Treat the Immune System, Not Just the Infection

Since this disease has reached almost epidemic proportions in cats today and is the most common endocrine disease afflicting the feline population, many readers will appreciate the knowledge that there is an alternative way to give the medication for this condition without causing some cats so much nausea and distress.

How to prevent this disease: Vacuum the house at least once a week to get rid of dust and carpet and upholstery particles that are probably imbued with flame-retardant chemicals that are implicated in feline thyroid disease; avoid giving cats food and water in certain kinds of plastic containers (use stainless steel or glass); and do not feed cats seafood contaminated with these and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals. All these might also contribute to this feline malady.

Dear Dr. Fox:

About five years ago, my daughter adopted a neutered 2-year-old large-breed shepherd mix named Max.

He is a sweet dog except when he is around another dog. He chases it and mounts it continuously. This is not a playful act. He snaps and snarls and forces the other dog to comply.

At a recent family gathering, he tried to force a smaller dog to comply, grabbing her at the neck and head, breaking the skin and making her cry. Then he mounted her.

My daughter has another dog, and Max mounts this one often throughout the day. My daughter thinks this is normal behavior -- Max is showing that he is the leader of the pack. I think my daughter should be the leader and stop Max from terrorizing other dogs.

His aggressive behavior is the same with every dog he meets: no running or playing, just forced mounting.

Shouldn't this behavior be stopped?

J.F.