ArcaMax.com - Safe treatment will relieve cat's itchy ears
ArcaMax Publishing, Inc.
From the ArcaMax Publishing, Cats & Dogs Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/cgi-bin/news/story/1006/1030/34447/357638
Safe treatment will relieve cat's itchy ears
Dr. Jeff Nichol
Q: Miss Daisy, my ragdoll cat, has terminal ear mites. I've tried medicine from vets and every OTC med. They seem to be hatching out of her ear canals.
I would like her to be free of them, but I don't know what to do.
Dr. Nichol: Poor Miss Daisy must be a pretty itchy kitty. Cats and dogs afflicted with Otodectes cynotis, the common ear mite, have dry, black discharge
in their ears. The mites also can invade the skin of the neck and rump. Scratching may be severe; some cats damage their ear flaps to the point of bleeding.
Miss Daisy is definitely miserable, but she is not terminal.
Confirm the diagnosis by having your veterinarian look inside your kitty's ears with an otoscope. Irrigation of Miss Daisy's ear canals will be necessary
before the mites can be killed. Ivermectin, a medication which is given either orally or by injection, is a safe and reliable cure. Revolution, a spot-on
treatment, is even easier. Just apply the liquid to the skin anywhere on her body and repeat in three weeks. Both are prescription meds.
In the old days (way before my time), we were stuck with ear drops that often caused more discomfort. The newer treatments are simple, and they sure beat
poor Miss Daisy having to listen to little bugs cavortin' and carryin' on inside her ears. To be sure you win the war, be sure to have your veterinarian
recheck her ears about one month after the last treatment.
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Q: Our 11-year-old neutered-male mixed retriever had never messed in the house, until he left a single turd on the living room sofa, where he normally sleeps.
I was shocked. He seemed to know he'd done something wrong -- he looked quite sheepish. The only new thing is the parakeet we recently added. Could this
have triggered the behavior? Is he jealous? If this is an issue, we can give up the bird.
Dr. Nichol: Psittacine birds (parrots, parakeets, lovebirds) are intelligent and highly social creatures. Like dogs and humans, they can develop severe
anxiety disorders following a major disruption like being ejected from their homes. You made a commitment when you adopted that bird. You need to keep
both pets.
Start by having your retriever examined to be sure he is physically healthy. Impacted anal glands are an often-overlooked cause of house soiling. The doctor
also should do a rectal exam to rule out constipation and prostate disease. Finally, a good neurologic evaluation and X-rays of the lower spine will be
important to rule out cauda equina syndrome -- a spinal problem of large breed dogs that can damage the nerves that supply the anus.
If your dog comes back with a clean bill of health, he may have a behavior disorder called canine control complex. These dogs respond poorly to punishment,
but have excellent outcomes with behavior modification that accentuates their appropriate rank in the dominance order in the home. Earned privileges, time
outs when necessary, and structured one-on-one time with you should help bring him around nicely.
You are welcome to contact me if you need help.
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Dr. Jeff Nichol cares for pets with behavior and health disorders at VCA Wyoming Animal Hospital in Albuquerque. Contact Dr. Nichol on his Web site www.drjeffnichol.com
(click Submit?) or 1300 Wyoming NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112. Unpublished letters may not be answered individually.
This news arrived on: 10/24/2005
Copyright © 2005 ArcaMax Publishing, Inc., and its licensors. All rights reserved.
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