The Animal Doctor

DEAR DR. FOX: Several years ago, my sister suffered a cat bite and the cat was never caught. As a precaution, she went to the hospital for rabies shots.

She has terrible plaque psoriasis. Strangely, the rabies shots completely cleared up her psoriasis -- but after several weeks, it came back. Do you have any explanation for this? -- C.M.C., Cumberland, Maryland

DEAR C.M.C.: It is my educated guess that cellular elements of your sister's immune system, which was over-reactive to her own skin and causing the autoimmune disease of plaque psoriasis, were temporarily "distracted" and redirected to respond to the rabies vaccine. This could open up a new approach to autoimmune diseases, rather than prescribing often-risky drugs to suppress the immune system. It may also have some resonance with homeopathy (treating like with like) and possibly acupuncture -- both therapeutic fields beyond my scope.

Our collective knowledge of immune system functions is still relatively rudimentary, as demonstrated by recent discoveries about how the gut microbiome and genetics influence immunity and susceptibility to autoimmune and degenerative diseases.

DEAR DR. FOX: Our pup, a 3- or 4-year-old rescued shepherd, developed a tumor the size of a small walnut near her left shoulder. Our vet aspirated it, said mast cells were present and suggested removal of the tumor. We did have it removed, and have also started a regimen of Benadryl.

Is there a pro-immune-system additive or supplement that you recommend? We feed her Blue Seal kibble and canned meat. -- T.D., Poughkeepsie, New York

DEAR T.D.: Sorry to hear that a dog so young as yours has developed cancer. Mast cell tumors seem to be on the rise, and I wonder what is going on to trigger this kind of multifactor disease in our animal companions.

Not so long ago, chatting with friends while walking our dogs, they had me feel a lump on their dog Gunnar's hip. Their vet had just diagnosed is as a fatty tumor and said not to worry. I palpated it and urged an immediate second opinion, fearing it was a mast cell tumor. A biopsy confirmed my suspicions.

When caught early, before it can spread to internal organs, dogs can recover from such tumors, but the surgical removal must be very thorough. Antihistamines can help subdue the histamine release from these tumors. I strongly advise diets that are low in carbohydrates and high in protein and fat for dogs with any cancer. Add a few drops of fish oil to their food daily, plus antioxidants like grated raw carrots and scalded blueberries (1 tablespoon of each per 40 pounds of body weight), mixed with cottage cheese for enhanced palatability. Also, try melatonin (3 mg per 40 pounds body weight) at bedtime and one daily (human) dose of a supplement with chelated magnesium, zinc, selenium, B complex and vitamins A, D and E. Do this for five to seven days, then stop for about three days, then repeat. Nordic Naturals cod liver oil (just a few drops) is also a good supplement for vitamins A and D and omega-3 fatty acids.

All these supplements are good for aging dogs and may help prevent cognitive decline -- same for us!

Your dog may develop more mast cell tumors and, after correct diagnosis, there is an alternative to surgery worth your veterinarian considering. A new treatment for mast cell tumors that are less than 8 cubic centimeters in size is to inject them with an extract from the seeds of the Australian blushwood tree. The company behind the treatment is Virbac; ask your veterinarian to look into it if this issue does recur.

DEAR DR. FOX: My dog is 12 years old, and she has been coughing for the past eight months. We took her to vet and they ran lots of tests, including radiographs, to see if it could be her heart. They said it wasn't kennel cough. They gave us cough tabs, which didn't help. We took her to another veterinarian and they told us the same thing -- that they don't know what it could be.

She has a lump in her neck area, which they looked at but said it wouldn't have anything to do with the cough. Could you please help? -- J.S., via email

DEAR J.S.: I am sorry to hear that your dog's condition has neither been diagnosed nor effectively treated. There are many reasons why old dogs cough, ranging from chronic heart failure with congestion in the lungs to lung cancer, bronchitis (either bacterial or parasitic), and even a foreign body such as an inhaled grass awn in the upper respiratory area.

I always request people writing to me to give their city of residence, which can help me in many ways: Some health issues are geographic, and some readers may be close to a state veterinary college to which I would refer cases like yours. See below for one such localized disease outbreak.

INFECTIOUS CANINE RESPIRATORY DISEASE WARNING

An infectious canine respiratory disease caused by mycoplasma bacteria appears to be spreading in places where dogs congregate. Veterinarian Angela Lusty says she and her colleagues in central and southeastern Michigan have seen a rising number of cases over the past two to three weeks. The disease is neither kennel cough nor COVID-19. It can progress to severe disease if untreated, but usually resolves quickly with veterinary care. (Full story: MLive.com, 9/29)

(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: One often-overlooked cause of tachycardia (rapid heart rate) in animals, as well as of other heart arrhythmias and high blood pressure, is wireless radiation in the environment -- or attached to an animal's body, like GPS trackers. This is because the voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) in cell membranes are affected by these human-made frequencies.

Medications such as amlodipine can reduce blood pressure in affected animals, but making the environment safe is the better option since long-term use of such drugs can impair kidney and liver function. The heart, brain and reproductive organs have the most VGCCs, so they are the most affected by non-ionizing radiation. Aside from heart issues, such radiation can deform sperm, harm DNA, cause inflammation, suppress the immune system, disrupt hormone production and cause sleep disturbances -- to name just a few of the problems.

Pet parents should make sure their animal's beds or resting areas aren't anywhere near routers (people shouldn't be, either). If people aren't willing to simply use ethernet cords to connect to the internet, they should at least turn routers off when not in use. Don't use or keep cellphones and tablets near animals (or children).

These radiation levels are not safe for anyone's health. On Aug. 13, the D.C. Court of Appeals ruled that the 30-year-old FCC guidelines on this issue were not based on "reasoned decision making" (Environmental Health Trust et al. vs. FCC). Obviously, when one-third of the population is being made sick from wireless radiation, the guidelines need to be changed! Please look on ehtrust.org for more information on the lawsuit, as well as on the adverse effects of radiation on people, animals and the environment. -- N. Van Dover, DVM

DEAR DR. VAN DOVER: Thank you for this warning; I hope readers will take your concerns to heart and address the risks of electronic devices in their homes. For more details, see the article on electropollution on my website (drfoxonehealth.com).

There is mounting scientific evidence that this problem is increasing as we get further into the "information age" of telecommunications and cybertechnology, with its electromagnetic fields, non-ionizing radiation and escalating energy demands. The electropollution generated globally may cause as much, if not more, harm to life on Earth than pesticides and other products of the "chemical age."

Some forms of electromagnetic field exposure can, however, be therapeutic. For instance, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy is being used by the Veterinary Emergency Response Team at the University of California, Davis, to treat wild and domestic animals with forest fire burns and injuries. The beneficial effects of some energy frequencies affirm the reality of electro-sensitivity.

BUMBLEBEE CRISIS

The American bumblebee (a species different from the honeybee) has declined by nearly 90% across the United States, according to the Center for Biological Diversity. It has disappeared entirely from eight states and is critically endangered in several others. Two species of bumblebees are already considered extinct.

DOG FOOD RECALL ALERT

Tuffy's Pet Foods recalled approximately 1,600 cases of Pure Vita Salmon Entree dog food in 12.5-ounce TetraPak cartons with best-by dates of June 29 and Sept. 1, 2023. The recalled product might contain too much vitamin D, which can cause vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst and urination, drooling, weight loss and renal dysfunction. (Full Story: KIRO-TV Seattle, 10/12)

(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 licensed massage therapist who has been doing massage therapy on humans for over 25 years. I am semi-retired now, but would love to use my massage skills on animals on a volunteer basis. I am not sure where and how to begin! I would be willing to study on my own so I can be prepared. -- M.S., Jupiter, Florida

DEAR M.S.: I think it would be wonderful for you to offer your skills to cats and dogs in animal shelters in particular, as well as in boarding facilities and for those living with elderly owners confined indoors. You might also take the dogs for a good walk!

You can adapt your skills to give beneficial massage therapy to cats and dogs following the instructions in my two books, "The Healing Touch for Cats" and "The Healing Touch for Dogs." Also, check out the two DVDs on my website (drfoxonehealth.com) that give a brief introduction to massage therapy for dogs and cats. I received training and certification in human massage therapy before I developed and applied veterinary massage therapy for companion animals.

DEAR DR. FOX: What are your thoughts on end-of-life decisions for dogs with advanced dementia? Our 16-year-old Shih Tzu is either sleepwalking or wandering with confusion through the house. She doesn't seem to be in any pain, but is taking Lasix for an enlarged heart. -- M.L., Bartlesville, Oklahoma

DEAR M.L.: Quality of life assessments can best be determined by those who live with the animal in concert with a caring veterinary consultant. But beware of the few who may seek to extend an animal's life just for the money. If in doubt, seek a second opinion.

Dementia in humans and other animals is a progressive, degenerative disease which cannot yet be reversed. But it may be prevented, and mental deterioration slowed to some degree, by regular exercise, games, exploring outdoors and good nutrition. Food should be high in free-radical-scavenging antioxidants. Melatonin is one excellent antioxidant, and I would give your dog 3 mg at bedtime and 1.5 mg around noon. Couple this with a twice-daily full body massage, as per my book "The Healing Touch for Dogs." Massage therapy has been shown to help prevent hospitalized patients from developing hospital psychosis/dementia, a dissociative and disoriented mental state.

If you see no signs of improvement within five to seven days, I would say it is time to say goodbye to this dear little soul.

DEAR DR. FOX: I want to thank you for an earlier column where you advised retired seniors to consider adopting an older dog. I did just that, taking in 8-year-old Max, an Australian heeler mix whose owner could not take him into assisted living.

Max rescued me from depression and thoughts of suicide since my wife had died, and we never had any children. Max is my devoted savior. I have someone to get up for every morning to care for -- and he cares for me, too, starting my days with a wild wagging tail and a happy face! He gives me a sense of purpose in living. -- G.L., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR G.L.: Thank you for sharing your story. Max gives you a reason to get up in the morning, and no doubt gets you outdoors for walks in addition to keeping you company in-home! For a fine collection of stories about how rescued animals have helped people, see Richard D. Rowland's book "A Glimpse Behind the Veil: Stories About the Human-Animal Connection" and the touching book "Mutual Rescue: How Adopting a Homeless Animal Can Save You, Too" by Carol Novello and Ginny Graves.

SMALL DOG BREEDS PRONE TO DENTAL PROBLEMS

Extra-small dog breeds -- those less than 14 pounds -- are up to five times more likely to develop periodontal disease than giant breeds weighing more than 55 pounds. Age, weight and history of preventive care are also risk factors, according to a study in The Veterinary Journal. The researchers say smaller dogs' proportionally larger teeth cause overcrowding, which allows more plaque and tartar to accumulate. And little dogs' alveolar bones are small in proportion to their teeth. (Full story: VetSurgeon, Oct. 6)

(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.)