Q Can cats get laryngitis? Our 8-year-old cat has lost her voice. One of our favorite things about Ess was that she would talk back to us when we spoke to her, especially when we said her name. According to the vet, her lungs are clear and X-rays show nothing. The veterinarian prescribed a medication that has not helped. What do you suggest?

A "Cats can get laryngitis, mysteriously losing their voice for a short period of time," says Dr. Vicki Thayer, president of the Winn Feline Foundation (a nonprofit which funds cat health studies). "Usually, the voice returns in days or in a week or so. Otherwise, there may be a medical reason your veterinarian has not discovered, such as an upper respiratory virus, even bordetella.

"Or maybe there's nothing to discover, says Thayer, who is based in Lebanon, Ore. "I have a client whose cat spontaneously lost her voice. There's no medical explanation, and the cat still isn't talking after weeks. No one knows why this happens in some cats."

Perhaps the problem is that this cat simply has no more to say. However, Thayer responds, "It's a cat, so I doubt that's the case."

Q My veterinarian says he can do a dental procedure for our 6-year-old dog without anesthesia. He says all the dog needs is "a dental touch-up." What do you think?

A "The only way to diagnose disease below the gum line is a full mouth X-ray, which requires anesthesia," says Dr. Kate Knutson, Bloomington-based president of the American Animal Hospital Association.

"Since you simply can't find many serious problems if a dental procedure is done without a dog being anesthetized, then why bother? My clients come back to me less often with serious dental problems because we do the dentals proactively right the first time. Not only does this save them money but it also may prevent a pet from suffering."

Q: My granddaughter's Shih Tzu sometimes doesn't pee or poop in a 24-hour period. She took him to the vet to see if there was a blockage, but there was none. The dog also won't relieve himself in the rain. What's going on?

A The dog could be constipated, but since he won't do either No. 1 or No 2, and probably does his business normally most of the time, this is suggestive of a behavior problem, according to Dr. Sheldon Rubin.

"Regularity in your dog's schedule will help to make your dog regular," says Rubin, of Chicago, Ill.

Feed your dog at near the same times daily, and at least until you get this issue under control, cut the between-meal snacks.

Also, Rubin suggests asking your veterinarian about adding pumpkin or fiber to the dog's diet to encourage regularity.

It's unusual for dogs (especially small dogs) to go 24 hours without urinating. Is it possible this dog is having accidents in the house, which your granddaughter isn't divulging or knows nothing about? Or when the dog is let out in the yard, the dog is, indeed, piddling, but your granddaughter hasn't noticed?

Rubin suggests taking the dog for leash walks -- if possible where other dogs have been, which is stimulating. And just as you would with a puppy, instantly provide praise and a special treat when the dog succeeds at doing his business.

Also, maintain a schedule in writing of exactly when the pup poops and/or pees.

When it comes to dodging the rain, dogs aren't stupid; many don't like to get wet. Have fun in the rain. When it's just drizzling or raining lightly (don't begin this process during a thunderstorm), have your granddaughter take her pup outside and encourage play. She could even give the dog some treats, or channel Gene Kelly and do some singin' in the rain. Of course, your granddaughter might get wet, too!

Q I adopted a cat from a co-worker. Cleo was the runt of the litter and looks to be part Siamese, with a pushed-in face. Since birth, Cleo has always had a runny nose, which we wipe several times a day. She has been to the veterinarian many times for this issue, and often antibiotics are prescribed. This clears up the problem for a while, but it always returns. Someone suggested I give Cleo a children's allergy medication. The veterinarian suggested surgery, but that would cost $2,000. Lately, Cleo has also taken to peeing on our hardwood floor in front of my son's closed bedroom door. Are these two issues related? Any advice?

A Siamese-type cats have long, narrow faces, while Persian-type cats are known for pushed-in noses.

Dr. Kate Knutson, Bloomington, Minn.-based president of the American Animal Hospital Association, says that what you describe in many ways sounds like feline herpes virus, but generally veterinarians can easily diagnose this chronic problem. Since the illness is virus-based, antibiotics don't offer a cure but are important to treat any secondary infections. There are various means to treat symptoms of feline herpes virus.

Knutson says it's important that your veterinarian first rule out feline leukemia and the feline immunodeficiency virus.

One clue might be whether the discharge is running from one or both nostrils. Other possible explanations include a sinus infection or dental problem. A less likely possibility is Brachycephalic syndrome, which refers to upper airway abnormalities in cats (also occurring in dogs) with pushed-in faces, also sometimes called congenital upper airway disease or elongated soft palate.

Many cats with this problem are overweight. A diet can help, as can surgery, although Knutson is uncertain what type of surgery your veterinarian had in mind. Usually a cat with allergies doesn't have the symptoms you describe, so allergy medication won't help.

The litter box indiscretions could be related to pain or discomfort. They could have something to do with the relationships between cats in the home (assuming you have more than one), the location and number of litter boxes you have, the litter itself and/or how often the boxes are cleaned.

Knutson also wonders why Cleo piddles outside your son's bedroom door, and why the door is closed in the first place. Perhaps the cat simply wants to be with your son.

Q My Shiba Inu seems to have chronically clogged anal glands. I've had dogs my entire life, but I've never seen so much licking of the butt. I took my dog to the veterinarian for manual extraction, but it didn't help. The vet suggested surgery. What do you think?

A "This is a very common problem," notes Chicago veterinarian Dr. Sheldon Rubin.

What has likely occurred is that the anal sacs have become impacted. The sacs are supposed to empty with each bowel movement. However, in some individual dogs, this doesn't happen or they don't fully empty. Eventually, they may become impacted. Sometimes the sacs become infected.

"We express (empty) them and then flush them with antibiotics," Rubin says. "When there is a chronic problem, we also look at the possible effects of allergies, even the possibility of cancer, particularly in older dogs."

Surgical removal of the anal sacs is not a procedure to be taken lightly. One potential complication might leave your dog incontinent.

If you do opt for surgery, Rubin suggests you search for a surgeon with lots of experience in this procedure.

Write to Steve Dale at Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207. Send e-mail to petworld@ stevedale.tv.