5 ways to evaluate information you find on the internet

Andrews McMeel Syndication

When you think something's wrong with your dog or cat, the first thing you do is Google the symptoms. Are we right? We bet we are. Studies show that 3 out of 4 people go to the internet before calling their veterinarians or taking their pets to the clinic.

We understand. If you're worried about your pet, you want to have an idea right away of what might be wrong. But "Dr. Google" isn't always the best source of information for what's going on with your pet or how to treat it. We're not just saying that because we think you should take your furry friend to the veterinarian if he's sick (although we do). The internet is an amazing source of all kinds of knowledge, but it's also full of unreliable, out-of-date and just plain wrong advice. The fact is, some information is more equal than other information.

More important, nothing on the internet beats an in-person exam by your veterinarian. Dr. Becker has seen at least five instances in the past couple of years of pets dying because well-meaning owners relied on information found on the web and brought them in for help when it was too late.

We don't want you to stop going to the internet for information; it can be a valuable resource. We do want to help you learn to find and evaluate the best information. Here's what to look for.

-- Authorship. Who wrote the article? What are his or her credentials? Knowing the writer's background or affiliation with a particular institution allows you to judge how knowledgeable he or she is on the subject. You should also look for evidence of bias. Is the author pushing a particular viewpoint? Does the page belong to a company selling a product?

-- Source. Is the information from an academic institution or university, a government agency or a professional organization? Those are generally reliable and authoritative sites. Other good sites have articles that are written or reviewed by veterinarians.

Some of our favorites are Cornell Feline Health Center, FearFreeHappyHomes.com, VeterinaryPartner.com and Winn Feline Foundation. A personal page may have good information, but it's important to look carefully at the writer's credentials and documentation of that information.

-- Evidence. What's the proof behind what you're reading? Does the author refer to other sources to back up the information? Who or what are the sources? If a study is mentioned, the writer should include where and when it was published. Then you can look up the summary and find out what kind of study it was.

For medical evidence, randomized controlled trials -- meaning that the study participants were randomly assigned to treatment or control groups -- provide the most reliable results. Does the study appear in a peer-reviewed journal -- meaning that impartial scientists who weren't part of the study evaluated it before publication? You can check the journal's website to see if studies are sent out for review before publication.

-- Reliability. Is the information similar to what you've read on the subject elsewhere, or is it way out in left field? That doesn't necessarily make it wrong, but it does mean that you should cast an extra-critical eye on the ideas presented. It's always a good idea to look at several sources so you can have a well-rounded understanding of the topic.

-- Currentness. How old is the information? What we know can change quickly in this field. Beware of undated information. Look for sites that are updated regularly.

Dr. Google makes it easy to find information, but if you want to be really knowledgeable, you still have to put in the hard work of making sure it's accurate. And remember that you have a primary source just an appointment away: your veterinarian.

Q&A

Poor grooming, gland

issues cause 'stud tail'

Q: My Persian cat's tail makes him look as if he has a bad case of acne. The base of the tail is all flaky, and it has bumps that look like blackheads. What's causing it, and is there anything I can do?

A: Overactive sebaceous glands are usually behind the development of acne in human teenagers, and they can cause similar problems in cats. It just happens to affect the tail instead of the face (although cats can get facial acne as well).

Nicknamed "stud tail" because it used to be thought that it was limited to unneutered male cats, this uncommon condition is now known to affect both male and female cats, including those who have been spayed or neutered. Cats like your Persian, with his long, beautiful coat, can be prone to it, as can Siamese and rex cats. We usually see it in cats who don't do a good job of grooming their tails.

Cats with stud tail need to worry about more than getting a date to the purr-rom. The gunk in those blackheads can plug hair follicles, leading to a bacterial infection (folliculitis). If it gets really bad, the cat can get the feline equivalent of pimples: painful and itchy boils or pustules.

If your cat isn't grooming his tail properly because he's overweight and is having trouble reaching his tail, you need to help him reach a healthy weight through diet and exercise. Talk to your veterinarian about developing a plan that will help him shrink his size.

Sometimes we don't know why stud tail develops. If this is the case, you can try to manage it with wipes, shampoos or topical products that will work to remove debris on the surface of the fur and prevent the hair follicles from becoming plugged. Your veterinarian can recommend some antiseborrheic products that will be safe for your cat. Cats with bacterial folliculitis may need a course of antibiotics to resolve the problem. Keep the tail area clean so the problem doesn't recur. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Salmonella infections

linked to pig ears

-- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating a suspected link between pig ear treats and human cases of salmonellosis. According to the CDC, 45 cases of humans infected with salmonella have been reported in 13 states, with 12 people hospitalized. Of the people interviewed so far, 17 of 24 (71%) reported contact with pig ear dog treats or with dogs who were fed pig ear dog treats. Pet Supplies Plus is recalling bulk pig ears distributed to stores in 33 states. Prepackaged pig ears are not included in the recall. Consumers who purchased the pig ears should return them to the retailer for a refund. The CDC recommends using hot, soapy water to wash containers, shelves or other areas where recalled pig ears were stored.

-- Earthquakes, tornadoes, floods -- whatever natural disaster is common in your area, be sure pets are as well prepared as other family members. Pack a go-bag for them that includes a week’s supply of food, fresh water, medication, vaccination records and pet health insurance policies. Include a recent photo of each pet in case you become separated from them, and update your contact info with microchip or tattoo registration organizations.

-- Researchers in Finland surveyed owners of 5,726 cats from 40 breeds and found differences in social interactions, activity level, shyness toward strangers and novel objects, and other behaviors. Behavior traits studied were moderately or highly heritable, and personality factors such as extraversion, fearfulness and aggression were often correlated to the cat’s phenotype (appearance) and genetics. Some behaviors are selected for by cat breeders. Others may hitch a ride with a gene for fur or eye color. The largest differences in behavior were observed in activity level and the smallest in stereotypical behaviors, such as wool sucking. -- 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, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets 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.

11 tips on choosing the puppy who’s perfect for you

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Looking at puppies is fun, but choosing a puppy is a decision that can impact your family life and your relationship with the dog for years. Here’s how to find the perfect puppy match for your personality and lifestyle.

1. Look at several litters if possible. Don’t choose the first puppy who runs up and jumps in your lap or looks the prettiest or seems to be the boss. Seeing a number of puppies will help you make a better decision by showing you a range of personalities and helping you to eliminate extremes in both personality and size. Biggest isn’t necessarily best, and neither is smallest, loudest or quietest.

2. Watch puppies as they play together. Who’s in charge, and who gets beat on by other puppies? Which puppies get along with everyone? For most people, the middle-of-the-road pup is the best choice.

3. Every puppy is an individual. Some are serious, some are clowns, some are reserved, some are everyone’s best friend. Before you go to see a litter, write down what kind of personality you’re looking for in a dog, activities you enjoy and your own personality traits. Ask the breeder to show you pups with the qualities you’re looking for. (Walk away from any breeder who says they’re all the same.)

4. Avoid puppies who seem fearful, shy or extremely nervous. You may feel sorry for them, but living with a dog who is afraid of people, loud noises or new experiences can be frustrating.

5. If you’re serious about getting the right puppy, don’t make up your mind on the first visit. Come back on another day and look at the puppies all over again. You may find that the best puppy for you was sleepy during your first visit and didn’t make a good impression, or maybe had just gotten up from a nap and was wilder than usual.

6. Temperament is important, but so is good health. Ask to see up-to-date health certifications from board-certified veterinary specialists for both parents. Meet the parents -- at least the mom. Temperament is inherited, and parent personalities are clues as to what you can expect from a puppy as he matures. You should see happy, easygoing adult dogs.

7. Avoid purchasing two puppies from the same litter. They’ll bond to each other instead of to you. Instead, get your first puppy trained and through adolescence, then bring in a second one.

8. Don’t bring your children when choosing a puppy. You’ll be under too much pressure to take the first one that appeals to them instead of the one that's right for your family. Bring the kids only when it’s time to take the puppy home, and ask the breeder to keep other pups out of sight.

9. Don’t let price be the deciding factor. Sure, a $250 puppy may seem like a better deal than a $2,500 puppy, but if the breeder doesn’t have proof of health certifications on the parents, doesn’t provide good veterinary care or socialization and doesn’t feed high-quality food, veterinary bills and pup psychology sessions may increase the cost of the dog in the long run.

10. Don’t be in a hurry to take your new pup home. Depending on the breed, the best age for puppies to embark on their new lives is when they are 8 to 12 weeks old. Puppies in that age range are more mature. They’re generally able to sleep through most of the night, making them more easily housetrained.

11. In short, use the Goldilocks principle when making your selection: Choose a puppy who’s not too big, not too small, not too aggressive and not too shy -- he should be just right.

More advice on finding and raising a puppy can be found at fearfreehappyhomes.com.

Q&A

Is temperament

color-coded?

Q: I’ve heard that Labs have different personalities depending on their color. Is that true?

A: That’s a persistent myth about many breeds, including Labrador retrievers. For instance, chocolate Labs are thought to be difficult to train. Some people believe black Labs make the best hunters. Yellow Labs have a reputation for being mellow.

In other breeds and species, Dalmatians with liver-colored spots are said to be more laid-back. Black pugs have a reputation as high-energy criminal masterminds, while fawns are said to be sweet and gentle. Orange cats are sweet while tortoiseshells have “tortitude.” Calico cats are clowns.

In some breeds, temperament differences are seen between working and show lines of dogs and may be associated with color -- as in the idea that black Labs make the best hunting dogs. But all colors of Labs can make excellent companions, family dogs and hunting dogs.

In any breed, breeders may select for a specific color and temperament. Any time breeders select for a particular coat color, they may unintentionally end up with a particular behavior characteristic. Conversely, when breeders select for temperament, ending up with a desirable color or pattern is a bonus.

In Labs, at least, the two genes that decide coat color are unrelated to anything else about the dog, including personality or temperament. All three colors can appear in a single litter. And genetically speaking, yellow Labs are yellow only because they have a recessive gene from each parent giving them that color. Without those recessive genes, they would be black or chocolate Labs.

Just as in the human population, personalities differ among individuals, and not along color lines. A Lab is a Lab is a Lab. Color doesn’t affect temperament, but parents and ancestors do. Remember the saying: No good dog is a bad color. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

How dogs adjust

to vision loss

-- Common causes of blindness in dogs are glaucoma, cataracts, corneal ulcers, dry eye and other severe corneal diseases, and retinal diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy. Factors in a dog’s ability to adjust to blindness include how quickly vision is lost and whether vision loss is painful. A dog who loses vision slowly generally copes well, but rapid vision loss, even if the condition isn’t painful, can require an adjustment period of a few weeks. To help vision-impaired dogs get around, talk to them so they know where you are, and take them on the same route on walks so that they learn the trek by smell.

-- Play-fighting is cute, and it’s also an important developmental stage for kittens. They bat at things with their paws, practice stalking and pouncing and roll with and bite each other. Rolling over and displaying the belly is a sign of trust, but it’s also a defensive measure -- claws out and paws kicking. During play fights, kittens learn boundaries with each other, including how hard they can bite without causing injury. As they leap, kick, slide across the floor and bite at a littermate’s tail, they acquire agility, coordination, resourcefulness and the ability to deal with the unexpected.

-- Does your pet need to lose weight? The following tips can help. Feed small meals frequently instead of leaving out food all the time. This allows you to control the amount of food your pet gets and prevents hunger pangs. Put kibble inside a puzzle toy so your pet has to move to get at it. He’ll exercise his brain, too. Feed chow hounds separately so they can’t steal another pet’s food. Schedule several short walks or playtimes daily, and gradually increase the length and pace as your pet becomes more fit. -- 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, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets 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.

While away a few hours this summer with some of our favorite new books about animals

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

-- Animal lover and natural storyteller Mark Goldstein brings to life his career as a veterinarian, zoo director and animal welfare advocate in his new book, “Lions and Tigers and Hamsters: What Animals Large and Small Taught Me About Life, Love and Humanity” (HCI Books). In it, he shares the stories of a rhino with Academy Award-level acting talent; Oscar, a shaggy little dog adopted by an order of nuns who demonstrated sincere love, abiding loyalty and genuine thoughtfulness; and Carol the cat, whose relationship with her person, Charles, taught Dr. Goldstein a valuable lesson.

Our favorite takeaway from the book: Goldstein’s principle of never withholding possible solutions for a pet’s treatment out of fear that people might be offended, couldn’t afford them or might not believe in them. By giving people every appropriate option, he was able more often than not to return pets to a happy, healthy life. “For the rest of my career, in my mind, thinking about Charles always reminded me to practice medicine the way I did with Charles and his cats: not to judge a book by its cover, since clairvoyance was not taught in vet school, and to honor the power of the human-animal bond,” he writes.

-- In “Unleashing Your Dog” (New World Library), ethologist Marc Bekoff and bioethicist Jessica Pierce help readers “walk in the paws” of dogs, explaining the science of how dogs experience the world and how that translates to their lives with humans. With that as a foundation, Bekoff and Pierce share practical suggestions on how people can let dogs exercise their senses and bodies and enjoy life to the fullest. The result is an enhanced relationship between the two species, helping them live together in mutually respectful ways.

-- If you’re a genetics or science geek, you’ll be fascinated by “Once a Wolf: The Science Behind Our Dogs’ Astonishing Genetic Evolution” (Liveright). The how and when of wolves evolving into dogs has been a matter of much speculation for decades, and sometimes it seems as if the answer changes from year to year or even month to month based on new findings.

In an accessible way, Oxford geneticist Bryan Sykes looks at the journey to dogdom through the prisms of modern technology and human evolution -- from prehistoric canine-human relationships to the development of “pure” breeds -- and addresses the most important question of all: why we love our dogs so much. In the preface, he writes, “Many theories seek to explain what it was that propelled Homo sapiens from a scarce, medium-sized primate to the position of complete domination we enjoy today. The ability to control fire, the evolution of language and the invention of agriculture are three prominent examples. I would add a fourth: the transformation of the wolf into the multi-purpose helpmate and companion that is the dog. We owe our survival to the dog. And they owe theirs to us.”

-- For a look at how real dogs perform their ancestral tasks -- as well as new ones -- in partnership with humans, “Working Dogs of the Eastern Sierra” (Whistling Rabbit Press) by Jennifer K. Crittenden tells the stories of dogs who herd cattle, rescue people buried in avalanches, detect human remains, make therapy visits and more.

-- If you’ve ever lost a dog, even for only an hour or two, you know how frightening it is to realize that your best friend is missing. In her memoir “Where the Lost Dogs Go: A Story of Love, Search, and the Power of Reunion” (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), search and detection trainer and missing dog expert Susannah Charleson explores the emotions of bereft dog lovers, shares stories of lost and found dogs and offers tactics for finding lost pets.

-- Cat lovers, don’t feel left out. Matthew Inman (of The Oatmeal webcomic fame) clearly recognizes the superiority of felines in “Why My Cat Is More Impressive Than Your Baby” (Andrews McMeel Publishing), a comic and irreverent take on living with cats (and other animals), including tips on how to sleep comfortably next to your cat (just kidding -- that’s not really possible) and 10 ways to befriend a misanthropic cat.

Q&A

Stress, crowding

spread cat virus

Q: My cat has been diagnosed with feline herpesvirus. What is it, and can she transmit it to me?

A: First, the short answer, to put your mind at ease: Every species has its own version of herpesvirus. Feline herpesvirus can’t be transmitted to humans, and human herpesvirus can’t be transmitted to cats.

Feline herpesvirus is widespread in cats, highly contagious and causes upper respiratory infections or eye problems such as conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers. Some cats experience both.

Usually kittens acquire FHV from their mother. Cats in crowded shelters or catteries are also at risk. The disease spreads through direct contact with saliva or eye or nose secretions from an infected cat or contaminated objects. When cats sneeze, the virus becomes aerosolized, spreading through the air.

Vaccination helps reduce the severity of FHV, but it won’t necessarily prevent it. Often the virus lies dormant until the cat experiences a stressful situation that overpowers the immune system, causing signs to manifest.

Typically, cases resolve on their own, but severe cases or ones that don’t improve are treated with antivirals and sometimes antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections. If eyes are affected, your veterinarian may refer you to a specialist. Eye infections that are severe or not improving should be treated without delay because they can cause permanent damage to the eye, says veterinary ophthalmologist Cindy Mar, DVM.

Even after they recover, the virus persists in the cat’s body, waiting for another stressful situation or immune suppression from medications such as corticosteroids to allow it to reappear. In homes, shelters or other situations with multiple cats, it’s a good idea to isolate the sick cat, provide separate food and water bowls and other items, and disinfect the environment thoroughly. You can find other ways to help your cat de-stress at FearFreeHappyHomes.com. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Cancer trial

seeking dogs

-- The Vaccination Against Canine Cancer Study is looking for a few good dogs to participate in what will be the largest canine cancer clinical trial to date. The purpose of the trial is to evaluate a vaccine to prevent cancer in dogs. Qualifying dogs will be healthy, 6 to 10 years old, weigh at least 12 pounds and live within 150 miles of Colorado State University in Fort Collins; the University of California, Davis; or the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Participating dogs will receive either a series of vaccines or placebos and will be checked two to three times annually for five years. For more information, go to csuanimalcancercenter.org/vaccination-against-canine-cancer-study.

-- Puppy-dog eyes aren’t just cute; they evolved with a purpose: facial communication with humans. That’s according to a study published last month in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Researchers at the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom found that a muscle responsible for raising the inner eyebrow is uniformly present in dogs but not in wolves. That ability may trigger a nurturing response in humans. Eye contact between dogs and humans enables dogs to seek help from humans when they’re unable to solve a problem and know when humans are communicating with them. The mutual gaze, combined with that beseeching expression, is a hallmark of the unique dog-human relationship.

-- Does your cat love water? Contrary to popular belief, many cats enjoy playing in the wet stuff. If you have one of the following breeds, you might be familiar with feline water play: Abyssinian, American bobtail, Bengal, Japanese bobtail, Maine coon, Manx, Norwegian forest cat, Savannah, Turkish Angora and Turkish van. Water-loving cats who have access to a catio or other safe outdoor area will enjoy having a child’s wading pool to splash in. -- 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, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets 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.