The Animal Doctor

DEAR DR. FOX: I am a conservative supporter of Donald Trump, and I also appreciate your very thoughtful articles. I’m sure you have a great following, which means you have influence over what people think, especially if they respect you as much as I do. Thank you in advance for considering my comments below.

I would like to ask you to look more closely at why Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Accords and the World Health Organization. There are some very legitimate concerns. Personally, my greatest concern is the agreement that WHO wanted every country to sign, which would give them the power to shut down our country if they decide it’s necessary.

Perhaps you are OK with that, but I am not, and neither is anyone I know (including Democrats). -- D.M., Bonita Springs, Florida

DEAR D.M.: I do not like to discuss political issues in this column, but when they threaten environmental stability, wildlife protections and public health, I feel compelled to speak out. We need a United Environmental Nations organization to protect and restore the planet -- not nationalism, isolationism and competition.

Dr. Bruce Kaplan is a like-minded fellow veterinarian, as well as a leader in the One Health movement and the content manager for its website (onehealthinitiative.com). All concerned about their health, and that of the world, should read his Feb. 11 article entitled, “One Health Speaks Truth to All Listening.”

As Kaplan states, “the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the World Health Organization and many other organizations recognize and have adopted the principles of One Health. However, the new U.S. administration has yet to endorse this most practicable strategy to significantly help 'Make America Healthy Again.' Indeed, the White House has issued an executive order withdrawing the United States from WHO, yet to be rescinded. ... The U.S. should salvage and stay associated with WHO in collaboration with CDC, USDA and others.” (See the full post here: impakter.com/one-health-speaks-truth-to-all-listening.)

For more details on the human benefits of environmental and wildlife protection and veterinary services, see my book “One Health: Veterinary, Ethical and Environmental Perspectives.”

FIRING OF ESSENTIAL USDA STAFF

The Trump administration has fired about 25% of the personnel at the USDA’s National Animal Health Laboratory Network, including scientists at labs testing samples and tracking avian influenza. (Full story: United Press International, Feb. 16)

Since this ridiculous firing, there has been a push to rehire those involved in studying and tracking the avian influenza panzootic disease.

LAYOFFS BEGIN AT EPA

In mid-February, termination notices started going out at the Environmental Protection Agency. More than 1,000 employees tasked with regulating air pollution, researching the health effects of toxic chemicals and more have been notified that they might be fired.

“I’m scared to open my computer every morning,” says one EPA scientist who asked for anonymity. Another 171 staff members have been placed on administrative leave because they work on programs related to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and environmental justice. (Full story: Nature.com, Feb. 14)

AVIAN INFLUENZA RESPONSE TO SHIFT AS EGG PRICES RISE

The Trump administration is preparing to introduce a new avian influenza outbreak response centered on vaccinations and biosecurity instead of the mass culling of poultry. The administration plans to collaborate with experts to refine the approach, which includes creating a “better, smarter perimeter” around farms to prevent the spread of the virus, according to Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council. Tighter biosecurity around infected farms “requires an incredible amount of work on the ground,” said veterinarian Carol Cardona, an avian influenza expert at the University of Minnesota. (Full story: The Associated Press, Feb. 18)

However, vaccinations may well lead to asymptomatic birds still spreading the virus to the unvaccinated. Japan, Thailand, the U.S., Canada and the U.K. have blocked imports of poultry from France due to avian influenza vaccinations -- a position the U.S. may now reverse!

(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: Is Advantage II dangerous for cats? In a recent article, you mentioned that the combination of imidacloprid plus fipronil is dangerous. Is imidacloprid safe if it is not combined with fipronil?

Two of my cats are feral, not domestic. They are second-generation Savannah cats, and raw meats are included in their diet. Bones, fat and skin -- nothing ever heated or cooked. Since their stomachs are different from domestic cats, I didn’t know if their other organs were, also. One of these cats is almost 5 years old and the other is 17 months.

Our third cat is a 15-year-old silver Bengal male. We have had both male and female Bengals for 30-plus years. All have been neutered or spayed. All are pets; we don’t breed our cats. -- K.R., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR K.R.: One of the ingredients in Advantage II is pyriproxyfen, which mimics a natural insect hormone to disrupt the growth of young insects and eggs. It can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in cats, and may cause excessive salivation and gastrointestinal upset. The product’s other active ingredient, imidacloprid, is a neonicotinoid insecticide that may cause seizures in animals. It is one of a group of insecticides used on nonorganic crops that is killing pollinating bees and other beneficial insects.

No spot-on insecticides are risk-free. There is the possibility of one cat grooming another after treatment, and of family members (children, in particular) petting cats and dogs who have been treated and thus being exposed to these insecticides. These products should, in my opinion, be prohibited for companion animals.

There are safer alternatives to such insecticides. I advise you to follow the directions posted on my website: drfoxonehealth.com/post/preventing-fleas-ticks-and-mosquitoes. Rubbing food-grade diatomaceous earth into your cats’ fur will help kill any fleas that may get on them outdoors. Adding a daily pinch of brewer’s yeast (or 100 mg of crushed vitamin B complex) to their food may help repel fleas.

I advise against feeding raw poultry to companion animals because of the documented risk of the avian influenza virus now infecting cats and some people. Other raw meats run the risk of Salmonella and other bacterial contaminants.

I am opposed to the breeding and purchasing of Savannah cats and other wild-domestic cat hybrids for reasons spelled out in my review of this ethical issue. (See: drfoxonehealth.com/post/exotic-hybrid-cats-neither-propagate-nor-purchase.) They are indeed quite beautiful, but like wolf-dog hybrids, they are prone to developing behavioral problems. This leads many owners to get rid of them, which is a sad end for these human-creations.

The Jan. 18 Veterinary Record, the journal of the British Veterinary Association, contains an article by Josh Loeb entitled “Hybrid cat breeding should be banned.” This conclusion is based on the same reasons I have posted on my website.

AQUATIC MOLD KILLS DOGS IN FLORIDA

A rare fungal infection called pythiosis has killed at least four dogs in the past month in Sarasota and Manatee counties, Florida. The infection, caused by the aquatic mold Pythium insidiosum, which thrives in stagnant water, affects the skin and gastrointestinal tract, and it is difficult to treat. Veterinarian Morgan Pearl advises pet owners to prevent their animals from drinking from puddles, stormwater retention ponds, swamps or other standing water. (Full story: WWSB-TV, Sarasota, Florida; Feb. 12)

There is also a toxic species of blue-green algae to watch out for, plus contamination by nitrate and phosphate fertilizer runoff. Dogs should not be allowed near such contaminated waters. Livestock and wildlife are also at risk.

(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 closure and defunding of several federal agencies -- organizations dedicated to human welfare at home and abroad; children’s health and education; and consumer, environmental and wildlife protections -- are being heralded by some as the start of an American “golden age.”

Much suffering in this world can be rectified by egalitarianism and obedience to the golden rule of treating others as we would have them treat us. However, this new age of mammon represents an inversion of the golden rule: In this version, those who have the gold make the rules. It is spiritually corrupt and ethically untenable, and it is a turning point in determining the quality of life for future generations, human and nonhuman.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely, leading to an evident lack of empathy and compassion and destroying the democratic principles embedded in the U.S. Constitution. Some feel that a constitutional crisis is looming as nationalistic isolationism escalates under right-wing nihilism and a rising autocracy.

The term “woke,” originally referring to an awakening of conscience regarding race relations, is now being used in a broader context as a term of ridicule in the cesspool of American politics. Those of us who are “woke” -- that is, concerned about racism, sexism and speciesism, calling for environmental protection and equal justice for all sentient beings -- are being dismissed by the powerful elite. The current executive dismantling of various federal agencies -- in particular, the Environmental Protection Agency, which is so essential for the protection of nature, wildlife and public health -- is evidence enough.

These executive actions call for a spiritual revival of empathy, compassion, justice and the rule of law to prevent the extinction of civil society and, inevitably, democratic governance and freedom for all. All who care must rise in the name of peace and justice for all sentient beings.

MAN GETS 475-YEAR SENTENCE FOR DOGFIGHTING RING

There is still some hope for our justice system. A Georgia jury convicted Vincent Lemark Burrell, 57, of multiple charges of dogfighting and animal cruelty, and a judge sentenced him to 475 years in prison. Authorities rescued 107 dogs, mostly pit bulls, from Burrell’s property near Atlanta, many of which were emaciated and bore signs of abuse. “The average person doesn’t realize how prevalent dogfighting still is,” said Paulding County Chief Marshal Trevor Hess. (Full story: National Public Radio, Feb. 4)

HSUS TO CHANGE ITS NAME TO AVOID MORE CONFUSION

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is changing its name to Humane World for Animals, although organization officials insist that its work will not change. The 70-year-old animal rights and welfare nonprofit has been criticized because it does not operate any pet shelters, despite receiving about $170 million in donations annually. HSUS also has been questioned about possibly misleading donors who believed the organization financially supported local humane societies. A 2023 poll found that 64% of pet shelter operators believe the name confusion led to fewer donations to their local operations, according to the Washington Times.

(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.)