Ask Dr. Fling

Q: I have a problem with ants in my kitchen that keep getting in my cat's food. I'm afraid that the ants will hurt my cat. I've called the exterminator once, but the ants are back.?

A: A simple way to keep ants out of your cat's bowl is to place the bowl on a plate with a small amount of water on it. The ants will not want to cross the water to get to the food.

Q: I have a year old Black Lab with bald dry spots on her elbow and around her eye. Are Black Labs prone to eczema? I have been bathing her in an oatmeal-based shampoo, but it doesn't seem to be working.

A: Hair loss on young dogs, particularly around the eyes, is often related to demodectic mites. A skin scraping is needed to find these microscopic mites and diagnose the problem. Once identified, special shampoos and dips can be used for treatment. Hair loss may also be caused by bacterial and fungal conditions.