The Animal Doctor

DEAR DR. FOX: One of my female cats, who is about 10 years old, began vomiting a few months ago. Because she vomited all the food she had eaten, I changed the food to a more natural wet food with fewer additives and no grains. When she vomits, it is usually one to three hours after eating her food, and it is undigested.

Because she continued to vomit frequently, I took her to the vet, who did a basic evaluation that included urinalysis. Nothing unusual showed up on the tests, and the vet diagnosed the problem as irritable bowel disease and prescribed Cerenia. The medication stopped the vomiting, but as soon as my cat was done with the prescription, the vomiting resumed. I took her back for a second appointment, and the vet drew blood to provide a better diagnosis for the vomiting. The vet was surprised when the blood panel results were completely normal. She recommended other tests -- requiring surgery -- that I refused to do, not only because of the cost, but also because of the risk and discomfort for my cat. The vet agreed to keep my cat on a maintenance dose of Cerenia to prevent the vomiting. So far, I have spent $800 for the two vet appointments, which included a rabies shot.

Two days ago, my cat threw up all her food, undigested, three hours after eating. This happened the night before her next dose of Cerenia. My cat has lost weight, and I worry about the possible side effects of her taking Cerenia long-term. I am trying to balance my financial situation with my cat's health, comfort and quality of life.

What would you recommend I do at this point to give my cat the best care and treatment? -- J.G., Kensington, Maryland

DEAR J.G.: Blood tests are not likely to pinpoint the cause, which could well be lymphatic cancer invading your cat's intestines. Costly and risky gut biopsies can help confirm what could be the provisional diagnosis of inflammatory disease.

I am shocked that the veterinarian gave your cat a rabies vaccination, since sick animals should never be vaccinated.

Test for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus. Try dietary changes. Prednisolone, chlorambucil and fenbendazole may help an occult giardia infestation. Supplements such as vitamin B12, D and E; probiotics; and glutamine or glucosamine may also be beneficial. Discuss this approach with your veterinarian. Be sure there is no carrageenan in the canned food she is eating. Also, try feeding her small meals four to five times a day.

DEAR DR. FOX: I rescued a dog from an animal shelter. He is a beagle mix, about 1 1/2 years old.

After having him for three days, he chewed part of his tail raw. I took him to the vet, and she tested for mites and fleas, but did not see any; I called the shelter where I got him, and they said he was allergic to grain and chicken. I changed his diet and that helped, but he still chews at his sides at times.

The real problem I am having is when I leave the house, he takes all the knickknacks I have on coffee tables and end tables, puts them on the couch and chews on them (he also chews DVDs).

He was in the shelter for more than six months. The vet suggested I put him in a crate while I'm gone, but I just cannot do that to him after he spent all that time in one. I do not have anything around for him to get into now.

Do you have any suggestions for this problem? -- D.A., Hyde Park, New York

DEAR D.A.: Good for you for adopting this poor dog. He was incarcerated for a long time, and this could have harmed him, both psychologically and physically. Many shelters need more volunteers to walk and socialize their dogs.

I am glad the dietary changes have helped. Try a few drops of fish oil and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil daily in your dog's food.

Your dog's destructive behavior when you are gone can mean boredom and separation anxiety. If your workplace is not too far away, you should try to get home for lunch breaks and take him out for a quick walk. Leave a TV or radio on, and get a rubber Kong toy from the pet store that you can stuff with cream cheese or peanut butter -- put it in the freezer and give it to him when you leave. Check my website (DrFoxVet.com) for more details about helping dogs with separation anxiety.

(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 a 10-month-old kitten who sits in the bathroom while I am in the shower. Before I get out, she usually paws on the shower glass and meows. When I get out, she acts like she hasn't seen me in a month. She wants to be held, meows like crazy and keeps rubbing her head on me and pawing at me.

I was wondering if you had any ideas why she behaves like this. I love it, but I am curious. -- S.E., Crofton, Maryland

DEAR S.E.: Many cats have a fascination with water, be it from a dripping faucet or a shower beating against the glass. They are fascinated by water droplets and will paw and pat their water bowls to create puddles on the floor to play with. When he was younger, one of our cats would race to watch the water in the toilet bowl when he heard the flushing sound. He is still occasionally curious when I am in the shower.

Your cat's intense greeting when you get out of the shower could be because she is concerned that you might get washed away. Most cats have an aversion to getting wet. Your cat could also have been stimulated by the odors of the shower products you use.

DEAR DR. FOX: I am writing in response to your column about the use of flea control chemicals on dogs. As a doctor of natural medicine, I, too, am aware of the toxic side effects of topical flea control products and no longer use them on my dogs.

After doing some research on the benefits of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids on skin health, I have been adding a half can of sardines packed in water to each dog's diet twice a week. Since then, I have encountered no more flea problems. The fish oil keeps their skin and coats healthy, and it appears to have the added benefit of repelling fleas.

I have also found that a few drops of tea tree oil diluted in water in a spray bottle is an excellent repellent when sprayed onto the dogs before a walk in the park or woods.

Nutrition is, of course, important. Although I do not make my own dog food, I have achieved the best overall results with a fish-based product, supplemented with fresh vegetables. -- D.M.P., Virginia Beach, Virginia

DEAR D.M.P.: Many readers will appreciate your affirmation of what I have long advocated. Unfortunately, some dogs and cats are allergic to fish, so I advise giving omega-3 fatty acids, derived from algae, in capsules available in most drug stores. Alternatively, organic butter from grass-fed cows will work. Some people also find a teaspoon of coconut oil in the animal's food improves the coat and may ward off fleas.

DOG FOOD RECALL

On Aug. 31, 2014, "Mars Petcare U.S. announced the extension of a previous voluntary recall of PEDIGREE Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food products due to the possible presence of metal fragments. The recall initially involved 15-pound bags of PEDIGREE Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food sold at Dollar General in Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee and Louisiana ...

"The recall is now is being expanded to 55-pound bags of PEDIGREE Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food products sold in Sam's Club in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

"Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-800-305-5206 or visit www.pedigree.com/update."

(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: We have an 11-year-old 62-pound female shepherd mix who is a sweet family pet.

She is drinking more water and beginning to have urinary incontinence issues at night. She is still peppy on walks and actually seems to have less stiffness in her joints -- without any pain meds or anti-inflammatories.

After an exam and blood work, the vet said it's probably Cushing's disease, since all tests for diabetes, infectious causes and kidney problems were normal -- her alkaline phosphatase and liver enzymes were up. The vet proposed a crazy day of diagnostic testing, giving Dexamethasone and testing blood every few hours.

I think the testing and treatment both sound too painful and stress-inducing, not to mention expensive. I think we will do nothing and enjoy and spoil her while we can. Do you have any insight into why this happened? -- A.F., Rockville, Maryland

DEAR A.F.: Cushing's disease (hyperactive adrenal glands) is all too common in dogs and does take time and expense to determine the right dose of medication to subdue adrenal activity. I know of no simple and effective herbal or other alternative medication, although some believe that vitamin C and melatonin may be beneficial.

This condition often develops in both male and female ferrets after they have been neutered, which causes a hormonal imbalance. The same may be true for neutered dogs; neutering after 1 to 1 1/2 years of age is less disruptive to the dogs' endocrine systems than neutering at an earlier age. This early neutering is an accepted practice in animal shelter adoptions because of overpopulation.

DEAR DR. FOX: I am writing to you after reading a recent column, where a cat owner stated that her 10-year-old cat's appetite had diminished. Yes, as you stated, a trip to the vet needed to be considered, as well as possible kidney disease.

However, I was surprised that you did not mention possible dental issues. Cats are notorious for hiding health issues, and teeth problems can be a real health concern. Also, just a visual inspection of the teeth often does not reveal the whole picture. Based on my own dental experience of having an abscess that did not show up on visual inspection, I suggested to the vet to have X-rays taken. My cat also had an abscess that had not shown up on visual inspection. He was eating regularly within a day.

A further testimony to having X-rays done happened in a conversation with a friend who told me that her friend had a cat who was not eating. The cat had every test possible, and a visual inspection of the teeth didn't detect any problems. The vet suggested the owner should have the cat euthanized, despite not knowing why it was not eating. I told my friend my story and how it helped my cat. She called her friend and the cat was taken to a different vet, X-rays were requested and sure enough, there was an abscess. Dental X-rays saved that cat's life.

So many cat owners never pay attention to the health of a cat's mouth, and I would like to see that addressed in your column. -- K.L.W., Mercerville, Virginia

DEAR K.L.W.: Your concern over dental abscesses in cats is, indeed, a red flag for cat owners and for veterinarians who may rely on visual inspection of the oral cavity of cats who have difficulty eating or who have stopped eating altogether. But I would be concerned if dental X-rays became yet another routine, add-on diagnostic procedure for cats who are off their food.

Careful observation of a cat's eating behavior and attempts to eat help in making a diagnosis and justification for dental X-rays, especially if a cat solicits being fed but then avoids the food or cannot chew but is still hungry -- this points to a possible dental abscess, periodontal disease or a fractured and painful tooth.

DEAR DR. FOX: My 40-year-old son has moved in to help care for my wife, who has Alzheimer's disease, and he brought his cat to live here, too. In two years, we fell in love with this little 14-year-old cat.

She recently started feeling ill, and our vet thought she might have a virus and prescribed a medicine for her. After a few weeks, she seemed well. Then, suddenly, she died.

My wife is incontinent and has bowel problems. My son feels that the cleaner he used on her urine and feces might have left a coating on the floors and the cat might have picked up some of that.

We would like to get another cat, but my son insists that cleaning up after my wife could kill it. Would you please offer some comments to help settle this issue? -- R.D.Z., Lakewood, New Jersey

DEAR R.D.Z.: I sympathize with your family caregiving situation, which must be demanding on many levels.

Considering the cat's age and moving into a new environment, such stress could have weakened her immune system, which would have then been impacted by the disinfectant that was used on the floor and other surfaces that the cat may have had contact with.

In the future, I would use a combination of 1 cup distilled white vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda. This is a potent anti-bacterial and anti-mold cleanser and is cat safe.

(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.)