DEAR READERS: Many illnesses and behavioral problems in dogs, cats and other companion animals can be prevented, and others cured, by their caretakers adhering to five basic principles. These qualities combine to ensure animals’ health and overall well-being.

Companion animals need:

-- the right relationship

-- the right breeding/genetics

-- the right nutrition

-- the right environment, and

-- the right holistic veterinary care.

It is every animal lover's responsibility to recognize these as basic animal rights. Doing so will prevent and alleviate much animal suffering, as well as reduce many animal health and behavioral problems (and therefore the veterinary and other costs associated with them). It would also lead to a reduction in animal abandonment and euthanasia.

Regrettably, according to a 2023 global assessment of pet homelessness, 15% of pet owners are considering giving up their pet in the next 12 months. Reasons given include personal health challenges, housing restrictions and time pressures. Almost half of the people surveyed said they had lost a pet in the past. (For details, see stateofpethomelessness.com.)

The duty-of-care principles bring out the best qualities in people by enhancing the human-animal bond. Animals will enjoy a higher quality of life and a better relational/emotional experience. The guidelines also provide an ethical compass of responsibility and compassion to advance the moral and character development of children. In learning how to respect and care for other animals, children enhance their sense of self-worth and refine their ability to empathize with other sentient beings.

As St. Francis of Assisi told his followers, “Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission: to be of service to them wherever they require it.”

CROPPING DOGS’ EARS HAS MULTIPLE DRAWBACKS

The practice of cropping dogs’ ears is illegal in many places, and has the potential for negative outcomes even when it is legally performed. These include pain and stress for the dog, along with the possibility of postoperative complications. The American Veterinary Medical Association opposes ear cropping when performed solely for cosmetic purposes. (Full story: Dogster.com, July 11)

The American Kennel Club should stop allowing dogs with cropped ears to enter the show ring.

DEAR DR. FOX: We’ve always given milk to our cats with zero problems. I give milk to my 11-year-old cat in the morning with her food -- just a few teaspoons. She drinks it first, then eats the cat food.

But some people say this is not good for them. And online, I'm reading that most adult cats are lactose intolerant and milk will make them throw up or get diarrhea. I don't understand. -- D.L., Maryland Heights, Missouri

DEAR D.L.: Some cats are not lactose intolerant -- as yours is obviously not, given the lack of problems you have witnessed. There is sufficient genetic diversity in cats, and in their gut bacteria, that most cats can do well on most foods.

That said, there are exceptions. Dairy products are on the list of foods that can cause allergies or food intolerances in felines. If you gave your cat more than the small amount of milk she is accustomed to, for instance, she might well have loose stools.

If she is on an all-dry-kibble diet, I would advise you to continue giving her a little milk. Many cats have a poor thirst-hydration regulatory system, as they were originally a desert-adapted species. Cats eating only dry kibble can develop health problems like cystitis from not consuming sufficient fluids. That is why I advise a diet of primarily wet food for cats, with a little kibble as a snack.

What kind of milk do you give your cat -- skim? Fat-free? Be sure not to give a cat raw milk, which could come from a cow infected with the H5N1 influenza virus. This virus has been infecting wild and domesticated birds and mammals. It has sickened and even killed several cats on dairy farms, as well as indoor-outdoor cats who consumed infected birds and rodents.

(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: I received some information about the insecticide Bravecto from Merck Animal Health, the product’s manufacturer. Please see this excerpt from the “safety information” section:

“BRAVECTO (fluralaner) Chews for Dogs: The most commonly reported adverse reactions include vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, anorexia and pruritus. In some cases, adverse events have been reported following use in breeding females. ... Fluralaner is a member of the isoxazoline class. This class has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, ataxia and seizures. Seizures have been reported in dogs receiving isoxazoline-class drugs, even in dogs without a history of seizures. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders.”

The isoxazoline class of insecticides, which is widely used in companion animal medicine, creates risks that may outweigh the benefits under most conditions of use. In addition, consumers may not be aware that, in order to be poisoned by furalaner (the drug in Bravecto), fleas and ticks must penetrate the host’s skin to draw blood. In the process, the bugs may transmit disease or trigger an allergic reaction.

There are safer alternatives. For more, see my previous posts on the issue:

-- drfoxonehealth.com/post/companion-animal-risks-of-flea-and-tick-insecticides

-- drfoxonehealth.com/post/preventing-fleas-ticks-and-mosquitoes

ANOTHER WONDER OF THE SPIDER WORLD

Researchers have learned that some orb-weaving spiders, after catching a male firefly in their webs, will use the trapped male's bioluminescence to their advantage. The spiders bite and wrap a flashing male firefly using a different technique than they use on other prey. This method seems to change the repeating light sequence of the male firefly -- which can still flash after being bitten -- to one that resembles a female’s single pulse. The signal seems to tempt more males to their demise. (Full report: doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2024.07.011)

DEAR DR. FOX: My dog, Bear -- black Lab, 9 years old, 86 pounds -- doesn’t seem to have any energy. What are your suggestions for his diet? -- A.T., Naples, Florida

DEAR A.T.: Your dog belongs to a breed that is very prone to becoming overweight, which can cause not only low energy, but also health complications like arthritis and vertebral disk herniation. In fact, my neighbors have a black Lab and recently spent $10,000 on spinal surgery to address a herniated disk issue. That was followed by months of a special diet and gentle exercise with a supporting harness.

I would highly advise a full veterinary checkup for Bear because he could have a thyroid, heart or kidney issue. And considering his age, he could have a painful joint or back problem, leading him to not want to be very active. This would only add to weight gain and progressive muscular weakness.

Don’t have the veterinarian insist on some special prescription diet. As documented in the book “Not Fit for a Dog: The Truth About Cat and Dog Food,” which I co-authored, most of these prescription diets are both expensive and unpalatable.

I would transition Bear, over a two-week period, to three small daily meals of Earth Animal’s Wisdom dog food. This air-dried kibble contains humanely raised chicken or turkey. They also have a vegan kibble, which Bear might enjoy and might be worth trying. Weigh Bear at the onset of this diet change, and again every three to four weeks. I would also recommend researching Earth Animal’s Healthy Weight supplements, developed by veterinarians.

In addition, I would advise giving Bear a supplement of chondroitin, glucosamine and MSM, available in drug stores. Give him one "human dose" daily, plus a few drops of good quality fish oil, as from Nordic Naturals (or two capsules of their marine algae if you want to avoid fish, as many vegans do).

(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: Animal-cloning company ViaGen Pets reports that demand is strong for its pet cloning and cell preservation services. The company says it has cloned more than 1,000 dogs and cats since it was established in 2015, although most customers start by preserving cells in case they want their pets cloned later. Such genetic preservation costs $1,6000, plus $150 per year in storage fees. If the customer does decide to have a pet cloned, it costs $50,000. This company also clones horses, cattle and other animals.

There could be some value in preserving certain desirable genetic traits, and in saving species on the verge of extinction. However, I have frequently expressed my reservations about this cloning business, reminding those who contemplate having this done that an exact replica of their deceased pet will never be produced because of epigenetic influences.

A major ethical concern is that dog cloning has only about a 20% success rate. That means the process of collecting egg cells to create an embryo and implanting the cloned embryo into a surrogate dog must usually be done many times before a healthy puppy is born. (See more about this ethical discussion here: scienceworld.scholastic.com/issues/2018-19/090318/should-you-clone-your-dog.html.)

Also, captive, surrogate cat and dog mothers will be exploited, and some offspring are likely to be deformed and destroyed. Abnormalities reported in cloned puppies include large offspring syndrome, cleft palate, microphthalmia (small eyes), and over-development of muscles and tongues. (For details, see the study "Insights From One Thousand Cloned Dogs" by P. Olaf Olsson, et al., published in Scientific Reports, July 2022.)

I see cloning a beloved pet as misguided sentimentalism. All who are considering paying for this biotechnology would be better off adopting an animal from a shelter and/or donating money to an animal rescue organization in memory of their deceased pet.

DEAR DR. FOX: I adopted a shelter cat in March who was 1 year old. She had been a stray, maybe a hurricane survivor. Her initial vet checkup, provided by the Humane Society, showed she had Spirometra. She had no symptoms, and was given praziquantel injections for two consecutive days, then a follow-up treatment of oral praziquantel. She then tested negative.

However, she now has a larger abdomen. I mentioned it to the vet a month or so ago. He felt her belly, but was not concerned.

I am planning on taking her back to the vet for a follow-up exam. Do you have any idea what could cause a young cat to get an enlarged belly? -- S.J., Boca Raton, Florida

DEAR S.J.: Spirometra mansonoides is an uncommon parasite of cats, and occasionally of dogs. It is mostly found along the East Coast and Gulf Coast of North America, along with parts of South America. Other species occur in Asia, Australia and Europe.

Infections are acquired by ingestion of the parasites’ second intermediate host (amphibians, reptiles, birds). Praziquantel, given orally or by injection, is the standard treatment.

Cats can develop large bellies and what even feels like a hernia when they have put on weight, especially when fed only dry kibble. But there can be other reasons, so a veterinary checkup is advisable. Be sure to keep your cat indoors to avoid such parasitic and other infections.

(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.)