The Animal Doctor

DEAR DR. FOX: I have a general question about dogs.

When you or I go to see our doctor, the first thing done is to have your blood pressure taken. So, do dogs suffer from high blood pressure?

In all the times I have taken my dog to a vet, blood pressure is never mentioned nor taken in any way. I am just curious, and would like to see your response. -- L.J., Danbury, Connecticut

DEAR L.J.: I am glad that you asked because, especially with human medicine and the rising costs of general health care, one should be aware of which tests are necessary and which are frivolous or merely profit-driven. Taking cats’ and dogs’ blood pressures is a relatively recent addition to the general wellness examination. As with humans, taking animals’ blood pressure can give valuable information, especially for older animals, which could save their lives.

Both cats and dogs can have heart attacks and strokes with high blood pressure -- often associated with chronic kidney disease, for instance -- and both species respond well to the kinds of medicines used in human patients to help control blood pressure. Low-salt diets are important for all species with hypertension.

DEAR DR. FOX: Thank you for your recent article about vaccinations.

In 2016, my dog Reilly had a rabies shot; seven days later, he was hospitalized. 2019 comes along; I vaccinate him again, and he is in the hospital again. The doctor said it was not from the vaccination.

I was up for three nights. Reilly would not eat, and drank very little water. I took him to the vet and they gave him some liquid under the skin. That did not work, so instead of paying $1,600 for a one-night stay at an animal hospital, the vet said he could do it at his office overnight for half that.

It was 2 a.m. when I was reading your article, and it confirmed that I was not crazy. I wish you lived near here to help Reilly; you are so open-minded when it comes to the truth.

Thank you again and I hope Reilly makes it this time. -- P.F., Brick, New Jersey

DEAR P.F.: I am disgusted by the response of the veterinarian to your dog’s obvious adverse reaction to the anti-rabies vaccination. You should file a complaint with the state’s Veterinary Board of Examiners and the Better Business Bureau. This veterinarian should at least return all money you have paid out, and read the article posted on my website (drfoxonehealth.com) concerning the risks of vaccinations.

In principle, I am not opposed to vaccinations. But when animals (and humans) have adverse reactions, subsequent revaccination should be questioned. You should find a holistic veterinarian in your area: Go to ahvma.org to locate one who might be willing to provide you with a vaccination waiver indicating that your dog is at risk from the anti-rabies vaccination. A blood titer could be taken to add weight to this document, since your dog may not actually need to be revaccinated if the prior vaccination is providing adequate protection.

(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 DrFoxOneHealth.com.)

DEAR READERS: I wish Jane Fonda, and others who demonstrate and voice concerns about the existential threat of climate change, would link the climate crisis with the extinction crisis.

Rarely is concern for animals expressed. Yet the imminent extinction of indigenous peoples, other species and their ecosystems, by many of the same forces that are driving climate change, will be irreversible. In other words, by the time the climate crisis is ameliorated, especially by reducing carbon emissions from burning various fossil fuels, the extinction crisis will leave future generations with an impoverished and dysfunctional planet.

Planetary CPR (Conservation, Protection and Restoration) of animal and plant biodiversity is of no less, if not greater, importance, than slowing down and reducing climate change/global warming. It is good news that the extinction rebellion is spreading worldwide.

DEAR DR. FOX: I am writing in regard to one of your recent articles, in which you spoke about animals at petting zoos and state fairs. I wish these practices were completely abolished.

I once witnessed a cow giving birth at a fair, and was so upset that I walked away; when I could, I spoke to the vet I use for my dogs. He said the cow was not disturbed by being observed. I think he was wrong -- I believe it puts undue stress on any animal giving birth.

Many years ago, I attended a mini-concert by a fairly popular music group. This concert was at a flea market. I had no idea there would be an animal show there, but there were bears that were doing tricks. I was mortified at the condition of the bears. It was hot, and they were made to sit in the extreme heat. It looked as if they were drugged or suffering from the heat: They were drooling and very lethargic. I spoke to a manager, but was told some nonsense about how well the bears were treated. I did not file a formal complaint right away, but someone else did, and that horrible show was shut down.

As a society, we have to speak up about atrocities against animals. Thank you for your helpful information to all animal lovers. We need to know how to treat our animals, because it tells us who we are as a society. -- L.H., Lantana, Florida

DEAR L.H.: Some people do not feel it appropriate that I should use this Animal Doctor column as a “soapbox for animal rights.” But, save for the occasional letter to the editor in local newspapers or coverage of animal cruelty cases, there is little in the general media germane to protecting the animals in our communities and improving their well-being.

The testimony of one, as per your letter, can wake us all up to what others, desensitized, may not see. This is especially true when the traditional uses of animals in fairs, circuses and other forms of entertainment and exploitation -- from rodeo calf-roping, greyhound and horse racing domestically, to bullfights abroad -- are unexamined, culturally accepted norms.

I have always seen addressing such issues as part of my professional duty and responsibility as a veterinarian since, ultimately, the well-being of animals wild and domesticated is largely determined by our attitudes toward them. They are not commodities, but ensouled beings like us, whose inherent value and interests call for our respect and compassion.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have a 13-pound, 8-year-old Morkie who suffered an injury to her right leg. Our vet diagnosed a tear in her ACL.

The first week, she was given pain medication; after that, the vet wrapped the entire leg for two weeks. But after only five days, I requested to have the wrap removed because of her extreme discomfort. She had a severe yeast infection that responded well to medication, but our vet recommended surgery. I would like your opinion as to the positive or negative results of this type of surgery.

I would also appreciate any suggestion regarding her constant chewing and licking of her paws. Our vet diagnosed allergies, and our dog has been taking Apoquel for years, and this still continues. -- J.A., Boca Raton, Florida

DEAR J.A.: I have followed the veterinary literature here and in Europe with regard to the success rate of cruciate ligament repair in dogs and was involved, as a student, in some of the first surgical interventions to remedy this common condition in dogs.

In my opinion, surgery is of little benefit for older dogs under 25 pounds, provided they are kept in good physical condition and are not allowed to become overweight. Swimming is excellent physical therapy and, as per my book “The Healing Touch for Dogs,” regular in-home massage therapy can also be of benefit. Most important is to provide anti-inflammatory and joint-supporting supplements every day in the dog’s food. Provide a few drops of fish oil, 250 to 500 mg of turmeric, 250 mg of ginger and a good formulation of glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM. Consider the proprietary brands Cosequin or Dasuquin.

Florida is a challenging environment for dogs when it comes to allergies. Regular bathing and giving anti-flea medication can just worsen the problem. One must rule out food allergy/intolerance, and for a start, I would try your dog on my home-prepared dog food (available on my website, drfoxonehealth.com). And give the dog clean cotton sheets to lie on.

(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 DrFoxOneHealth.com.)

DEAR DR FOX: Thank you for discussing vaccinations for indoor cats in a recent column.

I never intentionally allow my cats outside, but two of them dashed out briefly in recent weeks, after which I found a flea on one. I don’t treat them all monthly for fleas, but I responded promptly with treatments for all.

Would you agree that flea treatments are also optional, depending on a pet’s environment? I’ve read of side effects of flea preventatives, as well.

I’m planning an outdoor enclosure for my cats with a pet door to allow them in and out at will. I am aware that there are chemicals available for treating kennels and surrounding lawn, which may be highly advisable.

Would my pets still be considered “indoor” cats? The enclosure would allow smaller animals to pass through, but not those of similar size to the cats, or larger. Are any outdoor animals hazardous to cats in such an enclosure? -- J.W., South Bend, Indiana

DEAR J.W.: I am glad you are going to put up a catio: an outdoor enclosure for your cats.

Many connect via a flap door to the house. Be sure the top is covered and at least partly provides shade and shelter. Sides should have at least a 3-foot fine wire netting or mesh around the bottom to keep small critters out. Put the catio on the sunny side of the house, on a cement base for easy cleaning.

If there are stray cats in your neighborhood, your cats could be at risk from heartworm disease, so discuss vaccination and other local outdoor-cat health risks with your vet. I would not use any long-acting systemic insecticides on your cats. A pinch of brewer’s yeast in their food daily, and good nutrition such as The Honest Kitchen freeze-dried cat foods, will help repel fleas.

Cat predators? I doubt a coyote or bear would try to break into a catio.

DEAR DR. FOX: One of our cats, Greg, has developed acne (by the looks of it) on his chin. It has gotten better over the last two weeks, and his hair loss/scabbing has decreased, but it is still an irritant for him. Any advice would be appreciated. -- J.F. Maple Grove, Minnesota

DEAR J.F.: Your diagnosis of feline acne is correct, judging by the photos you sent. This condition is quite common, and the first step is to cut the fur close to help keep the inflamed area dry between treatments. Applying aloe vera gel for five to 10 days, twice daily, or a hydrosol of diluted tea tree oil, can work wonders. Conventional treatment with corticosteroid and antibiotic cream is also effective.

Cats have scent glands and sebaceous glands around the chin and cheek areas, and lots of bacteria live naturally on the skin surface. What causes this condition may or may not be hormonal, or a dietary lack of some nutrients -- especially the essential fatty acids found in fish oil that are lacking in dry kibble. Some cats also develop chin lesions when plastic food and water bowls are replaced with ceramic.

THE KILLING OF EVERGREEN TREES A VERY UN-CHRISTMAS RITUAL

Millions of little evergreen trees will be killed this Christmas for the holiday/Holy Day celebrations, in imitation of a long-forgotten pagan ritual of dressing the symbolic Tree of Life in gratitude. It is time for all of us consumers to wake up and examine such cultural traditions and, in this instance, pledge to plant indigenous varieties of trees, ideally every spring. Communities should set aside land, including public grass-mowed parks and other public and corporate acres, for such plantings. This will do much to help arrest climate change and, hopefully, put an end to the wanton felling of trees for Christmas decoration. The holiday should be a time to revere and celebrate life rather than a time of thoughtless killing.

(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 DrFoxOneHealth.com.)