The Bay Area in Calfornia is renowned for its progressive pet culture and its forward-thinking ways. How then to explain the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., as proud host of The World’s Ugliest Dog^® Contest?

As a veterinarian, I can’t wrap my head around this one. Why would any animal lover choose to celebrate the undesirable, even repulsive features our pets possess through this bizarre breed of pageantry?

Though the talk around the spectacle is all about rescuing dogs and celebrating their inner beauty —an “anti-dog show,” if you will — the truth seems far more sinister to me. Don’t they understand that most of the winners are genetically deformed and almost always afflicted with extreme disease conditions?

Take the last few champs as example: Among the ailments they visibly possess, I count a miscellany of skin diseases, an embarrassment of ocular conditions (severe dry eye, eye loss and glaucoma, among them), pervasive periodontal disease, impressive angular/rotational limb deformities, and a host of spinal maladies (in one case leading to spectacular spinal curvature). Some entries are shockingly obese, while others appear to have suffered severe debilitating trauma in the past.

Showcasing Disease and Neglect

Of course, you could choose to look at this contest through a sparklier lens. After all, there’s little doubt the shocking display of physical defects here means the triumph of the canine spirit is on exhibit too. But as a veterinarian charged with alleviating animal suffering, I have a hard time taking a cheery tack on this one.

Here’s why: Not only are we promoting these diseases by quite literally offering them a stage, but in many cases we appear to be awarding prizes to pets whose owners (past or present) failed to seek medical attention for their treatable conditions.

As if it wasn’t bad enough that veterinarians like me have to spend an inordinate percentage of our careers treating the mistreated and neglected, we’re now exposed to an internationally hyped reality-TV-style spectacle glorifying the very calamities — societal, genetic or random — that dog our working lives and keep us up at night.

A Cruel Way to Promote Ill-Fated Pets

But it’s not just the health thing. I’ll confess I have trouble with the entire concept of an "ugly pet" contest. In fact, I believe any face-off based on a negative trait should find most any principled person in something of a moral quandary. But when innocent pets are at stake, my hackles get especially prickly. I mean, what’s the point of vying for the negative of beauty if not to ridicule?

No, despite their billing, these "ugly pet contests" aren’t so benign.

Sure, these contests can seem like a cute way to unite a community. I might even concede to comprehend how some might view them as a legitimate way to raise the profile of undesirable pets while celebrating the human-animal bond.

Yet it’s my take that when viewed from my personal veterinary perspective, these ugly pet contests are nothing if not rude, cruel and unnecessary. Because to revel in the unhealthy glory of the diseased, malformed, maltreated and deprived is NOT the ideal way to achieve these worthy goals.

The post Cute vs. Cruel: Why This Vet Can’t Stand “Ugly Dog” Contests appeared first on Vetstreet.

Do you know who Georges Perrier is? Although he’s the original celebrity chef, you’d be forgiven for not knowing how brilliant he is. But I do. Which is why when I was asked  to write an introduction to a book of dog food recipes, with a contribution by chef Perrier of Philadelphia’s Le Bec-Fin fame, I leapt at the chance.

Forget molecular gastronomy and fusion tapas. They’re so over. Enter what I hope will be a new trend in modern cuisine: recipes and preparation advice for meals you can enjoy with your pets –– as in, to share with them. Really.

And why not?

Humans have no claim on food, as much as we like to call anything edible that doesn’t come in a bag or can with a pet’s picture on it “people food.” And we employ this language without irony, as if we greedy humans own the entire planet’s comestibles — or, worse, we assume that only mass-produced, machine-extruded foods are healthy for our pets.

I feed my pets commercial foods, primarily because two of my brood suffer from conditions that require dietary management, and because convenience is important to me with my hectic schedule. But that doesn’t mean I can’t supplement their fare with wonderful home-cooked stuff (although I do have to be careful with my food-allergic dog and urinary calculus-prone cat).

It also does not mean that I don’t revere those people (like my sister) who cook every meal for their pets –– without fail. In her case, she worked with a veterinary nutritionist to create a flexible recipe that worked well for her dogs. (You can find one at AAVN.org.) But I don’t think you need a fancy nutritionist or a Ph.D. to feed your pets your own home cooking — despite what conventional wisdom on the subject of people food dictates.

So why does everyone get so riled over how bad people food is for pets? Sure, some animals have serious health issues. Others have dietary intolerances. Many have lived on the one-bag-of-kibble-for-life diet for so long that almost anything they eat that’s out of their normal regimen will send them into a diarrhetic tailspin. (Not a nice visual, I know.)

But as I explained in my introduction to The Culinary Canine, which has recipes from lots of famous chefs, not just Georges Perrier, most fears about people food are unfounded. Sure, introducing new ingredients gradually is recommended, and speaking to a nutritionist before offering anything home-cooked to a pet with a specific medical condition is always a good idea. But the idea that you can’t offer a homemade dog biscuit or ladle a soupçon of stew over kibble every now and again is absolutely overblown.

Then there’s the issue of throwing a pet’s diet off its optimal nutritional axis. I respectfully offer all those naysayers this: Even human nutritionists don’t always know what’s best for people. Why should we expect veterinary nutritionists to have all the answers, especially given that we know so much less about the nutritional needs of dogs, cats, horses and other companion animals?

Then again, none of the recipes in this fun cookbook were intended to serve as a basis for a complete and balanced diet. And since we don’t always know exactly what’s best for our pets, why not offer more variety? That is, if your culinary skills and your pet’s constitution allow it.

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the Vetstreet editorial team and do not reflect a direct endorsement by the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

The post Chef Home Cooking: Eating Dinner With the Dogs appeared first on Vetstreet.

Every year it’s the same thing. You attempt to shape up, slim down, spend less, live more or quit something for good. So how about this year you resolve to do something you’ll easily achieve? For all you pet people I’ve got just the thing: Resolve to accomplish something on your pet’s behalf instead!

Interested? Consider the following five New Year’s resolutions I’ve devised (with my patients in mind, of course):

1. Trim down. According to the Journal of Clinical Psychology, 38 percent of humans made weight-related New Year’s resolutions in 2012. So why not extend that to our pets this upcoming 2014? We know that our pets are chunky and getting chunkier, so why not resolve to start trimming her down now? Not sure where to start? Ask your vet how. 

2. Get pet insurance. If you can’t afford a big vet bill in the event of an emergency, you may be facing the unthinkable unless you put a financial solution in place. My sister’s dog, Maddie, almost died of salmon poisoning last year, and had it not been for a $13,000 reimbursement to cover 80 percent of the cost of university-level healthcare, he’d have surely succumbed. Who can afford that kind of expense without help? Resolve to get your pets a policy this year!

3. Walk your dog. If you’ve made resolutions to lose weight and never managed to keep them, consider that long-term weight loss is often more easily achieved when pet owners exercise with their pets. In his book Walk a Hound Lose a Pound, vet surgeon Dr. Phil Zeltzman evangelizes about this concept in a way that’s truly inspirational. So this year resolve to get moving in a way that’s both fun and doable.

4. Take your cat to the vet. It sounds pretty basic, and yet a recent study conducted by Bayer in conjunction with the Association of Feline Practitioners found that 52 percent of owned cats did not see a veterinarian in the past year. Annual wellness visits for cats, though universally recommended by veterinarians to help prevent and manage serious disease, aren’t something most cat owners manage. Resolve to beat the odds and take your cat in this year!

5. Start brushing! I know, I know. You all hate it. But it works! You’d never think not to brush your own teeth, and yet you’d rather hand your pet a highly caloric, dubiously effective “tartar control” chew than whip out the toothbrush and spend 30 seconds brushing. What’s up with that? Resolve to fix that this year!

OK, so those are mine. What are yours?

The post Dr. Patty Khuly’s Top Five Pet-Related Resolutions for 2014 appeared first on Vetstreet.

Vet medicine is advancing by leaps and bounds in all kinds of fields. Advances in technology, changes in cultural norms and alterations in the economics of animal health care have precipitated a series of specialties you may never have thought necessary or possible.

Thankfully, however, veterinary medicine has a way of surprising us all with its forward mobility. Here are a few of the areas in which my profession has created new careers for those intrepid enough to look beyond the more obvious paths in animal medicine.

1. Forensic pathology. Yes, veterinary medicine has its Quincys and its CSIs. Forensic pathology might be a relatively new discipline, but the emergence of veterinary law as a profession and our growing cultural consciousness with respect to animal welfare requires more stringent standards for how legal evidence is collected, handled and analyzed.

That explains why schools like the University of Florida now offer a master’s in veterinary forensic sciences.

2. Bioterrorism prevention. Yes, really. Did you ever stop to think what would happen if someone introduced a bioweapon into hog feed? Poisoned our milk supply? Given the reach of our animal production systems, large-scale acts of agricultural bioterrorism are more of a risk than you might think. Someone’s got to be on the front line.

The American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine certifies these unique specialists, many of whom also hold a master’s in public health or epidemiology in addition to their DVM or VMD credentials.

3. Animal welfare. As of a couple of years ago, veterinarians are eligible to receive board certification from the American College of Animal Welfare. Some serious schooling and a rigorous examination process equip veterinarians to offer their expert opinions on animal welfare concerns.

Their purview cuts a wide swath through the profession’s core — everything from managing slaughterhouse techniques and euthanasia procedures to proper rehabilitation facilities for wildlife and track conditions for racehorses (among a multitude of other concerns).

4. Laboratory animal medicine. Everyone knows that veterinarians can become zoo vets and wildlife specialists, but who takes care of the animals we rely upon as experimental subjects? Whatever you think of the use of animals in laboratory settings, everyone agrees they deserve top-quality veterinary care tailored to their unique needs.

The American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine extends board certification to those who meet their stringent criteria for inclusion.

5. Sports medicine. The American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation is the newest kid on the block when it comes to board certification. Though its inclusion among the roster of specialty groups is considered provisional, there’s nothing provisional about the services its members are trained to provide.

As anyone whose pet has suffered an orthopedic or neuromuscular malady knows, physical therapy is an essential part of managing these injuries or diseases. So too does any athlete understand the toll physical activity can take on even the healthiest body. These veterinary specialists are uniquely schooled in managing the rigors these conditions prescribe.

6. Shelter medicine. Sure, everyone knows that veterinarians are on staff at shelters. But did you know that new programs have recently been developed to offer specialized training in the singular rigors of shelter medicine? After all, veterinarians who work in shelter settings confront a very different set of circumstances than the average veterinarian in private practice.

Today’s progressive shelters recruit the most well-trained shelter vets in the history of veterinary medicine.

7. New avenues in radiology. Radiology is a burgeoning field in veterinary medicine. Advances in equipment quality, the digitization of images and remote access to specialists have revolutionized the field in the past decade. Not only are veterinarians increasingly acknowledging that radiologists should weigh in on even the most mundane X-ray studies, novel techniques adapted from human medicine are now being applied in veterinary settings.

The fervor for state-of-the art imaging has even led to the proliferation of subspecialties in the field — everything from radiation oncology for pets in need of tumor treatment to interventional radiology so veterinarians can spot-treat cancers, potentially unblock blood vessels and visualize the most inaccessible areas in the body.

Even if you haven’t heard of some of these veterinary specialties, chances are, you’ll hear more about them in the future.

More from Vetstreet:

• The Most Playful Dog Breeds
• Human Foods That Are Dangerous for Dogs and Cats
• Can Service Dogs Help Sniff Out Gluten?
• 10 Touchy Topics to Discuss with Your Vet
• Why Does My Dog . . . Walk in a Circle Before Lying Down?

The post Forensic Pathology? Bioterrorism Prevention? 7 Surprising Veterinary Specialties appeared first on Vetstreet.

Got a snub-nosed breed? You know the ones. They’re the dogs who look like they’ve been chasing parked cars. Smushy-faced and adorable, these dogs are more popular than ever. And since traveling with pets is also more popular than ever, it stands to reason that more flat-faced pets might be flying the friendly skies.

But the skies are not necessarily so friendly as all that. Not to these dogs. Unfortunately, they’ve been dying in record numbers.

Last year’s stats are damning: According to the USDA, more than 50 percent of all dogs who died aboard U.S. airliners hailed from brachycephalic breeds (98 out of all 189 deaths). In case you’ve never heard the term, “brachycephalic” is the scientific word for “short-headed.” It describes all those bulldoggy breeds we know and love: English Bulldogs, Pugs, Shih Tzus, French Bulldogs and Pekinese, among others.

Lovable, yes. Fundamentally healthy, no.

By design, these dogs are shockingly less capable of normal respiration than others. Which is why they succumb to the heat-related stresses inherent to harried, modern cargo-hold travel. A dog's principal means of cooling its blood is related to how well it can breathe, so poor breathers are more likely to suffer heat-related maladies.

Brachycephalic dogs experience compromised respiration by virtue of airways clogged with redundant tissues, hampered by tiny windpipes and further restricted by chronic changes associated with the negative air pressure these structural changes portend (over time their airways can actually warp). Add to the mix the fact that these breeds are predisposed to obesity (most owners think they’re meant to be chunky), and you’ve just written a recipe for respiratory distress.

Which is why flying these dogs in cargo is always a bad idea. For starters, you never know what temperatures the dog will be subjected to. And when owners feel compelled to “spare” their dogs the stress of air travel by offering sedatives (vet approved or otherwise), any kind of respiratory compromise is magnified. (Note: I'm not talking about flying in a pressurized cabin. My Frenchie has flown with me in the cabin on more than one occasion.)

It is true that many airlines have long had restrictions on pet travel during the hottest days of summer and the coldest days of winter. And some have had specific restrictions around certain breeds with breathing issues. But in light of these death numbers, it only makes sense that even more airlines might start restricting who can fly cargo and who cannot, starting with brachycephalic breeds.

Bulldogs, it’s been recently decreed, need not apply for a cargo ticket on certain airlines. They will not be welcome. To which I have this to say: finally!

In the past, I’ve come down hard against the airlines for failing to make air travel as safe for pets as it is for people. But when I became aware that the vast majority of airline deaths were cargo deaths for short-nosed breeds, I started to soften my stance. The airlines, I started thinking, might not be so responsible after all for all of these pet deaths. 

On the other hand, I don’t believe I’ve ever written a health certificate permitting a brachycephalic patient to fly cargo. I refuse to offer sedatives for any cargo-hold patients whatsoever. And I’m not alone. No veterinarian I know of would allow a fat, old Pug to fly cargo. So I’ve got to wonder: How is it that these pets are being given the go-ahead –– premedicated or not –– to fly under conditions that are widely held to be hot, stressful and potentially deadly for any breed?

Perhaps it’s that not all airlines require detailed health certificates describing fundamental travel temperatures (acclimatization statements, they’re called). Or maybe some airlines have ignored health certificates altogether (I know of specific instances where this has happened).

Whatever the case, I applaud these airlines for doing the right thing. Though some Bulldog breeders I’ve heard discuss this online are incensed over the “intrusive” nature of this regulation (read: expensive for those who rely on out-of-state pup sales), I’m rather more appalled that anyone would demand the right to subject any compromised animal to such a risk.

The post Why Flying With Snub-Nosed Dog Breeds Is a Lose-Lose Proposition appeared first on Vetstreet.

Yesterday I committed a common faux pas — common for me, anyway. Upon greeting a Bichon named Coco, I commented on her freshly groomed coat. “She’s so gorgeous in her white fur coat!” I exclaimed. To which the affronted owner dryly replied, “He’s a he, not a she.”

Gulp. I’d just suffered an excruciating bout of foot-in-mouth disease. Thus chastened, I backpedaled by feigning a second look before comparing his testosteronic majesty’s visage to the likes of George Clooney. Of course, it was a stretch, but once you’ve committed this particular sin, you’ve got to work hard to make it right.

The frequency of instances like the one with Coco explains why I’ve been thinking a lot about pets and parts of speech. How is it that owners can have such big problems with such tiny pronouns?

I understand that the personal touch my clients expect requires careful attention to detail with respect to all things, but here’s where I have to wonder: How are my clients more willing to forgive transgressions like flubbed names and forgotten previous conditions than their concept of their pets’ gender?

After all, our pets are largely spayed and neutered, so, in a sense, their gender is a moot point.

Why Is Gender So Important?

Viewed in that light, it’s kind of impressive that we care so much whether a veterinarian gets gender right. And yet, as a culture, we care very much about our pets’ sexual classifications.

Think I exaggerate? Consider the calamity that befell a recent couple who adopted a kitten who had shown up at their door. “We named him Morris, because he’s an orange marmalade color, and we’re sure he’s going to be a beautiful boy just like the cat in the commercials,” one of them said.  

And it seemed like an awesome choice until I had to tell them he was a she. The chill that descended on that exam room when the I-told-you-so’s started flying was enough to make me wish I had lied and gotten away with it for life. Then there was the issue of renaming and the disagreements that followed — as if the issue of gender classification demanded urgent attention.

All of which causes me to question: Does it really matter? Why do we feel the need to catalog, label and tag when it comes to sexual category? Why does gender have to be an issue of polarity? Are the genders so different?

Not really.

Pets Eschew Male/Female Roles

Maybe that’s why it doesn’t matter to me. After all, my animal boys (5) and girls (14) are vastly different in their personalities for reasons that transcend gender. In fact, both of my female Malinois act way more “masculine” (from a standard cultural conception of what men act like) than all three of my smaller male dogs put together. “Tomboys,” we Americans might call these females. 

Nonetheless, gender identification matters to most of my clients. It’s still a critical issue that defines identity in our culture. I am finding, however, that more and more of my clients are less and less invested in their pets’ he/she status.

So does this mean they care less about their pets? That they think of them less as children and more like animals? I don’t think so. It may be that the spay/neuter thing is finally making its way into the general conception of pets. But it may also be that our entire culture cares less about gender definitions in general. 

Either way, I’ll double-check my Cocos’ undersides before commenting on their gender. No way I’ll make that mistake again — not for a little while at least.

More on Vetstreet.com:

• When Vets Get a Pet’s Gender Wrong
• 10 Things Your Pet Won’t Tell You
• The Pet Obesity Epidemic

The post Why Sex in Dogs and Cats Shouldn’t Matter Anymore — A Vet’s Opinion appeared first on Vetstreet.

Let me offer this at the outset: I love French Bulldogs. I have never met a breed with such fun doggy drive, innate canine exuberance and undeterred affable dogability (if that’s a word). They just rock my world.

I’ve been a proud parent to at least one French Bulldog for more than a dozen continuous years, which is kind of strange, come to think of it. After all, I’m an outdoorsy, athletic type who has always doted on the big dogs who could keep up with me (or, rather, me with them).

My Life With Frenchies: A History

Never one to resort to small dogs in the past, I somehow broke down and adopted 4-year-old Marcel, my first Frenchie — and never looked back. I don’t know how it happened. But romance being romance, it’s all in the chemistry, isn’t it? And Marcel and I had oodles of it from the get-go.

So, too, was I wholly besotted by my Sophie Sue, who came to me as a 3-year-old pup the very weekend of Marcel’s untimely demise. In Sophie’s case, the adoption happened when an owner couldn’t afford her upkeep any longer — much less her emergency C-section.

And then there's Vincent, my current French Bulldog, whose misbegotten genetics — a cleft palate, among other abnormalities — occasioned the need for either a veterinarian owner with a fierce love for canine dermatology and strong ties to the veterinary surgical community or a very wealthy and highly dedicated pet parent.

Although all three have been unique in their personalities, each one has displayed a very characteristic “Frenchiness” that seems to pervade all but a few French Bulldogs I've met (and I’ve met hundreds by now). Playfully cuddly, solicitously soulful, quirkily clownish and delectably goofy … how could anyone resist?

A Frenchie’s charms have a way of overwhelming anyone’s small-dog defenses — or any defenses, for that matter!

Not only are they interesting to behold — with their smushy faces, dwarfed limbs, deep skin folds, outsized heads and big doe eyes — but their personalities and energy levels are ideally suited to just about anyone. I can understand if you think French Bulldogs are ugly animals, but no one can deny that they’re the almost perfect companion dogs if you like intermittently active indoor dogs who won’t knock over your children and who will cuddle up almost on command.

Obviously, I’m smitten.

This Cute Canine Comes With Some Caveats

Not that I haven’t had other breeds of dog (and currently do) — all of which were adopted as young adults after various and sundry healthcare crises drove them into my arms — but Frenchies have remained a constant for most of my veterinary career.

In fact, the vet thing is undeniably how I managed to become a Frenchie person, because what precipitated each adoption was the former owners’ prospect of lots of assiduous home care, coupled with huge impending veterinary bills.

Keeping a Frenchie is not for the seriously time-pressured or the financially faint of heart. A certain willingness to get your hands dirty is also recommended, since daily ear and skin fold ablutions, frequent bathing, routine eye care and sometimes even physical therapy are often required of French Bulldog caretakers.

Here’s a quick rundown of the problems these dogs most commonly face:

Skin and ear issues: Skin and ear diseases are commonly inherited in the breed, with demodectic mange and allergic skin disease overrepresented. This means lots of home care, frequent trips to the veterinarian and impressive expense if allergy testing, food trials, allergy vaccines and chronic medication must be employed. Marcel, Sophie Sue and Vincent all suffered from serious allergic skin disease.

Respiratory compromise: Respiratory issues, of course, are also ridiculously prevalent among the Frenchie set. Given that all French Bulldogs are, by design, short-headed, their respiratory tracts are ill-equipped for the free flow of air into and out of the lungs — a disease we refer to as brachycephalic syndrome.

Significant expenses may accrue if surgery to correct airway deformities — like overlong soft palates, everted laryngeal saccules and stenotic nares (tight nostrils) — is required. Sophie Sue had soft palate surgery once, and Vincent has had it twice, along with laryngeal saccule surgery.

Heat and exercise intolerance: Respiratory compromise may occasion poor heat and exercise tolerance, which can lead to life-threatening heatstroke if owners are not mindful of this limitation. In fact, I’ve seen more than one Frenchie die in excessive temperatures — and one instance happened in only moderately warm weather, when the AC in the house went out during a springtime electrical storm.

Spinal diseases: Disk disease — also referred to as intervertebral disk (or disc) disease — seems to be increasingly prevalent among French Bulldogs. And this disease is undeniably the most acutely expensive condition among these dogs should surgical intervention be required — about $3,000 to $6,000 per episode. Sophie Sue had one, and Vincent has had three — two for disks and another spinal surgery for a congenital subarachnoid cyst.

Behavior problems: Although you’d think that they'd be somewhat immune to behavioral issues given their notoriously winning personalities, certain behavioral troubles can be common among Frenchies, who have a hardheaded streak. This trait can make some of them notoriously difficult to housebreak — forever. But I’ve put up with it because they're worth it.

No breed is perfect. This I know. And I hope you don’t think that I’m in any way damning or dissing my breed of choice. It’s nonetheless true that French Bulldogs are especially needy and potentially very expensive.

Why do I belabor this point? Because French Bulldogs are becoming increasingly popular. Ten years ago, I counted only one or two among my patients. I now service more than 20. How’s that for a jump?

To read more opinion pieces on Vetstreet, click here.

The post This Veterinarian’s Love-Hate Relationship With French Bulldogs appeared first on Vetstreet.

Veterinarians are a lot like pediatricians. Not only do our patients struggle, scream, cry, and otherwise communicate in ways that often leave much to be desired, but like "baby doctors," we also have parents to contend with. And parents come with their own set of challenges.

Perhaps nowhere is the fact of parental influence more stressful than when it comes to talking about their pets’ behavior. The preponderance of animal behavior misinformation delivered by everyone from Dr. Google and Dr. Breeder to Dr. Mother-in-Law to Dr. TV Pet Personality means that simple misconceptions can easily turn into culturally intractable myths.

Setting the Facts Straight

Sadly, veterinarians are too often relegated to the final stop on the fix-this-problem bus tour of any given pet’s by-now-too-serious-to-live-with behavior disorder. Which is probably why pet behavior myths drive us crazy. After all, we know too well what happens when behavior problems get out of control: Problem pets are unwanted pets. And unwanted pets end up in shelters.

Which is why veterinarians are always busy trying to debunk myths like these five zingers:

Myth 1: Aggressive pets are trying to dominate us. This is not always true. Indeed, it’s usually not. Aggression is much more likely the result of fear or anxiety than the desire to dominate anyone. Nonetheless, people seem to prefer to believe that aggressive or difficult pets are attempting to control their environments than reacting to its stresses. The observation of wolf hierarchies —which has been shown to be an inapt model — largely informs this canine worldview.

Sadly, this misconception about dogs — widely disseminated by certain popular media personalities — has led to the more widespread use of punitive training techniques that can lead to even more serious behavior problems than they purport to address.

Myth 2: Abuse is the root cause of fear and aggression in pets. If we had a dime for every time we were informed of our patients’ past history of abuse, every veterinarian I know would have a stack a mile high. Sure, it’s possible. But if every owner who believed their pet was formerly physically abused was spot-on in their suspicions, we’d have to assume pet abuse is far more prevalent than we currently believe it to be.

Which is bad enough. What’s worse, however, is that pet owners undeterred in their belief in abuse as the root cause of any given behavior problem tend to ignore or deny the possibility that the condition is progressive and/or treatable. Not only does that mean pets will fail to receive treatment for their conditions, but pets with anxiety-based disorders that tend to progress may continue to deteriorate in their owners' care.

Myth 3: It’s all in how you raise them. Genetics doesn’t mean much when it comes to pet behavior. As a staunch opponent of breed specific legislation, I’d like to be able to say this is true, but it’s not. Though I’ll still deny that laws prohibiting certain breeds of dogs are either needed or effective, as a veterinarian I have to allow that genetics informs how certain dogs and cats have a propensity to act. In fact, fearful and shy behaviors in particular have been found to be quite heritable, as research evaluating guide dogs for the blind attests.

Though it’s undeniably the case that raising and caring for our pets responsibly can overcome most negative behaviors, ignoring the reality of our pets’ genetic proclivities does them no favors. This is especially true when it comes to selecting certain breeds.

For example, I would never recommend a high-drive working dog like my Belgian Malinois Violet to anyone who didn’t lead a very active lifestyle. It just wouldn’t make sense, right? So why is it so many of our clients are surprised when their Chihuahuas are anxious, their Dachshunds protective, and their Jack Russells insatiably energetic?

If we accept that genetics counts for a lot when it comes to behavior, we’re well on our way to creating better relationships between people and their pets from the very start.

Myth 4: Puppies should wait until they’re fully vaccinated to attend behavior classes. Pups should be socialized with others of their kind (puppies and adult dogs) as early on as reasonably possible. And because the ideal window of opportunity for socialization is between 7and 12 weeks of age, veterinarians no longer demand that pups be fully vaccinated before embarking on a “puppy kindergarten” class. (Vaccination is typically not considered complete until 16 weeks of age.) Socialization is just too important, according to a great position statement on this subject offered by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB).

Myth 5: Drugs are the ideal solution to X behavior problem. Drugs can be useful in the treatment of a wide swath of pet behavior abnormalities but they’re seldom among the first tools a veterinarian reaches for and they’re never considered the sole approach to dealing with a pet’s behavior issues. In fact, for many dogs, behavior modification techniques alone may be all that is needed to remedy the behavior problem.

Yet drug therapy is often the solution pet owners beg for in the exam room. Which I guess is understandable. I mean, I want a little magic pill that makes my life perfect too.

With all these misconceptions in evidence — not to mention the dire consequences of their propagation — is it any wonder veterinarians want to pull their hair out whenever they’re treated to yet another behaviorally “broken” myth victim?

The post Five Pet Behavior Myths That Drive Vets Crazy appeared first on Vetstreet.

As a rule, we veterinarians aren’t big on the DIY approach to animal health care. We’ve known too many pets who suffered the wrath of makeshift splints, botched wart removals, backwoods tail-docking methods and strange parasite-killing concoctions (some of which killed more than just the fleas). 

Which is why, excellent intentions notwithstanding, we always urge pet owners to seek professional veterinary counsel before embarking on an irreversible course of DIY care. Not only is it heartbreaking to see pet owners lose pets to conditions that might’ve been treated, it’s gut-wrenching to tell a client they’re responsible for it.

But, as always, there are two sides to the story. There are plenty of times when a DIY approach is warranted — even preferable — to a vet’s more formal interventions. Further, seeing as veterinary medical expenses can add up, it also stands to reason that pet owners might want to take on some of the workload.

C’mon, You Can Do It

For your edification, I’ve included 12 of these measures — including the simplest and the not-so-simple — in the following list:

1. Nail trimming. Dare I confess it? I really hate trimming a pet’s toenails in the exam room. Why? Not only is it difficult to do with a pet who rarely gets them trimmed, pets who only get it done during their annual visit tend to hate the procedure with a passion. No wonder she hates coming to the veterinarian’s office!

Granted, some clinics don’t mind the nail trims as much as I do! Unless you’re willing to take them there or to the groomer every few weeks (more for some, less for others), you, my dear pet owner, can be responsible for this task. Ideally, you would teach your pet as a pup or kitten to accept this procedure (which we will gladly show you how to do).

2. Hairball management. Buy a good brush (I like the Furminator) and get all that hair off before she does. Bathing a hairball-prone cat also helps remove loose hair, lest it end up sitting uncomfortably in the stomach and later, being spewed out. Other simple solutions include hairball formula foods and oral petroleum-based gel products.   

3. Therapeutic bathing. Yes, sometimes you need to look beyond the supermarket oatmeal-formula shampoos and ask your vet about therapeutic bathing for pets with skin issues. In fact, bathing your dog or cat twice weekly (or more for some!) might be just the thing she needs to control that skin condition. Make sure you let your veterinarian know you’re willing.

4. Sanitary clipping. It doesn’t take a degree in grooming to learn how to trim your dog’s overgrown eyebrows or your cat’s dingleberry-trapping butt hair. The last thing we want is a dog effectively blinded by her hair falling into a swimming pool or a kitty constipated because there’s too much poop stuck to her backside. (I’ve seen both happen.) Buy an electric clipper to accomplish these regular tasks safely.

5. Ear cleaning. All young pets should learn to have their ears handled and cleaned. Some may resist, but with persistence, almost all will learn, even as adults.

6. Tooth brushing. This is my number one recommendation for anyone who doesn’t like spending hard-earned cash on expensive, extensive dental cleanings. Make those cleanings simple quickies with few complications by brushing your dog’s teeth or cat’s teeth regularly. Daily is best and — so you know — weekly is, obviously, not as effective. 

7. Pilling. Learn early on how to give pills to your cat or dog. This will save you lots of time, money and frustration!

8. Taking a temperature. Buy a digital thermometer and mark it with a Sharpie. This is now your pet’s dedicated thermometer. Coat it with a smear of petroleum jelly and, whenever you’re worried your pet has a fever, insert the skinny end into the rectum about an inch. Normal temperature for a dog or cat is 100 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. You can learn how to do this. Nothing’s ever too gross to do if it’s in the service of your pet’s health, right?

9. Stopping the bleeding. It’s not hard to stem the tide of basic bleeding. Toenails trimmed too far will quickly respond to some simple pressure and perhaps a bit of flour, but more serious injuries may require tourniquets and lots of direct pressure until you can get to the veterinarian’s office.

By the way, you can and should know how to use tourniquets on both humans and animals. This is a lifesaving first-aid procedure that requires no advanced degree… just some sometimes-not-so-common common sense. 

10. Offering simple first aid. Speaking of tourniquets… simple first aid is within your grasp. Almost every community hospital offers a course. Some progressive veterinary hospitals offer them, too. Here, you’ll learn how to stabilize pets before bringing them in for professional vet care. Dealing with bleeding, seizing dogs, hit-by-car catastrophes and near drownings is something any dedicated layperson can learn.

11. Administering simple injections and subcutaneous fluids. It’s not hard. It just takes willingness.  Administering subcutaneous fluids, insulin or allergy medication isn’t difficult. Your veterinarian will show you how!

12. Monitoring diabetic pets. It’s impractical for pet owners to go to the vet every time they need a pet’s blood sugar monitored or urine checked. Checking your diabetic pet’s levels at home is now more doable than ever for highly motivated pet owners.

Sure, some of these seem tough, but I promise you can learn! Just don’t: dose your dogs with oil and milk when you think they’ve been poisoned, give them turpentine dips to kill mange, remove ticks with a flame (ouch!), offer rat poison to prevent heartworm or chewing tobacco for deworming. And whatever you do, don’t offer industrial-grade grease as a fly repellent.

As they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions and good deeds forgone. (I added the last part.)

More from Vetstreet:

• 7 Most Overlooked Aches and Pains in Dogs
• A Vet’s Guide to Not Getting Bitten by Her Patients
• Finding Special Sitters for Special-Needs Pets
• Things You Probably Don’t Know About Dog and Cat Claws
• What Vets Think About Your Difficult Pet

The post 12 DIY Tasks This Vet Says You Can Do at Home appeared first on Vetstreet.

During the holidays I always go on something of a self-doubting spree. I tell myself I'm not organized enough, not working hard enough, not saving enough, not thin enough. You know, the same stuff that bugs us all at this time of year when silent family recriminations and massive time pressures conspire to wreak havoc on our self-esteem.

Now add to this mix the kind of self-flagellation only your parenting skills can engender and you’ve got a recipe for holiday-time self-loathing — bar none.

But it’s not just the two-legged variety that gets us feeling down on ourselves (though my 13-year-old’s recent streak of annoying behavior is undeniably stoking the guilty parent fire these past few days). After all, pets are children, too. Well, not exactly. Nonetheless, their misbehavior and/or chronic health status often reflects badly on us, their caretakers.

That’s how I tend to see it this time of year, anyway. Which is probably why I’m about to launch into a full-on mea culpa on the subject. Yes, I’m occasionally a bad, bad pet owner. Here’s how.

1. I forget to feed someone.

I don’t know how this can possibly occur, seeing as I feed 19 mouths like clockwork nearly every single day of the year, but it does.

2. I come home late.

Yep, it’s happened on more than one occasion. I know I’ll be home later than is typical or reasonable and yet I can’t bring myself to call someone to let the boys out. (Usually because it’s after 9 p.m.) The cats and backyard roamers are just fine, but the dogs? It’s just not right to keep them crated in the evenings. They’re not used to it.

3. I won’t take them on vacation with me.

The cats don’t wanna go and the backyard critters sure as hell can’t, but I know I should at least take turns taking one dog with me when I go places where dogs are welcome. But I don’t. (OK, so that’s partly because I don’t want to play favorites, but that’s another post altogether.)

4. I skimp on offering the outdoor cats the same advantages as the “indoor” guys.

I know I should build my “outies” an indoor-out enclosure like the one my “innie” kitties have so they can’t get hurt and don’t have to fight the ferals, brave the driveway and outwit the hens at feeding time, but what can I say? The energy eludes me.

5. I fail to T-N-R (trap-neuter-release) as often as I should.

I know I need to catch those ferals and free-roaming cats who are steadily making their way back into my yard, but I’ve been lazy. Lazarus was bitten by a big black tom about a month ago and I still haven’t put out the trap.

6. I forget to give the heartworm meds on time.

Yes, really.

7. I “forget” to brush their teeth.

You know, the worst part about this is that all my pets tolerate the tooth brushing just fine. Well, I haven’t tried it on the chickens.

8. My dogs get loose about twice a week now.

Slumdog has recently learned he can dig a hole under a fence in under a minute flat. Which sucks. It means I need to hire someone to do some creative fencing. And I haven’t done it yet, though it’s been on my list for weeks now.

9. The indoor elimination thing.

One of my dogs is pathologically untrainable, housebreaking-wise. This has been confirmed by more than one trainer and is most readily explained by his neurological issue (he’s hydrocephalic, and about 70 percent of these dogs are not housebreak-able). But that doesn’t keep me from feeling like a failure when, as a result, everyone else thinks it’s awesome to be able to relieve themselves indoors, too.

10. Do I need 10?

I think that was enough of a confessional for now, don’t you?

Perhaps some of us should be judged on a sliding scale, seeing as we have a thing for poorly socialized rescue animals whose indeterminate origins, behavioral conditions and obvious absence of home training would scare off everyone else, but that’s another story altogether.

***

I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling so downtrodden about my ability to care for my own. So how about this: In preparation for your list of New Year’s resolutions, why don’t all of you confess just one thing you plan to change about your pet skills. Just one. Come on … I dare you!

The post Confessions of an Occasionally Bad Pet Owner appeared first on Vetstreet.

“How can I change your mind about this?” is a phrase I often find myself resorting to when owners refuse to take home the Elizabethan collar.

Known in vet circles as the “E-collar,” and among in-the-know pet people as “the cone,” the device is undeniably a menace to petdom and a source of stress for caring parents and veterinarians the world around.

Despite its evident hatefulness, vets like myself keep prescribing it. In fact, we foist it upon unsuspecting owners by trotting out their post-surgical charges with glee — as if they really do look super cute in a collar that makes them look like they could tune in to every TV channel on the planet.

But without it, a middle-of-the-night visit to the emergency hospital for self-evisceration is potentially in the cards. We need E-collars so your pets won’t try to rid themselves of unwanted stitches or lick their wounds into gaping, infected submission.

Nonetheless, veterinarians are sensitive to pet anxiety over the E-collar issue, not to mention yours. That’s why, depending on the severity of the situation, we sometimes (and only under very strict supervision by owners) let pets sport clever alternatives to the Elizabethan torture device.

The reality is, however, that nothing works as well as the dreaded cone, but here are some options that your vet may consider.

Bandages

If the wound is on an extremity, bandages are sometimes feasible. Unfortunately, bandages get licked and chewed. Plus, they present their own hazards, like ingestion, depending on the bandage material.

Unsavory Flavors

Deterrents like bitter apple have been creatively applied to bandages to keep pets’ tongues at bay, but they are no match for the most motivated pets. In other words, serious lickers and chewers need not apply.

Clothing

T-shirts and baby onesies don’t always do the trick for most pets, but cover-the-site clothing often works well as an add-on to the Elizabethan collar. This approach is especially helpful when dealing with resolute pets who find ways around the cone.

Pseudo-Cone Substitutes

I’ve tried the Bite-Not collar — a stiff plastic neck brace that's no better than an Elizabethan collar — and soft E-collars, which I only use when a pet seems to have a low drive for assailing his wounds.

Boarding

Around-the-clock vigilance by a pet professional? There’s no substitute.

Sedation

When all else fails (and I mean everything else), sedating a pet — done in tandem with professional observation — is sometimes the only way that a wound will heal. It’s sad to have to go there, but when the alternative is losing an eye …

My ultimate advice: Don’t give your vet a hard time about the cone. After all, it’s in your pet’s best interest — and your best bet is the E-collar.

To read more opinion pieces on Vetstreet, click here.

The post The Dreaded E-Collar: Why It’s Your Best Bet for Wound Care appeared first on Vetstreet.

No one said keeping four dogs was going to be easy. It’s even harder when the dogs you call family happen to come with all kinds of health care concerns and problem behaviors. After all, I’m a veterinarian, so that’s just how it goes; I can handle it. But when they all started finding various and sundry ways to escape my one-acre homestead (in search of neighbors bearing food, mostly), I was stumped.

For once, I had no tools to make the digging-under stop or the sneaking-through cease. My yard is just too darn big! So after years of shivering over vehicular near misses and lots of hand-wringing in general, I finally relented and had an underground fence installed around the perimeter of my property.

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the Vetstreet editorial team and do not reflect a direct endorsement by the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Teaching Boundaries

In case you’ve never heard of one of these systems, let me explain how it works:

A standard underground fence (also known as invisible fences) consists of a long strand of wire professionally installed under the ground, a home base control box that ties into your house’s electricity and a collar with a small box attached to it that buzzes with a brief current should the dog wearing it decide to cross the “invisible” line buried below.

The idea is that a dog trained to wear such a collar will learn to avoid the areas where the wire is laid. But this feat is typically only safely and humanely achieved after a significant training period. During this time, evenly spaced flags will line the perimeter, thereby offering visible cues, which makes it easy for dogs to recognize the significance of the boundary.

Dogs are effectively trained to avoid the area by very gradually advancing them toward the perimeter, cautioning them as they approach. When the line is crossed and they hear a beep, they have 10 seconds to back up before they get “tapped.”

“Tap” is my word for it. Because with the system I elected, it’s really not the zap you might expect from a device designed to administer an electric current for correction. Instead, it’s more of a tap-tap sort of prickle sensation.

But it’s true that not all dogs are as willing as mine to fear the simple tap-tap and forever avoid the fence line. (In fact, I think mine are more than willing to stop at the sound of the warning beep.) Some need to have the setting for the machine cranked up to its highest level. All dogs are different.

Differences in Devices

In any case, there you have my confession, but it’s far from a mea culpa. Indeed, I feel like I’ve made not just a sound decision to help solve a serious safety issue (which is currently fully resolved), but elected a perfectly humane approach, too.

Yet I’m sure at least some of you will disagree with my assessment. Electric correction devices are overused tools designed for the lazy trainer and even lazier dog owner, you’ll say, and they’re only for people who haven’t absorbed the notion that dogs almost never need such extreme kinds of correction.

To which I have this to say:

Despite the bad rap electric correction devices have received among animal welfare-minded people like us, the truth is that they’re not all created equal. Because, as with everything, the devil’s in the details. And in the case of electric fence devices, the details are usually to do with the following questions:

• Has every other reasonable option for correcting the behavior been exhausted?
• Is the dog behaviorally sound and free of any anxiety disorders that may predispose him or her to an adverse reaction to the corrective stimulus? (If not, reconsider. Some dogs — particularly anxious ones — have had serious behavior issues arise because they weren’t screened well before being subjected to a novel stimulus like this one.)
• Does the device offer very low-end settings for sensitive dogs? (It should. Ask to feel what it’s like.)
• Is a behavior professional involved in the setup and initial use of the device? (It’s always recommended, even for a veterinarian!)
• Does the behavior professional make follow-up visits to ensure it’s still working according to plan and that the dog is experiencing no adverse effects? (Generally considered a must.)
• Do you have a backup plan in case this fails? (If not, find one lest you blindly pursue a path without regard for your pet’s potential adverse reaction.)

Note: Some dogs may never learn to associate the boundary with the stimulus. They’ll simply stress out over it. In other words, fearful, sensitive or slow-learning dogs may not be good candidates. What’s more, even if the device helps keep the dog on the property, it doesn’t prevent other dogs from entering the yard, so no dog should be left outside unattended.

Types of Invisible Fences for Dogs

In-Ground Wired Systems

This is the type of invisible fence system that is most popular with pet parents. A wire is buried underground, which creates a boundary for the dog. The dog wears a collar with a transmitter, and when they approach the boundary, a vibration, buzz, or some other alert goes off.

The pros are customizable boundary shapes and reliable signal strength. Cons of an in-ground wired system is the labor involved and digging up the yard to install the wiring.

In-ground invisible fence to consider: PetSafe Classic In-Ground Fence

Wireless Systems

A wireless invisible fence system includes a central transmitter within a circular boundary. Your dog wears a collar with a transmitter that alerts the dog (and you) they are too close. It is easy to install and portable but limited to circular boundaries. Depending on the system you purchase, obstacles or terrain can interfere with the signal.

Wireless system to consider: PetSafe Original Wireless Electric Fence for Dogs

GPS-Based Systems

Pet parents enjoy GPS-based invisible fence systems because they allow you to create a boundary without invisible wires. This works well for larger properties or irregularly shaped land and can be programmed through an app. You generally need a paid subscription; weather, trees, or terrain can compromise the signal.

GPS-based system to consider: Premier Pet GPS Dog Fence Collar

Hybrid Systems

Hybrid systems are exactly as they sound: A combination of in-ground wired with GPS capability or wireless technology. This provides reliability and flexibility but can be pricey.

Hybrid invisible fence to consider: Electric Dog Fence and Remote Trainer

Seek Other Options First

Now, I know what you’re still thinking. It just seems wrong, this idea that we would consciously elicit pain — no matter how slight — in order to achieve a desired response. We’d never do that to our children, so why are we willing to subject our dogs to it?

Nonetheless, my experience with this fencing equipment has offered me this not-too-popular perspective on the subject. But in case you’re wondering how I approach my clientele when the subject arises, here’s my party line:

In general, I still vote no to the use of electric correction devices for keeping dogs in the yard. Why risk an adverse reaction when most problems have so many alternatives? Yet there are some exceptions where they may be necessary, including electric barriers around pools to help prevent dogs from drowning or those that keep dogs from getting into traffic and injuring themselves.

So now that you’ve got the back story, do you still pronounce me guilty?

The post Invisible Fence: Veterinarian Weighs In appeared first on Vetstreet.