The Animal House | WAMU 88.5

A cat and its colon health is the primary concern of a Maryland woman, and Dr. Gary Weitzman enlists the input of author and veterinary critical care specialist Dr. Justine Lee in an attempt to offer the best advice. A San Diego man wants to know more about the possibility of chiropractic treatments for his Chihuahua. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy; ““Mother Nature’s Son” by Enzo Pietropaoli

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society encounters a woman seeking to diagnose the cause of bumps resembling "zits" on her cat’s chin. An elderly Dalmatian in Virginia has started pacing inexplicably and its caretaker is seeking advice. A Maryland woman wants to curb her Lhasa Apso’s curious appetite for stuffed animals and underwear. We also feature BirdNote, a weekly review of avian species.

For years, the Argentine ant has been known as the most aggressive and widespread invasive ant species in the United States. But researchers at North Carolina State University have confirmed that the insect is challenged by a new and more ambitious rival for territory in urban areas, the Asian Needle Ant, a species that is harmful to people. Entomologist Eleanor Spicer Rice is primarily responsible for this stinging revelation, and she shares her findings with us. Sam Litzinger also speaks with author Amy Stewart about her book "Wicked Bugs: The Louse That Conquered Napoleon’s Army & Other Diabolical Insects." read more

A Maryland woman has a Staffordshire terrier (pictured) she can’t keep. Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society connects her with Maureen Sosa of the Washington Animal Rescue League, who offers to help find the canine a new home. The human companion of an 11-year-old cat wants to know if the pet is too old for its first vaccination. A Labrador Retriever’s caretaker thinks the dog has strabismus -- a.k.a. crossed eyes -- and seeks confirmation. We also feature BirdNote, a weekly review of avian species. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy

Smooshi is a 900-pound female walrus that resides at Marineland Niagara Falls, Canada. In 2004, she and trainer Phil Demers became celebrities after developing an unusually close attachment. Last year Demers quit his job at Marineland after complaining about poor treatment of animals at the facility. Marineland fired back with a $1.5 million lawsuit against the trainer, accusing him of plotting to “kidnap” the marine mammal. Sam Litzinger speaks to Demers, who gives his side of this love story gone bad. read more

Dr. Gary Weitzman counsels a Washington, D.C., woman who is concerned about her dog’s severe, nighttime anxiety. A Tennessee woman seeks relief for her 11-year-old Westie, who is suffering from unusual stomach problems. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy; “I Am the Walrus” by The Beatles and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

A recent investigation by NBC News revealed a disturbing trend: since 2007, more than 300 pets have died while travelling on commercial airlines. NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit reporter Elyce Kirchner spent six months on the story and she shares her findings with us. We also have information about a new website which promises to make you smarter about your dog’s intelligence. Dognition is the brainchild of Dr. Brian Hare, a Duke University professor and director of the Duke Canine Cognition Center. He speaks to us about his work and his new book, "The Genius of Dogs." Music: “Animal Dreams” by Bob James

Dr. Gary Weitzman offers counsel to a Maryland woman whose cat is regurgitating its food. Reports of dog bites are rising and a woman in San Diego, Calif., wants to know more about the statistics and ways to avoid incident. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy; “Wild Horses” – Norah Jones and Tim Ries

John Lill, associate professor of biology at George Washington University shares his considerable knowledge of the singing insect species known as Magicicada, in anticipation of their arrival this spring after 17 years underground. Cori Menkin of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA, talks about the organization’s campaign to expose the mistreatment of animals in large-scale commercial dog breeding operations known as puppy mills. Music: “La Cigarra (The Cicada)” by Linda Ronstadt

A Virginia woman’s guinea pig has developed an unusual condition and Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society offers advice. In Washington, D.C., a rescued pit bull is showing signs of separation anxiety and its caretaker wants to know if drug therapy is the right course of action. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy

Although species decline and habitat loss is widespread throughout the animal kingdom, the feral pig is in the midst of a dramatic population increase and territory expansion. Once considered a regional phenomenon, the destructive mammal is becoming commonplace across much of the nation, leaving billions of dollars of damage in its wake. There are an estimated 5 million wild hogs in the United States, and more than half of them can be found in Texas, where Dr. Billy Higginbotham, a wildlife specialist at Texas A&M University is a key figure among scientists working to control the animal in the state. Higginbotham tells us about this herculean effort. Meanwhile, wild ponies have become a popular attraction at a state park in southwest Virginia and we find out why from Beverley Amsler of Radio IQ. read more

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society devises a plan to curb a cat’s compulsive over grooming of an area that has recently undergone surgery. The companion of a Labrador Retriever in the nation’s capital is worried about the canine’s persistent limp. A 6-year-old Lhasa Apso in Georgia has an aversion to using a “litter pad” and the dog’s caretaker seeks an alternative. Music: “Road Dogs” by Acoustic Alchemy; Igor Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite” by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Ari Daniel Shapiro of NOVA and PRI’s The World travels to Mexico to profile a biologist in who is trying to convince his countrymen to protect bats. He is training a new generation of researchers to look after the animals. Arizona based filmmaker Justin Willis talks about his short movie, "Catnip," a prize winner at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Dr. Gary Weitzman of the San Diego Humane Society helps a concerned Washington, D.C., mom whose Doberman Pinscher has taken a liking to licking her newborn son. Then, a Virginia man seeks a way to stop a neighbor’s cat from relieving itself on his front lawn.

Researchers at University of California, Irvine may have uncovered a new method for controlling the dreaded insect, inspired by a successful remedy used in Europe centuries ago. Catherine Loudon is leading the team responsible for this breakthrough and she shares the details. Actress, model and animal advocate Beth Stern gives a preview of her new TV program "Spoiled Rotten Pets," which airs on the NatGeo Wild cable network.