Q: Our 7-month-old puppy, Major, has really bad breath. He eats
almost anything (including some pretty gross stuff), so we thought
that his problem was because of what he puts in his mouth. But he
started chewing in a weird way a few days ago and now he vomited
this morning. Any suggestions?
Q: Our 7-month-old puppy, Major, has really bad breath. He eats almost anything (including some pretty gross stuff), so we thought that his problem was because of what he puts in his mouth. But he started chewing in a weird way a few days ago and now he vomited this morning. Any suggestions?
A: It sounds as though Major should see the vet right away. It isn’t likely that his bad breath and indigestion are simply a result of what he eats. They may be symptoms of a much more serious problem.
Dogs and cats, both wild and domestic, eat lots of very foul things (or at least we think so!). And few ever suffer from indigestion. Think about what wild animals eat. Coyotes and other critters love to feast on the carcass of a dead animal. It’s a welcome part of their diet when they can find it. In a way, Major’s natural instincts tell him to eat almost whatever he encounters, and usually he can do so without becoming ill.
Halitosis and indigestion can occur for many reasons, and some of these can be very serious. Gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines), liver disease and even kidney disease could be his problem.
But I wonder if Major’s trench mouth is simpler than that. His “weird” chewing may indicate he has some mouth pain. Perhaps he cracked a tooth chewing on something gross! Or maybe he has an injury or other lesion in his gums or throat. Even a foxtail in his throat or tonsils could be the cause.
Major needs a thorough evaluation by his veterinarian to determine his problem. Perhaps all he’ll need is medication to settle his stomach. But you’ll feel a lot better once you know his problem. So will he.
Q: Max, our 8-year-old Macaw seems very upset lately. He isn’t eating his normal food and seems very quiet. I also notice he has lost some feathers over his back and on his tail. How could he get sick? We never take him out of the house and we never have people bring birds over to visit.
A: Max may not be suffering from any contagious disease at all. In fact, it sounds as though he’s very stressed and that, alone, may be the reason he has started to pull feathers.
Feather plucking can be a symptom of many problems. Any change in the home can cause a bird to be emotionally distraught. If his perch or cage is moved, he could be unhappy with the change.
I know a bird who stopped eating and started pulling feathers right after his owner started a new job. This fellow had to leave the house to go to work at a different time of day. It was only a change in his schedule, but its effect was dramatic. Pet birds can be very sensitive to change.
Other more serious health issues also could be at the root of Max’s problem. Kidney or liver disease can make a bird very ill and change its behavior.
Early diagnosis of health problems is difficult because birds show little sign of problems until their condition is advanced. By the time a bird actually looks ill, the disease can be deep-seated and difficult to treat. Because of this, avian veterinarians recommend that birds be examined even when their owner is not sure of the severity of the problem.
Early diagnosis and treatment are essential. The bottom line is that Max needs to be evaluated by a veterinarian right away.
Q: Ninja is our little rat terrier. She likes to eat almost anything in the house. Yesterday, she got into a box of chocolates. The trip to the vet was expensive, but she’s fine today. Is there anything that we can keep on hand to treat Ninja if she eats something she shouldn’t (like chocolate)?
A: There are lots of hazards around the house, especially this time of year. Holiday candy and decorations are favorites of many dogs and cats. Remember, it’s always a good idea to consult with a veterinarian before treating your pet.
Here’s something you should have in your cupboard for first aid treatment if Ninja eats chocolate again. Hydrogen peroxide is a potent emetic and works quickly to induce vomiting in most pets. It’s relatively safe to use and usually it empties the stomach in just a few minutes after administration.
The dose for Ninja would be approximately 1 ounce by mouth. BUT BE CAREFUL! Always consult with a veterinarian if she ingests something else that’s foreign to her. There are some toxic substances that are best treated without inducing the patient to vomit. If you gave Ninja peroxide for some of these items, you might do more harm than good.
As we come to the end of the year, each of us should take time to reflect on the good in our lives. Certain things make life more enjoyable. In our hectic world, Peg and I are grateful for our good health and a wonderful family. Our pets are a big part of all this. Rumpy, Wayne, Janie, Holly and Mali. They all enrich our life at home.
We are also lucky to have so many friends. Those who wave or say hello when we see each other downtown. Those who make us laugh when we’re too serious. And those who help us put life into proper perspective.
And I am grateful to all of you. Your interest in pets and your stories give me plenty of material to write this column. You make my job fun and easy. Thanks to all of you who have given me ideas to discuss and questions to answer.
And to everyone, I hope for peace, good health and happiness in the coming New Year. Give your pets a hug, and we’ll get together again in 2005.
