Q: My cat Pookie is eating my houseplants! Someone said I could feed her parsley or thyme. Would this help keep my plants safe and be OK for her? A: Many cats just can't resist the temptation of chewing on house plants. Some cats also wind up with digestive upsets from other so-called 'acceptable' cut grasses or herbs. In general, it's best to keep all greenery out of reach to avoid trouble.

Q: Powder, my Lhasa Apso, is 8 years old and has started needing to go outside much more often that usual. She's drinking a lot more water. Should I cut back on the water she drinks? A: Increased urination and water consumption can signal serious medical problems, including kidney or liver disease or diabetes. Increased frequency of urination may also signal a bladder infection. Before restricting your pets water intake, I would recommend a thorough evaluation by a veterinarian, including blood and urine testing.

Q: I hate giving Junior those heartworm pills! And he won´t eat them in his food. Just how dangerous is heartworm? A: Heartworm disease in dogs and carts be deadly. The inconvenience of administering heartworm medication is minimal compared to the risk of the disease to your pet. Convenient, once-a-month chewable oral medications are available, as well as a new topical skin treatment to treat the disease.

"Ask Dr. Fling" Archives