DEAR READERS: The predicted extinction crisis is now being confirmed by scientists around the world. There are documented precipitous declines in the numbers and known species of insects, amphibians, reptiles, fish and birds in more “dead spots” around the world, while biodiversity hot spots, notably America’s national parks, are threatened by invasive species.

President Trump seeking to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement is a step back from what is needed at this time in our biological history. The establishment of a United Environmental Nations is called for: a collaborative organization that can resist being paralyzed by party politics; subverted by the corrupting forces of fear, greed, ignorance and denial; and not be divided by wars over natural resources or overwhelmed by the heartbreaking burden of political, economic and environmental refugees.

As a veterinarian and biologist, I see the current politicization of environmental and animal protection issues, and the denial of climate change, as protecting vested interests that have no place in a democracy -- or in any society concerned with the long-term health and quality of life for all. Socialism and capitalism make poor bedfellows, but the challenge of democracy is to live with both to help ensure the common good. Our capacity to become fully human is limited when respect for all life is lacking, and when compassion is just a noun and not a word of action and virtue.

INVASIVE SPECIES IN NATIONAL PARKS

Rats, feral hogs and other non-native animals are making themselves at home in America’s national parks, to the detriment of native wildlife and plants, according to research published in the journal Biological Invasions.

The report’s authors call for a coordinated, system-wide approach to managing invasive species; the approach would include visitors, park neighbors, National Park Service leaders and everyone in between. (CNN, Dec. 4)

DEAR DR. FOX: I know an elderly lady with a huge feral cat problem and, sadly, no way or means to control it.

I’ve just heard about a cat birth control product -- a powder to put in their food -- called FeralStat, which contains Nonovulin (megestrol acetate) and lactose. It is a synthetic progestin and approved by the FDA. Is it available through veterinarians? It appears the developer has passed away, and I have been unable to find any current information on the product.

I hope you can help locate availability of this, as it could end the overpopulation of cats that cannot be caught, and stop the disease, starvation and death of the poor creatures. -- M.A.W., Medford, Oregon

DEAR M.A.W.: I appreciate your concern. Indeed, there are countless numbers of people who put food out for cats which then, if not neutered, multiply -- creating a big problem for neighbors, wildlife and the cats and kittens themselves, who may be in need of veterinary care and are too fearful to be caught for treatment.

Such misguided altruism can go one step further into the psycho-pathology of animal hoarding when people lure cats into their homes, where they continue to multiply until local health authorities, police and animal protection agents intervene.

The product you describe, megestrol acetate, could be supplied by a veterinarian, but my concerns are many. First, getting the right oral dose for each female cat would call for separate feeding stations and careful monitoring. Another concern is that the cats are still out there, probably killing wildlife, even if they are well fed and the females are on this medicine and not reproducing. Cats are super-predators and can live for several years, their impact on local wildlife often being devastating.

For details on this hormone treatment, which I would only endorse as a last resort in low- to zero-wildlife areas -- such as some urban housing, warehouses and developing communities -- visit birthcontrolforcats.com.

At this very moment of writing to you, on the winter solstice, we have yet another stray cat on our deck: a very large and handsome black “panther,” who has set off alarm calls by the squirrels. He is taking a nap, eyeing our dog and rescued cat Fanny through the sliding glass door after consuming a lot of food we just put out for him.

Our next step with him, as with nearly a dozen other cats, will be to catch him and take him to the local veterinary hospital to be tested for feline immunodeficiency disease and feline viral leukemia. If he tests negative, he will be neutered, dewormed, checked for fleas and given anti-rabies vaccinations. Then we will put him in a large cage in our living area with a bed, litter box, food and water; with time, he will most likely become another very affectionate and adoptable in-home companion.

It is amazing how all of the cats we have rescued, and whom animal shelter “experts” would deem feral and unadoptable, can be “reprogrammed” to enjoy life indoors, with some being more amenable to being picked up than others. Not all are “cuddle-pusses,” but none have ever tried to get back outdoors to roam and hunt once they feel secure and are well fed under our roof!

(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: Dog breeds with pushed-in faces -- a deformity called brachycephaly, affecting pugs, bulldogs, Pekingese, boxers, Boston terriers and more -- suffer from many related health problems. This was confirmed in a study published in PLOS One entitled “Great expectations, inconvenient truths, and the paradoxes of the dog-owner relationship for owners of brachycephalic dogs.”

Disturbingly, the study finds that breeders and owners are generally in denial about the harmful consequences of deliberately breeding and purchasing such animals, or do not appreciate the seriousness of their breed’s conformational problems and necessary surgeries.

The most common diagnoses that respondents shared from veterinarians were allergies (27% of dogs), corneal ulcers (15%), skin-fold infections (15%) and brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS, 12%). In addition, 20% of dog owners reported that their dogs had undergone one or more conformation-related surgeries. The most frequently reported surgeries were nostril widening (8%) and eyelid surgery (8%). One-third of all pregnant dogs required medical or surgical intervention to give birth.

Even so, 71% said their dog was in “very good health” or “the best health possible,” and just 7% said their dog was less healthy than average for its breed. Nearly 40% of the dogs could be experiencing airway obstruction problems, but only 18% of owners thought their dog had a breathing issue.

“These contrasting and paradoxical results support the influence here of the ‘normalization’ phenomenon,” explain the researchers, “whereby owners of brachycephalic dogs may be consciously aware that the dog is struggling to breathe but not consciously accept that this is a specific problem, instead considering it a ‘normal,’ and therefore somehow acceptable, feature of the breed.”

Researchers added that it is “likely that many owners do not recognize sleep problems as a welfare issue, and may instead interpret signs of sleep-related airway impairment as benign ‘normal’ phenomena. For example, sleeping with a toy in their mouth or in a sitting position (strategies to avoid upper airway obstruction) may be considered as just cute quirks of their dog rather than indicators of true pathology.”

Another survey of health issues in bulldogs in the U.K. found that this breed was especially prone to ear, skin, eye and respiratory infections, as well as obesity and gastrointestinal problems. (“Disorders of Bulldogs under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2013,” PLOS One, 2019)

DEAR DR. FOX: I appreciate all your reasoning and advocacy on behalf of animals and the environment, but in my opinion, (the problem) all boils down to capitalism. It is part of our culture, if not our DNA, to make a profit out of anything we can, any which way. How do we change that? -- P.S., Vancouver, British Columbia

DEAR P.S.: I appreciate your response, and agree with you that capitalism -- the accumulation of material wealth -- when unbridled, as it is today, has caused more harm than good to people, animals and the environment. Animals are more than mere commodities, and nature more than a “resource” for our exclusive exploitation and plunder.

I offer a new term for this psychosocial pathology evident in our culture, along with a lack of conscience and empathy: namely, “pecunitarianism.”

According to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, the word “pecuniary” first appeared in English in the early 16th century and comes from the Latin word “pecunia,” which means “money.” Both this root and the Latin “peculium,” or “private property,” are related to the Latin noun for cattle, “pecus.” In early times, cattle were viewed as a trading commodity (as they still are, in some parts of the world), and property was often valued in terms of cattle. It is no coincidence that cattle, like chattel, are linked etymologically to capitalism.

I would describe pecunitarianism as the modus operandi of those who follow the path of Mammon with addictive zeal, making a profit regardless of the hidden costs -- what economists call the “externalities” -- be they social, environmental, moral or ethical.

This psychosocial pathology has helped bring on the climate and extinction crises, compounded by human over-population and conspicuous consumption. Christianity and other monotheistic traditions have been corrupted by anthropocentrism, and their gods are andromorphic: in the image of men.

All religions, at their core, embrace the Golden Rule of treating others as we would have them treat us, which must be extended to all sentient beings. But now, with the moral inversion of our times, it is the Rule of Gold that is our society’s foundation!

THE SUFFERIING OF DOGS OF WAR

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security recently stopped sending bomb-sniffing dogs to Jordan and Egypt. The State Department’s Office of the Inspector General recommended suspending the program until the two countries implement plans to ensure the health and well-being of working dogs from the U.S.

The OIG found evidence of negligence and improper care that led to the deaths of several counterterrorism dogs. (Associated Press, Dec. 20)

Thanks to the efforts of a network of animal welfare and rights advocates, this action has been taken by our government, which is evidence of the continuing need to have third-party civilian monitors of military-related activities and their hidden costs and consequences at home and abroad.

(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: Suzanne Arnold, director of Australians for Animals, sent me the following urgent message:

”It’s beyond terrifying watching the extent and intensity of fires engulfing Australia. Smoke-filled cities and regions, desperate firefighters struggling to contain fires that are creating their own lightning and thunderstorms.

“Australia is an ancient, dry continent. Climate change is wreaking havoc. Australia’s wildlife has taken the brunt of bushfires and drought. The country is a crematorium for millions of birds, mammals, marsupials, insects, bats and echidnas -- all lost. Burned to death or left to die in smoldering forests because there’s no plan to allow rescues when needed. In reality, the death toll is going to be yet another national crisis. Some scientists estimate almost 500 million animals have perished.

“The federal minister for the environment has admitted that 8,000 koalas were burned to death in one area of New South Wales. Bushfires and drought are predicted to continue for months, leaving the koala facing extinction. At a time when female koalas are carrying young on their backs, the fires have had a devastating impact on the next generation. Many females have abandoned their young, since without food, shelter and water, they can’t care for them. Koalas rely on moisture and nutrients from the leaves of eucalyptus. It’s now commonplace to see desperately thirsty koalas come to humans begging for a drink -- extraordinary behavior for a wild animal.

“Small wildlife shelters are desperate for funds for koalas and other wildlife. (Fuel) costs are high because of long trips to collect leaves for koalas, or trips to wildlife hospitals. Donations can be made at givenow.com.au/koalacrisis or at PayPal (send to koalacrisis@gmail.com). All funds raised go directly to small shelters with no overhead/administrative costs for high-paid executives.”

DEAR DR. FOX: I am not a particularly religious person, but this past Christmas, my husband and I really felt that our dog Rexy, who died at age 15 this past summer, had come back to us. One night, we thought we felt him jump on our bed. Several times, we thought we heard him going up or down our hardwood stairs, where his paws and claws always made a clatter.

He was always excited, and loved Christmas, unwrapping presents and relatives coming to visit. Did he come back to join us in the celebrations, we wonder? He was much loved. -- N.V., Palo Alto, California

DEAR N.V., I have posted very many personal accounts of companion animals “returning” after death to be with their loved ones, generally for a very short time -- perhaps some kind of spiritual closure helping overcome grief. For details, see my article entitled “Animal Spirits: Companion Animal Communications from Across the Grave” on my website, drfoxonehealth.com.

I always appreciate hearing from other readers with similar experiences, and will post responses in a future column.

ILLINOIS CITY BANS SALE OF PURPOSE-BRED CATS AND DOGS IN PET STORES

The city of Rock Island, Illinois, has banned the sale of dogs and cats within city limits in an effort to discourage unscrupulous breeding operations. Dogs and cats in the city’s pet stores must be in need of adoption from an animal shelter or rescue organization. (WQAD-TV, Moline, Illinois, Dec. 18)

This kind of initiative, long overdue, is beginning to spread across America as people wake up to the facts of dog and cat suffering in the hands of many commercial breeders, the pet over-population crisis and the ultimate fact that animals are not commodities, but sentient souls like us.

CDC TRACES INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAK TO PET STORE PUPPIES

Campylobacter jejuni infections that have sickened at least 30 people (four of whom have been hospitalized) in 13 states were traced to puppies at pet stores, including Petland, the CDC reported.

The CDC suggests thoroughly washing hands after handling puppies, or their food or waste, and ensuring animals get regular veterinary care. (CNN, Dec. 18)

Clearly, these poor pups came from one original source -- a puppy mill -- before going to these market outlets across the U.S.

(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.)