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Friday, October 29, 2010
Get cat's chompers cleaned
By Dr. Jeff Nichol
Of the Journal
Q: I have a male, neutered cat, 5 years old. His breath smells and his teeth appear to be yellow, and it looks like a red line at the gums. He had eye surgery several years ago and is traumatized by strangers. I hate to put him through a teeth cleaning. What would the approximate cost be? Would he have to stay at a clinic or would it be done in the morning and discharged immediately after?
Dr. Nichol: Bad breath in pets should be taken seriously. Dental disease, while not the only possibility, is by far the most likely cause for your kitty. Beyond his mouth pain, the redness and gum inflammation can lead to heart and kidney disease.
Some cats get highly stressed away from home. One terrifying experience can establish a lifelong fear of strangers and car travel. Your veterinarian can prescribe a fast-acting antianxiety/sedative medication called lorazepam. Give the tablet to your kitty about an hour before heading to the veterinary hospital. Ask the staff to leave him in his covered carrier so he can rest in a quiet room until it's time for his procedure.
You're smart to ask about fees; cost is a big factor for a lot of people. Carefully monitored, safe anesthesia, a well-trained staff and the state-of-the-art dental equipment aren't cheap. Including anesthesia and hospitalization, basic preventive care will cost around $230. A lab profile (important for anesthetic safety) will add about $70. You can ask the doctor to notify you if your boy also needs X-rays, extractions or other dental surgery. Veterinary hospitals accept credit cards, and many provide payment plans.
Your cat should be fine to go home the same day, but there could be lingering effects of the anesthesia. He'll need a designated driver.
Q: I have a 6-year-old golden mix. I have three other dogs, and when he gets excited he sometimes attacks the other dogs. He must be overstimulated, as this happens when I come home, etc. Will ordinary obedience training help him, or is this more complicated? He needs help before things escalate. This sometimes happens when the dogs are out in the yard and I am not nearby.
Dr. Nichol: As soon as one dog gets hyper-aroused, the frenzied emotional state of each of them feeds off the others. With all four of them competing for a position closest to the action, the highest status, but not necessarily the most stable dog, acts out his frustration with aggression.
Any stimulus could be triggering their fighting in your absence. A strange dog or person outside the yard may cause them to get agitated, leading your golden mix to become an instant tyrant. A lot of us have been feeling a bit cranky lately. Maybe it's political discord over the upcoming governor's race.
Whatever the causes, obedience training can help with basic commands but it won't make a difference with an anxiety-driven behavior disorder. Your dog needs to be thoroughly evaluated so a behavior-modification plan can be custom tailored to work for everybody. Medication may also be helpful. Let me know if you need more 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 website www.drjeffnichol.com (click Submit a Question?) or 6633 Caminito Coors NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120. Find me on Facebook.
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