Q: I have the flu. Should I worry about my cat? -- C.Y., Tampa, Fla.

Q: Do I need to worry about getting the flu from my cat? I suppose I shouldn't let my cat outside, right? -- H.S., cyberspace

A: These are samples of e-mails I've received pertaining to the cat in Iowa diagnosed with the H1N1 virus.

Dr. Karen May, assistant director of professional and public affairs at the American Veterinary Medical Association, Schaumburg, Ill., points out that with all the people identified with the H1N1 virus in America, there's been only one cat known to have contracted the virus, and no dogs. May says, "While the flu virus easily mutates, it's unusual for it to spontaneously jump species."

Still, if you have the flu, May suggests taking the same precautions you might to keep other family members flu-free. Toss used tissue, wash your hands frequently and don't snuggle with your cat. Having said that, internal medicine specialist Dr. Julie Levy, of the University of Florida, Gainesville, notes that you might not still be contagious after a week or so, although you may still feel sick.

So far, with one cat and two ferrets confirmed with H1N1, the flu was passed from people to pets, not the other way around. Cats aren't more likely to get the flu if they go outdoors, though they're certainly at risk for diseases passed from cat to cat. It's very unlikely for any cat to catch the flu from people. However, ferrets are particularly susceptible.

Q: I have two cats, a 10-year-old brother and sister. I bottle-fed them after their mother got sick. Obviously, I'm attached to these cats. Now, the male has decided he doesn't want to poop in the litter box. The problem began about 18 months ago, when we moved into a new home. At first, he pooped only occasionally in the corner outside the laundry room, but now he does this in various places around the house. The vet says there's nothing (physically) wrong. We have three litter boxes, only two of which the cats use. Any advice? Obi Wan, you're my only hope! -- M.P., cyberspace

A: Even though you saw your vet, odds are a physiological problem started this cycle. Cat behavior consultant Pam Johnson-Bennett explains that your cat may have had the urge to go as a result of an inflammatory bowel problem caused by the beginnings of disease, eating table treats or a change in diet that didn't agree with his tummy. Maybe your cat had to go and just picked the most convenient spot, which happened to be outside the litter box. Or maybe the cat was constipated. It hurt to go in the box, and a nice soft place on the carpet felt better.

There could be an "issue" between your two cats. For example, one cat may be intimidating the other around the litter boxes.

It's not insignificant that the problem cropped up after you moved. Perhaps your male cat is telling you he doesn't like the location of the boxes in the new home. Maybe the stress of the move itself prompted this behavior, which developed into a habit.

"You may have three boxes, which is good," says Johnson-Bennett, of Nashville, author of "Think Like a Cat" (Penguin Books, New York, 2000; $16.95). "However, you don't mention where the boxes are located. If they're all in the same room, it's like having only one big box. Are the boxes in the laundry room or the basement, and aren't all that accessible? And the fact that the cats aren't using one box at all tells me at least that box isn't in a good place."

Johnson-Bennett suggests taking the box the cats aren't using and replacing it with a large but shallow storage container (the kind used to store sweaters under the bed), and use Cat Attract litter. Make sure the box is in a convenient place for your cat to get to. Please don't give up on your cat, the problem is fixable.

Q: Our 12-year-old terrier-mix is hypothyroid and has been on Thyro-Tab for two years. Now, she's started drinking a lot of water, and pees when she's sleeping. She's also losing weight. Are these side effects of the medication or due to the kidney disorder? Also, when we take her for walks, she's very sore after, especially her right paw. -- M.W., cyberspace

A: "If you give too much thyroid hormone for that individual animal, the result is increased thirst and therefore increased urination, as well as weight loss," says internal medicine specialist Dr. Mark Peterson, of New York. "It's a good idea to check your dog's thyroid level twice a year. When a dog first goes on medication, checking more often than twice a year is advised. But your dog may also have renal disease or any number of other problems. Please see your veterinarian right away."

Another reason to see your vet is that sore paw. While it's not related to the thyroid issue, pain should always be addressed.

Q: Some kind of goo builds up in the corners of my 3-year-old Cocker Spaniel's eyes. My son calls these deposits "eye boogers." We're told there's a pill that can help. Can you tell me more? -- T.W., St. Paul, Minn.

A: It's unclear what exactly is building up in the corners of your dog's eyes, or why. The solution depends on what the problem turns out to be. There is indeed a pill for tear staining, according to veterinary ophthalmologist Ralph Hamor of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Urbana. Hamor adds that this antibiotic, which binds tear pigment, is a low dose of tetracycline. However, most dogs shouldn't take this drug for more than a few months at a time because it's generally not a good idea to maintain a dog on any antibiotic long-term solely for cosmetic reasons. Hamor says the drug is used primarily for show dogs.

"Your dog may have an early sign of dry eye and may not be making enough tears, perhaps there are extra eyelashes, or in Cocker Spaniels (and other breeds) it's possible the tear ducts may not be located in the right place," Hamor adds. "It's best to have your dog evaluated by your veterinarian to determine the cause of those 'eye boogers.' "

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