Is your dog at risk for leptospirosis? You might be surprised by the answer

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

When you think of leptospirosis -- if you think about it at all -- you probably assume it primarily affects large dogs in rural areas. You may have been told not to have your small dog vaccinated for it because of the risk of a reaction. Or you may have heard it doesn’t occur where you live.

But the bacterial disease, a zoonosis that can be transmitted between animals and humans, is seeing a resurgence. The rising incidence may have several possible causes: greater awareness; better testing; the increasing intersection of wildlife, pets and humans; or climate change bringing more rain or flooding to an area.

Whatever the cause, it’s a good idea to talk to your veterinarian and decide whether your dog is a candidate for the non-core vaccine. Exposure risk depends on factors such as lifestyle and locale -- think dogs who go hiking or camping, swim in freshwater lakes, or live in areas where rodents proliferate or flooding occurs, including cities such as New York, Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta and Chicago.

Dogs who lick the sidewalk or munch grass where a rat, raccoon, opossum, deer or other carrier animal has urinated can be exposed. Urban and suburban wildlife shed leptospires -- the tightly coiled spirochetes that transmit the disease -- in their urine. Standing water, heavy sprinkler use on lawns or golf courses, high rainfall and flooding -- all of which attract thirsty wildlife -- are factors in the spread of leptospirosis. The only place it’s unlikely to occur is in a true desert, which excludes places such as Phoenix or Palm Springs, California, where golf courses rule.

“It is more common in city dogs nowadays. It is not common in rural dogs anymore,” says Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC. An emergency and critical care specialist in Minnesota, she sees one to two cases a week of lepto. She attributes the incidence to increased urban wildlife exposure and lack of vaccination.

Wildlife doesn’t just mean deer, foxes, coyotes or raccoons. “There are mice and rats everywhere,” Dr. Lee says.

Fear of serious vaccine reactions, especially in small dogs, is common. That did occur in the past, and of course still can, but newer vaccines are made in a way that reduces unwanted cellular debris and protein content -- key factors in vaccine reactions.

“The older vaccines probably were associated with more vaccine reactions because of how they were made, but the more modern vaccines are associated with fewer adverse effects (and) give protection against more strains of leptospirosis,” says Katherine F. Lunn, BVMS, MS, Ph.D., MRCVS, DACVIM, associate professor in the department of clinical sciences at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Raleigh.

Another common belief is that the vaccine’s effects are short-lived.

“There are very good studies showing that dogs are protected for at least one year after being vaccinated,” Dr. Lunn says. “The old idea that immunity only lasts a few months after vaccination is not correct.”

Dog lovers are divided over whether to give the vaccination. Some have had experiences with dogs who reacted to the vaccine or don’t believe their dogs’ lifestyles put them at risk.

Those who have seen the effects of lepto -- acute kidney injury and sometimes death -- lean the other way. “It’s endemic in my area,” says Linda C. Rehkopf, who lives outside Atlanta and vaccinates her Labradors for the disease. “I’ve known of one that made it through; many that did not.”

Treating lepto can require three to five days of hospitalization. At any specialty veterinary hospital, that’s a minimum of $1,000 a day.

A final consideration: Lepto is transmissible between dogs and humans through direct or indirect contact with contaminated urine, blood or tissues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends common-sense precautions: washing hands after handling pets, wearing protective gear if handling infected dogs and cleaning contaminated surfaces with antibacterial products.

Q&A

Cat on board!

Sea cat ahoy

Q: Our family is going on a long-term cruise on our boat, and we don’t want to leave our cat behind. Can a cat live happily on a boat, and do you have any safety tips?

A: Cats have a long history as sailors; just ask the Vikings. They have many advantages as seagoing companions: They’re small, quiet, surefooted and use a litter box. With preparation and practice, your cat can become a great first mate.

Take a couple of trial runs. Hang out on the boat while it’s in the slip so your cat can explore. See how he does walking a gangplank (if he’s leash-trained), and note his response to the boat rocking beneath his paws as he walks around. Take it slow, and give lots of treats during his explorations (on-leash or under supervision). Next time, take a short cruise, again rewarding him with treats as he gains his sea legs.

If he appears to have ship cats in his family tree, outfit him with a pet life preserver that fits securely and doesn’t obstruct his movement. Choose one in a bright color so it’s easily seen if your cat goes into the drink after a pod of porpoises or a fin of flying fish. It should have a handle on top so it’s easily grabbed by your hand or a boat hook.

A rope ladder -- cats are good at climbing -- and a dip net are also good items to have. Place netting between stanchions all the way around the boat to help prevent “kitty overboard” incidents.

Weighted stainless steel food and water dishes won’t slide around. Avoid using clumping cat litter; it hardens when it gets wet and can be difficult to scrub off the deck.

For more tips, check out these blogs: blog.navily.com/en/blog/sailing-with-a-cat-on-board and adventurecats.org/backcountry-basics/a-guide-to-boating-with-cats. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

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

THE BUZZ

Cat health org

has new name

-- Winn Feline Foundation, which has funded studies on feline health and well-being for 53 years, has a new name! Now called EveryCat Health Foundation, it’s continuing its mandate to support research into the health and well-being of pet, shelter and community cats. The organization hopes the new name will help them to reach a broader audience and fund more research to improve the lives of hundreds of millions of cats around the world. In fact, almost everything your veterinarian does or that you know about cat nutrition or health has often been the result of the organization’s work. For more information about ECHF, visit everycat.org.

-- The Financial Times reports that peripatetic pets have been stranded around the world, thanks to COVID-19-related canceled flights and rising air freight costs. Because of fewer flights, pets are going to the back of the line, canceled in favor of more essential cargo such as medical supplies and manufacturing equipment, writes reporter Philip Georgiadis. The cost of flying a dog in cargo from Los Angeles to London has tripled -- to $6,500 -- according to one pet transportation company. And a dog in Brunei suffered the ultimate insult, being removed from a flight and replaced by cats belonging to a Saudi prince. Oh, the indignity! Our advice for pet owners with deep pockets? Charter flights so animals can travel in safety and comfort -- in the cabin.

-- Thinking about getting a bird? The second edition of “Birds for Dummies” (full disclosure: Kim is one of the authors) has a chapter on the best birds for beginners. They are canaries and finches (which are related species), budgies (parakeets), chickens, cockatiels, Quaker parakeets, Poicephalus parrots and parrotlets (both on the small side for parrots), Pionus parrots, Pyrrhura conures, Amazon parrots and peach-faced lovebirds. -- 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.

Nail trims don't have to be a dog's worst nightmare -- or yours

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Quick, look at your dog's feet. Are your pet's nails too long? Do you remember the last time you cut them? Are you dreading the next?

If they're too long and you've been putting off the chore because of how awful the experience was for you both, well, you're in good company -- or, at least in the majority. We often see dogs with nails that desperately need trimming.

Keeping nails trimmed is important. Long nails can make walking uncomfortable and even cause lameness. Nails should be just off the ground when your pet is standing.

Each nail has a blood vessel inside of it. Trim just beyond the end of this vein. If you nick it, the nail will bleed, so have blood-stopping powder on hand, such as Kwik Stop, before you start trimming.

If your dog has light-colored toenails, the blood vessel is the pink area. Black nails are harder to figure out, but you should be able to see the vein by shining a flashlight behind the nail. If you can't tell, just clip back a little at a time. If you draw blood, take a pinch of the powder and press it against the exposed tip of the nail for a few seconds to stop the bleeding.

If your dog's nails are so long that they're forcing her foot out of position, you can take them back to where they should be in two ways. The first is to cut a little off every few days: The quick recedes as you go. The second way is to have your veterinarian clip them when your dog is under anesthesia, such as for a teeth cleaning. After nails are at a proper length, keeping them that way is easy with a weekly trim.

If your dog is resistant to having her nails trimmed, work up to the task over a few weeks' time by taking the trimmer in hand and touching it to her feet, then her toes, then the nails, while praising her and giving her treats for each step. When she is used to having her feet handled, put the trimmer against the nail and praise and treat more still. Then trim a little off, and so on. Praise and more praise! Treats and more treats! Don't insist on getting all the nails done at once. Do one or two toes a night, and put the clippers away while you and your dog are feeling positive about the experience. Watching videos such as this one can help: bit.ly/2NxQ6rS.

An alternative to nail trimming is nail grinding. You can buy a canine nail grinder, or just use a lightweight rotary grinding tool, such as a Dremel.

With a grinder it's easy to stop before you hit the quick. When grinding, remember that nails can get hot while you're working on them. Don't grind continuously. Touch the grinder to the nail in short bursts -- a second or two at most -- to keep heat from building up. And make sure not to catch any fur while you're working. (Tip: Look for online videos on grinding nails to see the technique.)

Whichever method you're using to shorten nails, don't forget the dewclaws, those extra toes you can find up on the inside of the leg. Not all dogs have them, but for those that do, neglected nails can be a problem. Long nails can catch on upholstery and tear the dewclaw partly off of the leg. Keeping these nails short will prevent injury, which is why you haven't finished trimming nails until you've done the dew, too.

If you work with your pet frequently, trim just a little at a time and reward generously for cooperation, the days of nail-trimming dread will be behind you both, and your dog will step out more comfortably on your walks together.

Q&A

How to protect

pets from coyotes

Q: When I'm walking my dog through a parkway near my home, we occasionally see coyotes. We have had a couple of small dogs killed by them in their own yards. Judging by the “lost cat” signs I see, I suspect they've taken a few of them, too. Is there any way to protect our pets?

A: Coyotes are everywhere, and they've learned that household pets are relatively easy prey. Coyotes are plentiful in suburban areas across the United States, and have even been reported in New York City and other highly urban environments.

Free-roaming cats seem to be especially at risk. Many times, missing cats or the gruesome finding of feline remains is initially thought to be the work of sadistic cat-haters, but often these apparent "crime sprees" turn out to be the work of neighborhood coyotes. Keeping cats safely inside is the only way to completely protect them.

Small dogs are often targets of hungry coyotes as well, and for these pets, it's important to be sure to supervise them in your yard -- especially if you back up to a wooded area, golf course or other potentially coyote-rich environment. When walking small dogs, don't let them off-leash. Larger dogs are less at risk, but not completely safe, and it wouldn't hurt to keep a leash and close eye on them as well.

To discourage coyotes from colonizing your neighborhood, work with neighbors to remove food sources that attract these predators, such as pet food left outside, garbage cans that aren't securely closed or compost piles that are not correctly maintained. If food sources are denied, the animals will move on to a more promising area.

While none of these steps will completely protect your pets, they will reduce the risk from these ever-more-common predators. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Male cats haven't

always been 'toms'

-- While a male cat -- especially an unneutered one -- is today called a "tom," that wasn't always the case. Up until the late 1700s, male cats were known as "rams" (like sheep) or "boars" (like pigs). A book about cats with a character named Tom became popular in the latter part of that century; after that, male cats started being called tomcats.

-- As noted in Science Magazine, a study published in the journal Current Biology found that cats with more meat in their diet and more play in their lives bring home one-third fewer “gifts” of prey than they did previously. Ecologist Robbie McDonald and colleagues at the University of Exeter recruited 219 cat owners in southwestern England whose pets regularly hunted outside. They divided the cats into six groups: some wore collars with bells, some colorful collars easily visible to birds, some were introduced to food-dispensing toys, some were fed a diet containing only animal protein, some received 5 to 10 minutes of play daily, and the remainder made up the control group, whose habits were not changed. With the exception of the belled collars and the puzzle feeders, the approaches reduced the cats’ hunting forays, but the all-meat diet and additional playtime had the greatest effects in reducing predation.

-- Providing palliative and end-of-life care is a trend in veterinary medicine that's resonating with pet owners. There are guidelines and organizations that promote the concept of hospice for pets, extending life without extending suffering for older or sick animals. The trend mirrors the human hospice movement in many ways, with the notable exception that when suffering can no longer be eased, veterinary medicine can offer euthanasia. Especially in the COVID-19 era, some veterinarians are offering to provide this last gift of kindness at patients' homes. -- 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.

How you can turn training time into playtime -- and vice versa -- to benefit your dog and yourself

By Mikkel Becker

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Who doesn’t want a dog with beautiful manners at home and in public, who walks nicely with you, enjoys performing tricks or playing games, and shares an unbreakable bond with you? Sounds like a lot of work, though, doesn’t it? I’m here to tell you that you can “home-school” your dog with activities that turn learning into fun -- for both of you.

Dogs learn best through interactions with their people, after all. A study published last month in the journal Scientific Reports found that dogs rapidly learned the names of new toys when playing with them with their owners, who called the toys by name (“giraffe” or “red ball” or “blue elephant,” for instance) during play. You can use reward-based training to hone your dog’s manners, teach tricks or sports, and provide mental challenges that not only work your dog’s brain, but also help to build the bond between you and improve the ability for the two of you to communicate. Here are three learning games to play with your dog.

1. Follow the leader. Teach your dog to want to walk beside you. Start indoors, with your dog off-leash. As you walk through the house (a narrow hallway is a great place to practice), encourage your dog to stay right beside you -- on either your left or right side -- by offering a treat when she walks alongside you. Reward her any time she places her body next to yours, looks at you or in your direction, or walks in step beside you, her shoulder right at your leg. Keep things interesting by adding frequent stops and turns so she pays attention to where you might move next. Practice just a couple of minutes at a time.

2. Treat toss. Catching treats in midair is a stylish trick that’s fun for dogs, but it also has a practical purpose: It makes it easier to deliver treats as rewards during training. To start, use light, airy treats that catch air and take longer to land on the ground. Think plain popcorn or O-shaped cereal. Start by dropping a single treat just above the dog’s mouth. You can also gently toss it up at a slight arc, allowing your dog enough time to get into place beneath the treat before it falls. Alert your dog that a treat is about to be launched by saying “catch” just before tossing it. As your dog’s mouth-eye coordination improves, increase the challenge by tossing the treat from a greater distance or adding different types and shapes of treats for your dog to conquer.

3. Obstacle course. What better way to celebrate -- or improve -- your dog’s athleticism and agility? And you don’t need any special equipment. It’s easy to set up a course using items you have in your home. Play on a nonskid surface such as carpet or a large area rug; slick floors can cause injury. Here are some ideas:

-- Create a jump by tying a rope or leash between two chairs or other objects. For small or hesitant dogs, lay a mop, broom or wooden dowel on the floor.

-- Encourage your dog to jump through a hula hoop.

-- Create weave poles by standing tall boots or rolls of toilet paper or paper towels in a line, spaced out enough that your dog can weave between them.

-- Drape a blanket or sheet over two chairs to create a tunnel the dog can go through or beneath.

Lure your dog through the course with treats or a favorite toy, and reward him as he completes each obstacle.

All of these activities reward your dog for focusing on you, and that’s the foundation of training for life. Have fun!

Q&A

Single bird

lays eggs

Q: I’m freaking out because I thought I had a male green-cheeked conure, but “he” recently laid two eggs in a three-day period. It’s just her, so I know the eggs are unfertilized, but is she going to be OK? Is there anything I need to do?

A: Egg-laying might seem to be a normal process for what you’ve now discovered is a female bird, but I checked with expert avian veterinarian Brian Speer, DVM, author of “Birds for Dummies.” He says egg-laying isn’t a desirable activity for single pet birds, so your concern is understandable. Following is his explanation of why that is and some advice on what you can do about it:

“When females lay clutches of eggs without the presence of a male partner (known as chronic egg-laying), it can lead to myriad health problems. The reproductive tract can become exhausted, draining the bird metabolically and physiologically. It can predispose her to egg binding, in which the egg becomes stuck in the reproductive tract, as well as to other physical problems.

“You can take several steps to help change the situations that have her believing it’s time to get in the family way. The biggies include giving a controlled amount of food (birds get in the mating mood when they have an abundance of resources) and avoiding foods high in fat and calories such as seeds, nuts and processed foods; managing the environment by removing nesting-type materials such as shredded paper or boxes that can serve as nests; moving her cage frequently to simulate an unstable environment; and avoiding petting her in areas that can stimulate reproductive behaviors, such as under the wings or on the back, belly or tail. Stick to the head and neck. Your avian veterinarian may have other tips.” -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

How pets

signal pain

-- Whether they are cats, dogs, birds or other animals, our pets tend to hide their pain instinctively, to protect themselves from predators. That means we need to be extra-observant to know what’s going on with them. If your pet is behaving unusually -- hiding in your closet, for instance -- she may not feel well or might have an unseen injury. Other subtle signs of pain to watch for include abnormal chewing, unexplained weight loss or gain, avoiding your touch (even affectionate petting!), licking or biting excessively at a certain area, or breaking housetraining. Any time you see your pet exhibit unusual or unexpected behavior, take her to the veterinarian just to make sure everything’s OK.

-- Keeping fish is a fascinating hobby and has the side benefit of lowering stress. Who doesn’t relax at the sight of a tank of fish gliding through their watery environs? And while caring for both freshwater and saltwater fish requires some maintenance, it doesn’t have to be difficult. The key is keeping water free of toxins that can build up when fish excrete ammonia through their gills. Tips for keeping a fish tank clean include feeding small amounts of food only once or twice a day, performing partial water changes twice a week, keeping water at an appropriate temperature -- an expert at an aquarium specialty shop can advise you -- investing in a good filter and air pump, providing enough light daily, and changing the filter cartridge and cleaning the tank and everything in it monthly.

-- Cats are known for being fastidious about grooming themselves, so do they really need any help from us? Yes! Combing and brushing a cat removes tangles and distributes skin oils, and it’s a boon for older, overweight or longhaired cats, who may have difficulty caring for themselves. -- 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.