DEAR DR. FOX: I have a little shih tzu/Lhasa-mix. She is 4 years old. She's had an endoscopy of her stomach, an ultrasound and a check for colic disease performed.

She eats only every other day, and she spits up large amounts of yellow foam. She is very picky about eating. She won't eat dry food at all, and she doesn't drink much water. Sometimes she acts like she is choking and gags a lot. The woman I bought her from mated her mother every time she came into heat. I didn't know this at the time I bought her. She was very hard to train, but she is a good dog now -- except for the eating.

I give her pills to coat the stomach, but she spits them up as soon as they go down. I don't know what to do. Please help us. -- J.S., Virginia Beach, Va.

DEAR J.S.: You and your poor dog have been subjected to several costly diagnostic procedures. The cost may be justified if symptomatic treatments failed, such as giving the dog antacid tablets to correct gastroesophageal reflux disease or trying a single protein, grain-free diet.

If neither of these possible treatments were considered prior to subjecting your dog to these diagnostic procedures, you should seek a second opinion, ideally from a member of American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.

I receive far too many letters like yours that indicate some veterinarians do not seem to appreciate that these are economically hard times for millions of Americans. Many pet owners cannot take their animals in for regular checkups because they are afraid of the possible costs that may be incurred.

Try my suggestions, and let me know how your poor dog does.

DEAR DR. FOX: I recently adopted a wonderful cat from animal control. I am 77 years old, and this is my first cat. The cat, Molly, is 8 years old and was in a home before being put up for adoption. She is obedient, eats well, uses the litter box and stays indoors.

She doesn't seem to know what a scratching post is. She has learned to keep her claws in; however, she scratches the furniture. She doesn't like catnip. The first scratching post was half rug, half sisal. She just sniffs at it. The second one is all rug with two round treelike supports and a platform on top. She loves to sit on the platform, but she won't use the post for scratching. I have pretended to scratch it myself, but she just watches. I sprayed it with Febreze to neutralize any scent. All she does is paw at it with claws withdrawn.

The vet says she is healthy. He says she will use the posts eventually, but she hasn't in the two months I've had her. -- S.W., Odenton, Md.

DEAR S.W.: I applaud you for adopting an older cat! It concerns me that elderly people so often get a kitten or puppy who will probably outlive them and can be more demanding.

Get some Velcro strips and stick some plastic sheets or strips of duct tape and cover those areas on your furniture where she scratches.

One very good sisal scratch post that is tall and sturdy is the PurrFect Post. Call 800-989-2542 or visit PurrFectPost.com for details. Some cats like horizontal scratchboards, some like scratching posts made of corrugated cardboard -- check these out at your local pet store.

Continue clawing the post with your fingernails while your cat watches, and then hold her up against it as far as she will reach upward. Push her front paws into the post, then stroke and massage up and down her back. My two cats love this. Get rid of the Febreze.

Your cat may also enjoy chasing a bunch of feathers or strip of fur tied to a long string on the end of a cane. I call it "going fishing for cats," and my cats love it, especially at night.

(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: I have no pets, but I really, really, really love animals, particularly kitties!

You've made mention of using fish oils rich in the omega compounds. However, some media and concerned environmental groups talk of the depletion and pollution of global fisheries. Flaxseed and hempseed are processed to provide omega oil compounds 3, 6 and 9. Is there any harm in using a plant-based source instead of a fish or krill oil as you recommend?

My other question is about toxoplasmosis, which can be found in pet cats, rats and ferrets. It is harmful to humans. An infection of toxoplasmosis can result in compromised cognitive function and other health problems. How can current and future pet owners reduce the risk of acquiring a toxoplasmosis infection? How can they check for it? -- J.R.M., St. Louis

DEAR J.R.M.: Nutritional science has shown that some people, like most cats and probably many dogs, are unable to process or convert omega-3 fatty acids of plant origin into DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). These acids are essential for brain development, vision, immune system function and a host of other body functions. They also help balance inflammation-causing omega-6 fatty acids, which tend to be in excess in the human diet. For details, see my article about krill oil on my website, DrFoxVet.com.

American consumers and their pets are facing a major nutritional deficiency and imbalance when it comes to these essential fatty acids. As a vegetarian, I rely on flax and several supplements, including DHA Algal-900 from Finest Nutrition and Nordic Naturals Algae Omega. For dogs and cats, I recommend Nordic Naturals fish oil or free-range, grass-fed beef, dairy or poultry, which is higher in omega-3s than products from conventionally raised and fed animals. A small amount of canned sardine or mackerel can also provide some of these essential nutrients.

Toxoplasmosis is diagnosable by alert epidemiologists and parasitologists, and it is treatable in patients not too damaged by these organisms. To best prevent toxoplasmosis, be careful when handling raw meat (or go vegetarian/vegan); wear gardening gloves when working in soil; outlaw people allowing their cats to roam free, becoming infected from killing and eating rodents; and avoid contact with feces when cleaning out the litter box.

DEAR DR. FOX: As a horse owner, I am bugged by all the vaccines being given to them. I agree with you that they can harm the horses' immune systems. Now we have eastern equine encephalitis, which can infect humans, and West Nile virus, which can kill horses and people. What's next? We never had these diseases when I was younger. What is going on? -- A.R., East Lansing, Mich.

DEAR A.R: Your question is timely because health experts and a few political leaders are waking up to the consequences of climate change/global warming, which facilitates the spread of some insect-borne diseases like the two that you mention.

Wind currents and warmer temperatures help spread viruses across continents, as can infected migratory birds. We need to acknowledge the role of humans in helping spread these so-called emerging diseases like West Nile virus and the increasingly frequent influenza epidemics.

Insect-borne diseases such as eastern equine encephalitis, West Nile virus, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, the Schmallenberg virus, and a host of tick-borne diseases from Lyme disease to Rocky Mountain spotted fever might be reduced if we stopped using pesticides. This may seem counterintuitive, but biting insects quickly develop resistance to the pesticides while the bats, birds and other creatures that consume them and help control their numbers get poisoned. The white nose syndrome fungal disease currently decimating bats may be a consequence of immune system impairment by pesticides. Ditto the fate of the honeybee and other beneficial insects.

But the agrichemical industry does not want to hear any of this, and the drug and vaccine industries continue to profit from anthropogenic, man-made diseases. The solutions are seen as an economic threat to this establishment, but they should be regarded as an opportunity to serve the greater good and profit ethically.

(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: In your dreams or in working with sick animals as they pass on, have you ever gotten a sense from them of how they feel about humans ending their lives when they are ill?

Although we rationalize it as the most caring and compassionate thing to do, do we really have the right to do that to other beings? How do the animals think and feel about it? -- R.B., Philadelphia

DEAR R.B.: In my experience euthanizing animals and my limited experience with hospice care for humans, fear is the biggest issue. People and animals who know that they are going to die and are not at peace or feel insecure need all the help that caregivers can provide to make the transition as smooth as possible.

I have met all my beloved deceased animals in my dreams. Some of them did not have smooth exits, but all of them are shining with happiness now. While that could be my own psyche helping me feel good, I believe that there is irrefutable evidence of life after life. I contend that it is our duty to liberate animals under our care from intractable, incurable suffering. They have ways of letting us know they're OK once we get through our own guilt, anger, helplessness, depression and other feelings that can sweep over us when we relive the events leading up to the time when a humane death -- euthanasia -- is administered. In some instances, animals, like people, and their loved ones are blessed with an easy passage, dying in their sleep or in the arms of their loved ones without any anesthetic or pain-, heart- and brain-stopping medications. Empathy and compassion must take precedence over extending life at all costs.

I hope that this response helps answer these questions. I must add that some people have not come to terms with accepting death and do not appreciate the emotional exhaustion and ethical burden on many caregivers, as evidenced when they berate me for suggesting to readers that they should have their animals euthanized.

Note: I emailed this reply to R.B., who replied: Thank you so much for sharing your personal experience and perspectives on this most delicate subject. I feel a little more at peace now after having read your letter. Not only is it OK, it's actually our duty to liberate animals under our care from suffering.

JERKY DOG TREATS BEING RECALLED

Thousands of complaints about dogs becoming ill and even dying after consuming chicken jerky treats have been filed with the FDA. But, as I have documented on my website, DrFoxVet.com, no specific cause has been identified. I have long suggested food irradiation as a factor.

Now these widely marketed dog treats, all manufactured in China, are being taken off the market -- not because the poison has been identified, but because minute and allegedly harmless traces of an antibiotic used by poultry producers in China and prohibited in the U.S. has been found by the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets. Here are a few notable recalls:

-- Waggin' Train LLC is voluntarily withdrawing its Waggin' Train and Canyon Creek Ranch dog treats sold in the United States until further notice. For product refund or more information, call 1-800-982-0704 or go to waggintrainbrand.com.

-- Milo's Kitchen Chicken Jerky and Chicken Grillers home-style dog treats are being recalled. Consumers with questions about Milo's Kitchen products can get further information at 1-877-228-6493.

-- IMS Trading Corp. is taking its Cadet Brand Chicken Jerky Treats off the market. For more information, visit imspet.com/recallchickentreats.htm.

(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.)