Q: My dog is well trained and housebroken, but she recently had three accidents in 24 hours. We think she may be scared of our neighbor’s German Shepherd, who barks at her. What should I do?

–Jenna Falsetta, Detroit, Michigan

A: The first thing to do is consult your veterinarian and rule out anything physical going on with your dog. Anytime an animal has a change in behavior that is out of their regular habit, it could be an indication something is bothering them. Your dog may have a urinary-tract infection that could be causing her to have accidents in a short period of time. Your vet will analyze the urine and can treat her with antibiotics, usually with great success. Also, female dogs can have hormonal problems that can cause changes in their behavior as well, especially if another dog is involved. My best advice is scheduling an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out any physical problems. If everything looks good, then slowly introducing your dog to the neighbor’s dog will be beneficial.
- Dr. Leah Garlan, Silverdale Wellness Center, Silverdale, Pennsylvania

A: First, make sure there is no medical problem behind a sudden change in behavior. Sometimes urinary problems can cause accidents in housetrained dogs. Once medical causes have been cleared, try to minimize the scary incidents. Ask [your neighbor] to interrupt his dog’s behavior when he is barking at yours. When you are out with your dog, and the Shepherd is within sight, try to create positive associations for your dog. Play fun games with her, ask her for easy behaviors, such as “sit” and “watch me,” that you can reward with praise and tasty treats. This will keep your dog focused on you and busy, so she will pay less attention to the barking. If you leave your dog inside your house, cover the noise by leaving the radio or TV on. Confine your dog to an area that would be easy to clean, and don’t allow her to have free run of the house until you are sure she is not having any more accidents.
-Linda Janowitz, DVM, chief of staff & Maria Eguren, behavior/training manager at Peninsula Humane Society, San Mateo, California

A: Set up an appointment with your vet. It’s possible your dog has a urinary-tract infection, which is often indicated by unexpected accidents. If that yields no results, you may be dealing with something behavior related. Has she had anxiety issues related to other dogs in the past? Has she ever submissively urinated in the presence of other dogs? Try introducing the dogs on neutral territory, so your dog can see that the German Shepherd is just saying hello. If the Shepherd doesn’t seem friendly, you might want to speak to your neighbor about monitoring his dog and his behavior. Also begin socializing your dog more, so new situations will not be as scary to her. Lastly, if she is urinating in the same spot repeatedly, make sure you are thoroughly cleaning the area with an appropriate enzymatic cleaner. She could be drawn back to that spot because the smell of her prior accidents is still there.
-Aurora Piacentino, shelter manager at Liberty Humane Society, Jersey City, New Jersey

Q: I have a 13-year-old female Chow Chow who has arthritis in her hind legs. I currently have her on Rimadyl, which helps with the inflammation; however, she has no strength in her hind legs, and when she walks on a slippery surface she falls down and can’t get back up without help. Is there anything else I can do for her to help her out?

–Cindy Cravens, Indianapolis, Indiana

A: This is a very common condition and one that can be treated quite successfully. There are several things you can do to help improve her quality of life and also the function of her hind legs. Chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, and cold laser therapy are your best alternative-care options. All three can be applied gently to the older dog, and I have seen great improvement in many cases. My clients report more energy, a desire to walk up steps again, and better movement. I would also lay down throw rugs to help with her traction on the slippery surface. Just as we lose strength in our muscles, so do our pets. I would also recommend consulting with your veterinarian about a joint supplement for your dog. I use Ligaplex from Standard Process on my 11-year-old dog, and it works great.
- Dr. Leah Garlan, Silverdale Wellness Center, Silverdale, Pennsylvania

A: Ask your vet about trying a chondroprotective agent such as glucosamine in conjunction with the Rimadyl. These are thought to help protect joints from destructive enzymes and increase production of lubricating joint fluid. Keeping your pet’s weight down will also help by relieving stress on the affected joints. If your dog seems in pain, your veterinarian may want to change meds to see if another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent would be more effective. It may also be beneficial to build strength in your dog’s hind limbs through physical therapy. Lastly, you may want to look into buying some rubber matting to put in the areas where your pet is having the most trouble with slipping. This would give your pet more traction and help to prevent falls.
-Linda Janowitz, DVM, chief of staff & Maria Eguren, behavior/training manager at Peninsula Humane Society, San Mateo, California


A: For a larger dog, something as simple as getting in and out of her bed can make a world of difference. Slightly raised beds make sleeping a more restful experience and take pressure off of painful joints. Also ensure that your dog is not overweight because it places unnecessary strain and pressure on already weakened joints. There are prescription diets available specifically for dogs suffering from arthritis that you can purchase at your local vet. As a supplement to a healthy diet, glucosamine, and chondroitin, in addition to other vitamins and minerals, can improve joint health. Many [guardians] mistakenly phase out exercise with older dogs. Try some light walking with the aid of a specialized harness that lets you support the lower half of your dog’s body. This provides exercise but lessens the load the weakened joints have to support.
-Aurora Piacentino, shelter manager at Liberty Humane Society, Jersey City, New Jersey

Q: My cat has been diagnosed with asthma. What do I do if she has an attack?

–Lily Pereiges, Gilroy, California

A: Try to eliminate anything that may trigger an attack. Common triggers are dust, smoke, and some candles. Also, because asthma is a hypersensitivity reaction, have your cat’s food evaluated. I have seen both people and animal symptoms improve by evaluating their diet. Depending on the severity of your cat’s condition, your vet may have prescribed steroids or a bronchodilator. The best thing to do is consult with your vet on a plan in the event of an attack. Because the severity of symptoms differ in each case, they can advise you on the best option for your cat. Keep a list of your vet’s phone number, cell phone, and an emergency hospital handy. It is best to have a plan prior to an attack so you can make the best decision for your pet.
- Dr. Leah Garlan, Silverdale Wellness Center, Silverdale, Pennsylvania

A: Talk to your vet. Cats with asthma are often put on preventative anti-inflammatory medication or meds that dilate the airways. Avoid smoke and aerosol perfumes or cleaning agents, and use a brand of kitty litter that has a low amount of dust. Installing a high-efficiency particulate air-filter unit may help. Watch for coughing or wheezing, and call your vet if signs seem to be getting worse. Often an attack can be averted by a change in the type or dose of your cat’s preventative medications. In the event of a severe asthma attack, don’t panic. If it’s a hot day, get your cat to a cool location, as increases in temperature can increase oxygen demands. Keep you vet’s number and an emergency clinic’s number on hand.
-Linda Janowitz, DVM, chief of staff & Maria Eguren, behavior/training manager at Peninsula Humane Society, San Mateo, California

A: Discuss with your vet a plan of action for you and your kitty to prevent an attack. There are several treatment options involving a number of medications, some inhaled, others injected or taken orally. Figure out what may be triggering your cat’s attacks. These steps will go a long way in preventing an attack. Your vet may be willing to provide you with a prescription for a bronchodilator, which allows the cat to breathe more freely during an attack or some sort of steroid-based medication, which reduces tissue inflammation for at-home use. For an acute asthma attack, however—one where your cat begins gasping, coughing, wheezing, and becomes visibly ill—bring her to the vet immediately, as it is a serious situation.
-Aurora Piacentino, shelter manager at Liberty Humane Society, Jersey City, New Jersey

* The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Tails Pet Magazine Group, Inc. Please consult your veterinarian before making any major decisions for your pet.