ArcaMax

Q: Is it OK for Diego to drink from the fish tank? -- C.H., via cyberspace

A: It's a mystery as to whether Diego is a dog or cat, but emergency veterinarian Dr. Heather Loenser, of Lebanon, NJ, can offer advice because, for the most part, it doesn't matter.

"A salt water tank might be more of an issue, depending on much water Diego is drinking," she says. "There's no nice way to say this, but there's fish poop in there, and even filtered tanks will have some bacteria. Again, it depends on how much Diego drinks, but it's certainly not like drinking bottled water."

Loenser, a board member of the American Animal Hospital Association, also wonders about the welfare of the fish.

"While there's likely nothing in the mouth of Diego that will cause harm to the fish, it's got to be terrifying to watch a predator sink his mouth into the tank," she says. "And maybe for good reason, unless you have piranha. And if you have piranha, I worry about Diego."

There's also a chance that Diego could accidentally (or not so accidentally) swallow a fish, or knock over the fish tank.

If Diego is attracted to the moving water, it would be far safer for all involved to buy him a drinking fountain for pets (available wherever pet products are sold).

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Q: I've had my Shih Tzu's teeth professionally cleaned at least once a year since we rescued her several years ago from a puppy mill. However, it seems like there's tartar on Ginger's teeth again by the next day. At first, we brushed her teeth daily, but to be honest, we just don't do this much anymore. We do give Ginger dental treats. Since she's now 10 years old, we don't want to have her anesthetized as often for teeth-cleanings. Any advice? -- C.H., Chicago, IL

A: Small dogs tend to have more dental problems than larger breeds. Also, sadly, puppy mill dogs often grow up eating a nutritionally impoverished diet, which may lead to problems much worse than what you're describing.

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