Advice for Pet Owners

Natural Health Care for Pets

Veterinarian Shawn Messonnier uses a holistic approach when caring for your precious pets. He is the host of "Dr. Shawn, the Natural Vet" which airs on Martha Stewart Living Radio, and the author of several books, including "The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats" and "The Allergy Solution for Dogs." Messonnier also sits on the advisory board of the publication "Veterinary Forum". He will be online Wednesday, November 19, at noon ET to answer questions.

Submit your questions and comments before or during the live discussion.

Please join us again Wednesday, November 26, for more discussions on pet care with the Animal Doctor Michael W. Fox at 11 a.m. and Animal Planet's Victoria Stilwell at 1 p.m. ET. And check out washingtonpost.com's Pets section anytime!

____________________

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: Hi. I'm glad to be joining you and I hope to able to help you with some of your pet problems.

_______________________

Camp Hill, Pa.: What is the best age to neuter/spay kittens?

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: I usually recommend four to six months of age.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: My 10-year-old tabby cat has started slowing down a little. I feed her a small amount of kibble, which she nibbles at throughout the day and then a half a can of Wellness wet cat food at night. Do you recommend any supplements or change in diet to accommodate her "senior" status? Thanks!

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: First I would make sure she's had a recent exam and blood and urine test, to make sure there are no signs of diseases. That would explain the slowing down. In particular, make sure you pay special attention to the teeth to make sure the cat doesn't have any dental disease and to make sure the cat doesn't have arthritis. Two products that I like for geriatric pets include cholodin and Vin & Vigor. A lot of vets may not carry these product, but they can be found on my Web site with links that go directly to the manufactures.

_______________________

New York, N.Y.: Thanks for taking my question! My Shih Tzu has elevated liver enzymes and is taking Denosyl. I asked my vet about adding Milk Thistle to this, but she wants to wait. Is there anything else I should give my dog in addition to the Denosyl?

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: The first thing I would do is make sure the liver enzymes are really elevated. Many veterinarians misinterpret blood tests and many of the pets I see with "elevated liver enzymes" really have elevated adrenal gland enzymes. In that case, an entirely different treatment is necessary. However, if the liver enzymes are really elevated, milk thistle may be helpful. Two products that I like that help my patients with liver disease include cholodin and hepatosupport.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: My slightly obese cat is a wonderful animal, but she has bad dandruff! Do you have any suggestions on how we can treat this? And i can't just bathe her more frequently because we have yet to figure out how to give her anything more than a sponge bath -- any attempt to actually place her in a basin of water or pour water on her results in scratches and a very freaked-out cat! Thanks.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: While bathing is very important, I understand that some pets don't like being bathed. There are two supplements that they can try to help with the problem: Vin & Vigor and Ultra EFA.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: What advice can you give to the caregivers of an elderly female dog in her declining days? She is having trouble getting up in the mornings and using her hind legs. Once she gets going, she is okay, still has energy and seems happy. We bought a rug for her to sleep on and that seems to help. My mom is worried that she will fracture her hip like an old lady, but her vet reassures us that does not happen with old lady dogs.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: If this is from arthritis, several things can be used. Cholodin flex can be helpful. She probably needs some medication at this point to help with pain. I would talk to your vet about two drugs. The first is called Tramadol. The second is Metacam or a similar drug. Good luck.

_______________________

New baby in the house: My husband and I are looking forward to a first baby and are wondering whether you have any advice on how to ready a dog for this new change. Any references would be appreciated. Thanks!

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: First thing, make sure the dog has been exposed to or is exposed to babies and children right now. I would also prepare the baby's room, let the dog come in and get used to that change. If possible before the baby is brought home from the hospital, the husband could take the baby's blanket home from the hospital so the dog could get used to that smell. If the dog is particularly nervous or anxious dog, check with his veterinarian for a short acting sedative. Alternatively, natural products that may help include Rescue Remedy, Nutricalm, or composure liquid.

_______________________

Alexandria, Va.: Okay, this is slightly controversial, but I was wondering what you think of skipping a well-pet exam some years. I take great care of my cats, fancy, grain-free canned food, fish oil, etc. They went to the vet last year for an exam, fecal test, vaccines, etc. and this year they're only due for a physical and they're doing just fine. In tight times I feel unwilling to shell out a bunch of money for the cats to be weighed and given a quick once-over. Is it reasonable to skip an annual exam sometimes if the pets are doing well? I don't want to be a bad owner.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: My annual exam is different from other doctor's exams. I usually do a physical examination and blood and urine testing. At least once a year and often twice a year for middle-aged to older pets. This allows me to uncover many diseases in my patients before they become clinically ill. While you do have to spend some money on these tests, it is much less expensive to do that then to wait for the pet to become ill and require treatment, if any is available at that time. Finally, remember that very few pets need annual vaccinations. Therefore, most pets should not be receiving vaccinations at their annual visits.

_______________________

Takoma Park, Md.: My 5-month-old male tabby, a rescue cat, loves to bite and scratch. He is generally affectionate when I come home but after 15 or 20 minutes he goes on the attack. It's gotten to the point where I lock myself in my room when I get home. I'm even thinking of dropping him off at a shelter. Help! Is there such a thing as a cat trainer?

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: My best advice is to contact a veterinarian who specializes in animal behavior. A trainer will not be sufficient for this problem.

_______________________

Greyhound Rescue: I am considering adopting a greyhound after I retire. Can you tell me what to look for in one of these dogs? I hear they are very gentle, is this so? Have they been abused by the tracks or owners? Also, I have a 14-year-old cat who currently rules the roost. Your thoughts in introducing a dog? Thanks.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: These are typically very wonderful dogs and make wonderful pets. Common problems in rescue greyhounds include dental disease and bone and joint problems. Overall they tend to be very healthy and make wonderful pets. If the cat likes dogs there probably will not be much of a problem bringing a dog into the housejhold. If the cat hates dogs, I would not bring a dog into the house. Consulting with your vet on ways to introduce the two will be helpful. Natural products that can be used to reduce anxiety in the cat include Rescue Remedy, Nutricalm, Composure Liquid, and Feliway.

_______________________

Silver Spring, Md.: I have a 3-year-old standard Dachshund that suffers from allergies during the beginning of each season as well as frequent ear and yeast infections. He's been on Medrol and I still continue to give him 3V caps. Is there a way to minimize these frequent infections? Is there a natural remedy that will help?

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: I have a lot of success in my practice treating allergic pets with natural therapies. Most will be able to reduce or illiminate the need for conventional drugs after six to 12 months. There are numerous supplements that can help and working with a holistic vet is your best bet. However, here are some things to get you started: 1) frequent bathing (every 24 - 48 hours) is very important in healing diseased or damaged skin. I recommend one of the shampoos in my new lines of organic pet shampoos; the aloe and lavender anti-itch shampoo should work well. 2) A good fatty-acid such as Ultra EFA made by RX Vitamins for Pets should be given at double the labeled dose. 3) A good antioxidant will be helpful, some that include Proanthozone by Animal Health Options, NutraPro by RX Vitamins for Pet and Cell Advanced by Vetriscience. 4) Finally the supplement called Vin & Vigor by Pet Togethers has produced some amazing results in many of my allergic pets. This protocol will get you started. For more advice, check out my book "The Allergy Solution for Dogs."

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: My 2-year-old tabby occasionally "cries" -- I'll see a tear on the side of her nose. Is this something I should worry about? Her eye doesn't look irritated or red at all.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: Probably not. If the eyes look fine, I wouldn't worry about it.

_______________________

Rockville, Md.: Before our baby came along, we used to walk our 3-year-old pug everyday. But now that the weather's getting colder, we feel like it's just too cold for the baby. But what can we do for the puggie to make sure he's getting enough exercise? Thanks.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: Well, can someone walk with the pug and someone stay home with the baby? Can someone play with the pug in the backyard, making him chase a ball, frisbee, etc.? If you have a two-story home, you can make the pug walk up and down the stairs several times during the day.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Our barely 1-year-old cat was just diagnosed with FIP. His appetite and weight are down and he's much less energetic than before. Everything we've read and been told by our vet is this is invariably fatal and the preferable course is euthanasia. This is a tough time for us, we just put another cat to sleep this summer from a degenerative neurological issue, plus this cat was picked out by our 5-year-old son and will be especially hard on him. Are there any other possibilities for treatment? Thanks.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: While it is true that this disease is usually fatal, occassionally natural therapies may be of some help. My best advice is to find a holistic vet, as each case is very different. If you are unable to find a holistic vet, here are some general guidlines that can help.

1) Try any of the immune-boosting supplements from Vetriscience (the link is on my web site). One in particular that may help is called Maitake DMG.

2) Conventional medicines such as Predinisone or other chemotherapy drugs might also temporarily help. Good luck.

_______________________

Anonymous: Dr. Messonnier,

My two cats will yowl occasionally at night or in the morning for no apparent reason. I don't think they're lonely (since we're upstairs and they often sleep with us). Sometimes one cat yowls after my husband leaves for work in the morning, but he knows I'm upstairs.

They aren't fighting yowls, or sad yowls, or yowls after using the litter box -- they're just yowls. Why are they doing that? Are they just vocalizing? Or are they upset about something? Thanks.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: I think they're just vocalizing. They may miss the husband. They may want to be with the wife. My cat will vocalize if she wants to be near us but is prevented from being near us by a closed door. This sounds like normal behavior. If it continues, a consult with a veterinarian who specializes in animal behavior might be helpful.

_______________________

Takoma Attack Cat: Sounds like her cat maybe bored. If Takoma does not have another kitten, please consider one. I bet the cat needs a playmate during the day.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: Well the concern that I've got is bringing another kitten into the household may or may not help the problem. The cat may not be attacking out of boredom. Also, I have seen cases where the new animal brought into the household actually started exhibiting the same behavior as the original pet. If that happenend in this case, she would be attacked by two cats rather than one. I think a consult with a veterinarian specializing in behavior is the best approach.

_______________________

Aging Dog Question: I have a 9-year-Daschund and not too long ago I noticed some symptoms of what I think is arthritis and/or hip dysplasia. He's gotten better, but I want to be more mindful now of taking steps to minimize this as he continues to age. I am keeping his weight in check and making sure that he gets his exercise. Are there and suppliments or other actions that you can suggest? Thanks.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: First, have the pet checked out to make sure something other than arthritis is not causing the pet's signs. If it is simply arthritis, here's what I recommend for my older arthritic patients. I would use cholodin flex plus Vin & Vigor as my two starting supplements.

_______________________

Kansas City, Mo.: Hi Dr. Messonnier, thanks for your time.

I have a very active 3-year-old lab mix that lost 15 lbs. in the last year (From 57 lbs. to 42 lbs.). We have had her checked for worms and had her thyroid tested. We feed her two cups of Natural Balance twice daily (more than recommended) and while she appears to have stopped losing weight (gone one month without a drop), we can't seem to get her to GAIN. Can you recommend anything to supplement her diet and help her beef up? Thanks!

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: Assuming you're feeding the correct amount of food, and assuming your vet is not concerned about other diseases for which she has not been tested, the weight loss may not be a big deal especially if she might have been overweight anyway. There are no specific secrets for helping people or pets gain weight. However, using several supplements to support a healthy GI track may be helpful. Two that I like include RX Zyme and Nutrigest, both made by RX Vitamins for Pets.

_______________________

Cat behavior: My cat stretches against a wall, door or, my favorite, a floor-to-ceiling mirror, puts out her claws and slides down. She often does this in the middle of the night, waking me up. Do you know what causes this, and how can I get her to stop?

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: It sounds like a normal behavior. Many cats are more active at night then during the day. Is it possible for you to cover the surface of the mirror or the door, at night, so she won't be as attracted to doing that? For example, taping some butcher paper over the door or mirror may make those surfaces less attractive.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Our 7-year-old tabby cat eats toilet paper and tissues, if he's able to get his paws on it. He's perfectly healthy otherwise. Strangely enough, he refuses to eat any treats like the occasional salmon, tuna fish or chicken. Is there some sort of vitamin or nutrient deficiency we should be concerned about?

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: No, some cat or dogs will do this. It's more of a quirky behavior then a medical problem. The best advice I can give is to keep the bathroom door closed so the cat can't get in there.

_______________________

Chandler, Ariz.: My 5-year-old male Westie has had alot of allergy problems, namely paw sucking and chewing, some dermal breakouts, itchy nose and ears, and runny eyes. We tried every therapy known to veterinary science and then went to a holistic vet who had some success for a small period of time. He is now on an Atopica taper. Atopica was a miracle therapy for my Westie, his quality of life vastly improved but I am concerned about just how long he can take this drug. I would like to do a food allergy elimination trial. Your advice or comments on allergies, please. Thank you.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: For more information, see my earlier response to a similar question. I've had very good luck with holistic therapy as part of my treatment for pets with allergies. As far as a food trial, it's unlikely your pet has food allergies as I would not have expected him to respond to Atopica. However if your vet thinks food is still an issue, you can always try a food trial. Regardless, all (allergic) pets should be on a natural diet to minimize inflammation in their bodies.

_______________________

Silver Spring, Md.: Thanks for taking this question. I'm trying to get my roommate to house-train his 5-year-old Maltese. Before I moved in he had taught the dog to do his business on the kitchen floor on a doggie pad. I decided that was completely unsanitary and asked him to train him. The problem is, the dog freaks out when its in the cage. Even after I walk the dog he will go in the kitchen and poop/pee, so he has to stay in the cage unless he's sitting in my room with me, which I don't like because he smells. How do I get the dog to calm down in the cage? He rattles it and howls, barks, whines. The owner is NEVER home and when he is he stays in his room and leaves the dog in the cage. Any advice would be appreciated.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: See my earlier answers about behavioral problems for supplements that may help. However, consultation with a vet who specializes in pet behavior is very important in dealing with this kind of problem. Since the dog has never learned to accept the cage and has learned to eliminate on the pad in the kithcen floor, it will be very challenging to make it stop these behaviors and learn something new. If things don't improve, it would be easier to find another roomate.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: My golden retriever is 7 years old and the vet said he has very early stages of arthritis. She recommended give him glucosamine tablets. What kind of holistic care can we give to him?

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: The glucosamine tablets are fine. Other supplements that could be included are cholodinflex or glycoflex. Two homeopathic products that can work are Zeal or Traumeel. Additionally acupuncture may be of help. Only use drugs to control pain on a limited basis.

_______________________

Portland, Ore.: My husband and I would like to get a cat in the next month. We have two dogs who use a doggy door to get to the backyard -- this is necessary due to work schedules and the dogs love coming in and out on their own. I have only had indoor cats and would like to keep this new cat indoors if possible. Is there anything we can do to keep the cat from using the dog door/going outside under these conditions? We will be getting a kitten if that matters.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: The only thing you could do is keep the cat confined to a part of the house where it doesn't have access to that door. If the cat has access to the doggy door, it will use it.

_______________________

Durham, N.C.: Doctor, my 11-year-old chocolate Lab/Chesapeake Bay retriever has mast cell tumors that are growing rapidly. She has lost weight, but her appetite is good and she is very happy. She is currently on Temaril (sp), and I am about to ask the vet to prescribe prednisone if it will make her more comfortable. What do you think? When is it time to consider putting her down? I don't have the money for expensive treatments and do not want her to suffer. Thank you.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: First, get my book "The Natural Vet's Guide to Preventing and Treating Cancer in Dogs." There are many suggestions for supplements that may help you, many of which you can get via links on my web site, and for medicines to make her feel more comfortable. There are also guidelines in that book to help owners prepare for euthanasia.

Two supplements that might be beneficial include Ultra EFA by RX Vitamins for Pets and the Maitake DMG by Vetriscience.

_______________________

Maryland: My 1 1/2-year-old cat has twice been diagnosed with ear mites. She's an indoor cat, and while I have two dogs, neither of them have this problem. I'm baffled about where they are coming from and how to make sure they don't recur. Any ideas for me?

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: How did the doctor diagnosis ear mites as the cause of the problem? The only way to correctly do this is by examining a swab of the ear debris under a microscope. If this was not done, the diagnosis may not be correct. More common causes of ear problems in cats and dogs are bacteria and yeast infections. Ear mites are actually quite rare in pets. If the pet was misdiagnosed and improperly treated, that would explain why the problem recurs.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: I have a 11-week-old puppy who has never barked. Is that normal?

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: It certainly can be normal. I wouldn't worry about it at this point, but at some point the dog should vocalize or attempt to bark. Certain breeds such as Basenjis do not bark but make a yodeling sound.

_______________________

Ardmore, Pa.: My little, less than 4 lbs., Yorkie continues to have bad breath problems despite teeth cleaning. Other than brushing (no flossing!), is there any thing you recommend -- water supplements, OTC or prescription products? She is not big on the hard chewy products and she has had special dogfood. What is the best way to keep her breath fresh? Thanks!

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: Assuming this is not a dog who licks her rear end a lot or has anal sac disease, I've had some success with the following regimen:

1) The Oxyfresh products are very easy to administer to dogs and cats and help control dental disease.

2) To maintain a healthy GI trac (sometimes GI issues can cause bad breath) I'd recommend the following products from RX Vitamins for Pets: Nutrigest, RX Zyme and RX Biotic.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: I am having a very hard time getting my cat to the vet to have his nails trimmed (he won't let me near his paws despite trying a gentle, progressive approach). Every time I try to pick him up, he fights tooth and nail and I can't even get him close to the carrier. Do you have any suggestions? I use Feliway, but it doesn't seem to help.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: 1) The vet might be able to show you how to do this. Or, the cat might do better at the vet's office, which would require regular visits to have the nails trimmed there.

2) Anesthesia might be necessary several times a year for nail trimming.

_______________________

Falls Church, Va.: Hi, my pitbull had to have the patella luxation surgery when she was just a pup. She will be 4 in February and every now and then she will limp from what my guess is overuse or irritation of the injury (very active dog and this only happens maybe once every couple of months). She doesn't really seem to be in pain: no whining, or wimpering and she still moves around, but I just wanted to know if there was anything that I could do (other than the vets suggestion of a pain pill or tranq) to help her recover quicker with less irritation. Thanks!

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: If she's very painful when this happens. I would use the pain pill sparingly. For regular control and to help prevent arthritis, consider glycoflex from Vetriscience, Megaflex from RX Vitamins for pets, cholodinflex from MVP Labs.

_______________________

Baltimore: I live in a dog-friendly apartment community, and my apartment backs up to a nice big yard for my dog to play in. As expected, there are yellow urine spots in the grass. But they're not where my dog usually urinates -- they're where my neighbor's young puppy urinates.

So, I'm just curious: what causes some dogs' urine to stain (kill?) the grass, and not others'? Does it have to do with different diets? Different breeds?

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: I've never seen an answer to that questions, so I don't know. My guess is there may be a difference in urine PH. Apple cider vinegar placed in the dog's vinegar may prevent the problem.

_______________________

Bastrop, TX: Could you suggest an alternative flea/tick treatment to Advantix or Frontline? Thanks.

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: In general, I don't worry about preventing fleas and ricks for most of my patients as that is not a big issue or a big problem. To help control fleas and ticks, here are three easy things you can do:

1) Spray the yard with Beneficial Nematode.

2) Bathe the pet regularly with a good organic flea and tick shampoo. I recommend the lemon grass and neem shampoo in my line of organic shampoo called Dr. Shawn's Pet Organics.

3) At least weekly, thoroughly wash the pets bedding, toys, blankets, pillows, etc.

_______________________

Dr. Shawn Messonnier: I've enjoyed helping you today. If you'd like more information on natural pet care, visit my web site www.petcarenaturally.com.

_______________________

Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.