Owner Wonders Why Cat Doesn’t Purr It On Thick

QDo all cats purr? We have three cats at home, and the one female rarely purrs at all, while the other two cats purr loudly with any attention. Could there be something wrong with her that might make it difficult for her to purr?

Andy Baldwin,

Orange

A The mechanism that causes purring in cats is still not well-understood, and the reasons for purring seem to be quite varied. Most cats will purr as a sign of contentment or pleasure, especially when petted or in anticipation of being fed. I have seen cats, however, purr when in pain or fear, apparently in an effort to calm themselves.

Cats have individual responses to stimuli, and the fact that one does not purr very often does not mean there is a problem. Some cats purr so softly that it can be felt rather than heard. Unless your cat shows some signs of a respiratory problem or difficulty swallowing, I wouldn’t worry. You might mention this to your veterinarian on your pet’s next visit and have him or her check the throat and neck for any possible abnormalities.

QI have a 7-year-old miniature poodle that has had a bad ear infection for the past year. Every 3 months, I have to take her to the vet to have her ears flushed and to get antibiotics and ointment. The infection always recurs after she runs out of medicine. Is it harmful for her to continue using antibiotics for a long period of time, and is there anything else that can stop the infection? My vet says it is very common in floppy-eared dogs.

Cindy Villalobos,

Rowland Heights

A Chronic ear infections are often very difficult to treat and clear up in dogs unless aggressive treatment is used. It is true that dogs with thick floppy ears often have more ear problems than those with erect ears, although that may be because minor problems go unnoticed by the owner until they progress to more serious infections.

Treating a chronic ear infection should start with a thorough ear lavage, preferably done under sedation or anesthesia, in order to completely clear the canal of debris and wax. If your dog has been on the same antibiotics all this time, your vet may want to culture the infection before flushing the ear canals and try to identify the organisms involved and possibly select a more effective antibiotic. A smear of the wax or debris may be necessary to rule out a mite infestation. Once the ears are clean and dry, they will be reexamined for ulcers and to judge the size of the canal. A topical antibiotic solution should be used in the ears.

At home, you will need to clean your pet’s ear thoroughly and medicate it daily. Weekly examinations may be necessary to follow the course of treatment and determine if changes are necessary. Oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication may be necessary for up to 6 weeks if the infection is severe enough. In some severe cases, surgery may be necessary.

Got a question about your pet? Write Dr. Glenn Ericson, Ask the Vet, Orange County Life, The Times, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626. Ericson, a practicing Orange County veterinarian, is president of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Assn.