The Animal Doctor

DEAR DR. FOX: I made your cat food recipe and I cannot get my cats to even taste it. What can I do or add to it? -- M.S., Trenton, New Jersey

DEAR M.S.: As you have discovered, cats can be very finicky eaters. Do not do what some people do -- contending that a hungry cat will eventually eat, so they just keep putting out the new food until they do. Cats who go without food for 24-48 hours can become seriously ill. (In contrast, most dogs are more omnivorous, and will eat almost anything when hungry.)

The best way to get cats to accept a new food is to mix a very small amount in with their regular food and remove what they do not eat. Ideally, offer your cats three or four small, fresh meals daily. Once they consume all that is offered, add more of the new food and less of what they are used to eating.

This can be a challenge, however, when they are addicted to unhealthful dry kibble. Cats manifest what I call "food imprinting," a kind of food addiction about which pet food manufacturers have known for some time. They have researched and cat-tested dry kibble products to develop a taste and texture that cats will be drawn to. This essentially overrides cats' innate nutritional wisdom.

Addiction to these foods is a major contributing factor, because of the products' high content of plant protein and carbohydrates, to a host of cat health problems. (This is documented in the book "Not Fit for a Dog: The Truth About Manufactured Cat and Dog Food," which I co-authored with two other veterinarians.)

Regrettably, many cat owners let their cats feed when they want from dry kibble dispensers and never give them canned or rehydrated freeze-dried cat foods, which all kittens should be weaned to, rather than allowing them to become kibble addicts.

DOGS HELPING SOLDIERS, AND VICE VERSA

A new federal law directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to set up a five-year pilot program to cover the costs of training service dogs for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. At least five VA medical centers will work with accredited service dog organizations, and if the program is successful, it may be expanded to veterans with other mental health conditions. (Full story: Stars and Stripes, 8/25)

A veteran British Marine commando, Paul "Pen" Farthing, who ran an animal shelter in Kabul, Afghanistan, for 16 years, was able to bring 140 dogs and 60 cats in the cargo hold of a charity-funded chartered plane to the U.K. The government agreed to allow him to bring the animals, as well as the shelter's staff and their families. But at the last moment, the Taliban refused to allow any of his devoted staff and their families to board the plane. Events are still unfolding. (Full story: The Guardian, 8/25)

BANFIELD FOUNDATION: HOPE FOR COMPANION ANIMALS IN NEED?

From banfieldfoundation.org:

"During a year that brought a range of unanticipated challenges, we are overcome with gratitude for the work we were collectively able to do. In 2020, we helped more than 475,000 pets receive access to veterinary care, shelter and disaster relief, including more than $500,000 in COVID-19 relief. We also celebrated our five-year anniversary, marking an incredible milestone of 5 million pets helped since we first began in 2015.

"The Banfield Foundation and Idexx Foundation are collaborating with others to establish the first veterinary care facility and services on the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Reservation in South Dakota. This initiative is long overdue but is a promising start to reach these underserved Indigenous communities and their animals."

Dr Fox here: In 2007, Mars Petcare acquired Banfield, which is the largest general veterinary practice in the world. Some veterinarians -- including myself, at times! -- are critical of large franchised practices like Banfield and Blue Pearl, also owned by Mars Inc. But the ethical responsibility to provide low-cost, charity-subsidized basic veterinary services to all communities in need is enlightened corporate self-interest. It is also a public One Health mandate, in my opinion, because human health and well-being are dependent on domestic animal health and well-being.

I would like to hear from any nonprofit organization that has received financial support from the Banfield Foundation, and what the funds were for.

(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 just read an article about the lady who got overcharged for her sick dog's treatment. I had a similar thing happen to me this summer.

My dog was limping, and I thought he had hurt his foot, so we took him to Blue Pearl specialty hospital late that night. When we got there, they told us that my dog had a fractured bone in his neck! We were so upset to hear this, as he had seemed fine except for a sore foot.

I asked if they did any X-rays to determine that. They said no, but they wanted me to take him to another doctor to have a scan Monday morning. So I called and set up an appointment with this other doctor, who said they could do surgery on him -- the cost would be $2,000 for the scan and $6,000 to $7,000 for the surgery. I canceled that appointment, as I could see he did not have a fractured neck.

Blue Pearl had given me some pills ($374) to give my dog, but he would not take them. I took him home, crying my eyes out, and we put him in bed with us. Come morning, the dog jumps out of bed, never having taken any pills, and seemed to be in great shape, no problem. A few neighbors came by and I told my story, and they were shocked -- no one saw any problems with my dog. He is still doing just fine.

I feel like something should be done with this type of thing. What this vet is doing is not right -- just to make money off people who love their dogs. -- J.A., Bonita Springs, Florida

DEAR J.A.: What you document with your dog's misdiagnosis, proposed treatment and costs, and the inflated cost of the medication prescribed, is totally outrageous. It is also a blight on the veterinary profession. You should file a complaint with the state board of veterinary examiners and the Better Business Bureau for a start, with full details -- including the name of the attending veterinarian and anything that was provided to you in writing. But first, you should politely contact this veterinary clinic for a copy of your dog's records.

Clearly, this is a money-driven racket. It is tragic that your dog could have fallen victim to unwarranted surgical intervention and risk, for which you would have been out of pocket -- and for what?

Read on for another reader's experience with Blue Pearl.

DEAR DR. FOX: My wife and I have had to utilize Blue Pearl on a number of occasions when our cats became gravely ill. When you need after-hours emergency care for your pet, there are very few options available. I am concerned that Blue Pearl might be taking advantage of that fact.

Our cats were old and were suffering from chronic conditions when we made the decision to put them down. And, as these things often work out, our pets went into crisis in the middle of the night on a weekend. As expensive as the services were, we were fortunate they were not the $5,000 mentioned in your last column.

Thirty years ago, we had a dog who suddenly started throwing up blood and bleeding internally. At that time, there was a local emergency hospital that was owned and operated by a graduate of the Oklahoma State University vet school. They were very clear about our dog's poor prognosis in the beginning, and were upfront about what they could attempt, how much it would cost, and what the chances were it would be successful. The treatment wasn't inexpensive, but I felt they did the best that they could. It was clear that their concern was our pet, not the money.

Ironically, this emergency pet hospital was purchased by Blue Pearl shortly before we had the emergency with our cats. We are fortunate to have the resources to pay for our emergency pet care; at those moments, you would be willing to pay a substantial amount to get your pet well. My worry with these corporate-owned hospitals is that they are aware that pet owners just want their pet to be well, and they take advantage of that.

I believe there are many pet hospitals out there that do put the patient first. But I am concerned they're all going to be bought up by corporations that put the dollar first. -- J.H., Edmond, Oklahoma

DEAR J.H.: Thanks for sharing your experiences dealing with emergency veterinary care services with your animal companions. I am afraid your concerns about corporate entities putting profits first are valid, as this seems to be the way of the times. Profits rule over ethics! This is the essence of spiritual corruption.

It is a crisis indeed when animals in need of veterinary care are not examined or treated because their owners lack the financial resources to cover these inflated costs. But there are glimmers of hope in some communities, where charities and veterinarians are collaborating to bring essential veterinary services to all in need.

(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 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.)