Your veterinarian makes it look so easy: Pill. Pet. And like a magic trick, suddenly the pill is inside the pet, and the pet seemingly none the wiser.

If only it were that easy for you.

You go home, and you can't even find your cat when it's time for medication. Under the bed? Maybe. Behind the couch? Maybe not. How does the cat know, and how is he able to disappear as if by another talented magician?

Your dog is only marginally easier, maybe. Not quite as fussy as your cat, he'll eat the pill if it's hidden in something yummy, or so you think. But later you find the pill on the kitchen floor, and you realize he was somehow able to extricate the yummy stuff from the medicine and hide the pill in his jowls for spitting out later. Outsmarted again!

You figure it's a victory if you get half the pills in for half the number of days they're prescribed, and you hope that's good enough.

Problem is, it's not. One of the biggest problems veterinarians have in helping your pet get better is ... you. If you aren't able to follow through with medications, your pet will likely be back at the vet.

Do you dread walking out of your veterinarian's office with pills? Here are some strategies to make the pill-popping easier:

-- Pop and treat. Have your veterinarian demonstrate. Always start with a positive attitude and end with a treat and praise. You can find "pill guns" through pet retailers that help with getting the pill quickly in the right place -- at the back of the throat for easier swallowing.

-- Stealth. Perhaps the most popular method is to hide the pill in something cats love, although most cats figure this out soon enough and start eating around the pill. Try treats that are designed for pill-popping: They're yummy little bits with pockets for hiding the medicine.

-- Presto-chango. For pets who just won't tolerate pills (or people who just hate giving them), ask your veterinarian about using a compounding pharmacy. These businesses take all manner of medications and turn them into edible treats in pet-friendly flavors.

-- New technologies. Ask your veterinarian for the latest options. The medication you're using may be available in an easier-to-use format, such as trans-dermal.

Once you get the pill down your pet, it's very important to follow with a drink of water to protect your pet from having the pill dissolve in the esophagus. Ask your veterinarian for a syringe with the needle removed to squirt the "chaser" to the pill.

No matter what, always give pet medications exactly as prescribed and to the end of the supply. If you have questions or problems, or if the condition hasn't improved after the medications are gone, you must call your veterinarian for advice for the health of your pet.

If you need help, ask! Your veterinarian wants your pet to get better just as much as you do.

Q&A

Training a kitten

makes a better cat

Q: We just got a kitten. Can you offer some training tips? -- via email

A: Kittens are a kick, no doubt about it, but they're not always easy to live with.

Kittens climb up the back of the sofa and launch themselves off it. They climb up the curtains to get a better view out the window. They leap up to the fireplace mantel and knock over one of the pair of antique vases you inherited from Grandma, or worse yet a family member's cremains and then use the contents as a makeshift litter box (I've known this to happen!). And kittenhood can last up to three years before the little bundle of cuteness even thinks about settling down into sedate cathood.

Be aware that this tiny feline firecracker will need a lot of attention, exercise and play to help him stay out of trouble. He needs consistent, appropriate outlets for his youthful exuberance. Whereas puppies have an oral fixation, kittens have a climbing/scratching one. Most of all, he needs an owner who can set limits in a kind and intelligent way, so the kitten learns what is acceptable behavior and what is not.

Kittens are like modeling clay. If they get a good start with plenty of handling at a young age, you can shape them through training to become the cat of your dreams. Young kittens are especially receptive to touch between two and eight weeks of age. With early exposure to kind and gentle human hands, plus kittygarten classes (ask your veterinarian for information) before they are 12 weeks old, kittens are less likely to develop behavior problems as they grow up. -- Dr. Marty Becker

(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)

THE BUZZ

Military dogs get

new care standardss

-- New guidelines recently issued by the U.S. Army in Afghanistan alert military doctors on how to provide medical care to military dogs injured in combat. There are seven teams of military veterinarians in Afghanistan and two veterinary clinics. Since May 2010, six dogs have been wounded and 14 dogs have died in combat.

Before being treated at military veterinary clinics, injured dogs are transported by helicopter to field hospitals. The new guidelines inform military doctors on the differences in human and dog anatomies, which include dogs' heartbeats being about 20 beats per minute faster and their temperatures being 2 to 3 degrees warmer, with similar blood pressure. The guidelines also address post-traumatic stress disorder in dogs.

-- One of the most common beliefs about cats is that they are independent and aloof, preferring their own company to that of people. It's true that cats in general are less "needy" than dogs, but most cats love spending time with their people, whether it's spent playing with toys or just sitting in a lap, motor-purring. Know that being a lap-cat is genetically influenced. Feline behaviorists used to think you could turn any cat into a lap-cat, but not so. When cat lovers understand that sitting within 18 inches is friendly for some cats, they'll feel better about not having a full-on lap-cat and accept their pets as they are.

-- The first dog in the world to have prosthetic paws is Naki'o, a red cattle dog from Nebraska who lost all four paws to frostbite. OrthoPet, a Denver company specializing in prosthetics for pets, helped Naki'o, who had only stumps left for paws after his winter ordeal and had to crawl on his belly to get around. After getting prosthetic paws, he has regained mobility. Prosthetics can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 per prosthetic. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

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.

My retrievers love to swim so much that one of them once attempted to squeeze herself through a cracked window to jump out of a moving car heading over the Mississippi River.

Heather was a smart dog, but the very sight of the Big River overwhelmed her common sense. She wanted to swim, and had it been possible, she would have.

Had she survived the fall, that is.

To be sure, most dogs aren't so crazy about water to leap off a tall bridge, but all dogs can be at risk when water is involved. Many dogs enjoy swimming as much as people do, and cool times in the local swimming spot or backyard pool are one of the best parts of summer.

But play it safe. The keys to water safety for dogs are prevention, preparedness and awareness.

-- Prevention: No dog should be given unsupervised access to a backyard pool or a neighborhood pond or creek. Swimming pools are best fenced off for safety. And if that's not possible, they should be equipped with alarms that sound when the surface of the water is broken by a child or pet falling in. Escape ramps are a good idea, but it's better to prevent pets from getting in unsupervised in the first place.

Prevention also includes teaching your pet what to do when he's in the pool. Dogs don't get the idea that the steps are on one side only, and they may tire and drown trying to crawl out the side. If your pet likes to swim, work with him in the pool to help him learn where the steps are so he can get out easily.

Finally, obedience training is extremely important. Your dog should come when called, even when swimming, so you can call him back before he heads into deeper water or stronger currents. Emergency shortcut: Always carry extra retrieving toys. A dog who's heading out into a dangerous area after a ball or stick can often be lured back into shore with a second item thrown closer in. It's no substitute for training, but it could save your dog's life.

-- Preparedness: Before letting your dog swim in any natural surroundings, survey the area for safety. Rivers and oceans can change frequently, and an area that was safe for swimming one visit can be treacherous the next. Consider currents, tides, underwater hazards and even the condition of the water. In the late summer, algae scum on the top of standing water can be toxic, producing substances that can kill a pet who swallows the tainted water. When in doubt, no swimming. Better safe than sorry.

One of the best things you can do is take courses in first-aid and CPR for your pets. Many local Red Cross chapters offer these classes, and some veterinarians may also teach them in your community. A dog who's pulled out near death from drowning may be saved by your prompt actions -- if you know what to do.

If your dog isn't much of a swimmer, or is older or debilitated, get him a personal floatation device. These are especially great for family boating trips because most have sturdy handles for rescue when a pet goes overboard.

Awareness: Be aware of your dog's condition as he plays. Remember that even swimming dogs can get hot, so bring fresh water and offer it constantly. When your dog is tiring, be sure to call it a day. A tired dog is a good dog, but an exhausted dog is in danger of drowning. 

Be particularly careful of young and old dogs. Both can get themselves into more trouble than a healthy adult dog with lots of swimming experience. Young dogs can panic in the water, and old dogs may not realize they aren't as strong as they used to be. Keep them close to shore, and keep swimming sessions short. 

Swimming is great exercise and great fun for all, and with these few simple precautions you can keep the cool times coming, with safety in mind.  Heather never did get to swim in the Mississippi, but she swam in countless other rivers and lakes, and in two oceans. Best of all: Despite her desire to occasionally put herself into danger, she lived to a good, old age.

Q&A

Simple dryer sheet

can help quell fear

Q: Can you suggest some ways for us to cope with our dog's fear of thunderstorms? Not only is our dog miserable, but she's driving us crazy. -- via email

A: A storm is more than just thunder: The atmospheric pressure changes, the sky lights up, static electricity builds and rain pounds on the roof. The smells in the air are so different that even we scent-challenged humans say, "Smells like rain." Imagine what an incoming storm smells like to our dogs!

One surprising tip that works in about one-third of dogs: Take an unscented dryer sheet from the laundry room and wipe your dog with it. This eliminates the static electricity that builds up in a dog's coat, and for some dogs this is all they need to cope.

For other dogs, fear of thunderstorms increases because their people mishandle the early signs of fear either by soothing the dog or by punishing her. Soothing a dog ("Poor baby! Don't be afraid. Come here and get a hug.") rewards the behavior, while punishing a dog makes a scary event even more frightening.

When puppies and young dogs show concern, one strategy is to distract them. Give them something positive to do, such as starting a training session with lots of treats, or playing a favorite game. In other words, ignore the storm, distract the dog and set the tone by acting unconcerned. With a new dog, the first time there is a storm, pretend it is an invitation to a "storm party." With every crack of thunder, respond, "Whoopee! That was a fun one, here's your storm cookie!" Couple this with happy requests for simple obedience commands.

Once a dog has developed a full-blown phobia, though, the fear of storms is quite dramatic and can be dangerous. If your dog is afraid of loud noises that you can predict -- fireworks on holidays, for example -- ask your veterinarian to prescribe generic Xanax for your pet just for those days.

For extremely fearful dogs who live in areas that get a lot of thunderstorms, your best bet is asking your veterinarian for a referral to a behaviorist. A veterinary behaviorist will work with you on a treatment plan that may include medications, counter-conditioning, pheromones and even anti-static jackets in an effort to help a dog to relax during storms. -- Dr. Marty Becker

(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)

THE BUZZ

Pets get tossed

in favor of 'Net

-- On an average weekday, Canadian pet owners spend nearly twice as much time surfing the Internet (48 minutes) and three times as much time watching television (79 minutes) as they do playing with/exercising their pets (25 minutes). The statistics come from Canada's "Pet Wellness Report," a research study of 1,000 Canadian dog or cat owners and 100 veterinarians conducted by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.

-- An ailurophile is a cat fancier, a lover of cats. Don't like cats? Then you're an ailurophobe, defined as someone who hates or fears cats.

-- The Tony Awards bestowed a historic first -- a special excellence in theater award given to dog trainer William Berloni, who is known for finding canine stars at animal shelters and turning them into Broadway stars. Berloni trained the original Sandy from the musical "Annie," and now houses 30 Sandys, which can be deployed at any time for the numerous productions of "Annie" around the country. Other dogs he has trained for Broadway shows include the toy poodle for "Gypsy," the Chihuahua for "Legally Blonde" and Toto for "The Wizard of Oz." -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

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.

BULLDOGS, PUGS NEED PROTECTION FROM THE HEAT

By Dr. Tony Johnson

Mother Nature usually does things pretty economically, trying to get genes passed on from one generation to the next with a minimum of fuss.

When people step in and start mucking about is usually when the troubles begin. When we breed for a particular look (rather than for a purpose intended to maximize the chances of passing on genes), function gets tossed out the window at the expense of form, and things can get bogged down pretty quickly.

Lots of different dogs suffer from problems because of fad breeding, but perhaps none so much as the short-nosed, or "brachycephalic" breeds such as pugs, English Bulldogs and the like. As the weather turns warmer, we see a lot more of these dogs suffering from heat stroke in our emergency unit at Purdue's School of Veterinary Medicine.

Dogs are largely unable to sweat. Maybe a little around the feet (sometimes my more nervous patients will leave cute little paw-shaped sweat prints on the exam table), but not through their skin as people can. They regulate their body temperature largely though panting, which dumps heat from their bodies through evaporation of water from their tongues rather than their skin.

In order to keep cool through panting, dogs need a good airway. Brachycephalic dogs almost all have narrower windpipes relative to other dogs of comparable size -- a condition known as "tracheal hypoplasia." Bulldogs often have a trachea that would keep a Yorkie quite happy, but for the bulldog, it must be like breathing through a coffee stirrer. When we have to intubate brachycephalic dogs for surgery (which involves placing a soft, plastic tube into their trachea to deliver oxygen and anesthetic gases), they will often wake up with the tube in place after the procedure and seem quite happy to have an open and bigger airway for the first time in their lives. Most other dogs can't wait to get the dang tube out!

Brachycephalic dogs can also have little blobs of tissue in the back of their throat (known as "laryngeal saccules") that can turn inside out and block the airway, and they often have teensy-weensy little nostrils that look cute but don't move too much actual air. Together, tiny tracheas, lumps of flesh and wee nostrils are called a "brachycephalic airway syndrome," and while surgery can fix a few of the problems and provide for a better life for some of these dogs, the threat of heat exhaustion always remains.

When they try to dump excess body heat through panting, brachycephalics have to work so hard to move enough air through their tiny tracheas that they actually end up generating (BEGIN ITAL)more(END ITAL) heat and making things worse. It would be like having a coal-fired air-conditioner in your house; when the house gets warm, the A/C kicks on, but the heat from the coal fire would make the house warmer.

When the weather turns warm and humid, these dogs need to stay in a carefully controlled and cool environment to avoid overheating.

Signs of heat exhaustion -- the last step before heat stroke -- include bright red gums, an inability to get up and loud, raspy panting. Dogs that are going into full-on heat stroke often vomit, become severely lethargic and can have explosive diarrhea. Once heat stroke develops, cooling them down is the top priority but it often is not enough. Some dogs will go down the slippery and tragic slope into multi-organ failure and be unable to be saved, even with days of ICU-level care.

Prevention is the key with this condition, so remember to keep these dogs in a cool environment and always watch out for heat exhaustion.

If you think your dog is suffering from heat stroke or exhaustion, douse them in cool water, get them out of the heat and calmed down, and head for the nearest veterinarian without delay. Even a few minutes can make all the difference in the world.

Dr. Tony Johnson is a board-certified specialist in emergency and critical care and a professor at the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is on the Pet Connection advisory board.

Q&A

Back to basics for

dog who messes home

Q: My dog is no longer a puppy, but he keeps having accidents in the house. I think he does it on purpose, but punishing him doesn't help. I'd like to replace the rugs, but can't until this problem is resolved. Ideas? -- via email

A: Punishing your pet isn't fair, and it isn't the answer: You have to go back to square one and teach him properly. Before you start training, though, you must be sure that what you have is really a behavior problem and not a physical problem. You won't be able to train your pet if he's struggling with an illness. So check with your veterinarian first for a complete checkup.

If you've ruled out medical problems, house-training an adult dog uses the same principles as house-training a puppy, except you have to be even more diligent because you need to do some untraining, too. And a lot of cleaning: You must thoroughly clean any soiled area with enzymatic cleaner (available through pet supply outlets) to eliminate the smell that invites repeat business.

You'll need to teach your dog what's right before you can correct him for what's wrong. To do this, spend a couple of weeks ensuring that he has nothing but successes by never giving him the opportunity to make a mistake.

Here's how:

Leash him to you in the house so you can monitor his every move during his training period. If he starts to mess, tell him "no," take him outside, and give him a command for going ("go now" or even "let's hurry"). Then praise him for doing right, so he starts to understand what you want.

Put him in a crate whenever he's not on leash with you. It's not unfair during training to leave him in a crate for four or five hours at a stretch -- assuming, of course, that he's getting his regular daily exercise.

Take him outside first thing in the morning, as soon as you get home from work and just before you go to bed (when you put him in his crate for the night). Always remember to give your "go" command, and praise him when he does as you wish. People never seem shy about punishing their dogs, but too often forget to praise them -- they take it for granted the dog should do the right thing. Never, ever forget the praise!

If you've been consistent, your dog likely will get a good idea of what's expected of him within a couple of weeks. If you continue to have problems, ask your veterinarian for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist. One-on-one assistance can pinpoint the problems in your training regimen and get you both on the right track. – Gina Spadafori

THE BUZZ

People still spend

on cherished pets

-- Americans spent $55 billion on their pets last year, according to Packaged Facts, a market research firm. Fewer people acquired pets, however, in part because fewer people purchased houses, which has been linked to the addition of pets. There was some decline in "hard goods" such as leashes and bowls, but other categories showed strong sales. Brand-name products and high-end goods continued to do well, attracting lines from Martha Stewart, Ellen DeGeneres, Fisher-Price and General Nutrition Center.

-- The American Kennel Club has added three new breeds for a total of 173 breeds and varieties. Now eligible for championship status are the American English Coonhound, Finnish Lapphund and Cesky Terrier.

-- If your dog is limping, part of the problem may well be excess weight. A study of dogs at least 20 percent more that their ideal body weight evaluated their degrees of lameness. Then the dogs' caloric intake was reduced to prompt them to lose weight while maintaining exercise at the pre-study level. By the end of the study, the dogs had not only lost weight but 82 percent of the dogs were less lame. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

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.