Dr. Matthew Cooper

Q: Can You Give a Dog Ibuprofen?

by Dr. Matthew Cooper (Subscribe to Dr. Matthew Cooper's posts): Nov 30th 2009 @ 9:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Ask A Vet

A: Ibuprofen is not labeled for animal use and should not be given to your dog or cat. Many people think it's safe to give an animal any medication that they take themselves, but this is not the case. Even if an animal is in pain, giving human pain medication to your pet can actually do more harm than good.

I've met many pet owners who have given their dogs Ibuprofen to relieve the pain of arthritis. However, large dosages of this pain reliever can be toxic to dogs.

It's very important to always discuss any concerns about your pet's health with your veterinarian instead of giving your pet drugs yourself. Administering drugs yourself, though probably well-intentioned, is never a good idea.

Q: Is it Dangerous for Dogs to Eat Apples?

by Dr. Matthew Cooper (Subscribe to Dr. Matthew Cooper's posts): Nov 2nd 2009 @ 5:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Health, Ask A Vet

radivari/Flickr

A: It is not dangerous for dogs to eat apples. In fact, I give my dogs an apple whenever I eat one and they love it.

Apple seeds, however, contain cyanide, which is toxic to dogs. But do not be alarmed if your dog ingests a few apple seeds or even an entire apple -- your animal would need to ingest a very large amount of seeds for it to be a danger.

In general, dogs can safely consume most fruit with the exception of grapes and raisins. Though the reasons are unknown, ingestion of grapes and raisins can cause renal damage in dogs. Note though that some dogs can eat all the grapes they want and see no negative effects while others get sick. Some reports have also shown the consumption of star fruit to be problematic for dogs. If your dogs eats any of these fruits, be sure to consult your vet to be safe.

Do you have a question for Dr. Cooper? Send it to pawnation@aol.com.

Q: Why is it Dangerous for Dogs to Eat Chocolate?

by Dr. Matthew Cooper (Subscribe to Dr. Matthew Cooper's posts): Oct 28th 2009 @ 3:30PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Health, Ask A Vet

WhilWheaton/Flickr

A: Many pet owners come to me with questions about dogs and chocolate. The topic is especially timely now, when Halloween candy is in so many homes across the US. During the holiday season in general vets see an increase in visits from owners whose dogs have ingested chocolate simply because there tends to be more of it lying around the house. The reason we see chocolate ingestion more in dog than cats is because dogs will often eat anything that smells good whereas cats are more picky.

Chocolate contains theobromine, an alkaloid of the cacao plant. Though the amount found in chocolate is safe for humans to ingest, theobromine is harmful to dogs because they metabolize this alkaloid more slowly than humans do. Not all chocolate contains the same amount of theobromine: milk chocolate contains less then semi-sweet chocolate, which contains less then baking chocolate.

A dog that has eaten chocolate may exhibit symptoms including (but not limited to) vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, tremors, seizures, racing heart rhythm progressing to abnormal rhythms and, in severe cases, death. Other problems associated with chocolate ingestion include the high fat content in some chocolate products, and pancreatitis, which can also be seen post-ingestion.

If you know or suspect that your dog has eaten a piece of chocolate, contact your veterinarian. If possible, make sure to describe the type of chocolate and amount consumed. Your veterinarian can perform a simple mathematical formula that will determine whether or not the amount your dog ingested is toxic and requires immediate veterinary care.

During the holiday season -- especially Halloween -- be sure to keep chocolate out of reach of your animals.

Why Are My Dog's Ears Smelly?

by Dr. Matthew Cooper (Subscribe to Dr. Matthew Cooper's posts): Sep 14th 2009 @ 9:00AM Filed Under: Ask A Vet

"Man, what stinks?" Photo: dwired/Flickr

When a dog's ears are smelly, it is usually an indicator that they have a bacterial or fungal infection. Certain breeds, due to the anatomy of their ears, are also more prone to ear infections.

Many people ask me about home remedies to cure smelly ears, but the best mode of prevention is having an owner routinely clean the dog's ears. You can purchase an ear cleaning solution from your veterinarian and ask them to show you the proper way to clean the dog's ears.

I always show owners how to clean a dog's ear properly so that they don't run the risk of causing injury to their dog. Owners should never put a Q-tip in the dogs ear because when a dog shakes its head, it's easy to a push too deep. Simple cotton balls work the best.

If your dog has odorous ears or appears to have pain in the ears, have your veterinarian examine your animal.

Do you have a question for Dr. Cooper? Send it to pawnation@aol.com.

Q: Can I Help My Dog Feel Less Anxious During Thunderstorms?

by Dr. Matthew Cooper (Subscribe to Dr. Matthew Cooper's posts): Aug 17th 2009 @ 8:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Ask A Vet

"It's raining cats and dogs... and I don't like it!" Photo: eschultz/Flickr

A: Many dogs are extremely fearful of storms, but no one really knows why. Some dogs can even sense the weather before humans do. My dog Shayna always freaks out right before it's about to thunder or lightening.

To help your pet remain calm, start by making sure that anything your dog can chew, rip, bite or tear is out of reach. I've seen some animals tear furniture -- and sometimes entire rooms -- apart when their owners have left them alone during a storm.

Many owners place their dogs on anti-anxiety medication prescribed by a veterinarian. Never give your dog human medication, like Xanax, for example.

If your dog's anxiety during thunderstorms is a cause for concern, be sure to consult your veterinarian.

Do you have a question for Dr. Cooper? Send it to pawnation@aol.com.

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