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Friday, December 03, 2010
Heeler's toenails breaking
By Dr. Jeff Nichol
Of the Journal
Q: My red heeler Lulu was picked up as a stray. She loves to go for long walks, hikes and to go along on my bike rides. The problem is that she is always breaking toenails, and that really hurts. She is really active and in good shape. Her toenails break even after they have been newly clipped. Are there doggie hiking boots? Is there a nutritional boost?
Dr. Nichol: I share your concern about Lulu. Frequently breaking toenails is not considered normal. This girl needs serious treatment; there is no supplement that will help.
For the latest and greatest on nail diseases I contacted Dr. Anthea Schick, board certified in veterinary dermatology. Her response: "If she is on a well-balanced diet, then I would worry more about symmetric lupoid onychodystrophy. Pentoxifylline and fish oil often help with SLO."
SLO is believed to be an autoimmune disease, meaning that Lulu may be building antibodies against some of her own tissues. Fish oil can help control the inflammation; pentoxifylline will improve blood supply. Dr. Schick can confirm the diagnosis and help Lulu feel better. She sees skin (and nail) disorders in Albuquerque and Santa Fe at the Veterinary Specialty Centers.
Q: I am trying to keep my female West Highland white terrier from rolling in poop and my 3-year-old cat from leaving the house and running off and getting hurt. Our cat keeps sneaking out the dog door so he can go number two in the yard. I don't want the dog to roll in her poop. So disgusting.
Dr. Nichol: Some dogs, intent on concealing their identities from their competitors, and perhaps TSA screeners, instinctively roll in stinky stuff like a rotting carcass. It's their idea of traveling incognito. Cat stool is a different matter. Most dogs would rather savor those delicate morsels. After learning this dark canine secret, many people lose their fondness for Tootsie Rolls.
Cats are safer inside, as is the wild bird population. To prevent your cat from escaping through the dog door, I recommend an Invisible Fence Indoor Avoidance Shield (505-474-7387). This is a plastic disc that emits a radio wave. Position the shield near the dog door. No one but your cat will know it's there. Wearing the receiver collar, he will hear a beep tone and then feel a static-electricity-strength shock that will discourage him from going near that area. We have one to prevent our cat Tony from contaminating the kitchen counter following a trip to the litter pan.
There is no need for concern about the shock. Tony tests ours several times every day just to see if the battery in his collar is still functioning. I think he wants to share my sandwich, but I just let him watch. Hey, I don't steal his cat food.
Of course your Westie, that crafty rascal, will have her eye on the litter pan. The best way of driving a wedge between your canine gourmet and her cravings is to keep the litter pans on a shelf. Cats are good jumpers, short-legged terriers not so much.
Dr. Jeff Nichol provides medical care for pets at the Petroglyph Animal Hospital in Albuquerque (898-8874). He treats behavior disorders at the Veterinary Specialty Centers in Albuquerque and in Santa Fe (505-792-5131). Contact Dr. Nichol on his website www.drjeffnichol.com (click Submit a Question?) or 6633 Caminito Coors NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120. Find me on Facebook.
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