Wag Reflex

Yes, Catnip is Safe for Cats

Many clients ask me "What is catnip and is it safe for my cat?" Catnip is a perennial herb belonging to the mint family. Scientifically it is known as "Nepeta cataria". The plant is a weed-like mint that was introduced to North America from the Mediterranean. The active ingredient in catnip is called Nepetalactone for which cats have a special receptor. The response to this chemical is mediated through the olfactory (smell) system. Nepetalactone is thought to mimic the effects of phermones.

The response to catnip can be very dramatic in some cats: rolling, licking, rubbing, drooling, jumping, running, growling. Most of these behaviors will last 5-15 minutes. Other cats may appear to be sedated after exposure. Some very young or very old cats do not respond as much, or at all, to catnip. Approximately 25% of the cat population does not respond to catnip at all, at any age. This is due to genetics as reactions to catnip are hereditary. Some cats are genetically "programmed" to respond to catnip, some are not.

Despite all of the strange behaviors seen with catnip, it is completely non-toxic to cats. If a large quantity of fresh catnip is consumed, you may see some vomiting or diarrhea, but this is rare and self-limiting. If your cat experiences this, limit the amount of catnip he comes in contact with or withhold catnip all together.

Photo from elrina753's photostream.

--Dr. Hinson
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Dr. Hinson is a mixed animal veterinarian in Tampa, FL and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

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Puppy Mills Make Breeders Look Bad

Due to exposure in the national media, many states are now investigating ways to regulate or even eliminate businesses known as “puppy mills”. “Puppy mill” is often used to describe any large scale breeding operation. As you may have seen in the news, these dogs have been found to be living in squalid conditions and are often bred continuously.

The lack of  a legal definition, as well as the difficulty in enforcing existing laws means that many of these commercial breeders continue to operate despite kennel inspection programs and regulations. A lack of inspectors and time to inspect all the commercial facilities is often to blame, in addition to the Puppy Mills themselves. Although laws concerning regulation of kennels and breeders are popular, the obstacles to enforcing those laws are challenging. Of major concern is how to pay for the personnel and resources needed for the inspections.

As  a veterinarians, I am concerned about the health and the welfare of the animals. Commercial breeding  of dogs  for profit  is not a healthy practice and the many pets suffer from the result of very poor sanitation and living conditions. In addition, bad practices of these commercial breeders often give breeders in general a bad rap. This is unfortunate, as there are reputable breeders out there that work very hard to better the health and temperament of the breeds they have, and most will quickly point our that breeding should not be done for profit.

Anyone searching for a family pet should question the source they get puppies and kittens from and make efforts to only obtain their pets from reputable sources which include: reputable breeders, local shelters and breed specific rescues. In your search for a new pet, consider talking with your veterinarian as they will be able to help match you with the right breed of pet and could have local and reputable resources to help you find your new friend.

Photo of an Arkansas puppy mill bust from humanesocietyoftheunitedstates' photostream.

--Dr. Hamilton
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Dr. Hamilton is an oncology resident at Michigan State's Animal Cancer Care Clinic and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

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Reproduction Question--The Bulbus Glandis

I can always tell spring is coming by the increase in questions we field regarding reproduction. The breeding season elicits some practical and some curious questions. A common question involves the two round-shaped swellings at the base of a male dog’s penis--usually noticeable when they are on their backs, just roused from sleeping. No, your neutered dog did not regrow their testicles! Nor did the surgeon “miss a pair” or “forget” to actually remove them. This part of the male dog anatomy is called the bulbus glandis. It is part of the penis so it isn’t removed during castration. It is not involved in sperm production so your neutered dog can’t impregnate a female when the swelling is present. It is made up of erectile tissue which is why it noticeable some times and not at others. And no, if it is noticeable, it doesn’t mean your dog has his mind in the gutter--it is just part of their normal physiology. Its job is to serve as the “tie” during breeding, which is why some dogs are “locked” together for a brief time following a mating.

--Dr. Olson
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Dr. Olson practices small animal medicine in Denver, CO and is a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

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A Little Background on New AKC-Recognized Breeds

We’ve talked about ways of finding that perfect pet before: shelters, breed rescues, breeders. And now there are even more choices for you! Recently the American Kennel Club has announced 3 more recognized breeds to their list, making 161 total recognized breeds. The new breeds include: The Irish Red and White Setter, Norwegian Buhund and the Pyrenean Shepherd. These 3 followed the other new addition to the AKC, the Dogue de Bordeaux. While these breeds may be new to the AKC they have actually been around for years while breeders have worked to standardize them to a breed standard and preserve their original functions. As with most breeds, each has a specific purpose or niche, so always do your homework before adopting a new companion. And as always, don't forget about mix- breed dogs either, these “all-Americans” often have traits all their own. Here is a little background on these breeds.

Irish Red and White Setter
According to the breed history provided by the AKC, the Irish Setter probably developed at the end of the 17th century but it was not well known outside of Ireland that there are two breeds of Irish Setters. At this time breeders are certain, that the Red and White Setter is the older of the two breeds. By the end of the 19th century the Red Setter had taken over in popularity compared to the Red and White, which became so rare that they where thought to be extinct. During the 1920s an effort was made to revive the Irish Red and White Setter.” The Rev. Noble Huston's work in gathering the Red and Whites available and recording pedigrees from as far back as approximately 1790 was compiled and preserved by Mrs. Maureen Cuddy from Midleton, Co. Cork. Mrs. Cuddy's hard work and dedication to the breed resulted in 1978 in having the breed separately classified and given championship status by the Irish Kennel Club.” The breed was able to re-established itselfl enough to have its own club by 1944 and today it can be seen at Irish shows as well as Field Trials. (Adapted form AKC.org)

Photo from True Blue Acre's photostream.

Pyrenean Shepherd
The Pyrenean Shepherd was used and developed solely for herding and not for protection of sheep in the Pyrenees Mountains. There small size makes them quick and more sure-footed on the windy crags where they originated. They also need less food compared to their Great Pyrenees counterpart, allowing the shepherd to keep more individual dogs, and thus a larger population of sheep.

There are 2 coat varietyes fo the Pyrenean shepherd 1. The Rough-Faced variety has a long or demi-long coat and some long hairs on the face (though not so profuse as to hide the eyes). 2.The Smooth-Faced variety is less abundantly furnished and has short hair on the face.

“The breed first distinguished itself outside the Pyrenees Mountains by dint of its service during WWI. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of Pyrenean Shepherds gave their lives for the cause. They were used as couriers, as search and rescue dogs finding injured soldiers after battles, and to accompany guards on their rounds. J. Dhers, officer in charge of war dogs remarked the day after final victory that it was his "duty to proclaim" that, the Pyrenean Shepherd was "the most intelligent, the most cunning, the most able, and the fastest" among all the breeds used.” (adapted from AKC.org)

Photo from R4avin's photostream.

Dogue de Bordeaux
I’m a bit biased with this breed as I own one. I would point out however, that is not the breed for everyone. The DDB is a large powerful dogs which is not the ideal dog for first time dog owners. The Dogue de Bordeaux was once found in 3 varieties, the Parisian, the Toulouse and the Bordeaux, which were bred depending on the region of France and the jobs they had to do. Regardless of type, they had a general type similar to today’s Dogue de Bordeaux.Historically, the Dogue de Bordeaux was used as a guardian, a hunter, and a fighter. They were trained to bait bulls, bears, and jaguars, hunt boars, herd cattle, and protect the homes, butcher shops, and bordeaux vineyards of their masters. The Dogue de Bordeaux was pvalued as protectors and was found in the homes of the wealthy of France. A setback for the breed was noted following World War II, when Adolph Hitler was said to have demanded the execution of all Dogues de Bordeaux because of their devout loyalty to their owners. In the 1989 Americans saw the Dogue de Bordeaux for the first time on the big screen in Touchstone’s movie "Turner and Hooch" about a police man and his canine partner, although many people did not know that the massive slobbering animal was a Dogue de Bordeaux. While the slobbering was a bit exaggerated for the movie, the slobber the breed produces after eating and drinking is very real. If you can’t handle slobber this is NOT the breed for you. I personally love the breed and eagerly await getting another one, even though by household cleaning requirements will exponentially increase.

If you are interested in learning more about the Dogue de Bordeaux, the breed club is holding its national specialty show in April at Purina farms. For more information go to: http://www.ddbs.org/2009/2009National.html

Photo from rondellmckay's photostream.

--Dr. Hamilton
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Dr. Hamilton is an oncology resident at Michigan State's Animal Cancer Care Clinic and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

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The Top 5 Things Every Dog Should Have

Before you adopt a new pup, here are the top five things it should have.

1. Leash
Get a leash for your dog that keeps your dog safe.  Choose a length that allows for good control; six feet is recommended.

2. Bed
Dog beds not only prevent your dog from using your expensive furniture as a bed but they are actually good for them too! Dogs, especially large breeds, should not lie on hard surfaces as they can develop calluses or sores over bony protrusions (such as the elbow). Dogs with arthritis can really benefit from therapeutic dog beds that are made for this purpose.  Many are heated and have extra cushion for aching joints.

3. Toys
Games allow us to build a relationship with our pets through play, and toys are an important part of these games. Buy toys that lets your dog mimic hunting behaviors like retrieving, herding and guarding. Also, chew toys like Kongs are essential to prevent your dog from chewing your belongings.

4. Crate
As well as giving your dog a safe, cozy place to stay, crates can make training your dog a lot easier. Housebreaking goes much faster when you use a crate and destructive chewing becomes easier to control. Traveling is also safer for both you and your dog when he's in a crate.

5. Treats
Treats help reinforce the special bond between you and your dog, and are a good way to reinforce positive behavior. Treats are also a definite help during training.

--Dr. Hinson
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Dr. Hinson is a mixed animal veterinarian in Tampa, FL and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

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Top Pet Myths Exposed

Myth: Cats always land on their feet after a fall.
Reality: Despite their keen sense of balance and acrobatics, many cats are actually injured falling from high elevations. Cat owners should always monitor cats on outdoor balconies and keep screens secure. In addition just because they land on their feet doesn’t mean they landed unharmed.

Myth: Dogs actually have “clean” mouths and when they lick their wounds, they are helping the healing process.
Reality: Dogs’ mouths actually have numerous types of bacteria. Repeated licking of a wound, even a minor one, can lead to more serious skin problems. The self trauma of incessant licking if a common cause of ’hot spots’ another dermatology problems. Always check with your veterinarian whenever your pet has a skin wound or a wound that won’t heal.

Myth: Another sign of worms is when a dog “scoots” across the ground.
Reality: Although dogs with tapeworms will scoot due to the itchiness of the worm segments, not all scooting dogs have worms. Allergies, diarrhea, or even anal sac disease can also be reasons for this behavior. Even this problem can be an attention getting behavior and after medical problems are ruled out, some re-training may be required.

Myth: If your dog eats his feces, he has worms.
Reality: Many dogs will eat their feces as well as other dogs’ feces. Although this is a disgusting behavior and pets can acquire parasites from the habit, it is not strictly a sign intestinal parasites. Many mother dogs will do this to clean her newborn puppies and some pets will do it as an attention getting behavior or a learned behavior from other dogs. The problem may also be poor nutrition and a learned habit. In any case, your veterinarian will be able to help you stop the problem. Yuck!

Myth: Female dogs should have at least litter of puppies before spaying.
Reality: This old wives tale has been around for a long time and is totally untrue. There is no known benefit to allowing a pet to reproduce unnecessarily. In fact there is evidence that spaying a female before her first heat will reduce her risk of developing breast cancer dramatically. A quick look at any local animal shelter is evidence of just how many dogs and cats are out there in need of a home already, often due to needless and careless breeding.

Myth: Pets with warm, dry noses are sick.
Reality: It’s possible that your pet has a warm nose because he’s been lying in the sun! Unless you see other signs of illness, such as depression, lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea, there probably is no need to worry! There is almost no information on evaluating health by ‘nose’ symptoms. As always, if you see signs of illnesses or just have concerns about your pet, contact your veterinarian. The staff at your veterinary hospital can help you decide when you should bring your pet in for examination.

Photo of a daredevil cat from studiostein's photostream.

--Dr. Hamilton
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Dr. Hamilton is an oncology resident at Michigan State's Animal Cancer Care Clinic and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

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Traveling with Your Pet

Traveling with your pet can be stressful, but with some careful planning, you can keep the stress to a minimum. If you are flying and taking your pet “in-cabin”, the carrier and your pet must fit completely under the seat. Usually soft sided carriers work best and your pet should not be larger than what would comfortably fit under the seat (usually around 15lbs). You need to make a reservation with the airline to take your pet with you--not only is there is an additional fee for pets traveling with you, but also a limit to the number of pets that can be on the plane. Don’t forget to call ahead. You are required to remove your pet from the carrier at the security checkpoint, so be sure to have a collar (or harness) and a leash for this purpose. If your pet is traveling in the cargo hold, check to see if it is climate controlled--some airlines have temperature restrictions when your pet cannot fly.

If you are driving or flying, remember to pack some things for your pet: food and water, your pet’s medications, paper towels or baby wipes, favorite toys, cat litter, litter pan, and waste bags to dispose of accidents. Lastly, a visit to your veterinarian is in order before you go: airlines (and many states) require a health certificate when traveling and you should have a copy of your pet’s vaccination schedule and health records with you. With a little preparation, you can ease the strain of traveling with your pet.

Photo of El Guapo from shweri's photostream.

--Dr. Melinda, Hartz R&D Team
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Dr. Melinda is the resident veterinarian at Hartz and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

Why Bother with Those Baby Teeth?

Just like us, our cats and dogs are born toothless. Within the next few weeks (here starts the difference from us) the deciduous (baby) teeth begin to erupt and are fully in place around 6 and 12 weeks in kittens and puppies, respectively. Over the next several months, the second set of teeth, their permanent or adult set, erupt. The baby teeth are supposed to fall out as the adult teeth come in.

Often, owners find these teeth on the carpet or stuck in a toy or they are swallowed with no harm. If the baby teeth don’t fall out on their own, then they need to be removed. The most common baby teeth to remain are the canines--the four pointed, fang-like teeth on cats and dogs. If the deciduous tooth is not extracted soon enough, adult teeth are forced to erupt too far inside of the mouth and instead of resting on the outside of the upper gums, they can grow into the upper palate, or roof of the mouth. This type of malocclusion can result in life-long complications and is, of course, best avoided.

Even if a malocclusion does not occur, the amount of dental disease that develops between the smooshed-together baby and adult teeth will warrant medial attention. Most retained or persistent deciduous teeth can be removed during the time of spay or neuter. For those patients who were spayed very young as part of a shelter adoption, a separate anesthetic procedure is needed to address the teeth trouble.

Photo of puppy with healthy front teeth from RileyMAI's photostream.

--Dr. Olson
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Dr. Olson practices small animal medicine in Denver, CO and is a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

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Can Secondhand Smoke Harm Pets?

Simply put, the answer is yes. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemical compounds, 43 of which are known to be carcinogens (cancer causing particles). While many studies have shown that exposure to these chemicals can increase people's chances of heart disease, lung cancer, and other cancers, some recent studies have shown that these chemicals also increase the risk of these diseases to pets.

Research performed at Colorado State University has documented that environmental tobacco smoke has a clear effect on dogs. Studies have shown that the more people smoke in a household, the higher their dogs' risk of developing certain kinds of cancer. Dogs with long noses are at an even greater risk of developing certain nasal and sinus cancer as they expose more tissue to the carcinogens when they inhale. CSU's research has also shown that the effects of exposure to secondhand smoke are lasting. Chemicals from cigarette smoke can be found in dogs bodies for a long period of time. In fact, measurable levels of carcinogens can be found in dogs hair and urine for months after exposure.

Another study by Tufts University showed that cats exposed to secondhand smoke have an increased chance of developing a type of oral cancer commonly found in smokers--called squamous cell carcinoma--possibly because the carcinogens in smoke can settle on cats' fur and cats can pick them up as they groom themselves.

Even if they don't develop cancer, pets can have strong reactions to smoke particles in the air. Just like their human families, pets can develop respiratory infections, lung inflammation, and asthma when exposed to secondhand smoke.

Photo from MyDearDogs' photostream.

--Dr. Hinson
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Dr. Hinson is a mixed animal veterinarian in Tampa, FL and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

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Don’t Own Pets That Can Eat You

As you may have seen in the news this year, pets are eating their owners. In most cases they are killing or badly injuring them. With all the news headlines this year regarding pets--or should I say wild animals--being kept as pets, I would like to take this opportunity as a veterinarian to make a plea to America: Don’t own pets that can eat you or your children!

Seriously, wild animals are just that, wild. The trained professionals in zoos take this point very seriously, and spend a lot of time planning how best to handle or work with wild animals on a daily basis. Understanding that at any time when working with a wild animal things can go wrong, is something zoo keepers and animal handlers take very seriously. The general public should not own wild animals, there is too much risk and little benefit.

Even if you don’t plan on owning a lion you should still take pet ownership seriously, as owning a pet is a long term decision and even domestic pets hand harm you or your children. Animal bites are very common and many people are bitten each year. When you choose a pet, take into consideration how much harm they realistically could inflict on your or you family members as a worst case scenario. Going through this mental exercise is helpful so that in the event that your pet does harm someone you are mentally more prepared.

Consider adjusting your homeowners insurance to appropriately reflect the potential risk your pet poses to others. This is proactive and responsible move as a pet owner. At the end of the day, most domestic pets never harm anyone but rather provide love to all around them, but realizing that they can harm, is just one part of responsible pet ownership.

Photo from Z Menagerie.

--Dr. Hamilton
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Dr. Hamilton is an oncology resident at Michigan State's Animal Cancer Care Clinic and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

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