Harts Run Veterinary Hospital
728 Dorseyville Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 963-8889
| FAX: (412) 963-6799 |
| Office Hours M-T-Th-F 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM Wednesday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM |
| FAQs |
Can I determine if my pet is sick because his nose is wet or dry?
There isn't a clear cut answer for this question. A dog's (or cat's) nose may be very wet and
cool one moment then be warmer and not-so-moist the next. All in the course of a day.
However, prolonged dry, cracked nose, particularly with loss of pigmentation, scabs or
open sores should definitely be examined by your veterinarian. An ill animal will often have
a warm, dry nose, and there are a host of dermatological (skin) problems that can be seen
in this area.
One other note of caution: dogs, cats, horses, and other species are prone to sunburn (also
known as "solar dermatitis") and subsequent skin cancer on noses, ear tips, and around
eyes. Light coated, pink-nosed animals are at greatest risk. Check with your veterinarian
about providing sun protection for your pet if they are in this category of risk.
cool one moment then be warmer and not-so-moist the next. All in the course of a day.
However, prolonged dry, cracked nose, particularly with loss of pigmentation, scabs or
open sores should definitely be examined by your veterinarian. An ill animal will often have
a warm, dry nose, and there are a host of dermatological (skin) problems that can be seen
in this area.
One other note of caution: dogs, cats, horses, and other species are prone to sunburn (also
known as "solar dermatitis") and subsequent skin cancer on noses, ear tips, and around
eyes. Light coated, pink-nosed animals are at greatest risk. Check with your veterinarian
about providing sun protection for your pet if they are in this category of risk.
My pet is scooting around on his butt. Does he have worms?
Scooting is most commonly caused by anal sac inflammation or infection. Anal sacs are
located on either side of the anus. They contain a very smelly, oily substance that is
normally expressed (squeezed out) when the animal defecates. Sometimes the secretions
can thicken or the animal gains weight and they don't get expressed properly. This can lead
to impaction and ultimately infection. The condition can be irritating, itchy and extremely
painful at various stages. A trip to the vet is warranted for examination and expression of
these sacs.
located on either side of the anus. They contain a very smelly, oily substance that is
normally expressed (squeezed out) when the animal defecates. Sometimes the secretions
can thicken or the animal gains weight and they don't get expressed properly. This can lead
to impaction and ultimately infection. The condition can be irritating, itchy and extremely
painful at various stages. A trip to the vet is warranted for examination and expression of
these sacs.
My pet is eating grass. Is that bad?
There are various conjectures and theories on the subject of grass-eating.
Eating grass seems to be a normal behavior for pets, despite what other things we think
that their diet should consist of. There have been numerous studies that have tried to find
a connection with grass eating and illness, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, or lack of
roughage in the diet. Unfortunately, none have produced any tangible connection to any
particular problem.
Eating grass seems to be a normal behavior for pets, despite what other things we think
that their diet should consist of. There have been numerous studies that have tried to find
a connection with grass eating and illness, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, or lack of
roughage in the diet. Unfortunately, none have produced any tangible connection to any
particular problem.
Coprophagia, or poop-eating, is very common, and young puppies do this a lot. They will
often outgrow it in a matter of weeks. Sometimes dogs do it for nutrients they are lacking in
their diets, but if you are feeding a good quality dog food, this is unlikely.
Most of the time it is just because it smells tasty to them. You can try putting tabasco sauce
on the piles, but honestly, if you are right there, the best solution is just to pick it up right
away.
often outgrow it in a matter of weeks. Sometimes dogs do it for nutrients they are lacking in
their diets, but if you are feeding a good quality dog food, this is unlikely.
Most of the time it is just because it smells tasty to them. You can try putting tabasco sauce
on the piles, but honestly, if you are right there, the best solution is just to pick it up right
away.
Why does my dog eat poop?
I'm having difficulty motivating my cat to exercise. What can I do?
Play "catch with kibble" during mealtime. Flick one kibble at a time down a hallway for
the cat to pounce onto. Incorporate environmental enrichment and new toys to
encourage playful activity.
the cat to pounce onto. Incorporate environmental enrichment and new toys to
encourage playful activity.
What's a "hot spot"?
A hot spot is a localized area of skin inflammation and infection. The infection can be
superficial or deep. Other common names for this condition include: moist dermatitis,
and acute moist dermatitis
superficial or deep. Other common names for this condition include: moist dermatitis,
and acute moist dermatitis
| All office calls are seen by appointment only. |