Vet’s Views
Dr Kaushlendra Kumar
The doctor has been practising in Lucknow for the past 20 years in canine and other pet animal medicine and surgery
Q: My 9-month-old dog hasn’t eaten in 24 hours and refuses even his favourite treats. We made him eat some chhena rasgulla, though. However, he is not vomiting or inactive. What could be wrong? Dipika Singh
A 9-month-old dog is in a stage of life when it is entering early puberty. Puberty is a stage when reproductive maturity starts its action. In this phase, numerous behavioural changes occur, and dogs often lose interest in food. With lots of love, care and lots of petting, they start their normal life/diet. Provide something like anti-anxiety tablets as well as yummy snacks and treats to satisfy his hunger. Many general health tonics for pets also work like multivitamins, liver tonics, and those containing antioxidants. Anti-allergic medicines may also be needed.
Q: My pet beagle is prone to noisy reverse breathing that is quite terrifying. We rub her nose, snout, and throat to ease her condition, but please tell why it is being caused, and is there some kind of treatment? Vishal Somvanshi
Reverse breathing or sneezing is an allergic condition in dogs. Allergy to dust, pollens, any nasal worms, or sometimes may be due to respiratory infections of the tract. Anti-allergy medicines and food help to correct the problem. Food should be either fresh or warm rather than chilled or cold. See that there is no severe hair loss because that will constantly irritate the system. Ayurvedic and herbal preparations help better the immune system and thereby improve the condition.
Q: I have a 2-year-old pug whose left side of the face has swollen up. Could it be an insect bite or some allergy? it is otherwise behaving normally and eating as usual. Pls advise. Chitra Gupta
The rainy season invites many insects and flies around our bodies. In this season, breeding of the parasites is at its peak. This may lead to heavy infestation on the bodies of pets. See if any infection is seen in that area. Redness and loss of hair are the most prominent signs of insect bites. Regular cleaning with dry shampoos and grooming powder application should help get rid of allergies and parasites. For immediate swelling, anti-allergic medicines can be given, provided there is no fever.
Q: My cat is having difficulty passing urine. Please tell me what I should do. Vicky Singh
I am getting a very incomplete history for your case. But I will write for male and female cats, both. In cats urinary problem is almost certain. This is because of their dry feeding habit, less water intake and less exercise. Most cats in India are straying outside the house for their jobs. Even if they use litter, there is ammonia built up, and that affects the system. Water plays an important role in urinary infections, leading to either infection or calculi/ stone formation. See under which category of reasons your cat falls and get proper treatment. Otherwise, at any point in time, it will become an acute and serious condition that can become fatal for the cat.
Q: My 6-year-old Labrador is losing weight. Her present weight is 12 kg, which was 22kg earlier. She is a finicky eater but likes to play and go on walks. Sharmila Bannerjee
A Labrador having weight of 12 kg is totally unimaginable. Body weight is seriously decreasing. There could be a number of causes. The most common these days is diabetes. You must get a thorough, complete examination of your pet done for complete blood counts, liver and kidney function and some hormonal assaying. Check for blood sugar fasting. Ultrasonography and radiography of the abdomen and chest will rule out any abnormal growth. Without proper diagnosis, nothing can be advised except giving highly digestible food, hygienic water and some general tonics. But it is mandatory to go to your pet's vet for a proper check-up.
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