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Last Updated: Oct 26th, 2008 - 17:41:44 |
PET WORLD
By Steve Dale
Q: I just took in a stray cat. She's tentative, though not terrified. Any
advice? - S.G.
A: A truly feral cat is very difficult to tame. However, either young
kittens or cats previously owned make wonderful pets. Also, plug in Feliway (a kind of aroma therapy to calm cats), available at many pets stores, vet offices and online.
Consider clicker training. Click a clicker (available at pet stores and
online) and offer a extraordinary treat, so the cat knows a click is good.
Once she seems to understand, click the clicker for friendly behaviors, and ignore those that aren't. Most importantly, be patient.
Q: For a couple of years, our 6-year-old chocolate Labrador has vomited about twice a month. Our vet put her on steroids, which only worked for a while. The vomiting doesn't always occur at the same time of day. Our Lab is on a dog food formula for sensitive stomachs. She does eat a lot of sticks and twigs. The dog seems very happy, except for the throwing up. What's going on? - D.R.
A: Dogs do throw up, but this vomiting sounds like it's been going on for quite a while. The answer as to why may be as simple as those sticks and twigs - and who knows what else your dog snacks on. Vacuum-cleaner dogs may cheerfully sweep up for you, but depending on what they swallow, your carpet may pay a price later.
Because the steroids at least worked for a time suggests the possibility
there may be some inflammation, according to internal medicine specialist Dr. Colin Burrows.
If your dog hasn't recently had a blood test, Burrows says that's a good place to start, as well as ruling out internal parasites. Depending on the results of these tests, they may be followed by X-rays of the dog's abdomen and chest. While you could continue treating symptoms only, at some point it might be best to determine what it is you're treating. An endoscope exam, for starters, may assist a general practitioner or an internal medicine specialist determine exactly what's wrong (if anything, other than 'canine vacuum-cleaner syndrome.')
© 2007 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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