DEAR DR. FOX: I'm concerned about the recent experience I had with a sick cat. There doesn't seem to be any palliative care for pets the way there is for humans who are suffering, and I don't understand why that is.

Jingles, my lovely little buddy, was about 16 years old. I'd had her for 12 years. In early December 2011, she started to have upper respiratory problems. I took her to my vet on Dec. 5, and she was given a shot of what I believe was an antibiotic for a possible sinus infection.

She continued to get worse, so I took her back on Dec. 12. She was given a blood test -- she had high white blood cell counts, but otherwise normal liver and kidney values -- and Pepcid and dexamethasone injections.

As a last-ditch effort on Dec. 13, I brought her back to the vet, and she was given a Convenia injection.

Jingles only got worse. My vet doesn't do in-home euthanasia. The people the vet's office recommended didn't want to do the euthanasia unless I had taken her to an animal hospital -- which I did on Dec. 14. I was there for hours. I knew she was dying, but I made her go through all these tests in her weakened state because they wanted to make sure she was sick. Four hundred dollars later, the diagnosis was that she probably had lymphoma. She had lost half her weight, was no longer eating and was the sickest I've ever seen any living thing. Because of her age, I opted for euthanasia rather than chemo. Before I left the hospital, they gave her mirtazapine, a famotidine injection and subcutaneous fluids.

She found peace on Dec. 16 with the help of the in-home vet.

What I've left out of this narrative is the emotional wreck I was. I carted her all over town in her final days, made her get shot after shot, missed work, cried at work, etc. I'm still so sad just writing this. I understand that animals get old and sick. What I don't understand is why there doesn't seem to be any type of hospice mentality in the veterinary profession. I'm no doctor, but I think all those injections were a futile attempt to save her, and none was to ease her suffering -- except the final one. I knew she was dying; surely these professionals did too.

Please help me understand why there is no kitty morphine or even kitty aspirin. Why did my sweet old girl have to toss and turn in pain in her final days, waiting for the in-home vet, when she could have had some of her discomfort ameliorated with a little palliative care? -- M.T., Oakton, Va.

DEAR M.T.: Your detailed, tragic account of the last days of your poor cat raises serious ethical questions for companion animal veterinarians to address.

I have discussed these in my new, controversial book, "Healing Animals and the Vision of One Health" (CreateSpace), where we see similar parallels in the extended, costly care and suffering of the terminally ill victims of the human health-care industry. Providing security and relief from fear and pain when there is no chance of recovery is the best medicine.

In-home hospice care for humans (which we provided for my late father-in-law) is a blessing that is becoming more widely practiced across the U.S. It is just a matter of time before such services are provided for companion animals like yours -- who already had the unquestioned benefit of in-home euthanasia. There are a few veterinarians where I live (in Minneapolis) who operate an exclusively in-home hospice care practice. I hope your letter encourages more veterinarians to follow this compassionate path.

DEAR DR. FOX: In late August, we adopted a very handsome, neutered, longhaired German shepherd, Bear. He is about 5 years old and as sweet and gentle as can be.

A month or so after we got Bear, he began to whine loudly whenever we went anywhere in the truck. He willingly jumps into the truck when we are ready to go, but the whining starts before we've left the driveway. There appears to be nothing in particular that causes Bear to do this.

Since we were driving to see my mother on Christmas Eve, we got a prescription of alprazolam from his vet to try to calm him while on the road.

At 7:30 that morning, we gave him a half tablet. We left at 9. We had not gone a block before he started howling. It continued to get worse and worse until we stopped 10 minutes later and gave him the other half. We opened the window and let him hang his head outside for a few minutes -- when his head is out the window, he is 90 percent better -- but it was cold. After our experience with his behavior while under the influence of the prescription drug, we probably will not drug him again.

Today we took him to the dog park about 25 minutes away. Loud howling started immediately. For the few minutes I allowed him to have his head out the window, he was OK; when the window was closed he howled until I filled his Kong toy with treats to keep him quiet and occupied. Sometimes even when the window is open, he whines.

It appears to be an anxiety attack, but what would have brought on such behavior? Do you have any suggestions as to how we can change it? His Bark Buster trainer has no ideas. At his suggestion, we tried the Thundershirt, but it made no difference. -- C.B., Springfield, Va.

DEAR C.B.: Your dog is probably suffering from a combination of anxiety and excitement.

Alprazolam is a potent anti-anxiety drug, effective for many dogs who are afraid of fireworks or have developed specific phobias. But the effective dose for many dogs can make them groggy and uncoordinated, which can have the effect of making the dog more fearful, possibly because they feel more vulnerable.

Many dogs benefit from wearing a bandanna imbued with a few drops of lavender oil around the neck.

Since getting treats out of his Kong works briefly, fill it with peanut butter and freeze it so it will last longer. Get two or three for a longer drive, and store them in a cooler. Try giving him a Nylabone. For motion sickness, a big piece of ginger candy can provide relief.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 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 www.twobitdog.com/DrFox.)

DEAR DR. FOX: The other day I decided to listen to a CD of Gregorian chants. My two formerly feral cats walked up to the speakers and stayed in a relaxed trance until it was over. I got the same reaction earlier today.

Do cats like certain kinds of music? Are mine unique? -- D.K., Minneapolis

DEAR D.K.: Many animal shelters play classical music CDs from the company Through a Dog's Ear to help calm the canines. Many cats may benefit from hearing the chants of Gregorian monks, or possibly even the purrlike chording of Tibetan Buddhist monks.

Dogs have a happy panting laugh, recordings of which have reduced barking in shelters when played for the dogs. I know of one cat shelter that was visited regularly by a harpist. When she played, the cats would stretch, roll and relax -- they were clearly soothed by the sounds.

Dairy farmers have long used music to calm cows just before milking. Music affects virtually all animal species tested, but I am genuinely concerned about the neurological and endocrine issues facing young people due to the cacophonous, anapestic beat-driven, money making "music" industry that does more to agitate than help meditate.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have a 4-year-old, 2.8-pound Chihuahua who has terrible breath. I know she needs her teeth cleaned, but I am deathly afraid of something happening to her when she is anesthetized. I have a close friend who lost his dog during this procedure. I know that not cleaning her teeth is unhealthy.

I brush her teeth almost daily with Petrodex Dental Care toothpaste and also use PetzLife Oral Care spray. This seems to help her breath, but I don't know if it is enough. Is there an alternative method for cleaning teeth? -- L.F., Wentzville, Mo.

DEAR L.F.: Your dog may need professional dental care, especially if she has infected and loose teeth -- a common problem in toy breeds. A veterinary checkup is called for.

Using the PetzLife Oral Care products as directed, coupled with the daily brushing, will help reduce the risks of complications from bacterial infection and oral inflammatory substances if dental surgery is necessary.

In many instances, following a daily regimen of oral health care treatments, veterinarians can safely and effectively remove scale or tartar from afflicted teeth by having an assistant restrain the dog, rather than giving a general anesthetic, which is never a risk-free procedure.

SAY NO TO EASTER CREATURES

Easter is almost here. While it is a happy time for many, it has become a commercialized tragedy for several kinds of creatures. Ducklings and chicks, sometimes dyed various colors and sold in pet and variety stores, need expert care. They often die from hypothermia and starvation in their new homes. Salmonella and other bacterial infections pose a risk to children when the animals die.

Also avoid the temptation of impulse buying one of those adorable Easter bunnies. They, too, will not survive without proper care and understanding. A better choice is an assortment of your favorite rabbit-shaped chocolates and Marie Mead's book of true stories, "Rabbits: Gentle Hearts, Valiant Spirits." Visit MakeMineChocolate.org for additional information about purchasing live rabbits for Easter.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 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 www.twobitdog.com/DrFox.)

DEAR DR. FOX: My wife and I have a 5-year-old bichon frise whom we adopted three years ago. He idolizes my wife and has from day one. We think that in his prior home a male mistreated him, as he has always been wary of me, if not downright aggressive. He has gradually warmed up to me, but he still isn't as close to me as he is to my wife.

We have a new grandson who lives out of town. When my wife went to visit him, we began having problems with the dog, who has slept in our bed with us from the beginning. He has become territorial -- to the point that if I get up in the middle of the night and get back into bed, he growls or lunges at me. Now, even when my wife is in bed with him, he will do the same thing, sometimes if I am only walking by the bed.

I have tried leaving a light on in a nearby room and talking to him before I get into bed. Neither solution is foolproof. The problem is intermittent, and we can't figure out what triggers it. During the day, when I am working at home and my wife is at her job, he is affectionate. But the nighttime attacks are getting wearisome and more frequent. Any suggestions? -- D.S., St. Louis

DEAR D.S.: You have my sympathy having to share the bed with this territorially aggressive canine upstart! He is exhibiting location-specific dominance-aggression.

In the old days, the approach would be to put on protective clothing and gloves, and when the dog lunges at you, pin him down firmly, and don't let him loose until he submits and stops struggling. Contemporary behavioral therapists would suggest basic obedience school to teach your dog to sit and stay and to establish you as the top dog giving the orders.

Buy a dog-training clicker or use a can of coins to condition your dog so that with one click or shake, he gets a reward. Do this first in the living room, and once he's conditioned, do it when he's on the bed. This will re-motivate and redirect his behavior from threatening to expecting reward.

What is your wife doing? If she is the boss, she should order the dog off the bed. Shunning is a potent form of canine -- and human -- discipline.

You might also try re-motivation using a squeaky toy, inviting your canine delinquent to play and catch the toy rather than attack you. Finally, a short term of treatment with melatonin or a psychotropic medication like Prozac, under veterinary supervision, may be your final solution.

DEAR DR. FOX: Two years ago, my son brought home a homeless kitty. She was so affectionate, especially toward my son, that we fell in love with her. Now she is a member of our family. We named her Lucy.

My son went abroad for a year, and since his return Lucy has become aggressive toward him. She swats his feet when he walks near her and hisses at him when he talks endearingly to her. Why the change in attitude toward my son? And what can he do to gain Lucy's affection again? -- B.C., St. Louis

DEAR B.C.: Lucy has become accustomed to living in your home without the scent, sight and sound of your son. All these unfamiliar stimuli can trigger fear or sudden defensive aggression.

I would advise your son to not force contact with Lucy; let her come to him. If she likes to be brushed, he should do so, and he should be the one to set out her food and clean out the litter box.

Lucy's ambush attacks could be attention-seeking play behavior rather than pure aggression. At times she is most active (early and late evening for many cats), have your son engage in interactive play using a long cane with a fluffy toy tied to a string that's secured to the end of the cane. My two cats love this game, and one of them also chases a laser pointer light across the floor, which Lucy may also enjoy.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have a 16-year-old female Persian cat who started pooping everywhere. I gave her a new litter box, but it did not help. Then one day, I decided to hide her litter box under a big desk, and I put a cover over the entrance.

Now she uses the litter box exclusively. Wow, who knew she wanted privacy when she pooped? -- S.E.B., Norfolk, Va.

DEAR S.E.B.: As I detail in my book "Cat Body, Cat Mind," there are many reasons why cats poop outside of their litter boxes. The most common reason is chronic constipation, especially in older cats.

A less-common reason not always considered is precisely what you have discovered. Some cats like privacy, and I always advise putting litter boxes in low-traffic spots in the home. It is natural for animals to feel vulnerable when pooping. One of my dogs would always choose to hide in the bushes to poop rather than do it by the side of the road so I could easily pick up.

Getting old, losing eyesight and hearing and painful arthritis in the back can make cats have difficulties evacuating. Give your cat a few drops of fish oil in her food every day, and give her a good evening massage along her back and around her abdomen.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 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 www.twobitdog.com/DrFox.)