As part of my media tour in promotion of my new book, From Fearful to Fear Free: A Positive Program to Free Your Dog from Anxiety, Fears, and Phobias, co-authored with veterinary behaviorists Dr. Lisa Radosta and Dr. Wailani Sung and my daughter, Fear Free Certified trainer Mikkel Becker, I spoke with WREG TV in Memphis, Tenn. I hope you enjoy the interview!
Many dogs suffer from intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), and it’s not always clear what the best treatment approach is. Here’s what I told a reader whose dog has been diagnosed with the condtion.
Q: My Lhasa apso has been diagnosed with intervertebral disc disease. What can you tell me about it, and will she need to have surgery?
A: We commonly see IVDD, as it’s called for short, in dwarf dogs such as dachshunds (who have 45 to 70 percent of all cases), poodles, Pekingese, beagles, French bulldogs and Lhasa apsos as well as in dogs such as German shepherds, Dobermans and cocker spaniels. Although the disc may rupture after a fall or jump, in most cases the “slipped disc” is a result of chronic disc degeneration.
Signs of disease — pain, difficulty walking, muscle spasms or paralysis — typically appear in small or short dogs when they are 3 to 6 years old. In breeds such as Labrador retrievers or German shepherds, signs usually occur at 5 to 12 years.
Genes play a role in development of the disease. Last October, researchers at the University of California, Davis announced the discovery of a genetic mutation across breeds that is responsible for dogs developing chondrodystrophic features — the shorter legs and abnormal intervertebral discs seen in low-slung, long-bodied dogs. They found that dogs with IVDD are 50 times more likely to have this mutation. Not enough is known yet about the prevalence of the specific gene in the affected breeds to be able to breed out the condition, but it’s a start.
Treatment depends on the severity of the condition. In dogs with mild signs, the veterinarian may recommend pain medication and cage rest with slow, on-leash exercise only. When dogs don’t respond to conservative management or have severe signs, surgery is usually the best option. Some veterinarians use acupuncture and rehab techniques in combination with cage rest, analgesics and controlled exercise to help manage mild cases or to benefit dogs before and after surgery.
Read more, including a look at great new pet gadgets, in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.
Even if your cat isn’t a teenager, she can still get acne, little blackheads or pimples that usually appear on the chin.
You may notice it more readily if your cat has a white or light-colored coat. Causes include allergies, stress and food bowls that aren’t cleaned daily. Some cats react to plastic food bowls.
Before you run out for a tube of Clearasil, take your cat to the veterinarian to determine the type and cause of acne and get a prescription for medication or advice on clearing it up, such as switching to stainless steel or ceramic food and water bowls.
Read more, including a look at the best and worst states for animal cruelty protection, in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.
Sunday is Earth Day, so I wanted to take a look at how pets can be a part of keeping our planet healthy and green.
1. Keep your pet’s meds out of the water and soil. If you have expired prescription medication, be sure to dispose of it at a medication drop off location, rather than putting it into the trash. Medications thrown out with the garbage can leech into the soil, groundwater, lakes, streams, rivers, and oceans, imperiling wildlife and even us. Not sure where to bring your pet’s prescription drugs (or yours)? Ask at your local pharmacy. They may take them, but if not, they’ll know who in your area does!
2. Stop badmouthing “by-products.” I’ve written before how it can be difficult to judge the quality of a pet food just from reading the list of ingredients. “By-products” can be excellent for your pets, and it’s well worth educating yourself about what exactly your pet’s food manufacturer includes in the formula instead of dismissing them. By feeding wholesome, nutritious foods that are not usually consumed by humans, you help create a more sustainable planet and diminish the impact of meat production on our ecosystem. Educate yourself!
3. Use recycled goods, and recyle! Pet products often come in a lot of wasteful packaging, but at least some of it can be recycled. For example, did you know you can recycle pet food cans? You can also purchase dog beds, vests, collars, pillows, blankets, and toys made from recycled materials. What’s more, you can “precycle” by focusing on purchasing larger sizes of products such as treats, allowing you to consume less packaging. Better yet, buy in bulk and use your own containers.
4. Recyling isn’t just for products. Adopt! One of the most tragic facts about pets is the more than 1 million of them who die in animal shelters each year. We can fix that problem by supporting spay/neuter programs, particularly for community cats, and by adopting our own family pets. It’s the most lovable way to recycle.
5. See the world through animal eyes. Sometimes when we’re adding up the “carbon footprint” of our pets, it looks like the balance sheet isn’t very healthy. But for most of us, our love of the natural world is inspired, enriched, and sustained by our love of the animals in our lives. They need clean air and water, wholesome foods, and a sustainable future, too. And remember: kindness is the most sustainable form of energy we know!
Friends, it’s been a long road and we hit a few curves at high speed along the way, but today marks the official release of my newest book, From Fearful to Fear Free: A Positive Program to Free Your Dog from Anxiety, Fears, and Phobias. It’s available now from Amazon.
I co-authored From Fearful to Fear Free with two of the country’s leading veterinary behaviorists, Dr. Lisa Radosta and Dr. Wailani Sung, and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker. All the authors are Fear Free Certified, and we’re all deeply committed to setting pets free from fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) — not just at the vet, but in every single moment of their lives. At the groomer, at the trainer, while being boarded, and of course, in their homes (which is also why I founded FearFreeHappyHomes.com).
Whether your dog is afraid or suffers anxiety while going to the vet, when around other dogs or strange people, when he’s left alone, during thunderstorms or fireworks, or while getting his nails trimmed, this book will help you help him. And if you’re smart and lucky enough to have a confident, happy dog already, then I guarantee this book will help someone you know. As a veterinarian, I know how tragically common fear and anxiety have become in our dogs.
Here are some of the things the book covers:
I would be deeply honored if you’d read From Fearful to Fear Free. I’ve written 25 books that have sold more than 8 million copies, including three New York Times best-sellers — one of which is the fastest-selling pet book of all time, Chicken Soup for the Pet-Lovers Soul. But this is the one I’m most proud of. This is the one I believe will bring more comfort and happiness to pets and their people than any other book of mine.
You can buy it here. Thank you, my friends!