DEAR DR. FOX: I hope you can help me. My miniature poodle, an 11-year-old rescue dog, has developed episodes of coughing and sneezing, from which some matter emerges from her nose. My regular vet had me try allergy medication and then Dramamine, which was slightly more effective.

I took her to two more vets. The first put her on Temaril P tablets and an antibiotic. The second X-rayed her and ordered more Temaril P. Each time I gave her a pill, I added 1/4 of a 500 mg vitamin C tablet. As the Temaril P gained momentum, I gave her Neosynephrine spray in her nostrils.

After going through that routine for two months, I decided to stop all medicine except for an occasional multivitamin. The coughing and sneezing episodes have lessened but still happen occasionally.

What do you suggest? I've had dogs all my life, and I've never experienced anything like this. -- B.J.C., St. Charles, Mo.

DEAR B.J.C.: Since your dog's problem has not yet cleared up after seeing three veterinarians, more sleuthing is warranted.

First, chronic bronchitis and periodontal disease, both common in older breeds, need to be ruled out. Then she should be tested for a possible food allergy or some allergen in your home. The volatile organic compounds in synthetic fragrances in many household products can cause havoc to the immune system. But some natural essential oils can, when inhaled, fight infection and inflammation in the nasal passages and sinuses.

Put your dog in a carrying cage and cover it with a sheet to make a tent. To a bowl of boiled water, add three to four drops each of thyme, eucalyptus and lavender essential oils. Place the bowl close to the front of the crate under the tent, and let your dog inhale the oils for five to 10 minutes. Do this three times daily for a week, increasing the inhalation time to 15 minutes. Use fewer drops if your dog shows discomfort. Most likely, she will get used to this inhalation therapy and experience considerable relief.

DEAR DR. FOX: I sincerely hope that you can help us with a difficulty we've been perplexed by for almost a year now. It concerns our dear old cat Maddie.

A few months ago, we adopted a very nice cat named Maggie. We thought it might be beneficial for Maddie to have a little sister for companionship and stimulation. But Maddie was not impressed. She was under the assumption that she was an only child, and she liked it that way. She hid under low chairs for weeks, coming out only to eat and drink. We finally got that situation under control, but there's another problem:

Maddie was always a very proud lady; she cleaned and preened herself meticulously. But when she spent that time under the low-lying furniture, she matted up terribly. It looks awful, and she won't let us help her at all. I believe if we were able to rid her of the mats, she would go back to her hygienic ways.

We've thought about taking her to a groomer or even a vet, but a letter we read in your column scared us. It was about someone with a similar dilemma, and when the reader took the cat to be groomed, she was traumatized, had a heart attack and died!

Is there anything at all that we can try? My only guess is to have her sedated and then groomed. -- L.Y., Cumberland, Md.

DEAR L.Y.: The trauma of having uncomfortable mats of fur removed (which is essential for Maddie's physical health) and then coming home to face the intruder Maggie could be very harmful to your old cat.

I would put Maggie in a boarding facility for a few days. Coax Maddie out of her hiding place, and have a groomer, veterinarian or veterinary technician come to your home and, while you restrain Maddie, have her carefully clipped to remove the fur mats. If you're not confident about effectively restraining her, arrange for a helper to come and hold her. I have single-handedly cut off terrible mats from the back of our feral cat. There is rarely any justification for anesthetizing a cat for such a procedure.

Give Maddie full freedom of the house for two or three days, then go through the steps detailed on my website, DrFoxVet.com, on how to introduce a new cat, essentially starting from scratch -- no pun intended -- with Maggie.

(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 DrFoxVet.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: You recently ran a letter from V.A. in Virginia Beach, Va., who had a dog, Papi Lee, who kept falling down. You told the woman, "As long as he enjoys life and you keep him away from dangerous situations, his handicap is something you can all live with."

This condition is so similar to our experience with my 6-year-old Maltese that I have to wonder if it couldn't be the same. She was diagnosed with Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligament (ACL) disease, which was brought on by my teaching her tricks that were too energetic for her body. She would stumble and fall frequently. The veterinarian recommended surgery on her left hind leg first, and then planned to do a second surgery when she recovered from the first.

It took about 13 weeks of keeping her still, lying on a table and making sure she didn't walk. My daughter and I took turns sitting beside her. When she recovered, the doctor discovered that those long weeks of stillness had somehow cured the weakness in her other leg.

Now we have to keep her from running in circles, jumping up on her rear legs and running on wood floors. And since our floors were wood, we had to invest in wall-to-wall carpeting.

I hope this could possibly be a solution to your earlier letter writer. -- M.B.

DEAR M.B.: I decided to publish your letter because it raises an important point. This is separate from your point that the dog referred to in an earlier column possibly had the same problem as your little dog. This is not the case. But for all small dogs like yours suffering from painful, crippling cruciate ligament rupture, giving enforced rest, as you describe, can be a viable alternative to costly surgery.

I would not advocate keeping the afflicted dog on a table for 13 weeks. Simple restraint around the home or in a cage or crate and time under collar and leash control can lead to full recovery.

This knee-joint condition must be distinguished from patella luxation (dislocated knee caps), which is a common defect in small breeds. For that condition, enforced rest will not help -- surgical correction is the only option.

DEAR DR. FOX: We always look forward to your newspaper column. Your column about differing veterinary prices was interesting and held so much truth.

My husband and I have three dogs, and we treat them like family. We never leave the vet's without a bill over $100. But our little stray got cancer on his tummy, and it cost more than $1,000, including a teeth cleaning. He also needed an annual shot, so my husband said, "Tell them one shot but no wellness exam." They said that it would be $55 for a shot and tags. The Humane Society said $125. My husband found a vet who gave our dog the shot and tags for $19.95.

I don't mind a vet making money, but something is wrong with cheating your customers. There needs to be some kind of veterinary regulatory procedures. -- J. and E.K., Chesterfield, Mo.

DEAR J. and E.K.: Thank you for sounding off on the question of health-care costs for our animal companions and the lack of consistency in charges for products and services. Some procedures, especially those including anesthesia (notably for dental work), are unavoidably costly, as is diagnosing types of cancer and other diseases.

It is always advisable to get a cost estimate that includes line items rather than bundling. With that information, coupled with details about the animal's condition, you can seek a second opinion and price quote, provided the animal does not require immediate treatment.

Many veterinarians are open to discussion of fees and to clients seeking some kind of deferred payment or other arrangement in cases of financial hardship and limited monthly income.

CHINA POISONING AMERICA'S PETS AGAIN

Sweet potato treats made in China -- given names such as strips, tenders, chips and twists -- are being reported to cause kidney problems just like the chicken jerky treats (also made in China) that sickened or killed many dogs earlier this year. Symptoms can develop a few hours or days after consuming one of these possibly pesticide-contaminated treats. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea and increased urination and thirst.

I implore all pet owners to read the label and fine print, and buy nothing that says it was made in China.

Brands of concern include Canyon Creek Ranch Chicken Yam Good Dog Treats, Beefeaters Sweet Potato Snacks for Dogs, Drs. Foster and Smith treats made in China and Dogswell Veggie Life Vitality. Any other treats made in China should also be avoided. American companies distributing such imports should wake up to the fact that they have a duty to the pet-owning public to not put animals at risk when they have neither control nor effective oversight of ingredient quality and processing operations. The debacle of pet food poisoning from an ingredient imported from China that killed a reported 8,500 dogs and cats, documented in my book "Not Fit for a Dog," must never be forgotten or forgiven.

(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 DrFoxVet.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: My sister adopted a female German shepherd, Cassidy, from a rescue organization about two years ago, at which time the vet believed she was a little more than 4 years old.

Monday through Thursday, Cassidy is in contact with her owner and her regular dog walker (me). On the weekends, Friday afternoon through Sunday evening, she is cared for by two other family members at a different location, approximately 25 minutes away by car.

Is it harmful for Cassidy, either emotionally or physically, to be shuttled back and forth between her owner and the other family members? Is it confusing or upsetting for her to maintain this schedule on a weekly basis? All parties involved would like to continue with the current arrangement, but only if it is not detrimental to Cassidy in any way. -- S.M.P., Gaithersburg, Md.

DEAR S.M.P.: I appreciate your concern. Most dogs would enjoy this kind of extended pack and two-den lifestyle, since it provides more varied stimulation and environmental enrichment, rather than seeing the same people and places day in and day out.

I am happy to see dog owners linking up on the Internet and community bulletin boards for dog play groups. It's even good for a person with a dog to take in others while their owners are away at work -- yes, a doggie day care business.

Boredom, loneliness and separation anxiety are modern dog burdens. Having more than one dog and a dog walker to get your pet outside for stimulation and physical activity during the workweek are responsible decisions. A happy dog is a healthy dog.

DEAR DR. FOX: How often should a dog be bathed? My sister insists that her Chihuahua needs to be bathed every week or so, and I say it dries out his coat and he doesn't need it. What is your opinion? -- P.O., Cumberland, Md.

DEAR P.O.: There are no set rules beyond those of common sense. You could be right about drying out the dog's coat. Too-frequent shampooing can also encourage skin infections when the protective oils and healthy skin bacteria are washed away. Some dogs never need bathing, just a daily brushing. Older dogs often need to be bathed as soon as they get stinky -- for their own comfort and for those living with them. This may be every two weeks or so, especially for those with naturally oily skin. There are spritzes and dry shampoos on the market that can help deodorize dogs' coats, like Bath Eaze from PetzLife. You can try to make up your own spray using an emulsion of 100 parts water, 100 parts aloe vera liquid or coconut milk and 1 part lavender essential oil.

I would advise bathing any dog who has been swimming in the ocean, where salt residues can be irritating to the skin, or in a lake or pond, where harmful bacteria, algae and parasites can flourish during warm summer months. Remember: Do not let your pet quench his thirst from these potentially harmful natural sources. Some kinds of blue-green algae can kill dogs within hours, and fecal (human and animal) contaminants such as cryptosporidium, salmonella, shigella, E. coli and norovirus can put all bathers at risk, especially those with compromised immune systems.

49 PEOPLE SICKENED BY CONTAMINATED PET FOOD

Salmonella-contaminated dry dog food from Diamond Pet Food Processors' plant in Gaston, S.C., sickened 47 people in the U.S. and two in Canada, the Centers for Disease Control reported. This figure is probably low because victims may have become mildly ill or attributed their condition to food poisoning that doctors and other health authorities failed to connect with this contaminated pet food. People can become ill by direct exposure to the food or by contact with animals who consumed it. No fatalities were reported.

(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 DrFoxVet.com.)