Shampoo May Aid Cat’s Skin Itch

Q: I have a question concerning the skin on my cat’s back. He developed this problem about 3 months ago, and bathing him doesn’t seem to help. He always seems to be dirty on the area around his tail and on his tail. He constantly licks himself but doesn’t seem to get clean. He doesn’t have many fleas, and the rest of his coat looks OK. Are the fleas causing this problem? I use flea sprays to help get rid of them instead of bathing him a lot. Is there something else I should be using?

Pamela Winters, Orange

A: It seems like your cat may have a condition commonly called “stud tail,” which is really part of the seborrhea skin problem that we occasionally see in cats. This condition most commonly occurs in purebred intact males. The problem is with the gland on the top part of the tail near the pelvis. These glands produce a waxy or oily sebaceous material that darkens the coat and feels oily to the touch. It is not clear why this condition occurs, and treatment is not always successful. Cleaning the area or bathing the cat with a special medicated shampoo should help remove the buildup of the material, but you should have your cat checked by your veterinarian to make sure there is no infection or abscess.

Q: My veterinarian wants to give my 12-year-old schnauzer an anesthetic in order to remove several infected teeth. I am afraid because of her age that she might have some problems while under the anesthesia. Is there another way of pulling her teeth without putting her under? Is anesthesia safe at her age?

Mrs. Edward Morrow, Seal Beach

A: In order to properly remove infected or abscessed teeth and to make sure that the remaining gum tissue is healthy, a general anesthetic is used to relieve pain and allow your veterinarian the opportunity to examine and clean the teeth and mouth properly. In animals, as well as humans, anesthesia always carries a certain amount of risk, but with today’s gas anesthetics and excellent monitoring equipment, the risk is reduced to a minimum when used properly. A good evaluation is important, especially for a 12-year-old pet. The examination should be done to evaluate the lungs and heart, the capillary perfusion and the overall general health of your pet. A blood test or profile is always recommended before anesthesia in order to check the cell counts and evaluate liver and kidney function as well as the protein levels. If any cardiac or lung problems are suspected, an X-ray and ECG may be necessary.

Talk to your veterinarian about the type of anesthesia he/she is planning to use and about your pet’s overall evaluation.