By Arden Moore

Who says that exercise must be limited to sweating at the gym, fighting for an elliptical machine or failing to keep pace in a spinning class? Can't seem to muster the motivation to remove the clothes draped on the stationary bike in your bedroom to pedal a few miles?

The solution to staying in shape -- and having fun -- may be just a tail wag away. Check out the latest fitness trend: people-dog workout classes that focus on strength, flexibility and aerobics while unleashing plenty of fun for you and your dog.

By teaming up with your best workout buddy -- your dog -- both of you can shed pounds, tone muscles and strengthen your connection.

"Regular exercise provides people and pets with physical and mental benefits," says Dr. Christine Zink, a veterinarian and professor of pathology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. "Exercise releases endorphins -- feel-good chemicals that provide a sense of well-being. Exercise helps maintain proper weight, improves coordination and balance, and stabilizes joints to prevent arthritis and acute injuries."

These special workout programs also reinforce good doggy manners. They bring out play with a purpose, offering dogs the chance to master basic commands such as sit, stay, down and come in positive settings. For the past two years, I've regularly attended Leash Your Fitness classes in San Diego with my two dogs: Chipper, a 60-pound golden retriever/husky mix, and Cleo, a 12-pound terrier-poodle mix.

Our "gym" is a huge fenced grassy field. Certified personal-fitness trainer Dawn Celapino credits Jack, her energetic cairn terrier, for inspiring her to create Leash Your Fitness.

"I hated having to leave Jack at home while I went to a gym to teach or work out," says Celapino. "He loves running, hiking and swimming with me. I discovered a lot of other dog people looking for new ways to work out with their dogs."

During each hour-long class, people sprint, skip and even hop while their leashed dogs match their strides. Together, they leap over hurdles or weave through agility poles. At any time, Celapino will call out for people to drop into squats and get their dogs to maintain a down stance. Or we'll heed the command to do pushups, and then get our canine pals to perform doggy pushups -- a series of quick sit-downs.

Since enrolling, I've shed 20 excess pounds and canceled my gym membership. My veterinarian has deemed my 8-year-old dogs to be at ideal weights.

Before you enroll, get a physical examination from your physician and book a head-to-tail checkup for your dog with your veterinarian. Go at your own pace and set your goals to gradually get better.

Exercise fortifies your body against a host of medical woes, including obesity, diabetes and heart disease. It can also save money on doctor and veterinary bills. Regular workouts can provide your dog with a perfect setting to unleash pent-up energy and reduce the amount of doggy destructiveness in the home that's often due to sheer boredom.

Try one of these classes -- or work out with your dog on your own -- and together you will give a welcomed, new meaning to the expression "dog tired."

To learn more about people-pet workouts, check out Leash Your Fitness at leashyourfitness.com.

Sidebar

Heed These Cautionary Signs

Be careful not to overexert your dog during workouts. Stop the activity and allow your dog to rest if he displays any of these signs:

-- Drooping tongue

-- Rapid panting -- an early sign of overheating

-- Hesitation -- taking a few extra seconds before retrieving a tossed ball

-- Weight shifting -- using different muscle groups to offset soreness

-- Staggered walking

-- Muscle tremors

-- Limping -- check footpads for cuts and bruises and legs for sprains or muscle pulls

Arden Moore is the founder of Four Legged Life (fourleggedlife.com), the author of 20 pet books and host of the "Oh Behave Show" on Pet Life Radio (petliferadio.com).

Q&A

Automotive coolant

a deadly pet poison

Q: My two dogs lapped up some antifreeze that had spilled in the garage. I saw on the container that it was toxic, so I took them to the veterinarian right away. They needed dialysis, and I was told my dogs could have died. Why is antifreeze so poisonous to pets?

A: You are very lucky that you saw your dogs drinking the antifreeze and were able to get them to the veterinarian so quickly for treatment. Too often, people don't realize their pets have drunk the stuff, and by the time they realize something is wrong, it's too late for treatment to be effective.

Antifreeze, or ethylene glycol, has a sweet flavor that is attractive to pets and children. It is not toxic on its own, but as the body breaks down the antifreeze, it creates metabolites that are toxic to kidney cells. Those metabolites form oxalate crystals that damage and block the kidney tubules. The animals act drunk and become dehydrated. Then kidney damage sets in.

That's dangerous because the job of the kidneys is to remove waste products from the body by way of the urine. When the kidneys are damaged, toxins build up in the bloodstream and aren't eliminated from the body. Dialysis does the work of the kidneys until they regain normal function. Unless pets are treated quickly, they usually don't recover from the damage done to the kidneys.

In the future, choose a brand of antifreeze that contains bittering agents. It may cost a little more and it is just as toxic, but because it is unpleasant to drink, your dogs are more likely to leave it alone. It's also a good idea to store antifreeze in a closed cabinet that is out of the reach of your pets and to wipe up spills or leaks immediately.

THE BUZZ

Dogs ease MRI worries

-- A study has found that patients who interacted with therapy dogs prior to MRI procedures suffered fewer anxiety symptoms than those patients in the study who did not. Researchers said therapy dogs could be a viable substitute for anti-anxiety medication normally given to patients before their MRI and would have fewer side effects.

Science Daily reports that the project was conceived by a 15-year-old high school student, Allison Ruchman. During the course of her MRI, she experienced anxiety and claustrophobia. She relieved her tension by creating a mental picture of her dog, Wally, and believed that her experience could be applicable to other patients who often need anti-anxiety drugs in order to complete the examination.

Allison became a certified dog therapist, and conducted the research on this project, assisting physicians who compiled and analyzed data, and prepared an abstract of the study at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, N.J.

-- Money bet on greyhound racing nationally has declined from $3.5 billion in 1991 to $1.1 billion in 2007, according to numbers released by Caesars Entertainment in Las Vegas. Ten years ago, there were 50 tracks in 15 states, but today there are only 25 tracks in seven states.

-- An 8-year-old Clydesdale-thoroughbred cross named Maggie recently put her best nose forward in her bid to become the Guinness Book Of World Records' smartest horse.

Maggie learned to identify numerals as they were spoken aloud. She identified numerals 21 times in one minute without making a mistake.

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Dr. Becker can also be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker.

By Dr. Nancy Kay

Today, the human-animal bond is stronger than ever. The more tumultuous the world is around us, the tighter we cling to our beloved pets. They soothe us with their predictability and unconditional love, and they consistently give in excess of what they receive. Imagine then, the heartache someone feels when it's necessary to cut back on a pet's health care because of financial hardship.

If you are in a financial pinch -- who isn't these days? -- here are some things you can do to economize while still doing a great job of caring for your pet's health.

-- Lay your financial cards on the table when talking to your vet. Talking about your bank account may be difficult, but such a discussion can lead to options that make better financial sense. Rarely is there only one way to diagnose or treat a disease, and you are entitled to an explanation of every single option for your pet.

-- Request a written cost estimate for veterinary services before they are provided. How else can you know if your bill will be $200 or $2,000? Requesting an estimate does not reflect how much you love your pet; you are simply being fiscally responsible.

-- Kick the once-a-year vaccine habit. We used to think that standard vaccinations such as distemper needed to be given annually. We now know that these vaccinations provide a minimum of three years' worth of protection, once the puppy or kitten series has been completed. If your vaccine reminder card suggests otherwise, talk to your veterinarian.

-- Don't neglect your pet's preventive health care, as it could cost you money in the long run. For example, administering a heartworm preventive is less expensive for you (and safer for your dog or cat) than treating heartworm infection.

-- Feed your pet less food! Just as with humans, many dogs and cats are overweight. Ask your vet for her honest opinion about your pet's waistline. If she agrees that your precious family member could lose a few pounds, put less food in the bowl. This new habit will translate into cost savings and result in a healthier animal, which means fewer veterinary bills.

-- Be a savvy consumer of supplements for your pet. Some supplement suppliers would like you to believe that your pet's good health is dependent on their products. Avoid being seduced by such ads, and talk to your vet about exactly which supplements are worthy expenditures for your dog or cat.

-- Investigate options for paying your veterinary bills. Perhaps the clinic administrator is willing to barter for products or services. Look into CareCredit, for example, a reputable line of credit that can be used to pay for veterinary expenses. The company provides interest-free payment plans that may be advantageous compared to standard credit card payments.

-- Consider investing in pet health insurance, especially if you are inclined to take the "do everything possible" approach for your pet. Do the math and determine if insurance makes financial sense in the long run. And before you sign on the dotted line, do some research to find a provider that is a good fit for you and your pet.

What should you do if your pet is ailing and you are forced to contemplate euthanasia because of financial constraints? Before succumbing to such a drastic decision, I strongly encourage a thorough investigation of every other conceivable option. Consider researching rescue associations, borrowing money from friends or relatives, applying for a donation from a pet health assistance organization, or finding a financially capable guardian for your pet. Exploring these options might just save a life and will do wonders for your peace of mind.

Dr. Nancy Kay is a board-certified specialist in internal medicine and the author of the book "Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life."

Q&A

Dogs with droopy ears

can be infection-prone

Q: My cocker spaniel is always getting ear infections. How can I keep her ears healthy? -- via email

A: Dogs with heavy, droopy ears sometimes seem to be more prone to infection than dogs with prick ears. There's no science to prove that, but it is true that dogs with floppy ears are more likely to trap moisture and warmth inside their ears, limiting air flow inside the ear and creating a perfect laboratory for the growth of bacteria and yeast. Here are some tricks to keeping those pretty cocker ears clean, dry and infection-free.

Look inside the ears every week. If the skin is a nice pinky-gray with a light coating of ear wax and the ears don't smell bad, leave them alone. Paradoxically, cleaning the ears when they don't need it can cause problems.

Some dogs produce too much ear wax. When that happens, the wax can block airflow and contribute to an infection of the outer ear canal. If your dog has a lot of wax that looks more gray than golden, clean the ears with a mild product such as Oti-Clens, available from veterinarians and pet supply stores. Don't use alcohol. It can irritate and dry out the sensitive ear tissue, and it stings like billy-o if your dog has any raw spots in his ear.

To clean the ears, hold your dog's head so his nose is pointing downward. Squirt in enough of the cleanser to fill the ear, then gently massage the outside of the ear. You'll hear a loud squishing sound as the cleanser makes its way into the ear canal. Let the dog shake, then wrap a tissue around your finger and wipe any excess cleanser out of the ear canal.

Keep cotton swabs out of the ear. All they do is pack gunk deeper into it.

When you bathe your dog, block the inside of the ear with a cotton ball to keep water and shampoo from entering. If your dog enjoys swimming, dry the ears thoroughly after he gets out of the lake or pool. Keeping the ears clean and dry will help prevent infections from brewing. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

THE BUZZ

New cat allergy vaccine under way

If you are among the 1 in 10 people who suffer allergic reactions to cats, here is some news that could have you breathing more easily and living more comfortably with kitties: A new approach to vaccines.

The new strategy, detailed in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, works by identifying key areas of the protein that cause allergic reactions rather than the whole protein, as existing vaccines do.

The vaccine takes synthetic versions of the key regions of the protein, which are then injected in the person, rather than inhaled, which turns off the T-cells and helps build up a tolerance to the allergens.

Parkinson's-like gene mutation found in dogs

Tibetan terriers share a gene mutation similar to Parkinson's disease in humans, according to a University of Missouri study published in the journal Neurobiology of Disease.

The mutation prompts similar symptoms to Parkinson's disease, and for both humans and dogs the afflictions are usually fatal. The researchers believe that they may be able to test potential human therapies on the animal population because they can use a DNA test to identify affected dogs before they start to show symptoms.

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Dr. Becker can also be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker.

By Dr. Laurie Hess

"I've never had to bring him to the vet before, because he's never been sick ..."

At the animal hospital, I hear this same declaration every day from pet owners about their sick pets, regardless of the species they own. And here's the catch-22: If these folks had brought in their pets before they were sick, instead of waiting until after they showed signs of illness, their pets might not have become ill in the first place.

This is especially true of ferrets, those masked mischief-makers who make wonderful companions but have become so popular as pets that their domestication and inbreeding have made them susceptible to a handful of common -- often preventable -- illnesses. Among the top preventable health problems in ferrets are:

-- Foreign object ingestion: Just as human children put everything in their mouths, so do young ferrets. Shoes, parts of the couch, toys -- you name it; they'll eat it. And then they develop intestinal obstructions, which are marked by diarrhea, bloating and sometimes vomiting. This requires lifesaving intestinal surgery to resolve. So if you ferret-proof your crazy critter's environment by removing all small objects from the floor and never leaving him out of his cage unsupervised, you can avoid a costly trip to the emergency room.

-- Hairball ingestion: Just as young ferrets eat foreign objects, middle- to older-age ferrets ingest hair, and can develop intestinal obstructions due to hairballs. These furry friends often groom excessively, consuming large amounts of hair that stick together with mucus in their saliva to form cigar-shaped mats that plug up their narrow intestines, leading to diarrhea, lack of appetite, lethargy and occasional vomiting. Sometimes a laxative treatment will help these hairballs pass, but more often, complicated intestinal surgery is required to unplug these tiny creatures. With brushing and a couple of oral doses of a petroleum-based cat hairball laxative each week, you can avoid this situation.

-- Urinary-tract obstruction: The most common cause of urinary-tract obstruction in male ferrets is prostate gland enlargement, which compresses the urethra (outflow tract of the bladder), preventing urination. Prostate gland enlargement in ferrets is most often a result of an adrenal gland tumor that produces hormones that cause the prostate to swell. Both males and females can develop these tumors, but because females don't have prostates, they don't develop urinary-tract obstructions. While the cause of adrenal disease in ferrets is not completely understood, and we cannot prevent it, we can recognize its telltale signs -- hair loss and itchy skin -- and treat it with hormones and sometimes surgery when it first occurs, before urinary obstruction develops. So if your ferret starts scratching and showing patchy baldness, it's time for a visit to the vet.

-- Dental disease: Can you imagine eating every day and never brushing your teeth? That's what most pets do, but at least most cat and dog owners take their pets for regular dental cleaning. On the other hand, most ferret owners never do. In fact, most ferret owners are not even aware that their naughty nibblers need dental cleaning. Ferrets, like dogs and cats, should have an annual dental scaling and cleaning, and ferret owners should brush their pets' teeth weekly to help keep tartar buildup down. There are tiny toothbrushes that fit on a human finger that are used with poultry-flavored toothpaste especially designed for ferret fangs. Regular tooth care in ferrets reduces gingivitis, tooth root infection and tooth loss that commonly occurs in ferrets as they age.

So if you own a ferret and he has never visited a vet, it's time for a checkup -- even if he isn't ill. Remember, an ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure.

Dr. Laurie Hess cares for birds and other exotic pets, such as rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, smaller rodents and reptiles at the Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics in Bedford Hills, N.Y. Dr. Hess previously served as head of the Avian & Exotic Pet Service at the renowned Animal Medical Center in New York City.

Q&A

Tips to help keep

older dog eating

Q: My 10-year-old dog has been sick recently and he's not eating enough to keep a bird alive. What can I do to put some weight back on him and help him get better? -- via email

A: Your dog is dealing with a double whammy. Not only is he not feeling well -- and let's face it, most of us don't feel like eating when we're sick -- but he's also a member of the senior club, which means his sniffer isn't working at its best anymore. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help him regain his appetite.

First, make sure he's eating a food that is easily digested with protein that is readily available for his body to use. That means meat protein.

The food should also taste and smell good. To enhance its aroma and flavor, gently warm it to just below your dog's body temperature, about 99 or 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to stir the food and check it with your finger for any hot spots before you feed it to him.

Feed your dog in an area where he's comfortable. Don't let other pets in the area unless he's a "social eater" who enjoys having human or animal company while he eats.

Your dog may not feel like eating much all at once. Try feeding several small meals daily.

Separate meals from potentially unpleasant experiences such as giving medication or changing bandages. If your dog learns to associate eating with those experiences, he may eat less or stop eating altogether.

Try tempting your dog's appetite with a delicious new food that he's never had before.

Praise or pet your dog when he eats.

Make sure your dog always has fresh water to drink. If he's dehydrated, he won't feel like eating.

If your dog is vomiting because he has an upset stomach, ask your veterinarian to prescribe medication that can block the effects of chemicals in the body that activate the brain's vomiting center.

If all else fails, consider tube feeding. It's not painful and it can be the best way to keep your dog from losing too much weight, so ask about it right away if you think he's having trouble eating. – Kim Campbell Thornton

THE BUZZ

Keeping tabs

on tabby cats

-- As in-the-know cat owners know, tabby is not a breed of cat but the pattern of the cat, no matter its color. There are five tabby patterns. For non-cat cognoscenti, here is an easy way to spot the different tabbies, according to Cat Daily:

1. The classic tabby has bold, swirling patterns on its sides that resemble a marble cake.

2. The mackerel tabby has narrow, branching stripes on its sides and spine that resemble a fish skeleton.

3. The spotted tabby has round, oval or rosette-like spots, small or large, on its sides.

4. The ticked tabby has neither stripes nor spots but is instead marked by individual hairs highlighted with alternating light and dark bands of hair.

5. The patched tabby is distinguished by a tortoiseshell pattern.

Tabbies all share a pencil-thin line shaped like an M on their foreheads. The marking has been interpreted as a blessing from the Virgin Mary or from the prophet Mohammed, who is said to have loved tabbies. Others link the marking to "Mau," the ancient Egyptian word for cat.

-- City-dwelling birds have a larger brain relative to their size than non-city dwelling birds. As the BBC notes, scientists suggest that larger brains in birds such as crows, tits, nuthatches and wrens make them more adaptable to the changeable conditions of city living.

-- Sperm whales communicate to each other through patterns of clicks called "codas." Not only do the codas communicate different meanings, Science Daily notes, but they can also denote individuals through the sound of their codas, as sperm whales actually have differing accents.

Although sperm whales have differing repertoires of codas depending upon where they are from, they do have a standard "five regular" call, a pattern of five evenly spaced clicks, which is used by whales worldwide and is believed to have the function of universal identity. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Mikkel Becker and Ed Murrietta

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Dr. Becker can also be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker.