In an effort to provide our clients with clear and simple answers to commonly asked questions, we have provided below a list of several questions most frequently asked by owners of companion animals.

These questions and answers are meant only to be helpful and they are not meant to replace veterinary services. If you have any concerns regarding the health of your pet, please email or call us directly.

Is it OK for my dog to eat grass?

Grass eating by dogs and cats is considered normal by most veterinarians. Dogs in the wild do the same thing to supplement their diet with vegetation. I would only be concerned about access to grass that has been treated with herbicides, insecticides, or fertilizers that might cause illness. If chemicals have not been used on the grass, your pooch can graze away!

Why does my dog eat droppings? What can I do?

The technical, more polite name for what you are describing in your dog's behavior is coprophagia. It is a very common problem. Actually in most canines it is a normal behavior. Of course, mothers consume their pups' droppings until they are old enough to get away from the nest to eliminate, but dogs will eat other dogs' feces and even that of other species. It is a little more unusual for them to eat their own, but it still happens.

Assuming other health concerns such as vaccinations and parasite elimination have been taken care of by your veterinarian, and your dog is on a well-balanced diet, then the idea that it comes from a vitamin deficiency can be ruled out.

At this point, your dog's habit of eating feces should be approached from a behavioral perspective. The more a behavior occurs the more likely it will be repeated. That means physically preventing it from happening helps your dog forget about it. Whatever you do, it will take some time to modify the behavior.

That means letting your dog know that it is bad through a loud, firm, scolding voice. You can use this method when your pet sniffs or shows interest in feces. It helps to have your pet on a leash when outside to give you some physical control over movement as well.

Products such as monosodium glutamate (seasoning salt) added to a pet's food makes the feces less desirable. A more direct approach includes putting tobasco or bitter lemon on the feces itself. Some pet owners simply clean the yard every day to remove any temptation.

What can be done about a cat urinating all over the house?

If you've not done so already, have him thoroughly examined by your veterinarian to make sure he has no underlying problems causing him to urinate excessively. Many diseases or infections will cause excessive urination. If there are no medical problems, then the urination is likely a behavioral problem. Your cat may be marking his territory, or he may have some problem with the litterbox you're using: the type, amount, or cleanliness of the litter; the location of the box, etc. Sudden changes or stress such as introducing a new cat or dog to the household, moving, or the addition of a new family member can cause a cat to stop using his litterbox, as well. If your cat is not neutered, then it is highly recommend that that be done.

How many litterboxes do you have? What kind of litter are you using? The litterbox should be cleaned at least once daily. If you've recently changed litter brands, change back! Cats can be very particular about the kind of litter they use. If you haven't changed litter, try adding another box with a completely different type of litter in it. Most cats prefer scoopable (clumping), unscented litter in uncovered boxes. Stay away from litters with lots of fragrance. As an experiment, try putting three (at least) litterboxes in your house. Place them right at or near the exact spots where he's urinating inappropriately, and scoop all boxes daily. This is just one example of things you can try.

If your cat is still urinating outside the box, consult with your veterinarian or a pet behaviorist. Another option is medical therapy. Discuss medications with your veterinarian. You may need to give your cat a pill once a day or once a week, depending on the medication. Some of the medications have side effects and some don't work very well. It really depends on the cat, and it may take some experimentation to solve the problem.

Litterbox problems can be very difficult to correct, especially if they have been going on for awhile. In most cases, however, they CAN be solved, so don't give up too easily!

How can I get my kitten to stop chewing on electrical cords?

It sounds like you have a normal, inquisitive kitten. But chewing on electrical cords is quite dangerous. The good news is that he should start outgrowing this behavior soon.

Have you tried putting something distasteful on the cords? Cayenne pepper spray or bitter apple spray can deter some cats from chewing. You can also cover the cords with paper towel tubing or PVC pipe. Your kitty should lose house privileges unless someone is home to supervise him. When you're not at home, put him in a room with no cords.

Also, make sure that your kitten has plenty of appropriate toys to play with. One way you can make his toys go further is to put a few out for him to play with, and put the rest away. A few days later, hide the toys that were left out, and leave out some new toys that had been put away. Even old toys will look new to your cat after they've been hidden for a few days.

With a bit of persistence, your kitten will start to leave the cords alone. If, in spite of all these precautions, you catch him chewing on the cords, chase him away with a squirt of water from a spray bottle. Don't yell at him or spank him; just calmly squirt him until he leaves the cords alone. Good luck with your kitten!

Should I have my dog spayed?

There are no predictable behavior changes in the female dog or cat after ovariohysterectomy. Male dogs, however, often become less dominant and aggressive with other dogs and roam less after neutering. Male cats generally do less territorial fighting, spraying and roam less, which dramatically increases their life span.

There are many solid health reasons for spaying and neutering our pets. Early spaying prevents mammary cancer and a uterine disease called pyometra. Both of these conditions can be fatal in the female dog. Neutering male dogs reduces the incidence of prostate and testicular disease.

Preventing unwanted litters is another common reason veterinarians recommend spaying both cats and dogs at six to 12 months of age, preferably before the first heat.

Keeping our pets at home and healthy will provide longer and more pleasurable companionship!

Cold, wet noses are good, right?

A cold, wet nose is one sign of good health in dogs and cats. However, even a healthy pet can have a warm, dry nose on occasion. On the other hand, really sick pets can also have cold, wet noses. What does all this mean? Simply that any one indicator of health is not 100 percent accurate all the time. Sick pets with cold noses should be seen by your veterinarian. And by the same token, pets with warm, dry noses that are showing other symptoms such as lethargy or not eating should also be seen by a doctor.

What can I do for a dog with smelly ears?

Smelly ears are a clear sign of an ongoing ear infection problem. Dogs with floppy ears are notorious for getting very chronic ear infections. Regular cleaning with veterinary approved cleaners can help, but often antibiotics are also needed. When pets continually get bad ear infections despite good at-home care and veterinary medications, a special surgery to open up the ear canals and allow more air flow is an option. It's best to first get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate medications and cleaning supplies before considering any other alternatives.

What's wrong with an old cat who has lost eight pounds in three weeks?

Any cat that shows a sudden and severe weight loss should be tested for abnormalities of the thyroid gland, for diabetes, and for kidney disease. If your veterinarian has not yet performed a geriatric blood profile and urinalysis on your cat recently, then you should request that it be done immediately. There are many conditions that are very treatable in older cats if they are diagnosed in time and treated aggressively.

Our cat constantly sheds. Is there something wrong with him?

Hair shedding is considered a sign of health in the cat - sick cats don't shed. Although the excessive hair around the house can be a nuisance, consider it a sign of your cat's good health. To reduce the amount of hair shed on furniture and your household surroundings, comb your cat daily with an appropriate comb or brush. Your veterinarian can recommend one of the many types that is suitable for your cat.

Why does my dog's breath smell so bad?

Most often, bad breath is caused by dental or periodontal disease. Some dogs do not adequately chew their food; thus they don't clean their teeth naturally by the chewing process. Also, some dogs and cats are just prone to dental plaque, tartar and disease. These pets may need more frequent dental cleanings and treatments.

Internal diseases such as kidney disease can also cause bad breath. A trip to your veterinarian is recommended in order to pinpoint the cause of your dog's bad breath and to ensure he is in good health.

What can we do about our dog's anal gland problems?

Anal glands are two paired glands located within and below the external anal sphincter muscle and can often be a problem in dogs. They produce a thick substance that may have at one time been used to mark territory when dogs were wild. They serve very little purpose in the modern domestic dog.

When the anal glands become full or impacted, the dog may experience some discomfort. The glands become VERY itchy and irritated. Actual pain is difficult to assess, but some believe that they can be painful in some cases. When the dog licks, chews or scoots on its bottom, it is attempting to express the glands on its own.

To express anal glands does not require a veterinarian. Many groomers will do this as part of their service, and some pet owners will do it themselves. However, expressing anal glands is not a very pleasant task to perform, and many pet owners will give up after one try. Before trying this on your own, ask your veterinarian for a demonstration.

If anal glands become a common problem, they can be surgically removed. The glands serve no real purpose and, like a human appendix, the dog may do much better without them. Many veterinarians are uncomfortable performing this surgery; however, many others do the procedure with a great deal of success and minimal complications.

What can I do about my cat that vomits regularly?

Cats, as you're witnessing, have a much more sensitive vomiting reflex than we do, so it isn't unusual for cats to vomit when they don't appear sick. I assume your cat has a healthy, but not excessive, appetite; isn't losing weight or acting lethargic; doesn't have diarrhea; and that parasites have been ruled out. If any of these symptoms are present, or if he's vomiting green or orange liquid (bile), a medical problem is likely and should be investigated.

The two most common scenarios in which well cats vomit are

(1) from eating too much or too fast, which results in vomiting undigested food very soon after eating, and

(2) hairballs, which usually cause vomiting of the hairball itself.

Hairballs have no sure-fire remedy, but the most popular thing to try is a hairball lubricant (make sure you give this on an empty stomach, not with food); also frequent combing, brushing, or even a "lion clip" (for a long-haired cat) will be helpful. Any hair you can remove is hair that your cat will not end up swallowing. There is also a new hairball formula cat food on the market that may help. Ask your veterinarian about this.

As for eating too much or too fast, this problem is usually worse in cases where cats have their food taken away and are only permitted to eat at certain times of the day, causing them to gorge when food is available. Trials of different brands of food may help. Anything else you can do (portioning the food out gradually, for example) to encourage eating smaller amounts frequently might also be helpful. If the vomiting is daily, you might want to try medication. However, most people don't want to medicate their cats daily if vomiting only occurs once a week or less.

If these ideas don't help you, the only way to get a certain answer as far as any medical cause, such as inflammatory bowel disease, would be to have biopsies of the stomach and intestinal tract done. Your veterinarian can tell you more about this.

My elderly cat has hyperthyroidism. Is this rare?

Hyperthyroidism, the overproduction and overabundance of thyroid hormones, is relatively common in older cats, both male and female. In fact, it's the most common hormonal abnormality there is. In a cat with hyperthyroidism, the elevated levels of thyroid hormones, which normally work to regulate the metabolic processes, speed up the metabolism and cause many of the body's functions to run much faster than normal. This can lead to a number of complications, including enlargement of the heart muscle, high blood pressure, kidney function impairment, and intestinal problems. Hyperthyroidism can be caused by thyroid cancer, but it is generally caused by benign nodules of tissue in the thyroid that hyperproduce-work too hard and produce too much hormone.

There is no way to prevent hyperthyroidism, but you can catch it early by bringing your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups and keeping a close eye on his health. As your cat gets older, watch him for the symptoms of overactive thyroid: weight loss, hyperactivity, and an increased appetite. Other common symptoms include vomiting, unkempt fur, patches of hair loss, and increased water intake and urination.

The good new is that hyperthyroidism is usually not difficult to diagnose or treat. Veterinarians can generally diagnose the disorder through a physical exam and routine blood test. Hyperthyroidism can be treated with medication, by surgically removing thyroid tissue, or by destroying thyroid tissue through radioactive iodine therapy. Treatment is often very successful.

What is asthma in cats?

Feline asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory disease. Cats get the same airway spasms or smooth muscle contractions that lead to acute constriction of breathing as people do. Sometimes cat litter is blamed for this disease, but it's role is limited. The aerosolized dust when breathed in can initiate symptoms in an already asthmatic cat. It cannot cause the disorder. See your veterinarian for full diagnosis and treatment options if you believe your cat has asthma. Often the same drugs that work for people can work for cats as well, but only your veterinarian can dispense the correct drugs in the correct dosages. Never give your pet medications intended for your use.

My cat won't let me brush her teeth. Is it true that tartar and gum disease can cause other problems?

Tartar management is cats can be challenging, as you have found. If you have seen that there is significant tartar on your cat's molars and premolars, you are already at a stage where you will need your local veterinarian to perform a complete dental prophylaxis under anesthesia. This tartar is probably causing the gingivitis that you are seeing. Dry kibble diets help in tartar prevention, however, even cats who eat nothing but dry food occasionally need dental prophylaxis. The most important thing is to have the tartar taken care of because leaving it in the mouth can cause kidney infections and heart valve disease.

Please provide information on kidney failure.

Unfortunately, kidney failure is very common in older cats and is usually a result of the natural progressive deterioration of the kidneys that comes with age. Kidney disease can also be caused by certain bacteria, kidney stones, urinary obstructions, or exposure to toxins, such as antifreeze. Symptoms, including increased drinking and urination, often do not appear until the disease has progressed quite a bit. At this point, decisions must be made as to what, if any, treatment options should be pursued, taking into account the quality of the cat's day-to-day life. While kidney disease is eventually fatal, many cats can live well for years with only partially functioning kidneys.

Because kidney disease is so prevalent in our feline friends, all cat owners should discuss with their veterinarians things they can do to try to minimize the chances of the disease occurring in their pet. While the disease is not always preventable, a good quality diet; access to clean, fresh water at all times; a low-stress lifestyle; and keeping toxic materials out of reach of your kitty can help. Also, all cats, but especially those eight years old or older, should receive physical examinations at least once a year so health problems can be detected as soon as possible.

Cats that are in kidney failure go through good and bad times. They have some days that are definitely of high quality and others during which they don't feel very good.

There are two types of severe kidney disease. One is reversible and the other is not. Some older cats with kidney failure respond to heavy intravenous (IV) fluid therapy and stabilize enough to go on and live months or even several years with just diet changes and intermittent fluid treatments. Other cats do not respond well to fluid therapy and their health continues to decline.

You should discuss the full spectrum of treatment options with your veterinarian. Some options include having your cat hospitalized and given IV fluids, administering IV fluids to the cat on an outpatient basis several times weekly, administering fluid therapy at home, or engaging in no therapy at all. Another treatment that can help manage kidney failure is injecting a bone marrow stimulant that helps correct the anemia associated with chronic kidney disease. The injection can be given at home under the direction of your veterinarian, but the cat must have a red cell level under about 25 percent before this treatment can be used. The drug will help your cat make more red blood cells, which helps him live longer and feel more energetic. Another option is kidney transplant surgery. This is expensive, and it can be hard to find a veterinarian who does this. To explore this option, your best bet would be to contact the veterinary college nearest you.

Nobody knows your cat as well as you do, and with your veterinarian's advice, you should feel comfortable making whatever decision you think is in your cat's best interest.

What is parvovirus?

Parvovirus is a dangerous virus that attacks dogs' intestinal tracts. It can cause severe bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and electrolyte imbalances and can lead to severe dehydration, a buildup of toxins or poisons in the bloodstream, and eventually death. When puppies under 12 weeks old are infected, the virus can damage the heart muscle and cause lifelong cardiac problems. Parvovirus is extremely contagious and can be transmitted by any person, animal, or object that comes in contact with a infected dog's feces. The virus can survive extreme heat and cold for long periods of time, and may remain alive on a surface long after the feces has been removed.

There are many ways you can protect your dog from parvovirus. It is imperative that you keep puppies away from high traffic dog areas (i.e. parks) until they are fully vaccinated. Most veterinarians recommend multiple vaccinations for growing puppies. As dogs get older, their immunity is maintained with annual booster shots. Use a solution of one part bleach to thirty parts water to clean areas frequented by other dogs, and use the solution on the soles of your shoes if you think you've walked through an infected area. If your dog experiences vomiting, severe diarrhea, depression, or loss of appetite, see your veterinarian as soon as possible. Though there are presently no drugs to kill the virus, there are treatments proven to control its symptoms.

Are raw hide chews safe?

Rawhide chews are pretty harmless. The problems come when they swallow them whole. They either choke on them, or the rawhide balls up in the stomach and causes gastritis or blockage. We've seen it all. Moderation is the key. One every once in a while is OK, but they shouldn't be included as a regular toy or part of the diet. In addition it's usually best to supervise or at least be nearby when your pet is chewing on any toy.

My dogs love carrots. Is there any reason why I shouldn't give carrots to them?

Carrots are fine, but you need to keep them to less than 10 percent of the total diet. If you give your dogs too many, you could unbalance the diet. Be sure to give them in small pieces or that they are chewed thoroughly to prevent blockages as well.

The Cost of Veterinary Care?

Relatively speaking, veterinary care is a great deal. The cost of veterinary care has actually risen very little during the last 20 to 30 years. When compared to the rising cost of human health care, pet care is not at all unreasonable.

Bear in mind that your veterinarian is not only your pet's general physician, but also its surgeon, radiologist, dentist, dermatologist, neurologist, ophthalmologist, psychiatrist, ears/nose/throat doctor, and pharmacist.

Your veterinary bill is a reflection of the costs of maintaining suitable facilities, equipment, and support personnel to provide the level of care that is expected in animal medicine today. Remember too that the original cost of the animal has no bearing on the cost of services rendered.

Although it may feel as if you are paying more for your pet's health care than your own, chances are that you probably have adequate health care insurance for your own needs. Consequently, you may never see the total bottom-line figure for your own doctor bills. When human health care costs are added up-including insurance, deductibles, and pharmaceutical costs-there is no comparison to the much lower veterinary care costs.

Isn't the cost of veterinary medicine ridiculously high? It's just animal health care, not human health care. I thought my doctor really cared and would go the extra mile for me and help me out with this.

You would never expect your own physician to provide a diagnosis, care, and medication free of charge. You cannot ask your veterinarian to do this for your pet. The extent of care given to any animal is ultimately determined by its owner. As a responsible pet owner, you place a high value on your animal and will want to consider what's best for your pet.

Every pet owner has different ideas about what is acceptable pet care. Veterinarians can only make their clients aware of the services and products that are available and then provide guidance in their choices and decisions. The owner is given options; the owner makes the call.

It's important to understand that most veterinarians can and will go the extra mile for their clients, but they simply cannot jeopardize the quality of their business by waiving fees. Veterinarians must cover their employees' salaries, costly equipment, the expense of years of professional training, and the expense of continuing education for staying up-to-date on the latest research. When veterinarians subsidize clients' bills, they are endangering their practices.

Is it okay to feed my cat milk?

Veterinarians generally do not recommend feeding milk to our feline friends. A cat's digestive system does not digest milk well. Feeding milk to your cat can cause diarrhea, which can lead to further nutritional problems (your cat won't be able to absorb nutrients from his food).

Do dogs eat grass because they need to vomit, or do they vomit simply because they eat grass?

The cause and effect relationship in animals of eating grass and then vomiting is often questioned. No one has ever proven that dogs are intelligent enough to use grass as a medicinal herb, so those in the medical profession generally believe that dogs eat grass simply because they like the taste of it and that the vomiting just follows. Therefore, it's unlikely that a dog will eat grass or other plants in the hopes that they will settle its stomach. Be aware, however, that some plants, or grass that has been treated with fertilizer or herbicide, can cause stomach upset or other problems, some of which may be severe. See Prevent Poisonings for a list of toxic plants.

What dog breed is best for my family and our allergies?

Congratulations on your decision to get a dog. They can be wonderful companions, especially for your children. While the allergy issue is certainly a big consideration when choosing a breed, you also need to consider temperament and physical traits when looking at different breeds.

Poodles and Bichons and some of the terriers do rank high on the list of "hypo-allergenic" dogs, but allergies can be very individualized. A breed that may trigger life-threatening reactions in one person may only cause a few sniffles in another individual. If your kids are allergic to dander and not hair, a poodle may not work at all. Allergies are not only determined by the type of dog and the person's tolerance, but can be moderated by exposure (keeping the dog out of the children's bedrooms), frequency of bathing and grooming, etc. Discuss control measures with your children's physician. Then make a list of breeds that you might be interested in owning. You would probably want to avoid long, heavy-coated breeds that require a lot of grooming unless you are willing to do the grooming yourself or have it done professionally.

Visit a dog show and talk to breeders and people that own the breeds that you are interested in. If possible, have the children pet or play with one breed per show and see how their allergies are. If you can narrow it down to a few different breeds, you may be able to "borrow" a dog from a breeder for a few days to see how your children react to it in the home. This may take a while, but will be worth it in the long run to your children and a new dog.

These questions and answers were obtained from an American Animal Hospital Association sponsored website (www.healthypet.com). If you prefer to see a more extensive list of questions and answers, please visit the 'Frequently Asked Questions' section of their website.

If you do not see your question listed, please email or call us and we will do our best to help you.