Advances in pet health and welfare range from a treatment for feline infectious peritonitis, to new pain medications, to preventing allergies to cats

Andrews McMeel Syndication

As we enter a new decade, we asked experts what they see as the best news for pets currently and what’s on the horizon.

-- For cat lovers, the big news is that a treatment is now available for feline infectious peritonitis, a viral disease that was once a death sentence.

“While FIP is not the most common disease of cats, it’s one of the most devastating,” says Drew D. Weigner, DVM, president of Winn Feline Foundation, which funds cat health research. “Great progress has been made in understanding the disease. Based on early results of research funded by Winn, an effective treatment is on the horizon. Work at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis by Dr. Niels Pedersen investigated protease inhibitors and nucleoside analogs -- used to treat diseases such as HIV -- to inhibit the virus that causes the disease. It was highly effective in the small number of cats studied, and those who responded are still normal years later.”

-- For dogs and cats, better pain relief is at hand. “Anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibodies to treat osteoarthritis pain in both dogs and cats are on the horizon,” says Mike Petty, DVM, an expert in pet pain management. “Studies have shown these to be powerful agents for treatment of chronic osteoarthritis pain. For cats in particular, this is a long-awaited therapy as there are currently no approved medications for treatment of chronic osteoarthritis pain.” Release dates for the antibodies depend on final FDA approval and production schedules.

-- Fear Free techniques and medication recommendations to reduce pets’ fear, anxiety and stress in the exam room aren’t new, but research supporting use of medication prior to veterinary visits is, particularly for cats, who often don’t receive needed care because owners are stressed about the difficulty of getting them to and from the veterinary clinic. Delivering medication beforehand can help to prevent pets from becoming conditioned to fear of travel, handling and veterinary care.

“For pets suffering from fear, anxiety, stress or pain, use of pre-visit medications addresses the emotional and physical welfare of the pet, the owner and the veterinary team,” says Gary Landsberg, DVM, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist.

Two recent placebo-controlled studies demonstrated that human medications including gabapentin and trazodone can help cats to be less stressed during car travel and veterinary visits. A third study found that treatment with gabapentin reduced fear responses during confinement in a community trap-neuter-release program.

“Evidence-based research helps guide veterinarians in developing effective treatment protocols, particularly in those situations when a labelled veterinary product has not yet been licensed,” he says.

-- One of the issues in finding -- and keeping -- homes for cats is managing allergies that some people have to them. A new food for cats, likely out sometime this year, may help neutralize Fel d 1, the protein that triggers allergies. Blocking the protein does not appear to have any negative effect on cats, said Michael Lappin, DVM, an internal medicine specialist and professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, speaking at a cat science symposium last October.

A study by Swiss researchers published last July in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology reports that a vaccine for cats to neutralize Fel d 1 appears to be successful. The vaccine must still undergo clinical trials and isn’t expected to be available until at least 2022.

-- Morris Animal Foundation also funded scientific research with significant results. “We had many exciting advancements this year, including successful treatment for deadly arrhythmias, improved treatment for leishmaniasis, and findings showing that omega-3 supplements may reduce the risk of T-zone lymphoma,” said president and CEO Tiffany Grunert. “For us, each finding is valuable. It all contributes to the body of knowledge to advance discovery for animal health.”

Q&A

Ooh, that smell!

How to nix pet odor

Q: I have dogs and cats, and I know my house smells like it. How can I keep the odor down and keep it smelling fresh?

A: Living with pets does come with odors, but that doesn’t mean you have to let them -- the odors, that is -- stick around. Here’s how to get and maintain a home that doesn’t smell like animals or cleaning products.

Invest in a large bottle of an enzymatic cleanser, especially if you have a puppy or kitten or a senior pet. Enzymes “eat up” components of pet waste and help to neutralize the stink.

As soon as you find vomit, urine or poop, get to work cleaning it up. The longer a mess sits, the harder it is to get rid of the smell. Using an old towel or paper towels, pick up what you can immediately. For urine, press down hard with the towel to soak up as much liquid as possible.

Then use enzymatic cleanser on the area. Be sure to go outside mess margins so you don’t miss any. Lay a dry towel over the spot and weight it with books or other heavy objects to ensure that it sucks up all the moisture. To remove the smell of cleaning products, finish by wiping down hard floors with water. Wash clean-up towels in hot water.

Regular cleaning also helps prevent odor buildup. Scoop your cat’s litter boxes and clean the yard of poop at least once daily. Wash pet bedding in hot water weekly. Vacuum every other day or use a Swiffer-type mop to get up hair and other debris pets bring in. Wipe down your pet with a damp cloth or baby wipe between baths. If pets spend a lot of time on furniture or in your lap, weekly baths will help keep them sweet-smelling. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Top dogs of

the decade

-- Best dogs of the decade? Mental Floss magazine includes the following dogs in its picks: Duke, the canine mayor of Cormorant, Minnesota, which elected the Great Pyrenees four times before he passed on to the great city hall in the sky; Frida, a Labrador retriever who served nearly 10 years as a search-and-rescue dog; Gracie, the border collie “bark ranger” at Glacier National Park in Montana, where she keeps bighorn sheep and mountain goats away from high-traffic areas; and Riley, a Weimaraner who sniffs out insects that could damage paintings at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts.

-- Making pet-related New Year’s resolutions can improve dog and cat health and well-being and contribute to your own peace of mind. Here are 10 to consider: getting daily playtime and exercise, both physical and mental; making time for training practice daily; measuring food to help prevent obesity; teaching a new trick or two; getting involved in a dog sport; brushing your pet’s teeth daily; putting together a pet go-bag in case of emergency or natural disaster; buying pet health insurance; setting up a regular grooming schedule; and washing pet food and water bowls daily.

-- There’s barking, and then there’s barking. Dog vocalizations might sound monotonous, but they aren’t indiscriminate, and can send clear messages to those willing to listen. Researchers have studied both how dogs (with variations by breed) express themselves with different tones as well as the ability of humans to understand them. For example, there’s a bark that says, “There’s someone at the door”; a bark that says, “Hey, I’m ready to eat”; and a bark that says, “I’m really anxious.” That last bark tends to be more high-pitched in most dogs. Most people can interpret what their individual dog is saying through his barks. -- 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.

Our feline friends exhibit a complex blend of behaviors that can sometimes make them difficult to understand. Here’s why

By Beth Adelman, MS

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Cats can be fierce like little lions with their toys, but then cautious like bunny rabbits when they hear a loud noise. In fact, cats show behaviors that we typically associate with predators and behaviors that we typically associate with prey animals. Both types of behaviors come from a complex mix of life experiences, species-specific behaviors and ancestral behaviors (our cats are descended from the African wildcat, which weighs about 6 to 18 pounds and is in the middle of his food chain).

We are familiar with the predator behaviors cats exhibit, including hunting even when they’re not hungry, stalking and ambushing, and play that mimics hunting. We know their prey behaviors, too, although we may not always recognize them for what they are. Cats like to perch in high places where they can see everyone approaching and hold the high ground if they feel the need to defend themselves. They’re cautious around people and objects they’re not familiar with. They don’t like changes in routine because there may be danger in the unexpected. They’re easily startled, and loud noises scare them. Also, like prey animals, their most common fear response is to run and hide.

Among the behavior tendencies of animals who are both predators and prey, two others might be a bit less obvious: Cats have ambivalent body language, reflecting their conflicts between curiosity and caution, approach and avoidance. They are also are latent learners, meaning they gain information through observation but might not demonstrate their knowledge until they need it.

Because we tend to think of cats as predators, we might misinterpret caution, ambivalence and latent learning as aloofness, deception and stubbornness. In fact, a lot of behaviors we interpret as standoffish are actually cautious. And many behaviors we interpret as deceptive actually reflect a conflict between curiosity and caution.

When a cat is unsure of a situation, we might see mixed signals. Her ears might be up and relaxed, but her tail might be flicking back and forth (a sign of agitation). Or a cat might sit in front of you and blink (a signal of friendly intentions), but then swat when you try to pet her.

That conflict between approach and avoidance can make reading feline body language a little tricky. The secret is to read it as a whole, consider all the signals and then go with the preponderance of evidence. If there’s any doubt, offer an extended finger and let your cat come to you. Being able to control the situation will make your cat feel safe and secure.

Latent learning is a kind of learning that’s not expressed immediately in a behavior we can see. Because the cat doesn’t react and we can’t reinforce the behavior, we think she’s not really learning. But she is, and when the cat is motivated enough to show it, she will.

Here’s an example. Every morning you open the bottom drawer in the kitchen cabinet, pull out the cat treat bag and give your cat a few treats. Your cat just watches. Then one morning, you sleep late. When you finally get up and go to the kitchen, the drawer is open, the treat bag has a hole chewed in it and your cat is busy cleaning her whiskers.

Here’s another way latent learning works in cats. Your cat hides under the sofa every time your friend visits. Your friend sits across the room and tosses a few treats, but your cat remains hidden and watches. After 10 visits, your cat comes out, eats the treat and approaches your friend. The cat has been watching and assessing whether your friend is safe and trustworthy. It took a while, but now she’s sure.

(Guest contributor Beth Adelman, MS, is a cat behavior consultant in New York City. Beth is currently on the executive committee of the feline division of the Pet Professional Guild and is a frequent speaker on cat behavior.)

Q&A

Making kids and

dogs safe together

Q: What should I teach my young child about interacting with dogs? I don’t want her to be afraid of them, but I also want her to be safe.

A: Great question! Children younger than 9 years are the ones most likely to be bitten, and often that’s because they don’t recognize when dogs are fearful and haven’t learned not to approach dogs who are afraid. Teaching them from an early age what to look for is a good way to help prevent bites.

Most children know not to approach a dog who appears to be aggressive, but if they believe a dog is afraid, they may think that they can help to calm the dog by petting him. It’s important for you to understand what a fearful dog looks like so you can educate your child to recognize those signs and stay away from dogs who exhibit fearful behaviors. Signals to look for include tail tucked tightly to the body or under the belly, ears flattened to the head, whites of the eyes showing, brow furrowed, rapidly blinking eyes and a tight mouth, to name just a few.

It’s a good idea to read books about dogs with your child and talk about what might make dogs afraid, what fearful dogs look or act like, and what to do -- and not do -- if a dog seems fearful. Explain that dogs who are afraid want to be left alone. Let kids know that just because a hug makes them feel better when they’ve been frightened doesn’t mean that a dog will respond the same way.

Teach young children never to approach dogs they don’t know without first asking an adult. You can learn more about the best ways for kids and dogs to interact through articles and videos at fearfreehappyhomes.com. -- Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Shelter dogs

find suite homes

-- In partnership with the Humane Society of South Mississippi in Gulfport, extended-stay hotel Home 2 Suites in Biloxi began fostering adoptable shelter dogs in October 2018, with 33 pups finding new homes so far. Each foster dog resides in a large kennel in the lobby, allowing them to work their charms on guests as they check in and out. Hotel sales manager Teresa Johnson and shelter relations manager Bianca Janik teamed up to make the “Fostering Hope” program a reality. Guests interested in a particular dog complete an application; if approved, they pay the $50 adoption fee and their new friend can move right into their room with them.

-- Quilty the cat, famous for breaking out of his room at Houston’s Friends for Life Animal Rescue and Adoption Organization -- and freeing other cats in the process -- has abandoned his lawless ways for a new life as a “purrolee,” in which he enjoys napping with his adoptive person. Nonetheless, the freedom fighter with an advanced degree in “catculus” remains a popular Instagram star, with more than 52,000 followers. He helps raise money for other cats and is considering a presidential run in 2020. Go, Quilty!

-- What should your guinea pig eat? For starters, the furry little herbivores need a pelleted diet made especially for them. That’s not all, though. Fresh hay daily to chew on is important to help them wear down their continuously growing teeth as well as aid in digestion. They also need a daily vitamin C supplement in the form of a tablet or liquid to ensure healthy teeth, bones and cartilage. Finally, a small amount of fresh vegetables, such as leafy greens, broccoli, bell peppers and celery, adds variety and nutrients to their diet. -- 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.

Need tension relief at family holiday gatherings? A dog might help

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

The conventional wisdom during the holidays is that pets tend to raise blood pressure rather than lower it, but under the right circumstances, they can be tension relievers. We discovered this some years ago when several of us traveled to Oklahoma in an attempt to persuade my mother-in-law to move nearer to one of us while she was still healthy and able. Wanda was not especially a dog person, but my dog Harper was a puppy then, and I brought her along for some advanced socialization in the form of air travel, thunderstorms, staying in someone else’s home and meeting more new people.

What we ended up getting, I think, was some advanced canine family therapy.

Now, all of Harper’s new acquaintances on that trip tolerated -- and in some cases, even liked -- dogs, but certainly not to the extent that we do. There was no objection to Harper’s presence, and I crossed my fingers that she wouldn’t have any housetraining accidents in Wanda’s house, because that definitely wouldn’t have gone over well.

I didn’t need to worry. Not only did she behave perfectly and charm everyone, she acted as a source of tension relief. Any time things got stressful, there was Harper to be walked, Harper to throw a ball for, Harper to feed, Harper to pet. Her presence was a natural barrier to rising voices.

Of course, there are rules to being a good guest, especially during the holidays. Following them is the best way to ensure that your dog’s visit will reduce tension, not heighten it.

Ask about house rules for pets -- and follow them. If your hosts don’t want pets on the furniture, abide by their wishes. It’s a good opportunity for your pet to practice the “stay” and “go to your place” commands. If they are OK with pets on furniture, reward their kindness by having a clean dog or covering the sofa or bed with a sheet or other covering you brought from home.

Enforce good manners. Stealing food is a time-honored pet holiday tradition, and it’s your responsibility to keep it from happening. Take the initiative to place food or trash cans out of canine reach.

Let your hosts know what your dog is allowed and not allowed to do or have so they don’t allow him to jump up on them, feed him from the table or offer him forbidden treats such as cooked bones, fatty or salty foods, or liquor- and raisin-laden fruitcake.

If your hosts have pets, ensure that your dog behaves politely toward them. Keep him on a leash until you’re sure he gets along with their dog or cat. Never let him chase other pets or otherwise give them grief.

Bring your pet’s crate so he has a little bit of home where he can go to relax. Confine him to it when you aren’t around to supervise so he doesn’t get into trouble in a strange place.

Are you a pet owner hosting a visiting pet? Even if they are buddies, having another animal in the house, combined with the chaos of the holidays, may be stressful for them. Give your own pets, especially cats, a safe room where they can retreat when things get too crowded or noisy. It can be a bedroom or home office -- any place that your pet is comfortable staying for long periods. Stock it with everything he needs: food, water, toys, a comfortable bed and, for cats, a clean litter box.

That applies even if your pet is normally a social butterfly. Even outgoing animals can get overstimulated from too much handling and require a timeout.

Q&A

Avian obesity is

plus-size problem

Q: My veterinarian says my bird is fat. Is that really something I need to worry about?

A: You bet! Obesity is as much an issue in pet birds as it is in dogs and cats. An overweight bird can be predisposed to metabolic diseases such as diabetes. He can also become arthritic or develop fatty liver disease.

Certain species tend to be more likely to grow tubby -- Amazon parrots, parakeets, canaries, cockatoos and Quaker parakeets -- but any bird can gain too much weight if he's allowed to eat whatever he wants. Pet birds may start out on good diets but become choosy with age, deciding they are going to eat only one or two types of food.

Don't let your bird get away with that. He's most likely to have a balanced diet if he eats a variety of foods. A pelleted diet supplemented by healthy food from your own plate is the best way to feed him. Birds can and will eat pasta, cooked chicken, scrambled eggs, beans and most fruits and vegetables. Avian expert Scott Weldy, DVM, says that most birds do well on a diet of 70% to 80% pelleted food and 20% to 30% fresh or cooked food.

Avoid giving birds avocado, onion, mushrooms or chocolate, all of which have toxic effects. Highly salted foods are a no-no as well.

What's the key to determining if your bird is overweight? Birds with cleavage rivaling that of a Hollywood starlet are too fat. Birds should be lean and sleek, with no cleavage at all, Dr. Weldy says. If you can't feel your bird's keelbone because it's covered by a layer of fat, talk to your veterinarian about ways to help him get back to a healthy weight. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

A new kind

of movie dog

-- A dog-friendly movie house in Plano, Texas, is to bark for. The unique theater, K9 Cinemas, is open six days a week to people and their dogs. For $15, people and their dogs can lounge on leather couches and drink free wine (for the humans) on Friday and Saturday nights when movies are shown. On weekdays, K9 Cinemas serves as a co-working space where people can work in the company of their dogs. A courtyard is available where pets can relieve themselves during intermission, and of course owners are expected to pick up after them. The only drawback? “The dogs bark when a dog on the screen barks,” said theater owner Eric Lankford in an interview with the Houston Chronicle.

-- Could your dog talk to you one day? Speech pathologist Christina Hunger created a device, based on one used with humans who are nonverbal, that just might enable that. Her Voice Output Communication Aid has allowed her to teach her blue heeler-Catahoula mix, Stella, to communicate such desires as “look” or “come eat” or “play.” To learn more, visit Hunger’s website at hungerforwords.com or see hunger4words on Instagram.

-- Watch out for the Yule Cat if you’re in Iceland over the holidays -- that is, unless you’re wearing new clothes. The giant feline is said to lie in wait for and eat people who have not received new clothes before Christmas Eve. Is the Yule Cat real or simply a ploy by retailers to encourage gifts of clothing? The story is said to be an old tradition, begun by farmers to give their workers an incentive to finish processing shorn wool before the holiday. Diligent employees received new clothes, but slackers were threatened with the monstrous cat. Just in case, be sure you have some new togs in case your tabby decides to import the tradition. -- 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.