ANIMAL DOCTOR

Dear Dr. Fox:

I am inquiring as to an ear condition with our American foxhound dog. She seems, from time to time, to develop something that bothers her ears. At these times there is also an amount of brown wax-like material that can be seen in her ears. We have sparingly applied peroxide, which seems to give her some relief. However, isn't there something simple that we can use that may be more effective?

B.T., Tulare, Calif.

Your dog has chronic otitis (inflammation of the ear canals) due to either ear mites, bacteria or fungi, or a combination of these, that results in excessive secretion of brown, waxy material. Left untreated, the lining of the ear canal thickens and corrugates with pockets of infection that are difficult to medicate. Middle-ear disease (a loss of balance), deafness, and constant scratching causing damage to the outer ear, which can then cause a hematoma or blood blister, are all common aftereffects of untreated otitis.

So lay off the peroxide and have a veterinarian examine your dog's ears and get the problem resolved.

Dear Dr. Fox:

Recently, you asked about alternative medicine for pets.

My dear, 15-year-old blue heeler dog, Whisky, has recently developed symptoms of stiffness in the back, inability to hold weight on her back legs (when she jumps up), and, of great concern to me, slipping down several steps when following me around the house.

My vet was reticent to put an old pooch on medication so I looked for an alternative, and Nikken magnets seem to have done the trick. The theory of how they work is largely unexplained (though biomagnetic therapy is one of the alternative medicines currently under investigation in a multimillion-dollar NIH study). However, it appears that blood vessels are dilated, reducing soreness and allowing blood and nutrients to flow more freely.

Whatever the reason, I am very happy to have found a noninvasive way to provide my friend with reduced pain and a lot more energy and life.