Small or old dogs can be anesthetized safely if precautions are taken

By Kim Campbell Thornton

My dog Gemma recently underwent surgery to have a lump removed. Gemma is approximately 15 years old and weighs only six pounds, so even though we know that anesthesia for pets is very safe these days, my husband and I were a little anxious about having her go under. To minimize the risks, we had Gemma's cardiologist check her out beforehand, and I also asked pain management expert Robin Downing, DVM, for her advice on the special anesthesia needs of older animals.

Dr. Downing notes that while old age isn't a disease, it's a fact of life that organs suffer wear and tear as the body ages, and they metabolize medications differently. Aging pets may have chronic health problems, such as kidney disease, osteoarthritis or congestive heart failure. Their bodies take longer to heal, and it's essential to prevent and control pain before, during and after surgery to ensure a good recovery. For all of these reasons, veterinarians may need to modify the anesthesia protocol for senior animals.

Before your senior pet -- or any pet -- undergoes anesthesia, whether it's for teeth cleaning or a more complex procedure, ask your veterinarian about safety and comfort precautions before, during and after surgery. That includes a pre-anesthesia physical exam and lab work -- complete blood count, chemistry panel, electrolytes, and in some cases a urinalysis or electrocardiogram -- to make sure there are no underlying health problems that could be worsened by anesthesia.

Once your pet is green-lighted for surgery, a balanced anesthesia protocol includes a pre-anesthesia narcotic; induction with a blend of medications that does not include dissociative drugs such as ketamine; and maintenance with gas anesthesia. Other must-haves are intravenous fluids and careful monitoring by a veterinary nurse who checks blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate and oxygen saturation.

Keeping the patient warm from start to finish is also important. Pets lose a large amount of body heat during anesthesia. From the time they receive their pre-anesthesia medications and anesthesia induction, they should be wrapped or draped in a warm towel or fleece and have a warm towel or fleece draped over the front of their cage. They need a circulating hot water or hot-air blanket to keep them warm during the procedure, and they should be wrapped in a warm towel or fleece after the procedure.

"Keeping them warm allows them to wake up more smoothly, more quickly and more comfortably," Dr. Downing says. "It also allows them to metabolize their medications more effectively."

The staff should continue to observe the pet after the procedure. That means keeping him where there's plenty of activity, not putting him in a cage in a patient ward where he might not get as much attention.

If your veterinarian can't or doesn't follow the above procedures, consider having the procedure performed elsewhere. Not every veterinarian or veterinary practice is equipped to anesthetize pets safely. That doesn't make them bad, but it does mean they have an ethical obligation to refer clients to a facility that can better meet a senior pet's needs.

Many times, a procedure recommended for an older pet is important but not necessarily urgent. That's important to remember.

"It may be that something is uncovered during a pre-anesthesia workup that warrants electing not to do the procedure at that time," Dr. Downing says. "It may better suit the pet to initiate whatever management or supportive care is indicated, reevaluate within a reasonable amount of time, and then proceed with general anesthesia once the pet's condition is as stable and strong as possible."

Q&A

Ditch the itch with

medicated shampoo

Q: My dog has itchy skin from allergies, and our veterinarian has recommended a medicated shampoo. Can you tell me the best way to apply it so it will be most effective? -- via Facebook

A: That's a great question. Applying medicated shampoo calls for some special techniques. Here are some things to know.

Depending on the pet's condition, the active ingredients in medicated shampoos can have antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, anti-itch or anti-inflammatory properties. Shampoos with antiseborrheic agents are used for conditions that cause skin to be scaly, crusty, oily or greasy.

Medicated shampoos may have moisturizing effects as well. Some new products use sustained-release technology that provides a long-term moisturizing effect so they are less likely to dry out the skin.

The shampoo's job is to deliver those active ingredients to the skin. It may also serve to remove scales, crustiness or debris from the skin. You will most likely see directions to apply the shampoo and leave it on for at least 10 minutes from the time the shampoo is applied before rinsing. Use a timer to make sure the application time is accurate.

As you shampoo your pet, apply the shampoo in the direction the fur or hair lies. Working it in the opposite direction, especially if you do so vigorously, can cause folliculitis. That's an inflammation of the hair follicles that can cause itchy or painful bumps, sores or scabs.

Be sure to rinse the shampoo thoroughly so that none remains on the skin and causes irritation.

Don't share medicated shampoos between pets unless you have your veterinarian's OK. Some products can be toxic to young animals or to cats.

If your pet must use the product on a long-term basis, pay attention to the expiration date and replace it as needed. Bacteria can grow in containers that have been open for some time. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Dog flu spreads in

crowded conditions

-- The canine influenza virus currently plaguing dogs in Chicago and other parts of the Midwest is a new strain from Asia called H3N2, according to researchers at Cornell University and the University of Wisconsin. The current canine flu vaccine may not protect pets against this strain, but it is effective against H3N8, which has also been seen. If you live in or will be traveling to those areas with your dog, protect him by avoiding dog parks or other areas with many dogs, and always wash your hands after handling a strange dog before touching your own pet. Signs of the respiratory disease are coughing, nasal discharge and fever. The virus is not known to affect humans, but it can infect cats, so keep an eye out for symptoms in felines.

-- Did the Easter bunny come to live with you after the recent holiday? Rabbits can make great pets, but they have some special care needs. Handle them consistently and lovingly so they will become good companions. Teach them to come when you call, stand up for a treat, and use a litter box. Female rabbits have a high incidence of reproductive tumors, so be sure to have them spayed. Finally, don't overfeed your bunny. Obesity, hairballs and intestinal problems caused by a poor diet are common, so avoid giving sugary foods such as papaya, pineapple and, yes, carrots. Timothy hay is the best diet for them.

-- Pets are often poisoned by common household substances -- human medications. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center reports that approximately 25 percent of the calls it receives involve dogs or cats who have swallowed dropped pills or been given the medications inappropriately by owners. The 10 most common medications that can cause illness or death in pets are ibuprofen, tramadol, alprazolam (Xanax), Adderall, zolpidem (Ambien), clonazepam (Klonopin), acetaminophen, naproxen, duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor). Never give your pet any human medication without first checking with your veterinarian. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

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: Safe anesthesia techniques ensured that Gemma, a 15-year-old longhaired Chihuahua mix, came through surgery successfully. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Brush longhaired rabbits daily to prevent mats and tangles. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 2

Coyotes are a fact of urban life. Here's how to keep pets safe

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Charlotte Zappala was walking her Australian shepherd, Roxie, one morning when a coyote enticed the dog to come play. Roxie, who was off-leash, ran off, right into an ambush. Lucky for her, she escaped only with bites around the eye and on her paw.

Coyotes are no longer a symbol of rural living. They live in America's largest cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, where they make a fine living off garbage, pet food left outdoors, rodents and, yes, dogs and cats.

Coyote attacks on pets, like the one Zappala experienced, usually occur during the wild dogs' courting, mating and pupping season: late fall, winter and early spring. Mating season begins as early as November, with pups on the ground typically between April and June.

Often, an individual's or community's first response to the presence of coyotes is to want to trap and relocate or kill them. While that might be satisfying in the short term to people who fear the animals, it's not a viable or desirable solution, says coyote biologist Jacqueline Frair, Ph.D., of State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse. Coyotes have a suite of biological mechanisms that kick in to rapidly grow their populations when they are under threat from hunting or other reduction efforts.

"Studies have shown that when coyote numbers are reduced, a higher proportion of females become pregnant, litter sizes become larger and the offspring of those litters have higher survival rates," Frair says.

What should you do if you are walking your dog and encounter a coyote? A good offense is the best defense, as the saying goes.

If you live in an area where you know there are coyotes, stay alert when walking your dog on- or off-leash.

Carry a walking stick, mace or bear spray that you can use to ward off a coyote that seems menacing. If you use mace or bear spray, be aware of the wind's direction so you don't suffer blowback.

If you don't have any of those items with you, throw rocks or yell at the coyote, and wave your arms or a hat at it. Most coyotes are shy and fearful and will run at any sign of aggression from you.

Stand your ground. Running away will only incite the coyote to chase you and your dog, which is not the reaction you want.

Even if you and your dog don't mean any harm, a coyote will be extra-protective if you and your dog unknowingly come near a den with pups. Be watchful during pupping season.

Other strategies to keep coyotes at bay and pets from becoming prey:

-- Secure garbage cans so that coyotes can't knock them over or knock the lid off.

-- Feed pets indoors or take up food as soon as the animal is finished eating outdoors.

-- Empty outdoor water dishes in the evening.

-- Never offer food to coyotes.

-- Cover or remove other sources of food that could attract coyotes, such as compost heaps, fallen fruit and birdseed spilled from feeders.

-- Install motion-sensitive lighting to startle coyotes that enter the yard.

-- Put up a solid, well-maintained fence at least 6 feet tall. A high fence with a roll bar on top is even better.

-- Even in a fenced yard, accompany small or medium-size dogs outdoors if it's very early in the morning or after dark.

-- Trim shrubbery so it offers little cover.

-- If you see a coyote lurking near your yard, shoo it away.

"Coyotes simply shouldn't learn to get comfortable around us," Frair says.

Q&A

Dogs benefit from

elbow surgery

Q: My Lab was chasing a tennis ball and jumped up to get it. When he landed, he cried out and appeared to be in a lot of pain. The vet says his elbow is really arthritic. What can be done for him? -- via Facebook

A: The elbow is a complex joint, and the canine elbow gets quite a workout because a dog's front legs bear about 60 percent of his body weight. A number of dog breeds, including Labs, can develop elbow dysplasia, an assortment of conditions that can occur when the elbow joint is deformed or doesn't mature properly. Whatever type of elbow dysplasia a dog has, the eventual result is painful and often crippling osteoarthritis. Common signs include limping, tiring quickly from play or reluctance to play.

Depending on the condition that's diagnosed, your dog has a couple of options. He may benefit from arthroscopic surgery if he has osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) or fragmented medial coronoid process (FMCP). It's minimally invasive and involves removing a broken fragment of bone or damaged cartilage. It can improve the condition for a time, but may not be a permanent fix.

A new technique is elbow replacement surgery. The surgery takes two to three hours to complete, and it requires careful attention to detail. A slick new mechanical joint replaces the damaged one. Afterward, the dog may spend five days in the hospital before going home, and require five to six months for complete recovery. The cost is approximately $6,000.

If your dog is not a candidate for surgery, medical management techniques may help reduce pain. They include weight loss, limiting activity, providing pain relief with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and giving nutraceuticals such as glucosamine and chondroitin to protect and build up cartilage. Your dog may also benefit from rehab, such as workouts on an underwater treadmill. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Online scams target

animal lovers

-- Looking online for a pet? Be wary of sellers who ask you to wire money in advance to pay for vaccinations, shipping costs, insurance and taxes. After the money is received, the pet may never arrive. Sellers may claim to be from your area, with a local phone number. If that's truly the case, ask to meet the pet in person before handing over any money. Reputable breeders or legitimate sellers won't balk at a request to visit their home or kennel. It's always best to see a potential pet's environment first or to buy a pet from someone referred to you by a trusted individual.

-- The world's oldest known cat, Tiffany Two, turned 27 on March 13. The San Diego kitty loves to be petted and still has good hearing and vision, although she does suffer from one old-age complaint: high blood pressure. She's also capable of going up and down the stairs in the home of owner Sharon Voorhees, who says: "She's not afraid of anything or anyone. She walks right past the dogs; she's very feisty." Voorhees feeds her orange and black tortoiseshell cat a blend of wet and dry food and lets her go outside when she wants.

-- The Havanese is a fun-loving, cheerful and good-humored dog with a bit of a naughty side. He's mischievous and sometimes difficult to house-train. The small dogs with silky, longhaired coats belong to the bichon family, making them cousins to bichons frise, Maltese, Cotons de Tulear and Bolognese. Unlike those breeds, Havanese may be any color or combination of colors. Be prepared to provide daily brushing and weekly baths if you keep a Havanese in full coat. Purchase a puppy from a breeder who provides certification that both parents have passed a brain stem auditory evoked response (BAER) test for hearing and have eye, hip and patella (knee) clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. -- 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: Coyotes are highly protective of pups. Walk your dog on a leash in wooded areas or other places that might be a coyote habitat. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Be wary of online pet offers. You may not get the pet you expect -- or even receive one at all. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 1

What to do if you find a litter that appears to be abandoned

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Your child or your dog comes running and leads you to a surprise in your yard or a nearby park: a litter of tiny kittens. Your first instinct may be to scoop them up and take them home or to the shelter.

Would you be surprised to learn that experts say in most cases it's best to leave them where they are? Often, the kittens aren't abandoned but stashed by their mother while she goes out to hunt for food. Here's how to determine their status and what to do if they really are on their own.

-- Watch from a distance to see if the mother cat returns. Be patient. She could be gone for several hours. And she may be unwilling to approach if she sees you near the kittens. If it's necessary and you can do so without disturbing them, provide shelter.

-- If the mother doesn't return to care for the kittens, the next step is to determine how old they are. Kittens 8 weeks or older can be trapped, spayed or neutered, and returned to the area where you found them.

-- Younger kittens can be identified by their appearance and size. At less than a week, their eyes are shut and their ears folded down. At 1 to 2 weeks, the eyes and ears start to open, and the kittens can crawl. At 3 weeks, eyes and ears are fully open and kittens are starting to walk. At 4 weeks and up, kittens are running and playing and can start eating solid food. Kittens up to 7 weeks of age are the best candidates for socialization and adoption. After that, it's difficult to acclimate them to human touch and presence.

-- Before you take kittens into your home for fostering, check them for fleas. An infestation of the nasty bloodsuckers can quickly kill a kitten. Ask your veterinarian or the kitten expert at your local shelter for the best way to safely rid the kittens of fleas.

-- Keep kittens warm. They can't regulate their own body temperature, so don't let them get too hot or too cold. If the kittens are cold when you get them, warm them gradually by holding them in your hands and letting your body temperature do the work. You can also put them in a box lined with towels fresh from the dryer. For a constant source of appropriate warmth, hang a 60-watt light bulb above the box. Avoid heating pads, which can short out or become too hot.

-- Wait to feed kittens until they are warm. Cold kittens won't be able to digest food. Plan on feeding them every four to six hours, round the clock.

-- Make sure kittens stay hydrated by adding extra water to kitten formula (never give a kitten cow's milk, which can cause diarrhea).

-- Gently wipe the kittens' bottoms with a warm, damp tissue or cotton ball 15 to 30 minutes after each meal to stimulate urine flow and bowel movements.

-- Weigh young kittens daily to make sure they are putting on weight.

-- Watch for eye discharge and sneezing, which can indicate infection. Sick kittens need immediate veterinary care to have a good chance of survival.

Call your local shelter or veterinarian for further advice and help. They may be able to provide you with the equipment and support you need to foster the kittens until they can be adopted. Other good resources include Alley Cat Allies (alleycat.org) and Maddie's Fund (maddiesfund.org). Fostering young kittens is a lot of work, but it can be highly rewarding.

Q&A

Dogs licking babies:

yea or nay?

Q: My sister is babysitting her little granddaughter, who is 3 months old. She has two big dogs, and she lets them lick the baby in the face and on her hands. I think it's gross, but she says it's not a big deal. Am I being overprotective? Your feedback would really help! -- via email

A: That's a great question. In a sense, you are both right. Here's why.

Infants incur a lot of benefits when they are exposed to dogs and cats early in life. Exposure to pets during a child's first year is associated with a reduced risk of developing allergies to dogs and cats by as much as half, according to a study published in June 2011 in the journal Clinical and Experimental Allergy. And we're going to be seeing more interesting information down the pike about whether interaction with a dog's microbiome -- the normal bacteria that live on and in the body -- can beneficially influence the human microbiome, improving the immune system response.

Now, that said, while I've always been a fan of letting dogs kiss me on the mouth, I don't think it's good for pets to lick the mouths of very young infants, very old people or people with compromised immune systems. In all three cases, the immune system isn't running at its best.

The other thing to consider is that it's not a great idea to let babies and dogs get in the habit of being face to face with each other. It's one thing when the baby is immobile, but a toddler who gets in a dog's face runs the risk of a bite. Instead of letting the dog lick the face, my dog-trainer daughter Mikkel recommends giving the dog something else to do when he wants to lick the baby. Ask him to sit or do some other trick, and praise him for it. This can help him learn to be respectful of the baby's space.

Once the baby is crawling or walking, prevent exposure to internal parasites by not letting her run around barefoot in areas where the dog has urinated or defecated. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Researchers track

cats outdoors

-- What does your cat do when he's outdoors? Scientists are using tiny satellite tracking harnesses to follow in the paw prints of more than 500 cats in Fairfield, Connecticut; Long Island, New York; Westchester County, New York; Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; and seven other states and several foreign countries. They're hoping to enroll a total of 1,000 cats, who will each be tracked for five days. If your cat is allowed outdoors, he can participate, too. To learn about the secret life of your cat, sign up for the Cat Tracker Project at cats.yourwildlife.org.

-- Three specially trained dogs are working to help save Florida's avocado industry, under attack by a deadly fungus spread by invasive redbay ambrosia beetles. The dogs are trained to sniff out the fungus before it becomes visible, by which time it has usually spread to nearby trees. Drones using digital imaging instruments identify stressed trees; then the dogs go in to determine if the trees are infected. Thanks to their powerful sniffers, they detect the pathogen earlier than any other method. More dogs are undergoing training to detect the fungus, which affects avocado growers from California to Latin America.

-- Fur facts you might not have known: Most cats have three kinds of hair that make up their coat: short, fluffy, insulating down; wiry, mid-length awn hairs; and longer, straighter, protective guard hairs. Interestingly, not all cats have all three kinds of hair, and those who do may have the hairs in different proportions or lengths. Persians have a straight coat with extra-long down hairs that mat easily, while the Devon rex has soft, wavy fur with few guard hairs. And let's not forget those whiskers. They are actually specialized hairs known as vibrissae. -- 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 CREDITS

Caption 01: To help kittens drink milk without choking, hold the head steady and apply even pressure to the bottle. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: A cat's fur is twice as thick on his belly (120,000 hairs per square inch) as on his back (60,000 hairs per square inch). Position: Pet Buzz/Item 3