Hands-on therapies and patient retraining are helping a puppy regain his footing after corrective surgery

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Remember Milo, the hound pup born with upside-down paws (a condition called bilateral congenital elbow luxation) who received corrective surgery at Oklahoma State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Stillwater last month? He’s out of his restrictive splint and learning to walk again with the help of his foster family and OSU surgical specialist and rehab therapist Cara Blake, DVM.

The pins holding Milo’s repaired elbows in place during the healing process were removed a few weeks ago, and Dr. Blake and her team began working with him and developing a plan to teach him how to walk, something the pup was never able to do. Therapeutic exercises, massage and other manual therapies are being used to help increase his flexibility and strengthen his muscles. But before he can walk -- let alone run -- he needs to learn to stand properly: to put his back legs in the correct posture, get his pelvis and spine straight, and get his front legs underneath him.

“Now that his elbows are in a more normal position, the way he was walking before isn’t going to work for him,” Dr. Blake says. “He will figure out, ‘Oh, I can’t walk like this anymore because it just doesn’t work,’ so I think that, together with doing exercises to retrain him, will allow him to progress at a pretty quick rate in terms of getting back to normal pelvic posture.”

Bilateral congenital elbow luxation is rare in dogs. The surgeon who repaired the defect, Erik Clary, DVM, has seen only two other cases in his 27-year career and was able to operate on only one of them. He says general practitioners may never see a dog with this problem, even if they practice for 30 or 40 years.

“The earlier we can get to them, generally the better the possibility that we can help them with surgery,” Dr. Clary says. “Sometimes the problem is not apparent when the puppies are really young, when they’re a week or two and just nursing. Their legs may not show those changes. But typically, when they get out to maybe 4 or 5 weeks, then usually it manifests, just like with Milo.”

What Milo has going for him, Dr. Blake says, is that he’s a puppy. He didn’t have time to learn bad ambulatory habits before undergoing surgery, so retraining him will be easier than it might have been.

He still faces challenges. His front-end alignment could be an issue because he has no range of motion in his elbows. The scar tissue that formed after surgery helps to keep the elbows in place, but it can also affect mobility. Massage and other manual treatments may help to some degree, but he may never gain full range of motion. That means he may have to learn to walk with straight elbows. Dr. Clary says the dog has a 50-50 chance of being able to walk normally one day.

This type of reconstructive surgery normally costs several thousand dollars. Part of the cost of Milo’s care was subsidized by OSU’s Pay It Forward Fund, started by students from the class of 2017.

Milo’s foster caretakers with Oliver and Friends Farm Rescue and Sanctuary in Luther, Oklahoma, are continuing his rehab exercises at home, and he already gets around well. Even though he may never walk completely normally, he can still have good quality of life.

“Even dogs that have horrible end-stage elbow arthritis, who lose significant range of motion in their elbows, are able to go out and run around and play,” Dr. Blake says. “Long-term, he may have some compensatory issues, but I don’t think it will affect his overall quality of life.”

Q&A

Old cat has

litter box issues

Q: We have a 16-year-old female cat who has always been neat about using her cat box, but now she won’t pee in it. She spends most of the day in our fenced backyard, and she has a litter box in our laundry room for when she’s in at night. Every morning we have to clean a puddle of pee next to her litter box.

We have tried different cat litters, including clumping and non-clumping; we put out two litter boxes, each with a different type of litter; we’ve moved the boxes to different locations in the laundry room; we clean the litter boxes daily, so they are always clean. Our vet suggested that it’s a bit of cat dementia rather than anything physical. Do you have any thoughts on why she is doing this and what we can do about it? We love our cat, but we are tired of cleaning the laundry room floor every morning.

A: I assume your cat is able to get into the litter box without any problem if she is defecating inside it. If she is having this issue only at night, maybe she has developed vision problems and is having trouble finding the box to get into it. Can you leave on a night light or other light? You may also want to set down pee pads next to the litter box for easier cleanup.

As your veterinarian mentioned, cats can lose housetraining if they are experiencing cognitive decline. You may want to ask about a drug called selegiline (Anipryl) that is used in dogs with dementia. It is not labeled for use in cats, but some veterinarians prescribe it off label. It has a similar success rate in cats as it does in dogs: Approximately one-third benefit from it, one-third see slighter improvement, and one-third experience no change. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

How to brush

your pet’s teeth

-- If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to begin brushing your pets’ teeth regularly, good job! Here are some tips and techniques from the AVMA to ensure you do the best job possible. Wait 10 days after a professional dental cleaning to begin or resume brushing at home, to let gums heal. Use a finger brush or toothbrush with soft bristles. For pets new to the process, give them a few days to smell and taste the toothpaste before you begin brushing. Start with only a few teeth at a time and reward with a treat. Work up to a more thorough cleaning of 30 seconds or more. Run the brush along the gumline at a 45-degree angle. Focus on the outside of the teeth, where plaque is more likely to build up. Between brushing, offer rope toys or other chew items. Chewing has a mechanical action on the teeth that helps to clean them.

-- Cockatiels are popular pets because of their friendly personalities, variety of color mutations and ease of care. They originated in Australia, where they were first exported in the late 19th century, and began to be bred in the United States in the late 1950s.

-- Taking a Fear Free approach to skin care benefits dogs and cats who require frequent treatment for ear infections, allergies and other dermatological diseases, says veterinary dermatologist John C. Angus. Speaking at a veterinary conference in Orlando last month, he recommended light sedation and local anesthesia for obtaining skin biopsy samples. This reduces the fear, anxiety and stress that can accompany restraint, injection with a stinging liquid, pressure and the smell of blood. Following a skin biopsy, pets should receive postoperative pain relief immediately after the procedure and pain medication at home for three to five days. -- 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.

Canines of all kinds love to play in snow, whether they’re born to it or not

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

They make snow angels, run circles, come skiing and snowshoeing, toss snow up with their noses and tunnel through it. Dogs of all kinds love to play in the snow, not just Nordic breeds such as Alaskan malamutes, Akitas and Siberian huskies, but any dog with cold-weather heritage -- and some you might not think of as snow lovers, including those on the smaller side. When the weather gets cold, these dogs are rarin’ to be out in it.

Afghan hounds have a reputation of being regal and dignified, but they turn into lighthearted clowns in snow, kicking it up as they run in circles and play-bow. Although they have long, thick hair, a coat is a good idea if they’re out for long periods.

Tibet is another mountainous country with a harsh climate. It’s no surprise that Tibetan mastiffs, with their thick double coats, enjoy wrestling in snow -- but don’t discount smaller Tibetan breeds. Tibetan spaniels relish romping in snow as much as their larger cousins. Mid-size Tibetan terriers, with large, round, flat feet that allow for traction and an easy stride in snow, rocket through the white stuff with glee.

The shiba inu, a spitz breed from Japan, hails from a mountainous area and has a thick undercoat for insulation from the cold. Snow brings out this breed’s playful nature as they run through it, flip it in the air and roll in it.

Serious herding and working breeds aren’t above a little snow play. Pyrenean shepherds and Great Pyrenees, both from the eponymous French mountain region, are right at home in snow and cold, ready for a winter hike any time you are -- as long as they’re conditioned for it, of course.

Corgis don’t care if the snow is over their heads; they just plow through, sometimes with only their ears sticking up. One of YouTube’s cutest videos is of a “train” of corgis lined up and pushing their way through snow drifts.

Irish water spaniels don’t limit themselves to liquid H2O. They kick up their heels in snow and stick their heads beneath it. Labrador and golden retrievers roll joyfully, kicking their legs up and making snow angels.

Of course, when it comes to snow play, spitz or Nordic dogs rule. Active people who want a dog for winter conditions can’t go wrong with a Finnish Lapphund, Finnish spitz, Icelandic sheepdog, Norwegian buhund or Samoyed. On the smaller side are Alaskan klee kai, American Eskimos and Pomeranians.

No matter what breed or mix your snow-loving dog is, some common-sense care tips will carry him safely through any polar vortex:

-- Provide a coat for dogs with single coats -- meaning they have no insulating underlayer -- slender bodies with little insulation from body fat, and dogs who are puppies, seniors or on the small side. These dogs will get cold more quickly or have a difficult time regulating body temperature.

-- Your dog doesn’t need booties for a brief play session in the yard, but consider them if you don’t want to remove ice balls or dry off feet, you’re walking on streets or sidewalks treated with salt or other deicing chemicals, or hiking for long periods in snow. If Iditarod dogs need them, your dog needs them.

-- Limit time in snow, especially if your snow-loving dog isn’t really built for cold conditions. Bring in little dogs, young or old dogs or those with short hair after 15 to 20 minutes -- or earlier if you notice they are shivering.

-- Offer shelter. Most Alaskan malamutes, Great Pyrenees and similar dogs would live in snow 24/7 if they could, and thrive in it, but they should always have access to a doghouse, shed or other protective area in case conditions go beyond their comfort zone.

Q&A

Mold affects

humans and pets

Q: We discovered three weeks ago that our house has black mold, thanks to all the rain we’ve been having. Can that affect our pets? I’ve noticed that our 12-year-old pug has puffy eyes and is coughing and sneezing.

A: You bet! In fact, pets may be more susceptible to the ill effects of mold because they are often closer to it, being lower to the ground.

Evidence shows that in humans, exposure to indoor mold is linked to such symptoms as coughing and wheezing. While there’s no proven association for pets, they can experience similar signs. Humans with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) or asthma may have difficulty breathing when exposed to molds. It makes sense that pets with shortened muzzles, such as pugs or bulldogs, could also have difficulty breathing in this situation. Pets with allergies or suppressed immune systems may be more susceptible to the effects of molds as well.

Different types of molds are common in moist indoor areas. They come in through open doors or windows, heating and air conditioning systems, on clothing and even on pet paws, so there’s no real way to avoid them. If indoor moisture is excessive -- say you have leaks from rain, or your home floods -- molds can grow out of control.

Your veterinarian can determine if your dog’s signs are related to mold or asbestos exposure, some other type of allergen or asthma, and prescribe an appropriate treatment.

For long-term health of humans and pets in your family, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says mold can be removed from hard surfaces with commercial products, soap and water or a solution of 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water (more bleach is not better). You will likely have to remove and replace carpets, insulation or wallboard in which mold is growing. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Fuzzy math? What’s

behind pet stats?

-- How many dogs and cats are there in the United States? Numbers vary depending on who you ask and the statistical methods used, according a report last month in The Washington Post. The American Pet Products Association says 68 percent of U.S. households were populated by pets in 2016 -- 90 million dogs and 94 million cats -- while the American Veterinary Medical Association reports that only 57 percent of households had a pet at the end of 2016, with 77 million dogs and 58 million cats. That’s a substantial difference. Who’s right? And does it matter? Survey results can be thrown off if they’re not weighted for factors such as geography and gender, and opt-in versus randomized methods can affect results as well. Solid population numbers are important when it comes to tracking euthanasia rates, estimating feral cat populations and determining whether there are enough pets to meet demand. The bottom line? Based on 3 out of 4 surveys, pet numbers appear to be stable, not increasing.

-- The recently approved farm bill affects more than farming and food prices. According to the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, it also establishes the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program and the National Animal Vaccine and Countermeasures Bank and authorizes funding for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. The bill also expands federal protections for domestic violence victims to include pets, emotional support animals, service animals and horses; authorizes a federal grant program to help domestic violence victims find shelter and include veterinary care costs as part of restitution in some cases; and sets penalties for abusing pets.

-- Hamsters are naturally clean animals and spend much of their time grooming themselves. Hamsters that don’t groom themselves may be ill and should be checked by a veterinarian. -- 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.

Looking for Mr. or Ms. Right? Your dog or cat can help

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Remember the meet-cute scene in "101 Dalmatians," where the couple's dogs bring them together? It happens in real life, too.

Molly McNamara of Lyons, Colorado, met her husband-to-be, Jeff McGlynn, at the obedience class she was attending with her dog. It was love at first sight -- for her dog.

"My dog was so bananas for him that he wouldn't pay attention after Jeff arrived," she says. "At first I used to just get mad when he and his dog showed up because my well-behaved 1-year-old bearded collie, Max, would lose his mind and drag me across the room to see them. So, clearly, the dog knew first."

It took six months before the pair started dating, with many of the dates involving taking their dogs hiking or to the beach. McNamara discovered later that McGlynn was staying in the class only to see her. His Saint Bernard was already well-behaved and didn't really need the practice.

"Introduction by dog" is a time-honored method of finding true love, and now science has confirmed its efficacy. In their study "The Roles of Pet Dogs and Cats in Human Courtship and Dating," published in the quarterly journal Anthrozoos, researchers -- who surveyed more than 1,200 Match.com users -- found that 35 percent of women and 26 percent of men said they had been more attracted to someone because he or she owned a pet.

Men are more likely to use a pet -- generally a dog -- as "date bait," with 22 percent admitting to the tactic. Only 6 percent of women said they had used a pet to attract potential dates.

Women, on the other hand, are more likely to rely on their dogs and cats as barometers of a date's trustworthiness. Nearly half of the women responding said they judged dates based on how the person responded to their pet, and 76 percent evaluated dates based on whether their pets liked the person.

"My dogs have helped me see who is and isn't a good match based on how the guys responded to the dogs, and vice versa," says Elizabeth Barden Ackerman of Los Angeles. "The ones who are scared of my giant black Lab are quickly let go. The one who naturally pats and plays with him, refills his water bowl without being asked and who watches the dog and hilariously narrates his thoughts? He's special."

Allia Zobel Nolan of New York City knew the man she met was her true love because of the way he treated her cats, even though at heart he was a dog person.

"He loved me, so he loved my cats," she says.

Gail Parker of Philadelphia stopped seeing one man after her dog, a German shepherd, growled at him. She gave another the heave-ho when he called her Irish setter stupid.

The study's lead author, University of Nevada, Las Vegas anthropology professor Peter Gray, suggests that pets' status as family members could explain the significant influence they wield in the choices people make about who they date. He and fellow researchers, UNLV graduate student Shelly Volsche; Justin Garcia of the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University; and Helen Fisher of Rutgers University, say dog ownership may signal "a potential mate's caregiving capacity." How a person treats a pet could indicate how he or she would treat a mate and children.

McNamara and McGlynn? At their eventual wedding, more dogs than people were in attendance.

"Max is turning 14 in a month, and Jeff is still his most favorite human ever," McNamara says.

Q&A

Bird's bald spots

can have multiple causes

Q: My African grey parrot is losing his feathers, and my veterinarian wants to run lab tests. I thought feather-plucking was a behavioral problem. What can lab tests tell us? -- via email

A: Feather-destructive disorder is a common and complex problem in birds. Among the species in which we typically see it are cockatoos, African greys, macaws, conures, cockatiels and lovebirds.

It's normal for birds to preen, or groom, their feathers to remove dirt or parasites, but when they start chewing the feathers, pulling them out altogether or even mutilating their bodies, the cause can be medical, behavioral or a combination of the two.

Underlying medical causes of feather-plucking can include inflammatory skin disease, low levels of thyroid hormones, liver or kidney disorders or tumors, to name just a few. Among the possible environmental causes are low humidity, poor lighting or changes in the bird's routine. Behavioral causes include boredom, anxiety and frustration. Sometimes the condition can have multiple causes. Because of this, diagnosing it can be a challenge.

A thorough medical history and, ideally, an environmental and behavioral evaluation are the foundation of a diagnosis, but a complete blood count, chemistry profile, screening for infectious disease, bacterial and fungal cultures, fecal exam and skin and feather follicle biopsies can all provide valuable information.

Treatment takes time and patience, and it may not lead to a complete cure. Depending on the cause, medication can help to reduce inflammation, itchiness and anxiety. Even if the cause is medical, enriching the bird's environment with interesting toys, opportunities to climb or fly and foods that require the bird to work to get at them is a valuable component of treatment. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Pets need dental

care annually

-- It’s National Pet Dental Health Month. What are you doing to keep your dog or cat’s teeth clean? The basics include brushing teeth frequently (daily is best) and getting a professional exam and cleaning annually by your pet’s veterinarian. To help dogs or cats enjoy tooth brushing -- and, by extension, ensuring that you enjoy brushing your pet’s teeth -- here are some tips. Start small; brush just a few teeth at a time. Give pets a reason to enjoy the experience: Practice with peanut butter for dogs or tuna juice for cats. Reward pets with a dental treat after brushing.

-- Pets are popular on Instagram. Top dogs and cool cats include canine pop culture king Doug the pug (@itsdougthepug); Manny the Frenchie (@manny_the_frenchie), who promotes animal rescue organizations; Venus (@venustwofacecat), noted for her split face -- half black, half orange -- and odd eyes -- one green and one blue; Jack (@jackthecockatiel), a skateboarding cockatiel from Brazil; Ella Bean (@ellabeanthedog), a fashionista Chihuahua; Lil Bub (@iamlilbub), a cat who has raised more than $200,000 for animal-related charities; Nala (@nala_cat), whose 3.8 million followers make her the most-followed feline on Instagram; and working dog K-9 Piper (@airportk9), a border collie who helps control wildlife at the airport in Traverse City, Michigan.

-- United Airlines and Delta Airlines no longer permit animals younger than 4 months in the cabin, whether they are pets, emotional-support animals or service animals. The only emotional support animals allowed are dogs and cats. Also banned are emotional-support dogs and cats on flights longer than eight hours. Southwest Airlines put in a place a requirement limiting emotional-support animals to dogs, cats and occasionally miniature horses. The changes come in the wake of bite incidents and other unacceptable behavior. -- 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.