Comprehend the Complexities of Cat Companionship

                                                                         

                                 I love cats. No two are alike and they are way more intelligent than most of us realize. It tickles me to watch cats outsmart those in their company, including veterinary professionals. After 30 years in practice, I am still fascinated by cat health and behavior.

                        Most cat owners are multiple cat owners because, like me, once you have  a feline family member, you become an addict of sorts.  This addiction readily intensifies and before you know it, you are at risk for becoming a "crazy cat person." To set the record straight, "Jobey" and "Diane" are the only two cats I own...well, the only two that live in our house (truer confession: we have had four house cats at a time).

                        The reality is that while some like to "collect" cats because of this addiction, cats are independent creatures that do not want to be congested in their territories. My observation of multiple cat households is that each additional cat beyond two exponentially increases the likelihood of behavioral problems among them. The second reality is the number one reason cats lose their happy homes is because of inappropriate elimination behaviors associated with this congestion.

                        To expound further, consider the ancestry of cats.  First domesticated as early as 4000 years ago by ancient Egyptians, plentiful rodent populations drew wild cats close to human communities. The killing skills of the Felis catus species quickly drew the affection and attention of early Egyptians who also worshipped a cat goddess and  mummified their beloved cats for their journey to the next world (along with mummified mice!).     Even historically, cats lived and worked independently, competing for food and territory...sharing was not an option.

                        So, why then, do we think cats would be happy living closely with several other Felis cati?  Many enjoy companionship, but not constant companionship, and most crave a "safe" space to call their own. Because many among us are cat lovers, I would like to share some do's and don'ts of  becoming a multiple cat household. 

"DO" adopt kittens in pairs after 7 weeks of age.  Siblings have already been bonded by nature. The kitten socialization period will continue through 12 weeks of age. Essentially, they are growing up and learning to be social together, during a critical period. 

"DO" adopt a younger cat or kitten for a companion for your young adult cat.  Back to that independent nature thing, cats become less adaptable the older they get so choose a companion early in your cat's life.  Kittens are also more adaptable to "playing by the older cat's rules" and will more readily submit to the pre-existing cat's "laws of the land."

"DO" consider choosing a male kitten to join a pre-existing older female cat's home.  A common observation in multiple cat homes is that female cats are less willing to share their territories at all, let alone with other adult female cats.  Inappropriate elimination behaviors may be more likely among female cats cohabitating.

"DON'T" expect your pre-existing cat to immediately like the "newbie." Seniority rules so introductions  need to be slow and gradual, for both parties involved.  Confine the newcomer to a small, safe area to grow acquainted to its new home, for days to weeks.  The senior cat in the household will become aware of the new resident via "under the door" communications and scents. Once acclimated to the sights and sounds of the new home, gradually give growing freedom to the new adoptee. Some growling and hissing will still be likely until the two cats establish an understanding of territory and safety.

"DON'T"  forget to increase the number of litter pans to one per cat plus one!  Litter pans need to be immaculate and inviting for all cats.  Scoop each pan at least once daily and dump and clean every pan weekly.  Avoid deodorizing cleaners/litters that stressed cats will avoid.  Cats prefer "au natural" when it comes to their toilets...litter pan deodorants are for humans, not cats!

 

                        As a connoisseur of cats myself, I do encourage cat owners to adopt cats in pairs so they are never alone when they are alone. But, consider this: cats LIKE to be alone. They just need things to do to occupy the average eight hours daily that they are awake. Give your Felis catus jobs! Make them work for their food by hiding it throughout the house or placing it in Egg-cersizer toys that drop kibble when rolled. Provide cat trees, climbing ladders with dangling toys (avoid strings!), cat walks, cat videos, window perches, cardboard box condos or paper bags. And, don't forget the cat hammock for the other 16 hours of the day!

                        Oh, to be a cat...

 

By Dr. Bonnie Jones

What a Dog Trainer Can – and Can’t – Do For You

                                                                               

Being a dog trainer is an interesting profession, to say the least.  People have all sorts of reasons to need assistance with their dogs, and they have all sorts of great expectations as to what we can do for them.  Trainers can do a lot to help you turn your wild puppy or uncivilized adult dog into a great pet, but we can’t work miracles, at least not very often. 

We can advise you on how to house-train your young puppy, but we can’t teach him to “hold it” if you’re gone 12 hours at a time, or if you just can’t force yourself to use a crate or pen for training and you can’t keep an eye on him at all times.  We can help advise you on how to keep your puppy from destroying your home and belongings, but we can’t do much if you are unwilling to confine him when you can’t watch him.  We can help you develop good training skills so that you can include your dog in your daily activities, but we can’t force you to do the daily work it will take to get the job done.  This is a commitment – and you get out of it what you put into it. 

We can help you train and socialize your dog in group classes, but we can’t force you to do the homework necessary to make the most of your training.  If you are unable to come to classes, we can provide private training and give you all sorts of ideas on how to properly socialize your dog to other people and animals outside of your home, but we can’t turn him into a good citizen everywhere he goes if you won’t get him out and about.

We can help you help you avoid the problems of “Small Dog Syndrome” with your tiny pet, but we can’t do much if you can’t accept that he needs to spend some time off your lap.  We can help you with separation problems, but we can’t do much if you are unable to follow the sometimes time-consuming steps necessary to make him feel less insecure.  We can help you civilize your high-energy pet, but we can’t turn him into an angel in the house if you can’t provide him with the huge amount of exercise he needs.  (Many – if not most – behavior problems can be resolved simply by providing your dog with adequate exercise, and sometimes that means lots and lots of it.) 

We can’t turn Jack Russell Terriers into couch potatoes and we can’t make hyperactive adolescent dogs behave like sedate 7-year-olds, but we can aim them in the right direction.  We probably can’t make your Miniature Schnauzer stop barking entirely, but we can provide all sorts of ideas on how to keep him as calm as possible.  We can help you understand the realities and responsibilities of owning a large and protective guarding breed, but we can’t turn him into a Golden Retriever just because you want him to act like one.  We can help you understand the dog you chose and work with his needs, but we can’t correct poor choices.  We can’t turn him into something he wasn’t born to be.   

Trainers enjoy working with dogs and their owners, but part of our job is to help you be realistic in your expectations.  We will do all in our power to help you get the best out of your pet and turn him into a wonderful companion, but you have to do your part, too.

 

By Dorothy Miner

Dorothy Miner is a long-time dog obedience and tracking instructor, judge of canine events, and author.  She teaches weekly classes for the Allen Correctional Institution’s PETS Program and provides training and consultation under the banner of “Sidekicks” and “Training for Dogs and Their People.”

Nanny and the Depressor

                                                 

 

            I was devastated.  I was heartbroken.  One of my best friends had just died.  I was ten years old.

            Her name was Nanny, and she was my first goat.  About four years old, she was three weeks away from having her first kids.  She would have had twins.  The condition that killed her was pregnancy toxemia.

            Pregnancy toxemia or ketosis is a metabolic disease of ewes and does that occurs in late pregnancy or early lactation.  Caused by improper nutrition at this critical time, the problem arises from the mother’s inability to meet her glucose requirements.  She begins to break down her body’s stores of fat, resulting in the production of toxic products called ketones, which make the ewe or doe sick.

            This condition can be seen in either thin, undernourished animals or in overly fat ones.  What happens in the fat animals is that they build up too much fat in their liver, which impairs its function, leading to improper fat metabolism and ketone production.  Nanny was too fat.

            Pregnancy toxemia is also called twin-lamb or twin-kid disease.  In the last two to four weeks of pregnancy, a mother that is carrying multiple fetuses in her abdomen is walking a metabolic tight-rope.  There is not enough room in there to carry babies plus low quality feedstuffs.  Therefore, her nutrition quality must be at a higher plane than what may have been adequate previously.  The mother needs to be eating feed that is higher in energy and protein, such as grain and alfalfa hay.

            Usually the first signs of the disease are a decreased appetite and listlessness.  The sick mother will hang back from the rest of the herd and not come up to eat at chore time.  Over the next two to five days, she will become progressively weaker and show neurological signs such as muscle twitches, incoordination, and blindness.  She will soon become recumbent, go into a coma, and finally die.

            If treated early in the course of the disease, most animals will recover.  The later one waits to begin treatment, the less likely the outcome will be successful.  The best initial treatment is a liquid called propylene glycol.  This product is metabolized in the animal’s body to glucose, or sugar.  It is a very inexpensive medicine and anyone who raises sheep and goats should keep it on hand.  At the first hint of a problem in the mother, this treatment should be started.  Give two to four ounces orally twice a day for two to four days if necessary.  If too much propylene glycol is given, however, the appetite can be suppressed.

            If you don’t have any propylene glycol and suspect a problem, start treatment with some kind of sugar-pancake syrup, honey or Karo syrup-until you can get some.

            If the condition does not improve, Dextrose can be given intravenously by your veterinarian.  If the mother if far enough along in the pregnancy, often babies can be saved by an induced abortion with dexamethasone or a caesarian section.  Sometimes these methods are employed even if the young ones are not viable, in order to save the mother.

            As with many disease conditions, often an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Obesity should be avoided in early pregnancy.  Good quality hay should be fed throughout the entire pregnancy.  In the last four to six weeks of gestation, a grain mix should be fed.  Start with one half to one pound a day, and work up to one and a half to two pounds a day in the last two to three weeks.

            One problem I have run into is owners who are worried that the lambs or kids will be too large at birth, so they decrease the amount of feed to the mothers in the last one to two months of pregnancy.  This is the worst possible thing to do as this can lead to dire pregnancy toxemia consequences.

            As always, I hope you have a successful lambing and kidding season.  If you have any pregnancy toxemia concerns, consult your veterinarian. 

 

By Dr. John H. Jones 

The Lima News- February 8, 2004

Boredom Is Not Just For People

                                                

 

                        If you think you have cabin fever from what seems like an eternal winter, have you thought about what your pet might be experiencing?  Your four-legged family member thrives on routine and expectations, but even the most content house pet can succumb to boredom.  

                        As a veterinarian and owner of working Border Collies, I can tell you that “unemployed” pets will find their own “jobs,” and they are not always good ones!  The most common pastime for a bored dog usually involves destruction, either of your most treasured belongings or themselves.    

                        Leaving a puppy unattended in your home is fraught with failure, as puppies explore their world with their mouths, especially when bored.  You may ask yourself why your cute, new family addition, surrounded by a glut of pet toys, would choose the leg of your new dining room set or the corner of your favorite Persian rug to munch on.  The answer is because it is there. 

                        Keep your puppy or active adult dog safe while unattended.  Acclimate your dog to a durable, comfortable, pet kennel early in its puppy period.  Not only will you keep your dog and your belongings safe, you will also teach your dog to “be alone.”  If you have ever owned a pet with separation anxiety, you will echo my recommendations.  Dogs with separation anxiety experience horrible mental, and often physical discomfort. 

                        Anxious, stressed, phobic, or bored adult dogs may also create a unique skin condition for themselves called “acral lick dermatitis.”  Commonly referred to as a “lick granuloma,” this lesion occurs when a dog incessantly licks one site on its body (usually the top of the wrist, ankle or feet), until the skin becomes hairless, ulcerated, and infected.  The resulting lesion will become progressively more inflamed and itchy, which perpetuates the need to lick more.   

                        A theory exists that this self-mutilation of the skin and nerves causes the release of endorphins, which in turn act as strong analgesics and provide a natural “high” for the dog, who then wants to lick even more.  The obsessive-compulsive component of this disorder can be more challenging for veterinarians and pet owners to manage than the skin lesion itself.

 

                        Many lick granuloma patients are fitted with mechanical deterrents such as bandages, socks, special collars, and muzzles to buy time for oral medications (antibiotics and steroids) to take effect, and to give the pet time to “forget about” the lesion.  If there is a poor response to these first-line treatments, then behavior modification drugs such as amitryptyline, fluoxetine, and clomipramine may be prescribed.  If the lesion heals, but the dog relapses, allergy testing may be recommended as well.

                        Unlike dogs, our feline family members may be perfectly content to wallow in boredom and sleep 20 out of 24 hours a day. While that makes them easy pets to have around, it is not necessarily healthy, nor recommended.  In addition, young cats require more mental stimulation and exercise; so much so, that I always recommend adopting cats in pairs.  If you have ever witnessed two kittens or cats romping together, then snuggling so close that you wonder how they can breathe, you know what I mean.

                        At this time of year and all year round, both cats and dogs will benefit from appropriate levels of exercise and mental stimulation.  Keeping in mind their natural instinct to hunt and stalk makes “hide-and-seek” a great game for cats.  Simply hide a variety of toys and food treats throughout your house so your cat will “happen upon” them. Laser lights, paper bags or boxes, ping-pong balls, decorated cat trees, cat walks, cat videos, and fountains can enliven any feline couch potato.

                        Dogs love to walk so put on your winter attire and adorn your pet with an in-style sweater or jacket and go for a brisk walk together!  Even a short jaunt can do wonders for you and your pet.  Elderly dogs especially will benefit from some mental stimulation to stave off dementia behaviors.  Hide-and-seek is a wonderful indoor game for dogs of all ages as well.

                         A word of caution for all pet owners: do not leave toys with string or pieces small enough to be swallowed by your unattended pet in your pet’s environment!  When ingested, these items often become veterinary emergencies requiring extensive (and expensive) intestinal surgery to retrieve them.

                        If all else fails, do not fret, because regardless of what any old groundhog might predict, spring will be here soon, children will be out of school…and, guess what…they will be bored.



By Dr. Bonnie Jones

Your Dog Wants You to Know…

                                                                   

If our dogs could talk to us, I’m certain they’d have lots to say.  They’d tell us pizza is good for them and that cats are fair game, but along with this stuff, they’d probably give us some good advice.  Here are some things I think they’d want us to know:

 

“I don’t really understand English, and I don’t always know what you want.”    Unless you’ve taken the time to teach your dog what words and commands mean, you can’t assume that he knows what you want him to do.  We may know what the command “Come” or “Stay” means, but the words are meaningless to him unless you’ve taught him how you want him to respond.

 

“I’m afraid to come to you when you sound angry.”  Dog trainers everywhere will tell you that your dog must always feel safe and welcome when you call him.  Anger or frustration in your voice may cause him to stay away, especially if he has ever been disciplined right after coming to you.  It’s easy to say in theory, but hard to do in practice.  No matter what you’ve had to endure to get him to come, you’ll have to grit your teeth and tell him he’s a Good Boy when he gets to you. 

 

“I don’t do ‘revenge’ and I won’t ‘get back at you’ for something you did.”  Your dog probably didn’t get into the trash can or chew your favorite shoes to get back at you for not taking him to the park.  Chances are he did it to relieve stress, or it was accessible and he was bored.  Thankfully, revenge isn’t an attribute of dogs.

 

“I have a ton of energy that I have to burn off one way or another.”   All dogs need exercise and some breeds need lots of it.  Others are sedentary by nature and can get away with much less.  The amount of physical exercise a particular dog needs should be one of the main things taken into consideration before bringing a dog into the family.  Need for vigorous exercise varies from breed to breed, and from individual to individual.  If you don’t provide the dog with an acceptable way to burn off his energy, you might not like the results.

 

“I’m way too little to feel safe with some kids.”  Some of the tiniest breeds really don’t belong in homes with small children.  The kids will inevitably want to pick up the dog to play with it or dress it up.  Young children don’t know the proper way to handle small dogs, and they can injure them badly, especially if they drop the pup or step on it.  Some tiny breeds are notoriously snappy around small chldren, no doubt a character trait that has its roots in self-defense.

 

“There is a whole world of adventure out there.  My breed was born to chase and to run.  How do you expect me to stay home if my yard has no fence?”   Dog trainers hear this all the time – “My dog won’t stay on my property.”  Physical boundaries such as fences or, in some cases, “invisible” fences are the only real way to keep your dog home unless he’s never let off the leash or is on a tie-out when he’s outdoors.  Get out there and let him experience the world in a safe manner – with you and under control, but keep him safely contained in your yard when he’s outdoors without you.  Don’t expect your hound, husky, or terrier to just sit on the porch.

 

Living in a kennel at the far corner of the yard is so lonely.”  It’s not fair to a dog to make it live in a kennel with minimal attention.  Dogs are social creatures who need to interact with their human families.  Train him and bring him into the house at least part of the time.

 

“I like being a dog.  Why don’t you try to see the world the way I do?”  Try to see things from your dog’s perspective.  It will help you teach him what he needs to know to be the perfect pet.

 

By Dorothy Miner

Dorothy Miner, featured above with her Airedale puppy, "Fergus," is a long-time dog obedience and tracking instructor, judge of canine events, and author.  She teaches weekly classes for the Allen Correctional Institution’s PETS Program in Lima, Ohio and provides training and consultation under the banner of “Sidekicks” and “Training for Dogs and Their People.”

The Puppy and the President

                                                                          

            I was talking to my Missouri friend, Dr. John Dodam, a few weeks back, and a familiar topic came up in our conversation- our age. We are both exactly half-way through our fifties, although I am three weeks older, thank you. John is usually the more optimistic one, but on this particular day he seemed down,  lamenting the fact  he could no longer do the physical things once possible even a short time ago.

             Of course, he was right. I've spent most of the last year coming to terms with that. However, I also learned recently that with the right motivation, the exhaustion and physical limitation can be overcome. Our office is open six days a week. By the time Saturday afternoon arrives, I'm pretty well beat, and often feel like I've got no more left to give. Such was the case two Saturdays before Christmas. Then, shortly before 5 o'clock, my phone rang.

            The emergency call was from a man named Rick regarding his sick puppy. Zeek, a ten week old Labrador mix had just been diagnosed with parvo at an emergency facility. Canine parvovirus destroys the lining of the gastro-intestinal tract resulting in severe vomiting, profuse bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and often death.

            Zeek was examined by me only three days before and seemed to be a normal, healthy pup. That's the nature of this nasty disease. I even gave him his first distemper-parvo vaccination. However, puppies are not fully immunized until they've received vaccination boosters every 3-4 weeks with the last given at sixteen weeks of age or older.

            The hallmark of  parvo treatment is intravenous fluids given to combat the profound dehydration. The fluids actually are not that expensive, but the constant monitoring required to administer them is.  With Christmas around the corner, that's the dilemma Rick and his wife, Melissa, found themselves in. They couldn't afford the estimate for the treatment that could save their puppy's life. "What can we do? We can't just let him die."

             Earlier at lunchtime, I did what has now become the new ritual in our office-  scrolling through the postings of Facebook friends. I guess I could blame our young employees for getting that started, but it was easy to fall into the habit. I don't have that many Facebook friends- only nineteen, and I must admit nearly half of them were obtained because, apparently, I have a twitchy finger.

            Since most of my "friends" are from this area, not merely geographically, but also politically, I was more than a little surprised to stumble across a photograph of Jimmy Carter. That was before I realized the post had less to do with his presidency, and more to do with his humanitarian efforts.

            Mr. Carter was shown dressed in his Habitat for Humanity gear, along with the following quote: "My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have, to try to make a difference."

            For the rest of the afternoon that quote weighed heavy on my mind, especially in light of my previous conversation with Dr. Dodam. The timing for Zeek couldn't have been better, though. No way were we going to let him die. Not without a fight, anyway.

            "Do you think you can give him injections?", I asked Rick.

            "My wife can," he quickly volunteered. "She had to give shots to her mom when she was sick."

            Rick, Melissa, and a still bright-eyed Zeek met me  in our parking lot half an hour later. I showed them how to administer subcutaneous fluids under Zeek's skin, as well as antibiotic and anti-vomiting medications.

            I, or one of my staff, called to check in on him daily. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, Zeek held his ground dehydration-wise, although he was more lethargic. Wednesday was probably his worst day, but  by Thursday he was starting to turn the corner. Zeek has  since fully recovered, due in no small part to the resolve and dedication of his parents, along with a little nudge from an old man in Georgia.

            Thank you, Mr. President, for a lifetime of service to your country, your fellow humans, and for  your role in saving the life of a now rambunctious puppy in Lima, Ohio. Your inspiring quote would make a fine oath for the veterinary profession. Heck, it would be a darn good New Year's resolution for everyone.

 

By Dr. John H. Jones

 

 

Putting the Spring Back in Your Pet's Step

                                                                 

                                Another year is coming to a close, and I am reminded that  I, too,  am another year older.  While I am blessed with excellent health in my thirtieth year of practice,  I am not certain that many  realize veterinary medicine is a physically demanding career.

                                Veterinarians and their staff often spend long hours on their feet.  The nature of our job requires a lot of bending, squatting and kneeling to attend to our larger and "table-timid" patients.  Lifting anesthetized or  disabled pets and restraining unwilling patients can and does take its toll on one's back as well.  We also perform  many repetitive motion tasks which lead to hand and wrist arthritis (she states after performing ten toenail trims during a six hour shift).

                                While some of us might feel  the discomfort of every day occupational aches and pains, I hurt more for my arthritic patients who experience chronic pain and suffer in silence.  Osteoarthritis, or inflammation of bones and joints, occurs when  cartilage lining the surface of bones is damaged or absent.  Since cartilage acts like a shock absorber in joints, when it is defective bones begin to wear abnormally within the joint, and they, too, become deformed and ultimately painful.

                                It is not a secret that I adore senior pets, but along with their aging counterparts, even young pets  develop osteoarthritis. The joint discomfort noted in this younger group is often a sequela to congenital defects, athleticism, or injury.  Common causes include obesity, shoulder/hip dysplasia (malformation of ball and socket joints), torn knee ligaments (ruptured  anterior cruciate ligaments or ACL's), or unstable knees (medial patellar luxation).

                                Most multiple pet households have at least one pet that is suffering quietly with osteoarthritis pain.  In my pet family, our two Border collies have taken their "jobs" to assist their shepherd quite seriously.  Twelve year old, "Robbie,"  still puts in long days of "watching her man's back" to keep him safe around rams.  She and her nine year old brother, "Jimmy," are also a dutiful  herding team,  circling wide and near, repeatedly, to move the flock as a unit. These two herders love to work so an occasional limp is sometimes observed.

                                Even our low-riding Welsh Corgi, "Betsy Louise," is an athlete that lives to "play ball-y"--- so much so, that she had to have knee surgery after she ruptured her ACL when she was  just two years old.  Now, if she has a full day of activity or exerts herself, she sometimes shows  it.

                                Pets with osteoarthritis will show their discomfort in varying ways. Symptoms may include limping, difficulty sitting or rising, stiffness, reluctance to climb or jump, unusual irritability or aggression, vocalizing when handled, or licking/chewing painful areas. Cats tend to hide their discomfort more so, but even they can show pain by no longer seeking their usual perches, sleeping on or near heating vents, or resting in sun beams.

                                To further diagnose arthritis in pets, veterinarians  may recommend  x-rays to visualize the shape of bones and damage to joints. Once diagnosed, oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed, along with glucosamine chondroitin supplements. The latter are nutritional supplements provided as powder, flavored chews or tablets (Nutramax's Cosequin or Dasuquin) that  rebuild cartilage on joint surfaces, thus reducing  inflammation.  Please be aware that not all glucosamine chondroitin supplements are created equally! A large number of human and pet supplements are available; most are costly and not all are actually utilized fully by the body.

                                Some pet foods  such as Hill's Science Diet Healthy Mobility or Prescription Diet J/D also  contain glucosamine chondroitin.  Be certain to seek your veterinarian's advice when selecting diets,  joint supplements and anti-inflammatory medications. Note also that pets should never be given Tylenol and aspirin is not always a good choice, especially for cats.

                                Speaking of diet, obesity is a major contributing factor for the development of arthritis in pets. If you own a "Flabby-Labby" or "Tubby-Tommy," please heed your veterinarian's recommendations for weight reduction and exercise. Even pets with joint pain can benefit from short periods of exercise, especially low-impact walking, jogging or swimming. 

                                In addition, consider providing heated and cushioned pet beds and shallow litter pans for aging cats.  And, who doesn't love a good massage? Many pets will enjoy your  undivided attention during a personal massage of their sore joints.

                                Finally, please don't ignore your pet's subtle signs of discomfort! Limping equals pain and should never be considered "normal"  or tolerable! Your veterinarian can help you understand and treat your pet's seemingly silent osteoarthritis pain.  Why not resolve to put the spring back in your pet's step in the New Year?

 

By Dr. Bonnie Jones