Snake-aversion training can help any dog avoid a serious or even fatal bite

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Has your dog passed his SAT? Snake-aversion training, that is.

If you live in an area where venomous snakes are common or frequently take your dog hiking in such areas, you may want to look for a class that will teach your dog to avoid the scaly "slitherins." The training can also teach dogs to avoid toxic amphibians, such as the Colorado river toad and cane toads. It's especially useful for active, inquisitive dogs, or those with a high prey drive, but any dog can benefit if there's a chance he will come face-to-face with a rattlesnake, copperhead or water moccasin.

Jackie Brown of San Clemente, California, often saw rattlesnakes while hiking with her dog, but it wasn't until she saw a nonvenomous snake in her yard that she realized Jager, a miniature poodle, could encounter snakes anywhere.

"I worried about what he would do if he came across a rattlesnake," she says. "Would he try to play with it? Chase it? Corner it in the yard? I didn't want to leave it to chance, so I decided to look into snake-aversion training, which I had read about in a dog magazine."

Dogs learn to avoid snakes once they smell, hear or see one. The training, accomplished with the aid of an electronic collar, helps them to keep a safe distance. It takes only a few minutes to teach a dog that snakes are better left alone.

The session usually involves exposing the dog to the sound of a rattlesnake's rattle, snakeskins and live snakes -- mouths banded closed -- in different environments, such as sun or shade. If the dog approaches the snake, the trainer activates the electronic collar to simulate a snakebite. Collars are set on low -- enough to create a negative association, but not enough to cause pain or distress. (Be sure to try it on your own skin first to make sure it's working correctly before it's placed on your dog.) Some sessions have a final test with a hidden snake. The class should be repeated every year or two to reinforce the lesson.

Depending on where you live, sessions are not always easy to find. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation, or look for fliers at your local pet supply store or animal shelter. Hunters and other outdoorspeople are usually familiar with snake training. Ask to observe a session first, and choose an experienced trainer who uses the collar carefully and makes sure the dogs feel comfortable and safe. Excellent timing and the ability to observe changes in the dog's behavior are critical.

"It is a specialized field, and I would not trust my dogs in the hands of a rookie," says dog trainer Connie Kelly of Carlsbad, California, who has had her Australian shepherds snake-trained.

Watch how the handler treats the snakes as well. You want someone who handles them kindly and respectfully and always makes sure they are safe.

People who don't understand the process may consider it cruel or abusive. That's a mistake, says Eric Christensen of Oro Valley, Arizona, whose English springer spaniels and flat-coated retrievers have all undergone snake-aversion training.

"It is neither (cruel nor abusive) if done correctly, and is, in fact, a potentially life-saving gift."

Jager? A few months after training, he and Brown came across a dead rattlesnake on one of their walks. As soon as he smelled it, Jager jumped back about three feet, Brown reports.

"It made me feel better knowing that he would try to get away if he came across a live one," she says.

Q&A

Ear mites affect

dogs and cats

Q: I always thought that dogs didn't get ear mites, but my puppy has just been diagnosed with them. What's up with that? -- via Facebook

A: It's true that ear mites (otodectic mange) are more commonly associated with cats, but an infestation of these parasitic insects is one of the most common problems we veterinarians see in puppies and young adult dogs. The tiny critters are easily transmitted between puppies, and they are also contagious between cats and dogs. (Bunnies and ferrets can get them, too.) The general rule of paw is that if one pet in the household has ear mites, all of them should be treated. Otherwise, they'll just keep passing the bugs around.

If your pup has an infestation, you can bet that his ears are mite-y itchy. Scratching constantly at both ears instead of just one is a good clue that you're dealing with ear mites instead of an ear infection. Another sign is an accumulation of what looks like coffee grounds in the ears. If you remove a sample and look at it under a magnifying glass, you might be able to see tiny white specks -- the mites -- moving around. All that scratching can cause your pup to develop red, raw skin or hair loss around the ears, and bacterial infections can be complications as well.

To treat ear mites, your pup's ears will need a deep cleaning by the veterinary technician, followed by a systemic medication or ear drops prescribed by your veterinarian. Ear mites under attack can flee the ears and move to other parts of the body (they're especially fond of the base of the tail), heading back to the ears once you're no longer medicating them. To prevent that from happening, it's important that your pet be on a whole-body parasite prevention product. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Top 10 ways to

prevent dog bites

-- It's National Dog Bite Prevention Week. To help avoid dog bites, the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that children and adults never pet a dog in the following situations:

If the dog is not with his owner.

If the dog is with his owner, but the owner does not give permission to pet the dog.

If the dog is on the other side of a fence (or if the dog is tied up to something).

If a dog is sleeping or eating.

If a dog is sick or injured.

If a dog is resting with her puppies or seems very protective of her puppies and anxious about your presence.

If a dog is playing with a toy.

If the dog is a service dog.

If the dog is growling or barking.

If the dog appears to be hiding or seeking time alone in his special place.

-- Has your senior cat begun having seizures? He may be reacting to loud, high-pitched sounds such as keys jangling, tin foil crinkling or a metal spoon banging against a pot, according to a study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. Called feline audiogenic reflex seizures, the condition occurs mainly in cats older than 10 years and may cause a sudden pause in movement or brief jerking motions that may last several minutes. Researchers believe cats' ultrasonic hearing range may be why they are sensitive to high-pitched sounds.

-- After last month's devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Nepal, the World Vets Disaster Response Team was quickly on the ground to provide field rescues, veterinary support for injured animals and aid to local animal welfare groups. Among the animals helped have been dogs displaced from their homes or injured in fights over food, a pig injured by falling bricks, and horses, donkeys and other livestock. If you want to help, donate to their International Disaster Relief Fund at worldvets.org. -- 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: Creating a negative association with snakes can save a dog's life. Jackie Brown and Jager participated in snake-aversion therapy. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Learn dog body language. Dogs don't like having people, including children, right up in their faces. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 1

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