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By Dr. Ellen Friedman

While we spend a lot of time thinking about health problems that pertain specifically to certain dog breeds, the so-called “fancy” cat doesn’t call a lot of attention to itself. There are fewer specialty breeds of cats, and mostly we think of the “domestic short hair” as the representative of the species.

Try telling that to a Siamese owner!

This exotic cat has its origins inThailand. The original name means “moon diamond,” and it is the most popular of the purebred cats. The Siamese has changed from its original appearance, and is now very often seen as slender, leggy and with a very fine, pointed muzzle.

The “points,” or color-marked areas, which include mask, legs and tail, have morphed from the original seal color to chocolate, lilac, flame and even tortoise patterns. These points have an interesting scientific basis — they result from a partial albino trait and relate to a heat-sensitive enzyme that produces pigment. The cooler parts of the skin grow darker hair, and the face is cool because of air flow through the nasal sinuses. The kittens are born white, and by four months or so, have begun showing their characteristic pattern.

The old-fashioned traits of the Siamese — the kinked tail and crossed eyes — have mostly been bred out by breeders, but the typical voice is common. Siamese are great talkers and have been described as the dogs of the cat world, for their sociable nature, insistence on being heard, and what has been described as “clinginess.”

Generally relatively long-lived, Siamese are resistant to the urinary-tract woes that plague many cats. There is some evidence that this breed is more prone to mammary tumors, another reason to be sure to spay early, before the first heat cycle.

One lovely story that comes down to us across the ages is the legend of how the Siamese got the characteristic kink in its tail. A cat that was the prize of an Egyptian princess would accompany his mistress to her bath. She entrusted him with her precious rings, slipping them over his tail for safekeeping. The proud cat, guarding his treasure, kinked his tail to be sure not to lose the jewels. The tail remained permanently kinked, and to this day we see the last vertebra at a marked angle, sign of the Siamese’s pride, loyalty and commitment to duty. A nice story about a lovely breed.

By Dr. Ellen Friedman

Yes, I’m a worrywart. But why wouldn’t I be? I’m a veterinarian, and I’m a pet owner. So I see pets who have inadvertently been put in harm’s way, and have been guilty of causing harm to my own pets.

So this week, let me make you stop and think. Perhaps you’ll worry a little, and your pet will be safe because of your worrying.

Pet safety and your vehicle

A few years ago, we saw a dog who jumped or fell out of the back of an open pickup truck and recovered from his injuries only after much medical care. That’s not uncommon; you may have heard of this happening, too.

But last week we saw a dog who was sitting safely in the back seat of his owner’s SUV. He leaned his paw on the armrest; the automatic window opener wasn’t locked. The window slid down, he jumped out and broke his leg.

That’s uncommon, but three or four years ago, our Victor opened the back window in the same way while we were driving. We closed it back up in time, but I never get in the car anymore without checking the window locks.

Cords and cats: not a safe mix

How cute is the new kitten batting the cord from the window shades? But how dangerous this simple play behavior can become. Cats can become entangled with potentially fatal results. It happened to my very old cat; now I tie all curtain cords up way out of reach, and then tuck them into the shade itself.

Be careful in the driveway

The driveway of your house. Your elderly pet. He doesn’t hear you returning home, or his ears hear but his brain can’t quite figure it out. Make sure your pets are well away from the car wheels; if you can’t tell, stop. Get out. Know where your dog is at all times, not just when you’re backing up.

Don’t let the cat into the bag

Shopping bag handles: An old cat can put his head through and not be able to figure out how to get his head back out. I cut all handles in half, or throw the bag out, just to be sure.

Your purse: Zip it up, lock it up

Your pocketbook: Do you have sugar-free gum? Some types contain a sweetener called xylitol that is very toxic to dogs. Zip your bag; put it up in the closet.

Keep all meds locked away

While we’re talking toxicity, your hall pantry: Do you keep any prescription drugs there, any Advil or other headache pills? Behind lock and key, please. Never at nose height.

And some cats, while cruising the kitchen counters, will pick up dog medications (if beef-flavored) and eat them. That’s a huge overdose of trouble waiting to happen.

Does all this sound too overprotective to you? Yes, it might be, but keeping your pets safe — and healthy — is what we’re about.

Dr. Ellen Friedman is in general practice, with an interest in geriatric feline medicine, at Newburgh Veterinary Hospital and All Creatures Veterinary Hospital in New Paltz.

By Dr. Ellen Friedman

Dear Dr. Friedman: When I take my pet to the vet for a medical problem, they always want to check a urine sample, even if my dog (or cat) is vomiting. Don’t you just check urine when there’s a urinary tract problem? — A Curious Pet Owner

Dear Curious: There is an amazing amount of information contained in a urinalysis. The concentration of the urine can tell us about hydration. If there’s glucose in the sample, we are concerned about diabetes. There is also a specific odor to diabetic urine.

Protein should not pass from the bloodstream through the kidneys and out in the urine. If we find a lot of protein in the sample, it can be an indicator of kidney disease and even certain types of cancer.

Blood, of course, is not an uncommon finding. This can be from infection, a cancerous tumor, inflammation, stress, excessive exercise and even sometimes in tick-related diseases.

Bile pigments can give a dark color to urine; this can be related to liver disease. There is a large range of microscopic crystals that can be found as well as tiny stones. This is an indicator of stones either in the urinary bladder or in the kidneys themselves.

White blood cells or pus can be found in this situation, too. Certain bad types of bacteria, such as E. coli, are indicative of severe infections, which can be dangerous.

So when your vet says that she needs a urine sample to complete what we call a “minimum data base,” be sure to follow her recommendations. The outcome: a healthy, happy pet.

By Dr. Ellen Friedman

If you have a pet, chances are the new year will be bright. Pet owners, you know who you are. You know what I mean when I remind you that the source of love and companionship in your house will never wane if you have a pet.

From the tiniest budgie to the enormous St. Bernard, your house will never feel empty when you walk in to see your friend. You are the luckiest person in the world. And, in your pet’s eyes, you’re certainly the best-looking.

Unconditional love — mutually

If you are like me, you bought a king-size bed so that the third dog would be comfy. Your neck is stiff in the morning becauseMarinareally, really likes to sleep on the pillow.

If you are like my husband, you say “Good morning, sweetheart” — and you mean puppy Victor.

You’re like my sister-in-law, who got a dog when all her kids were grown and she hated coming home to a quiet house on Friday night. It’s not quiet any more inBrooklyn, to her shrieks of, “No, no!” as puppy Farrell trashes the kitchen.

You’re Ms. Sicoli, who does everything humanly and medically possible to keep her dogs in good health.

Or, Ms. DiDomizio, whose pets fill her heart to bursting with love; or the DiVincenzos, who still bring us cookies every Christmas, even when their beloved pet is no longer with us.

Or, our nurse Fumi, who took the tiny kitten with the crushed foot home “just for a few weeks,” even though she and her housemate already have a jumble of cats.

Love in a small package

For all the kittens who knocked down the Christmas tree, for my sweet Italian collie who had never seen a Christmas tree until he got to my mother-in-law’s house and promptly lifted his leg in the living room. He was quite pleased with her hospitality in offering him bathroom facilities right in the house.

For all the gerbils and bunnies and g-pigs and ferrets and rats and chinchillas and parrots and lizards and all the underappreciated “alternative pets” — more love in a small packet than you can imagine.

From all of us in the veterinary profession, blessed with the ability to help, to heal; for how every day for 20 years when we get home after work, my husband, Dr. Dasaro, and I ask each other, “What good did you do today?”

From us to you, beloved and esteemed pet guardian and friend, Happy New Year to all.

By Dr. Ellen Friedman

Coccidiosis? What’s that? How do you even pronounce it? (CAHK-sid-i-osis).

This is an intestinal tract disease caused by a tiny, one-celled organism called coccidia. This parasite spends part of its life in cells that line the intestine.

How did my puppy get infected?

Immmature forms (oocysts) are passed in the stool of affected dogs. They are resistant to outdoor conditions and can wait quietly to be ingested by a sniffing dog. Once in the intestines, coccidia cause diarrhea, especially in puppies. Often the stool can be tinged with blood.

Under a microscope, these tiny invaders can be seen clearly. There are several treatments that are effective at killing the parasites. Sulfa drugs are usually the first choice — safe, effective, inexpensive (all the things we look for in a drug choice). Usually the first course of treatment is oral medication for 7-10 days. Often we re-treat in three weeks to be sure to kill off all the immature forms. Cleaning up the environment is important as well. Very dilute bleach solutions can be helpful.

Can humans be affected?

The most common coccidia strains do not have any effect on humans. Several less-common forms, such as cryptosporidia, are potentially infectious to humans and cats. Good hygiene and proper disposal of dog feces are important in minimizing risk of transmission of all parasites.

Note: Thanks to all who sent their good wishes for puppy Victor, who was the subject of last week’s column. He is doing very well at present and is proud of his Christmas collar.

It’s a humbling experience: The veterinarian’s dog needs a vet. It’s true that to understand another man, you have to walk a mile in his shoes.

Last week, my husband Dr. Dasaro and I took our dog Victor to a specialty hospital in New Jersey to see an endocrinologist veterinarian. We had concerns about his adrenal glands and needed to have an internist help us plot out a treatment plan.

Initial anxiety

I felt all the emotions my clients feel — fear, anxiety, uncertainty, mortification … would Dr. Crawford find something worse than we had found? Would Victor act inappropriately? Would he have an accident in the waiting room? What if the vet nurses didn’t like him? What if I didn’t understand what the specialist told me, or forgot what she wanted me to do for him?

Of course, the visit went better than I worried it might. The doctor was cordial and very helpful, tests gave heartening results, and Victor wagged his tail and wiggled his whole back end, and charmed the stethoscopes off the whole crew.

Specialty equipment, amenities

The radiologist was able to visualize Victor’s adrenal glands on ultrasound. We had already ultrasounded his abdomen at our hospital inNewburgh, but the more sensitive equipment gave subtle images that we needed. The doctor also gave Victor a cookie for wagging his tail during the entire procedure (while lying on his back).

The referral hospital was enormous (we have four exam rooms, I counted 19 there), but the staff was friendly and helpful.

The grounds around the building had convenient “rest stops” for dogs (which Victor found very interesting), and all the other “pet parents” in the waiting room were worried like us and wanting to share their stories.

For everyday veterinary care, your local doctor is great — he or she knows you and your pet, maybe several generations of pets — and you can find excellent help near home.

But sometimes, whether you need a neurologist for a spinal disk emergency, a dermatologist for a truly troubling skin lesion, or a dentist for root-canal procedures, it’s good to know the referral hospital is just a car ride away.

By Dr. Ellen Friedman

How do you introduce a new kitten to a household with cats who didn’t feel any real need for kittens?

Safety is a must

First off, safety is key. The kitten must be protected from himself. In a new environment, dangers lurk.

Keeping roaming space limited in the first weeks is critical; a small, safe bedroom or bathroom with space for food, water, litter (at a good distance from the first two), and a sleeping spot is a good start.

Kitten-proof from hanging curtain cords, chewable wires, small items that can be swallowed — look around the room carefully and imagine yourself a small, crazy kitten.

Don’t rush the introductions

Don’t introduce the new little guy immediately — let the other cats come to the realization that there is “new blood” in the house by sniffing at the bedroom door. Most adult cats are tolerant of kittens and will work out the relationship on their own. Some prudent supervision, with a water spray bottle in hand to discourage scuffles that get out of hand, will usually do the trick.

Don’t leave the new friend out in the general population until you are sure that the adults won’t bully the youngster at the food bowl or litter box. Cats that are fairly accepting of the status quo generally handle the introduction of a youngster very well.

Number of litter boxes crucial

Try to observe the n+1 rule of litter boxes: Have at least one more box than the total number of cats in the house: two cats, three boxes; four cats, five boxes; and so on. This alleviates bathroom stress.

Remember that kittens can play hard, and sometimes biting behavior can seem to get out of hand. Make sure any older cats have safe places to get out of the way at times of “kitten rampage.” Not intervening too much gives your cat family a chance to work out new relationships, especially as a kitten progresses to the teens.

If you have specific questions on kittens, email me at newbvet@yahoo.com. I will try to answer as many emails as I can. Thanks to Vicki Peters for the idea for this column — and her lovely dogs, too.

Dr. Ellen Friedman is in general practice at Newburgh Veterinary Hospital and All Creatures Veterinary Hospital in New Paltz.

My vet says my dog has “otitis externa.” What does this mean?

Otitis is Latin for inflammation of the ear. Ear infections and inflammations are very common in dogs. We used to think that floppy-eared dogs were more prone to this problem (cocker spaniels stand out in this group), but more current thinking links food and other allergies to “bad ears.”

Symptoms of otitis

Affected dogs commonly shake their heads, rub their faces on the rug or scratch their ears with their hind feet and cry. The ear becomes red and inflamed, may have a yeasty or foul odor, and a black (or other colored) discharge may be present. Sometimes, in a severe case, a head tilt may be seen.

Could it be ear mites?

Probably not. Ear mites (tiny parasitic insects) are almost always seen in puppies, not adult dogs.

Why aren’t ear medications one-type-cures-all?

We can see different types of bacteria, yeasts and fungus affecting ears. Without an examination of the ear, and usually a quick look under the microscope to see what kind of organism is living in the ear, we don’t know what medication we need to use.

Sometimes the eardrum is ruptured; then we need to use very specific drugs to preserve middle ear health and hearing.

Worst-case scenarios

Constant swelling and infection can close off the canal. Pain becomes severe, infections can spread to the middle ear, and sometimes we find ourselves in a situation where the only solution is surgery.

This procedure is called a lateral ear resection. It is a relatively drastic operation that can be a “last-ditch” effort to restore the ear to good health and function, and eliminate pain.

If diagnosed early and treated effectively, otitis can be cured, or at worst, managed. Often we have to look for an underlying cause. Your vet may suggest a course of low-allergy diet, antihistamines, oral antibiotics or steroids, and ear cleaners and medications.

Following recommendations will help arrive at a speedy resolution of your pooch’s sore ears.

Dr. Ellen Friedman is in general practice, with an interest in geriatric feline medicine, at Newburgh Veterinary Hospital and AllCreatures Veterinary Hospital in New Paltz.

Keeping the back end of your pooch comfy is important for him — and for you!

Anal sac problems are common and can cause tremendous pain for your animal companion. Popularly called anal glands, these are two small pouches located just outside the dog’s rectum at four and eight o’clock. These sacs are lined with specialized glands that produce a foul-smelling secretion. Each sac is connected to the outside by a small duct.

What is their function?

The secretion acts as a territorial marker, or “calling card.” Both males and females are equipped with these sacs, which empty during defecation.

What can go wrong with them?

Sometimes the substance in the sacs can become thickened, especially if bacteria get into the sacs, and cause an infection. An abscess can form and burst, letting pus drain to the outside. Pooch will be painful and anxious; fever and lethargy can result.

Many dogs will scoot their rear ends along the ground. Some will jump as if startled, and look over their shoulder at their back end. Redness and swelling are present at the site, along with a foul odor.

What to do?

Your veterinarian can empty (express) the sacs, sometimes requiring sedation to do so. Antibiotics can be instilled into the inflamed sacs, oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs can be prescribed, and hot compressing can be done at home. Sometimes special diets are helpful.

Sometimes surgery to remove the sacs is necessary. If your dog suffers from recurrent anal sac impaction and infection, be sure your veterinarian recommends a long-term plan of action.