Parents say no to a pet? Here are 6 ways kids can still be involved with animals

By Kim Campbell Thornton

When I met with my accountant recently, he mentioned that his 14-year-old son really wanted a golden retriever. Problem is, my accountant and his wife don't especially want a dog, especially one that would be their responsibility when their son goes to college in four years.

"I wish there was some way we could have a dog just for the short term," he said.

Usually, when parents who don't want a pet ask me about getting one for the kids, I tell them to hold firm: If parents, who have ultimate responsibility for the animal, aren't interested, I think it's best for them not to give in to the pleading. In this case, though, I had a suggestion.

"Why don't you look into raising a guide dog puppy? You get the pup when he's 8 weeks old, and he goes for formal training when he's 13 to 15 months old. That would give your son a taste of dog ownership, but you wouldn't be left holding the leash when he leaves home."

(Visit guidedogs.com for more information.)

I don't know if they'll actually do it, but it got me thinking about other ways that pet-loving kids can play with, care for and train animals without necessarily bringing one home to a parent who's allergic or simply not interested -- at least not in a full-time, lifelong commitment. The following options are some compromises that may meet the needs of kids and parents alike.

-- Read to shelter pets. When kids read to animals, the activity provides socialization and human interaction for dogs and cats and improves children's reading skills. Shelters that offer such programs include Animal Rescue League of Berks County, Pennsylvania; Bitter Root Humane Association in Hamilton, Montana; and Panhandle Animal Shelter in Ponderay, Idaho. Contact your local shelter, library or public school to see if a program is available in your area, or if they'd like to start one.

-- Volunteer at a shelter or sanctuary. Depending on a child's age, he or she may be able to volunteer to help feed, groom or walk shelter pets. Parents may be required to participate as well to provide supervision. Even if they can't volunteer hands-on with animals at a shelter, kids can raise money with lemonade stands or bake sales or help with set-up and take-down at adoption events.

-- Go to camp. At Animal Friends Canine Good Manners Camp in Pittsburgh, kids spend five days working with camp counselors to teach shelter dogs the basics of good behavior so they'll be more adoptable. Critter Camp at Helen Woodward Animal Center in San Diego offers daylong and weeklong programs that teach animal handling and socialization and let kids explore animal-related careers. Another program to check out is Friends for Life Camp through SPCA LA in Los Angeles. Kids who are interested in becoming veterinarians may want to attend "vet camp." Among the veterinary schools that offer camps of up to a week are Auburn, Colorado State, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Purdue, Tufts, University of Georgia, University of Pennsylvania and University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Camps are geared to children of different ages. Search "camps for animal lovers" or "vet camp" to find other options.

-- Foster kittens. Shelters always need foster homes for kittens, especially during late spring and summer, which is known as "kitten season."

-- Apprentice with a professional or amateur show dog handler. "Some owners are happy to have a junior show their dog, particularly when the dog has finished his championship but loves to be in the show ring," says Phyllis M. Potterfield of Charleston, West Virginia.

Q&A

Identifying mushrooms

difficult, frustrating

Q: My chocolate Lab ate a poisonous mushroom and ended up needing five days of hospitalization. What types of mushrooms should I be concerned about, and how can I recognize them? -- via email

A: Thousands of the fleshy fungi exist around the world. Only a small percentage of them are toxic or deadly, but that's not much comfort when it's your dog who is suffering. Adding to the danger is that mushrooms are difficult to identify; toxic varieties may have only subtle differences from the delicious edible species.

Toxicologists separate toxic mushrooms into eight categories depending on their type of toxin and the effects they produce, according to my colleague Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, DVM, at the University of Illinois. The mushrooms that most commonly kill pets belong to the cyclic peptide group, the best known being Amanita phalloides (death cap). A single mushroom cap can kill a dog or cat. They are found in most areas of the United States and in southern Canada. Other mushrooms that can be deadly to pets -- or at least make them really sick -- include members of the genus Tricholoma, hallucinogenic mushrooms such as Psilocybe and Conocybe, false morels and members of the genera Clitocybe and Inocybe.

Unless you're a mycologist (mushroom expert), though, this information probably isn't going to be of much help to you. The best thing you can do, if you know or suspect that your dog has eaten a mushroom or toadstool, is to seek veterinary help immediately. If possible, bring a sample of the mushroom -- either one like it or a piece that your dog has thrown up. Dogs don't learn from past experience, so if your property has a lot of mushrooms, you may have to limit access to them by having him wear a muzzle when he's outdoors, or supervise him closely. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Kitten goes postal,

finds new home

-- A kitten found inside a mailbox at the end of March in Edwardsburg, Michigan, has a poetic ending to her story: She was adopted by a retired mail carrier. Dan and Millie Shaw were looking for a kitten after the death of their 17-year-old cat, T.J. Now named Mimi, the black and white kitten was taken in by Elkhart County, Indiana, organization Here Kitty, Kitty, which treated her for fleas, ear mites, an eye infection and a broken tail. The Shaws heard her story, and as soon as they met her, Dan knew he wanted to deliver her to a new life.

-- Starting in January 2016, the FBI will classify animal cruelty as a Group A felony, along with homicide, arson and assault. Previously, it was simply labeled "other," making it difficult to identify and track. The new classification means law enforcement agencies will be required to report incidents and arrests for simple or gross neglect; intentional abuse and torture; organized abuse such as dogfighting or cockfighting; and sexual abuse of animals. More reliable statistics will help law enforcement officers track trends and fight related crimes. The data collected will be available to the public in 2017.

-- Does your blood pressure go up when it's taken at the doctor's office? The anxiety caused by a doctor visit is nicknamed "white-coat syndrome," and it affects dogs and cats, too. "Fear and stress in the clinic can lead to elevation in blood pressure that does not truly reflect the individual's usual blood pressure," says Anthony Carr, a veterinary internal medicine specialist and professor at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. In general, a normal blood pressure reading for a dog or cat is 130/70, but a senior pet's blood pressure may be closer to 150/80. -- 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: Reading to pets at a shelter is one way children can enjoy the company of animals even if they can't have one at home. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Adoption of kitten gets retired mail carrier's stamp of approval. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 1

Rich Avanzino's legacy of lifesaving was inspired by a dog doomed to die but saved by love

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Rich Avanzino is widely considered to be the godfather of the no-kill movement. And it certainly seemed, even early in his life, that he would do something that involved caring for animals. In his high school yearbook, he was identified as "most likely to become a veterinarian." But certain aspects of veterinary school dismayed him. Instead, he earned a doctor of pharmacy degree, followed by a law degree, and eventually became administrator of a health care agency in Orange County, California. A call from an employment headhunter and a little dog named Sido changed the direction of his life.

The recruiter represented a not-for-profit organization, and approached Avanzino because he had a reputation for saving financially distressed organizations. After three months of interviews, Avanzino learned he was being sought by an animal-welfare organization, the San Francisco SPCA. He was still passionate about animals and excited to take the job when it was offered.

The selection committee never expected that in his quest to save an organization 90 days away from bankruptcy, he would turn the idea of a shelter upside down. Avanzino and his team instituted new hours to make it easier for people to come see potential pets. They got rid of the high-altitude chamber used to kill unadopted animals and started a volunteer program and a spay/neuter clinic.

"We just started trying to do right by the animals one step at a time, and the community got engaged and the community saved the pets," he says.

Then came Sido.

"My belief in the no-kill nation came back in 1979 when a dog named Sido came to the San Francisco SPCA," Avanzino says. "She was 11 years old, and people thought that dogs over 5 years old couldn't be saved, couldn't find a home."

For that reason, Sido's owner had stipulated in her will that Sido be taken to the veterinarian and "destroyed" upon her death. Avanzino fought for the dog's life in court and won. The support Sido received from the public and the legislative and judicial system inspired him to help even more animals have the opportunity to live.

That goal was a factor in his 1999 move to what is now Maddie's Fund, the largest dog and cat charity in the world. There he helped to create the idea of shelter medicine, promote sterilization of feral cats, enable communities to offer an adoption guarantee for healthy and treatable animals, and increase the business acumen of shelter directors to match the passion they had for pets.

Of his career, he says: "To be part of that experience, to watch the community and the not-for-profits and the government ... embrace the importance of our bond was a dream come true for me in terms of recognizing what our species should be doing for the other species that share our home. I was able to work on my passion, work with my passion, work for my passion and make a meaningful difference."

Avanzino is retiring as president of Maddie's Fund next month, but he's not leaving animal welfare behind. His dog, Bri, and cat, Puddy, will see more of him than they already do, but he will still consult for the organization, and he'll become involved in an even more personal way by fostering pets.

"I expect to stay engaged in the cause that has taken my heart and my soul and all of my energy over the last forty years," Avanzino says. "I can't leave it behind. It's part of my DNA, and until my last breath, I will be part of it."

Q&A

Mouth disease affects

both dogs and cats

Q: My cavalier's breath was really bad, even though he just had his teeth cleaned five months ago. The veterinarian says he has a condition called stomatitis. What can you tell me about it? -- via email

A: Ouch! Stomatitis is a really painful inflammation that affects the mouth, gums and tongue. We see it more often in cats, but it can affect dogs, too. Cavaliers and Maltese are among the breeds that seem to be especially susceptible.

Causes include periodontal disease or foreign bodies lodged in the mouth. It can also be related to a systemic disease such as kidney failure or diabetes mellitus. Trench mouth, also known as St. Vincent's stomatitis, is caused by bacteria. Broken or diseased teeth that frequently come in contact with mucous lining the lips, cheeks or gums can cause stomatitis as well. In rare instances, dogs develop a type of stomatitis called thrush, an overgrowth of yeast in the body.

Signs of stomatitis include drooling, serious bad breath (the kind that stinks up the whole house), and difficulty chewing or flat-out refusal to eat. If your dog will let you look at his mouth -- some won't because it's so painful -- you may notice that the lining of the mouth is bright red or that the gums bleed when you rub them. Some dogs have sores in the mouth.

Depending on the cause and severity of the disease, your veterinarian may recommend a professional cleaning under anesthesia, removal of any teeth causing problems, a course of antibiotics, a mouth rinse to reduce plaque, and daily brushing to keep plaque at bay. He'll also need medication to relieve pain during recovery. If your dog has a systemic disease causing the problem, treatment may help prevent recurrence. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Pets, prisoners get second

chance behind bars

-- At Dixon Correctional Institute in northern Louisiana, inmates learn new skills and pets find new homes. The medium-security prison houses Pen Pals, a unique shelter for dogs and cats that grew out of emergency housing for animals after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Louisiana State University veterinarians and veterinary students train inmates, who care for the animals. Inmates can earn veterinary technician degrees and benefit from the responsibility and the personal connections they build with the animals. Since opening in August 2010, 625 dogs and 451 cats have found homes, reports Diane Herbst in People magazine.

-- Does your pet like to lick your skin? His habit can be deadly if you are using creams or lotions containing flurbiprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned last month that two cats developed kidney failure and three cats died in homes where owners were using the prescription topical pain medications. Necropsies performed on the three cats who died showed evidence of NSAID toxicity. Ingesting even small amounts of the medication by licking skin can be toxic to cats and dogs. Ask your doctor if you can cover the treated area, and avoid letting your pet lick you or any clothing or other item that may have come in contact with the medication. Take your pet to the veterinarian immediately if you think he has been exposed to it.

-- When dogs stare at each other it's usually with aggressive intent, but a dog's willingness to gaze at people and receive their gaze in return signals social attachment or, dare we say it, friendship or love. The willingness to make eye contact, so important between humans, may have developed during domestication, according to a report published April 17, 2015, in Science, and gave dogs an edge in developing a social partnership with people, the authors suggest. -- 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: Rich Avanzino's passion for animals and advocacy of a humane ethic will continue in retirement. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: A dog's stare may mean more than a demand for a treat. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 3

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