Q
My 7-month old kitten is hungry all the time. I feed her the highest quality raw diet but she meows every time I go into the kitchen. She is very healthy otherwise but I'm wondering if she could have worms? I tried using a natural wormer (in her food) but she hates the taste. Is there an easier way to administer the medicine?

A
The first thing to do is take a stool sample to your veterinarian to determine if your cat has worms. Cats don't get many different kinds of worms; we're really only talking about roundworms and tapeworms. Tapeworms will not readily show up in a fecal exam and are usually only diagnosed by seeing segments of the worm around the rectum or on the stool. There are a number of natural wormers on the market (liquids may be better for cats). If these don't work, you can have your cat wormed professionally by your veterinarian. I've never really seen any adverse side effects to the conventional wormers. Keep in mind, the problem may not be worms. Kittens love to eat and tend to do everything to excess.

Q
My nine-year-old Maltese has been diagnosed with Cushing's (pituitary). Her symptoms are mild at this time but include drinking excess water, a ravenous desire to eat, and some leg weakness (limited). I want to try an
herbal or homeopathic remedy first before trying drastic medications. What do you recommend and does it really work or should I move forward with medication?

Q
My dog Annabelle is five years old and we have had her for eight months. She has adjusted well. We have some anxiety issues being treated with "rescue drops". She has started filling up with mucus and sneezing all over the place when she gets agitated or sometimes just out of the blue. Prednisone stopped her chewing her legs raw and the sneezing for a while
but I don't want her on it again. That's when I started "rescue" and have tried a program of vomica, hepar and engystol. Again this stopped the itchy skin but not the sneezing. She plugs up so badly at times she breathes with her mouth open. She also throws up white frothy, slimy vomit whenever she gets excited.

Q
My two-and-a-half-year-old Weimaraner gets a grumbly stomach every morning, eats grass and sometimes throws up the grass and bile. Afterwards she is fine and eats everything in sight. Her blood work shows a high eosinophil level and my vet prescribed prednisone. I don't think a lifetime of anti-inflammatories is the answer. Can you think of anything to give her besides that?

Q
I just adopted two cats: Owen (DSH, five years old) and Nigel (DSH, one-and-a-half years old). They came as companion cats. When first in my home, they stayed together for comfort and safety. Now, however, Owen often growls and hisses at Nigel when the younger cat approaches. They used to sleep side-by-side, but Owen will no longer allow this; and if Owen is sitting next to me (which is very often, now), he will leave my side if Nigel comes up to him and nudges him. Nigel seems hurt and confused at Owen's rebuffs. Is there anything I can do to make this adaptation period more comfortable for Nigel?