New approach to preventing infection in dogs may stem tide of resistance

If you've heard that heartworm, a dangerous parasite that can cause serious disease and death in dogs as well as cats, is becoming resistant to the drugs we've long relied on to protect our pets, you've heard correctly.

"Failure of oral preventive drugs is reported most often from the Mississippi Delta area, where transmission rates are very high and resistance to preventive drugs has been confirmed," said Dr. John McCall, professor emeritus in the Department of Infectious Diseases at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. "But the spreading of resistance to other parts of the country is just a matter of time."

The threat of heartworm that can't be prevented with our present drugs is not a minor one. Infection with heartworm, a parasite spread by mosquitos, can cause life-threatening immune system reactions, respiratory distress, kidney failure, heart failure and other symptoms in both cats and dogs. However, there's some good news, too. McCall recently published a study of a new two-step approach to fighting heartworm infection in dogs, one that targets both the heartworm and the mosquito that carries it.

"Heartworm is a two-parasite system," said Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins, director of veterinary relations for Ceva Animal Health, which makes Vectra 3D, a topical mosquito repellent and insecticide for dogs that also fights fleas and ticks. "Until now, we have not targeted one of these parasites, the mosquito. We've relied on preventive drugs against the worm to do the 'heavy lifting' alone."

This flies in the face of how human public health programs fight mosquito-carried diseases like Zika virus, where the mosquito is always the primary target. Not only that, but putting all your health eggs in one prevention basket will always be less effective than protecting against disease with more than one strategy.

"When you get a flu vaccine, you still take other precautions, don't you?" asked Hodgkins. "You still wash your hands and avoid standing in the air space of someone who's coughing. You know there are other things you need to do to give that vaccine the best chance to keep you from getting sick." It's the same, she said, with heartworm.

When it comes to preventing the spread of resistant heartworm outside the South, or protecting dogs in areas where resistance is already present, targeting the mosquito is a valuable extra layer of prevention.

Resistance is thwarted because the topical medication stops more than 95 percent of mosquitos from biting protected dogs. As a result, the dog has a greatly reduced risk of getting infected -- and so does an uninfected mosquito, who might bite an infected dog later. That stops the transmission of both resistant and non-resistant heartworm.

On top of that, the repellent and insecticide killed 98 percent of the mosquitos exposed to a protected dog. That's good news for everyone, including humans, cats and other pets, who would benefit from a reduced mosquito population. "In areas where mosquitoes are abundant, hundreds, and possibly thousands, of mosquitoes can bite a dog in a 24-hour period," said McCall. "The use of a repellent and insecticide could reduce this by 95 percent or more for an entire month."

While there's no such thing as 100 percent protection when it comes to living creatures, this double-defense of topical repellent and oral preventive medication is about as close as you can get.

Although cats also suffer from heartworm infection, there is currently no repellent safe for use on them. Owners of both cats and dogs should keep the treated dog away from the cat until the topical repellent is fully dry, usually a few hours after application.

Dog owners can learn more at fightheartwormnow.com, and should consult their veterinarian about how to best protect their pets from heartworm infection.

Q&A

Feline liver mass

usually benign

Q: My 8-year-old cat has been diagnosed with a biliary cyst. Can you tell me anything about this condition? -- via email

A: That's an interesting question. A biliary cyst is a large, fluid-filled growth on the bile duct system of the liver. It's the most common type of liver mass seen in cats, but the incidence isn't very high -- about 5.5 percent. Biliary cysts usually affect senior cats older than 10 years.

Cats with biliary cysts may have a decreased appetite and lose weight. If the mass is large enough -- some can be the size of a softball -- it may put pressure on the stomach and cause discomfort. The condition is usually diagnosed with an abdominal ultrasound exam.

The good news is that the cysts are benign and don't spread elsewhere in the body. The bad news is that they often require surgical removal, the sooner the better. Fortunately, they don't typically invade the liver, so the surgery tends to be uncomplicated.

One potential risk, though, is excessive bleeding, which sometimes occurs when tumors are removed from the liver. Another is if cats refuse to eat after surgery, especially if those cats are overweight. It might seem like a good way for the cat to lose some weight, but lack of appetite is downright dangerous for fat cats because it puts them at risk for a serious condition called hepatic lipidosis. These cats may need to have a feeding tube placed to make sure they take in enough nutrition until they recover.

Generally, the prognosis is good for cats with biliary cysts. Once the mass is removed, it usually doesn't return quickly. Depending on location and whether a cat has complications, the cost of surgery and aftercare can approach $6,000, but a good pet health insurance policy will cover most of the expense. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

USC hires new

canine therapist

-- A 2-year-old goldendoodle is the newest -- and youngest -- staff member at the University of Southern California, where he specializes in wellness therapy. Beau (formally known as Professor Beauregard Tirebiter), a full-time "wellness dog," has an affectionate and calming nature, balm to the students who seek him out as an escape from the stress of classes and test-taking. Beau was hired not only for his ability to connect with students, but also as a result of studies showing that interacting with a dog can help humans by reducing levels of the stress hormone cortisone and increasing "feel-good" hormones such as oxytocin.

-- Pet dogs and cats in Japan are living longer, according to a longevity study conducted by Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology and the Japan Small Animal Veterinary Association. The average cat lives to 11.9 years and the average dog to 13.2 years, researchers found. They attribute the longer lifespan to indoor living, high-quality food, sophisticated veterinary care and an increase in vaccinations. One of the world's oldest dogs was Pusuke, a shiba inu, who lived to 26 years and 8 months. In the U.S., average pet lifespans are 12.9 years for cats and 11.8 years for dogs.

-- Hong Kong dog art aficionados with deep pockets had a chance to acquire a rare vintage watch depicting a swan being chased by a dog, reported the Financial Times in a special section on watches and jewelry. The rare gold and enamel quarter-repeating pocket watch was exhibited earlier this month at the Fine Art Asia fair. It dates to 1820 and was made by Piguet and Meylan. The dog's head moves up and down as he runs. To mark the time, a set of bellows mimics the sound of barking. It's thought that only 21 of the watches exist. -- 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.

Sometimes it's necessary to rearrange your home to protect both your belongings and your dog

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Every few years, when we get a new puppy or adopt an adult dog or have a foster dog spend some time with us, I have to dog-proof our home and learn some new tricks about interacting with particular dogs. You might think that I would have dog-proofing down by now, but each dog has been attracted to different items or has done things it didn't occur to the other dogs to try. Our current "new dog" is Kibo, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel we're fostering until he is adopted.

One of the first things Kibo taught me was to put away my shoes and to close doors. None of our other dogs have been chewers, but Kibo likes to examine things with his mouth in the fervent hope that they will be edible. He has gone into the closet to chew on my leather sandals (caught before he did any damage) and explored the walk-in shower. There he found and carried away a plastic razor, which, fortunately, he abandoned in the hallway instead of swallowing. He is also fond of a tiny, gold papier-mache box. He hasn't chewed it up or swallowed it, which he could easily do, but he likes to take it off the side table and lie with it. It's now out of reach, too.

Despite his short stature, Kibo tries hard to be a countertop surfer. We've learned not to hold or place food at any height where he could jump up and reach it. Our other dogs are also highly food-oriented, but they wouldn't dream of snatching food out of our hands. Kibo does more than dream it -- he tries it. I always push the chair in if I get up from the table because I can tell that the idea of jumping onto it to get at the food is running through his mind.

If you are living with a Kibo of your own, here are some tips to keep your belongings safe, your house in one piece and your dog out of trouble.

-- Use a crate. When you cannot supervise your dog, even if it's just for a few minutes, put him in the crate to prevent any misbehavior. Kibo hangs out in his crate on his own and he's happy to go into it when asked because he knows he will get a treat.

-- Tether your dog. That means he is leashed at your side at all times. This is a great way to learn the signals a new dog or puppy gives when he needs to go potty. It keeps him under your watchful eye so he can't get into mischief and helps build a bond between you.

-- Get down at dog's-eye level to see what might attract the dog's attention. Electrical cords, small trash containers and dangling dish towels all can pose threats. Bundle cords and encase them in tough plastic covers, put trash containers out of reach, and keep dish towels in drawers if your dog is attracted to them. Chair and table legs often look good to chew. Coat them with Bitter Apple spray to deter taste-testing (try it first in an inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn't damage the finish). Make sure no sharp edges or choking hazards are within a dog's reach.

-- Most important, never underestimate the intelligence and inventiveness of dogs. They can learn to open doors, climb up on counters and desks using other pieces of furniture as launch pads, and crawl under or wiggle into places you've never imagined they would go. Be smart and put away or block access to valuable, fragile or dangerous items, and secure cabinets with childproof locks.

Q&A

Benefits of having dogs include

friendship, health and confidence

Q: Our child is 6 years old. She's been asking for a dog, and I think it's a good time to get one. My spouse isn't so sure. What are some of the benefits of a child having a dog? -- via Facebook

A: When I look back on the happiest times of my childhood, almost all of my favorite memories involve my dog Scooter. Besides being a playmate, he helped me in other ways. I was shy, and Scooter helped me to open up and gave me a way to relate to other people.

For kids, a dog is someone to bond with and talk to who is always there and can be a trustworthy confidant. Caring for a dog teaches empathy and helps build responsibility. With supervision, a young child like your 6-year-old can put fresh water in a dog's dish, wash the food dish after the dog eats, and help put away the dog food. Older children can learn to brush the dog, measure out food at mealtime and take the dog for walks.

Pets also have health benefits. I think kids with dogs are more likely to get up off the couch and get some exercise, and studies show that children with early exposure to dogs have a decreased risk of developing allergies, asthma and eczema.

At every age, children are constantly going through changes, including going to school and learning how to deal with people. Some go back and forth between their parents' homes. For any child, a dog or other pet can be a constant in their lives.

With my own daughter, our two pugs provide consistency. No matter what else is going on with her or whatever challenges she is facing, she always has her dogs. They bring her comfort and stability. -- Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

A cat's tail up?

Safe to approach

-- In a Washington Post article, anthrozoologist John Bradshaw, who has studied cat behavior for more than 30 years and is the author of the new book "Cat Sense," writes that the key signal allowing cats to assess each other's moods is the straight-up tail. Two cats checking each other out communicate their willingness to approach peacefully by raising the tail. It's a form of neoteny, a kittenlike behavior retained into adulthood. "The tail-up signal almost certainly evolved during domestication, arising from a posture wildcat kittens use when greeting their mothers," Bradshaw writes. "Adult wildcats do not raise their tails to each other."

-- According to Winn Feline Foundation, a paper published in the April 2013 issue of Veterinary Dermatology found that beef, dairy products and fish account for nearly 90 percent of all reported cases of adverse food reactions in cats. Based on a literature search of food and food ingredients, the paper reports that the animal proteins generally caused skin lesions or a combination of skin lesions and gastrointestinal symptoms. Wheat and corn typically caused gastrointestinal upset. Beef, dairy products, chicken and wheat were responsible for 78 percent of reported adverse food reactions in dogs.

-- Dogs eat the darndest things. Based on animal X-rays submitted to the Veterinary Practice News' "They Ate What?" contest, the following items were found in the stomachs of some dogs with indiscriminate eating habits: a long piece of metal with a two-inch curve; a 14-inch wooden back scratcher; a wooden-handled hunting knife; a mass of 70 rubber hair bands, which were at first mistaken for a tumor; a bread knife; an electronics cable; a llama rib bone; a Playstation controller; and an arrowhead. The takeaway? Never assume your dog won't -- or can't -- swallow something. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

How much do you know about dogs? Test your knowledge of canine facts with our fun quiz

By Kim Campbell Thornton

1. What's the largest litter of puppies ever born to a domestic dog?

a. 17

b. 24

c. 19

d. 12

2. A dog whose coat is any color or pattern plus white spotting is said to be what?

a. Irish spotted

b. Bicolor

c. Flashy

d. Tuxedo

3. True or false: Dogs with droopy ears have more ear infections than dogs with upright ears.

4. The term "sennenhunds" refers to which of the following group of dogs?

a. Saint Bernard, Rottweiler, Leonberger and mastiff

b. Alpine herdsman's dog, dachshund, kooikerhondje and hovawart

c. Appenzell mountain dog, Bernese mountain dog, Entlebucher and greater Swiss mountain dog

d. Swiss hound, small Swiss hound, Saint Bernard and Alpine mastiff

5. True or false? The Australian shepherd was developed in Australia.

6. The dog who guards the gates of the underworld is named what?

a. Argos

b. Anubis

c. Fang

d. Cerberus

7. Dogs were domesticated how long ago?

a. 33,000 years

b. 15,000 years

c. 12,500 years

d. All of the above

8. What term is used to refer to dogs with narrow heads and long muzzles?

a. Brachycephalic

b. Dolichocephalic

c. Mesaticephalic

d. Metatarsal

9. The sound that hounds on the trail make is called what?

a. Howling

b. Yodeling

c. Baying

d. Chortling

Answers:

1. b. A Neapolitan mastiff named Tia gave birth to a whopping 24 puppies in November 2004, setting a world record that has yet to be broken. Luckily for Tia, they were delivered by caesarean section.

2. a, b, c, d. If you chose any of these answers, you are correct. Bicolor dogs can have a little white or a lot, but the term Irish spotting typically applies to dogs with a specific symmetrical pattern of white markings, such as the Boston terrier's white muzzle band, white blaze between the eyes and over the head, white collar and white forechest. Some breeds have their own distinct terms for this pattern. For instance, English toy spaniels with a red and white coat are called blenheims.

3. Unproven. Anecdotally, veterinarians and pet owners see more ear infections in dogs with hanging ears, but no scientific study has proven it. Allergies are probably the main cause of canine ear problems, and they don't discriminate by ear type.

4. c. All four of these dogs are Swiss breeds. They were used for herding, pulling carts, driving cattle and guarding the farmstead. They all have a tricolor coat of black and white with rust-colored markings.

5. False. When 19th-century American ranchers imported Australian sheep, the flocks were tended by Basque shepherds and their blue herding dogs. Because of their association with the Australian sheep, the dogs became known as Australian shepherds, but they belong to a distinctly American breed.

6. b. Three-headed Cerberus guards the gates to Hades, ensuring that no one gets in -- or out -- who's not supposed to.

7. d. The current answer is "We don't know," but there are good theories for each of the possible answers. One genomic study of 58 modern wolves and dogs suggests that dogs originated in China approximately 33,000 years ago. Another theory is that dogs were domesticated between 12,500 and 15,000 years ago, not once, but twice, in Western Europe and in Asia, with the dogs eventually meeting and interbreeding.

8. b. The word dolichocephalic is used to describe dogs such as Salukis or collies. Brachycephalic dogs such as pugs or bulldogs have a broad head with a short muzzle. Beagles and similar breeds are mesaticephalic, meaning they have a medium-width head with a medium-length muzzle.

9. c. Baying. The deep, melodious sound is poetically described as mountain music.

Q&A

Leapin' into

lizard care

Q: What should I know about caring for my new leopard gecko? -- via Facebook

A: We love lizards, and leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius, to give them their scientific name) are deservedly popular. Their name comes, of course, from their spotted skin, but another distinctive characteristic is moveable eyelids, a trait that distinguishes them from other geckos.

Leopard geckos come from desert regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, so they need a toasty habitat. A 10- to 20-gallon tank is an appropriate size for one to three geckos. Be sure only one of them is male, or they will fight. They are solitary creatures, so don't feel as if you have to provide yours with a buddy.

Establish a temperature range of 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit at one end of the tank, with a cooler area of 75 to 80 degrees at the other end. Good bedding for these ground-dwelling lizards includes newspaper, pea gravel, artificial turf or flat stones. Avoid sand with young geckos; it can cause impaction if they ingest it. A hide box lined with damp moss gives him a place to cool off and ensures that he can shed his skin easily.

Fresh water is important, too. Provide it in a shallow dish that's easy for your gecko to access, and change it daily. Check the bedding and replace it if it gets wet.

Geckos eat live insects, but not just any old bug. The best choices are crickets, waxworms or king mealworms. An adult leopard gecko doesn't need to eat every day; depending on his size, a meal of three to seven of these insects three times a week is adequate. Juveniles need five to 10 insects daily to fuel their growth. To ensure that he doesn't develop any nutritional deficiencies, dust your gecko's insects with a powdered vitamin and mineral supplement recommended by your veterinarian. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Feline stats: Cats

by the numbers

-- There are an estimated 74 million to 96 million owned cats in the United States. Approximately 30 to 37 percent of all U.S. households have a cat, according to the American Pet Products Association. A study by the American Humane Association found that 41 percent of cat owners got their cat from a friend, relative or neighbor. The people most likely to consider getting a cat are between 18 and 34 years old. Of potential cat owners, 56 percent said they would adopt their next cat from a shelter or rescue group.

-- Forget Uber or Lyft. Pet ambulance services are the next big thing in transportation. The services don't just transport animals to the hospital in an emergency. The specially trained staff -- maybe they should be called PETs, for Pet Emergency Technicians -- are certified in animal first aid and CPR, but they are also available to help people who don't drive themselves, whose animals are too large or difficult for the owner to handle or animals who need special care such as oxygen during transportation. The service may be covered by some pet insurance plans.

-- The mountains of western North Carolina are the birthplace of one of America's homegrown breeds: the Plott. He's unique among the coonhound breeds for his German heritage. The Plott's ancestors were five Hanoverian schweisshunden -- similar to a bloodhound -- who were brought to North Carolina in 1750 by German immigrant Johannes Georg Plott. The tenacious hunting dogs, who can work any terrain from swamps to mountains, have been the official state dog of North Carolina since 1989. Loyal and intelligent, Plotts love children and have a more protective personality than most hounds. They are highly active, enjoy digging and have a long, loud, drawn-out bark, so think twice before deciding a Plott is the right dog for you.

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.