Dear Dr KD,

My wife and I like to have a drink every other evening. One day, our Indian dog Chori lapped up some cocktail from my glass and we all had a good laugh at it. However, after that episode, whenever I have an alcoholic beverage, she comes running and begs for it as if it were a bone! Do we have an alcoholic in the making? Should we laugh and indulge her or make her join Alcoholics Anonymous?

Brig Kapur
Gurgaon

Greetings Brigadier,

I sense that Chori has developed a liking for the after effects of alcohol or a bad habit of sharing/demanding whatever the owner is having. I am afraid you will have to be extra careful and very tactful in handling our little friend. Just like a concerned parent, you will have to be strict with Chori. Dogs have been domesticated and many of them are actually humanised. As a part of the family, Chori shouldn’t feel left out, so offering some other liquid (water, chicken soup, vegetable soup, etc) at the time when you are enjoying your evening drink might be a good idea.

Dear Dr KD,

This is almost too embarrassing to ask but I have to. We have an 8-month old chocolate Labrador that has been constantly licking himself (his testicles), which has led to them becoming red and raw looking. Is there something we can apply there that will help them heal and at the same time discourage him from licking them?

Tarun Narayan,
Bengaluru

Hi Tarun,

Make sure he is not sitting in a wet place. Moisture becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus, which complicates the situation. A few steps to curb the present problem will include preventing the pet from licking his private parts (physical restraint, application of an E collar, low grade sedation, etc), topical application of anti-bacterial ointments/lotions, oral or injectable antibiotics may be required and oral anti-histamine/anti-allergic medicines may be given to reduce irritation and itching.

Dear Dr KD,

My new cat seems cold and not very friendly or affectionate. Is there something I did wrong in raising her? My other cat is just the opposite and is what people consider a lap cat.

Sylvia Gonsalves
Goa

Hello Sylvia,

Just like human beings, there are individual variations amongst different pets. Cats are generally independent-natured and many of them like to be left alone. Just make sure that there’s no factor which annoys or provokes the new cat to revolt. Spend extra time with her and try and involve her in a game, where she enjoys participating and reward her when she has performed.

Dear Dr KD,

My one year old dog was neutered four days ago. This evening when I took him out, he urinated four times without lifting his leg. It is almost as if he lacks control. Is this an emergency? Will it go away? Can I give him a bath (he needs it) or should I give his incision more time to heal? Help!

Avanti Sehgal
New Delhi

Hello Avanti,

As long as the surgical wound is healthy (no unusual discolouration, no swelling and no discharge), there’s no need to worry. It takes between 8-10 days for the skin to heal. Rarely do male dogs develop urinary incontinence after neutering. Give your dog another week’s time to get over the stress of surgery and he should be back to his normal state.

Dear Dr KD,

I am eight months pregnant and am wondering if you can suggest ways of introducing my new baby to our family dog?

Shelly Sanwal
Lucknow

Hi Shelly

Let me congratulate you in advance. Dogs have a very good sixth sense and they understand when to be protective and dominant. When the new born arrives, make sure your pet is duly vaccinated, regularly groomed and routinely dewormed. Don’t let it feel neglected or left out. Introduce him to your child gradually under your supervision. Dogs are just like kids and are also excited to see a new member in the family. A gentle supervision is advised in the initial period. Once the baby and the dog have formed a rapport then they will be best friends. Good luck.

Dear Dr KD,

My new puppy is cute as hell but has breath like the devil’s. What can I do to make his breath somewhat more tolerable? Someone suggested administering Polo mints or toothpaste. Is that OK?

Pritam Rawat
Mysore

Hello Pritam,

I can suggest you a few things. Deworm your puppy and give him a well balanced diet to avoid any nutritional deficiency. Try prebiotics/probiotics for a few days. Getting your puppy trained to get his teeth cleaned/brushed twice daily is fantastic if you can manage it.

Dear Dr KD,

My dog (a 4-year old Beagle) has been coughing a lot for about a week and a half. Also, he is emitting blood in his stool. He is about 8 pounds overweight. What should we do to help him? Is this problem weight-related or another matter entirely?

Clive Woods
Tennessee, USA

Hi Clive,

Coughing can be indirectly related to obesity but blood in stools is a different problem. Reduce body weight gradually by increasing the level of exercise and decreasing the level of calorie intake. Avoid rice and reduce other sources of carbohydrates and fats. Get him checked for other body parameters. He might be suffering from an acute infection. Hope he is duly vaccinated and routinely dewormed.

Dear Dr KD,

My cat, 18 human years of age, lets loose with various strange howling noises. Of late, these seem to be increasing and there don’t seem to be any reason for the howl (ie, pain, threat, fear, etc). Is this a cat equivalent of senility? Is she seeing things?

Navreet Sadana
Nainital

Hi Navreet,

Common causes of excessive howling or loud meowing in cats include medical issues, attention seeking, stress, grief, boredom, feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome and breed tendency. Check your cat’s litter box for anything unusual. Other things to observe are behavioural change, excessive drinking of water, eating too much or sleeping too much, and being lethargic or depressed. A vet check will rule out any medical issues. Give the cat a scratch board or some other toys to keep her busy. Some cats howl to attract males, so spaying may be a good idea.

Dear Dr KD,

I have a family and children to look after. Would you recommend that I keep a dog in the house as a pet and could it be healthy? Thank you and looking forward to a reply.

Amulya Amrit
Delhi

Hi Amulya,

Growing up with a pet can be wonderful for kids but remember, although the experience gives kids a sense of responsibility, only adults can be truly responsible for a pet. Selecting the right pet is a serious decision that family members should make together. Routine vaccinations and regular dewormings will keep your pet healthy and away from dreaded diseases. Maintain hygiene and inculcate good manners and habits in your pet. Proper nutrition is a must to keep diseases at bay.