Advice for Pet Owners

Ask the Animal Doctor

Do you have a problem pooch or crazy cat? Are you trying to pick the best pet for your family? Are you alarmed by news reports about tainted pet food and looking for better options?

Michael W. Fox can offer advice on these quandaries, and other issues related to the care and feeding of our furry friends (as well as those with feathers or scales). He is a veterinarian and author of the syndicated column "Animal Doctor." He has written over 40 books, most recently "Not Fit for a Dog! The Truth About Manufactured Dog and Cat Food" and "Dog Body, Dog Mind," which takes a holistic approach to pet care and communication. He was online Wednesday, July 9, at 11 AM ET to answer questions on pet care and animal health.

Please join us again Wednesday, July 16 at 11 a.m. ET for a discussion on dog grooming with Bonnie Peregoy of Capitol Hill's The Healthy Dog Store. And check out washingtonpost.com's new pets section anytime!

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Smithfield, UT: My border collie mix has a history of epileptic seizures. Her vet has her on a phenobarbital prescription where she takes half a pill every morning and again at night. She has not had a seizure since September. Her vet has stated that he would like her to remain taking the medication for the time being, even though he cautioned us that the prescription can cause liver damage. Do you agree that she should still be taking the medication?

Michael W. Fox: Keep on the phenobarb and be glad it works!

Give dog B complex and S-Adenosylmethionine and milk thistle to help protect the liver. These are supplements you put in dog food. Vet can advise on doses

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Takoma Park, Md: I'm committed to feeding my cats the best food I can afford to provide for them. I am feeding my cats food from my local pet shop that provides organic and holistic brands, but it does get expensive in this economy. I would like to make their food myself, but it seems complicated. I'm also still nervous about food safety. How do I know the holistic food is any safer than the grocery foods and if you had to pick a way or a brand to feed active, slender, indoor cats, what would you recommend?

Michael W. Fox: Check Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkin's book "Your Cat" (St Martin's Press) and my book "Cat Body, Cat Mind" ( The Lyons Press) for all you need to know about proper diets for your cats, good whole cat food providers, and in my book, a basic --- and simple --- recipe!

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Washington, D.C.: In a couple of months, I will be taking a 15-day trip out of the country. This is the longest I've ever been away from home and, thus, away from my cat (11 years old, healthy and active). I have a few options on how to take care of her while I'm gone, and I'd like your opinion on what would be best for her. The ideal situation, I think, would be to have someone house sit, but I'm not sure that's possible. A friend of mine offered to take my cat while I'm away, and she'd stay with him and his two cats. I worry, though, about her being in a strange place with strange cats. The other option is to have friends visit every other day. But then she'd be alone for much of the time. What do you think? Thanks!

Michael W. Fox: Could be VERY stressful in strange home with two cats. Try an overnight stay and see how they do. I would opt for someone staying in your home caring for your cat unless by some miracle all goes well at your friend's two-cat home.

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Takoma Park: Just brought home a dog from WARL. He is doing fine except he has a BAD case of the runs and he is not eating any of the dry food we purchased for him (given a bag of Hills, purchased a bag of Eukanuba), or the treats (some Nutro product). He seems to be fond of wet food and table food...of course. We have been using small pieces of hot dog to train him so far and he likes it. Any suggestions on something to get his stomach back in order? Does he just have worms? We are going to take him to the vet by the end of the week if we can.

Michael W. Fox: Have vet check the dog at once. Could be internal parasites, giardia, coccidiosis, change in diet -- plus stress of being in shelter, etc.

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Washington, D.C.: I'm going to start brushing my (young, friendly, tolerant of such things) dog's teeth. I don't really want to do it every day. How often is truly necessary to avoid dental problems for my dog? Thanks.

Michael W. Fox: No need ever if dog has normal dentition. But if misaligned, as in pugs, or being fed highly processed manufactured junk pet foods that are full of microparticles that stick to the gums and teeth, then brushing every three to four days is called for.

Give dog whole foods and a raw beef marrow bone -- natural ways to keep dogs' teeth clean and breath sweet! Highly processed pet foods are a major cause of dental disease in dogs and cats.

Give cats raw chicken wing tips to chew on -- it acts like kitty dental floss.

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Michael W. Fox: Good morning pet lovers, companion animal care givers, doggy devotees and cat cohabitors -- on with your questions! I will try to answer as many as possible within the hour alotted, so please forgive typos--

Michael W. Fox

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Grosse Pointe Park, Mich.: We have a wonderful 11-month-old Labrador mix that we adopted from the local shelter. Unfortunately, she is coprophagic. This has led to giardia and roundworm infections and three courses of antimicrobials. We have stopped taking her to the dog park because not all dog owners have been good about picking up after their pooches and our dog seems to have taken on that responsibility through this dangerous behavior. What can we do to stop the habit? Will she outgrow it? Thank you for your help.

Michael W. Fox: Many dogs with this vice need to be muzzled when out in the park. Putting jalopino pepper juice on feces can set up aversion. Feeding plain raw yoghurt, half a cup daily, or Probiotics can also help.

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Washington, DC: We have been notified by our landlord that power to our building will be shut off on Friday for emergency repair work, so no A/C or fans. We have a 6-year-old short-haired cat, and I am concerned about the apartment getting too hot for her while we are away at work that day (the forecast is near 90 degrees for Friday). Aside from keeping the blinds shut and setting out extra water for her, is there anything we can do to make her more comfortable?

Michael W. Fox: Good question! Cats are originally a desert species so they can cope with heat if not sick and obese. Put water out, pull shades to block sun and crack windows to catch any breezes.

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Arlington, Va.: My friend's cat died recently. It was only a year old, but it was a purebred and born with several birth defects that had gone undetected. My question is: how can someone be sure that a purebred animal is healthy before taking it home, and is it a better idea to just avoid purebreds altogether and stick to mixed breeds?

Michael W. Fox: No. I advise adopting from the shelter. If a person really wants a purebreed, cat or dog, visit the breeder, see the parents, evaluate their temperaments, and demand a 100 percent guarantee of no genetic defects or hereditary diseases.

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Minneapolis, Minn.: My dog recently had a mast cell tumor removed. There hasn't been a recurrence, but while researching the tumor, I saw a lot of Web sites that claimed that commercial dog foods are to blame for many cancers in dogs, since dogs didn't evolve to eat so many grains. He eats a popular higher end brand. Could there be a correlation between his diet and the tumor?

Michael W. Fox: Not to my knowledge. Cancer is a multifactor disease, generally no single cause. But one of the best preventatives is good nutrition and genetic soundness.

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Chicago, Ill.: Thanks for answering our questions! I have a 1-year-old Shih Tzu who licks his paws and scratches his ears. Sometimes it seems obsessive. I've given him 25 mg of Benedryl, recommended for allergies, which seems to work. I would rather treat him naturally however. Can you recommend a more natural treatment? He does not like to wear baby or dog socks at all. Thanks!

Michael W. Fox: Benadryl can be a miracle. Check conact allergy to wool or floor cleaners and put down cotton sheets where dog lies, and switch diet to a simple whole foods free of additives and God knows what else, as per my recipe in my book "Dog Body, Dog Mind." I would suspect food allergy in your dog as the most probable cause...

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Washington, DC: Good morning! I have an overly affectionate little kitty who's about 6 years old now. Often after she has her dinner, she ends up zipping around the apartment and literally bouncing off the walls, or in our case, the furniture. I was just wondering if a cat can be "hyper-active" and if she's just buzzed off the sugar in her food. She's kind of picky about what she eats, so I'm not sure I could change very easily, provided there are foods out there that have less sugar. She generally eats a packet of wet food for dinner, and I leave a bowl of dry food out for her which she eats only sparingly because she has teeth problems that I know need to get fixed.

Michael W. Fox: Get my book "Cat Body, Cat Mind" so you can be of one mind with your cat! She is displaying the 'evening crazies' and you learning how to play with her and what games she likes best -- maybe chase and hide and go seek -- will enrich both your lives! But the best enrichment would be another healthy young cat!

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Salt Lake City, UT: I have two older cats that are thin even though they eat what they have for some time. Can you recommend a supplement for them?

Michael W. Fox: Have them see your vet -- could be tape worms if they get fleas, or hyperthyroid -- very common in cats today, in part due to high iodine levels in some pet foods, bisphenols in canned food liners and exposure to flame-retardant chemiclas in the home that become part of the dust we inhale from treated carpets, upholstery, etc.

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Hima, Oman: Hi. I live in a small town in the Middle East with no vets. I feed a few feral cats. One has developed a horrible kind of 'flesh-eating' virus/fungus/something. I have no idea what it is. She lost all her hair on one side of her face, then the skin 'broke'. Now it is an open wound, about 4 x 5 inches. Not bloody but 'weeping'. She eat and moves around fine but the raw patch is getting bigger. I have no idea if this is something that might heal, might spread to the two other cats (and three kittens) or me. And if I should put her down - how? She is feral so I can't get near her, nor chase her away from my house/the other cats. I know this sounds like a bad joke, I've had cats as pets for over 50 years, never seen something like this and am at a complete loss.

Michael W. Fox: Feeding the cats makes you feel good, and helps the cats, but you are doing them no real favor by not trapping and having them neutered. The more you feed them the more they breed, and you are adding to the long term problem so must find a real solution. Tough love!

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Lynchburg, Va.: I have a 15-month-old Great Dane. Recently, he gets zits (pimples). It's not a lovely idea but nonetheless. Sometimes on his chin but other time anywhere on his body. It starts as what seems like a very deep bump under the skin, after a few days it comes up to be a pocket of puss under the skin. If I barely touch them they pop and then ooze. They then take about a week to clear up. He's not bothered by them. Any thoughts?

Michael W. Fox: Very common in young dogs: skin staph or strep They develop natural immunity later in life. Get topical antibiotic cream from the vet and check a good food supplement like Platinum Canine Performance that I give my dogs. Available on vet referral. Tel 1-800-553-2400 for more info. This company has vet recommended supplements for cats and horses too.

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Takoma Park, Md.: My dog, part Huskie, sheds in clumps and is driving us crazy. Someone recommended we have our dog's fur shaved off at a groomers but that doesn't sound right to me. Any other suggestions? Food supplements?

Michael W. Fox: Check thyroid if dog is somewhat lethargic and overweight and is over, say 5 to 6 years of age. Maybe seasonal shedding that you just have to live with. Flax seed oil, 1 teaspoon per 30 pounds body weight helps many dogs' coats get better.

I use the super dog comb called the 'Furbuster' on my dogs, and find this is the best grooming tool on the market. Alternatively, if your dog likes it -- and many do -- a daily vacuuuming all over the dog can make the job easier!

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WDC - Logan Circle: How do you feel about pit bulls? Are they really ticking time bombs? Should this breed be avoided as pets at all costs? Thanks.

Michael W. Fox: The only ticking time bomb that I fear is the human, and those who turn dogs into emotionally unstable killers. Pit bulls can be the most loyal, trustworthy and gentle of dogs -- but always be on guard when they are around strange dogs who may be dumb enough to challenge them and around strange children and adults with any dog who may become protective of his or her own children in the families with whom they live.

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Washington, DC: My cat has a history of urinary tract problems, and it was discovered four years ago when I moved to North Carolina that they were not infections, but some sort of sterile issue. I have noticed now that they happen about a week after each move I've had her for. I recently moved again to a new apartment, and starting yesterday she's in and out of the litter box all day. She has also been making odd moaning noises when she licks herself. Is it safe to assume that this episode is also sterile and doesn't require antibiotics? What can I do to prevent these in the future?

Michael W. Fox: Cystitis and urological problems can be set off by stress. Ask vet for valium or valerian -- helps cat relax and stops urinary sphincter spasms.. Shift diet to wet if on dry food.

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Silver Spring, Md.: We are taking our dog camping with us. He is in good shape, and we won't overdo the hiking etc. but wonder what you recommend for mosquitoes? He has flea/tick treatments already. Thank you

Michael W. Fox: Give dog a daily human B complex tab twice daily, and you too, plus essential oils of citronella, lemon or citrus orange wiped over dog's coat. Slice two lemons, simmer in two cups water, strain and take in a bottle to rub over dog. Good for horses and other creatures bugged by bugs.

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Tampa, Fla.: My adopted Greyhound has a recurring corns in her feet which severely impair her ability to walk. My veterinarian removes these as frequently as once a month to keep her relatively comfortable. Do you know how to prevent their recurrence? Many thanks for your advice!

Michael W. Fox: Good for you for adopting a Greyhound from an industry whose treatment of dogs needs to be drastically remedied.

Try a mixture of equal parts essential oils of frankinsense, murrh, helichrysum and lavender, say five drops of each, in 50 drops of almond oil rubbed in to your dogs paws three times daily. Do not let dog lick paws for at least one hour after application. Pre-soaking in one part cider vinegar and one part warm water then dry off will also help.

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Centreville, Va.: I have two cats who are both FIV positive. Any advice on how to keep them living long healthy lives?

Michael W. Fox: Avoid stress, like a new cat coming in, and put your cats on a natural, whole food diet as per my recipe and a daily supplement like Platinum Feline Performance plus a teaspoon daily of cod liver oil.

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Cat Lover: In response to two of the other questions: we don't use a/c, and our cat is invariably in the warmest room in the house on hot days. She stretches out and just looks like she is in utter bliss. We also began brushing our cat's teeth after we noticed some irritation on her gums. We do it almost every night. The improvement has been dramatic. Although our cat doesn't like the brushing much, she thinks the toothpaste is delicious.

Michael W. Fox: Glad you spotted the dental problem! VERY common in cats and the cause of much suffering and disease complications. Whole foods and fish oil supplement are the best preventives.

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Myersville, Md.: Re: vacuuming pets -- you are not the first person I've heard mention vacuuming as a way to keep pet dander/shedding to a minimum. This may seem to be a silly questions, but exactly how do you do that? Thanks!

Michael W. Fox: Just switch on the vacuum, and get the animal habituated to having the suction with brush attachment closer and closer until body contact is made-- may take a few days. Many dogs and cats love it!

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Um...: The person from Oman said there are no vets in her area, so I am not quite sure how she is suppose to have them neutered. Do it herself? I fully support spaying/neutering animals, especially feral cats, and have called the animal shelter about a few in my area. But blaming her for a problem where there is no easy solution -- vets, shelters, animal police -- is rather unfair.

Michael W. Fox: I am NOT blaming -- simply pointing out the fallacy of feeding and extending the long-term suffering. Who will feed the cats when she is gone? My wife Deanna Krantz and I have worked in 'third world' countries. Doing good and feeling good are two different things, the consequences of our actions sometimes having unforseen consequences, and not always for the best! There are vets without borders and groups with the Humane Society of the US that send out spay-neuter teams to proor and remote areas at home and abroad.

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Odenton, Md.: My Boston terrier plays outside with his friends. Mid play he will start low crawling across the grass, dragging his belly. When he comes inside, his belly will be all red with bumps covering it. I usually just give him Benadryl but I think he must be allergic to grass or something in it. Is this a correct assumption and is there anything more I can do for his sensitive skin? I do bathe him about every week with oatmeal shampoo (he has bad dandruff as well). I put suntan lotion on his ears and sometimes his belly too since he seems to get sunburns.

Michael W. Fox: Mowed grass has tiny hairs/fibers that can get into the dog's skin -- and kids playing on mowed lawns. Wiping with a soapy cloth and applying Benadryl cream helps.

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Yonkers, N.Y.: My cat has been constipated for the past two weeks despite two trips to the vet. She is 8 years old and 6 pounds and I'm wondering what to do or how to add fiber to her diet. The vet recommended mixing pumpkin with her dry food but she turns up her nose at that.

Michael W. Fox: Psyllium husks and mashed lima beans are good, and chopped raw beef liver. The vet product called Laxatone helps many cats with this serous problem that can lead to megacolon and other health problems.

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Michael W. Fox: I am signing off now -- sorry to not be able to respond to all you good people out there. Until next time!

Michael W. Fox

Check my Web site www.doctormwfox.org

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