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Friday, November 05, 2010
Hairs on muzzle aid dogs
By Dr. Jeff Nichol
Of the Journal
Q: Dogs have warts on their jaw or under their chin or both. They seem to have inherited these from their wolf ancestors. What evolutionary purpose do you think these may play? Perhaps at one time they were identification marks?
Dr. Nichol: Rather than warts, those mounds of skin around our dogs' muzzles have an important function. The long, thick hairs that protrude from them, called vibrissae, help dogs, cats, rodents and lots of other creatures sense movement and feel their way around in the dark. Even a slight draft can be detected by the blood-filled sinuses (mechanoÂreceptor) beneath the skin, giving the animal vital information about nearby prey — or maybe that he/she is about to become prey.
Hunt or be hunted aren't concerns for household pets, but they still use their vibrissae to supplement information they gather with their noses, eyes and ears. Some show dogs are subjected to trimming or even plucking of these highly sensitive feelers. It's a very bad idea because it's painful and diminishes their sense of security and well-being.
You could see these structures as canine beauty marks. In reality they are natural survival equipment.
Q: Our 20-month-old cat, Ratty, cries a lot at night and won't be quiet until we get up or threaten her life. Sometimes she wants to play and others she seems to be lonely and needs comforting. Do you think Ratty is a good candidate for Comfort Zone?
Dr. Nichol: Yes, Ratty may feel better with Comfort Zone (aka Feliway). But even if it helps her relax, there is more to the mix-up in her day/night cycle. She clearly has unmet behavioral needs and you, my friend, are getting downright cranky. Ratty is a member of a very different species. Like all cats, she is a wild animal kept as a pet. Managing her like a little person in a furry suit won't work.
Despite the bounty of food available to her, Ratty has an irrepressible urge to stalk and maim hapless creatures. She chooses bedtime for actin' funky because that's when her instinctive feline brain knows that rodents are likely to be most active. With no real prey available, and you just settling down for a long winter's nap, what real choice does she have? Sundown is the start of feline hunting season
Feliway is fine. It's not a drug, has no odor and is easy to use; it plugs into a regular wall outlet. It contains a synthetic analog of a naturally occurring facial pheromone that promotes a calm mindset. It can be especially helpful for cats who are stressed by other pets or changes in the home — like a move. Feliway may help calm Ratty, but she is young and restless and needs much more.
Indoor cats are certainly safer than their free-living pals, but many live truncated lives. To prevent Ratty from becoming a desperate housecat, and to get some decent rest, you'll need to bring the Wild Kingdom into your home by implementing some feline environmental enrichments. Go to my website (drjeffnichol.com) for the full list. Your girl just wants to have fun.
Dog behavior help
A dog who gets along well with others, respects his owners' property, and knows where to find the restroom is the gift that keeps on giving. I'll address inappropriate and dangerous canine behaviors in my seminar at the Animal Humane Adoption Center, 9132 Montgomery NE. The class will run from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15. Cost: $40. Visit www.drjeffnichol.com or call 792-5131 to register. Bring plenty of questions. I'll give individual help.
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 Web site www.drjeffnichol.com (click Submit a Question?) or 6633 Caminito Coors NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120. Find me on Facebook.
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