Issue Date: June 25, 2006

How to tell if your pet is sick

Special pets report

Keeping your pets healthy

Animals age faster than humans. That's why you must watch for subtle signs of illness and get vet checkups more often, says pet expert and USA WEEKEND Contributing Editor Steve Dale.

Babies grow out of diapers, but pets never outgrow the need for scooping.

Chaser sometimes shuffled along like an old lady dog, but mention the "C word" -- cookie -- and she magically transformed into a spry puppy. Of course, you had to holler "cookie" or she wouldn't hear. Still, for a 14-year-old Brittany, my dog seemed to be doing well.

There was no compelling reason to visit the veterinarian soon, but I had been preaching the gospel of twice-annual vet visits in my columns, on my radio shows and in TV appearances. So I wasn't worried about anything being wrong with Chaser. After all, if anyone should pick up on subtle signs of illness in pets, it's me. Right? Well, maybe not.

A few days before the scheduled vet visit, I noticed a growth under Chaser's tail. Now I was worried. My vet, Sheldon Rubin, here in Chicago, later confirmed my concerns: The growth was mast cell cancer.

Of all the words in the dictionary, "cancer" may be the one we least want to hear. But Rubin told me, "We caught this early, and that could save your dog's life."

Within a few days, Chaser had surgery. There was no advantage in continued treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation. Later, a veterinary oncologist said, "If Chaser can make it a year, you're probably in the clear."

She made it. Sure, at times, Chaser could use a walker made for dogs, and a hearing aid would be helpful -- but all in all she's doing fine. Say the "C word" and there's still a bounce in her step.

My vet says, "If you had waited just six more months, which might on the surface sound reasonable, the cancer would have spread or the tumor would have grown to be inoperable."

The American Veterinary Medical Association and Fort Dodge Animal Health (a maker of pharmaceuticals for pets) are partners in a campaign to encourage twice-annual wellness exams for all pets. (Wellness exams deal with important health screenings, immunizations, parasite checks, dental health and laboratory evaluations.) Dogs and cats age five to eight times as quickly as people do, so even seeing a vet annually is like you seeing a doctor or dentist once every five to eight years. In fact, a pet's health can change so quickly that even biannual exams aren't a perfect solution, but paying careful attention to subtle signs of sickness helps (see sidebar on next page).

Going to the vet twice a year would mean a pretty big change in behavior for most pet owners (see box below). It looks like many dogs make it to the vet at least twice a year, but I think the figures are inflated, because most repeat visits were follow-ups to illness, surgery or a procedure -- not wellness visits.

Of course, some people may suspect that vets are eager for extra visits to make extra bucks. But that additional visit may save you money. "Sure, if the checkup turns out to be perfect -- which is what we all hope for -- you've invested some money for an exam," says René Carlson, a vet in Chetek, Wis., and vice president of the AVMA. "But what if we do find something? Just as in people, an early diagnosis may mean a better prognosis, less suffering for the pet and less money spent by the client, because the treatment may not be as prolonged. It's all about prevention."

But not everyone is on board with the twice-a-year physicals for all pets. Leonard Marcus, of Newton, Mass., is a veterinarian as well as a medical doctor who deals with infectious diseases. He says individual discretion is the better part of good health. "The pet owner and veterinarian should discuss a game plan that's right for their individual circumstances, greatly depending on the pet's age and general health," Marcus says. His idea is that an elderly pet or one in poor health might visit a vet even three times a year, whereas a younger or middle-aged pet in excellent health might be just fine with annual visits.

Carlson disagrees: "Even in younger pets, we can find the unexpected." One recent example was a 2-year-old Labrador retriever who the owners thought was perfectly healthy. A six-month routine physical discovered roundworms, which are easily treatable. However, roundworms are zoonotic, meaning they can infect people, potentially causing blindness. Diagnosing the condition sooner rather than later helped prevent discomfort for the dog and averted a health risk for the people around that dog.

Even though there are 20% more pet cats than pet dogs in America, cats visit the vet only about half as often. "It might be we're just better at reading what dogs are trying to tell us," says James Richards, director of the Cornell Feline Health Center at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, N.Y. "Or maybe people believe that cats, because they are so independent, can manage on their own without medical care. Of course, if something is wrong, they require veterinary care just as dogs do," adds Richards, spokesman for a campaign to educate cat owners on how to watch for subtle signs of sickness.

In the wild, a cat showing signs of illness is at risk from predators, and that's even truer for birds and reptiles. "These are animals who may only be a few generations from the wild," says Byron de la Navarre of Chicago, past president of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians. "If a bird or a lizard acts sick out in the real world, that animal becomes dinner. It's a matter of survival to pretend that all is well no matter how poorly the animal feels."

With seven assorted birds, you'd figure that for simple economics, Grace Cermak of Chicago would only visit a veterinarian when one of her flock is ill. "It's the opposite," says Cermak, a risk analyst for a hardware store chain. "Jumping ahead of illness [with twice-yearly vet visits] is really important with birds. In the wild, when a parrot acts sick, fellow flock members will reject it. Once that happens, the bird's fate is sealed."

An avian vet recently found a mouth infection in Popeye, a very chatty 14-year-old blue-crowned conure who was in for his twice-annual exam. "We had no idea there was anything wrong," Cermak says. "Now, it's a matter of simply treating with an antibiotic."

Contributing Editor Steve Dale is heard weekly on WGN Radio and on his syndicated radio shows, Steve Dale's Pet World and The Pet Minute with Steve Dale. He also writes a syndicated column, "My Pet World."

The author with Chaser, a Brittany, whose cancer was found and cured early

Dale and Chaser: Roark Johnson for USA WEEKEND; Labrador at vet: Tom Stewart, Corbis

Cover and cover story photographs of Debbye Turner by Brad Trent for USA WEEKEND

Styling by Samantha Strauss; hair and makeup by Kelly Nathanson

Want to adopt a dog or cat like the ones on our cover? They came from the North Shore Animal League America rescue, a no-kill shelter on Long Island (nsalamerica.org; 516-883-7575). To find a shelter near you, go to petfinder.com.

Find the best vet

Your vet is the second most important person in your pet's life (after you, of course). But how can you be sure you've picked a good one? We spoke with Debbye Turner, veterinary correspondent to CBS' The Early Show and former Miss America, about what every great vet should do for you and your pet.

A great vet will:

* Block off plenty of time for you. "It shouldn't be just a quick, 10-minute, make-sure-everything-is-OK-then-rush-you-out-the-door [exam]," Turner says.
* Explain everything. Your vet should let you know what to expect to see in your pet at its stage of development. He should tell you what he's finding and what it means. And if your vet finds anything that concerns him, he should let you know why, as well as what the next steps should be.
* Answer all your questions. A great vet asks if you have any questions, and then she takes the time to patiently answer anything you're curious about.
* Treat you and your pet compassionately. Your pet's life is the first priority, particularly in an emergency. But you also want a vet who treats your pet, and you, with kindness and makes sure you both are as comfortable as possible.
* Make sure your pet is relaxed. How does your animal react in the vet's presence? Does he calm down when the vet puts his hands on him? You want to make sure your pet likes the vet as much as you do.

How to assist your vet:
* Tell your vet everything up front. You can help ensure the best relationship possible, Turner says. "Inundate the veterinarian with information: how the animal has been behaving; how long he's been behaving like that; and how he's been eating, drinking, urinating and defecating. It's only through correct and thorough information that a veterinarian can do his job."
* Remind your vet of any problems your animal has had in the past. "Not all vets will remember everything. Even if you just say, 'We had a problem with vomiting about two years ago,' that little bit of information could be pivotal in making the correct diagnosis," Turner says.
* Ask questions. Your vet can't help you out if she doesn't know what's on your mind.

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WHO'S THE ALPHA DOG?

Scooping up after your pup is a devotion to health, too.

By Monica Collins

Ever hear the joke about space aliens who arrive here and believe dogs are in charge because humans follow behind them and pick up their droppings?

Those of us with companion animals can smile at the absurdity, but we understand how reading the daily poop puts us in charge of our pet's health and well-being. The distasteful task of cleaning up after an animal quickly becomes a labor of love.

Years ago, my family was amazed when my newfound dog devotion caused me to squelch notorious queasiness and mop up after my puppy with a baggie "glove." I had no choice if I wanted to keep a dog in the city. Canine waste is a pollutant, and ordinances levy fines against dog walkers caught leaving the scene of the grime. Scofflaws ruin it for everyone -- especially for people who step in the stuff.

If cleaning up after my dog began as a bow to political and social pressure, the practice is now an everyday reality check. I get a glimpse of my pet's innards and know my pooch's plumbing as well as my own. This inter-species physical familiarity is a remarkable aspect of our unconditional bond.

Adults change the diapers of babies only until the kids are toilet-trained, and parental knowledge of youngsters' bodily functions fades. But pets never outgrow the need to be looked after, scooped up after. Our intimacy with their bowel, bladder, sleeping and eating habits endures as long as our relationship with them lasts.

This unique closeness may seem potty to people without pets, but it creates a community of comfort among caretakers who gather wherever the dogs run, such as at neighborhood pet shops and park play groups. In polite company, even with a spouse, we might never bandy about our own loose stools. But in canine company, a mutt with diarrhea provides an unblushing excuse to share.

Has your dog gotten into the trash? What food do you give? Is your animal on any medication? Such are typical questions posed to worried dog owners by Rob Van Sickle, co-owner of Polka Dog Bakery in Boston's South End, the city's canine-friendliest neighborhood. "Stool talk is ubiquitous," he says. And homeopathic solutions are swapped. At Van Sickle's shop, I learned about the healing properties of Greek yogurt for my 8-year-old terrier's sporadically sour tummy. A daily teaspoonful has turned the peptic tide for him.

Pet keepers share other home remedies: A temporary diet of boiled chicken and white rice is the canine equivalent of chicken noodle soup for people.

We coddle them, but dogs are durable. For centuries, they went off by themselves to take care of business. Now, pet owners are on the front line of defense in prevention. A walk with the dog, always a healthy exercise, is even more crucial to pick up clues about what's going on in the belly of the beast.

Monica Collins writes the syndicated column "Ask Dog Lady" (askdoglady.com).

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How to tell if your pet is sick

Telltale signs of illness

For any pet
A major change in your pet's behavior. (Examples: An active lizard is no longer vigorous; a vocal dog stops barking; a laid-back cat gets frenetic; a talkative bird loses his voice.)
Drinks significantly more (or less) water
Turns up his nose or beak at food he has always enjoyed
Stool appears different (in color and/or consistency)
Hides for more than a day and/or night
Persistently throws up
Breathes heavily while resting (and heat is not a factor)
Has a significant change in his sleep habits
A placid pet gets aggressive with a family member or pet
Sheds excessively (or loses feathers)
Has new lumps or a wound that isn't healing

For a dog or cat
Has difficulty going up and/or down stairs
Urinates frequently
Has smellier breath
Lacks stamina

For a cat
Doesn't groom regularly; has an unkempt appearance
Misses the litter box

For a bird
Doesn't preen as often; looks disheveled with puffed-up feathers
Has stained feathers above the nostrils
Has a slouched appearance
Has a suddenly overgrown beak
One eye (or both) is partially closed for extended periods

For a reptile
Excessively sheds skin
-- reported by Steve Dale

Cover photo by Brad Trent for USA WEEKEND; cat from the North Shore Animal League (nsalamerica.org)