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Q. I have two mixed breed cats, littermates, about 2-1/2 years old. They are big cats. After dieting successfully, they now look very trim, but not exactly thin. He measures 18 inches from the back of his neck to the base of his tail and weighs roughly 18-1/2 pounds. She is 16 inches and weighs 17 pounds. They are pretty tall, these two, but that is a hard measurement to get - they want to play with the take measure and won't hold still! They are playful and have a lot of energy. Is there a common measurement that that determines the optimum weight for a given feline?
A. For cats and dogs, veterinarians usually use a Body Condition Scoring system, which is based on visually assessing the pet from the side and from above. There is a good graphic of the scoring system online at http://www.uvhberkeley.com/index.asp?Page=bcs
You can use the chart to gauge whether your cats have lost enough weight, but the best indicator is that they are active and playful as you describe. For a large-boned cat, 17 or 18 pounds is not unusual.
Q. This may be more of a question for a plumber: Is there any possible harm in flushing kitty poop that has kitty litter stuck to it down the loo? I have never heard or seen anything about it, but it just seems to me that it could cause problems. I have a friend who does this. I haven't said anything, since I don't know if anything is wrong about doing it, but it worries me.
A. I highly recommend that you not flush regular litter down the toilet, even a small amount. I have heard of people having toilet problems from doing this. I've even heard of problems resulting from flushing the clumping "flushable" litter. It could be an expensive problem to repair.
Another reason to not flush litter, even flushable litter, is that municipal sewage treatment plants do not usually kill the T. Gondii parasite, which is carried in cat feces. Cat owners using flushable litters may be unwittingly contributing to the death of some forms of marine life.
Q. My daughter was riding her bike with our Chihuahua on her basket. Our dog suddenly jumped off and began to cry. She can walk, but limps a bit. Whenever her back leg is touched a certain way, she cries. Is it just sprained or could it be really broken from the fall?
A. It certainly sounds like your dog's leg may be broken. If you have not already found a veterinarian, the East Bay SPCA's full service clinic offers affordable services. An office visit costs $38. To schedule an appointment, call 510-569-1606 and press “5”. Please have your dog seen as soon as possible.
Q. My parakeet has a broken femur bone. The vet has suggested he perform an amputation. I do not my parakeet to suffer. Will he be in less pain if they do the operation? Right now, he just sleeps and eats.
A. If your veterinarian has recommended the amputation, I would strongly encourage you to have it done. Usually amputation is only recommended when the femur cannot be pinned or splinted. After the initial surgery, he will need pain medication, but birds do heal very quickly, and he will no doubt have a better quality of life than living with a broken leg. You will probably find he perks up after the sursgery.
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