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," which appears in the Post's community news Extras each Thursday. 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. Get information on his other publications, pet food recipes, animal rights and more at his Web site. He was online Wednesday, September 3, at 11 a.m. ET to answer questions.

Please join us again Wednesday, September 10, for another discussion on pet care. And check out washingtonpost.com's Pets section anytime!

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Dr. Michael W. Fox: Good morning everyone! I will do my best this hour to reply to as many of you as I can -- excuse the typos...still a little jet-lagged after a trip to Germany to help a wonderful animal protection organization called Pro Animale have their humane and superior method of keeping homeless dogs in social groups with lots of human contact and time outdoors accepeted by the Animal Protection law that allows only for single caging or in pairs for shelter dogs. Nuts!

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Arlington, Va.: Mr. Fox, you are pretty harsh on all packaged dog foods on your Web site. It is an area of concern to me since dogs eat mostly the same thing all the time. Is there any benefit to the premium brands (I now feed California Natural) over the ones you can get for much less at any grocery store?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Harsh is to put it mildly. Wait till my next co-authored book comes out this Oct -- "Not Fit For a Dog!"

There are some good dry foods coming onto the market now -- read the labels. Look for more organic ingredients, whole foods or natural, human grade ingredients, also for canned foods.

Check out brands like Pet guard, Castor and Pollux, and Natura Pet Products for a start.

All dogs like some variety.

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Alexandria, Va.: What is it with dogs and sticks? Why does my dog and all of his friends get such satisfaction out of chewing them?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: A natural toy -- very chewy, and acts as a social tool to invite other dogs to have a tug on the other end or catch me if you can game of chase. A soft green stick is good for cleaning teeth too -- what many native peoples do. Avoid letting dogs have dry sticks that can splinter and cut through cheeks and throats.

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Washington, DC: Hello, Michael. I had a dog pass away over the weekend due to IMHA (auto-immune mediated hemolytic anemia). We thought she was a little under the weather on Friday morning, a toothache perhaps but nothing lift threatening as she was responsive -- walking, drinking water and ate treats. When we arrived at home that night it was immediately clear something was not right. She was rushed to the emergency vet where she received blood transfusions throughout the night. Ultimately they did not work and she passed in the morning at 11 years old. Is there anything we could have done differently? This is the first time I had ever heard of this disease but the symptoms are so innocuous in the beginning, is so quick moving and the prognosis is grim -- anywhere from 25 to 50 percent survival rate.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Emergency fluid support, whole blood transfusions and immunoglobulin may have helped but it comes on fast. My condolencies. Possibly adverse vaccination reaction plus genetic susceptibility combined to make a sad, but quick end to a life.

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Dog issues: I have a 4-year-old Cocker Spaniel who used to LOVE to chew on rawhides/hooves etc. Within the past year she won't touch them. If I bring a new one home, she'll sniff it and walk away. Her teeth have gotten VERY bad since she stopped chewing on them. The vet wants $600 to do a cleaning but I'm hesitant at her young age to do this. I clean her teeth at home once a week but can't get the plaque build up off. Any suggestions on getting her to chew on bones anymore? Her teeth used to be perfect when she did. Or is there something I can do at home to help with her teeth?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Best not to give any of the chew rawhide and pig parts -- enogh to make any dog sick, even die from bacterial contamination or intestinal blockage from a lump of swallowed rawhide from lord knows where, probably Argentina, cured and bleached with chemicals and processed in China.

Get your dog used to a daily tooth brushing; give strips of beef shank bone meat raw, to chew on; a teaspoon of cod liver oil daily, anti-inflammatory-anti-gingivitis; and a raw beef marrow/soup bone to chew or a rubber Kong toy.

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Washington, DC: Our mutt shelter doggie has dermatomyositis, and has gone through the horrible itching and hair-loss period. He's now on pentoxyphylene and we're weening him off prednisone, since it's not the best for him (he's a puppy). It was under control; and he's been to our vet and a dermatologist who all said he's looking better. Our concern is that he's started itching again. We're worried that he'd have to go back on the prednisone, even though it's bad for his body. Any other medication suggestions that may be less harmfull? We've heard of Atopica, but it's expensive. Any holistic care options? Thank you.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Try Nordic Naturals cod liver oil -- a teaspoon daily in food for a 30 lb dog; have thyroid gland checked out; ask vet to give a super-supplement mix like Platinum Canine Performance or PetGuard multivitamin and minerals with digestive enzymes and probiotics.

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Southern Maryland: Any way to cure cats of jealousy? We have a few outdoor cats, and two of them are extremely territorial about us. Whenever we try to pet any of the others, these two chase the others away and try to monopolize our attention. Sometimes the others will run away from us if the jealous ones are around. And yes, the jealous cats treat each other as competition for affection as well.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: No. Accept this as part of the cat's realm, without judgement, and try to distract them from you by getting them playing, my favorite toy being a bamboo cane with a string and a lure to go fish and catch a cat.

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Richmond, Va.: I have a 3-year-old male boxer who has been diagnosed with grade two mass cell cancer. The vet has suggested a low dose regimen of predisone now that we have removed the four known growths. Our vet has given us a guarded prognosis. What can I do as an owner to make his time as comfortable as possible? Is there anything else that can be done to fight the re-occurence of the growths?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Stoke your dog up with some of the super-supplements that i have already listed in an earlier reply, also on my Web site on topic of endocrine-immune system disruption syndrome.

Try local application of five drops each of essential oils offrankensense, myrrh, and helichrysum in 50 drops of almond oil three times daily. Anti-histamine pills may also help. Discuss these options with your vet. Melanomas in horses have been cured using oil of frankensense.

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Washington, D.C.: I'm a new dog owner. I just treated her with Frontline Plus for the first time and I am having a serious rash reaction on my arms. Can you recommend an effective flea treatment that is natural? Do you have any resources on this? Also, she's got some burrowing issues when I put her in a crate for the day. What best to provide her with that will allow her to "burrow" in her crate? Or do you have any recommended readings as to how to end this practice? Thanks!

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Check my Web site for this.

Nutritional or Brewer's yeast in dog's food is often the best. Use a flea comb. These new generation anti-flea and tick drop-on and pill meds are safer than earlier pesticides, but adverse reactions in pets are all too common and so they should only be used when all other controls fail and not simply as a routine preventive.

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Arlington, Va.: My 10-year-old cockapoo is developing crystals in his urine. Vet has put him on a special Hill's diet food, and I am changing his water as much as possible to encourage him to drink as much as possible. Is there anything else I can do (diet wise, supplements) to prevent actual bladder stones from forming?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Transition your dog onto a whole food, even raw, mainly meat diet to increse acidity of urine if the crystals are struvite. If oxalate crystals, a mainly raw food diet may also help.

Manufactured pet foods are a major cause of this kind of problem, and hopefully the new generation of pet foods coming into the market will see an end to this problem that has caused many dogs and especially cats much suffering.

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Chantilly, Va.: My dog is almost 12 and never had a problem making it through the day, but a few weeks ago that changed and he started having accidents. I tried putting training pads on the floor, but he hasn't used them yet. I don't have the budget to have a walker come for a midday walk. Is there anything else that I can do to help him and save myself from having to clean the carpets every night when I get home?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: You can buy pee-pee pads that stick on to the dog like a diaper.

Have your dog checked by the vet. It could be bladder stones, but more likely, bladder sphincter weakness, hopefilly not a cancer, that could be helped with a prescription of DES or phenylpropanolamine. The latter can cause some discomfort and disorientation. DES --diethylstilbestrol -- I prefer for short-term use.

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Alex., Va.: I have an 8-year-old cat that has always been vocal, but lately it's become ridiculous. She just sits and howls around the front door, and as an Asian breed, let me just say, it's loud. I'm afraid we are disturbing the neighbors. She goes to the vet on a regular basis, so she's healthy. Is there a good way to deter this behavior/any idea why she might be doing this?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Lonely? Get another friendly, compatible cat. Too many cats and other pets live their entire lives without any contact with their own kind except for the occasional wiff or glimpse or unfriendly brief encounter.

Could be the early onset dementia or Alzheimer's. Valerian or passion flower may help, or seligiline. Discuss with your vet.

Transition onto a natural diet as per my recipe on my Web site, plus fish oil to help any arthritic pain problems. Give a warm pad to lie on at night.

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For the outside cat person: Please be considerate of the toll outside cats take on songbirds. There have been several articles recently (google them) about the number of migratory songbirds that are killed by outside cats. Kill all of the rats you want but leave the birds alone. Thanks.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Thanks for this point. My column recently generated a lot of hate mail from advocates of TNR: trap, neuter and release feral cats.They have a life then, most being unadoptable, and I can sympathize with those who care for these poor creatures, but they do not belong outdoors, and they do kill wild birds and other wild creatures. We must all consider the consequences of our good intentions!

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Washington, DC: Hi, Dr. Fox. My Lab has a rash on the underside of him that he has had for a year now. At first I thought it was something funky in a stream but since then I have had him tested for different worms etc., all with negative results. The rash doesn't bother him but looks like little zits everywhere. He is on Science Diet and I am thinking about switching him. What do you think I should try first? My friend uses Honest Kitchen but I'm not sure how much to give him. Wanting to go "organic" but not sure how or with what brand. Thanks

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Check my earlier responses today.

A selenuim blue human medicated shampoo or soothing oatmeal shampoo may help as well as a change to proper whole food diet, not a can or bag of highly processed food industry byproducts, no matter how 'scientifically balanced' its formulation may be.

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Age to neuter: Do you have an opinion on this somewhat controversial issue? My vet recommends six months for a male dog but others say the joints, etc. are not sufficiently developed until 14 months or later. Thanks.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Depends on the breed. Larger breeds may take more time for bones to grow mature. Fusion of the ends or epiphyses and early castration can result in the larger than normal 'eunuch' syndrome -- and sometimes fatter.

Castrating toy breeds that never get out and promiscuously mate is debatable. Neutering any make them easier to handle, but not neccessarily. I think 6 months of age is optimal for most dogs.

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Waldorf, Md.: I will be moving to Colorado from Maryland in November. I will be driving there. I have two cats which I will take with me on the long drive. What do I need to do to prepare them for the long ride? Thanks.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Get them used to sleeping and eating in an open crate. Keep each cat in a separate small crate for safety's sake on your trip, plus collars and IDs.

Hanging a strip of gauze in the car with a few drops of lavender and ginger oil may help them stay calm and stop travel sickness. Refresh the essential oil strip daily. May work better for dogs!

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Back to Food: Is there a mixture of people food that one can put together as a diet for dogs?

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Yes. Check my recipe on my Web site.

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Anonymous: My understanding is that products such as Frontline prevent the eggs of fleas and ticks from matching but are not actually repellents, so an initial bite could still occur. Are any repellents non-toxic? What about natural repellents? Thank you.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Check my Web site and books "Dog Body Dog Mind" for a critical review on this topic.

These new anti-flea products break the flea life-cycle, but the fleas must suck the pet's blood for the drug to work, so pets still get allergic hot spots. Equal parts apple cider vinegar and warm water sponged on the dog's fur is a good general insect repellant.

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Baltimore: This is a dog psychology question I guess. Our dog seems to like gearing himself up when going upstairs. He doesn't do it all the time, but only sometimes. He likes to walk up a few steps at a time, walk down, walk back up, and then dash to the top. Problem is that when he does this, sometimes he sounds like he loses his footing and falls down partway. It's hardwood stairs, and I'm scared one day he's going to take a tumble and break one of his legs. Sometimes, he's perfectly fine going up and down without making it a race. But other times, it sounds rather dangerous for a small, 11-pound dog.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: This could be what is called ritualistic, supesrtitious behavior. Some dogs will circle a few times before going upstairs -- a sign of anxiety perhaps, or ambivalence.

Get some no-slip pads on your stairs. Many dogs, especially when getting older, arthritic, overweight, need consideration when all you have all over is a hard and slippery hardwood floor. They like soft dirt when they get older, so dog beds and non-slip carpet strips are called for.

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Arlington, Va.: Good Morning! My husband and I adopted two kittens through a rescue group a month ago. They're awesome and we're having a blast. My concern: we have just finished a second round of antibiotics with them because of their upper respiratory problems. We finished the prescriptions on Monday and so far, no sign of a return of goopy eyes or congestion, but while they're playful and have good appetites, the sneezing continues and I'm concerned that it's going to flare up again. Any advise? I would think that after a while the antibiotics won't do a thing.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: A few drops of cod liver oil daily in their food for starters, plus any of the super-supplements I have already listed today to boost your kittie's immune systems. Get a good, canned organic cat food for them or home-made.

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Rockville, Md.: Would Oil of Frankincense work for a cat with probable bowel cancer? Our 15-year-old calico has gone from 10 pounds last year to 6.4 pounds this summer. She stopped eating while we were on vacation and lost weight. We took her to the vet who gave her Prednisolone 5 mg, twice a day, while we fed her a recovery diet and gave her ringers lactate with vitamin B12 under the skin. She has started eating 120 g of Science Diet wet food per day and drinking again, but she's not gaining much weight; she's only up to 6.6 pounds. We love her and want to make her as comfortable as possible.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: I do not think so. Cats are very sensitive to essential oils, probably lacking livr detox-enzymes unlike dogs and us.

Sounds like your vet is on track.

I get tired of plugging fish oil at every turn, but it IS a miracle supplement. Not oil from farmed salmon -- full of dioxins, and other fish oils as from tilapia do more harm than good because the Omega 3 and 6 ratios are way off. Nordic Naturals cod liver oil, up to a table spoon a day, plus turmeric, up to 1 gram daily, in food or oral capsule, may help your poor cat.

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Amman, Jordan: Dear Dr. Fox:

My 3-year-old, neutered Shepherd Mix chews his nails. He has plenty of toys, rawhides, and other things to keep him busy. He does not display other neuroses. I keep his nails trimmed, but when he lays down, he sticks his foot in his mouth and starts to chew on his nails. What damage could he cause to his nails and feet and how do I discourage this behavior? Thanks.

Dr. Michael W. Fox: Could have a mild fungal infection -- or get a problem like that with too much licking. Some dogs paw-lick because of food allergy, so a change in diet may help. Twice daily soaking the paws in equal parts apple cider vinegar and warm water and masssage each soaking paw, may work wonders. Dry well.

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White Plains, Md.: Our dog, a 9-year-old mixed breed, has been having seizures. She is currently taking medicine but continues to have some seizures, somewhat milder than the first ones. I was wondering if you could suggest any natural remedies, i.e., food changes, exercise changes, etc.? Thanks

Dr. Michael W. Fox: An organic, corn and wheat free diet is one place to start.

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Dr. Michael W. Fox: Yet another good hour has sped by. I wish you all a good day, and until next time---

For the animals,

Michael W. Fox

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