Pet mischief and mishaps are a traditional part of the holidays. Here are some things to avoid

The 6-month-old Lab puppy grazed on the Christmas tree, gorging on glass bulbs, shimmery tinsel and more. When his owners brought him to the veterinary hospital, swollen with swallowed ornaments, he resembled a four-legged black tick with a pink tongue. A dose of barium to illuminate the intestinal tract on radiographs and force out the intestinal contents worked quickly, and before long, the dog was pooping out pieces of glass, string and wire hooks. As a big wad of tinsel emerged, it gave him the appearance of a giant New Year's Eve party blower.

No doubt all of us have memories of a cat scrambling up a Christmas tree, a swooshing dog tail overturning a lit menorah or a canine or feline counter cruiser tucking into the roast beast. As we enter the holiday season, it's time to bone up on pet-proofing our homes to prevent pet mischief. After all, no one, least of all our dogs and cats, wants to spend any of the days between Thanksgiving and New Year's in the veterinary ER. We've gathered some cautionary tails -- er, tales -- to help you adapt your holiday traditions to the realities of life with pets.

A pointer we know made the news when he ate a child's pushpin craft made with marshmallows to form a snowman. The dog ate the entire thing and required emergency surgery to remove the pushpins. This year, the family will be surrounding the Christmas tree with a pet gate to prevent unauthorized ingestion of ornaments or presents.

Cats, famed for their ability to leap tall counters in a single bound, and their partners in crime, dogs of all sizes, are notorious for stealing food off plates, tables and counters, sticks of butter left out to soften, chocolate-covered espresso beans and marshmallow Santas (ask us how we know this). And we're not the only ones with larcenous animals.

Dexter, a parson Russell terrier, lives with a family who made the mistake of leaving a box of holiday chocolates sitting on their coffee table. They came home to find the contents strewn all over the floor, with much of it eaten. Dexter, apparently a discriminating dog, picked out his favorite varieties from the box. Fortunately, the only outcome was a case of diarrhea, but now family members make it a point to put unsafe food items (or anything they don't want him to eat) well out of their dog's reach.

In another case, curiosity didn't kill the cat, but it did cause him to get an unusual bath. Amanda Graves recalls the time her husband noticed that their Abyssinian kitten, Peyton, was looking a little greasy. Upon closer examination, he discovered Peyton was covered in chicken broth.

"He had pushed aside the silicone lid on a cooling stockpot of homemade chicken bone broth and had gone for a swim," she says.

Strategies that can help you head off holiday trouble include decorating with unbreakable ornaments, forgoing tinsel and putting unsupervised food out of reach.

To protect her cat Kismet, Sharon Melnyk gave up using ribbons to wrap presents.

"He would try to eat any kind of ribbon and once bit my finger trying to get at a ribbon I was holding," she says.

Choose pet-safe plants, too. Poinsettias have a reputation for being poisonous, but at most they cause mild stomach upset. Of greater concern are lilies, which can be lethal, and amaryllis bulbs and holly.

Our pets don't mean to cause trouble during the holidays; they just want to help us celebrate. These simple precautions make it easier and less stressful to enjoy the season.

Q&A

Pain, scratching

signal ear problem

Q: My cavalier has something called "glue ear." Is this common in the breed? -- via email

A: That's a sticky problem. Glue ear, more formally known as "primary secretory otitis media," is a common problem in cavalier King Charles spaniels. It's not your typical ear infection: The dog's middle ear becomes blocked with a gooey plug of mucus. If it gets really full, the tympanic membrane can begin to bulge, causing pain. While it is seen most frequently in cavaliers, it has been noted in rare instances in boxers, dachshunds and Shih Tzus. In cavaliers, the condition may be hereditary, but as of yet, there's no definitive evidence of a genetic component other than its frequency in the breed.

We don't know what causes PSOM. It may be a problem related to the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear and the back of the nose, which is how air enters the middle ear. Another theory is that it is related to the shape of the tympanic cavity. Signs of the problem include pain, especially in the head or neck area; or neurological signs such as head tilt or rapid eye movement. Dogs with the condition may scratch frequently at their ears, rub their heads, yawn excessively or cry out in pain.

In severe cases, PSOM may be visible via radiograph or even when the veterinarian takes a look with an otoscope. Other times, diagnosis may require a CT or MRI scan. Treatment involves removing the mucus plug and flushing the middle ear (a procedure called a myringotomy), followed by medication with corticosteroids and antibiotics. Treatment may need to be repeated more than once before it's successful, but generally PSOM has a good prognosis. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Pets with diabetes

can live normal lives

-- It's National Pet Diabetes Month. The goal of the occasion is to raise awareness of the disease among pet owners. Both dogs and cats can develop diabetes. The incidence in cats and dogs is the same -- between 1 in 100 to 1 in 500 -- and middle-aged or older animals are usually at higher risk. The cause in dogs, who typically develop Type 1 diabetes, is unknown but may be genetic. Risk factors in cats, who usually develop Type 2 diabetes, include a genetic predisposition, chronic pancreatitis or hyperthyroidism, obesity and an inactive lifestyle. Take your pet to the veterinarian if you notice him drinking more water than normal, having housetraining accidents, acting hungry or losing weight even if eating normally, and being unusually lethargic. With treatment, he can live a normal lifespan.

-- Have you met the pumi? The Hungarian herding dog -- don't confuse him with his cousin the puli -- has a gray coat with wavy and curly hair (he can also come in black, white or fawn with a dark mask) and cute, erect ears that bend over at the tips. The pumi coat should be combed regularly and trimmed every two to four months. The smart, lively and vocal dogs are on the smaller side of medium, weighing 18 to 33 pounds. Typical of most herding breeds, pumis have a protective personality when it comes to their people and property, and they require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

-- A Maine coon cat named Ludo is one for the record books. The massive feline measures three feet, 11 inches, making him the longest cat currently living, according to Guinness World Records. That's just shy of the world record, held by the late Stewart Gilligan, also a Maine coon. -- 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.

Environment, stress, emotional conflicts, genetics and medical conditions can lie at the root of compulsive behaviors, but sometimes the cause is unknown

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Does your cat pull out his hair by the roots, suck wool or other fabrics or constantly chase shadows or light? He may suffer from a condition called compulsive disorder, similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder in humans. The difference is that cats -- to the best of our knowledge -- don't experience the intrusive thoughts and social factors that contribute to OCD in humans.

Cats with compulsive disorders take normal behaviors, such as grooming themselves, to an extreme. The behavior starts out normally and then becomes faster or more intense. It can become so excessive that it disrupts a cat's normal activities, sometimes to the point that he stops eating or tries to perform the behavior on other pets in the household.

Repetitive behaviors stress not only the cat performing them, but also the people and other animals who live with them. It's disturbing to have a companion animal who can't interact normally with family members or who suffers physical injury as a result of the compulsive behavior. People worry about their cats' well-being.

Compulsive behaviors are treatable and shouldn't be ignored. Cats can injure themselves by pulling out fur, leaving skin lesions or bare patches, or by ingesting fabric, causing intestinal obstructions. Some cats who suck wool or other materials undergo multiple surgeries throughout their lives to remove obstructions.

"If the cat is expressing compulsive behavior, it's not harmless," says Alice Moon-Fanelli, Ph.D. "It's an indication that the cat is anxious. Compulsive behaviors can arise spontaneously, but a lot of times we see them maintained by exposure to triggers in the environment that increase the cat's anxiety or level of arousal."

Diagnosis begins with a veterinary exam to eliminate possible medical causes, which account for approximately 90 percent of cases. For instance, certain neurologic diseases can cause pain or changes in sensation, causing the cat to attack the area with teeth or claws in an attempt to relieve the discomfort. Other possibilities include skin diseases, allergies or external parasites, such as fleas.

Wool-sucking is a compulsive behavior that may have a genetic basis. It is most often seen in Oriental breeds -- especially Siamese, Burmese and Birmans.

Environmental enrichment is one way to help relieve a cat's stress. Providing tall cat towers or window perches for squirrel and bird viewing, and feeding meals in food puzzles, are some ways to help cats feel happier and more comfortable. Predictable meal- and playtimes help, as well.

When environmental changes improve a cat's compulsive behaviors, it's important to maintain those changes throughout the cat's life.

"Compulsive behaviors don't go away," Dr. Moon-Fanelli says. "There's a genetic component to it that makes some cats more susceptible than others in developing these behaviors."

Anti-anxiety medication may help in some cases by reducing the intensity of compulsive actions so that behavior modification and environmental changes can be successful. Depending on the case, medication may be discontinued after the cat has done well for a time. Other cats may require medication for life.

Be careful about making changes in the life of a compulsive cat. He may do well for years and then revert to compulsive behaviors if his lifestyle changes. Dr. Moon-Fanelli recalls the case of a cat whose severe psychogenic alopecia (compulsive hair pulling) was triggered by her owner going on vacation. The owner enriched the environment and spent more time playing with her pet. With these improvements, the cat's condition remained under control for several years. It resurfaced when the owner added a new cat to the household.

"You have to keep management changes in place for the life of the cat," she says.

Q&A

Medicated shampoos

work multiple ways

Q: My dog has a skin problem, and the veterinarian recommends using a medicated shampoo. What can you tell me about how these products work? -- via Facebook

A: Medicated shampoos are topical therapies, meaning they are applied to the body. They may be used to remove scaling or crusting; fight parasites, bacteria or fungi; or relieve itchiness.

Depending on your dog's skin problem, a medicated shampoo may have one or more agents, the active ingredients that do the work. Antibacterial agents include benzoyl peroxide, chlorhexidine, triclosan and salicylic acid. They each work in different ways, usually by attacking bacterial cells, destroying plasma membranes or lowering the skin's pH, for instance.

Antifungal shampoos work against dermatophytes -- fungi that can infect skin, hair and nails by colonizing keratin tissues -- and Malassezia, a type of yeast that can overpopulate the skin. Common antifungal ingredients include miconazole and chlorhexidine, both of which can also have antibacterial properties. It's important to have a definitive diagnosis for a fungal infection, because not every agent works against both dermatophytes and yeasts.

Anti-itch shampoos are usually used in combination with other medications to help soothe the itch. They may work by moisturizing dry skin or providing a cooling or tingling sensation. A common type you may have seen is colloidal oatmeal. Its properties include a high concentration of starches, different types of phenols and saponins, all of which work together to give colloidal oatmeal its cleansing, moisturizing, soothing and anti-inflammatory effects.

Dogs with scaly, crusty or greasy skin problems usually need a shampoo that contains antiseborrheic agents such as sulfur, salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Their job is to normalize the skin.

Be sure to ask your veterinarian about possible side effects. Depending on the type of shampoo, these may include dry or irritated skin. Some products may bleach fabric or hair. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Hero dog overcame

torture, helps others

-- A dogue de Bordeaux was named the 2016 American Humane Association's Hero Dog of the Year. He was honored not only for his work helping children with autism learn social skills, but also for surviving torture early in his life when someone cut out his tongue. Now, the first word spoken by many children who were previously nonverbal is his name: "Hooch." The burly, happy French mastiff also acts as a companion to women in shelters who have been victims of domestic abuse. The other seven finalists, all honored for their service, were law enforcement dog Edo, search and rescue dog Kobuk, service dog Gander, military dog Layka, arson dog Judge, hearing dog Hook and therapy dog Mango.

-- A new diagnostic test may help determine the best treatment for dogs with transitional cell carcinoma, the most common type of canine urinary tract cancer. Developed by Matthew Breen, a professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University, the test detects cancer by measuring different DNA copies to see if they are elevated or reduced from a normal control sample. Depending on the test result, the dog's veterinarian may recommend surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

-- Don't forget to include your dog, cat, bird or other pet in your estate plan. A pet trust -- legal in all 50 states -- allows you to set aside funds for an animal's care, administered by a trustee. Pet trusts can take effect during an owner's lifetime -- if he or she becomes incapacitated or moves into a nursing home, for instance -- or on death. The trustee disburses payments to a designated caregiver on a regular basis. In most cases, a pet trust ends when the pet dies or after 21 years, but pet trusts can be set up for longer periods for animals with long life expectancies, such as parrots or tortoises. -- 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.

Who gets the cat, dog or other animal if a relative dies or can no longer keep a pet?

By Kim Campbell Thornton

When Jen Engevik's mother died after a two-year battle with ovarian cancer, her young pets could have been left homeless. Fortunately for them, Jen and her sister Ann had already decided that the pets would have a home with them. Jen took George, an 18-month-old black-and-white Maine coon, and Ann took Sadie, a 3-year-old white toy poodle.

Not every pet is as lucky. We see their pictures posted on social media: animals who are in need of a home or have been left at a shelter because their owner went into a nursing home or hospice or died of an accident or disease.

For Jen and Ann, the idea of not keeping their mother's pets never crossed their minds. George and Sadie stayed in their mother's home until her death, and then went home with the women that day.

During their mother's illness, Jen and Ann had already been building relationships with George and Sadie. That was important not only because the animals would eventually be living with them, but also because their mother became less able to care for and connect with them as her illness progressed. Even though she loved them, their antics -- chasing each other around the house and jumping on the sofa or bed where she was sitting -- often disturbed her.

"As my mom was getting sick, my sister ended up taking a bigger role in the dog's life," Jen says. "My mom didn't really want the dog around her that much because she felt so horrible. So the dog started to naturally gravitate toward my sister. It was kind of an interesting process to watch."

Jen already had two senior cats, and it seemed natural that George would go home with her. She had been spending a lot of time at her mother's home, so by the time she took him home, George knew her well.

"I think it would have been a bigger impact on the animals if my mom had had them for 10 years or so," she says. "I do think it was a little hard on the poodle. My mom had had her since she was a teeny little thing."

Engevik believes that George and Sadie's youth and playfulness helped them adjust to their new homes. Sadie went to a home where she was the only pet, but George had some adjustments to make when it came to living with 15- and 16-year-old cats, neither of which was wild about his presence.

At first, Engevik kept them separated. George wanted to play with the other cats, and his efforts alienated them. There have never been any fights, Engevik says, and George connects with them more appropriately now, but her older female still gives a warning growl if George gets too close.

Not everyone is able to adopt a family member's pets, so it's important to know that a plan is in place for an animal's future. Talk to family members now about whether they've set up a pet trust, or find out how to contact the breeder or an appropriate rescue group for placement.

Taking in their mother's animals seemed like having a gift from her, Engevik says. Her advice to others in the same situation is to embrace the animals, give them plenty of love and don't be afraid.

"Just knowing my mom is the one who brought this cat into the family makes him all the more precious to me," she says. "And my sister is so protective of Sadie. I did get stressed when I thought about bringing George into my home. It did stir things up and it wasn't easy. But to me, it was worth it."

Q&A

Single feline

seeks friend?

Q: I have a 3-year-old cat, and I'm wondering if I should get him a friend. I work all day, and I'm worried that maybe he gets lonely. Is getting a second cat a good idea? -- via email

A: Cats have a well-deserved reputation for being loners, but there are some exceptions. Lions, of course, live in groups called prides, and mountain lion researchers are discovering that these American big cats have more social interactions than was previously thought. Feral cats live in groups, but they have plenty of space to avoid each other if they prefer, and the option to leave the group entirely if they aren't getting along with other cats.

It's different for indoor cats. They are stuck with each other in a smaller space and may have "time-sharing" arrangements to facilitate use of particular areas without conflict.

Most cats are perfectly happy to live with only their person as company, especially if that's what they're used to. The addition of another cat definitely has the potential to create issues with personality and territory clashes. Experts usually recommend that if you want more than one cat, you should acquire two kittens, not necessarily from the same litter, so they grow up together and bond at an early age.

If you'd like to add a second cat, though, it can be done successfully. Your cat is still young enough that he may enjoy tussling with a kitten or accept the presence of a cat his own age or older. The following tips may help:

-- Choose a cat with a laid-back temperament.

-- Provide plenty of resources for both cats: multiple beds and food dishes, and duplicate toys, all placed throughout the house

-- Have one litter box per cat, plus one extra, and place them in different areas. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Cat and dog

looking for love

-- Romeo and Juliet have a chance for a happy ending. Not the Shakespearean characters, but a cat and dog found together huddling beneath a car. They were separated at Chula Vista Animal Care Facility in Chula Vista, California, but shelter employees soon paired them up again when the cat, Romeo, became depressed. Now the bonded orange tabby and miniature schnauzer are up for adoption -- as a couple.

-- Iris is the FBI's first dog trained to sniff out electronic devices such as flash drives and hard drives that may contain data hidden by criminals and terrorists. She joins a select group: Only six other dogs in the world have her ability to sniff out a specific chemical found in digital media. The 2-year-old black Labrador retriever works with handler Jeff Calandra, who says, "She's able to be used in any investigative means, from a post-blast scene to a drug case, terrorism case, or counterintelligence cases, which she's worked on multiple times."

-- Nicknamed the American gentleman, the Boston terrier rocks a tuxedo coat and has a lively, intelligent temperament. He is one of the few breeds that can claim to be born and bred in the USA, and he takes his name from the great American melting pot that is Boston, home to multitudes of immigrants seeking a better life. The Boston originated from a mixed heritage and as such is a perfect representative of all that made Boston his birthplace. Boston terriers range in size from less than 15 pounds to 25 pounds, with most weighing 13 to 16 pounds. The Boston's short, smooth coat in black, seal or brindle with white markings doesn't shed heavily if owners use a grooming glove to remove dead hair regularly. Potential health concerns include juvenile cataracts, luxating patellas and brachycephalic syndrome. -- 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.