Each week, Dr. Patrick Tate, chief of the veterinary staff and a general practitioner at Webster Groves Animal Hospital, answers reader questions about pets. This week's question comes from Cynthia Shipman. Question: Why are people allergic to dogs and what makes a dog "hypoallergenic?” Answer: Many of my clients have asked the same questions, especially after the Obama family got Bo, their Portuguese Water Dog (Portie). President Obama stated that they chose a non-shedding, “hypoallergenic" dog breed that could not trigger daughter Malia’s allergies. As a Portie owner and veterinarian, I …

Each week, Dr. Patrick Tate, chief of the veterinary staff and a general practitioner at Webster Groves Animal Hospital, answers reader questions about pets. This week's question comes from Joe Turner. Question: Is it bad for an indoor cat to occasionally roam outdoors?   Answer: As I stated in last week’s Ask the Vet article, it is best to keep our pet cats indoors and prevent them from roaming around outside if at all possible. Some pet owners believe that cats are happier if allowed to go outdoors and they “deserve” complete freedom. Even if cats do enjoy being outside, the dangers far …

Each week, Dr. Patrick Tate, chief of the veterinary staff and a general practitioner at Webster Groves Animal Hospital, answers reader questions about pets. This week's question comes from Patty Walker. Question: It seems like indoor cats have a lot more behavioral issues than cats that are allowed to go outside. Do you think it is possible to have an exclusively indoor cat that is happy and well adjusted? Answer: Yes, it is possible for an indoor-only cat to be happy and well adjusted. However, “environmental enrichment” is necessary to ensure the kitty is stimulated both mentally and …

Each week, Dr. Patrick Tate, chief of the veterinary staff and a general practitioner at Webster Groves Animal Hospital, answers reader questions about pets. This week's question comes from reader Corey (Sweeney) Engmann. Question: As awful as this sounds, I have caught our dog eating her own feces in the backyard. Why is she doing this and is it harmful? Answer: Although it is somewhat unpleasant to talk about, many pet owners have experienced coprophagia (the medical term for “eating feces”) with their dogs. Not only do dogs eat their own stools, but they often like the feces of cats, birds…

Each week, Dr. Patrick Tate, chief of the veterinary staff and a general practitioner at Webster Groves Animal Hospital, answers reader questions about pets. Last week, reader Terri Sue Thompson asked if it was safe to use peroxide and Neosporin on pets for minor scratches. That spurred this week's question from reader Bettie Woodside. Question: Can you give a dog or cat pain medication like Ibuprofen, aspirin or Acetaminophen?  Answer: Last week I answered a question about over-the-counter (OTC) ”human” drugs and remedies that are safe to use on a pet’s skin. Because this week’s question …

Each week, Dr. Patrick Tate, chief of the veterinary staff and a general practitioner at Webster Groves Animal Hospital, answers reader questions about pets. This week's question comes from Owen Skoler, Kirkwood Patch editor. Question: We have a 5-year-old cat who recently started pulling out his fur. He's done this in the past, but not as severely as he is now. What causes cats to do this and how should the condition be treated? Answer: It is not uncommon to see cats with self-inflicted hair loss. Generally speaking, "hair pulling" in cats is caused by a medical or behavioral problem. Both …