Our cat, Alex, coughs a lot. He’s 9 years old and seems to be
healthy, but when he plays with his toys, he coughs. This has been
going on for five months. Could he maybe have allergies?
Q: Our cat, Alex, coughs a lot. He’s 9 years old and seems to be healthy, but when he plays with his toys, he coughs. This has been going on for five months. Could he maybe have allergies?
A:
Could be, but it might be something more serious and Alex needs a thorough evaluation. Chronic cough in kitties is unusual and not something we like to ignore. His cough could be a symptom a number of problems.
One of these, feline asthma, can lead to more serious lung complications. Another, congestive heart failure, also is very serious.
Do you might remember our discussion about foxtails a few weeks ago? Cats that go outdoors can get them lodged in their throat, causing a very irritating cough.
These are all treatable conditions, so get Alex in for a vet visit right away. Once he gets rid of his cough, he’ll probably play like a kitten again.
Q:
What’s the best way to remove a tick from our dog’s skin? I hear so many stories about twisting or not twisting, clockwise or counterclockwise. Some people say to use turpentine to kill them. One guy even told me to use a hot match head to burn the tick. That can’t be right, can it?
A:
Wow, just when I thought I’d heard it all. Hot match, you say? ALL of these methods are unsafe and potentially harmful to your pooch. So don’t do something that might make things worse or potentially hurt him. Skip the chemicals and fire sticks. There’s an easier and safer method.
Here’s the best way to remove a tick embedded in the skin. Use some fine-tipped tweezers. Grab the tick right at the skin surface and quickly pluck it off straight away from the skin. Twisting or turning will only break off the head, leaving a chance for some nasty infection. Pull quickly and you’ll get it all out.
But if you think a small mouthpart is left behind take a pin or needle to pick it out just the same as you would a small wood sliver under your own skin. I always recommend sterilizing the pin with some Betadyne or rubbing alcohol before poking around the skin. Afterwards, put a little topical antibiotic ointment on the spot, and you’re done. If you aren’t sure that you “got it all,” a quick trip to the vet’s office might be good idea. And always watch for a few days to see if there’s any redness or reaction to the bite. This might be the sign of an infection.
Prevention is more important. Ticks transmit some nasty diseases, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Good tick protection will allow your dog to play outside and avoid being bothered by these blood-suckers. Your choices? Besides the monthly “spot-on” treatments, there is also a collar that contains a flea deterrent (Preventic). This collar is very effective in discouraging ticks from jumping on your dog and making him a target for a free meal. So ask your veterinarian what’s best for your pooch. And please, tell your friend to save the matches for starting the barbecue, not for treating his (or your) dog.
Q:
Just how big can a turtle get? My son wants one for his birthday and we’d like to know what we’re in for.
A:
Good idea you’re doing some research. Box turtles can remain small and make interesting pets. They can be a great first pet for a young person, but be sure you’re aware of the risks of bacteria such as Salmonella. Some turtles can be carriers.
Tortoises are a different story altogether. In fact, a recent report on the newswire showed a tortoise in China that weighed in at 44 kilograms (almost 100 pounds)! So be sure you know what you’re getting for your son. Otherwise you and he might be in for a huge surprise.
