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Behavior Problems Following Hospitalization

A dog or cat who has been admitted to a veterinary hospital may experience conflict with other house pets when it returns home. The scent of other pets, people, medications, disinfectants, and perhaps even the traces of anesthetic may cling to his or her coat for days. Even the brief and temporary absence of one pet can disrupt the established social order of the remaining pets, triggering dominance conflicts between house mates when the pet is reintroduced.

House-soiling is fairly common following a return from hospitalization or boarding. A dog or cat may urinate or defecate in an inappropriate place to reclaim its territory and to relieve anxiety. The pet may void simply out of excitement to be home or because bowel and bladder control may be affected by illness or medication. Do not scold your pet for inappropriate elimination, particularly when it has just returned home. Quickly disinfect and deodorize the soiled area and discourage access to the location. Prepare a clean litter box for your cat’s return and take your dog for more frequent walks to allow additional opportunities to void outside.

As a general guideline, the longer your pet has been away, the more gradual the reintroduction back into your home.  Isolate the recuperating pet during the first few days so that s/he can adjust more gradually and without the additional stress of antagonistic house mates. Make your pet comfortable and spend extra time in some agreeable and gentle form of interaction, such as petting. Many owners have feelings of guilt and anxiety when a hospitalized pet returns home and tend to “spoil” the animal with extra food or special treats. Dogs and cats quickly learn that their chances of a food reward are high if they scratch at the food pantry or vocalize for your attention. Be aware of how your pet can learn to manipulate you. avoid reinforcement of undesirable behaviors.

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Did You Know?

If you won't quit smoking for yourself, do it for your PETS! It's been proven for some time now that spouses and children of smokers have increased health problems from second-hand smoke. Now we also know it effects smokers' pets. At Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton, Massachusetts, cats who lived with a smoker had double the risk of malignant lymphoma. Cats with prolonged exposure to in-home smoking had a four-fold risk of contracting lymphoma. Most of the cats' cancers were in the nasal or gastrointestinal tract, which fits inhalation as the source, or the possibility that cats swallow smoke particles lodged in their fur when they groom themselves. There's no reason to think dogs would be any less impacted.  [References: 1) Bertone ER, Snyder LA, Moore AS. Environmental tobacco smoke and risk of malignant lymphoma in pet cats. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2002;156:268-273. 2) Raloff J. Cigarette smoke can harm kitty, too. Science News. 2002;162:125.]

Feral and free-roaming cats pose a serious threat to endangered species nationwide. Cats are not native to North America and wildlife has never evolved to cope with the millions of cats around the country that prey upon them. In Florida alone, there are 15 million cats that roam. A recent study by the U. of Florida, commissioned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, stated that cats impact native wildlife in three primary ways: predation, competition, and diseases such as rabies. In Florida, endangered species that are seriously impacted by hunting cats include Key Largo cotton mouse, Key Largo woodrat, Lower Florida Keys marsh rabbit, Choctawhatchee beach mouse, Perdido Key beach mouse, green sea turtle, roseate tern, least tern and the Florida scrub jay. In California and Hawaii, the Hawaiian goose, California brown pelican and blunt nosed leopard lizard are in additional peril because of cats. All forms of life have a right to be here. We must protect those who cannot protect themselves. Think of what your outdoor cat is doing to the wildlife in your area. Please keep your cat indoors.

  In January 2003, European leaders agreed to ban cosmetics testing on animals and the marketing of animal-tested cosmetic products in the European Union. Cosmetics companies will have until 2009 to develop alternatives for testing products such as shampoos, lotions, and deodorants, in addition to mascara and eye shadow! Apparently, US companies think this is merely an 'emotional issue', however, for all the right reasons, we think the ban is long overdue.

  The AVMA does NOT advise the transport of dogs, either loose or tethered, in the open cargo of pickup trucks.  Dogs should either travel in the safety and company of their owners in the cabin, or in a secure, ventilated, and size-appropriate kennel.

  The AVMA has a new position on letting pet cats go outside. Cat owners in urban and suburban areas are strongly encouraged to keep their pets confined indoors.  The life expectancy of an outdoor cat is just 2 to 5 years compared to indoor pets who may live as long as 17 years or more.  Dr. Cookie^®'s sweet friend Sara died peacefully at home at the age of 22 yrs on October 4, 2001.  Doesn't your friend deserve a happy ending?      

  The Nylabone^® company has recently decided to pull its Plaque Attacker^TM (including Gumma-Bone^TM) line of polymer plastic dog bones from the shelves. This was in response to an alarming number of cases, including several fatalities, in which dogs were reported to have swallowed chunks of broken bones. A class action suit is pending. Although bones made of polyurethane are recommended by many veterinarians as well as the ASPCA, Dr. Cookie^® suggests that natural rawhide, in size and shape appropriate to your dog's size and chewing style, should be preferred. At least they are biodegradable! Stay away from the big knotted bones if your doggy tends to bite off the ends. Rawhide strips, sticks, and rolled batons are generally safe under your supervision. Dr. Cookie^® always says: "A busy mouth is a happy mouth". Dogs have to chew. Give your dog a rawhide or risk finding him or her chewing on your remote control or computer cables!  [Source: king5.com, Seattle News 11/22/01]                            

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Last modified on
Monday, January 08, 2007