Thursday, May 8, 2008
Dear Dr. Fox:
We recently experienced the terrible death of my niece's beloved cat, Baby. A family friend put some clothes in the dryer without realizing that Baby was asleep inside. The results were heartbreaking.
I am writing to you in the hope that you can warn others to never allow their animals to sleep in a clothes dryer. Better yet, make sure that the dryer door is never left open. Many animals are attracted to the warmth of a dryer.
-- M.J. and S.DeR.
Chevy Chase
Your story is tragic and a warning to all.
We must always be mindful, especially with cats, to keep dryer and front-loading washer doors closed. Also, check the clothes in case the cat jumped in while you weren't looking.
Dear Dr. Fox:
I've been told that the current thinking among some veterinary professionals is to discourage continuing vaccinations, booster shots, etc., throughout a dog's life.
I have a healthy Great Dane that just turned 4. She had all the vaccinations deemed necessary -- rabies, parvovirus, etc. -- until she was 2 years old and has had none since. Which shots should we keep up with, and to what age?
I had another Great Dane that had no shots after age 5 and that lived to be 12.
-- T.C.E.
Fresno, Calif.
Veterinary experts who recognize both the risks and benefits of vaccinations have laid out new vaccination protocols, which can be found on my Web site, http://www.doctormwfox.org.
The basic or core vaccines are given early in life and then at 1 year of age, and should be good for several years. Rather than a subsequent annual booster cocktail, have blood-titer tests done to see whether revaccinations are needed, or revaccinate at three-year intervals. Never vaccinate an animal that is sick, and always give the mandated rabies vaccination, separately, weeks later.
Considerable progress has been made recognizing the serious risks to dogs and cats from over-vaccination. The veterinary profession continues to research safer vaccines, the use of which I do not oppose because they can save lives when animals are at risk from exposure to sick and carrier animals.
Dear Dr. Fox:
My sweet mutt, which looks like a Tibetan terrier, has diabetes. I understand that he'll need to be on insulin for the rest of his life.
My vet also said my dog is overweight. Is there an alternative diet that might help?
-- P.L.
Redding, Conn.
Veterinary literature has increasingly dealt with how obesity in dogs and cats can lead to diabetes and other health problems. That's probably why your veterinarian has raised the red flag.
Major factors in the pet obesity (and human obesity) epidemic are lack of regular physical activity and poor diet. The high cereal content in commercial dog and cat food is a major factor.
Transition your dog onto my basic homemade canine recipe (found on my Web site) that can be prepared in a food processor, minus the rice. This will help your dog lose weight and probably lower his insulin need. Also give him up to a teaspoon of cinnamon daily, hidden in a treat, in capsules or mixed in with his food. Start with small amounts so that he gets used to it. Supplements such as alpha-lipoic acid and L-carnitine might also improve his condition.
Dear Dr. Fox:
The bad odor and stain from past letter writer L.H.C.'s cat could be from its anal sacs. My cat smells awful when hers are full, and I have to take her to the vet to have them emptied.
-- L.V.D.
Schenectady, N.Y.
Your reminder is timely for cat owners whose felines do not have halitosis but sometimes have a pungent stink that comes from their anal glands.
Dogs have more of a problem than cats when it comes to this part of the anatomy. Impacted anal glands can be painful and sometimes make cats develop an aversion to the litter box because it hurts to defecate.
Overactive glands can leak the smelly liquid that cats release spontaneously when they are frightened, much like a skunk. A daily teaspoon of psyllium husks in the cat's food for three to four weeks might help keep the stools soft and enable the glands to heal and begin to empty normally.
Dear Dr. Fox:
I have an 8-year-old Maltese that has a number of problems that have been going on for years.
He continually drags his hindquarters on the carpet, even on the day that his anal sacs have been cleaned. He has growths on his body that must be surgically removed, and he spends hours licking between the toes of his front paws. The vet has checked his paws repeatedly and can't find anything abnormal.
-- A.McG.
Hertford, N.C.
Your poor dog's multiple problems call for a holistic approach: more exercise, outdoor activity, a fresh raw beef-marrow-shank/soup bone to chew on and a radical change in diet. Chronic anal gland, gum, ear, skin, joint and other problems often disappear or are significantly improved by feeding animals organic, whole-food diets plus supplements.
A daily teaspoon of psyllium husks or human-grade (not fertilizer) bone meal in his food may also help the anal glands heal.
Michael W. Fox, author of a newsletter and books on animal care, welfare and rights, is a veterinarian with doctoral degrees in medicine and animal behavior. More pet care information is available at Dr. Fox's Web site,http://www.doctormwfox.org. Write to Dr. Fox at United Feature Syndicate, 200 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016.
Copyright 2008, United Feature Syndicate Inc.
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