SPECIAL SHELTER PROGRAMS OFFER CARE AND SOCIALIZATION FOR YOUNG KITTENS

By Kim Campbell Thornton and Dr. Marty Becker

Does your shelter have a kitten nursery? It's one of the trends in the shelter community's efforts to save more animals, especially those who typically aren't considered adoptable.

Kittens? Unadoptable? You'd be surprised. Young kittens are among the most at-risk animals in shelters. Kittens who are old enough to be adopted usually fly out of shelters, but those younger than 8 weeks have special needs.

Newborn kittens must be bottle-fed every two hours and are highly vulnerable to disease. They also require socialization at an early age. That's more intensive care than many shelters have been able or willing to give. But some progressive shelters are responding to the challenge with kitten nurseries that save tiny feline lives until they're ready for adoption.

At the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, the program has nurtured nearly 5,500 kittens since 2009. The kitten nursery was born after a 2008 study found that 71 percent of treatable animals euthanized throughout San Diego County were cats and kittens. Of those, 38 percent were kittens younger than 8 weeks.

"We opened the kitten nursery in 2009 to save our community's most at-risk animal," says SDHS nursery supervisor Jenny Bonomini. The program operates in conjunction with other nonprofit and government agencies in the San Diego Animal Welfare Coalition.

With a 250-kitten capacity, the nursery has three designated areas separated by age: neonatal (newborns to 2 weeks); transitional (2 to 4 weeks) and socialization (5 to 8 weeks). The kittens receive round-the-clock care from 24 staff members and 20 volunteers.

"These tiny kittens are very vulnerable and their health can change hour by hour," Bonomini says. "The medical team makes several rounds to the kitten nursery every day so we can constantly monitor these young kittens and provide any care that they may need. We also have many protocols in place to ensure that diseases don't spread."

Kitten nurseries may operate only part of the year or nearly year-round, depending on where the shelter is located. In temperate climates such as California, "kitten season" runs from March through November. In other areas, it typically runs from April through October.

"We get litters of stray kittens, owner-relinquished kittens and kittens transferred from other shelters who don't have the resources and infrastructure to care for them," Bonomini says.

Successful programs have enough staff to care for kittens round-the-clock in a warm and safe environment with good disease-management protocols. Other shelters with kitten nurseries include No-Kill Los Angeles (NKLA), Austin Pets Alive in Austin, Texas, and a coalition of First Coast No More Homeless Pets, Jacksonville Humane Society and Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services in Jacksonville, Fla. The nurseries not only save lives and provide cat lovers with well-socialized pets, they also attract positive media attention and volunteers.

A foster program increases the shelters' capacity to care for kittens. When kittens can be placed in a foster home with trained volunteers, it frees up space in the nursery for additional kittens. At SDHS, volunteers learn how to feed and care for the kittens and receive all the supplies, equipment and support they'll need, including food, bowls, bedding, toys, litter, and any necessary medication and veterinary services.

The nursery allows shelter staff to meet vital physiological and behavioral needs of kittens during a critical time in their development. Kitten brains have the greatest capacity for learning and memory between the ages of 4 weeks and 14 weeks, so the attention and handling they receive during their stay in the nursery helps them to become more sociable and self-assured. Once they reach 8 weeks and weigh 2 pounds, the kittens are spayed or neutered and made available for adoption.

Q&A

How to predict

a pup's future size

Q: I want to adopt a puppy from the shelter, but is there any way I can know how big he'll grow to be? I've always heard that puppies with big paws will grow up to be large adults. Is that true? -- via email

A: When you don't know a pup's background, adoption seems like it will be a matter of closing your eyes and crossing your fingers that he won't grow up to be the size of Marmaduke, but there are some guidelines that can help you make a good choice for your lifestyle and home environment.

First, look at a puppy's overall proportions. If a small puppy looks as if he hasn't grown into his body yet -- for instance, he's awkward and gangly with a head that looks too large for his body and a tail that seems unusually long -- there's a good chance that he will be a large dog at maturity. Puppies that are going to be small as adults tend to mature more quickly, so their bodies look properly formed at an earlier age.

It helps if you have some idea of the parents' background, or even just one parent's background. If you know that a pup is the offspring of a pug and a beagle, you can generally rest assured that he's not going to weigh much more than 30 pounds at maturity. Puppies born to a German shepherd mother and an unknown father will likely be their mother's size, give or take a few pounds and inches.

Just remember that there are no guarantees when it comes to genetic poker. If a big dog isn't in the cards for you, bet on a sure thing by adopting an older puppy whose size at maturity is easier to predict, or choose an adult dog so that what you see is what you get. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

THE BUZZ

Common household items

can poison pets

-- What's most likely to poison your pet? The folks at the Pet Poison Helpline report that in 2013, the substances that generated the most emergency calls regarding dogs -- in order of frequency -- were chocolate, Xylitol, NSAIDs, over-the-counter cough, cold and allergy medications, rodenticides, grapes and raisins, insect bait stations, prescription medications for ADD/ADHD, glucosamine joint supplements, and silica gel packets and oxygen absorbers. For cats, the culprits were lilies, household cleaners, flea and tick spot-on products for dogs, antidepressants, NSAIDs, prescription medications for ADD/ADHD, over-the-counter cough, cold and allergy medications, houseplants such as philodendron and pothos, household insecticides, and glow sticks and glow jewelry.

-- A wire fox terrier named Sky is top dog after taking Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show last month. Wire fox terriers have been awarded the title 14 times in the show's 138-year history, making them its winningest breed. Fox terriers come in two varieties, wire and smooth, with coat type being the only difference. Dating to the 18th century, they are bold, active and curious, with a strong love of digging and barking. They weigh 15 to 20 pounds and adore their people, but can be scrappy with other dogs and predatory toward cats.

-- A stray chocolate Labrador retriever in Toulon, Ill., found a new life and new purpose at Toulon Rehab and Health Care Center. In 2008, when he wasn't adopted and his time was up at the shelter, his future looked short and bleak, but Sue VanDeRostyne, administrator of the senior living community, decided to bring him to work with her as a facility companion dog. Residents loved him and now he spends his days making rounds, helping out with therapy sessions and just generally spreading good cheer. Last month, the TRHCC honored him for his companionship with a pet food and supply drive. Donations went to the Henry County Humane Society in nearby Kewanee. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is 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 at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

DECIDING WHEN TO SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR DOG DEPENDS ON A VARIETY OF FACTORS, NOT JUST AGE

If you got a puppy during the holidays, you're probably starting to wonder when you should have your young pal spayed (removal of ovaries and uterus) or neutered (removal of testes). The answer to that used to be straightforward: Most veterinarians recommended that the surgery take place when the pet was 6 to 9 months old.

Spaying and neutering has benefits for pets, owners and society. In general, altered pets live healthier, longer lives. They are less likely to roam because they don't have hormones urging them to seek out a mate, and females don't need to be confined during twice-yearly heat cycles. And widespread spay/neuter efforts have greatly reduced the numbers of homeless animals in shelters.

All of those benefits are important, but we've discovered that they must be balanced with the needs of individual dogs, and that can be a challenge. The issue of when to spay or neuter a pet is complicated, and there's no one-size-fits-all answer. New research tells us that for some dogs, at least, waiting until they reach physical maturity is a better option than pre- or early adolescent spay/neuter surgery.

Depending on the age at which it's performed, several studies have shown that spay/neuter surgery is linked to increases in the incidence of certain diseases or conditions in dogs, including osteosarcoma (bone cancer), hemangiosarcoma (heart tumor), hypothyroidism and canine cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries, as well as prostate cancer in male dogs and urinary incontinence in females.

For instance, giant breeds are more at risk for osteosarcoma. Breeds at higher risk for CCL tears include Akitas, German shepherds, golden and Labrador retrievers, Newfoundlands, poodles and Saint Bernards. The science tells us that in certain breeds it's beneficial to let bones mature before spaying and neutering.

Don't get us wrong. We believe spaying and neutering is the right thing to do for family pets. The benefits more than outweigh the risks. The decision you need to make, in conjunction with your veterinarian, is when to schedule it for your particular pet. Here are some factors to consider:

-- Ask your veterinarian about the health risks faced by your breed and whether any of these issues are affected by the age at which a dog is spayed or neutered. Several recent studies have addressed these topics.

-- Typically, the bigger the dog, the greater the risk of orthopedic problems with early spay/neuter. Letting the dog mature before spaying or neutering may improve bone health over the long run. Talk to your veterinarian about the best age for your dog based on breed and the latest science.

-- Consider alternative methods of altering your dog, such as ovariectomy (removal of only the ovaries) or injectable neutering with Zeuterin. An ovariectomy is less invasive, and the Zeuterin procedure allows dogs to retain some of their testosterone, which can offer certain protective health benefits, according to some studies.

-- Make your decision based on the most current research and your dog's breed and lifestyle. For instance, if your dog will be a canine athlete, later neutering may improve his muscle tone and decrease the risk of CCL ruptures.

-- Put risk into perspective. Altering at a young age may have only a slight effect on the incidence of disease, and the increase in incidence will be breed-related. If the risk increases from 1 in 20,000 to 2 in 20,000, you are still better off spaying or neutering your dog.

Cat owners, your decision is easy. Spaying or neutering before 5 or 6 months of age is still best, no matter what the breed or mix.

Q&A

Shipping pet by air?

Take precautions

Q: We are moving cross-country, and I am wondering about the best way to transport our pets. Is it safe to ship them by air? -- via email

A: Air cargo is the fastest way to move your pets, but it definitely has drawbacks. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals actually recommends against shipping pets by air because of concerns about stress, temperature extremes, possible mishandling during transport and the potential for loss of the pet.

If you have an option, I think it's safer for your pet to travel with you by car or to travel beneath your seat on board the plane. If that's not possible, take the following steps to reduce a pet's in-air risk:

-- Ship pets only if they are healthy and past young puppyhood or kittenhood. Animals who are very young, very old, sick, frail, in season or pregnant should not travel in air cargo because their immune systems aren't operating at their best. That goes double for animals with flat faces, such as bulldogs, Boston terriers, pugs or Persian cats. Those animals are less tolerant of temperature extremes and are more likely to die in flight.

-- Check an airline's pet-shipping safety record. Reports of incidents involving loss, injury or death of a pet are available on the U.S. Department of Transportation's website at www.dot.gov/airconsumer/air-travel-consumer-reports.

-- Choose a nonstop flight. If you are traveling in summer, book your pet on a night flight to reduce the risk of heatstroke. It's even better if you can travel on the same flight. Let a flight attendant know that you have an animal in cargo.

-- Don't give your pet a tranquilizer beforehand. It can depress his breathing ability and make him less able to brace himself during turbulence.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has more tips on safe air for pets at https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Traveling-with-Your-Pet-FAQs.aspx. -- Dr. Marty Becker

THE BUZZ

Labs log 23 years

as top dog breed

-- Labrador retrievers have fetched the title of the nation's most popular dog breed for the 23rd year in a row, according to American Kennel Club registration statistics. That makes them the longest-running holder of the top spot since the AKC's founding in 1884. Labs are popular for their classic canine good looks, friendliness, energy and versatility. When they aren't retrieving a bird, stick or ball, they may be found working as guide dogs, assistance dogs, detection dogs or search-and-rescue dogs. They come in three colors -- black, yellow and chocolate -- and weigh 55 to 80 pounds.

-- Researcher and cat expert Leslie Lyons at the University of Missouri is working to sequence the genomes of 99 cats from around the world, with the goal of improving knowledge of feline genetics, including causes of diseases that affect both cats and humans. The 99 Lives Cat Whole Genome Sequencing Initiative is seeking genetic samples from pedigreed and mixed-breed cats. The knowledge gained could help both cats and people suffering from such illnesses as polycystic kidney disease, retinitis pigmentosa and spinal muscular atrophy.

-- Pet-loving parents know that caring for a pet helps kids develop a confident and caring nature, but developmental psychologist Megan K. Mueller, a professor at the Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine, has authored a study, published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Science, that links human-animal interactions to positive emotional and cognitive development in young adults. Using data collected from more than 500 adults aged 18 to 26, Mueller found that those who had strong relationships with pets were more likely to help friends and family and contribute to their communities. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is 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 at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

DOGS ARE HAPPIEST WHEN RULES ARE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT'S ALLOWED AND WHAT'S NOT

By Kim Campbell Thornton

A few months ago, I wrote about our foster cavalier, Kibo. Since then, Kibo -- now Keeper -- has become a permanent part of our family, and I'm happy to say that he's adjusting nicely. Other than occasionally climbing onto the dining room table to check for food when someone forgets to push in a chair after eating, he hasn't really broken any rules or caused any damage. He's a nice dog in general, but I think it helped that we provided him with clear expectations and a structured environment from day one.

It's all too easy to start off by spoiling a foster dog or one adopted from a shelter or rescue group. Who wouldn't want to give him a little special treatment after the upset of losing his family?

Think again. Free run of the house, lots of treats and no demands are a good recipe for trouble and can make it difficult for him to fit in as a new family member. The following tips will help you set up your new dog for success:

-- Housetraining. Even dogs who are already housetrained may be anxious and forget their manners in a new place. I was concerned about Keeper lifting his leg in the house. Treating him as if he were a puppy ensured that he had only one incident of urinating where he shouldn't. Here's what to do:

1. Take him outside to potty on leash on a regular schedule and praise him when he performs.

2. When you can't pay close attention to him, confine him to a crate, exercise pen or room with an easily cleanable floor.

3. If you take him outside to potty and he doesn't do anything, put him into his crate and then take him back out later.

-- Set rules. Keeper was very comfortable jumping onto the sofa and chairs. Fortunately for him, that's OK in our house, but a couple of chairs are off-limits to dogs. When he jumped on them, I gave an immediate "Off" command and directed him to the sofa.

If your house rules call for dogs to keep four on the floor, establish that from the beginning. No "just this once" or "just while he's getting settled in." Dogs don't get the concept of "sometimes." If you find him on the furniture, say "Off" and indicate what you want with a pointed finger or sweeping motion of your arm. If necessary, lure him with a treat to an alternate spot, such as a dog bed or blanket on the floor. Praise and reward him when he's on it. Repeat as needed, always using a neutral and matter-of-fact tone. There's no need to sound angry.

-- Ban begging. Keeper's worst habit is begging at the table or hanging out in the kitchen waiting for something to drop onto the floor. A couple of techniques can help to deter this habit, or at least make it less annoying:

Feed your dog before the family eats so he has no reason to beg. At mealtime, send the dog to his crate or dog bed using a neutral, matter-of-fact voice. Repeat as needed, making sure the kids and your spouse aren't slipping him their Brussels sprouts when you're not looking.

Use the same technique in the kitchen when you are preparing meals. There's nothing wrong with the dog being in the kitchen while you cook, but he should be in a corner, out of the way.

To recap: Be firm and consistent, show him what you want instead of scolding him for what you don't want, and offer praise and rewards when he does things you like. As you come to know him and he becomes familiar with the house routine, you can gradually give him more freedom to make himself at home.

Q&A

Compulsive behaviors can

affect cat's well-being

Q: My cat deliberately pulls out big chunks of her fur. She'll be grooming herself, and then she just starts licking faster and faster until the next thing I know, she's pulling out fur. It's something she has done since she was a kitten. Why does she do this, and how can I get her to stop? -- via email

A: Assuming you have taken your cat to a veterinarian to rule out any medical problems, such as allergies or parasites for her behavior, it's likely that the fur-pulling is an example of compulsive disorder.

Similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder in humans, repetitive behaviors -- which in cats often manifest as wool-sucking or excessive grooming -- are an abnormal response to normal environmental stimulation. Your cat's habit of pulling out fur isn't just unsightly, it can also cause skin lesions. And some cats who groom obsessively can even start doing it to other pets.

Cats like this are generally suffering from anxiety. They may be having a conflict with another cat or are stressed by some change in the household, whether it's a new baby, a new spouse or an air freshener with a different scent. Sometimes it's impossible to know what has triggered the behavior. Cats who were taken from their mothers at a very early age may exhibit this type of behavior.

It's not easy to diagnose or treat compulsive disorder. Once you rule out medical causes, seek the help of a veterinary behaviorist who can assess the environment, family/pet relationships, and factors such as activity level and diet. Then she can recommend ways to reduce the cat's stress and behavior modification techniques to help the cat deal with the circumstances that trigger the compulsive behavior.

In severe cases, medication may help with the anxiety, but it can work only in conjunction with behavior modification and environmental changes. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

THE BUZZ

Pit bull pup gets

new paw, new home

-- A pit bull puppy found near Miami with her front paw severed got off on the right foot after some kind children found her and took her home. Their mother brought her to 1 Lucky Dog Rescue, and with the help of some media attention, the gray-and-white dog, named Little Debbie, now has a new home and a prosthetic paw donated by ABC Prosthetics and Orthotics in Orlando, Fla. The plastic and carbon-fiber limb is Debbie's fourth since she was found. Replacements are made as dogs grow or gain weight and for normal wear and tear -- including chewing.

-- Boas and pythons are prone to a virus that causes highly infectious inclusion body disease, but University of Florida researchers have developed a screening test to identify the usually fatal condition. Snakes with IBD may show such signs as head-tilting or chronic regurgitation. Others appear healthy even though they are infected. Elliott Jacobson, DVM, Ph.D., professor emeritus of zoological medicine at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, says, "This simple blood test will help determine whether or not an animal has the disease and potentially will help clean up colonies of snakes that will ultimately be disease-free."

-- Cats appear to view us as larger and clumsier felines rather than as a different species, says behaviorist John Bradshaw in an interview with National Geographic. The author of "Cat Sense" says that unlike dogs, who perceive humans as being different than themselves and change their behavior in consequence, cats don't change their social behavior much when they interact with us. "Putting their tails up in the air, rubbing around our legs, and sitting beside us and grooming us are exactly what cats do to each other." -- Kim Campbell Thornton

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is 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 at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.