These reader questions were answered at the American Animal Hospital Association Conference May 26-29 at the Phoenix Convention Center. The AAHA supports excellence in veterinary care.

Q: Our 10-year-old Labrador does the strangest thing: She gets under the table and just stands there in a dream-like stance for two or three minutes. During these periods, she pays no attention to her surroundings. What's going on? -- J.A., Caribou, ME

A: If this is a new behavior, St. Louis, MO-based veterinary behaviorist Dr. Debra Horwitz says, "See your veterinarian to answer the question, 'Why now?' A physiological explanation needs to be ruled out. Another rule out is dementia, which is very possible. Older dogs do these sorts of strange things." The good news is, changing your dog's diet, perhaps to Hill's BD, one drug in particular (called Anipryl), and perhaps supplements can help.

Strange as it sounds, your dog's "trances" could be attention-seeking behavior. "It would be interesting if next time the dog does this, you just say, 'let's go' and walk into another room," says Horwitz. "I wonder if the dog would follow you. If so, you've found your solution."

Q: I have a 2-year-old deaf female pit bull I rescued. (I was born deaf myself.) I have four others dogs and they all got along well until I adopted a puppy. Now, the deaf dog has become vicious. I've used a drug called imipramine for the deaf dog, and tried to keep this dog and the puppy safe. However, the deaf dog has now become so aggressive around other dogs that she trembles and shakes when we go on walks. I want her to live a nice, normal life. Any advice? -- M.R., Chicago, IL

A: Your deaf dog is more "normal" than you might think considering her disability. It sounds as if she adjusted well to your home until you added the puppy.

"Your deaf dog learned to understand the signals from the other dogs as individuals, but her lack of experience with puppies threw her," says St. Louis, MO-based veterinary behaviorist Dr. Debra Horwitz. "Or the dogs she knows she's fine with, but (she's) discriminating about adding new friends. Deaf dogs and blind dogs sometimes have difficulty adjusting to change. None of this is abnormal. Some people like to constantly add new friends, some don't - it's no different with some dogs."

Many adult dogs can have difficulty dealing with unruly puppies. Meanwhile, you poor pup isn't being socialized to other dogs, as you want her to be. Your best bet is to consult a veterinary behaviorist to help you find a long-range solution, as well as a better drug (for this purpose) than imipramine.

Q: My husband and I feed a stray cat who lives between two university residence halls in our town. We think he was abandoned and has been panhandling from students for three years. This is a friendly cat who loves to be petted. We're thinking about adopting him, but worry that he might not adjust to being inside. Of course, we'd have the cat examined by a vet. Are there any pitfalls to doing this? -- S.K., Macomb, IL

A: "What a wonderful idea," cheers Dr. Jane Brunt, a feline veterinarian in Baltimore, MD, and past president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners. "It's best to place your new cat in one room, so if he becomes frightened and finds a hiding place, you can find him. And you can provide that hiding place with a spacious carrier with a soft blanket." Place food on one side of the room, and the litter box on the other. When you visit, don't force your new friend, but let him come to you on his own terms. Try reading a children's book to the cat in a raised, sing-songy voice, which can be calming. You could also plug in a Feliway diffuser, a kind of aromatherapy for cats.

If you have other cats, introduce the newcomer gradually. There are lots of resources out there to show you how, including Pam Johnson-Bennett's book "Cat vs. Cat" (Penguin Books, New York, NY, 2004; $15). As you mention, visiting a veterinarian to check for fleas, feline leukemia, the feline immunodeficiency virus, or other potential health issues is a good idea. Also, Brunt points out, this cat may require flea and heartworm preventatives, as well as vaccines.

Brunt, also executive director of the CATalyst Council, dedicated to feline healthcare and welfare, announced America's cat-friendliest cities at the AAHA Conference. Since dog-friendly cities are typically cited, the idea is to celebrate the bond people have with cats, too. Tampa, FL, topped the list, followed by Phoenix, AZ, San Francisco, CA; Portland, OR; Denver, CO; Boston, MA; Seattle, WA; San Diego, CA; Atlanta, GA, and Minneapolis, MN.

Criteria included available quality veterinary care, cat ownership per capita, number of cats microchipped, and cat-friendly local ordinances.

" Cats really are America's No. 1 companion," says Dan Kramer, senior marketing manager of industry relations for Pfizer Animal and a chair of the CATalyst Council. "Our goal is to recognize and celebrate why cats are such popular companions."

"Our goal is to educate people about what cats really are about," Brunt adds. And to talk about subtle signs of illness in cats, to begin a conversation that it's all about the cat."

CATalyst is a unique coalition of Experts veterinary medicine (including the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, American Association of Feline Practitioners and others) working together with shelters, animal control, industry, non-profits, and academia. Learn more at www.catalystcouncil.org.

(In full disclosure, Steve Dale is on the board of the non-profit CATalyst Council.)

Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he'll answer those of general interest in his column. Write to Steve at Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207. Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve's website is www.stevedalepetworld.com; he can be heard Sundays on WGN Radio, 8 to 10 p.m. CST (www.wgnradio.com to listen live), and hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." He's also a contributing editor to USA Weekend

(c) 2009 DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

Use Treats to Break Dog's Barking Habit
By Steve Dale

My 11-pound American Eskimo dog Foxy barks constantly when she sees another dog outside. Foxy may have simply trained you to let her out to see her friends. Foxy's "issue" may be more complex.

Treating Cats with a Heartworm Preventative
By Steve Dale

My vet suggests I treat my cat, Sasha, with a heartworm preventative. Sasha is an indoor-only cat. I've never heard of this before

Tampa Tops List of Cat-Friendly Cities
By Steve Dale

Dogs may have the claim as our best friends, but Americans' favorite companions are cats. There are more pet cats than dogs in the U.S. (81.7 million cats vs. 71.2 million dogs). Tampa, FL, topped the list, followed by Phoenix; San Francisco, CA; Portland, OR; Denver, CO; Boston, MA; Seattle, WA; San Diego, CA; Atlanta, GA, and Minneapolis, MN.

Heartworm Disease on the Rise
By Steve Dale

Experts stop short of calling it an epidemic, but the newly-released results of a nationwide survey indicate that the number of heartworm cases is rising. As a result, it's also likely that more pets are dying of the disease. The tragedy is, heartworm disease in dogs, cats and ferrets is totally preventable.

Dog Owners Share Some Smelly Stories
By Steve Dale

A few weeks back, reader K.S. in Atlanta offered her personal view that dogs' paws smell like Fritos, which sparked an onslaught of email and other comments directed to my Facebook page. I received around 100 comments, and still the controversy rages!

Positive Reinforcement Beats Force in Training Dogs & Cats
By Steve Dale

Cesar Millan, TV's 'dog whisperer,' seems to have success by forcing dogs into what he calls submission. Many veterinary professionals and groomers use the same technique. However, the outcome of force may cause a previously content and amicable dog or cat to develop other problems.

Bone Up Before You Buy: Read About Pet Care Before Bringing Home That Cute Dog or Cat
By Steve Dale

'Tis the season for adding a furry member to you family. But wait! Before you bring home that dog or cat, do your homework and learn how to integrate the pet into your family. Once you do adopt a pet, learning about care and training are imperative. Here are some great new books to help along the way.

Humans May Owe Very Existence to Dogs
By Steve Dale

Whether or not you like dogs, you can thank a canine for your very existence, according to Stanley Coren, a psychology professor at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Without the domestication of canines, early man might never have survived at all, Coren theorizes.

Cat's Quirky Eating, Drinking Habits Not Unusual or Harmful
By Steve Dale

This entire column is devoted to cats. The first two questions were answered at a meeting of the CATalyst Council at the headquarters of the American Veterinary Medical Association. CATalyst is a non-profit organization devoted to elevating the status of cats.

Cat Overpopulation Remains a Problem, Especially in Summer
By Steve Dale

In 1975, American Humane, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting children and animals, designated June as Adopt-a-Cat month. "Cat overpopulation was a real issue, a big problem back then," says Dena Fitzgerald, publications and communications manager at American Humane. "Unfortunately [today], most shelters are still over-filled with cats."