Dear Dr. Forsythe: We got a notice on our door this morning saying my Chihuahua barks all day and all night long and the neighbors have complained. We’ve tried crating, bark collars and a trainer. Nothing seems to work. Now I need to find him a new owner before we’re evicted. What’s the best way to handle this problem? I want to do what would be best for the little dog.
Frustrated with Chihuahua
Dear Frustrated: I know it can be upsetting when faced with the choice between having to choose between a pet and keeping a roof over your head. These past few years have been difficult for many people financially and many people have lost pets for several reasons. Your dog sounds like an adorable little pint-sized peanut so it must be especially difficult. It sounds like you’ve tried to muffle the sounds of this mighty little motor mouth through a lot of effort already. I suggest you post a photo of the little dog in the lobby of the local veterinary offices with a note explaining that he is available for adoption. Chihuahuas are wildly popular. Plainly put, nobody can resist their little apple heads, their ski-slope noses, their bulgy eyes and their huge rotating sonar-like ears. They are affectionate and adorable and make delightful pets and winsome soul mates. I’m sure a new family will step forward once they see a photo of the little small fry posing for the camera in the lobby of the veterinary hospital. Whoever is lucky enough to adopt the little pooch would very likely be willing to grant you visiting rights so you can keep in touch with your little buddy as he gets older. Good luck during this difficult period of transition. I admire your willingness to do the best thing for your pet.
Dr. F.
Dear Dr. Forsythe: Why do doctors try and take samples of bumps every time you go into the vet for a check up? My dog “Wally” has a few harmless masses. I know they are fat masses and they do get bigger. Every time I take him in for anything they try and get another sample and insist on reminding me that the lumps should come off. I know this is a costly operation and I don’t see the need for it. Am I missing something?
Wally’s dad
Dear Wally’s dad: One of the first things they teach veterinarians during senior year of veterinary school is to stick a needle into any lump or bump on a dog. So I need to tell you in my opinion, your veterinarian – whoever he or she is – is doing a really good job by attempting to look at the status of Wally’s lumps when doing an exam. Masses can, and do, change over time. Every time a new client comes in and tells me “that’s a fatty tumor, my previous vet already checked it” or better yet “he didn’t check it, but he looked at it and he knows what it is” I cringe inwardly knowing that the only way to be sure is to sample the cells and look under the microscope. While it is true there are some masses that can be watched and monitored, it is also good to take a proactive approach and not be cavalier that every mass is benign. It is also important to remember a mass that is harmless can get so large it can also do damage and should be removed. Kudos to your vet for doing a thorough job!!
Dr. F.
Be First to Comment