Truthfully, this is a question with no known answer. Even veterinary nutritional experts do not know the answer. There are many theories, however, including dietary mineral deficiency, inadequate fiber, nausea, inflammatory bowel disease, and others. Many people report that when their dog seems sick, he goes to the backyard to eat grass, and then vomits. But which comes first...the stomach upset or the eating grass? Certainly a stomach full of grass will lead to nausea, but this doesn't mean that a dog intentionally meant to induce vomiting. It's actually quite unlikely that a dog can make that many intuitive leaps in logic (hmm...I feel bad...I should vomit...Grass makes me nauseous...I'll eat grass to make me vomit!). The most likely reason a dog (or sometimes a cat) eats grass is that there is something about the taste that is appealing; perhaps the grass is bitter and tangy.

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WHEN DO DOGS/CATS COME INTO HEAT? Female dogs usually come in heat (estrus) twice a year; on average the heat cycle takes about three weeks to complete. Female cats are different; they come into heat seasonally. Cats cycle at approximately 21-day intervals during the spring, summer, and fall.

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The ingestion of fecal material, termed coprophagia, can be a frustrating problem for dog owners. There are a few documented medical reasons for coprophagia: pancreatic disorders, intestinal malabsorption disorders, diabetes mellitus, and others. In many dogs it is unclear why they like to eat stools, but it may just be one of those weird dog taste preferences (see Why do dogs eat grass?). Treatment depends on whether the coprophagia is purely a behavioral problem or is a symptom of an underlying medical problem. For those dogs displaying feces ingestion for what appears to be behavioral reasons, your veterinarian may prescribe a product that changes the taste of stools, making it unpalatable.

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No! Cats should never receive Tylenol (acetaminophen) for any reason. In cats acetaminophen is very toxic; just one tablet can cause anemia, bloody urination, and liver disease, resulting in death. In the case of ingestion, a veterinarian should be contacted immediately.

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Both Heartguard Plus and Interceptor, the most common oral heartworm preventative products, should be given on a monthly interval. If the dosing interval exceeds one month (30 days), the efficacy of the products can be reduced. For optimal performance, the medication should be given once a month on or about the same day each month. If treatment is delayed, whether by a few days or many, immediate treatment with Heartguard Plus or Interceptor and resumption of the regular monthly dosing regimen minimizes the opportunity for the development of adult heartworms.

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Dogs need protection from extremely cold nights. Shorter-haired dogs need more protection than double-coated or long-haired dogs. Light bulbs can be hung in the doghouse for heat, or you may want to bring your dog into the garage, basement or laundry room for the night.

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4340 Coal SE  Albuquerque, NM 87108
Phone: 505-265-4939  Fax: 505-265-4950
 

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