Lee's Summit residents can now license Fido and Fluffy online.

With a current rabies vaccination certificate and a credit card, residents can visit www.lspets.net and follow the prompts. After the city verifies the information, a pet license will be mailed to the home. Licenses purchased in November and December will be valid for 2010. Residents may still license their pets in person, or by mail.

Robin reports that the owner recently adopted a dog through the Society's Ray of Hope program and wanted to do something to help the other homeless pets currently in the program. If you want to help out, drop by tonight!

Photo Luminescent / Reflective Pet Collars Saves Pets' Lives and Owners' Limbs

Just yesterday, I was remarking that our cat, Britzi, needed a glow-in-the-dark collar to keep me from stepping on her in the dark. (Britzi has no idea that we humans can't see as well as she can, so she won't move if approached.) I felt guilty because I'd booted her a good one the previous night coming into the bedroom.

What's even more astonishing is that the company which makes the glowing collars is in Lenexa, where I live. I can even guess which building it's in without checking. Funny how things come around...

Wyo. town evicts rooster for making too much noise

The police chief who denied the rooster's owner an exotic pet permit is named Tim Feathers. You can't make this stuff up!

Take a look at John Sleezer's photos here.

For more details, see Press Release Central.

cleaned out daily and we have not changed the type of litter we have used since we got her a year

ago.   Can anyone come up with some suggestions?

As I was leaving the kitchen after finishing cleanup, hubby wailed, "Oh no!" The cream had made a return appearance. I should have guessed, I grumped to myself as I hauled out the vinegar and rubber gloves — after Britzi's spate of tummy trouble, finally eliminated with diet and medicine, she'd be sensitive to most anything. Too late for that!

(Another thing: Are husbands really incompetent at unpleasant tasks, like the one I had to perform, or are they feigning incompetence to get out of the tasks? Or, as I think is my hubby's case, too stubborn to learn the proper technique, resulting in him huffing off saying, "You do it.")

Q. We adopted a 5- to 7-year-old female Dalmatian about a year ago. She has a panic attack every time she hears a loud noise. We have tried hugging her and talking calmly to her, but to no avail. Unfortunately, we live close to a military base and loud booms are frequent. What can we do?

A. While some animals don’t seem to be bothered by noise, others have what’s called a noise phobia and become very frightened and act in strange, unpredictable ways. Certain cats and dogs have full-blown anxiety attacks. Symptoms of anxiety include shaking, trembling, barking, howling, drooling, attempting to hide, refusing to eat, and trying to leap a fence or escape from an enclosure, yard, or home. Many animals end up lost, hurt, or seriously injured. Unlike humans, animals have an acute sense of hearing, and unexpected loud noises can trigger an attack. Even pets that haven’t reacted in the past, or haven’t reacted in years, can suddenly become fearful or anxious. Older pets may be even more sensitive to loud noises. Animal shelters see a huge increase in strays around fourth of July because of this. Dogs and cats will panic and bolt through doors, windows, or other enclosures, trying to run from the noise. It is absolutely critical that all pets have some form of current identification on them at all times, especially if your pet has a noise phobia. It seems contradictory, but do not stroke, pet, or reassure your cat or dog when they are nervous or frightened. This can actually reinforce their anxious behavior and make it worse. Instead, distract your nervous pets by playing with them or keeping them active doing something they enjoy. It’s safest to keep them indoors in a small, sheltered area where they cannot hurt themselves. Turn on the TV or radio to help muffle the loud noises or have calming music playing. Be sure to include their favorite toys, beds, food, and water and try spending more time with them, again distracting them with playtime. Do not leave pets outside unattended. Even dogs that are tied up can get hurt trying to escape by chewing, choking, or strangling themselves on their leashes. If you take your pet outside, make sure they have a sturdy leash or are secured in a carrier. In addition, you may want to use sedatives or tranquilizers, in addition to behavior modification, to help calm their nerves and keep them from injuring themselves. Most veterinarians require your pet to have had a physical exam within the six-month period prior to prescribing tranquilizers.

Q. I have a 2 1/2-month-old kitten. I'm pretty sure she is weaned, but for some reason she will not eat dry food. I've heard that kittens shouldn't just eat canned food. Do you have any advice?

A. Since wet food is about 75 percent water, it has a low caloric density. So it is better for kittens to eat dry food because it contains only about 10 percent water and is very nutritionally dense. So kittens will get all the nutrients they need from a much smaller amount of dry food versus wet food. To transition kittens from wet to dry kitten food, I recommend crushing up the kibble and mixing it with the wet food. Slowly add more and more crushed up dry food and then eventually add whole pieces of kibble until you can feed it without the wet food. It usually takes a week or so, but they eventually get used to the texture and taste of kibble.

Q. How do I get my elderly cat to use the litter box in a multi-cat house?

A. Many of you have written me with litter box problems. The number one reason a cat stops using his litter box is because it is dirty. The litter box should be cleaned daily and placed in a relatively quiet area of the house with minimal traffic. Also, I recommend one litter pan per cat. Make sure the litter box contains enough litter for digging and burying. About two to three inches is sufficient. If your cat stops using the litter box, you need to take him to the vet immediately to rule out any bladder infection, kidney problems or parasites that can be causing this behavior. Once any medical issue has been ruled out, you need to work with your vet or a trainer to establish appropriate litter box habits. Sometimes, this includes confining your cat to a small room for a period of time to re-establish good litter box habits. With patience, persistence and the help of professionals you should be train your elderly cat to use the cat box.

Q. Can cats get kennel cough?

A. Yes. A lot of pet owners are unaware of this, and probably some vets, too. Cats can develop kennel cough from the same bacteria that causes it in dogs — bordatella bronchiseptica. Cats don't contract it as easily as dogs, and it is usually only seen in shelter cats.

Q. We found a black rabbit. Does that mean he is a domesticated rabbit rather than a wild one? Also, he sometimes bites his rear area on both sides. Why? He also flops over to one side in his cage. Is this a sign that he feels safe? Lastly, how can we safely pick him up without getting too scratched?

A. Your rabbit is domesticated because wild rabbits are not black in color. The hind-biting behavior you describe is not normal, and I would recommend that if it continues you take him to a vet to have him looked at. Flopping over on his side is actually a sign of contentment. Because rabbits are prey animals, they do not enjoy being picked up. But to pick them up correctly, place one hand under the rabbit behind the front legs and the other hand just above the bunny's tail. Hug the rabbit against your body firmly but gently. Rabbits have fragile skeletons and can be seriously injured if dropped or allowed to fall, so always use caution when picking your bunny up.

Q. My American Eskimo sheds terribly! I bought the new FURminator and brush his coat often, but nothing seems to work. Any suggestions?

A. Shedding is normal phenomenon for dogs and cats, but some animals shed more than others. Pets normally shed their summer coats in the fall to prepare for winter, and then shed their heavy winter coats in the spring. I don’t recommend routinely shaving dogs and cats, since the hair helps insulate them against the cold and the heat. Your pet’s coat provides insulation, like a jacket. When exposed to cold conditions, the hair undergoes piloerection, causing it to stand erect and trap the air in that layer. This air is warmed or cooled by the body and adds more insulation. While the amount of shedding varies from breed to breed, daily or weekly home maintenance will keep the skin and coat healthy and pest-free. While a certain amount of shedding is normal, excessive shedding should be a cause for concern. Certain breeds tend to shed more, like Retrievers, Setters, Spaniels, and Shepherds. Their coats have to be combed and brushed more regularly than other breeds. Low humidity or dry air may cause your pet to experience dry skin, which frequent brushing helps alleviate by removing dead skin and stimulating oil glands. Matted hair does not insulate your pet and can be painful and lead to skin irritation. Pets with long hair—and all cats—should be brushed at least once a week and even daily during their shedding periods. If you think the shedding is excessive, try adding a fatty acid supplement to the diet, which you can get from your vet.

My family used to joke that, when someone was always hungry, that they must have a tapeworm. I probably made this remark about Britzi early on. But I was pretty embarrassed to discover that she did, indeed, have a tapeworm.

I learned this after trying to figure out what Britzi might have tracked onto the black fleece blanket — the tiny yellow particles looked like couscous or sesame seeds. I was puzzled, but let it slide until I saw more particles in a different place. A web search for general cat-health diagnostic tools came up with the answer surprisingly quickly: these were dried-out tapeworm segments. EWW!

Since (naturally) I made this discovery on a Friday evening, I figured a vet visit was coming on Monday. But a bit more searching revealed that tapeworm treatment could be had over the counter. One trip to Petco and $20 later, I had a tiny bottle with three tablets. It's a one-dose, and in Britzi's case one-tablet, treatment, so there are leftovers in case of re-infection.

The information I found said cats can be infected in two ways: by eating an infected rodent, or by being bitten by an infected flea. She hasn't eaten any rodents while she's been with us, though she might have as a stray — she was at Olathe Animal Control before coming to the no-kill shelter where we adopted her. I don't know if shelter vets check stool samples; tapeworm would be obvious if so. The yellow particles showed up pretty soon after we brought Britzi home, but that doesn't mean she was already infected.

The medicine didn't say how long it takes to work, but I'm hoping for soon. I guess I'll have to check her stool for the next few days. The things we do for love…

Q. I have a 3-year-old Shih-Tzu, and he digs holes in the yard. How can I stop him from doing this?

A. Dogs that dig do it out of instinct to make a cool or warm place in which to lie down, or because there are interesting smells in the soil. It also feels good to burrow and dig in the dirt with their feet. This is actually a normal behavior, especially for breeds such as terriers. You can discourage this behavior by placing dog feces in any hole your dog has started digging and cover it over with dirt. Most dogs will stop excavating if they encounter dog stool. You can also try rocks in the hole that will make it unpleasant for your dog to dig. You also should not leave the dog unsupervised in the yard at all. Some pet owners will designate a portion of the yard that is okay to dig in, since this is considered an instinctual behavior.

Q. What kinds of diseases can cats carry? Can they carry Hepatitis C and spread it to humans? What can they spread to humans?

A. Diseases that are naturally transmitted from animals to humans are called zoonotic. But most viruses are species specific, which means that they are not readily transmissible from species to species. So you can’t give your flu or colds to your cat, and vice versa. Cats do not carry Hepatitis C, but some of the diseases that you can get from your cat include rabies, ringworm, scabies mites, toxoplasmosis, giardia, bartonellosis (cat scratch fever), roundworms and tapeworms. Keep in mind that most zoonotic diseases in humans are more likely to be acquired from another infected human than a clinically healthy, parasite-free cat.

Q. I have a parrot named Spanky. He constantly picks at himself—he looks like he’s been through a tornado! Can you recommend a vitamin or conditioner that would help him?

A. Birds that “feather pick” have difficulty regulating their temperature and are prone to infections and can ultimately lead to premature death. There are a number of medical conditions that can cause feather picking as well as behavioral and psychological issues as well. Some medical conditions include: parasites—both internal and external, metabolic disease, cancer, various bacterial, viral or fungal infections, malnutrition, pain of any sort, and an initial skin or feather abrasion or defect. Therefore, you should take Spanky in to an avian veterinarian who can get a good history along with a physical exam and some diagnostics including blood and cultures to help determine any and all underlying medical conditions that could be the cause of the feather picking. Some of the most common behavioral problems that can lead to feather picking include: lack of attention, sexual/hormonal frustrations, changes in the environment, and stress. All underlying medical conditions should be addressed and treated and if there is a behavioral component, that needs to be addressed, too, with behavioral modification and/or pharmacological intervention.

Q. I have a 9-year-old Shiba Inu. She’s in good health, but her eyes have a glare to them. Could she have cataracts because of her old age? Or possibly undiagnosed diabetes?

A. Dogs over 8 years of age have a normal aging process of their lens called nuclear sclerosis, in which the lens starts to lose some of its water content. You’ll notice a bluish/hazy appearance to their eyes. This does not affect their vision. Cataracts, on the other hand, are the actual clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye, which prevents light from passing through and, therefore, causes vision loss. Cataracts can be small or completely cover the lens. Dogs can be born with cataracts or develop them as puppies or adults and they can be caused by such diseases like diabetes, improper nutrition or even secondary to some drugs.

Q. What causes hot spots on dogs? And is there anything we can do to prevent them? Our English Bulldog often has breakouts. We have a spray prescribed by our vet that works well, but our dog smells! Is that because of the skin allergies?

A. Hot spots develop when something causes such severe itching or irritation that a dog scratches and licks his skin raw. The majority of hot spots on dogs, especially those on the hindquarters, are caused by a flea allergy or hypersensitivity to flea bites. Other allergies include pollen or food. Certain fleas have a protein in their saliva that is deposited under the dog’s skin when they bite them. This causes an exaggerated response by the immune system. It’s confusing for owners because they will not see any fleas, because fleas do not stay on the dog after they bite them. But the protein in their saliva does remain under the skin. Subsequently, these dogs are very itchy and will bite and chew at themselves, causing skin irritation and a secondary bacterial infection from the chewing. The best way to prevent hot spots is to be diligent about flea control. Start in the spring to prevent fleas in the first place. The odor that you are noticing on your dog is also a part of skin allergies in which dogs, because of the chronic irritation, will produce an excessive amount of sebum from the sebaceous glands of their skin. The resulting problem is an odor and or abnormal coat.

So $50 later, we have all kinds of seeds, from asparagus to zucchini. (Thank you, little daughter, for helping us pick out one of every seed packet at the store.)

Add to that the $30 we spent on a tool to dig up the grass. Then we need some wood for a frame and good dirt to add on top.

I can tell we're saving money already.

After my husband had the area all dug up, I hauled the sod clumps to the back yard. (We're putting our vegetable garden out front, where we get the most sun and where our dogs can't romp around in.)

I figured, hey, I can use these clumps of dirt to fill in all the holes Hera's dug all over the yard the past several years.

Wrong! As soon as I filled in a big hole, Hera was right there, enjoying the smell of new dirt.

I guess a dog's gotta have something to do all day. Might as well dig.

And when we grow more vegetables than we can stand, I'm sure she'll have a great time jumping in the compost and foraging for scraps.

Q. I would like to get my 8/1-2-year-old poodle's teeth cleaned, but my husband is very against this. Would it be a risk to sedate at her age for this process? She is healthy as far as we know, but has not had blood work done yet.

A. Oral disease is the number one health problem diagnosed in dogs and cats. Early stages of gum disease should never be ignored because it is actually at this point that you can do the most good by preventing progression of the bacteria to more serious stages where you can’t reverse the disease process, such as infections on the heart valve, which will definitely shorten your cat or dog’s life span. Pets that have bacteria in their bloodstream will become internally ill and experience pain from the bacteria spreading to internal organs. These animals are in jeopardy of internal organ failure. Many people balk at anesthesia due to the perceived risks, but in truth, the risks are negligible compared to those of letting your pet develop dental disease. Numerous precautions, including the use of safe short-acting anesthetics, a complete physical exam, knowledge of your pet’s medical history, blood work, antibiotics, pain killers and x-rays make the dangers of anesthesia low in contrast to the risks of disease that can occur by not cleaning your pet’s teeth. This is true even in the geriatric patient. Good dental health will help your pet live a longer, happier life and financially help you in the long run.

Now, until I was all "grown up" and living on my own, I had pretty much no experience to back that up.

Sure, we had a dog when I was a kid -- he was a mutt named Socks. And I loved him like crazy. But he wasn't so well behaved, and my parents gave him to a friend who lived on a farm. I was in the third grade then, and he got to spend his last night with us in my room. I came home from school and he was gone. I remember making dog biscuits for Socks after that. I asked my dad to give them to his new owners. I bet he felt a little bit silly about that.

Other than that, the only pets we had as kids were the kind you kept in cages.

Then about 11 years ago, I got two kittens from the shelter -- female siblings. My apartment at the time allowed cats but not dogs, so that was that.

And it turns out, cats aren't as aloof as they're made out to be. My two still follow me from room to room. And if I'm sitting still, they'll curl up on my lap. Sometimes I almost hate to get up to disturb them!

About a year later, I found my dog. She was a stray with a chain on her neck. I took her to the same shelter where I had adopted my cats. They cut her chain off and convinced me to keep her (it didn't take much convincing). 

And now I have to say, I'm a dog person and a cat person!

Q. I have a 16-month-old male Ragdoll cat. He only eats canned food. I want him to eat dry food also, but he will only take a few bites occasionally. Is this OK for his health and teeth?

A. Canned food is approximately 75 percent water, so the downside to your cat eating only canned food is that he is going to have to eat a lot more to fulfill his nutrition requirements. Dry food has a very low water content, about six to 10 percent, and is much more calorically dense so your pet does not have to consume very much to fill his daily nutritional requirements. I would consult with a vet and ask if feeding only wet food is OK for your cat. The other option is to add water to his dry food, which may increase its palatability. You might also try switching to a different brand.

She jumps on the counter when she knows I've got the lotion out and she'll try to lick my hands. Or after I've washed my hair, she'll come up behind me on the sofa and try to lick my hair. It's kind of gross, really. I mean, I don't want that tongue on me!!!

I used to feed the cats tiny bits of petroleum jelly as a hairball remedy when I read on an "official" (meaning expensive) hairball remedy tube that it was the main ingredient.

Maybe she misses the grease!

Q. I recently lost my 9-1/2-year-old Welsh Corgi to kidney disease. Is that hereditary? Also, what I should look for in pet food?

A. Learning how to read dog food labels will teach you a lot about the quality of food you are feeding. You want to make sure you buy dog food that conforms to minimal standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). If the pet food follows the guidelines set forth by AAFCO, the label will include a statement that says the food provides complete and balanced nutrition for that life stage—puppy, adult or senior. Next, choose a pet food that has a highly digestible source of protein. Meat-based diets such as chicken, turkey, beef or fish are much better because the protein is of higher quality and is easier to digest. Look closely because many foods are vegetable-based, like soybean, corn or rice, all of which contain incomplete proteins. The first two or three ingredients on the label should be some type of animal protein such as chicken, beef, fish, lamb or turkey. They should not be animal by-products (the leftover part of the meat), grains or vegetables. Also make sure the pet food can or bag has an expiration date and don’t feed food that has expired. Lastly, there should be a phone number and/or website so you can contact the company and ask questions. To answer your question about kidney disease, it can be hereditary and it can come on suddenly due to toxins or injury, or occur slowly as the kidneys wear out. A wide range of factors—i ncluding infection, injuries, cancer, parasites and old age—can all cause kidney disease. It’s common in older pets and is estimated to be the number one or number two cause of death in cats and dogs.

I'm adjusting to her presence as well. For the first day or two, I was uncomfortable with this strange cat in Bobcat's house. Comparisons are inevitable, and although I tried hard to see her individuality, I felt oddly resentful at having this not-Bob in his place. However, this feeling is receding as I learn more about Britzi's personality and preferences.

I wonder if we should have waited longer to get another cat after losing Bob. When we began visiting cats at shelters, I craved kitty company. I didn't expect such a strong reaction to her "replacing" Bob. So, to work through the adjustment period, I kept reminding myself that we were doing this innocent little cat a kindness by giving her a "forever home," as the shelters like to say. We'll become a family in time, I think.

Q. My miniature German Schnauzer wakes me up at least three times every night to go out to urinate. Why does he have to "go" so often?

A. I would recommend that you take your Schnauzer to the vet and get a urinalysis and possible X-rays done right away. It is abnormal that he has to urinate three times a night. This breed of dog is predisposed to bladder stones and that could be the problem.

In the midst of rubbing snow all over the dog a few days ago, my daughter asked when we could give the dogs a bath.

Now, the kids love to wash the dogs, so it seems like once summer arrives, we're outside once a week with the hose and some shampoo. Of course, the dogs aren't too fond of getting washed, so the first thing they do afterward is roll around in the grass.

Maybe wet dog is a weird smell to like, but there could be worse!

I see them in open truck beds, or hanging out car windows, or jumping around the inside of cars.

I worry they could fall out and get hurt or killed.

Back when we had a truck with an open bed, that was the only place we could put our dogs to take them to the vet or where ever. And I was always afraid they'd lunge for something that caught their eye and they'd fall out. It never happened, but that's just our good luck, I guess.

When they're inside the car, they can distract the driver (mine distracted me when she stepped on my daughter -- she was not happy).

I'm sure there's a safe answer -- doggy seatbelts. And I'm sure somebody's already invented them.

The new challenge with Britzi is her claws. Our previous cat was declawed when we adopted him. Britzi has "soft paws" and doesn't extend her claws much when interacting with people, but like all cats, she needs to scratch to exercise her muscles. Last night, she was completely uninterested in the new sisal and carpet scratching post I'd bought, instead preferring the couch (as I'd feared). We tried gentle dissuasion and offering her the post instead, but to no avail.

In some desperation, I searched the Web for suggestions. The temporary measure of laying strips of aluminum foil around the couch worked to keep her away. Hubby brought out an old toy, a disc with a cardboard scratching pad in the center, and she took to it immediately. Then, miraculously, this morning she began using the scratching post!

Just to be on the safe side, I plan to try spraying the couch with citrus-scented Febreze, since cats apparently dislike citrus scents. I'll also see about picking up another scratcher, and maybe some catnip spray to direct Britzi toward appropriate scratching places. Later, when I have some help, I'll try trimming her claws…

Q. I have a 5-year-old female English Bulldog, and she's recently started going to the bathroom in the house. It’s become so bad that I have had to crate her during the day while I’m at work. She has never done this before. Could this be a medical problem?

A. If you’re having trouble housebreaking your dog and she was at one time housebroken, you must take her to the vet to rule out an underlying medical problem. I can’t tell you how many times I have treated dogs and cats for bladder infections long after the fact and the owners just assumed their problems were behavioral. The danger in not treating a bladder infection is that it could lead to a kidney infection too, which can be very serious. Bladder infections are uncomfortable for most pets, so you should start treatment as soon as possible.

It's probably a very normal thing, but even while I was sitting in the visiting room with our new tortie snuggled on my lap, I felt something like betrayal — why were we bringing a strange cat into Bob's house? Odd that I hadn't thought about this before now, but maybe it's because only now there's a real kitty we'll be taking home, not just one we're thinking about.

Tomorrow I'll pick up New Kitty, take her to Dr F for a wellness exam, and introduce her to our home. There will be lots of comparisons to Bob, I know. Must remember to allow her to be herself, and to gratefully discover the particular joys she can offer.

Q. Our 3-year-old Yorkie is not neutered. My wife believes that if he is fixed he will lose his spirit. What are the pros and cons of neutering, and is it too late?

A. It’s never too late to neuter your dog. In fact, it’s the single most important decision you should make for your pet. Contrary to certain beliefs, neutering does not alter basic temperament, personality, or intelligence. In fact, many undesirable qualities under hormonal influence actually resolve themselves following surgery. Some owners also fear that a male dog will be “less of a male,” act more like a female, or not be as tough or intelligent if neutered. Thankfully for male dogs, cats, and humans, the reproductive organs do not control intelligence level or toughness, loyalty, or character. Activity level, appetite, playfulness, and socialization with humans are not changed. The behaviors that do change are unwanted and destructive ones that are influenced by male hormones, such as obsession with the great escape, battling over turf, urine marking inside and outside the house, inappropriate mounting, and digging. Dogs that resist training also benefit from neutering because they are more likely to accept the owner’s leadership. Also, neutering a male dog or cat is the number one thing you can do to increase his longevity. Dogs and cats that are neutered live an average of 40 percent longer than dogs and cats that aren’t neutered because neutering greatly decreases or completely eliminates certain health problems. Problems can include testicular cancer, testicular torsion, rectal cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatic abscess, prostatic cancer, epididymitis (infection of the epididymis), perineal hernia (abdominal organs bulging out of rectum), inguinal hernia with potential organ strangulation, and perianal gland adenoma. Therefore, I strongly recommend neutering your pet because of the overwhelming benefits both behaviorally and medically.

Put them together, and what do you get? Play groups for dogs.

I saw a vehicle recently advertising its play groups, where they pick up your dog, take him to a fenced park with other dogs, let them all run around and then bring the dog back to your home, all while you're at work.

The only hitch is the weather -- other than that, the dogs get a fun way to spend part of the day. It sounds better than coming home to chewed up gloves or paw holes in the walls.

Before you know it, we'll be enrolling our dogs in doggie college -- some sort of months-long fun obedience class. Might not be a bad idea.

Q. My cat has had two urinary blocks in a year. My vet recommends the Royal Canin or Hills c/d formula, which you can only get from the vet. Is there something that I can feed him that would be comparable to what she has recommended and not cost a fortune? (I have five cats!)

A. Male cats get blocked up and cannot urinate when mineral crystals form in the urine and irritate the urinary tract lining. Eventually, they form a plug in the urethra and obstruct the flow of urine from the bladder. Cats with this condition will die if not treated immediately. Therefore, I always recommend feeding male cats a special diet that will prevent the formation of crystals. Females are not as much at risk of blocking because they have much larger urethral openings than males. The diet that your vet recommended is one of the best in preventing this condition because it has reduced magnesium and phosphorus and helps create a normal acid urine ph. That also helps prevent the occurrence of crystals from forming. Most vets recommend adding wet food to a cat¹s diet with this condition. But again, I would also recommend the canned c/d diet as well. Check with your veterinarian to see if there is a compatible diet that might be cheaper based on the blood and urinalysis results from your cat. Of course, once a cat has blocked he is at a much higher risk of blocking again. So its imperative that you feed your cat a special diet for the rest of his life. I have seen clients who have run out of the c/d and only fed their cats a store bought diet for one to two days. The cats blocked immediately. So again, I want to stress how important the diet is for these cats.

Q. We read an article in class about banning pit bulls. My teacher thinks they are born to fight and have lockjaws. Can you help me prove to her that they don't have lockjaws, and it's the owners to blame for their behavior?

A. Definitely show this to your teacher because you are correct. These dogs are not born vicious, and it is the owners that control negative behavior. The correct breed name is American Staffordshire terrier. They descended from crossing the old Bulldog and old terrier strains to produce the “Bull and Terrier,” later to be dubbed the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Here’s a direct quote from the American Kennel Club: “In mentioning the gameness of the Staffordshire, it is not the intention to tag him as a fighting machine, or to praise this characteristic. These points are discussed because they are necessary in giving the correct origin and history of the breed. The good qualities of the dogs are many, and it would be difficult for anyone to over-stress them.” As a shelter vet of nine years, I have seen thousands of American Staffordshire Terriers, and I can attest to the fact that they are not born aggressive and mean and can make wonderful companion animals.

Q. I have two 8-year-old male dogs. They’re littermates, and have both been fixed. In the past year or so, they have become very destructive while I’m at work. They eat books, and most anything they can get their mouths on. I leave them plenty of toys and Nylabones to chew, and walk them every day. Any...

A. It sounds to me like your two dogs are bored and need more stimulation. You could try hiring a dog walker, which would come during the day and walk the dogs or take them to the dog park to increase their activity level and stimulate them mentally and physically. The other option is to find a neighbor that you trust with a dog that could come over and let the dogs have some playtime together. This should help alleviate their frustration during the day while you are gone at work.

They were trying to figure out who would take care of the puppy on which days and Grace said she wanted the puppy every other weekend and on Jewish holidays.

So I got to wondering -- how much of an issue is pet custody? Do divorcing couples care?

When my first husband and I separated, I let him come over to see the dog, but I think he really wanted to see whether we could get back together. (Nope.) Once our divorce was final, the "dog visitation" was over, too. So it wasn't ever a major point of contention, as far as fighting over who gets the pets. (I got them.)

What do you think?

Q. My 13-year-old overweight tri-tabby has started pooping in my dining room several times a week. She uses her litter box for urine and some poop. Any thoughts on what is happening?

A. Your 13-year-old overweight tri-tabby is in her late 60s in human years—a senior—and is trying to alert you that she is not feeling right. Any time an animal exhibits abnormal potty behavior, especially if your pet is senior, you should visit the vet. There are a myriad of health reasons that could cause her to start defecating outside the box such as arthritis, senility, metabolic disease and kidney disease, among others. In addition to a physical exam your vet will probably want to run urine and blood tests to rule out any number of health problems. I would take her in right away because the sooner your vet can figure out what is wrong her the sooner you can start treatment and the better the prognosis.

Q. My wife and I would like to get a Poodle this summer. Which of the types of Poodles–standard, mini, or toy–have the best personalities? Which types are best around children? Finally, which type is least likely to bark constantly?

A. Poodles make excellent pets because they are playful, responsive and obedient. For what you are looking for, either a standard or miniature Poodle might be better than a toy. Standard Poodles love to run, swim, and retrieve. They are excellent with other pets and children and tend not to bark very much. Miniature Poodles are obedient, sensitive and they can often become devoted to one person. They are good with other pets and children but tend to bark more than the standard. Toy Poodles are playful and curious, but not as good with other dogs and they do bark a lot. I hope that helps with your decision-making process and good luck with your new four-legged friend!

Q. Can I give my dog Imodium or another over the counter product to stop his diarrhea?

A. Diarrhea can be caused by parasites, viruses and bacterial infections, which can make it dangerous to give your dog over the counter medication without the go-ahead from your vet. If your pet is otherwise healthy and is an adult, I sometimes instruct owners to withhold food, not water, for 24 hours. If the diarrhea was caused by dietary indiscretion, it will often resolve itself when the intestinal lining heals itself. But again, I would consult with your vet first.

That's what's behind (get it?) the children's book series, "Walter the Farting Dog."

My mom got my daughter one of those books last year for her 4-year-old birthday. So she couldn't read it herself, but she sure enjoyed having it read to her. And everybody at the table had to pass the book around and read it (to themselves -- silently, but deadly).

I'm usually the one who groans whenever someone burps, so I wasn't exactly excited about this book. But I haven't had to read it every day, so that's good.

And we do have a cat that farts. Whenever someone picks up Max, he farts. Trouble is, he's the friendliest of the cats we have -- so everybody wants to pet him and put him on their lap. By now, they've learned about his secret weapon.

And we know there's a cat we can blame our farts on, too.

Q. How often should I brush my dog’s teeth?

A. You should brush them every day if possible, or at least every other day. Anything less than that is not helping your pet. You need to use a toothbrush and toothpaste made for dogs. The bristles on our toothbrushes are too hard, and the fluoride content in our toothpaste is too high for our pets. There are great dog toothpaste flavors too choose from, such as chicken, fish and beef. Just remember to warn your houseguests that your dog has his own toothbrush and toothpaste!

Do you think people should keep exotic animals as pets?

I'm not sure myself, but I think if you're going to keep an exotic animal as a pet -- say a tiger or monkey or something -- then you should have to pass some kind of exam that verifies you're qualified to provide care for that animal. I think that includes providing the proper habitat and understanding their behavior and diet.

What about mice and rats and snakes and lizards? When a mouse is in my house, it's not my pet. It's a rodent. And I'll be happy when my cats kill it. But some people enjoy them as pets. Some scientists use them for experiments. Where do you draw the line?

What about people who don't know how to treat cats and dogs? Should there be an exam for them to pass, too?

What about other pets, like horses? Or pigs?

Should money be the only barrier to entry? If I have enough money to buy a horse and keep it and feed it, does that mean I should be able to? Even if I know nothing about them, other than they're cool to look at?

What about zoos? Should they exist? I understand they help endangered species, but is that the best way to do it?

Where do we draw the line? I don't know.

We just lost our beloved mini dachshund, Scooter, to complications following surgery for intevertebral disc disease.  He was only 5 1/2 years old and the light of our lives.  He had episodes of the disease sporadically over the past 2 years but this was the first time his back legs were paralyzed and he had no bladder or bowel control.  We are just devastated about losing our "energizer bunny" love of our lives.

And I like seeing art that evokes a feeling. To me, that often means pictures of people or animals.

I'm not too good a people yet (faces are HARD!!!) and I'm just OK with pets.

But I'm practicing, and I have lots of models at home to pose for me. (Best time to catch them is when they're napping.)

This one pictured above is one I did several years ago, with help from my stepdaughter. I think she made it better, because she used rainbow colors where I would have used boring realistic colors.

Q. My dog suffers from seizures, and I've heard that B vitamins may help. Is there any scientific proof to this? Are there any risks associated with giving him B vitamins?

A. Dogs or cats should never take human medication unless prescribed or instructed by a veterinarian. Every year, hundreds of dogs and cats end up at the emergency clinic because their owners gave them their own medication or their pets got into the medication on their own. It’s important to keep all medication—prescription and non-prescription—in a secure place. Because dogs and cats have been known to ingest entire bottles of pills, often with dire consequences.

Bob had become withdrawn and subdued over the past two weeks. I took him to the vet Monday for a follow-up on his bladder infection and urine acidity, and on Dr F's recommendation had a complete blood test run. While the bladder infection was gone and the urine pH was neutral, the CBC revealed severe anemia and hyperthyroidism, both of which are expected secondary effects of kidney failure. His BUN and creatinine numbers also indicated advancing kidney failure.

Before the blood test results came back, however, my husband and I both realized that the end was very near. Bob had not slept with us for a week or two, which he had always done since the first day he came to live with us. On Monday night, he remained downstairs in a place that was not one of his usual spots. On Tuesday morning, my husband found him in the same place. It brought him to tears. Bob was there also when we left for work that morning, and when I returned in the early afternoon, he was still there.

I talked to Dr F about Bob's bloodwork soon after, and was choking back tears before we finished. After I hung up, I sobbed and petted Bob. I called my husband asking him to skip his usual volunteer work that evening. "Is it bad?" he asked. I said it was.

For the hour and a half remaining until my husband came home, I sat with Bob, thinking about the inevitable. I felt this sunny afternoon — the time Bob usually spent snoozing in a patch of sunlight — was the best time to usher him gently from this world. Bob climbed into my lap for a last kneading and nap while I waited. It was a precious time.

When my husband arrived, he was reluctant at first to act. I gave him the complete vet report and quietly said I was ready. He cried, too, and in time acquiesced, but insisted that we visit a shelter the next day. I agreed. He then cleared away Bob's various food and water dishes (so he wouldn't see them when we returned) while I fetched Bob's favorite fleece blanket from our bed. We wrapped Bob in the blanket and slowly made our way to the vet's office.

While we waited in the exam room, I snipped a lock of Bob's fur, and my husband wrapped it in a tissue. We both petted Bob as Dr F injected the anaesthetic overdose.

At home, we phoned my cousin, a pastor and longtime multiple-pet owner. Our conversation was comforting and cathartic. The rest of the evening was very quiet. We looked at some photos of adoptable cats online, and received some condolences from Facebook friends who'd read the brief messages we posted.

I feel Bob's absence as if we were in a house without furniture. I thought my tears were done, but here they are again. I miss him.

____________

This post is part of a series. Past entries can be found on BethW's page at KC Pets.

Q. How can I tell if my dog is depressed?

A. Dogs show depression in a variety of ways. It depends on the animal and the reason it is depressed. Generally speaking, a depressed dog may hide, be reluctant to eat, or sleep more than usual. If your dog is exhibiting these kinds of symptoms, you should take it to the vet for a physical exam and/or blood work to determine if there is a medical reason causing the depression.

It's the litter boxes that had non-clumping litter in them! Man, they smelled terrible! Poor cats. I just hope I don't find a corner of the house somewhere that they turned into a potty just because they couldn't stand the smell long before I smelled it.

I took the lid off the first litter box to clean it, and waves of ammonia smell just poured out. Eeeewww!

So I called my husband at work and asked him to please, please, please stop at the store on the way home and pick up some CLUMPING cat litter.

Then I poured two litter pans out in the trash and washed out the boxes. I hadn't actually washed out the boxes in probably a few years, so I guess this was a good thing.

And I think I heard the cats fighting over who got to use the fresh litter box first this morning.

(And I'm never buying non-clumping cat litter again.)

Q. I have a 4-year-old female Boston terrier. She was spayed at 6 months old. But when she goes to the bathroom, she cocks her leg like a male dog. Why?

A. A female dog will raise her leg when going to the bathroom if she lived with a male dog when she was younger. She's simply following what she has seen other dogs do. There’s no reason to worry. It has nothing to do with hormones or the fact that she is spayed, which, of course, is a good thing for her because she'll live longer.

Q. I have a 2-year-old teacup Chihuahua, and her ears smell! The vet says they are OK, but it’s a really bad odor—what can I do?

A. If your vet has ruled out an ear infection, you could try cleaning your dog’s ears yourself to make them smell better. Just use an ear cleaning solution made for dogs and cats. Squirt the solution into the ear, filling the entire canal, and gently massage the ear base for 60 seconds. The solution should hit the eardrum and flow back out of the ear if you have completely filled the canal. Wiping or cleaning only the upper portion of the canal does nothing for the lower portion, which is where infections usually begin. Let your pet shake its head, then use a cotton ball to wipe out any debris. Repeat the whole process until the cotton balls come out clean. Never use Q-tips, since they can easily break off and get lodged in your pet’s ear canal. Also, never clean ears with peroxide, soap, water, or oil, as these can irritate the skin lining in the canal or set up the perfect environment for an infection.

Q. I am devastated. My 9-year-old Cocker Spaniel was just diagnosed with "old dog" (vestibular) disease. Would Botox injected near the affected eye relax the twitch and make her vision steadier? It breaks my heart to see her stumbling and bumping into things. Also, would short walks be advisable now?

A. The vestibular apparatus is located in the middle ear and is responsible for maintaining balance. Canine idiopathic vestibular disease, also called old dog vestibular disease, is the most common form of vestibular disease in both dogs and cats. Other causes include middle ear infection and tumor. Idiopathic means that the cause of the disease is unknown. Most cases of IVD usually improve within 72 hours and the animal is normal within seven to 14 days. I would not recommend using Botox to relax your dog’s eye twitching because this is a neurologic symptom of the disease and should resolve on its own. The best thing you can do is to confine her to a safe place like a bedroom so she doesn’t fall down and hurt herself, and recheck if the symptoms persist. Even short walks should be avoided because of the potential for her to fall and should only resume when she is better.

Q. I have a blue born Yorkie. Do you know anything about this llittle fellow?

A. Yorkshire Terriers originated from England and there original function was to hunt small vermin. They come in two colors: blue and tan, but are born black and gradually attain their blue and tan coloration as they mature. They are busy, inquisitive, and bold dogs that do tend to bark a lot. They need short walks to keep them mentally and physically stimulated and their long coat should be combed ever other day. These beautiful dogs make excellent pets because of their size and character.

I'm going to get out there and enjoy the nice weather while it lasts -- I hope you do, too!

(And remember to bring that plastic bag to pick up your dogs' poop. Gross to carry around, but nice for your neighbors.)

Q. My 4-year-old Sheltie has been diagnosed with arthritis in her front ankles. She limps most of the time, and it worries me that she may be in pain. Nothing the vet has given her has helped. Do you think this is something we must live with?

A. I would recommend taking Shelley to a board certified internist to work up her arthritis. It may be immune mediated or caused by some other underlying problem, because that’s a young age for a dog to develop such a disease. Ask your vet for a referral, or call the local veterinary association to find a veterinarian near you who is board certified in internal medicine. On top of four years of college, these specialized vets spend four years in veterinary medical school. In addition, they have completed three to four years of advanced training, usually including a formal residency program that’s almost identical to human physician training. So you can be sure your pet will receive expert care.

Q. A friend just gave me a lovely poinsettia plant. I have heard they are poisonous to animals and children. Is that true? I have a wonderful kitty and three great grandchildren.

A. Poinsettia plants, which are also called Christmas Flowers, Christmas Plants, or Easter Flowers, are not poisonous and have leaves and stems that are low in toxicity. But they will cause stomach upset in cats, dogs and children if eaten in large amounts, so it is best to keep these beautiful plants away from your pets and any curious kids.

I just saw this on the local TV news. A candle was left burning in the house and the cat knocked it over.

So it's the cat's fault? I don't think so.

Here's an idea -- blow out the candle.

Sure, I feel sad for the homeowners who now have to deal with repairs and all that, but give the cat a break.

Don't leave candles burning unattended!

Q. I have a Japanese Akita that has had about four seizures in the last two years. Any idea what can causes the seizures? Are they common in Akitas?

A. Seizures are one of the most frequently seen neurological diseases in dogs. There are many underlying causes of seizures in dogs, including liver disease, toxin ingestion, tumors, hypoglycemia, trauma, infection and kidney disease. Epilepsy, which can be diagnosed in any breed of dog, is the name given to seizure disorder for which there is no identifiable cause. Before you start your Akita on medication I would make sure you have ruled out any underlying disease first. There are several medications that are used to treat epilepsy and as long as you work closely with your vet it should not affect his quality of life or longevity.

Q. My 3-year-old mini Dachshund had surgery recently for a bladder stone and has to be on a special ("UD") diet for the rest of her life. Do you know what caused this and what I can do to promote good health in my dog so it doesn't happen again?

A. Crystals and or bladder stones can be life threatening in male dogs because they can lodge in the urethra and obstruct their ability to urinate. There are several different kinds of bladder stones, which can develop when a pet is making crystals in their urine. Crystal formation occurs because of metabolic, dietary and hereditary factors. There are numerous brands of prescription diets with reduced amounts of magnesium, phosphorous, calcium, protein and certain amino acids that all contribute to the formation of crystals. Adjusting the PH of urine can also help prevent the recurrence of certain types of crystals. Now that your mini Dachshund has been treated for bladder stones you will have to be vigilant to keep this from recurring. Encouraging water intake, sticking to a proper diet and yearly or bi-yearly vet exams should all help promote good health in your dog and allow her to live a normal happy and healthy life. In addition, knowing the warning signs—which include blood in the urine, urinating in inappropriate places, increased urination and increased water intake—will help you be able to diagnose and or treat this problem immediately should it occur again.

Q. How can I make my cat's bath time less traumatic?

A. The best way is to start from kittenhood so your cat will be used to getting a bath by the time he or she is an adult. If that’s not an option, here are some tips on bathing your cat: • Trim your cat’s nails prior to the day you give the bath and be prepared before you start. • Have the towels and shampoo all ready before you get your cat and use lukewarm water in the kitchen sink. • Pick your cat up by the nape of the neck firmly and ease him or her into the water. • Lather him up and rinse well. I recommend towel drying instead of blow-drying because many cats hate the sound of the blow dryer. Try rewarding your cat with his favorite treat once he is dry and give the bath after a play session when he has tired. Some cats learn to tolerate baths very well and other simple hate water because after all they are descendents of desert dwellers.

But when winter rolls around, I just skip it. When it's cold, we don't really go outside with the kids to play unless there's a pile of snow. Then when springtime arrives, I'm back out with the plastic bags, scooping poop. For my first really good poop scoop of the spring, I can fill one or two grocery bags with a winter's worth of poop.

And our yard isn't small, either. It takes me about an hour and a half to mow the back yard with our non-self-propelled push lawn mower. My former home in the Westport area took about 15 minutes total to mow -- front and back. I miss that yard.

But I don't know if I would pay someone to come to my house to pick up the poop. For one, I'm cheap. Even before the recession, I was pretty cheap. It probably doesn't cost more than $40 a month, but still, that's $40 I could spend on groceries.

Do you pay someone to come clean your dogs' poop from your yard? Have you used that type of service before? What did you think of it? Tell me about it!

Q. Should I be brushing my 4-year-old cat’s teeth daily? A vet told me her plaque build-up would require me having her put under for the procedure. Can you recommend something less drastic?

A. If possible, it is best to brush your cat’s teeth every dayat the very least, every other day. Anything less than that is not really helping, and good dental hygiene is definitely one of the reasons cats and dogs are living longer. The only way to properly clean your cat’s teeth is to anesthetize her so the vet can remove all of the plaque that has accumulated. This is done by scaling with instruments and an ultrasonic scalar and then polishing the enamel surface so that bacteria does not easily adhere to the teeth. Most cats and dogs would not tolerate the process of cleaning their teeth, which is similar to what you have done at your dentist’s. Although there is always a risk with anesthesia, which is reduced with pre-operative blood tests, the risk to leaving the bacteria that could potentially enter the blood stream and wreak havoc with the internal organs is far greater.

Q. My 15-month-old cat constantly paws my clothes before she settles down to lie on me. She does it dozens of times before she stops or I push her to stop. What is this all about?

A. This “kneading” behavior in cats is a sign of affection. When kittens nurse, they move their paws against their mothers’ bodies to help them nurse. So your 15-month-old cat is actually showing you that she loves you!

Q. How much should a Golden Retriever weigh?

A. Golden Retrievers usually weigh between 55 and 75 pounds, depending on their age, sex and genetics. Also, there is so much individuality among the varying breeds that the best way to tell if you dog is at its ideal weight is to look at and feel him. You should be able to easily feel, but not see, your dog’s backbone and ribs. Next, do a profile check. Your dog should have a “tuck” in his tummy, beginning just behind the last ribs and going up into the hind legs or thighs. And viewed from above, he should have an "hourglass" figure with a noticeable waist just before the hips at the end of the rib cage. If you’re unsure, your vet can tell you if your dog is at its proper weight.

And mostly, that's my own fault. I just want to get the whole thing over with, so I insist on taking all the dogs at once. (I like to take the cats all at once, too, but they're not too bad once you can catch them and put them in crates. Now catching them is the hard part.) Last year, that meant three big dogs in the car, plus my husband, my daughter and me. The dogs whine the whole car ride. Thankfully, it's only a few blocks. Then, they pull on the leashes, trying to go the opposite direction of where ever I want them to go.

If I was smarter, I'd only take one dog at a time. (And I'd be a better dog owner, who teaches her dogs to sit better. I'm working on that!)

And actually, this year it didn't go too bad. We only had two dogs to deal with (because the third one was put to sleep about a year ago). So it was my daughter and me and two dogs.

One of the dogs stepped on my daughter during the car ride, and she didn't like that too much.

But once we got there, they were semi well behaved. I brought sliced up hotdogs to tempt the dogs to sit still. Unfortunately, Hera doesn't really care about treats, so it didn't work too well on her. But Casey lives for food, so she was easy.

Ten minutes and $128 later, we were done.

What's your vet experience like?

Q. How often should you take an indoor cat to the vet?

A. Most vets are now recommending that your take your pet in every six monthsespecially if they are seniorfor what's called a wellness exam. That means taking them in whether you think they are sick or not. Keep in mind that animals are programmed to conceal illness in the wild, so some issues may only be detected during a wellness exam. As a vet, I have experienced this firsthand. Pets age roughly seven years for every one human year, so the sooner you can detect problems via exams, blood and urine tests, the better for your pet and your pocketbook. Preventative medicine is one of the reasons pets are living longer these days. That's great news, because we all know they just don't live long enough!

Before that, Hera didn't dig much.

But that smelly, gooey muck was too much for her to resist. And now she doesn't stop digging.

It's too cold out now for her to do much damage to the yard, but she can still dig up the sandbox. She's managed to work her way down to the fabric I had laid under the sand -- and with the fabric gone, the sandbox is more like a dirtbox with a few grains of sand that haven't washed away yet.

There's so many holes in the backyard, mowing the grass is an adventure. One bad step, and there goes your ankle.

She's even taken to jumping into the compost pile to dig up freshly placed food scraps. I find egg shells, banana peels, broccoli stalks all over the yard.

There's not much point in filling up the holes, I figure. She'll just make more.

I guess it could be worse. At least she doesn't chew up my shoes.

What sorts of trouble do your dogs get into?

Q. I have a 5-year-old dog, and recently I noticed his breath is bad. I have not changed his diet and don’t give him anything from the table, so I’m at a loss. Any thoughts?

A. Dogs should not have bad breath (aka halitosis). My suspicion is that he probably needs his teeth cleaned. If you have not been brushing his teeth at least three times a week, there is a strong chance he has accumulated tartar and now has gingivitis, which is causing the bad breath. I recommend you take Teddy to your vet and get his teeth looked at. They might want to do a dental cleaning under anesthesia. In any case, ask your vet to teach you how to brush Teddy’s pearly whites. Oral disease is the number one health problem diagnosed in dogs and cats, so its important to take care of your pet’s teeth. Not only will it save you money on your vet bills, but it will increase your pet’s lifespan as well.

Q. I’m pretty certain that my Leopard gecko has metabolic bone disease. How can I help him?

A. The majority of health problems seen in reptiles are due to improper environmental temperature and diet. Leopard geckos are insectivores that are commonly fed crickets, mealworms, and small cockroaches in captivity. Calcium and vitamins are essential for reptiles and lack of supplementation will lead to metabolic bone disease (MBD), which can be very serious. You need to take your Leopard gecko to a veterinarian who is experienced with reptiles as soon as possible. A therapeutic plan needs to be developed based on the cause and severity of the disease right away because if left untreated, metabolic bone disease can be fatal.

Luckily, I have a bunch of cats.

The best mouser is Ita. She's always on the hunt -- even when there's no mice around, like at our current house.

But we can always tell when she's made a catch. She has a particular meow that we only hear when she's "caught" a kids' toy. Usually, she catches stuffed animals. She'll bring them up from the basement and sit under the dining room table with her catch. When I hear that meow, I'm like a cat myself -- I get so curious I have to see what she got.

She's caught pencils (see the photos), plastic figurines and she even once caught a Cabbage Patch baby doll (not the big ones). I wish I had a picture of that!

She doesn't go outside (none of the cats do), so she can't do any damage to wildlife.

(Unfortunately, the dogs can and do catch birds, bunnies, baby possums. It's sad. But the dogs are getting old, so hopefully that will slow them down this spring!)

Do your cats think they're on a big safari hunt at your house? Tell me about it!

Q. I purchased a 20-month-old poodle from the shelter. I have tried everything to housebreak him, but nothing seems to be working. Please help!

A. Crate training is an excellent way to potty train dogs. The size of the crate is important because if it’s too big, it won’t be effective. The crate should be big enough for your dog to lie fully stretched out on its side, tall enough for him to stand and wide enough for him too easily turn around. One of the benefits of confinement is that it discourages activity, which can trigger elimination. Plus, dogs do not like to soil the area where they sleep. Crates are very natural for dogs; most dogs consider them a place of security, kind of like having their own bedroom. By confining your pet in a crate while you are gone or at night this will teach your pet to hold its bladder and only go to the bathroom in the areas you have designated.

Q. A friend told me that green beans would be effective in helping my overweight dog "slim down." Are green beans in a dog’s diet a good idea?

A. If you are feeding your dog a high quality pet food you do not need to add green beans to his diet. You’re right to try to keep your dog lean, though, because pets that are lean live longer and have a decreased incidence of arthritis. Forty percent of cats and dogs are overweight, so you should ask your vet what your dog’s ideal weight is and feed him according to the packaging on your pet food.

Q. We adopted a four-month-old kitten last summer. We already have a 10-year-old cat. The kitten is now nine months old, and he is constantly going after the older cat, jumping on her and trying to bite her. Is there anything we can do to break him of this behavior?

A. Your kitten is exhibiting normal kitten behavior, and if you had another kitten for him to play with everything would be fine. In this case I would try to discourage the behavior by shaking a can filled with rocks or coins to startle him when he jumps on your older cat. You can also use a spray bottle with water to squirt him. You need to do this every time he jumps on her and pretty soon he should stop this behavior. Also, I would encourage playing with him for at least two 15-minute sessions every day to help burn up his kitten energy. He will eventually stop playing so rough as he gets older but this should help your 10-year-old cat, who is not enjoying his playfulness.

Q. My 5-month-old boxer mix flatulates at an alarming rate. Could it be what we're feeding her? We feed her Precise Puppy Growth Formula for large breed dogs. She doesn't get any table scraps. What should we do?

A. You are correct in assuming that the diet you are feeding your boxer puppy is causing her flatulence, and it‘s great that you are not feeding her table scraps! Most dogs‘ flatulence improve with a diet that has an easily digestible carbohydrate and protein source. There are several great commercial diets that are available and I would discuss these with your vet. Also, remember to mix the new diet 50/50 with the old one to avoid stomach upset, and make sure that you stick with puppy food as well.

I've never been one to buy pet outfits or fancy collars or gourmet treats.

I buy my dogs the generic brand treats. I buy generic cat litter. I don't buy toys. But I still buy the brand name food -- especially for the finicky cats, who wouldn't eat any other brand unless it comes in a can with gravy.

I always take the dogs to the vet for their shots each year, but I'll probably skip the heartworm test. (I know, that's bad. Sorry. I don't brush their teeth, either.) And the cats, who all stay indoors, may feel lucky at skipping an annual vet visit altogether. (My vet did tell me in the past that the cats' shots were good for three years, so I don't feel too bad about skipping that.)

I hear about older pets being left at animal shelters, and I hope that doesn't happen with us.

Do you have money-saving tips to share?

Q. We have a Rat Terrier, and she sheds an extraordinary amount. When she was a puppy, she had mange. Could this be her problem, or is it just the breed? We have tried everything to stop her from losing so much hair. Can you give us any advice? We love her dearly but not the hair!

A. Rat Terriers do shed, but I would first take her to the vet and have a blood test done to rule out a low thyroid level or hormone imbalance and any other metabolic diseases that could be contributing to her excessive shedding. Having mange as a puppy should not affect the amount of shedding she has as an adult. If her blood tests come back normal I would recommend feeding her a high quality diet for her life stage, brushing her daily, and adding a fatty acid supplement daily to help minimize the shedding.

I decided to try a bag, because it was cheap. I have it in just one of the three litter boxes. And the pee just breaks up like it was never there. The only trace is the darker granules that mix with the un-peed-on litter.

So how often do you clean your litter box?

I have to admit, I just add fresh litter when it gets low. It's been many, many months since I washed out a litter pan.  

Should I just wait until it gets stinky?

Q. Can three Jack Russells stay warm enough outdoors through the winter in a doghouse without a door on it? Is it important to walk these dogs or let them out of a small chain link fence daily?

A. During extreme weather conditions, all pets should stay inside. If the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit it’s too cold for any pet to tolerate. Pets that stay outside in the winter should have a dog house with a door covering, which reduces drafts and allows the dogs body heat to remain inside the house. If weather conditions permit, it is best to walk your dogs for at least 30 minutes daily. Exercise is important because in addition to promoting a stable weight it stimulates the mind and body and makes your dogs feel good in general.

Q. Is it true that cats are not safe around newborn babies? I heard cats can smother them.

A. The myth that cats will smother babies is just that: a myth. That said, cats are very curious and if the nursery door is left open many cats will climb into the crib to investigate, but not to hurt the baby. Cats and babies do fine together, but should be supervised and the door to the nursery should be kept closed. My cat Kinky adores babies and children and it is actually very endearing to watch her interact with them.

Q. How often should I take my indoor cat to the vet?

A. Most veterinarians recommend taking your pet to the vet at least once a year for a wellness exam--whether they live inside or not. If you have senior pets, you should bring them in twice a year. At the exam, you should ask questions about diet, exercise, parasite control and vaccinations. Keep in mind that pets age about three years for every one year, so the goal is to practice preventative medicine, or at least catch diseases early. The wellness exam is important because early detection improves treatment success and can help add years to your pet’s life.

Q. I have a 2 ½-year-old Great Dane that suffered from torsion and bloat and had surgery in November. He has recovered from surgery and is eating a prescription I/D diet. I would like to keep him on this diet for the rest of his life. It is a complete diet for dogs and is good for his stomach. I am...

A. Canine bloat is the number one cause of death for several large and giant breeds of dogs. The breed with the highest risk is the Great Dane. Risk factors that can increase bloating include feeding a single large daily meal, age, stress, eating quickly and having a deep and narrow chest. Other factors include having a relative that has had a bloat episode, and having a fearful, nervous or aggressive temperament. Now that your dog has bloated and hopefully had a gastropexy performed, where the stomach is attached to the body wall, this should prevent him from bloating again and having his stomach twist. You still need to be careful with him, though, and that definitely includes giving him a highly digestible diet like I/D. This diet is suitable for long term feeding in both dry and canned food. The biggest difference between the canned and dry food is that canned food contains seventy 75 percent water and dry food containing only 10 percent water. It’s okay to feed him only canned food, but your dog must eat more to obtain the nutrients he needs;which is much more expensive. Also, I would check with the vet who performed the surgery to see if they recommend keeping him on canned food or adding in some kibble as well.

I've thought about it lately because I recycle and try to think about reducing what goes in the trash. I realized that most of our trash is litter box waste and dog poop! Please, take my trash!

I've read that if you compost that stuff, don't use the compost on food gardens. (Especially cat waste, which I read can be toxic.)

So I've thrown in the occasional dog poop. And I just recently started this idea so I haven't used any of it on plants yet.

But if you don't use it on food gardens, would it be OK?

And would you compost it? Let me know!

Q. My daughter has two cats and recently, one of them stopped using the litter box. Is it true that each cat should have its own litter box?

A. Yes, it is true that you should have one litter box for each cat in the household even though they will share boxes. The number one reason a cat stops using its litter box is because the box is dirty, so be sure to clean all of the boxes every day to keep your cats from urinating or defecating on the floor or furniture.

Since Bob had become so resistant to taking the liquid antibiotic, I chose pills for this treatment. Dr F suggested using Pill Pockets, and I have to say they're a terrific invention. Bob snapped up this treat with the pill tucked inside and wanted another one!

Dr. F was pleased to hear that Bob's appetite, litterbox use, and general demeanor were all good. Though I didn't think to ask while I was talking with Dr. F, when I picked Bob up I asked the vet tech if Bob's weight was okay. I figured since it hadn't been mentioned in the last few visits that it must be in an acceptable range. The tech reported his weight today at 8.1 pounds (still three pounds below his weight last summer), and said it was fine.

I feel more relaxed about Bob's ability to keep going. When he was first diagnosed almost two months ago, I was steeling myself for the possibility that he wouldn't live to the end of the year. I'm much more hopeful that, barring trouble with the bladder infection or some other related problem, the little guy snuggled against me as I write this will be around for a good long time.

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This post is part of a series. Past entries can be found on BethW's page at KC Pets.

My husband tried putting tape sticky-side up to keep the cat away. It didn't work on the cat. But it did work on Casey the dog, who got tape on her front paws when she ate the cat poop (eeewww!!!).

So -- we just got another litter box and put it there.

For so long, we've only had two litter boxes -- one upstairs, one in the basement.

And that's not enough for three cats, anyway. I always heard that you should put out one more litter box than the number of cats you have. (In case they start to get territorial about them.)

But I don't really want to clean four litter boxes every day. And there's only so many places you can put a litter box and still keep it in hiding.

I have to keep the litter boxes behind doors with hook-and-eye latches on them, anyway, just to keep the dogs out. Because they will eat what the cats leave behind. And that's just gross.

Now that I think about it, here's what I should do: get several of those litter boxes that are actually disguised as tables or plant pots. Then I can leave them out all over the house. Then the dogs can just clean up after the cats! 

Q. The humane societies in my area spay and neuter puppies and kittens at 2 months old "so they cannot reproduce." I was under the impression that it is not a good idea to "fix" them that early, especially the males. What is the rationale behind doing it so early?

A. Pediatric spaying and neutering (sterilizing pets between 8 and 14 weeks) has been practiced in this country for more than 30 years. In fact, numerous studies have shown that it is not only safe, but kittens and puppies actually do better with the proper anesthesia than older pets. There is less bleeding and a faster recovery time. I neutered my 8-year-old male cat when he was 8 weeks old and he has not had any medical or developmental problems. Most animal shelters require adopted cats and dogs to be spayed or neutered before they leave the shelter to prevent unwanted pregnancies, which contribute to the 4 to 6 million animals being euthanized yearly at our shelters. The American Veterinary Medical Association endorses and recommends pediatric spaying and neutering at all shelters, so there’s no need to worry. The kittens and puppies will be just fine.

Q. My chubby chocolate Labrador retriever desperately needs to lose weight. Do you have any tips and diet ideas?

A. One of the easiest ways to help your overweight Lab lose weight is to put him on a diet of reduced calorie dog food. There are lots of brands to choose from, but be sure to read the label and make sure that its still protein-based—meaning that animal protein is listed as one of the first two or three ingredients. Animal proteins include chicken, beef, fish, lamb or turkey. Also, the fat content of the dry food should be between 12 and 16 percent to be considered a low fat diet. Follow the daily feeding guide on the package and feed your dog according to his ideal weight. For example, if he now weighs 80 lbs and he should weigh 65 lbs, feed him the amount of food listed on the packaging for a 65 lb dog and divide it into two daily feedings. Be sure to weigh him monthly and chart his progress. If after a month he doesn’t lose weight, you need to decease the amount of food you are feeding him. Another option is to use a prescription diet from your veterinarian. The great thing about reducing diets is that your pets receive all of the vitamins, protein, minerals and nutrients they need in fewer calories. Your pet should be able to eat a larger quantity of food and still lose weight, which helps if you have a dog that wants to eat all the time. You also want to increase your Lab’s exercise to help with his weight loss. In order for your dog to lose weight, his caloric intake must be less than the calories expended through exercise and metabolism. Keep in mind that it most likely took weeks, if not months, for your pet to gain weight and it may well take just as long for him to lose it. Dogs should only lose one to two percent of their initial weight per week. That means about two to three pounds per month for the average dog. Don't give up! In time you should have a svelte lab again!

Q. My mixed breed dog has an odor that I cannot get rid of. Bathing is good for one day, but the odor returns. His hair is about 2 inches long and coarse. Is there anything I can do to eliminate the "dog smell"?

A. It is not normal for a dog to have an odor. I would be suspicious that there is an underlying infection either in the skin or ears or mouth. I would recommend that you take your dog to the vet for an exam so they can determine the cause of the odor and treat it accordingly.

We've learned to give his liquid antibiotic over a non-carpeted surface while wearing old clothes, since Bob has taken to dribbling it — resulting in a couple of pink spots on the carpet that don't want to come out. The second round is nearly finished, so I'll probably take Bob in for a followup this week.

Bob had a brief, worrying spate of vomiting a week or two ago. It seemed most likely, though, that he'd stopped being able to tolerate the vitamin-B liquid that we mixed with a dab of his old canned food, as he'd only toss up after eating that mixture. Discontinuing the treatment stopped the vomiting, but now he's not getting either the potassium or vitamin B that his system is shedding. I'll have to ask about alternatives.

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This post is part of a series. Past entries can be found on BethW's page at KC Pets.

Here's Casey many years ago, with a pig ear present. She's got a bit more gray fur around the muzzle these days. But she still has the stomach of a kid who wants candy all day on the holiday (or any day).

Q. My 3-year-old Rottweiler is very good about going outside to do her business, but indoors, she leaks urine when she gets up from a lying position. Why does this happen?

A. Spayed female dogs sometimes develop urinary incontinence, resulting in urine leakage when they sleep or are resting. This is due to a weakening of their urethral sphincter muscle, which can be caused by a lack of estrogen. The good news is that this problem is easy to control or eliminate with medication that will increase sphincter muscle tone.

Between my husband and me, I'd say I'm the bigger animal lover.

I used to let the cats sleep in bed with us and the dogs could roam around where ever they wanted (in the house, that is).

But that changed after a while. My husband like to credit himself with my putting the pets a notch or two lower.

I now have a hook-and-eye latch on our bedroom door so the cats can't get in. (That started, though, because they kept puking on the bed and I got sick of the mess. Now the mess is just elsewhere.)

But they still can tell when we start to wake up, because they're right outside the door meowing for breakfast. My daughter tells me they're saying "please and thank you."

And at night, the dogs go down to the basement. At least that way, they can't join the cats outside our door in the mornings.

They all still follow me around the house, upstairs and downstairs. My husband will come home from work to find me on the sofa surrounded by the cats.

He tends to shoo them all away, so they don't really follow him.

For the most part, I don't mind being in their company. Although I'm not about to remove the latch from the bedroom door!

How do you rank the pet lovers at your house?

(And do kids count in the rankings? Because at our house, the kids probably love them more than my husband and I do. But at the same time, they don't scoop litterboxes -- they should -- or take them to the vet. They dress up the pets and sometimes chase them and scream at them. That's probably not the best way to show your pet you love them.)

Q. We give our 1-year-old Labradors milk bones (meat hide bones) at least five times a week. Is this hard on their digestive systems?

A. An occasional milk bone is all right, but treats should be less than 10 percent of your pet’s daily caloric intake. Rawhide bones are fine, occasionally, but you need to be careful because dogs can choke on them. Just make sure you're around to supervise.

Q. How do I know if my dog has the flu, or kennel cough?

A. You need to take your dog to the vet for the diagnosis. Kennel cough is a widespread and highly contagious disease in dogs. Most dogs with kennel cough have a dry, hacking cough but are otherwise normal. If left untreated it can develop into a severe cough accompanied by sneezing, nasal discharge and vomiting. Dogs should be vaccinated once a year with the bordetella vaccine to help protect against this disease.

Q. Because of the cold weather, my terrier's hot spot has returned. She bites her tail until it bleeds. The fur on her lower back is also very dry. No matter what shampoo or lotion I put on her skin, it still dries out quickly. I have her on Prednisone for the itching, but it's not helping. She can't...

A. Animals can produce some of the fatty acids they need, but not all of them. Those they can’t produce, which are called essential fatty acids, must be supplied in their diet. Omega-3 and omega-6 are essential fatty acids in both dogs and cats. Therefore, I would recommend adding a fatty acid supplement to her diet to help relieve her itching. I have routinely prescribed fatty acids for shedding, itching, scales, and allergies, usually with favorable results. Supplementation must often be continued for two to three months before a positive effect can be seen. Side effects are rare. There are several brands on the market, so I would visit your vet to see which brand he or she recommends.

But every once in a while (say once a year), I get the urge to train my dog. Usually the urge strikes after I've watched one of Millan's shows or that other Animal Planet show, "It's me or the dog."

So I get a bunch of treats ready and Casey's right there, because she can tell when food is out. And she is a food hound. Vulture, really. But that's good for me, because she's motivated to get some food.

I've taught her sit, down, shake, okay (that's to release her from the previous command) and stay (actually, we're still working on this one). Even more rarely, we'll work on walking on a leash (she actually did pretty well at this one the last time).

My husband makes fun of me because I'm pretty inconsistent with the training. Maybe it's more often than once a year, but not by much! 

Still, I think she does OK. But I doubt she'd pass the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen test. (Click here to see what's on that test.) She'd practically have to learn how to say please and thank you, without even a treat to motivate her.

I know I need to be more consistent in working with her. And I need to work with her in settings with distractions, not just after the kids have gone to bed and the house is quiet.

I think what would be really fun is to train her to run an obstacle course. But that's a whole nother story.

What works for you in training your dog? What doesn't? Let me know -- I can obviously use some help!

(At least they're not the chain mail variety -- you know, pass this on to your top 20 friends.) 

Anyway, this one's a good one for the snowy days:

http://www.dogwork.com/dogsnow/

Q. Even though we have had to euthanize three dogs before, it's always difficult to know "when.” Our 16-year-old dog is half Shih Tzu, half Maltese. She sleeps a lot, but she has been eating well and drinking, and having good elimination. This morning, however, we noticed she seems confused and a bit...

A. Dogs can suffer from a disorder called cognitive dysfunction, which is similar to senility or Alzheimer’s in people. In his older years, my lab Duke used to walk to his water bowl and forget why he was there. He also started vocalizing a lot. There is medication that you can give your dog to help with his confusion, but I would first recommend a blood test and urinalysis to make sure all the internal organs are working properly. In my opinion, it all comes down to quality of life. If your 16-year-old dog is still eating and drinking and enjoying life, you shouldn’t worry too much. But if her basic functions are compromised, then I would be concerned. Good luck with your old dog and be blessed that you have had a good 16 years with her, which is longer than most pet owners get!

Q. A year and a half ago, our Toy Fox Terrier had inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and pancreatitis. We were told he couldn’t eat anything he hadn’t eaten before. Since a significant amount of time has passed, can we introduce new foods into his diet now? We are nervous because it cost $10,000 to save...

A. Pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas, can be life threatening, and once a pet is diagnosed with it they are more susceptible to developing it again. The best way to extend his life span is to avoid feeding him food that could trigger the pancreatitis again, such as most table scraps or any high fat meal. I would stick to the diet your vet recommended and check with him or her before giving your dog any treats. Dogs and cats do not need variety in their diet, but they do need is plenty of love, which it seems your dog is getting.

Q. Will you tell me about LEBA III (a dental health product) for dogs and cats? Is it effective? Does the alcohol ingredient affect pets negatively? We are considering use of this product for our dogs.

A. LEBA III is just one of a number of sprays and gels available that are easily applied to the tooth and gum surface to ward off plaque. The alcohol in LEBA should not hurt your pets. The best way to reduce tartar is to brush your pets' teeth every day—or at least every other day. If you start out slowly, your dogs will likely take to the regimen. If your dogs are resistant to having their teeeth brushed, there are other products such as chew toys, dental diets and treats that contain tartar-reducing enzymes to help prevent plaque buildup.

With so much depressing news in the world, I think others could use gifts more than me.

Animal shelters could use our help. Adopt a new pet if you can afford to keep one. Give money to a shelter. Give your time.

Ask your local shelter how you can help. I'm sure they have a wish list.

And keep in mind other groups that help animals -- rescue groups might appreciate having another foster family. Maybe even homeless shelters for people could use help temporarily placing families' pets.

Oh, and have your pet spayed or neutered. We don't need to add to the burden of homeless pets.

If you have other ideas on how to help, please post a comment.

Q. I have a 10-year-old Rottweiller. She is having difficulty opening her mouth. It's most noticeable when she tries to yawn. Her X-rays reveal no bone abnormalities. I even had her teeth cleaned because I thought it could be a dental problem. But it is getting worse. Any suggestions as to what could...

A. Animals that have difficulty chewing or opening their mouths should receive some type of treatment based on the underlying cause. Some causes are disorders of the face muscles, tempomandibular joint disease, abscess, nerve disorders and cancer. I would recommend taking your dog for a second opinion and/or to a specialist to determine the underlying disease process that is making it difficult for her to open her mouth. Without treatment, it could worsen and become very debilitating.

Hera (a husky mix) has a thick fur coat, so she especially loves being outside when it's cold. She'll roll around in the snow like a polar bear trying to cool off.

Casey doesn't really like to be outside at any time unless there's food or people out there too.

But she loves snowmen. Actually, she loves snowballs. I'll roll up a big one for her and she'll just get to work, tearing it apart with her front feet. She'll just keep going and going, like a hamster on one of those running wheels.

Unfortunately, she can't tell the difference between a snowball and a fort, so the kids (people kids, that is) need some help defending their fort from all sides.

Now, this isn't out of the ordinary or anything. I could probably set my clocks to it -- 11 p.m. every night.

But this time, this cat made such a ruckus I thought ice was falling outside or maybe dishes were getting knocked off the counter.

I used to give them catnip just to enjoy such a crazy show. But not this time.

No, she was just running around the house like a little mad woman. Down the hall, on top of the bed. Back down the hall, across the sofa, up the cat tower. Across the dining room table onto the kitchen counter. No really, that's OK Ita (that's her name) -- I like dirty cat paws on my eating surfaces.

Then of course, all the other animals wonder what's going on.

So all the cats don't go crazy on the same day. But if one is in the path of a crazy cat, this could start a fight. Then if two start fighting, the third wants to find out what's going on. (There is no fourth cat -- three is more than enough.)

And the dogs (we're down to two now, thank goodness) want to nose in on the action, too. Sometimes, a cat will take a swipe at a dog when she's in the midst of the crazies. Other times, a dog in the way will cause a cat to slam on the brakes so hard that she practically crashes right into the dog. (Now, that's kind of funny, too.)

Maybe I need to start serving catnip again -- I wonder how crazy they'd get!

Q. My vet tells me my golden retriever is obese and that I should take away his food. But why is he so happy as he is?

A. Dogs that are overweight get arthritis three years earlier than dogs that are a normal weight, and studies have shown that lean pets live an extra 15% longer and enjoy delayed signs of aging such as graying muzzles, impaired gaits and reduced activity. Packing on additional weight places extra demands on virtually all the organs in the body, leading to disease and early death. Usually a 25% reduction in total food given and increasing their exercise will work for a pet that is mildly overweight and make sure to limit the treats to no less than 10 percent of your pet’s daily food intake. Your dog may seem happy, but just remember how much longer he will live if he loses weight!

Q. My 12-year-old cat seems to have trouble swallowing, especially when purring, and his belly is kind of red. He eats well and still is playful. He has no diarrhea or vomiting. Do I need to see a vet with these symptoms?

A. Because your cat is considered senior, most vets recommend that all senior pets go to the vet twice a year for a physical exam and should have a complete blood panel done at least once a year. That said, I would definitely take your cat in for a checkup because if we catch diseases early the prognosis is better and the cost of treatment is less.

FOPAS Hometown Holidays
NAWS Santa Paws

Q. My heart is torn: I am considering putting my 15 year-old Min Pin to sleep. He has complete clouding of one eye and partial clouding of the other, he cannot hear me when I call, he does not whine in pain but does demonstrate arthritis. He is urinating in the house. I believe he needs to be put to...

A. It all comes down to your pet’s quality of life. If you think he is suffering you should take him to a vet and at least discuss his symptoms with a professional who can help guide you to make the right decision for him. Most vets these days are very sympathetic to how hard it is to make the decision to end the pain and suffering by a gentle death through euthanasia. But it is much better for your pet to make that unselfish decision before they are lingering in the final stages of disease and death.

He still doesn't show any signs of distress. He must be a tough little guy. Earlier, I lay on our bed so he could lie on my chest (he loves my fleece tops). He licked my face and rhythmically kneaded the pillow on either side of my neck. I cried silently. After a while, he got up to lie on his favorite blanket in the dim winter sunlight.

Dr F gave me a vitamin-B supplement on Wednesday, which he devours on his old favorite canned food. I'm afraid it may be too little, too late, but at least he gets to enjoy a tasty treat once a day.

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This post is part of a series. Past entries can be found on BethW's page at KC Pets.

Q. Why won't my 11-year-old dog drink out of a bowl or pan, only wants water poured on the sidewalk, and then will lap it up? Winter is coming and the water will freeze. What should I do?

A. Try getting your dog a running water fountain to drink out of. Most pet stores have a couple of brands to choose from. Dogs and cats enjoy drinking running water and you should actually see and increase in their water consumption, which is very good for their overall health, especially their kidneys.

Q. Your article about pet emergencies is good, but incomplete. I was disappointed that you did not mention cats who strain to urinate or seem anorexic, as it can indicate liver lipidosis. I have had people tell me their cat is coughing a hairball for a week, turned out to be pneumonia. My answer is...

A. Unfortunately the space I have for my articles does not always allow me to cover everything but your point is well taken that it is always best to err on the side of caution and get your pet checked out sooner rather than later if there is a problem.

Q. Last weekend, our 12-year-old cat Sylvester started acting really strange. It looked as though he lost control of his whole back end. His back legs were flopping from side to side, and he was dragging his whole backend across the floor. I picked him up and held him for hours until he seemed ok. He...

A. I would absolutely recommend that you take your cat to the vet for blood work, urinalysis and a physical exam. Now that he is 12 years old and considered a senior, it is very important that you take him in every 6 months for a checkup. As vets, we can help extend your pet’s life, but only if we diagnose diseases early before they have a chance to become life-threatening.

So it seems now that the best plan, short of getting an ultrasound test — which hubby and I agree seems unwarranted — is to stay the present course of a kidney-friendly diet, plus B-vitamin or potassium supplements if I can get them down his kitty throat. Hubby and I also agreed that it seems unnecessary to keep going back every two or four weeks (as Dr F wants) for more bloodwork, unless we see a change in Bob's behavior or outward health.

I didn't ask how long Bob might live. I doubt anyone could say with certainty. We'll just try to keep him happy and comfortable, and most of all treasure his company.

____________

This post is part of a series. Past entries can be found on BethW's page at KC Pets.

The amount of bacteria in his urine has lessened, suggesting that the antibiotic has done some good, but Dr F reports finding more blood cells in the urine than is healthy. He has a new theory that Bob's trouble might be due to a kidney stone. If this is the case, and there's otherwise no damage to either kidney, the stone (or the affected kidney) could be removed and the problem resolved. However, Bob's ailment still might be a congenitally-defective kidney, kidney disease, or a tumor.

The consensus from Dr F and Dr S is to get an ultrasound to nail down the exact cause of the trouble. However, this would cost between $800 and $2,000. I'm now faced with a dilemma decorated with big dollar signs.

An ultrasound test would be just the first step in a possibly long series of expenses — surgery, recovery, more treatment, who knows what else. At what point does this become, as they say in people medicine, "heroic measures" for an animal whose life expectancy has likely already been shortened?

I called hubby to relay the news, and he was stunned at the ultrasound cost. "We could adopt 20 cats for that," he said, referring to the $100 we paid to adopt Bob. It's a harsh but realistic perspective. Everything dies sometime. But what an awful prospect to be the one who controls another life. I can hardly hold back the tears thinking about it.

Bob seems quite normal aside from his weight (he's still around nine pounds), and doesn't seem to be in any discomfort, much less in pain. He tears around the house when the evening wildies come upon him, and the rest of the time he snoozes on a warm blanket, or seeks out a warm lap. It seems mad to think of putting him down now. But how could it be ethical to neglect an expensive procedure until he did begin to suffer? I have a much greater understanding of people like these who have to give up or put down pets they can no longer afford to keep.

We could afford the ultrasound. But should we start down this road? Dr F says he'll have a better idea how quickly we have to decide once he sees the blood test results tomorrow. Hubby (who, to be fair, is really paying for all this) is coming with me to the vet after work to get the facts firsthand. We'll have a lot to talk about this evening.

Post-visit update: It's so good to have two vets to discuss Bob's case with. Hubby and I talked with Dr S, who said she believed the clues so far pointed to a congenital defect. Based on the painfulness of kidney stones in humans, she thought this wasn't as likely, since Bob shows no signs of pain even when palpated. This suggests that an ultrasound isn't as necessary, since nothing much can be done for congenital defects. Also, it turns out that ultrasound tests aren't as expensive as Dr F quoted; Dr S thought they were more like $300 — still pricey, but more reasonable if absolutely necessary.

The telling factor will still be the blood-test results tomorrow. Hopefully, his BUN and creatinine levels will be the same or lower, which would indicate that the new diet is easing the load on the kidneys. I was startled to learn that these indicators don't show up until kidney function is at least 75% depleted. Yikes. However, the kidneys have a small amount of regenerative function, so fingers crossed all around.

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This post is part of a series. Past entries can be found on BethW's page at KC Pets.

Q. Recently I lost a beagle dog that I was very attached to. I had the dog spayed and her stitches came undone, and in the course of a second operation to try to save her she drank very large amounts of water. I recently read an article that drinking large amounts of water was a warning sign. Could...

A. I am sorry for the loss of your beagle. Your vet was right in recommending spaying for your dog because the average lifespan of an altered pet is 40 percent longer than one that’s not spayed or neutered. One of the most common complications is with pets licking their incision and that is why an Elizabethan collar is often used to prevent this. You mentioned that she was drinking a lot of water, which is abnormal and could be a sign of dehydration or kidney failure. Whenever a pet dies unexpectedly it is always best to ask for a necropsy to determine the cause of death and then hopefully discuss everything with your veterinarian to prevent any unanswered questions.

I know it was my fault. I had given her a yummy treat and then I tried to take part of it away from her. Totally my fault.

She doesn't get any more treats quite so yummy. I think it was a pig ear. She still gets table scraps -- my own personal trash compactor.

And I've tried to work with her more. She has to sit while I fill her dog dish and she has to wait for my OK before she can get up to eat.

At the time, I had decided that I would put her to sleep if she ever bit anyone again. So far, so good.

So, thanks for the Thanksgiving memories, Casey. You dumb dog! (She's bad but I still love her.)

Q. My cat Muffin is 12 years old and is constantly sneezing. Do I need to be worried? And can she get humans sick? I am particularly concerned about my nephew, who visits frequently.

A. Cats will sneeze often when they have an upper respiratory infection or cold. Because she is 12 years old and is now considered a senior kitty, I would take her in to see your vet for an exam and possibly antibiotics. Most viruses are species specific, which means we can’t get their colds and vice versa. So it’s okay to let Muffin play with your nephew.

Q. My 6-year-old Siamese is in renal failure. We have to give her sub-q fluids every other day. She is becoming very difficult to treat now. Is there any way we can make this easier for us and her? It is very hard to hold her still for the 5-8 minutes this takes.

A. Make sure you are using a large gauge needle, either 18 gauge (green) or 20 gauge (pink), and gravity to help the fluids flow faster. Hang the fluid bag as high as possible with your Siamese on the floor. By giving her fluids you really are extending her life so try to make it as pleasant as possible by talking to her in a soothing voice while administering the fluids and reward her afterwards with lavish petting and or her favorite low-protein treat or wet food.

Q. Do hamsters (dwarfs, whites, etc.) carry diseases that people can get? Are they a good pet for an 11 year old? Our local TV doctor has mentioned meningitis and brain disease. Yet we know many families that have them with no problems.

A. Hamsters are friendly, inquisitive, entertaining animals that make very good pets for both children and adults. They can learn to enjoy the warmth and closeness of their human caretakers and their often-unique personalities ensure their standing as popular members of the family. One downside is their relatively short life span of 10 to 24 months. They, like other pets, can transmit diseases to humans so I recommend washing your hands after handling them and make sure they visit a veterinarian if they appear sick.

Canine Companions for Independence® provides highly-trained assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities, free of charge.  Please see www.cci.org for more information.

Information about the Kansas City Chapter of CCI is online at www.puppyraisers.us

Below are listed the two locations and the dates and times we are going to be at the stores wrapping books.

CCI Thanks You.

Border’s Store

8628 N. Boardwalk Ave.
KCMO 64154 

December 13, 11 AM – 5 PM

December 14, 12 Noon – 6 PM

December 19, 6 PM – 10 PM

December 20, 11 AM – 5 PM

December 21, 12 Noon – 6 PM

December 22, 6 PM – 10 PM

Border’s Store

15350 W. 119th St.

Olathe, KS 66062

December 13, 10 AM – 1 PM

December 14, 1 PM – 5 PM

December 17, 5 PM – 10 PM

December 19, 5 PM - 10 PM

December 20, 10 AM – 1 PM

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Q. My cats eat a lot of catnip. Is it possible for them to have too much?

A. Catnip (aka Nepeta cataria) is an herb that produces euphoria in about 70 percent of cats. It is generally considered safe, but if ingested in large amounts, can cause vomiting or diarrhea. I would definitely limit the amount of plain catnip that you give your cat and/or try using catnip toys to avoid potential stomach upset.

His potassium supplement, though, is a different matter. It must taste awful, because he won't touch it in any form, even when mixed with his old canned food or with real canned tuna (normally his favorite treat). I wasn't able to give it to him by syringe either, because the supplement is a globby gel that won't slide down the throat like the liquid medicine, giving Bob the opportunity to spit it out. I'm going to try blending it with tuna liquid and giving it by syringe.

Good news: if my scale is correct, Bob has gained weight! Today he weighed 9.6 pounds.

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This post is part of a series. Past entries can be found on BethW's page at KC Pets.

Q. When is it too cold to leave my dog outside for an extended period of time?

A. Hypothermia occurs when an animal cannot keep its body temperature from falling below the normal 101 F to 102 F. This is a serious condition and can result in death.Pets should stay indoors during extreme weather conditions. If the temperature falls below 20 F, it is too cold for most pets to be outside. Also, pets that are very young, thin, old or ill will have an even harder time tolerating cold weather and should be kept indoors as much as possible.

Q. What should the water temperature be when I bathe my dog? I heard that people and dogs have different body temperatures, so should I adjust the water temperature accordingly?

A. The bath water temperature should be lukewarm, not cold or hot. Water that is too warm will cause your pet’s blood vessels to dilate, and can make some skin conditions worse. Water that is too cold will do the opposite. Also, if you’re using medicated shampoo, leave it on your pet for at least five to ten minutes. Otherwise, it won’t be effective. Be sure to read the directions on the bottle before you bathe your dog, and make sure you thoroughly rinse him off.

Q. I have a 16-year-old male Birman cat that has moderate hyperthyroidism, for which I give him one 5 mg tablet of Tapazole per day. He usually has a good appetite, but he does not gain weight. (He only weighs about 8.5 lbs.) How often should I take him to the vet?

A. I would recommend taking your 16-year-old cat in for an exam either once or twice a year. Be sure to have his thyroid levels tested. Because he is not gaining weight, I would be suspicious that his thyroid hormone level is still too high and he may need his Tapazole dosage increased. The only way to determine how much Tapazole to give him is by running a blood test to see where his thyroid hormone level is. This should be done yearly, because it can change suddenly without warning any time the cat is not doing well (and that includes not gaining weight).

Q. I have a small, black pug. I'm having trouble keeping the wrinkles above her nose clean, and the area often gets red and sore-looking. Are there medicated wipes or a cream that I could use?

A. Your pug has a condition called skin fold pyoderma, which is common in dogs with excessive skin folds. Once an infection is present, you need to clean the affected area with an antibacterial shampoo. You may also need to see a vet who can prescribe an antibiotic/cortisone lotion to put on the affected area and/or oral antibiotics, depending on how severe the infection is. Once the skin has healed, to prevent the problem from returning, keep the skin clean and dry by using the antibacterial shampoo as needed. They also sell facial wipes at pet stores designed to help keep the skin clean. If the condition is serious, you may need to have a surgical excision of the excess facial tissue, which can usually cure the problem.

About three hours later, Dr. F called with his findings. There was sugar in Bob's urine, a result Dr. F called surprising. He said it could be from a meal before the sample was taken (I had used kitty treats to lure Bob into his carrier), or the kidneys could be leaking sugar into the bladder. Additionally, Bob now has a bladder infection, which will be treated with antibiotics. The urinalysis will have to be repeated once the infection is cleared up.

Dr. F also suggested giving Bob a potassium supplement with a bit of his old favorite canned food for a couple weeks; potassium is supposed to help retain kidney function. Fortunately, the vet's office allows returns of unopened canned food they prescribe if the cat doesn't like it.

So now Bob will be getting potassium in the morning, medicine in the evening, and another urinalysis and blood test in two weeks' time. For the moment, though, I think he's just glad to be home.

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This post is part of a series. Past entries can be found on BethW's page at KC Pets.

Dr. F went over Bob's blood test results with me in detail, and recommended that Bob's urine be tested also. This matched what I'd read about feline kidney disease diagnosis, and certainly made sense since it's apparently one of the easiest ways to see how well the kidneys were functioning. I made an appointment to drop Bob off on Monday for this test — a relief to me, since I had no idea how I would get a urine sample!

We discussed his new food and how much to give him, and I asked what symptoms I should watch for: in order of appearance, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy. Dr. F also recommended follow-up blood tests in two and four weeks.

Finally I asked how Bob's lifespan would be affected. "Shortened," Dr. F said, but pointed out that it was impossible to tell by how much. Kidney disease usually occurs in older cats, so those cats are already facing fewer years remaining. Bob still looks and acts like the young kitty he is, so I'm feeling positive about his prognosis, and am determined not to worry about it.

On the way home from the vet's office, I purchased a bathroom scale to use in monitoring Bob's weight. I do regret not having taken this step in July, when his weight was a pound less than at his previous year's checkup. On Wednesday evening he weighed exactly nine pounds.

One very good development: Bob loves his new dry food! He snarfed it up like he was eating gourmet, and snapped up bits that hubby tossed for him to chase. I hope he likes his new canned food as well as he likes this.

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This post is part of a series. Past entries can be found on BethW's page at KC Pets.

I recognized pretty quickly that worrying wasn't productive, so I'm trying to stick to the facts of what I can observe about Bob, rather than inventing trouble. He does still look and act healthy. He still eats his new dry food. He did eat a bit of his canned food with hubby's coaxing (hubby is the one who gives him treats like canned tuna).

As I write this, Bob is curled up on my lap, purring. Learning that I may have less time with him has also impelled me to treasure his affections when he chooses to give them, regardless of whether I'm trying to do something else at the time.

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This post is part of a series. Past entries can be found on BethW's page at KC Pets.

Q. I have a 4-year-old Pomeranian, and she does not like me to brush or clip her. She tries to bite me. Are all Pomeranians like this?

A. Because Pomeranians have a “double coat,” which means they have a thick undercoat, their fur needs brushing at least twice a week and even more when they are shedding. Regular brushing is good for dogs both mentally and physically and that is why the earlier in life you start brushing, the better. Brushing removes dead hair, stimulates new hair growth and invigorates both the skin and coat, keeping your pet healthy and its coat shiny. Because your dog does not like brushing you need to start out slower and spend more time getting her used to this regular grooming routine. Just brush for a few minutes initially and give her lots of praise and some of her favorite treats. Continue to do this with extending the length of time you brush her and with some patience she can learn to actually enjoy being brushed.

Dr. S suggested treating Bobcat with a special diet rather than with medication. Although Bob didn't have any more-critical symptoms (such as loss of appetite, lethargy, or anemia), I wondered if a more aggressive approach would be warranted in order to stop the disease quickly.

Dr. S said she would leave samples of the recommended foods for me to try on Bob. I was a little concerned, since Bob — normally not very finicky about food — had eaten just a bit of the high-calorie food Dr. S had given me on Monday, then turned up his nose.

Later that evening, I tried force-feeding Bob some of the high-calorie food mixed with water, using a syringe the vet's office had provided. While Bob tolerated this reasonably well (once I'd got a good hold on him), it seemed like a very slow way to get him to gain weight.

I fervently hoped he would take to the new food when I picked it up the next day. I also had begun making a mental list of more questions to ask when I was at the vet's office.

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This post is part of a series. Past entries can be found on BethW's page at KC Pets.

Q. I adopted my dog, Tuco, when he was about 8 weeks old. He obeys my every command, and is extremely smart. The problem is, he seems to love everyone more than me. Can you tell me what that means?

A. You should be happy that your dog Tuco loves everybody and is very obedient, because that is the sign of a well-trained and socialized dog. It definitely does not mean he loves others more than you. He is showing you that you did a great job in raising him from puppyhood!

Bob has always been a slim kitty, but this fall we noticed he seemed to be getting thin — we could feel his spine, shoulder blades, and pelvis quite distinctly. I took him to our regular vet, Dr. S, on Monday. To our astonishment, he had lost three pounds since his annual checkup in July, when he weighed 11 pounds.

Dr. S performed a physical exam, but found no problems aside from a touch of gingivitis. Based on my report that Bob seemed otherwise healthy and normal, Dr. S suggested a blood test and fecal analysis to screen for parasites and organ problems. Bob was a very brave kitty while Dr. S and her assistant searched for a vein in two places!

There were no parasites in his stool, so we were counting on the blood test to give us some answers. I drove Bob home with a knotted stomach. The information I'd read online about the causes of feline weight loss suggested reasons ranging from poor nutrient absorption to cancer. Since Bob didn't seem to feel bad, I wasn't ready to panic. But, of course, waiting and not knowing is hard to take.

Q. What is the right dosage when giving a daily regimen of glucosamine and aspirin for an 80-pound, 14-year-old dog?

A. Although we know that aspirin is an effective pain reliever in dogs, the dosages that give relief to your dog often also cause stomach upset, loss of appetite, and vomiting. Most vets these days prefer a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug instead of aspirin for dogs, and you can get a prescription for one from your vet. Glucosamine, on the other hand, is still highly recommended for helping relieve the pain of arthritis. Just make sure to buy a highly purified product because less pure glucosamine supplements may contain contaminants or may even include substances that can cause an allergic reaction in your dog. Since there is not much scientific information on the proper dosages they vary, depending on the manufacturer so the best thing is to ask your veterinarian for their recommendation but in general a 50- to 100-pound dog would take 1000 mg of glucosamine once or twice a day.

Q. What causes “reverse sneezing” in dogs, and is there anything I can do to help my pet when it happens?

A. A dog will sneeze when the nasal cavity is irritated, cough when the trachea is irritated, and reverse sneeze when the nasopharynx is irritated. Some vets are now treating dogs with reverse sneeze with nasal mites containing ivermectin, often with good results. If that doesn’t work, you can try putting your dog on chlorpheniramine, which is an antihistamine that your vet can prescribe. That may help if the reverse sneeze is associated with allergies and/or a post nasal drip.

Q. Will soy milk harm my cat?

A. I would not recommend feeding your cat soy milk. Cats’ digestive systems can be very sensitive, and unfamiliar foods can cause digestive upset such as vomiting and diarrhea. Just make sure you give your cat plenty of fresh water and feed her high quality, nutritionally complete cat food that's appropriate for her life stage. I recommend a mixture of both wet and dry food for cats.

Well, I should've known better. I didn't even get along with my sisters until we were all out of Mom and Dad's house! (Maybe that's an exaggeration -- I'll have to ask the folks.)

Anyway, I figured that when I adopted two kittens, sisters no less, that they would grow up with a playmate and be friends.

I guess they started out that way. (The picture is of Niko and Ita as kittens, and they're kind of napping together.)

But anymore, they don't want anything to do with each other. Maybe they'll sniff noses once in a while. They don't nap together, they don't groom each other.

That's cats for you -- independent when they want to be, friendly when they want to be.

I wish they were friends, but if they don't want to be friends, I can't make them!!!

Q. My two cats have been together for six years and suddenly started fighting. I kept them separated for two weeks. When we put them together again, they seemed O.K. at first—until the aggressor starting to attack the other cat again. I am desperate for a solution. Please help! Thank you.

A. I'm suspicious that one of them may have an underlying health problem, especially if they are both indoor cats and spayed/neutered. I would recommend keeping them separate until you can get both of them examined. The aggressive cat may be attacking because he senses something wrong in the other cat or he may very well be the one with a medical problem.

Food: 39 percent ($16.9 billion)

Veterinary care: 25 percent ($10.9 billion)

Supplies, toys and over-the-counter medicine: 24 percent ($10.3 billion)

Pet services (grooming, boarding, etc.): 7 percent ($3.2 billion)

Purchases of pets: 5 percent ($2.1 billion)

I was minding my own business, relaxing on the couch, not even paying attention to any of the pets.

Behind the couch is a big picture window, where Max was keeping watch.

Suddenly, totally out of nowhere, he jumps, lands on my face and runs off! Ouch! What the heck? That seriously hurt! Stupid cat!

No more cats will ever perch on the back of the couch in front of the window while I am on the couch!

Q. What causes my 1-year-old Chihuahua to urinate when he gets excited or scared? We had him neutered when he was 6 months old, does that have any thing to do with it?

A. Some dogs, especially puppies, will urinate when they are frightened, insecure or when you greet them. Neutering your Chihuahua did not cause this behavior at all and was the best thing to do for him. The term for this behavior is called “submissive urination” and it’s important that you do not scold him when this happens because that will only make it worse. When you greet him, avoid eye contact or bending down at first and try taking him outside while you speak in a calm voice. Once your dog has relieved himself you can calmly greet him. You can also try redirecting his nervousness into playing fetch with one of his favorite toys. If the behavior worsens or does not improve be sure to take him to your vet to make sure there aren’t any underlying health problems.

Q. I have an overly-hyper Irish Setter. Whenever he sees a rabbit, squirrel or bird, he will pull so hard that we can barely hold on. Sometimes he rips the leash out of my hand and jets off to catch any animal in his sight. I know he's a hunting dog, but this is ridiculous!

A. I would recommend trying a head halter for your dog. Head halters are great for dogs that pull because they are humane, safe, and easy to use. They calm boisterous dogs and can make walking your dog a pleasure instead of a frustrating experience.

A head halter is like a bridle without the bit. Like a horse halter, the head halter holds the jaw and cheek, with one strap encircling the dog’s nose and another strap running behind the back of the head. The leash is hooked to a ring on the nose strap under the chin. When the dog pulls, the nose loop causes the head to be pulled down gently so the dog stops pulling. This teaches the dog to walk beside you without pulling because it takes the pressure away from the dog’s body and instead makes the dog lead from its head. When you guide a dog’s head, the body will follow.

Once a dog has been taught not to pull, you can often go back to using a regular collar, especially if you started collar-training when the dog was very young. So head halters can be used long-term or just during the training period. They should be used to solve or prevent problems.

There is a period of adjustment for this type of collar, and it can sometimes take a couple of weeks for a dog to get used. But when used properly, head halters enable you to keep and redirect your dog’s attention to you, helping give you an edge over distractions such as squirrels, rabbits, bicyclists, skaters, other approaching dogs, and humans.

Q. My two cats were together for 16 years. I had to have one put to sleep, and now the other one is losing weight and sleeps all the time. Is she depressed? If so, how long will this continue?

A. Chances are that your 16-year-old cat has an underlying medical problem and the stress of losing your other cat has now brought out the disease. The average life expectancy for cats is 14 to 16 years so there is a good chance that some of her organs are not working properly and is causing the weight loss. I would take your cat in for blood work and a urinalysis as soon as possible. The sooner you can detect the problem the sooner you can begin treatment.

Q. I have a 13 ½-year-old terrier/chow mix, and he is getting warts all over his body. I tried wart removal medication on one, but it only worked for a while. And I can't afford to have the vet remove every wart. What can I do?

A. Although warts are benign, I do believe that if they are bothering your dog in any way they should be removed. You can save money by having only the ones that you and your vet think are growing or bothering your dog removed at the same time. I would recommend a full blood panel and urinalysis prior to the surgery so you can make sure that your dog does not have any underlying medical problems. Also, I do not recommend any over the counter wart removal medication. You really need to be dealing with a veterinarian for this medical problem.

At her side was a small golden retriever mix, his fan tail waving back and forth, his manner polite and cautious.

Just a week earlier, as I passed my neighbor on a weekend walk, she had stopped to tell me her eight-year-old dog had died unexpectedly. He was adorable: a scruffy coat, perky ears, a bouncy walk. But he disliked most other dogs, so she often walked him near her home and kept to one side of the street.

She was in tears when I saw her a week ago. Today, she patted the pup by her side as he lay down to wait for her to resume the walk. She talked about finding him in a local shelter, how he put his muzzle on her leg and she knew he was for her.

It made me think of an old line from somewhere about dogs who die, that the best way to testify how much they meant to us is to adopt a new dog just as quickly as possible. Maybe that's right. My neighbor might say it's so.

Q. My 2-year-old Australian Shepherd is due for her annual distemper vaccine. I have read that vaccines are no longer considered necessary or should only be given every few years. Should I have it done?

A. While all vets still recommend yearly physical exams, annual vaccinations are not the standard anymore. Most vets vaccinate according to your pet’s age and life style. A series of two to three vaccines are needed for all puppies and kittens. Then, you need to work with your vet to determine your pet’s specific vaccine requirements. Also, if there is any question as to whether your pet has immunity against a particular disease, an antibody titer can be performed. This measures the amount of antibody present.

Then I got a laser pen. I could just sit down and shine the light all over the house and watch the cats go nuts. It was so funny to see them paw at the wall and on the carpet for this little red light!

But now, I found an ad for a laser toy that runs on batteries. You just turn it on and it shines the light all around. And then there was an ad for a battery-operated string -- you hook it on a doorknob and it runs a piece of string up and down.

I admit, I don't have a lot of time to drag string around the house anymore. And if you don't have time or kids (they've got time to drag string around!), I guess this is one way to give the cats some fun exercise. It should even free up your hands so you can make a funny video!

Q. How much exercise can I give my 3-year-old lab who has moderate hip dysplasia? I currently jog with him for 30 minutes and walk with him for one hour every day. He loves his daily routine, and I just want to make sure it will not aggravate his H.D. What's your advice?

A. The best kind of exercise for him would be swimming—so if you have access to a pool, that would be great. And, of course, daily walks are good. But I would be careful about jogging with him too much as that could accelerate his dysplasia. As long as he is not lame after you exercise him, you are probably not overdoing it. I would definitely get him on a joint supplement that contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which are used to treat osteoarthritis. I would also keep him lean. Pets that are overweight develop arthritis three years earlier than pets that are lean, so keeping him trim will help him tremendously.

That's about the same for swimmer Michael Phelps.

That's a lot of exercise. I can't imagine moving that much to need to eat that much!

Q. I adopted a cat last winter and over the summer she was diagnosed with a virus, but I can't remember what it was called. It's a reoccurring virus that causes swelling in the mucus membranes, typically around the mouth and nipples and less commonly in the eyes. Outbreaks are treated with a series of...

A. I think you are referring to eosinophilic granuloma complex, or rodent ulcer. This is a common condition seen more frequently in female cats, but with no breed predilection, where they present with inflammation/ulcers most commonly in their mouth. The treatment is 2 to 3 steroid injections 2 weeks apart. Refractory cases should be evaluated for an underlying flea bite or food hypersensitivity.

The non-profit service, based in Washington in north-central Kansas, trains dogs to assist people with visual or physical disabilities and to serve as social or therapy dogs in schools, rehabilitation facilities and other centers.

For the dogs, graduation marks a milestone in a long process of training. For their new human companions, it marks the end of several weeks of intense training with their new canine partners and the start of new lives together.

And for the volunteer puppy raisers who attend the ceremony (these volunteers - and there have been a bunch in the Kansas City metro area - socialize the dogs from puppyhood through early adulthood, teaching them many basic commands and preparing them for more intense training), it's an opportunity to see the fulfillment of all their months of work with a dog they've come to love.

Graduation is worth the trip. The next ceremony: Saturday, Oct. 25, at 11 a.m. at the center in Washington. Check out details here: www.ksds.org .

The chain he had on that puppy must have been meant for towing -- it was that huge.

I was sure he was trying to toughen up this cute little puppy to fight him.

I didn't know what to do. I wish I could have just taken that puppy with me.

I feel good knowing that someone is checking on our house twice a day, bringing in the paper and the mail.

And I’m glad the pets don’t have to be boarded, where I know they would go crazy. They can stay in their familiar environment, run around the yard, puke in the usual spot -- whatever!

And it really isn't that expensive, compared to boarding.

You know where you stand with dogs. They're up-front and open. If they growl, they're upset or frightened. If they wag their tails, they're happy. Pretty simple to read.

Cats, on the other hand, tend to be moody and secretive. I can look my cat in the eye and still have no idea what he's really thinking (until he bites me).

This election year, vote for the dog. I'm BethW, and I approve this message.

Lots about living with dogs is great: the hijinks, the laughs, the companionship, the mindfulness of living in the moment, the naturalness (dogs just don't know how to be self-conscious).

But I realized it was the trust a dog gives that moves me most when our old pup became sick.

For seven months, she let us give her an IV every night. Up on the ironing board she'd go: My husband would hold the clear bag of fluid high in the air and glide the needle just under her skin; I'd wrap my arms around her front and rear to make sure she was safe. After the first time or two, she never protested. She never even wimpered. If someone came every night to stick me with a needle - and to hold it there for 10 minutes or so - I'd creep under the nearest bed and flatten myself right in the middle, where human arms couldn't reach me.

Not her. She seemed to understand there was a reason for it, and that was enough for her. She relaxed in my arms, and the fluid did its work. Her trust was humbling.

When she died, I missed her terribly. And I missed the trust.

We had another dog at the time, a terrier mix we had picked up 18 months earlier. But trust - not so much.

Someone had abandoned her at a filling station by a busy highway. She was maybe nine months old and, judging from her behavior, might never have lived with people. It took months of interaction for her to wag her tail regularly, and months more to get any sense that she was relaxing in her new environment.

But then, the trust came. She'd flop between us on the sofa, head on one lap, tail resting on the other, and let us stroke her stomach while her eyes rolled sleepily in their sockets. Step on her foot? No problem, pal. Accidents happen. Really, really need to give her a bath? Yep, she can take that, too.

It's an amazing gift, that trust. If it was the only reason to live with a dog, it would be plenty. 

My two toddlers love these animals and its amazing how gentle and loving the goats are with them. They crave their attention.

I am a Pomeranian fan. I've had three myself and can't rave enough about them.

At Dogtown, small groups of dogs live together with indoor and outdoor spaces. At Kittyville, cats get a big screened-in space with lots of climbing and scratching toys. It seems like a home, not a room full of cages.

The no-kill shelter has about 2,000 animals -- not just cats and dogs. And the shelter's staff and volunteers travel the country to natural disasters to help with animals.

It just seems like such a neat place to visit. They even have cabins where you can stay when you come to volunteer there.

Click here to check them out

I give you, the paw plunger:

Like i said, dumb name... great results.

This was a new experience for both of us. Hubby grew up on a farm with the requisite cats, but they lived outdoors. My only experience caring for cats had been just a year earlier, when I was subletting a house with two cats.

In the nearly three years since we adopted our gray kitty Bobcat, I've learned a lot about the differences between cats and dogs. This doesn't mean I love our cat any less for being feline and not canine. He's just… different. So sometimes I find myself craving the company of dogs.

Luckily, I was able to get my dog "fix" earlier this year at Lenexa's Tails on the Trails festival. While I was there taking pictures for my other Star job (running Community Faces), I had an excellent excuse to visit with lots of pooches at the dog-dominated event. I left with a warm glow, knowing I'd tended to my craving for a few months more.

I have not been to the Zoo since I was a kid and that must have been 20-25 years ago.  I remember back then thinking that it was huge and wondering why it was taking so long.  Normally as kids your view of the world changes as you get older.  I have to admit I kept wondering "Are we there yet?", and "How much longer?".

If you have not been to the KC Zoo...I highly recommend it.  Granted it is not free like the St. Louis Zoo, but it is worth every penny.

We got to the Zoo right when it opened, found a map and proceeded to walk to the Africa section. I took along my Dad's D70 and zoom lens so we could get some good shots (well I at least hoped too).  I have uploaded 98 photos of animals that we encountered.

It was nice having a tour guide.  She did an excellent job and we were able to ask questions and gain insight that normally would not be available. For instance with the lions:

All of these are males.  Apparently if you neuter them (as they were when they were born) they are no longer able to grow the traditional mane.  It was also fun to see one of them playing with a ball.  Makes you want to take one home doesn't it?

The main "target" of our adventure was the Chimpanzee exhibit.  Outside the exhibit I saw a sign about spening the night at the zoo. Not that you get to stay in the habitat, but likely you get to stay in a "camping" area.  It would probably be cool to hear the noises at night.

When we first got to the Chimpanzee area all of them were down at the glass enclosure.  So we got to see them upclose and personal.

Shortly after this though something spooked them and all but one took off and climbed a nearby stand of trees. 

Our Docent Linda thought it might be "Josh" who is apparently the Alpha Male.  We never saw Josh and they stayed in the trees so we ended up leaving (plus it was lunch time).

We cycled around the other side of Africa and came across the Hippo's.  Although it was a little frustrating because they were being camera shy.  They basically stayed submerged the whole time. 

Amanda asked how long they would be down there and luckily there was a sign that said upto 5 minutes.  Of course one of them just stuck their nose out of the water...hey that is cheating!

Probably the highlight of the day was at the end with the Sea Lions. Amanda wanted to go sit up on the concrete "observation deck" but I decided against it and staked out a spot directly opposite that.  It turns out that was the best place to be.  They had 3 trainers out with the 3 sea lions around the edges.  We were lucky and we had the "best one" named Victor right at our feet.

Overall it was a highly enjoyable day (well until Lexi had missed her nap and was just very cranky).  Although I didn't get mine either.

But when I was at the gym the other day, there were two labs – a chocolate and a golden – outside in the rain.

They were VERY friendly, jumping up on anyone coming or going. They had collars on, so I checked their tags. I was hoping they would lead me to a vet’s office and the dogs’ owner, but the phone number wasn’t connecting.

So I called Kansas City’s Action Center to send somebody over to catch the dogs. I hated to do that, but those dogs were either going to get hit by a car or get too aggressive jumping on somebody.

I didn’t see them again after that.

Q. My Shih Tzu's ears have become very swollen on the tips of her ears. My vet is baffled. No excessive head shaking or itching. Ear cultures are good, her white count is at the high end of normal. Any ideas? — Becky N.

A. I would get Jack neutered if he isn’t already and then I would use behavior modification to eliminate this behavior. You want to make sure that every time he tries to lick the cats that he does a down stay for 10 minutes. You have to do this every time he tries to lick the cats and pretty soon he will realize that this behavior is unacceptable. You also want to reward him with praise and treats whenever he is around the cats and not exhibiting the licking behavior.

Many years ago, she started coughing up blackish-greenish goop. At first, I was just irritated that I had to keep cleaning spots off the carpet.

But then, she stopped eating. That was not a good sign.

I took her to my vet, who couldn't figure out what was wrong. In fact, one of the receptionists suggested my dog might just be playing a game. Are you kidding me?! This dog, who will eat anything, was just playing a game with me?! I about cried. Weren't they taking this seriously?!

Anyway, I took my dog to a surgery center, where after about $1,000, they found a corn cob stuck in her intestines. She must have pulled it from the trash can.

My trash can has a lid, now.

Q. I need advice with this matter between my dog and cats. Jack, our lab, is constantly after our cats, trying to clean their butts. He will not let them alone and each time he does this he slobbers all over the place, including the cats. I have asked my vet about it and all she says is try to keep them separated. But it is impossible to keep them away from each other, we all share the same living area. Do you have any suggestions as to why Jack keeps doing this and what can I do to remedy the situation? — M. Brown , via e-mail

A. I would get Jack neutered if he isn’t already and then I would use behavior modification to eliminate this behavior. You want to make sure that every time he tries to lick the cats that he does a down stay for 10 minutes. You have to do this every time he tries to lick the cats and pretty soon he will realize that this behavior is unacceptable. You also want to reward him with praise and treats whenever he is around the cats and not exhibiting the licking behavior.

For several of her last years, she could no longer climb the basement stairs. (She loved to lie down on the cool concrete floor.) So we’d let her out the garage door to do her thing in the front yard.

And toward the end, she couldn’t use her hind legs very well. I’d have to pick up her butt and carry the back of her while she walked. (That was kind of gross.)

She often had accidents in the basement. We weren’t always home enough to let her outside as often as she needed. I got mad about the mess – I feel bad for getting mad at her. It wasn't her fault.

Once, we discovered maggots growing in her butt. It was springtime and nice out, so the dogs spent much of the day in the shady backyard. Apparently, she couldn’t always stand up to pee, so she wet herself. And the maggots moved in. I found them when I was trying to cut away a bunch of matted fur. It was such a shock to see these nasty little white things wiggling around. 

In her last week, she couldn’t stand at all. She didn’t eat much. I fed her oatmeal.

My husband had to carry her into the vet’s office on her last morning. She weighed about 90 pounds. He didn’t want to watch her final moments. We didn’t want to keep her ashes or her body.

We said goodbye as the vets carried her out of the room on a stretcher.

Q. I wanted to know if you spay or neuter your dog, is it true that they become less aggressive and less likely to stray from home? — Lynda , via e-mail

A. One of the big advantages of neutering is that dogs and cats will be less aggressive toward other pets as well as people. The degree to which neutering suppresses aggression varies from one animal to another and is dependent on the age at which it is done. Generally speaking, it has its greatest effect if done before one year of age, with aggression toward other males being reduced by sixty percent. Dominance aggression is also reduced about twenty-five percent after neutering. In fact about eighty-five percent of dog bites involve unaltered dogs, which are two to three times more likely to bite than their sterilized counterparts. Studies show that of all the positive behavioral changes that neutering ensures, roaming shows the biggest change, with a ninety percent reduction in neutered animals. So yes it is true that neutered pets are less aggressive and less likely to roam.

So I thought I'd get him one of those pet water fountains. Fifty bucks later, I had myself a pet water fountain -- and a cat who didn't want to drink out of it. What a waste of money!

Does this pet gadget work with your cats?

Q. Do you have any idea why my 10-year-old Samoyed has stopped "blowing her coat" since she was spayed 4 years ago? They are supposed to do it twice a year. Her vet has no answers and she suffers greatly in the summer. Shaving her is not the answer as I'm told she would get sunburned too easily. — Dorol , via e-mail

A. I would be concerned that there is something medically going on with your dog, and would therefore take her in for a senior blood panel that would check her thyroid level as well.

I had just come from a restaurant and had leftover food with me, so I spent at least an hour getting her to come to me. She was scared but hungry.

I thought I’d just drop her off at the animal shelter. They cut the chain off her neck. Then they suggested I keep her.

So I did. I wasn't planning to. I had to go to the store for food, a leash, toys, all kinds of stuff. Casey is 10 years old now, and she still acts like she can’t get enough to eat.

Q. There still is some differences of opinion regarding how often dogs need to have booster shots. For rabies shots, some say that the same vaccine is good for either one year or three. Do vets disagree? What about the 3-in-1 shots? — Lila Mach , via e-mail

A. The first rabies vaccine is only good for one year and should be administered to pets that are 4 months of age and older. After that all following rabies vaccines are good for three years. Puppies should receive a series of the 3 in 1 vaccines, starting at 8 weeks of age, every three to four weeks apart until they are sixteen weeks old. After that, boosters are needed yearly for some vaccines and every two to three years for others depending on your pet’s lifestyle. For example, if your dog is boarded a lot or goes to dog parks then you would want the vaccine given more frequently than a dog that stays inside and doesn’t travel a lot. Unlike the rabies vaccine, which is the same for all dogs, your vet can help you tailor the 3 in 1 shot for your particular pet.

Well, some driver tried to get across. But the bridge was twisting so much, he got out and abandoned his car in the middle of the bridge. He left his daughter's dog in the car. Didn't even get the dog out of the car! Didn't even open a window for him! At least give him a fighting chance!

The dog died when the bridge collapsed. (No people died.)

I was very mad at this guy before I started reading more about the bridge. Apparently, people would pay the toll to enjoy a roller coaster ride. Others would not take the bridge at all.

On the day it collapsed, it was bucking so wildly that the driver who abandoned his car (and dog) was lucky to make it off the bridge himself. Other men tried to rescue the dog, but the bridge was too wild. And the scared dog bit one guy who was closest to saving him.

I started out intending to rant about mean people, but the more I learned about this, I realized people did their best. (Mostly.)

Click here to read more about the bridge. Click here for a YouTube video link of the collapse.