DEAR DR. FOX: I hope you can help me; I’m out of ideas and options for my 7-year-old giant Alaskan malamute.

In the past couple of years, he gets diarrhea off and on, plus a lot of gas, but he rarely vomits. He also has idiopathic seizures once or twice a year. The vet did every blood test you can think of. It’s all normal. They did tests on his stool sample: no parasites or protozoans. They put him on metronidazole and probiotics; it seems to do the trick, but in a couple of weeks, the problems start again. So then they do more probiotics, metronidazole and now Tylan powder.

He is on a chicken and rice diet with a little dry food (Nutro for large-breed senior dogs), but his bowel movements are still like cow patties and he has so much gas that he seems uncomfortable.

The vet wants to put him on Hill’s Prescription i/d food, but he seriously hates that kind. I want to start making him homemade food, but with his history of diarrhea and seizures, I’m not sure what he should eat and how much in a day.

I would really appreciate any guidance at this point. I just want him happy and healthy again. -- J.S., Fayette City, Pennsylvania

DEAR J.S.: Many dogs are suffering like yours, and tests can get costly and lead nowhere conclusively. Prescription diets are of little help, in many cases.

I suggest you transition your dog over a five- to seven-day period onto my home-prepared diet, available at drfoxvet.net. Get some good-quality probiotics from Whole Foods or your health store, and give a daily human dose before each meal. Give a tablespoon of chopped unsweetened canned pineapple in each meal as a source of digestive enzymes. Feed your dog three small meals a day and exercise before meals. Do this for four to six weeks and see how your dog fares.

Many dogs recover when put on a whole-food diet, rather than manufactured pet food. Keep me posted.

PREVIOUS READER FOLLOWS UP

DEAR DR. FOX: I wanted to let you know that after a month and a half, my dog Stig is like a puppy again. He is doing so much better. I am so happy and I can’t thank you enough.

Stig loves the food. He picked up a few pounds, but when I took him to the vet for his checkup, she was so impressed by the change in him that she wasn’t worried about the few pounds. She actually asked for your website because she said she has a lot of clients with the same issues, and is going to suggest to them your recipe and your website.

Stig is very active now. He plays, runs and even jumps when I throw his ball. He loves his walks, too. His hips are even improved. It’s amazing how the change in his food, in my opinion, saved his life.

So again, thank you so much. -- J.S. and Stig, Fayette City, Pennsylvania

DEAR J.S. AND STIG: Thanks. Letters like yours make my day; I receive many that confirm the benefits of good nutrition. I urge veterinarians to encourage dog and cat caregivers to make their own food for their animals, or to contract with a local provider of homemade food. My website also has a basic recipe for cats, with many felines reportedly enjoying a new lease on life when given such good nutrition.

On with the revolution! As Hippocrates, the founder of Western medicine, advised, “Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food.”

STATES CRACK DOWN ON OWNERS WHO LEAVE PETS EXPOSED TO EXTREME COLD

Pennsylvania is the ninth state to include weather-related criteria in animal cruelty laws, making it a felony to leave pets exposed to extreme weather, including cold temperatures, and mandating that the affected animal be forfeited to a shelter.

Laws in 22 states make it illegal to leave pets in hot cars, but not every state allows passers-by or law enforcement officials to break into a car to free a pet in danger.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 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 am having a problem with my dog. He’s a 2-year-old Lhasa Apso/poodle mix and is neutered.

He constantly licks our tile floor. The floor is kept very clean and has no food residue. I have talked to our vet about this and they don’t have a clue. -- L.E., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR L.E.: I find it quite incomprehensible that the veterinarian with whom you consulted could offer no treatment suggestions for your little dog. The behavior that you describe is an anxiety-driven obsessive-compulsive disorder that is actually quite common, especially in small breeds. But first, a thorough clinical examination is called for, to rule out a possible physical cause of discomfort such as an inflamed oral cavity or digestive tract.

I would seek a second opinion and a full wellness examination. One effective treatment is Prozac, but in some instances, a change in diet -- providing the dog an organic, whole-ingredient dog food free of chemical dyes and preservatives -- can prove remedial. Combine a more natural (or even home-prepared) diet with regular exercise, and avoid using chemical floor cleaners that could cause your dog other health problems. These may be your first steps before trying Prozac.

DEAR DR. FOX: I just read your column and have a response to your request regarding cat behaviors in and around the litter box.

I was fortunate to be blessed with the opportunity to spend a great deal of time with a great number of cats during the past 40-plus years. One of my oldest and dearest cats was with me for many years, and she was one of those cats that did not bury her business in the litter box. She always used the litter box, was a very intelligent, unique and clean cat, but did not ever bury her stuff.

So, being the “cat lady” and all, cats and their behavior have always been a topic of interest to me. I read, once upon a time, that certain cats think of themselves as the “top cat” and they feel superior to others. Thusly, some will not have a problem with the odor of their waste fouling the air: They’re announcing that they are THERE and they don’t care who knows about it. They have no desire to conceal their presence, is the reasoning behind their not burying their waste.

I read that many years ago, and have since spent many years with many cats in multiple-cat settings. I think that explanation may be right on target. That’s just my opinion; I hope it helps. -- K.S., Bayville, New Jersey

DEAR K.S.: It could well have been one of my earlier writings about cat behavior you read, where I expressed the opinion that secure and dominant cats may leave their feces uncovered, especially around the edges of their territories in the wild, as markers.

Your years of experience with indoor cats and their dominance-relationships confirms my theory. We have but one cat in our home now, and he sometimes seems to forget to bury his poop. In addition, he often races through the house after pooping, which we interpret as sweet relief! One of our dogs would do a wiggling dance very often after defecating outdoors, which we also interpreted as pleasurable relief!

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 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 wife and I are now in our mid-70s. We live comfortably in a beautiful home and neighborhood on the New Jersey shore.

Except for my time away in college and the Army, I’ve always had a dog. The last three lived over 16 years since puppyhood. Living close to the beach and having a good-sized backyard, the dogs got lots of healthy exercise, health care and love.

Our last dog, a wonderful mixed-breed Lab, died two years ago. We really miss having a dog like her with us.

Dilemma: We want another dog, but are concerned that because of our age, even though we’re in relatively good health, the dog may outlive us. We don’t want to leave the dog without a fine home. The last three dogs were adopted from rescue organizations. We would do the same again.

Any words of wisdom? -- S.C., Ocean Township, New Jersey

DEAR S.C.: You raise a valid question indeed, because many people at your age and missing a dog in their lives go out and adopt one that is young, energetic and often too much to handle -- in addition to possibly outliving them. I would look for a middle-aged dog, at least 5-6 years old, who is house- and leash-trained and easygoing.

Contact your local shelter. I hesitate going on the internet to find a suitable dog because there are scammers out there, and you should see the dog first, anyway, before considering adoption. The shelter should provide you with a full background history, why the dog was surrendered, a behavioral evaluation and possibly also past veterinary health records and a clean bill of health.

Most shelters have an experienced staffer to help with proper placement, fitting the temperament and age of the dog with the person/family/lifestyle where the dog may be going. They should also request an in-home follow-up visit after the adoption.

Let them know what kind of dog you are looking for, and they should call you when a suitable dog comes in, such as an older one whose owner has died or has moved to a no-pets retirement home. Old dogs generally adapt very well to new homes, destroying the myth that they get too set in their ways. But all dogs may show signs of separation anxiety until they feel they are in a forever-home and settle down in their new pack.

Keep me posted!

DEAR DR. FOX: Our 5-year-old female Shih Tzu was once house-trained, but a few months ago she began urinating in our dining room. Initially she was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, which was treated. She lets us know when she wants to play or eat, but not always when she wants to go out. X-rays show there are no bladder stones. Why has she stopped letting us know she needs to go out? What should we do? -- L.O., Neptune, New Jersey

DEAR L.O., You are fortunate that your dog is small, so the quantity of urine being voided is also small. It is important to know if she is simply involuntarily dripping urine because she is incontinent or if she is actually squatting and urinating. If the latter, encourage her to use a disposable pee-pad you place on the floor where she is most likely to urinate. If you suspect incontinence due to weak control of the bladder sphincter -- common in neutered female dogs -- consult with your veterinarian, who will prescribe medication. I am of the old school of hormone replacement medication (with diethylstilbestrol), with many dogs requiring only periodic medication twice daily.

It is also possible that there has been a recurrence of the cystitis. Reducing the grain content of her diet and giving her a 250 mg capsule of cranberry concentrate may help reduce bladder inflammation and make the urine more naturally acidic.

GREYHOUND DOG RACING IN FLORIDA

From Christine A. Dorchak, Esq., president and general counsel of greyhound advocacy group GREY2K USA Worldwide:

“Earlier this month, (Florida State) Senator Tom Lee filed a Constitutional amendment to phase out greyhound racing in Florida. This historic proposal is the first official attempt to end greyhound racing in the Sunshine State.

“It will gradually phase out dog racing over three years, and importantly, repeal the state mandate for greyhound racing. In order to pass, the amendment will first have to be approved by the Florida Constitution Revision Commission. If the CRC gives it a green light, the humane proposal will then appear on the 2018 statewide ballot.

“This is a common-sense proposal that will have broad support from the humane and business community.

“Greyhound racing is cruel and inhumane. According to state records, a racing dog dies every three days at a Florida dog track. Greyhounds endure lives of severe confinement, and are given dangerous drugs including anabolic steroids. Recent news stories have also revealed the use of cocaine in a likely attempt to fix races.

“If approved by voters, Senator Lee’s proposal will end this terrible treatment for good and send a message around the world that the state which first legalized dog racing has now seen the light.”

For more on this issue, visit grey2kusa.org.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 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.)