Dear Dr. Forsythe: I have a large, sweet, rescue Labrador with a big bark, but he seems to be missing the “retriever” gene. Recently I’ve started taking him to one of the local dog parks. The problem is that when my dog starts to chase the balls, he goes up to other owners and starts barking at them to throw the ball some more. The reactions I get from these other owners are quite remarkable. They seem to be annoyed and turned off by my pet’s excitement. Now I do understand that my little boy may have an intimidating bark, but he would never hurt a fly. I feel like I need to defend myself and they make me feel embarrassed for my pet’s behavior. Why are people so snotty at the dog parks and why is it that no one else’s dog seems to bark? Is my dog just too happy for a dog park?
- Barking Mad

Dear Barking Mad: I’m sorry to hear about your trials and tribulations at the dog park. It’s especially unfortunate to hear that people are acting snotty knowing that you have a sweet but vocal Labrador who is a little slow to retrieve a ball. I would hope that some of the “blue bloods” there would take pity on your barking bowser and cut you some slack. I am curious to know just what the dog park elitists say or do that makes you and your prattling pooch feel unwelcome? Do they say something derogatory? Do they give you dirty looks? Or is it possible that you could be reading more into it than you should?

In my opinion, since your boy has not shown any aggression, I don’t think people in a dog park setting should be upset or even surprised when a dog is barking when a ball is thrown. Perhaps you should find a pleasant way to engage the puzzled human occupants if they give you a strange look or make an off-putting comment. I suggest you offer to “translate” your dog’s bark. For instance, if he wallops a large woof at someone, you could pleasantly interject, “Sir, he is telling you what a beautiful day it is and suggesting you throw the ball again…he thinks you have an arm like Cy Young.”

Perhaps celebrating the wonderful relationship you have with your pet will help change the “energy” you feel at the dog park. By using humor and happiness, perhaps you can change a bunch of old farts into a group of giggling pet-lovers. – Dr. F

Dear Dr. Forsythe: My cat was just diagnosed with heart disease and needs to take a pill twice a day forever. I have no idea why this happened to my cat. When I took her in for her vet visit, she seemed fine, but then they told me she had a loud heart murmur and needed medicine or she could become very sick. I hadn’t noticed any changes in her over the previous months, so I didn’t know she was getting a heart problem. Evidently the murmur from her heart is loud and the medicine is important. Do you think it is really important to give her the blood pressure pills even though she looks and acts fine?
- Tiger’s Dad

Dear Dad: Yes, I do think it is really important to give the pills that were prescribed. When the veterinarian hears a loud murmur and diagnoses cardiomyopathy in a dog or a cat, the medication prescribed is often very helpful and even lifesaving. Many of the medications are designed to decrease the workload of the heart. Your cat’s heart has probably been working very hard to pump blood thru the body—much harder than a “normal” healthy heart does. By giving the medication your doctor prescribed exactly as recommended your cat will have a better prognosis and more likely live longer. When caught in its early stages (before a pet starts coughing, vomiting and losing weight) heart disease can be “kept at bay” with medications and pets are often able to live high quality lives for many years. I suggest you follow the doctor’s advice and make sure the cat gets her pills—and all recommended follow up visits. – Dr. F

Dear Dr. Forsythe:  My partner and I have had an English bulldog for a little over two years.  Over that time I have given “Butch” the best food available and also supplemented him with daily Vitamin C rations.  Recently I have noticed that despite his excellent nutrition, and supplements, he is beginning to pea all over the house in tiny amounts.  This has actually gotten much worse when we are on a walk.  He can pea every 5 feet for two to three seconds.  It has begun to drive both me and my wife insane.  What should we do, he is the love of our life!  But his urinating is driving us wild.

 D and G, Glen Ellen

 Dear D and G:  The most common use for Vitamin C in small animal medicine is to prevent scurvy in guinea pigs. It has been used as a urinary acidifier in small animals, although its effectiveness remains in question.  One adverse effect of giving vitamin C is the potential development of bladder stones made out of urate, oxalate or cystine.  This is very true with certain breeds of dogs, especially the English bulldog.

     It may be possible that as “Butch” has grown older and larger, he has simply developed a bladder infection.   But since he may have developed bladder stones, X rays, blood work and urine tests should be run to determine the cause of his frequent urination.

     If his copious pea parade is due to an infection, antibiotics should be able to clear that up quickly.  But if the Vitamin C you’ve been dosing has caused him to develop bladder stones, he has a serious condition that may require surgery.  Your veterinarian can determine whether an ultrasound is necessary to see the contents of the bladder (not all types of stones show up on an x ray).  Good luck with your “Butch”.  I hope he feels better soon, and is lifting his leg normally again.

 Dr. F

 Dear Dr. Forsythe:  I wanted to write you and say that I totally agreed with you about that lady “Mrs. G” who thought her daughter wasn’t good enough as a vet tech; she needed to become a veterinarian.  Your advice was the bomb!  Good for telling that lady off and making her realize it is not cool to put that much pressure on your kids.  You should love them no matter what they do!!

 Rose, Clearlake

 Dear Rose:  Well thanks for letting me know I did something right!  But I didn’t exactly say you should love them no MATTER what they do!  There ARE a few things I don’t think kids should be able to do.  But becoming a veterinary technician is NOT on that list!  Thanks for the feedback.  And there were a couple of others.  Read on.

 Dear Dr. Forsythe:  I was so happy to see your response to Mrs. G in the paper when she was complaining and unhappy because her daughter was “only” going to become a vet tech but wasn’t going to become a doctor.  My mother has never been happy with my decision to be a nurse.  She always says she wished I would have invested the energy to become a doctor.  She doesn’t realize that I loved the idea about caring for patients and had no desire to be the one who had to diagnose the problems.  I love everything about nursing and am so tired of being made to feel like I “settled” when I hear my mother tell people I would have made such a good doctor.  Finally I put my foot down and so now whenever my mom says that I interrupt her and say “yes, but I make a truly GREAT nurse!”

 Cathy, Sonoma

 Dear Cathy: Wow, all I can say is I bow down to your powerful energy, your fierce attitude, your fortitude, so what is left to say but “you go girl”.  You’ve somehow summarized everything I feel into one small scenario.  Thanks for writing in.  Your mother should be VERY proud to have such an amazing daughter.  Heck, I’m proud just to have you as a reader!

Dr. F

Dear Dr. Forsythe: Our eight-year-old Boxer has developed some really strange sores on her body. Nobody seems to know what they are, and my wife and I think they look gross. There are several of them and they look like white round blisters at the bottom of her ears on both sides of her head. Now she has one on her cheek too. The cream one vet gave me hasn’t helped yet, and I am also using Neosporin but it isn’t doing a thing. I’m a little worried about her because those sores look like they could infect us so nobody wants to pet her anymore. What could this be and why is it spreading? Could she be getting cancer? Millie isn’t very old yet, and she has always been in good health, except for drinking more these recent months. Please let us know if you have ever noticed anything like this before in any of your patients. – Worried dad in Oakmont

Dear Worried dad: Without seeing a picture of the sores, or seeing the dog, it is really hard to help unravel the puzzle. Skin diseases are vast and varied, so there are numerous different possibilities that could explain white spots on a dog, from fungal infections to bacterial abscesses. I should tell you that Boxers are prone to a skin problem called calcinosis cutis, a rare disease that occurs when calcium is deposited in soft tissues of the skin. This often happens on the head and face of the dogs, and it is more common in Boxers and Boston Terriers than other breeds.

I recommend you have your pet checked carefully for a couple of diseases that can have calcinosis cutis associated with them. Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocortisism) is a disease where the pet has too much corticosteroid circulating in his body and can cause increased thirst as well as occasional calcinosis cutis. Also check your pets’ foot pads for the white sores. These lesions on the feet can be an indication of metastatic calcinosis cutis which is almost always associated with chronic renal disease. An internal medicine specialist can be very helpful in diagnosing any underlying disease that may be causing these sores. Good luck getting to the bottom of this one, I’ll bet your dog is a real sweet girl. – Dr. F

Dear Dr. Forsythe: My husband and I recently moved to Sonoma and we need a veterinarian. We’ve heard your name as well as a few others, but we really don’t know how to make a decision. We have two dogs and a very old cat, so this is an important decision for us and one we don’t take lightly. I thought it would be a good idea to ask a vet himself. If you weren’t a vet and moved to a new area, how would you go about choosing a doctor for your pets? – Newcomers to Sonoma

Dear Newcomers: Welcome to town and thanks for a great question. I actually don’t think anyone has ever asked me this before! To begin my search, I would pick up a copy of the yellow pages and call each of the veterinary offices – assuming that there were a few, like five or six in your new area. I would tell the person who answered I was new in town and interested in finding a vet in the area and ask them to tell me a little about the hospital, and listen carefully to the response. Do they ask me to come down and see the facility, have a “meet and greet” or do they just ask me to make an appointment. I’d want a place that was friendly and eager to give good customer service. Do they ask me what type of animals I have, and then oogle and shmoogle when they find out I own a breathtaking one-of-a kind semi-famous Bulldog? Once I found the one or two places that seemed really good, I’d ask neighbors or friends if these facilities were “the best” – not the cheapest, the best. Then I’d go interview the veterinarians to make sure they were kind, smart, compassionate, and love kissing my pet on the nose. I’d want to make sure the hospital strived to offer the very best care and would manage my pets’ health care for the long haul. I would visit at least two hospitals in person at a minimum before making a decision, no matter how much I liked the first doctor. I know that is asking a lot, but when it comes to my pets, Dooney and the cats are like family, so I know it would be worth the time and energy to set them up with a lasting and trusting veterinary hospital. I hope this advice helps. Thanks for having me sit down and ponder this interesting question for myself! – Dr. F.

Dear Dr. Forsythe: My husband and I are having a disagreement on whether or not to take our kids to the circus in August.   I think it would be fun and the children would enjoy it too.  (Our kids are ages three and six.)  I always went when I was a little girl and still think it is the “Greatest Show on Earth.”  My husband, who is a card carrying member of PETA thinks any circus with animal acts are bogus and cruel.  He refuses to go and says that we should not subject our son and daughter either.  What do you think?  Isn’t it all just fun and glitz and glamour?  You mentioned in a previous column that it is good fun to dress pets up.  Isn’t a circus with elephants and tigers a type of extension of that? – Mother of Two, Wife of One, Sonoma

Dear Mother of Two: Sorry to side with your husband on this one, but when it comes to the famous circus brothers, I have a tiger in my tank.  I think there is a big difference between dressing a little pet dog up for a few giggles and forcing elephants to stand on their hind legs in succession one after another.  In my opinion, watching a man like Gunther Gabel Williams crack his whip at tigers to jump thru fiery hoops is not only passé, it is a cruel and unnecessary form of “entertainment.”  Like bullfights—who needs to see a beautiful bull get slaughtered and bleed all over the place?  I guess I’m too much of a pacifist for some, but I recommend you take your children to Pier 39 and get tickets to Cirque de Soleil where the music is lyrical and unusual, the acrobatics are astounding, and the show is creative and compelling.  And no animals are kept in cages or beaten in the making of that show.  Plus, when I think about the traditional circus, I must say, clowns are really creepy, don’t you think? – Dr. F

Dear Dr. Forsythe: I have an adorable Pug who is the pride and joy of my world.  I can’t imagine life without her.  She has now gotten old and a little grey, but aside from that she is as beautiful as the day I got her from the breeder in Texas.  One thing that disturbs me are all the constant comments people make about her tongue, which she can’t keep in her mouth.  She has lost her teeth and it sticks out all the time.  People have asked me what is wrong with her tongue.  At first I was okay with it but some days I get tired of it and last week a little boy tried to pull on it and hurt her.  How can I protect her and get people off my back when I’m not in the mood to address this problem? – Maggie’s Mom

Dear Maggie’s Mom: Problem?  What problem?  Is the Mona Lisa’s beauty a problem?  Is Oprah Winfrey’s fame and power a problem?  Is Bill Gates’ millions of dollars a problem?  I don’t see a real problem here!  Owning a Pug comes with many joys and many responsibilities.  One of the duties is answering to your pet’s public.  They will comment, they will ask, and they will chatter away about your pet.  Some will comment that she is ugly, but many more will tell you she is gorgeous.  There may even be those who tell you she looks like an alien from another planet, but when people stop commenting, that is when you know something may be severely wrong with your pug.
If she truly can’t keep her tongue in her mouth – and she hasn’t had a stroke – she is like many aging brachycephalic dogs.  Our resident pet, Dooney the Bulldog has a tongue that stays out most of the time, but it only seems to make people love him more and more.  Recently one client’s little girl exclaimed, “Look Mommy, his tongue looks like a piece of bologna, but it’s all dry and sand papery.”  Then she just sat beside him lost in what can only be described as “Dooney delight” and gently pet his little “luncheon meat” tongue with her tiny finger.  As she looked down at him, marveling at his feature, Dooney looked up at her with his big, bloodshot eyes, soaking in the adoration.
But if you’re truly annoyed at the unwanted attention Maggie is getting, I’d just keep her home if you’re in a “sour” mood and can’t deal with the comments.  I believe that the best way to deal with people would be to infuse some humor – let people know that her little pink tongue is a beautiful asset and she only sticks it out at really naughty children.  This might be a way to get some smiles and make some friends. – Dr. F

Dear Dr. Forsythe: My cat has been having trouble walking normally lately, so the veterinarian took an X-ray and found a problem. She has an extra bone growing in between her vertebrae and causing her pain. Apparently there is nothing they can do for her. I am so worried about her, I just can’t bear to see her suffer. I don’t want to put her to sleep but I hate seeing her struggle. Some days I think I am keeping her alive for myself, but other days I see her sunbathe and want to keep her around forever. Am I being selfish? Should I try acupuncture on her or Chinese herbs? – MJB, Sonoma

Dear MJB: I’m sorry to hear about the problems your cat is dealing with. It is not unusual for older cats – and dogs – to develop a condition known as “bridging spondylosis” as their spinal columns age. The reason this happens in some pets and not others is poorly understood. It probably has a lot to do with inheritance and genetics. It usually causes pain and stiffness in cats but since there are many important spinal nerves that pass thru the openings in between each vertebral segment, when the body starts laying down new bone growth and these little “bridges” start to form, the results can be startling.

Fortunately, there are some treatments and medications that can help slow the progression of the condition in both cats and dogs and also make them feel more comfortable as the condition does worsen. I suggest you discuss the NSAID meloxicam with your doctor. Cats usually get just a couple drops every other day to reduce pain and inflammation. In addition, a series of intramuscular injections called Adequan can help restore the cartilage in the joints to a healthier condition. While there is no magic button that turns time back – believe me, I would have pressed it for myself a few times – these treatments can be very helpful in improving your cat’s quality of life. I would start with these before you consider putting acupuncture and Chinese herbs on board. – Dr. F

Dear Dr. Forsythe: Our beautiful Cocker Spaniel puppy recently developed two red bulges, one in each eye. I checked online and with the breeder and learned about Cherry Eye. I am so grossed out when I look at the perfect little man we bought, but my husband says I am overreacting and that we don’t need to do anything about it. He thinks that having this corrected is like a person having cosmetic surgery. I am writing to ask your opinion on whether or not we should get the surgery done. Do you consider this cosmetic or necessary? I’m hoping you will side with me so I can call the vet eye doctor.
- Rebecca in Sebastopol

Dear Rebecca: Prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid, better known as “cherry eye” is very common in Cocker Spaniels and also Peekinese Pekingnese??? and Bulldogs and Pugs. In fact, we almost expect to see this occur in these breeds it is so frequent. While it is believed to be an inherited condition, passed on thru breeding, it is also considered a surgical problem.

Often, the red, itchy bulbous gland gets large enough to rub against the cornea or “windshield” of the eye. In my opinion, cherry eyes should be corrected because they usually lead to ocular problems over time, even if they start out as simply a cosmetic defect. They are a very easy to repair surgically, but the improvement to a pet’s appearance and eye health is so much improved that I do not consider it a mere “cosmetic” fix. And even if it were, the fact that this defect occurs so often in such beautiful dogs may be reason enough to have it corrected. Who wants everyone continually asking “Eww, what’s that thing in your dogs eye? Why don’t you have it fixed?” In this case, I’d side with you and recommend you have the “cherries picked from the eye.” Good luck with that pretty pet. - Dr. F

Dear Dr. Forsythe: I wanted to write in because my cat was bitten by a rattlesnake two weeks ago and got a big swelling on her face. The vet said it would be $800 for the rattlesnake antivenom in addition to other medications. I was panic-stricken and my husband – who was on the golf course at the time – told me just to pay it. After all, Mr. Huggems is his cat and we did not want him to die. But before I gave her the okay to do all the treatments, I checked the Internet and found out that cats are immune to rattlesnake bites. So I told the doctor not to give the antivenom and she gave Benadryl and another injection instead. We took him home and his neck swelled up the next morning, but he got better a few days later. I’m so lucky I didn’t let her give the antivenom, and I wish more vets would tell us that cats are immune to rattlesnakes. – Marissa, Folsom, California

Dear Marissa: I’m really glad your Mr. Huggems lived. First off, it is widely reported that cats tend to be more resistant to venomous snake bites than dogs, however I have seen cats die of rattlesnake bites before. If they were truly immune to the venom, why would they die?

Now the question of whether they need antivenin is another story. Some veterinarians are more worried about causing a negative reaction from the foreign proteins in the antivenin than just giving supportive care and letting the cat recover on its own. I checked with many of my colleagues using VIN (veterinary information network) and the vast majority who see many snake bites actually do give cats antivenin diluted down in saline if it is a serious case. While this is being administered, we watch to see if the tail becomes “fluffy” which is a good indication of an adverse reaction happening. If so, we can add Benadryl and Dexamethosone to decrease the chance of anaphylaxis.

It is important to remember that a cat is not a mongoose. I worry that information on the Internet is making people think their cats are super immune critters that can withstand anything. It is pounded into us from Day One at veterinary school “cats are NOT small dogs.” They are in fact, unique, special, magical, jelical beings that deserve the best care at all times. It’s lucky Mr. Huggems is around to continue getting those hugs!
-Dr. F

Dear Dr. Forsythe: I am writing to ask your advice on how to handle a situation that has erupted with my daughter recently regarding her future. My 18 year old daughter has been studying at Santa Rosa Junior College with plans to transfer to UC Davis and eventually become a veterinarian. She recently mentioned that she is now seriously considering becoming a veterinary technician instead of going all the way forward and getting her doctor degree. I am extremely disappointed with her and told her that I felt she was settling rather than going all the way and becoming the boss. Needless to say, things have gotten very tense around the house, so I thought if you offered some support in my effort to have her go the distance, it might help her realize her potential and perhaps sway her to continue onward in her studies towards becoming a veterinarian. After all, she is so bright and capable that I hate to have her give up before she has even transferred to Davis. Thanks in advance for your support.

- Mrs. G, Santa Rosa

Dear Mrs. G: It is always my duty and my honor to show support for young people entering the veterinary profession: however, my support in this situation goes to your daughter and not to you. I think her decision to become a veterinary technician is a very respectable and exciting choice, and one that you should support, not belittle. Parents who set their sights on having a child grow up to become a “doctor” and then become bitterly disappointed when that young adult makes the choice to pursue something else can do lasting damage from their own disappointment.

I can speak from my years in the veterinary profession that some of the finest people that surround me are veterinary technicians. “RVT’s” as they are known, are as vital and invaluable to veterinarians in their role as paraprofessionals. There are a myriad of reasons a person enrolled in the pre-veterinary curriculum might decide to gravitate towards a registered veterinary technician degree or AA degree. It could be a stepping stone on the way to a BA and eventual DVM degree or it could be their perfect niche. Either way, being disappointed and expressing unhappiness or making your child feel like an underachiever because they have decided to become a veterinary technician makes me feel absolutely heartsick for your daughter. She deserves praise, support, and congratulations for choosing a wonderful career rather than anyone telling her she hasn’t set the bar high enough.

I know this is not what you wanted me to say, but perhaps it opens your eyes to my view of supporting kids and welcoming all people into our profession. Please give her my best, and tell her the pets she will be helping in the future will no doubt be lucky. She is going to be making a great contribution.
– Dr. F.

Dear Dr. Forsythe: Our Rottweiler “Jelly” likes to sleep in our son’s bed with him. The trouble is, our son is only two and the dog is much much larger than he is. Jelly is really nice and gentle, but at 125 pounds, we are a little worried he could roll over during the night and suffocate our boy. Should we separate them?

- Parents of a sweet boy and sweet dog.

Dear Parents: Yes, I would have them sleep separately, at least for another couple of years. Don’t most two year olds sleep in a crib? I’d have the little boy in a crib and the dog below, and then work them together when your little whipper-snapper is about four. If that little man of yours is already in his own bed at the age of two, I’d probably keep the dog out of his bed for at least another two years until the boy is physically bigger and there would be less chance of the huge dog rolling over onto him at night. You should also run this question by the boy’s pediatrician for some expert advice from the human side.

– Dr. F

Dear Dr. Forsythe: I recently got a dental done on my sweet old chocolate Lab. At the same time I had the vet remove a small growth from the inside of her cheek. At the time I thought it was nothing, but it turned out to be an oral melanoma. The lab report came back with a guarded prognosis and I have been really worried ever since. Is it true that this is as deadly in dogs as it is in people? – Millie Mocha’s mom

Dear Millie’s mom: Yes, this is a pretty serious type of tumor. It is good that you had it removed surgically and sent to the lab. One of the benefits of sending histopathology to the lab is identifying the type of tumor, but it is also nice to know if the margins were clean. Since melanoma is a dangerous malignancy, we like to have clean, deep margins, so, often, the veterinarian will go back in and get deeper margins around the original surgical excision to make sure that the entire tumor was removed with no cancer remaining.

It is also really important to test the regional lymph nodes to make sure they are cancer free. This is done by taking fine needle aspirates and examining them under the microscope to check for the presence – and hopefully absence – of metastasis (spread) to the regional lymph nodes in the neck.
Doctors usually check X-rays of the lungs to make sure the cancer has not spread there, and an ultrasound of the abdomen to make sure that the liver, spleen and other organs look normal. Consultation with a board certified veterinary oncologist who has advanced training specifically with cancer can also provide expert advice and treatment for your pet.

One new treatment available from such specialists is a new melanoma vaccine that is given to pets that have been treated for melanoma in order to prevent a recurrence of the tumor. The combination of aggressive surgical excision of the tumor followed by the use of this vaccine seems to show the most promise with this serious type of cancer. Good luck with Millie. I’ll bet she’s a sweet pet. – Dr. F

Dear Dr. Forsythe: I am writing because my dog is experiencing more and more pain in the last several months and I’m not sure what is causing the problem. “Ace” is 14 years old and has several fatty tumors all over his body. My last vet told me they weren’t serious so we never had them taken off, but now they are so big I am worried they could be causing more pain or at least contributing to his problem. But at his age I feel he is too old to have them removed. What do you suggest I do about this? – Worried about the Fatty Masses

Dear Worried: “Harmless” fatty tumors or “lipomas” are benign masses that don’t cause serious problems when they are small and located in areas that do not bother pets. However, when they grow larger, even these non-cancerous growths begin to cause problems for our four legged friends. They cause pressure, they feed on a blood supply and they are heavy, so your pet can feel their presence on the body all the time. “Harmless” lipomas can become “invading” lipomas and even morph into the more dangerous cancerous version called a liposarcoma over time.

I am surprised how cavalier many of my colleagues are about these growths. I think that most of the time, they should be removed since they really do nothing to enhance a pet’s life. They usually grow bigger and sometimes cause pain and problems for pets, depending on the location. A good question to ask yourself is: If I had this large, apple sized fat mass growing on my hip, would I want to just watch and monitor it? If the answer is “no” then why leave it on your pet?

My suggestion – have the lump checked out with the intention of getting it removed. Your pet will probably feel better and live more comfortably. Since I believe that age is a time of life and not an illness, 14 years of age is still a reasonable time of life to have the procedure done so he can feel comfortable and healthy, assuming there are no other complications with his health. Thanks for your question. – Dr. F

Dear Dr. Forsythe: Why do veterinarians always insist on rechecking patients over and over? I have a cat that has kidney failure and she goes to the vet whenever I notice that she isn’t doing very well. Sophie is a great patient but she doesn’t like going in the car. Last time she got sick and needed several tests and fluids and medications, I was asked to bring her back again even though she was much better the next day. Is that really necessary? Do I always need to leave with another appointment? Isn’t it overkill? When is enough enough? At some point you would think they could leave well enough alone and let my poor pet have a little time to relax at home for awhile. I may sound ungrateful but I worry that there is another agenda such as trying to run too many tests that aren’t necessary. What do you think about all these non-stop appointments?

Irritated cat owner

Dear Irritated: It sounds like your cat’s doctor is trying to manage her kidney condition and keep her healthy and alive for a long time. At a risk of sounding rude, why would you have a problem with that?

This reminds me of a client who had a similar cat. Her pet had a severe kidney condition but she wanted to treat the cat conservatively on her own and had us call in a prescription for fluids to Costco so she could give the fluids herself. A couple of weeks ago we called to remind that the cat needed to have blood work rechecked. When she answered the phone she was rude and explained that she couldn’t speak to us because she was at Macy’s shopping. When she finally called back the next day, it was to tell us off and switch to another vet who “won’t insist that I bring the cat for exams. You just want to collect money!”

I’ve had clients be rude before, but when a client with a history of complaining about finances answers the phone while shopping at Macy’s, I practically combust. It shows their lack of respect for what we do as veterinary professionals and points out the serious disconnect they have about the value of our services and importance of managing their pet’s health care in a serious way. The moral of this story? Treat your veterinarian – and hopefully the other professionals in your life – with a modicum of respect as they are likely trying to adhere to the standards of their profession rather than trying to scam a bunch of unnecessary tests for your pet or partake in some untoward activity or shady agenda regarding your pet.

Dr. F

Dear Dr. Forsythe: My dog keeps getting foxtails between his toes. Last week he got another one on his paw and my husband squeezed out a bunch of pus and nothing else came out. He has also got one in his nose before and once in his eye. Is there anything we can do to prevent this? Also, his other foot has a little pink lump forming but we cleaned it with hydrogen peroxide. Is there something else we can do?
Sammy’s mom.

Dear Sammy’s mom: You can try cutting down the weeds in the yard and blowing them away to prevent the underlying problem. Also, be careful where you walk Sammy or let him run. Foxtail season is from late spring through the summer and this season has been pretty bad.
Careful grooming daily to remove foxtails and burrs – the little round prickly balls – is very helpful. This gets rid of the culprits before they have a chance to burrow. Once they are embedded between the toes, they get under the skin quickly and usually need to be removed by the veterinarian with an anesthetic. Keep in mind these little “barbs” have dirt and germs on them so they can create a severe infection wherever they wind up.

Last week I had to retrieve a foxtail out of the lung of a Labrador. It was down inside the bronchiole and causing a terrible cough that sounded like a kennel cough. This required general anesthesia, an endoscope, a special retrieval grabbing tool that fits down through the endoscope, and lots of patience. Thanks for your inquiry about these pesky little weeds. They cause lots of problems for pets in practically every orifice. Check your pet daily and do your best to keep them off the fur.

Dr. Forsythe

Dear Dr. Forsythe: I am motivated to write to you because of the article that you published about a barking dog causing stress to the writer. That writer was not alone in living with neighbors who lack the consideration and responsibility to control their animals. I am literally surrounded by barking dogs on either side of my home, in back of my home, and up and down the street across from me. My neighbors have two and three dogs that are a nuisance, causing me stress.

I thought a veterinarian was committed to the welfare of animals; at least that is what the American Veterinary Medical Association states. One of my neighbors IS a veterinarian in Sonoma County. They have three dogs; one that I was told was rescued from an abusive home and ended in a shelter. Two of the dogs are taken to work while the dog from the abusive home stays at home all day barking when ever it hears any activity from me whether I am inside or outside of my home. And I don’t like to hear a barking dog at 7:15 in the morning! They will not take this dog to work because it is disruptive to their work environment. Excuse me: it’s disruptive to ME. It has affected my quality of life. They even leave the dog alone at night for as long as three hours, at times in the dark, barking and whining the the entire time they are gone. I find this a form of punishment to the dog and a form of bullying to me. Is this ethical? I don’t think so.

For the past three years I have had many conversations with them, and I was optimistic, reassuring them I know things will get better and we can work it out. But after two and a half years and hearing the dog bark for hours, I no longer feel confident or trust their word. I’ve given them literature, links to animal behaviorist, and I am considering alternatives.

A dog is a weapon in the hands of a person who doesn’t offer a safe and loving environment. My veterinarian neighbor has a wonderful opportunity because of his profession to model positive treatment of his dogs and make Sonoma County a dog friendly place. It appears this is not in my neighbors horizon.

I’m frustrated and disappointed in your profession, and I hope you will pass this message on. That is my hope. Is there still room for optimism?

Sign me: Anonymous

Dear Anonymous: The only problem with sending in a big, juicy accusatory letter filled with big juicy content is that you really lose your credibility when you do it anonymously. I usually discard anonymous letters because I never have a way of following up with the source. As you can imagine, many people ask me where my questions come from, and “anonymous” is a very weak response. However, I did choose to answer your letter because it hit me where the sun don’t shine and it was a true cry for help.

I was really unhappy to hear that a fellow veterinarian has behaved so poorly as a neighbor and pet owner and caused you this stress and anxiety. As vets, we do take an oath to prevent animal suffering and do what is best for pets, not the other way around. It disappoints me that you have gone through this unfortunate situation with one of my colleagues.

One thing I recommend regarding your derailed, acrimonious relationship with your neighbor vet is something called a “reality check.” This comes in handy when you are having friction with another person – and involves asking yourself two important questions about the situation at hand: 1) what is the meaning I’ve attached to this situation and 2) do I have all the information? It sounds from your letter that you’ve attached a meaning that your neighbor just doesn’t care about your peace of mind anymore. That may not be true at all, despite their seemingly thoughtless behavior. And you may not have all the information. Perhaps they have consulted a behaviorist and are working daily with this pet. Maybe there are additional medical problems they are working on to try and curtail the barking. Perhaps there are personal problems with the family that are eclipsing their ability to focus on the dog’s barking?
While none of these things “change” the fact that the barking is still happening, by thinking in this way, you can begin to look outside the box and feel much better in general. By considering the myriad of events and occurrences that could be taking place to shape other people’s actions and decisions it is easier to accept how little we can do to control the world. Ultimately, we can just do the best we can and hope that others will take responsibility. I suggest you show your neighbor this column and remind that veterinarian just how disappointed you are that veterinarians don’t show more respect. I think that would drive your point home better than anything I could ever write.

Dr. F.

Dear Dr. Forsythe: My 2 year old lab is in heat now, and I am not breeding her until
next cycle. I got her some “bitch’s britches” to sop up her period, but I was wondering, can those give her toxic shock syndrome? She is sluggish and not herself.

Breeding my lab

Dear Breeder: No, toxic shock syndrome happened years ago in human females and was associated with (inserted) tampons that developed severe infection. This never happened with externally worn “pads” nor was it found in dogs or cats. Your female is most likely sluggish because she is in heat, so just watching her and monitoring her carefully should be fine. Occasionally pets can develop an infection called pyometra after heat cycles or pregnancy. If she is not eating or is vomiting or drinks excessively, have her checked by your veterinarian right away. And make sure to keep her away from male dogs until well after her heat cycle has ended.

Dr. F