GIVING FLUIDS AT HOME KEEPS MANY PETS COMFORTABLE

Last year, my elderly Sheltie, Drew, was diagnosed with canine kidney disease. Medications didn't agree with him, his appetite for a therapeutic diet (or indeed any food at all) was nonexistent, and I was sent home with supplies for giving him subcutaneous fluids at home to see if he could be saved.

I'm not particularly squeamish about needles or, indeed, most aspects of pet care, so I wasn't the least bit troubled about pushing fluids under my dog's skin every morning for the rest of his life. I did suspect, however, that the rest of his life wouldn't be that long a time period.

Turns out, I sold both Drew and subcutaneous fluid therapy short.

Drew turned 15 in December, bounced back last month from a mild stroke, and more recently spent an entire day bouncing happily around dog-friendly wineries in Napa Valley. All because of an inexpensive, five-minute procedure I've taken to calling "the daily re-Drewbinating."

His appetite came back enough that he actually put on weight. And no one can believe he's an old dog, much less one who's basically a hospice case.

Drew's success is not even that remarkable. My veterinarian has other patients who've done well for years on regular subcutaneous therapy at home, either in conjunction with medication and special diets or, as in Drew's case, simply with better hydration.

Is subcutaneous fluid therapy at home right for you and your sick pet? Could be!

Renal disease is not uncommon in older pets. The kidneys are the true superstar organs of the body, with many jobs to do, including filtering waste and extra water from the blood and sending it out of the body as urine. When kidneys start failing, their function can be aided with proper hydration, and that's where subcutaneous fluids come in.

Giving thirsty kidneys a boost can help keep them on the job, allowing them to continue their vital work. By adding fluids at home, these pets can keep their kidneys happy. Fluids in, toxins out.

If your veterinarian thinks home fluid therapy will help your pet's kidneys, you'll be provided with fluids, IV lines and needles, along with the instruction you need. After you've set up the IV bag (I hang it from my dining room chandelier) and readied the line and a new needle, put your pet on a soft blanket or towel on your lap or a table.

Inserting the needle is pretty easy: You pull up skin gently over the shoulders to make a "tent," push the needle swiftly in at the base and unclip the line to let the fluids in, reversing the process when the prescribed amount of fluids has made a bubble that will slowly be absorbed. (The website DVM360.com has produced a wonderful instructional video -- tinyurl.com/SubQpets -- to help walk you through the process if you need reminders after your lesson at your veterinarian's.)

Drew is large enough to get half of a one-liter bag of fluids each day. My veterinarian helped me find the best places to buy fluids and supplies in bulk to lower my costs (about $30 a month for everything). I also invested in a pressure cuff ($20) for the fluid bag to make everything go more quickly. The morning drill is so routine now that half the time, Drew falls asleep before we're done.

When I need to travel, I use a pet-sitting company that hires veterinary technicians to handle this daily task.

While I have no idea how long it will be before Drew's kidneys give out completely, I am grateful for the chance to have more quality time with a very special pet. And the fact that it's easy and inexpensive? Icing on the cake.

Q&A

Put string toys

away after play

Q: I read an article that strings are dangerous for cats, but toys with string are all over the pet store. Are they safe or not? -- H.R., via Facebook

A: Kittens and cats love playing with string, as well as ribbon and anything that twists and dances. They like to stalk, to pounce, to flip their slender prey into the air, and to start stalking again. That's all good clean fun, but there's always a chance that your cat won't stop with play and will decide to eat his plaything. And that's where the fun stops, because any sort of string can wreak havoc in your cat's intestines, causing a problem that may need to be surgically treated.

That's why string toys such as the popular "cat fishing poles" or other kitty lures are meant for interactive use only. Once you're done playing the game with your cat or kitten, put the toy securely out of reach behind a cupboard or closet door.

Toys probably aren't even the biggest risk in most homes. If you knit or sew, put your supplies securely away after you're done with them, and if you're opening or wrapping packages, clean up after you're done. Packing material such as foam "peanuts" can be a health hazard for your pet, too.

Even if your pet's not really the playful type, she may find one kind of string irresistible: juice-soaked string from a roast or turkey. Dispose of these tempting dangers carefully, putting them in a container your cat can't get into. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

New guidelines address

overvaccination of pets

-- Veterinarians used to think vaccines were so safe that it was better to vaccinate whenever there was any doubt about a pet's vaccine status. But research has shown that in some pets, the negative reaction to a vaccine isn't a day of just not feeling right: In a small but significant number of cats, deadly cancer was the result. New recommendations by veterinary authorities are a series of vaccinations to initiate disease resistance in kittens and puppies, followed by fewer "core" vaccines at longer intervals for adult dogs and cats.

-- White-coated and thin-coated dogs are vulnerable to skin cancer, and veterinary dermatologists have long recommended sunblock for these pets. Children's waterproof sunblock can be used, and there are even products that are made specifically for pets.

-- Some 80 to 90 percent of the drugs used in veterinary medicine come from human medicine. This so-called "off-label" use of human drugs allows veterinarians to treat medical conditions (and species) that might not be priorities for big drug companies when it comes to developing and selling medications. The reasons for prescribing the medication may not be the same in people and in pets, however. Veterinarians have used Viagra for canine heart problems, for example. More routinely (and less surprisingly) prescribed are "human" antibiotics, anti-anxiety medications and many other drugs that pretty much treat the same issues both in people and in pets.

-- Mikkel Becker and Dr. Marty 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 affiliated with Vetstreet.com and 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.

DECLAWING NOT NECESSARY TO RESOLVE PROBLEM SCRATCHING

I have to be honest: I don't like the idea of declawing cats. I understand why people choose to have it done, and I understand that in some cases it's a cat's only hope for staying in a good home. But I have never considered declawing for my own cat, and I cannot see it as anything but a last-chance effort after all other options have been tried.

It's not just about the surgery, although the cutting off of toes at the last joint is cringe-inducing, at least to me. After all, we long ago decided it's a good idea to cut open pets for the greater good of population control by spaying and neutering -- a good decision, but not a pain-free one for any individual animal.

If you absolutely, positively have no tolerance for scratching, please adopt a cat who has already been declawed rather than take home a kitten and have him declawed. If you already have a cat who's driving you crazy by clawing your couch, try the "carrot-and-stick" approach to change the behavior to one you can live with.

The "carrot": Offer your cat alternative places to scratch.

The "stick": Make your furniture unattractive to a clawing cat.

The best investment you can make for your pet's enjoyment -- and your furniture's preservation -- is a cat tree with a high perch for your pet to look down on the family. (Cats like being above it all!) Sisal, a natural ropelike fiber, is a good covering for cat trees, as is carpet with loops that aren't too shaggy. If you're even a little bit handy, you can make your own cat tree by using scrap lumber, sisal or carpet remnants.

You can make a cat tree even more appealing by playing games with your cat on it, and by petting and praising him for scratching there.

Cat trees aren't the only options. Add other approved places for your cat to scratch, such as vertical or horizontal posts, scratching trays filled with corrugated cardboard or scratching pads hung from doorknobs. Experiment to see what your cat likes best.

Once you have approved scratching areas in place, make the places your cat shouldn't be clawing unattractive by putting double-sided patches (such as Sticky Paws) or tape on the furniture. If the furniture fabric is too delicate, put the double-sided material on a piece of cardboard that wraps around the corner of the furniture. Cats hate to touch sticky surfaces, so anything mounted sticky-side out will discourage scratching.

Start with your scratching alternative near the problem area. Your cat may shift his attention away from your furniture to the scratching post or tree. Praise and treat for good behavior!

Once your cat understands what the scratching post is for, you can slowly move it to the part of the room where you'd like it. Leave the sticky deterrent on the furniture during the retraining, and be patient.

Declawing shouldn't be the first strategy for solving a scratching problem. Give your cat a chance to learn and to follow the rules. I bet you'll be surprised at how well it works out.

Q&A

Know an emergency

to save pet, money

Q: We've made a couple of ER runs with our dog for things that could have waited until morning. I sincerely believe I'd rather be wrong than sorry, and would always go if in doubt, but are there any guidelines you can offer? -- F.T., via Facebook

A: You should always call if you're not sure, but some situations do require urgent attention. Here are some signs that should have you heading for your veterinarian's or the emergency clinic:

-- Seizure, fainting or collapse.

-- Eye injury, no matter how mild.

-- Vomiting or diarrhea -- anything more than two or three times within an hour or so.

-- Allergic reactions, such as swelling around the face or hives, which are most easily seen on the belly.

-- Any suspected poisoning, including antifreeze, rodent or snail bait or human medication. Cats are especially sensitive to insecticides (such as flea-control medication for dogs) or any petroleum-based product.

-- Snake or venomous spider bites.

-- Thermal stress -- from being either too cold or too hot -- even if the pet seems to have recovered. (The internal story could be quite different.)

-- Any wound or laceration that's open and bleeding, or any animal bite.

-- Trauma, such as being hit by a car, even if the pet seems fine. (Again, the situation could be quite different on the inside.)

-- Any respiratory problem: chronic coughing, trouble breathing or near drowning.

-- Straining to urinate or defecate.

It's essential to know where to go before you need after-hours veterinary care for your pet. Talk to your veterinarian now about after-hours arrangements. Some veterinarians remain on call while others refer to emergency-care clinics. If your veterinarian refers you elsewhere, be sure you have the phone number of the ER clinic handy, and know how to get there. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

No. 1 dog? It's

the Lab ... maybe

-- Labrador retrievers again were No. 1 on the American Kennel Club's list of most-popular breeds. But with AKC registrations in sharp decline and the majority of dogs never recorded by the organization, it's more likely that another breed is America's true No. 1. Beloved by many, feared by an equal number and as misunderstood as any dog ever, the breeds generically grouped under the name "pit bull" are thought by many to be the most common dog in the country. Except, of course, in cities where owning one is illegal.

-- Among the many things we have in common with dogs, add one more: When they're tired, dogs make bad decisions, too. That's the indication from studies in France, where dogs were asked to focus on a sit-stay for 10 minutes, then put to problem-solving tasks. People are more likely to behave impulsively when exhausted, researchers said, citing tendencies to fight. Dogs were the same, showing an inclination when tired to approach an aggressive dog in a cage. Dogs who waited more casually without the work of holding a stay were less tired, and more likely to make better decisions. One takeaway for dog owners, said researchers, is that dogs who are exhausted from a day with the kids may be more likely to snap than a pet whose owners recognize the animal's need for a break. -- Gina Spadafori

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 affiliated with Vetstreet.com and 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.

WHEN SNAKES BECOME ACTIVE, IT'S TIME TO PROTECT YOUR DOG

Spring hadn't even clocked in a full week before two dogs belonging to friends of mine were bitten by rattlesnakes. Both dogs survived and will recover fully, but the pain was significant -- and so was the cost of treatment.

Fortunately, most snakes aren't all that interested in biting; they prefer to hide or skedaddle when faced with a threat. If they can't escape, they'll bite. That's when dogs typically get bitten: They put their noses where they don't belong, and instead of letting a snake slither away, they bother the reptile until it strikes.

Dr. Tony Johnson, a veterinarian specializing in emergency and critical care, spent part of his career practicing in the dry, brushy foothills of Northern California -- prime rattlesnake country. In his experience, terriers tended to be bitten more often than other dogs.

"It's almost always dogs and it's almost always terriers," he said. "Cats tend to be more cautious than dogs, and a terrier is more likely to put his nose where it will get him into trouble than many other dogs. And they don't learn from the experience."

What can you do to protect your dog? Here are some tips:

-- Keep your dog on leash if at all possible. While that's not possible for working dogs such as search-and-rescue or hunting dogs, it's likely the safest strategy for all others.

-- Work with your dog to ensure he comes when called, so that if you hear or see a snake, you can get your dog away and allow the snake room and time to escape.

-- Stay on established trails instead of hiking through areas where snakes can hide.

-- Don't allow your dog to burrow or otherwise try to tangle with wildlife. If he's looking for trouble, he may find it.

-- Consider snake-proofing. Many hunters take their dogs through clinics where professional trainers expose the animals to caged snakes and use electronic shock to establish a negative association. The clinics are controversial, however, because of the use of pain in teaching dogs to fear the reptiles. Balancing risk vs. benefit is an owner's judgment call.

Signs of a bite include puncture wounds from the fangs of the snake, bruising, blood and a rapid swelling as well as severe pain. If you suspect your dog may have been bitten, end your outing and immediately get to a veterinarian -- and call ahead, if at all possible, so the veterinary team can prepare.

Your pet will need emergency veterinary care to address both the immediate dangers of swelling and pain as well as the longer-term challenges, such as dead tissue and infection. Most dogs survive a bite, especially with prompt veterinary care.

"There's nothing you can do in the field to help your dog," said Dr. Johnson, "certainly not cutting the wound or sucking the venom out. Just get to the vet."

It's worth asking your veterinarian about vaccines that protect dogs from the venom of some snakes. But really, if you're going to be hiking with your dog in areas that are perfect habitats for snakes, you'll need luck as well as precaution.

And, as always, know where to find a veterinarian when you have to, quickly.

Q&A

Bearded dragons tops

among reptilian pets

Q: Are bearded dragons good pets? -- via email

A: They're arguably the best pets among reptiles and amphibians, especially for beginners. Affectionately called "beardeds" by their fans, these lizards are not only tame around humans, but many also seem to enjoy the contact. Even better, they're relatively easy keepers, suitable for almost any pet lover or family situation.

The name comes from the display the pet puts on when trying to act tough. The puffed-beard display is only used defensively to scare away potential threats. Along with puffing out, beardeds also flatten out their bellies to look wider, as well as leave their rather large mouths gaping open to intimidate the potential threat.

Beardeds need human help to maintain their temperature in captivity, using heat lamps or warming pads. Beardeds do well with options, in tanks where some areas are cooler, some warmer, a range of 85 to 105 degrees by day, dipping down into the 70s at night. You'll also need special lighting, since these reptiles need UVB rays to properly absorb dietary calcium. A full-spectrum light should be provided 12 to 14 hours a day most of the year, and 10 to 12 hours in the winter.

Omnivores by nature, beardeds enjoy both plants and meat in their diet. Juveniles enjoy a carnivorous diet, while adults become primarily herbivores. All food given to a bearded should be shredded into easy-to-swallow, bite-size pieces.

Beardeds live to be about 10 years old and will mature at 18 to 24 inches in length, including the tail. -- Gina Spadafori

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

THE BUZZ

Knowing where to pet

can prevent a bite

-- Some cats don't like being petted, and may react with teeth and claws. To turn the situation around, work to eliminate the triggers for unwanted behavior while increasing your cat's tolerance levels for being petted. Some kinds of petting are easier for cats to tolerate than others. For a highly reactive cat, restrict your caresses to behind the ears, under the chin or the base of the tail. Always stop before tail twitching shows that your cat is overstimulated.

-- Buying in bulk can make pet-food budgets go further, a cost-cutting strategy already popular with many dog lovers. Nearly half of all dog owners buy kibble in either 20- to 40-pound bags or bags larger than 40 pounds, according to the American Pet Products Association.

-- Cat owners and even veterinarians often find it difficult to recognize when a cat is in pain. Cats are descended from small predators who instinctively know that if they show signs of illness, the hunter becomes the hunted. Subtle changes in a cat's interactions with the family may be a clue that pain is present. Be on the lookout for unexpected hiding, irritability, lack of appetite or just plain weird(er) behavior. While you should never give human pain meds (even the over-the-counter variety) to your cat -- they can be lethal -- your veterinarian can help you to ease your pet's pain with traditional and alternative medicine, as well as with strategies to help manage the cat's environment to ease the hurt. -- Mikkel Becker and Dr. Marty 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 affiliated with Vetstreet.com and 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.