PET WORLD
By Steve Dale
Q: I have one very playful cat. She loves to play ball, even catching it in her paws. She also retrieves. Sometimes, though, she'll catch the ball and drop it into her water bowl, then bring the wet ball back to be. Why does she do this? - L.F.
A: It's terrific that you play fetch with your cat. It sounds like your talented pet is nearly as skilled at fetch as any Labrador. Jennifer LaBaron Michels, of Rochester, N.Y., certified by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, explains, "The cat is taking back its ball to where it always eats, just as outdoor cats return with prey they've caught."
Or it could be your cat also enjoys watching the water ripple, or the splash of the water when the ball drops.
"No matter, it sounds as if you and your cat are having a good time playing, and that's what really matters," LaBaron Michels adds.
Q: My 16-year-old toy poodle mix has a bad, hacking cough; the doctor said the problem could be his trachea. Also, the dog has bad spasms; his hind legs will go out from under him and he yelps in pain. When this happens, we can't touch him until he calms down. The doctor took X-rays, which showed a herniated disc. We've given the dog painkillers and a short of cortisone, which seems to help a bit. Do you think the doctor is dragging his feet and it's time to find another vet? - P.T.
A: What's most important is to alleviate your dog's pain. Anyone who's suffered a herniated disc understands the pain involved. And dogs, of course, feel pain just as we do. Dr. Sheldon Rubin, of Chicago, says, "Indeed, it seems like your veterinarian is doing the right thing to use cortisone to reduce inflammation. A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug might also help, but be sure not to use (a NSAID drug) at the same time as the steroid. Your veterinarian may suggest you seeing a veterinary neurologist to determine if surgery is possible. Your dog being 16 might limit the possibilities."
Another option may be stretching exercises or underwater therapy, and seeing a veterinarian who can begin a regiment of physical therapy. Acupuncture is another possibility.
The coughing is likely unrelated to this disc problem, but due to the disc problem, it might really, really hurt when your dog coughs. "If you determine the cause of that cough, first definitely rule out a cardiac problem," says Rubin. "A collapsing trachea is another real possibility, where the cartilage rings in the trachea collapse. Treating the cough, depending on the cause, will also make your dog more comfortable."
(c) 2006 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
