Q: My parents love your column and they now need your help. They have a 5-year-old flame point Himalayan they adopted after neighbors turned him out into the snow. For a couple of years he's been making a sound like he's congested. He does this several times daily, and the condition seems to be getting worse. My mom, who's had cats for over 60 years, doesn't think hairballs are the problem. Can cats get asthma? -- P.L., Spencerport, N.Y.

A: Veterinary pulmonologist Dr. Philip Padrid of Corrales, N.M., says, "Hairballs are an accumulation of hair which comes up from the gastrointestinal system. You'd hear a different sound if your cat was actually gasping for air. If you believe your cat simply can't breathe, there aren't many explanations aside from feline asthma.

"While asthma could be diagnosed," Padrid says, "it would be helpful for your veterinarian to actually see what's happening. If possible, videotape your cat when he's making these sounds. X-rays are also a good idea to help make that diagnosis."

Being the kind of people who heroically rescued this cat, I'm sure your parents want the best care possible for him. People with asthma report how terrifying it is when they have an attack and can't breathe. Cats left untreated truly suffer. However, the good news is treatments for feline asthma, including inhaled medications, are effective.

If your veterinarian is having difficulty making a diagnosis, consider a feline specialty veterinarian.

Q: Our cat, Ref, has been with us for two years now but remains very skittish. We call him our "Nazi cat" because as soon as we pick him up, he pins his ears back and is ready to bolt. If we keep holding on, he scratches and bites. He also doesn't like company; he disappears when people come over. Please don't tell us to just give him more time; this is useless rhetoric. We need something more. -- S.J.M., Las Vegas

A: "This is the perfect situation for clicker training," says certified cat behavior consultant Marilyn Krieger, of Redwood City, Calif. "Begin by purchasing a clicker (available at pet stores and online) and click, then reward (your cat) with food or treats. Click your cat when he's calm, then give him a special treat. The cat will learn that the sound of the clicker means, 'This is right, and now I get something good.' "

Click when you touch the cat for just a moment, before he pins back his ears. Gradually, attempt to touch the cat longer and longer. If he still pins those ears back, you've done too much too quickly. Clicker training takes time but it will pay off.

"One sort of side effect of this clicker training is that it will enhance your bond with your cat, and increase your cat's trust and confidence," Krieger says.

However, let's be real here. Not all cats like to be snuggled. You need to adjust your expectations. For many cats, it's also perfectly normal to shy away from people they don't know. This is particularly true of cats who weren't socialized at a young age. When you do have visitors, toss yummy treats in your cat's direction.

With effort, you can mold your cat's demeanor to some degree. But Krieger also suggests, "Be more accepting and adjust the expectations you have for your cat. Perhaps previous cats have been more outgoing. Remember, some people are shy and so are some cats."

Q: Our 13-year-old black Labrador mix has had chronic ear infections for the last two years. The vet gives her antibiotics and eardrops. I use the drops a couple of times a week, but the vet says there's no way to clear up the infection for good because the dog is old and her immune system isn't what it once was. What do you think? -- J.S., Cyberspace

A: "There's bacteria and yeast as normal fauna in all dogs' ears," explains Dr. Karen Campbell, veterinary dermatologist and internal medicine specialist at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Urbana. "However, in your dog, the fauna continues to overgrow, and that's because there is some predisposing factor weakening the dog's immune system. Old age may be a factor, but old age is not a disease. There's likely to be another explanation."

If your vet hasn't already proceeded with a detailed drug panel and checked for disease such as hypothyroidism, those would be first steps. If your pup checks out, Campbell says that most likely she's developed a food allergy. Yes, that can spontaneously occur, even in an older dog. Your vet can instruct you on how to test that theory by feeding your dog a novel diet.

Meanwhile, until you determine the root cause of those chronic infections, continue to treat them as your veterinarian suggests.

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