FESTIVE THREATS TO PETS INCLUDE FATTY FOODS, ALCOHOL AND OPEN DOORS

By Dr. Tony Johnson

for Universal Uclick

As I strolled through the grocery store last month, I noticed that the Christmas decor was already up. In my mind, it was still summer, but apparently the good folks at my local fooditorium wanted to ring in the holidays a tad early this year. Some day, I am certain they will start putting up the tinsel in June.

The holiday season is one of togetherness, and pets are increasingly a big part of the holiday festivities. During this otherwise joyous season, a few pet dangers are lurking, though. This info will help keep your pet safe during all the fun and avoid expensive trips to the pet ER.

-- Food -- The biggest holiday threats to pets come from the same threats to your waistline and chances of you fitting into your skinny jeans -- food! The holiday season is all about food (yeah, and love and family and all that other stuff, too), and there's plenty of it to be had: cookies, roast beast, puddings and more cookies. To you, it may just mean another hour on the stair stepper, but to your dog, human food can cause real problems.

Vomiting and diarrhea are common side effects from eating too much people food (the medical term we throw about is "dietary indiscretion"), and in some cases, this can proceed to a more serious condition called pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, the gland that makes digestive enzymes as well as insulin. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, it releases these enzymes and begins digesting itself. This can be a serious and painful condition that often requires hospitalization.

It is probably a good idea to either keep pets confined during any holiday parties, or make sure guests (especially kids) know not to give treats to your pets. Dogs and cats have been known to drag an entire turkey off the counter when the owner's back is turned (you know they've gotta be thinking, "SCORE!"), so make sure you stay aware of their whereabouts during meal preparation.

If you do want to include your pet in the meal and fun, stick to a bit of lean turkey and low- or no-fat veggies (no onions, though, as these can cause anemia in dogs and cats), and skip the gravy, dressing and pecan pie. Sugar-free items that contain xylitol are also toxic to pets.

-- Booze -- It is true: Don't get your Doberman drunk during the holidays (or any other time), and don't let any lampshade-wearing guests try to give your pug a mug of beer. And no one wants to see a basset with a hangover.

Your dog or cat's liver is not equipped to process alcohol, and even small amounts can be life-threatening. Put boozy party leftovers well out of reach. That includes whisky-soaked fruitcakes, trifles laced with liqueurs and the rum balls that Aunt Martha sends every year.

-- Open doors -- People come and go much more during the holidays than other times of year, and all that traffic can lead to plenty of opportunities for escape. In the ER, we see many pets who made a break for freedom when Uncle Floyd came a-callin' with his special tuna surprise. Dogs and cats can dart out the door without anyone even noticing, and there's a whole big world of hurt just waiting for them out there. Ensure that pets are safely put away when you are expecting guests, and make a nightly head count to make sure that all the furry family members are accounted for before turning in for your visions of sugar plums.

Here's hoping you have a sane season, and that all family members make it through safely, no matter how many legs they have.

Q&A

Take the bite out

of an eager dog

Q: We have adopted a new dog. He is very friendly and has really great manners, except for one thing: He snatches food. A couple of times his teeth have grazed our fingers. How can we break him of this bad habit? -- via Facebook

A: That's definitely a common problem. Sometimes hard mouthing indicates a dog who is anxious, fearful or overstimulated. There are a couple of things you can try to make the situation less overwhelming for the dog and teach him to take food (and other objects) gently.

First, always deliver treats below the mouth. When you hold them up high, the dog's natural inclination is to jump up and grab. Sometimes dogs jump and bite because they're used to treats being dropped and are trying to grab them before they fall. This may call for a bit more bending on your part, especially if you have a small dog.

Deliver the treat right to the dog's mouth. This takes practice, because sometimes it's hard to hold a treat without fumbling and starting to drop it, but once you get the hang of it, he'll be less likely to grab at it.

Another way to teach your dog to take treats more gently is what's sometimes called the "Zen" game. Place a treat on your palm and close your hand over it. Show the dog your closed hand. He will probably mouth it, but wait until only his tongue or nose is touching the outside of your hand. Then you can open it to give him the treat. The hand opens only when the mouth is gentle and soft without teeth. Let him know you like that behavior by saying "Good" and opening your palm.

When a dog mouths hard, say "Ouch!" and pull your hand away so the opportunity for the treat is lost. Try again once the dog calms down. -- Mikkel Becker

THE BUZZ

New treatment for dogs,

humans with bone cancer

-- Bone cancer in dogs is difficult, costly and painful to treat, with a poor prognosis for most. It's also a disease that strikes humans, including children. Now, veterinary researchers at the Auburn University Research Initiative in Cancer have received a two-year, $118,848 grant to study a new treatment for canine bone cancer that may also help humans. The treatment being studied would use a modified hepatitis virus vaccine to turn cancer cells into factories pumping out more copies of the virus instead of reproducing themselves.

-- Gazing at an aquarium can be very soothing -- in fact, aquariums in dentist's and doctor's waiting rooms have been shown to reduce anxiety in patients. But at a recent infectious disease conference held in San Francisco, Dr. George Alangaden of the Henry Ford Health System told physicians that aquariums can be responsible for skin infections because of an organism known as Mycobacterium marinum. The bug has a long incubation period, and often goes undiagnosed, even though it's easily treated. So if you're dealing with a skin infection and you keep fish, be sure to ask your doctor to look for M. marinum.

-- Some cats develop tumors known as fibrosarcomas at the site of injections. Feline specialists have long recommended administering vaccinations and other shots in a cats' leg, because it's much easier to amputate a leg than to remove these tumors from between the shoulders. Now Dr. Julie Levy of the University of Florida is suggesting a new injection site: the tail tip. In a study she conducted, cats responded to vaccines given in the tail as well as they did to those given in other locations, and, she says, amputating a tail tip is very simple surgery. -- Christie Keith

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 Kim Campbell Thornton. They are joined by professional dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

VISION PROBLEMS A COMMON CONCERN IN OLDER PETS

Whoever said that getting old isn't for sissies knew what she was talking about. All of us, including our dogs and cats, find that as we age, our bodies just don't work as well as they used to. Eye diseases are among the most commonly seen problems in older dogs and cats.

One change you may notice is a condition called lenticular sclerosis, or nuclear sclerosis. That bluish haze you may see in a pet's eyes isn't cataracts, as is often suspected, but the result of a normal aging of the lens. The good news is that it doesn't affect vision and doesn't require any treatment.

Cataracts are cloudy spots on the normally transparent lens of the eye. They look like a milky gray film behind the pupil. Cataracts may start to appear when dogs are 6 years old to 8 years old and can eventually lead to blindness. Dogs rely more on scent than sight, however, and they can get around very well simply by using their noses -- as long as you don't move the furniture. If your dog's cataracts are so bad that he's running into things, ask your veterinarian about cataract surgery.

Older cats rarely develop cataracts. They are more likely to suffer vision loss from retinal diseases, uveitis (a painful inflammation of certain eye structures) or glaucoma. Like dogs, cats adapt well to vision loss. They compensate by relying more on their hearing or their whiskers.

Other age-related vision problems, such as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, better known as dry eye, require aggressive treatment. Tears, which are produced by the lacrimal glands, lubricate, protect and cleanse the eye. Tear production tends to decrease with age. If that happens, the eye becomes dry and irritated. It starts to produce more mucus, causing a goopy discharge. Dry eyes are itchy, and dogs may scratch at them or rub them on the carpet in an attempt to relieve the itch. Dogs with dry eye are also more likely to develop corneal ulcers.

Dry eye is diagnosed with a Schirmer tear test. The veterinarian places a tiny paper strip at the inner corner of the eye, where the tears pool, and holds it there for one minute to see how much of the strip becomes wetted with tears. If the result indicates that tear production is below normal, the animal likely has dry eye. Dry eye is less common in cats than in dogs.

Depending on the condition of the eye, your veterinarian may prescribe artificial tears (not saline solution), antibiotic eye drops or an immunosuppressant drug that stimulates tear production. This helps to keep the dog comfortable and the cornea healthy. The medication may need to be compounded at a special pharmacy.

Glaucoma is an increase in pressure within the eye. It can develop quickly and is extremely painful. If your pet is squinting and the eye is tearing and feels harder than normal, consider it an emergency. A dog or cat with an acute case of glaucoma can lose his eyesight within 48 hours if the condition isn't treated immediately.

Take your dog to the veterinarian for an eye exam any time you notice the following signs:

-- Redness

-- Cloudiness

-- Discharge

-- Opaque or whitish film over the eye

-- Tearing, squinting, pawing at the eye or other signs of pain

-- Sensitivity to light

-- An unusually soft or hard eye

-- A swollen, crusty or itchy eyelid

-- A bulging or sunken eye

If you notice that your pet's vision is not as keen as it used to be, don't simply chalk it up to old age. Oftentimes, medication or other treatment can help, especially if the problem is diagnosed early.

Q&A

New climate calls for

changes in dog's lifestyle

Q: My dog and I just moved from Southern California to Wisconsin, and it's starting to get a lot colder than we're used to. What should I do to make sure my dog is prepared for winter? -- via Facebook

A: Having lived in Idaho all my life, I know just what kind of weather you're facing. Brrrr!

First things first: Provide protective gear as needed. Lots of people object to dogs wearing clothes, but shorthaired or thin-skinned dogs such as greyhounds or pugs don't have much fur or fat for insulation, and it's a real kindness to provide them with a warm coat or sweater to protect them from the elements. Not every dog needs a winter coat. Nordic breeds like Alaskan malamutes and Siberian huskies love the cold and snow and will happily dig themselves a snow cave to relax in.

Whether your dog needs booties depends on similar factors. If he walks on streets or sidewalks that have been treated with salts to melt ice, booties will protect his feet from chemicals. And longhaired dogs often get snow or ice balls between their foot pads. They may need booties as well, or you can try clipping the hair so there's less opportunity for ice balls to form.

When he plays outdoors, make sure your dog has a sheltered area where he'll be protected from wind and snow. How long should your dog stay outside? Once he's accustomed to the new climate, he can stay outdoors as long as he wants if he has a place where he can retreat from the elements.

Finally, never let your dog off leash in an unfenced area. One hazard dogs face in winter is being hit by a car because the driver's vision is limited by snow piled on the sides of the road. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

THE BUZZ

Jerky treats linked to

pet illnesses, deaths

-- After testing more than 1,200 pet jerky treat samples since 2011, the Food and Drug Administration still doesn't know why 3,600 dogs and 10 cats have developed illnesses related to the treats since 2007. Approximately 580 of those pets have died. The implicated treats, most of which were produced in China, have been tested for various chemical and microbiological contaminants, including antibiotics, metals, pesticides and salmonella. The FDA has also inspected facilities in China where jerky treats are manufactured and have identified additional areas for investigation, such as the supply chain of certain ingredients. The FDA is asking pet owners and veterinarians to report potential jerky treat-related illnesses and may ask for blood, urine and tissue samples for further analysis. If a pet eats jerky treats made of chicken, duck, sweet potato or dried fruit, then exhibits signs such as appetite loss, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, increased water consumption and increased urination, seek veterinary help. Until the mystery is solved, however, it's best to avoid giving jerky treats.

-- A dog's dietary needs are based mainly on activity levels. Unless your dog is out cross-country skiing with you or pulling a sled, he probably needs to eat less in winter because he's less active.

-- How intelligent are parrots? It depends on their social structure. A study published in the September 2013 issue of Animal Cognition looked at problem-solving abilities in four parrot species: spectacled parrotlets, green-winged macaws, sulphur-crested cockatoos and rainbow lorikeets. An article on Wired.com reports that researchers Anastasia Krasheninnikova, Stefan Brager and Ralf Wanker at the University of Hamburg in Germany gave the birds five different string-pulling tasks to test whether they understood a cause-and-effect relationship. Spectacled parrotlets outperformed the other species, an ability that was best explained by their complex social relationships. They live in large groups that offer opportunities for many different social interactions. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

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 Kim Campbell Thornton. They are joined by professional dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

SOMETIMES IT'S NECESSARY TO REARRANGE YOUR HOME TO PROTECT BOTH YOUR BELONGINGS AND YOUR DOG

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Every few years, when we get a new puppy or adopt an adult dog or have a foster dog spend some time with us, I have to dog-proof our home and learn some new tricks about interacting with particular dogs. You might think that I would have dog-proofing down by now, but each dog has been attracted to different items or has done things it didn't occur to the other dogs to try. Our current "new dog" is Kibo, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel we're fostering until he is adopted.

One of the first things Kibo taught me was to put away my shoes and to close doors. None of our other dogs have been chewers, but Kibo likes to examine things with his mouth in the fervent hope that they will be edible. He has gone into the closet to chew on my leather sandals (caught before he did any damage) and explored the walk-in shower. There he found and carried away a plastic razor, which, fortunately, he abandoned in the hallway instead of swallowing. He is also fond of a tiny, gold papier-mache box. He hasn't chewed it up or swallowed it, which he could easily do, but he likes to take it off the side table and lie with it. It's now out of reach, too.

Despite his short stature, Kibo tries hard to be a countertop surfer. We've learned not to hold or place food at any height where he could jump up and reach it. Our other dogs are also highly food-oriented, but they wouldn't dream of snatching food out of our hands. Kibo does more than dream it -- he tries it. I always push the chair in if I get up from the table because I can tell that the idea of jumping onto it to get at the food is running through his mind.

If you are living with a Kibo of your own, here are some tips to keep your belongings safe, your house in one piece and your dog out of trouble.

-- Use a crate. When you cannot supervise your dog, even if it's just for a few minutes, put him in the crate to prevent any misbehavior. Kibo hangs out in his crate on his own and he's happy to go into it when asked because he knows he will get a treat.

-- Tether your dog. That means he is leashed at your side at all times. This is a great way to learn the signals a new dog or puppy gives when he needs to go potty. It keeps him under your watchful eye so he can't get into mischief and helps build a bond between you.

-- Get down at dog's-eye level to see what might attract the dog's attention. Electrical cords, small trash containers and dangling dish towels all can pose threats. Bundle cords and encase them in tough plastic covers, put trash containers out of reach, and keep dish towels in drawers if your dog is attracted to them. Chair and table legs often look good to chew. Coat them with Bitter Apple spray to deter taste-testing (try it first in an inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn't damage the finish). Make sure no sharp edges or choking hazards are within a dog's reach.

-- Most important, never underestimate the intelligence and inventiveness of dogs. They can learn to open doors, climb up on counters and desks using other pieces of furniture as launch pads, and crawl under or wiggle into places you've never imagined they would go. Be smart and put away or block access to valuable, fragile or dangerous items and secure cabinets with childproof locks.

Q&A

Benefits of having dogs include

friendship, health and confidence

Q: Our child is 6 years old. She's been asking for a dog, and I think it's a good time to get one. My spouse isn't so sure. What are some of the benefits of a child having a dog? -- via Facebook

A: When I look back on the happiest times of my childhood, almost all of my favorite memories involve my dog Scooter. Besides being a playmate, he helped me in other ways. I was shy, and Scooter helped me to open up and gave me a way to relate to other people.

For kids, a dog is someone to bond with and talk to who is always there and can be a trustworthy confidant. Caring for a dog teaches empathy and helps build responsibility. With supervision, a young child like your 6-year-old can put fresh water in a dog's dish, wash the food dish after the dog eats, and help put away the dog food. Older children can learn to brush the dog, measure out food at mealtime and take the dog for walks.

Pets also have health benefits. I think kids with dogs are more likely to get up off the couch and get some exercise, and studies show that children with early exposure to dogs have a decreased risk of developing allergies, asthma and eczema.

At every age, children are constantly going through changes, including going to school and learning how to deal with people. Some come from broken families and go back and forth between their parents' homes. For any child, a dog or other pet can be a constant in their lives.

With my own daughter, our two pugs provide consistency. No matter what else is going on with her or whatever challenges she is facing, she always has her dogs. They bring her comfort and stability. -- Mikkel Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker

THE BUZZ

A cat's tail up?

Safe to approach

-- In a Washington Post article, anthrozoologist John Bradshaw, who has studied cat behavior for more than 30 years and is the author of the new book "Cat Sense," writes that the key signal allowing cats to assess each other's moods is the straight-up tail. Two cats checking each other out communicate their willingness to approach peacefully by raising the tail. It's a form of neoteny, a kittenlike behavior retained into adulthood. "The tail-up signal almost certainly evolved during domestication, arising from a posture wildcat kittens use when greeting their mothers," Bradshaw writes. "Adult wildcats do not raise their tails to each other."

-- According to Winn Feline Foundation, a paper published in the April 2013 issue of Veterinary Dermatology found that beef, dairy products and fish account for nearly 90 percent of all reported cases of adverse food reactions in cats. Based on a literature search of food and food ingredients, the paper reports that the animal proteins generally caused skin lesions or a combination of skin lesions and gastrointestinal symptoms. Wheat and corn typically caused gastrointestinal upset. Beef, dairy products, chicken and wheat were responsible for 78 percent of reported adverse food reactions in dogs.

-- Dogs eat the darndest things. Based on animal X-rays submitted to the Veterinary Practice News' "They Ate What?" contest, the following items were found in the stomachs of some dogs with indiscriminate eating habits: a long piece of metal with a two-inch curve; a 14-inch wooden back scratcher; a wooden-handled hunting knife; a mass of 70 rubber hair bands, which were at first mistaken for a tumor; a bread knife; an electronics cable; a llama rib bone; a Playstation controller; and an arrowhead. The takeaway? Never assume your dog won't -- or can't -- swallow something. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

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 Kim Campbell Thornton. They are joined by professional dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.