Q: My Lab mix has a mast cell tumor. What can you tell me about this condition? A: A mast cell tumor, or MCT, is the most common form of skin cancer in dogs. Mast cells are white blood cells designed to fight parasites and allergies. It’s not clear why some of these immune cells…
Immunocompromised People Should Take Precautions With Pets
Q: I have a compromised immune system, and I want to adopt a cat. What do I need to know about protecting my health? A: Many people are immunocompromised because of physiologic factors like pregnancy or extremes of age, metabolic conditions such as diabetes, infectious diseases like HIV, or treatment with immunosuppressant drugs for autoimmune…
Protect Feral Cats From Winter Hazards
Q: Our neighborhood is inundated with feral cats. I don’t feed them because I don’t want to increase their population, but I do feel sorry for them during the cold winter weather. What can I do to help them? A: You can protect feral cats from injury and poisoning, provide shelters to help them stay…
When a Family Pet Dies, Other Pets Grieve, Too
Q: Beau, our 1-year-old dachshund, had a small, round, pink mass on his ear. Scheduling an appointment with his veterinarian took longer than usual, and just before the appointment, the mass disappeared, so we canceled. What was the mass? A: It sounds like Beau may have had a histiocytoma, a common skin tumor that usually…
Undetectable Bat Bite Can Transmit Rabies
Q: Our cat Brewster tangled with a bat in our house. I managed to get the bat away from him and move it outside. Brewster’s rabies vaccination is current, and I don’t see any bites on him. Do I need to make an appointment with his veterinarian? A: Yes. It’s prudent to assume Brewster was…
Loud Noise Can Damage a Dog’s Hearing
Q: My husband began taking Winchester, our 5-year-old Labrador retriever, hunting with him this season. Win seems too young to be going deaf, but I’m convinced his hearing isn’t as sharp as it was before hunting season. Could the gunfire have damaged Win’s hearing? Can it be tested? A: Yes, any loud noise can damage…
Does My Cat Need a Nightlight?
Q: What can you tell me about feline vision? I’ve heard that cats see well in the dark, but I still think we should leave a nightlight on so our cats can find their way to water bowls and litter boxes in the dark. My partner disagrees. A: I’m with you: We’ve placed night lights…
Contagious, Deadly Parvovirus Persists in Environment
Q: Our pit bull puppy died of parvovirus. How can we prevent parvovirus in our next puppy? A: Instead of choosing a puppy, I recommend you adopt an adult dog whose parvovirus vaccination is up to date. Vaccination is very effective at preventing parvovirus infection, nicknamed “parvo,” and all dogs deserve protection from this common,…
Grass Hay Should Be Freely Available to Pet Rabbit
Q: Fern, our daughter’s first rabbit, just joined our family. May she eat only rabbit pellets, or should we also give her lettuce and carrots? A: Most of Fern’s diet should consist of a variety of fresh grass hays, such as timothy, Bermuda, brome, oat, rye, barley, meadow, and orchard grass hay. Avoid alfalfa, which…
Pet Chewing on One Side of Mouth Needs Dental X-rays
Q: Penny, my middle-aged indoor cat, chews her dental treats only on the left side of her mouth. Is this normal? A: I confess that I’ve never observed my cats or dogs closely enough to know whether they chew on one or both sides of the mouth. Nor have I heard this topic discussed at…
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