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Friday, November 26, 2010
Dog is in need of big-time attention
By Dr. Jeff Nichol
Of the Journal
Q: I have a 2-year-old golden retriever rescue that barks incessantly if she thinks I am in the house, even though we have three other dogs. She runs through the house and picks things up, so she is usually in the kennel when she's in the house. We just had a complaint from neighbors about her barking and I would like to stop it.
Dr. Nichol: Your dog is attention-seeking. More than just pesky and noisy, she is making it clear that she needs a lot more interaction. Continuing to confine her will cause her pushy behavior and barking to get a lot worse.
Dogs are highly social creatures. Some will do whatever it takes to get a rise out of their owners. Your golden has learned that if she makes enough racket or steals your stuff, you will engage with her. Maybe she thinks you're cute when you're mad. Since dogs regard any response from their leader as validation of their behavior, your girl is convinced that incessant barking is what you want. Her bad behavior should get no reaction.
Instead, derail this girl early in the ramp-up to her bad behavior by giving her something appropriate to do. Obeying a simple obedience command will earn your attention and a small food reward. You want her looking forward to opportunities to work rather than agitating for attention.
Finally, give this kid plenty of vigorous daily exercise. Add regular off-leash social contact with other dogs, and you just may end up with a well-adjusted dog that is a pleasure to live with.
Q: In 2007, our cat Lionel, then 11 years old and weighing 14 pounds, was diagnosed with megacolon. We began to give him Reglan, pumpkin and Lactulose. Soon after, his weight dropped to 7 pounds. For the past three years, he has defecated normally, and he has wanted to eat constantly but he has stayed at 7 pounds. His thyroid test was normal, as was his blood glucose, and he is more energetic than he was as a kitten. His thinness concerns us.
Dr. Nichol: Megacolon in older cats results from chronic, severe constipation. Left untreated, all intestinal movement stops, leading to death by starvation. You and Lionel are fortunate that he responded so well to medication. The only relief for many cats comes with surgical removal of the colon. It's a drastic step, but a lifesaver.
I agree with your concern about Lionel's weight. With the added fiber from the canned pumpkin, plus the increased speed of transit of food through his intestines from the Lactulose and Reglan, nutrients have little opportunity to absorb. Thus, you have a skinny, hungry cat.
To help Lionel utilize more of his calories, your veterinarian can prescribe a digestive enzyme called Viokase. In addition, the bacterial stabilizer, Forti-Flora, will support healthy intestinal organisms so he can put more of his food to good use.
Considering the severity of this disease, Lionel has done well so far. Your veterinarian deserves a lot of credit. A few medication adjustments could make a big difference for your fine boy.
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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