pets

Weekend Warrior Syndrome

Pet Connection by by Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
by Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
Pet Connection | January 5th, 2015

CONDITION PETS GRADUALLY WHEN STARTING A NEW EXERCISE PROGRAM

If you are anything like us, one of your top New Year's resolutions is always to get (or stay) in shape. Most of us vow to eat less and exercise more, especially when we wake up on New Year's Day and realize the results of holiday excesses.

When you commit to an exercise routine, don't leave your pet behind. Our dogs (and cats) need exercise as much as or maybe even more than we do, since they have fewer opportunities to get out and do things.

Walking or running with a dog or taking up a dog sport such as agility is a great way for both of you to burn calories, but be sure you start slow and work up to long distances or greater speeds. Like people, dogs are prone to weekend warrior syndrome -- the aches, pains and injuries that come from being inactive and then overdoing exercise.

The optimal amount of exercise for dogs in terms of frequency, intensity and duration isn't known, but factors to consider when planning an exercise program for them include their size, build, fitness level, manners (do they behave nicely in public or do they need an activity that doesn't bring them in contact with other people or dogs?), and past and current orthopedic health. Taking these things into account can help to determine the best form of exercise for them and minimize the risk of orthopedic injuries.

Whether you and your dog will be walking around the block or taking up a new sport, here are our best tips for getting conditioned and avoiding injury.

-- Talk to your veterinarian about your plans. He or she can advise you about whether your dog is ready for certain activities. For instance, large or giant breeds shouldn't run on hard surfaces until their growth plates close, usually at 10 to 24 months.

-- Choose an activity that's appropriate for your dog. Denis Marcellin-Little, professor of orthopedic surgery at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, says the best way to "break" a greyhound is to engage him in jumping sports. Likewise, it's not a good idea to jog with a French bulldog (even if you could get him to consider the idea in the first place).

-- Preventing injury is critical. Know the types of injuries commonly seen in your dog's breed or body type. Cranial cruciate ligament ruptures are common in couch-potato Labrador retrievers. Herding and agility dogs tend to suffer ligament damage because they change direction frequently. Flat-coated retrievers can be prone to patellar luxation. German shepherds can have spinal problems. Search www.pubmed.org for medical problems affecting specific breeds.

-- Balance is a key factor in conditioning. Your dog (and you) should be able to adjust as needed to changes in direction or ground surfaces. Changing direction, both ways, as you jog or run is a good way to improve balance. So is walking over cavaletti rails (a series of obstacles set at certain heights or distances) or on a trampoline if you have access to one. If you teach your dog tricks or movements such as spinning or figure eights, he should learn to perform them in both directions.

-- Rest is critical. Downtime limits fatigue and prevents injuries from overuse. The body needs rest to repair tissues and replace energy.

-- What about your cat? Give him 10 to 15 minutes of activity a day in three- to five-minute sessions. It's as easy as tossing a small tennis ball down the hall for him to chase, encouraging him to climb his cat tree by placing his food on the top level, or dangling a feather toy to encourage him to jump up or bat at it.

We wish you and your pets a happy, healthy new year.

Q&A

Ear canal removal

drastic but helpful

Q: I was told when I adopted him that my cat had some benign polyps in his ear, but lately he's been scratching at it a lot. It smells bad, and I noticed some discharge, so I took him to the veterinarian. He found a tumor in the ear canal and recommends something called total ear canal ablation. It sounds really drastic. Is this a good idea? -- via email

A: Wow! That is definitely a delicate and complex surgery. Known as total ear canal ablation, or TECA, it involves complete removal of the ear canal. Cats have an L-shaped ear canal, so we can't just go in and use a long instrument to remove the tumor. There's too much risk of missing part of it. It takes some fancy handwork to avoid damaging nerves inside the ear, but the surgery can have real benefits for cats with chronic ear canal infections or tumors such as your cat has.

The first thing the surgeon considers is whether the tumor has spread into the bone of the skull. That makes it a much more difficult situation to deal with. If that's not a problem, though, then the surgeon can remove the ear canal and, if necessary, clean out the middle ear and prescribe antibiotics to treat any infection.

Your cat will still be able to hear after the ear canal is removed, although sounds will be dampened, sort of the same way they are when you wear earplugs. You may also notice that he's happier and more active because he's more comfortable.

A veterinary pathologist will biopsy the tumor to see if it is benign (harmless) or malignant (cancerous). Sometimes tumors that appear to be benign turn out to be malignant when a larger sample is submitted. -- 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

Inquiring minds:

2014's top pet questions

-- Got questions about your pets? Whatever they may be, chances are you turned to Google for answers. The search engine released a list of the top questions asked last year about dogs and cats. Here's what you wanted to know: Why do dogs eat grass? Do dogs dream? Why do dogs howl? Why do dogs have whiskers? Why do dogs chase their tails? How to clean dogs' ears? Why are dogs' noses wet? How to stop dogs from digging? How to introduce dogs? Why do dogs bury bones? Why do cats purr? How long do cats live? Why do cats knead? Why do cats sleep so much? Why do cats have whiskers? What does catnip do to cats? Why do cats hate water? Why do cats eat grass? Why do cats like boxes? What is a group of cats called?

-- The pharaoh hound has a sense of humor, and anyone who lives with this breed needs one as well. He'll steal your stuff and play tricks on you, all while making you laugh at his antics. The blushing breed -- he turns bright pink when he's happy or excited -- was not a companion to pharaohs, despite his name, but was probably developed on the island of Malta in the 17th century.

-- Legislation signed in New York last month by Gov. Andrew Cuomo outlaws Goth cats and tattooed Pekes. The new law, which goes into effect in April, prohibits tattooing or piercing pets, which Cuomo called "animal abuse, pure and simple." The bill was introduced in the wake of pet owners who performed the painful practices on their animals and posted pictures of them on social media or advertised them for sale. The law applies to dogs, cats and other pets, and carries punishments of up to $250 and up to 15 days jail time. Exemptions include tattoos for identification purposes and ear tags for rabbits. -- 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 CREDITS

Caption 01: For dogs and people, fitness requires strength, endurance, flexibility and good cardiovascular function. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: A group of cats is called a clowder, cluster, clutter or glaring, but multiple kittens are a kindle. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 1

pets

Top New Pet Products

Pet Connection by by Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
by Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
Pet Connection | December 29th, 2014

10 New Products -- And A Bonus Item -- To Improve Your Life With Your Dogs And Cats

The multibillion-dollar pet industry keeps coming up with ways to make our lives with animals better. Some are toys, some are veterinary products, some are home and pet-care items. I see them throughout the year as I travel to trade shows and veterinary conferences, and I try them out myself when possible or get my colleagues' input. Here are 11 new products that I think are winners.

-- KittyKaddy Double Diner and Torus Ceramic Diner. As I age -- I just turned 60 and feel stiffer -- it becomes harder to bend over. That's when devices like this, which let you fill and clean pet food and water bowls without bending over, catch your eye. A long, detachable handle allows you to pick up the bowls easily.

-- Zen Clipper. Most nail clippers either crush part of the nail when cutting or make it too easy to cut too close and hit a blood vessel or nerve. Ouch! The Zen Clipper slices the nail 360 degrees at once while preventing you from trimming too much.

-- Tidy Cats LightWeight. Do you feel like you get a workout every time you pick up a container of cat litter? The folks who originated cat litter 50 years ago have developed a new litter that is lighter and more absorbent. Now my 89-year-old mother-in-law, Valdie, feels like Popeye as she carries a jug in each hand.

-- Muffin's Halo. I have a blind 14-year-old golden retriever, Shakira, who looks a little funny running around Almost Heaven Ranch in angel wings and a halo, but the halo protects her face and eyes the same way a face guard does on a football helmet. Now I don't have to worry that she'll hurt herself running into things.

-- Ultra Fel-O-Vax. Cats are small and vaccine volumes seem big, especially as they're being injected. Ultra Fel-O-Vax has only half the volume of normal vaccines, making for a more comfortable vaccine experience. That's what I call state-of-the-art technology with state-of-the-heart comfort.

-- Galaxy Wands. Older cats seem to become kittens again when they play with these wands that mimic the movements of prey. I like the collapsible handles, which make storage easy -- assuming your cat lets you put it away.

-- Ultra Duramune and Bronchi-Shield Oral. These vaccines for dogs improve comfort level in two ways. Ultra Duramune has only half the volume of normal vaccines, so the injection doesn't last as long, and Bronchi-Shield Oral slides down the throat, preventing the gagging that often occurs during intranasal canine cough vaccines.

-- Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Mazee. Talk about a brainteaser! This twist on a puzzle toy engages a dog's senses of sight, hearing and smell as he works to release the treats inside.

-- Apoquel. There's almost nothing worse than an itchy dog. This anti-itch medication is so powerful that the misery some dogs have endured for years is gone after the first dose. (Tip: Always read the label with your veterinarian to make sure a particular medication is appropriate for your dog.)

-- Chuckit! Max Glow Kick Fetch. Nobody wants to come in from playing just because it's dark, and that includes dogs. This ball not only glows in the dark, it has a special grooved design that makes it easy to pick up. Play on!

-- Bissell PowerGlide Pet Vacuum. Everybody needs a vacuum cleaner, but this one has special features for pet owners: It picks up more dirt and hair, swivels around your furniture (where pet hair often collects), and has a filtration system to help reduce allergens. Plus $10 from each purchase ($20 in December) goes to the Bissell Pet Foundation to help homeless pets. That's a win-win.

Q&A

Bite prevention basics

keep everyone safe

Q: I have a tiny dog who goes everywhere with me. People always want to pick him up and hold him. He likes attention, but I'm always worried that he might bite if he is startled or accidentally handled roughly. Do you have any tips on how I should respond when people ask to hold him? -- via email

A: We understand. We all have at least one small dog, so we know how irresistible they can be to others. It's OK to let people admire and pet your dog, and you can take the opportunity to let them know the best ways to handle dogs. This is an especially good lesson for kids; they'll soak it up and share it with their friends. Here are some tips to help make sure everyone stays safe:

-- Give him space. Ask people not to get in your dog's face. Explain that dogs are uncomfortable when their space is invaded that way. When people want to kiss or hug your dog, have them scratch him on the chest, behind the ears or beneath the chin instead.

-- Pickup lines. Most dogs aren't crazy about being picked up and held by strangers. They'll squirm to get free or look away from the person in the vain hope that she'll disappear. Suggest that the person pet the dog while you hold him. If a young child wants to hold the dog, have the child sit on the ground or on a sofa with the dog next to him. That way you don't have to worry that he'll drop your dog or hold him incorrectly.

-- Treat tip. When people want to give your dog a treat, first make sure it's something you approve, and then ask them to offer it with their palm up and flat. Your dog is less likely to nip any fingers that way. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Famous Janus cat

passes at age 15

-- Frank and Louie had two faces but only nine lives, and he lost his last one on Dec. 4, reports Kim Ring for the Telegram & Gazette in Worcester, Massachusetts. The unusual cat, owned by Martha Stevens, held a Guinness World Record for being the oldest of his kind. Most Janus cats -- so-called after the two-headed Roman god of beginnings and passages -- die shortly after birth, but Stevens tube-fed him until he learned to eat on his own. Frank and Louie had two noses, two mouths and two functioning eyes, plus a blind center eye, but only one brain.

-- Is your dog overweight? He might not have the right bacteria in his gut. A report published in November in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine found that the beagles in the study who gained weight had less diversity of bacteria in their guts than the dogs who ate restricted amounts of food to maintain optimal body condition. The lean dogs also had different types of microbes. It may be that too much of certain types of bacteria can lead to body chemistry changes that cause obesity, but more research is necessary before that can be confirmed.

-- Maine coon cats, despite their name, aren't the result of a fling between a cat and a raccoon. American originals, they were developed in New England as all-purpose farm cats and companions. The winner of the first cat show held in the United States was a Maine coon named Cosey, an apt name for these large, fluffy cats with easygoing dispositions. Maine coons are best known for their striking tabby coats, but they also come in many other colors and patterns. Not surprisingly, they are the official state cat of Maine. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton 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: These products help pets and their people live better. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: The sturdy Maine coon is dressed for cold weather with a neck ruff, "britches" on his legs, tufted feet and a big, bushy tail. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 3

Next up: More trusted advice from...

  • Why Do People Ask Me If I 'Still Work'?
  • Rude Date Won't Get Another Chance
  • Dinner Guest Doesn't Want Smart Speaker Listening In
  • Tourist Town
  • More Useful
  • Mr. Muscles
  • Goiter, Iodine and Thyroid Health
  • Put a Lid on It
  • Are Powdered Supplements Superior?
UExpressLifeParentingHomePetsHealthAstrologyOdditiesA-Z
AboutContactSubmissionsTerms of ServicePrivacy Policy
©2023 Andrews McMeel Universal