Dogs with extremely short muzzles and rounded heads are called brachycephalic, from the Greek words for “short” and “head.” Those features give them an adorable, almost-human expression, but they also bring with them a host of related health challenges.

Bulldogs, boxers, pugs and other brachycephalic breeds often have difficulty breathing after even slight exertion. They drool and snore from one end and produce stinky, gaseous emissions from the other end.

Brachycephalic dogs are notoriously heat intolerant, and their teeth are crammed into a mouth that’s too small, causing dental issues. And those large, round eyes with the endearing expression? They have a tendency to pop out in response to rough play or other head trauma. Facial wrinkles commonly develop infections.

If you have one of these dogs, talk to your veterinarian about ways to help relieve these problems.

There’s more – including the story of the Pomeranians of the hit series Bridgerton – in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.

What’s going on when your cat scratches her ears? It could be an infection, but it could also be ear mites. Here’s what you should know.

Q: My cat keeps scratching at her ears. Does she have an infection?

A: That’s possible. She could also have an infestation of ear mites.

Ear mites are most common in kittens and cats who have come from community situations such as feral colonies or, in some cases, rescue or shelter housing, but any cat can get them. The microscopic invaders feed on ear wax and other skin debris and reproduce rapidly.

Cats with ear mites experience intense itchiness. You may notice them frequently shaking their heads and scratching at their ears to relieve the itch. In severe cases, they end up with raw skin or hair loss around the ears, often complicated by a bacterial infection.

If your kitten or cat’s ears have a dry, crumbly, dark-brown waxy discharge that looks like coffee grounds, chances are good that he has ear mites. If you have sharp eyes and examine a sample of the discharge through a magnifying glass, you may see the tiny white mites, about the size of a pinhead, moving around inside the ear wax.

Ear mites don’t affect humans, but they are highly contagious between cats and can spread to dogs, as well. That means that even if only one cat is diagnosed with the itchy critters, you’ll need to treat not only her, but also any other pets in the household.

The good news is that it’s much easier these days to treat ear mites. Your veterinarian or her technician will thoroughly clean out the ears and apply a topical medication. Back in the bad old days, a cat’s ears had to be treated regularly for as long as a month. Now, medicated ear drops in combination with a whole-body or systemic parasite treatment will get rid of mites much more quickly and easily.

There’s more – including how vaccinating our pets for rabies can protect wildlife – in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.

A reader who is a regular blood donor (or hero, as I think of them!) asked if her dog could also give blood to help other dogs. Here’s the scoop.

Q: I’m a regular blood donor to the Red Cross, and I’m curious if there are blood donor programs for dogs, too.

A: As with humans, blood transfusions can keep dogs alive after trauma, illness or surgery. Dogs may need red blood cells in the event of severe blood loss or chronic anemia; fresh-frozen plasma to treat or control bleeding disorders such as von Willebrand’s disease; or plasma proteins and globulins to treat illnesses or infections such as pancreatitis or parvovirus.

Some large veterinary hospitals keep donor animals “on staff.” These may be pets belonging to staff members or to clients who are willing to bring their animals in to donate as needed. Commercial pet blood banks are another source of blood for sick or injured dogs.

Dogs have eight different blood types, known as Dog Erythrocyte Antigens, or DEA. DEA 4 is considered to be universal.

Every veterinary hospital or blood bank has specific requirements for canine donors, but usually donor dogs must be 1 to 7 years old; weigh 50 pounds or more; be free of Lyme disease, ehrlichia or any other condition that could be passed on through a blood transfusion; on heartworm preventive; shorthaired; and up to date on vaccinations. They should have a calm temperament and be comfortable with handling. Short-snouted breeds such as bulldogs and pugs aren’t good candidates, but any other breed or mix who meets screening criteria can potentially help to save another dog’s life.

In the same way that the Red Cross hands out cookies and juice to humans after they donate, donor dogs receive lots of treats, petting and attention before, during and after their red-blooded contribution. If you’d like to sign up your dog to be a donor, talk to your veterinarian about whether your dog has the right stuff.

There’s more – including how to avoid puppy and kitten scams – in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.