12 tips to keep your pet warm and comfortable in winter

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Is your pet winterized? He may wear a fur coat, but your dog or cat still has special needs when temperatures start to drop and snow and ice blanket the ground. That goes double if he's a senior. Here are some tips to ensure your pet's safety in the face of winter's chill.

-- Does your pet spend time outdoors? He should have a cozy shelter available to protect him from wind and cold in case you're not home to let him inside. Cut down on the wind chill factor by attaching plastic sheeting to the side of a dog run or a plastic flap to the door of a doghouse.

-- Fresh water is a must year-round. Check outdoor water dishes daily to make sure they haven't frozen over. A heated water dish will ensure that your pet always has water available.

-- Bang on the hood of your car and honk the horn before starting the engine. Cats may be attracted to warm engines and climb in for a nap, so your noisemaking can save a life.

-- Be sensible about winter gear for your dog. An Alaskan malamute will revel in the cold, protected by his abundant coat, but a whippet, Chihuahua or other thin-skinned breed has little fur or fat for insulation. Put a coat or sweater on him before he goes outdoors.

-- What about booties? If streets or sidewalks have been treated with salt to melt ice, booties can keep the salt from irritating your dog's paws as well as prevent him from licking it off his skin.

-- If your dog has long fur or hair on his paws, snow or ice may accumulate between the footpads. Consider trimming the hair so ice balls don't form.

-- Keep your dog on a leash if you're walking along a street with him. Scott Shaw, DVM, an emergency and critical-care specialist at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, says it's not unusual for dogs to be hit by cars because the driver's vision is limited by snow piled on the side of the road.

-- Should your pet eat more in winter? Unless he's a highly active working dog or canine athlete, the answer is no. If he's not pulling a sled or going snowshoeing with you, he probably needs to eat less in winter so he doesn't pack on the pounds.

-- Just as you wouldn't leave your pet in a hot car during summer, don't leave him for long periods in a cold car during winter.

-- Puppies and senior dogs are more prone to hypothermia and frostbite than dogs in their prime. Never leave them outdoors for long periods. Prevent hypothermia and frostbite by limiting the amount of time they spend outdoors and drying them thoroughly when they come inside.

-- Getting a puppy during the holiday season? Be aware that it may be more difficult to housetrain him because both of you may be reluctant to go out in the cold. To prevent housetraining accidents, carry him outside and stay with him to make sure he potties before he goes back in. If you have a toy breed pup, you may want to paper train him or teach him to use a dog litter box until the weather warms up.

-- Dogs in their golden years may stiffen up with arthritis during winter or find it difficult to walk on ice or through deep snow. Help them stay comfortable indoors with a heated orthopedic bed to soothe achy joints. Outdoors, help him down icy steps and clear a path for him so he's less likely to fall.

Q&A

What's the point

of acupuncture?

Q: My dog has been getting acupuncture for arthritis, and it really seems to help. I'm curious how it works. What can you tell me about it? -- via Facebook

A: Acupuncture is the insertion of fine, thin needles into the skin at strategic points on the body. In traditional Chinese medicine, these points were known as meridians, through which "chi," or life force, flowed; in modern medicine, we know them as the vascular, nervous and muscular structures of the body.

Insertion of the needles at specific points is said to help activate healing by stimulating nerve endings and releasing certain substances that relieve pain, reduce inflammation and improve blood flow and oxygenation. According to Douglas Stramel, DVM, who spoke on acupuncture last December at the CVC conference in San Diego, acupuncture doesn't treat specific symptoms, but instead stimulates the body to heal itself.

Most of us think of acupuncture as being used to relieve the pain of arthritis or other degenerative joint diseases. Other conditions that may benefit from acupuncture include gastrointestinal, respiratory or neurological problems. Veterinarians trained in the use of acupuncture have needled pets with upset stomachs, rhinitis, sinusitis, vestibular syndrome, hepatitis and allergies, among other things.

Depending on the problem, acupuncture may be the main treatment or a supportive treatment. For instance, acupuncture may serve to boost the effects of pain medication.

A first visit may take an hour or more, with follow-up treatments typically lasting 20 to 40 minutes. Acupuncture isn't an instant fix and can take several sessions before results are seen. Response varies. Some pet patients see improvement, with the remainder having little or no response. As with any treatment, it's essential to have an accurate diagnosis before using acupuncture. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Pets get a

ticket to ride

-- Amtrak now permits people to bring pets on board certain Northeast train routes. A cat or small dog confined to a carrier can ride the rails on trips up to seven hours. Available routes are Boston to Lynchburg, Newport News and Norfolk, Virginia; Northeast Regional service lines; and the Downeaster route from Boston to Brunswick, Maine. The pet fare is $25. With the pet inside, the carrier must weigh no more than 20 pounds. Pets must be at least 8 weeks old and have up-to-date vaccinations.

-- Got diabetes? Dogs can sniff out hypoglycemia -- low blood sugar -- simply from the scent of your sweat. Researchers tested six dogs who had been trained to detect hypoglycemia by taking sweat samples from their owners during both a hypoglycemic episode and a normal blood glucose period. They stored the samples in glass vials and then placed the vials in steel cans. The dogs correctly identified the hypoglycemic samples 87.5 percent of the time. "Our results suggest that properly trained dogs can successfully recognize and raise the alert about a hypo using smell alone," the researchers wrote.

-- The Siberian cat is Russia's natural feline treasure, with a long, triple-layered coat; a fancy ruff around the neck and "britches" on the legs; and an abundance of personality. These cats are friendly, intelligent and full of curiosity. Count on a Siberian outwitting you at every turn if you're not careful -- and maybe even if you are. He's one of the larger cat breeds, weighing up to 18 pounds or more, and his luxurious fur coat comes in all colors and combinations. Siberians have a reputation for being hypoallergenic, but that varies by individual. Some are more allergenic than others. Try before you buy. -- 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: Dogs love to play in the snow. Check paws thoroughly afterward, remove ice balls and clean and dry feet thoroughly. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: The Siberian's coat sheds heavily in spring and fall and requires regular brushing year-round. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 3

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