Pet Care Info

Find answers to questions you or your pet have by keyword, condition and/or type of pet.

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'Dr. B, my Shih Tzu dog licks my hands and face a lot. Are my Shih Tzu dog's frequent dog licks normal? Dr. Barry Baum answers question in fun column from Ask Dr. B, Center-Sinai Animal Hospitals online site

Are my Shih Tzu’s frequent dog licks normal?

Dear Dr. Baum — Just wondering what is the reason my Shih Tzu sometimes licks my legs and hands. And if I pick him up he licks my face. Is this OK? Are my Shih Tzu’s frequent dog licks normal? Marquetta, Houston,TX Dear Marquetta: He likes you! Or he likes your salty taste! Dr. B

Are over the counter medicines OK for pets?

Dear Dr. Baum — I have a kitty that sneezes, coughs, vomits and has one infected eye. The sneezing started when I found him, his coughing had just occurred yesterday and vomiting followed after his cough this morning. His right eye was infected when I found him, my sister told me to use Terramycin to […]

Ask Dr. B-Both Legs on my Leopard Gecko were broken!

Dear Dr. Baum — When I got up this morning, both legs on my leopard gecko were broken! What could have caused this, and what can I do? I see his legs are dragging. I just don’t know what could have caused him to break both his legs at the same time. He was just […]

Ask Dr. B – Gecko lady is shedding skin, has broken limbs!

Dear Dr. Baum — Dr. B, my gecko lady is shedding skin, has broken limbs! Last night, and this morning when I woke up, I saw that there was skin wrapped tightly around both of her back legs. When I peeled the skin off and observed the gecko she was walking with only her front […]

In this Ask Dr. B column, Dr. Baum points to article what are the right foods for pets, and discusses types and frequencies for shots for pets, both dogs and cats.

BARF-Is raw food diet OK for dogs? What are the right dog vaccinations for California?

Dear Dr. Baum — Have just recently relocated to CA from TX and am in search of a vet for my Airedale Terrier. I was just curious as to what your philosophy/stance is on the issues of raw feeding/BARF diet, and vaccinations. Thanks, ShannonPlaya del Rey, CA Dear Shannon: About your question on BARF, is […]

What’s the Best Age to Neuter or Spay Puppies or Kittens?

Dear Dr. Baum — We just had a litter of six puppies at our house. How old should they be when we get them neutered and spayed? Thanks! Harriet, Chicago, IL Dear Harriet — The same rule applies when considering what’s the best age to neuter or spay puppies or kittens — both dogs and […]

Bird plucking feathers out, and pecking himself so badly he injures himself! Our Avian expert answers question on self-mutilating bird behavior.

Why is my bird plucking feathers out, and pecking at himself so badly he causes severe injuries? And what can I do about it?

TIFFANY MARGOLIN, DVM, DIPL ABVP AVIAN, NAET CERT, DISCUSSES WHY A BIRD PLUCKING FEATHERS OUT AND SELF-MUTILATING CAN BE A SERIOUS ISSUE, PROVIDES INFORMATION ON CAUSES AND TREATMENTS When we see a bird plucking feathers out and self-mutilating, we are seeing two of the most frustrating conditions for an avian veterinarian, the owner and the […]

Birds-singing-moulting-fluffing and other health care tips

BY ANALISE SPIRA, our Emeritus veterinarian with special interest in avian care, and decades of experience Canaries are members of the finch family, and exist in both wild and domestic breeds. Singing: Like other birds who sing, canaries do so during mating season, which is spring. In southern California and other areas where spring temperatures […]

In Ask Dr. B column, Dr. Baum discusses reasons and treatment for cat gum disease, in answer to plea from cat owner, Help! My cat has green gums!

Dr. Baum, what is the right blood test timing for dog dental work?

Dear Dr. Baum — I know we need blood tests before taking our dogs in for teeth cleaning, and we had bloodwork done during a recent exam. How long do we have before the blood tests are not good for the dental work? Anna, Kansas City, KS Dear Anna — Blood test timing for dog […]

My cat has matted fur. What should I do about it?

Irish mouser jumps ship. Do I need to worry? The lumps of matted fur seem to be bothering him lately Dear Dr. Baum — I adopted a cat that was left ashore about two years ago. I reckon he was one of those cats they have on the ships for the rats maybe, I don’t […]