I’ve heard that I shouldn’t cook food near my bird — why is that?

It’s not the cooking that’s a problem — the issues occur if you use a Teflon pan and it burns on the stove. The fumes that are produced from the hot Teflon is toxic to birds and can be fatal.

Do you see fish?

I have actually seen a couple of fish (one had a swim bladder infection and one got burned on the heater in the tank). Fish medicine is a whole different ball game and in fact there are aquatic vets — they mainly deal with fish production farms.

Last month, you said my pet can’t get swine flu, but I just read about a cat that died from it. What gives?

I’m only partly guilty of inaccuracy on this one. When the question was originally posed, there had not been any reported cases of pets getting H1N1 from a person. However, shortly after that, there was a case of a cat which did indeed die from confirmed H1N1 infection after being exposed to the owner who had it. So now the recommendation is if you are sick, stay away from your pets as well as your other family members.

Since it’s getting colder outside, can I stop my pet’s flea and tick preventative?

Don’t stop yet. Believe it or not, fall is the worst time of year for ticks. While consistent frost brings the end of fleas for the season, ticks will still be around. Even in very cold weather, they will be hanging out in sheltered areas like wood and brush piles. I’ve pulled ticks off dogs on twenty-degree days. Also, if you have had fleas in the house, it is important to continue treating the pets well into the winter. Since no new fleas will be coming in from the outside, it’s the perfect time to get the problem under control. It is perfectly safe to these products year-round.

Can my pet get the flu from me?

Generally, speaking, no. Most viruses are species-specific. However, ferrets do get human influenza, so if you are sick, don’t sneeze on your ferret. H1N1 (swine flu) is also not spread from people to pets or vice-versa.

I’ve been told my pet needs an MRI. Where do I go?

MRI equipment is extremely expensive and is only available at referral hospitals where not only can the MRI itself be performed, but also interpreted by a specialist. We can make recommendations of some excellent facilities.

I’ve thought about getting a monkey as a pet — they are just so cute and clever. What do you think?

Monkeys and other primates do not make good pets. Bear in mind that these are not domestic animals. Even small monkeys are very strong for their size. They can deliver a damaging bite and can transmit a number of diseases that people can get.

I’m going to be taking my pet on an airplane. What do I need?

You need to check with your airline, but usually pets need a health certificate issued within ten days of travel and he has to be current on his distemper and rabies vaccines. Small animals can travel in the cabin with you, which is definitely safer. Larger animals need to go into the cargo section. There are new regulations in place to try to make this safer, but you should contact us for details.

I found a turtle in the road — should I help it cross?

Yes, if you do it the right way. This time of year, there a lot of females are getting ready to lay eggs and they are heading to their nesting places. Move the turtle off the road in the direction she was headed. If you put her back where she came from, she’ll just try to cross again. Caution, though, if it’s a snapping turtle, use a shovel, not your hands!

I found a baby deer hiding in the bushes — what should I do?

The short answer is nothing. Mom is probably close by. The fawns will lay hidden by instinct to keep themselves safe from predators. And also remember — if a deer runs across the road, she may have a fawn or two in tow, so stop and wait a few seconds before continuing to drive.

I found a baby squirrel — what should I feed it?

It is illegal to keep wildlife, so instead of trying to feed it yourself, you should contact a licensed wildlife rehabber. We have a list of local volunteers who have a thorough knowledge of small mammals, birds, reptiles and deer and who are best equipped to help them.

My rabbit has fleas — can I apply my cat’s Frontline to him?

No, you can’t. Frontline is not safe for rabbits. There are several products which are, including Revolution. It is important to remember never to use any medication or other product on any animal other than the one it was prescribed for.

Can my pets get swine flu?

Not unless your pet is a pig (don’t laugh — I’ve seen a number of pet pigs). The human influenza that is spreading rapidly in the US, Mexico and other countries right now is a mutant form of swine and avian influenza. However, it is very unlikely it will be able to infect dogs or cats. So if you’re feeling sick, go to your doctor and keep your friends and family away, but feel free to cuddle up in bed with your pet to keep you company. We get regular updates from the State Department of Health, so if this changes, we will know right away.

I’ve been reading about the salmonella outbreak caused by contaminated peanuts. Can my pet get food poisoning?

Absolutely. Dogs and cats are not immune to the same poisoning we get. Salmonella, staph and e.coli are all things our pets can get. Raw chicken and eggs especially can contain salmonella. Spoiled food can breed staph and raw or undercooked beef can harbor e.coli. Vomiting and diarrhea are the signs, just like in people.

Can my dog give my cat any diseases (and vice-versa)?

Not too many, really. Parasites such as fleas and worms can be spread between species. Rabies can also. Most of the bacterial and viral diseases cannot, although cats can get one of the forms of “kennel cough”. Cat distemper and dog distemper are also two completely different diseases and are not transmissible between dogs and cats.

What diseases can I get from my pet?

People can get roundworms, hookworms and giardia, which are intestinal parasites, toxoplasmosis (from cats), which is a problem for women in their first trimester of pregnancy, cat scratch disease , rabies, ringworm (which is actually a fungus, not a worm), salmonella (from reptiles) and psitticosis (from birds). It is not common for people to get these diseases, but it can happen.

Do all ticks carry lyme disease?

No, in fact the only species of tick in this area of the country that carries lyme is the deer tick and not every deer tick carries lyme. However, if you are seeing dog and wood ticks, there are probably deer ticks, too, but they can be so small, they are difficult to find.

I’ve heard about vaccines causing cancer — should I stop vaccinating my pet?

The answer to that is a resounding NO. There is a tumor called a fibrsarcoma that has been associated with certain vaccines in cats. It occurs at the site of the vaccination. It is extremely rare, and realistically, your cat is more prone to getting the disease the vaccine is made to protect against than the tumor. Much research has gone into this and newer vaccines and vaccine protocols are available now to decrease this risk. If you have questions about this, please feel free to discuss it at your next appointment.

I just got a pet rabbit. Does it need any shots?

We do not routinely vaccinate rabbits, but it is a good idea to have a physical exam and fecal sample run on your new bunny. We can then discuss basic care and make sure he is healthy.

Is there any advantage to getting my pet spayed or neutered besides not having to worry about puppies and kittens?

Absolutely yes. Spaying a female dog or cat before the first heat (usually 6-9 months of age) decreases the risk of breast cancer by 95%. Spaying before the second heat decreases the risk 85%. Male dogs are less likely to get prostate infections and enlargement as well as anal gland tumors. Spayed females obviously can’t get cancer of the uterus and ovaries because they are removed and the same goes for testicular cancer in male dogs.

What can I do to stop my pet from shedding?

Shedding is a normal loss of the winter coat in the spring, but also occurs all year round as the hair goes through its regular growth cycle. You can’t stop normal shedding. If your pet is shedding abnormally because his coat is dry, adding a fatty acid supplement such as 3v Caps, can help. Frequent grooming will at least control where the hair goes. A shedding blade, available at most pet supply stores, works well to pull out the dead undercoat. Many cats don’t like being brushed, but may accept a grooming mitt.

I have heard that sugarless gum is toxic to pets — is that true?

Yes it is. In fact, it can be extremely toxic. The toxin is called xylitol (it will be on the label) and is an ingredient in many sugarless foods, candies and gum. It can cause a dangerous decrease in blood sugar and liver failure and can be fatal. Just one piece of xylitol-containing gum can cause serious effects in a 20-lb dog. If you suspect your dog has eaten any or suddenly starts vomiting and becomes very lethargic and you have sugarless products in the home, you should call immediately.

I read an article in the paper about some people getting very sick from eating wild mushrooms. Can this happen to my pet?

Absolutely. Dogs and cats are not immune to toxins by any means. The people you read about in the paper ate mushrooms that caused liver disease and in one of them, liver failure. Poisonous and nonpoisonous mushrooms look very similar, so try and keep them out of your yard as much as possible. If you think your pet has eaten any or starts acting sick suddenly, call us right away.

My pet tends to lose his collar outside. How will someone know he is mine if he doesn’t have his tags?

You can have your pet microchipped! This small chip is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades. A great time to do it is when your pet is here to be spayed or neutered, but it can also be done during any office visit. It is encoded with a unique number that can be picked up by a scanner. Most shelters, pounds and veterinarians across the country have the scanners. We scan the chip, call the company and they give us your information so we can get your pet back to you as soon as possible.

Why does my dog eat grass?

They probably do it for many reasons. Some dogs just seem to like it (especially in the spring when it is sweet). It may make them vomit, but no one really knows if the dogs eat it specifically for that purpose. Eating grass does not indicate they are missing anything in their diet.

My dog keeps testing positive for lyme but he feels fine. What does that mean?

It means he is either getting reinfected (being bit by new ticks which are carrying lyme) or is persistently infected (the infection is not going away). If he is not sick, he does not have active lyme disease, but he should be monitored for signs. For more on lyme, please see the April 2008 Nibbles and Bits.

Do I really need to brush my dog’s teeth?

How timely a question — February is National Pet Dental Health Month and our Nibbles and Bits features our dental information brochure. Brushing your pet’s teeth is quite beneficial — helping to control plaque and tartar accumulation. The dog and cat toothpastes are flavored so that they will like them and accept the brushing better. It is not recommended to use human toothpaste as pets don’t tend to like the mint flavor and also because they may ingest too much fluoride. We also have a variety of rinses, sealants and water additives that can improve oral health.

I was watching an agility competition on Animal Planet and it looked like a lot of fun. Could I do that with my dog?

Absolutely! Agility is a great way to bond with your dog. Some breeds tend to be better at it than others (you’ll see lots of border collies and shelties in competition), but many dogs love the challenge of the course. There are a number of local training facilities that have classes. If you get some basic plans, you can even build some of the equipment for your own yard. Gather some of your friends and have a contest of your own.

My dog’s rabies vaccine isn’t due until June, but the town says I need to get it before I get his license this year. Is it OK?

State law says that the rabies vaccine must be good through the first eleven months of the licensure period (so for most towns, that is through November). It is perfectly safe to give the vaccine early.

My dog is always shaking his head. Could he have an ear infection?

He certainly could. He should have an exam to determine exactly what is going on in his ears and how best to treat them. Cleaning is often involved and we can show you the best methods and solutions to use.

I cut my dog’s nails too short and now they are bleeding — how do I stop it?

The nail will stop bleeding eventually, but it makes a big mess in the meantime. You can use regular flour or corn starch cupped in your palm and hold your dog’s nail in it to plug the end. There are also several commercially available products such as Kwik-stop and Clotisol that you can use. Rest assured, unless your dog has a clotting disorder, he will be fine.

What is a dog’s normal temperature?

Dogs and cats are normally 100.5 to 102.5, so they are much warmer than we are. In fact, at 98.6, people run colder than most domestic animals, which are usually over 100.

My dog was boarded at the kennel for a week and now his bark sounds funny. Should I be concerned?

If he’s just a little hoarse, he probably just barked his head off for the past week and his voice will come back in a couple days. If he is coughing or not acting himself, he should be examined to make sure he doesn’t have a respiratory infection.

My dog is going to have surgery and I’m really worried. Will he be OK?

Anesthesia, surgical monitoring, and pain management have progressed dramatically over the past twenty years. With the availability of in-house bloodwork, many different anesthetics, state-of-the-art monitoring equipment and multi-modal pain management, we will keep your pet as safe and comfortable as possible.

My dog just found a bat — should I be concerned?

A little. Bats can carry rabies. It is important not to touch the bat. You can call the health department and have it tested for rabies. If your dog is current on his rabies vaccine, he should probably have it boosted — call our office to see if it is necessary.

I just saw a rattlesnake — can you treat my dog if he gets bitten?

Snake bites are actually quite rare in this area. We do have rattlesnakes and copperheads but they aren't very aggressive. If a dog gets bitten, the area will immediately swell and become very painful. Usually as careful search will reveal the two fang puncture marks. We treat with supportive care — IV fluids and pain medication for as long as needed. The faster we can start this, the better the prognosis. In general, snake bites are rarely fatal.

My old dog doesn’t seem to see or hear well anymore. Is there anything I can do?

It’s hard to see our beloved friends get old. Aging changes in the lens called lenticular sclerosis causes poor night vision and decreases the lens’s ability to focus. The age-related deafness is a nerve issue and not reversible. The good news is that these changes are gradual and your pet will usually adapt quite well. If your pet is showing these problems, we should perform a physical to make sure they aren’t caused by something we can fix like an ear infection or cataracts.

My dog has been limping — can I give him an aspirin?

You have to be very careful using over-the-counter pain relievers for dogs. You never want to give Tylenol (acetaminophen), Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen) as these can all be very toxic. Aspirin, while the safest, is not the best for your dog. The prescription anti-inflammatories specifically for dogs are much safer and more effective.

My dog is not due for his rabies vaccine until the summer, but the town says I need it now to get his license. Will it hurt him?

The rabies vaccine we use is very safe. It is not a problem to give it early. This law started when rabies was reintroduced back into New Jersey in the late 1980’s. It was epidemic at that point and the towns wanted to make sure all the dogs (and in many towns, cats also) were staying current on their rabies vaccine. Sometimes, the town would issue a license to a dog whose vaccine was due in March, for example, but the owners never got the booster done. The law designed to prevent these lapses in protection.

My dog is always itchy — what can I do?

That’s a big question because there are so many things that can make a dog scratch. Fleas, allergies, scabies (“mange”), and skin infections are a few of the things that can make for an itchy, uncomfortable dog. A thorough exam can find out the cause and then we decide on the best treatment.

My dog has been shaking his head and scratching his ears. Could this be an infection?

It certainly could be. There are different things that can cause this, but the most common are yeast infections, bacterial infections and allergies. By looking in the ear and possibly doing cytology (taking a swab and looking at it under the microscope) and/or culture (sending a swab to the lab to find out what organisms are growing in the ear and what antibiotics to use), we can decide on the best course of treatment.

My dog lives outside — how can I keep him comfortable in the winter?

You need to make sure he has adequate shelter. It should be small enough that he can conserve body heat and protected from wind and rain getting in. You need a heated water bucket or check the water frequently to prevent it from freezing. He may need extra food because he will burn more calories staying warm. If it is going to be particularly bitter, you may want to bring him in, even if it’s into a mudroom or garage. And remember that most dogs are companion animals and would rather be with you than out by themselves.

When my dog gets excited, she urinates. I’ve tried telling her “No” but it doesn’t stop her from doing it. What can I do?

This is a common problem in young female dogs especially. The best thing to do is to greet her without getting her too excited. Don’t pay her immediate attention. If you punish her, it will get worse because she’ll become anxious. Luckily, most dogs grow out of this behavior.

Do dogs sweat?

The only place the dogs (and cats) can sweat from is their footpads. They cool themselves mainly by panting.

My cat lets me pet him for about two minutes and then will bite me and run off. What can I do?

Remember the joke that goes “Doctor — whenever I do this (fill in the blank), it hurts, what should I do?” And the punch line is — “Don’t do that.”? Well, it’s the same thing. Even the behaviorists will tell you that you can’t really stop the cat’s reaction. What you need to do is read the cat’s response to the petting and stop before he tells you to.

I ran out of Biospot for my cat, but I have my little dog’s Biospot. Can I use it?

Absolutely not! Biospot for dogs is a completely different product than Biospot for cats. It contains permethrin, which is used to kill ticks in dogs but is very toxic to cats. If you accidently apply it, wash the cat off immediately with Dawn dish detergent and call us. Cats will have severe tremors that look like seizures and they can last for several days. They need to be hospitalized for supportive care until the tremors stop.

My cat has diabetes and I have three other cats — how can I prevent this from happening to them?

For cats, the number one risk factor for the development of diabetes mellitus is obesity. By keeping your cats at a normal weight, you will greatly decrease the risk of diabetes as well as urinary problems.

With all the ticks out, I wanted to put something on my cat for ticks, but I ran out. Can I apply my dog’s flea and tick medicine on my cat?

The answer is a resounding NO. With the exception of Frontline Plus, most flea and tick spot-ons for dogs contain a product called permethrin. It is perfectly safe for dogs but very toxic to cats. Should you accidently apply a dog product to your cat, wash him/her immediately and call us. Permethrins cause severe tremors and seizures in cats. There is no antidote, but they need supportive care and medication to limit the reactions until the permethrin is excreted from the body.

Is it okay to give my cat milk?

It’s fine as long as it doesn’t cause diarrhea. As much as cats like milk, it often doesn’t agree with them. They make a product called “cat milk” as a treat (available in the pet food aisle) which may be a better choice.

Can cats tolerate over-the-counter medications better than dogs?

In a word: NO! All of the over-the-counter anti-inflammatories are toxic to cats including aspirin. Cats’ livers are very different from ours and dogs’ and they cannot metabolize these medications well.

How do I give my cat a pill?

There’s a million dollar question! If you are very lucky, your cat will take it in some food, but most cats won’t fall for that (or you think they do and when you move the sofa, you find a pharmacy’s worth of pills under there). You can get the pill down by tilting the cat’s head back, opening his mouth and popping it on the back of the tongue, pushing it down with your finger. You can also use a “pet piller”— the pill loads into one end of a rubber plunger and you use that instead of your finger to push it down. We also have “pill pockets”— treats that you hide the pill in. Many cats are actually quite good at taking them this way.

Why does my indoor cat need a rabies vaccine?

Because you just never know when it comes to animals. Sometimes on a whim, even a totally indoor cat may get frightened and bolt out the door. There are also cases of wildlife (especially bats) getting inside houses. Don’t think it can’t happen — I had a bat flying around my upstairs hallway last year! I caught it in a fishing net, and had it tested for rabies, but don’t try this at home — I’m vaccinated for rabies.

Is it true that white cats with blue eyes are deaf?

Actually, that is often true. You can try and test your cat’s hearing by making a sudden loud noise behind her, but let’s face it, being the independent creatures they are, cats only hear what they want to hear anyway, so sometimes it’s difficult to tell! Rest assured, deaf animals adapt quite well and will often learn to read your sign language. And they always seem to know when it’s feeding time.

I have a lot of stray cats hanging around my house. Is there a way I can get them spayed and neutered so they won’t keep having more kittens?

There used to be a state feral cat program, which unfortunately has succumbed to the big budget cuts. You can try contacting local rescue groups which sometimes can help with funding. If you can trap the cats, we would be happy to spay/neuter them on short notice and can use dissolvable sutures so they don’t need to come back.

My cat often eats and vomits but seems fine otherwise. Why does she do that?

You should first have your cat examined to make sure she does not have a physical problem. Many things can cause vomiting. However, if everything is OK, it could be a behavior issue. Wild cats (like lions and tigers) will hunt and then gorge on the prey. They then will go back to a safe place, vomit it up and eat it again. Some behaviorists think this is where the “eat and vomit” cycle comes from.

How long does it take to become a veterinarian?

Veterinary school is four years after undergraduate school, so it takes seven or eight years altogether. There are only 28 veterinary schools in the US so competition can be pretty stiff. Unlike MDs, veterinarians are not required to do an internship and residency although many do. Many vets have spent their earlier years working as a kennel help, so we can appreciate the hard work our staff puts in cleaning cages and mopping floors (sometimes endlessly!).

How do you get an X-ray of a dog?

We have a digital radiography machine — that means we do not use film. The images are stored to the computer. Sometimes we need to use sedation if the dog is very active or is in pain. We generally have one of our technicians and an assistant in the room holding the patient. They wear protective lead gowns, thyroid shields and gloves and we measure the amount of their exposure with a special radiation badge that you may notice our staff wearing on their clothes.

Do you accept pet insurance?

Yes. It isn’t like an HMO where you have to go to participating Doctor. There are a number of companies out there, including VPI and ASPCA. They generally offer major medical and preventative health care options. The key is reading the fine print so you know exactly what you are paying for. Look for comments on deductible amounts, pre-existing condition limits, age limits, and maximum amounts allowed and percentage of coverage per incident. Generally, you pay us and then submit your claim for reimbursement.

What types of animals do you see at your hospital?

We see primarily small animals (dogs and cats) and exotics — which include rabbits, ferrets, rats, mice, guinea pigs, hamsters, birds, snakes, iguanas, bearded dragons, chameleons, turtles and others. We also take care of the wolves, foxes and bobcats at the Lakota Wolf Preserve in Knowlton.