Dear Dr KD,

I have a 9 ½-year old neutered mutt, Toofaan. He’s a very laid back, gentle dog. He is eating, drinking and eliminating normally. He sleeps most of the day and always has for several years. He has short play times with a toy and then, a rawhide every night. He has been an extremely healthy dog until a year ago, when he developed allergies and was selfmutilating himself to the point that he had big, bleeding sores on his nose. The vet put him on 50 mg of Benadryl three times a day, plus a spray for hot spots. This worked miracles. He still scratches under his chin and licks his paws on occasion but nothing obsessive. About 3 months ago, he started panting really heavily when he was lying down. This was NOT after his daily walk; no thunderstorms (which he is not afraid of) or loud noises (he is afraid of firecrackers but that’s still a few months away). There has been no coughing. I also think his breathing is laboured sometimes while he is sleeping.

I took him to the vet who did a very thorough wellness examination. He listened to his heart—no murmurs, no skipped beats, etc. He had clear lungs with no sounds of congestion. The vet manipulated his legs and spine and overall saw no signs of pain. He examined his eyes and ears. His gums were pink. He started him on 5 mg of Soloxine for 1 week and now, 5 mg twice a day. He also reduced the Benadryl to 25 mg three times a day.

Still, the panting seems to be getting worse. He doesn’t seem to be panting as much when he is standing or walking or on his daily walk. It’s really excessive when he is lying down! What do you think I should do?

Kirti Bhardwaj, New Delhi

Hi Kirti,

Heavy panting can be caused by heart problems, lung problems, fever, or bronchitis. Dogs pant for various reasons. They pant to cool down, but they also pant when they are under stress, in pain, or afraid. There can also be medical causes such as neurological problems, respiratory disorders, heart problems, anemia and fever, and sometimes, even toxicity! In older dogs, there can even be a tumour to blame, but don’t panic, as this is a lot rarer than the other problems I have mentioned. I would strongly recommend a complete blood profile. Soloxine is used to treat hypothyroidism. I hope Toofan’s blood has been checked to establish thyroxine levels. You may also need thoracic radiographs and a cardiac scan to rule out some problems. In addition to a thorough general exam, the mentioned tests are needed.

Dear Dr KD,

We have a 4-year old female Daschund. Two years ago, a stick went into her mouth. Since then, she has had a small lump under her throat, which has never caused her pain. However, in the last week, the lump has grown to the size of a small tennis ball. The dog is in no pain and is acting normally, is eating healthy and exercising daily. I think that as our dog is not in too much pain it could be Lipoma. Any advice would be greatly beneficial as we’re really in a fix!

Sanjay Chopra, Ludhiana

Hi Sanjay,
A rapidly growing mass (as you mentioned, it has grown in a week’s time) should be tested for histopathology. I would advise you to get a deep incision biopsy performed and on the basis of the lab report, diagnose the growing mass. A lipoma/ fibroma should be excised in its early stages, before it forms attachments with surrounding tissues. If you don’t want to go in for invasive testing, then a plain radiograph and a thorough general examination may help your vet identify the problem.

Dear Dr KD,

My cat Simon doesn’t seem to be eating or drinking very much for the last two days. He’ll eat a few pieces of kibble and walk away. I’ve not changed his brand or formula of food, water, or even his litter type recently. He does not seem lethargic and in fact, is quite active. Are there things I should be looking or watching for? Do advise.

Anne Powers, Surrey, England

Hi Anne,

Cats can get constipated because of hairballs and dehydration or lack of fibre in their diet. This is a common problem in felines. Urinary tract disease may also cause a similar problem. Have you checked his oral cavity for any ulceration or gingivitis? Cats commonly have poorly teeth and need routine scaling and polishing, and after a certain age, extractions or endodontics. Stimulant laxatives are effective for simple constipation but repeated use may interfere with colon function. Several products are available that are made for cats, including Kat-alax and Laxatone. The latter is especially effective for cats with hairballs.

You should be looking for any nasal or ocular discharge, oral ulceration or dental condition, unusual defecation and urination patterns, or any palpable pain or abnormality, etc.

Dear Dr KD,

We are travelling from Pune to Goa by car and have found a lovely resort that allows pets. What is the best way to make our dog’s first long car journey comfortable? Can give some tips.

Maithli Karve, Pune

Hi Maithli,

Since this will be your pet’s first long car journey, you should try and get him accustomed to short trips gradually. Begin by allowing your dog to wander around your car with the motor off. Then, start with short trips until he becomes familiar with car travel. You may buy some travel accessories like travel bowls, towels, toys, etc. It’s a good idea not to feed your pet six to eight hours before embarking on a road trip. Having an empty stomach will make him less likely to throw up, and if he does get sick, there’s no food in the vomit, so at least it’s easier to clean up. Giving your pet water, however, won’t upset his stomach and may make him more comfortable. Dogs become car sick just as humans can; in fact, they are more prone to it. Make sure you have adequate ventilation for him—car windows must be open throughout the journey, or he’s bound to get sick. Make frequent stops on the way to your destination and let your pet run around, take a drink, go to the toilet, etc. Never leave your dog in the car with the windows rolled up. Dogs are particularly susceptible to heat stroke.

Dear Dr KD,

Since one of our two dogs died, our 6-year old Labrador Retriever has stopped eating. We are concerned because he is otherwise the most gluttonous dog we have ever encountered. What do we do to bring him out of his depression?

Col Pandey, Dehradun

Hello Col.,

Symptoms that you may attribute to depression may also be symptoms of another illness, so it’s very important to have your pet evaluated by a veterinarian to rule out serious medical conditions.

If your Labrador is indeed depressed, there are treatments available to help perk him up. Medications administered to depressed dogs are often the same used to treat depression in humans. You can help by rewarding signs of happiness with praise and treats. Spend extra time with him to make up for the time he spent with the deceased. Getting a new pet to keep your Lab company will certainly relieve his depression.

Dear Dr KD,

I have a 1 ½-year old female French Bulldog, who is very attached to my husband and me. I’ve noticed in the past few months that if I go out of the house for a few minutes, or if my husband leaves for work in the morning, her reaction is to throw up. Why do you think she does this?

Rohini Ayer, Bengaluru

Hi Rohini,

Dogs are social animals that form strong bonds with people, so it is not surprising that they may feel somewhat anxious when left alone. Dogs with separation anxiety are distinguished by signs of distress when left alone and over-attachment when the owner is present. Over indulgence may promote separation distress in predisposed dogs. As your pet shows separation distress, try and make her more independent by discouraging her to follow you around the house and spend some time alone with her toys, treats, etc. Being somewhat less nurturing (but by no means neglectful) may help instill independence in your dog, thus, circumventing physical reactions like vomiting, etc.

Dear Dr KD,

I have a 16-year old Pomeranian. I think he may have the beginnings of dementia, but since he has been blind since puppyhood, and deaf half of his life, it is hard to know what signs of dementia to look for.

He has been having potty accidents in the house and has had a seizure, which started with a loud, continuous howling and lead to aimless wandering for a short while, as well as, disorientation. I took him to the vet, who did blood tests, which were pretty normal.

He has been somewhat stable since then, but has now started howling without cause. Based on this information, what is your opinion?



Arjun Khambatta, Mumbai

Hello Arjun,

The history and clinical presentation you have provided (16 years old, blind, hearing loss, toilet accidents, disorientation, aimless wandering, etc) indicate a common problem in old dogs called Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, or CCD, ie; dementia. Many CCD symptoms are shared with other serious ailments. For instance, decreased activity could be a sign of advanced arthritis; inattentiveness could be a result of acute hearing or vision loss; and incontinence could stem from a serious urinary infection or kidney disease.

You can help your dog cope by considering his needs when it comes to your home, its surroundings, and the environment it creates for your dog. By incorporating a little care, you may be able to increase your dog’s brain activity and halt negative advancement. In fact, latest studies have found that regular, moderate physical activity, mental stimulation with interactive toys, and a diet rich in antioxidants may help maintain an aging dog’s mental health. Try to keep your senior dog’s environment familiar and friendly, and try not to change, rearrange, or even refurbish furniture. Eliminate clutter to create wide pathways through your house, develop a routine feeding, watering, and walking schedule, keep commands short, simple, and compassionate and encourage gentle and involved, short play sessions.

Most importantly, keep your patience and compassion. Your dog’s world has changed, just like yours will when you’re aged. Every effort should be made to show him that you still love and respect him, despite his frailties.

Treating with dopamine and supportive therapy with free radical scavengers may be beneficial.

Dear Dr KD,

My 6-year old Dachshund lost her bottom front teeth shortly after having puppies. Now, my 9-year old Dachshund is loosing her teeth. They both had puppies in July 2010. They are also losing their hair. What can I do to help them?

Tashi Rana, Dharamshala

Hi Tashi,

Generally, pregnancy doesn’t interfere with dental disease but it may be very demanding of the body, and deplete calcium reserves if proper nutrition is not being provided. Dachshunds are also prone to endocrine disorders, which may result in skin problems and even dental disease. Your dogs may have a build up of plaque on their teeth. If that plaque reaches below the gum line, the bacteria it contains will secrete toxins. Those toxins inflame the surrounding gum tissue. This inflammation leads to tender gums and lessens the attachment of teeth to gums and bone. If left untreated, this form of dental disease can lead to tooth loss, jaw fractures and heart disease.

I would suggest hormonal profile and thorough dental check ups (ultrasonic scaling and polishing, along with required extractions or endodontics) for both dogs, in addition to routine blood work. Feeding a balanced diet and supplementing with extra calcium and multi vitamins will be beneficial.