Veterinary specialists can work with your veterinarian to provide the latest in care

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

I was talking to one of my stepmother’s friends recently, and she mentioned that her dog had been diagnosed with a heart murmur.

“You should take him to a veterinary cardiologist,” I said.

“I didn’t know they had cardiologists for dogs,” she replied.

“They have every kind of specialist for pets that they do for people,” I told her.

I should know. Over the years, my seven dogs, past and present, have been to a number of them.

Veterinarians with a string of letters behind their name and DVM or VMD title are board-certified. They’ve put in long hours and years of study to earn the designation of diplomate and membership in the specialty organization, after passing tough certification exams (boards). For instance, an internal medicine specialist’s designation is DACVIM, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. If you were to see the letters DECVIM, it means the veterinarian was certified through a European internal medicine organization.

Besides an assortment of veterinary cardiologists, one or another of my dogs have been treated by a veterinary dentist, an ophthalmologist, internal medicine specialists, a neurologist, oncologists, radiologists (who specialize in imaging techniques) and a dermatologist. And although we didn’t see this particular specialist in person, we’ve also had the services of a pathologist, who identified Harper’s tonsillar mass as cancerous. My bird Larry went to an avian specialist.

Beyond the specialists I’ve mentioned, pets and their people can benefit from veterinarians with advanced education in anesthesiology, behavior, emergency and critical care, nutrition, preventive medicine, sports medicine and rehabilitation, surgery and theriogenology (reproductive medicine).

People with working and sports animals are likely to take their pets to orthopedic or rehab specialists. They may also see veterinarians trained in acupuncture, chiropractic and massage, although these are not recognized specialties.

Breeders consult theriogenologists when they have questions about genetic disorders or if their animals have issues with low sperm production or require insemination or a cesarean section.

Surgical specialists may focus on soft tissue traumas or orthopedic problems, minimally invasive techniques, or neurologic, oncologic or cardiovascular procedures. Anesthesiology specialists assess and reduce anesthetic risks, especially for special-needs pets, and provide good pain management before, during and after surgery.

Some veterinarians specialize in particular species. They are certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, which recognizes specialties in avian, beef or dairy cattle, canine and feline, equine, exotic companion mammal, feline only, food animal, reptile and amphibian, shelter medicine, and swine health practices. For avian veterinarian Brian Speer, there’s so much to know about birds -- he has treated approximately 350 species during his career -- that he limits his practice to them. Other veterinarians care for his own dogs and cats.

Veterinarians who specialize in microbiology study organisms that cause infectious disease. Pharmacologists help to develop new medications for animals or ensure safe use of medications. Toxicologists may be employed in veterinary emergency rooms or by diagnostic laboratories.

Not every type of veterinary care is recognized as a specialty. Integrative, or complementary, care certainly requires additional study by veterinarians who want to learn techniques such as acupuncture or chiropractic or become experts in herbal medicine, but for now there’s no specialty in holistic medicine.

General practice veterinarians may not have a specialty, but they can acquire special skills or knowledge through courses or programs such as the Cat Friendly Practice, offered by the American Association of Feline Practitioners; Fear Free certification; and Human-Animal Bond certification by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute. Or they may meet the requirements for their practice to be certified by the American Animal Hospital Association.

Specialists can be rare birds, but with greater use of telemedicine, a joint consultation (your veterinarian, the specialist and yourself) is just a phone call or Zoom meeting away.

Q&A

Tail-chasing not

always normal

Q: Why do dogs chase their tails?

A: A search on YouTube turns up thousands of videos of dogs chasing their tails. Usually we laugh when we see dogs performing this seemingly normal and entertaining behavior. But dogs don’t necessarily perceive their tails as furry prey or chase their tail just for fun.

In fact, science tells us that the behavior may be linked to an actual medical condition. A 2009 study published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice found that dogs who are tail chasers had significantly higher cholesterol levels than dogs who didn’t chase their tails.

Turkish researchers looked at 15 dogs with a tail-chasing habit, looking at their behavioral history, clinical signs, and results of lab work measuring total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL, known as “good cholesterol” in humans) and low-density lipoprotein (“bad” cholesterol). None of the dogs had medical conditions that would account for the tail chasing. Fifteen control dogs had normal physical exam results and lab work. It may be that dogs chase their tails because the high cholesterol levels have blocked the flow of brain hormones controlling mood and behavior.

Other possible reasons include discomfort caused by dermatitis or anal sacculitis; welfare problems such as boredom, insufficient exercise or stress; or canine compulsive disorder, which may have a heritable component. Breeds prone to compulsive tail-chasing include bull terriers, German shepherds and Anatolian shepherds. If genetic factors are involved, it may be that the behavior was accidentally selected by way of being linked with a desirable trait.

Last but not least, some dogs simply enjoy chasing their tails, and there’s nothing at all wrong with them. But if you’re concerned about your dog’s tail-chasing -- because it’s excessive or he’s injuring himself, for instance -- talk to your veterinarian. There could be a fixable cause. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

The cat’s meow?

There’s an app

-- If you’ve ever wondered what your cat is saying, a new app called MeowTalk may be able to enlighten you. The translation app listens to feline vocalizations and uses data science and machine learning to suggest what cats are demanding -- once you train the app to understand your particular cat, that is. The basic model, on iOS and Android, categorizes cat sounds into 10 universal feline commands such as “feed me” or “open the door.” Users can personalize the translation when they already know what a particular sound means. They can also create profiles for individual cats.

-- In many parts of the country, the weather outside is frightful. Make sure pets who spend time outdoors have everything they need to stay safe and comfortable. For starters, they need protection from the elements. Be sure they have a well-insulated structure just large enough so they can curl up inside to maintain body heat. The doorway should have a wind-block to prevent icy blasts from swirling inside. It’s also a good idea to provide an outdoor-rated pet heating pad or other warming device. A heated bowl ensures a supply of fresh, unfrozen water. Indoors, make sure pets with arthritis have soft, heated beds. Indoors or out, animals with short, smooth or thin coats will appreciate a sweater or coat to help keep the chill away.

-- While most of us are aware of the challenges of rehoming cats and dogs, long-lived parrots often need help, too, especially if they have medical and behavioral issues. The nonprofit Gabriel Foundation in Colorado (thegabrielfoundation.org) maintains a model shelter and sanctuary for these birds, with a variety of services, including lifetime care for parrots who cannot be successfully transitioned to new homes. Bird lovers who can’t adopt can help by fostering and by donating. -- 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.

We’re here to help you choose fun gifts for pets and people

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Are your pets hard to buy for? We’re lucky all of ours adore treats, which makes shopping for them easy, but some dogs and cats are a little more demanding in the entertainment department. It’s not always easy to know what to get pet lovers, either. But we’ve come up with what we think are some great gift options for all the animals and animal lovers on your list -- whether they’ve been naughty or nice. Look for them on Amazon, Chewy or other pet-tastic websites.

Gifts For Pets

A 12-days-of-Christmas Advent calendar filled with toys is a fun way to kick off the holiday season. Open a door each day to bring out a new plush, rope or squeaky toy for your pooch pal.

Anxious dogs can get their calm on with the Busy Buddy Calming Toy, which releases kibble or treats as it’s rolled, and also emits a soothing chamomile scent.

The Outward Hound Hide a Squirrel Dog Toy was a Secret Santa gift for some of our large doggie friends. Any dog with a love-hate relationship with squirrels will find joy in searching out the stuffed squirrels tucked into the soft-sided tree trunk.

Any pet who loves warmth -- and that’s most of them -- will appreciate the Thermo-Snuggly Sleeper Heated Bed. And you’ll appreciate the washable cover.

People with puppies who haven’t yet learned to keep teeth off skin will want to get one or more of the colorful (and machine-washable!) braided Polar Fleece Happy Hands Happy Dogs Tug Toys: They’re long enough to keep hands safe from ravening shark puppies, and fun enough to entertain them year-round.

Put your kitty connoisseur’s discerning palate to the test with the Catnip Flight from Litterbox.com, containing buds and blends of organic catnip and silvervine (for cats who don’t respond to a hit of ‘nip).

The monthly subscription box from Litterbox.com includes an assortment of six to eight items such as plush or crinkle cat toys, catnip products, and cat-safe household cleaners or grooming products -- not to mention a delivery box for cats to play in.

Cats who love to knead, scratch and burrow will revel in the SnugglyCat Ripple Rug, with strategically placed holes and a thick covering perfect for cat play.

Not all cats run around like maniacs, especially seniors, but they still need play and mental stimulation. The Tower of Tracks by PetStages has a stable base and three levels with movable balls for cats to bat at.

Gifts For Pet Lovers

Pet lovers overwhelmed by fur will thank you profusely for the gift of a ChomChom. This reusable pet hair remover grabs fur, hair and lint, pulling them into a receptacle that can be emptied when full. And for crafty cat lovers who have given up and just live with the fur, there’s “Crafting With Cat Hair,” a how-to book on making things with fallen cat fur.

Sock aficionados -- yes, we’re out there -- adore foot cozies featuring their breed or even personalized with their own pet. Cat-loving kids and grownups alike will love the soothing glow of the multicolor Kitty Night Light. Other good gift ideas for pet lovers are cat- or dog-of-the-day calendars, a custom pet portrait or a session with a pet photographer.

For the bookworm set, look for “Dog’s Best Friend” by Simon Garfield, a guide to the ancient relationship between dogs and humans; “Hit and Run,” a thriller by Amy Shojai, whose dog and cat characters help solve the mystery; “Dog-eared,” a collection of some of literature’s greatest poems about dogs, edited by Duncan Wu; and “Alfie the Christmas Cat” by Rachel Wells, a lighthearted look at the true spirit of the holiday that will appeal to all ages.

Q&A

Ways to get a

sick pet to eat

Q: My dog is sick, and he has lost his appetite. Do you have any tips on how we can get him to start eating again?

A: It’s distressing when our pets are sick and don’t want to eat, especially since we can’t explain to them that eating is an important part of their return to health. Fortunately, there are a few tricks that can encourage your dog (or cat) to start eating again.

-- Try baby food. Giving your pet the pureed meat in those tiny jars -- on its own, or mixed with some rice or his regular food -- may help to jump-start his appetite. It’s not a long-term solution, but rather a strategy for getting him to eat again until he’s starting to feel better. Then you can slowly transition him back to his regular diet. Before trying this, read the baby food’s label to make sure it doesn’t contain onion powder, which has health risks for dogs and cats.

-- Warm the food. Heating your pet’s food on the stove, or briefly in the microwave, can increase its smell. If your dog can’t smell it, he won’t be inspired to eat it. Serve it just above human body temperature -- about 99 degrees Fahrenheit -- so that it’s warm, but not hot. Stir it first to eliminate any hot spots. It can also help to use a damp washcloth to gently wipe away any mucus accumulation from your dog’s nose so he can better smell what you’re offering.

-- Offer small meals several times a day. Your dog might not feel like eating his normal amount of food all at once.

-- Ask your veterinarian about medication that can help. If your dog has an upset stomach, your veterinarian can prescribe nausea-relief medication or an appetite stimulant. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Heart disease, diet

link still unclear

Veterinary researchers and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration have been investigating causes of nonhereditary dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), which has been seen increasingly since 2014, with more than 1,100 case reports over a six-year period. The disease of the heart muscle, which results in an enlarged heart, is primarily linked to a genetic predisposition, but it is now occurring more frequently in dogs in which the disease is not commonly seen. Increasingly, the nonhereditary form is thought to be a complex interaction of multiple factors such as genetics, underlying medical conditions, and diet.

Potential dietary links include the use of ingredients such as potatoes (including sweet potatoes and red potatoes), peas and lentils in both grain-free and grain-containing diets. Those types of ingredients aren’t new in pet foods, but their proportions may have changed over the years. Dry, canned, raw and home-cooked formulations have been named in the reports.

The FDA met in September with veterinary, academic and industry experts at Kansas State University, which hosted the scientific forum, to review current research and discuss findings. Veterinary cardiologists reported that veterinary treatment and dietary changes brought some good results in improving heart function when DCM was caught early. Among the areas for further exploration are ingredient levels and sourcing, bioavailability of nutrients, and diet processing, with the goal of finding common factors that may play a role. Pet food manufacturers have been asked to share diet formulation information to aid understanding of diet’s role.

No recalls have been made of pet foods associated with nonhereditary DCM because the FDA does not believe it has substantive evidence that the diets are unsafe. Pet owners and veterinarians can check the FDA’s website (fda.gov) for updates as research continues. Signs of DCM and other heart diseases include decreased energy, coughing, difficulty breathing, rapid respirations and collapse.

-- 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.

The first pedigreed cat to claim the “made in America” label, the Maine coon has a long history of charming people

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

They make them big in Maine. Cats, that is. The Maine coon -- the state cat of Maine -- is not only one of the largest domestic cat breeds, but also one of the most popular in the United States. It ranks fifth among the 45 breeds recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association. The laid-back cats enjoy playing in water, take well to walking on-leash, are known to play fetch, demonstrate mousing prowess, and are usually happy to keep four on the floor instead of seeking out the heights that attract other cats.

No one really knows how the breed was developed, but there are a number of fanciful stories behind its origin. One is that the first Maine coon was the result of a hookup between a cat and a raccoon -- or in some tales, a domestic cat and a bobcat. It’s easy to see why those stories popped up, given the Maine coon’s long, bushy tail -- said to resemble that of a raccoon -- and pointed ear tufts (known as lynx tips), like those of a bobcat.

It’s also suggested that they made their way to North America some 1,000 years ago, arriving with Vikings who came, saw, and went back home -- perhaps leaving some of their cats behind to colonize the new land. The Maine coon and the Norwegian forest cat share a resemblance, although breed experts can point out differences in head shape and body type.

Another theory is that Maine coons descend from six of Marie Antoinette’s Angora cats, sent to New England in advance of the French queen. Not as lucky as her cats, she was unable to escape before being taken into custody.

The most likely origin story is that New England sea captains and sailors brought home long-haired cats from exotic ports, and that those cats then mixed with the local domestic cats to create the medium- to long-haired beauties we know today. In 1895, a brown tabby Maine coon named Cosey took Best in Show at the National Cat Show at Madison Square Garden, going home with a silver collar now on display at the Cat Fanciers Association’s Feline Historical Museum in Alliance, Ohio (sadly, closed indefinitely due to COVID-19).

Nicknamed “gentle giant,” or sometimes “coonasaurus,” Maine coons can weigh as much as 25 pounds! It can be a surprise when they open their mouth and out comes a small trill, chirp or coo, as well as the usual meows and purrs, all delivered in a quiet tone of voice.

Besides the large size and fancy ears, other distinctive characteristics include a ruff around the neck; tufted paws; soft fluffs of fur, known as furnishings, inside the ears (protecting the delicate interior from snow, ice and chilly temperatures); and a coat that comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Brown tabby is the classic Maine coon look, but the cats also come in solids, calico, tortoiseshell, parti-color (one color plus white), and more. The only colors or patterns you won’t see are chocolate, lavender and Himalayan (pointed).

Not surprisingly, given their shaggy coats, these cats shed up a storm. If you take one home, grooming will become an important part of your life. It’s often said that Maine coons don’t mat excessively, but that’s only true if you comb or brush them out at least weekly. More often is better.

One health issue to be aware of is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common form of heart disease in cats. Using a genetic test, breeders can screen adult cats for the mutation that causes HCM before breeding them. Walk away from kittens whose parents haven’t been tested. Maine coons’ large size also makes them prone to hip dysplasia, which you may have thought only affected dogs.

For mouse patrol and companionship, you can’t go wrong with a Maine coon. Given good care and nutrition, the furry giants can live 12 to 15 years -- or even more.

Q&A

Teach pups

not to bite

Q: Our new puppy’s nickname is Jaws. Even though we give her lots of chew toys, which she likes, she bites our hands and feet -- hard. We withdraw attention when she bites, but it doesn’t help. Any advice?

A: Mouthing and biting are normal behaviors for puppies -- it’s how they explore their new environment and people -- but it’s important for them to learn that it’s not polite to put their teeth on humans.

Teach your puppy to replace her mouthing of humans with a chew or other toy. Whenever she mouths or bites your skin or clothes, freeze. Don’t move until your puppy lets go. The more still you are, the less fun you are. As soon as she lets go, give her a proper chew toy. Puppies sometimes mouth or bite humans because they learn it brings attention -- even if it’s negative -- so praise her for calm behavior and appropriate play with toys rather than reacting to biting behavior.

Keep chew toys in hand so that she grabs onto what you’re holding instead of the hand itself. Praise her for chewing on a toy.

You can also walk away each time she bites. This will help her learn to decrease the strength of her play biting so as not to lose your attention. The goal is for her to apply no pressure at all to your skin with her mouth.

Pay attention to when she typically mouths or bites. She may be seeking your attention, wanting to go out to potty, or still be excited after play. Knowing this will help you better focus your training and understand her behavior.

Finally, give her plenty of naps throughout the day. If she’s not sleeping enough, she’ll be less able to control the impulses that can lead her to bite you. -- Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Cat losing fur?

See the vet

-- If your cat is losing fur like crazy, or has patchy areas of hair loss, that’s not just normal shedding. Alopecia, as hair loss is known, can have many causes, including parasite infestations, allergies, and fungal infections such as ringworm. Cats who are losing an abnormal amount of hair may also have accompanying signs such as itchiness, sores or a change in appetite or energy level. Sometimes pain may cause them to chew at or pull out fur. A visit to the veterinarian can help to uncover underlying health problems.

-- While many dog breeds were developed in the United Kingdom and Europe, more than a few can be said to have been “Born in the USA.” They include the Alaskan malamute, American Eskimo dog, American foxhound, American water spaniel, American Staffordshire terrier, Boston terrier, Boykin spaniel, Carolina dog, Catahoula leopard dog, toy fox terrier and Chesapeake Bay retriever, as well as various coonhound breeds such as the black and tan, bluetick and redbone. Perhaps the most surprising of the lot is the Australian shepherd, who isn’t from Australia at all. Canada has its share of native breeds as well, including the Labrador retriever, the Newfoundland and the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever.

-- Does your cat get the “zoomies” at night? Cats -- including big ones, such as the fleet cheetah -- are built for quick bursts of speed that allow them to surprise and take down prey. They can’t maintain their top speeds -- as much as 30 mph for the average domestic cat -- for long, though. Their bodies overheat quickly, and they must stop and cool down after about one minute. Indoor cats who get the zoomies are burning off excess energy that they haven’t expended in explosive chases during hunting. -- 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.