The Animal Doctor

DEAR DR. FOX: I have two rescue cats, Emmy and Oscar, both about 6 years old. Every now and then, Oscar stands over his water bowl and hisses at it. He'll hiss for a bit, sometimes hold up his paw and eventually walk up to it and begin drinking.

The cats have water in a large bowl in the kitchen and also in a small glass upstairs in the bedroom, and they drink from both. I've seen Oscar hiss at the bowl and the glass on different days. It happens only occasionally, and with long spans in between, but I can never determine why he's doing it. I'm hoping it isn't a medical issue. Do you know what the reason could be? -- E.S., Herndon, Virginia

DEAR E.S.: Cats hiss when they are afraid. I doubt that Oscar is seeing his reflection in the water and reacting as though there is another cat!

The most likely explanation is that your cat has received static electricity shocks when his whiskers connect with the edge of the bowl or with the water. This is very likely with a metal bowl on a synthetic fiber carpet or mat. Try a rubber mat and ceramic water bowl if you aren't using those.

Another possibility is pain associated with drinking because of a broken or infected tooth or gums. Have this possibility evaluated at his next wellness checkup.

DEAR DR. FOX: Our sibling cats, now about 9 years old, have been with us since they were a few months old. They have been healthy since the beginning. Recently, our only son (who gave them lots of affection) left for college, and the cats' behavior has changed.

The female, Milkie, who normally was pretty quiet and reserved, has started to meow and cry loudly and often, for no apparent reason other than wanting attention. The male, Waffle, comes to our bedroom door first thing in the morning, and meows until we open the door. The thing is, Waffle's meow is very high pitched at times, sounding like a squeaky mouse instead of a cat. It's so weird-sounding! What could be the reason for this new squeak? -- R.B., Hopewell Junction, New York

DEAR R.B.: Your cats are grieving the loss of your son in their lives. This sometimes happens when one member of the family goes off to college. The most dramatic instance reported to me was of a cat who began excessive self-licking to the point of self-mutilation when the girl in the home went off to college; the cat recovered when the daughter came home during a mid-semester break.

If your son were to come home soon, this might help the cats understand that he was simply gone away but not gone forever.

This kind of separation can be stressful for human-attached felines, leading to cystitis, anorexia, fearfulness, anxiety and depression. So give them lots of attention, and if your son can't come home soon, have him mail a couple of T-shirts he's worn for a few days so they have the comfort of his familiar scent. This does seem to help animals suffering from separation, and I have advised the same practice to prison inmates who have contacted me, worried about how being apart from their cats and dogs could upset their animals.

PARENTS & PET OWNERS BEWARE: STUDY REVEALS SOURCES OF CANCER IN CHILDREN

"Residential Exposure to Pesticide During Childhood and Childhood Cancers: A Meta-Analysis," an analysis of childhood exposure to pesticides written by Dr. Mei Chen and associates and published in the online journal Pediatrics, is a wakeup call for both parents and those with dogs, cats and other animals in and around their homes who could also be at risk.

The scientists found that childhood exposure to indoor -- but not outdoor -- residential insecticides was associated with a significant increase in risk of childhood leukemia and childhood lymphomas. A significant increase in the risk of leukemia was also associated with herbicide exposure. Also observed was a positive, but not statistically significant, association between childhood home pesticide or herbicide exposure and childhood brain tumors. The authors urge, as I have done repeatedly in this column for pets' sake, that preventive measures should be considered to reduce children's exposure to pesticides at home.

BOOK REVIEW: "ANIMAL BEHAVIOR FOR SHELTER VETERINARIANS AND STAFF"

"Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff" is a collection of related topics edited by Emily Weiss, Heather Mohan-Gibbons and Stephen Zawistowski, the sum of which should inspire and guide improved treatment and well-being of dogs and cats placed in shelters -- and enhance their chances of being adopted.

The tacit acceptance of releasing shelter cats considered unadoptable to live outdoors permanently (trap-neuter-release and return-to-field) without any conditions or criteria is a serious omission in my opinion. (See my analysis of this practice at DrFoxVet.net.) Even so, this textbook will inspire and endow greater professional competence and understanding in all who do the challenging and often heartbreaking work of caring for animals in shelters, and help improve the well-being of surrendered, stray, lost and abandoned cats and dogs under their care. But TNR and RTF should not become a crutch for seeking to achieve the laudable goals of reducing the estimated 7 million dogs and cats passing through shelters every year, up to one-third of whom may be euthanized.

This book should be read and shared in every animal shelter and used for training and discussion purposes chapter by chapter.

(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.net.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I really think there is a need to get the word out about the prey drive in retired racing greyhounds.

Oh, yes, I am very familiar with the advertisements by the rescue groups that emphasize such qualities as "sweet," "mild-natured," "not aggressive" and "couch potato." Well, guess what! One such sweet, non-aggressive couch potato tried to kill my miniature poodle a few days ago!

I was walking Evette along a sidewalk that bordered a parking lot when I saw a greyhound leaning his head outside a window and barking. I am used to seeing dogs guarding their cars, so I calmly continued to lead Evette along the sidewalk, thinking all would be well as long as we stayed away from the car. I was about 30 feet away from the car when I heard the dog's owner yell. I turned and saw the greyhound hit the ground after diving his narrow body through the window. He charged at full greyhound speed toward Evette and me. There was no question that this dog was in violent predator mode, charging for the kill. I pulled Evette into my arms and managed to kick the greyhound away from both of us as he was making a leap for Evette. At that point, the owner caught up with him, grabbed the dog's leash and pulled the greyhound toward the car. I walked away with Evette in my arms. The last I saw of the dog, he was fighting ferociously to break free of the leash and get to Evette.

At home, I did some research that confirmed that my experience was not a unique one. I read an article in Greyhound Companions of New Mexico by Judy Kody Paulsen that shares an even more harrowing story of an attack on a 3-month-old puppy in Nashville, Tennessee, by two greyhounds acting together as a team. In her article "Dog Parks: Are They a Good Idea?" it is clear that Paulsen is a person who truly loves greyhounds and knows a lot about them, but she expressed concern that rescue groups frequently fail to educate retired racing greyhound adopters of the reality of their prey drive and the precautions that need to be taken to avoid harm to smaller animals -- and especially small children. She warns that the episodes of prey drive can be highly unpredictable and that a greyhound can be docile for a long period of time before an unexpected circumstance causes the prey drive to suddenly explode. Her advice is to muzzle a greyhound in situations where it is exposed to other animals and to keep it out of all situations where dogs are running loose, such as dog parks.

Unfortunately, it has been nine years since Paulsen's article was published. Her prudent advice is clearly not being heeded now. I hope you will renew the advice that retired racing greyhounds can be wonderful pets, but they have a powerful prey drive that once led them to chase a small object around a track. For the sake of the greyhounds as well as everyone else, that prey drive needs to be acknowledged and appropriately dealt with. -- C.P., Falls Church, Virginia

Dear C.P.: Your experience and additional documentation does raise a red flag of caution for these poor dogs, many of whom are exploited and treated like throw-away equipment by the racing industry.

They have been bred and trained to chase, and some may lack the ability to discriminate between a lure to chase on the track and a small, lurelike dog or other small creature, including a human infant in a park or other open space. I see this as a human-created problem and do not blame these fine dogs. Unfortunately, some people may deem this breed untrustworthy because of selective breeding and training as a "gaze" or "sight" hound. I would never advocate any breed-specific legislation as per the wave of bills banning ownership of pit bulls or any kind of dog that looks like a bull terrier. But some greyhounds coming off the track after a miserable life in a small cage or pen may well have cognitive and affective post-traumatic stress disorder and need to be handled by adopters with appropriate, responsible care and understanding.

DEAR DR. FOX: My almost 1-year-old golden retriever ate kibble and canned food for several months without much interest in his food, frequently leaving much of the kibble in his bowl.

I supplemented his food with probiotics and apple cider vinegar but did not feel he was getting the proper nutrition. About three weeks ago, I switched him to a raw food diet, using the highly rated frozen portioned patties available at the upscale dog store near me. He is doing great and loves the food. I do not want to prepare the food myself; I want to continue to use a commercially prepared, balanced food.

My question is this: In ranking dog food, would you say that a raw diet is better than a cooked diet, as you describe in your columns? I want to feed my dog the best possible food, but if you feel a cooked diet is better, I will switch. -- L.L., Oak Hill, Virginia

DEAR L.L.: I think of the many poor dogs and cats who have to eat the same dry kibble every day, which makes them feel sick and lose their appetites, or else they are so hungry for lack of essential nutrients that they actually overeat and become obese, diabetic and develop other health problems. While my holistic veterinary colleagues are advocating biologically appropriate, nutrient-complete, home-prepared or freeze-dried and frozen cat and dog foods, the mainstream pet food industry seems to be in a state of alarm over such competition. They are overdramatizing the risks of potentially harmful bacterial contamination of frozen products, which has resulted in several major market recalls of dry pet foods over recent years.

Handle all pet foods with care! The alternative is to prepare your own, and both my basic dog and cat food recipes can be put in a grinder and fed raw, or lightly cooked. Cooking does destroy some nutrients, but it also kills off potentially harmful bacteria. Some nutrients harmed by heat during cooking are added as supplements after cooking in my home-prepared dog and cat foods, which you can find at DrFoxVet.net.

(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.net.)

DEAR READERS: The 2015 State of Pet Health Report from Banfield Pet Hospital, "Making Pet Care Personal: A Guide to Improving Preventive Care for Pets," seeks to answer the question: What is the disconnect between how veterinarians position preventive care to pet owners and what pet owners truly believe? The report recommends expanding the definition of "preventive care." For most veterinarians in the survey, preventive care includes vaccines, neutering and parasite control, but pet owners are concerned about their animals' diets, exercise, basic care, play and emotional well-being.

"For many pet owners, interactions with their veterinarian are not meeting their expectations and are seen as transactional," says the report. "They're tied to specific services, like vaccines or parasite control." For advice on overall wellness of their animals, pet owners turn to groomers, boarders, breeders, day care providers and trainers and go online for information about behavior, health concerns, generics and nutrition.

This has been my concern and the reason for my appeal for a more holistic and integrated approach to companion animal health and well-being, as I expressed in my book "Healing Animals & the Vision of One Health." I've received many questions from animal caregivers over the past several decades, along with statements regarding their experiences at some veterinary hospitals, which support the findings and recommendations of this report. We must identify where advances in preventive health care can be made for the good of all involved. And, in my opinion, more pet owners should be prepared to pay for veterinary advice in an annual wellness examination for their animal companions.

DEAR DR. FOX: As much as I value most of your observations and opinions, I do not agree that people who want pets but cannot afford them should have them. If people know that they cannot afford marginally decent food or veterinarian care, they shouldn't expect someone else to pay for their pets or ignore a pet's likely health problems, all because they're lonely or like to have pets in their home.

People must provide routine veterinarian examinations and care -- and certainly emergency care, potentially due to the lack of care to date.

I work in the rescue arena and encounter people who say they can't afford to care for their pets, but these people are often unwilling to make changes to do so. Evidence includes dogs surrendered in matted condition by perfectly manicured and coiffed individuals.

No animal should suffer because someone selfishly put his or her desires above an animal's well-being. Unfortunately, the no-kill community turns its back on this concept, believing a home that cannot or will not provide care is better than euthanasia. Neither choice is good, but only one is right. -- M.G., Rockville, Maryland

DEAR M.G.: You raise a very significant issue with which reasonable people must agree. There are, indeed, those who will look for any handout, claiming insufficient funds, when it comes to caring for their companion animals and even their children.

There are genuine hardship cases, and those emergencies where a person is incapacitated or hospitalized, and temporary shelter or foster care for his or her animals is needed. It is a regrettable aspect of human nature that some people abuse and exploit charities and human and nonhuman welfare and support programs, and refuse to be responsible caregivers themselves. This is why many animal shelter adoption policies include in-home inspections where there are sufficient funds and trained staff.

(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.net.)