Dear Dr. Forsythe: My sister insists that her miniature dachshund, Lola, can tell the difference between a Democrat and a Republican. She insists that her little dog, who evidently supports Barack Obama, barks incessantly at any and all Republicans, and that she can “sniff them out.” She says her normally calm and sweet pet will become aggressive towards Republicans and even try to bite. At first I laughed when she told me this, but then I realized my sister seemed to be serious. I’m not sure whether to call Mario Lopez of “Pet Star” or call a therapist.
Sister of a bleeding heart
Dear Sister: Even this one is a stretch for me. My first reaction is to assume that your sister has already boarded the 6:20 Starlight express to crazy town. But before you reserve that padded room for her at Bellevue, I’d ask her for more of an explanation about this interesting political situation. I’d also like to know why she seems keen on turning her low-to-the-ground companion into a political pundit? It seems to me like you may have to intervene, and recommend that she keep the wiener dog out of the political arena, at least until after Nov. 4. Good luck and thanks for an interesting question.
Dr. F.
Dear Dr. Forsythe: My cat recently swallowed a needle and thread and had surgery to get it out. When I got him home, I was surprised that there were no stitches in his skin along his tummy, despite the fact that my kitty had undergone a major surgery. Do they just use glue nowadays to put the poor kitty back together?
Mrs. G who wants my money’s worth
Dear money’s worth: No, dear lady, they don’t just use “glue” pets back together. Abdominal surgery is completed by closing the pet up in several layers. First the “rectus abdominus,” or the muscle/fascia layer, is closed with suture identical to that which is used on humans. This is the important “holding layer” that keeps the body wall closed and keeps all of the pet’s “innards” inside. The next layer the doctor closes is the fatty, subcutaneous layer, which is made up of connective tissue. After this, some veterinarians place what is called a “sub-cuticular” layer, which goes right under the skin in a back and forth pattern. This running suture closure sort of “zips” together the skin and makes it look like there was barely an incision made in the first place. It leaves behind very minimal scarring and heals very quickly. Sometimes, we use a tiny amount of sterile surgical glue (similar to Krazy Glue) along this incision, and it can be difficult to even tell that surgery was done! The old “skin” stitches you’re probably thinking of are still common, but aren’t used every time. So you may feel “short-stitched” on your surgery, but my bet is that your vet was just trying to impress you.
Dr. F.
Dear Dr. Forsythe: My brother keeps feeding our Lab scraps from the table. I’ve told him to stop, that he’s going to make her sick, but he calls her “old iron stomach” and just laughs in my face. I’m starting to worry that she’s getting fat, and one day she may get a really upset stomach or even start throwing up after he feeds her the wrong thing. How can I get him to stop? Last night he gave her a rib and she looked like she was going to choke on it.
Little Sis
Dear Little Sis: When I get this type of question from a smart sister with an irritating brother, I have to ask myself, what would the kids on the Brady Bunch have done? You’re probably too young to even remember that show, so clearly we need a different plan for your pet. You need to let your brother know that by feeding the family dog ribs, he is acting stupidly and old “iron stomach” could get pancreatitis or something even worse. Ask your brother point blank if he would feel guilty if your pet got really sick or even died from his scrap feeding. Also ask him who would pay for the treatment if she got sick? Make sure to include your parents in this very “Brady” family conference, for I have a feeling your bonehead brother will need some encouragement from them as well. Good luck convincing him to take better care of the family pet, and please let me know how things turn out.
Dr. F.
