When dogs eat poop, they can get more than just stinky breath. Parasites can come along for the ride

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

My 9-year-old dog, Harper, recently underwent a battery of blood tests and a fecal exam for an upcoming surgery. Her results were normal for the most part, but the fecal exam turned up an unexpected parasite: Eimeria spp. Dogs and cats are not normally hosts of this genus of coccidian parasites. It’s more commonly found in the intestinal tracts of birds such as geese and ducks, who may suffer diarrhea and even death if infected.

How did Harper end up hosting an avian parasite? Well, we live near a lake, and she is extremely fond of snacking on goose droppings when she can get away with it. Apparently, they are the canine version of pate de foie gras.

Fortunately, this type of Eimeria isn’t infective to dogs or cats. For that reason, it’s known as a pseudoparasite, or false parasite. It passes through the intestines and doesn’t require treatment. Other animals that carry Eimeria that isn’t infective to pets include rabbits and deer.

This doesn’t mean that eating poop is safe for your dog. This habit, known as coprophagy, derives from the Greek words “copros,” meaning feces, and “phagein,” meaning “to eat.”

Dogs like Harper who chow down on goose poop can be at risk for salmonella or Campylobacter bacteria, both of which can cause diarrhea in dogs. Rarely, they may suffer severe diarrhea, but most dogs with healthy immune systems aren’t affected. If you know your dog has a goose-poop habit and he suffers a case of the runs, that may be the cause. Check with your veterinarian if the diarrhea continues for 48 hours or more.

Infected bird droppings are also the source of a fungal infection called histoplasmosis. It’s common in the Midwest, in the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys, in the area surrounding the Great Lakes, and in parts of Canada. Young, large-breed dogs seem most likely to develop the disease, especially if they live in those areas and have prolonged exposure to Histoplasma-having organisms. One study found that other dogs at greater risk of histoplasmosis are pointers, Weimaraners and Brittanys. That’s likely because these hunting breeds spend more time outdoors.

Signs of histoplasmosis are vague: mild fever, depression, weight loss and loss of appetite. Some dogs develop labored breathing or a chronic cough. X-rays, urinalysis and blood tests can rule out other problems with the same signs. A definitive diagnosis requires microscopic examination of cells from lymph nodes or tissue samples.

The disease is treated with antifungal agents. Treatment can take up to six months to be successful, and not all dogs survive.

Birds aren’t the only culprits when it comes to spreading disease. Dogs can acquire coccidiosis from eating the waste of infected dogs. Coccidian protozoa infective to dogs are Cystoisospora canis, Cystoisospora ohioensis, Cystoisospora neorivolta and Cystyisospora burrowski. Cats can be infected by Cystoisospora felis and Cystoisospora rivolta.

Pets infected with one of these parasites may not show signs. Adult animals may shed the oocysts in their feces but otherwise be symptom-free. Puppies and kittens are at highest risk, suffering diarrhea, weight loss and dehydration. Stress can make the disease worse. In severe cases, young animals may die.

The good news is that cats and dogs can’t transmit coccidiosis to each other. Even better, they can’t transfer it to humans.

Lastly, many dogs love snacking on cat poop. That can be the source of roundworms, tapeworms, toxoplasmosis and giardia. One way to prevent your dog from taking up this nasty habit is to scoop the litter box once or twice daily to remove temptation. If possible, place it in an area that’s accessible to the cat but not the dog.

Q&A

Heart disease

common in cats

Q: My ragdoll cat has been breathing with his mouth open, and he doesn’t seem to want to play very much. Do you think he’s just getting older -- he’s 9 years old -- or should I take him to see the vet? -- via email

A: If you have an emergency veterinary clinic in your town, you should get your cat in right away. Don’t delay! His signs could indicate congestive heart failure from a disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Besides lethargy, decreased activity and open-mouthed breathing (usually after excitement or exercise), other signs include rapid or labored breathing or weakness or paralysis in the hind legs. A heart murmur is another indicator. Sometimes cats don’t show any signs -- that is, not until they collapse or even die suddenly.

Called HCM for short, this is the most common type of heart disease we see in cats. It causes the heart muscle to thicken, known as cardiac hypertrophy. The result is that it’s it more difficult for blood to enter the heart’s chamber and be pumped back out to the body.

We don’t know what causes HCM, but certain breeds such as Maine coons and ragdolls have a genetic mutation for the disease. Other breeds that are predisposed to HCM include Norwegian forest cats, Persians, Devon and Cornish rexes, and sphynxes, but it affects random-bred cats, too.

Cats of any age or gender can be diagnosed with HCM, but middle-aged males seem to be more commonly affected.

Medications are available that can slow the heart rate, help relax the pumping chambers and prevent fluid from building up in the lungs. Follow-up exams are important for cats on medication so the dosage can be adjusted as needed. With care, it’s not unusual for cats to live for months or even years after diagnosis. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Service dogs to help

veterans with PTSD

-- American Humane is looking for a few good dogs to join a new service dog program for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. The training program calls for calm dogs who are 10 to 18 months old. They should be motivated by treats or toys and in good health, able to pass a physical exam evaluating hips, elbows, vision, hearing and other health issues. Ideal canine candidates are interested in people, get along with other dogs, are willing to be touched all over, learn easily and rapidly, recover quickly after hearing an unexpected noise and are comfortable around many types of people.

-- What’s there to know about pet bowls? Plenty! Here are our top tips about choosing, using and caring for your dog or cat’s dishes. Choose sturdy stainless steel or ceramic bowls. Some pets are allergic to plastic and can develop acne. Nicks or scratches in plastic can also harbor bacteria. Clean and refill water dishes daily to prevent bacteria and scum buildup. Clean pet bowls in hot, soapy water after every meal. If you run them through the dishwasher, use the sanitize setting to kill bacteria. Wash hands with soap and water after handling pet dishes.

-- Events that raise awareness about pet health and welfare take place through the month of April. They include the ASPCA’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, American Red Cross’ Pet First Aid Awareness Month, Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs Month and National Heartworm Awareness Month. National Dog Bite Prevention Week takes place April 9-15, and National Pet ID Week is April 16-22. April 11 is National Pet Day. National Kids and Dogs Day and National Guide Dog Day are celebrated on April 26. Don’t forget Hairball Awareness Day on April 28 and National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day on April 30. -- 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.

The secrets behind four weird and wonderful things dogs do

Andrews McMeel Syndication

We humans love our dogs, and they’ve been our companions for thousands of years. But despite that age-old relationship, there are still things dogs do that make us scratch our heads and say, “Hmm.” Let’s take a look at some of those behaviors to discover the secrets that lie behind them.

-- Why do dogs eat grass? We get this one a lot. There are lots of theories about this behavior. One is that dogs who eat it are trying to overcome stomach upset by making themselves vomit. Another is that grass contains nutrients that perhaps are lacking in the dog’s diet. We happen to think that dogs eat grass because they like it. Haven’t you ever chewed on a blade of grass on a hot summer day?

For the most part, there’s nothing wrong with dogs eating grass. Two possible drawbacks are that they ingest parasite eggs with their “salad,” or that they come inside and vomit it up on your favorite carpet.

-- Why do dogs lick so much? Dogs love to lick us and themselves. Sometimes they lick fabrics such as carpet or upholstery. Our salty skin tastes delicious, and our aroma, especially if we’re sweaty, is a delight to a dog’s nose. Dogs get attention when they lick us, whether it’s a giggle or a “Yuck” as they swipe a tongue across our face. Dogs don’t care. They just like that we’re talking to them. Licking also brings dogs a physiological reward: the pituitary gland in the brain releases hormones called endorphins that relieve pain and generate good feelings.

Licking can also be a sign of a health problem. Dogs who lick themselves excessively may be suffering from allergies that cause them to itch. When dogs lick their bowls frantically or turn their tongues to carpet or upholstery, it’s a good idea to take them to the veterinarian for a checkup. Studies have found that dogs who perform these behaviors may be diagnosed with some form of gastrointestinal disease.

-- Why do dogs wag their tails? The tail wag is a classic canine greeting, but it can have many other meanings, depending on the tail’s position, speed and even the direction in which it wags. Here are just a few of the many possible interpretations of a wagging tail: A confident dog has his tail up. A dog who feels threatened typically holds his tail up but rigid, moving it rapidly back and forth. When the tail is relaxed and moving in a gentle sweeping motion, the dog is relaxed and welcoming. A dog with tail down is stressed or cautious. A fearful dog has his tail tucked. When dogs see their owners, as opposed to strangers or unfamiliar dogs, their tail wags most strongly toward the right.

-- Why do dogs smile at us? A dog’s smile can have several meanings. A common one is what’s known as a submissive grin -- that expression a dog has when he wants to let you or another dog know that he’s not a threat. A submissive grin can sometimes resemble a more aggressive “smile,” indicating that the dog may bite if approached. A subtle clue is that with an aggressive smile, the lips may be pulled back instead of up. Always assess the rest of the dog’s body language -- especially that expressive tail -- before deciding whether it’s safe to move toward this dog.

Our favorite canine smile is when the mouth is open and relaxed. That’s what you see when your dog is calm and happy. We love that dogs show so openly that they are glad to see us. Neat fact: Dogs and humans use the same muscles to form a smile.

Q&A

Toenail tear

requires care

Q: My Lab tore his toenail at agility class. What’s the best thing to do for it? I’ve heard lots of different advice. -- via Facebook

A: Oww! If you’ve ever had a hangnail or cut your nails too short and got to sensitive skin, you know just how your dog feels when he breaks or cracks a nail.

Labs and other active dogs are prone to torn, split or broken toenails. It’s not unusual for these dogs to get toe injuries from jumping and landing wrong, banging the toenail against a hard surface or getting it caught in something.

A cracked or broken nail can be super painful. Interestingly, a toenail that’s cracked or split is often more painful than a nail that’s torn all the way off. Dogs have a much richer blood supply to their paws than humans do to their feet, and every blood vessel is accompanied by a nerve. With each step, the broken edge pushes into sensitive tissue. If the nail is completely torn off, there’s little bleeding, although the paw is still painful.

Depending on your comfort level with the procedure, you can clip off the remaining bit of torn or split toenail. If the thought of that makes you queasy, take a quick trip to the veterinarian so a vet tech or the vet can perform the procedure. With time, the toenail’s tissue will become less sensitive, and eventually the nail will grow back. Wash it with warm water and mild soap, keep it clean and watch for signs of infection, such as redness. You can also bandage it for protection during the healing period.

Your dog’s paw may be sore for a week or two afterward.

It’s a good idea to avoid walking him over rough surfaces while the nail heals. Talk to your veterinarian about prescribing a pain reliever. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Beware! Dogs are

smarter than you think

-- Is your dog wrapping you around his paw? A recent study published in the journal Animal Cognition found that dogs can be deceptive when it comes to getting treats they want. You may have seen your own dog being sneaky in an attempt to get a favored position -- a place in your lap, for instance -- by distracting or misleading the dog already there. The idea for the study was born when Marianne Heberlein at Switzerland’s University of Zurich noticed her own dogs faking each other out. Pairing 27 dogs with two human partners -- one who gave the dogs treats and one who simply showed the dogs treats -- the researchers learned that, not surprisingly, dogs preferred the partner who gave them treats. They used deceptive techniques to increase their chances of getting treats.

-- Pets might not be able to talk, but they have a say in home purchases. In a survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors, 81 percent of respondents say they consider their animals’ needs when making decisions about home purchases or rentals. Nearly 90 percent said they would not let housing restrictions or limitations cause them to give up an animal. And 12 percent don’t hesitate to move if their living situation isn’t right for a pet.

-- Senior pets, even those with illnesses, are increasingly in favor as adoptive pets. They might not be as cute as puppies -- although some are -- but they have another thing going for them: They’re more restful. Golden oldies are usually happy to adopt a couch potato lifestyle, and they are already familiar with what it takes to live in a home, including reliable housetraining and good manners. They often have years of love left to give. The best part? That warm glow you get from doing a good deed. -- 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.

If your cat isn’t using the litter box, here’s how to dig deep to discover the solution

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Cats come programmed to keep their living area clean. That’s one of the things that make them great house companions. When a cat chooses not to use the litter box, people feel betrayed. It’s no surprise that house-soiling -- the technical term for peeing or pooping outside the box -- is the No. 1 behavior problem reported in cats.

But cats don’t avoid the litter box out of spite, as owners often believe. One retrospective study -- meaning the researchers went back and looked at past cases to figure out possible associations -- found that 60 percent of cats who had issues with house soiling had a history of urinary tract disease. Not using the litter box can also be a sign of other health problems common in cats, including hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus and liver disease.

There are other reasons cats may avoid the litter box. When other pets bully them in the box or they don’t like the type of litter used or the location, size or cleanliness of their litter box, they vote with their paws: In other words, they don’t use it. These nine tips will help keep your cat thinking inside the box.

-- Take your cat in for a veterinary exam to rule out a urinary tract infection or other health problem.

-- Try to figure out if your cat is having relationship issues with another cat or dog in the home, is unnerved by a new baby or person in the family, or is upset by some other change in his environment or schedule.

-- In multi-cat homes, separate litter boxes so that one cat doesn’t guard access to them. Providing multiple litter boxes is also important if you have an aging cat who may have trouble getting up or down stairs or otherwise trekking long distances to a litter box. A good “rule of paw” is one box per cat, plus one extra.

-- Make the litter box attractive to your cat. Scoop it once or twice a day so that waste doesn’t sit there and stink it up. At least once or twice a month, empty the box, wash it with warm water and unscented soap, and fill it with fresh litter.

-- Offer your cat some alternative types of litter. Line up some open litter boxes, one filled with your cat’s regular litter and the others with alternatives. You may be surprised to find that your cat has a distinct preference.

-- Fill the box with two to four inches of litter. Many cats like to have some depth for digging. Even with a deep bed of litter, you should still scoop it daily.

-- Place the box in a quiet area where your cat will experience few interruptions. Cats like privacy when they do their business.

-- Try a different type of litter box. If you’re using a hooded litter box, try an uncovered one. An open litter box gives a cat a feeling of security because he can see people or other animals approaching. An uncovered litter box is also easier for you to scoop and clean.

-- Discourage your cat from using the areas he soiled. An enzymatic cleanser is the best choice for stamping out odor that could draw your cat back to the area. Other ways to make it unpleasant for him to use that spot are to place his food and water dishes there or to cover the area with double-sided tape or aluminum foil. Remember that these techniques won’t help unless you also uncover and address any health or social problems your cat may have.

Q&A

Coccidia infection

common in dogs

Q: I took in a fecal sample for my 9-year-old dog, and the results showed that she had coccidiosis, even though she didn’t have any symptoms. What can you tell me about that? -- via email

A: Coccidia are single-celled protozoa. (Interestingly, the word protozoa means “first animals.”) Four different species can infect dogs: Cystoisospora canis, Cystoisospora ohioensis, Cystoisospora neorivolta and Cystoisospora burrowsi.

Dogs can become infected with coccidia by swallowing soil or eating feces that contain the parasites. Dogs can also acquire coccidia by eating infected animals. Once inside the dog’s body, coccidia inhabit the intestinal wall. Statistically, anywhere from 3 percent to 38 percent of dogs are harboring coccidia.

Infection with coccidia is common in dogs (and cats). Veterinarians usually see coccidia in puppies, but older dogs like yours can also become infected. In puppies, infections can be severe, causing appetite loss, lethargy, bloody diarrhea and vomiting. It can even be fatal. Older dogs may not show any signs at all.

Medication is available to treat coccidia. Your senior dog doesn’t have signs, which is great, but she is probably shedding oocysts, which are how protozoa multiply.

The best way to prevent coccidia is to clean feces from your yard as soon as your dog deposits them, and to prevent your dog from eating the poop of other animals. Lots of dogs love eating poop from other dogs, cats, deer, bunnies and poultry.

People with new puppies should take them in right away with a stool sample to make sure they aren’t infected and to get treatment for them if they are.

By the way, you don’t have to worry about getting coccidia from your dog or cat. Dogs and cats can’t transmit their coccidia to each other or to humans. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Feline hypertension

goes unrecognized

-- Your cat needs a blood pressure check, stat! Hypertension -- high blood pressure -- is common in older cats, but it is significantly underdiagnosed, according to the International Society of Feline Medicine. By the time it is recognized, cats may have suffered organ damage to the eyes, heart, brain and kidneys. With early diagnosis and treatment, however, these problems may be preventable. Your veterinarian can find ISFM’s recommendations on frequency of blood pressure monitoring, when to prescribe medication and how to determine whether organs have been damaged in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.

-- Border collies, Australian kelpies and similar herding breeds are prone to a type of exercise intolerance called Border collie collapse. After just a few minutes of strenuous exercise, they become disoriented or unfocused; start to sway, stagger or fall sideways; and drag their hind legs. Usually after half an hour, the dogs return to normal, but the condition makes it difficult for them to participate in dog sports or do farm work. Researchers are investigating whether the condition is heritable and what factors -- such as excitement or intensity of activity -- may contribute to it. They also hope to develop a genetic test for BCC.

-- Did you know that veterinary technicians can specialize in different fields? Vet techs can become specialists in such fields as dentistry, anesthesia, internal medicine, emergency and critical care, surgery, behavior, clinical practice, nutrition, dermatology and ophthalmology. Beyond the two- or four-year degree programs required to become a veterinary technician, specialists are required to meet additional education and experience requirements in their field. For instance, vet techs who want to specialize in nutrition must have three years' work experience in animal nutrition, at least 40 hours of nutrition-related continuing education and documentation of their knowledge through case reports and letters of recommendation. -- 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.