When pets down dangerous substances: Some nontoxic food for thought

Your pet comes in licking his chops well before mealtime. Uh-oh. What has he gotten into?

Chances are, it's something that's not good for him. Last year, the Top 10 toxins ingested by pets were over-the-counter medications, medications prescribed for humans, insecticides, human foods that are toxic to pets, household items, veterinary medications, chocolate, plants, rodenticides and lawn and garden products.

If you find evidence or even suspect that your pet has swallowed something that could disagree with him in a serious or fatal way, the first thing to do is take a deep breath and remain calm. Then look for empty packaging or other clues as to what he might have eaten and how much.

Call the veterinarian to say that you're on your way with your pet, and why. Bring the empty or partially eaten containers, plant material or any type of label. It will help your veterinarian to know if that chocolate bar your dog ate is milk chocolate or 77 percent cocoa Belgian chocolate.

Maybe it's the middle of the night and you don't have a 24-hour veterinary hospital in your area. Call a pet poison hotline. Be prepared to describe packaging, labels or plant type and whether your dog or cat is conscious, alert, breathing normally and able to stand and walk.

Don't induce vomiting. It's not the best way to remove toxic substances from a pet's stomach, so toss out that old bottle of ipecac. Nobody recommends it anymore, for pets or kids. Instead, keep activated charcoal on hand. It acts like a sponge, absorbing what's in the stomach. Stick with plain activated charcoal, available from your drugstore or grocery store.

Toxins aren't always ingested by swallowing; some are absorbed through skin or fur. If your pet has a reaction to an insecticide or other substance, your first thought might be to bathe him to remove it, but it's smart to check with your veterinarian or the poison control hotline first. Some products become more toxic when they get wet. If you get the go-ahead to give a bath, brush your pet first to help remove the substance from the surface of the fur.

Learn about your local plants and their toxicity. Toxic plant lists don't always include regional plants. And know the origin of ornamental plants in your home or yard. Many beautiful but toxic plants come from South Africa.

Among the foods that can give pets a bellyache or worse are grapes and raisins, moldy walnuts and dairy products. Although not every dog reacts to grapes or raisins, aggressive treatment is recommended because the reaction can be severe -- renal failure -- or even fatal. Give activated charcoal immediately, and take your dog to the veterinarian right away. A good course of action is IV fluid therapy for at least 48 hours and careful monitoring of blood pressure, urine output and blood chemistry values for at least 72 hours to check for kidney failure.

Moldy foods cause a severe and potentially deadly neurologic syndrome. Signs -- including restlessness, panting, excessive salivation, tremors and seizures -- usually begin within 30 minutes of exposure. A dog doesn't even have to eat a moldy walnut; simply putting it in his mouth can cause problems. For the same reasons, toss the moldy cheese you found in the back of the refrigerator.

Lastly, in case you were wondering, wine and other alcoholic beverages are also toxic to dogs. So remember: It's a sin to let your dog dig zin.

Q&A

Fur and feathers:

Can they get along?

Q: I have pet chickens, and I'm planning on getting a dog soon. Are there any breeds I should avoid? -- via Facebook

A: With a careful introduction and consistent training, many dogs can learn to get along with chickens, especially if they are pups when they first meet the birds. But not every dog will be a good fit. Consider a dog's heritage before deciding which one to get.

Guardian and working breeds such as Great Pyrenees or Doberman pinschers can learn to protect chickens, although they might at first think of them as toys or dinner.

Retrievers and spaniels are often attracted to birds, but they are usually trainable and friendly toward other animals.

A toy dog might seem like a natural, since many aren't much bigger than chickens themselves, but they have all the same instincts as larger dogs and need just as much training and supervision to make sure they don't go after your feathered friends.

One of the non-sporting breeds -- such as a miniature poodle, keeshond or Lhasa apso -- could be a good fit, but again, consider their original purpose. A Finnish spitz or shiba inu might be a little too interested in hunting chickens.

With training and supervision, herding breeds can learn to live amicably with chickens. Without it, they are just as likely to be aggressive toward chickens as any other dog.

On the better-avoided end of the spectrum are dogs with a predatory bent: the various spitz breeds such as Siberian huskies and Alaskan malamutes, sighthounds and terriers.

Consider your chickens, too. Breeds that do best with dogs include large, heavy birds such as buff Orpingtons, barred rocks, Hampshires and Ameraucanas. Small, lightweight or fluffy chickens such as bantams, Leghorns and silkies are at greater risk of injury. -- 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

Some overweight Labs

can blame their genes

-- Your Lab's desire to eat everything he sees may be hardwired, say researchers at Cambridge University. They screened more than 300 Labradors kept as pets or assistance dogs, seeking known obesity genes. A change in a gene known as POMC was strongly linked to weight, obesity and appetite in Labs and flat-coated Retrievers. The gene in question may be involved in how the brain recognizes hunger and the feeling of being full after eating. The results of the study were published in the journal Cell Metabolism. "About a quarter of pet Labradors carry this gene," lead researcher Dr. Eleanor Raffan told the BBC.

-- Pet dealers and retailers in New York state must now provide purchasers with written instructions on housing, feeding, handling, veterinary care, sanitation and other needs of small animals, reports the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The requirement applies to small mammals such as hamsters, chinchillas, guinea pigs, gerbils, rabbits, mice and ferrets, as well as small amphibians or reptiles -- think frogs, snakes and lizards. It does not include dogs, cats, birds, fish or feeder animals. The law appears to be the first of its kind in the country, according to the AVMA State Relations Department.

-- How do bacteria, viruses and parasites differ? Bacteria are microorganisms that exist everywhere -- on skin, on surfaces in the environment and inside the body. Most are helpful or harmless, but a tiny percentage cause serious illnesses. Antibiotics are effective against them, but bacteria are fighting back and becoming resistant. Viruses are unique organisms that possess genes, evolve and reproduce, but require a host cell to replicate. They attack various areas of the body and aren't affected by antibiotics, although some vaccines can help to prevent them. Parasites are microorganisms that rely on hosts to survive. They may or may not cause illness. -- 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.

What to do if a bee stings your pet

By Kim Campbell Thornton

When my dog Harper was a young puppy, a bee stung her on a hind leg. I didn't know what was causing all the screaming and running in circles until I saw the bee fall to the ground. I called the veterinarian, who recommended a quarter tablet of Benadryl and a cold compress. It was hours before Harper was willing to eat or go outside to potty.

It's bee season again. Spring is a busy time for bees, as they have come out of hibernation and are gathering food, pollinating plants in the process.

Bees are beneficial and for the most part beneficent, but like most of us, they can become cranky when it's hot and humid, rainy or if other bees are robbing their hives. And dogs or cats who take a curious or aggressive interest in bees or wasps are likely to receive payback in the form of a sting on the nose or head.

An angry bee is a danger to pets. Dr. Marty Becker and I have gathered some tips to help you prevent or treat the stings of summer.

-- "Beeproof" your yard and home. It's good to have bees visit your flowers to pollinate them, but to prevent them from setting up housekeeping full-time in your yard or home, remove or cover possible nesting sites, such as overturned flower pots, holes in trees or walls, drains or attic vents. Call an expert about removal if you find a nest in the eaves of your home, in the attic or in trees.

-- Honeybees may want to drink from your pet's outdoor water dish. If you are an urban beekeeper (and who isn't these days?), provide bees with their own source of water and place pet dishes well away from hives. To further discourage bees from sipping a pet's water, mix two tablespoons of vinegar with a gallon of water, and fill pet dishes with it.

-- If you see your pet get stung by a bee, remove the stinger right away. Instead of grasping it with tweezers, which can inject more venom into the wound, scrape it away with the edge of a credit card.

-- A mild bee sting can cause a burning or itching sensation that lasts for several minutes or more. You may notice your pet chewing, licking, rubbing or scratching at the area. Mix water and baking soda to make a paste, and apply to the stung area to help relieve the pain. A cold compress can also help to bring down swelling or reduce pain.

-- Grow aloe in your yard. The gel that oozes from a cut leaf helps to soothe bee stings.

-- Keep Benadryl on hand. This antihistamine provides relief from itching, swelling and irritation. The dose depends on your dog's size. Call your veterinarian now and ask how much Benadryl to give your pet if he is stung, then write it on the box.

When you purchase Benadryl, be sure the only ingredient is diphenhydramine. Some formulations contain acetaminophen, which is toxic to pets.

-- Know the phone number and location of your nearest veterinary emergency hospital. Some animals suffer severe reactions to bee stings because they are allergic to bee venom. Known as anaphylaxis, this intense inflammatory reaction causes swelling from excessive fluid buildup in body tissues; itchiness; vomiting; respiratory distress; and collapse or death. It's an emergency. Take your pet to the veterinarian right away.

Pets can also suffer dangerous swelling if they are stung on the head or neck. If those areas swell, they can inhibit a dog or cat's ability to breathe. If you notice swelling on the face or neck, seek immediate veterinary assistance.

Q&A

Cat scratch behavior:

What to know

Q: I just got a kitten, and I want to make sure she doesn't ruin my furniture or carpet by scratching it. Do you have advice on how to trim her nails and keep her from scratching? -- via Facebook

A: You are so smart to be thinking about this early in your kitten's life. Now is the best time to help her learn how to accept grooming with a minimum of fuss and teach her where it's OK to scratch.

One of the ways cats communicate is by scratching. They have special glands in their paws (and elsewhere on the body) that release scent when the cat scratches or rubs against objects or people. Encouraging your cat to scratch a post or other acceptable items will help her to feel secure in her surroundings and reduce the likelihood that she will mark with urine. Scratching is also an important way that cats stretch their muscles.

Experts recommend providing a tall scratching post in a prominent area so your cat can get attention for her scratching skills. Put it somewhere the family spends a lot of time. Choose a post that's at least three feet high so your cat can stretch out to her full length. It can be vertical or horizontal as long as it's sturdy and not wobbly. Most cats like a post covered in sisal, a ropelike material.

In combination with scratching, trimming nails reduces damage to your furniture, clothing and skin. Trim nails every week or two, ideally when your cat is feeling relaxed or sleepy. Put a little pressure on the toe to pop the claw out, and trim above the curve. If your cat is resistant, clip one or two claws a day and give a treat afterward. Your cat will soon welcome the attention. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Some new pet owners

get time off from work

-- "Pet-ternity leave"? It's a thing in the U.K., according to research by pet insurance provider Petplan, which found that nearly 1 in 20 new pet owners are employed by companies that offer paid leave when people acquire a new pet. The time off ranges from 10 hours to several weeks and can be used for training classes, vet visits or helping the pet get settled. Companies include pet food manufacturer Mars Petcare and IT company BitSol Solutions. In an unscientific survey by U.K. tabloid The Mirror, readers said 2 to 1 that pet leave was "a purr-fect idea."

-- One of the world's oldest dogs died last month. Maggie, a kelpie who lived on a dairy farm in Australia, was thought to be 30 years old. Her status as world's oldest dog couldn't be officially verified by the Guinness Book of Records, though, because owner Brian McLaren was unable to find the paperwork from her purchase as a puppy. That leaves the title of longest-lived dog to Bluey, an Australian cattle dog who made it to 29 years and 5 months. Bluey, who also lived in Australia, was a working herding dog. Is it something in the water?

-- The Himalayan wolf is so critically endangered that scientists weren't even sure where it could be found, but an international research team reports evidence of the ancient type in Nepal's largest protected area. Their findings, published in the open access journal ZooKeys, describe a wild dog who differs from other wolves with its smaller size, unusually long muzzle and stumpy legs. Woolly body hair and white fur around the throat, chest, belly and inner thighs also distinguish the species. Conflict with humans over livestock predation is the main reason the wolves are threatened. -- 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.

Mammary tumors are common in cats, especially those who are unspayed or are spayed late in life

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Each week, as Lisa-Maria Padilla trims her cats' nails, she gives them an all-over body check to make sure everything looks and feels normal. A little over a year ago, she noticed that her 10-year-old cat Twyla, a blue Abyssinian, had a tiny nodule near one of her nipples. It wasn't painful and Twyla wasn't behaving differently, but Padilla knew something wasn't right.

She took Twyla to her veterinarian, who surgically removed the nodule, along with a distal lymph node -- from behind a hind leg -- and sent them to a pathology lab for analysis. More than 90 percent of feline mammary tumors are malignant, says board-certified veterinary oncologist Gregory Ogilvie, and Padilla knew that. She was prepared for the worst.

The tumor was indeed cancerous, and tests on the lymph node indicated that the cancer had already metastasized into the lymphatic system.

"If there was good news, it was that both an ultrasound of Twyla's abdominal area and radiographs of her chest showed no signs that the cancer had spread there," Padilla says.

Based on Twyla's overall good health and strong physical condition -- she was the first winner of the Cat Fanciers Association Feline Agility National -- Padilla opted for the standard of treatment: a radical mastectomy to remove all four mammary glands on the cancer-affected side, followed by a radical mastectomy to remove all the mammaries on the other side.

"That surgery is a lot of trauma on a small cat," Padilla says. "The day I brought Twyla home, I was really frightened. The sutured incision went from just below her neck to her groin. My poor cat was shivering, and there was no way she could get comfortable. I set up a large cage, lined with pillows so that she would not contort her body, and would just lay still. She looked dreadful."

Padilla questioned her decision to fight the cancer, but two days later, Twyla was eager to eat and wanted to play. Her condition improved rapidly, and the most difficult part of recovery was keeping her confined for three weeks so she could heal. She's a sociable cat, so not only did Padilla spend time sitting on the floor next to her cage to keep her company, she also asked neighbors to come in and spend time with her while she was at work.

Once the surgical incisions healed, Twyla began receiving chemotherapy, a total of five rounds given every two to three weeks. Sometimes radiation therapy is also used, Dr. Ogilvie says.

In Twyla's case, chemotherapy brought another challenge.

"After the first chemo infusion, the vets realized that Twyla would have to be sedated for each treatment, as she is too active and 'busy,'" Padilla says.

The high-dose regimen complete, Twyla now receives a daily low dose of medication. Called metronomic therapy, the goal is to stop remaining tumor cells from sprouting blood vessels -- in effect, to starve them.

"The tablet is compounded to taste like chicken, so Twyla thinks she's getting a treat every morning," Padilla says. "If there has been a challenge with the low-dose chemo tablet, it is keeping Twyla's weight up. The tablet can make her stomach a little upset, so she is not hungry, but it doesn't make her vomit. I try to give her nutritious treats during the day."

Padilla is glad she decided to treat her cat's cancer.

"Twyla is one very happy girlfriend," she says. "She loves every day, and at 11 years old, remains probably the most active cat in my house."

Q&A

Is dog's behavior

accident or spite?

Q: My boyfriend was two hours late getting home to feed his corgis, and one of them pooped on the kitchen floor. They had access to the yard, and it was a nice day. I think the dog knew that pooping in the house was wrong (he even looked guilty) and was being spiteful because he didn't get dinner on time, but my boyfriend insists that dogs aren't spiteful. Who's right? -- via Facebook

A: We are so close to our dogs, and so often they communicate with us so perfectly that it's easy to think that they share not only our great qualities but also our less admirable motivations, like "getting even" or "being spiteful." Those are complex emotions, though, and as wonderful as our dogs are, they aren't capable of those sentiments.

That guilty expression isn't an actual acknowledgment of wrongdoing, but what psychologists call an "appeasement behavior." Our dogs can tell when we're upset with them, even though they have no idea what might have caused our angry expression or tone of voice. In response to what they perceive as intimidating or threatening body language, they do their best to try to diffuse the situation by offering behaviors that signal submission or peaceful intentions. To us, though, it looks as if they're saying, "Yes, I did it, and I'm sorry."

In reality, dogs have no idea why we're angry. They can't connect the act of pooping in the house two hours previously with your current dismay over the mess. A dog who poops in the house while his humans are away isn't trying to get back at them for leaving him alone or for being late with dinner. It's more likely that he is anxious because his routine has been disrupted. -- Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Cat stumps for

presidency in R.I.

-- "Make hair great again." That's the campaign slogan of Stump, one of the latest candidates in the 2016 presidential election. The gray munchkin cat, a resident of Warwick, Rhode Island, is running on a platform of more naps for better productivity and legalization of catnip (seemingly unaware that a hit of 'nip is already legit). His campaign manager, local pet store owner Denise Rachiele, says the cat is currently seeking a running mate. Perhaps a greyhound?

-- Klinker, a black Labrador retriever, has a unique job: She is the only dog in the United States who is trained to sniff out beehive-busting bacteria called American foulbrood. The bacteria sweeps through colonies, destroying larvae, and are the most common and destructive threat to our friends the honeybees. Klinker's "sting" operation has been protecting hives in Maryland, where she is employed by the state's agriculture department, since 2008. Her nose can detect the bacteria before they wreak havoc, allowing beekeepers to administer antibiotics to the hives to eradicate the disease. With a keen sense of smell and rapid pace, Klinker can check up to 1,000 hives daily, protecting entire colonies in a single visit. That's sweet!

-- May 23 is World Turtle Day. Started in 2000 by American Tortoise Rescue, its purpose is to promote protection of turtles and tortoises. The hardtop reptiles have a reputation for being low-maintenance, but that impression is misleading. Red-eared sliders, for instance, are only a few inches long when most people get them, but they will eventually require a 75-gallon aquarium to accommodate their size and needs at maturity. Reptile expert Frank Indiviglio says the best small turtles for people who can't shell out for large turtle or tortoise habitats are common musk turtles, Chinese big headed turtles, mud turtles and North American spotted turtles. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton, 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.