Archives

DEAR READERS: Flat-faced cats, like Persians and exotic shorthairs, are rising in popularity, as are flat-faced dogs such as Boston terriers and pugs. This condition, called brachycephaly, can mean a ... more

DEAR DR. FOX: A recent column included a letter from a reader concerned about bringing a new baby home to meet their cat.... more

DEAR DR. FOX: There is a disturbing trend among many so-called "sanctuaries" and "rescues," where they are denying suffering animals veterinary care, including a dignified and painless death. Instead,... more

DEAR DR. FOX: Our local TV station runs a commercial showing an empty NHL arena that states there are 20,000 empty seats. This is the same number of dogs euthanized in the area in the last year. My qu... more

DEAR DR. FOX: More fur could fly! Unmentioned thus far in your column regarding feral cats is the well-meaning but poorly advised habit some residents have of leaving cat food outside in bowls. Cats a... more

DEAR DR. FOX: We read your warning about not getting a wild cat hybrid, and agree with you totally.... more

DEAR DR. FOX: We have a wonderful 3-year-old miniature poodle who is a delight in almost every way. Despite getting lots of exercise and having many chew toys to gnaw on, he still likes to chew our be... more

DEAR DR. FOX: You recently ran a letter about National Feral Cat Day, which is an insult to the domestic cat, our most popular beloved pet.... more

DEAR DR. FOX: We lost our beloved 12 1/2-year-old springer spaniel last February. I should have never allowed the vet to give him a rabies vaccine. It made the last six months of his life miserable. J... more

DEAR DR. FOX: I am writing in the hope that you have some suggestions on how to help my 17-year-old cat, Mojo. Mojo started having blood inside his right eye about a week ago. It was very pronounced i... more

DEAR DR. FOX: We have a 5-year-old male cat, Max. He was neutered and declawed when we adopted him from a local shelter at a year old. The shelter staff told us that he was initially adopted as a kitt... more

DEAR DR. FOX: My daughter is expecting her first child in December, and I am concerned as to the impact it may have on her two cats (both 4 years old). They were very, very young kittens she found on ... more

DEAR DR. FOX: I have adamantly opposed the practice of trap-neuter-release (TNR) as I believe -- and most scientists agree with me -- that it is cruel to cats and the wildlife that they kill and maim,... more

DEAR DR. FOX: A recent letter about a family who adopted a feral cat who likes to drag a blanket around the house got my attention. It mentioned that the cat didn't purr, and he hissed at them a lot.... more

DEAR READERS: Dog breeders and associations in Europe are beginning to address the tragic plight of certain breeds suffering from various genetic or inherited disorders, an issue that is gaining momen... more

DEAR DR. FOX: I adopted Murphy at 3 months old from a local rescue group that takes in dogs from a high-kill center in the South. My biracial son worked on a cruise ship that docked in our state, and ... more

DEAR DR. FOX: Earlier this summer, a new next-door neighbor moved in along with a beautiful black pit bull. My family and I have not formally introduced ourselves or spoken since his move-in, and we w... more

DEAR DR. FOX: We have a 13-year-old paralyzed female cat. She has been unable to walk or use the litter box for about 10 months.... more

DEAR DR. FOX: In a few months, we will be moving with our two indoor-only cats, Dudley, age 15, and Bunny, age 11.... more

DEAR DR. FOX: Although I love the outdoors and I am sympathetic to wildlife and the environment, I disagree with your recent statements regarding "re-wilding" public lands. The reason for my objection... more

DEAR DR. FOX: Even though I know you advocate feeding pets -- especially diabetic ones -- homemade food, I wonder if you'd consider this question.... more

DEAR DR. FOX: We rescued our cat, Cookie, who was born outside behind a garage, at about 4 to 6 months old. She is currently 3 years old.... more

DEAR DR. FOX: In at least one past column, you strongly discouraged using Frontline on dogs and Advantage on cats because of the risk of cancer. I also vaguely recall that these products came out or b... more

DEAR DR. FOX: I recently read your column about how the reader's cat's kidneys might be damaged, and I wanted to tell you about an illness my 2-year-old cat had, called tularemia, or "rabbit fever."... more

DEAR DR. FOX: My 4-year-old English cocker spaniel has significant folds on the lower side of her mouth. About six months ago, she began leaving dark spots on the furniture, our clothes and the bed. T... more

DEAR DR. FOX: Having just read your column about a deceased dog seeming to have left traces of fur on a cleaned and paper-covered carpet where he used to regularly sleep, I thought you might be intere... more

DEAR DR. FOX: My husband and I live in a house that gets an annual invasion of crickets and spiders when the weather turns cold. We relocate them outside as we find them, alive and unharmed. Spiders d... more

DEAR DR. FOX: My two 3 1/2-year-old neutered male cats, Spunky and Binky, are littermates, and they are practically physically identical. Both are tabbies and can be distinguished only by the color of... more