DEAR DR. FOX: I want to thank you for your help over the years with our German shepherd Markus' health problems, which eventually reached the point where we had to decide on euthanasia because he was suffering so much.

Many days after his departure, which we deeply mourned, we seem to have received a "sign" from him. We are skeptical about things like this, but we found pieces of fur on the carpet runner last Thursday morning where Markus used to rest before coming down the stairs. This area had been cleaned and stepped on, but the pieces of fur (obviously from an animal) had not been stepped on and were scattered around this area. They are really noticeable to the naked eye and are displayed in a certain design, like a dog's paw. The whole runner has been covered with newspapers for the last two to three weeks. Newspapers were removed after Markus' departure, and there was no sign of these pieces of fur at that time.

I thought I would share this experience with you and hear your comments. This is beyond our comprehension. -- M.S., Washington, D.C.

DEAR M.S.: I was so saddened to hear from you about the necessary humane decision to euthanize Markus.

I detail many instances of apparent afterlife communications or manifestations by people's beloved animals in my books "Dog Body, Dog Mind" and "Cat Body, Cat Mind." Also, updated accounts are posted on my website, DrFoxVet.net, under the title "The Empathosphere."

I would like to hear from other readers who have had comparable "visitations," which can be in various modalities, such as seeing the animal's form, hearing the paws on the floor or the jangle of tags on the collar, feeling the familiar touch of the animal and finding the animal's fur around the house. While grief and trace memories of aspects of the living animal's physical presence may trigger brief sensory hallucinations, there is evidence, as when two or more people in the home experience the same physical presence or sensation at the same moment, that there is indeed more to life and death than we ever dreamed of.

I like the metaphysical statement that the spirit is not in the body, the body is in the spirit.

STOP MUTILATING DOGS!

"Tail Docking and Ear Cropping Dogs: Public Awareness and Perceptions," a research study published in Public Library of Science online by Katelyn E. Mills and colleagues at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, found that "modified (tail docked and ear cropped) dogs were perceived as being more aggressive, more dominant, less playful and less attractive than natural dogs." They also presented the first evidence that owners of modified dogs are perceived as being more aggressive, more narcissistic, less playful, less talkative and less warm compared to owners of natural dogs.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has encouraged "the elimination of ear cropping and tail docking from breed standards" since 2008. It is only the breeders and dog show clubs and their "official standards" for those breeds -- like the boxer, Doberman pinscher and miniature schnauzer -- that stand in the way of ending such mutilations in the United States. Such practices are outlawed in Australia and several European countries.

Perhaps one way to bring about change for dogs' sake is for all dog lovers, animal rights activists and protectors to boycott the big pet food companies that seek to profit from supporting dog shows until all responsible parties come together and change breed standards for the better: No ear cropping or tail docking from a specified date; all dogs after that date should not be accepted into the ring if their tails and ears are not intact.

(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 a 4-year-old male tabby cat named Beau. He is loving and friendly to everyone. About a year ago, he surprised me by sneaking up and biting me on the back of my leg. Since then, it has become a weekly event.

I find myself walking backward so I can keep an eye on him. After he bites me, he gets in a crouch position and has a vicious look on his face. The bites are serious -- they bleed and look infected. I have a strong antibiotic that I use on them.

Beau lets me pick him up, he naps on my lap and he purrs. When I have guests, he will come and sit with us. Yesterday, I fell asleep and woke to him charging up the couch and biting my arm. I have tried walking around with a water bottle ready to squirt, but that isn't always handy.

I was thinking of having his teeth removed. Everyone scoffs at this idea until they see my scars. It was so bad one time that I took pictures of the wounds. I truly believe if a vet saw them, he would agree to the dental surgery.

There is no pattern to the attacks, and he doesn't do it when he is hungry or after I have rubbed his belly (which he loves). It is always when I am walking freely throughout the house.

I love this guy, but I am so very frustrated. Can you give me insights as to why and what to do? -- M.O., Naples, Florida

DEAR M.O.: You have a problem cat indeed. This is common in many one-cat homes, which could have been prevented by having another cat so they can play-fight together.

You need to change your relationship in regards to your fear and the cat's uninhibited biting.

Removing the teeth is not the best solution, nor is removing the claws of those who scratch. Cats can learn not to bite hard or scratch.

What you need to do is to get some cat toys and to play with your cat, especially early in the evening when cats are most active. Have Beau chase a laser pointer and a fluffy or feathery lure on the end of a string tied to a cane. Play with him as long as he is receptive, then groom him with a long-handled brush. Also set up a cat condo so he can get up and look down on you and feel secure. Making his environment more stimulating and redirecting his play-fighting behavior with suitable interactive games are steps worth taking before all else.

DEAR DR. FOX: I acquired a two-year old Afghan hound from a breeder who deemed him not to be of show quality and did not want him to breed. He said that neutering would spoil his coat, and instead gave him a vasectomy. This worked very well; he remained a gorgeous dog and was much admired.

Every three weeks I took him to the breeder for grooming, and one day my dog came home very unhappy. He moaned and cried, and he wouldn't eat his food. I couldn't imagine what was wrong. After a week of this, I called the breeder to ask if anything had gone amiss on his visit. He laughed and explained: A female had been sent to him to be bred, and she was present while my dog was there for grooming. He had fallen in love (!) and was pining for her. The breeder said that the mating had been unsuccessful and, compassionately, said, "Bring him back." I did so, and my lucky, infertile dog was able to spend a happy weekend with his lady love before she was sent home. He came back smiling. -- G.J., Silver Spring, Maryland

DEAR G.J.: Your experiences with your vasectomized dog will enlighten and amuse many readers of my column.

There is a reconsideration of routinely neutering male and female dogs because, especially in some breeds, there are significant health benefits of them retaining their ovaries and testicles and related natural hormone levels, according to health surveys by veterinarian Dr. Benjamin Hart and associates at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Removing these glands can disrupt the regulatory functions of other endocrine glands.

Dogs do "fall in love," and I have seen this in dogs who have been neutered and are members of the same sex; my Indian pariah dog Batman screamed with joy when he met with the canine love of his life, a neutered male sheltie, in our local park. They would engage in sex-play, much to the consternation of his owner, who called my dog a pervert!

Some years ago, I read about male dogs in Denmark or Sweden spending time at kennels where there were female dogs in heat, but who were surgically altered so they would not get pregnant (hysterectomy), and the dogs could satisfy their sex drives. But America, with its puppy play groups and doggy day care centers, may not be quite ready for such indulgent canine prostitution.

(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: My cat Boris has a serious hairball problem. He is a compulsive washer, but his fur is short and really shouldn't contribute to this problem. I comb him every other day or so, and collect a bit of fur, not much. I can't comb the belly, for obvious reasons. I bought hairball medications at PetSmart, which he dutifully eats, but that doesn't seem to help. -- E.J., Trenton, New Jersey

DEAR E.J.: Fur balls can be a serious health issue in some cats, filling up part of the stomach or blocking the intestines.

Cats normally swallow some fur in the process of grooming themselves. Excessive grooming and excessive shedding can be associated with stress/anxiety, hyperactive thyroid disease or lack of omega-3 fish oil in the diet -- especially with most dry kibble cat food. Pet store remedies rarely work, nor do special diets in most instances -- readers who have found success with such products need to let me know!

I advise adding a few drops of olive oil and mashed green, butter or lima beans to your cat's food, the combination of which will help the smooth passage of fur balls in the stools, or facilitate regurgitation.

A full abdominal palpation by a veterinarian may reveal a stomach filled with one or more trichobezoars (tight wads of swallowed fur), which can be confirmed radiologically. Too large to be voided either way, surgical removal under general anesthetic is the only solution.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have a 2-year-old male yellow tabby. In February, he became very ill, and we took him to the vet -- his kidneys were shutting down, and he had an infection.

The first thing the vet asked me was what kind of houseplants we had -- we have none. The vet thinks our cat might have ingested something from the trash, possibly something that was poisonous. The vet prescribed antibiotics and a liquid vitamin. Four days later, we took him back to the vet, and he was dehydrated and had a fever. They put him on an IV and kept him for the night. In this time, he had dropped at least a pound, was lethargic and was not eating. Now he will eat canned chicken, drink water and urinate OK, but he is still very lethargic and super thin; he does not groom himself.

He used to play and kept his coat clean. Now he sleeps most of the day. My dogs used to play with him, and they don't even go near him now. We did try all-natural yogurt, and he seemed to feel a little better, but there is obviously something still wrong. -- S.D., St. Louis

DEAR S.D.: Your cat is awfully young to develop renal (kidney) failure, the acute nature of which your veterinarian was right in thinking a poisonous plant, such as any member of the lily family, could have caused. But the fever suggests possible infection.

It is imperative that your cat keeps well hydrated. Make salt-free boiled chicken juice to encourage drinking, even using a dropper in the cat's mouth if he will accept it. I would break open some probiotic capsules and add a couple to this liquid. Many cats will eat Gerber baby food (the meaty and fishy kind), and a teaspoon or two of canned sardines will provide protein and beneficial oils. Your veterinarian may consider prescribing cyproheptadine to stimulate appetite. Regular gentle body massage will help stimulate circulation.

Your veterinarian should take a blood sample to evaluate kidney function. Chronic kidney disease may be evident and require special treatment and monitoring. Avoid high-fish-content cat foods containing tuna, because the levels of mercury contamination could possibly harm your cat's damaged kidneys.

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER HARMS DOGS

A recent Food and Drug Administration warning emphasized the danger posed to dogs by the artificial sweetener xylitol. The sweetener is found in many products, but the agency warned pet owners to check the label of nut butters in particular, which many owners use to coat pills or as treats for dogs.

Xylitol is also found in some ice creams, sugar-free gelatin products, yogurts, puddings, toothpaste, lip balm and gum, among other products. Dog owners with a suddenly sick dog who suspect ingestion of xylitol should take the product packaging and dog to a veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital immediately.

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT BANS WILD ANIMALS IN TRAVELING CIRCUSES

The government of Scotland is taking a significant step for animals, backed by a statement from the British Veterinary Association and its Scottish branch: "As the leading representative body for veterinarians, we have long campaigned on this issue. The welfare needs of non-domesticated, wild animals cannot be met within a traveling circus in terms of housing not being able to express normal behavior."

(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.)