DEAR DR. FOX: I think many of your readers and attending veterinarians seeking to reduce their use of antibiotics and so-called special prescription diets could benefit from Microbiome Restorative Therapy and additional supportive treatments.

The microbiome and the lymphatics located there form a crucial part of the immune system. It is important for pet owners to know how to nurture and care for this system of gastrointestinal flora and other microbes. The microbiome communicates with the brain via the vagus nerve and therefore influences the rest of the body. We are identifying the gut as a "second brain" because of all the ways it can affect other organs. Gut bacteria can also trigger the release of cytokines -- small proteins that can either increase or reduce levels of inflammation, which directly affect the brain.

One can "reboot" the gut of an ill animal with the healthy, balanced microbiome of a vibrant animal donor. In 2012 at MASH Main Street Animal Services of Hopkinton, Massachusetts, we did the first fecal transplant for a very sick standard poodle. It turned the dog’s life around. Since then, we have continued to do what we call MicroBiome Restorative Therapy (MBRT) and have now performed over 20,000 treatments.

The key to this treatment's success is the quality of the donor animal. The donor animal itself -- as well as its previous generations -- should have been naturally birthed; should be protected from herbicides, pesticides, preservatives, indoor and outdoor chemicals; and should not have been treated with antibiotics or other drugs that can damage the flora that live in the gut. The microbiome is passed from mother to baby, and if past generations have been on antibiotics and other drugs, those lost microbes may never be passed to the next generation.

What conditions could MBRT help? Here are a few: gastrointestinal abnormalities, chronic diarrhea, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, irritable bowel, dysbiosis, kidney and liver inflammation, skin and food allergies, infections both viral and bacterial (such as parvovirus, some coronaviruses and MRSA), autoimmune disease, certain cancers and even behavioral issues.

The behavioral changes after the introduction of a microbiome from a happy, well-balanced dog can be shocking. Aggressive and anxious dogs given a balanced microbiome often become happier and less aggressive. When their microbiome is disrupted with heartworm and flea medications, pesticides, glyphosate, chlorine, fluoride and antibiotics, however, an acute reversal can happen and they can return to their difficult behaviors.

For more detailed information about this procedure, and to find veterinarians who perform it, your readers can visit microbiomerestorativetherapy.com. Note: I have also done MBRT on some cats, but I have a limited source of feline donors that meet my safety criteria. -- Margo Roman, DVM, CVA, COT, CPT; Hopkinton, Massachusetts

DEAR DR. ROMAN: I greatly appreciate your synopsis of your treatment protocol employing healthy microbiome restoration, which is also being more widely applied to humans. You are one of the pioneers in this field, echoing the ancient tradition of bolus-transfer in ailing calves and lambs of their mothers’ regurgitated cud, which provided them with healthy rumen microorganisms.

Rabbits naturally engage in refection: eating a fresh batch of feces to get more nutrients and possibly beneficial gut bacteria. Dogs engaging in coprophagia (eating their own stools or that of others, including deer, rabbits and humans) or in pica (eating soil and other materials), may be following a similar path, seeking gut microbiome restoration. But there are risks of ingesting harmful organisms, including parasites. Highly processed, heat-sterilized pet foods could be part of the problem of gut microbiome depletion and imbalance, and even make dogs more prone to bacterial infections from contaminated dog food.

I am glad to see that the American Animal Hospital Association's and American Association of Feline Practitioners' joint guidelines on antimicrobial stewardship -- the misuse of which has many harmful consequences, including dysbiosis with debilitating chronic diarrhea in dogs and cats -- include recommendations for diagnostic testing of antibiotic sensitivity; watchful waiting to see if patients can clear up themselves without antimicrobials; and use of alternatives to oral antimicrobials such as bathing, sprays or ointments.

However, this approach is challenging for some conditions, such as pneumonia, septicemia and bacterial cystitis. I think this is where basic MBRT treatments would be most appropriate, after judicious oral or intravenous antimicrobial treatments, to help repair animals' immune systems. This should be coupled with prescribed, biologically appropriate diets with minimally processed ingredients -- ideally organically certified.

I am concerned that some oral probiotic treatments are of limited value because the bacteria are destroyed by stomach acids. How do you prevent that in your treatment?

DR. ROMAN RESPONDS: We do double- and triple-walled capsules to get the fecal bacteria into the small intestines. Yes, acid will kill some, but some will survive and be an important part of the microflora of the stomach.

DR. FOX RESPONDS: Thank you. Readers, see below for information about a related product that may be of interest.

IN-HOME MICROBIOME TESTING KIT FOR DOGS

AnimalBiome has partnered with dog DNA-testing company Embark to create the Embark Gut Health Test, powered by AnimalBiome ($89, embarkvet.com). From the manufacturer: "This at-home test detects bacterial imbalances and provides actionable insights for personalized diet, supplement or lifestyle changes to improve your dog’s health."

(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: Bumblebees play, according to new research led by Queen Mary University of London and recently published in the journal Animal Behaviour. Per a summary on the university's website (qmul.ac.uk), "It is the first time that object play behaviour has been shown in an insect, adding to mounting evidence that bees may experience positive 'feelings.'"

Further summary from the university:

"Professor Lars Chittka, Professor of Sensory and Behavioural Ecology at Queen Mary University of London, head of the lab and author of the recent book 'The Mind of a Bee,' said: 'This research provides a strong indication that insect minds are far more sophisticated than we might imagine. There are lots of animals who play just for the purposes of enjoyment, but most examples come from young mammals and birds. We are producing ever-increasing amounts of evidence backing up the need to do all we can to protect insects that are a million miles from the mindless, unfeeling creatures they are traditionally believed to be.'"

In other apian news, researchers have found that the fuzz that covers bees' bodies helps them sense flowers' natural electric fields, allowing them to locate their favorite plants. Bees leave an electric trace on pollinated flowers, telling other bees the flower is "tapped out." A study found that fertilizers change that electric field and put bumblebees off from fertilizing. (Ellard R. Hunting et al, "Synthetic fertilizers alter floral biophysical cues and bumblebee foraging behavior," doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac230)

The whiskers (vibrissae) on many mammals and some birds, like the antennae on insects, may also be functional bioelectrical sensors. Many environmentalists are concerned about the documented harm from electropollution to bees and other creatures that play such vital roles in the world's ecosystems, especially as pollinators. For details, see my post at drfoxonehealth.com/post/electropollution-existential-threat-to-public-health-and-life-on-earth.

NEW COMMISSION FORMED TO MONITOR EMF ISSUES

The International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields (ICBE-EMF) launched on Oct. 18. The ICBE-EMF was commissioned by the advisers to the International EMF Scientist Appeal, a petition signed by more than 240 scientists who have published more than 2,000 papers on EMF, biology and health. It was organized under the umbrella of the Electromagnetic Safety Alliance, a U.S. nonprofit organization.

To read more about the commission, visit icbe-emf.org.

DEAR DR. FOX: My son's cat has been on hyperthyroid medicine and was recently put on meds for high blood pressure. He has had two bouts of constipation since starting the new medication. Is it possible that the blood pressure medicine is the cause? -- G.R., Jupiter, Florida

DEAR G.R.: Blood pressure medications do have various side effects, which veterinarians are careful to monitor. Calcium channel blockers, such as diltiazem (brand name Cardizem), relax the smooth muscles in blood vessels to lower blood pressure. But they also relax the muscles in the gut and may cause constipation.

The cat's condition should be reevaluated by the veterinarian, and I would advise not feeding him dry kibble as his main food. Rather, give him canned cat food plus a few drops of olive or flaxseed oil. Giving him a twice-daily abdominal massage, as per my book "The Healing Touch for Cats," may help alleviate this condition, along with encouraging the cat to play and be active.

Left unattended, chronic constipation in any animal can cause problems. One condition called megacolon is common in less-active cats and requires immediate veterinary attention. Retention of feces means increasing discomfort, nausea and compromised health due to absorption of fecal bacterial endotoxins.

(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 like dog shows, but I wonder why so many breeds have their whiskers snipped off before they go into the ring. Don't they need them? -- B.K., Washington, D.C.

DEAR B.K.: Dogs' whiskers serve many important functions. Veterinarian Leslie Gillette, DVM, wrote an excellent article for PetMD.com on the subject, a part of which I will share here:

"Dog whisker follicles contain clusters of tactile receptor cells (Merkel cells) that are essential for sending signals to the brain. If a whisker is touched by another object, or air currents move a whisker, that vibration transmits nerve impulses from a dog's whisker follicles to their brain. Whiskers can detect the size, shape and speed of nearby objects based on the movement of air currents.

"Whiskers in different areas give a dog specific information about their environment:

-- "Muzzle whiskers: Mystacial whiskers along the muzzle extend toward an approaching object to help determine the shape, proximity and texture of nearby surfaces as a dog moves their head back and forth. These whiskers help dogs detect food and water and measure distances.

-- "Eye whiskers: Superciliary/supraorbital whiskers detect potential threats to the eyes by responding to tactile stimuli or air currents. When the whiskers are moved, they send signals to a dog's brain that trigger the blink reflex to close their eyelids.

-- "Cheek whiskers: Genal whiskers help with peripheral perception of the environment, such as navigating through tight spaces and keeping a dog's head upright while swimming.

-- "Chin whiskers: Interramal whiskers grow from a mole under a dog's chin. These moles contain clusters of cells that provide sensory and tactile information to the brain. They are incredibly useful in detecting food, water and other objects that are out of the normal field of vision."

Dr. Fox here: I also theorize that some of these vibrissae may act like dowsing rods or bio-sensors, enabling animals to detect bioelectrical and geomagnetic fields so they can better navigate their territories.

There is no reason for show dogs to have their whiskers trimmed, and this practice may border on being an inhumane mutilation. As Dr. Gillette asserts:

"Removing whiskers by any means may cause significant stress to a dog. It affects their sensory function and can cause disorientation and a temporary disruption in normal activities like hunting, swimming and play. In some dogs, trimming whiskers may cause aggression as a stress response. From an animal welfare perspective, trimming or plucking whiskers is considered an amputation of a functional sensory organ rather than a cosmetic improvement, and it has been banned in several European countries."

The American Kennel Club might improve its reputation from being more than a registry for pedigree dogs by prohibiting whisker trimming in local and national dog shows.

DEALING WITH CANINE DEMENTIA

DEAR DR. FOX: During the last couple of months, our 12-year-old terrier mix's nighttime behavior has changed. After 7:30 or 8 p.m., he begins to pace, pant and keeps going to the door to be let out. We stopped letting him out until the last "out" of the night since it doesn't appear he has to relieve himself. He will sometimes settle down, only to get up and start all over again.

About twice a week, he gets up in the middle of the night and paces, pants and paws the bed. We let him out briefly, then he seems to settle down. A few times, he has woken us up three times in one night.

His weekday routine is: one 15-minute walk in the morning, outside in the backyard around 3 or 4 p.m., dinner around 4:30 p.m., a 40-minute walk around 5 p.m. and another 15-minute walk around 9:30 p.m. On the weekends, he spends more time in the backyard, but this doesn't seem to alter his night behavior.

Until recently, he has always been able to sleep at night for 10 hours without trouble. His last blood work was six months ago, and everything was normal.

About six months ago we switched him to Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula for seniors, which he eats with cooked chicken mixed in. He has never been interested in eating in the morning, though we have always left dry food for him in his bowl in case he gets hungry.

We have read about this behavior in dogs with dementia but are not sure if this is the issue. I have not seen an article about this on your site. What steps do you suggest? -- D.S., Ann Arbor, Michigan

DEAR D.S.: From what you describe, it seems quite apparent that your dog is showing clear signs of dementia. It is encouraging that his blood readings show he is in relatively good physical health. I have advised many owners whose dogs have begun to behave like yours to try giving 3 mg to 6 mg of melatonin 30 minutes before bedtime; this can help all get a good night's sleep. Melatonin is also an excellent antioxidant. I would add other antioxidants to your dog's daily diet, such as a teaspoon each of raw grated carrot and crushed blueberries plus a few drops of fish oil and 100 mg magnesium. The latter can benefit both the brain and heart.

Two supplements that also benefit people and have a calming effect are L-theanine (from green tea) and tryptophan (from turkey meat). So I would substitute turkey for the cooked chicken you give your dog, and also give him 50 mg to 100 mg of L-theanine and tryptophan daily with food.

If these measures do not result in significant improvements within 10 to 14 days, discuss with your veterinarian putting your dog on anti-anxiety medication. Begin with a low dose while continuing with the treatment I have suggested.

Also, giving your dog a slow, relaxing massage before bedtime, as per my book "The Healing Touch for Dogs," may prove beneficial. Human patients spending extended time in the hospital can develop a disorienting "hospitalization dementia," which daily massage therapy has been shown to significantly ameliorate.

(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.)