• Feliway, Comfort Zone
• Spray and electric diffuser (plug in device)

What is Feliway used for?
Feliway is used to help alleviate stress or tension and the resulting bad behavior that cats may experience in an environment. Changes in the household, situations of inappropriate elimination, scratch marking, and addition of new pets or people are all acceptable uses for Feliway. Many cat owners use Feliway to improve their cats overall attitude in particular with a multi-cat households. An 86% success rate has been reported with the use of Feliway.

What is Feliway?
Cats produce a natural facial pheromone (chemical that relays a message, similar to a scent) that they use to mark their territory, in particular when they feel safe, calm, or “friendly”. Feliway is a species specific synthetic version of this scent thereby only affecting cats. By mimicking the cat’s natural scent it creates a sense of security or familiarity in what otherwise may be a novel, stressful, or uncomfortable situation. As a side note, Feliway was developed by rubbing cotton balls on cat cheeks, thus no cats were harmed in the process.

How is Feliway spray used?
Clean any soiled areas in the case of inappropriate elimination with an appropriate pet stain eliminator avoiding overly strong smelling products (i.e. bleach, ammonia). Test the Feliway spray on surfaces to ensure they will not be damaged. Then spray affected areas daily for thirty days; do not stop even if improvement in behavior is seen. Allow cats back into an environment fifteen minutes after application. If trying to prevent damage to new furniture or items, apply daily to items for two weeks. Application can also be discontinued if the cat is seen rubbing their head against the item. If multiple cats are in the environment duration and frequency of application may need to be increased. Never apply Feliway spray directly to a cat.

How is Feliway diffuser used?
The Feliway diffuser uses electrically produced warmth to dispense pheromone into an environment approximately 750 square feet in size. Plug the diffuser into an outlet that is not obstructed vertically thus allowing appropriate circulation and avoiding damage to items such as furniture. Use the diffuser in rooms being soiled or most commonly used by family cats. Improvement in behavior may be noted quickly or take several weeks. Use for a minimum of four weeks and keep plugged in twenty four hours daily. The diffuser vial should be replaced when empty or at six weeks even if a small amount of liquid remains (normal for device even when “empty”). The spray formulation should never be placed in the diffuser as it is alcohol based vs. the oil based diffuser formulation. Replace the diffuser apparatus after 6 refills.

What other concerns may there be with Feliway?
Use of the diffuser in households with birds is discouraged.

Dog Urine Damage on Lawns

Causes, Cures and Prevention

• Outline: Urban legends about urine damage, page 1
• Only female dogs cause spotting in lawns, page 1
• Dog spots are more common with certain breeds of dogs, page 1
• Dog spots occur because urine is alkaline (has a pH above 7.0), page 2
• Dog spots can be prevented by using food supplements that acidify a dog’s urine, page 2
• Dog spots can be “cured” by sprinkling the affected area with backing soda, gypsum, dishwashing
• Detergent, etc. to neutralize the urine. page 2
• Dealing with dog spots, page 2
• What can be done with the dog(s)?, page 2
• If the affected spots are green and grass growth is stimulated (no browning is apparent), page 3
• If the affected spots are brown (the turf may or may not be dead), page 3

Urban Legends About Urine Damage

Dog urine damage is a common problem for home lawns, and one that has generated numerous home remedies and commercial products claiming to be cures for the spots. This lawn problem is misunderstood when it comes to causes and cures. Dog spotting on turfgrass is caused by the deposition of a high concentration of nitrogen (N)-containing compounds and associated salts on a small area in the lawn. These deposits are often concentrated in a relatively small portion of the lawn, resulting in turf injury or death. Some common “urban legends” surrounding dog urine damage to lawns are:

Only female dogs cause spotting in lawns.
FALSE. Dog spotting in lawns is most often caused by dogs that squat when they urinate, thus depositing a large volume of concentrated urine in a small area. Most “squatters” are female dogs, but some males do this as well, especially in their own yard. Many male dogs tend to “mark” vertical objects in the landscape (trees, posts, etc.), which presents problems for landscape plants.

Dog spots are more common with certain breeds of dogs.
MOSTLY FALSE. Dog spotting is more likely to occur (or be more obvious) with larger dogs, since they produce larger amounts of urine. Dog spots can occur with smaller breeds, especially if the dog tends to urinate in a limited area of the lawn.

Dog spots occur because urine is alkaline (has a pH above 7.0).
FALSE. Dog spots occur because a high concentration of N and salts has been deposited in a very small area of the lawn. In some cases, the added N causes dark green spots and rapid grass growth, without injuring the grass. In other cases, the result is a brown spot – often surrounded by a halo of dark green grass. The browning is caused by the concentrated nitrogen deposited in the center, which burns the leaf tissue, and may or may not cause tissue death. The lower concentration of salts on the periphery fertilizes the grass – resulting in a darker
green ring.

Dog spots can be prevented by using food supplements that acidify a dog’s urine.
FALSE. Dog spots do not occur because a dog’s urine is alkaline. Products advertised to “naturally” reduce urine alkalinity (including the amino acid, dl methionine, also known as methioform) may cause urinary system problems and can affect calcium deposition in growing bones of younger dogs. The addition of baking soda, potassium citrate and other salts are likewise not recommended as curatives for dog spots. A veterinarian should always be contacted before giving a dog a food supplement known to affect urine pH. There are medically sound reasons for altering urine pH, but the prevention of dog spots in lawns is not one of them. There are no dietary supplements that have been scientifically proven to reduce either the incidence or severity of dog spotting in lawns.

Dog spots can be “cured” by sprinkling the affected area with baking soda, gypsum, dishwashing detergent, etc. to neutralize the urine.
FALSE. The only “product” that can neutralize the urine’s negative effects is water. Gypsum and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) are salts and may compound the problem. Dishwashing detergents, which act as wetting agents or surfactants, may enhance water movement into and through the soil. While this theoretically could promote leaching and dilution of accumulated salts, some dishwashing detergents can burn grass plants.

Dealing with Dog Spots

What can be done with the dog(s)?

• Train the dog to use a non-turf area in the landscape, such as an area covered with mulch or gravel, or select a location where dog spotting will not become an aesthetic problem and damage can be tolerated. This is the ONLY sure solution for the problem!
• Always provide adequate water for your pet; increased water consumption will dilute urine, reducing the potential for turf injury. While the addition of salt, garlic, tomato juice and other “home remedies” to your pet’s food can increase water consumption (thus diluting their urine) your veterinarian should always be consulted before doing so. The increased salt intake can cause problems for older dogs, as well as for those with heart or kidney conditions.
• Except for the addition of water to a dog’s food, no additive or supplement should be fed to your pet without first consulting with your veterinarian. Certain additives may increase a dog’s water intake, but can have detrimental and unintended consequences for its health.
• If the affected spots are green and grass growth is stimulated (no browning is apparent):
  • Increase nitrogen fertilization frequency and/or the amount of fertilizer to help mask the urine-induced stimulation of growth and color; dark green spots will be especially visible on lawns that are not receiving adequate nitrogen fertilization.
  • Maintain adequate irrigation to prevent accumulation of salts in the soil; drought or lack of water can allow salts to accumulate and injure or kill turf.
• If the affected spots are brown, (the turf may or may not be dead):
  • Increase irrigation amount and/or frequency to help dilute salts that have accumulated in the soil. This may help still-living turf recover, and will dilute salts in those areas where the turf has been killed (allowing for more effective re-seeding).
  • When turf has been killed, the dead sod and some soil (0.5-1 inch of soil) can be removed. Re-sod the area with new grass.
• Individual dead/damaged spots can be re-seeded as follows:
  • In a Kentucky bluegrass lawn: Spot seed with Kentucky bluegrass (marginally effective) or perennial ryegrass (more effective). Tall fescue, K31 tall fescue, “dwarf” fescue, or annual (Italian) ryegrass should not be used for spot-seeding a bluegrass lawn.
  • In a tall fescue lawn: Spot seed with turf-type tall fescue (sometimes called “dwarf” fescue). Perennial ryegrass can also be used, but it has a finer texture and the newly seeded spots will look different from the rest of the lawn. Do not use K31 fescue or annual (Italian) ryegrass for spot-seeding a tall fescue lawn.
  • Fine fescue lawns: Seed with fine fescue seed. The use of perennial ryegrass or tall fescue is not recommended, as the spots will have a different color, texture, and growth rate.
  • Zoysiagrass and bermudagrass lawns: Patch using sod from a sod farm, or by transplanting sod from an inconspicuous area of same the lawn.

Consult your veterinarian before supplementing a pet’s diet with any product or food additive claiming to reduce dog spots in lawns. Similarly, no “spray-on” product for lawns, claiming to prevent or “cure” dog spots, has been scientifically proven to be effective.

For additional information on lawn care, refer to csuturf.colostate.edu.

Colorado Master Gardener GardenNotes are available online at www.cmg.colostate.edu.

Colorado Master Gardener training is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Colorado Garden Show, Inc.

Colorado State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Colorado counties cooperating.

Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.

No endorsement of products mentioned is intended nor is criticism implied of products not mentioned.

Copyright Colorado State University Extension. All Rights Reserved. CMG GardenNotes may be reproduced, without change or additions, for nonprofit educational use with attribution.

Revised October 2014

Cryptorchidism, Canine

Cryptorchidism in Dogs

By Dr. Karen Burgess

Why would a pet be cryptorchid?
The overall incidence of having a retained testicle in dogs is up to 9%. While reported in many breeds there are certain predisposed for cryptorchidism (ex. Yorkies, smaller breeds, Siamese cats). The trait is heritable passed onto from parent to offspring. For this reason it is not recommended to continue breeding animals that are cryptorchid.

What are the symptoms of being cryptorchid?
Most commonly there are no significant clinical signs of this condition. The real risk is seen if the retained testicle converts into a tumor which is not that uncommon. These tumors can cause numerous symptoms including abdominal pain, skin issues, and bone marrow shutdown. In rare instances the undescended testicle can twist on itself causing a very painful and dangerous condition known as testicular torsion.

How is cryptorchidism treated?
Neutering or castration is the treatment of choice for retained testicles. Removal of both testicles eliminates future risk of tumor development. Removal of a retained testicle is technically more difficult at times involving two to three incisions. Recovery should not be significantly more involved but proper pain management is essential.

What are the risks to not neutering a cryptorchid pet?
The primary risk is development of testicular cancer which is at least ten times greater than in normal dogs.

What is the prognosis with cryptorchidism?
Excellent with early neutering.

What causes coprophagia?
There are a variety of theories as to why dogs would eat fecal matter including boredom, normal den cleaning behavior, and nutrient imbalance. In some cases, it may simply be tasty to a dog, as in the case of cat feces. An examination by a veterinarian should be performed to rule out any medical causes.

What problems can coprophagia cause?
Exposure to parasite eggs or disease causing bacteria is the primary medical concern with coprophagia. From a human standpoint the issue is more one of general hygiene or the “yuck” factor.

How can coprophagia be addressed?
To address coprophagia both the enticement of the fecal material and the behavior need to be addressed. Remedies include attempts to make the stool less tasty and modifying the behavior. Options include:

• Changing the diet to a lower protein diet, canned diet, or the addition of oil to the food change the taste of the fecal matter.
• Giving more frequent smaller meals may also help if hunger is contributing to the behavior.
• Adding pineapple juice, Adolph’s meat tenderizer, or canned spinach to the diet which all may make fecal matter less appealing. For-bid and Potty Mouth are both over the counter products that can be added to food as another option.
• Tabasco, PopRocks, wasabi powder, or other unappealing substances can be applied to fecal matter thus deterring ingestion.
• Meticulous and immediate cleanup of fecal matter is recommended, but this may not address ingestion of other animals’ feces.
• Keeping dogs on leash, rewarding appropriate behavior (coming to sit after defecating to allow appropriate time for cleanup) and ignoring inappropriate behavior (ingestion of feces) are also helpful.
• Increasing exercise to alleviate boredom
• Providing meals in a food ball to increase mental
• Finally, for some pets wearing a basket muzzle to prevent coprophagia may be necessary.

Instructions for For-Bid
Recommended dosing-dogs less than 20# ¼ packet twice daily for 5 days, for greater than 20# ½ packet twice daily. Owners may want to moisten dry food before sprinkling with powder. Steroids will negate the effect of For-Bid.

Coccidiosis, Canine

Coccidia

By Dr. Karen Burgess

How do cats and dogs get coccidia?
An animal infected with coccidia passes eggs or oocysts in their fecal matter. Once in the environment oocysts mature (sporulate) and become infective to animals. In some cases dogs or cats eat other animals (ex. mice) that are infected with coccidia thereby becoming infected themselves. Pets from high density housing situations such as kennels, shelters, or breeders are commonly infected with coccidia.

What clinical signs do coccidia cause?
Once inside the body, sporulated oocysts burst open releasing smaller versions that then attach to a cell lining the intestine and start reproducing. Eventually too full to be contained, the infected intestinal cell bursts releasing even more coccidia to infect additional intestinal cells. Ultimately infected intestinal cells are destroyed preventing an animal from being able to absorb nutrients from their food and leading to bloody, watery diarrhea. Puppies, kittens and the debilitated are particularly susceptible to coccidia infection and can develop life threatening dehydration from an infection.

How is coccidia diagnosed?
Coccidia is found on a microscopic examination of a fecal specimen. It is important to note that it may be difficult to diagnose coccidian on a single fecal test. If symptoms persist in a patient, repeated fecal exams may be necessary.

How is coccidia treated?
The immune system is often able to keep numbers of coccidia under control, thus why healthy adult animals often do not develop disease. In the very young, the immune system can become overcome thus requiring treatment. Albon is the drug of choice to treat coccidia. Typically given once daily for ten days, albon slows down coccidia reproduction giving the pet’s immune system a chance to resolve the infection.

Is coccidia contagious to people or other pets?
The species of coccidia that most commonly infects dogs and cats (Isospora) is not infectious to people (other species of coccidia including Cryptosporidium and Toxoplasmosis are contagious to people). While other pets can be infected by exposure to coccidia that have matured in the environment, it is typically only a concern in the very young or debilitated. Good hygiene and cleaning the environment with dilute bleach (1 cup bleach to 1 gallon water) can help prevent reinfection.