The season of renewal can be perilous for pets. Household poisons come in the form of pretty plants, tasty (human) treats and more

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Is your home ready for spring? If you live with dogs, cats or other pets, you may need to do some extra preparation to ensure their safety as your garden comes to life, your home fills with flowers for spring holidays, and you or your neighbors fight off unwelcome spring guests such as rodents and external parasites. Here’s what you should know about preventing pet poisoning from common plants and products.

Lilies are lovely, but they can be fatal to cats. A cat who eats any part of a lily -- flowers, leaves, stems, pollen -- or drinks water in a vase of lilies can develop fatal kidney failure. Don’t plant lilies in your yard if you have outdoor cats, and don’t accept them into your home if you receive a bouquet for Easter or your birthday. Give them to a friend or family member whose home is cat-free.

Other common spring plants that can be toxic to pets include bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. Pets who eat the tops or flowers of bulbs usually suffer only mild stomach upset, but if they eat the bulb itself, the result can be bloody vomiting and diarrhea and low blood pressure.

Cats are also sensitive to certain flea- and tick-control products, especially those made for dogs. Never give your dog’s parasite-prevention products to your cat, thinking that she’ll be safe if you just use a little less. Feline physiology is not the same as that of a dog or human. Cats respond in different ways to certain chemicals, so it’s important to purchase parasite preventives made specifically for them.

What about dogs? We all know that they are indiscriminate eaters, willing to chow down on whatever they come across in the hope that it’s edible. Check labels to make sure food items such as baked goods, candy, chewing gum and even peanut butter aren’t sweetened with xylitol. Pets, including cats, who ingest xylitol-sweetened items show signs such as vomiting, sudden and life-threatening low blood sugar, and liver failure. If your dog considers himself a professional taste-tester, read labels carefully, and keep these items well out of his reach.

Chocolate Easter bunnies and eggs, especially those made with dark chocolate, can be toxic to pets. Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine that is harmful to dogs, cats and parrots. Baker’s and dark chocolate have the highest concentrations of theobromine and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and seizures, depending on the size of the animal and how much he eats. Take your pet to the vet if you find evidence that he has broken into your chocolate stash.

If you are a savvy pet owner, you probably avoid putting out mouse or rat poison for fear that your pet will ingest it, but neighbors or family members you visit might not be so careful. Ask if they have put out any bait traps, where they are and if they’d be willing to take them up while your pet is there. Poisoning by rodenticides containing anticoagulants is treatable with blood transfusions and vitamin K if the poisoning is caught in time, but alternative poisons that contain a neurotoxin called bromethalin are more harmful to pets and have no antidote.

Finally, for many people, spring means allergy season. Human medications are the number-one reason for calls to animal poison control hotlines. Decongestants can be deadly to pets who accidentally ingest them. They can cause vomiting, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors and seizures. Seek veterinary help immediately if you discover your pet has ingested these types of drugs. Remember, it takes dogs only about 15 seconds to break into a childproof bottle.

Q&A

Fear of storms

common in dogs

Q: It’s thunderstorm season, and my 3-year-old Australian shepherd has become so afraid of the noise that he tries to jump out the window. I’m really afraid he’s going to hurt himself. He has never seemed afraid of storms before. Is there anything that can be done? -- via Facebook

A: Many dogs are fearful of the sound of thunder -- and possibly the accompanying lightning flashes, loud wind, and changes in ozone levels and barometric pressure. Research has found that herding breeds like your Aussie seem to be more prone to this type of fear. In these breeds, at least, the fear may have a genetic component.

Signs of this type of fear usually begin with barking, seeking attention (pawing at people, for instance) and pacing. The signs can swiftly escalate to trembling, panting, howling, destructiveness and attempts to escape, even if that means jumping through a window or chewing through a door.

Those early signs can be subtle. People might not notice them, or they think their dog will outgrow the fear as he matures or becomes used to thunderstorms.

Unfortunately, repeated exposure simply makes the problem worse. If you notice that your dog is fearful during storms, talk to your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist right away. Medication in the very early stages with drugs that help to reduce panic can make the fear easier to manage, but it’s essential to give it before the storm starts. Often, the best solution is medication combined with snug-fitting shirts and capes, which have a soothing effect, and canine ear muffs and eye shades, which help to limit the dog’s exposure to the frightening phenomena. It can also be helpful to teach your dog to go to a place where he feels secure. That can be a closet, a crate lined with a towel or blanket (keep the door open), or a bathroom or bathtub. -- Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Labs hold on to

top-dog status

-- For a record 28th straight year, Labrador retrievers are the No. 1 pick of dog lovers in the United States. The American Kennel Club’s registration statistics track the numbers of the 192 AKC-recognized breeds. The Lab hit first place in 1990 and hasn’t left it since, mainly because of his friendly character and ease of training. The Lab's devotion to people may also be a factor. "They live to breathe your air," says Lab breeder Linda C. Rehkopf. Following the Lab are the German shepherd, golden retriever, French bulldog, bulldog, beagle, poodle (all three varieties), Rottweiler, German shorthaired pointer and Yorkshire terrier.

-- Poet T.S. Eliot called April "the cruelest month," but for animal lovers, it's Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. Ways to help animals during this month -- and year-round -- include training them early in life using positive reinforcement techniques so as to prevent behavior problems; playing with them, whether that's with a rousing game of fetch, a teaser toy for cats or participating in a fun sport such as agility or nosework; adopting from, fostering for or volunteering at a shelter; and supporting laws that protect farm animals and pets from abuse.

-- We think of cats as loners, but they can live together amicably given enough space for each cat and a consistent and predictable daily routine. According to cat expert Tony Buffington, DVM, a happy cat has unrestricted access to high-perch resting areas free of loud noises and pursuit by dogs and small children. There should be enough space in a room for each cat to keep a social distance of at least 3 feet. Some cats are happy to share space and groom each other, while others take turns using resting areas at different times of day. Sort of a kitty timeshare! -- Kim Campbell Thornton

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.

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.