DON'T EXPECT PREDATORS AND PREY TO ACT LIKE FAMILY

Last month, after years of dreaming about it, I moved onto a small property that allowed me to have my horses live in my backyard instead of at a boarding barn. There is also room for my pet chickens and ducks, and of course, my dogs and my cat.

All the animals get along, not only the "farm" animals, but also the more traditional household pets. This happens not because we're all one happy family, but because I know enough about animals to realize that we are not family at all.

In more than 30 years of writing about pets and a lifetime of living with them, I have shared my life with everything from hermit crabs to parrots to bunnies to snakes to horses and a lot in between, along with the more common pets of dogs and cats. For the most part, the interactions have been safe ones because I take care to keep them that way. Here's how:

Don't anthropomorphize, but do generalize ... a little. You love all your pets, so it's natural to expect that your pets not only love you, but also feel at least warm toward each other. Let me put it this way: Even though you loved your siblings growing up, I bet there were times when you punched them, right? And you're the same species.

Don't expect pets to get along because you think they're "family." There's never a bird born who can truly see a cat as a brother, and never a dog who isn't fighting instinct to look at Brother Rabbit as an appetizer.

And be aware that, in general, some breeds of dogs are highly unlikely to be safe around smaller pets. Even if you had a Jack Russell who ignored your daughter's pet mouse, don't expect most Jack Russells to do so. Learn not only about the species of your pets and what's generally normal behavior in a pet household, but learn in particular about dog breeds and what they were bred for. A sight hound such as a greyhound may be very placid when everyone's relaxed, but if your cat dashes across the yard, your hound may give chase.

Respect the nature of things. Big dogs are born predators, even those who'd seemingly never act on their genetic coding. Small dogs and cats are both predators and prey (although small dogs often don't seem to know it). Almost everything else we keep as a pet is viewed by some other animal as lunch. That's especially true for rabbits and pet rodents, and true as well for parrots and backyard birds such as chickens and ducks. It's even true of many reptilian pets.

When you mix predators and prey, you take chances. And you must never forget that. If you want a houseful of different species, look for those more likely to get along, or be determined to keep them forever apart. And even then, never take chances: Always oversee the interactions of your pets. The lion may lay down with the lamb from time to time, but that's not how the smart money bets on the interaction. Don't let predator and prey species such as cats and birds "play" together.

Divide to prevent conquering. Good fencing may make good neighbors, but secure barriers have kept many a small pet alive. When you are not actively engaged in overseeing your pets, keep small ones such as rabbits and birds in their enclosures, and use baby gates to add a layer of protection by keeping dogs out of a room where small animals such as hamsters are in cages that can be easily broken into.

In my case, I have my chickens and ducks in a spacious yard with good, standard fencing supplemented by electric fencing, not only to deter any wild predators, but also dogs -- my neighbors' and even my own.

I love living with many kinds of animals -- I'm adding a pair of pet goats after I'm well settled in -- but I'm always aware that my pets would not choose to live with one another if I didn't make them do so. That means I'm always careful to keep everyone safe, because ... we're family, even if they don't think so!

Q&A

Potential infection

needs diagnosis

Q: My older shepherd mix is showing signs of another urinary tract infection. Last time I took her to the veterinarian, he prescribed antibiotics for the UTI, saying that her urine leaking was due to her being on steroids. I don't want her on antibiotics again. Is there a natural alternative? -- via email

A: I'd love to tell you of a non-antibiotic remedy, but there isn't one. UTIs are the result of bacteria getting into the bladder, where they aren't supposed to be -- the urine bladder is normally a sterile environment. My suspicion is that your dog doesn't have a UTI at all, although she might. My thought is that she's leaking from the steroids (it is indeed a common side effect), or from spay incontinence, which is very common in spayed females.

Since the treatment for urinary leaking and the treatment for a UTI are completely different, you need to get an accurate diagnosis. This is easy, fortunately. Get a urine culture done, and know that this is not the same as a routine urinalysis.

If the culture doesn't grow any bacteria, she does not have an infection, and you'll need to pursue treatment for urinary incontinence with your veterinarian. If the culture does grow bacteria, then the lab will do a further test, known as a "sensitivity test," to determine what antibiotic the bacteria are susceptible to, so you don't waste time and money treating an infection with the wrong drug.

Bladder infections are very painful, so please don't spend more time looking for a home remedy "cure" that doesn't involve your dog's doctor. This is a serious quality of life issue that needs to be correctly diagnosed and treated. -- Dr. Marty Becker with Christie Keith

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

THE BUZZ

Reports of sick dogs,

people from pet food

-- The VIN news service (news.vin.com) reports that six animals have been reported dead and more than 50 claimed to have been made ill by salmonella contamination in commercial pet foods made under various brand names by the Diamond company. The information was obtained from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration via a Freedom of Information Act request. Many of the foods have been recalled by the brands and the manufacturer. Meanwhile, DVM36.com reports the filing of a lawsuit against Diamond and retailer Costco charging that the contaminated pet food made a New Jersey infant severely ill.

-- The U.S. Department of Agriculture is attempting to update its oversight of commercial pet breeders, including those substandard ones widely referred to as "puppy mills." Current regulations developed before the widespread use of the Internet exempt pet stores from the Animal Welfare Act. Many commercial breeding operations now skip retail outlets to sell and ship animals directly to consumers, taking advantage of the loophole to avoid regulations intended to ensure humane treatment of breeding animals and the sale of healthy young ones. The requirements would affect operations with four or more breeding animals, a number intended to allow reputable hobby breeders to continue raising animals in their homes, among other exemptions. Comments are currently being accepted on the proposed changes at www.aphis.usda.gov.

-- Celebrity dog trainer Cesar Millan is ending his phenomenally successful -- and equally controversial -- show when the current set of episodes has finished production. The "Dog Whisperer" has been successful both for Millan and for the Nat Geo WILD cable network, but the trainer's use of physical correction for poorly mannered dogs has attracted widespread criticism from veterinary behaviorists and some training organizations. Concurrent with announcing the end of the "Dog Whisperer," Millan revealed plans for a new series, "Leader of the Pack." -- 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.

DON'T PUNISH YOUR PET IF SHE BITES – JUST FREEZE

The average housecat weighs about 10 pounds, but boy can she pack a punch when she needs to. Believe me, a lot more veterinarians are injured by cats than by dogs. We do get dog bites from time to time, but dogs don't have those little bacteria-tipped, hypodermic-needle claws on the ends of their paws, and their teeth are not all razor-sharp like the ones your cat's got.

A cat can shred your arm in a second, and she won't hesitate if she thinks she's in danger. Because cat bites need to be taken seriously, there are a couple of rules every cat owner should always follow:

-- Respect your cat's limits. Many cat bites are simply the result of an owner pushing an interaction just a minute or two too long. Cats almost always give body-language warnings before they attack. You need to know what to look for, so yours doesn't have to tell you "the hard way" when she's had enough. Signs a cat is getting edgy include tail swishing, crouching, ears rotated back or lowered, dilated pupils and hair standing on end. Tuning in and ending an interaction before your cat reaches her breaking point will be a vast improvement for both of you.

-- Freeze! If your cat does go after you, you need to think fast to prevent serious injury. First, if you are holding her, let go. Second, don't move a muscle. Your cat's instincts are to fight until she wins, and your lack of movement tells her you're not a threat anymore. The worst thing to do is fight back, or to hit your cat. In the short run, you will escalate the conflict and worsen the possibility of injuries for you both. In the long run, you'll be teaching your cat to fear you. Punishment is controversial when dealing with dogs -- trainers argue that there are kinder, more effective ways to get the behavior you want using positive reinforcement. But there's no debate that punishment is not a match for training your cat.

-- Never, ever get in the middle of a catfight. If you have more than one cat, the possibility of a fight is always real, even if it's a remote one. If a fight breaks out, the last thing you want to do is put your hand in the mess -- it's like reaching into a blender to try to fish something out -- maybe you get it, maybe you don't, but you darn well might lose a finger. Instead of reaching between fighting cats, do something to startle them and redirect their attention. Throw a blanket over them, make a loud noise, or spray them with water to break their focus.

-- Get yourself to a doctor. Because cats carry bacteria on their claws, a high percentage of scratches become infected. If you get scratched or bitten, you'll likely need antibiotics to heal. Better to head things off at the pass by calling your doctor sooner rather than later. Cat scratches and bites have been known to lead to nasty infections and even disease.

If your cat has a hair-trigger when being petted, you can build up her tolerance by limiting your scratches to the underside of the chin and possibly the base of the tail. When your cat's body language suggests overstimulation, just stop. If you're consistent, you will build up the amount of petting your cat can tolerate. If the situation doesn't seem to be improving, ask your veterinarian for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist.

Q&A

Dealing with leaks

from a spayed dog

Q: My dog has been leaking urine while she's asleep, and it's getting worse. I ordered dog diapers over the Internet, but now the skin in that area is irritated. What can I do? -- via email

A: Take your dog to the veterinarian and have her checked for a bladder infection or some other health condition that can cause involuntary urinary leaking, or that can increase drinking and urination. These include structural problems, endocrine disorders such as Cushing's or even obesity.

If those medical causes are ruled out, ask your veterinarian if it could be spay incontinence. This is a form of urinary leaking caused by a lack of estrogen, known to control the ability of the dog's body to hold in urine when the bladder is full. In the typical leaky spayed female, the problem is worse when the dog is asleep or at rest, after which owners will find wet spots where the animal was reclining. The problem is more common in large dogs than in small, and the risk seems to increase slightly for those animals who were spayed before their first heat.

Why are spayed females prone to these problems? The lack of the female hormone estrogen weakens the sphincter.

Fortunately, spay incontinence is usually easy to treat. Your veterinarian will likely prescribe one of two drugs: phenylpropanolamine (PPA, brand name Proin), which tightens the sphincter muscle, or some form of estrogen, most commonly diethylstilbestrol (DES). There is also a new drug just recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Incurin (estriol), a natural estrogen hormone, which should be available through veterinarians in the United States soon. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Christie Keith

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

THE BUZZ

Why dogs love

a stinky roll

-- While veterinary behaviorists aren't sure why dogs like to roll in stinky stuff and eat rotten things, many believe these pets are marking themselves with their most prized possessions to show them off to all of their two-legged and four-legged friends. For a dog, wearing stinky stuff is like wearing the best of all designer-label scents. Forget trying to prevent your dog from rolling in the stinkiest things imaginable. The only way to stop the smelly search-and-roll is to keep your dog on a leash -- or to teach a foolproof come-hither when called.

-- The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that 5 percent of U.S. pets are microchipped, compared to nearly a quarter of European pets.

-- The American Veterinary Medical Association has sided with United Egg Producers and the Humane Society of the United States in supporting federal legislation to improve the lives of chickens. The Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments would nearly double the space for each hen and add perches and nesting boxes. It would also enforce the AVMA's standards for humane destruction of non-productive hens. The American Farm Bureau Federation does not support the proposals, which would take nine to 15 years to implement. -- 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.

YOUR VETERINARIAN NEEDS TO BE A PARTNER IN YOUR PET'S HEALTH

Time passes at such a crazy pace -- and if age creeps up swiftly on us humans, then it practically gallops where our pets are concerned.

Because pets age more quickly than people, they may get illnesses earlier than you'd think. Making sure your pet has regular checkups with the veterinarian is the best way to catch and treat developing health issues before they become serious problems.

I recommend twice-yearly wellness visits. Just as in human medicine, veterinary care has come a long way in its ability to detect health problems before they become symptomatic -- and to treat many of those problems simply and effectively.

The old adage about an ounce of prevention is just as true in your pet's life as it is in your own. Preventive, proactive veterinary care can add years to your pet's life.

For some pets, the veterinarian is just a vaguely familiar person who gives them treats and rudely palpates their privates once a year. For others, though, this is someone associated with all kinds of discomfort: strange and disturbing odors, barks and hisses of unfamiliar animals, and memories of pain from visits during an illness or following an accident. The veterinarian's office can be a scary place, indeed.

But it doesn't have to be that way, and it shouldn't be.

Making sure you and your pet have found the right veterinary practice can cut down on the stress and strain of visits. Having a practitioner -- and an actual veterinary practice, from front desk to veterinary technicians and more -- you can trust and count on when it comes to your pet's health care is essential to your pet having a life as long, healthy and happy as possible. Because without a well-run practice, an expert team and great veterinarians, neither you nor your pet will be likely to go as often as you need to, and that means less than optimal health for your pet.

What makes a great veterinarian? It starts with your level of confidence and trust and goes from there.

-- Does your dog's veterinarian put you at ease? Do you feel comfortable calling or coming in with any question or concern? Are you taken seriously when you bring your pet in for something non-specific, like overtiredness, a slight change in bathroom habits or becoming snippy with the kids?

-- Does the veterinarian acknowledge your role as "Dogtor Mom" or "Dogtor Dad"? A good practitioner respects the fact that you are her eyes and ears at home. You're the one who knows your pet's normal habits and attitudes, and you can be trusted to raise an alarm when something is outright wrong or your pet is just a little "off."

Do you like the way pets are treated at the practice? It's fair to expect to have confidence in everyone from the receptionist to the surgeon in your vet's practice. Ask for a tour of the entire clinic before becoming a client. Beyond reception areas and exam rooms are the areas where the nitty-gritty work of the office takes place, and most veterinarians will be happy to show you around. Employee- and pet-only rooms should reflect the same level of care, compassion and cleanliness as the ones out front. In fact, they must. I have a mantra that you should demand from your veterinarian: that she treat your pet exactly as if you were standing there looking over her shoulder.

When you find the veterinarian you can feel that way about, you have found the right one. Make that appointment for a wellness check and get your pet's health on track!

(Dr. Marty Becker is currently on a national tour for "Your Cat: The Owner's Manual," his newest book with fellow Pet Connection writer Gina Spadafori. "Your Dog: The Owner's Manual" is now available in paperback. For information on where to meet Dr. Becker, visit Vetstreet.com/dr-marty-becker.)

Q&A

Be ready to leave

a dog park quickly

Q: I disagree with your opinion on dog parks, and so does the dog-trainer whose class we took. She says she would never step foot in one. I know people who have had their pets attacked! Please spread the word. -- via Facebook

A: Dog parks tend to be only as good as the people using them, but I wouldn't put them all into the category of "never visit." As dog owners, we all need to look out for the safety of our own dogs as well as make sure our dogs are not causing problems for others using a dog park or run.

So how can you tell a "good" park from a "bad" one?

The best way to check out a dog park is to go during off-peak hours. You want to see clean grounds and clear rules for pickup and good behavior, a double-gated entry so dogs don't walk in on leash (a known fight trigger), and, in the best parks, a separate area for small dogs so they're not trampled or looked at as prey by large ones. People should be paying attention to keep their own dogs out of trouble, not answering their e-mail and checking their text messages.

And since a "good" park can change when a clueless person steps in with a dog who shouldn't be there, you need to be prepared to leave when you do not feel safe.

When they work, dog parks are great for getting pets the exercise they need. When they don't work, they put people and pets at risk of injuries, perhaps even deadly ones. So go forth and unleash, but do so with common sense and caution. -- Gina Spadafori

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

THE BUZZ

How many bones

for cat? Depends

-- No one really can say how many bones a cat has, and the Manx is one of the reasons why. A long-tailed Maine Coon cat will have more vertebrae than a Manx with no tail or a Manx mix with just part of a tail. And a cat with extra toes -- they're called polydactyl -- will have extra bones as a result. The range is usually between 230 and 250, with the average cat counting about 244 bones. Any way you count it, the average cat has about 30 more bones than we do. But we have something cats don't: collarbones. Without a collarbone, though, a cat can fit its body through openings the size of its head. Assuming he isn't overweight, of course.

-- Fleas aren't just an annoying problem for your pet, they can also transmit disease to humans. When you protect your pet against fleas, ticks and other parasites, you are minimizing your risk from zoonotic disease. Talk to your veterinarian about what parasite control is most effective in your area.

-- Was your pet just skunked? Take 1 quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of liquid soap, such as Ivory. Mix and immediately apply to the stinky pet. Then rinse thoroughly with tap water. For a big dog, such as a Labrador, you might double the recipe to improve coverage. Common sense dictates keeping the mix out of sensitive areas like the eyes and ears. Obviously, no one wants to take the time to run to the store when you have a stinky dog, so buy the ingredients now and keep them on hand. But remember -- don't mix them until immediately before application. And don't store the leftovers. -- 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.