Cataracts can dim a dog's vision, but in some cases, surgery can help

By Kim Campbell Thornton

My little dog Gemma is about as spry as a 16-year-old dog can be, but we've seen one definite sign of aging in our Pom-Chi mix. Since late June, her vision has deteriorated noticeably. It was obvious before then that she had cataracts, but they have progressed enough to limit her vision. She has walked into walls when she's in unfamiliar areas, and she sometimes has trouble following my movements when I'm setting down her food dish or handing out treats.

A cataract is cloudiness, or opacity, in the lens of the eye. Although it looks as if it's a film on the surface of the eyeball, the cloudy lens is deep inside a dog or cat's eye, according to the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology.

Cataracts are inherited in many breeds, including Boston terriers, cocker spaniels, golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, miniature schnauzers, poodles, Siberian huskies and wirehaired fox terriers. They most commonly develop when a dog is 1 to 5 years old.

Health ailments such as diabetes, inflammation and trauma can also lead to cataract formation. Cataracts may also develop as a dog ages. Sometimes cataracts remain small throughout a dog's life; other times they worsen to the point of blindness.

Depending on a dog's age, health and the severity of vision loss, cataracts can be removed surgically. It's not a simple process, though. Two tests, an electroretinogram (ERG) and an ultrasound, are performed beforehand to assess the health of the retina and determine whether removing the cataracts would improve vision. The tests aren't painful or risky, but they require sedation to ensure that the dog doesn't move her head or eyes.

If the dog is a good candidate for surgery, eye drops are administered several times daily before the procedure. With the dog under anesthesia, the ophthalmologist makes a small incision and, using a technique called phacoemulsification, breaks up the cataract with ultrasonic vibrations and then removes the particles. For sharper vision, an artificial lens can be implanted inside the eye.

The eye drop regimen continues for approximately six weeks following surgery. The "cone of shame" makes an appearance, too. The dog must wear a protective soft or plastic Elizabethan collar for two weeks to ensure that he doesn't scratch or otherwise injure the eye. Baths and vaccinations are forbidden until the eye heals.

Cataract surgery has a high success rate, but like any surgery, it can have risks and complications.

Rainey, a beagle, had congenital cataracts. Her owner, Denise Nord, who lives northwest of Minneapolis, opted for surgery for the then-1-year-old dog to improve her quality of life and permit continued involvement in dog sports such as tracking, agility and obedience. Rainey is now 8 years old and doesn't have great vision, but Nord says she would choose surgery again, even with the complications her dog had.

"She did well for quite a while, but over time the lens 'rolled up,' and she lost the near vision in one eye," Nord says. "She is on drops for high eye pressure. About two years ago, she started having corneal edema in the 'bad' eye. It has been a journey, but we have a great ophthalmologist. For a young dog, it was the right choice."

At her advanced age, Gemma isn't a candidate for cataract removal, but fortunately most dogs get around just fine with reduced vision or even complete vision loss. If your dog has cataracts, a consultation with a veterinary ophthalmologist can help you decide the best way to proceed.

Q&A

Urine marking can

have several causes

Q: My 1-year-old English toy spaniel has a bad habit of lifting his leg in the house, and I now have to limit where he's allowed. I can't neuter him because he's a show dog. I've never had this problem with a male dog before. Can you help? -- via email

A: You've made a good start by limiting where he is allowed to go in your home. Now you need to figure out what is triggering his desire to mark your home with urine. Male dogs like to mark vertical surfaces or entryways to claim territory, let females know they are available for mating or to build their confidence if they're feeling insecure. For instance, maybe your schedule has changed, or you've brought a new person, object or animal into the home.

Next, teach him that marking is for outdoors only. Tether him to you. If he signals that he is about to mark something by sniffing or circling, interrupt him by clapping your hands or saying, "Oops." Then ask him to perform some other action he knows, such as sit, down or shake, and reward him for that.

You can also take him outdoors. If he then lifts his leg on a tree or other acceptable surface, praise him: "Good pee outside!"

If the problem is related to anxiety, talk to your veterinarian about prescription medication that can help him to relax.

Be consistent. Time for improvement can range from a few days to a few weeks.

Whenever you can't supervise, request an alternate behavior or take him outdoors; manage the situation by confining him or using a bellyband to prevent marking.

Never punish him physically or verbally for marking. If marking is done out of conflict or anxiety, punishment can make the problem worse. -- Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Cats chatter about

exciting matters

-- Does your cat chatter when she looks out the window and sees a bird or squirrel? Gnashing her teeth is an involuntary reaction to the frustration she feels when she sees something she wants very much but just can't get to it. Let her chitter chatter without interruption. A cat who is already wound up may take out her frustration on you in the form of an angry hiss or even a painful scratch. This type of behavior is called redirected aggression, and it's not something you want to get in the way of. Keep your distance.

-- When it comes to wacky names, dog lovers top the charts. A recent contest by Nationwide included such monikers as Katie Scarlett of Chattapoochie, Master Humphrey Beauguardus, Chicky Chippo the Fox Demon, Catfish Hobbs and Polkadot Sox. The Top 10 names, voted online by the public from a list of 50 selected from the company's database of 575,000 insured pets, were McLoven the Stud Muffin, Kanye Westie, Angus Von Wigglebottom, SuperFunCoconutDog, Optimus Prime Rib, Maximus Waffles, ChaChi Big Foot, Scrappin Scruffy Macdoogle of the Highland Macdoogles, Lieutenant Colonel Be Back Soon and Aggie Von Schwaggie.

-- The jagdterrier, also known as the German hunt terrier, is a working terrier breed with a strong prey drive. He hunts quarry such as badgers, rabbits and raccoons both above ground and underground. The jagdterrier has a black coat with tan or rust markings. The coat can be furry, smooth or "broken," a blend of long and short hairs. The weight range is 17 to 22 pounds. Intelligent and adaptable, these dogs aim to please but are best suited to a farm or ranch home where their hunting skills will help keep pesky animals at bay. -- 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.

Longhaired pets require extra care to maintain their luxurious locks

By Kim Campbell Thornton

From the Maltese to the Afghan hound, the Persian to the Maine coon, longhaired dogs and cats have a reputation for beauty and style. Their glamorous appearance comes at a price, though: That gorgeous coat can be a beast to care for. If you've fallen for a pet with long locks, we've gathered some tips to help you keep that coat stunning, healthy and tangle-free.

First, the bad news: There's no secret shortcut to caring for a long coat. It takes time and devotion. You're ahead of the game, though, if you groom it on a regular basis. When a longhaired pet's coat is neglected, the result is painful mats and tangles. Nobody wants that.

Grooming needs depend on the type of coat a dog or cat has, as well as its length. Longhaired pets may have a single coat or a double coat (one with a top coat and an under layer). They may have feathering (longer hair on the ears, chest, legs and tail); thick, fine, silky hair; or ruffs, britches or pantaloons. Double-coated pets typically shed more than single-coated pets.

Gather the right equipment. A pin brush moves smoothly through long hair and feathering. A bristle brush removes loose hair and dirt and polishes the coat. A wide-tooth comb removes downy undercoat. The curved wire pins of a slicker brush remove mats, loose hair and any flotsam and jetsam your dog picks up on a walk. Dogs with thick double coats may benefit from a session with an undercoat rake, especially during shedding season. If possible, ask a breeder or a professional groomer about the correct grooming tools and techniques to use.

Keep the face clean. Dogs with beards, mustaches and eyebrows (known as furnishings) lose their distinguished appearance if food is stuck in their fur. Comb out the furnishings after every meal to keep them looking nice.

Other trouble spots include the belly, the area where the legs meet the body (the "underarms") and the urogenital area. Many pets don't like having these areas touched (maybe they're ticklish). If you neglect them, though, these areas are most likely to develop mats and tangles. If you comb them before a problem starts, it will be a lot easier to accustom your pet to the attention.

Watch for a poopy butt. Every longhaired pet gets it at one time or another. Get over the ick factor and check your pet's rear regularly to make sure no dingleberries are dangling from his fur. You may want to trim the area short to help keep it clean. Or have a professional groomer do a sanitary trim for a neater appearance.

Starting with a puppy? Practice for a few minutes every day. Even if your pup won't have his full coat for a year or two, he should learn now what to expect and how to stand nicely for it. You can gradually lengthen the amount of time you spend working on his coat.

Give extra care to aging or overweight longhaired pets. Cats, in particular, may have difficulty grooming themselves and need some additional attention.

Pay attention if your pet frequently bites or scratches at a specific area. On closer inspection, you may find a mat or tangle that needs attention. Be careful when trying to remove these. Severe mats may need professional attention.

When his coat is at its full glory, you should expect to groom your longhaired pet at least every other day. For some pets, daily attention is a must. If you have trained your dog or cat to enjoy grooming, the experience should be a bonding time for both of you.

Q&A

Calico males rare

as hens' teeth

Q: Why is it so unusual for male cats to be calicos? -- via email

A: I'm glad you asked. Feline color genetics is always a fascinating topic. To get started, let's define our terms. A tortoiseshell cat has patches of orange or red and patches of black, chocolate or cinnamon. When those patches are combined with a white background, the cat is called a calico, after a type of colorful patterned fabric.

A study done by researchers at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri found that only 1 of every 3,000 calico cats is male. That's because the gene that determines how the orange color in cats displays is on the X chromosome, one of the two chromosomes that determines gender. Females have two X chromosomes, while males have an X and a Y chromosome.

While any cat, male or female, can be orange, in males the orange almost always occurs in the tabby pattern. Females can be orange tabby, calico or tortoiseshell. In rare instances, though, a male cat turns up with not only his allotted X and Y chromosomes, but also an additional X chromosome. If both of those X chromosomes happen to carry the gene for orange coloration, bingo: You have a calico male.

This genetic anomaly is called Klinefelter syndrome, after the doctor who identified it in the 1940s. In human and feline males, it typically causes sterility, which is one reason you don't see people getting rich off breeding their rare male calico cats.

Interestingly, the source for calico coloration was traced in the 1970s by Neil Todd, who was studying the migration routes of domestic cats. The orange mutant gene that causes the patched appearance originated in Egypt and then spread to Mediterranean port cities in Greece, Italy, France and Spain. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Four-eared cat

finds new home

-- We always thought it was four-leaf clovers that brought good luck, but a black cat with four ears had a run of good fortune after being brought to the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society in Pittsburgh on July 12. The 3-year-old cat, Batman, was treated for an upper respiratory infection and then put up for adoption, where he quickly caught the eye of a little girl who liked superheroes. Batman's double ears are thought to be the result of a recessive gene mutation. And he's not the only cat with multiple ears. Several felines over the years have been identified with the unusual natural genetic mutation.

-- Can you tell the difference between the affenpinscher and the Brussels griffon? Both of these dogs are often referred to as "monkey" dogs, or "monkey-face" dogs. Both are clever, cute and compact, and both have rough coats and bearded faces. The dogs have many similarities -- not surprising since the affenpinscher is an ancestor of the Brussels griffon -- but there are some differences. While the BG indeed has a rough coat, he also comes in a smooth variety. Affies can be black, black and tan, gray, red or silver; BGs are black, black and tan, blue, brown or red. Both are alert and playful, but the Brussels griffon tends to be more outgoing and more willing to get in trouble than the quieter affenpinscher.

-- The Robo hamster isn't the latest electronic pet from Japan. These smallest of the Asian dwarf hamsters are speedy and somewhat shy. Nocturnal, like all hamsters, they spend their evenings running endlessly on their wheel and can be entertaining to watch, but they're not especially fond of being handled. Desert dwellers in their natural habitat of Mongolia and northern China, they will appreciate some sand to dig in. -- 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.

Lots of dogs love chocolate, but it doesn't love them. Signs of a toxic dose include vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and cardiac arrhythmias

Who doesn't love chocolate? It's the stuff of celebrations, holidays and romance. It's filled with feel-good chemicals, and there's even evidence that it's good for our health.

Dogs love chocolate as much as we do, based on the number of stories I've heard about canines who crave the sweet stuff. Just about every week, I see or hear from clients whose dogs have gotten into a box of designer chocolates or a bag of Snickers bars or M&Ms. I even remember one Christmas when my brother Bobby's late Yorkie, Buddy, ate an entire 1-pound box of Godiva chocolates.

But while dogs who OD on chocolate might get the same flavor enjoyment from it that we do, it's not so good for their health. Chocolate contains both caffeine and a substance called theobromine. Both are plant alkaloids, mildly stimulating to humans, but toxic to dogs, who aren't able to process theobromine as efficiently as humans.

Now, I hear stories all the time about dogs who suffer no ill effects after eating a whole batch of homemade fudge, a bag of Hershey's kisses, a chocolate muffin or cookies dipped in dark chocolate. That's because chocolate's toxic effects -- known as chocolate toxicosis -- vary depending on the size of the dog, the amount and type of chocolate eaten, and individual sensitivity.

Small dogs, like 6-pound Buddy, are at greater risk than the typical 100-pound Labrador retriever. And dogs who eat chocolate candy adulterated with lots of sugar are usually less at risk than those sophisticated canines who ingest high-quality dark chocolate.

"The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more toxic it is," says Justine Lee, DVM, who's double board-certified in toxicology and emergency and critical-care medicine. "White and milk chocolate have less theobromine, the poisonous chemical, compared to baking chocolate."

That doesn't mean that milk chocolate is necessarily safe. One ounce of milk chocolate per pound of body weight is a potentially lethal dose in dogs.

Usually, when dogs down too much chocolate, they vomit it back up. If they ate a 2-pound bag of M&Ms, you might come home to rainbow-colored vomit on your carpet.

Sometimes the evidence comes out the other end. Barbara Davis of Corona, California, had an English springer spaniel with a chocolate fetish.

"One time she consumed an entire sack of Kraft Fudgies, including the little gold plastic wrappers," Davis says. "At that time I was living in Manhattan, and it raised quite a few eyebrows as people observed my dog pooping gold in the curb on 52nd Street."

If they're going to have a problem, most dogs start to vomit, have diarrhea or become unusually thirsty within six to 12 hours of ingesting chocolate. Restlessness and a distended abdomen are also signs. More severe side effects such as seizures, a racing heart (tachycardia) and high or low blood pressure can also occur.

Death by chocolate isn't just the name of a dessert. Dogs who are highly sensitive to theobromine or who ingest the more toxic dark forms of chocolate, such as cocoa powder or unsweetened baking chocolate, can die from cardiac arrhythmias, hyperthermia or respiratory failure.

Another factor is the possible presence of xylitol, a sugar alcohol, in some chocolate products. It's highly toxic to dogs and may be of more concern than the chocolate itself.

My brother's dog Buddy indeed needed a trip to the veterinary clinic, but I'm happy to report that he survived the incident.

When in doubt, Dr. Lee advises, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) or other pet poison hotline for life-saving advice. They can advise whether or not it's a poisoning concern.

Q&A

How to help kids

treat pets right

Q: I have a young niece and nephew, and they'll be visiting frequently. What are the best ways to teach them to pet my dog and cat without anybody getting hurt? -- via Facebook

A: That's a great question! Starting while they're young will help them to become loving and careful toward animals throughout their lives.

Begin with the adage "Show, don't tell." Demonstrate how to softly pet a dog or cat. Hold the child's hand as he or she strokes it across the body. Teach the three-finger rule, too: Touch the pet with only three fingers, not the whole hand. Let very young children pet animals only when you're there to help.

Appeal to a young child's sense of empathy. Point out to your niece and nephew that nobody likes to be hit or kicked or have their hair pulled -- and that includes dogs and cats. This helps to emphasize the importance of petting animals quietly and calmly. With very young children, you'll probably need to repeat this discussion frequently and keep an eye on interactions to make sure your dog and cat never feel the need to defend themselves.

Remind kids to use their "inside voice" when they're around pets. They'll be fascinated to learn that dogs and cats can hear better than they can, even from far away.

Kids love to pick up animals and carry them around, but dogs and cats usually don't think it's much fun. Set the rule that pets can be held only when kids are sitting on the floor or on the sofa -- and only for as long as the pet allows it. No hanging onto him if he wants to get down. Teach older children (and some adults) to always support a pet's rear when picking him up. You're doing an important job: creating new animal lovers. -- Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Orlando is No. 1

with pets and owners

-- How much does it cost to keep a pet where you live? Depending on the type of animal, annual costs range from $235 to nearly $2,000. Based on expenses, Orlando, Florida, is the nation's most pet-friendly city, according to personal finance website WalletHub. Experts crunched the numbers using such factors as veterinarians per capita (Orlando ranks first), veterinary care costs, price of pet insurance premiums, number of pet-friendly restaurants, dog parks per capita and walkability. Other high-ranking pet-friendly cities are Birmingham, Alabama; Tampa, Florida; Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky; Scottsdale, Arizona; Reno, Nevada; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Cincinnati, Ohio; Las Vegas; and St. Louis.

-- Slowly but surely, pets are taking over workplaces. According to figures from the Society of Human Resource Management, 7 percent of U.S. employers permit employees to bring pets to work, up from 5 percent five years ago. Managers say the presence of pets helps to promote work-life balance and improve employee morale and productivity. Research by Randolph Barker, a management professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, found that people who brought pets to work had decreased levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

-- Bulldogs are among the breeds with the poorest health, according to a study published last month in Canine Genetics and Epidemiology. Because bulldogs have little genetic diversity, a weak immune system and a head shape that makes it difficult for them to breathe, breeders have little wiggle room when it comes to improving their dogs. "Improving health through genetic manipulations presumes that enough diversity still exists to improve the breed from within and, if not, to add diversity by outcrossing to other breeds," says Niels Pedersen, the study's lead author. "The English bulldog has reached the point where popularity can no longer excuse the health problems that the average bulldog endures in its often brief lifetime." -- 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.