What to know if your dog is coughing and has the sniffles

By Christie Keith

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Dogs, like people, get respiratory infections, and most of the time recover without incident. Sometimes, however, those infections turn into pneumonia, which can be fatal. How can dog owners know if their pet’s runny nose and cough might put his life at risk?

How sick your dog will get from his version of a cold or flu depends on many factors. Puppies and senior dogs are at increased risk of developing pneumonia. So are the so-called brachycephalic breeds, those with flat faces like pugs or bulldogs. Other dogs may have underlying health conditions that put them at additional risk.

Because contagious respiratory diseases are airborne, dogs who mingle with other dogs at dog parks and similar locations are also at increased risk of respiratory disease.

Another important risk factor is the cause of the pneumonia, which can include everything from a bacterial or viral infection, to a structural defect in the respiratory tract, to near-drowning or electrical shock.

Dr. Cynda Crawford of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine is the researcher who discovered the first known canine influenza virus (CIV). “There’s an increased risk for progression to pneumonia with CIV compared to other infectious causes,” she says.

Vaccinations can reduce the severity of the symptoms and make dogs less contagious to other dogs, but it doesn't completely prevent illness. What’s more, Crawford says, “The vast majority of pathogens that can cause respiratory infections in dogs are still unknown. Of the small number we’ve identified, only about half of those have a vaccine available.”

So is a canine biohazard suit the only way to protect a dog from a respiratory infection that could lead to pneumonia? Not at all.

“First, be aware that despite your best efforts, your dog may pick up a respiratory infection,” Crawford says. “Fortunately, for the vast majority of cases, these infections will be mild and short-lived, so there's no need to panic by putting your dog in a bubble. But do protect your dog with vaccinations and avoid places where they may encounter sick dogs.”

What should you do if your dog shows signs of a mild respiratory infection, such as coughing and sniffling? If your dog is unhealthy, hasn’t had all his vaccines, is very young or old, or has other risk factors, it’s best to seek veterinary care immediately.

If your dog is otherwise healthy, is not a puppy or senior and has no additional risk factors, Crawford advises you to check with your veterinarian to see if there are canine influenza viruses circulating in your community. If so, you’ll probably want to seek medical care, as these infections are more likely than others to develop into pneumonia.

If there is no CIV circulating and your dog is in good health, your veterinarian will probably advise you keep him home until the danger of transmitting the disease to other dogs has passed. However, Crawford says, “If the coughing, sneezing and nasal discharge persist for more than a couple of days, or if the dog stops eating or develops rapid breathing, contact your veterinarian right away.”

If you do head for the vet, be sure to ask about what you can do to protect other dogs in the hospital waiting area from being infected by your pet. Many veterinary clinics will ask clients whose dogs have respiratory symptoms to wait in the car or enter through a separate door. Be sure to ask how long your dog needs to be kept away from other dogs, as well as what signs to watch out for that can alert you to developing pneumonia.

Q&A

See vet about

litter box problem

Q: My cat stopped using her litter box. We’ve done everything we’ve read about: added an extra box, made sure the boxes are in quiet spots, not used scented litter, scooped daily and washed the box every week. It hasn’t helped, and we’re running out of ideas. What are we missing?

A: You’ve mentioned everything you should be trying, except the most important one: a visit to the veterinarian.

When a cat who previously had no litter box problems suddenly starts eliminating inappropriately, the first stop needs to be the veterinarian. That’s because medical conditions such as bladder infections or urinary tract obstruction are often behind the problem. Another likely culprit: arthritis or an injury that makes getting in and out of the litter box difficult.

If you’ve ever had a bladder infection or back injury yourself, you know both conditions are painful. Your cat may associate that pain with the litter box or may not be able to hold it. Either way, you need to work with your vet to rule out physical causes for litter box avoidance.

After your cat’s condition is treated, will she go back to using the box? Possibly, but it may not be that simple. The association of pain with the box might mean some re-training is in order. If the problem is arthritis, it may be necessary to get a box with only three sides, so the cat can get in and out without discomfort.

If there’s no underlying physical cause, or the problem persists after treatment, it’s time to talk to yet another veterinarian. A veterinary behaviorist can work wonders with management strategies, behavior modification, supplements and medications. Behaviorists often work via telemedicine consultations with your own veterinarian. You can locate one at dacvb.org, the website of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Microchips underutilized

to save pets, shelter animals

-- If your pet goes missing, what are the chances he’ll come back to you? In the United States, that number is low -- between 10 and 19 percent. Now, an international study blames limited adoption of microchipping for that dismal statistic. Published in the latest issue of the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, the study compared how often animal shelters in Florida, Italy and Israel successfully reunited lost dogs with their owners. Thanks to a mandatory national microchip database, Israel keeps nearly 70 percent of stray dogs out of shelters and gets them back to their families. Success like that is possible in the U.S., too, if pets are microchipped. An earlier study found that 74 percent of chipped dogs and 63 percent of chipped cats are reclaimed by their families.

-- Tooth brushing for pets? Yes. Using human toothpaste? Absolutely not. Britain’s RSPCA is warning pet owners not to brush pets’ teeth with toothpaste made for humans. Dental products made for humans can contain a tooth-friendly sweetener known as xylitol, which can cause death in dogs and cats when even small amounts are consumed. Dogs and cats are also not fans of the foaming quality of human toothpaste. While dental disease is common and preventable, pet owners should stick with products made just for animals.

-- For animals as well as humans, medical treatments for some conditions can be unavailable, ineffective or difficult to tolerate. There may be newer or better therapies still in clinical trials, but how can pet owners and their veterinarians locate them? To answer that need, the AVMA has created a searchable database for veterinary health care providers to search for trials, read about eligibility and obtain further information. It’s online at ebusiness.avma.org/aahsd/study_search.aspx. -- 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.

Keep community cats comfortable and safe during winter’s chill

By Marty Becker and Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

We tend to think of feral, or community, cats as well able to take care of themselves. For the most part, that’s true -- but helping them to stay warm and sheltered during the depths of winter is not only a kindness, it can also help control outdoor cat populations. Ensuring that cats are in predictable locations makes it easier for managers of feral cat colonies to trap, vaccinate, spay or neuter cats and find and rehome kittens in the spring.

“Shelters provide a cozy spot for cats who live outdoors to sleep, relax, and warm up and stay safe,” says Becky Robinson, president and founder of advocacy group Alley Cat Allies. “They also make them less likely to have to find shelter on their own, which sometimes means exploring neighbors’ yards or areas where they may not be welcome.”

The best kind of shelter is one the cat will use, says Karen van Haaften, DVM, a veterinary behaviorist and senior manager of behavior and welfare at the British Columbia SPCA in Vancouver, Canada. Variables include local climate and the level of fear of cats in the area. Some cats are socialized enough to humans that they can live in proximity to them, in barns, sheds or underneath a porch or deck, but many cats prefer to keep their distance.

“Truly feral cats who have no experience with people won’t get that close, so they may need shelter in a wild area that is away from human interference,” Dr. van Haaften says.

Creating a shelter is as easy as cutting a 6-to-8-inch-wide entryway in a lidded plastic storage bin or foam cooler that is approximately 2 feet by 3 feet and at least 18 inches high. That’s large enough to accommodate three to five cats, Robinson says. Any larger, and it won’t retain heat effectively.

Line the shelters with straw for insulation. Avoid using blankets or towels, which retain moisture and make the shelter wet and cold. To keep heat from escaping, attach a piece of clear plastic in front of the doorway that the cat can easily push through to enter or exit. To keep out rain and snow, make sure the entryway is several inches above ground level.

Be sure to camouflage your shelter.

“Paint the shelter a dark color, or cover it with leaves or brush so it blends in with the environment,” Robinson says.

Positioning is also important for safety and comfort. Place shelters on a level area that’s elevated off the ground to prevent dampness and cold from seeping in.

“Wood pallets are great for this,” Robinson says. “Face the entry away from the wind and preferably facing a wall so that only cats can get in and out. Placing the shelter in a wooded area away from buildings and traffic will also help protect cats, and the neighbors will appreciate it.”

Check shelters periodically to see if straw needs to be changed or snow cleared from entrances. Encourage cats to use them by placing catnip, silver vine or treats inside.

Cats are cautious. They may take their time investigating shelters before deciding they are safe to use. They may also have preferences you can meet with simple modifications.

“You may need to add or remove a door flap, bedding, or both entrance and exit doors to find out what the kitties like best,” Robinson says. “If the cats aren’t using the shelter after a few days, try moving it closer to an area where the cats already prefer to hang out but still gives them privacy. The important thing is that the little house you’ve made for them will be there when the cats are ready to use it.”

Q&A

How to help pets

love their carriers

Q: My dog hates riding in her carrier, and it’s a struggle to get her inside it. Is there any way to make it a better experience for both of us?

A: Yes! That’s such a common problem for dogs and cats -- not to mention their humans. But learning to enter and ride in a carrier comfortably is the first step toward Fear Free veterinary visits and other excursions in the car. It can take some preparation and practice beforehand, but it pays off when your pet stops being afraid.

To start, make the carrier a special place. Place it in an area where your dog likes to hang out, such as the bedroom, living room or kitchen. Spray or wipe it with calming canine pheromones. Put treats in it for your dog to find, or feed meals inside it with the door open. Give praise and treats when you see your dog resting in the carrier. (These techniques work with cats, too; just use a calming feline pheromone product instead.)

When she starts to enjoy being in the carrier, transfer training to the car. Spray the interior with the pheromone product. Have your dog hang out inside the car without starting the engine. Gradually take some test drives, from backing out of and pulling back into the driveway to longer excursions, like to the drive-up bank teller or the drive-through window at your favorite fast-food place. Have treats on hand to reward your pet during the stop.

Tips: Lay a treat trail to guide your dog into the carrier. Choose a carrier with both top and side entry; many pets prefer being placed into the carrier from above. Hold the carrier in both arms instead of letting it swing at your side. -- 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

Dog foods recalled

for excess vitamin D

-- Natural Life Pet Products, Nutrisca and Lidl US recalled certain dry dog foods this month. The recalled products, which contained excess vitamin D, include 4-, 15- and 28-pound bags of Nutrisca Chicken and Chickpea Dry Dog Food, 17.5-pound bags of Natural Life Chicken & Potato Dry Dog Food and Orlando Chicken and Chickpea Dog Food. Vitamin D has a reputation for being beneficial, but dogs who take in too much can experience vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling and weight loss. Extremely high levels of the vitamin can cause kidney disease. Consumers can return affected bags for a full refund.

-- Paws of War, which trains service dogs for veterans, has launched a customized mobile veterinary unit on Long Island, New York, to help treat pets and service dogs of veterans and first responders who may have difficulty getting veterinary care for their animals. Staffed by veterinarians and veterinary technicians, the mobile clinic will travel throughout Long Island, providing physical exams, vaccinations, dental checkups, testing for feline leukemia virus and feline infectious peritonitis, flea and tick preventives, grooming, nail trims, heartworm testing and preventives, and microchipping. For more information, visit pawsofwar.org.

-- If you have a dog who barks ferociously at the sound of the doorbell, then wags his tail happily to greet guests, you probably tell people “His bark is worse than his bite.” The saying dates to Roman times and is attributed to historian Quintus Curtius Rufus, who is said to have written, “A cowardly dog barks more savagely than he bites.” According to the American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, the phrase -- which came to mean that a person was less unfriendly than he or she appeared -- was in common usage by the mid-17th century. Just remember: Never rely on proverbs when deciding how a dog may respond. -- 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.

You and your dog may want to make friends with others, but canine and human etiquette dictate a cautious approach

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

I was walking my dogs around our apartment complex when I saw the woman with the black pug approaching. I quickly turned around before my dogs saw hers -- and vice versa -- and created a ruckus. I was stunned when she ran after us, her dog barking and snarling all the way, stopped close to my now barking and snarling dogs, and asked, “Are they friendly?”

“No!” I replied, as I pulled my dogs away.

That’s not exactly true, but it worked to get us out of the situation. Outside our complex, my dogs ignore others because they aren’t patrolling “their” territory. Inside it, however, they view other dogs as unwelcome invaders, so I keep an eagle eye out for people walking their dogs and do my best to avoid them.

Lots of people, like my neighbor, want their dogs to meet and greet other people and dogs, but for many dog owners, that’s not a desirable event, for a number of reasons:

-- Their dogs may be reactive to other dogs -- even if they’re not on their own territory.

-- Some dogs are fearful of people, especially quick-moving children or people in uniform, to name just two common fears.

-- Dogs who are elderly or recovering from an illness could be stressed or even injured by an overenthusiastic greeting from a young or ill-mannered dog.

Just being on a leash and walking in an area with distractions such as traffic or other dogs can be stressful for even the best-behaved dog. He’s restrained by the leash and all his senses are on alert as he walks. Being approached by an off-leash dog or one on a retractable leash can set off his canine defense system, resulting in barking, snarling and lunging.

“Even very friendly dogs, when they know they’re on-leash, they’re not really in the mood to stop and make a new friend,” says veterinary behaviorist Karen van Haaften, DVM, at the British Columbia SPCA in Vancouver, Canada. “I wouldn’t want to stop and have a deep conversation with every person I walk by on the street. That’s exhausting.”

What’s a dog lover to do? If you’re the person approaching -- because you love cavaliers or Labs or spotted dogs, or you want your dog to have some friendly canine interaction -- stop! From a distance, call out and ask, “Does your dog want to meet another dog?”

If the answer is no, accept it and move on, keeping out of the other dog’s space. Don’t insist, saying “My dog’s friendly!” You’re likely to get the response “My dog’s not” -- or “I’m not.”

Rule of paw? “Don’t let your dog approach another dog unless you’re specifically asked or given permission by the other person,” Dr. van Haaften says.

If you’re the person being approached and you want to avoid human or canine interaction with your dog, practice assertiveness and avoidance techniques. Body language is your friend, too. The simplest way to ward off people approaching with dogs or children is to hold your hand out, palm up, in the universal signal for “Stop!” Turn aside, avoiding eye contact, and ask your dog to sit or perform some other cue until the other person passes. Or simply turn around and go the other way.

When firmer measures are called for, tried-and-true responses include saying the following:

-- "He’s contagious." (You don’t have to say for what.)

-- "We’re in training; please don’t pet her."

-- "She’s working."

-- "He bites."

-- "She is fearful of other dogs (or children or people in hats or uniforms)."

-- "Reel your dog in now," for uncontrolled dogs on extendable leashes.

-- "He’s not dog-friendly."

-- "Back away."

-- "No," or "Stop."

Q&A

9 lives? How that

cat myth arose

Q: Where do we get the belief that cats have nine lives?

A: That’s a great question! Quite a few cultures share the idea that cats have multiple lives, though the number isn’t always nine. In Germany, Greece and Italy, for instance, cats are said to have seven lives. Some Middle Eastern traditions put a cat’s number of lives at six.

Whatever the number, I think it’s probably safe to say that the myth arose from the feline ability to escape what often looks to be certain death: the righting ability that often (but not always) has cats landing on their feet after a fall from a high place; their speed and agility in escaping a predator; and their finely tuned senses, which alert them to danger well before it appears.

The combination of a flexible spine and the inborn ability to orient the body properly as they fall is the source of the feline falling ability. That righting reflex begins to develop in kittens when they are 3 to 4 weeks old, and they have it down by the time they are 6 to 7 weeks old. (Never test this with kittens or cats; they can be injured or killed.)

If they need to make an escape, cats can fire the afterburners, putting on a burst of speed for short distances or hightail it over fences or up trees. Their slender, flexible bodies allow them to wriggle through small holes to save themselves as well.

Cats protect themselves in other ways. They can be finicky eaters, and they are less likely than dogs to ingest toxic substances -- with plants being a common exception to that rule.

It’s not surprising that an animal with those incredible survival skills would give rise to the idea that he cheats death over and over again. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Fund benefits

pets in need

-- Since it was launched three years ago, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation’s Veterinary Care Charitable Fund has paid out nearly $379,000 to help animals in need, according to an article in the Journal of the AVMA. The nonprofit program for AVMA members allows veterinarians to provide care in cases of financial need, neglect or abuse. More than 1,000 veterinary hospitals are enrolled in the program, and so far, 1,234 animals have been helped.

-- The Museum of Dog, located in North Adams, Massachusetts, is closed for the winter, but it’s taking the show on the road. The MOD Instagram Tour mobile museum -- housed in a refitted school bus -- features antique dog collars, paintings, photographs, sculptures and more. The first stop is Barking Hound Village in Dallas between Nov. 22 and Dec. 23. Other cities on the tour include Atlanta; Charlotte, North Carolina; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; New York; and Boston, with dates to be announced. Each $20 ticket, sold in hourly blocks, allows entry for four, whether that’s two humans and two dogs or any other combination. For more information, visit museumofdog.com.

-- Two dogs in the United Kingdom have been trained to identify children with malaria simply by sniffing socks the kids have worn. That’s because the malarial parasites cause specific breath and skin odors in people who are infected. In a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, the dogs -- a Labrador and a Labrador-mix -- had a 70 percent success rate in identifying socks worn by children with malaria and a 90 percent success rate in identifying socks worn by children free of the disease. The non-invasive approach isn’t in use yet, but it could become yet another way in which dogs help to detect disease. -- 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.