A TRIP TO THE VETERINARY ER IS NEVER EASY, BUT THESE TIPS CAN HELP YOU GET THROUGH IT

Taking a pet to the emergency hospital is something none of us wants to do. It's scary and stressful for you and your dog or cat. We've been there more times than we like to think about, and we have some tips to help you cope. We hope you won't ever need to use them, but tuck them away in the back of your mind just in case.

Protect yourself when handling a sick or injured animal. Even the most docile dog or cat can bite when in pain. Keep a muzzle on hand or ask your veterinarian to show you how to safely tie one using a scarf or tie.

Be patient. Your pet won't be seen in the order of arrival. Animals who are most unstable will be seen first.

"We do them in order of medical need," says our friend and colleague Dr. Tony Johnson, an emergency and critical care specialist at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. "If I have a hit-by-car and a dog with diarrhea, even if the dog with diarrhea has been waiting two hours, the hit-by-car is going to get seen first."

The only time someone jumps that line, he says, is if they're bringing in a pet to be euthanized.

Be prepared to wait as little as five minutes or as long as six hours. It all depends on what other cases are there or come in while you're waiting. If you think about it before you leave the house, grab a book or your iPod in case you'll be there for a while.

If possible, have someone go with you or meet you there. You may need help getting your pet in and out of the car and into the hospital. And it's always good to have someone's hand to hold while you're waiting.

Designate a single person to communicate with the veterinarian, so he or she doesn't have to repeat information to multiple family members. Take notes or record the conversation on your smartphone so you can refer back to it.

Don't forget your wallet in your mad rush out of the house. Most veterinary hospitals won't treat your pet without proof that you can pay for care. Your regular veterinary hospital might do that if you've been a client for years -- they know where you live and that you're probably not going to skip town -- but an emergency hospital isn't in that position.

"It sounds avaricious, but there are not too many emergency hospitals that are going to do something on a handshake," Dr. Johnson says. "ERs usually see people once. They can't separate out the people who are a risk of not paying from those who aren't. They're not trying to be greedy."

Know when to go. Some things are obvious. Take your pet to the emergency hospital in the following situations:

-- allergic reactions

-- any animal bite

-- bloated belly

-- bloody diarrhea

-- difficulty breathing

-- distress from excessively hot or cold temperatures

-- eye injuries

-- frequent or projectile vomiting

-- heavy bleeding

-- ingestion of a toxic substance, such as antifreeze, human medications or snail bait

-- seizures

-- serious trauma, such as being hit by a car

-- straining to urinate or defecate

-- sudden lameness

-- unconsciousness or collapse

-- venomous snake or spider bites

If you're not sure, well, we recommend erring on the side of caution. Like their counterparts in human medicine, veterinary emergency clinics are expensive, but sometimes the cost of a visit is a price worth paying for peace of mind. And when a visit saves your pet's life? Priceless.

Q&A

Respond to cat's 'gifts'

with gratitude, distraction

Q: My cat is always bringing me dead gophers. Why does he do this, and how should I respond? -- via Facebook

A: My mother's cats have delivered four rats to her front door in the past week. Isn't she lucky that they are so thoughtful? I guess with colder weather coming on, they are concerned that she won't be able to provide for herself.

Cats are known for bringing "presents" to their people. Why do cats hunt for us? They are natural predators, of course, and it's instinctive for them to bring their prey to a safe place. In the wild, leopards drag their kill up into trees so it will be safe from other animals and they can munch on it at their leisure. Our domestic cats choose their own home, and sometimes their own food dish, as the best place to securely deposit their kill.

Of course, we can't get into their heads, fascinating though it would be, but they may be acting out the instinct to nurture us and to provide us with food. Maybe they are trying to teach us to hunt, as they would a kitten. Or it could just be that they're saying, "Hey, could you fix this for dinner tonight?"

Be polite when your cat brings you the gift of a dead mouse or other critter. Praise him for being such a good hunter, and then try to distract him while -- ideally --someone else disposes of the carcass.

If your cat is a great hunter, there's little you can do to prevent his offerings. There's the classic bell on the collar to warn prey animals of his approach, or the policy of keeping him indoors. And learn from my mother's experience: Look carefully before you step outside the door. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

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

THE BUZZ

Dogs with 'smart collars'

could be health barometers

-- Researchers at England's Newcastle University developed a high-tech, waterproof dog collar with an accelerometer and used it to track movement, barking, sitting and other actions to gather data on the normal activity level of a variety of dog breeds. The information they obtained allowed them to quickly notice changes that might indicate that the dog was bored or in poor health. Their next step is to study whether changes such as the dog being walked less often or not being fed regularly can serve as a warning that an aging owner is struggling to cope or has deteriorating health.

-- The Eau Gallie Veterinary Hospital in Melbourne, Florida, has started regularly utilizing humorous messages, such as "No hump Wednesdays: 10 percent off spay and neuter." The clever and comical signs are the brainchild of office manager Gemma Millar, who says they are a fun way to get people's attention and promote preventive care and the benefits of spaying and neutering. The signs have increased the clinic's spay/neuter appointments and even brought in new clients.

-- Everyone knows that black is chic, sophisticated and goes with everything. So why are black dogs and cats so difficult to place? Shelter employees and humane organizations agree that the animals tend to stay longer than lighter-colored pets, possibly because they are difficult to photograph, blend into backgrounds, or maybe just look a little scary. Shelters are working to improve their chances by putting colorful bandanas on black animals, putting up bright backdrops in their kennels to help them stand out, and having their pictures taken by professional photographers. -- 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.

Adventure cats are living the dream and carrying on their feline heritage of exploration

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

My husband and I were loading up our kayak and stand-up paddleboard a few weeks ago when I squealed, “An adventure cat!” Sure enough, a tabby cat wearing a yellow flotation device tugged at his leash as the people next to us unloaded their kayak. It was Pan’s first time out on the water, they said.

He’s not alone. Instagram is full of photos of cats hiking, camping, boating, surfing, sledding and snowshoeing (on their built-in snowshoes, er, paws). Earlier this year, Laura Moss, who founded Adventurecats.org in 2015, published “Adventure Cats: Living Nine Lives To the Fullest,” a guide to safely taking cats outdoors.

If you think about it, cats are the original adventure animals. They globe-hopped with Phoenician traders; sailed with Vikings; crossed the Atlantic on the Mayflower to help settle the New World; and traveled in wagon trains with pioneers across prairies, plains and deserts. In 1950, a black-and-white kitten climbed Matterhorn with a group of alpinists. Clearly, cats are impressive adventurers.

While exploring the great outdoors with their humans is nothing new to cats, it sometimes surprises their people how well they take to it. Emily Odum Hall of Macon, Georgia, had previously tried leash-training a couple of her cats, but they wanted nothing to do with it. Then Sophie came along. She had a laid-back personality and enjoyed hanging out with Hall and her husband in their backyard. They ventured farther, to a concert in a park. Sophie’s adventures blossomed from there, and she has been joined by Kylo Ren, an adventure cat in training.

“They really like parks and being outside and smelling new smells and seeing new sights,” Hall says. “My husband’s parents live in Florida on the St. John’s River and have a boat. We’ve taken them out on the river, and they both really enjoy that.”

The best cats for an adventurous life tend to be either laid-back or bold. Sophie and Kylo Ren fall on the easygoing end of the spectrum.

“It was her temperament and her laid-back personality that made us want to try it in the first place,” Hall says. “Sophie always has this look on her face like, ‘Oh, man, this is so much fun.’ She just goes with the flow all the time.”

Physical condition need not hold a cat back. Sophie has a neurological condition called cerebellar hypoplasia that affects her coordination. She can walk with a leash and harness, but often she rides in a sling that Hall wears. Being able to carry Sophie and Kylo Ren that way is helpful for urban adventures or places they might encounter dogs, Hall says.

The people we met who were taking their cat kayaking did so without a dry run, so to speak, but a little practice and acclimation beforehand is always a good idea. Exposing a cat to a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard, for instance, could involve having it in the yard or home, allowing him to explore it at his leisure. Place treats on it for him to find. Go slowly, fitting him with a flotation device, and reward frequently with treats while he’s wearing it. For a larger boat, start by hanging out on it at the dock, letting him get used to sounds he might hear, such as the engine starting, boat horns or gulls squawking.

Wherever you go with your adventure cat, don’t forget necessary items, such as a portable water dish, a supply of food in case you don’t get back before dinnertime, and for camping or boating, a litter box. A collar with ID and a microchip are musts as well.

“It’s so much fun having adventure cats,” Hall says. “You see people with their dogs all the time, and having two cats I can take places is a lot of fun.”

Q&A

How to remove

tree sap from fur

Q: Help! My border collie got pine tree sap in her fur. How do I get it out? -- via Facebook

A: When it comes to sticky things in fur, there are a lot of different recommended remedies for removal. For instance, creamy peanut butter helps to soften chewing gum. It seems counterintuitive to use sticky stuff to remove sticky stuff, but it’s the oil in the peanut butter that does the trick. Olive oil, butter and mayonnaise can work, too. Whichever you choose, rub it into the area with the sticky substance, let it sit for a few minutes, and then carefully comb it out or work it out with your fingers.

Tree sap can be a stickier wicket, though. The peanut butter or oil trick may work, but sometimes tree sap is a job for alcohol -- the drinking kind. Vodka, to be exact. The alcohol dissolves the tree sap. While you shouldn’t allow your dog to lick the treated area, the vodka is less risky for him to ingest than isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. If you don’t have vodka on hand, I’ve heard anecdotally that bourbon works equally well.

The sap may have hardened by the time you discover it. If that’s the case, use a blow-dryer on a low setting to soften it before you begin removal. Make sure you don’t hold it too close to the skin or you could burn your dog.

Once all the sap is out, give your dog a bath to remove any traces of peanut butter, vodka or anything else you used. Depending on how much tree sap is in your dog’s coat, the quickest and easiest solution, if the most expensive, may be to take him to a groomer for a bath with a degreasing shampoo. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Cats at work on

the bourbon trail

-- Who’s the most important employee at a distillery? It might be the distillery cat. All that corn, rye and wheat attract rodents, so cats are integral members of the security team, but they are also guest relations employees. Castle and Key, outside Frankfort, Kentucky, hasn’t opened yet, but Rick the distillery cat is already on the job, according to a report from WDRB.com. He’s clearly management material, with his bow tie and approachable demeanor. As “catbassador,” the orange tabby’s position entails guarding building plans, patrolling the grounds and greeting guests. Nice work if you can get it.

-- Nuts aren’t typically toxic to dogs, but the macadamia nut is an exception, at least in large quantities. While one macadamia nut probably won’t affect your dog -- unless it’s enrobed in dark chocolate -- five or 10 or more can cause unpleasant side effects. Dogs who dig into a bowl of macadamias may become weak in the hind end, tremble, develop a low-grade fever, and look or act as if they’re in pain. If you discover that your dog has eaten these tasty nuts, take him to the veterinarian; he may need IV fluids or pain medication to help him recover.

-- Does your cat love you? Here are some ways you can tell that your feline is feeling affection for you. She bumps heads with you or rubs her cheek against your body, anointing you with pheromones that declare her possession of you -- and with cats, that’s a sure sign of love. Cats also express their regard by cuddling next to us or sitting in a lap, nudging a hand for a pat or simply hanging out in our vicinity. They bring us gifts. A dead rat might not be your favorite love token, but from your cat, it’s a special offering indeed. -- 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.

Meet the canine college mascots who are the pride of their universities.

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

It’s football season, and everywhere you turn there are bulldogs and huskies representing college sports teams. Bulldogs seem to be the clear favorite, serving as mascots for Butler, Georgetown, University of Georgia, Gonzaga, Yale and many more schools, at least 42 altogether.

Yale, credited with being the first university to have a mascot, has been repped by a bulldog since 1889. Because of concerns about breed health, though, the college switched this year from the AKC-registered bulldog to a variety known as the Olde English Bulldogge, thought to have less extreme physical characteristics. Following a long line of dogs named Handsome Dan, the current mascot is named Walter after Yale’s Walter Camp, known as the father of American football.

The husky is another popular canine mascot. Colleges claiming the husky as a symbol include University of Connecticut, University of Southern Maine, Michigan Tech, Northeastern, Northern Illinois University, St. Cloud State University in Minnesota and University of Washington.

Northeastern adopted the husky as its mascot in 1927 in honor of the sled dogs -- Togo and Balto being among the best known -- and their drivers who delivered life-saving diphtheria vaccine to Nome, Alaska, through near-blizzard conditions. While UConn’s Jonathan, named after Jonathan Trumbull, Connecticut’s last colonial and first state governor, is a Siberian husky, the term “husky” doesn’t always refer to that breed. Dubs, the University of Washington mascot, is actually an Alaskan malamute.

But what about other dog breeds? Do they get a shot at being big dog on campus? Here’s a look at some of the lesser known or more unusual canine college mascots.

The saluki, a sleek and speedy sighthound, has been the mascot at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale since 1951. Salukis are believed to be one of the most ancient types of dogs, and that’s how they became SIU’s mascot, says Saluki breeder and all-around dog expert Caroline Coile.

“That area of Southern Illinois is known as Little Egypt,” she says, “so they wanted an Egyptian mascot, hence the saluki, an Egyptian dog. They seem like a great mascot for a track team -- not so much for a football team.”

A bluetick coonhound, Smokey (the 10th of that name), leads the University of Tennessee’s Volunteers onto the football field at home games and howls when they score. The first mascot, Blue Smokey, won his place in 1953 when he barked and howled on hearing his name called as students voted for their favorite dog.

North Carolina State University teams are known as the Wolfpack, but a live wolf as a mascot wasn’t a good option. Instead, they found a dog that resembled a wolf. Tuffy, who goes by the name Wave at home, is a tamaskan, a type of dog first bred in Finland by blending German shepherds, Alaskan malamutes and Siberian huskies.

Goldie the golden retriever does more than promote school spirit for University of Tulsa’s Hurricanes. This “Golden Furricane” is a therapy dog who makes the rounds among stressed students during finals, visits alums at retirement homes and supports local pet adoption events. She’s an athlete herself, competing in dock diving and, of course, being a natural at tail-gating.

A Scottish terrier named -- what else? -- Scotty is the mascot for Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, founded by Scottish robber baron turned philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. When Scotty’s off duty, she goes by Maggie, after Carnegie’s mother, Margaret Morrison Carnegie.

Pint is a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever who retrieves the kickoff tees at University of California, Davis, football games. In his off-hours, he’s a spokesdog for the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.

At Texas A&M, Reveille, or Miss Rev, is the ninth rough collie to serve as the school’s mascot and was recently named No. 1 dog mascot in college football by the NCAA.

Go, team!

Q&A

Why is my cat

destructive?

Q: My cat lives to tear up my stuff. She’s always scratching the furniture, eating houseplants and knocking things off shelves. She’s 2 years old and has lots of toys. Help!

A: With their sharp claws and teeth and active curiosity, cats -- especially young ones -- have the potential to be destructive. They exercise paws and claws on prominent pieces of furniture; taste-test plants (and then upchuck the greens); and bat a paw at that knickknack your Aunt Ruby gave you just to see what will happen. Sometimes cats are just being cats, but often a little sleuthing will help you figure out why they behave in destructive ways.

Consider setting up a “cat cam” to see what goes on when you’re not at home. It can help determine what time of day your cat is most active or if something’s going on that triggers her destructive behavior. You may discover that another pet chases or teases her, causing her to jump up where those breakables are, or soothe her injured feelings by scratching the sofa or nibbling on a plant.

She may not find her toys entertaining enough. Offer new ones with brainteaser capabilities. A window perch with a view of squirrels and birds outdoors is another option. Institute three to five minutes of playtime with her a couple of times a day. She’ll enjoy the attention as well as the physical and mental exercise. Place a tall cat tree next to the item she enjoys scratching, and reward her with treats and praise for using it.

A veterinary exam may be in order. Cats who eat plants or lick or chew fabric or carpet may have a gastrointestinal disorder. If she gets a clean bill of health, you may just have to give her time to outgrow her youthful enthusiasm. -- 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

4 best things

about black cats

--October is Black Cat Awareness Month. What are the best things about black cats? Ebony-colored felines are glamorous and chic, wearing their fur with a sophisticated swish of the tail that makes them stand out from the crowd. They are classics who go with any décor and wardrobe belonging to the people who love them. They add instant style to a Halloween party. Best of all, black cats bring good luck and happiness according to beliefs in England, Scotland and Ireland. A black cat on a Scottish doorstep brings prosperity, and brides in Britain’s Midlands welcome the gift of a black cat, said to bring contentment and good fortune.

--Animal lovers touring Edinburgh Castle in Scotland may run across a small, beautiful garden dedicated to the dogs of regimental officers serving there. The cemetery, which can only be viewed from above, dates to 1840 and is the final resting spot for officers’ pets and regimental mascots. Look for it within the castle walls near Mill’s Mount, where the One O’Clock Gun is fired. Take a minute to remember someone else’s beloved dogs as well as your pets who have passed on.

--Cancer is a common problem in dogs and cats. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, approximately 25 percent of dogs will develop cancer at some point in their lives. That figure rises to nearly 50 percent for dogs older than 10 years. Less is known about the rate of cancer in cats, but certain cancers, including lymphoma, are more common in cats than dogs. Possible signs of cancer are abdominal swelling, bleeding from the mouth or nose, difficulty eating or breathing, wounds that don’t heal, persistent diarrhea or vomiting, sudden weight gain or loss, unexplained swelling, heat, pain or lameness, or a mass or tumor. -- 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.