Dr. D. Lee Pickett
Editor’s notice: Dr. Lee Pickett has retired, however Creators continues to distribute columns from her archive. This one is from 2020.
Q: I’m confused about why my canine Sam’s nostril is often heat and dry, though he appears superb. I believed a canine in good well being at all times had a chilly, moist nostril.
A: Sam’s nostril is often chilly and moist for 2 causes.
First, nasal glands inside his nostril produce a watery liquid that cools and dampens the liner of his nasal passages and the floor of his nostril. Scent molecules keep on with this nasal moisture, enhancing his sense of scent. Nasal gland secretions additionally comprise antibodies that shield him from illness.
Second, the tears produced by the lacrimal glands bathe the floor of every eye after which drain via tiny openings, referred to as puncta, on the internal nook of every eyelid. From there, the tears drain down the nasolacrimal ducts within the muzzle and out via the nostrils.
The tears tickle, making Sam lick his nostril. As the tears and saliva evaporate, the floor of his nostril cools.
Nasal glands and tear glands in the reduction of their manufacturing when dogs sleep. My guess is that Sam’s nostril is heat and dry solely when he awakens from sleep.
Other causes for a dry, heat nostril embody a discount in nasal secretions, decreased manufacturing of tears, and blockage of the puncta or nasolacrimal ducts, inflicting the tears to spill over the eyelids slightly than drain via the nostril.
In quick, you’ll be able to’t inform something about Sam’s well being based mostly on the temperature or dampness of his nostril. A heat nostril doesn’t imply he has a fever any greater than a dry nostril signifies dehydration.
Whenever you’re involved about Sam’s well being, take him to his veterinarian for an intensive bodily examination so that you’ll know what’s taking place.
In the meantime, I discover that commonly kissing my canine’s nostril retains him — and me — completely satisfied.
Q: Our new kitten, Leo, has tiny white specks caught to his fur. The veterinarian stated they’re nits, or lice eggs, and she or he handled him for lice.
I’d do almost something to forestall Leo’s lice from infecting our two young youngsters, who had head lice as soon as. Should I hold the children from taking part in with him? If so, for a way lengthy?
A: You needn’t separate the kids from their new kitten, as a result of lice infect just one species. So, cat lice infect cats, and human lice attack individuals. Leo’s lice received’t bounce to your youngsters.
Your new kitten was undoubtedly contaminated when he was uncovered to a different cat with lice or to that cat’s bedding, comb or brush.
Lice are tiny, flat, wingless bugs that transfer slowly. They trigger a situation referred to as pediculosis, marked by itchiness, pores and skin crusting and hair loss.
More apparent than the lice are their eggs, referred to as nits, that are cemented to the cat’s fur. Nits appear like flecks of dandruff, besides which you can’t take away them by petting or brushing the cat.
Fortunately, most flea merchandise remove lice and stop their recurrence. So, the remedy your veterinarian prescribed ought to kill Leo’s lice and permit your youngsters to get pleasure from their new kitten.
