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Pet Behavior:

Puppy Biting
Posted by: Bern on 6/5/2002 4:28:27 PM
Question: What is the best way to stop a puppy from biting during play. I want to be gentle with him, but he can bite fairly aggressively on toes, hands and legs during play. I am trying holding him and saying no. If this does not work then I place him in his crate. I definately do not want him to think of the crate as a place of punishment.

Replies
Posted by: on 6/5/2002 6:52:11 PM
What is recommended now as the preferred method for training away unwanted behavior is to ignore the behavior as soon as it occurs. When puppies play, they seek attention and want the attention from you. If they begin to play too roughly, than it is necessary to STOP play immediately as the roughness starts. Walk away from the situation etc, but do not pay more attention to the pup by commanding no and taking to the crate. Simply walk away and stop what he wants you to do, will eventually train him to link his behavior to yours, and will stop the aggressive play biting.

First Aid:

otc drugs that are safe for cats
Posted by: pbjab on 5/10/2002 3:59:13 PM
Question: we've acquired a young female "dumped" cat.She shows signs of a recent pregnancy and probable hemmorhage. her paw-pads have area of black material with some bloody ooze. can we use peroxide and or Bactine safely to clean and as an antiseptic?

Replies
Posted by: on 5/10/2002 6:52:10 PM
Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent cleanser for wounds of any kind. Clean well first, then if you wish you can apply a topical antiseptic like Bacitracin or neosporon, remembering that the area of the feet you're applying the medication will be contacting other surfaces. As well, cats are very fastidious cleaners and she will most likely lick the topically applied medication off. My recommendation would simply be to keep the area clean, and to provide her litter box with shredded paper until the feet have a chance to heal.

Complex Medical Questions:

QUESTION: Diabetic Dog
Posted by: tdmblevins@yahoo.com on 6/17/2002 5:03:03 PM
Question: My parents dog is a diabetic and not doing too well. He has insulin shots 2 times a day,and still has was I think of as sugar attacks periodically. It will take him 2 - 3 days to recover. He had back surgery about 6 months before they diagnosed the Diabeties. When he has a sugar attack, his paw tremble and he can't seem to walk very well. The back surgery was a success and he usually walks fairly well except for when he has these sugar attacks. My question is what type of insulin should he be on? Humulin U or Humulin L? the drugstore has given us both types, and we are trying to find out which will help him more. His Vet is a good guy, but doesn't have much experience dealing with Diabetese as he does more big animal things than small house pets. My parents have a lot of faith in this vet, so they don't want to change vets. They are giving him 7cc of insulin twice daily and if he doesn't eat at least 3 or 4 times a day he gets these attacks and they have just discovered that they have used two different types of insulin. Could you please reply. I would greatly appreciate your help. Sincerely Deb

Reply
Posted by: on 6/18/2002 7:02:16 AM
At a typical starting dose of 1/4 unit/lb body weight, is 7 units of insulin close to this dog's projected dose? If so, then your veterinarian may wish to perform a glucose curve in which the dog is hospitalized for the day, insulin is given in the morning, and blood sugar levels are followed throughout the day to see how the insulin's effect on the blood sugar is. At the peak effect of insulin (typically 4-6 hours after receiving the dose) if the blood sugar level is too low, than decreasing the dosage of insulin would be necessary regardless of what type of insulin is given (U or L). Some patients respond better to the different types of insulin, so if poor control is seen with one type, switch to another and repeat the glucose curve. Also have your veterinarian do a blood Fructosamine level to determine how 'well' controlled this dog is as a diabetic. Values greater than 5-600 indicate poor overall control, and require dosage or insulin adjustment.

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