Walking a dog is good exercise for seniors, but they can be at risk for falls. Experts offer tips to help keep them fracture-free

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Turkan Tokcan was walking her daughter’s dog. As she stopped to look for something in her purse, she wrapped the leash around her two middle fingers. Another dog passed by, and Buster, usually calm, launched himself at the interloper. The result -- two painfully broken fingers -- took months to heal. Tokcan is still unable to fully bend one of them.

It’s not an unusual injury, especially when it comes to older dog owners. A study published last month in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the annual number of patients 65 years and older presenting to U.S. emergency departments with fractures associated with walking leashed dogs increased significantly between 2004 and 2017, primarily among women (78.6 percent).

“The doctors said they see these cases too many times,” says Tokcan’s daughter, Sebnem. “People underestimate the power of their dogs.”

Dogs cross in front of us, stop suddenly to sniff and take off running if they see a kid playing with a remote-controlled car. Humans, especially as they age, experience deficits in balance, hearing, vision, strength and flexibility, all of which can contribute to a fall when combined with an excited, fearful or poorly trained dog. Injuries to hips, wrists and upper arms were most commonly reported.

Accidents happen when people are distracted or aren’t paying attention while walking dogs. Here are some tips from experts on making dog walks safer for seniors -- and anyone else.

-- Hold the leash correctly. “Wrapping a leash around the wrist is a big no-no that’s likely to result in injury for anyone who does it, especially seniors who are at higher risk of injury due to brittle bones,” says Mikkel Becker, lead trainer for Fear Free Pets. “Learning how to hold a leash properly can be a life-saving technique to keep people from being pulled or dragged.” Use a strong grip that allows you to release quickly if needed.

-- Use a shorter leash. A good length is 4 feet, says Edward T. Creagan, M.D., an expert on healthy aging and a dog lover himself who lives with two golden retrievers. “The longer the leash, the more velocity the dog can have. Even if Fido is 30 or 40 pounds, a long leash becomes a vector for velocity and can pull the pet owner off their feet.”

-- Take a refresher course with a trainer who can focus on your dog’s leash manners. Dogs tend to walk all over the place, following their noses. Walking by our side at our pace is not natural for them, so they need training, says animal behavior technician Debbie Martin. “Choose someone who understands how to use motivators to teach a dog how to walk nicely on leash,” she says. “We have to make it worth their while and something that’s fun for them as well, so the walk is enjoyable not only for the people but also for the animal.”

-- Teach impulse control, especially at the top of stairs, at the door or when approaching a fun place such as the park. Dogs need to learn that patience pays off more quickly than pulling or pushiness, Becker says. Exercises to practice include waiting calmly to be leashed. A positive-reinforcement trainer can help with techniques.

-- Be mindful. Pay attention to your surroundings so you don’t miss a beeping horn, environmental obstacles such as curbs or tree roots that have pushed up a section of sidewalk, or the approach of another dog. “Inattention is a common mistake people make that leads to injury,” Dr. Creagan says.

Most important, keep walking your dog. The purpose of the study isn’t to discourage seniors from walking their dogs, says lead author Kevin Pirruccio. “We hope our results help make dog walking safer for seniors by raising awareness about which situations may put patients at risk for these injuries.”

Q&A

How to deter

bites from cat

Q: My 10-month-old cat bites me. Will he outgrow this?

A: You don’t describe the situations in which your cat bites, but a common one is when the cat feels overstimulated from petting.

Cats can’t say, “Hey, stop, I don’t like that anymore,” so they bite or scratch to send that message. If your cat bites when you pet him, pay closer attention to his body language. If the tail is whipping, eyes are dilated or ears go flat, sideways or back, stop! Let him chill before you pet him again.

Cats also bite if they don’t like where they’re being petted. Dogs love belly rubs, but cats ... not so much. That is the last place you want to reach out and touch them. Even if your cat loves and trusts you, it’s instinctive for him to protect his soft underbelly with a bite or swat. Don’t make him do it!

If your cat nails you, freeze instead of pulling away. Struggling and movement will excite him; the action is like that of prey. If you hold still, though, he will likely let go. Don’t yell at him, but redirect his attention to a toy.

By becoming aware of your cat’s tolerance levels, reducing triggers that make him bite and not using your hand as a plaything -- waggling fingers, for instance -- you will protect yourself from his teeth and claws.

The sweet spots for petting a cat are beneath the chin, behind the ears, on the cheeks behind the whiskers and at the base of the tail. All of these areas are where scent glands are concentrated. Scritching your cat in these places spreads his scent and makes his environment (and you) smell familiar, which is all to the good if you want to have a happy, purring cat. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Watch for signs of

arthritis in cats

-- Does your cat seem to be slowing down? She may have degenerative joint disease. Cats at increased risk include Maine coons, which have a genetic tendency toward hip dysplasia; Abyssinians and Devon rex, prone to patellar luxation; and Scottish folds, because the gene that causes the ears to fold is also associated with cartilage and bone abnormalities. Other risk factors include injury, obesity, chronic kidney disease and age. Take your cat to the veterinarian if you notice changes in behavior such as becoming aggressive or withdrawn; appetite loss; poor litter box use; constipation; difficulty grooming himself or dislike of being brushed or combed; and unfriendliness toward people or other animals with whom he was previously friendly.

-- In a survey of 3,673 pet owners, 45 percent expressed interest in learning more about nutritional adequacy of plant-based diets for pets. A commonly reported concern about feeding a meat-based diet was farm-animal welfare. The objective of the survey, which was published January 15 in the online journal PLOS ONE, was to estimate the number of meat-avoiding pet owners, identify concerns regarding conventional animal- and plant-based pet food, and estimate the number of pets fed a plant-based diet. While some dogs can subsist on a plant-based diet, cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must have meat in their diet. Pets who naturally eat only a plant-based diet include rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs, as well as certain reptiles, such as iguanas and land tortoises, making them good choices for vegetarian and vegan owners.

-- Life is never dull with a poodle of any size (standards are 18 to 24 inches, minis 15 inches or less, toys 10 inches or less). The active, athletic dogs excel in canine sports. Exuberant and enthusiastic, they view the world as their stage, with humans as their adoring audience. -- 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.

How a complex surgery gave a second chance to a cat with cancer

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

The collies kept licking Edmund’s right ear. When Rosemary George looked inside it to see what was so intriguing to the dogs, what she saw immediately sent her to the veterinarian with the 11-year-old cat. His ear canal was so inflamed that he required a course of antibiotics before the veterinarian could laser out the growths, which turned out to be the result of a ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma. That’s a malignant tumor of the ear canal, usually seen -- although rarely -- in older cats.

Edmund did well for about 18 months, but then the tumors began to regrow. A CT scan found that the cancer had spread to one lymph node. George was referred to a surgeon, who suggested a total ear canal ablation, or TECA: a delicate and complex surgery to remove the entire ear canal. It’s commonly performed not only for pets with ear canal tumors, but also those with chronic ear canal infections.

The dramatic surgery is performed when there are no medical options for treatment of external or middle-ear disease, says Elizabeth Layne, DVM, a veterinary dermatology specialist at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison (who was not involved in Edmund's case). The immediate recovery period can be intense, but afterward, there’s no more need to medicate the ears, a bonus for pets and owners alike.

“It can really improve everyone’s quality of life,” Dr. Layne says. “It’s a major investment in time, and it’s relatively expensive, but then you’re finished with this chronic, frustrating, painful problem.”

Interestingly, cats can still hear after this type of surgery. Although the opening into the ear canal is closed, the ear is still able to process sound waves. The main difference is that sounds may be somewhat muted, the way they would be if you plugged your ears with your fingers. Even if both ear canals are removed, animals typically still have some hearing.

Occasionally, pets may develop a condition called Horner syndrome after the procedure. The usually temporary nerve damage causes the eye to appear sunken and the eyelid droopy. The signs usually disappear after three or four weeks. Edmund, now 14, had some residual damage to his blink reflex, which required application of eye drops several times daily, but the problem resolved in a couple of months. His pinna, the outer ear, droops a bit as well, resembling a flag at half-staff.

And he wasn’t quite done with treatment. Because the mass was malignant, Edmund needed a course of chemotherapy. The laid-back cat accepted six treatments at three-week intervals without the need for sedation and experienced few side effects.

“They gave him anti-nausea medication at the clinic, and only once did he show any signs of discomfort the next day,” George says. “He didn’t want to eat and sat hunched. This resolved itself after about 12 hours. For the remaining two treatments, the oncologist instructed me to give him anti-nausea medication prophylactically the day after treatment.”

The only other side effect was the response of Edmund’s littermate, Clarence.

“Clarence hissed at him for a couple of days after treatment and refused to lie near him. That is apparently how long it takes for the chemo to leave his system,” George says.

If a full-body CT scan next month determines that the cancer hasn’t spread anywhere else in the body, Edmund’s prognosis is good. For other people considering this procedure for a cat or dog, George says, “Find the most experienced surgeon for a TECA and oncologist that you can. It is an expensive undertaking, but the odds were good that Edmund would make a complete recovery and live a normal lifespan, so I went for it.”

Q&A

Vision quest:

What dogs see

Q: I can throw treats on the floor right in front of my dog, and he never sees them. Why is that?

A: In some respects, dogs have great vision. Their eyes are adapted to help them see better in low light, for instance. And sighthounds bear that moniker because of their ability to detect motion at a distance, thanks to a long, narrow head that gives them a greater field of vision. They also benefit from a “visual streak,” an elongated area in the retina that provides a panoramic view of their surroundings and excellent peripheral vision. The average dog has a visual field of approximately 250 degrees, while brachycephalic dogs such as pugs have a visual field of approximately 220 degrees. Sighthounds? Their visual field is as much as 290 degrees.

But why can’t your dog see treats right in front of his nose? Canine eyes are set more on the side of the head. While that gives the average dog better peripheral vision than that of humans -- although maybe not as good as that of a sighthound -- it impedes depth perception. Most dogs have difficulty seeing things that are closer than about 10 inches, especially if those objects aren’t moving. And what the dog sees is not as clear as it is to a human, partly because dogs see fewer colors with less vivid contrast.

Interestingly, one study found that most dogs are neither significantly near-sighted or far-sighted. Two breeds that showed a greater incidence of near-sightedness were German shepherds and Rottweilers.

The bottom line: It’s easier for dogs to detect moving objects rather than something that’s right in front of them that isn’t moving. It’s a good thing they have a keen sense of smell to sniff out those treats. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Pet blood pressure

check is smart idea

-- Hypertension isn’t just for humans. Cats and dogs can also develop high blood pressure, often related to kidney disease, an over- or underactive thyroid gland or other medical conditions. Hypertension that goes unrecognized and untreated in pets can damage organs and lead to renal failure, blindness, stroke or heart failure. Pets can take medication to control high blood pressure. Depending on the cause, your veterinarian may also recommend medication or dietary changes to treat underlying diseases. “If these underlying problems are treated successfully, then blood pressure can return to normal, and anti-hypertensive drugs can be discontinued,” said Dr. John N. Stallone, a professor at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, who studies hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases in pets.

-- If you read books set in Ireland or Great Britain, you may have seen mention of dogs called lurchers and wondered what they were. Lurchers are cross-breeds made up of any sighthound -- such as a Greyhound -- and another breed such as a border collie or terrier. The goal is to create a dog that's fast, smart and hard-working. Some crosses may seek to bring in greater tenacity or better scenting ability. Lurchers are known for being silent and sneaky when hunting and were nicknamed “the poacher’s dog.”

-- Speaking last month at the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas, veterinary behaviorist Debra Horwitz offered four takeaways for managing pet behavior problems: Most behaviors that people dislike are normal animal behaviors, and pets need appropriate outlets for performing them or to learn to do something different; understand that animals see situations differently than humans and have different expectations for outcomes; meet a dog or cat’s needs for social interactions, exploration, safety and control; and consult trainers who use Fear Free training methods to diminish anxiety and increase learning. -- 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.

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.