Question: Chunks, our five-year-old male tabby, loves cardboard boxes and sometimes likes to bite them into pieces. Should I try harder to prevent this?
Answer: I also have a kitty, Pebbles, who loves to pluck at cardboard boxes and paper bags. Certainly adorable to watch and safe, as along as Chunks doesn’t swallow the little pieces and the cardboard isn’t treated with any chemicals. If you are worried, you can always try to find something else Chunks can nibble on like crunchy treats, rawhides or other chews that take some time to break apart and savor.
Question: My 1-year-old English bulldog’s tail is indented into her skin. I have read on the Internet that the only way to fix it is to amputate her tail? Are there any other options that don’t require anesthesia?
Answer: Unfortunately this is a common occurrence in English bulldogs, Pugs and French bulldogs. Their short corkscrew tails can be folded into their tail pockets, which are deep folds of skin adjacent to their tails. Moisture, dirt and other sources of bacteria can be trapped within and cause the skin to become irritated and infected.
Antibiotics can be prescribed to help with the skin infection along with wipes and washes to help keep that tail fold clean and dry. If the curvature of the tail is severe enough and the skin around it excessive, surgery may be the only intervention.
Please send your questions to Dr. Marina Shepelev at OwegoPawPrints@gmail.com, or visit www.emvets.com.
Dr. Marina Shepelev is an associate veterinarian practicing medicine at the Endless Mountain Owego Vet Center. She welcomes weekly questions concerning your furry friends.
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