THE BEST PERSON TO MAKE THE PICK MIGHT BE SOMEONE ELSE

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Would you let someone else choose a dog for you? I have done so twice, and both times I hit the proverbial jackpot.

The first was when my family purchased a tricolor cavalier puppy from a breeder overseas. She emailed us photos and then shipped Darcy to us. We loved her. Her only flaw was succumbing too early to the heart disease that stalks her breed.

The second time was last year. When our black-and-tan cavalier Twyla died last November, I wasn't sure I was ready for another cavalier just yet. The two shelter dogs I inquired about through Petfinder didn't pan out. Fostering for my friend Maryanne Dell, who does rescue through her Shamrock Foundation, seemed like a good compromise.

"Do you want me to look for one that you might potentially adopt?" Maryanne asked. "Tell me what you're looking for, in case I run across a dog that might be a fit."

I asked for a dog that was 4 to 6 years old, so our 5-year-old cavalier, Harper, could have a playmate. As far as size, I was interested in going a little bigger than a cavalier, say, up to 30 pounds. Our rule is that we have to be able to carry the dog up and down the stairs in the event that it becomes sick or injured or is debilitated in old age. I preferred a spaniel type, but I didn't want a dog with a really heavy coat. And in a perfect world, the dog wouldn't be much of a barker, since we live in a condo and stay frequently in hotels with our dogs.

What she brought us was a six-pound ball of short black fur with a long, narrow bare patch on her back, a pointy gray muzzle and a howl that suggested she was part banshee. Labeled a Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix, she had been pulled from the shelter in Riverside, Calif., and was estimated to be 12 or 13 years old. She was a doll, though, and I told Maryanne I would be happy to foster her for as long as necessary.

Gemma, as I named her, arrived on Jan. 23. By Feb. 8, she was sleeping on the bed. Her fur started growing back, and we soon discovered that she had a beautiful long black coat with a ruff around her neck and pantaloons on her legs.

My friends, I suspect, were taking bets on how long it would be before we adopted her. We made it official on March 19, signing the adoption papers that made her ours.

"Who didn't see that coming?" one of my friends remarked.

What are the advantages of letting someone else choose your dog? It can be a good idea whether you are purchasing from a breeder or adopting from a shelter.

--A breeder has been watching her puppies for a minimum of eight weeks. If you accurately describe your personality and lifestyle, she is going to be able to tell you which puppy is upbeat and active and will make a great jogging buddy, and which one is easygoing enough to enjoy being a couch potato with you.

-- Shelter employees, rescue volunteers and foster owners have been observing their charges for weeks as well. Tell them what you want in a dog, and they can often steer you to the one that will suit you best.

-- And sometimes, what you think you want and what turns out to be perfect for you are two very different things.

I've told Maryanne that she can pick a dog out for me any time.

Q&A

Hypoallergenic dogs:

myths vs. facts

Q: Where can I get a hypoallergenic dog? -- via Facebook

A: It's one of our pet peeves that certain breeds and mixes are described as "hypoallergenic," meaning they don't cause reactions in people who are allergic to pets. In truth, there's no such thing.

Poodles are the original hypoallergenic breed, touted as such because their curly coat has a long growth cycle and thus takes longer to shed. For that reason, poodles are often crossed with other breeds to create dogs that are believed to be hypoallergenic, such as goldendoodles, Labradoodles, and Maltipoos. It's not shedding hair that causes allergies, however; it's dander -- dead skin cells shed naturally by all mammals, including humans.

Peter J. Ihrke, V.M.D., a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatologists and professor of dermatology at the University of California, Davis' School of Veterinary Medicine, says: "To my knowledge, no scientific data support the claim that crossbreeds or any other breeds are less or more allergenic than any other dog. All evidence suggests that allergy to dogs in humans is associated with a reaction to dander. All dogs shed dander, and I can think of no scientific reason that these dogs would be less likely to induce allergy in humans."

A study published in the July-August 2011 issue of the American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy found that the level of dog allergen in homes with dogs described as hypoallergenic did not differ from that in homes with non-hypoallergenic dogs.

People and dogs are individuals, and there is anecdotal evidence that some people with allergies react less severely to some dogs, but responsible breeders of crossbreeds and purebreds never guarantee that a pet will be hypoallergenic. If you have allergies to dogs, visit several breeders or people who have the breed or crossbreed you're interested in to make sure you can live comfortably with them before committing to a puppy. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

THE BUZZ

Going the extra mile:

Pets make amazing trips

-- We often see news stories of pets who have trekked hundreds of miles to get back home after becoming lost. How do they do it? Science is still trying to answer that question. Migratory animals use magnetic fields, scent cues and orientation of the sun, but the navigational ability of dogs and cats has been little studied. It's known, however, that they have mental mapmaking skills, good observational abilities, and fantastic senses of smell and hearing, and those capabilities no doubt play a role in allowing them to find home, even from someplace they've never been.

-- Researchers at Emory University used functional MRI to capture brain images of 13 alert, unrestrained dogs. During the scans, the dogs, who were trained to willingly enter the MRI machine and remain still, watched a person giving hand signals indicating whether the dog would or would not receive a treat.

According to the research, published by PLOS One, most of the dogs had a positive response in the caudate region of the brain -- associated with decision-making, motivation and processing emotions -- when signaled that they would receive a hot dog. The research lays the foundation for exploring canine neural biology and cognitive processes.

-- Got separation anxiety? No, not your pet -- you. If you miss interacting with Rover or Ruffles when you're at work or on vacation, the PetChatz two-way petcam is for you. The unit, which should be available in early 2014, allows owners to "call" pets, talk to them and even dispense treats from a hidden compartment. Pets can learn to respond to the ring, but whether they recognize the person on the screen is a matter of conjecture. But Lisa Lavin, a veterinary technician and co-developer of the device, says what's important is the boost to an owner's emotional welfare. -- 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.

CHECKING YOUR PET'S MOUTH REGULARLY IS ESSENTIAL FOR ORAL HEALTH

A couple of years ago, I had a pet owner bring in an adult cat because it was meowing differently. That's not much to go on, but I did a complete physical exam and found nothing. Subsequent blood work also came back normal. Then I recommended sedation, so that we could get radiographs. Again, we found nothing abnormal, so I suggested that we keep the cat and do medical rounds with the rest of the staff.

When the three veterinarians and a couple of vet techs gathered and went over the history, we decided to start at the tip of the cat's nose and proceed with another detailed exam. This time, I took a pair of hemostats and gently tapped the cat's teeth, starting in the front.

When I got to the cat's left upper fang and barely touched it, the cat just about shot up into orbit. We could find nothing else wrong on the repeat exam. We then did digital dental radiographs and saw that the root of the tooth was abscessed. After we surgically removed the infected tooth, the cat acted as if it had been relieved of incredible pain.

What started out as a different meow turned out to be a serious problem that was only relieved after a lot of detective work. Oral problems in dogs and cats aren't always visible at first glance.

Pets don't have any way of telling us that something is wrong, and it's natural for them to hide signs of weakness or pain so they don't become targets of predators. It's up to us as owners and veterinarians to be aware of changes in behavior that could signal pain or illness and to look beneath the surface for potential causes of problems. Here are some obvious and not-so-obvious signs that your cat or dog has a painful mouth, and some of the conditions that might be causing the problem:

-- Inflamed gums or tartar buildup on the teeth. Your pet may have gingivitis -- inflammation of the gums -- or periodontal disease. Left untreated, gingivitis progresses to periodontal disease, which causes teeth to become infected and loose.

-- Bad breath or a bad smell in the mouth area. Repeat after me: It's not normal for pets to have bad breath or any other bad odors. In the mouth area, it can signal dental disease or an infection of the lip folds in heavy-lipped breeds such as basset hounds, cocker spaniels or Saint Bernards. Bad breath can also be associated with kidney disease.

-- Drooling. This is another sign of periodontal disease, as well as of mouth infections and foreign bodies, such as splinters or burrs stuck in the mouth. Bad breath and drooling can also be signs of oral cancer.

-- Change in eating habits. If your dog or cat is reluctant to eat or picks up pieces of food and then drops them, there's a good chance that his mouth hurts. He may have a broken tooth or a sore mouth from a type of inflammation called stomatitis.

-- Swelling. A tooth with an abscessed root is filled with pus that can cause swelling beneath the eye or a nasty condition called an oral-nasal fistula, which occurs when an abscessed tooth breaks into the nasal cavity, allowing food and water to move from the mouth into the nose and come back out through the nose. Yuck!

Don't let your dog or cat get down in the mouth! Examine his mouth monthly for signs of problems, such as redness, loose teeth and painful areas. You may need to put your money where his mouth is to avoid future problems.

Q&A

Spay technique offers

option for dog owners

Q: I heard about a new way of spaying dogs that's supposed to be easier on them than the traditional surgery. Can you tell me more about it? -- via email

A: Spay surgery -- known technically as an ovariohysterectomy -- is the removal of the ovaries and uterus through an abdominal incision. It's usually done when puppies are 6 to 9 months old, although it can be done as early as 8 weeks of age or at any time in adulthood.

The procedure you ask about is called an ovariectomy, and it involves removing only the ovaries. It's done laparoscopically, meaning the surgeon makes two tiny incisions: one for placement of a small camera so the organs can be seen, and one for inserting instruments to remove the ovaries.

Called a "lap spay" for short, the technique is associated with less pain and a more rapid recovery time than traditional spay surgery. If you've had laparoscopic surgery yourself, you probably know how quickly you feel better afterward. The lap spay doesn't require as much manipulation of the organs, so it is easier to perform. It's well-suited to young dogs because they are usually healthy and not overweight.

The drawback is that lap spays aren't yet widely available and can be more expensive than traditional spays. Veterinarians who perform the procedure must first undergo advanced training and obtain specialized equipment.

Before scheduling your dog for one, ask how many lap spays the veterinarian has performed and what the success rates were. If you have pet health insurance for your dog, the plan won't cover the surgery itself, but it may cover the price difference, since lap spays usually have fewer complications. It can't hurt to ask. -- Kim Campbell Thornton and Dr. Marty Becker

THE BUZZ

Researchers identify key gene

in canine, human diseases

-- A researcher at the University of California, Davis' School of Veterinary Medicine has identified the gene that causes a condition in Weimaraners known as spinal dysraphism. It's an inherited neural tube defect that causes the dogs to "bunny hop" with their back legs instead of moving normally. Dr. Noa Safra, whose findings were published in July 2013 in the journal PLoS Genetics, says the disease could be eliminated in the breed once a DNA test for the mutation is developed. The discovery also has benefits for human medicine. University of Iowa pediatricians who collaborated in the study found the same gene to be mutated in children with spina bifida.

-- Dalmatian puppies look white when they are born. Their spots, which can be black or liver-colored (ranging from a light reddish-brown to a dark chocolate brown), don't start to appear until they are approximately 2 weeks old.

-- Call us old-fashioned, but we still think books are great gifts. If you are looking for presents for pet lovers, here are some suggestions:

"Beautiful Old Dogs," edited by David Tabatsky with photographs by the late Garry Gross, is a collection of essays, poems and images celebrating our senior best friends.

Booklist calls "Chaser: Unlocking the Genius of the Dog Who Knows a Thousand Words," written by John W. Pilley Jr., Ph.D., a marvelous blend of good science and heartwarming dog story.

Children ages 8 to 12 will enjoy "Anton and Cecil: Cats at Sea," by Lisa Martin and Valerie Martin, illustrated by Kelly Murphy. The New York Times Book Review calls it remarkable for its delicate use of language and watertight descriptions of seafaring and says the story is engrossing and unpredictable. -- Kim Campbell Thornton 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 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.

NO MATTER WHICH HOLIDAY YOU CELEBRATE, THESE TIPS WILL HELP KEEP YOUR PET SAFE

One of my most memorable holiday cases was the Labrador retriever puppy (what else!) who had swallowed an entire string of Christmas tree lights. When he was brought in, gagging, I opened his mouth and could still see the plug, far in the back. I have to admit that it was tempting to anesthetize him, plug it in, and see if an ethereal glow from the body would tell us where in the gastrointestinal tract to look for the lights. This was a case that called for a specialist, though. We didn't have the imaging or endoscopic equipment to locate and remove the lights.

Sometimes, it's almost as if pets think the holidays aren't complete without a trip to the emergency room. They suffer electroshock burns of the mouth from chewing on Christmas tree light cords, devour whole plates full of fudge, eat the toxic mistletoe berries off kissing balls, and raid the trash for the string used to wrap the turkey or ham. We've seen it all, and we don't want you to have to. The following tips will help you keep your dogs and cats safe, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Festivus.

-- Cover garbage cans securely or place them up high or behind closed doors. Eating cooked bones or the paper or string used to wrap meat can cause intestinal obstructions or injuries. Nobody wants to spend what should be a festive day waiting to hear the results of a pet's emergency surgery.

-- Replace live holiday plants with artificial ones. Amaryllis, holly, lilies and mistletoe all have varying degrees of toxicity. If you're lucky, your pet will simply nibble on them and then throw up the greenery in the middle of Uncle Marvin's long-winded story about his visit to the Grand Canyon. But in a worst-case scenario, your pet could suffer severe vomiting and diarrhea, difficulty breathing, or even death in a matter of hours.

-- Tether the tree. What self-respecting cat isn't going to climb the Christmas tree? To keep it upright, use fishing line to anchor the tree to the ceiling. Surrounding the tree with an exercise pen -- tastefully decorated, of course -- will further protect it from marauding dogs or curious kittens.

-- Say "no" to tinsel and ribbons. Cats, and sometimes dogs, love to play with the shiny strands, but if swallowed, they can cut or obstruct the intestinal tract.

-- Go electric. Burning candles are beautiful, but it takes only the swish of a dog or cat tail to knock them over, causing burns or starting fires. Use flameless candles instead.

-- Avoid shock and oww. Coat electrical cords with Bitter Apple or wrap them in tough cable covers to prevent curious pets from chewing on them.

-- Scent sense. Scent diffusers and potpourri contain highly toxic essential oils. Pets who lap up the spilled liquid or ingest large amounts of potpourri can suffer severe burns to the mouth and esophagus or other serious internal injuries. Keep containers away from pets, and wipe up spills immediately and thoroughly.

-- Provide a retreat. Make sure your pet has a quiet place, such as a crate or little-used room, where he can go to get away from visitors, loud holiday music and the high-pitched squeals of children.

-- Is it safe to put a Santa cap or antlers on your pet? Your call. How vengeful is he? But the best way to enjoy the holidays with your pet is to schedule some extra cuddle time in front of the tree. A nice, long ear scratch will help both of you survive the season.

Q&A

Ear, ear! How to

recognize infections

Q: I have always heard that floppy-eared dogs get more ear infections than dogs with erect ears. Is that really true? Also, how often should a dog's ears be cleaned to prevent infections? -- via email

A: It is a widely held belief that dogs with prick ears have fewer infections, but the truth is, no one knows for sure. There's no scientific evidence one way or the other, but some veterinarians, myself included, will admit to seeing ear infections more often in dogs with droopy ears.

The fact is, though, that any dog can get an ear infection if conditions are right. Allergies can be part of the equation, as can excess moisture from swimming or baths. When the inside of a dog's ear gets wet and isn't dried thoroughly, it creates an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria and yeast. And some dogs are genetically predisposed to chronic ear infections.

The secret to keeping canine ears clean and infection-free starts with a good sniff. If you don't smell anything, that's a good sign. Healthy ears don't have a bad odor. Then take a look at the ears. The skin should be a nice pinky-gray color with a thin coating of light brown wax.

If the ears smell normal and don't look dirty, there's no need to clean them. Signs of problems include redness, odor and discharge or a heavy buildup of gray wax. To deal with waxy buildup, clean the ears with a mild product recommended by your veterinarian. Ear tissue is sensitive, and harsh substances such as alcohol can irritate and dry the skin.

A bad odor and frequent head shaking suggest an infection and warrant a trip to the veterinarian so the cause of the infection can be determined and treated appropriately. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

THE BUZZ

Bad pennies turn up

in zinc toxicosis cases

-- Does your dog love to swallow coins? It's not an uncommon behavior, especially in puppies, but pennies minted after 1982 are made primarily of zinc. It's an important trace element in the body, but toxic in large amounts. Besides scarfing down pocket change, other ways pets can develop zinc toxicosis include gnawing on metal crates or old window frames in vintage homes or licking skin covered in zinc oxide creams or ointments. The condition causes gastrointestinal upset and anemia and is sometimes misdiagnosed as immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. If your pet has a bellyful of pennies, they may need to be removed surgically.

-- Using specially designed crash-test dog figures at a federally approved vehicle occupant testing lab, the Center for Pet Safety and Subaru of America teamed up to study the effectiveness of pet restraints for use in vehicles. The test, designed along the same lines as those used to measure the safety of car seats for children, found that only one product -- the Sleepypod ClickIt Utility Harness -- met every criterion for protecting canine crash-test dummies and, by extension, human passengers. The data gathered will be used to develop safety standards and test protocols -- which currently don't exist -- for pet car harnesses and other travel safety products. Other items being tested for performance include crates, carriers and barriers.

-- Want to learn Spanish, but you'd rather spend your time scrolling through "I Can Haz Cheezburger" photos? Now you can do both. The CatAcademy app uses funny pictures from the website to help students of the language make visual associations with vocabulary words and phrases. For instance, the Spanish phrase "necesito ayuda" (I need help) is paired with a photo of a cat stuck in a potted plant. Humor and cuteness, combined with multiple-choice tests, matching games and repetitive exercises, contribute to improved learning ability, the creators say. -- Kim Campbell Thornton 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 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.