Ask the Vet
Q
&A
Q: Good morning, Dr Travis. Is it normal for cats to lick bricks (building blocks)? Recently, I noticed that our 13-year-old female, sterilised cat, licks bricks and building blocks. What does it mean, and is it something to be concerned about?
often shows pain when trying to urinate. In more severe cases, the prostate may also become inflamed or infected, and abscesses may form in the gland. The condition can be diagnosed with radiographs or ultrasound, and if it is confirmed, then castration is the treatment of choice.
A: In cats that lick bricks, or eat their litter, there is always a worry that they may be anaemic (have a reduced number of red blood cells in the body). Most of the time, anaemia can be obvious as the patient’s gums appear white, rather than pink, but in some cases, a red blood cell count is needed to diagnose the condition. Then, further testing would be needed to identify the cause of the anaemia. There are many causes of anaemia in cats, from viral infections to parasites that break red blood cells down. Some of these causes require prompt treatment or may be transmissible to other cats. For this reason, I would recommend that you take your cat into your local vet for a check-up
Q: Dear Dr Travis, I’m looking for advice on how to keep my 13-year-old Golden Retriever healthy. We’ve had him at the vet a few times in the last two years for bladder infections. He struggles urinating sometimes, and the vet gives him medication, but is there something we can do to help with his overall health to prevent this from happening?
With an ageing large breed dog, we can also expect some degeneration of the hips and vertebrae. The degeneration of the vertebrae generally causes the individual vertebrae to start fusing together, particularly towards the tail-end of the spine. These joint and spine issues can affect urination, not only because movements, such as squatting or lifting a leg, become more difficult, but because there can also be impingement on the nerves that control the bladder. Once again, these conditions require radiographs to diagnose, and I would consider having them done if you notice your dog seems stiff when rising or doesn’t enjoy exercise as much anymore. If your dog is showing any sign of joint degeneration, then you will have to manage his weight, if he is over conditioned. Body weight does have a large impact on overall joint health. In older large breed dogs, there are diets formulated to help maintain joint health. They contain nutrients to maintain cartilage, and high levels of omega fatty acids to help reduce inflammation.
A: If a dog is unable to urinate properly, this causes urine to pool in the bladder and this can lead to irritation and an increased risk of infection. Difficulty urinating in older male dogs can generally come from two different places: the prostate or the spine.
Q: Hi Dr Travis, my dog was at the vet last week and the vet says he has a subluxating patella. Could you please help me understand what this is and how serious it is? I’m not sure what the cause could be and would like to avoid it as much as I can.
In your question, you don’t mention whether your Golden Retriever is castrated or not. Intact male dogs are at an increased risk of developing an enlarged prostate gland in their older years; a condition called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Because the prostate sits at the beginning of the urethra, enlargement of the gland can impede urine flow, making it more difficult to urinate. Owners may also note blood or a foul smell in the urine, and the patient
A: Luxating patella is a condition where the kneecap of the patient is able to slide in and out of place. It’s a fairly common issue that we tend to see in smaller breed dogs, and it has been proven to be heritable in some toy breeds. The condition is generally diagnosed based on physical examination but can be seen on radiographs if they were taken while the patella is out of place. Once a luxating patella has been diagnosed, the veterinarian will
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MARCH 2022 | PETPRINTS
