DEAR DR. FOX: My male border collie/spaniel mix is 5 years old, and he often throws up or has diarrhea. When I take him on walks, he has diarrhea more often than not. He sometimes wheezes, too.

I don't understand why he would be getting sick all the time, because he normally eats his kibble that is a good brand, and we've been using it for a while. I don't think the kibble is causing him to get sick. What do you advise? -- K.B., Silver Spring, Md.

DEAR K.B.: Your judgment/diagnosis that kibble is not the reason for your poor dog's illness may be erroneous. You should know that even with "good brands," ingredient sources and quality of dog foods can change from one manufactured batch to another. My website (www.drfoxvet.com) alerts dog and cat owners to the all-too-frequent recalls of pet foods that can make animals ill from bacteria, mold and other contaminants.

There are reasons other than diet that could account for your dog's vomiting and diarrhea. Any animal showing such symptoms for more than 24 hours should be seen by a veterinarian. You owe your dog no less.

Because a contaminant or nutritional additive problem could be affecting one batch of a particular brand of dog or cat food, I advise caregivers to get their animals used to eating two or three different, good-quality brands of dry, cannned, frozen and/or freeze-dried pet foods as an insurance against such an eventuality. I call such dietary diversity "risk dilution," and coupled with rotation -- changing the main protein every week or so (from chicken to turkey to herring, for example) -- it can help some animals suffering from food hypersensitivities.

DEAR DR. FOX: I am writing this in response to a letter in your column from P.B. in Fairfax, Va. It was about her "grandbaby" -- a 12-year-old male shepherd mix who was dying of kidney disease after being caged, deprived of water and proper nail clipping, and abused by her daughter and the dog's owner for the last 12 years.

This woman who said she "loves" the dog needs to turn in her daughter for animal neglect or abuse. This dog is suffering at the hands of someone who should never own an animal again.

When people see this kind of treatment of any animal, it is our duty as caring human beings to report it and stop it at all costs. It broke my heart to know what kind of prison this animal has lived in for 12 years -- death would be a blessing for this poor creature. I have turned in people I know and even family members for not taking proper care of animals, and I will continue to do so.

It is our duty to defend those who cannot defend themselves. -- D.M., Huntington, Md.

DEAR D.M.: Your letter is a clarion call to all readers who may be aware of or suspect animal neglect/abuse in their family or neighborhood.

I agree that it is the duty of everyone to call the police or sheriff's department and provide full details, as well as photo or video documentation that gives time and date. This is also important when filing an "animal at large" complaint, as when a cat comes onto your property to hunt and kill birds and other wildlife, which is illegal in many communities. You may ask the sheriff or police to not disclose your name if you fear possible retribution.

Law enforcement authorities around the country are more responsive to animal cruelty and neglect complaints, thanks in part to the good work of one of my former graduate students, Dr. Randall Lockwood, now with the ASPCA in New York. This is because of the now more widely recognized connections between animal, child and spousal abuse and sociopathic and potentially psychopathic behavior in preteens and teenagers.

This issue is close to my heart, and I discuss it in more detail in my new book, "Animals and Nature First." Animals can help teach children to be responsible and responsive, empathic caregivers, provided there are appropriate adult guidance and role models. This can help make children better parents and break the cycle of family violence passed down from one generation to another.

As for the "educational" value of animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs and gerbils in grade school classrooms, I believe they tend to foster the throw-away pet attitude more than real compassion and understanding. The keeping of animals in cages, so often depriving them of contact with their own kind and any natural stimulation, desensitizes children into accepting such mistreatment. Unless cared for by good teachers, these animals too often are neglected over weekends and vacations.

Local humane societies and wildlife rehabilitation centers have educators who bring animals to schools for educational purposes. I would applaud prohibiting the keeping of any animal in a cage in any school.

BIL-JAC DOG FOOD RECALL

According to an announcement from the manufacturer, Bil-Jac has requested that a select number of retailers withdraw one small batch (256 cases) of Adult Select Formula dog food from their warehouses and stores.

"We have had a few reports of mold in bags from this batch that was caused by higher moisture content in the food," the announcement said. "We know the entire batch has not been affected, but have requested the entire small batch be removed from warehouses and stores."

The recall affects only batch number 1792-02 (expiration Dec. 27, 2013), all in 6-pound bags.

(Send all mail to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106, or send email to animaldocfox@gmail.com. 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: We have two Boston terriers, Kash and Carrie. About a month ago, Carrie started leaving feces around the house. (The bits are small -- about 1 inch in size.)

We took Carrie to a vet who prescribed Prion and metronidazole. Neither of those medications helped her. The vet didn't know what was wrong with her. Her food (Purina Fit & Trim) didn't change. She is 8 years old.

Since the first vet couldn't help her, we made an appointment with another vet. He prescribed Previcox. That didn't help either. We switched vets again, and this one prescribed phenylpropanolamine. After 10 days, I called the vet and told him the medicine was not helping, so he said to stop the medication. After taking the medicine, she was constipated, so I am now giving her a tablespoon of pumpkin once a day.

Carrie always slept in bed with us, but she started pooping in the bed while sleeping under the covers. She goes outside first thing in the morning (6:30 a.m.). She walks every day for at least a mile. Weather permitting, she plays outside for 30 minutes. She is a very active dog.

She doesn't have any problems other than dropping feces, and sometimes I think she doesn't even know she is doing this.

I hope you can help her. She doesn't mean to go. As soon as she does, she leaves that area and doesn't come back until we dispose of the evidence. Please help! I don't know what else I can do. We love her so much, but cannot go on like this forever. -- J.R., Villa Ridge, Mo.

DEAR J.R.: Fecal incontinence is not uncommon in older dogs, but Carrie is not all that old, so I would not put her condition down to any age-related cognitive or neurological deterioration.

I find all the prescribed medications you listed questionable; the third one -- phenylpropanolamine -- is categorically absurd.

I would phase out feeding her the high-fiber dry dog food and instead give her three or four small meals daily of a low-fiber, grain-free dry dog food with equal parts organic canned food. Give her a sprinkling of digestive enzymes and some plain, raw, organic yogurt or kefir -- 1 tablespoon per meal -- as a source of probiotics.

Many of the manufactured weight-loss dog foods have high fiber content (such as peanut hulls and beet pulp). This means more fecal material is produced, possibly compounded by malabsorption of nutrients, so the poor dog is hungry, eats more and suffers painful bloat, contractions and constipation.

I trust that all the veterinarians you consulted ruled out any infection, impaction or cancer of her anal glands, which can impair sphincter control.

DEAR DR. FOX: I was very surprised at the harsh comments about Persian cats in your column, in which you referred to them as "freaks."

I have a 7-year-old male Persian. Yes, he has a flat face, a biggish head and his eyes weep from time to time, but, in spite of these so-called impediments, he is the sweetest, happiest, most contented and affectionate cat you could ever meet. I find this is often the case with this breed.

Let's be kind about these beautiful creatures that bring so much pleasure to their devoted fans here in the U.S. and around the world. -- S.L., Arlington, Va.

DEAR S.L.: Thanks for your contribution to my readers' discussion on this issue. I contended that Persian cats are freaks of human creation and suffer as a consequence. The same must be said about bulldogs, shar-peis and other breeds deliberately bred for extreme, abnormal physical traits. The selective breeding for dwarfed, hairless and extremely "refined" (long and thin bones and faces) feline varieties entails inbreeding and, as a consequence, more genetic abnormalities, disease and suffering.

I agree with you that we should love all creatures; for me, that four-letter word means respect and compassion. I see neither in the deliberate breeding and commercial propagation of animals with extreme traits such as pushed-in faces and abnormally large heads (which can force cesarean delivery), along with other abnormalities that can mean a life of suffering. For more details, see my book "Healing Animals and the Vision of One Health" (Amazon,com). Of course, if your cat lived in my home, he would be loved for who he is, which is quite separate from what humans have done to him.

(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: Your recent column, "A Time for Compassion," is one of several I have read recently regarding painless deaths for aged or ill animals. I am beginning to wonder if euthanasia is always humane and would welcome your guidelines.

We have had cats for many years. We had a veterinarian perform the life-ending procedure several times. One cat had ingested leaked vehicle coolant, and another had chronic incontinence. One cat was hit by a car and died after surgery.

Three other pets, however, were simply old, though they were not in any discernible distress. They lived out their lives with us and died in their sleep. Where possible, isn't this the perfect method?

Pets grow old, as do we. I worry that our throwaway society may inappropriately shorten their valuable lives. -- W.S.S., Easton, Md.

DEAR W.S.S.: You raise an important ethical question that can also be applied to humans. When an elderly human or other animal is starting to shut down or is terminally ill -- without intractable physical pain, fear or other emotional distress -- caregivers aim for optimizing the patient's comfort. That means basic hygiene, hydration, nutrients and appropriate analgesics. Light massage therapy, which helps hospitalized human patients from sinking into "hospital psychosis," is helpful when coupled with interaction with loved ones and caring helpers.

Similar provisions should be made for companion animals under in-home hospice care. Some may die in their sleep, but others linger. Then the question of any foreseeable recovery must be weighed against the increasing exhaustion of the caregivers, which can mean letting go -- cutting off intravenous and nasogastric tube fluid and nutrient support. An intravenous injection with a barbiturate-based euthanasia solution is the choice for companion animals. But if an animal is showing fear or distress, an intramuscular tranquilizer may be given first. Where there is intractable pain and no likelihood of recovery or any reasonable quality of life, prolonging life by any and all means (a not uncommon practice with terminally ill humans) is highly unethical, albeit highly profitable for the providers.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have a German schnauzer, Doogan, who is 13 years old. He is larger than most miniatures in height, but he is not overweight at 20 to 21 pounds. He has always been in good health -- until May 2011.

He ate very little, was sick when he did eat and was lethargic for two days. He was diagnosed with pancreatitis and hospitalized for three days for dehydration. He was put on Hills Prescription Diet w/d and is back to his old self.

My concern is that before he was ill, his eyesight was failing. He has since developed cataracts. He still tracks fairly well, but not consistently. His favorite treats are carrot and celery bites -- he can usually catch the carrots, or if he misses, he can find them easily, but he misses the celery bites and it takes a long time to locate them.

He has no problems in the house or outside during daylight, and is OK in the house at night with lights on. But at night outside, even with the yard light on, he has difficulty. Many times when I call him to come inside, he will stand to the side of the door, and I have to go out and lead him in so he won't hurt himself.

I know there is surgery for cataracts, but I don't know how successful it's been, the recovery time or precautions that need to be taken. Is it a once-in-a-lifetime procedure? I've been told that it's very expensive, and I wonder if it's still feasible considering his age. -- J.W., Lexington, N.C.

DEAR J.W.: Having your old dog's opaque lenses surgically removed would be expensive, but since Doogan might enjoy some years with improved vision, I think it is worth consideration.

Consult with a veterinary ophthalmologist who will see if your dog's loss of vision can be corrected by simply removing the lenses or if there are other issues for which there is no surgical corrective.

With the history of acute pancreatitis, now resolved, the eye specialist will be mindful of the potential risks of general anesthesia -- risks associated with poor kidney, liver, pancreas and heart functions, which tests may reveal.

If Doogan is not a good candidate for eye surgery, you may be surprised how well he adjusts to loss of vision. Dogs with good hearing and sense of smell adapt remarkably well, provided they are handled with understanding and are not fearful or panicked.

'LITTLE BOY BLUE' BOOK REVIEW

"Little Boy Blue: A Puppy's Rescue From Death Row and His Owner's Journey of Truth" is an excellent new book by journalist Kim Kavin and published by Barron's Educational Services. Who wants to read a book exposing the horrors of unwanted cat and dog euthanasia in publicly supported animal shelters? Who wants to read about animals being crammed together in abject terror inside gas chambers, struggling to escape and fighting one another before the gas kills them -- though not always. Everyone with a cat or dog, or who cares for animals and sees the link between saving animals and our own humanity, should get this book and learn what must and can be done to address this shame of America and end such inhumanity. Go to Petfinder.com to find a dog like Blue!

(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.)