Questions for the Vet

• Re: Questions for the Vet

  Posted by TJBee at April 27. 2009

  

  My dog is getting older and he recently started getting what I understand to be 'cauliflower' warts.

  Not exactly life threatening but still sensitive when brushing him.  I tried cleaning with a mild perozide solution and they did go away for a while, but have since returned.   Is there anything that can be done for these little irritations?

   

  • Re: Questions for the Vet

    Posted by docmike at April 29. 2009

    

    Previously TJBee wrote:

    My dog is getting older and he recently started getting what I understand to be 'cauliflower' warts.

    Not exactly life threatening but still sensitive when brushing him.  I tried cleaning with a mild perozide solution and they did go away for a while, but have since returned.   Is there anything that can be done for these little irritations?

     

    TJBee

    You are probably describing a fungal infection from below the surface of the skin. Often these result from trauma of the area and introduction of the fungus from its normal environments of soil or vegetation (thorns, grass awns, splinters, etc).

    Clinical management may include surgical removal (very early in the process) or surgical amputation of the area (very drastic and not very asthetically pleasing).

    Medical treatment options include ketaconazole (not very effective) and itraconazole (rather expensive).

    It's unlikely that peroxide would have any effect so if it helped in your dog's case, this may not be "cauliflower warts". I might suggest a biospy to confirm or refute the diagnosis. The fungal organisms should be easily identified in a biopsy sample under the microscope.

    Fortunately, this condition is fairly uncommon.

    Good luck. Hope that helps.

    8)

    docmike

     

• Re: Questions for the Vet

  Posted by Schauz at May 27. 2009

  

  Hi Dr Mike

  My wife and I have been married for about 10 years now.  We have an 8 year old daughter and I'm lobbying for our first dog.

  I was raised in a family which always had dogs but my wife wasn't.

  To make the situation even touchier she was bitten pretty badly as a child and that still leaves her uneasy and fearful being around most dogs.

  My daughter has been very vocal about adopting a dog recently.

  I miss having a pet and I've been making some progress with my wife on the subject but we're not there yet.

  Can you offer some advice about the type (not necessarily the breed) of dog we might consider.  Is younger better?  Is size or sex of the dog a consideration?  

  Our daughter is gentle with friend's pets and her exposure to those animals has made my wife a little more receptive.

  I understand my wife's fear but know how much joy a pet can bring to a family.  I have the advantage of working from home so I'm available 24/7 to watch, train and care for a new pet.  Summer seems like the best time of year to bring a new pet home too. 

  I'd like to make sure I make this first pet a smart choice so any advice would be great

  Jack

  • Re: Questions for the Vet

    Posted by docmike at June 16. 2009

    

    Previously Schauz wrote:

    Hi Dr Mike

    My wife and I have been married for about 10 years now.  We have an 8 year old daughter and I'm lobbying for our first dog.

    I was raised in a family which always had dogs but my wife wasn't.

    To make the situation even touchier she was bitten pretty badly as a child and that still leaves her uneasy and fearful being around most dogs.

    My daughter has been very vocal about adopting a dog recently.

    I miss having a pet and I've been making some progress with my wife on the subject but we're not there yet.

    Can you offer some advice about the type (not necessarily the breed) of dog we might consider.  Is younger better?  Is size or sex of the dog a consideration?  

    Our daughter is gentle with friend's pets and her exposure to those animals has made my wife a little more receptive.

    I understand my wife's fear but know how much joy a pet can bring to a family.  I have the advantage of working from home so I'm available 24/7 to watch, train and care for a new pet.  Summer seems like the best time of year to bring a new pet home too. 

    I'd like to make sure I make this first pet a smart choice so any advice would be great

    Jack

    Hi Jack

    8 years old is a great age for a pet. She is old enough to understand that this is a living thing and must be treated with love and respect. Old enough to help take care of the pet. Old enough to really enjoy a pet. Kids with pets generally grow up happier, better adjusted, more flexible, healthier, and have fewer allergies than kids who have no pets.

    A dog would be a good choice. Cats are also good for kids.

    In the dog column, gender makes little difference as long as he is neutered or she is spayed at about 6 months of age. Supposedly, girls are smarter than boys, but I don't know if I agree with that.

    Size sort of depends on how much room you have and how much time you have for exercise. A Great Dane living in an apartment is going to be a difficult situation. A Lab in a house where nobody is available to throw the tennis ball for hours at a time is going to make for an unhappy dog. A good city housedog would be in the up to 30 or 40 pound range. If you have more room, perhaps a dog up to 60 or 70 pounds would be OK. Dogs under 10 pounds CAN be . . . . mmmmmmm . . . .  high maintenence (but not always).

    Best age is an arguable point. Everyone enjoys a new puppy . . . .BUT . . . they can be a lot of work and you never really know what their adult personality is going to be until they are mature. With an adult dog you can readily see the personality of the finished product . . . BUT . . . you miss out on all the "puppy stuff" and you will have the pet for a shorter time.

    My best recommendation is for a "free to a good home" puppy from a friend, animal shelter, or rescue league. EVERYONE needs to help pick out the puppy. Somewhere there is just the right puppy that will walk right over to mom, give her a smile and a lick and win her heart. It would be GREAT if you could also see and interact with the puppy's mother so you could gauge her personality and affection for people. If she likes and trusts and enjoys people she will teach her pups to do the same.

    And remember . . . a dog grows up according to the training it is given as a puppy. If the pup grows up with a firm but loving hand, confidence, happiness and assurance it will be a joy for the entire family.

    Good luck!!

• Re: Questions for the Vet

  Posted by Schauz at June 18. 2009

  

  Thanks for the advice!

  My daughter's birthday is coming early August and I'm going to lobby my wife.

  The tip on allergies will come in handy.

  The wife has allergy problems and we wouldn't want our child to develop those

  I'm really flexible about the choice.

  We'll definitely check the shelters and hopefully my wife will fall for a stray.

  Thanks again