Dear Doctor: October 2015
Frankly, I have a feeling that this is not feline acne. I suspect your cat has idiopathic facial dermatitis of Persian cats, also known as Dirty Face Syndrome. It is seen most commonly in young Persians and Himalayans and is thought to have an inherited basis. It is characterized by a dark greasy exudate that adheres to the hairs. The muzzle, around the eyes, and the chin are the most commonly affected areas. Concurrent waxy ears and ear infections are common.
Dear Doctor – February 2013
Senior cat with digestive issues Q My cat Gizmo is 15 years old and has been having digestive problems and persistent diarrhea. He has lost five pounds in the past few months and I cannot seem to control his loose bowels. I have tried two different enzymes and I have been giving him probiotics that I bought from PetSmart, made with Alaskan salmon oil. So far, his problem still persists. …
Dear Doctor – January 2013
Concerns about cats and husbands health condition Q We have nine rescue cats ranging from one to nine years old. Five go in and out during the day and all are in at night. I change the litter boxes at an outside sink. Heres my problem: My husband has been placed on the liver transplant list. The estimated time for waiting is two years, but that could change. …
Dear Doctor – Indoor cat wants to go outside
Indoor cat wants to go outside Q I have a wonderful five-year-old cat who was rescued when she was a kitten. This year, Sophie has decided to drive me crazy by going from one door to the other and meowing constantly. She is not allowed out in my apartment complex. Ive had her for most of her life, and she has never acted like this. I tried walking her on a leash, but the experience was not…
Dear Doctor – August 2015
Pet food and expiration dates QI recently bought several large bags of a high-quality cat food on sale at our local pet store. Unfortunately, I just realized that the best by date passed by a couple of weeks ago on two of the bags (the third bags date is okay). Should I now consider this food to be unsafe and throw it away? …
Dear Doctor – September 2015
Euthanasia: a possible option? Q I am hoping that you can help me with my cat Buffy, who is six years old. Her behavior is vexing, and has gotten to the point where I am at my wits end. My computer is on a desk near a window, where I had a platform installed for Buffy. She really enjoys looking out the window - but if there is a raccoon, bird or any other animal in the…
Dear Doctor – Can I feed dog food to cats?
Q My husband and I live in an elderly community, with plenty of pet lovers. Our neighbor recently lost her toy breed dog,...
Dear Doctor – Confused about Anal Sacs
Letters to Tufts Veterinarians - Anal Sacs, Socialization
Dear Doctor: My Cat Went Lame After an Injection
My one-year-old female cat received two injections in the rear to treat an insect bite. The first injection contained an anti-inflammatory medication and the second was Benadryl. The veterinarian at the emergency clinic said that the Benadryl would burn, and my small cat screamed when it was injected.
Dear Doctor – A young cat who suckles
Letters to Tufts Veterinarians - A Tuna Fish Diet, Suckling Habit
Dear Doctor – A gastrointestinal disorder in cats
Letters to Tufts Veterinarians - A Twitching Cat, Stool Problems
Kids and the Loss of a Beloved Pet
Help children to understand Q My husband and I have lived with our cat, Sebastian, for the entire 18 years of our marriage. Unfortunately, Sebastian is starting to show distinct signs of his advancing age (kidney disease, for one thing) and we know its only a matter of time that our family will need to say goodbye to our beloved pet. …
