Reality: Despite their keen sense of balance and acrobatics, many cats are actually injured falling from high elevations. Cat owners should always monitor cats on outdoor balconies and keep screens secure. In addition just because they land on their feet doesn’t mean they landed unharmed.
Myth: Dogs actually have “clean” mouths and when they lick their wounds, they are helping the healing process.
Reality: Dogs’ mouths actually have numerous types of bacteria. Repeated licking of a wound, even a minor one, can lead to more serious skin problems. The self trauma of incessant licking if a common cause of ’hot spots’ another dermatology problems. Always check with your veterinarian whenever your pet has a skin wound or a wound that won’t heal.
Myth: Another sign of worms is when a dog “scoots” across the ground.
Reality: Although dogs with tapeworms will scoot due to the itchiness of the worm segments, not all scooting dogs have worms. Allergies, diarrhea, or even anal sac disease can also be reasons for this behavior. Even this problem can be an attention getting behavior and after medical problems are ruled out, some re-training may be required.
Myth: If your dog eats his feces, he has worms.
Reality: Many dogs will eat their feces as well as other dogs’ feces. Although this is a disgusting behavior and pets can acquire parasites from the habit, it is not strictly a sign intestinal parasites. Many mother dogs will do this to clean her newborn puppies and some pets will do it as an attention getting behavior or a learned behavior from other dogs. The problem may also be poor nutrition and a learned habit. In any case, your veterinarian will be able to help you stop the problem. Yuck!
Myth: Female dogs should have at least litter of puppies before spaying.
Reality: This old wives tale has been around for a long time and is totally untrue. There is no known benefit to allowing a pet to reproduce unnecessarily. In fact there is evidence that spaying a female before her first heat will reduce her risk of developing breast cancer dramatically. A quick look at any local animal shelter is evidence of just how many dogs and cats are out there in need of a home already, often due to needless and careless breeding.
Myth: Pets with warm, dry noses are sick.
Reality: It’s possible that your pet has a warm nose because he’s been lying in the sun! Unless you see other signs of illness, such as depression, lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea, there probably is no need to worry! There is almost no information on evaluating health by ‘nose’ symptoms. As always, if you see signs of illnesses or just have concerns about your pet, contact your veterinarian. The staff at your veterinary hospital can help you decide when you should bring your pet in for examination.
Photo of a daredevil cat from studiostein’s photostream.
–Dr. Hamilton
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Dr. Hamilton is an oncology resident at Michigan State’s Animal Cancer Care Clinic and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

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