometimes defecate in, as pets that drink the water are prone to giardia or cryptosporidium, which can both cause serious illness. Geese aren't the only animals responsible for these pathogens, however; lots of wildlife contribute.

You're correct regarding leptospirosis, a bacterial infection spread by wildlife, which pets can contract from drinking contaminated water. The problem is greater in some areas than others. Lepto occurs even in big cities, spread mostly by rats. The good news is, there are vaccines for leptospirosis and giardia. Speak with your veterinarian if you're concerned about your pet.

As for snacking on goose poop, few dogs get much more than an upset tummy, but it's hardly a healthy snack. And while eating goose droppings does raise the risk of a bacterial infection, this is very unlikely.

Feeding geese, ducks and squirrels may not be a good idea, but Russak concedes, "It's what people do, I might even do it; we're only human." He says he understands your concern, but many Americans live in cities plagued by many dangers, and they learn to take precautions, such as crossing the street when the light is green, decreasing the risk of being hit by a car.

"Talk to your veterinarian about appropriate precautions, and learn to enjoy the wildlife," Russak suggests.

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Q: How do I stop our newly-adopted kittens from climbing the Christmas tree? -- S.P., Tampa, FL

A: Put a tree in front of a bunch of kittens, and naturally they'll believe it's there solely for them to climb. If you can, anchor your tree so it doesn't topple over.

Offer alternative places for your kittens to climb, such as windowsills, bookcases, or a tall cat tree. Encourage them to use these spots by placing treats there.

Still, when all is said and done, those kittens will investigate the tree. For safety's sake, don't use any glass ornaments that could break if they fell. The only other alternative is to shut your pets out of the room where you keep the tree.

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Q: My Welsh Corgi was diagnosed with diabetes earlier this year, when he hit 44 lbs. My previous vet scared me to death about this, prescribing Vetsulin (insulin) and Hill's Science diet W/D prescription food (wet and dry), not to mention syringes. All of this treatment cost a small fortune.

I switched to a different veterinarian. Also, a friend told me to go to Wal-Mart, where I switched to a human insulin called Novulin N. I get needles there for much less money. I've also started making my own dog food from ground turkey, vegetables, barley and eggs -- and my dog eats it like candy. The veterinarian thinks this is a good idea since there are no preservatives in the food I prepare.

The great news is, my dog is down to 39 pounds. My question is about dry food: Is there one you'd suggest? I've tried several low fat diets, but they give my dog loose stools. -- P.R., Las Vegas, NV

A: "Diabetic management is multi-faceted, but it can certainly be achieved," says Dr. Wendy Hauser, a board member of the American Animal Hospital Association. "Vetsulin would be ideal because it's designed for pets, but I do have clients whose dogs do fine on human insulin, though some don't. What's important to know is that if you switch insulin, you should talk to your vet about the dosage. Insulin brands are not necessarily interchangeable."

Making food for any pet doesn't always go as planned, as many recipes on the Internet aren't adequate. It's important to follow the directions of a veterinary nutritionist, not just some stranger on the Internet who says, "I know pets," or even a human nutritionist. What's more, diabetic animals have special nutritional needs.

Hauser, of Parker, CO, says she goes to the supermarket, too, and knows beef, chicken or turkey are not cheap, but "it's hard to believe there's a significant price difference between preparing your own dog food and buying a manufactured food," she notes.

"It's wonderful, and really significant that your dog has lost weight," she notes. "Your veterinarian can suggest a (wet or dry) diet," Hauser says. "Perhaps, you'd consider going back to what worked previously (the Hill's prescription diet), and consider the savings on human insulin as a kind of compromise."

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