Historical September 1991 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Have you ever wanted to ask your veterinarian a number of assorted questions about animal care? Mary Ann Shickman recently visited with Dr. Steve Brammeier of the Kingsbury Animal Hospital and wrote this report for the Times.
MAS—Are dogs or cats easier to work on in surgery?
SB—It is not a question of “easier or harder.” Cats and dogs are quite different. Cats like a quiet atmosphere, and behave better if you move slowly. Often, the less restrained a cat is, the better.
MAS—Are there any particular signs to look for in a cat’s or dog’s behavior that would indicate that they need to see a veterinarian?
SB—Generally, any changes in an animal’s normal routine indicate illness.
For example, loss of appetite, decreased activity, change in urine and/or bowel samples. etc. Often an owner knows her animal well enough to know when he is not feeling well.
MAS—Which philosophy do you adhere to regarding outdoor cats and indoor cats?
SB—I feel that any cat in a metropolitan area should be kept indoors, and only allowed outside with supervision.
MAS—Would a Great Dane make a good pet?
SB—Yes, a Great Dane would make an excellent pet, even in a small house or apartment. Great Danes are so big they are relatively inactive.
MAS—Does a resident cat ever stop hissing when a new pet is brought into the house?
SB—Generally, a resident cat does, but sometimes not. Cats are solitary creatures and may not accept another animal in their “territory.”
MAS—What is your opinion about adopting pets from the Humane Society?
SB—The St. Louis Humane Society provides a valuable service to the St. Louis community, and certainly provides homes for many animals that might otherwise be destroyed. Adoption of a Humane Society pet should be a well thought out process.
The prospective owner should be well educated about the type of pet she is adopting.
A prospective owner should be aware of ways to judge an animal’s personality.
A well educated owner and a careful selection process will help to ensure the proper adoption.
MAS—Some of my friends leave the radio or television on for their pets so they won’t be lonely while they are at work. What do you think?
SB—It does help pets to have back ground music or TV.
MAS—Does a cold, wet nose on a cat indicate good health?
SB—No, sinuses drain into the nose and it makes the nose cold and wet.
MAS—Dr. Brammeier, could you recommend some books for pet lovers?
SB—The following books would be great:
How to Get Your Cat to Do What You Want, by Warren Eckstein
The Cat Care Book, by Sheldon Gerstenfeld, M.D.
Cats of the World, by Eugenia Notoli
Walkies, by Barbara Woodhouse
James Herriot’s Dog Stories, by
James Herriot
Dogs of the World. by Maurizio Bongianni
Original photograph caption
Dr. Steve Brammeier. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September 1991.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Book-list Eugenia Notoli as printed; no silent bibliographic correction.
Original source: SD_Times1991_09.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
