The Animal Doctor

DEAR DR. FOX: I just read your article on the possibility of chronic wasting disease (CWD) from deer being transmitted to humans. While it has not crossed that barrier yet, it goes far deeper than that.

CWD has been found in plants, such as farm crops, and is transmittable to animals that eat these plants. These crops get harvested and made into various breads, cereals, soybean products -- all sorts of things that get sent to market and then to us. So technically, CWD is in our food chain already, not just in venison.

There is no cure for CWD at this time. If it jumps that barrier, then what? -- M.S., Erie, Pennsylvania

DEAR M.S.: As I state in my post about CWD on my website, many experts contend that chronic wasting disease was initially spread from captive deer in Colorado, some of which were transported to other states. State wildlife management practices that foster large deer populations for hunters have exacerbated the spread of CWD, as has the elimination of wolves, which help control deer populations and disease. The white-tailed deer population, now estimated at some 30 million across the U.S., is also impacting forest regeneration.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we face another issue involving deer. A recent study of the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in white-tailed deer by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service discovered that 33% of 481 blood samples collected from January 2020 through March 2021 from deer populations in Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York tested positive for this coronavirus. In another study, samples taken early this year from eight white-tailed deer in Ohio contained SARS-CoV-2. How the deer became infected is not known, but it could have been from close contact with COVID-19-infected people on deer farms and in parks. Or possibly from leftover picnic items and human feces in public parks and campgrounds.

White-tailed deer can be infected by and transmit SARS-CoV-2 to other deer through nasal secretions and fecal matter, researchers reported in the Journal of Virology. Fawns in the small study did not develop clinical signs of illness, but the virus replicated and was shed, suggesting cervids are potential viral reservoirs. Since captive mink are highly susceptible to this virus and have been infected by caretakers -- and, in turn, have infected other workers -- there is also concern that infected deer could pass this virus to wild mink and other wildlife.

Deer farmers must therefore take precautions to stop infected staff from passing COVID-19 on to deer. Many zoos are now taking such precautions. Unlike the influenza virus and other primarily airborne infections, this rapidly mutating coronavirus is capable of infecting many different species that could become reservoirs for future pandemics in the human population.

As for CWD control, the white-tailed deer population needs to be significantly reduced in most states. Encouraging wolf numbers, by prohibiting trapping, snaring and shooting them, would be prudent. Livestock keepers practicing nonlethal methods of wolf deterrence, such as the use of guard dogs, should be compensated for any confirmed losses of livestock to wolves (and not to disease, exposure or neglect).

These are the kinds of One Health issues that state and federal animal and public health agencies are beginning to acknowledge, questioning commercial farming practices in the bargain.

DROUGHT AND DISEASE IN DEER

Bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease are spreading among deer in the Northwest as dry conditions encourage animals to congregate near small, muddy water sources where the insects that spread these diseases proliferate. The viruses do not affect people, but the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife advises deer hunters to avoid killing animals that appear ill. (Full story: Northwest News Network, Sept. 8)

These diseases are transmissible from deer to cattle and sheep. Ranchers would be better advised, in my opinion, to address the high deer population and various diseases putting their livestock at risk than continuing to advocate for the extermination of wolves and other predators.

(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 writing that strong, factual column about Blue Pearl's misdeeds. It was exactly on the mark when it comes to assisting pet owners to make the wisest choices for their pets.

I decided to write to the Florida attorney general (about the issue of emergency vet clinics taking advantage of customers, especially elders like the person who wrote to you). The AG's office responded within days, telling me to also write to the state's Department of Elder Affairs, its Department of Business and Professional Regulation and its Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services -- along with the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau, which I had already done.

I sent out letters to all of the above. The AG also said that your reader might want to consult an attorney -- obviously believing, as you have from the start, that your reader's problem should be addressed. -- L.C., Fort Myers, Florida

DEAR L.C.: Thanks for the update. This gives me faith that the power of the press has not been lost, and that responsible public action can keep fairness, honesty, integrity and justice alive and well in these dystopian times.

DEAR DR. FOX: I read the recent letter from a concerned friend regarding a $5,000 bill that an elderly woman accrued at Blue Pearl vet hospital. If I could find out more, I would call that hospital and help out by paying some of it. I can't pay it all, but I would help.

It really struck a nerve with me: I had a dear aunt who helped me pay for an MRI on a beloved pet once, when there was no way I could come up with the $5,000 it cost. -- S.D., Loxahatchee Groves, Florida

DEAR S.D.: Your generous offer is much appreciated, but at this moment in time, it is too late. But there will be more such instances in the future, along with fake appeals for donations to help pay for pet bills that have been fabricated. There is so much corruption and exploitation in these times that it is difficult to know who to trust.

In the "old days," one could usually trust one's veterinarian, and I am doing my best to help restore that in my column. A few bad apples in this profession rot the reputation of the lot.

DEAR DR. FOX: I share your outrage over the unscrupulous charges the poor woman received from Blue Pearl for the care of her dog. I did not know that Banfield Hospital is also owned by Mars Inc. My cat gets her care at our local Banfield. I hope the vets there are on the up-and-up.

My Ginger, an indoor-only cat, is on the top insurance plan that they offer ($40/month). I have been very satisfied. At her most recent checkup, the doctor did standard tests, plus several others I didn't know she needed. My cost was $0.

One more thing that should make you smile: Ginger and I both take amlodipine for our blood pressure. She gets the liquid in her wet food, and I take the pill. -- D.L., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR D.L.: Thanks for sharing your experience with veterinary services and pointing to the benefits, for those like you who can afford it, of comprehensive pet health insurance coverage. This enables veterinarians to do often-costly diagnostic tests and provide thorough wellness examinations, especially for older animals.

As you have discovered, many of us -- and our cats -- develop high blood pressure with age, and we both benefit from similar medications. Cats can have strokes, go blind, become partially paralyzed or even die when their hypertension is not regulated with proper diet and medication. But monitor your cat's kidney function, since this medication can have adverse consequences.

(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 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.)