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Ask Dr. Harley: askdrharley@purrproject.org
Dr. Harley received her undergraduate degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and graduated from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2004. She completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery in Norwalk, Connecticut and went on to do a residency in small animal internal medicine at the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan. She stayed on at AMC as staff in Internal Medicine and was co-director of post-graduate education and the internship program. Dr. Harley sees patients by appointment. Ask your veterinarian for a referral.
Question: I have a 5 year old male tabby that cries and cries - when I’m trying to sleep a lot of times. He has also started to pee on the walls for the last couple of months. Is he just getting, is he lonely, could he be sick? I don’t want to give him up, but he’s driving me crazy. Please help!
- Joanne Dallas - Atlanta, GA
Answer:Hi Joanne, Sorry to hear about your tabby boy. If he is not yet castrated (neutered) then this may be all that is needed to solve the problems you are having. Intact male cats mark their territory by urinating (spraying) on walls and other vertical surfaces. They will sometimes yowl or cry if they smell other cats near their house or territory too. There are other causes of yowling and inappropriate urinating such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), and if you haven’t already done so, be sure to have your vet do a full check up. Good luck.
Question: Ihave a large (20 pounds!) cat that jumped off of the table and is now limping. Can I give him a low dose baby aspirin?
- Rachael Morris – Columbia, MO.
Answer: Hi Rachael, Be careful with human medications. Cats have a different metabolism than people and some medications that are safe for you or I can be harmful to your cat. It is always best to check with your veterinarian about the best pain medication for your cat.
