Three studies funded by EveryCat Health Foundation will prompt purrs from cat lovers -- and their cats, even if they don’t know why

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

The Chinese calendar recently transitioned to the year of the ox, but 2021 will be the year of the cat -- not based on the Chinese zodiac, but on current studies focusing on feline health and welfare.

Many are funded by an organization with a 53-year history of supporting research into cat health and behavior, and a new name: The former Winn Feline Foundation is now EveryCat Health Foundation. While its name has changed, its mission hasn’t; ECHF has simply put into words its goal to learn more about every cat so that all felines -- pets, pedigreed show kitties, community cats and shelter denizens -- can benefit. Here’s their story, in three studies.

-- Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is a painful disease that attacks a cat’s mouth and affects approximately 1% of the cat population. Removing all of a cat’s teeth helps about 70% of cats with FCGS. The other 30% face a lifetime of steroids, pain medication and antibiotics, or even euthanasia.

Research funded by ECHF at the University of California, Davis, looked at using stem cells derived from the fat of cats to treat the disease. Over a five-year period, it helped to propel researchers from early lab research to a clinical trial.

“We had noticed some pretty resounding success using these cells to treat cats with this disease,” says Dori L. Borjesson, DVM, Ph.D., who at the time was professor of pathology at U.C. Davis and is now dean of Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “We started working with an industry group and are now working with the FDA to get this product to market.”

-- Ulcers in cats are less common than in dogs, but they tend to affect cats more severely. At Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, researchers have sought the best ways to treat ulcers of the stomach and small intestine in cats. That’s difficult because cats metabolize drugs differently than dogs and humans, in which the most research has been done.

“The way oral drugs often work is that they have to be absorbed in the small intestine,” says Katie Tolbert, DVM, Ph.D., clinical associate professor in small-animal gastroenterology. “They need time to be absorbed, and one of the problems we have in cats is that they have a short small intestine compared to dogs and humans. There’s not enough time for that drug to get absorbed in the cat intestine.”

The data generated as they sought the most effective medications to treat feline ulcers -- which typically affect middle-aged to older cats with inflammatory bowel disease or gastrointestinal cancer -- has resulted in better treatments that are already in use.

The support from ECHF, Tolbert says, has also helped reduce the use of medications effective in humans and dogs, but not in cats. Anyone who has tried to medicate a cat can appreciate that.

“The last thing we want to do is give a drug to a cat that’s not going to be effective,” Tolbert says.

-- Feline leukemia virus used to be a death sentence for cats, but now it’s known that many infected cats can enjoy a good quality of life for the time they have -- allowing more cats to be adopted instead of euthanized. But until recently, veterinarians and shelters struggled with the most reliable and efficient way to test cats for FeLV.

University of Florida researchers, in collaboration with Austin Pets Alive! and IDEXX Laboratories and supported by EveryCat Health Foundation and Maddie’s Fund, have identified the best screening tests for the disease as well as published a paper on the success of FeLV cat adoptions. Their findings ensure accurate and cost-effective testing.

“In the past, veterinarians and shelter managers were confused about what samples they should collect and what tests they should run,” says Julie Levy, DVM, Fran Marino-endowed professor of shelter medicine education at the University of Florida. “Now we can get cats out of shelters quicker, and if we identify them as FeLV-positive, we’re going to adopt them to appropriate homes and not euthanize them.”

Q&A

Like cats

and dogs?

Q: I have a cat, and I’m thinking of getting a dog. Can they really get along? What tips do you have for introducing them?

A: As with any family, these pets get along to varying degrees, from familiar affection to downright loathing. If slowly introduced at a pace that’s comfortable for them, dogs and cats usually at least tolerate each other well. And in many families, the camaraderie between cats and dogs is obvious.

To introduce new pet housemates, start with scent, not sight. While they’re in separate safe spaces, let each sniff a sock or T-shirt that has been rubbed on the other. Do this several times over several days until they don’t show negative reactions such as swishing tails or barking. And even though they are in separate rooms, they can still smell each other and become accustomed to each other’s presence.

When they do meet, the dog should be on a leash so you can prevent any lunges toward the cat. And make sure your cat has an escape route, such a tall cat tree or a pet gate with a cutout the cat -- but not the dog -- can run through. Hand out lots of tasty treats while they’re in each other’s presence.

Although there are exceptions to every rule, some types of dogs may not enjoy living with a cat as much as others do. Breeds or mixes with high prey drive -- think terriers, hounds and some spitz breeds -- may view cats more as a main course than as fellow family members. Consider a breed or mix less likely to be aggressive toward cats. If you’re adopting an adult dog, ask the shelter or rescue group if the dog has lived with cats previously or has been “cat-tested” for friendliness toward felines. Learn more at fearfreehappyhomes.com – Mikkel Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Keep pets safe

from poisons

-- It’s National Animal Poison Prevention Week. Do you know what yard and household substances put your dog or cat at risk? In the kitchen, beware of dark chocolate, grapes, mushrooms and anything moldy that your pet might snag from the trash. Your medicine cabinet holds ibuprofen, acetaminophen and your prescription medication; even without opposable thumbs, pets can chew their way into bottles or find pills that have fallen to the floor unnoticed. And in the yard and garage, beware of toxic plants, tulip and other bulbs, herbicides, fertilizers and pesticides. If you believe your pet has ingested something toxic, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680.

-- Discovery of an ancient pet cemetery in the Egyptian port city of Berenice, on the Red Sea, documents the longstanding bond between humans and animals. Cats, several types of dogs and two species of macaques were found buried there, not as sacrifices but as obviously cared-for pets with collars and other paraphernalia. The remains of the 585 animals were examined by a veterinarian to learn more about their diet, health and cause of death. It was clear that often they had been cared for after injuries or nursed through illnesses, some living into old age. The study was published in January in the journal World Archaeology. Read more here: bit.ly/2O8TTNb.

-- Why do dogs have cold noses? Evaporation. The eyes constantly produce tears for lubrication. Excess tears flow through the naso-lacrimal, or “nose-tears,” duct and out the base of the nose. As the tears drip down into the dog’s face, the dog licks her nose, spreading tear fluid over it. The resulting evaporation causes the nose to be cool and moist, enhancing the dog’s ability to dissolve airborne chemicals and contributing to that great canine sense of smell. -- 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.

Will 2021 produce a bumper crop of pets with separation anxiety? Experts share tips on how to help prevent it

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Separation anxiety affects about 15% of dogs, and other animals aren’t immune. Cats, birds, bunnies and other pets can experience it as well.

And now that more people are receiving COVID-19 vaccinations and may begin to return to offices, school, travel or just being away from home more often, the big question for pet lovers is whether their animals -- especially young ones who don’t know anything different -- will become anxious about being home alone after a year of 24/7 human companionship.

“Some puppies have probably never been alone for more than an hour or two while the owners went to the grocery store,” says Minnesota dog trainer Denise Nord. “Being alone and possibly crated is a skill we need to teach our dogs.”

See if your pet shows signs of separation anxiety when you’re away. For dogs, that can mean barking or whining, scratching at doors or windows, or other destructive behavior. Birds vocalize or toss items around in their cage. Cats may urinate not just outside the litter box, but on their person’s clothes or bedding -- an attempt to soothe themselves by mingling their own scent with that of their favorite human. Set up a pet cam to see what, where and when certain behaviors are occurring.

Start now to prepare pets for being on their own more often or for longer periods. Begin by tweaking your pet’s expectations.

“Separate all the signals that you’re leaving from your actual departure,” says behavior consultant Alice Moon-Fanelli, Ph.D.

Dress as if you’re going out -- trust us, your dog or cat knows the difference between sweats and work clothes -- and then work at home as usual. Other “leaving” cues to normalize include picking up keys and then setting them down in another room, grabbing your purse and walking around with it but not going anywhere, and putting on your shoes but not leaving the house.

Then begin to gradually accustom your pet to your absence.

“Start going out for short periods of time, such as five to 15 minutes, and coming back in,” says behavior specialist Wailani Sung, DVM, director of behavior and welfare programs at San Francisco SPCA. “Leave tasty treats or puzzle toys for pets to work on. Over the course of a week, do two to three short absences, and then gradually increase the length of time you’re gone.”

Absences can include taking something out to the car or going for a walk without your dog. When you come back in, whether you were gone for one minute or one hour, go about your normal routine, keeping interactions with pets calm and quiet.

Think ahead and introduce puzzle toys before your schedule changes. Your dog, cat or bird should already be familiar with them by the time you head back to the office.

Create a new routine. Nord suggests taking your dog for a walk or other exercise in the morning before you leave so he’s ready to settle down with a puzzle toy or take a nap by the time you go. If you can, come home at lunchtime to take him out, hire a pet sitter or dog walker to come by, or schedule a dog daycare visit.

Schedule kitty playtime or bird interactions the same way. Leave treat balls filled with kibble for cats or puzzle toys for your bird. Birds also like things they can tear up, such as boxes or magazines.

Make your departure fun!

“My dogs always get a treat when I leave the house,” Nord says.

If you already know your pet has separation anxiety, transition at a slower pace, Dr. Sung says. In severe cases, seek the guidance of a veterinary behaviorist or certified applied animal behaviorist.

“When their whole world revolves around you and then you go, there’s a pretty big chasm there,” Dr. Moon-Fanelli says.

You can find blog posts and videos on managing separation anxiety at fearfreehappyhomes.com.

Q&A

Tall or small,

size matters

Q: What are the largest and smallest dog breeds?

A: While humans measure height to the top of our heads, a dog’s height is measured at the highest point of the shoulder, called the withers. Most recently, the tallest dog was Freddy, a Great Dane, who stood 40.75 inches on all fours. Freddy (who also held the title of oldest Great Dane when he was 8 years old) died in January when he was 8.5, and no other dog holds the tallest-dog title yet. Great Danes aside, Irish wolfhounds are generally considered to be the tallest dog breed.

The most recent holder of the Guinness World Record for smallest dog was Milly, a Chihuahua, who died last year when she was 9 years old. She was only 3.8 inches tall.

What about weight? Guinness no longer awards titles for heaviest dog, since putting on the pounds can be detrimental to their health, but generally the heaviest breed of dog is the mastiff. Zorba, a male mastiff born in 1981, reached an astounding 343 pounds. He also held the title of world’s longest dog, at 8 feet, 3 inches. Zorba died in 1989.

Freddy, Milly and Zorba’s ages at death bring up an important point. Dogs who are extreme in any way, such as height or weight, or the flat faces of brachycephalic breeds such as bulldogs, don’t tend to live long lives. Dogs of more moderate size and conformation typically live anywhere from 10 to 20 years.

It doesn’t seem fair that dogs of unusual size or shape should live shorter lives because they’ve been either super-sized or downsized. Nature seems to have limits on how far we can push the design of dogs, and we go beyond those lines at peril to our pets. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Dog receives

new burn care

-- Sadie, a dog who was burned over 70% of her body after a heat lamp accident in her kennel, is making medical history. Veterinary surgeon and pain and rehab practitioner Dena Lodato, DVM, was treating her with hyperbaric oxygen, but skin grafts aren’t an option for dogs because of their fur. Dr. Jeffrey Carter, medical director at University Medical Center New Orleans Burn Center, saw her story and offered to help with new technology: a spray-on solution of the patient’s own skin cells that regenerate an outer layer of natural, healthy skin. Sadie is the first dog to receive the treatment, called RECELL.

-- Larry the Downing Street Cat recently celebrated 10 years of patrolling the British prime minister’s residence, keeping it rodent-free. The 14-year-old cat was adopted from London’s Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. Larry’s official title is Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, and he has so far served under three prime ministers.

-- Like humans and other animals, birds can experience pain from traumatic injuries to beak, leg or wing; arthritis; and surgery. Other painful conditions include egg binding, feather picking and gastrointestinal or respiratory conditions. A bird’s pain signals can be subtle, but watch for such things as changes in behavior, increased or decreased vocalizations, reduced preening behavior, plucking feathers out, eating or drinking less, avoiding spending time with you or not wanting to be held (especially if she is normally sociable), letting you handle her when she doesn’t normally enjoy being handled, and unusual aggressive behavior such as biting. Birds in pain may also exhibit certain postures or movements, such as hunching over, squinting or closing their eyes, fluffing up feathers, falling, or moving more slowly than normal. Take your bird to the veterinarian if you notice any of these signs. -- 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.

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.