Seattle, WA. These reader questions were answered by veterinary specialists attending the 25th Forum of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, June 6 through 9 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center, Seattle. Over 3,700 veterinary professionals from 30 countries attended the conference where specialists in internal medicine, oncology, neurology and cardiology presented the latest cutting edge research. Learn more about veterinary specialty medicine and the conference at www.acvim.org.

            Q: My 13-year old cat has a gross hairball problem. I’ve taken her to the vet and he thinks it’s possibly an ulcer. I would take her for tests to find out more but we’ve been down this road many times before on other issues, and the results are always inconclusive with more testing required. Do you have any thoughts? K. H., Dunedin, FL

            A: “Your veterinarian can suggest a hairball medication and a hairball diet and see if that works,” suggests internal medicine specialist Dr. Stephanie Lipton of Austin, TX. “Of course, brush your cat more often as well.”

            If that doesn’t help, you may need to pursue the next step. Presumably your vet didn’t just guess that it’s an ulcer and has a reason for his suggestion. I’m not sure what previous issues your cat was tested for which proved to be inconclusive, and whether or not those others issues could be related to what’s going on today. Lipton says, depending on what those other issues were, perhaps a visit to an internal medicine specialist to figure it all out wouldn’t be a bad idea.

            Q: Stimpy is my 13-year old can who has problems with his bowels. He was taken to the veterinarian who gave the cat an enema and instructions to give Stimpy a t-spoon of lactulose daily. This has helped some, but he’s still not 100 per cent. So, I took him to another vet who took him off the lactulose. He seems to be forcing to move his bowels, and it seems to be making him sick. What can you suggest?  D. N., Rawdon, Quebec, Canada

            A: “Lactulose, a stool softener, actually makes sense based on your description, which sounds like constipation is at least a part of the problem,” according to internal medicine specialist Dr. Saundra Willis of Seattle, WA. “

            Willis cautions that any number of explanations may be responsible for Stimpy’s bowel problems, but one possibility is called megacolon (a condition of extreme dilation and poor motility of the colon). No matter what your kitty has, a diagnosis seems essential to once and for all resolve whatever is going on. A referral to an internal medicine specialist may be suggested.

            Q: My Australian cattle dog will be 17 in July. I’ve been told that they usually don’t live this long. I’ve observed her walking one sided, kind of like a bear. Is this a result of old age? Could it be she had a stroke?  At what point do you believe I should consider putting her down?  T. W., Tacoma, WA

            A: Once it was thought that dogs rarely get strokes, but veterinary neurologist Dr. Michael Harrington of Tacoma, WA says it turns out they do get them more often than previously thought. Still, strokes are seen far less often in dogs than in people. If your dog woke up one morning walking “one sided,” a stroke would be a serious possibility. But this sounds like it’s gradually happened over a course of time, which leads Harrington to suggest the side walking may be caused by specific spinal cord or nerve issue, perhaps osteoarthritis or perhaps most likely just a general weakness not uncommon in elderly dogs.  If there was a stroke-like event, or there’s a spinal cord issue, seeing a veterinary neurologist may be suggested. If arthritis is playing a role, a pain reliever can be prescribed. If it’s general weakness due to old age, I wish I could suggest a manufacturer of walkers for dogs. However, so far, none exist.  Consider asking your vet about physical therapy or an underwater treadmill to build strength. Sadly, the reality is that 17 is indeed quite an advanced age for a cattle dog.

            As for when to put your dog down, the answer is, your dog will tell you. Some clues may be that your dog is beginning to have more bad days than good days. Another indicator could be that you’re no longer able to relieve any chronic pain he may be in, or simply that he doesn’t seem to enjoy life. Watch carefully – as I said, your dog will let you know.

            Q: In May, I had the heartbreaking loss of our cat due to kidney failure. On a Thursday after receiving their shots for distemper and rabies, our four year old threw up.

We went back to the vet who diagnosed kidney failure. Within days, he died. My wife and I are heartbroken by the loss of our baby. I had heard about a relationship between vaccines and kidney failure.  Can you give me your thoughts on this? R. S., Rochester, NY

            A: I am so very sorry for you loss. While there has been some suggestion that there could be a relationship between vaccines and acute kidney failure. However, internal medicine specialist Dr. Jody Lulich, professor at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine – St. Paul, says that while anything is possible, data, so far, doesn’t demonstrate a solid link between vaccines and acute kidney failure.

            Since the pet food recall was still going on when your cat became ill, I can’t help but wonder if tainted food is at least a possibility.

            I don’t quite understand your question about the vaccines. Did your cat receive a thorough exam before having the vaccines? If so, it would seems odd that your cat could overnight have an onset of acute kidney failure.  Or, your veterinarian didn’t conduct that really good exam, and your cat was already suffering from undetected kidney disease before given the vaccines, the stress of the vet visit may have accelerated the illness.

© Tribune Media Services, Steve Dale