Organizations and special programs help to save senior and special-needs pets, among the most vulnerable animals in shelters

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

When Michele Hoffman was fostering for rescue groups in Southern California, she would go to shelters to pick up litters of kittens or young adoptable cats. One day she saw a beautiful blind cat and asked what would happen to her.

“She’ll be euthanized,” was the reply. “Nobody wants cats like that.”

Hoffman left the shelter with that cat, too. Soon afterward, she founded Milo’s Sanctuary; 15 years later, it has helped to rescue, place and give a lifetime home to approximately 1,800 senior or special-needs cats.

“I decided that these cats deserved a wonderful home just like anyone,” she says.

Old dogs and special-needs dogs face challenges in finding homes, too. They often end up in shelters or with rescue groups because the person who loved them has passed away or moved to a nursing care facility, says Lisa Lunghofer, executive director of the Grey Muzzle Organization. They may also land in shelters for the same reasons as younger dogs: a change in family circumstances, an owner’s lack of time or money, or behavioral issues that go unaddressed. Grey Muzzle isn’t a shelter but instead raises funds -- more than $1.5 million since it was founded by Julie Dudley in 2008 -- to help rescue groups provide care, comfort, homes and hospice for old dogs.

“We frequently hear that a Grey Muzzle grant gave a senior dog dental and veterinary care that helped make him more adoptable, leading to the dog quickly finding a forever home,” Lunghofer says. “Our grants also help keep old dogs in good homes. When her beloved senior dog, Bella, needed veterinary care that 89-year-old Arlene could not afford, she reached out to the Elder Paws Senior Dog Foundation in California. Thanks to a Grey Muzzle grant, Bella got the care she needed, and this loving senior couple was able to stay together.”

Milo’s Sanctuary and Grey Muzzle are part of a trend toward ensuring that vulnerable animals have access to care and adoptive homes.

“I think there is a growing subpopulation of adopters who specifically seek older and special-needs animals to adopt,” says Martha Smith-Blackmore, DVM, veterinarian for Boston’s Animal Care and Control Shelter. “I think the motivations are multifactorial, but at its root is the heart of what it means to ‘rescue’ an animal. Who are the most at-risk shelter pets? The elderly and those with special needs.”

Programs aimed at senior animals include seniors-for-seniors adoption efforts and lifetime care for unadoptable animals. Matching senior humans with older pets -- often at reduced adoption fees -- is one way to place animals in homes where they will be loved, and owners can worry less about a pet outliving them.

Adopting a senior dog or cat can be a rewarding experience for people or families of any age, though. With mature pets, what you see is what you get. They are usually housetrained and past the destructive stage. Their personalities are already formed, and they may have experience with children or training in manners or how to walk on a leash.

“All dogs are individuals, but senior dogs tend to be more laid-back and easier to live with than younger dogs,” Lunghofer says. “People who have adopted senior dogs tell us they would do it again in a heartbeat.”

And whether they are adopted at 3 years -- considered “older” in many shelters -- or 13 years, they often have more years of life and love left than people expect.

“Older and special-needs pets have as much love to give as any other pet,” Dr. Smith-Blackmore says. “Opening your heart and home to these individuals is the definition of kindness.”

Q&A

Does pup need to

put on some pounds?

Q: My new puppy is 5 months old and a little on the skinny side. Can you give me some tips on fattening her up? Should I cook for her or just feed her more of her regular food?

A: I’m betting that your puppy isn’t too skinny but instead is just right. When we picture puppies in our minds, the image is usually of a roly-poly fuzzball, but when it comes to growing puppies, being on the thin side is better. Puppies need to grow slowly and steadily. Putting on too much weight too quickly stresses their still-developing bones and joints and can lead to orthopedic problems such as hip dysplasia later in life.

A good rule to live by is “Watch the dog; don’t watch the bowl.” In other words, how the dog looks should tell you whether you’re feeding the right amount. A healthy puppy in good shape looks muscular but not fat.

To gauge your puppy’s overall condition, give him an “eye exam” followed by a hands-on test. Eye your pup from above; he should have a visible waistline when you look down at him. Then put your hands on him, thumbs along the spine and fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see his ribs. If you can see his ribs, feed more.

I’m a big fan of feeding puppies with puzzle toys instead of bowls. Having to put forth some effort for their food keeps dogs from eating too much or too quickly. Put your dog’s normal amount of food in it and let him push, roll or manipulate it in other ways to get the food to fall out. Keep several and rotate them to keep your pup interested and challenge his brain and body. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Clue to pup size is

proportion, not paws

-- Can paws predict a puppy’s size at maturity? Not necessarily. Big feet don’t necessarily mean that a puppy will grow to be a large adult. A better clue is the pup’s overall proportions. Puppies who are well-proportioned at an early age typically grow into small or medium-size dogs. It’s the gangly, awkward puppies who are most likely to be big dogs a few months down the road. If a young puppy looks as if he hasn’t grown into his body, his head seems too large for his body, his tail looks longer than the rest of him and he’s constantly falling over his paws, don’t be too surprised if he weighs a whopping 90 pounds when he’s 8 months old.

-- When your cat rubs up against you, he’s not merely expressing affection. Cats want their possessions -- and that includes you, your sofa, favorite toys and maybe the dog -- to smell like them, so they deposit sebum from scent glands on their heads to mark whatever they’re rubbing with their own special scent.

-- Dogs may be the canary in the coal mine when it comes to male infertility. A recent study found that environmental contaminants in the form of two man-made chemicals negatively affect the quality of sperm in both men and dogs. Both chemicals have been detected in commercial dog foods, and one, DEHP, is common in household items ranging from carpets to toys. The other, PCB153, used in products such as surface coatings and paints, is banned globally but remains widely detectable in the environment, according to researchers. An earlier discovery that dogs in homes experienced a decline in sperm quality led to the hypothesis that chemical pollutants in the environment, including homes, could be the cause of a decline in male sperm quality as well. -- 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.

Smaller incisions, less pain among the benefits of minimally invasive surgical techniques

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

When Rebecca Barocas went to the veterinary clinic to pick up Anja, the 18-month-old German shepherd she had recently adopted, it was hard to tell that the 50-pound dog had just undergone spay surgery. Anja was bouncing around and then bounded into the truck before Barocas could lift her in. Barocas attributes Anja’s high spirits after what is typically major abdominal surgery to the minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure she had sought out for the dog.

Those of us who’ve had gallbladders removed, hips replaced or other surgery performed using minimally invasive techniques know the benefits: less pain and quicker recovery time. Pets needing surgery can experience the same advantages, including less time spent under anesthesia and a shorter period of hospitalization. If your pet needs joint repair, bladder stone removal, gastropexy (“tacking” the stomach to prevent bloat), fracture repair, liver or kidney biopsy or other surgery, it’s worth asking your veterinarian whether a minimally invasive procedure is available and appropriate.

Pets first benefited from minimally invasive techniques in the 1970s. The procedures allow for better visualization, magnification and lighting, as well as smaller surgical incisions.

But are these types of procedures minimally invasive to your wallet? Not necessarily. I discovered this about six years ago when I was looking into laparoscopic spay surgery for Harper, my cavalier King Charles spaniel, who was 5 years old at the time. A traditional ovariohysterectomy was about $700, while a “lap spay” was about $2,200. A more recent price check brought quotes ranging from $1,100 to $4,000.

“Unfortunately, it does not always mean lower cost for the owner because there’s a significant increase in the amount of equipment that gets used in these, but we do see benefits to the patient,” says Kevin Winkler, DVM, a veterinary surgeon who practices at Blue Pearl Specialty and Emergency Hospital in Sandy Springs, Georgia.

But for owners with pet health insurance or who can afford to pay for the procedures without financial strain, minimally invasive surgery can be a good decision. A Great Dane undergoing gastropexy, for instance, can have a 2-inch incision instead of a 12-inch incision that requires opening up the dog completely on the belly, Dr. Winkler says. “That dramatically speeds recovery, allows these guys to get back to normal much faster and decreases some of the risk associated with the large incision.”

Advanced scoping procedures have also allowed orthopedic surgeons to repair certain types of fractures and dislocations through much smaller incisions. The procedures allow for better and more rapid bone healing in dogs with significant trauma.

“Not only do we have a smaller incision from a wound standpoint, but we’re disrupting significantly less tissue that may be traumatized from the original injury,” Dr. Winkler says. “One of the areas where we have had wonderful success with minimally invasive surgery is in sacroiliac dislocations or luxations. We now have patients who are walking on these legs in 24 to 48 hours versus two weeks, so it’s been a wonderful advancement for the dogs.”

As with any surgery, not every dog, cat or other animal is necessarily a good candidate for a minimally invasive procedure. Veterinarians will look at the animal’s overall health to make a decision about the risk of anesthesia for any procedure.

Other factors: Not every condition is suited to minimally invasive surgical procedures. And not every veterinarian has the training or necessary equipment to perform them.

But for pet owners who have seen the results in themselves, their friends or relatives or their pets, there’s no going back.

“I would definitely do it again,” Barocas says. “For me, it’s the gold standard.”

Q&A

Dogs adjust well

to vision loss

Q: My dog is losing her eyesight. How can I help her adjust?

A: Blindness doesn’t seem to stop the average dog. When eyesight goes, the nose and ears take over in helping the dog maneuver through the environment.

One primary factor in adjustment is how quickly vision is lost. A dog who loses vision slowly from a condition such as progressive retinal atrophy usually copes well, but one who loses vision rapidly from a nonpainful condition such as acquired retinal degeneration may take a few weeks to adjust.

The following tips may help you accustom your dog to her loss of vision.

-- Walk her on leash. As you walk, talk to her so she knows where you are.

-- Stick to the same route so she can learn how it smells along the way and become familiar with any obstacles such as curbs or steps.

-- Feed her in the same place. If you notice that she seems disoriented, take her to the food bowl. It’s a landmark of sorts that will help her reorient herself.

-- Continue to teach her new things. Using a clicker and treats as well as verbal praise are ways you can train her without the need for her to see you.

-- You may notice that she barks more often. This may be out of insecurity or simply to get your attention so she can find out where you are. Regular training sessions will help her gain confidence.

-- You can also purchase a device such as Muffin’s Halo, which my late dog Shakira wore after she lost her eyesight. It’s sort of a “bumper” that attaches to a dog’s shoulders and takes the hit if the dog comes too close to an obstacle. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Lil Bub’s genome

brings new findings

-- Celebricat Lil Bub is known for her extra toes, short limbs, and cute tongue that hangs out of her mouth. Feline researchers were curious as the proverbial cat as to what caused the unusual characteristics that Lil Bub was born with. Thanks to crowdfunding dollars, they were able to sequence the cat’s entire genome, discovering two rare mutations. The extra toes, known as polydactylism, are due to a variation in a particular stretch of DNA. It’s sort of an on-off switch for the Sonic hedgehog gene, the same one that causes polydactyly in Key West’s “Hemingway” cats. The other traits are caused by a variation in a gene associated with a condition called osteopetrosis. Seen in mice and humans, it causes unusually dense bones and short stature. It’s the first time genetic osteopetrosis has been described in cats.

-- An 11-member veterinary team in Kingman, Arizona, performed a C-section to deliver 19 Great Dane puppies. The mother, Cleo, was brought in because of her difficult labor, but mom and pups are all doing well now.

-- A wire fox terrier named King took best in show at Westminster last month, making him the 15th of his breed to win the title. If you’re wondering what wire fox terriers are like to live with, here’s the scoop. The dogs are affectionate and sociable but have a mind of their own. They are confident, outgoing, and inquisitive dogs, highly active and into everything. The phrase that best describes them is “always on the tiptoe of expectation.” The dogs love to dig and hunt; if you have a rodent problem, a wire fox terrier will solve it for you in no time. Avoid this breed if you share your home with cats, birds, or pets such as guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters or gerbils. -- 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.

Food rewards aid in training, reduce fear in unfamiliar situations, and are just plain fun to give. Here’s what to know about treats for cats and dogs

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Did you celebrate International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day last month? Even if you didn’t know about it, you probably gave your dog or cat a treat that day for any number of reasons.

Pet lovers give treats as rewards during training sessions, after a great agility run or nosework search, or for pottying in the right spot; as distractions in situations that cause the pet to be fearful, such as visiting the vet or the approach of an unknown person or dog; or to build a positive association with an item like a crate or carrier.

Ramona Marek says her Siberian cats Ivan and Natasha will do anything for cat grass. “I leash-trained Ivan in a couple of hours due to his ‘grass addiction,’” she says.

Dog trainer Laura Busch saves high-value treats such as homemade liver brownies and dehydrated chicken hearts for nosework trials and training class.

Janiss Garza’s Somali cat Summer makes frequent public appearances, and Summer’s response to treats helps Garza gauge whether her cat is feeling stressed.

“I save the really good treats for shows and other public appearances,” she says. “If she refuses them, I need to either take her to a safe spot or do something to calm her down or distract her.”

Veterinarian Marty Becker, who lectures around the country on the secrets of Fear Free veterinary visits, offers this advice: “Pets prefer certain flavors and textures over others. It’s crucial to use ‘the good stuff’ when it comes to gaining the pet’s interest in the face of pain, discomfort, distractions and change that takes them beyond their comfort zone -- home sweet home -- and into the hospital environment.”

He likes giving pieces of warm deli turkey, slices of turkey hot dogs and squeeze cheese. Choose treats that are soft and smelly, not any larger than the size of your pinkie toenail. During the exam and procedures such as having the temperature taken or vaccinations, offer 10 to 20 tiny treats per minute.

Sometimes we give treats just because. “Who’s a good boy?” isn’t simply a rhetorical question. We give treats to our pets because we love them and want them to feel special.

Treat manufacturers and pet bakeries know this, and they develop treats that feed into the human love of rewarding cats and dogs with items that resemble our own favorite foods, whether that’s bacon, cheese, chips, cookies or cupcakes.

Many pet owners also have favorite homemade treats that they serve up to drooling dogs and cats. For Lab breeder Linda Rehkopf, it’s frozen turkey meatballs. Val Hughes gives sweet potato and yam chips that she bakes in the oven. “Scrub the veggie, slice as thin as possible and cook for at least three hours at about 250 degrees, turning every hour,” she says. “Let them cool before serving.”

For faster, easier treats, pet faves include rotisserie chicken, freeze-dried liver, tiny frozen shrimp, small cubes of cheese or a small bit of cream cheese or aerosol cheese on the end of your finger. Many dogs love blueberries, banana slices, bits of fresh or dried apple or other fruit. (Avoid grapes and raisins, which can cause kidney failure.) Cats often like cantaloupe.

Try the following recipe if you want to bake “brownies” for your dog or cat.

Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Blend 1/2 cup chicken liver or beef liver with one egg. Add 3/4 cup rice flour and blend well. Form the dough into small balls and bake for 45 minutes or until hard. Let cool. Serve to happy pets!

Q&A

Can cats

drink milk?

Q: My cat enjoys drinking leftover milk from my cereal bowl, but my mother says I shouldn’t give it to him because cats are lactose intolerant. True?

A: Cats have a reputation for loving milk. Maybe that’s because they have a long history of hanging out in barns with dairy cows and goats. At least that was my experience growing up on an Idaho dairy farm.

Cats will drink milk presumably because they enjoy the taste -- especially if it’s full-fat -- but it doesn’t necessarily agree with their digestive systems. Like some people, some cats are lactose intolerant and will experience diarrhea if they drink it. Other possible signs of lactose intolerance are vomiting or flatulence.

That’s because cow’s milk contains more lactose (milk sugar) and casein (a milk protein) than the milk kittens receive from their mothers. As kittens mature into cats, their ability to digest milk decreases because their body produces less of an enzyme called lactase that is involved in digestion of lactose. The body doesn’t absorb the milk sugar, causing intestinal upset. Beyond that, cream and whole milk are high in fat, causing cats who lap it up to pack on the pounds.

As with so many things, cats are individuals. Some of them don’t have a problem with milk, yogurt, cottage cheese or other dairy products. For those cats, a small amount of milk or milk products -- up to a tablespoon -- is fine as a treat.

Some pet milk products contain goat milk -- which has a different molecular structure than cow milk and is more digestible by cats -- as well as probiotics and digestive enzymes that can benefit cats. And remember, if you’re feeding orphaned kittens, stay away from any type of milk other than kitten milk formula available from your veterinarian or pet supply store. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Warming weather

brings out snakes

-- As temperatures rise, snakes become more active, increasing the risk of bites to pets and people. Most snakes do their best to avoid interactions, but being disturbed while they are less alert from their winter rest -- called brumation -- may cause them to deliver a painful and potentially fatal bite. If you live an area where coral snakes, copperheads, cottonmouths and rattlesnakes are endemic, avoid letting pets explore brush piles or other areas where snakes might be. If you know or suspect that your pet has been bitten by a snake, even a nonvenomous one, go to your veterinarian right away. Your pet may need antivenin, or in the case of nonvenomous reptiles, treatment to prevent infection.

-- Celebrate National K9 Veterans Day on March 13. Dogs have been valued members of the military for centuries, but March 13 was the date in 1942 when the United States Army began training dogs for its new War Dog Program, also known as the K-9 Corps. That’s when dogs officially became members of the armed services. Modern canine veterans include Cairo, the Navy Seal dog best known for participating in the Osama bin Laden raid, and Marco, a U.S. Air Force military working dog stationed appropriately enough at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana before his retirement.

-- Why does your cat zoom around the room as if he’s being chased by invisible mouse demons? He’s burning off excess energy stored up from the day’s exhaustive schedule of napping, eating and napping some more. The behavior is especially common in cats who don’t get enough exercise or play during the day. A cat’s natural instinct is to save energy for explosive chases as they hunt at night. But since most of our cats live placid indoor lives, that instinct is channeled into bedtime “zoomies.” -- 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.