The Animal Doctor

DEAR DR. FOX: Over the years, we've had several cats. Since I usually took care of their needs, they were always more affectionate with me. They didn't snuggle with my husband very much, and that was OK with him. But the cat we have now is very different.

This cat started out as a stray. Our neighbor took him in and kept him in her garage. The neighbor had him checked by a vet, got all his necessary shots and gave him to us a few months ago.

He's basically an indoor cat (though he sometimes goes out on the porch for a little while), and he has the run of the house. Lately, he has become extremely affectionate toward my husband. He sits in the chair with my husband, wants to be petted and sometimes sleeps on top of his shoes. He even yowls if he's not getting attention. It might sound funny, but my husband's arms are quite hairy, and it seems like the cat is grooming him! He'll alternately lick himself and then my husband, to the point where we have to tell him to stop.

I've never seen this kind of cat behavior. Can you explain it? -- M.D., Scott Township, Pennsylvania

Dear M.D.: Cats are unpredictable and idiosyncratic in many ways. Pheromones can play a big role in their social behavior and emotional bonds.

It is quite possible that your husband's hirsute arms are a stimulus to the cat to engage in affectionate social grooming. But all things in moderation! Cats can become clingy, so try to remotivate and redirect the cat's attention by engaging in interactive play with a lure on a string or a laser light to chase. The cat may enjoy a regular brushing and massage as I describe in my book "The Healing Touch for Cats." But beware: Some cats become touch-aholics!

DEAR DR. FOX: We have a mixed-breed hound. We think he's part Rhodesian ridgeback. We have had him since he was 2 months old. He has never been abused or neglected. He is very loving and docile with us, but he is aggressive toward everyone else.

Whenever someone comes onto our property, he barks madly at them; he scares people who come inside with his vicious attitude. He is also aggressive with people on walks, though he has no problem with other dogs. He can no longer be boarded at a pet hotel because he was being very fear-aggressive with the staff.

He is 1 1/2, and we were wondering how we can control this aggressive behavior. Do you think it requires a professional trainer? If so, what kind of trainer do you recommend? What questions should we ask the trainer? -- M.H., Ellicott City, Maryland

DEAR M.H.: It is natural for young dogs to show some aggression toward strangers entering their home-territories when they are of a protective breed or temperament. It can be aggravated by how the handler or caregiver responds to the dog the first time such behavior is manifested. Tugging on the leash, hitting the dog or verbally scolding may simply arouse the dog's fear and anxiety level, leading to more intense defensive aggression the next time. This is where a professionally certified animal behavioral therapist can possibly help. Impulse control through behavior modification may be the solution.

Veterinarian Dr. W. Jean Dodds (author of "Canine Nutrigenomics") has identified acute thyroid dysfunction in many young-adult dogs showing aggressive behavior that is difficult to control. Your veterinarian should consider this possibility, and in the interim, have your dog wear a muzzle in situations where people may be at risk. This will make you more relaxed, and that would be good for the dog.

DOGS ABSORB HARMFUL HERBICIDES

Dr. Deborah W. Napp and associates published a report, "Detection of herbicides in the urine of pet dogs following home lawn chemical applications," in Science of the Total Environment. The researchers found, "Chemicals were detected in the urine of dogs in 14 of 25 households before lawn treatment, in 19 of 25 households after lawn treatment and in 4 of 8 untreated households. Chemicals were commonly detected in grass residues from treated lawns, and from untreated lawns suggesting chemical drift from nearby treated areas. Thus, dogs could be exposed to chemicals through contact with their own lawn (treated or contaminated through drift) or through contact with other grassy areas if they travel. The length of time to restrict a dog's access to treated lawns following treatment remains to be defined."

By my definition of common sense, I would say to avoid herbicides and transform ever more lawns (the green, chemical deserts of America) into natural habitats so that our springs will be less silent -- our drinking water and related health would be all the better for it!

(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: For some reason, my 14 1/2 year old cockapoo mix has decided to eat toilet paper. He had a kidney removed earlier this year due to a cyst and cancer, and now he has this behavior. He is eating prescription food with a lot of coaxing and is on blood pressure medicine since that time. Is there any connection between these two events? Could he be missing something in his diet? -- J.B., O'Fallon, Missouri

Dear J.B.: This behavior is called pica. Animals who are sick; feeling pain, especially abdominal; or are experiencing nausea will eat various materials, such as paper and leaves, possibly to alleviate the discomfort, and often to induce vomiting.

You should consult with your veterinarian on this and try an analgesic or anti-nausea medication. After considering these possibilities for his toilet paper craving, I would next consider his diet. He may need a higher level of good-quality protein and a phosphate binder to compensate for kidney dysfunction.

The basic diet for animals with cancer, which must be fine-tuned if there is a kidney problem, is high-quality protein, fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants and little to no starches.

DEAR DR. FOX: For large-breed dogs like my Rottweiler, is there a preferable age to have them spayed in terms of future health issues? My Rottie will soon be 6 months old. -- C.S., Washington, D.C.

DEAR C.S.: Because some cancers may be prevented by not spaying, some veterinarians are now removing only the dog's uterus and leaving the ovaries intact. This is a different surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia, and the optimal age is somewhat debatable -- before the first heat or a few weeks afterward to avoid excessive bleeding if the operation is done when the dog is just coming into heat.

Some dogs come into their first heat around 6 to 8 months of age, and for them it may be better to wait until after the second heat so that they are more mature in terms of skeletal, joint and external genitalia development. Micro-vulva and skin folds around the genital area leading to urine burns, inflammation and infection are associated with early spaying and dogs becoming obese. Urinary incontinence can also develop. More dog owners and veterinarians are opting not to spay their dogs, instead dealing with the minor twice-yearly blood spotting with sanitary pads designed for dogs, and appropriate behavioral control or confinement.

FROZEN RAW DOG FOOD RECALL

California-based OC Raw Dog has recalled 6.5-pound Doggie Dozen Patties, 4-pound Doggie Sliders and 3-pound Meaty Rox frozen raw pet food products with the lot number 1819 and use-by date of May 5, 2016, over concerns the food may contain salmonella. Visit ocrawdog.com/about-us/ocrdpr.html for more information.

HORSE FEED RECALL

Western Milling of Goshen, California, is recalling 50-pound bags of Western Blend horse feed with the lot number 5251, manufactured Sept. 8, 2015. Some horses have died. The recalled feed was distributed to stores in California and Arizona. All stores where the bags were sold have been notified. Of the 1,100 bags being recalled, all but 67 bags have already been reclaimed by the company.

This recall was initiated after Western Milling learned an ingredient in the feed in question may contain monensin, an ionophore. Ionophore poisoning can cause illness and death. Symptoms include poor appetite, refusal to eat, diarrhea, weakness, rapid heart rate, labored breathing, decreased exercise tolerance, depression, wobbly gait, colic, sweating, recumbency and sudden death.

Monensin is one of several ionophore drugs used extensively to control disease in cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and rabbits that pose an environmental risk to organisms in soil and water from drug-contaminated animal wastes.

(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 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.)