Dogs and humans could benefit from potential new therapies and diagnostic techniques for a degenerative neurological disease

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

New therapies and diagnostic tests have the potential to help dogs with a progressive neurodegenerative disease live longer lives. Boxers, German shepherds and Pembroke Welsh corgis are among more than 100 breeds and mixes that may benefit from two therapies being studied, as well as a diagnostic biomarker test for degenerative myelopathy, a disease of the central nervous system that develops late in life.

The condition, which typically affects dogs between 8 and 14 years old, damages the spinal cord, muscles, nerves and brain, causing loss of muscle control, weakness in the hind legs and, eventually, paralysis. Dogs with two copies of a mutation in the gene superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) are at risk for the disease, but not all dogs with the mutation will develop the disease.

Early signs include dragging or shuffling the hind legs. At first, owners may suspect the weakness or lameness is caused by an orthopedic condition or simply advancing age, says Dominik Faissler, DVM, assistant professor of neurology at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton, Massachusetts.

As the disease progresses, the dog may stumble and fall, have difficulty standing up and lose mobility as the nervous system becomes unable to transmit motor commands between brain and limbs. Gradually, the brain stem becomes affected, causing difficulty swallowing. Paralysis usually occurs in the space of a year. Most dogs are euthanized before they develop difficulty breathing, Dr. Faissler says.

Currently, a DNA test developed in 2009 is available to identify the recessive gene mutation that causes the disease, allowing breeders to avoid producing affected dogs, but last year’s discovery of a diagnostic biomarker can help lead to earlier diagnosis of dogs at risk of developing DM, as it’s called for short. It’s also important for researchers in human medicine who study amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The same mutation that causes DM in dogs also causes ALS in humans.

Finding the biomarker involves collecting cerebrospinal fluid from the affected dog. That’s more difficult and expensive than a blood test because it requires anesthesia, but less expensive than magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Because DM mimics other diseases such as intervertebral disc disease and spinal cancer, an MRI is part of the process to rule out those conditions. Even then, the diagnosis is not considered definitive until the dog dies and a necropsy is performed. As the biomarker test becomes more widely available, it may help to provide earlier and more reliable diagnoses. And earlier diagnosis goes hand in paw with the search for effective therapies.

One of the therapies being studied involves injecting antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) into the spinal fluid with the goal of suppressing production of the mutant protein SOD1. Researchers hope the molecular therapy will be able to sneak past the blood-brain barrier and “silence” the messenger RNA, slowing or stopping disease progression. Affected dogs who meet certain criteria may be eligible to participate in the study, conducted at the University of Missouri. A gene-silencing study is also under way at Tufts Cummings School.

A gene therapy clinical trial, also at the University of Missouri, injects what’s called interference RNA (iRNA) into the spinal fluid to repress production of the SOD1 protein. Dogs in the early stages of the disease may also be eligible to participate in that study.

Both University of Missouri studies are randomized and double-blinded. That means neither researchers nor owners know which dogs receive the treatment and which receive a placebo. The study’s design gives dogs a 67 percent chance of receiving the treatment, according to the university’s website.

The treatments have been tested for safety, but their effectiveness isn’t yet known. The same therapeutic approach is being studied in humans with SOD1-associated ALS. Success in either dogs or humans will likely benefit both.

Q&A

How to find a

feline-friendly vet

Q: We have moved cross-country and need to find a veterinarian for our two cats. Do you have any tips for us?

A: I like your priorities. Finding a great veterinarian should be at the top of the to-do list for any pet person who’s new in town.

You can use a number of filters to narrow the search for your cats’ veterinarian. The one that’s nearest and dearest to my heart is Fear Free certification. Veterinarians with Fear Free credentials know how to approach and interact with cats in a manner that caters to their needs for security, gentle handling and a calm environment. Practice visits, treats and pheromones are among the techniques used to give cats a fabulous experience they won’t mind repeating throughout life.

I also asked a couple of my cat-expert colleagues to weigh in with their advice. Jane Brunt, DVM, executive director of the CATalyst Council and past president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, suggests searching online for veterinarians in your own zip code so your cat doesn’t have to travel far to get to the clinic. She also suggests looking for a Cat Friendly Practice designation accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association. Ask pet-owning family or friends for recommendations. Call a practice to make an appointment for a tour. How the receptionist handles your call is a good clue as to how well the practice is run.

Winn Feline Foundation Executive Director Vicki Thayer, DVM, a specialist in feline veterinary care, says veterinarians and staff should exhibit a love and understanding of cats in the way the waiting room and exam rooms are set up with cat behavior in mind. They should handle cats calmly, slowly and quietly and offer helpful advice on getting the cat to -- and into -- the hospital with minimal anxiety. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

App updates owners

about pet condition

-- Want to know how your hospitalized pet is doing? There’s an app for that. Texas A&M Veterinary Teaching Hospital in College Station has begun using an app called EASE (Electronic Access to Surgical Events) that allows veterinarians to give pet owners real-time updates on a pet’s status using videos, texts and photos. The app originated for use in human hospitals to allow doctors to send HIPAA-compliant messages to family members. Texas A&M is the first veterinary teaching hospital to adopt it. The app is a way to help support owners emotionally, says oncology technician supervisor Jaci Christensen.

-- A biobank of dog tumors hopes the donated tissue will help lead to new models and treatments for cancer in dogs and humans. Owners of dogs diagnosed with a cancer of interest at veterinary hospitals in partnership with Tallwood Canine Cancer Research Initiative by Jackson Laboratory can ask the veterinarian to donate their pets’ tumors after removal. The tumors will be used to create cancer models. Researchers will also sequence DNA from healthy dogs of specific breeds and compare it to dogs of the same breed who have cancer.

-- As pets live longer, helping them maintain quality of life and mobility is an important facet of veterinary medicine. Your veterinarian may be helping you manage your pet for cognitive dysfunction, chronic high blood pressure, kidney disease, Cushing’s disease and diabetes, to name just a few. For your golden oldie, consider a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and other antioxidants, which have been shown to enhance brain health. You can also keep the brain sharp with gentle play and exercise. Medication can help with hypertension, cognitive dysfunction, arthritis, diabetes and other conditions. Easy but important: Maintain a routine and be alert to subtle behavior changes that may indicate health problems. -- 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.

A number of factors go into the search for the right dogmobile, owners say

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

We purchased our first Subaru Outback 13 years ago to haul around three cavalier King Charles spaniels and, as needed, two cats and two birds. In the years since, we’ve driven it to San Francisco; Seattle; Vancouver, British Columbia; Wyoming; New Mexico; Utah; Arizona; and Oklahoma. I had hoped it would last us another couple of years, but repair costs were rising higher, so last month we found ourselves in search of a new dog car.

With the need to hold crates, pop-up tents and other equipment for dog shows and canine sports events, choosing the right vehicle is a matter of intense interest to members of the “barkoisie.” Issues such as cargo capacity, the ability to go off road to reach field trial sites, all-wheel drive versus four-wheel drive, and of course gas mileage are all matters to consider when selecting a dog car. The right choice depends on the size and number of dogs and the activities in which owners and dogs participate.

Auto manufacturers recognize that dog owners are an important demographic. Honda no longer makes its Element, which had a large fan base among dog owners, but at last month’s Los Angeles Auto Show, a team of golden and Labrador retrievers introduced Subaru’s three-row SUV, the 2018 Ascent. The company intentionally markets its vehicles to dog owners after a study found that more than half of Subaru owners have dogs. Honda’s roomy CR-V crossover, midsize Pilot SUV and Odyssey minivan also find favor with active dog owners or people with large dogs.

What do dog owners look for in a vehicle? Debbie Best of Huntington Beach, California, who lives with two flat-coated retrievers, has a long list of musts as she contemplates trading in her 190,000-mile Subaru Forester for the larger Ascent. They include a boxy shape -- more practical for carrying cargo and offering better visibility than the sloped rears seen on many vehicles -- seats that fold flat, and rear air vents.

“I want to know the dogs are cool, even when the car is packed,” she says. “It’s a plus if they are on the ceiling, as they are with the Ascent.”

Her new vehicle must also be tall enough to hold large dog crates, with at least 44 inches between the wheel wells so she can fit two crates side by side. All-wheel drive is important for field training and trips to the mountains.

Dog trainer Liz Palika of Oceanside, California, searched for five months to find just the right ride for herself and her two 50-pound English shepherds. She decided on a midsize SUV, a 2017 Toyota Highlander, that she describes as “not too small, not too big.” The back seats fold down, allowing her to carry two midsize dog crates and still have room for cargo.

Lillian Huang of Emeryville, California, also likes the 2017 Highlander for its flat backseat floor, making it easy to accommodate folding tables, tents and canopies behind the front seats; the backup camera; and the separate air conditioning vents for the back of the car.

Other factors affecting vehicle choice are a dog’s age and mobility. Jill Gibbs of Billings, Montana, prefers minivans because it’s easier for aging dogs to get in and out of them. “I bought my first one for my 12-year-old golden,” she says.

For advice on selecting a dog-friendly car, turn to a Facebook page called Dog Sport Vehicle Ideas. Edmunds, AutoTrader and other websites also rate cars for their canine suitability. Search “dog-friendly cars” for tips.

In our case, we’re currently down to two cavaliers, but our activities have expanded to canine nose work trials, as well as many road trips to visit family. We went with another Outback, confident that it will carry us and our dogs for at least another dozen years.

Q&A

How to use

hand targeting

Q: My trainer recommends teaching our dog hand targeting. What are some of the benefits, and what’s the best way to go about it?

A: Teaching a dog to touch his nose to your hand or other object has many uses. Dogs with targeting skills can learn to touch a person’s hand instead of jumping up, move onto the scale at the veterinary clinic, or move away from a forbidden item. Following and touching a target can also help to reduce a dog’s fear of an object such as a stethoscope or nail trimmers. And targeting is useful for teaching tricks such as spinning in a circle or jumping through a hoop.

A target can be your hand or an item such as a wooden spoon or bird perch. To begin, hold the target item a few inches in front of your dog’s nose and slightly to the side. If your dog looks at the target or moves his eyes toward it, say “Yes!” or “Good!” and reward him with a tasty treat. Praise and reward as well if he touches the target with his nose.

Each time your dog responds appropriately, move the target out of sight, then present it again. Your dog should approach the target and touch his nose to it no matter where you present it.

When your dog readily touches his nose to the target, add a cue such as “Touch.” To create an association between the word and the behavior, say the cue just before or just as your dog moves toward the target. As he begins to respond to the verbal cue, start moving your palm farther away from him, using it to indicate where you want him to go. Gradually increase the distance your dog must move before reaching and touching the target. -- Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Pet lease programs

pricey, misleading

-- Read purchase contracts carefully to make sure you’re actually buying a pet and not simply signing a lease agreement. A recent Washington Post article reported that some pet stores are offering “payment plans” for pricey pups. Buyers who don’t read the fine print don’t realize that they’ll pay much more than the original price and will have no ownership rights without exercising a purchase option -- a final payment at the end of the lease period, writes Karin Brulliard. The contracts are legal, and pets can be “repossessed” if owners miss payments. California and Nevada ban pet leases; the ASPCA encourages other states to follow suit.

-- Does your dog or cat have a heart murmur? Even if he’s not showing signs of heart disease -- such as lethargy, exercise intolerance, coughing, difficulty breathing or fainting -- he should be seen by a veterinary cardiologist to determine whether his condition is at a stage that requires monitoring or medication. This can be done by a noninvasive exam such as an echocardiogram (ultrasound) to evaluate the heart’s structure and function or an X-ray to see if the heart is enlarged. Identifying and monitoring a potential heart problem in the early stages can increase a dog’s lifespan.

-- The Devon rex is the 10th-most-popular cat breed registered by the Cat Fanciers Association. If you see one, you might think he’s having a bad hair day, but that soft, wavy coat is normal for the breed. The playful and mischievous cats get along with all members of the family, including dogs and kids. Given his sociable nature, it’s not unusual to see a Devon rex riding shotgun in an RV or semi, or making therapy visits to hospitals and other facilities. People can have allergies to this breed, so make several test visits before acquiring one. -- 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.

Recalling a beloved dog or cat who has died is painful but comforting

Andrews McMeel Syndication

If you’re like me, the new year is a time to count your many blessings and to look back at the highs and lows of the previous year. The replay is not an exercise designed to arbitrarily whipsaw emotions, and it’s been decades since I’ve made New Year’s resolutions (I just try and live a life of self-improvement). Rather, it's an effort to sear into my consciousness the things for which I want to remember every detail. The most special of all these memories involve the loss of pets.

I know I open myself up to attack when I say this, but I honestly grieve more for the loss of pets than I do people -- even the deaths of family and friends. I love people, so maybe I need counseling to figure out this paradox, but I bet if I joined group counseling for the same problem, we’d fill the largest sports stadium you could find.

I think that’s because when pets die, we face a loss of unconditional love, limitless affection, daily doses of smiles and laughter and to-die-for loyalty. When pets die, we tend to think the gifts given are always lopsided on their side of the ledger.

Pets swell our hearts with their unfettered joy, then break them when they go before us. This year we lost an amazing dog, our precious Quora. She was a 15-pound fawn-colored canine cocktail (Pomeranian, Shar-Pei and Cairn terrier), whose most unique gift was her love of shoes. We’re not talking the stereotypical leather-chomping puppy; no, Quora possessed a talent so unique that we should have had her on the hit show "America’s Got Talent."

Quora would go into an open closet or mudroom and take all the shoes out and put them in another room. We’re not talking a pile of shoes, or dropped helter-skelter. No, the dog we nicknamed Imelda Barkos or Shoebacca would transfer the shoes in the exact order she found them. Let’s say there were three pairs of shoes -- one pair of tan sandals, one pair of red heels and a pair of black boots -- side-by-side on the floor of the closet. Quora would pick up a shoe, prance proudly with it in her mouth through the house to a random room, then place it right side up, in the same order, left to right like she found it (always with the right and left in perfect place). I know what you’re thinking: Hard to believe. I probably wouldn’t believe it if I were reading it, but it’s true.

So as the year closes, our family goes through the highlight reel of Quora’s 14 years on Earth. I could write thousands of words about her, and in fact, I did. It’s one of the ways I grieve. But I know that many of you, too, have had to say goodbye or give the final grace to a four-legged family member who left too soon. Know that I understand the depth of your loss and pray for you to find comfort.

I want to leave you with three thoughts:

-- Greatest pet in the world. I used to end a radio show by saying, “There’s only one greatest pet in the world ... and every family has her.” This is true.

-- Better too early than too late. Most pet owners agonize over the decision to euthanize a pet. My advice is always, “I’d rather be a month too early than a day too late.”

Warm memories. Over my four decades in practice, I’ve signed thousands of sympathy cards for pet owners who’ve lost a pet. Here are the words I find most comforting and use: "May the times you shared forever be the warmest of memories."

Q&A

Can cat and

baby coexist?

Q: I have the sweetest, most loving cat. She is 5 years old and lives indoors. I will be baby-sitting my newborn granddaughter, and my daughter wants me to get rid of my cat. What should I do?

A: The old wives' tale that families with infants should get rid of their cats because the cat will harm the baby still persists, unfortunately. It’s just not true that a cat will suck a baby’s breath because she’s attracted to the scent of milk or that she’ll lie on the baby and smother her. Millions of women have lived with cats for thousands of years without their babies coming to harm.

We think the myth about cats being harmful to babies probably got started because cats may have been found snuggled next to babies who died from other causes, and the cats received the blame for the death.

You should be able to take some steps that will allow you to keep your cat while protecting your baby granddaughter and keeping your daughter happy. Keep your cat out of the room where the baby sleeps, and don’t allow her to nap in the bassinet, even if the baby isn’t in it. It should be a simple matter to check the room for the cat before closing the door so the cat can’t get in. A baby monitor with a microphone and camera will allow you to hear and see the baby when you’re not in the room with her. You may also consider using a crib tent to keep the cat out of baby’s bed.

You may find that your cat stays away from the baby on her own because she’s unfamiliar with the crying sounds the baby makes. If your cat does show interest in the baby, let them interact only while you’re holding the baby. -- 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

6 pet-friendly

New Year’s resolutions

-- Do you make pet-related New Year’s resolutions? Here are six suggestions to help you and your pet have a happy, healthy 2018. Commit to daily walks, longer walks or, for cats, regular playtime. Walk in new areas to stimulate your dog’s senses, especially his sense of smell. Teach your dog or cat a new trick. Try out a dog sport such as nose work, rally or agility. Take a pet first aid course. Remember to bring treats when your pet goes to the veterinarian so he will associate the visit -- and the vet -- with good things.

-- Before 1860, herding dogs were considered common working dogs, unworthy of much notice. They were often referred to as cur dogs. In the mid-19th century, sheepdogs were divided into three types: rough, smooth and short-tailed and were called, variously, colleys, colley sheepdogs, sheepdogs and collies. Most herding-breed experts agree that rough and smooth collies, border collies and Shetland sheepdogs descend from the same ancestors. Collies became popular companion dogs in the 1860s after Queen Victoria took an interest in the dogs working on her Scottish estate, Balmoral, and made them part of her household.

-- Stretching benefits dogs, whether you’re taking them for a walk around the block, a two-hour hike or a 10-day backpacking trip. After a five-minute warm-up of walking or light jogging, start with a play bow, luring your dog into position by holding a treat low and pushing it toward the dog. Next, a counter stretch to extend the hind end is done by placing your arm beneath your dog’s belly, in front of his hind legs, holding him in place while you lure him forward with a treat. Having your dog offer a high five -- on both sides -- stretches the shoulders. Paws up onto a surface stretches the lower back. -- 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.