Advice for Pet Owners

Pet Care and Animal Health

Each pet comes with its own needs, wants and medical requirements. With the help of a good veterinarian, a pet owner can rest easy knowing that at least one of the components aiding her pet's wellbeing is taken care of. Dr. Sarah Bowman and Dr. Wendy Knight of CityPaws Animal Hospital were online Wednesday, May 21 at 11 A.M. ET to take your questions on raising a healthy and happy animal.

This discussion is one in a series of pet advice chats we'll be holding over the next several weeks. Please join us again Wednesday, May 28 at noon ET when animal expert Warren Eckstein will take questions. And check out washingtonpost.com's new pets section anytime!

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Dr. Sarah Bowman: Hi, my name is Dr. Sarah Bowman and I am co-owner and veterinarian at CityPaws Animal Hospital in Washington DC. I am looking forward to today's chat.

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Dr. Wendy Knight: Good morning. I am Dr. Wendy Knight, co-owner of CityPaws Animal Hospital in Washington, DC.

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TK PK, Md: I have recently moved to the area, and am challenged to choose a vet. What would be your personal criteria for choosing a veterinarian for your pets?

Dr. Sarah Bowman: I recommend speaking with other pet owners in your neighborhood and getting their advice. I also recommend visiting the practice and getting sense of it on your own and ask for a tour. You can also visit The American Animal Hospital Association Web site and look up accredited practices in your area. These practices have met higher standards of care and inspected for quality on a routine basis.

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New Haven, Conn: Hi, thanks for doing the chat! I am looking into becoming a first time dog owner (due to allergies within the family, the only pets we ever had were some not-so-tropical fish). I have found that, in researching different breeds of dogs, one of the items that is always listed as an absolute in taking care of a dog is cleaning the anal sacks. Yet, when I ask my friends who are dog owners about this, most are either ignorant of it or say that their vet/groomer does it. How important is it for the owner to know how to do this, or is it something that I can rely on a vet or groomer to take care of?

Dr. Sarah Bowman: Not every dog has problems with anal glands. We typically only express the anal glands when needed. The dogs should naturally express the material from the anal glands when they defecte. It is true that some times they can become impacted and infected and need medical treatment. Often times, groomers will express them as part of the grooming treatment. I think you should be aware that a dog has anal glands but it would not affect my choice of dog. Signs of a dog in need of anal gland expression can be scooting or licking at their rear end excessively. Normally your veterinarian or their technician can express the glands for your pet on a walk-in basis. I would not recommend that an owner routinely express the anal glands. Often times, there are easy solutions to avoiding needing frequent anal gland expression by a dr or tech such as changing diet or adding fiber to the diet.

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Alexandria: I have a 17-week-old female lab puppy. From the beginning she has been prone to throw up (sometimes after meals, other times hours after she has eaten). She keeps water down, eats her food, and her stool is normal. She will go a few days to a week with out throwing up, and then start up again. Her energy level (high) seems to be fine to me. I have changed brands of food three times. My vet doesn't seem to know why she is throwing up. Is this a case of a puppy that just has a sensitive stomach and throws up a lot or is there potentially another problem?

Dr. Wendy Knight: Young puppies have a tendency to be more sensitive to certain diets and food changes. This certainly could be the case for your labrador retriever. Young dogs, especially labs, have a tendancy to put things in their mouths that they find in the yard, on walks, or in their home. They are also particularly prone to having intestinal worm which can cause vomiting. If you haven't already done so, I recommend that you discuss performing a fecal test on your dog's stool with your veterinarian to make sure this isn't the problem. There are several prescription diets available for dogs with sensitive stomachs available that your veterinarian may also be able to recommend.

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Tampa, Fla: My family would love a dog(s), but since my husband and I both work all day, and our 6-year old daughter is either in school or will be at day camp (for the summer), I don't think it is right to get a dog and then have to leave it alone in the house most of the day. My husband suggested adopting an adult/older dog, but I still am hesitant. Your advice?

Dr. Sarah Bowman: It is true that dogs take alot of work and attention, as well as training. If you are worried about leaving your dog alone all day, you could hire a dog walker to come in during the day or take your dog to doggie day care. If you feel you cannot provide the time and attention that a new dog would require, you could consider a cat. Good luck.

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Indianapolis, Ind: Any new or really effective treatments for bad itchy skin allergies (dermatitis) in dogs? We're using Keto-clor shampoo and Benadryl, but still have problems. Doctor hasn't recommended any ointments, I suspect because she has had mildly elevated liver levels, perhaps triggered by earlier Genesis use. I have atopic dermatitis so am familiar with range of human ointments and their pros and cons.

Dr. Wendy Knight: Recently, studies have shown Cyclosporine, a drug commonly used in transplant patients, to successfully treat atopic dermatitis in dogs. There is a relatively new product on the market called Atopica that is approved specifically for this use. I recommend that you make an appointment with your Veterinarian to discuss whether or not this would be an option for your dog. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements (fish oil) has been used to treat atopic dermatitis and would be a safe choice for a dog that has elevated liver enzymes as well.

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Silver Spring, Md: We've lived with our roommate's cat for several years, and now that she's moving out, we have decided to adopt two small cats of our own. First, do you have any suggestions of where we should get the kittens? Also, aside from loving them and taking them to be spayed and their shots, what else should we know about adopting new cats?

Dr. Wendy Knight: We are fortunate to have many great rescue organizations in our area. In DC, I would suggest visiting WARL (Washington Animal Rescue League) or the Washington Humane Society. Both of these organizations have veterinarians on staff that examine, vaccinate and often will spay or neuter potential adoptees before they go to new homes.

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Tick prevention: I used some oldish Frontline on my coonhound. (I couldn't find an exp. date, but it had been in the drawer for a couple of years.) It isn't working. (I'm using it for ticks; we live in a rural area.) Is it safe to put new Frontline on her now, two weeks later? Thanks.

Dr. Sarah Bowman: The Frontline you used should be fine. Merial claims that Frontline does not expire. It is safe to reapply Frontline after two weeks, typically however you should use it once a month. The important thing to remember about Frontline is that it does not kill ticks instantly. It can take up to eight hours to kill the ticks. That is OK because it takes at least 12-24 hours for the tick to transmit disease to your pet. So the Frontline will get rid of the ticks before they can transmit disease to your pet.

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Arlington, Va: So, what is the scoop on grapes and dogs ? I have a Concord grape vine and our dogs eat them when they fall. The pits pass through... But, I am concerned given what I have heard about toxicity. Is much known? Are the problems that have occurred acute or is it a long term health issue? In other words, if I have seen no ill effects (for the last two seasons), is it fairly safe?

Dr. Wendy Knight: Even a small amount of grapes can be toxic to dogs. The actual cause of the toxicity is not well understood. Ingestion of grapes can cause both acute and chronic symptoms. Initially, dogs may exhibit signs of stomach upset such as vomiting, and diarrhea. Within 48 hours, some dogs develop signs of kidney failure such as increased thirst and urination. This can lead to death in some dogs. Although your dog seems to be unaffected so far, I recommend that you try to discourage him from eating them.

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Richmond, Va: How much food should a cat be given a day? I have a 10-month-old kitten. I'm only feeding her dry food, since I've been told wet food can lead to tooth decay. I never restrict her water, but I do try to limit her food to one cup a day. Is this enough?

Dr. Wendy Knight: Many cat foods differ in the amount of calories that they have per cup of dry food. I generally recommend following the feeding guidelines given on the bag of cat food (usually found on the back of the bag) and then closely monitoring their weight and body condition. Indoor cats are more prone to weight gain so I agree that it is important to be concerned. If you notice that your cat is gaining too much weight then you may make adjustments to the amount that you are feeding.

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Georgetown, D.C.: I've always known that chocolate, raisins and grapes are bad for dogs -- my dogs won't touch raisins or grapes, but they would love chocolate, if they could get it. Recently, I have heard that many other foods are bad for dogs, including cheese. Mine have eaten nibbles of cheese from time-to-time and seem all right. They also like carrots, broccoli, cabbage and avocados. Is it possible to get a list of all the "no-no" foods? Thanks.

Dr. Sarah Bowman: In general, your dogs should not eat any table food. It is true the big no-no are chocolate, raisins and grapes. If you must allow your dog to have some table food, avoid high fat foods, i.e. bacon, because they can cause severe pancreatitis and I recommend avoiding any raw meats or eggs. Carrots, broccoli, cabbage, avocados etc in moderation as a small treat from time to time is fine. Cheese is fine, again in moderation. I am not sure where to get a list of no-no foods.

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Formerly of Logan Circle: Hi Dr. Bowman & Knight, CharLee, our 2-year-old Yorkie used to be a patient at CityPaws until we moved out to Rockville last Fall. My wife and I just want to thank you and the CityPaws staff for taking such good care of him during his puppy year while we lived down the street. We miss the neighborhood and although we found a VCA hospital we are comfortable with out here, we do miss CityPaws. Good luck with your practice and I think you guys have a great thing going in a great location!

Dr. Sarah Bowman: Hi! Thanks for saying "Hi". Give a kiss to CharLee for me. If you ever need anything, don't hestitate to call.

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Washington, DC: Recently my husband and I moved to a brand new place. One of our two cats (who has never done anything destructive before) is now scratching up the door frames. We can't get her to stop, and closing the door makes her chew and claw the bottom of the door and the floor. Any ideas to get her to stop?

Dr. Wendy Knight: Many cats do not tolerate changes in their lives well. They may respond to their anxiety or fear by scratching on furniture or even begin urinating outside of the box. I have found that using Feliway, a pheromone replacement, in the home can help to calm an anxious cat and help them acclimate to their new surroundings. This product can be found in most pet stores or on-line. It comes as a spray or a plug-in. I recommend using it in an area of the house where your cat spends most of their time. Good luck.

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DC: Hello, I'm so glad you're online today, taking our questions! My cat is 16 years old. Do I need to continue to take her to the vet and get all her shots, etc.? I feel that, at this stage, it's too traumatizing. She's pretty spry for such an oldie, but still -- she's getting on in years. She is an indoor cat, and never comes into contact with other cats or dogs. I take good care of her -- nice food, two clean cat boxes, lots of brushing and love! Thank you for your advice.

Dr. Wendy Knight: Congratulations on having your cat for so many wonderful years and keeping her happy and healthy! I would like to recommend that although, she is doing well and stays indoors that you continue to have her seen by a veterinarian at least once a year for an exam and bloodwork. As cats get older, they can begin to develop medical issues that initially may not cause any noticeable changes at home. The sooner that you may identify any issues, the more likely you may be to address them early on and continue to keep her feeling well. If she gets stressed by going out of the house, I recommend trying to have a veterinarian come to your home. There are several good at-home vet practices in our area. That way, your cat can be examined in her most comfortable environment.

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DC: I have come across some vets who do not feel that all the yearly shots are necessary for dogs. What do you think?

Dr. Sarah Bowman: It is important to treat each pet as an individual. We have recommended yearly vaccines for dogs that include Distemper/Parvo (DHLPPV), Bordetella and Rabies. The Rabies is required by law and in the DC area, after the first vaccine as a puppy, they then get the Rabies vax at one year and then it goes to every three years. Again, this varies by geographic region and local Rabies laws. There is now a three year Distemper/Parvo vaccine that may be given to some older dogs who have developed good immunity after previous years of vaccinations. There are other elective vaccines such as Lyme that may be given after discussion with the owner and deciding what is best for the pet given the environment it lives in. In the end, the owner and veterinarian can come up with the most appropriate vaccination schedule for your animal given current recommendations, where you live, the activities your pet participates in and the general health of your pet.

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Redskins Nation: All this stuff about pets is great, but Sarah, we know you are a HUGE Redskins fan, so what do you really think about the Jim Zorn era?

- A friend in New York

Dr. Sarah Bowman: Go Skins! I think the Redskins are going to have a fantastic season with a young, exciting new head coach. They will start during pre-season playing in the Hall of fame Game with two redskins greats, Art Monk and Darrell Green getting inducted to the hall of fame. Then they will open the season on thursday in NY and beat the Giants in prime time! Are you ready for some football?

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Washington, DC: Hi, thanks for taking my question. I have an older cat (18+ approx) who was diagnosed w/chronic renal failure over three years ago. Since then we've been giving her sub-q fluids three times a week and she's done remarkably well. She also went blind from hypertension about a year ago, and once again, has adapted remarkably well. The question is, how long is too long? She eats well, enjoys her treats (whatever she wants at this point -- mostly chicken!), enjoys bossing us around by demanding we turn the water faucets on and off for her to play in, etc.

And then she has days where she's more lethargic. We're not trying to drag this out (honest!) but we love her dearly and don't want to put her down before it's time. FYI, we don't take her to the vet anymore. The vet advised against it last year as it stresses her out so very much and we're all in agreement that it's life quality, not quantity, at this point, so the stressful vet visits are to no good end. Really appreciate your thoughts on this.

Dr. Wendy Knight: I completely agree with your approach. When you have been as fortunate as you have to have your special cat in your life for this long, the most important thing that we can do for them is love them and provide them with a comfortable quality of life. It really sounds like you are watching her closely and that this is your goal as well. I find that making this life decision is difficult and many owners worry that they will not know when it is time. However, most pet owners, like you, that are "in touch" seem to know when that day arrives.

For most cats, continuing to be a participating family member and eating are very good indicators of quality of life. If your cat stops eating and/or does not want to interact with family members, this may be sign that they are ready.

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Washington, D.C: I have a friend who is severely allergic to my fluffy cat. Other than brushing often and vacuuming with a good filter, is there anything that I can do to help make her limited time in my home more comfortable? Is there anything you can use, like a shampoo, that isn't harmful to kitty but might make the dander less allergic?

Dr. Wendy Knight: Unfortunately, there are very few things that you can do to reduce pet dander. When your friend comes to visit, I recommend that you brush then wash your cat to help reduce the amount of dander present on your cat's fur. This may be helpful. Continue to vacuum the floor and furniture as you have been doing.

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DC: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, TAKE MY QUESTION! My 10-week-old puppy does not like to walk outside. She is fine once we get to the park, but she hates going there. She is distracted by any kind of noise. I am afraid of instilling her with a phobia by taking her on walks. Sometimes I end up carrying her halfway to the park, and she seems fine. However, she is getting too heavy and I am not sure this is the best way to go. Also, can you recommend a week-by-week guide about puppy training and development? Thanks a lot!

Dr. Sarah Bowman: You may want to try with very short walks and give her positive rewards, i.e. treats, when she does walk. She is very young and still needs to learn. Be careful taking her on walks as her immune system is not fully able to protect her and she is not fully vaccinated. Keep her away from dog parks and other dogs fecal material to avoid possible disease transmission until she is fully vaccinated.

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Alexandria, Va: My 14-year old Border Collie mix, previously 100 percent healthy, has started "wobbling," and bouncing up and down uncontrollably when she stands up. Also, sometimes one of her hind legs gives out. My vet says she'll recommend a neurologist, but what could be causing this?

Dr. Wendy Knight: It sounds like your dog may have a primary neurologic disease either affecting her spinal cord or brain. Her symptoms are concerning especially because she is older. I agree that it would be a good idea to have her visit with a specialist who may help you determine the cause and advice any treatments.

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16 year-old cat: Hi, thanks so much for answering my question about my 16 year-old cat. What a great suggestion to have a vet come to my place -- it's something I've actually thought about. But I wasn't sure how to find someone who makes house calls. Would you have any suggestions, please, on how I can find such a vet? Thank you again.

Dr. Wendy Knight: I recommend that your first try calling your regular veterinarian. Some clinics will make special arrangements to come out to your home. If not, they may have someone in your local area that they can recommend. The best recommendation is always best when it comes from someone you trust. A home-vet service would also be listed on-line or in your local yellow pages.

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Capitol Hill: Hi Drs -- First: Thanks for being one of the few vets in DC that see small and exotic pets! My rat Beyonce is doing great thanks to you and your staff! Second: Since she's prone to URIs like many rats bred for sale, what precautions should I take to keep her healthy?

Dr. Sarah Bowman: Glad to hear Beyonce it doing well. URI's are very common in rats and many of them actually carry Mycoplasma (a bacteria that can cause the URI in rats only) and can succomb to the URI at times of stress. It is important to be sure the environment is clean and that you change the bedding frequently and provide her with adequate nutrition. Good luck.

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Georgetown: Do you have an opinion on the best weight control cat food? My orange tabby is 16 pounds, and carries the weight fairly well (he's a big cat), but still has a gut. He's an indoor/outdoor cat and I guess gets plenty of exercise serving as the neighborhood enforcer (seriously, he beats up raccoons for fun), but I wonder if there's anything more I can do to take a pound or two off. I've got him on Iams Weight Control and have tried the Nutrisystem balanced diet, but so far no noticeable results.

Dr. Wendy Knight: There are several weight loss and weight control diets on the market these days. This is definetely becoming more of a problem for cats. For cats who are very food motivated and have a tendency to overeat, I usually recommend diets reduced in fat and calories such as Science Diet W/D or R/D. These diets have increased amounts of fiber added to help the food to expand in your cat's stomach which will help him/her feel more satified, full and hopefully, eat less. For cats who do not overeat, I recommend diets that are higher in protein and more reduced in carbohydrates. Cats are primary carnivores and these diets are more in line with what they need. They are more effectively digested and help to increase their metabolism such as Science diet M/D. I always recommend that you measure out your cat's food and divide it into twice a day feedings. I hope this is helpful.

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Heartworm: My family is planning to adopt a rescue dog. She was diagnosed with heartworm at the rescue and is being treated -- two shots, apparently. What questions should we ask about the treatment before finalizing the adoption? Should we reconsider adopting her because of this?

Dr. Wendy Knight: I adopted a wonderful 1 1/2-year-old Boxer from the local humane society four years ago that was treated for heartworm disease and have never regretted it. He is a wonderful, healthy addition to our family. I would recommend that prior to adopting a dog with heartworm disease, I would ask them what grade of heartworm disease he has. Typically, dogs with Grade 1 or 2 disease can be successfully treated and go on to be healthy dogs without long-term heart issues. Most dogs treated for heartworm disease do need to have their activity restricted for the first four weeks following their treatment, so I recommend considering this and preparing for it.

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Rockville, Md: Any advice for a college freshman aspiring to be a vet one day? I have read that vet school is more competitive than med school these days because there are less slots nationwide.

Dr. Sarah Bowman: Yes, it is very competitive to get into vet school. It is important to get experience in the field, i.e, if you are interested in small animals, I recommended trying to get a job at your local vet clinic. There are many college course requirements as well, you can contact the schools to find out what they are.

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Houston, TX: My 1-year-old lab just went into her second heat. She started dripping last week. Approximately how much longer should this last?

Dr. Wendy Knight: Heat cycles typically last seven-10 days.

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Logan Circle, DC: My 1 year-old pit bull mix Petey is a patient of yours. I adopted him in January and he has always been very shy of new people, especially when they come into my apartment. Since January, he has become much more confident but lately he's developed a habit of growling at people that come over to visit. Do I need to worry that he will become aggressive? He has never shown any sign of aggression other than the growling. Honestly, he's a complete wimp most of the time!

Dr. Sarah Bowman: It is important to work with a trainer ASAP. We need to get rid of that worry now before it grows. Try with positive rewards and possibly keep a treat bowl at the front door so when guests arrive, they can give Petey a treat so he learns that he does not need to be afraid of them. Feel free to call me at CityPaws tomorrow and I can give you the name of some good trainers in the area. Glad he is otherwise doing well.

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Rockville, Md: I have heard several different theories about dogs eating grass. Some say that they eat grass when they have a stomach ache or feel they have a dietary deficiency. Lately my sheltie has started eating grass and I was wondering if I should be concerned. Nothing has changed in her diet or lifestyle and she seems fine and normal in all other ways.

Dr. Wendy Knight: Some dogs just like to graze on grass, especially in the spring when the new grass starts to mature. Although, it is okay for them to eat grass, it can sometimes upset their stomachs and cause vomiting or diarrhea.

Other dogs do seem to eat grass when they are nauseous. This may be a natural way for dogs to attempt to cleanse their systems.

If your dog is not showing any signs of digestive upset, weight loss, lethargy, etc., he may be fine. If you are concerned, it is worthwhile having him seem for a routine check up just to make sure.

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Feliway: Just wanted to say that Feliway worked well for my cats when we moved to a new apartment -- one of my cats had a very hard time adjusting and I think Feliway helped her. Good Luck!

Dr. Wendy Knight: Thanks!

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Michigan: Hi! My mom says that you can get diseases if puppy pee or poo gets on you. I pick up my new puppy and play with him after he goes and she says that I have to change my clothes before sitting on my bed. Can I really get a disease from my puppy?

Dr. Sarah Bowman: Yes, there can be disease you can get from your puppy's urine and stool, however, practicing good hygine can prevent disease transmission. It is important to wash your hands after you handle your dogs pee/poop. Also, speak with your vet and be sure to have a fecal sample checked for intestinal parasites and possibly dewormed. I don't think it is necessary to change your clothes.

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In Response to Georgetown: ONIONS are deadly to dogs!!!

Dr. Sarah Bowman: Thanks! Good catch. That is true.

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DC: I have a lovely, affectionate 10-year-old male cat, slightly overweight, who seems to throw up every two weeks or so. Usually it is to get rid of a hairball, but not every time. Is this something to worry about?

Dr. Wendy Knight: This may not be a concern, however, since your cat is beginning to enter their senior years, I think it would be a good idea to have your vet examine your cat and perform a senior wellness profile (lab work) to evaluate your cat's kidney and liver function, as well as, thyroid function. If the exam and lab tests are normal, then you have a nice baseline for what is normal for your cat and have piece of mind that everything is okay. There are diets now that have increased fiber for cats that have a tendency to vomit hairballs. Hairball laxatives and brushing can also be helpful.

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Sioux Falls, S.D: Our retriever puppy has early signs of hip dysplasia. How important would you say the role of her diet is in preventing her from becoming arthritic? We give her Iams now, but we are moving towards making her real food. Can you give us advise as to what is a good mix of foods for her to eat?

Dr. Sarah Bowman: Diet is very important in dogs with hip dysplasia. Purina recently did a study and found that dogs fed a healthy diet at 25 percent less than the recommended amount such that the dogs kept a lean body weight had reduced incidence of arthritis and lived on average two years longer. I do not recommend a home cooked diet. As a puppy, you can feed your dog a large breed puppy formula for the first 18 mos and then switch to an adult large breed formula. Iams is certainly an excellent food and I know they make large breed formulas.

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Kansas City, Mo: It seems that more vets are advocating an all wet-food diet for cats because of higher meat protein and better hydration. What are your thoughts? Do you think the amount of protein in a canned diet is superior than the amount of carbohydrates in kibble?

Dr. Wendy Knight: We are seeing more overweight cats these days. Some of this may be due to the fact that more cats than ever are indoors only, however, I do believe that nutrition may also play a role. Dry food diets typically are higher in carbohydrates. For an indoor cat who is less active, they may not be utilizing all of the carbohydrates that are in their diet for energy, therefore converting it into sugar and fat. Canned food diets are higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates. They may help to control weight, as well as, improve a cat's hydration. If you feed a primarily canned food diet, don't forget about your cats dental health. Dry food diets are very helpful in preventing dental disease. If you feed only canned food, I recommend that you start a dental health plan for your cat such as toothbrushing once daily and dental treats such as CET oral chews.

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Dr. Sarah Bowman: Thanks everyone for their great questions. Hope we were helpful. Have a great holiday weekend.

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