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DEAR HELOISE: We live out in the country, and I'm sad to say that too many people dump unwanted pets out this way. Last winter, we found two pregnant cats who were in bad shape. We took them inside and did our best to save them, but one died; the other lived and gave birth to three adorable kittens.
What should we do when a cat is suffering from hypothermia? No doubt we'll see more animals this winter with hypothermia, and we'd like to help them. Our vet is nearly 30 miles away.
-- Rudy and JoAnna,
in Wyoming
Rudy and JoAnna, using an electric blanket or a heating pad, warm the cat up on a medium heat setting, then use low heat when they show signs of revival. Be sure to turn them every few minutes so that they don't develop a burn spot.
If you have neither of these, use a hot water bottle with very warm (not hot enough to be uncomfortable) water inside. Cover the cat and water bottle to trap the heat. As soon as you can, take them to a vet and have them checked for frostbite.
-- Heloise
DEAR HELOISE: My cat was sick, and I needed to take him to the vet. Since I found him skinny and covered with ticks and fleas, I knew that he couldn't be a pet and had probably been on his own. He didn't like being picked up, and I didn't have a carrier yet.
So, I used a pillowcase and tightly secured the opening with a rubber band to keep him from escaping. He fought and growled, but I got him to the vet! He was contained but could still breathe. Now my big boy's healthy and happy in his new home, and I'm so glad that I took him off the streets!
--Jim and Charlie
the Cat, in Oregon
Jim and Charlie, many animals are grateful to be rescued. They show you in a number of ways that a roof over their heads and a warm meal, along with a few head scratches, mean the world to them!
-- Heloise
DEAR READERS: Did you know that the majority of orange tabby cats are male, the majority of black cats are male, and most calico cats are female?
-- Heloise
DEAR HELOISE: Board-certified oral surgeon here! While your advice to place a tooth in milk after it's been traumatically knocked out wasn't incorrect, there are better ways to handle this event. Never touch the root of the tooth, only the crown. Gently rinse it off and place it back into the socket if possible. Then get to a dentist or oral surgeon immediately.
If you can't put the tooth back inside the person's mouth, then a cup of saliva is the next best thing, followed by milk. Never use plain water.
-- Mary D., DDS,
in San Clemente, California