Ask the Veterinarian!

[Xana44]

xX_g33k_l0v3r_Xx

So I just got a nine week old boxer puppy and we are trying to house break him. What is the best way to go about this? He kind of will go outside but is still unsure about it. The owner who had him before me used puppy pads but I wont use them (I believe they encourage the puppy to go inside.) Please I need the help!!

Hang a bell by the door. Each time you take him out, ring the bell. This will train him to a specific signal to want to go out.

Take him outside on a leash. Go to the same area of the yard each time. Keep him on the leash until he urinates or defecates. Praise him and/or give him a treat. Then let him off leash to play in the yard and explore (which he will be more interested in as he gets older and more comfortable). If you take him out and he is just fooling around, take him back inside. If you see him squatting or sniffing, take him out. Take him out after he eats and when he wakes up from a nap. If you see him actually eliminating in the house, tell him no and take him out. Praise him when he finishes outside. If you find the urine or feces in the house, there is not really anything you can do.

I do recommend crate training. If you need information on crate training, post back.

[Xana44]

HinataHyuuga211

Heya guys,
Well I have a Female Calico tabby (Allie), who is about.... 13 or 14 I believe maybe even 12 sweatdrop
Anywho, Lately she's been acting very different for all the years I've known her (and The ones I can't remeber yeah I'm 15 haha then maybe she's 12 sweatdrop ) she's always been a fraidy cat (literally) sweatdrop and afraid to even go a few inches from the door if we leave it open, and about a year ago her play buddy Dustin got out and never came back now she still won't even go to driveway with out freaking out but she'll go outside lazy around. And she Also sleeps a lot more.
And Lately we've had to decrease her wet food intake since she's getting older. But she's still going the same amount, and also is being a lot more agressive. Take it from my sister she's actually almost bit both of us. I haven't noticed or felt anything strange, but also sometimes she's a lot more sensitive. And very very vocal. I don't think anythings wrong with her but then again, I'm not entirely sure, and since I haven't been able to volenteer at the vet's office I haven't gotten a chance to go down there and ask. sad Can ya'll help? question
Thanks a million for even reading this mrgreen

I would recommend that you take her to the vet for an exam and bloodwork. Increases in aggression and vocalization can be changes seen with an over-active thyroid gland.

Her fear of going outside may be associated with the loss of her housemate, but if she is having decreases in sensory input (loss of vision or hearing associated with age or illness) she would also be fearful and and less active. She may be easier to surprise as well, leading to increased aggression.

Hope this helps you out.

[Xana44]

Luce Ravenier

Xana - or EP, doesn't matter - this is in reference to the white dog in the picture in my sig. Other than a case of rickets as a puppy that has left his front right foot twisted at the ankle, he has always been more than healthy and doesn't act as if anything is wrong (i.e. no changes in diet or eating habits, regular urination and bowel movements).

I just noticed a patch of bare skin on his chest, about two inches in diameter. Looking closer, the bare spot is very soft and patchy with dead skin. He also has bare spots (half an inch to three-quarters in diameter) on his elbows. I assumed the elbows were from laying in a bare yard on a ground tie-out and would grow out, but they haven't and the chest patch is new. He also has dark spots on the skin where shoulder meets chest and where the thigh meets the abdomen that I have never seen on him before. Does this sound like any allergy you have ever come across?

I can try to get pictures if you would like.

These are calluses and nothing to worry about. Elbows and chest are the most common location for them. They never really go away. The darker coloring at the armpits and groin is also normal and is caused by the skin rubbing against itself.

[PKMN Master H]

Xana44

Lullu_pop_girl

i need some help with my 7 year old tabby , she has had a really goopy eyes and a stuffy nose lately, is it just your everyday cat allergies?

It sounds like it is more than just allergies. It sounds like she has an upper respiratory infection and needs to see the vet. But until you get her in, start giving her lysine at 250 mg daily and saline nose drops (Little Noses). You can find both these at your pharmacy. Also keep her in the bathroom when you take a shower, the steam will help clear her nose,

thanks so much smile

[haverdin]

Xana44

Hi! My name is Xana and I am a small animal (pet) veterinarian who putters around on Gaia.

I have been answering questions on the Ask the Vet Tech thread and in the Furry Critters Guild.

But I thought I would start my own thread and see how it goes.

Unfortunately, since I cannot see or touch your pet, I cannot make a diagnosis or prescribe medications. But often there are things that can be done at home to help your pet. And I can advise you on what to ask your local vet about. I can also advise you if it is a problem that needs to see a vet.

PLEASE DON'T BE SILLY! IF YOUR PET IS INJURED OR ILL, SEE YOUR LOCAL VET NOW!

I will be checking this thread daily for any new posts or questions.

Any gifts will be gratefully accepted and appreciated, but by no means required.

Please do not spam this thread. You will be ignored!

hello xanna44,
i actually already asked this and i am sorry that i am asking again. The thing is i couldnt find your answer or even my original post. the question is about my dog, she is a minni. austrailian shepherd and she is mostly outside because of work; with the weather getting colder should i be increasing her dog food allowance? i dont want her to get fat but i dont want her to not have enough energy to stay warm and naturally active either? please reply and again so sorry to ask again. it sure is nice to have a fellow gaian who is also an animal lover and healer.

[Deandriea]

Hey, figured it was worth asking: my parakeet, about 5 years old now, has recently started making soft squawking noises nonstop. My sister did some google searching based on the sear(whatever it's called, that thing on top of the beak) being crusty and said it might be mites or breeding time. We have 2, but only one is exhibiting this behaviour. Our local vet doesn't treat birds, so it'd be good to know if this is something that will require us to find someone who can.

Thanks in advanced for anything you can tell me.

[R a p t o r L o v e]

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[HinataHyuuga211]

Xana44

HinataHyuuga211

Heya guys,
Well I have a Female Calico tabby (Allie), who is about.... 13 or 14 I believe maybe even 12 sweatdrop
Anywho, Lately she's been acting very different for all the years I've known her (and The ones I can't remeber yeah I'm 15 haha then maybe she's 12 sweatdrop ) she's always been a fraidy cat (literally) sweatdrop and afraid to even go a few inches from the door if we leave it open, and about a year ago her play buddy Dustin got out and never came back now she still won't even go to driveway with out freaking out but she'll go outside lazy around. And she Also sleeps a lot more.
And Lately we've had to decrease her wet food intake since she's getting older. But she's still going the same amount, and also is being a lot more agressive. Take it from my sister she's actually almost bit both of us. I haven't noticed or felt anything strange, but also sometimes she's a lot more sensitive. And very very vocal. I don't think anythings wrong with her but then again, I'm not entirely sure, and since I haven't been able to volenteer at the vet's office I haven't gotten a chance to go down there and ask. sad Can ya'll help? question
Thanks a million for even reading this mrgreen

I would recommend that you take her to the vet for an exam and bloodwork. Increases in aggression and vocalization can be changes seen with an over-active thyroid gland.

Her fear of going outside may be associated with the loss of her housemate, but if she is having decreases in sensory input (loss of vision or hearing associated with age or illness) she would also be fearful and and less active. She may be easier to surprise as well, leading to increased aggression.

Hope this helps you out.

Thank you I'll ask my mum

[Xana44]

haverdin

hello xanna44,
i actually already asked this and i am sorry that i am asking again. The thing is i couldnt find your answer or even my original post. the question is about my dog, she is a minni. austrailian shepherd and she is mostly outside because of work; with the weather getting colder should i be increasing her dog food allowance? i dont want her to get fat but i dont want her to not have enough energy to stay warm and naturally active either? please reply and again so sorry to ask again. it sure is nice to have a fellow gaian who is also an animal lover and healer.

It is easy for things to get lost on this thread! I have missed questions as well.

You will need to increase her intake in the colder weather as she will be burning more calories just to stay warm. I am not exactly sure how much you need to increase, but I can try to find out. Do make sure she has plenty of water as well as they need this in the winter as well as summer and make sure it does not freeze. They do make heated bowls. Also get her a dogloo or similar that is just bigger than she is.

I will try to get that answer for you soon.

[Xana44]

Deandriea

Hey, figured it was worth asking: my parakeet, about 5 years old now, has recently started making soft squawking noises nonstop. My sister did some google searching based on the sear(whatever it's called, that thing on top of the beak) being crusty and said it might be mites or breeding time. We have 2, but only one is exhibiting this behaviour. Our local vet doesn't treat birds, so it'd be good to know if this is something that will require us to find someone who can.

Thanks in advanced for anything you can tell me.

I am not sure, to be honest. It is not good it the cere is crusty, I know. I would look for a vet with some bird experience. But in the mean time... Check here:

www.budgieplace.com

for answers and here:

www.aav.org

for a vet. Even if you can't find a vet in your area, call one of the other ones, they might be willing to talk to you on the phone.

Hope this helps you out!

[AdmiralAdamaismyanti-drug]

Hi again...tons of pages now. We just recently adopted another cat into th house, and he is totall attache to my step dad, he won't go out of the room unless my step dad is around. But anyways, my puppy has taken to eating bugs. All kinds of bugs, even when they sting her...is there anyway we can stop this or is it just a phase?

[Aihari]

Ah! A small animal vet. Those are difficult to find.

I personally old a male pink mosaic chinchilla who is about a year and a half old now. I was wondering if you had any particular brand of pellet food you'd recommend. Also, what brand of hay is usually the best?

Emergency!!!


Adults


Hatchlings


Eggs

[Sazuya]

Xana44

Sazuya

This isn't such a huge thing, I'm just a little worried.

I used to have 2 parakeets, but recently one of them died. We had no idea how when he was doing fine the night before. I know my other bird is lonely, but I've decided that getting another parakeet isn't the best idea now.

Just a few weeks ago I noticed my bird making little chirping sounds. I've never heard her do this before, so I'm wondering, is it something she picked up from the outside birds or it is something else? Also, my mother suggested we give the bird away to someone who will give more attention to it, should I? (My bird isn't being neglected but I don't have the time to play anymore since it's my final year of High School and I also work)

No rush in an answer, I think its a silly one anyway.

Thanks.

As far as I know, it is normal for budgies to chirp (mine did), But I am by no means a bird expert.

Rehoming the bird is a very personal decision. I understand your not wanting to get another bird at this time, but being worried about your pet's mental health. I think it would be ok for the bird either way.

Thanks Xana, I appreciate it.

[Alice in Mordland]

We have a 15 year old akita/chow mix and he loves animal crackers. I don't give them to him very often and when I do it's only like 2 or 3. I was just wondering, are animal crackers bad for dogs? I know they're not exactly good for him, but will they hurt him? I should have asked before I started feeding them to him, but he's just so damn persuasive. lol

[Ellavemia]

I'm wondering what type of litter you recommend for a guinea pig. I use Yesterday's News but it gets dirty fast.