All posts by Dr. Marty Becker

Does my cat have IBD or not?

Pet Connection, Veterinary Medicine,

Few diagnoses are as confusing as feline inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Here’s how I explained it to a reader with questions.

Q: My vet thinks my cat has inflammatory bowel disease. Why doesn’t she know for sure, and what can you tell me about it?

A: IBD, as it’s known for short, is one of those diseases that’s difficult to diagnose, because the signs — vomiting, diarrhea, changes in appetite, weight loss, drinking more water and urinating more frequently — are commonly seen in other diseases as well. And those signs may come and go for no apparent reason.

There’s not a simple test your vet can give and say “Yes, your cat definitely has IBD.” It’s more of a process of elimination — ruling out all the other possibilities. That can involve testing for parasites and foreign bodies, changing the diet to see if the cat has food allergies or intolerances, checking fecal samples for bacterial infections, ultrasound to look for thickening of intestinal walls or enlarged lymph nodes, and bloodwork and biopsies.

The goal of treatment is to reduce the inflammation causing your cat’s discomfort, restock the gut with healthy “bugs,” and possibly to suppress an overactive immune system. Depending on the signs, that might mean changing the food to something highly digestible and low in fat; adding certain vitamins, prebiotics, probiotics or other supplements; prescribing a broad-spectrum antibiotic; or giving a course of corticosteroids to help calm the immune system and reduce inflammation. Corticosteroids can predispose cats to developing insulin resistance or diabetes, so careful monitoring is important.

Once the diagnosis is made and treatment begins, your cat may have a good prognosis. A lot depends on how far along the disease is by the time it’s diagnosed, how compliant the cat is about receiving medication and how well the body responds to treatment. Be sure to ask your veterinarian about possible side effects to watch for.

There’s more – including how they’re training dogs to detect COVID – in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.

Baby with cat

5 tips to prepare your cat or dog for a new baby

This and That

Some people think we’ll see a lot of “quarantine babies,” conceived during the COVID pandemic when most people were stuck at home. True or not, it’s a good idea for all prospective parents or grandparents to get their pets ready for the new arrival. Here are my five top tips for success.

1. You really can’t begin too soon to prepare your pet for this big change. Take this time to make sure your cat or dog has lots of interactive dogs, food puzzles, treat balls, “find the treat” games, and so on, so she gets rewarded when she’s having fun without your direct involvement.

2. You should also make sure your pet is used to being on his own, something that is a problem as COVID restrictions ease as well. There’s a great overview of how to do that at FearFreeHappyHomes.com.

3. Before the new baby is born, take your pet to the veterinarian to make sure he is in good health and free of parasites. Finally and if necessary, work with a trainer or behaviorist to resolve behaviors like jumping up on people, aggression or fear issues, or housetraining challenges.

4. Get your pet used to baby sounds and smells. Apply baby products such as lotion and diaper cream to your hands before handling your pet’s toys and playing with him. Introduce baby noises through the use of a CD such as “Preparing Fido.” Before you bring the baby home for the first time, have someone take home an item such as a blanket with the baby’s scent on it, then praise and treat your pet as she sniffs it.

5. When the baby comes home for the first time, greet your pet first without the baby. Then let them meet under your direct supervision, and give your pet a high-value treat immediately after a peaceful sniffing and listening session. Taking it slow, rewarding your pet for quiet interations with your  child, and always supervising them when they’re together will forge a strong and lasting foundation for the child-pet relationship going forward.

photo of Pomeranian barking

What to do (and not to do) about your dog’s problem barking

Pet Connection, ,

A reader asked about her dog’s problem barking, and how her husband was making the problem worse. Since I’m better at talking the talk than walking the walk on barking, my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker, tackled this one. Here’s her barking great advice!

Q: One of our dogs always barks and growls when he sees other dogs. My husband yells at him to try to get him to stop. I know that’s not the best response, but what should we do instead? We try to drag him away, but that’s not always possible.

A: It can be embarrassing when a dog starts to bark at other dogs, especially if they haven’t done anything to provoke him. Your husband’s reaction is normal, but as you say, it’s not very effective. Neither is dragging the dog away (or picking him up if he’s a small dog).

In fact, both of those responses can increase the likelihood that your dog will bark at other dogs, especially if he’s barking out of fear. Punishment can escalate his anxiety and teach him to associate other dogs with negative consequences. Dragging him away can make him think that his barking is working because it removes him from the presence of the other dog, causing him to bark even more the next time he sees a strange dog.

Instead, work with a trainer or behaviorist to teach your dog an alternative response, such as sitting and looking at you when he sees another dog. You can also pair the sight of another dog with rewards, such as treats or play with a favorite toy. Both of these techniques can help your dog develop a positive reaction toward other dogs and relax in their presence.

It’s also important for you and your husband to remain calm when this behavior occurs. The anxiety that you undoubtedly feel when you see another dog approaching travels right down the leash to your dog and can contribute to the likelihood that he’ll start barking.

You can learn more about managing reactive dogs at fearfreehappyhomes.com.

There’s more – including a look at the tradition of monastery cats – in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.

Proud father alert: Training livestreams with Mikkel Becker

Fear Free,

My daughter is a phenomenal trainer. Her credentials intimidate even me: Mikkel Becker KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CTCr, Fear Free Certified.

If you missed her two most recent livestreams, I’ve captured them here.

The first is her guest appearance on DOGTV, discussing sensory enrichment for dogs:

The next was her Fear Free Friday guest appearance for Pet Anxiety Awareness Month:

That’s my girl!

How to give pills to your cat the Fear Free way

Pet Connection, Veterinary Medicine

Few things give cat owners nightmares like the thought of giving their cat a pill. Here’s what my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker, and I had for a reader facing that challenge.

Q: Argh! I have to give my cat a pill every day. Do you have any tips on how to get it down her?

A: Every cat owner dreads this day, but it doesn’t have be a struggle for you or for your cat. Here are some tips to help you be successful.

If you’re dealing with a pill, the first thing you might try is the “sneak” technique: putting the pill inside a tasty morsel of meat, cat food or cream cheese — whatever your cat loves. It should be something she doesn’t get every day. Offer one bite of the treat plain — no pill — then one with the pill, followed by another plain piece to sweeten the deal. When the sneak method works, it’s easiest on both of you.

Ask your veterinarian about having medication compounded into a flavored liquid or chew; think tuna or chicken. Another option is transdermal delivery through a patch on the skin.

When your cat turns up her nose at treats or scratches off patches, though, you have to go with a hands-on approach. Snuggle your cat into your left arm (reverse this if you’re a lefty), place your hand over the top of the muzzle in a C shape and squeeze gently so the mouth opens. Gently pull down on the lower jaw for a wider opening. Place the pill in the mouth as far back as you can, then gently close the mouth and stroke your cat’s throat to encourage swallowing. Follow the pill with a treat or a sip of water to make sure the pill doesn’t get stuck in the esophagus. You’re done!

Practice the mouth-opening motion, followed with a tiny treat, before you ever have to give a cat a pill so she learns to enjoy the handling.

There’s more – including a look at some rare dog breeds – in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.