Dear Dr. Forsythe: I saw your article about the doggie on the airplane and I thought you were too harsh and judgmental towards “no place for pets.” The fact is the little dog could have fleas, and fellow passengers can have head lice for that matter. Why don’t you stick to the facts more in your column and not be so hurtful? It seems to me like the person who wrote in was concerned about safety on the airplane and hygiene as well, and you hardly addressed those concerns at all. I think you really missed the point on this one, so I thought I would point this out.
Sincerely,
K.F., Sonoma
Dear K.F.: Thanks for your input. I agree I probably should have discussed the medical concerns “no place for pets” mentioned in her submission. However, I was so perplexed and befuddled by what I interpreted as cold-heartedness, I wasn’t able to be as empathetic as I should have been and could have done a better job reminding her about a fact regarding puppies: they tend to be cleaner than most people. The woman with all the concerns about germs from the puppy being passed around probably came into more contact if she used the airplane lavatory than if she had snuggled the puppy and kissed it on the lips! While it is true many puppies have endo and ecto parasites – such as fleas or roundworms, pets traveling on airplanes are required to have been examined within a week prior to boarding the flight and to posses a certificate from their veterinarian certifying they are healthy and parasite free. So given these “facts” I think she would do much better to worry about all the coughs and sneezes and potential H1N1 virus on the plane rather than a little fluff-muff puppy. I know I’m sending a mixed message, so let me clarify: I’m sorry if I was too harsh on Miss Grumpy pants, but I also think now I’ve shared the facts, I think she needs to lighten up about “pups on a plane” and understand how miniscule the risk is for infection. Personally speaking, I’m always just glad when the pilot is sober and my $25 bag gets there sometime around when I land.
Dr. F.
Dear Dr. Forsythe: My cat was just treated for a bladder infection again. This is the third time it has happened this year. Every time she gets an infection she uses the litter box more frequently and looks like she is straining a little. The antibiotics seem to work, but then it comes back. I was wondering if her long hair is a problem and if her messy back end could be adding to the problem? Also, is it bad to just use the same antibiotic every time?
Mrs. L., Sonoma
Dear Mrs. L.: It is not unusual for female cats to get recurring bladder infections. I do recommend when a pussy cat has more than one infection in a few months, getting a urine culture is smart: this way the doctor knows exactly which bacteria is causing the infection, and a proper and effective antibiotic can be used to eliminate the problem. The culture can often help tell us with reasonable likelihood how a kitty gets an infection as well. For instance, if a female cat’s urine culture comes back with >100,000 E. Coli bacteria in her urine, there is a good chance this is an “ascending” infection which came from her rectal area and the germs got in her vulva and crept up into her bladder. If she is not fastidious, you may be able to help prevent many recurrent infections by grooming her and clipping “dingle berries” which may dry and hang down around her private area. This way, there will be less soilage down in her feminine zone, and less chance of bacteria gaining access to her urethra and bladder. Without the laboratory culture, you and your veterinarian are only guessing which antibiotic will probably work and hoping the problem will not recur. I suggest a more thorough approach and a more solid answer to her delicate problem. Thanks for a good question.
Dr. F.
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