New approach to preventing infection in dogs may stem tide of resistance

Andrews McMeel Syndication

If you've heard that heartworm, a dangerous parasite that can cause serious disease and death in dogs as well as cats, is becoming resistant to the drugs we've long relied on to protect our pets, you've heard correctly.

"Failure of oral preventive drugs is reported most often from the Mississippi Delta area, where transmission rates are very high and resistance to preventive drugs has been confirmed," said Dr. John McCall, professor emeritus in the department of infectious diseases at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. "But the spreading of resistance to other parts of the country is just a matter of time."

The threat of heartworm that can't be prevented with our present drugs is not a minor one. Infection with heartworm, a parasite spread by mosquitos, can cause life-threatening immune system reactions, respiratory distress, kidney failure, heart failure and other symptoms in both cats and dogs. However, there's some good news, too. McCall recently published a study of a new two-step approach to fighting heartworm infection in dogs: one that targets both the heartworm and the mosquito that carries it.

"Heartworm is a two-parasite system," said Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins, director of veterinary relations for Ceva Animal Health, which makes Vectra 3D, a topical mosquito repellent and insecticide for dogs that also fights fleas and ticks. "Until now, we have not targeted one of these parasites, the mosquito. We've relied on preventive drugs against the worm to do the 'heavy lifting' alone."

This flies in the face of how human public health programs fight mosquito-carried diseases like Zika virus, where the mosquito is always the primary target. Not only that, but putting all your health eggs in one prevention basket will always be less effective than protecting against disease with more than one strategy.

"When you get a flu vaccine, you still take other precautions, don't you?" asked Hodgkins. "You still wash your hands and avoid standing in the air space of someone who's coughing. You know there are other things you need to do to give that vaccine the best chance to keep you from getting sick." It's the same, she said, with heartworm.

When it comes to preventing the spread of resistant heartworm outside the South, or protecting dogs in areas where resistance is already present, targeting the mosquito is a valuable extra layer of prevention.

Resistance is thwarted because the topical medication stops more than 95% of mosquitos from biting protected dogs. As a result, the dog has a greatly reduced risk of getting infected -- and so does an uninfected mosquito, who might bite an infected dog later. That stops the transmission of both resistant and non-resistant heartworm.

On top of that, the repellent and insecticide killed 98% of the mosquitos exposed to a protected dog. That's good news for everyone, including humans, cats and other pets, who would benefit from a reduced mosquito population. "In areas where mosquitoes are abundant, hundreds, and possibly thousands, of mosquitoes can bite a dog in a 24-hour period," said McCall. "The use of a repellent and insecticide could reduce this by 95% or more for an entire month."

While there's no such thing as 100% protection when it comes to living creatures, this double-defense of topical repellent and oral preventive medication is about as close as you can get.

Although cats also suffer from heartworm infection, there is currently no repellent safe for use on them. Owners of both cats and dogs should keep the treated dog away from the cat until the topical repellent is fully dry, usually a few hours after application.

Dog owners can learn more at fightheartwormnow.com, and should consult their veterinarian about how to best protect their pets from heartworm infection.

Q&A

Feline liver mass

usually benign

Q: My 8-year-old cat has been diagnosed with a biliary cyst. Can you tell me anything about this condition?

A: That's an interesting question. A biliary cyst is a large, fluid-filled growth on the bile duct system of the liver. It's the most common type of liver mass seen in cats, but the incidence isn't very high -- about 5.5%. Biliary cysts usually affect senior cats older than 10 years.

Cats with biliary cysts may have a decreased appetite and lose weight. If the mass is large enough -- some can be the size of a softball -- it may put pressure on the stomach and cause discomfort. The condition is usually diagnosed with an abdominal ultrasound exam.

The good news is that the cysts are benign and don't spread elsewhere in the body. The bad news is that they often require surgical removal, the sooner the better. Fortunately, they don't typically invade the liver, so the surgery tends to be uncomplicated.

One potential risk, though, is excessive bleeding, which sometimes occurs when tumors are removed from the liver. Another is if cats refuse to eat after surgery, especially if those cats are overweight. It might seem like a good way for the cat to lose some weight, but lack of appetite is downright dangerous for fat cats because it puts them at risk for a serious condition called hepatic lipidosis. These cats may need to have a feeding tube placed to make sure they take in enough nutrition until they recover.

Generally, the prognosis is good for cats with biliary cysts. Once the mass is removed, it usually doesn't return quickly. Depending on location and whether a cat has complications, the cost of surgery and aftercare can approach $6,000, but a good pet health insurance policy will cover most of the expense. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Dogs, livestock at

risk from algal blooms

-- Summer temperatures continue well into September in many parts of the country. Protect dogs from toxic blue-green algae by keeping them out of warm, shallow, stagnant bodies of water such as ponds and lakes. Those are the conditions under which the algae begin producing toxins that can cause liver damage or failure, leading to death. Swimming in or ingesting a few mouthfuls of contaminated water can kill a dog and can make humans sick, too. Signs of toxicity include excessive drooling, fatigue, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and death within minutes to hours of exposure. There’s no antidote to algae poisoning, but immediate veterinary treatment of symptoms with anti-seizure medication, oxygen and supportive care may save the dog’s life.

-- Vegetarian? Don’t try to get your cat to join you. Meat contains a nutrient called taurine that’s essential for heart and eye health and cell, muscle and skeletal function. Cats can’t synthesize taurine on their own, so they must get it from their diet.

-- The following five tips can help your pet’s veterinary visits go more smoothly. 1. Accustom your pet from an early age to going into a carrier and riding in the car. 2. Schedule “practice visits” to the veterinarian where your pet simply goes in and gets petted by and receives treats from staff so that he develops a positive association with the clinic and the people there. 3. Accustom pets to being touched all over the body so that an exam is less distressing to them. 4. Check in via phone once you’ve parked, then wait in the car until you receive a call that the exam room is ready for your pet to go right in. 5. Bring tasty treats to reward your pet through the exam and any procedures. Find more advice on making veterinary visits less stressful at FearFreeHappyHomes.com. -- 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.

What makes your cat happy? We share the secrets

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Smokey loves sunny spots for cat-napping. Chester chooses chicken. Summer likes to wear dresses and hang out in airports.

OK, Summer’s a little unusual, but her preference is just an example of the many different things that make cats happy. From snuggling with their favorite humans to swirling around our legs at mealtime to chatting with us about their day, cats express happiness in a variety of ways.

“Every cat is an individual, so it’s going to vary from cat to cat,” says behavior expert Debra Horwitz, DVM. “Some cats like when you spend time with them. If they’re cuddle kitties, they like to sit on your lap. If they’re playful cats, they like if you engage them in interactive games.”

While there’s no doubt that cats love their food, many of them will choose human companionship over a meal or treat, according to a study by the Human-Animal Interaction Lab at Oregon State University. For both pet and shelter cats taking part in the 2016 study, social interaction with humans was the preferred stimulus category for the majority of cats, with food taking second place.

Happy cats snuggle close, purr, bump heads with us -- known as bunting -- and give slow blinks, communicating affection and trust.

Sofiya and Mollie follow owner Sally Bahner around the house. Sofiya “meeps” when Bahner comes into the room. Her cat Tekla hops onto the counter so they can have a conversation. Mollie reaches out and “combs” Bahner’s hair.

At their Florida home, Frank and Relina Sockman’s cats R.J. and Abby enjoy happy hour with the couple. “We all go to the lanai to kick back,” Frank says.

Janiss Garza’s Abyssinian cat Summer makes therapy visits and is a blog star who frequently travels with Garza to conferences. Summer loves strutting her stuff, whether it’s in a hospital, airport or convention center.

Cats play favorites when it comes to letting us know who makes them happy. Sandra Toney is the one who does everything for her cat Angel, but Toney’s husband Ray is the apple of Angel’s eye: “All her love goes to him. She lays across his legs every time he sits in his recliner and has a look that says, ‘He belongs to me.’”

As Angel demonstrates, being in touch with their people -- literally -- is an important part of feline happiness. Brigitte Cowell Moyne’s Savannah cat, Zari, sleeps in bed with her, sprawling on top of one arm to keep her in place. Teo, a Peterbald who loves Moyne’s daughter, sleeps curled around Lola’s head.

Purple sleeps next to Alison Taub, purring as she pets his head, the back of his neck and his throat. Purple is normally high-strung, Taub says, so when he relaxes and snuggles, purrs and “talks” to her, she knows he’s a happy cat.

Routine also makes cats happy. Liz Moe’s Miss Kitty enjoys watching her litter box being cleaned. That makes sense, Dr. Horwitz says. She believes cats are happy when their life is predictable. And that includes knowing when the litter box will be clean. It’s not unusual for cats to wait for their box to be scooped and then immediately jump in to use it.

People, food and routine are important to cat happiness, no doubt, but here are a few more of their favorite things: boxes to sit in, batting at a small ball or wadded-up piece of paper, special toys. Gail Parker’s cats Leo and Athena enjoy loving on their dog buddy Daisy.

But Kim Hundley may have the real answer to what makes cats happy: “Doing whatever they want.”

Q&A

Does cat need

to wear ID?

Q: My new cat will be indoor-only. Does she still need a collar and tag or a microchip?

A: The one thing we know for sure about cats is that they do things their way, and they have ways of getting around our plans for them. No matter how careful you are, there’s always a chance that your cat could slip out an open door or window without anyone noticing. When that happens, wearing an identification tag and being microchipped can be his key to getting back inside.

A collar with an identification tag is the most obvious way to alert someone that your cat has a home with people who love her. Tags are visible and can be engraved with multiple phone numbers: landline (if you still have one), cellphone and your veterinarian’s number. Choose a breakaway collar that will release under pressure in case your cat gets hung up on something.

Of course, collars and tags can come off. Cats are notoriously Houdini-like when it comes to getting out of collars. And collars can be removed by others. Keep a couple of extra collars and tags on hand in case you need to make replacements.

And have a second line of defense to help ensure your cat’s return: a microchip. This permanent form of identification cannot be removed, but of course it’s invisible to the naked eye. Veterinarians and shelters have scanners that can read microchips. Be sure your cat’s microchip is registered with an organization that will provide 24-hour notification that your cat has been found. You can attach the tag with the registry’s phone number to the collar with your cat’s ID tag. Keep your phone number and address up to date with the registry so you can be easily contacted. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Anti-allergy vaccine

may help cat fans

-- From special foods to immunotherapy, researchers are racing to find ways to relieve the sniffling, sneezing and eye watering of people who love cats but are allergic to them. A Swiss company called HypoPet is among the latest to promise a potential breakthrough: a vaccine for cats that neutralizes the protein Fel d 1 -- produced by feline skin, saliva and sebaceous glands -- which causes allergic reactions in humans. The company published a study of 54 cats in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, reporting that all the cats tolerated the vaccine with no ill effects. The vaccine must undergo further testing and receive approval before being brought to market.

-- On any given day, a quick survey of eBay turns up nearly 4,000 items depicting pugs. The devoted pug collector might find such items as brass or ceramic figurines, vintage photographs, silver lockets, teacups, engravings, trading cards and advertising featuring pugs. All of these items are the continuation of a long history of pugs depicted in paintings and statuary. Pugs are a timeless subject for artists. Unlike many breeds, pugs have been around for several centuries. They were included in many 17th- to 19th-century paintings of wealthy people, especially in the Netherlands, where they were favorites of the royal family.

-- The most serious tick-borne disease in cats has a real tongue-twister of a name -- cytauxzoonosis -- more familiarly known as bobcat fever. The serious and often fatal disease is caused by a protozoa called Cytauxzoon felis, carried by the Dermacentor variabilis tick. Ticks that carry cytauxzoonosis are found primarily in southeastern and south-central states such as Arkansas, Florida, Oklahoma and Texas. Cats with cytauxzoonosis develop a high fever, become depressed or lethargic, and lose their appetite. The disease is most likely to strike between March and September, when the incidence of ticks is at its highest. -- 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.

Museums around the world curate collections focusing on dogs, cats and other animals

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Art, sculpture and other depictions of animals show us how they have changed over the centuries and celebrate their role as family members. That’s right -- we tend to think of pets being part of the family as a relatively new concept, but art tells us that the human-animal bond is as old as time. Museums featuring animal art are found around the world. Here are some to consider visiting if you’ll be in the area.

The American Museum of the House Cat in Sylva, North Carolina, holds an astounding collection of cat-centric items, including carousel animals, clocks, fine art, folk art, jewelry and pottery. You won’t find any live cats prowling the premises, but owner Harold Sims is happy to direct you to his cat shelter -- supported by the museum’s admission fees -- or to local businesses with in-house cats.

The American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog relocated to New York City last year from St. Louis. The vast collection comprises paintings, drawings, prints, ceramics, bronzes, trophies, collars and other pupaphernalia. The current special exhibit, through Sept. 29, focuses on 20th century women artists, including Maud Earl and Marguerite Kirmse, who specialized in depicting dogs.

In Alliance, Ohio, the Feline Historical Museum crouches on the first floor of the Cat Fanciers Association headquarters. Prized display items include the silver medal and collar awarded in 1895 to Cosey, a brown tabby Maine coon, at the National Cat Show in Madison Square Garden. Visitors can also see paintings, porcelain and jewelry, or browse the small library of some 700 cat-related books. Occasionally, live cats make appearances at special events, so check the calendar.

The San Diego Museum of Man has exhibits and programs devoted to living with animals. And why wouldn’t it? After all, beginning with dogs, animals have been sharing our lives for more than 15,000 years. The interactive programs range from K9 unit demonstrations to opportunities to hold reptiles and are free to museum members or with museum admission.

Cat- and literature-loving visitors to Key West, Florida, won’t want to miss the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, which not only features the writer’s typewriters, but also more than 40 descendants of his polydactyl (many-toed) cats. Guided tours and unguided visits are available daily from 9 to 5.

If you’re passing through Tupelo, Mississippi, don’t miss the opening of Museum of Dog. Besides paintings, sculptures, photographs and antique dog collars, you can enjoy a collection devoted to Elvis and his dogs (fitting for the birthplace of the King). There’s also a coffee bar and “barkery,” so you and your dog can treat yourselves.

The KattenKabinet in Amsterdam is a museum devoted entirely to artworks featuring cats. As you tour the stately home-turned-display space, you may notice a couple of live cats napping on chairs or strolling through rooms.

Other museums devoted to cats are found in Kuching, Malaysia; Siauliai, Lithuania; Ludvigshafen, Germany; Kotor, Montenegro; Teramo, Italy (which has two cat museums); Cincinnati; Seto, Japan; and Okayama, Japan. The latter three museums focus on maneki neko, the beckoning “lucky cat” figurines so popular in Japan.

Globe-trotting dog lovers have a number of choices as well. The ancient and picturesque town of Passau, Germany, is home to the Dackelmuseum, founded by two dachshund devotees. The collection includes more than 4,500 dachshund-themed paintings, puppets, figurines, stamps and more. If you’re traveling with your own dog, he can visit the museum, too. The Akita Dog Museum in Odate, Japan, is dedicated to the breed designated as a Japanese Natural Treasure. In Martigny, Switzerland, is Barryland, a Saint Bernard museum with kennels so visitors can experience the giant-breed dogs in person. And in Mondragone, Italy, Foof, a museum dedicated to dogs, features exhibits that include dog collars, sculptures and photographs. Bonus: It doubles as a shelter.

Q&A

Blood draws

made easy

Q: My dog hates having blood drawn, but he has a health condition that means it must be done on a regular basis. Is there any way to help him become less fearful about it?

A: Believe it or not, there is. If zoo animals can learn to voluntarily offer a limb for a blood draw -- and they do -- so can your dog. Here are some tips.

First, teach your dog to offer his paw or leg. If he already knows “shake” or “high five,” this will be easy to do.

Ask the veterinary technician or veterinarian to show you how and where to hold your dog’s leg as if he were going to receive a blood draw, as well as where the blood will be drawn. At home, practice holding the leg in position. Moisten the area where the vein is with water or alcohol to prepare him for the sensation and scent of the alcohol rubdown. To simulate the feel of the needle, gently tap the area where the vein is using a toothpick or paper clip. All the while, give your dog high-level treats: cheese, warm deli turkey, hotdogs, whatever he delights in.

Do this daily for a month to help him become accustomed to being handled that way. Let him walk away if he wants, but stop the treats if he does so. Perform the training in a specific place each time so that he knows what’s going to happen there. If he goes to that place on his own, reward him for it and do a quick practice.

Do everything slowly, step by step, until your dog is comfortable with it. The next time you are at the veterinary clinic, continue to provide your dog with high-value treats during the procedure. See FearFreeHappyHomes.com for more tips. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Put on the dog

for Dog Day

-- It’s National Dog Day! Celebrate on Aug. 26 (or any day, for that matter) by giving your dog a special treat or toy, going for a “dog’s choice” walk (he gets to stop and sniff whenever he wants), taking a selfie with your dog, or making banana-peanut butter “pupsicles” by blending two ripe bananas and two tablespoons of peanut butter (make sure it isn’t sweetened with xylitol) and freezing the mix in an ice cube tray or popsicle mold. You may also want to make a donation to one of the many groups working to improve dogs’ lives and health. Some to consider are Morris Animal Foundation, the Grey Muzzle Organization, Waggle Foundation or your local shelter or breed rescue group.

-- Some people look for the perfect retirement town, others for a location with an active outdoor lifestyle. Dog owners want a welcoming attitude toward their pets. This year, Scottsdale, Arizona, is top dog when it comes to pet friendliness. The city was named most pet friendly by WalletHub after comparing 24 metrics, such as number of veterinarians and pet businesses, cost of pet care, amount of pet-friendly parkland and trails, and strength of animal protection laws. Following Scottsdale are Orlando, Florida; Tampa, Florida; Austin, Texas; Phoenix; Las Vegas; Atlanta; St. Louis; Seattle; and Portland, Oregon.

-- Does your pet fish need a visit to the veterinarian? Signs that a fish is feeling under the, er, water, include discoloration, spots, a bloated appearance, inability to rise to the water’s surface, poor appetite or ragged fins. They may be suffering from a parasitic, bacterial or fungal infection, especially if new fish have recently been added to the tank. Find a veterinarian who’s knowledgeable about fish before you need one so you can seek treatment quickly if needed. See fishvets.org for more information. -- 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.