Kidney disease is common in aging cats, but earlier detection and management may help to increase lifespan and quality of life

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Old cats get kidney disease, and it typically isn't diagnosed until it is far advanced. But presentations last month by Dr. Jane Robertson, Dr. Dru Forrester and Dr. Margie Scherk at the annual meeting of the American Association of Feline Practitioners offered new research findings on early diagnosis and tips on nutritional management of the disease.

Typically, cats don't show symptoms in the early stages of chronic kidney disease. Concentrations of kidney waste products such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine may still be at normal levels. It's not until the disease progresses significantly that cats begin to develop physical signs, such as weight loss, decreased appetite, dehydration and excessive water consumption and urination.

But a new kidney function test called SDMA, introduced last summer, can identify chronic kidney disease an average of 17 months sooner in cats, according to a study published last year in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Symmetrical dimethyl arginine -- you can see why it's called SDMA -- is a form of arginine, an essential amino acid for cats. If you remember your grade-school science class, you know that amino acids are building blocks of protein. As protein breaks down, it releases SDMA into the blood; it's then excreted by the kidneys. Rising levels of SDMA in the blood are noticeable when only 40 percent of kidney function has been lost, as opposed to higher levels of BUN and creatinine, which may not become evident until 75 percent of kidney function is gone.

Does that mean your cat should get the test? Not necessarily, Dr. Scherk said in an email interview. Factors that are known to affect progression and survival, such as proteinuria (protein in the urine), hypertension and anemia, are not detected with SDMA. She adds that dehydration, which is common in cats, may cause artificial elevations of SDMA.

Among the cats who may benefit from the test are thin, older cats with muscle wasting, Dr. Scherk says. That's because those cats may have artificially low levels of creatinine caused by muscle wasting, but SDMA levels aren't affected by muscle. The test could also be useful for cats with heart disease who may also have early kidney disease that could be worsened by treating the heart disease.

Veterinarians can also make better use of old tools by routinely screening creatinine and urine-specific gravity and looking for trends over time. For instance, if creatinine levels have increased only a tiny amount and are still in the normal range, that may signal the possible presence of CKD.

"Very small changes can be extremely important to pay attention to," Dr. Forrester said.

Cats with CKD may also have hypertension, or high blood pressure, as well as proteinuria. Both of these conditions can be treated or managed more effectively when diagnosed in early stages.

Even if your aging cat hasn't been diagnosed with CKD, you can watch for early physical signs such as weight loss and muscle loss. Check your cat's body condition score monthly to pick up changes early. Ideally, you should be able to feel his ribs beneath a slight covering of fat. Take him to the veterinarian if you notice that he seems thinner than normal.

Kidney disease can't be cured, but earlier recognition and management may help to slow the rate of progression and increase lifespan. Veterinarians can seek an underlying cause before CKD becomes too advanced and treat it if possible. Early diagnosis also allows them to help avoid further damage to the kidneys by taking precautions when anesthetizing cats and prescribing drugs. If appropriate, they can prescribe a special diet to support kidney function.

"Hydration, nutrition, analgesia and meeting environmental and emotional needs are the four key things to focus on," Dr. Scherk says.

Q&A

Help pup develop

coping skills

Q: I have a 2-year-old Shih Tzu we got as a puppy. He is very spoiled, fearful of noises and sticks to me like glue. We have to leave him for a week. I'm so concerned about his well-being. Any thoughts? Thanks. -- via email

A: If your trip is coming up quickly, the best thing you can do for now is to make sure his environment stays as normal as possible. You may want to hire a pet sitter who stays in your home with him rather than put him in a boarding kennel.

For the future, it's important to start working on his confidence and ability to stay home alone and entertain himself when necessary. These are things that every dog of any size or breed should learn as a puppy. An experienced trainer or behaviorist can help you teach him these skills and work with the two of you on his noise phobia.

If your dog is anxious when you leave him alone, here are some things you can try to help him be more comfortable. Don't make a big deal about it when you leave the house or when you come back. Calmly give him a treat when you leave and tell him in a normal tone of voice that you'll be back. You may want to start by leaving for only a minute or two, then gradually extending the amount of time you're gone. When you return, greet him calmly instead of making a big fuss over him.

You can also leave the radio on so he has some background noise. Choose a station with soothing jazz or classical music, or put on some calming harp music. A white noise machine can help block out sounds that may be disturbing him. Give him a puzzle toy filled with treats to keep his brain occupied. Filming him while you're away can help a veterinary behaviorist or veterinarian working with a reward-based trainer to see what triggers his anxiety and how it escalates when you're away. -- Mikkel Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

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

THE BUZZ

Yoga, tea, movies

stoke cat adoptions

-- Love cats, tea and yoga? If you're in the city by the bay (San Francisco, natch), all your interests converge at KitTea, the city's first cat cafe, located at 96 Gough St. in Hayes Valley. The relaxing space is dedicated to enriching the interactions between humans and adoptable felines from Wonder Cat Rescue. Enjoy Friday "mewvie" nights featuring flicks such as "Bell, Book and Candle" with mind-reading cat Pyewacket, unlimited tea and a dessert; or practice yoga with cats on Monday and Thursday evenings, with a 90-minute flow and restorative class followed by 30 minutes of tea and cat time. Meowvelous!

-- The pharaoh hound may have an exotic, regal appearance befitting a breed named for the ancient rulers of Egypt, but beneath that chiseled exterior lies a hound with a sense of humor who is prone to stealing doughnuts, chasing squirrels and generally keeping his people entertained. Despite their name, the dogs are actually from Malta, where they are still prized as rabbit hunters. The sleek sighthounds have a rich tan or chestnut coat with white markings; an intelligent, playful, loving temperament; and the unique characteristic of blushing bright pink when they are happy or excited.

-- Employee benefits network BenefitsPRO lists five good reasons companies should consider making offices pet-friendly: they relieve stress (who doesn't relax when giving a dog a belly rub or petting a cat?); they boost employee relationships; they reduce absenteeism from pet-owning employees; they can drive creativity; and they create a welcoming atmosphere for people visiting the premises. To help things go smoothly, lay down guidelines to ensure that pets who come into the office are friendly, well-trained and get along with other animals and let visitors know about the policy in advance in case they have allergies. -- 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: Chronic kidney disease in cats can be managed with nutrition and treatment of related conditions. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Pharaoh hounds are independent thinkers who like to lounge on the sofa when they're not running, stealing food or chasing squirrels. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 2

Senior pets are among the highest risk animals at shelters, but they can be perfect companions for many people

By Kim Campbell Thornton

My heart breaks every day when I look at my Facebook feed and see posts about older dogs in shelters. They look sad, scared, hopeful and confused. I wonder by what misstep of fate they were separated from or given up by their families. And I wonder why more people don't adopt seniors. My own experience in adopting a 13-year-old dog has, two and a half years down the road, been nothing but wonderful.

Luckily for seniors in shelters, award-winning journalist Laura T. Coffey, ably partnered by photographer Lori Fusaro, has gathered the stories and photographs of 19 golden oldies -- and the people who love them -- in the new book "My Old Dog: Rescued Pets With Remarkable Second Acts." Released just in time for Adopt-a-Senior-Pet month, it's a remarkable and heartwarming collection of aging dogs, lost or thrown away, who find second chances with people who look beneath their gray muzzles and slower steps to the loving heart inside.

There's Fiona, who was 15 with mammary tumors when Rita Earl found her at a West Los Angeles shelter. Earl took Fiona in as a hospice dog, thinking she had little time left. But with TLC and home-cooked meals, Fiona blossomed. Now she loves to barrel down stairs, play with Earl and her other two dogs, and dance when she's happy, which is most of the time.

"She makes my heart burst when she looks up at me with that gray face, full of love," Earl says.

Jimmy Chee, an 11-year-old retired racing Greyhound, was returned by adopters three times through no fault of his own. He found his forever home with Bob Fitzgerald, who had suffered debilitating health problems and spent long, lonely hours at home. Fitzgerald worried at first about Jimmy's age, but changed his mind: "This is a cool dog. He deserves to have enjoyment in life and relaxation and to be treated like a little king. He has a wonderful personality, and his age doesn't make any difference to me."

Advancing age caused Cullen, 9, to have to retire from his job as a service dog for Kristie Baker. Baker didn't want to give him up, but she knew he would have to play second fiddle to a new service dog. Her friend Jeannie Curtin adopted Cullen, and now he enjoys a second career as a therapy dog who makes weekly visits to a children's hospital.

"My Old Dog" is more than sweet stories and photos. It shares information about rescue groups that specialize in seniors, such as the Grey Muzzle Organization, Old Dog Haven and Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary. It discusses the most common health problems seen in older dogs -- bladder stones and dental disease -- both of which are treatable, as well as ways people can help oldsters, even if they're not in a position to adopt. And it explores the phenomenon of pet-friendly senior communities and assisted living and nursing facilities, which are often good landing spots for senior dogs.

Coffey is passionate about the benefits of adopting an older dog -- "They're calm, mellow, sweet, loveable, and they're usually already house trained" -- but she also recognizes that senior adoptions can come with a tinge of sadness because people can expect fewer years with the dog (and let's not leave out cats).

"We always want our dogs to live longer," she says. "But when you go out of your way to help an older dog who has run out of options, you get so much in return: affection, gratitude, unconditional love and so many happy memories."

Q&A

Don't bug out if

your cat eats insects

Q: My cat likes to catch and eat bugs. Can they make her sick? -- via Facebook

A: Cats do love to stalk bugs. Anything that flies, hops or crawls -- flies, moths, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, spiders -- catches their attention and activates their hunting instincts. According to feline nutrition expert Deborah Greco, DVM, insects make up a third of the diet of small wildcats and are popular with domestic cats as well.

We can see how you might be concerned, though. Bugs are popular snack items in some cultures, but for many of us, it's hard to overcome the ick factor. As far as whether bugs can make your cat sick, the answer is: It depends.

In most cases, crunching a few bugs isn't going to do your cat any harm. Think of them as the feline equivalent of potato chips. As always, however, there can be exceptions.

Stink bugs, for instance, may exude a nasty-tasting liquid when bitten. (We know this because humans have reported accidentally biting into them.) It's not necessarily poisonous, but it can cause drooling or vomiting or irritate your cat's digestive tract.

If spiders such as black widows or brown recluses bite back, their venom can cause serious illness or death. Bees or wasps may sting the mouth. Seemingly harmless ladybugs (Asian lady beetles) can cause chemical burns in a pet's mouth or digestive tract. Lightning bugs, also known as fireflies, produce chemicals that give them a bitter taste and may cause your cat digestive upset. Certain caterpillars are highly toxic or are protected by painful spines or stinging hairs. As with plants, the most colorful insects are most likely to be toxic.

Bugs can carry parasites. Cats can get stomach worms from eating beetles, cockroaches and crickets. That's one good reason to give your cat a parasite preventive year-round. And if bugs have been poisoned by insecticides and are then eaten in large numbers by your cat, he could become sick.

Otherwise, just think of insects as an additional source of protein for your little carnivore. -- 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

Chihuahua named

top hero dog

-- A one-eyed Chihuahua named Harley, grizzled from age, was named American Hero Dog on national television last week. The award, given by the American Humane Association, honored the 14-year-old dog for his journey of physical and emotional healing after spending the first 10 years of his life in a small cage at a puppy mill, with health problems including a diseased heart, rotten teeth, a fused spine, a broken tail and deformed legs. After adopting him, Rudi and Dan Taylor of Berthoud, Colorado, were inspired to start a campaign called "Harley to the Rescue." The funds raised have saved and provided medical care for more than 500 puppy-mill dogs over the past two years. Harley goes on rescue missions, helping to calm sad, scared dogs, and makes public appearances to educate people about puppy mills.

-- The love of a cat can save a life. A man who was threatening to jump from the third-story ledge of a building in San Francisco reconsidered after a relative brought his cat, Trip, to the scene. We don't know what the orange-and-white tabby said to him, but the situation ended with the man being talked off the ledge and taken into custody. Relatives are caring for Trip. San Francisco Police Department spokeswoman Grace Gatpandan tweeted, "Never underestimate the power of an owner's love for their pet #kitten."

-- New pain management guidelines from the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners note that some alternative therapies should now be considered "mainstream options." They include therapeutic laser, weight management, exercise and acupuncture. Released earlier this year, the guidelines also added a section on feline degenerative joint disease, recognizing increased awareness of the painful condition in cats. Pain relief improves recovery time from illness, injury or surgery and enhances quality of life. Learn more at catvets.com/guidelines. -- 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: A book about secondhand seniors highlights the special love an old dog can give -- and receive. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Actor George Clooney fell hard for an aging cocker spaniel with a snack habit. Position: Main Story

Caption 03: American Hero Dogs are chosen through a combination of votes by the public and votes by a panel of animal advocates and celebrity judges. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 1

A visit to a pet cemetery is a glimpse of the timelessness of the human-animal bond

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Overlooking the river Seine on the outskirts of Paris is a green place of remembrance. Cats wander through, and people stroll quietly, occasionally stopping to read short stories etched in stone. It is the Cimetiere des Chiens, the world's first public pet cemetery, and it is proof positive that pets have an afterlife.

Dogs, cats, birds, bunnies and even a horse or two have been laid to rest here since the peaceful park's founding in 1899. Inscriptions on headstones bear silent witness to human grief at the loss of beloved pets:

Irreplaceable.

Ici repose Love (here lies love).

Tout notre amour (all our love).

You might be surprised to learn that famed canine star of the silver screen Rin Tin Tin is buried here. He was born in France, rescued as a 5-day-old puppy by a doughboy from a World War I battlefield and taken to America. After his death, his remains were returned to his homeland. Fans leave treats on his headstone.

Also memorialized (although they died before the cemetery was founded) are Moustache, the mascot of Napoleon's Grande Armee, and Barry, a Saint Bernard renowned for saving 40 lives and dying in an attempt to save a 41st person.

Not all of the pets buried here are famous or heroic. They are something even better: beloved companions of people from all walks of life. Here lie Rosy and Ulysse; Riki-Tiki, born in Moscow July 4, 1918, died in Paris Nov. 6, 1928; a pair of gray Persian cats named Pacha and Darius; Cavalier King Charles spaniels Rimbaud and Sissi; and dogs Rex, Caramel, Mick, Lisette and Belgrano. Aristocratic pets include Drac (1941-1953), beloved dog of Princess Elisabeth of Romania; Sully, who belonged to the Comte and Comtesse Alexandre Dumas; Marquise and Tony, the dogs of Princess Lobanov.

Among the statuary chipped with age, lettering faded almost beyond reading, are more recent monuments to pets now passed: Blacky, 1973-1991; Custom Built of Tintagel Winds (Tommy), a black Labrador retriever, 1987-2000; and Smicky, a Yorkie, 1997-2010. Fresh flowers and live plants decorate some of the sites, placed by visiting owners (pets may still be buried there) and the cemetery's caretakers.

Cimetiere des Chiens isn't just for animals who have passed away. Feral cats nap on headstones or stalk along the paths. Inside a small building with a cat door they can find shelter and food, and water flows from a fountain. A crypt for a cat named Mimi has three openings (each in the shape of a cat), no doubt so the cat's ghost can swoop in and out without requiring someone to open a door for her. The cats who live in the cemetery find the interior of Mimi's crypt a nice resting place as well.

People have buried pets with ritual and regret for millennia. Hunter-gatherer societies in eastern Siberia buried dogs with tokens of affection or in ways that suggested a special bond with them, according to a study published in 2013 in PLOS ONE:

"One dog skeleton was laid to rest in a sleeping position; others were buried with small ornaments or implements, some resembling toys. One man was buried with two dogs laid on either side of him, while another dog was placed in his grave wearing a necklace fashioned from four deer's teeth."

As I walked through the cemetery last September, it made me a little sad to think that for long-gone pets, no one is left who remembers them. But as long as visitors come here, their memories live on.

Q&A

Costumes for pets:

Yea or nay?

Q: I want to get a dinosaur costume for our dog for Halloween, but my boyfriend thinks he (the dog) will be embarrassed and it would be cruel to make him wear it. I think it would be cute and that he would love all the attention he would get (he loves people). -- via Facebook

A: People have strong opinions on everything pet-related, so it's not surprising that they are sharply divided when it comes to pets wearing clothes or costumes. We happen to fall into the "it can be fun" category. After all, our dogs and cats usually love doing things that involve being with us and being the center of our attention. That said, we have some tips to help make dressing up for Halloween a treat, not a trick, for your pet.

-- Be sensitive to his personality. It's true that some pets would rather hide under the bed than wear a costume, especially in public. If your pet is shy, old or excessively dignified, limit costume capers to a spooky bandana and put your dress-up desires into your own costume.

-- Comfort is a must. Never choose anything that restricts your pet's movement, sight or hearing or that seems to chafe against his skin or fur. If he spends all his time trying to get it off, that's a good clue that he's not enjoying wearing it. It's also a good idea to avoid any costumes with buttons, bows or other parts that your pet could chew off and swallow.

-- Be street-safe. If you're planning on taking him trick-or-treating, his costume (and yours) should be visible in the dark. If it's not, fancy up his costume with a collar and leash that blink or glow in the dark.

-- Be smart. Try the costume on your pet well in advance. You don't want to find out on Halloween that your pug refuses to go out dressed as a ladybug. -- 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

New bill helps

Military dogs get home

-- Military working dogs not only save the lives of 150 to 200 servicemembers each year by detecting roadside bombs and other dangers, they also can help veterans deal with the effects of post-traumatic stress. Until recently, though, they faced an uncertain future after retirement, with no guarantee that they would be brought back to the U.S. or reunited with their handlers. The good news is that Congress passed the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a mandate for the dogs to be brought back to the United States after their retirement and gives handlers first right of adoption.

-- Janet Wilhelm was storing dog food in a bin in her garage when she slipped and fell, landing on her left hip and fracturing her pelvis in five places. The McKinney, Texas, woman couldn't move, and her husband wasn't at home. But Mabel, the black Labrador retriever the Wilhelms adopted three years ago, was on the job. Wilhelm grabbed Mabel's collar, and the dog began backing up, inching Wilhelm toward the house, a 20-foot journey that took an hour and a half. Wilhelm finally was able to reach a phone and call for help. Like the bumper sticker says, "Who rescued whom?"

-- A grassroots organization called Collide in New York City has a special purpose: It serves homeless people with pets. The volunteers help people and pets living on the streets with food, veterinary care and licensing. The organization's goal is to improve quality of life for both people and animals. A volunteer veterinarian provides checkups, vaccinations and medication if needed. Working with the Humane Society of NYC, Collide also offers access to a spay/neuter clinic for pets. During inclement weather, the organization offers emergency boarding services for pets so their people can seek shelter where animals might not be permitted. For information about helping, see collidenyc.org. -- 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: Pet cemeteries serve the living and the dead. A black cat makes his home in a Paris pet cemetery. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: A New York organization helps homeless people care for their pets. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 3