This is a fun and exciting time of year. The holidays bring lots
of joy as families reunite and celebrate. Life is, indeed, very
busy.
Pets are a part of many families, but sometimes they become lost
in the midst of all of the festivities.
This is a fun and exciting time of year. The holidays bring lots of joy as families reunite and celebrate. Life is, indeed, very busy.
Pets are a part of many families, but sometimes they become lost in the midst of all of the festivities. For many dogs and cats, it means less time spent with their human companions because they are away from the house so much. It’s unfortunate, but some pets are left alone during this hectic time of year.
Remember to reserve some special time for your favorite pet. You really don’t need to give him that toy mouse or bone. Just spend a few extra hours together. That will be the best gift of all. And you know you’ll be rewarded.
There are certain dangers unique to this time of year. The extreme cold of late autumn and winter can be very threatening for outdoor pets. If you have an outdoor dog, be sure he has shelter from the elements. An escape, some refuge from bitter cold frost and wind is extremely important. A doghouse or a dog door into your house is a must. Remember, too, that pets with poor hair coats lack proper protection from the weather. Make sure your pet is healthy and comfortable both inside and out.
And every year during the holidays we hear about people looking to buy a new pet for a friend. A puppy or a kitten with a red bow under the tree might make the perfect Christmas present, right? Let’s look at the reasons why this is not a good holiday gift idea.
Selecting a pet is a very personal decision. Choosing a furry companion should be done only by the prospective pet owner so that he or she can be sure to pick just the right one. A dog or cat’s personality, size and appearance are very important and everyone has different tastes. Owning a pet is a long-term commitment that can’t be taken lightly.
All too often, pets given as holiday gifts end up abandoned at animal shelters needing another new home. It’s tragic that so many well-meaning gifts end up being returned.
Don’t choose a pet for someone else. You might make the wrong decision. Instead, give your friend a gift certificate promising the pet of their choice. That way, he or she can go select a companion that will be just the right one.
Q: Our Queensland, Molly, has been holding her head to one side for a few days. When I looked at her this morning, I noticed that her ear flap is thickened. Does she have an infection? What can make an ear swell like this? Could it be cancer?
A: It’s unlikely this is cancer or even any kind of growth. The most common cause for a fat ear flap is a blood blister, called an aural hematoma. This lesion is caused by a rupture of a small blood vessel under the skin of the ear. It can be caused by trauma, perhaps when another dog bites the ear, or it can also be the result of an ear infection which causes a dog to shake her head and scratch at the ear.
Whatever the case, an aural hematoma can become very uncomfortable because of the pressure that builds up in the ear flap. That’s why Molly holds her head to one side.
Surgical treatment (draining the blood and suturing) allows faster and better healing. The ear usually looks very normal in the end. Because of this, veterinarians almost always recommend surgery.
Without surgery, this blood blister will be reabsorbed from the area. But unfortunately, this process will also cause some constriction of the ear flap. The resulting appearance will be what some people describe as a cauliflower ear.
Ask Molly’s vet about the need for surgery (and the costs) so you can decide what will be best for her.
Q: Our old dog’s nose has become very coarse and rough. Barney used to have a round black nose. Now it looks like a brillo pad with little pieces that fall off once in a while. Is there anything we can do to make it soft and smooth again?
A: The short answer is yes, something can be done for the dry surface on an old dog’s nose. Just as older people get rough and dry skin, older dogs experience the same changes on their nasal and foot pads.
Several different treatments may help Barney. Some people have tried lanolin, while others have used aloe cream. Even vitamin E oil can help to soften the surface.
But my favorite topical treatment for this condition is a product called Bag Balm. It was designed for use on the mammary glands on dairy cows. Many of these cows develop chapped skin from repeated exposure to the milking machines. Bag Balm has been the treatment of choice for dairymen for years.
This stuff works so well that many people started using it for their dry skin. It became so popular that many drug stores now carry it on their shelves.
Try Bag Balm on Barney’s nose. Apply a small amount twice daily and in a week or two you should see some dramatic improvement.
