Questions Answered at the American Animal Hospital Association Conference

by Steve Dale

These reader questions were answered at the American Animal Hospital Association Conference May 26-29 at the Phoenix Convention Center. The AAHA supports excellence in veterinary care.

Q: Our 10-year-old Labrador does the strangest thing: She gets under the table and just stands there in a dream-like stance for two or three minutes. During these periods, she pays no attention to her surroundings. What's going on? -- J.A., Caribou, ME

A: If this is a new behavior, St. Louis, MO-based veterinary behaviorist Dr. Debra Horwitz says, "See your veterinarian to answer the question, 'Why now?' A physiological explanation needs to be ruled out. Another rule out is dementia, which is very possible. Older dogs do these sorts of strange things." The good news is, changing your dog's diet, perhaps to Hill's BD, one drug in particular (called Anipryl), and perhaps supplements can help.

Strange as it sounds, your dog's "trances" could be attention-seeking behavior. "It would be interesting if next time the dog does this, you just say, 'let's go' and walk into another room," says Horwitz. "I wonder if the dog would follow you. If so, you've found your solution."

Q: I have a 2-year-old deaf female pit bull I rescued. (I was born deaf myself.) I have four others dogs and they all got along well until I adopted a puppy. Now, the deaf dog has become vicious. I've used a drug called imipramine for the deaf dog, and tried to keep this dog and the puppy safe. However, the deaf dog has now become so aggressive around other dogs that she trembles and shakes when we go on walks. I want her to live a nice, normal life. Any advice? -- M.R., Chicago, IL

A: Your deaf dog is more "normal" than you might think considering her disability. It sounds as if she adjusted well to your home until you added the puppy.

"Your deaf dog learned to understand the signals from the other dogs as individuals, but her lack of experience with puppies threw her," says St. Louis, MO-based veterinary behaviorist Dr. Debra Horwitz. "Or the dogs she knows she's fine with, but (she's) discriminating about adding new friends. Deaf dogs and blind dogs sometimes have difficulty adjusting to change. None of this is abnormal. Some people like to constantly add new friends, some don't - it's no different with some dogs."

Many adult dogs can have difficulty dealing with unruly puppies. Meanwhile, you poor pup isn't being socialized to other dogs, as you want her to be. Your best bet is to consult a veterinary behaviorist to help you find a long-range solution, as well as a better drug (for this purpose) than imipramine.

Q: My husband and I feed a stray cat who lives between two university residence halls in our town. We think he was abandoned and has been panhandling from students for three years. This is a friendly cat who loves to be petted. We're thinking about adopting him, but worry that he might not adjust to being inside. Of course, we'd have the cat examined by a vet. Are there any pitfalls to doing this? -- S.K., Macomb, IL

A: "What a wonderful idea," cheers Dr. Jane Brunt, a feline veterinarian in Baltimore, MD, and past president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners. "It's best to place your new cat in one room, so if he becomes frightened and finds a hiding place, you can find him. And you can provide that hiding place with a spacious carrier with a soft blanket." Place food on one side of the room, and the litter box on the other. When you visit, don't force your new friend, but let him come to you on his own terms. Try reading a children's book to the cat in a raised, sing-songy voice, which can be calming. You could also plug in a Feliway diffuser, a kind of aromatherapy for cats.

If you have other cats, introduce the newcomer gradually. There are lots of resources out there to show you how, including Pam Johnson-Bennett's book "Cat vs. Cat" (Penguin Books, New York, NY, 2004; $15). As you mention, visiting a veterinarian to check for fleas, feline leukemia, the feline immunodeficiency virus, or other potential health issues is a good idea. Also, Brunt points out, this cat may require flea and heartworm preventatives, as well as vaccines.

Brunt, also executive director of the CATalyst Council, dedicated to feline healthcare and welfare, announced America's cat-friendliest cities at the AAHA Conference. Since dog-friendly cities are typically cited, the idea is to celebrate the bond people have with cats, too. Tampa, FL, topped the list, followed by Phoenix, AZ, San Francisco, CA; Portland, OR; Denver, CO; Boston, MA; Seattle, WA; San Diego, CA; Atlanta, GA, and Minneapolis, MN.

Criteria included available quality veterinary care, cat ownership per capita, number of cats microchipped, and cat-friendly local ordinances.

"Cats really are America's No. 1 companion," says Dan Kramer, senior marketing manager of industry relations for Pfizer Animal and a chair of the CATalyst Council. "Our goal is to recognize and celebrate why cats are such popular companions."

"Our goal is to educate people about what cats really are about," Brunt adds. And to talk about subtle signs of illness in cats, to begin a conversation that it's all about the cat."

CATalyst is a unique coalition of Experts veterinary medicine (including the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, American Association of Feline Practitioners and others) working together with shelters, animal control, industry, non-profits, and academia. Learn more at www.catalystcouncil.org.

(In full disclosure, Steve Dale is on the board of the non-profit CATalyst Council.)

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