Fostering pets gives them a chance for a fresh start with a new family

By Kim Campbell Thornton

It's every kid's dream to wake up to a puppy or kitten beneath the tree on Christmas morning. Last year, Clifford R. Robinson and his family helped make that dream come true for two families.

Louisiana SPCA has a "surprise holiday delivery" program that allows families to choose dogs they want to adopt in advance and then have them delivered for the holidays. The Robinson family, who live in New Orleans, fostered two beagle puppies, preparing them for their new homes.

"We had them for about two weeks, giving them as much housebreaking and other training as possible," Robinson says. "Then on Christmas, my two daughters dressed up as elves and brought them to the families' houses as a 'special delivery from Santa.'"

Foster families such as the Robinsons allow shelters throughout the country to place animals in homes where they can get special care or simply make room for other animals in the shelter. Foster homes are good choices for puppies or kittens who need preparation for family life; senior pets, who may be traumatized by a stay in a shelter; or pets with health problems, who need special care before they can be adopted.

The Robinson family became interested in foster care a few years ago when their daughter enrolled in LA-SPCA's volunteer training program. They love their two Labrador retrievers, but being a foster family allows them to spend time with other dogs and puppies without making a lifetime commitment.

Delivering Christmas beagles is possibly the most memorable foster experience the Robinsons have had as adoption ambassadors with Louisiana SPCA, but they have many fond memories of various foster pups. One was Luna, a scared puppy who was found with her littermates when she was approximately 3 months old.

"When we brought her home, she ran as far away from us as she could, hiding in corners of the house or under the couch," Robinson says. "It was terrifying, because we knew if she couldn't adjust to being around people, there would be no hope for her to be adopted."

Robinson spent hours lying on the floor with natural peanut butter slathered on an extended hand, inching ever closer to her with the hope that she would take a lick or two. Family members would walk around dropping shredded cheese or roast beef on the floor so Luna would associate people with delicious treats. But it was their two Labrador retrievers, Nikki and Tessa, who finally taught Luna that people were OK.

"She would come sit near us or even play with us when she saw them giving and receiving affection," Robinson says.

The intensive socialization resulted in Luna's successful adoption. The Robinsons became close friends with the adopter and still see Luna frequently.

Robinson attributes much of their success to the guidance of the family's own dogs. When foster dogs arrive without good house manners or leash manners, they have Nikki and Tessa as role models. The two Labs show their canine compatriots how to behave.

"When we give them a stable, loving environment and Nikki and Tessa show them that it is OK to trust people, we rapidly see them settle down, and their true, sweet personalities get to emerge," Robinson says. "The foster program seemed like a great way to help dogs find new homes and to contribute in a meaningful way to the SPCA," Robinson says. "I think we and our dogs have a lot to offer foster dogs, in terms of training and socialization, to help them get a good start or a fresh start."

Q&A

Get the scoop on

outside-the-box poop

Q: One or both of our otherwise healthy cats has been occasionally pooping on the sofas in our den and sun porch. How do we stop them? -- via email

A: Your cats may seem healthy, but if you haven't taken them to the veterinarian to rule out underlying health problems, such as impacted anal glands or irritable bowel disease, that should be your first step.

If they get the all-clear, the next step is to make sure your litter box maintenance is up to par. Scoop at least once daily, and clean the box and change the litter every week or two.

Do you have enough litter boxes? The "rule of paw" is one litter box per cat, plus one extra. In a perfect world, each litter box is in a separate place, because to a cat, a row of litter boxes just equals one giant litter box. It may be that one cat is guarding the litter box area so the other can't use it, so he uses the sofa instead.

Your cat may dislike the texture or smell of the litter, or the placement of the litter box. Try switching to an unscented litter or a different type. If possible, move the litter box to a quieter or more secluded area.

Note the circumstances surrounding the poop on the sofa. Does it occur when a family member is traveling or working long hours, when there are visitors in the home or during some other unusual event? Cats don't always like change, and this may be their commentary on your work schedule or the presence of guests. Is the sofa near a door or window where outdoor cats may be marking? If you can connect the poop to a stressful event, you may be able to take steps to relieve your cat's anxiety. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Stats show reduced

vet care for cats

-- Cats continue to get a fraction of the veterinary care dogs do, according to a study of more than 5 million pet health insurance claims by Nationwide. Working with economists at the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University, Nationwide found that from 2009 to 2014, the monetary value of actual claims for common canine treatments fell 2.1 percent, while cat care claims costs fell 6 percent. The average claim for a dog or cat puts the disparity in a sharper light. In all four geographic regions, pet owners spent roughly half as much on a cat's veterinary visit as they did on an average visit for a dog.

-- It's all too tempting to give your pet a taste of this and a sample of that during the holidays, but certain foods or ingredients should never pass his lips. You probably know that chocolate is a no-no, especially the dark variety, but other foods that can be toxic to your pet include macadamia nuts; baked goods or other foods, such as peanut butter, that contain xylitol, a type of sweetener that can cause fatal kidney damage; raisins and alcohol (that means no slipping Fido any of Grandma's fruitcake!); grapes; and anything containing onions.

-- Is your dog's tail drooping after a cold bath, a swim in a frigid lake or an extended period of strenuous wagging? He may have a condition known variously as cold tail, dead tail and broken wag. Seen mostly in hunting dogs, the painful but generally harmless syndrome results in a limp tail that the dog is unable to extend. Fortunately, it usually returns to normal within a few days. Your veterinarian may prescribe pain medication or an anti-inflammatory drug to help him recover. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

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: Katherine and Brenna Robinson prepare to deliver foster puppy Hershey to his new family. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Cats need annual exams and good preventive care to make the most of their nine lives. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 1

Taking a class can help you evaluate whether a pet's injury requires rapid veterinary care

By Kim Campbell Thornton

"Given the range of activities we engage in with our Brittany, it is not a matter of if she gets hurt, but rather when and how severely," says Sallie Ehrlich of Santa Ana, California.

She was among the attendees at a pet first aid class I took last month, presented by Cindy Otto, DVM, an emergency and critical care and veterinary sports medicine specialist who teaches at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and directs the Penn Vet Working Dog Center.

The holiday season seemed like a good time to refresh my knowledge. Pets don't appear to consider the holidays complete without a trip to the ER. "It tends to be busier in the ER around the holidays," says emergency and critical care specialist Tony Johnson, DVM, of Indianapolis. "There's more activity, people coming and going and more food around, such as chocolate."

The class was aimed at working or athletic dogs who do search and rescue, police work or dog sports like agility or flyball, but it was useful for any pet owner. The most common problems seen in active or working dogs are cuts and scrapes. Knowing how to clean and bandage them is something every dog owner should know. For household pets, common emergencies include ingestion of toxic substances or foreign bodies that can cause obstructions.

Among the tips we took home:

-- Putting antibiotic ointment into wounds can slow healing.

-- Keep a wound moist until it can be treated.

-- In the absence of bandaging material, clean and moisten a wound with saline solution, then cover it with plastic wrap to hold moisture in until it can be cared for.

-- For minor cuts and scrapes, gently clip hair around the injured area for ease of access, clean it with saline solution and bandage if necessary.

-- Check wounds regularly for swelling, discharge or discoloration.

Unlike most pet first aid classes, this one had an option for bringing a dog, so we were able to practice on live "patients." Restraining and bandaging a squirming dog is a lot more difficult than doing it to a stuffed dog. Bandaging takes a certain skill level as well.

"There's an art to bandaging," Dr. Otto says. "Bandages are not benign. They can cut off circulation, so you need to learn to do them right."

The class covered injury assessment; recognizing emergencies; checking vital signs such as respiratory rate, heart rate, temperature, gum color and capillary refill time (the time it takes for gums to regain color after pressure is applied); techniques such as applying pressure to stop bleeding and making a muzzle to prevent an animal in pain from biting; knowing when to induce vomiting; and how to perform the Heimlich maneuver on a choking pet. Dr. Otto noted that teaching a dog to wear a muzzle can be helpful in case he ever needs to have an oxygen mask applied.

What's in a pet first aid kit that's not in a kit for humans?

"The big thing that we really emphasize is clippers, because clipping that hair is so important," Dr. Otto says. "The other thing that might not be in a human first aid kit is styptic powder. If your dog tears a nail or you trim it too short, that's going to help stop it from bleeding."

With any luck, your pet will never have a life-threatening emergency, but taking a pet first aid class on a regular basis can help ensure that you will know how to respond. Sign your friends up, too, Dr. Otto says.

"When your pet is the one affected, they can help, because your brain is just completely gone."

Q&A

Feline pinkeye can

have several causes

Q: My cat has conjunctivitis. What can you tell me about this eye disease? -- via email

A: We don't see as many eye problems in cats as we do in dogs, but conjunctivitis -- inflammation of the light pink mucous membrane that lines the eyeball and eyelids -- is probably the most common one. Cats with conjunctivitis can have the condition in one or both eyes, and they may have accompanying respiratory signs, such as sneezing. Clues that a cat has conjunctivitis (often nicknamed pinkeye) include squinting, redness, tearing or a yellow or green discharge.

Conjunctivitis can be infectious -- caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi -- or noninfectious. Infectious cases are usually caused by chlamydophila, mycoplasma or feline herpesvirus (which can be transmitted to other cats, but not to humans). These cats may have respiratory infections as well.

Noninfectious causes of the problem can be eye defects such as eyelids that turn inward. Persian cats sometimes have this condition. Allergies and irritation of the eyelid by sand or dust are other causes of noninfectious conjunctivitis.

It can take time to determine the cause of conjunctivitis, but in the meantime, your veterinarian may proceed on the assumption that it's infectious and prescribe a topical or oral antibiotic. Always give the complete amount of medication prescribed. Don't stop if you see improvement, thinking you'll save the antibiotics for the next flare-up. The infection can worsen if you don't give it the old one-two punch. Some cats have chronic (recurring) conjunctivitis, but reducing stress and providing good nutrition, preventive care and treatment as needed may help to keep it under control.

If conjunctivitis doesn't improve, your veterinarian may recommend certain diagnostic tests or refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist for more in-depth treatment. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Brewery hires cats

to keep down rats

-- Four feral felines have found employment at Chicago's Empirical Brewery as rat-catchers, of course. Placed by Tree House Humane Society's Cats at Work program, Venkman, Egon, Raymond and Gozer -- nicknamed the Ghostbusters -- patrol the grain-filled brewery with cat-astrophic results for rats and other rodents. They're not the only cats in the industry. The Instagram page @distillerycats features working-class cats at other breweries and distilleries as well as at wineries, bars, pubs, cafes and liquor stores. Raise a glass to them next time you're enjoying your favorite spirit.

-- If you're decking the halls with boughs of holly and other seasonal plants, consider going artificial or keeping them out of your home altogether. The spiny leaves and bright red berries of some types of English, Japanese and Chinese holly can cause vomiting, diarrhea and drooling. The severity of a pet's gastrointestinal upset depends on how much he eats. Other toxic holiday plants include amaryllis and tulip bulbs, mistletoe, Christmas cactus and any variety of lily. Poinsettias have a reputation for being poisonous, but at worst they are only mildly toxic.

-- Finding a cat-friendly veterinary practice is a lot easier since the American Association of Feline Practitioners launched its Cat Friendly Practice program in early 2012. Now, 888 practices have earned the cat-friendly title, and another 639 are working toward the designation. Understanding feline behavior and how to interact with them is key. Ways to achieve the goal include creatively dividing space to separate pets; taking cats into an exam room immediately instead of having them fret in a waiting room; or making appointments for cats only at specific times of day. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

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 often injure their feet or legs, and it's important to know how to bandage wounds properly. Photo: Nicole Reusser-Hillbrecht, Rock Solid K9. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Grain brings pests, so breweries like Empirical in Chicago may turn to cats to protect their stock. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 1

Need tension relief at family holiday gatherings? Bring a dog

By Kim Campbell Thornton

The conventional wisdom during the holidays is that pets tend to raise blood pressure rather than lower it, but under the right circumstances, they can be tension relievers. We discovered this some years ago when several of us traveled to Oklahoma in an attempt to persuade my mother-in-law to move nearer to one of us while she was still healthy and able. Wanda was not especially a dog person, but my dog Harper was a puppy then, and I brought her along for some advanced socialization in the form of air travel, thunderstorms, staying in someone else's home and meeting more new people.

What we ended up getting, I think, was some advanced canine family therapy.

Now, all of Harper's new acquaintances on that trip tolerated -- and in some cases, even liked -- dogs, but certainly not to the extent that we do. There was no objection to Harper's presence, and I crossed my fingers that she wouldn't have any housetraining accidents in Wanda's house -- that definitely wouldn't have gone over well.

I didn't need to worry. Not only did she behave perfectly and charm everyone, she acted as a source of tension relief. Any time things got stressful, there was Harper to be walked, Harper to throw a ball for, Harper to feed, Harper to pet. Her presence was a natural barrier to rising voices.

Of course, there are rules to being a good guest, especially during the holidays. Following them is the best way to ensure that your dog's visit will reduce tension, not heighten it.

-- Ask about house rules for pets -- and follow them. If your hosts don't want pets on the furniture, abide by their wishes. It's a good opportunity for your pet to practice the "stay" and "go to your place" commands. If they are OK with pets on furniture, reward their kindness by having a clean dog or covering the sofa or bed with a sheet or other covering you brought from home.

-- Enforce good manners. Stealing food is a time-honored pet holiday tradition, and it's your responsibility to keep it from happening. Take the initiative to place food or trash cans out of canine reach.

-- Let your hosts know what your dog is allowed and not allowed to do or have so they don't allow him to jump up on them, feed him from the table or offer him forbidden treats such as cooked bones, fatty or salty foods or liquor- and raisin-laden fruitcake.

-- If your hosts have pets, ensure that your dog behaves politely toward them. Keep him on his leash until you're sure he gets along with their dog or cat. Never let him chase other pets or otherwise give them grief.

-- Bring your pet's crate so he has a little bit of home where he can go to relax. Confine him to it when you aren't around to supervise so he doesn't get into trouble in a strange place.

Are you a pet owner hosting a visiting pet? Even if they are buddies, having another animal in the house, combined with the chaos of the holidays, may be stressful for pets. Give your own pets, especially cats, a safe room where they can retreat when things get too crowded or noisy. It can be a bedroom or home office -- any place that your pet is comfortable staying for long periods. Stock it with everything he needs: food, water, toys, a comfortable bed and, for cats, a clean litter box.

That applies even if your pet is normally a social butterfly. Even outgoing animals can get overstimulated from too much handling and require a timeout.

Q&A

How to safely

stop a dogfight

Q: My friend's dog was attacked recently, and she didn't know what to do. What's the best way to break up a dogfight? -- via Facebook

A: That's a scary situation. There's a lot of sound and fury, and the very real potential for injury to the dog being attacked and any person trying to break up the fight. One of my friends is currently sporting a heavily bandaged hand after trying to separate her two squabbling Jack Russell terriers.

The first rule of canine fight club: Don't grab the dogs' collars and try to pull them apart. Putting your hands anywhere near their heads is a surefire way to get bitten.

The fastest way to respond is with a verbal interruption. Using your loudest, deepest voice, yell, "No! Knock it off!" Dog trainer Liz Palika says to avoid screaming. The high-pitched sound can excite the attacking dog further.

If you have quick access to a hose, use it to spray the combatants. The shock of cold water may distract them enough that they separate. Citronella spray or pepper spray can serve as a deterrent as well. Try to stick a broom or mop between them, or bang a couple of pots or other noisy objects together. The sound of an airhorn may also stun them enough that they break off from each other.

If you must intervene physically, grab the attacking dog's hind legs and lift them up as high as you can. This forces him to concentrate on staying upright. Move backward, still holding up the legs, and keeping well out of his way. This is best done if there's one person grabbing each dog at the same time and pulling them away from each other.

Try to prevent fights by paying attention to your surroundings while you're walking your dog. If you see someone approaching with a dog and you're unsure of how they'll react to each other, turn around and walk away. At coffee shops or other public spaces, steer clear of dogs who are tied up. They know their movement is restricted and may try to defend their space. The best thing you can do is teach your dog a reliable recall so you can get him out of harm's way before trouble begins. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

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

THE BUZZ

Dig terriers?

Win a scholarship

-- Five new students bound for Hiram College in Ohio can win a $1,000 scholarship with a picture or 15-second video of themselves with any terrier breed. Submissions should depict what makes terriers special, whether as a family member, best friend, athlete or more. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 31, and winners will be chosen by a panel of Hiram media and photography specialists, based on creativity and originality. "The Terrier Scholarship is our way of paying tribute to our long-time mascot, the bull terrier," said vice president of enrollment Lindajean Heller Western. "We know how special our terrier is, and now we want to see what makes other terriers great." For more information, visit hiram.edu/terrier-scholarship.

-- Next month, Tennessee becomes the first state to implement a statewide animal abuse registry. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is creating a website listing the names of people convicted of felony animal abuse, such as animal fighting and aggravated cruelty to companion animals. First-time offenders will be listed for two years. Repeat offenders will be listed for five years. Shelters, rescue groups or citizens can check the public registry before completing a pet adoption or sale. State senator Jeff Yarbro, who sponsored the bill, hopes the registry will provide an additional tool for shelters and rescue groups making adoptions.

-- Inmates at Mission Creek Women's Correction Center in Kitsap, Washington, are making a difference for shelter cats. Working with Kitsap Humane Society, the Mission Creek facility is taking in orphaned kittens, mother cats with nursing kittens and adult cats in need of socialization or recovery from injury and fostering them until they can be placed in homes. Inmates who qualify for the Pawsitive Prison Program receive training on kitten development, cat behavior, handling, socialization and other care. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

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 dog helps to break the ice, keep conversations going and inject a little humor into the holidays. Position: Main Story

Caption 02: Terrier-loving freshmen attending Ohio's Hiram College can win a scholarship by demonstrating their love of the dogs in a photo or video. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 1