DEAR DR. FOX: I learned about one of your books, "Not Fit for a Dog: The Truth About Manufactured Cat and Dog Food," from my local newspaper

I am interested in this book because of my cat, Bella, who adopted us five years ago. According to her veterinarian, she was about 4 years old at the time. I would be grateful if I could find out where this book is available because I want to make sure Bella is healthy and happy. -- N.A., Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

DEAR N.A.: I am pleased to inform you and other readers that a new, updated edition of this book has been published by Quill Driver Books. If you are unable to go online to order a copy from Amazon.com, just give the title to your local bookstore and they can order a copy.

This book is not just my own views, but also those of my two co-authors: feline nutrition expert Dr. Elizabeth Hodjkins and veterinary nutrition professor Dr. Marion E. Smart. It has contributed to the pet food revolution, and we are seeing some greatly improved cat and dog foods in pet stores and groceries.

Readers may be surprised to see so many references to nutrition in this column, but this is not planned on my part! The kinds of pet health issues described in readers' letters usually indicate nutrition issues, which bolsters my contention that good nutrition is the first and best medicine.

DEAR DR. FOX: I would really like to see information about feline diabetes -- symptoms, treatments, prognosis and prevention. -- S.P, Miami

DEAR S.P.: The best prevention of diabetes in cats is to feed a raw-food diet. If that's not possible, try diet free of a soy, corn and cereal, available on my website, drfoxvet.com. For more details, see feline-nutrition.org.

Seriously afflicted cats who do not respond to dietary change can be treated with insulin injections and monitoring of blood sugar levels. Early signs of diabetes in cats include weight loss and increased appetite and thirst. This condition is often coupled with hyperthyroid disease, which can cause similar symptoms along with irritability, excessive grooming and aggressiveness.

DEAR DR. FOX: Please give me some advice on elder pet care, including nutrition and medication. I am sure there are many things that I have not thought of. -- M.Z.W., Boston

Dear M.Z.W.: Elder care for cats, dogs or both? First, don't allow any more vaccinations or blood titers if you're in doubt as to your pet's immune status. I advocate a full veterinary checkup at least once annually, ideally in-home for cats. The vet should check weight and general condition, nutrition, teeth, ears, eyes and heart and take blood work for liver and kidney functions. Many geriatric dogs and cats need digestive enzymes, probiotics and a high-quality, easily digestible protein -- not meat or poultry by-products -- to help with food assimilation.

Omega-3 fatty acids are important for the skin/coat, heart and joints. One good source is organic animal produce, including free-range poultry, beef, dairy and eggs. Resveratrol, CoQ10, SAMe (s-adenosyl methionine)and a good-quality multivitamin may be of benefit. Coconut oil, L-carnitine, choline and alpha lipoic acid may help dogs suffering from cognitive impairment.

As for amounts of these supplements, my rule of thumb is to give the suggested human daily amount reduced to the weight of the animal -- say one-third for a 60-pound dog, twice daily with food.

BUMPER TOYS APPEAR TO LEACH PLASTIC COMPOUNDS

Plastic bumpers used to train retrieving dogs appear to leach bisphenol-A and phthalates, according to research from Texas Tech University. The researchers found that bumpers exposed to artificial dog saliva and simulated chewing released the chemicals. It's not known whether the compounds put dogs at risk of any health problems. But as with other plastic items such as chew toys and food and water bowls, I would get rid of them. There are rumors that the chemical used by manufacturers as a substitute for bisphenol-A is not as safe as originally believed.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: This letter is about detoxification. Years ago, when I lived in Collingswood, N.J., my 15-month-old Dachshund started throwing up and having diarrhea. Home remedies did not work. I took her to the vet, where she was admitted. Two or three days later, she was deemed fine and released. This happened twice. The third time, I dropped her off for the same problem, and as I was leaving, I noticed they were removing her flea collar. I stopped in my tracks and asked, "Have you removed the flea collar every time she was admitted?" They said yes, always. I took her home and trashed the flea collar, and she never had the problem again.

Truthfully, I was upset with the staff for not considering this, and I found another vet. She was allergic to the flea collar. It cost me several hundred dollars to figure that out! -- P.K., Naples, Fla.

Dear P.K: I wrote about problems with flea collars and spot-on anti-flea and tick drugs in an earlier column. I hope that all readers will take note of your costly -- and distressing -- experience and adopt the integrated flea control program detailed on my website, DrFoxVet.com. Readers can also try the new, safe spray from PetzLife, Complete Coat.

It is ridiculous to give potentially hazardous insecticides to cats and dogs in order to prevent flea infestation. That's like taking antibiotics to prevent infection. It's not real prevention, but it is really profitable for the drug companies!

MITES IN DRY PET FOODS

I have reveived letters from pet owners who have felt and seen mites crawling on them after handling their animals' dry food, subsequently discovering that the dry bags of cat or dog food are teeming with the pests.

According to a 1993 report by Drs. Linda J. Mason and John Obermeyer, department of entomology, Purdue University, grain mites are becoming increasingly bothersome in stored grain and processed feed. This is primarily due to the wet, hot, humid conditions that climate change is triggering.

They note: "Mites thrive at 14 percent moisture content and can become serious problems when grain moistures are in the range of 15 to 18 percent. This in turn can lead to insect and mold problems. Mites, mold and fungus-feeding insects (hairy fungus beetle and foreign grain beetle) often can be found together. The grain mite can feed on fungi associated with stored grain, Aspergillus flavus being a favorite. The most common mite is the grain mite Acarus siro. It feeds on the germ of damaged grains and, if grain is moldy, will attack the endosperm. It cannot penetrate undamaged grains. Heavily infested grain and feed become tainted and unpalatable as animal feed. When fed infested commodity, small companion animals (e.g., dogs) can show reduced feed intake, diarrhea, inflammation of the small intestine and impaired growth."

I advise animal caregivers to place a sample of dry food from a freshly opened bag in a white bowl and inspect it closely for signs of mites. Their presence could indicate that the food is contaminated with a poison-producing mold/fungus, most commonly aflatoxin. Some animals may develop allergic reactions to these mites in their food. Another common mite, the household dust mite, can trigger allergies in dogs and people.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I have two 10-year-old Cornish rex brothers. After I returned from a 10-day vacation, which I take two times a year, I noticed that they both started urinating on chairs, counters and tables as well as using the litter box. I used my regular cat sitter while I was gone.

They don't have any physical problems. I've tried using different litters, and I've used the Feliway pheromone dispensers. They're on antidepressants. I'm trying Royal Canin Calm cat food now. I clean the boxes daily. I've moved litter boxes into the areas they are marking, but they use them and then go to another part of the house and spray. There are three open boxes and one covered.

It seems strange that they are both doing this. Is one copying the other? They are very close and only fight now and then. They are extremely affectionate cats, and I love them dearly. Any suggestions would be appreciated. -- G.W., St. Louis

DEAR G.W.: I sympathize with your difficulties. Whatever insecurity made your cats feel the need to mark around the house, they have developed the equivalent of a habit-fixation, continuing to soil after your return even though everything is the same as before you went on vacation.

There is a remote chance that there is an outdoor cat prowling, spraying and yowling, which may have set off your cats while you were away.

You need to confine the cats to one room to break the cycle. Spend as much time with them as you can for seven to 10 days. Get them back onto their regular cat food and off the antidepressant. Offer them a little dried catnip every other day. Clean all soiled areas with a liquid enzymatic cleaner like Nature's Miracle. Do not put litter boxes out except in the places they went before the problem started. When you let them out after their de-conditioning isolation, be very calm and go about your normal daily routine. A little lightly cooked turkey, which contains the calming amino acid tryptophan, would be as good as anything to help calm them down. Tie a cotton strip with a few drops of lavender oil around their necks, and hang a similarly prepared strip in the room, which you can replenish every 24 hours.

ANIMALS CAN DIE SUDDENLY FROM GRIEF

Theo, a bomb-sniffing Springer spaniel who died in Afghanistan on the day his soldier partner was killed, was posthumously honored with the Dickin Medal, Britain's highest award for bravery by animals. He worked alongside Royal Army Corps Lance Cpl. Liam Tasker searching for roadside bombs. Tasker was killed in a firefight with insurgents in March 2011, and Theo suffered a fatal seizure hours later. Tasker's mother, Jane Duffy, says the pair were inseparable. She's convinced Theo died of a broken heart.

Viewers of the popular PBS series "Downton Abbey" may recognize the estate as the former home of Lord Carnarvon, who died in Cairo on April 5, 1923. His terrier, whom he left at home, howled and died around the same time as his beloved master.

I would like to hear from readers with similar experiences. An earlier letter described how an old horse collapsed and died beside her companion horse who had just died in the field. Another letter described a grieving dog who convulsed and died soon after his human soul mate died in the hospital. For more details about animal grief and empathy, visit my website, DrFoxVet.com.

Since 1943, the Dickin Medal has recognized gallantry by animals serving with the military, police or rescue services. It is awarded by the animal charity the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals and named for its founder, Maria Dickin.

I would like to see a similar monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., honoring all the dogs, horses, mules, pigeons, dolphins and other animals who have been used in war. We should also honor the pigs, monkeys, apes and other species used to test various military weapons. We surely owe them no less.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.com.)