The fitness revolution has gone to the dogs as activity trackers monitor your dog's every step

By Kim Campbell Thornton

I've been wearing an activity tracker for the past six weeks, and it's a good incentive to get up and move a little more so I can make my goal of 10,000 steps per day. But what about my dogs? Are they getting their recommended daily dose of exercise?

You probably won't be surprised to learn that wearable activity monitors are available for pets -- they drew a lot of attention at the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas last February -- but how do they work, and how accurate and useful are they?

The tiny accelerometers contain a sensor that detects movement in all directions. Some units contain GPS capabilities that provide specific information on geographic location and distance traveled. They may also monitor heart and respiratory rates.

The benefit for pets -- primarily dogs -- is the ability to monitor how active they are every day. A lot of us probably think our dogs spend time running around in the yard chasing squirrels while we're gone, but that's not necessarily the case. Those of us who work at home know that our dogs tend to snooze the day away, getting up only when we go to the kitchen or call them to go out for a walk. Putting an activity tracker on your pet can be a wake-up call, alerting you that perhaps he's not quite as active as you imagined.

While the monitors are good at detecting movement, they can't always differentiate between types of movement. For instance, a dog who sniffs the ground vigorously while lying down moves his head enough to register activity on the tracker, but that doesn't qualify as exercise. And a dog who scratches all day will rack up minutes of activity, but that's also not true exercise.

Some measurements may not be as accurate for some movements, says internal medicine specialist Bess J. Pierce, director of the Center for Animal-Human Relationships at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia.

"For example, in one study, there was no significant difference between trackers in all test dogs for trotting and walking, but the measurements became more variable when dogs were trotting up and down stairs."

An activity tracker can't assess overall fitness, but it can be useful for determining how many minutes per day your pet is active and the distance he logs, whether he's running around in the yard, walking with you on leash or hiking off leash with the opportunity to run back and forth. Most trackers allow you to monitor activity trends over time and keep logs or diaries of downloaded data. An app can allow you to compare his activity level to other dogs of a similar age, breed or size.

And they're not just for young, active dogs.

"These monitors may be especially useful in geriatric dogs," Dr. Pierce says. "For example, if an older dog is arthritic and has a sudden decrease in activity level, then it may be associated with an acute flare-up of joint pain."

Other uses include helping veterinarians follow a pet's weight-loss progress or tracking scratching activity in dogs with allergies who are very itchy. A sudden decrease in activity could also signal a medical problem.

If you're thinking of getting a canine activity monitor, choose one that's pet-specific. Simply attaching your own device to his collar won't yield accurate results.

"As long as a tracker is used within its limits, the information provided can be accurate and useful in monitoring your pet's activity," Dr. Pierce says. "Plus, it's just plain fun to see what your pet has been up to during the day."

Q&A

What we know about

Ebola virus and dogs

Q: The media are reporting that dogs are carriers of Ebola but show no symptoms. What can you tell us about it? -- via Facebook

A: We are still learning about how the Ebola virus affects dogs, and whether or how the virus could be transmitted between dogs and people. And the information we do have could change as we learn more. Here's what we know now, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

-- We know that dogs in Africa have become infected with the Ebola virus, usually from feeding off the bodies of animals that may have died from the disease, but dogs don't appear to develop the disease.

-- We have no evidence that infected dogs are able to spread Ebola to people or other animals.

-- The risk to pets in the United States is low. They would have to come in contact with blood and bodily fluids of a person with Ebola. Currently, only eight people in the United States have been diagnosed with Ebola. Three have recovered, four are undergoing treatment and one has died.

-- There is no need to test dogs or cats for Ebola if the animals have not been exposed to blood or bodily fluids of a person showing symptoms of the disease. Routine testing for Ebola is not available for pets.

-- The Centers for Disease Control and the American Veterinary Medical Association are developing guidelines to manage dogs exposed to people infected with the Ebola virus. A case in point is Bentley, the cavalier King Charles spaniel who belongs to a nurse who contracted the disease. He is currently quarantined and under the care of veterinarians at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, and has so far tested negative for Ebola.

By the time this is published, Bentley's quarantine period will likely be over and we may know more about the potential risk to pets and whether quarantining them should be a part of helping to manage the disease. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Dog overcomes torment,

becomes therapy dog

-- A therapy dog named Susie was named 2014 American Hero Dog at the American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards on Oct. 30. The pit bull mix from High Point, North Carolina, survived a savage beating and burning by her owner, who left her for dead. She was rescued and nursed back to health at a local shelter. In a tear-worthy twist, Susie was adopted by Donna Lawrence, the victim of a dog attack that nearly killed her. Together, the two helped each other heal and helped bring about passage of the state's "Susie's Law," which sets harsher penalties for people convicted of animal abuse.

-- When your pet undergoes surgery, is he properly hydrated? A recent study published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research confirmed the importance of giving IV fluids to pets during even minor surgical procedures to help maintain blood pressure and compensate for fluid loss. Deborah Silverstein, associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, found that increasing the amount of fluid delivered to the animal enhanced the total number of small vessels -- arterioles, venules and capillaries -- receiving blood flow. The American Animal Hospital Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners recommend IV drips during any surgery.

-- When 76-year-old Judy Muhe of Palmdale, Florida, fell and injured herself, the situation was dire. She was unable to get up on her own, and no one knew of her predicament -- except for her two golden retrievers, Higgins and Dodger. For two days, they snuggled next to her, helping her to stay warm. When a friend, concerned that Muhe wasn't answering the phone, entered the house to check on her, the dogs ran to her and then ran back to Muhe. Thanks to their care, Muhe survived. -- 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.

CAPTIONS AND CREDIT

Caption 01: If you are concerned about your dog's activity level or just wonder what he does all day, an activity monitor may give you clues. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Susie overcame a traumatic ordeal and now spreads hope and cheer to people in hospitals, nursing homes and schools. Credit: Angie Smith

How to find the facts when you encounter Internet rumors

If you're online, you've seen them: the social media rumors, emails or blog posts claiming that particular products are hazardous to a pet's health. Whether we're talking foods, treats, cleaning products or pharmaceuticals, there are likely stories floating around that one or another of them causes illness or death.

They sound alarming. But are they true? The Internet is wonderful, but not everything you read on it is fair or even factual. Heck, I read things about myself on the Internet all the time that aren't true.

How can you know if what you're reading is accurate? We have some advice and sources that will help you separate fact from fiction. So forget the panic: Here are five ways to avoid the spin and get the real skinny.

-- Go to the source. By law, drug manufacturers must report all potential adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA defines an adverse drug experience as any unfavorable or unintended reaction after a drug is administered, whether or not that reaction is believed to be related to the product and whether or not the drug was given as instructed on the label. You can find adverse drug experience reports for veterinary drugs online at www.fda.gov.

"Each pharmaceutical company is required to conduct a thorough investigation of all adverse events," says my colleague Michael Dryden, professor of veterinary parasitology at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. "In these investigations, all relevant information is obtained, such as the medical history of the animal, clinical pathology reports, toxicological data for the product, necropsy reports and any other available information. This information is used to help determine the likelihood that a product is linked to the reported event in the patient."

-- Contact the company directly. Most manufacturers provide a toll-free number on their packaging. In fact, food manufacturers are required to provide contact information on the label. Ask what is being done to investigate the situation.

-- Go to neutral fact-checking sites. Neutral sites aren't associated with or supported by manufacturers, and their only goal is to seek the truth. You might say that they don't have a dog in this hunt. These independent sites present evidence and facts to verify or debunk all kinds of rumors. They look for confirmation from authoritative sources and list their references. Reputable sites that often address pet-related e-rumors include snopes.com and truthorfiction.com.

-- Don't confuse correlation with causation. In other words, coincidence happens. Here's what my colleague Tony Johnson, DVM, an emergency medicine and critical-care specialist, has to say about that:

"If a dog or cat is diagnosed with an infection or cancer or organ failure, and the owner had used a certain product in the preceding days or weeks, it's human nature to want to associate something new with the outcome. It looks bad, but there's not necessarily any correlation."

For more about how to distinguish between correlation and causation, especially in the context of science and health, take a look at George Mason University's website stats.org, which addresses the subject in a way that's easy to understand.

-- Talk to your veterinarian. Your pets' veterinarian is trained in looking at data and has experience with many different pets and the products made for them. There's no doubt that adverse drug events can occur, especially in pets with underlying health conditions or other unknown causes of sensitivity, and that foods or other products can become contaminated. When you have concerns, your veterinarian is the best person to help you sort out reality from rumor and science from spin.

Q&A

Senior cats prone to

high blood pressure

Q: My cat is 9 years old. At her recent annual exam, her veterinarian suggested checking her blood pressure. I didn't know cats could get high blood pressure. Is it a common problem? -- via Facebook

A: High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the most important cardiovascular disease seen in senior cats, says Clarke E. Atkins, DVM, professor of medicine and cardiology at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He presented a lecture on the topic at the 2014 World Small Animal Veterinary Association conference in Cape Town, South Africa.

The condition is most often seen in cats 7 years and older. Dr. Atkins has seen hypertension only once in a cat younger than 7 years.

Among the causes of hypertension in cats are chronic renal (kidney) disease, diabetes and hyperthyroidism. Cats with hypertension may show signs such as seizures or circling, heart enlargement or murmurs, and eye problems. The eye is one of the more fragile organs that can be affected by hypertension. If the condition goes untreated, cats can develop retinopathy, or blindness.

A cat's blood pressure can be measured at the front leg, the back leg or the tail. Dr. Atkins likes using the tail because the cat can bury his head in the owner's arms during the procedure, allowing him to feel more comfortable. The front leg is his second choice.

If they are treated, the prognosis is good for cats diagnosed with hypertension. Medication is available to help reduce blood pressure to a normal level and control the heart rate. Your veterinarian may also suggest ways to correct conditions that may be causing hypertension, or recommend a switch to a renal or senior diet to reduce sodium intake.

It's also important to ensure that the cat always has plenty of fresh water and, if necessary, reduce the cat's weight if he is obese. No data suggest that fat cats are more prone to hypertension, but being overweight most likely isn't good for them. -- 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

What's the beef?

It may be something else

-- What's listed on the label isn't necessarily what's in your pet's food. According to a study published in August in the journal Food Control, researchers using DNA testing to identify the type of meat present in 52 pet food products found some inconsistencies between what the label said and what was actually in the food. Of the tested foods, 16 contained meat that was not listed on the label. Researchers looked for beef, chicken, goat, goose, horse, lamb, pork and turkey. Pork was the most common type of meat not listed on labels. Chicken was the most commonly included type of meat, and goose was the least common. None of the samples contained horsemeat.

-- A group of rescuers in India spent four hours rubbing vegetable oil onto the body of a young dog who was found stuck in a pool of hot tar that had spilled at a construction site in the city of Udaipur. The oil helped them free the pup from his sticky situation, reports CNN. It took another few days to completely remove the tar, but the dog has since recovered and is being cared for by Animal Aid Unlimited, the animal welfare group that came to his rescue.

-- Health care reform spreads to Max and Muffin as California becomes the first state to regulate pet insurance. The bill, signed into law by dog-loving Gov. Jerry Brown, establishes disclosure rules and other measures to protect consumers. The bill, which goes into effect next July, requires carriers to sufficiently explain all plans and address annual coverage limits and policies regarding pre-existing conditions. The measure also allows for a 30-day trial period during which people can return the insurance and receive a complete refund. Companies that violate the law can be fined up to $10,000. -- 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.

CAPTIONS AND CREDIT

Caption 01: Before becoming alarmed by what you read online, get a reality check to make sure the information isn't misleading, or just plain wrong. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Pet food mislabeling can be a concern for owners of animals who are allergic to certain proteins. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 1

(NOTE TO EDITORS: This column originally appeared on Oct. 17, 2011.)

Our culture has become very pet-friendly, but as much as I love this shift in attitude, I am also aware that some people don't approve of the change, especially when other people start planning to bring dogs home for the holidays.

Now I'm a veterinarian, not a family counselor. But I do have some suggestions for minimizing the friction between those who always want their dogs with them and those who believe pets should never be imposed on people who don't like them.

When bringing together people and pets, everyone should be honest about potential problems, as well as likes and dislikes. And you need to be honest with yourself about your dog. Is your pet well-socialized, well-mannered, and well-groomed? If not, your dog's not ready to tag along on a family visit. Your pet should also be up to date on preventive health measures, especially those involving parasites.

If your dog is a party-ready animal, ask your host if it's OK to bring your dog along. Never just show up at someone's house with a pet in tow.

My "ground rules" suggestion is that the person who has the ground sets the rules, and the decision to bend or break them is hers alone. If you want to take your pet to a family gathering but your son-in-law says absolutely not in his house, respect that. If your host has pets who don't get along with or would be stressed by a canine visitor, respect that, too.

If you're dealing with someone who will become ill if exposed to a pet, the discussion is over. Leave your pet out of the mix. This extends to people who are afraid of animals or when there will be other guests who might be at high risk of injury around a pet, such as your great-great-aunt who has already broken her hip twice.

If you've been invited to bring your dog along, here's what you will need:

-- A considerate attitude

Taking your dog to someone else's place is a privilege. Ask where your dog is and isn't allowed to be and where you'll be taking him to potty.

-- Potty bags

You will need to pick up after your pet. And ask where those little bags should go after you pick up.

-- Leash

Your dog might be awesome at home, but in a new environment you never can tell. Good manners dictate you keep your pup under control.

-- Crate

Taking a crate when you visit someone allows you to give your dog a room of his own wherever you are and provides your host with options to accommodate other guests.

-- Food dishes

Don't expect to borrow bowls from your host's kitchen. Take your own and ask where you should clean them after meals. Don't be offended if it's a utility sink in the garage.

-- Linens

It's a good idea to take a sheet to throw over your bed if you're allowed to have your dog in your bedroom when you stay over at someone's house. Pack towels as well, since your host may not want you to use the good towels to dry your dog.

If you're a considerate guest, chances are even those who don't like dogs won't have complaints -- and you and your dog will be welcome back. That's the goal, isn't it?

Q&A

Gagging cat may

have feline asthma

Q: My cat is gagging all the time, but he doesn't bring up hairballs and sometimes seems to wheeze as well. What can I give him that will help? -- via email

A: Hairballs often take the blame for a cat's chronic coughing, but the problem could be deeper than that.

Symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, open-mouthed breathing and heaving may indicate a cat with asthma. These attacks can be brought on by stress and allergens, with common allergens including cigarette smoke, pollen, dust, mold, aerosols, perfume, deodorizers, dusty cat litter and food. Common treatment ranges from allergy medication similar to bronchodilators to oxygen therapy.

There's nothing over-the-counter that will help your cat with the problem. You'll need to see your veterinarian for a correct diagnosis that will lead to the right treatment for a potentially dangerous health issue. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Fat cats can get stuck

Q: My cat seems to get herself stuck a lot. Shouldn't she know how to figure out where she should fit? -- via email

A: Cats are able to squeeze through spaces that seem narrower than they are because cats don't have a rigid collarbone to block their way through nooks and crannies. Once they can get their head and shoulders through, their sleek bodies present no further obstacle. That's if those bodies are sleek, of course.

The world is full of fat cats, after all, and for these chubby felines, fitting through tiny holes is not a sure bet. Cats may find themselves in a tight spot because they don't realize they can't fit through. That's because a cat's whiskers -- super-sensitive specialized hairs -- spread roughly as wide as a cat does, normally allowing the cat to gauge where she can slide through. But they don't grow longer as a cat gets wider, which often leads corpulent cats into sticky situations. -- Pet Connection

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

THE BUZZ

Cats don't dig

the sweet stuff

-- People crave sweets -- cakes, candies, cookies and sodas galore -- but cats are generally unimpressed. A cat's taste buds are incapable of detecting, appreciating or triggering a craving for foods that we recognize as "sweet." As "obligate carnivores" (animals who need meat protein to survive), cats simply don't need sweets. It's unclear whether the ancestors of cats had the ability to detect sweetness and lost it, or whether cats never developed a "sweet tooth," since they didn't need it. People (and dogs, for that matter) eat a much more varied diet, and human taste buds reflect that -- we have nearly 10,000 on our tongues. No such variety for cats: They're happy to stick with small prey animals and need fewer than 500 taste buds to figure what's on the menu and what isn't.

-- Dogs may be able to blame their tail-chasing habit on high cholesterol levels, according to a study published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice and reported in Veterinary Economics. Turkish researchers found that dogs who didn't chase their tails had lower levels of cholesterol than the tail-chasers did. Dogs may chase their tails because the high cholesterol levels have blocked the flow of brain hormones controlling mood and behavior. The study suggests that an increase in exercise could help lower the tail-chasing. There may be other medical reasons for tail-chasing as well, so if your dog is chasing his rump, let your veterinarian know.

-- The trade publication Veterinary Economics named the best 10 U.S. cities for a dog-friendly vacation. In order, they are: Portland, Ore.; Chicago; San Diego; Seattle; Philadelphia; Minneapolis; Austin, Texas; Alexandria, Va./Washington D.C.; New York City; and Indianapolis, Ind. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

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.

CAPTIONS AND CREDITS

Caption 01: Before taking a dog to visit family, the health and safety of everyone -- pets and people, alike -- must be considered. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Dogs who chase their tails may have a nutritional imbalance. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 2