Tank water is for fish, not drinking

Q: Is it OK for Diego to drink from the fish tank? — C.H., via cyberspace

It’s a mystery as to whether Diego is a dog or cat, but emergency veterinarian Dr. Heather Loenser, of Lebanon, NJ, can offer advice because, for the most part, it doesn’t matter.

“A salt water tank might be more of an issue, depending on how much water Diego is drinking,” she says.

Loenser, a board member of the American Animal Hospital Association, also wonders about the welfare of the fish.

“While there’s likely nothing in the mouth of Diego that will cause harm to the fish, it’s got to be terrifying to watch a predator sink his mouth into the tank,” she says. “And maybe for good reason, unless you have piranha. And if you have piranha, I worry about Diego.”

If Diego is attracted to the moving water, it would be far safer for all involved to buy him a drinking fountain for pets (available wherever pet products are sold).

Q: The spot-on I’ve been using for years on my dogs to stop fleas and ticks has failed. My veterinarian is suggesting I’ve somehow failed, but I’m not sure how this is my fault. No matter, he’s stuck on the idea that only one product works. What should I use on my dogs? — F.G., Navarre, FL

Veterinary parasitologist Dr. Michael Dryden, distinguished professor in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, says that statistically, veterinary product failures are often human failures — either people forget to use the product or don’t use it as directed. In some cases, owners believe their dog swallowed a chewable when the pet actually spit it out or threw it up.

“It’s important to understand that veterinary (recommended) products do work, but the right product for your home may be dependent on where you live, and also your pets’ lifestyles,” Dryden says.