Question:
Can bloat be attributed to feeding your dog ice or ice water?

A:  Not directly.  If your dog drinks the ice water or eats the ice cubes too fast, there is a potential to lead to bloat.

Bloat is a condition in a dog or cat when they eat too much or too fast, and suck in air with the food or water, allowing the stomach to fill with gas.  Most often, dogs will eat their meal very fast and then run or play, sucking in air as they bounce around, filling their stomach.  Some dogs will bloat by eating too much too fast.  Regardless, the stomach fills with gas and is at risk for flipping, causing a GDV (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus), which is an emergency condition and required immediate surgery.  Dogs with bloat or a GDV can very quickly go into shock and if stretched too far can potentially slough part of their stomach, which is life threatening.

Most common breeds susceptible to bloat are the

Question:
Two weeks ago on a Friday, at dinner, after a long heat wave, I gave our dog a baby back rib bone, and shortly afterward, our normally spunky 7 yr old Shih tzu developed difficulty breathing. It seemed likely that a piece of bone caught in his trachea, in terms of the sequence of events, and my veteirnarian. has unsuccessfully tried to assure me that there's no bone there. The dog has had tracheal noises before--when pulling on the leash, or after yelling at the other dog in the house, and these were called tracheal spasms --but suddenly he couldn't stop the events for longer and longer periods of time over the course of that weekend, during which his body gets stiff and he has to concentrate. Overnight, literally, although he will still go out and walk, he has no interest in the long long walks that had interested him so. He won't follow me around or get up off his bed without coaxing. He soon developed the symptoms of a cold. Sounds like he's gagging

Question:
We just got 2 kittens who are brothers. One is definitely the runt of the litter and very tiny. He is eating fine but sleeping alot and having a lot of diarrhea. We have only had them for 2 days so they are still getting adjusted. Should I be concerned?

A:  I would recommend taking them both to a veterinarian for an examination and stool check.

I recommend all new pets be examined by a veterinarian.  I am a little concerned about the diarrhea in your kittens.  While they may be getting adjusted, they could also have an infection or parasite load that is causing the diarrhea and small weight.  I would recommend scheduling an appointment for your kittens to make sure they get started off on a healthy note.

~Dr. Page Wages

Oberlin Animal Hospital

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Question:
My dog is always chewing the bottom of his feet (the paw area). Is there something I can do to make him stop, and is there a reason he is doing this?

A:  I would recommend having a veterinarian look at your dog's feet.

Dogs will chew their paws for many different reasons.  The most common cause of feet licking is allergies.  An allergy to grasses, trees, and other elements in the environment will cause very itchy feet.  Does your dog chew on his/her feet more after being outside?  Allergies to certain proteins in the foods can also cause itchy feet.  A cut on the bottom of the pad will cause licking.  With the heat being so bad, the pavement is a lot hotter and many dogs will sensitive feet will actually get blisters on their feet from the hot gravel.

You can try soaking your dog's feet in Malaseb shampoo.  Let them soak for 10-15 minutes before rinsing.  Do this a few times

Question:
My dog just lost a litter mate of hers. They were raised together, seven years. It's been 5 days and she's stopped eating and has been hiding under anything she can get under. She has only drank water today and has been laying around stiffly and breathing hard. Is it a stomach ache or is she pining away? I'm stumped.

A:  I would recommend taking your dog to see a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Dogs do not stop eating for no reason.  It sounds like your dog does not feel good at all, to not be eating and breathing hard.  I would recommend taking your dog to a veterinarian for a complete exam, looking at your dog's heart and lungs, abdomen, eyes, ears, and teeth to try to figure out what is going on.

~Dr. Page Wages

Oberlin Animal Hospital

Question:
I had my dog spayed about a year ago but I just noticed that her vaginal area is swelling now as it did when she was in heat before her spaying. What could this be?

A:  I would recommend having your dog examined by a veterinarian.

The vaginal tissue could swell for a few reasons.  The most common cause in a spayed female is due to an infection, either yeast or bacterial, or allergies that are irritating the sensitive skin in the area.  These types of infections need to be treated fairly aggressively.

If there was any ectopic ovarian tissue in your dog's abdomen (tissue that may have fallen off the ovary, or excessive ovarian tissue) that was missed during the spay, there is a potential that your dog may still be producing the hormones needed to go into a heat cycle.  I would recommend having your dog examined by a veterinarian to determine the cause of the vaginal swelling.

~Dr. Page Wages

Oberlin

Question:
What can you do to help a dog that is terrified of thunderstorms. She shakes and pants very heavily and also paces. She is very afraid of tractor trailer trucks too.

A: A lot of dogs are afraid of thunderstorms.

Thunderstorms, with their bright lights and loud bangs, can be very scary to many dogs. Some dogs will cower in a corner or hide under a bed or behind a toilet. Some dogs will shake and drool. Other dogs will go crazy, tearing up walls and floors trying to hide from the storm. All these actions are a result of thunderstorm anxiety.

To help a dog with thunderstorm anxiety, put the dog in a room away from a window. Bathrooms are really good places. A crate, if the dog is crate-trained, is ideal. This gives the pet a safe place to hide. Make sure the lights are on in the room. A radio playing music is also helpful to drown out the nosies of the storm.

Some dogs who continue to drool

Question:
With a minor case of diarrhea, is it safe to give anti-diarrhea medicine to a 50+ lb dog? I've heard pumpkin and raw coconut can help - do you have any other suggestions?

A:  My usual recommendation is Immodium-AD (Loperamide 2mg) for diarrhea as well as a bland diet of rice or oatmeal.

I have not had much success with pumpkin or coconut in cases of diarrhea.  I would recommend trying Immodium AD.  The dose for a large dog is 1 tablet every 6-8 hours until the diarrhea stops.  Smaller dogs would get 1/2 tablet.  Coupled with a bland diet, the diarrhea should resolve in 24 hours.

If the diarrhea persists more than 24 hours, or there is a profuse lose of fluid, I would recommend having your dog seen by a veterinarian.  Many cases of diarrhea in dogs need an antibiotic to restore the proper gut flora.

~Dr. Page Wages

Oberlin Animal Hospital

Question:
Why isn't the K-9 Advantix I put on my dog working? I put it on her exactly as the instructions read???

A:  I recommend using either the Advantix or Frontline topical products every 3 weeks through the warmer months (March - Sept/October).

The fleas have been terrible this year! The past few years have produced a large number of fleas.  Until we get a good, hard frost, the flea and tick population will continue to multiply!  Because of the increased load, the topical products are being challenged.  Both Advantix Adan Frontline weaken during the fourth week of application.  This is why I recommend re-applying every 3 weeks.  Both products are safe enough to use every week, if necessary.  Make sure your dog doesn't swim or have a bath for a week after application.

I would also recommend ensuring that your house does not have fleas as well, this could be a cause of re-infestation of your

Question:
My three year old schnauzer occasionally will not eat his food. He will push the dish across the floor. He will eat only if you coax him during these times. What causes this behavior?

A:  Sometimes dogs won't eat if they are not hungry.

Some dogs, especially the smaller breeds, will not eat every meal.  That is OK.  Go ahead and pick the food up if your dog tries to push it away.  Do not force your dog to eat if he/she does not act hungry.  If your dog skips every meal, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine your dog for any dental disease, or other illness. But, an occasional missed meal is not a concern.

~Dr. Page Wages

Oberlin Animal Hospital

Question:

I have a pug and a miniature dachshund. They both love cheese. The pug also loves fresh fruits and veggies. Is it OK for them to eat these things or should I avoid giving to them?

A:  Fruits and vegetables are great! 

Avoid feeding any onions, garlic, raisins, or grapes.  All other fruits and vegetables are great!  I recommend using these as treats instead of the higher calorie Milkbones.

I would recommend using cheese only in moderation.  Due to the higher fat content, too much at one time can trigger pancreatitis (which can potentially be life-threatening in severe cases).

~Dr. Page Wages

Oberlin Animal Hospital

Question:
My 1 year old Chihuahua gulps her food. What can I do to make her chew?

A:  I would recommend getting food with a larger kibble, and maybe trying to spread it out a little at feeding time.

I would recommend a larger kibble of food for your dog, to ensure that she has to chew it.  The Hill's T/D is a tartar control diet is that is large kibble (that even the smallest dog) can chew.  And it breaks off the tartar in the process of chewing it!

You might also consider getting your dog a larger bowl to eat out of.  Then place some large objects in the bowl (soup cans, large rocks, etc.) that she can't eat, but has to eat around.  This will help slow the gulping as well.

~Dr. Page Wages

Oberlin Animal Hospital

Question:
Are carrots good or bad for dogs?

A:  Carrots are good for dogs! 

I recommend using baby carrots for treats!  Especially in dogs trying to lose weight, or those with food allergies.  Be careful to use them in moderation, however, because they do have a little natural sugar in them.

~Dr. Page Wages

Oberlin Animal Hospital

Question:
I have two labs and they are brothers. they are almost 3 years old and they eat the exact same amount of food. they are both walked everyday and play outside for hours each day. One is very hyper and the other very laid back. He laid back one weighs over 20 lbs more than his brother. he is overweight! I know this is not healthy for him. What else can i do? I am afraid that he is going to have a heart attack on our walk one day.

A:  I would recommend feeding the heavier dog less food.

Just like in people, dogs have different metabolism.  It sounds like one of your dogs has a slower metabolism.

I would recommend having your veterinarian check your dog's thyroid level.  This is the hormone that governs the metabolism of the whole body.  This test may come back normal now, but do not be discouraged.  The level can change over time.  I recommend rechecking this level every 6 months on a dog that

Question:
What causes my dog to have sleepies in her eye and how do I treat it?

A:  "Sleepies" are just a bit of dried tears that are produced while your dog sleeps at night.

"Sleepies"  are the little hard, crusty, blobs that are found in the corner of your dog's eyes in the morning.  These are a normal production of tears that dries.  As long as there isn't a green color to it, I would not be concerned.  If the production seems excessive, I would recommend having a veterinarian check your dog's eyes for dry eye syndrome (which happens when the tear production dwindles and the eye over produces mucus). 

If the "sleepies" are normal (small and not a greenish color), you can just clear them with a warm, damp, wash cloth in the morning.

If there is any green coloration or the production is excessive, I would recommend having a veterinarian check your dog's eyes.

~Dr.