Living with an old dog is bittersweet

By Kim Campbell Thornton

In the last couple of years of my dog Bella's life, I usually found myself outdoors with her in the wee hours of the morning. The medications she took for her heart condition caused her to have to urinate frequently, and since I am a light sleeper, it fell to me to take her out for her late-night perambulations.

It was peaceful. I'd look at stars I didn't usually see or listen to the geese honking in the distance. One night we saw a large, white possum walking on top of the wall that separates our condo complex from the shopping center next door. In fall, we'd listen to the Santa Ana winds blow. We saw the moon in all her phases. Crickets chirped. In Oklahoma, visiting my parents, we heard owls hooting in the tree above us.

There's a twilight time in a pet's life. They're not quite ready to go yet, and we're definitely not ready for them to go. Their treacherous bodies have betrayed them, and they need more help getting around. Maybe they can't make it up and down the stairs anymore and must be carried. We did that with our greyhound, Savanna, after she lost a leg to bone cancer. Or, like Bella, they might need access to the outdoors at odd hours. Not every infirm animal has access to a pet door and a yard or is able to use them on her own. At times, Bella would lose her appetite and need to be hand-fed for a few days.

Currently, my dogs are middle-aged, or not yet at the stage where they need midnight ministrations. But I have friends who are at this point with their senior dogs.

It's hard. I remember. Never getting a full night's sleep. Always keeping one ear open for the sounds that signal she's getting up and needs to go out. You groan, but you don't hesitate to jump out of bed, throw on a robe and carry her downstairs. Because the alternative is cleaning up a pool of pee in the dark so you don't wake your spouse.

I tried to get Bella to use pee pads, but that was a shocking concept to a lady who prided herself on her housetraining. What saved us were diapers. We didn't keep one on her all the time, but she wore one at night. Sometimes, not always, it allowed me to sleep the night through.

I say "sometimes," because if Bella had to potty in the middle of the night, she didn't always like doing it in the diaper. I would be awakened by her attempts to rip it off, so I would get up and take her out. But for the most part, wearing a diaper seemed to encourage her to "hold it" for longer periods.

Caring for an old or sick animal is stressful and time consuming. Feelings of love clash with exhaustion and frustration. You feel guilty about feeling frustrated or wishing you could sleep more, because you know that being able to sleep through the night could mean only one thing: Your pet is gone. And that's not what you want.

Those feelings are normal. They don't mean you don't love your pet or that you want her to die. They are a natural outgrowth of the stress of being a caregiver.

The good news is that our pets love us no matter what. They forgive us for the mistakes we make as we shepherd them through their final years or months. All we can do is our best -- and cherish the time we have remaining with them.

Q&A

Facts about

ferret care

Q: I just got a ferret! What should I be prepared for as far as potential health problems or injuries? I want to make sure I take good care of him. -- via email

A: Oh, man, ferrets are so much fun! You're going to have a wild time with yours. Ferrets are highly active and curious, and that can get them into trouble. They can also be prone to certain types of health problems. Here are some things to watch for, courtesy of my colleague and exotic pet expert, Byron de la Navarre, DVM.

-- Ferrets get caught in recliners and can suffocate or be crushed. Don't use one if your ferret is out and about.

-- Ferrets are heat intolerant. Never leave them in hot cars or other areas.

-- Ferrets can break or tear toenails. Clip off any part of the nail that's still hanging, and use hydrogen peroxide to clean the wound. Styptic powder or cornstarch can help to stop bleeding. Take your ferret to the veterinarian if you notice swelling or discharge at the nail bed in the next two or three days.

-- Ferrets sniff a lot and inhale hair, lint and dirt in the process. They clear their throats with a reverse sneeze, which sounds like they are choking, gagging and sneezing all at once. They may also cough violently. If you notice an unusual increase in the frequency or intensity of coughing and sneezing, take your ferret to the veterinarian right away, especially if he also seems lethargic or isn't eating.

-- Ferrets are prone to several types of cancer. Regular veterinary exams can help to catch disease early.

The No. 1 rule of living with a ferret? Never leave him unattended. That's when he gets into trouble. If you aren't there, he should be safely confined in his cage. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

New cat book

offers hacks, help

-- A "catification hack" is an object that has been repurposed for a cat. Ramona D. Marek found a small corner table with three shelves, used sturdy hardware to attach it to a corner wall 18 to 24 inches above the floor, and then placed cushions on the shelves. Voila! A multilevel cat lounge with a view. That's just one of the many tips she shares in her new book, "Cats for the Genius." With the tagline "Create a positive relationship with your cat from the start!" it covers cats from A (acquisition) to V (vocalizations).

-- A popular Syrian emigre is the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), also known as the golden hamster, teddy bear hamster or fancy hamster. The desert rodents are the most commonly kept pet hamsters, thanks to their easily tamed nature and ease with handling. Their golden-brown fur fades to pale on the belly, and dark markings run from the jaw up the cheek to the ear. Syrian hamsters are 6 to 7 inches long and typically live two and a half to three years. The nocturnal animals prefer to live without other hamster companions and can be nippy if disturbed while napping.

-- Saint B, er, kitty? A Hungarian man who was hiking in the Swiss Alps said a cat appeared on the trail and led him to a village after he sprained an ankle and became lost. The route he had planned to take was closed, but a black-and-white cat showed up and encouraged him to follow her. "She was walking and kept looking at me to follow and led me straight to the path that would take me back down to the valley" he posted on Reddit. In true Swiss tradition, the cat belonged to a couple who ran a local hostel. -- 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.

Eight museums around the country for animal-art aficionados

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Art museums are a visual record of our history. When we visit them, we don't simply see the artist's vision, but also fashions, food, furnishings and, yes, animals from a given point in time.

Many famous art museums feature portraits of people with their dogs, cats and horses, but specialty museums focus on works that portray the animals themselves. A visit to one of them is a feast of fine art depicting the role of animals in society through the ages and how they have changed -- or not. No matter which one you visit, you'll be rewarded with a fascinating glimpse into the background of your favorite animal. Here are eight to look for.

-- American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog, St. Louis. In the 14,000-square-foot Jarville House in Queeny Park are more than 700 original paintings, drawings, sculptures, porcelains and more, all depicting man's best friend. Bonus: Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome to visit, too.

-- Feline Historical Museum, Alliance, Ohio. Not to be outdone, the Cat Fanciers Association has a permanent home for its extensive collection of cat-themed art and other unique items, including the silver collar awarded to Cosey, who won the first Madison Square Garden cat show in 1895; a bronze of a Persian by J. Clayton Bright; feline figurines from Lalique, Baccarat and Royal Doulton; and a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house for a cat. Visitors may also enjoy the company of cats on the premises, including Maine coons and ragdolls.

-- National Sporting Library and Museum, Middleburg, Virginia. Horse and dog lovers will appreciate the sporting art on display at this museum devoted to equestrian and field sports. Current exhibits include Picturing English Pastimes: British Sporting Prints at the NSLM and the Chronicle of the Horse in Art. Researcher Elizabeth Tobey says, "Particularly significant are its holdings of early modern books from the 16th through 18th centuries from Europe and Great Britain on horsemanship, hunting, natural history and animal husbandry."

-- International Museum of the Horse, Lexington, Kentucky. They're not just horsing around at this museum. Its collections include fine and folk art, photographs, tack, trophies, sculptures and horse-drawn vehicles.

"Calumet Farm's massive collection of historic racing trophies alone is worth the visit to the International Museum of the Horse, and the strong selection of permanent exhibits is bolstered regularly by impressive special exhibitions," says Glenye Oakford of Lexington, Kentucky, senior editor at The Chronicle of the Horse. "If you're more into history that's truly alive, just step outside to the Hall of Champions, where some of the racing and show world's heroes, including the wildly popular 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Funny Cide, greet visitors."

-- National Bird Dog Museum, Grand Junction, Tennessee. Anyone who has ever loved a sporting breed won't want to miss this bird dog field of dreams. Displays include a sculpture of national champion pointer Elhew's Snakefoot and sporting dog art, photography and memorabilia.

-- Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Museum, Wasilla, Alaska. Housed in a log cabin, the museum's displays feature trophies, photos and videos of the iconic race commemorating a thousand-mile run to bring life-saving diphtheria serum to disease-stricken Nome in 1925. In summer, take a ride in a cart pulled by sled dogs to get a taste of what is now a National Historic Trail.

-- Museum of Hounds and Hunting North America, Leesburg, Virginia. Housed at stately Morven Park, this collection ranges from a hound head sculpture to a colonial-era hunting horn to the hunting diaries of Gen. George S. Patton.

-- Newseum, Washington, D.C. Pets make news, too, especially if they live in the White House. An ongoing exhibit, First Dogs: American Presidents and Their Pets, presents images and stories of presidential pets, including Calvin and Grace Coolidge's 12 dogs; Franklin D. Roosevelt's Scottish terrier Fala -- and his press secretary; and Warren G. Harding's Airedale, Laddie Boy, who had his own chair at cabinet meetings.

Q&A

Apple seeds not

toxic to pets

Q: I like to give my dog apple cores, and he loves them, but I heard that the seeds contain cyanide. Should I stop giving them? I don't want to poison him! -- via Facebook

A: They say that an apple day keeps the doctor away, and it probably helps to keep the veterinarian away, too. Bites of apple -- you probably don't want to give a whole one all at once -- are a good, low-calorie, crunchy treat for dogs. They can help to freshen a dog's breath and are a good way to help a dieting dog feel like he's not so deprived.

Keep giving your dog apple cores without worry. Apple seeds are overhyped as being poisonous to pets. The amount of cyanide within a few seeds is so minimal that it's really not a concern. I know of some dogs who love to steal apples right off the tree when they can reach them, or just wait for them to fall.

QT Pi loves apples, especially Honeycrisps or Fujis that snap back when bitten into. How do I know this? Because I asked him, and he told me so. For variety, he likes them dusted with cinnamon or lightly dipped in Lighthouse caramel dip (three for daddy, one for son). Know that the gooey version is only an infrequent treat, and we closely monitor his calorie intake and weight to keep him at his ideal body weight. 

Other great, healthy "people food" treats -- in moderation, of course -- include bananas, blueberries, carrots, green beans, cooked sweet potatoes, cantaloupe and watermelon. A couple of dogs I know even like slices of tangerine and orange.

If you ever do think your pet has eaten something toxic and you can't reach your veterinarian, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for life-saving advice. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Hands-on therapies

help cats in pain

-- We don't typically think of cats as needing massage, physical rehab or chiropractic adjustments, but their feats of strength and jumping ability can make them prone to musculoskeletal problems, such as arthritis. Especially as they age, cats can become stiff and pained from leaping on and off high places, twisting their slinky bodies into strange positions or careening off the wall as they chase a ball down the hall. If you notice when you're petting him that your cat turns around and bites at you right when you stroke the mid-lumbar region, he may have some aches and pains that can be addressed with some hands-on treatment and medication. Talk to your veterinarian to see what can be done.

-- An English springer spaniel named Angus is hard at work in a hospital in Vancouver, Canada. He's not visiting patients -- he's sniffing out a hazardous superbug commonly found in hospitals: Clostridium difficile. C-diff persists in the environment for long periods and is highly contagious and even deadly. His alerts to its presence allow hospital staff to target areas for additional cleaning and disinfection.

-- What does it mean when the label on a bag or can of pet food says the contents are "natural"? Legally, there's no official definition. The United States Food and Drug Administration considers the term "natural" to mean that a food does not contain artificial flavors, artificial colors or artificial preservatives. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials, the organization that develops nutrient standards and ingredient definitions for pet foods, the word "natural" applies only to a food or ingredient derived solely from plant, animal or mined sources. It should be used to describe products only when all of the ingredients -- not counting chemically synthesized vitamins, minerals and other trace nutrients -- meet that definition. -- 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.

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.