Serving Our Community

Sue DeBruyne, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology

DID YOU KNOW?

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs estimates that around eight million adults in the United States experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a given year. Women experience PTSD at a much greater rate than men. Estimates from the USDVA indicate that 10 percent of women and 4 percent of men are affected by PTSD. Instances of PTSD are similarly prevalent in Canada, where the Canadian Psychological Association estimates that around 8 percent of Canadians who experience a traumatic event develop PTSD. Though no one is immune to PTSD, rates of the disorder among combat veterans are significantly higher than the rates among the general population. USDVA reports that one study of 1,938 veterans found that the prevalence rate among Gulf War veterans was around 14 percent, while an older study from the American Psychological Association found that about 30 percent of Vietnam War veterans had PTSD in their lifetime.

PAW’S CORNER

By Sam Mazzotta

Positive Reinforcement

Will Nip Cat’s Negative Behaviors

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My cat Huey will let me pet him for a few seconds, and then he’ll nip at my ngers or knuckles. Am I doing something wrong? How can I get him to stop that behavior? --

Sarah W., Boston

DEAR SARAH: Nipping at your hand while being petted is a very common cat behavior (or misbehavior, depending on which end of the bite you’re on). It stems from instinctive behaviors that a cat learns from the time they’re born through adulthood.

Ideally, the best time to curb biting behavior is when they’re kittens, but not everyone has that luxury -- people who’ve adopted adult cats, for example, or owners who thought a kitten nipping their knuckles was cute, until that kitten turned into a full-grown, biting cat.

As you’ve probably noticed, yelling, “No” at a cat doesn’t always get the desired e ect. Instead, gently discourage this behavior. Pet your cat as usual, but as soon as he begins to bite, withdraw your hand and turn your body partly or totally away from him. You want to communicate that biting means he won’t get your attention any longer.

Another option, before settling in front of the television with Huey snuggled up next to you, is to smear a tiny bit of peanut butter or another favorite treat across your knuckles. Let him lick your knuckles periodically while you pet him. e instant he tries to bite, take your hand away. Essentially, you want Huey to not see your hand as a toy or an attention-getter. It will take a few tries, but most cats pick up on your intentions a er a while, so be patient and consistent with this training.

Does your cat bite? How did you solve it? Tell us at ask@pawscorner. com.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

DID YOU KNOW? The American Heartworm Society advises dog owners to have their furry companions tested for heartworm annually. Such tests can typically be conducted during routine preventive care visits to the veterinarian.The AHS notes that such tests are necessary even for dogs that are taking year-round heartworm prevention medications. Tests can confirm that such programs are working or indicate if they are not effective. The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that antigen tests are the most commonly performed tests. These tests detect the presence of adult female heartworms and they are typically highly accurate. If a test is positive, veterinarians may recommend further testing, including radiographs, a blood profile and an echocardiogram. Such tests can determine a number of things about the infection, including its severity. The AVMA also notes that the additional testing can help determine the best course of treatment. Cat owners should know that it’s more difficult to detect heartworm in cats than in dogs. The AHS indicates that cats are much less likely than dogs to have adult heartworms, making the disease harder to detect in felines.Veterinarians may recommend cats receive both the antigen test and an antibody test, which detects exposure to heartworm larvae. The AVMA notes that more testing may increase the likelihood of detecting the disease in cats.