My Pet World: Owner believes dog is skittish on stairs because he sees a ghost
In the U.S. the reality is that agencies may not pursue animal abuse as they should, given the connections it has to child and spousal abuse; these often underfunded agencies are often backed up with cases. Sadly, without a photo from a veterinarian or another animal professional, officials may lack the proof to do much to intercede until something really bad occurs. Still, the more neighbors who step up, the better. Several voices demand more attention than one voice.
However, I am unfamiliar with Polish animal welfare law. Contact local law enforcement, a local animal shelter and/or veterinarian.
----
Q: Our 18-year-old cat, Serena, offers sad meows. She bellows these sad sounds just before lying down. Two years ago, her sister, Venus died, and that's when the long meows began. My heart breaks. Could she still be mourning? What can I do to help? -- G.G., Macon, GA
A: It's unlikely Serena continues to mourn two years later, though, we really don't know how long a cat can grieve. We don't know why some cats attached to siblings or other household cats mourn, while others demonstrate no apparent sorrow.
Do visit your veterinarian. An older cat meowing may be in pain. Or your cat may be anticipating pain that may occur when lying down. Arthritis is common in older cats. The loud meowing could also be a result of hearing loss.
Loud vocalizing in an older cat could also be a sign of feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome or "kitty Alzheimer's." To confirm a diagnosis, your veterinarian will ask if Serena displays other signs of cognitive changes, which can include pacing and/or yowling overnight, accidents outside the litter box, changes in interactions with family members, changes in activity, and/or general confusion.
It's also possible that after Venus died, Serena might have offered one of those elongated "sad" meows and you responded compassionately. In the process, you may have accidently "trained" her to repeat the sad meows for attention.
Or, I concede, unless you are part cat -- you might never really know what Serena is saying or why.
----
...continued
(c) 2015 DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
