Extreme traits can contribute to poor health in a dog

Andrews McMeel Syndication

If you live with a bulldog, French bulldog, pug or other brachycephalic breed, you’re probably familiar with large veterinary bills related to breathing difficulties, eye injuries and nasty skin-fold infections. But you might be surprised to learn that those dogs are also more prone to common conditions that affect all dogs.

That was the finding of a research team at Nationwide after analyzing its database of 1.27 million dogs from 2007 to 2015. They looked at 184,748 dogs of 24 breeds identified as brachycephalic -- meaning they had large heads, short snouts and protruding eyes -- to determine whether those dogs were less healthy, as healthy or more healthy than dogs without those features.

When accidents, infectious diseases and conditions related to brachycephalic anatomy, such as elongated soft palate and a smaller-than-normal trachea, were removed from consideration, brachycephalic dogs were less healthy across the board. Ear infections, allergies, bladder infections and pneumonia were all found at higher rates in dogs with shortened faces.

“The relative disease rates for pneumonia are particularly noteworthy,” the report states. The prevalence of pneumonia was twice as high in brachycephalic dogs -- 1.6 percent compared to 0.77 percent in other dogs.

Brachycephalic dogs also had greater rates of digestive issues (including their infamous flatulence), tooth extractions, hyperthermia (overheating), valvular heart disease, bacterial skin infections, anal gland problems, patellar luxation, intervertebral disc disease, corneal ulcers and conjunctivitis.

Which breeds fall into the brachycephalic category? The breeds mentioned above are no surprise, but the list also includes the affenpinscher, Boston terrier, boxer, Brussels griffon, cavalier King Charles spaniel, dogue de Bordeaux, Japanese chin, Lhasa apso, mastiff, bull mastiff, Neapolitan mastiff, Pyrenean mastiff, Tibetan mastiff, Spanish mastiff, Pekingese and Shih Tzu.

Even before this information was announced at the 2017 North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, Florida, veterinarians have been concerned about the health of brachycephalic dogs.

In a presentation at NAVC in 2016, veterinarian Philip A. Moses addressed the health-related welfare of flat-faced dogs. A study by Niels C. Pedersen published last July in the journal Canine Genetics and Epidemiology reported that loss of genetic diversity in the bulldog was pronounced in the region of the genome that contains many of the genes that regulate normal immune responses. And at an Aug. 6 session at the 2016 American Veterinary Medical Association conference in San Antonio, Dr. Gail Golab, AVMA’s chief advocacy and public policy officer, noted that breeding dogs for extreme physical characteristics such as brachycephaly and wrinkled skin had led to a multitude of health issues.

What can be done?

Dr. Moses says that beyond treating individual dogs surgically to relieve their breathing difficulties, it’s important for kennel clubs, breeders, owners and veterinarians to recognize and learn about the health problems in these dogs and how they can be improved through better breeding. He regularly speaks to breed clubs about the issues associated with their breeds, especially those with a genetic basis.

In the 2016 NAVC proceedings, he says: “For example, hemivertebrae is highly heritable and could be virtually removed from most of these breeds if radiographic screening was compulsory. I advise that all dogs should have good-quality spinal radiographs taken at 6 months of age, and any dog with any vertebral body abnormalities should be neutered.”

He urges breeders to educate new puppy owners about the problems associated with their breeds. Buyers, too, need to do their homework and reject puppies who come with contracts that don’t cover conditions considered “normal” in brachycephalic breeds, such as stenotic nares (narrow nostrils), tracheal hypoplasia (narrowed trachea) and elongated soft palate. While these problems are common in brachycephalic dogs, they are not normal and should not be accepted as such.

Q&A

Will cat attack?

Owner is concerned

Q: My cat is aggressive to people who come into our home, whether it’s workers or guests. She crouches, flicks her tail back and forth and hisses. I’m afraid she’ll attack someone. Why does she do this, and what can we do? -- via email

A: Cats who behave aggressively may be warning strangers off their territory or expressing fear of a new person. Whether cats are territorial or fearful, they start with body language and vocalizations to try to drive off the person or animal who’s invading their home or scaring them. It’s an impressive display, and you are right to be concerned that an actual attack could occur.

While it might be nice for some people to know an attack cat has your back, most of us want people in our home to feel welcome and not at risk. A cat’s teeth and claws are formidable weapons that can cause real harm.

If this problem has begun suddenly, take your cat in for a veterinary exam to rule out health problems that could be causing the behavior. Conditions that can cause cats to be irritable include hyperthyroidism, arthritis and cancer.

For a cat with a clean bill of health, manage the problem by putting her in a safe place before you let people into your home. A “safe room” might be a bathroom, a guest bedroom or an outdoor “catio.” Whatever area you choose should contain all your cat’s needs: food, water, toys and a litter box.

Keep your cat there until guests or workers leave. If your cat will be in an area where she can see and be seen, ask guests to ignore her -- no talking to her, trying to pet her or even looking at her. Consult a behavior expert about ways to desensitize and counter-condition your cat to visitors. -- Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Take time to

learn pet first aid

-- April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month. It’s a good time to sign up for a class on pet first aid skills. Even if you have taken such a course before, a refresher is always a good idea. Basic skills that can save your pet’s life or relieve pain until you can get to the veterinarian include knowing how to stop bleeding, check vital signs such as heart and respiratory rate, clean and bandage a cut or scrape, recognize and care for an animal in shock, and how to perform the Heimlich maneuver on a pet who is choking.

-- Feline social media stars? We have some cats for you. Summer the Somali at Sparklecat.com makes therapy visits, parties in Palm Springs at cat shows, strolls hotels on a leash and is a Cat Writers Association certificate of excellence winner. On Instagram, Yana, the cat with a split-color face (half black and half orange), has nearly 47,000 followers. Hamilton the Hipster Cat, with a milk meowstache you won’t believe, has more than 120,000 likes on Facebook. But they both have a way to go to catch up with @Sockington on Twitter, who has 1.41 million followers. Now that’s social petworking!

-- If your dog is a fetching fool, he has the brain of a rocket scientist, able to plot trajectory and predict the landing point of a flying object. While dogs have probably always chased and brought back moving objects, training dogs to retrieve downed game and return it undamaged to the hunter dates only to the mid-19th century, a mere blink of an eye in the history of dogs. Some dogs retrieve on land, some from water and others excel at both. Well-known retrieving breeds include Labrador, golden, Chesapeake Bay, flat-coated, curlycoated and Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers. -- 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.

Cats bring solace, happiness and relaxation with visits to nursing homes, hospitals and other facilities

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

When their patient received a terminal cancer diagnosis, the staff at the Oregon nursing and rehabilitation facility where he was cared for offered him anything he wanted: cupcakes and ice cream for every meal, a pile of puppies to play with or anything else he could name.

“All I want is to have a cat on my lap again,” he said.

Basil to the rescue. The orange-and-white tabby, one of only 100 or so therapy cats recognized by therapy animal organization Pet Partners, made regular visits to the man for the last four weeks of his life.

“That was really special to me,” says Tina Parkhurst of Beaverton, Oregon, who fostered and then adopted Basil and her brother, Mac, after they were found in a field when they were about two weeks old.

Though not as numerous as therapy dogs, therapy cats throughout the country provide people of all ages and health conditions with unconditional love and comfort. Their visits can help improve patients’ mobility, memory, communication, pain management and self-esteem, or simply make them smile and laugh. Often, people reminisce about previous cats in their lives.

Parkhurst was familiar with the concept of therapy cats when she began fostering Basil and Mac. She recognized special qualities in their personalities that made her wonder if they would be suitable for the work. They connected easily with people and had calm natures. Basil seemed a little more fearless than Mac, so Parkhurst began training her first, teaching her to wear a harness and leash and taking her on visits to a big box pet supply store. Eventually, they went through the Pet Partners training program, earning a perfect score in the evaluation.

Now Basil and Parkhurst make visits to facilities two or three times a week. Basil gets a bath before every visit, and she’s trained to sit on a towel that is placed on a bed or someone’s lap. To entertain residents, she sits up on her hind legs and gives a high-five. But her best “trick” is her ability to help people relax. Parkhurst recalls one woman suffering from dementia whose daughter had invited them to visit.

Because of her dementia, the woman had become increasingly aggressive and agitated, unable to sleep despite heavy doses of medication. When Basil came to visit, the woman was sitting in a recliner, her daughter at her side.

“We started to talk, and I asked if she would like to have Basil on her lap,” Parkhurst says. “She said, ‘That would be nice.’ I put Basil’s blanket on her lap, put Basil down and in three minutes this woman who would not sleep unless she was heavily medicated was crashed out like a light. Basil was out like a light, too. Her daughter sat there and quietly cried. She said, ‘My mom hasn’t slept like this in weeks and weeks.’”

Because they are people-friendly in a variety of settings, many active or retired show cats make therapy visits, but any cat with a friendly, calm nature can become a therapy cat with the right training. Appropriate handling and socialization in kittenhood, with exposure to many different people, places, sounds and experiences, can help cats develop a therapeutic personality.

Taking Basil to visit people brings special rewards, Parkhurst says. One woman told her, “I wake up smiling on Sundays now because I know I’m going to get to see Basil.”

Parkhurst adds, “To see their faces light up and the love in their eyes when they say something like that, it touches your heart and changes the way you walk through the world.”

Q&A

Do dewclaws

have a purpose?

Q: Why do dogs have dewclaws? I’m talking to a breeder about a puppy, and she says the dewclaws will be removed. Is it better to remove them or keep them? -- via email

A: Dewclaws are small thumb-like appendages that, if a dog has them, are found high on the inside of each paw (on the carpal, or wrist, of the front leg). Certain breeds are distinctive for having double dewclaws on each hind leg. They include the Beauceron, briard, great Pyrenees and Icelandic sheepdog.

The dewclaws are often referred to as vestigial appendages, meaning they no longer serve a purpose, but many dog owners would beg to differ on that subject. Dogs haven’t taken to texting yet (give them time), but they use their dewclaws to grasp and manipulate items such as bones and toys, grip ice or other surfaces to pull themselves out of water, and gently scratch an itchy eye. Dogs doing agility may grasp the sides of the teeter with their dewclaws to steady themselves. And canine speedsters such as whippets and border collies use their dewclaws to corner like race cars.

Now some breeders remove the dewclaws because they don’t see any use for them, and because it can be a painful, bloody mess if your dog tears his dewclaw. Dewclaws that stick out, instead of being tight to the paw, can get caught in carpeting or brush or when dogs go after prey such as lizards in rock piles. Usually the dewclaws are removed when puppies are only a few days old. While painful, it’s not an especially traumatic event, as it would be later in life.

For dogs that do the dew, it’s important to trim the claws regularly to help prevent tearing and the possibility of the dewclaw growing into the footpad. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Doberman pinscher wins

Beverly Hills dog show

-- A Doberman pinscher named Rip tore away with the Best in Show award at the Kennel Club of Beverly Hills Show, beating out more than 1,200 dogs of 166 breeds and varieties. Formally known as GCHP CH Fidelis Ripcord, Rip also won Best of Breed at Westminster last year, has multiple other Best in Show wins and ranks third among all working group breeds. If you missed the televised show on April 16, look for a repeat April 17 on the USA network and April 23 on NBC.

-- The kooikerhondje is the latest breed to gain recognition by the American Kennel Club, making him eligible to compete in AKC dog shows starting in January. The small red-and-white Dutch dogs, which will be in the sporting group, number about 2,000 to 3,000 throughout the world. People who know them appreciate their fun-loving personality, active nature and quick mind. A fringe of black hairs on the tips of the ears -- known as earrings -- and a plumed white tail are among the kooiker’s standout physical characteristics. Kooikers were originally used to lure ducks for hunters, but these days they excel at more peaceful activities, such as agility, flyball, freestyle, nose work and other dog sports.

-- Some people see dollar signs when they look at their dogs, but not for the same reason as Kathleen Wortham of Costa Mesa, California. Her Newfoundland, Xander, nabbed a stash of cash off her kitchen counter while she was away from home one day. Search as she might, the only evidence was a torn $20 bill in her yard. It happened not once, but twice. Wortham recovered the loot when she was vacuuming the bedroom, where Xander kept his toys near his bedding. A closer look turned up hundreds of dollars in 20s. -- 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 season of renewal can be perilous for pets. Household poisons come in the form of pretty plants, tasty (human) treats and more

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Is your home ready for spring? If you live with dogs, cats or other pets, you may need to do some extra preparation to ensure their safety as your garden comes to life, your home fills with flowers for spring holidays, and you or your neighbors fight off unwelcome spring guests such as rodents and external parasites. Here’s what you should know about preventing pet poisoning from common plants and products.

Lilies are lovely, but they can be fatal to cats. A cat who eats any part of a lily -- flowers, leaves, stems, pollen -- or drinks water in a vase of lilies can develop fatal kidney failure. Don’t plant lilies in your yard if you have outdoor cats, and don’t accept them into your home if you receive a bouquet for Easter or your birthday. Give them to a friend or family member whose home is cat-free.

Other common spring plants that can be toxic to pets include bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. Pets who eat the tops or flowers of bulbs usually suffer only mild stomach upset, but if they eat the bulb itself, the result can be bloody vomiting and diarrhea and low blood pressure.

Cats are also sensitive to certain flea- and tick-control products, especially those made for dogs. Never give your dog’s parasite-prevention products to your cat, thinking that she’ll be safe if you just use a little less. Feline physiology is not the same as that of a dog or human. Cats respond in different ways to certain chemicals, so it’s important to purchase parasite preventives made specifically for them.

What about dogs? We all know that they are indiscriminate eaters, willing to chow down on whatever they come across in the hope that it’s edible. Check labels to make sure food items such as baked goods, candy, chewing gum and even peanut butter aren’t sweetened with xylitol. Pets, including cats, who ingest xylitol-sweetened items show signs such as vomiting, sudden and life-threatening low blood sugar, and liver failure. If your dog considers himself a professional taste-tester, read labels carefully, and keep these items well out his reach.

Chocolate Easter bunnies and eggs, especially those made with dark chocolate, can be toxic to pets. Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine that is harmful to dogs, cats and parrots. Baker’s and dark chocolate have the highest concentrations of theobromine and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and seizures, depending on the size of the animal and how much he eats. Take your pet to the vet if you find evidence that he has broken into your chocolate stash.

If you are a savvy pet owner, you probably avoid putting out mouse or rat poison for fear that your pet will ingest it, but neighbors or family members you visit might not be so careful. Ask if they have put out any bait traps, where they are and if they’d be willing to take them up while your pet is there. Rodenticides containing anticoagulants are treatable with blood transfusions and vitamin K if the poisoning is caught in time, but alternative poisons that contain a neurotoxin called bromethalin are more harmful to pets and have no antidote.

Finally, for many people, spring means allergy season. Human medications are the number-one reason for calls to animal poison control hotlines. Decongestants can be deadly to pets who accidentally ingest them. They can cause vomiting, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors and seizures. Seek veterinary help immediately if you discover your pet has ingested these types of drugs. Remember, it takes dogs only about 15 seconds to break into a childproof bottle.

Q&A

Fear of storms

common in dogs

Q: It’s thunderstorm season, and my 3-year-old Australian shepherd has become so afraid of the noise that he tries to jump out the window. I’m really afraid he’s going to hurt himself. He has never seemed afraid of storms before. Is there anything that can be done? -- via Facebook

A: Many dogs are fearful of the sound of thunder -- and possibly the accompanying lightning flashes, loud wind, and changes in ozone levels and barometric pressure. Research has found that herding breeds like your Aussie seem to be more prone to this type of fear. In these breeds, at least, the fear may have a genetic component.

Signs of this type of fear usually begin with barking, seeking attention (pawing at people, for instance) and pacing. The signs can swiftly escalate to trembling, panting, howling, destructiveness and attempts to escape, even if that means jumping through a window or chewing through a door.

Those early signs can be subtle. People might not notice them, or they think their dog will outgrow the fear as he matures or becomes used to thunderstorms.

Unfortunately, repeated exposure simply makes the problem worse. If you notice that your dog is fearful during storms, talk to your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist right away. Medication in the very early stages with drugs that help to reduce panic can make the fear easier to manage, but it’s essential to give it before the storm starts. Often, the best solution is medication combined with snug-fitting shirts and capes, which have a soothing effect, and canine ear muffs and eye shades, which help to limit the dog’s exposure to the frightening phenomena. It can also be helpful to teach your dog to go to a place where he feels secure. That can be a closet, a crate lined with a towel or blanket (keep the door open), or a bathroom or bathtub. -- Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Labs hold on to

Top-dog status

-- For a record 26th straight year, Labrador retrievers are the No. 1 pick of dog lovers in the United States. The American Kennel Club’s registration statistics track the numbers of the 189 AKC-recognized breeds. The Lab hit first place in 1990 and hasn’t left it since, mainly because of his friendly character and ease of training. “You don’t have to be an expert dog owner to own a Lab,” says AKC vice president Gina DiNardo. Following the Lab are the German shepherd, golden retriever, bulldog, beagle, French bulldog, poodle (all three varieties), Yorkshire terrier and boxer.

-- It’s National Dog Bite Prevention Week. Too often, those bites happen when trying to break up a dogfight. Here’s what you should know to prevent problems: Keep your dog close at hand and under control by using a 4-to-6-foot leash instead of a retractable leash. Don’t let your dog approach other dogs or people unless you ask permission first. Ditch the earbuds -- if you aren’t aware of what’s going on around you, you won’t see or hear an approaching off-leash dog. Avoid dog parks. Inattentive or inexperienced owners can let their dogs get out of control.

-- We think of cats as loners, but they can live together amicably given enough space for each cat and a consistent and predictable daily routine. According to cat expert Tony Buffington, DVM, a happy cat has unrestricted access to high-perch resting areas free of loud noises and pursuit by dogs and small children. There should be enough space in a room for each cat to keep a social distance of at least 3 feet. Some cats are happy to share space and groom each other, while others take turns using resting areas at different times of day. Sort of a kitty timeshare! -- 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.