Ask the Vet

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Petside.com, launched by NBC Universal last year, is the premier online resource for dog and cat owners and enthusiasts. With daily news, trends, pet fashions and online tools such as “Breed Match,” it helps keep our furry friends happy and healthy. Dr. Lauren Hurowitz, a licensed veterinarian and the site’s resident online “PetVet,” regularly fields questions, such as these, from pet owners.

Q: Do puppies and kittens lose baby teeth like we do?

A: Puppies and kittens absolutely do lose teeth, just like children. They will lose their first set of teeth and afterward will get an adult set that remains with them. Sometimes you may not find your pets’ baby teeth, since they swallow them. This should not cause any problems for your pet.

Teething in puppies and kittens, since they like to chew on just about anything, can be frustrating for pet owners. They chew to relieve the discomfort associated with their new teeth coming in. Be sure to provide your pet with products designed especially for teething so they don’t chew on something in your home that can be harmful to them. A lot of toys meant for teething can even be placed in the freezer since the cool sensation is soothing to the animal’s gums. Most puppies and kittens are done teething by about 6 months of age.

Q: My bloodhound’s nose has been very dry recently. I’ve always heard a dry nose means they are sick. Should I be worried about her?

A: A dry nose does not necessarily equal a sick dog! Dogs have wet noses because some of their tear glands empty into their noses. Also, just because the nose is dry does not mean there is something wrong with the tear gland. If your dog’s dry nose is not inflamed or infected, she should be fine—especially if she is eating and playing normally.

Q: Is it safe to give my pet human medicines when he’s sick? If so, which ones?

A: While there are safe human medications for pets, I think it is most important to first point out which are not safe. Any anti-inflammatory medication that is over the counter (Tylenol, Advil, Motrin) should be considered dangerous and never be given to pets. Human painkillers (Vicodin, Oxycontin) should also be avoided in pets, as they can easily be overdosed. Be sure to keep all medicated creams out of reach from your pets. Creams with zinc (Desitin, sunblocks) can cause red blood cell problems, and psoriasis creams cause calcium imbalances. Medications for upset stomach, like Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate, should also be avoided. They contain some ingredients that can be harmful to your pet’s stomach.

Pepcid AC and Zantac are safe medications for upset stomach and your veterinarian can provide proper dosing information. There are also some allergy medications that should not be given to pets, but Benadryl is safe for dogs and cats. Usually, pets can have 1 mg of Benadryl per pound of body weight for allergies. But if you think that your pet is having an allergic/anaphylactic reaction, Benadryl will not be enough, and you should get your pet to a veterinarian right away!