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| Questions & Answers |
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A: When I look at her I see tremendous fear and lack of trust. She is overwhelmed and confused. You need to help her build her trust and consider how terrifying everything is for her. To have hands coming at her is frightening.
Address her diet first. If she isn't eating a good quality wet food, transition her to one. Kibble isn't enough to satisfy the all of her physical and emotional needs that are met through food. The transition requires slowly introducing the wet food while slowly phasing out the dry. If you go to fast you can create stomach upset resulting in diarrea.
I would suggest a few things - work with flower essences to help her build her trust - Mimulus addresses fear and rock rose helps create courage. You can find these at the health food store and they are called "Bach Flower Essences". The best way to give them is orally but since she already has a trust issue and lots of fear, let's not stress her out any more. You can add 5 drops of each to her food (preferably wet food) or to her water if she drinks regularly from her water bowl.
Next work with psychic pictures. Every day spend some time 'project' to her the images of her interacting with you, being petted by you, being comfortable with you. What you are doing is speaking with her through imagery. Also speak with her calmingly and reassuringly.
Hopefully she will not need to go back to the vet anytime soon but if she does or when she does - use the psychic pictures to prepare her showing her being safe, explaining why she needs to go and what to expect when she gets there.
And above all us, find a place of compassion and understanding for her behavior. She is afraid.
I hope this helps.
Christine Agro
Date: Jan 14 2009
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A: So glad your friend's cat was spayed. It's very important for her health. If she's the only cat, it may be she's affected by the single cat syndrome. She needs the right companion to work out her high energy. Why not adopt a very playful, healthy kitten or young cat that is very cat-oriented--prefers cats to people--to keep her company. This will give your friend's cat an around the clock buddy, and she won't treat people as "her cats". You can refer to The Wilbourn Way of Introduction in my book THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING AND CARING FOR YOUR CAT. I do agree that her difficult start has added to her insecurity and fear. Good luck, and you can also refer to my site thecattherapist.com for more information.
Date: Jan 14 2009
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A: Not being able to see or hear Harlow I can't tell you. Reverse sneezing can sound like a cough or a sneeze. If it's regular sneezing it could be environmental. As I said, take Harlow to the vet to rule anything else out. If it's reverse sneezing you have several natural ways to try to help Harlow.
Christine Agro
Date: Jan 08 2009
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A: I would first take him to the vet to make sure he is physically well. A sudden onset of growling and grumpiness and guarding often sets in when a dog isn't feeling well. They feel the need to protect themselves because they are feeling vulnerable.
If you rule out physical illness, I would look at his diet. Emotional problems and aggression can be connected to a diet that isn't providing everything the body needs. If he is just getting kibbles, be sure you are giving him a high quality one - they cost more, but in the long run will save you money because your dogs health is better supported. Flint River pops in as I'm writing, but there are many high quality dog foods on the market now. Also consider adding in meat. Dogs need their basic needs satisfied before they feel safe and confident (which your dog is not - the moving, the experience with your friend, your own stress over money problems all lend to your dog feeling unstable) - I get that red meat would be good for your dog so you can get ground beef and lightly cook it and add it to his diet. If he starts to gain weight, cut back on the kibble.
You can also work with Flower Essences - health food stores carry Bach Flower brand - pick up Mimulus, it helps with fear, and give him 5 drops orally 3 x a day.
I hope this helps.
Christine Agro
Date: Jan 08 2009
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A: It sounds like this is what is untechnically known as 'reverse sneezing' it can sound like a cough or a sneeze and it is a complication for smaller dogs. Stress contributes to condition - over exherstion and for some reason it happens at waking in some cases.
Bordetella generally presents with a cough that is coarse and dry and sounds like something is caught in the throat or there is a need to clear the throat.
For Reverse Sneezing all you can do is provide calming signals like yawning, and one thing I was told to do by our vet with one of our dogs who had this was to cup her nose so she was forced to breath through her mouth. This stopped the attack, but in retrospect I'm sure Pebbles found that equally upsetting. You can gently massage the neck. If you have lavender or chamomile essential oil you could open the bottle and place under the nose and let her inhale - if she turns her head, she's not interested so don't push it. Dogs have a greater scent sensitivty and some don't like essential oils, otheres love them. You could also brew a cup of chamomile tea and let her have a tsp full. If she has reverse sneezing, this is actually a good prevenative - it's consider GRAS (generally regarded as safe) and as a preventative 3 or 4 tsps a day would be fine.
If it's bordetella - this requires a trip to the vet.
If your not sure, you may want to check in with your vet and get anything other than reverse sneezing ruled out. And then you can use the above suggestions to support your little one.
I hope this helps.
Christine Agro
Date: Jan 08 2009
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A: Hi Puglover
Prolonged or laying in the litter box is usually a sign that something is wrong physically and gerenally with passing stool or urine. Is she going to the bathroom ok? In other words, have you noticed both stool and urine in her box? Is she going frequently? Is she drinking more?
If she is still doing this I would have a vet check her out.
I hope this helps.
Christine Agro
Date: Jan 08 2009
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A: Teething tends to happen between the 3rd and 6th months. Symptoms include more biting and chewing, could include difficulty eating or swallowing (requires a trip to the vet), or loss of appetitie.
It's a great time to get Tina used to brushing her teeth since the brushing will make her feel better. You can use a baby homeopthic teething gel available at health food stores - rub on her gums as needed. Also you should get one or several teething toys for her. If she bites or chews, swap out the item of focus with the teething toy.
Tina may also undergo a personalty change while teething, but she should get back to her true personalty after teething.
She may find Aggie's ears lovely to chew on right now, so be watchful and remember to help Aggie out if need be.
I also read that cats who are teething can enjoy chewing on something made of wool - like a stuffed wool toy.
I hope this helps.
Blessings,
Christine
Date: Dec 10 2008
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A: How exciting! and welcome Tina!
When Tina approaches Aggie she is in control of the approach and Aggie doesn't care. When Aggie approaches Tina she is feeling as though Aggie is an aggresor and needs to protect her space.
The best thing to do is to let them work it out. The more you try to stop them and/or separate them the longer it will take for them to get comfortable with each other. But be sure to keep an eye on them and if things are looking dangerous, then be sure to step in.
It may help to tell Tina that she is fortunate to have a home and remind her that Aggie was there first. And also tell Aggie that you appreciate her patience and let her know that she is free to stand up for herself. But when I look at Aggie, she is a gentle being and will put up with a lot.
If things don't get better (it doesn't sound like they are bad - but if Tina continues to have a problem) you can use Feliway plug in or spray. It is a feline phermone that can help cats feel more relaxed.
I believe that Tina will eventually come to trust and love Aggie, but it will take some time for her to get comfortable with Aggie.
I hope this helps.
Blessings,
Christine Agro
Date: Dec 02 2008
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A: I would definitely take her to the vet as soon as possible - especially
if you think that she may have ingested onions. Onions are toxic to
dogs and can cause a type of hemolytic anemia. Regardless, something is
upsetting her intestinal system to cause the bilious vomiting. A
veterinarian will be best able to determine the cause and begin the
necessary treatment.
Brent Hinton
CEO PetFirst Healthcare
www.petfirst.com
Date: Nov 11 2008
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A: Hi,
First, you don't need to know what is wrong with your dog before you take her to the vet. That's why the vet is there, to help find the cause of behavioral and physical changes.
Onions, consumed in large quantities can be poisonous to dogs causing something called Hemolytic Anemia.
There is debate about what is considered large quantities: 1 cup and a quarter of an onion have been noted in some articles. That being said, size of the dog is also relevant and since your dog is small what is considered a large amount is not clear.
I would suggest calling or taking her to the vet. Be sure to tell the vet that she ate some onion. If you have an idea of how much be sure to let your vet know.
You can also call the ASPCA's poison control line at (888) 426-4435 to see what they advise. A $60 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card. Have age, size, weight, breed and what you think your dog got into at hand for the call.
But if she is lethargic, has labored breathing, or fast breathing, pale gums, is weak or collapses you should take her to emergency ASAP.
In general, when dogs get an upset stomach they will often vomit. The yellow fluid is bile. If your dog is alert and active, vomits and goes back to normal behavior, this can usually be managed at home. But if your dog is displaying signs noted above, fever or other unusual behavior, you should consult your vet.
I hope this helps.
Christine Agro
Date: Nov 09 2008
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A: Hi,
I am sorry to hear of Dixie's passing. Death can be looked at in two ways - as a contraction, focusing only on the loss and as an expantion focusing on the love and friendship we have experienced and also the fact that when Spirit leaves a body it expands to its fullest ablitiy.
Dixie doesn't want you to feel badly about remembering her. She loves/loved you deeply and was so happy to be in your life. It is understandable that you are sad, but you do have a choice of how you view Dixie's passing.
After someone we love dies we go through a grieving process which includes a number of stages. You will go through these, but know that at the end of it you will find a place to remember Dixie with love and joy and your room where she spent so much time will be a place where you can connect with her and remember her in your life.
Again I am sorry to hear of Dixie's passing.
Blessings,
Christine Agro
Date: Nov 04 2008
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A: It can be scary to find a lump on your dog or cat. However, one of the many reasons for daily grooming sessions (even if very brief) are that you can get a good idea of what is normal for your pet and find this sort of thing asap. Many little lumps are llipomas or fat deposits under the skin. They generally are of small concern. However, a needle biopsy is often recommended to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
If a lipoma, it may not need to be fully removed unless the doctor feels it is in a spot that may be uncomfortable for your pet.
lt could also be a sebaceous cyst (or plugged oil gland). And of course, it could be something more serious. So, yes, I would suggest a visit to the vet asap to get it checked out.
Woofs!
Andrea Arden, CPDT
www.AndreaArden.com
Date: Nov 03 2008
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A: Caprophagy is actually much more common than pet owners care to admit!
There are a few theories as to why dogs ingest feces. They range from
poor diet to boredom to "it just plain tastes good". Regardless of the
reason, there are a few ways to combat this issue.
1) Your veterinarian can prescribe an additive for your dog's food.
This may also be found in pet stores.
2) Change your pet's diet if it is not a high quality food.
3) Remove the stool from the yard immediately.
4) Sprinkle a very undesireable substance onto the stool, such as
Tabasco sauce or cayenne pepper.
Unfortunately, this may be a difficult habit to break, but persistence
can pay off. If all else fails, this is typically a puppy behavior
which they should grow out of eventually.
Brent Hinton
CEO PetFirst Healthcare
www.petfirst.com
Date: Oct 30 2008
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A: When a small dog swallows a penny you need to be sure that it comes out because if it doesn't it can release zinc into the body which can be toxic. Generally if it isn't out within 2 days the dog should go to the vet.
If you are certain about the penny and don't know if it came out, this would be an emergency visit to the vet. Constipation/loss of appetitie are generally signs that there is a problem.
I know you care about Dixie, you need to have a place where you can take her if you are truly concerned about her well being.
I hope this helps.
Christine Agro
ps...do you know how many times you've said in your questions "I think she is dying"? It's a heavy energy to place on her and in this space. Please consider how you direct your energy.
Date: Oct 29 2008
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A: Hi,
You can try Hylands Homeopathic Teething Gel. Homeopathy works on a like-cures-like principle. This formula includes remedies to releive pain as well as address sleeplessness that ocurrs with teething. The formula is for children, but works well on puppies. Homeopathy has no side effects, if your system doesn't need it or can't use it, it has no effect.
I hope this helps.
Christine Agro
Date: Oct 28 2008
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 Questions & Answers |
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| Meet the experts: |
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Christie Shaver, is a licensed pet nutrition expert and is the founder of The Healthy Pet Gourmet visit her at www.thpg.com
Below is the story of Christie’s journey in becoming a successful pet healer:
When my dog, Goldie, became ill at 11, I knew that if I didn’t act quickly, my vet planned to euthanize him. He was very sick, but I couldn’t let him go. I knew it wasn’t his time. For the next 4 days I wouldn’t leave his side – I massaged and hugged him, kissed ...
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Andrea Arden has written five books including Dog Friendly Dog Training (IDG, 2000), Train Your Dog the Lazy Way (Macmillan, 1999), and The Little Book of Dog Tricks (IDG, 2002).
She has also been the behavior columnist for Dog Fancy and The New York Dog magazines as well as a contributing writer for the AKC Gazette, and numerous other publications.
Andrea was the on air trainer for The Pet Department, FX’s Emmy award winning daily show and has appeared ...
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Christine works with all animals. Her role is to act as a voice and advocate for your animal and provide support and guidance for you. Christine combines her clairvoyance and her natural healing background to address all aspects of your animal’s health, wellness and Spiritual needs. She offers insight into diet/nutrition, health, wellness, emotional support, behavioral needs and Spiritual growth.
Christine is the pioneer of the Conscious Animal Connection and during readings, she ...
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Brent Hinton
PetFirst Healthcare
Co-Founder and CEO
Brent Hinton's mission as co-founder and chief executive officer of
PetFirst Healthcare is to help pet owners have access to the healthcare
their pets need by simplifying the pet insurance process.
For 17 years, Hinton served as an executive for various non-profit
organizations. He also is an expert in animal adoption and welfare,
having served as director of the Kentucky Humane Society for eight
years.
Hinton's ...
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A cat therapist forever, Carole Wilbourn is The Cat Therapist. She’s published 6 books on cat psychotherapy and logged more than 100,000 miles making house calls to patients throughout the world. She’s been hailed as “the founding mother of cat psychology”, she co-founded The Cat Practice, the first veterinary hospital in New York City exclusively devoted to cat care in 1973.
Over the years, Carole has consulted with veterinarians to devise treatment programs for cats with psychological ...
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Born in Buenos Aires, Jorge Bendersky became interested in the sport of dog breeding and showing at a very early age. Growing up on his family's hacienda in Argentina, he inherited the tradition of caring for the animals on the ranch. Jorge also learned to manage all the myriad aspects of ranch life including its facilities and employees. Later in life, he took on the duty of managing his family's boutique hotels across Argentina. His experience with the family business gives Jorge the ability ...
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After a successful career as a Speech and Language Pathologist, Marcello Forte followed his dream to help New York City's homeless animals. For the past seven years as Executive Director of Animal Haven, Marcello has played a significant part in helping solve the city's pet overpopulation problem.
Marcello's vision has taken Animal Haven from a small Queens-based shelter to an organization that includes a upstate sanctuary, mobile adoption program and innovative adoption center ...
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After pursuing a career in the equine industry, Rachel Farris joined the PetRelocation.com team in early 2006. PetRelocation.com is one of the most experienced, respected & technologically-advanced pet relocation companies in the world, specializing in door-to-door domestic and international pet relocations worldwide. Farris has coordinated hundreds of relocations for pets big and small – gerbils from Zurich to New York, fourteen horses from California to Honduras, and one very large collection ...
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