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Ask the Vet: Celebrate Easter With Chocolate Bunny, Not Live One
Q: I'm thinking of surprising my 6-year-old niece with a rabbit on Easter. The pet store sells bunnies of various sizes and ear styles. Is one type of rabbit healthier or friendlier than the others?
A: My first pet joined our family when I was younger than your niece, and I got my first rabbit at about your niece's age, but I don't recommend ...Read more
Ask the Vet: Flat-Faced Breeds Prone to Health Problems
Q: My dog Hugo is the cutest, most lovable French bulldog I know. When I submitted a photo of him to a calendar contest, they refused to accept it because he is a brachycephalic dog, and they consider it inhumane to promote unhealthy dogs. I hope you can explain their discriminatory position, because I am mystified.
A: Brachycephalic dogs have ...Read more
Ask the Vet: Toxic Mushrooms Resemble Harmless Varieties
Q: We've had a lot of rain this year, and our yard is filled with a variety of mushrooms. How can we identify those that could poison our dogs, and how will we know if our dogs ate them?
A: Animal poison control specialists are receiving twice as many calls about mushroom poisoning this year as last. That's frightening because toxic mushrooms ...Read more
Ask the Vet: Nerve Damage Causes Horner's Syndrome
Q: Hobie, my middle-aged indoor-outdoor cat, awoke this morning with one very abnormal eye. His upper lid droops, and a white film covers the inside corner of the eye. What caused this? Will it resolve on its own, or should I take Hobie to his veterinarian?
A: I'd advise a trip to the vet. It sounds like Hobie has Horner's syndrome, which is ...Read more
Ask the Vet: Keep Bread Dough Away From Dog
Q: I'm doing a lot of extra baking these days since the pandemic keeps me at home more. My family loves my fresh bread, but making it gave rise to a near-catastrophe involving our dog, Bandit.
When my back was turned, Bandit stole some freshly made bread dough right off the kitchen counter. I didn't realize it was a problem until he started ...Read more
Ask the Vet: Fleas Transmit Plague Bacteria
Q: I caught the end of a news report about pets and the plague. I thought the plague was eradicated ages ago, at least from the U.S. Do I need to worry about my indoor-outdoor cats getting infected? Is this the next pandemic?
A: The deadliest pandemic in history was caused by the plague in the mid-1300s. While I doubt that will be repeated, the...Read more
Ask the Vet: Dog's Cold, Wet Nose Doesn't Guarantee Good Health
Q: I'm confused about why my dog Sam's nose is occasionally warm and dry, even though he seems fine. I thought a dog in good health always had a cold, wet nose.
A: Sam's nose is usually cold and wet for two reasons.
First, nasal glands inside his nose produce a watery liquid that cools and dampens the lining of his nasal passages and the ...Read more
Ask the Vet: Even Indoor Cats Need Rabies Vaccination
Q: My cat BarB -- so named because I found her as a kitten hiding under my barbecue grill -- now lives in my house and doesn't venture outdoors. Her veterinarian insists she needs rabies vaccination. Why is this necessary, if she's a committed homebody?
A: BarB should be vaccinated for rabies to protect herself and you from the deadly disease. ...Read more
Ask the Vet: Thank Veterinarian for Great Care
Q: Our veterinarian has always been wonderful with our cats, so we want to give her a gift on Valentine's Day. Chocolate seems wrong since it's toxic to pets. Do you have better suggestions?
A: What a lovely thought! I'm sure your veterinarian will enjoy whatever gift you choose.
My first suggestions recognize that everyone at the practice has...Read more
Ask the Vet: Heatstroke Causes Brain Damage and Multiple Organ Failure
Q: My sister, who lives in the South, turns her air conditioning up from 75 to 90 degrees when she leaves for work. She reasons that she's saving money while still cooling her home enough for her 10-year-old pug, Fiona.
Please explain what happens to overheated dogs so I can convince my sister that 90 degrees is too warm for Fiona.
A: Any dog ...Read more
Ask the Vet: Dangerous to Transport Dog in Bed of Pickup Truck
Q: I was driving behind a pickup truck that swerved to avoid a deer. A dog in the bed of the pickup was thrown out and badly injured.
Thank goodness he didn't strike my windshield and I didn't hit him. Still, the experience taught me that it's dangerous to transport a dog in the bed of a pickup. Is it also illegal?
A: Regrettably, it's illegal...Read more
Ask The Vet: Excessive Drooling May Signal Medical Problem
Q: My cat Myrtle sometimes drools. Should I be concerned?
A: It depends. Many cats drool while purring. I can't tell you the number of times I've stood up, after one of my cats lay purring on my lap while I pet her, to find my slacks soaked with cat saliva.
Conversely, some cats drool when they're stressed.
Drooling often results from chewing...Read more
Ask the Vet: Feed Commercial Cat Food, Not Just Tuna
Q: My elderly cat Tater Tot is losing his appetite for dry cat food, but he loves the tuna I eat. Now that he's eating only tuna, I guess I should ask if that's OK for him.
A: It seems you have two concerns: Tater Tot's recent disinterest in dry food and his all-tuna diet.
I'm suspicious that Tater Tot may be experiencing mouth pain that makes...Read more