Q: My 3-year-old Havanese is basically housetrained, except occasionally he'll poop in the house. Twice a year, while we're away, he spends a week with friends. He also poops in their homes and occasionally urinates there, too. I'm running out of friends to watch him. Any suggestions? -- L.W., Tarrytown, NY
A: "I wonder how happy your dog is to be dropped off at these homes," asks Dr. Brenda Griffin, assistant professor at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY. "For some dogs, there's tremendous anxiety being left in an unfamiliar place, even if the people are familiar. And it's unclear if the people are familiar. If there are other animals in these homes, that makes matters more complex. Also, the dog has learned to pee and poo in other people's homes. Now, we have to prevent that cycle from continuing."
Griffin suggests crate-training your little guy. Restricting him inside a crate when you can't supervise will prevent accidents because dogs don't like to foul their sleeping area. (Only one caveat: If your dog is having accidents only when people aren't home, the problem is likely separation anxiety and professional assistance is recommended). Ask your pet-sitting friends to take the dog out on a leash and reward him for going potty with praise and a special treat, as if he were a puppy. If he doesn't do his business, back into the crate he goes.
Meanwhile, it can't hurt to plug in a diffuser called Dog Appeasing Pheromone (a kind of relaxing aromatherapy for dogs). Play (Havanese generally love to play) is also a great antidote for stress.
Perhaps for your dog, another alternative to consider is to have a friend or professional pet sitter live at your house when you're away. Your pup will likely feel more comfortable in his own surroundings.
Q: My dog doesn't lift his leg to urinate. This is a problem because he piddles on his own front legs. His beautiful cream-colored coat is turning yellow. Getting this 50-pound. dog into a bathtub everyday is getting old. The vet says everything is OK and my dog may catch on eventually. Any advice? -- J.A.G., Peoria, IL
A: Invest in a doggy shampoo company's stock, then buy lots of shampoo. At least the stock price will go up. Philadelphia, PA-based veterinary behaviorist Dr. Karen Overall says your dog's inability to cock his leg isn't sexual so much as it has to do with social maturity, or lack thereof. Your vet might be right, though; some guys just mature slowly.
If your dog is generally submissive and shy (Overall's guess), encourage him to be more confident and outgoing. Invite friendly dogs to your house for play sessions. Teach your dog tricks, and reward him with praise. An upbeat and fun training class could also boost his confidence.
However, some dogs just aren't cocky enough to cock their legs.
Q: I'm a 91-year-old lady with a cat I love. My cat has spasms, jerks, and then licks at the area for no particular reason. My vet can't find anything wrong. The spasms seem to be getting worse. What's the problem? -- F.B., Appleton, WI
A: If your veterinarian hasn't already done do, Chicago, IL feline veterinarian Dr. Colleen Currigan suggests checking for external parasites and determining if your cat's anal sacks are full, which could cause discomfort. X-rays may indicate there's a problem with the cat's vertebrae. And if your cat is older, a simple test for hyperthyroidusm is advised.
From here, diagnosis is a bit more challenging. Your cat could be suffering from epilepsy, hyperesthesia syndrome, or both. This syndrome is more a description of associated symptoms rather than a specific disease. The cat's eyes may dilate, its skin may ripple, sometimes the cat may act manic and its limbs may twitch (as you describe). Hyperesthesia is little understood but may typically be an oversensitivity to touch, specific sounds, or even certain textures.
If your cat acts aggressive during these episodes, stay away from him. You don't want to be scratched or bitten.
If the spasms are at all predictable, ask a friend with a camera to videotape your cat, then email or take the video to your veterinarian.
Currigan says if your veterinarian rules out metabolic diseases, parasites and other likely causes, a prescription for Prozac or anti-seizure medication might offer relief.
Q: Our cat just dropped over and died. What happened? My vet said heartworm disease that killed Sugar. How does he know that? How could this happen? -- D.L., Orlando, FL
A: Perhaps, your veterinarian knew your cat had heartworm disease and didn't communicate that to you, or perhaps you don't recall him telling you about the problem. Dr. Lynn Buzhardt, board member of the American Heartworm Society, explains that often cats can survive with heartworm. But then, when the heartworm itself breaks up, sudden death may be caused from the inflammatory response that occurs, or a piece of the dead heartworm causing a blood clot.
By far, the most common cause of sudden death in cats is a heart condition called feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Unfortunately, even when diagnosed, there's no effective medication for this condition. After my own cat, Ricky, succumbed to HCM in 2002, I began a fund to support research through the Winn Feline Foundation (www.winnfelinehealth.org). Buzhardt , of Zachary, LA, explains that cats sometimes suddenly die if they ingest a toxic substance. Without an autopsy, it's impossible to know for sure what killed your pet.
Heartworm most certainly does occur in cat, most often where mosquitoes are prevalent since they transmit the disease. "If there is heartworm in dogs where you live, there's heartworm in cats, too," says Buzhardt. "Please don't feel too guilty. You are among the majority (of owners_ who don't proactively use a heartworm preventative for cats. The preventatives do work, and this is an example of what can happen, which is why the American Heartworm Society suggests heartworm preventatives for cats as well as dogs."
To learn more, check the American Heartworm Society Web site: www.heartwormsociety.org, or the Companion Animal Parasite Council site: www.petsandparasites.org.
Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he will answer those of general interest in his column. Write to Steve at Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207 or send an e-mail. Include your name, city and state. Listen to Steve Dale's WEEKLY RADIO SHOW, "Pet Central," on Saturdays at http://www.wgnradio.com; or Steve's syndicated radio shows: "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." Learn more at http://www.petworldradio.net. Steve's personal website is www.stevedalepetworld.com.
© 2009 Tribune Media Services, Inc.