Community ClicksGroaning in pain, not for your attention
Dear Dr. Fox,
Our 15-year-old male German shorthair has begun to show signs of age — arthritis, hypothyroidism, fatty tumors and subcutaneous cysts — all of which are being treated, except for the tumors.
Recently, he has begun to emit a series of short, low-frequency sounds.
These sounds usually last around 20 to 40 seconds.
They routinely stop after defecation and are alleviated by rubbing the underside of the neck or ears.
Our veterinarian says the dog is simply seeking attention, but I believe this is indicative of a more dangerous, severe condition.
These bouts seem to increase as the weather gets colder.
What do you think?
— J.L.O., Springfield, Va.
Dear J.L.O.,
The groans of an old dog are not simply “seeking attention” sounds but rather the spontaneous vocalizations of an animal with either some laryngeal pathology or some painful condition causing considerable discomfort.
Chronic arthritis is the most likely issue.
I opt for the latter diagnosis and advise daily sessions of massage therapy, as per my book The Healing Touch for Dogs.
Slowly work up to a teaspoon each daily of chopped ginger and turmeric root (or good-quality powder) and kelp or other seaweed, fish or flaxseed oil, and brewer’s yeast.
A teaspoon of a human nutrition supplement grade of clay such as Ee Wah Kee Sacred Healing Clay or a senior Centrum and a daily multivitamin/multimineral supplement would also be beneficial.
I am pro-supplements, provided they are natural rather than synthetic, not contaminated with lead and fluoride (as many calcium supplements are) and are maximally absorbed (like selenium yeast, rather than mineral selenium).
All plant- and algae-derived supplements should be organically produced and processed.
Old dogs also suffer from constipation so check his stools; if they are especially hard, give a stool softener — up to 4 tablespoons of canned unsweetened pumpkin or one tablespoon of psyllium husks mixed in with his food every day.
Iams cat-foot recall issued
Procter & Gamble (P&G) is recalling specific lots of its Iams canned cat food distributed in North America as a precautionary measure.
Diagnostic testing indicated that the product might contain insufficient levels of thiamine (vitamin B1), which is essential for cats.
Cats that were fed these canned products as their only food source are at greater risk for developing signs of thiamine deficiency, which presents with loss of appetite, vomiting, salivation, weight loss, abnormal gait and seizures.
The following Iams products are included: Iams ProActive Health canned cat and kitten food — all varieties of 3- and 5.5-ounce cans.
See if your can is affected by checking the date printed on the bottom: 09/2011 to 06/2012.
Consumers who have purchased canned cat food with these codes should discard it.
For further information or a product refund, phone P&G toll-free at 877-340-8826.
Why does cat lick so much?
Dear Dr. Fox,
My 10-year-old female cat Missy has an excessive licking problem.
She has licked almost all of the hair on her tummy.
I try to discourage her by telling her no, but she always ends up licking anyway.
She is an indoor cat.
I use Tidy Cat multiple cat litter and Arm & Hammer deodorant (which I mix in so it doesn’t touch her).
I clean the litter once in the morning and once at night.
Her brother Sassy is a big tomcat and healthy in every regard.
Both cats eat Purina dry food and Friskies moist food once a day with an occasional treat.
— J.H., Boynton Beach, Fla.
Dear J.H.,
Many cats suffer like your poor Missy.
Many are put on steroids and develop other serious health problems, including infections and diabetes.
Others are put on expensive prescription diets of purportedly therapeutic manufactured foods that cause other health problems when sick animals become anorexic because they find these foods unpalatable.
Avoid these treatment routes, and have your cat tested for a hyperactive thyroid, first and foremost.
It would be wise for all cat owners to never use any scents or deodorants in kitty litter, and to avoid using household cleaners, laundry detergents and room sprays that contain volatile chemicals potentially toxic to cats.
