DEAR DR. FOX: I found an essay of yours, "Animal Suffering and the God Question," concerning what kind of god could create a world where there is so much suffering. Heavy writing, but brilliantly put. I feel sorrow for animals every day, but I guess without one (sorrow) you wouldn't have the other (joy). You completely hit the nail on the head.

I ordered your book "The Boundless Circle," and can't wait to get it. -- D.B., Manteca, California

DEAR D.B.: I would add this statement to my essay: In the realm of sentience, the reality of nature and the nature of reality spans the polarities of sublime beauty and joy and horrendous suffering and fear. Between these antipodes, we have our being and choice between compassion and loving-kindness, predation and self-sacrifice, cruelty and indifference. The choices are ours regardless of whatever god we may believe created this world. We have the freedom to choose between good and evil, and to protect the greater good of all sentient beings, great and small.

I think you will enjoy my book "The Boundless Circle: Caring for Creatures and Creation" and also the more recent "Animals and Nature First." In addition, I urge those seeking insight to read the writings of poet Robinson Jeffers.

DEAR DR. FOX: What is your opinion about urban tilapia fish farming? -- L.H., Cleveland, Ohio

DEAR L.H.: Several years ago, I went to one of the first aquaculture industry shows and spoke with some companies selling antibiotic feed additives and other drugs. Upon questioning, they admitted that such products were needed because fish production meant crowding-stress and increased susceptibility to disease.

Tilapia fish production can be ecological, with recycling of fish wastewater and fish-meal fertilizer from the remains of processed fish for cultivating crops, either to feed fish or humans. The method in which they are killed should be as humane as possible, as by electrocution. All feed should be organically certified, and no production-enhancing or disease-preventing drugs should given to the fish. If these parameters are met, the fish can then be certified organic.

Regarding the small-scale/hobby production of tilapia, and also of poultry for meat and eggs, and rabbits for meat: I would question these practices. My concerns are on the grounds of the potential for inhumane treatment and killing, poor husbandry standards, public health risks and consumer safety.

PROTECT HORSES AGAINST WEST NILE VIRUS

Mosquitoes spread West Nile virus when they feed on a mammal after feeding on an infected bird, says veterinarian Sarah Hamer, director of the Texas A&M Schubot Center for Avian Health. Most infected animals don't show clinical signs, but the virus can cause encephalitis and meningitis in companion animals and people. While dogs and cats have a low risk of catching or transmitting West Nile virus, horses have a high risk for both and should be vaccinated, Dr. Hamer says. (Full story: Texas A&M University, Aug. 19)

HOPE FOR DOGS WITH MAST CELL CANCER

Stelfonta is a drug that was approved last year in the U.S. to treat nonmalignant cutaneous and subcutaneous mast cell tumors in dogs. When injected into tumors, the drug activates a protein that disintegrates tumor cells. It may be a viable alternative to surgery in some cases.

POISONING OF MANY DOGS BY MANUFACTURED DOG FOOD

Hundreds of dogs that have eaten dry food from Midwestern Pet Foods have been sickened or died, according to the FDA, which issued a warning letter to the company about violations at its manufacturing facilities. The products may be contaminated with high levels of aflatoxin, a byproduct of mold that can grow on corn and other grains. (Full story: USA Today, Aug. 18)

Why does this happen so often in the U.S. and abroad? The simple answer is that many ingredients used by most pet food manufacturers are condemned for human consumption. This must change. It is an outrage that companion animals are used to profitably recycle contaminated waste and byproducts from the human food and beverage industry.

(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: The European Parliament and the European Commission -- the European Union's legislative branch and executive branch, respectively -- voted this summer to take steps toward ending the cage and crate confinement of farm animals. The use of cages for hens, rabbits, pullets, quail, ducks and geese, among others, would be prohibited, as would sow stalls, farrowing crates and individual calf pens. Also banned would be the force-feeding of geese and ducks for foie gras. The potential phase-out date is 2027 (JAVMA News, Aug. 15).

This progress is thanks, in large part, to the popular "End the Cage Age" campaign. This is a major step for the farming community and for the market regulatory and oversight agencies. However, it's a small, long-overdue step for the animals who, for generations, have suffered extreme confinement stress and the thwarting of their natural behaviors and needs.

Overall, this represents a significant cultural advance for Western civilization, which often regards -- and treats -- such animals as mere commodities. The U.S. and other nations may be forced, for financial reasons, to follow suit if their farmed animal products are not accepted for import into Europe when these new humane standards are not met. But more likely, the U.S. will resist, as profits take precedence over compassion and ethics, and progress in animal welfare -- as well as human rights -- will linger in the dark ages.

DEAR DR. FOX: My two rescued Yorkies, 7 and 8 years old, are healthy overall. They are house pets and rarely like to walk. They go to the backyard and do their business and quickly return. Walking has been a pure calamity, pulling them along.

They have been on the prescription Revolution to prevent parasites. What are your thoughts on this drug, which is administered monthly on the back of their necks? Is there a natural substitute you would recommend? They are rarely around other dogs, and they are up to date with their vaccines. They see the vet annually, unless there is a problem.

Also: Yorkies are known for dental caries. What can I use to minimize this problem? -- H.L.M., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR H.L.M.: Repeated human exposure to selamectin (the drug in Revolution) from handling and petting dogs treated with this drug can pose potential health risks, especially to veterinarians, vet technologists, dog trainers/handlers and pet owners, according to research published in the journal Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods.

Rather than relying on this drug to prevent heartworms, ask your veterinarian for ivermectin, which is given orally. To control fleas, use the integrated steps in my post entitled "Preventing Fleas, Ticks and Mosquitoes" on my website (drfoxonehealth.com).

Regarding your concerns about the dogs' dental health, you should get your dogs used to having their teeth brushed and encourage them to chew on U.S.-manufactured, chemical-free rawhide chews. See my review "Dental Problems in Companion Animals," also posted on my website.

DEAR DR. FOX: I heard that there is an ingredient in Milk Bones that has been reported to cause tumors in dogs. If this is true, could you please tell me the name of that ingredient? -- D.B., Trenton, New Jersey

DEAR D.B.: The issue is with BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), found in many pet foods and treats as well as in our own foods. In the trace amounts used to stabilize fats in food, it is considered safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. There are no documented cases of cancer or other illness being caused by BHA in dogs and cats.

However, the National Toxicology Program classifies BHA as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen," and the European Union classifies it as an endocrine disruptor. (For more details, visit ewg.org/consumer-guides/ewgs-dirty-dozen-guide-food-additives.) One may argue that the small amounts in pet foods and treats, and in human foods, are not harmful. But I embrace the precautionary principle of risk minimization, especially considering the number of toxic chemicals we have put into the environment that contaminate our food and water.

As for dog treats, make your own, as per the "Dr. Fox's Good Dog" cookie recipe posted on my website, or buy dog treats that are preservative-free, freeze-dried or dehydrated, and made with nonirradiated poultry meat. Please, no jerky treats from China or smoked pig parts, which are often contaminated with bacteria.

(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: I am a tremendous fan of your column and support your truths regarding treatment of animals. I live in a development in Naples, Florida, on a one-third acre plot on one of five lakes that are joined together and ultimately go out to the bay. When I purchased my house in 2004, there were no restrictions on feeding wildlife, but the association revised the rules. The covenants now prohibit the feeding of wildlife.

In the past, I have occasionally given some wild bird seed and corn to some of the resident ducks, particularly if a female duck has ducklings, as they have been on the nest with little food for some time. As we are all required to have our lawns neatly mown and with no weeds, there is little for the ducks to feed on.

We have fewer and fewer ducks, as the association intended, as they claimed that the ducks were fouling up the lakes and leading to excessive algae. I find this ridiculous because the lakes are also retention ponds, and all the runoff of fertilizers, weedkillers, etc. -- plus all the runoff from the roads and nearby strip mall -- go into these lakes.

My question is whether you think the ducks' feces caused the algae in the lakes? The residents particularly loathe the Muscovy ducks as they are nonindigenous, but we have other varieties as well (although very few now). -- K.C., Naples, Florida

DEAR K.C.: You have my sympathy and support, living in this "perfect lawn" stipulating enclave. (For more on this topic, see my post "Lawns Be Gone" on drfoxonehealth.com.) Lawns are an ecological abomination, with their need to be watered constantly in most areas (and now with water shortages in many regions), along with the application of herbicides and chemical fertilizers. These harm not only aquatic life from the runoff into lakes and streams, but get into our drinking water, dust and rain -- harming us, our companion animals and children, especially those playing on treated lawns and parklands. The fertilizers are a major cause of algal blooms in lakes, aggravated by warming climate and water temperatures, some kinds being toxic to wildlife, dogs and other domestic animals, and also to people.

Your community should accept wildlife feeding and bird poop on private property, which should be reseeded with indigenous varieties of plants. At least have such plantings around the lakes to reduce lawn chemical runoff and give the waterbirds some natural habitat.

Good luck!

DEAR DR. FOX: Here in Cape Coral, Florida, we are celebrating the preservation and protection of our wildlife. Our Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife and CC Wildlife Trust have bought 44 lots, and counting, with gopher tortoises and burrowing owls along with other wildlife on them. We need more donations to buy lots. Please see CCfriendsofwildlife.org.

We need land donations ASAP because we are one of the fastest-growing towns in the U.S., and lot prices are spiraling out of control. We also put artificial starter burrows on people's lawns and even on vacant lots. We have a butterfly compound and are releasing butterflies in the wild, some of which are rare. We also provide gourds for purple martins and have fledged hundreds over the years. We fight the good fight to protect eagles, stop fertilizer pollution, fight for clean water and stop global warming.

I think your categorizing animals as a race is so neat. I even look at our wildlife in a different higher light. And to top that, you called the people who exploit our fauna for financial or political gain racists. What a unique way of thinking.

For the last 20 years, after I retired from teaching and the military, I have garnered 11 awards for my work in saving the environment for everyone. I took a page out of your book and added this to my sign-off: I speak for all the wild animals of all races and creeds. -- Carl Veaux, Cape Coral, Florida

DEAR C.V.: I have included your appeal for donations in this column because many readers are concerned about the staggering loss of wildlife and habitat due to human encroachment. Community efforts like yours are commendable and exemplify what true democracy means, including consideration of the rights and interests of indigenous species.

One correction: I do not use the term "racism" in reference to the mistreatment and indifference toward other animals, but rather, "speciesism."

(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.)