All posts by Dr. Marty Becker

Holiday ‘hazards’ that are more hype than harm

Veterinary Medicine

In my 35 years as a veterinarian, I’ve talked about holiday hazards one-on-one in the veterinary exam room and also reached into millions of living rooms giving potentially life-saving advice to pet owners.

Let me talk about this subject again, like it was the very first time: A lot of the risks pet owners worry most about aren’t the things I have seen problems with in my patients. Here are the risks you’ve been warned about for years that, in my experience, rarely cause serious problems:

1. Poinsettias, mistletoe and holly. These plants simply aren’t fragrant or tasty, and, even if chewed, cause minor problems such as stomach upset.

2. Christmas tree water. Yes, if they drink the water they might get an upset stomach, but probably not. Plus, it’s so easy to prevent. Just cover it with a tree skirt or towel.

3. Glass ornaments. While they can get knocked off and broken, I’ve never seen a serious problem with an injury caused by a broken glass ornament. And if you’re still worried, you can have a tree that is pet-proof, with wooden or plastic ornaments.

4. Chocolate. While baker’s chocolate can cause serious problems, if the dog eats a piece or two of chocolate, the worst that’s going to happen is a little stomach upset. It takes about 3 ounces of milk chocolate (the size of an average candy bar) per 10 pounds of body weight before you need to be concerned. One Christmas my Brother Bob’s 10-pound Yorkie, Buddy, ate a three pack of Godiva chocolate bars; that’s reason for concern.

So, are there holiday hazards you should worry about? Of course, and I’ll be covering those in my next blog post!

Is it time to re-think warnings against holiday pet adoption?

This and That

I adopted a dog four Christmas Eves ago. It was my beloved Gracie, who I met while handing out toys and treats at the local shelter. I took one look at her sweet little face, felt her burrow into my lap, and it was all over. She was home.

If I’d listened to the many warnings issued by shelters, pet writers, and veterinarians, I wouldn’t have done it. We get told over and over that the holidays are a bad time to adopt a pet because families are too busy with the festivities to being a new pet into the home, or because it somehow creates an association with consumerism and disposable pets.

For some families, the holidays are the perfect time to adopt a pet because adults may have time off work. Not everyone has a huge family and throws big holiday bashes, either, so the holidays can be quiet time just perfect for getting to know the new family member.

I also have faith that most families can figure out a way to make things work even if they are busy during the holiday season.

There’s no one-size-fits-all time to adopt a pet. If you think it through and a Christmas Eve adoption seems perfect for you and your new pet, I say go for it. I’m eternally grateful I did – and after two years in the shelter, I’m thinking Gracie would agree!

Are deer antlers safe for dogs to chew on?

Pet Connection, Veterinary Medicine

Dogs will chew on pretty much anything – but that doesn’t mean it’s safe to let them!

One of my readers asked if a deer antler chew was a good choice for her dog:

Q: One of my friends gave my Cavapoo an antler chew. It seems kind of hard. Is it safe for him to chew on?

A: We all know how puppies love to chew, and many dogs continue the activity into adulthood. In much the same way as some people bite their fingernails or twirl their hair, some dogs turn to chewing as an outlet for their energy or a way to reduce stress, especially when they’re home alone. For other dogs, it’s simply an entertaining behavior.

Dog owners are always looking for the perfect chew toy: one that will be safe for the dog to chew, that will hold his interest and that won’t be destroyed too quickly. It’s not always easy to find that perfect chew. A real area of concern is broken teeth, especially with dogs who chew aggressively.

Excessively hard chew toys are a common cause of broken teeth in dogs. A broken tooth is extremely painful and can sometimes become abscessed. I believe that hard plastic or nylon chews, sterilized bones, cow hooves and antlers are too hard to be safe for most dogs. Rule of paw: don’t buy any chew toy that you wouldn’t want to be whacked in the knee with.

Instead, I recommend buying chew toys that have some flexibility or “give” to them, even for large, powerful dogs. Give big-time chewers large toys that don’t fit all the way in the mouth. It’s better to replace chew toys more frequently than it is to have to spend hundreds of dollars to have your veterinarian repair or remove a broken tooth. Hard chews such as deer antlers can also cause bleeding in the mouth or internally if they splinter and blockages if swallowed, two more reasons to avoid them.

Read more, including tips on keeping holiday stress levels low for you and your pets, in this week’s Pet Connection!

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com!

What the heck is a ‘reverse sneeze’ and why do dogs do it?

Veterinary Medicine

It’s one of the greatest of all dog owner mysteries: What the heck is a “reverse sneeze”?

Veterinarians know it as the “pharyngeal gag reflex,” and while it can sound like your dog is about to keel over dead, in almost all cases, it’s harmless and requires no treatment (although you might want to try earplugs!).

What causes it? Throat irritation, mostly, sometimes from cold air, others from food, water, or allergens. The dog extends his or her neck to try to clear the feeling, but in doing so, narrows the throat. It’s harder to get air in at that point, and so the dog breathes harder, narrowing the throat more.

Small dogs are more prone to the problem, most likely because their throats are smaller to begin with.

 

What to do about canine nosebleeds

Pet Connection, Veterinary Medicine

Nosebleeds aren’t all that uncommon in people, but with dogs, it’s a different story.

One of my Facebook readers contacted me, asking if her dog’s sneezing and nosebleeds could be caused by allergies. I gave her my take on the possibilities:

Q: My dog has been sneezing a lot and sometimes he has nosebleeds for no apparent reason. Does he have a cold or allergies?

A: Even if he’s not a sniffer dog, a canine’s nose is his livelihood. Scent may well be a dog’s strongest sense, so good nasal health is essential to his well-being. The signs that something is wrong with the nose can range from frequent sneezing or discharge to bloody noses (what we veterinarians call epistaxis) and seizures.

We see several common nasal diseases in dogs. They include rhinitis, an infection of the nasal cavity; sinusitis, an infection of the sinuses that may accompany rhinitis; and Aspergillus, a fungal infection.

Signs of rhinosinusitis are sneezing, a bloody or mucouslike nasal discharge, and coughing from postnasal drip. Abscessed teeth can sometimes lead to rhinitis and sinusitis, especially in older dogs.

Aspergillus is a fungus that invades the nasal cavity. We see it most commonly in young to middle-aged dogs with long or medium-length snouts. Dogs with Aspergillus infections may have a heavy nasal discharge that contains mucus, blood or pus. Their nostrils can lose color, and the face appears to be painful.

Older dogs often develop tumors in the nasal cavity. The tumors may cause sneezing or sniffling, a runny nose or bleeding from one nostril. Some tumors can even block airflow, making it difficult for the dog to breathe.

Dogs who have snuffled up a foreign object into the nose usually sneeze violently, paw at the nose, and sometimes have a thick or bloody nasal discharge. Nosebleeds, discharge and excessive sneezing aren’t normal. Take your dog to the veterinarian at the first sign of irritation of that sensitive snout.

Read more, including about road safety when traveling with pets, in this week’s Pet Connection!

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com!