DOGS AND CATS AREN'T DOCTORS, BUT THEY CAN BE TALENTED DIAGNOSTICIANS

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Diane Papazian was allergic to dogs and she didn't especially want a second one, but her husband, Harry, persuaded her to let him purchase Troy, a 3-month-old Doberman pinscher. Not long afterward, Troy was in bed with the couple one evening and began insistently nuzzling Diane's left side. It caused her to start itching, and that's when she discovered the lump in her breast. It turned out to be malignant, but Diane is now cancer-free after a double mastectomy and chemotherapy.

The Papazians credit Troy with saving Diane's life. And he's not the only pet who has helped owners make such a discovery. A number of dogs and cats have alerted their people not only to various cancers and dangerous infections, but also to oncoming seizures, allergic reactions and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Our dogs and cats may not have been to medical school, but their superior senses of smell, as well as their habit of closely observing us 24/7, put them in the catbird seat when it comes to recognizing that something in our bodies has changed, even if we're not always sure what they're trying to tell us.

Scientific studies have confirmed the canine ability to sniff out lung, breast, bladder, prostate, colorectal and ovarian cancer, in some cases before it's obvious through testing. They do this by taking a whiff of urine or breath samples from patients. Dogs have also been trained to alert people to oncoming epileptic seizures and assist them to a safe place until the seizure is over.

What's their secret?

Dogs and cats live in a world of smells, and their olfactory sense is far more acute than our own. Physiological changes such as lowered blood sugar or the presence of cancer produce or change volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted through the pores of the skin. Animals smell the difference and respond to it by licking, poking or pawing at the area.

Your doctor won't be sending you out for a "Lab test" or "cat scan" any time soon, but scientists are working to determine the exact compounds dogs are scenting, with the goal of developing an electronic "nose" that could detect cancer.

"Dogs are a wonderful part of the development of new technologies," says Cindy Otto, DVM, Ph.D., executive director of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center in Philadelphia. "Their incredible sense of smell allows them to detect very low concentrations of odors and also pick out specific odors from a tapestry of smells that can confuse standard technology. Unlike some of the other members of the animal kingdom with a highly developed sense of smell, dogs are also willing collaborators in our work."

Not every sign of unusual interest your pet takes in your body means you have cancer, of course. Robin Anderson of Seekonk, Mass., recalls the time her Labrador retriever, DaisyMae, began poking her thigh over and over.

"I noticed a new mole where she was poking me with her nose," she says. "I never would have noticed it because it was so small at the time she tuned into it."

Anderson asked her doctor about the mole, and he deemed it benign. Eventually, DaisyMae lost interest in it. Anderson says, however, that she is extremely good at diagnosing ear infections in her packmates.

"When DaisyMae sniffs and licks their ears, I also sniff the insides of the ears. I usually find a yeast infection and can treat it before the bad, gooey symptoms appear."

So if your dog or cat is insistently sniffing or pawing at a particular area of your body (or your other pet's body), pay attention. He or she may be trying to tell you something important.

Q&A

Urinary stones

trouble cats

Q: My cat seems to be peeing in the litter box more often, and when I happen to notice him in it, he seems to be straining to get anything out. He peed in the bathtub last night, and the urine had a pinkish tinge. What do you think is going on with him? -- via email

A: One of the most common and frustrating health problems we veterinarians see in cats is urinary stones. That's because diagnosing them can be a long, drawn-out process of elimination, if you'll excuse the pun.

Common signs of urinary stones are frequent urination, straining to urinate, pain during urination, blood in the urine (that pinkish tinge you noticed), dribbling urine, peeing in unusual places -- such as in the sink or bathtub -- and obsessively licking the genital area.

When waste products in urine become concentrated, they form tiny crystals that can grow into larger stones. Stones occur most often in the bladder, but are also found in the urinary tract, the kidneys, or the ureter -- the tube that connects the kidneys and the bladder. Sometimes the crystals enlarge so much that they reduce or completely block the flow of urine through the urinary tract. That's potentially fatal.

Your cat needs to see the veterinarian, stat. Catching this problem early and treating it effectively is the best way to prevent it from becoming worse. Some types of stones can be dissolved with a special diet and an increase in water intake. Consider getting a pet fountain to increase your cat's interest in drinking water.

It's important to give the diet time to work. You may not see results for several months. Sometimes, the stones are accompanied by a bacterial infection, which must be treated with antibiotics. Stones may require surgical removal if they are blocking the flow of urine. -- Dr. Marty Becker

THE BUZZ

Studies support a better

nine lives for cats

-- The Winn Feline Foundation recently awarded more than $173,000 to nine feline medical research grant projects. The organization is supporting studies of a variety of diseases affecting cats, including gastrointestinal disease associated with E. coli infection in kittens; feline infectious peritonitis; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common form of heart disease in cats; oral squamous cell cancer; feline calicivirus; and new drug treatments for Tritrichomonas foetus. Another study continues investigation into the use of stem cells to treat chronic kidney disease in cats. Individuals, clubs, organizations and companies may sponsor specific projects with a minimum donation of $250.

-- Ever wonder what a retriever does besides fetch tennis balls? These specialized dogs flush and retrieve upland game -- pheasant, grouse, quail or partridge -- or retrieve waterfowl, such as ducks and geese. On land, retrievers quarter the field, moving back and forth in front of the hunter as they seek out game birds, flush and then retrieve them. Water retrievers wait while the bird is shot, mark where it falls, and then bring it in, often from icy cold or rough water. Retrieving breeds include the American water spaniel, Boykin spaniel, Chesapeake Bay retriever, curly coated retriever, flat-coated retriever, golden retriever, Irish water spaniel, Labrador retriever and Nova Scotia duck-tolling retriever. The standard poodle can also be an effective retriever.

-- The New Hampshire legislature is considering a bill that would include pets in domestic violence protection laws. Dogs, cats and other family pets are often threatened, harmed or even killed by abusers, making it difficult for abuse victims to flee without fearing for an animal's well being. New Hampshire does not currently have any domestic-violence shelters that permit pets, but some animal shelters work with crisis centers to provide temporary housing for pets belonging to abuse victims. Veterinarians, boarding kennels and volunteers are also available to help. -- 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.

THINK YOU KNOW DOGS? TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR BEHAVIOR, HEALTH AND ANATOMY

By Kim Campbell Thornton

How much do you know about dogs? Take this quiz and find out. The answers are at the end. Feel free to consult your dog if you're not sure of the answers.

1. Chasing cars, skateboards or other fast-moving objects is a form of what type of behavior?

a. social

b. predatory

c. territorial

d. both b and c

2. Dogs wag their tails when they are feeling which of the following emotions?

a. happiness

b. curiosity

c. aggression

d. all of the above

3. Which of the following is not a reason that dogs mark territory with urine?

a. to indicate sexual availability

b. to warn other dogs off their territory

c. to get back at their owners for leaving them alone d. to express their superiority to other dogs

4. Which number does not indicate a dog's normal body temperature?

a. 99 degrees Fahrenheit

b. 100 degrees Fahrenheit

c. 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit

d. 102 degrees Fahrenheit

5. Whiskers aid which of a dog's senses?

a. touch

b. sight

c. hearing

d. both a and b

6. Which of the following is not an example of dogs' abilities as rocket scientists?

a. They have orbited the earth in spacecraft.

b. They can plot the trajectory of a moving object and predict its landing point

c. They can navigate using the earth's magnetic field.

d. They helped to design the Mars Rover.

7. Which of the following dog breeds is hypoallergenic?

a. poodle

b. soft-coated wheaten terrier

c. greyhound

d. none of the above

8. "Coprophagy" is a term used to describe which behavior?

a. dogs who eat coffeecake

b. dogs who chase police officers

c. dogs who eat poop

d. dogs who dig for fossils

9. Which of the following terms has not been used to describe canine vocalizations?

a. the bells of Moscow

b. chop

c. big bawl mouth

d. trill

10. Which of these is not a reason that dogs dig?

a. to hide food for later use

b. to plant their own strawberries and tomatoes

c. to make a comfy bed

d. to find prey

ANSWERS

1. d -- Dogs react to territorial incursions by chasing the invader, whether a cat or a car. Fast-moving objects also trigger their prey drive, causing them to give chase.

2. d -- A dog's tail wag can mean many different things, depending on the tail's position and the speed at which it's moving.

3. c -- Dogs with separation anxiety may urine-mark because they are nervous, but they aren't capable of complex emotions such as spite.

4. a -- A dog's normal temperature ranges from 100 degrees Fahrenheit to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. d -- Whiskers enhance a dog's senses of sight and touch by detecting air currents, sensing obstacles that might otherwise go unseen in the dark, and transmitting information about an object's shape and texture.

6. d -- The Mars Rover might resemble a robotic dog, but dogs were not involved in its development -- except perhaps as companions for its engineers.

7. d -- All dogs, even hairless breeds, have allergens in their dander (dead skin cells), saliva and urine. Individual dogs may be less allergenic than others, but no breed is completely hypoallergenic.

8. c -- This unattractive behavior is named for the Greek words "copros," meaning feces, and "phagein," to eat.

9. d -- A trill is more often attributed to cats. All of the other terms have been used to describe hound sounds. George Washington likened the voices of his hounds to the "bells of Moscow."

10. b -- Dogs often enjoy these fruits of gardens, but the only planting they do is of bones.

Q&A

'Sick pet' probably not

covered by trip insurance

Q: My fiancee and I are booking a Mediterranean cruise for this fall. My 10-year-old dog is not in the best of health, and I'm concerned that we might have to cancel at the last minute if he has a setback and requires emergency care. Would trip insurance cover that situation? -- via email

A: I was in a similar situation some years ago. We were planning a two-week trip to a far-off country, and I was concerned that Bella, our aged cavalier, might go into heart failure just before the trip. It wasn't all that likely, but for peace of mind, I purchased cancel-for-any-reason insurance. It was more expensive, and we didn't have to use it, but I was glad the option was there.

Most trip insurance plans cover cancellations only in the event of illness or death, either your own or a family member's. Some may cover work-related cancellations. It is highly unlikely that a pet's illness will be covered -- even if we consider them family members -- so if you are truly concerned, a cancel-for-any-reason policy is probably the way to go. Your travel agent or insurance agent can help you find an appropriate policy.

How much will it cost? In his book "How to be the World's Smartest Traveler," Christopher Elliott says travel insurance typically costs between 4 and 8 percent of a trip's prepaid, nonrefundable cost, with cancel-for-any-reason policies running 10 percent or slightly more of the nonrefundable cost.

These policies have certain requirements. Usually, they must be purchased within one week to one month of making the initial deposit for the trip. Cancellation usually must be made 48 hours prior to departure. You may also be required to notify the airline, hotels and cruise line within that time frame. Read the policy carefully before purchase and make sure you understand all the requirements. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

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

THE BUZZ

It's a bird! It's a plane!

No! It's a dog star!

-- Look up into the sky for a vision of celestial canines. On view this month are four canine constellations, says Joe Rao, skywatching columnist on Space.com and an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium. Keep an eye out for sparkling Sirius, the "dog star," the brightest star of the constellation Canis Major (Latin for Greater Dog). Procyon, known as "Little Dog Star," is one of two stars that make up Canis Minor (Lesser Dog). It rises about 20 minutes before Sirius. Finally, look for the Hunting Dogs (Canes Venatici), Chara and Asterion, which, according to myth, were placed in the sky to assist Bootes, the Bear Driver, as he pursues Ursa Major (Great Bear).

-- You might have heard that all calico cats are female. If you were to make a bet that a particular calico is female, you would probably win, but there's no guarantee: Approximately one calico in 3,000 is male, thanks to a genetic oddity known as "Klinefelter syndrome." Those cats have X and Y chromosomes, making them male, but they also have an additional X chromosome, which allows for the expression of the calico coat pattern.

-- The Morris Animal Foundation is looking for a few good goldens. If your golden retriever is healthy and younger than 2 years, you may be able to enroll him in the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, which seeks to identify genetic, environmental and nutritional risk factors for cancer, which is the cause of death for more than half of all goldens. Participants agree to participate for the dog's lifetime, complete online questionnaires regarding the dog's diet and environment, take their dog to the veterinarian for annual examinations and collection of blood, urine, feces, hair and toenail samples, microchip their dog, and allow collection of tumor samples for evaluation when applicable. For more information, go to www.caninelifetimehealth.org. -- Dr. Marty Becker and 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.

'TRICK AND TREAT,' AN EASTER SAFETY TIP FOR CATS AND FIVE NEAT NEW PRODUCTS

By Kim Campbell Thornton and Dr. Marty Becker

Are there straitjackets for dogs? That's what I've been wondering lately as we struggle to medicate the ears of Keeper, one of our cavalier King Charles spaniels. Cavaliers are supposed to be among the most biddable of breeds, but you wouldn't know it from him. It's like wrestling a bear to get him to hold still.

One night, I waited until he was settled on my lap, which worked somewhat better, but I still think I got more medication on the sofa than in his ears. The next morning, I used a little psychological tactic that has worked well in the past when there are multiple dogs in the home.

-- Gather some treats. Call the dog you don't want. Usually they will all come running anyway if they know you have treats. Pick up the dog who doesn't need treatment and put her on the treatment area (on top of the dryer in our house). Give her a treat, comb her or fondle her ears, give her lots of praise and then give more treats. Set her down. (Adjust this advice as needed for large dogs.) By this time, the dog who needs medication or grooming is eager to undergo treatment, too. Repeat, giving lots of treats and praise before, during and after medicating the ears, brushing the teeth or whatever it is your dog doesn't like you to do. Voila! Medicated ears with a minimum of fuss.

-- Easter is coming up, bringing the reminder that Easter lilies are highly toxic to cats. The leaves, flowers, pollen and even the water in the vase can all cause severe and possibly fatal kidney failure in your cat. Do not bring these flowers into your home. If you receive them as a gift, pass them on to a cat-free neighbor or friend. Your wallet will thank you for saving it from a very expensive veterinary bill.

-- More cool pet products. Dr. Becker attended Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Fla., last month and chose 10 products as Becker's Best. We featured five last week, and the other five are here. Check out all 10, with photos, at Vetstreet.com.

-- Does your dog wolf his food and then throw up because he ate so fast? Slo-Bowl helps dogs slow down and relax while they eat. $14.99 to $24.99 at kyjen.com/slo-bowls.

-- I always break a nail every time I try to attach tags to dog collars, so I think this was a genius pick. The Links-It Pet ID Tag Connector is an award-winning solution to easily, quickly and securely attaching tags to collars. Bonus: The diamond shape eliminates the noise of jingling tags. $7.99 at links-it.com.

-- Keep your dog busy with this tough 10-inch ball. You can increase the weight of the Tuggo Dog Toy by adding water, bringing it up to as much as 20 pounds. The attached rope allows your dog to play by himself, with another dog or with you. $29.99 at tuggodogtoy.com.

-- If you live in a condo or high-rise or have a puppy or old dog who needs to potty frequently, but you're not always home, the Piddle Place Pet Relief System could relieve your woes. The unit has a drain for urine, carrying it out of sight until you can empty it, and a cleaning solution prevents odors. The grassy cover is even machine-washable. $99 to $119 at piddleplace.com.

-- We haven't forgotten cats. The Kong Glide 'n Seek Cat Toy uses magnetic levitation technology to encourage cats to bat at the enclosed feathers. It's a simple and fun way to provide them with indoor exercise. $24.99 at pet-supply stores.

Q&A

Advances make anesthesia

techniques safer for pets

Q: My cat's teeth really need to be cleaned, but I'm afraid to have her go under anesthesia. Can you tell me anything that will ease my mind? -- via email

A: Good for you for having your cat's teeth cleaned! It's so important for her health and comfort.

Back in the bad old days, pets used to be put under anesthesia by placing a mask over the face or putting the pet in a box with anesthetic gas delivered to it. The most up-to-date method -- intravenous injection of induction drugs -- is more controlled and much safer than using a "cat box" or mask procedure. Our friend and colleague Robin Downing, DVM, an expert in pain medicine, says the anesthetic agents used now help cats go to sleep safely, effectively and smoothly. When that happens, they also wake up smoothly and peacefully.

Here are some questions to ask your veterinarian to ensure that your cat will have a safe anesthetic experience:

-- Will you do blood work to make sure my cat's kidneys, liver and bone marrow are all functioning well? This costs extra, but it's well worth it to make sure your cat doesn't have any underlying health problems that could be adversely affected by anesthesia.

-- Will my cat receive intravenous fluids while she's anesthetized? Dehydration and low blood pressure can occur under anesthesia, but IV fluids can help to prevent those problems.

-- Do you have a heated table or blankets to keep my cat warm during and after the procedure? Maintaining body temperature helps to keep your pet comfortable and allows the body to better metabolize the anesthesia drugs.

-- Will you be checking my cat's blood pressure? Blood pressure tells us a lot about how an anesthetized patient is doing, and it's easy and inexpensive to monitor. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

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

THE BUZZ

New treatment may help

people allergic to cats

-- Cat lovers with allergies to their pets may soon find relief. British pharmaceutical company Circassia is conducting the final phase of clinical trials of a new allergy shot that reduces symptoms with as few as four injections over a 12-week period. Called Cat-SPIRE, the treatment targets a glycoprotein found in cat skin and saliva. The company reports that patients' symptoms remained improved two years after the start of the study. Allergies to cats affect 8 percent to 17 percent of populations in Europe and the United States.

-- The Washington Post reports that Maryland lawmakers are set to approve a measure that presumes all dog owners can be held liable for a bite even if a dog has not bitten anyone before, and that would apply regardless of the dog's breed. The legislation would allow pet owners to avoid liability if they can prove their dogs were docile before biting. The law would overturn a previous court decision that applied only to owners of pit bulls. Sponsors say the measure enhances protections for dog-bite victims because it preserves the presumption of liability and extends it to all breeds.

-- A study published in the March 2014 issue of Anti-Cancer Drugs found that a gold-based drug currently used in human and veterinary medicine to manage some immune diseases may also help to combat osteosarcoma, or bone cancer, which affects both dogs and people. University of Florida veterinary researchers say the drug, aurothiomalate, also known as gold salts, kept cancer cells from forming in the laboratory, slowed tumor growth and decreased metastasis. Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor found in dogs and accounts for approximately 80 percent of the cancerous tumors in the canine skeleton. -- 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.