DEAR DR. FOX: What is your opinion about the role of dogs in transmitting Ebola? A dog who was living with an infected person in Spain was killed, but one in the United States was put in quarantine. Some fear dogs will be blamed for helping spread this disease in West African countries and subsequently poisoned and killed. -- S.A., La Belle, Florida

DEAR S.A.: This is a pertinent question, considering the hysteria over this virulent but not highly contagious disease. Reports that dogs have dug up and eaten Ebola victims' corpses -- they have eaten human waste and corpses for millennia -- may lead to hysterical persecution and mass killings of dogs, which could make the situation even worse. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association is calling for testing and quarantine and opposing automatic euthanasia of dogs who have been in contact with infected people.

Dogs serve a significant public hygiene service in many communities by consuming garbage, human waste and carrion, which reduces the potential spread of various diseases by flies and other animals. Through a process called "passage," infective organisms, such as viruses (like Ebola) and harmful bacteria, may lose their virulence when taken in by community dogs; any that survive passing through the dogs may be rendered harmless to humans once through the dog.

Humans may put themselves at risk dismembering and consuming infected dogs (a common practice in many parts of the world) and other animals such as bats, antelope, monkeys, chimpanzees and other wild animal sources of "bush meat." This is the primary source of Ebola infection in human consumers. It then can spread rapidly between humans via various body secretions. So rather than exterminating community dogs, public health authorities should take action to keep them healthy and outlaw the bush meat trade.

Some see Ebola as nature's revenge or divine retribution. But these kinds of public health crises will never end until we have the same compassionate concern for our own families and for the victims of the next plague we bring upon ourselves as we must have for the health and well-being of all animals and the natural environment under the banner of One Health, One Earth. (For details, see my recent book, "Healing Animals and the Vision of One Health.")

The relatively low transmissibility of the Ebola virus, at least to date, pales before the highly infective airborne influenza strains that affect millions of people annually, along with E. coli, salmonella and other bacterial foodborne illnesses, which come from the epidemic disease-creating centers of our cruel and inhumane pig, cattle and poultry factory farms. Thanks to the World Bank and other international agribusiness aid and development organizations, these concentrated animal feeding operations have proliferated globally. We need to consider the personal and public health, animal welfare and environmental/ecological wisdom of vegetarianism and humane sustainable agriculture coupled with addressing the most serious planetary plague -- human overpopulation.

DEAR DR. FOX: I got my first cat at the end of January. She was a rescue cat given to me by a friend who already had several.

When she was found, she was in good condition. My friend took her to a vet, who thought she was about 1 year old. She got her shots and was spayed. She is curious and funny, and I enjoy having her around except for a couple of things:

She doesn't seem to like being petted. I can pet her briefly under the chin and on her chest, which she especially seems to enjoy when I return home after being out. But then she tries to grab my hand with her paws and bite -- usually not hard enough to break the skin, but it is quite uncomfortable. If I stroke her back, she will almost immediately turn over and do the same thing.

She also, at times, will "stalk" my feet and grab my ankles, trying to hang on and bite them. I interpret this as playing, but I am not sure if that's correct and wonder whether she will grow out of these behaviors. She has a variety of toys that she will play with, but isn't distracted by them when she is doing these things. I have a spray bottle that I have used occasionally while telling her "no." By now, she knows if I show her the bottle she should stop these behaviors. Am I doing the right thing? Is there anything else I can do to stop these actions?

On a related issue, she usually likes being in the same room with me and frequently sleeps on the foot of my bed but never sits on my lap or next to me on the couch. I am wondering if she is ever likely to become more of a "lap cat," or if I should just get used to her habit of more distance. -- K.A., Sandy Springs, Maryland

DEAR K.A.: Since this is your first cat, you must learn to "be" a cat and understand her behavior and needs. You need to read up on cat behavior and psychology. I have books that can help; find them on DrFoxVet.com.

Your cat wants to play! Put down the spray bottle and get a 3- to 4-foot cane. To that, tie a string and a feather or fluffy lure for her to chase and "kill," especially in the early evening. This is the best interactive game for cats. Some like a laser spotlight to chase. After playing, brush her -- grooming will calm her down and reinforce the bond.

(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: My male cat's blood work came back with an elevated thyroid result. My vet says it's hyperthyroidism, and many of the typical symptoms are there. If a specialist confirms the diagnosis, what is your recommended treatment? Do you like the radioactive iodine procedure? What will be best for my cat long-term? I know he would not like getting medicine for it every day. -- S.N., Fort Myers, Florida

DEAR S.N.: Sorry about your cat; it really is an endocrine disease epidemic. Check my website for details -- DrFoxVet.com.

There is a new prescription diet available to help control this disease, which your veterinarian could try out and see if there is any improvement before resorting to radiation destruction of the cancerous and hyperactive gland. After radiation destruction, your cat will need thyroid replacement hormone medication on a regular basis.

As an alternative to radiation, you may want to opt for the transdermal daily medication of methimazole (Tapazole) applied to the cat's ear and absorbed through the skin. Discuss this alternative and the possibility of the new prescription-diet approach with your veterinarian. Your cat will need blood tests to adjust the dose of Tapazole, with special attention if his kidneys and heart are not functioning well and if he has high blood pressure -- two of the many other problems associated with this disease.

DEAR DR. FOX: Two days ago, my 50-pound Samoyed was playing with my border collie, and she moved in such a way that she yelped. Since then, she has been in obvious pain. We go for our walks, although much slower. Her left hip hurts her, and she lifts that paw and it shakes.

Would it be all right to give her a low-dose aspirin? -- M.G., Winston-Salem, North Carolina

DEAR M.G.: This could be a serious ligament tear involving the knee joint, the first signs of hip disease such as arthritis or dysplasia or simply a minor sprain that will heal quickly.

Whatever it might be, I would seek an immediate veterinary consultation. If you are financially compromised, give your dog one buffered aspirin with food once a day for three days -- and then stop. Allow the dog no exercise, including no running, playing or even jumping up or onto a sofa. If there are signs of the dog getting better, maintain the restricted activity for three to four weeks and cut back on food, especially if she is already overweight.

Massage the affected area, too, as per my book "The Healing Touch for Dogs." You can give her up to a half-teaspoon daily of good-quality fish oil, turmeric powder and ginger in her food, and a chondroitin and glucosamine supplement should also help. If she does not improve under this regimen, she really should see a veterinarian for a diagnosis and specific treatments.

(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 recently decided to try your food recipe for our 15-year-old female beagle mix, and I have seen positive results.

Back in June, she had her annual shots and checkup on a Monday, and on Friday night she tried to stand up and lost her balance. It seemed like her back legs were giving out on her. When she tried to walk, she went in circles. We took her to the vet the next morning, who diagnosed her with vestibular syndrome and prescribed prednisone for five days. She seemed to be somewhat better the next day, but far from 100 percent. She was able to get around OK, even venturing up and down two flights of stairs several times a day. But her head was constantly tilted to the left.

One day, I had this light bulb go off in my head about your homemade dog food recipe and decided to try it. I used ground deer meat from my freezer for the first few batches, along with whole-grain rice and shredded carrot. She has been eating this recipe for just over a month, and not only does she absolutely love this food, I have noticed an overall improvement in her well-being. She is able to hold her head up straight, and she's got her spunk back. I looked outside and saw her trotting along in the grass in the yard. She seems so much more alert and doesn't sleep as much as she used to. She always knows when it's mealtime and is the first to remind me when it's time to eat. -- K.J., O'Fallon, Missouri

DEAR K.J., Thanks for your information about the diet-related transformation in your dog.

The revolution in what dogs and cats are being fed is now well underway for more nutrition-conscious caregivers and veterinarians. Good nutrition is the best preventive medicine.

DEAR DR. FOX: I just read your column asking readers to let you know when pets have shown improvement through diet changes.

I have a 5-year-old great Pyrenees-Catahoula leopard mix. He is by far the best family dog I have ever had, but he has suffered with terrible, constant ear infections his whole life. Every day on his walk, he would start by lying down in the grass and rolling and rubbing his ears on the ground. We started him on Hill's Science Diet when we got him as a puppy and switched him to Ideal Balance chicken and brown rice formula as an adult dog. I had read that a grain-free diet might help with skin and ear issues. Our dog had no skin issues, but did shed tremendously, which we chalked up to him being part Pyrenees. I switched him to Hill's Ideal Balance grain-free chicken and potato, and by the time I had his feed down to a 75 percent old food and 25 percent new food, his ears were 100 percent better!

He has not had a recurrence, and it has been about a month. His ears are clean and healthy looking, and I haven't had to do anything to them. This is a first. Before, even when he didn't have an active infection, they never looked clean and healthy. Another big bonus is he is not shedding as much. I know he is currently building his winter coat, but compared to other years at the same time, I do notice less hair.

It is awesome to see his increased energy and playfulness. I'm confident this is due to him feeling so much more comfortable! I wish I had switched him long ago! -- J.K., Chesterfield, Missouri

DEAR J.K.: In my opinion, most of the common chronic illnesses in dogs and cats being treated by veterinarians could have been prevented by feeding a biologically appropriate diet with selected supplements and alternative proteins tailored to the individual's condition, response and breed.

This means that part of the diagnostic and treatment protocols followed by veterinarians should include consideration of food ingredients and their "nutrigenomics" -- how they can influence gene activity and trigger inflammations. But regrettably, according to many of the letters that I receive from readers, this is not done with any degree of consistency or thoroughness beyond prescribing a special and costly manufactured prescription diet, the limitations of which have been discussed in my book "Not Fit for a Dog: The Truth About Manufactured Dog & Cat Food."

DEAR DR. FOX: My 9-year-old cat, Mitzi, began to have recurring urinary tract infections. She is an outdoor cat who comes in to visit in the mornings. In winter, she sleeps crated indoors at night.

Mitzi would urinate in a particular place in my kitchen to let me know of her infection -- very bloody urine. The routine was meds for two weeks with improvement but continued infection followed by 30 more days of meds. Mitzi is not a drinker and was on dry food, a bad combination.

Since cooking for her with your recipe, she has not has a UTI in a year. Between the broth from cooking the chicken and water I add for warmth and consistency, she is well hydrated and even looks healthier. Mitzi loves her food. My sister started cooking for her UTI-prone cat with the same results. -- T.H., Carrsville, Virginia

DEAR T.H.: Many thanks for your affirmation of the benefits of good and biologically appropriate nutrition for cats.

Millions of cats have suffered over the years from the wrong diets sold by pet food companies and veterinarians who believed the manufacturers' claims of their products being "scientifically formulated, complete and balanced." But the pet health revolution is now in full swing, and I feel vindicated for my advocacy, which caused me problems in the past both financially and professionally.

(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.)