The Animal Doctor

DEAR READERS: This recent post from pet food safety advocate Susan Thixton is a wake-up call. From Thixton's website, truthaboutpetfood.com:

"The University of New Mexico has recently published a study (exposing) a wide-awake nightmare of pet food. The study, 'Using Pet Food as the Subject to Investigate the Effectiveness of Whole-Genome Sequencing in the Authentication of Highly Processed Complex Food,' was published Jan. 6 by the American Chemical Society. The research did not provide the brand names of the pet foods tested.

"The study abstract stated, 'Our test detected DNA of undeclared ingredients in all tested pet food samples, entailing improvements of regulation and quality control in American pet food industry.' One of those 'undeclared ingredients' discovered in the dog foods analyzed was dog: Dog DNA was found in two of the six pet foods tested. This is the third time in four years dog food has tested positive for dog DNA. (The first evidence of this horror was DNA analysis included in a lawsuit against Rachael Ray Nutrish dog food.)

"The DNA analysis of these six dog foods found that every single pet food included multiple ingredients not disclosed on the label. Federal and state pet food regulations require disclosure on the label of all ingredients included. If an ingredient is not disclosed/listed in the ingredient panel, the pet food would be (considered) mislabeled. All six of the pet foods tested were mislabeled."

DR. FOX HERE: This can be extremely problematic when veterinarians are seeking to diagnose possible food allergies or intolerances.

Check Thixton's website and learn which pet food companies use safe, human-grade ingredients in their products.

DEAR DR. FOX: The papillon I had for more than 11 years was attacked and killed by a pit bull. The dog was unleashed and unfenced, and no one was outside with it. It ran across the street toward me and my two dogs. I picked up my Yorkie, so he was unharmed, but the pit bull grabbed my papillon by the throat and was swinging her around. I was screaming and crying for help. The owner finally came out and got the dog, but didn't say anything to me.

Animal Control was called, and it turned out that this dog had a previous citation against it. My neighbors still see the pit bull outside all the time, and they say the dog scares them, even though he is now chained up.

This dog needs to be put down and the owner needs to be held accountable. My neighbor suggested starting a petition calling for the dog to be put down. What can I do? My dog should still be here. -- N.B., Minneapolis

DEAR N.B.: This is indeed a tragedy. Some dogs, irrespective of breed, are improperly socialized, neglected and/or abused early in life. Such dogs are sometimes amenable to behavior modification and appropriate psychotropic medication, if action is taken when the first signs of antisocial behavior and aggression are evidenced. Clearly the owner of this dog, who had already received one citation, should be taken to court and his dog held in quarantine until the issue is resolved.

Like the death sentence for homicide, euthanizing dogs who have become dangerous is ethically questionable. But, with the reality of limited treatment resources and even less prevention expertise, the alternative is incarceration for life. For most dogs and humans alike, would this not be unwarranted cruelty, as well as a costly burden on society?

Regrettably, veterinary expertise in the behavioral care of dogs is relatively limited. Even so, in my opinion, the care available is significantly more advanced, in many ways, than the dysfunctional and overburdened mental health care system available for many people.

Many veterinarians have no formal training in ethology/animal behavior. The following is from a 2015 letter from veterinarians with the American College of Veterinary Behavior: "Of the 30 veterinary schools on the mainland U.S., only 12 have a board-certified behaviorist on staff. Also, the same number of schools offer an introductory behavior course, although only a few have it as part of the required curriculum. Those numbers tell us that less than half of our veterinary schools offer training in behavior at all. Considering that behavior problems lead to euthanasia and relinquishment to shelters at staggering numbers, and can directly affect patient care in the hospital, veterinary students today are still left unprepared to prevent, diagnose and manage these cases in practice."

(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: Our beautiful grand-cat (our daughter's cat) developed a lump on her upper right hip. Our daughter pointed it out to the vet, who said to watch it. When the lump became larger, the vet referred her to a surgeon. A very large incision was made, and the surgery was extensive. The sarcoma had lengthy tendrils that had to be painstakingly removed.

The surgeon said it was feline injection-site sarcoma, a cancer at the site of frequent vaccinations. She was told that the adjuvant used in vaccines can cause cancer in cats. How distressing to think that our daughter was protecting her cat by having her vaccinated, only to find out that the vaccinations caused cancer!

How frequent is this, and why has it not been publicized more? -- N.B., Naples, Florida

DEAR N.B.: Injection-site sarcomas are, regrettably, not uncommon in cats as a result of the adjuvants in various vaccines. One veterinary expert has advocated vaccinating cats in their tails, which can be amputated if an injection-site sarcoma develops, thus removing the cancer. See this post on my website for details: drfoxonehealth.com/post/cat-tail-deemed-to-be-good-vaccination-spot.

There is no place for a cavalier attitude toward vaccinations: None are without risks, which should be weighed against the benefits. Many cats who never go outdoors are given annual "booster" vaccinations they do not need. Only the anti-rabies vaccination is mandated under the law, and in my opinion should be injected under the skin in cats' tails.

CATS DYING FROM AVIAN INFLUENZA

A cat in Nebraska that died after becoming lethargic and losing weight was infected with H5N1 avian influenza, according to the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Additionally, two cats living near domesticated chickens in Oregon that died in January tested positive for avian influenza, as did two other cats in Nebraska and one in Wyoming. The cases highlight the importance of keeping cats indoors and away from infected birds, veterinary pathologist Sarah Sillman wrote in a case report. (Full story: BNO News, April 9)

THE PLIGHT OF FACTORY FARMED ANIMALS

Extreme weather events cause much suffering and death for farmed animals, which is rarely reported by the media. Power failures and fires are not uncommon, according to the Animal Welfare Institute. (For more, see awionline.org/awi-quarterly/spring-2022/hundreds-thousands-animals-perished-barn-fires-last-year.)

Approximately 18,000 cows were killed in an explosion and fire at a Texas dairy farm in April, which was the largest single-event death of cattle in at least a decade. Officials must now figure out how to dispose of 18,000 carcasses. (For more, see usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/04/13/18-000-cows-killed-dairy-farm-fire-dimmitt-texas-what-know/11651207002.)

There is sufficient scientific documentation to support government initiatives to help livestock and poultry producers to phase out all such intensive methods of meat, poultry, dairy and egg production. But the powerful lobbies for these industries, and the allied drug companies, will oppose any changes in the direction of more humane and sustainable husbandry practices.

They argue that the "economies of scale" help ensure lower costs for consumers and more profits for producers. But these are surely offset by the hidden costs of animal suffering, contributions to climate change, environmental pollution from animal wastes, and public health risks from bacterial food poisoning and swine and avian influenza and other diseases of animal origin. These costs are spurring a consumer revolution and adoption of plant-based diets.

It is notable that hospital staff in several countries who were vegetarians working on the front lines during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic had greater resistance to this virus than their co-workers who were not vegetarians! My theory is that they had more diverse bacteria in their gut microbiomes which has also been confirmed in dogs fed vegan diets, conferring greater immunity.

CALLING FOR MORE RURAL VETERINARIANS

A bill under consideration in the Arkansas legislature would establish a fund to support the education of veterinary students, improving access to veterinary care in rural parts of the state. Scholarship recipients would have to start working in Arkansas within a year of finishing veterinary school, and they would be required to complete at least two years of work in the state. (Full story: KAIT-TV, Jonesboro, Arkansas, March 27)

(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 following 12 core duties of responsible animal care are essential veterinary bioethical stipulations, which can and should be adopted by all companion animal caregivers and veterinarians for the common good.

1. No "designer" dog or cat breeds that have hereditary anomalies that will impair their quality of life, or that are at predisposed risk for them, should be propagated, shown or sold.

2. No animals should be subjected to elective surgical mutilations such as declawing, ear-cropping and tail-docking.

3. Every purchased and adopted cat, dog, kitten and puppy should be immediately given a full wellness examination, preferably by a holistic veterinary practitioner.

4. Every companion animal should be microchipped or tattooed for identification.

5. All owners should be educated by veterinarians and adoption agencies to understand animals' behavioral communication, as well as how to provide proper care, exercise, play and socioenvironmental enrichment.

6. The health benefits of partial neutering for many breeds of dogs (preserving the ovaries and testicles) should be discussed with informed veterinarians.

7. The benefits of fully neutering cats, especially male cats, and not allowing them to roam free should be explained by informed veterinarians.

8. All dogs and cats, puppies and kittens should be provided with healthful diets, rather than those that contribute to a host of health problems like dysbiosis. These health issues then create a revenue stream for costly special prescription diets from manufacturers and prescribers.

9. All vaccinations should be based on an animal's risk exposure, which is limited for indoor cats and greater for dogs going to play groups and dog parks.

10. The use of parasiticides that can harm companion animals and cause environmental and in-home contamination should be limited in accord with seasonal risks and diagnosed presence of parasites.

11. All animals should be provided a humane death to end incurable suffering and where there are no resources to sustain their health and well-being.

12. All animals should be accorded legally binding rights aligned with the "Five Freedoms": freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition; freedom from discomfort and pain; freedom from injury and disease; freedom to express normal behavior; and freedom from fear and distress.

DEAR DR. FOX: I just read your article about a dog with Cushing's disease. I am a retired neurosurgeon, and back when I was working, I had a wonderful Australian blue heeler who had Cushing's disease.

I was also in the Navy, and I was activated for deployment around the same time my dog was diagnosed (mostly due to a ravenous appetite and weight gain). I was able to start her on mitotane before I left, but when I got back four months later, she had gained even more weight.

The vets had confirmed the diagnosis, so I took it upon myself to quadruple her dose. That worked almost immediately: She slimmed down within a couple of weeks, had much more energy and was a happy dog again. She was almost 13 when she died, having lived for about two years after the diagnosis.

I would not necessarily recommend quadrupling the dose for a dog unless the owners were pretty vigilant as to the dog's energy level. If the owners who wrote to you can be vigilant, I think mitotane would be a very good idea for their dog. -- T.C., via email

DEAR T.C.: I applaud your military service and your diligence with your beloved dog diagnosed with Cushing's disease. As a rule of thumb, most veterinarians insist on follow-up blood tests to determine the effectiveness of the dosage of mitotane, and I would not encourage dog owners without any medical or veterinary experience to increase the dosage of any medication on their own.

I am concerned about the prevalence of this endocrine disease, and there is increasing evidence that not neutering dogs can help prevent its occurrence. Many veterinarians are offering partial sterilization such as vasectomies and hysterectomies, leaving the ovaries and testicles intact. Another benefit for some dogs: Not entirely neutering large breeds such as Great Danes and wolfhounds has been shown to reduce their incidence of bone cancer.

A NOTE FOR CAT OWNERS

Veterinarian Julianne Miller speaks out about keeping cats safe: Outdoor-only and indoor-outdoor cats are more likely to suffer trauma, develop infectious diseases and fight with other cats than indoor-only cats, writes Miller in a newspaper Q&A. Bite wounds from these fights can become infected and progress into abscesses that must be lanced and drained. Cats can also transmit feline leukemia and immunodeficiency viruses when they bite other cats, Miller warns. (Full story: Arizona Daily Sun, April 10)

(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.)