All posts by Dr. Marty Becker

Pain cream really is toxic to pets

Pet Connection, Veterinary Medicine

It’s not fake news: Some pain creams and other human topical medications are very dangerous to your pets. Here’s what I told a reader who asked about it.

Q: I saw a meme on Facebook saying that Voltaren pain cream is toxic to dogs and cats. Is that true?

A: Yes. Diclofenac, the active ingredient in Voltaren, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat osteoarthritis pain. The topical 3% gel is also used to treat a skin problem called actinic keratosis.

Voltaren comes in a gel/jelly, cream, spray and extended-release patch. If you pet your animal after applying Voltaren without washing your hands with soap and water, or if pets lick your skin where the medication has been applied or chew on the patch, they can develop gastrointestinal ulcers and kidney damage.

Similar products that can cause problems include hormone patches or topical hormone sprays, creams and gels. Pets who ingest these products can experience hair loss, mammary or nipple enlargement, a shrunken penis in males, and bloody discharge or a swollen vulva in females.

A psoriasis cream called Dovonex, which contains a synthetic form of vitamin D (itself a hormone), can cause unusual thirst, appetite loss, and severe vomiting or diarrhea.

To protect pets, wear disposable gloves when applying gels or creams, and toss gloves in an inaccessible garbage can when you’re through. The same goes for disposing of hormone patches. Apply creams or gels to areas your pet is unable or unlikely to lick, such as the inside of the thighs. If you’re using a spray, wear clothing that covers the treated area. Even if you wear gloves to apply the product, wash your hands with soap thoroughly — for as long as it takes you to sing “Happy Birthday” twice through — before touching pets, children or food, including pet food.

Before you apply any product, prescription or otherwise, read the label or package insert to make sure it’s not toxic to pets or children if ingested.

There’s more in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.

How to win the war on pet odors

Pet Connection, This and That

How do you win the war on pet odors? These are my top tips, in response to a reader with a stinky pet problem.

Q: I have dogs and cats, and I know my house smells like it. How can I keep the odor down and keep it smelling fresh?

A: Living with pets does come with odors, but that doesn’t mean you have to let them — the odors, that is — stick around. Here’s how to get and maintain a home that doesn’t smell like animals or cleaning products.

Invest in a large bottle of an enzymatic cleanser, especially if you have a puppy or kitten or a senior pet. Enzymes “eat up” components of pet waste and help to neutralize the stink.

As soon as you find vomit, urine or poop, get to work cleaning it up. The longer a mess sits, the harder it is to get rid of the smell. Using an old towel or paper towels, pick up what you can immediately. For urine, press down hard with the towel to soak up as much liquid as possible.

Then use enzymatic cleanser on the area. Be sure to go outside mess margins so you don’t miss any. Lay a dry towel over the spot and weight it with books or other heavy objects to ensure that it sucks up all the moisture. To remove the smell of cleaning products, finish by wiping down hard floors with water. Wash clean-up towels in hot water.

Regular cleaning also helps prevent odor buildup. Scoop your cat’s litter boxes and clean the yard of poop at least once daily. Wash pet bedding in hot water weekly. Vacuum every other day or use a Swiffer-type mop to get up hair and other debris pets bring in. Wipe down your pet with a damp cloth or baby wipe between baths. If pets spend a lot of time on furniture or in your lap, weekly baths will help keep them sweet-smelling.

There’s more in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.

Avian obesity is plus-size problem

Pet Connection, Veterinary Medicine,

Obesity is a problem with all pets, including pet birds. Here’s what I had to say to a reader with questions.

Q: My veterinarian says my bird is fat. Is that really something I need to worry about?

A: You bet! Obesity is as much an issue in pet birds as it is in dogs and cats. An overweight bird can be predisposed to metabolic diseases such as diabetes. He can also become arthritic or develop fatty liver disease.

Certain species tend to be more likely to grow tubby — Amazon parrots, parakeets, canaries, cockatoos and Quaker parakeets — but any bird can gain too much weight if he’s allowed to eat whatever he wants. Pet birds may start out on good diets but become choosy with age, deciding they are going to eat only one or two types of food.

Don’t let your bird get away with that. He’s most likely to have a balanced diet if he eats a variety of foods. A pelleted diet supplemented by healthy food from your own plate is the best way to feed him. Birds can and will eat pasta, cooked chicken, scrambled eggs, beans and most fruits and vegetables. Avian expert Scott Weldy, DVM, says that most birds do well on a diet of 70% to 80% pelleted food and 20% to 30% fresh or cooked food.

Avoid giving birds avocado, onion, mushrooms or chocolate, all of which have toxic effects. Highly salted foods are a no-no as well.

What’s the key to determining if your bird is overweight? Birds with cleavage rivaling that of a Hollywood starlet are too fat. Birds should be lean and sleek, with no cleavage at all, Dr. Weldy says. If you can’t feel your bird’s keelbone because it’s covered by a layer of fat, talk to your veterinarian about ways to help him get back to a healthy weight.

There’s more in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.

Merry Christmas – and support for those who aren’t merry

This and That

This is such an important time of year for our family, but it can also be a painful and dark one for many people, like me, who struggle with depression, as well as for those facing loss, economic struggles, job loss, divorce, and other challenges.

Please know that our family’s prayers are with you this season, and that there are people who want to hear from you and help you.

In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (even if you don’t feel actively suicidal, they want you to call!) at 1-800-273-8255.

The Canada Suicide Prevention Service (CSPS) by Crisis Services Canada, enables callers anywhere in Canada to access crisis support by phone, in French or English: toll-free 1-833-456-4566 Available 24/7. You do not need to be suicidal to access this support!

In Australia, Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. 13 11 14 is their confidential telephone crisis support service available 24/7 from a landline, payphone, or mobile.

In New Zealand, call 0800 LIFELINE (0800 543 354) or text HELP (4357) for free, 24/7, confidential crisis support or suicide prevention.

In the UK or the Republic of Ireland, contact Samaritans any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

In other parts of the world, you can find resources listed here.

I hope that this hasn’t brought anyone down, but if even one life is saved, or even one moment of despair is lightened, because of this post, it’s worth it.

May the peace of the season be with you always!

The Becker Family

 

 

Woman in Santa hat holding at shoulder small funny cute dog

New puppy? Here’s what you need to know

Pet Connection, Veterinary Medicine

A reader is planning on getting a new puppy, and wanted to know my top tips. Here they are!

Q: I’m getting a puppy for Christmas! What do you think are the most important things that new dog owners should know?

A: Congratulations on the beginning of a beautiful friendship. The love of and from a dog is one of the greatest things in the world. Here are my best tips on how to get a great start together.

Most people want to take advantage of the incredible advances in veterinary medicine, but some simply can’t afford it. The solution for many is pet health insurance. Several reputable companies offer pet insurance, and it can allow you to give your new dog top-notch care with much less worry about the cost.

There is no one-size-fits-all recommendation when it comes to frequency of vaccines. After puppy inoculations during the first two to four months of life and a booster dose at one year, core vaccinations (distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza and rabies) — those recommended for every dog — are expected to provide immunity for a minimum of three years. Talk to your veterinarian about non-“core” vaccinations, such as influenza, that may be recommended in your particular area or needed more frequently.

Preventing accidents saves your dog and saves money. To protect your curious puppy from the No. 1 poisoning hazard, keep human and pet prescriptions, as well as over-the-counter products, safely locked away.

Your dog doesn’t have to hate going to the veterinarian. If you work with your veterinarian to keep early experiences pleasant — such as having the staff give your pup pats and treats on every visit — your dog will look forward to visiting the clinic.

You can save money on care without short-changing your dog. Price-shop for prescription medications, buy in bulk and keep your dog thin to help prevent development of joint diseases such as hip dysplasia or osteoarthritis.

There’s more in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.