DEAR DR. FOX: Our beagle/basset-mix has had a persistent itching/scratching/biting problem for the past two years.

We have tried many medications. They all bring temporary relief, but none cures the itching. We have tried many types of food, from grain-free to all-natural to homemade. Again, there is no consistent relief. We have spent a lot of money at different veterinarians, trying to pinpoint the problem -- to no avail. Prior to the itching, which started in August 2010, our dog had been on the same high-quality food for three years. We've added no new pets, changed his beds and given him baths with prescription shampoo and conditioner/lotion. There is no consistency as far as time of year.

We got him as a rescue, so we are unsure of his age, but we believe him to be 8 to 10 years old. We have grown weary of opening our wallet time and again to try and fix a problem that is frustrating for him and us. -- J.P., Washington, D.C.

DEAR J.P.: It seems you and your poor dog have been through the ringer. He may have multiple allergies and a dysfunctional immune system. More costly tests and trial-and-error treatments may -- or may not -- put an end to his problem.

Here are a few suggestions: Have his thyroid function evaluated. Try short-term oral antihistamines. Discuss starting an elimination diet with your veterinarian. Give your dog cotton towels or bedsheets to sleep on, and never use scented laundry detergents. Don't use any anti-flea or -tick products. Give him up to 1 teaspoon brewer's yeast and fish oil. Give him a spritz of a mixture of aloe vera juice, calendula and witch hazel. (For more suggestions, check the archives on my website, DrFoxVet.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: Our 18-year-old cat, Carmen, was just diagnosed with diabetes -- again.

Carmen had a scary start in life: She was an injured, lost kitten we rescued. She has always been timid and more fearful of things than the average cat. She was diagnosed with diabetes when she was about 15 years old. We used Lantus insulin for a year or so, and the diabetes, according to the vet, was "cured." Then a few months ago, she started losing weight and peeing outside the litter box, so back to the vet we went, where the return to diabetes was confirmed.

The vet wanted to bring her in for a daylong glucose curve test, which we did, although we were concerned about the stress on Carmen. The testing cost $200, and the vet said she wanted to do it again in two weeks. We complied, paid $200 and were told to bring her back in another two weeks for yet another test.

When Carmen had diabetes the first time, we would test her at home, and if the levels were within normal range, we would continue with her food (Wellness Turkey and Salmon canned food) and testing program. When I asked the vet why we couldn't do that this time around, she said that our testing was just a moment in time, and it takes the whole day to get an accurate reading. Our concern is that these daylong tests at the vet are extremely stressful to Carmen and so the glucose level readings are probably not going to be as accurate as they should be.

Our other concern is that dear little Carmen is close to 100 years old in people years, and we want this time to be calm and relaxing for her. And, needless to say, the $200 a pop ,in addition to the cost of the insulin, syringes, etc., is beginning to add up.

What are your thoughts? -- F.D., North Beach, Md.

DEAR F.D.: Subjecting a cat as old as yours to such stress, especially considering her timid disposition, is borderline malpractice. Saying that her diabetes was "cured" and taking her off the insulin makes me wonder. I would never subject my cats to such stressful tests, the costs notwithstanding. They may be scientifically valid, but are they medically relevant and of any real value? For your cat in particular, I think not. Why could you not be instructed to do the blood tests at home?

Diabetes mellitus may not be your cat's only problem. Her weight loss may be associated with thyroid disease, and she may have some loss of kidney function. Considering her age, quality of life is paramount. Check feline-nutrition.org for alternative diets, including raw foods that have cured many cats of diabetes, and seek a second opinion with a feline specialist.

(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 a 10-year-old sheltie who was recently diagnosed with Cushing's disease. My vet put him on a 60-milligram Vetoryl capsule daily for the adrenal glands.

He growls at me when I try to put on his halter or touch his front legs, so I know his feet hurt. He doesn't want to walk and is constantly sitting or lying down. His fur is coming out in clumps. He used to love being brushed, but no longer. I originally thought he had a bladder infection because he urinates in the house.

His appetite is good. He gets a small handful of Purina's Beneful and 2 heaping teaspoons of canned Alpo in the morning. In the evening, he gets treats like Pup-Peroni, Beggin' Strips, Meaty Bone and DentaStix.

Can you give me any advice on how I can improve his quality of life? -- J.S., Albrightsville, Pa.

DEAR J.S.: I am sorry to hear about your poor dog's condition, which is all too prevalent in the canine population today.

With Cushing's disease, adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone cortisol. It can be complicated by diabetes and low thyroid activity. You should have him tested for these conditions.

Improving your dog's nutrition may help improve his physical and mental condition. Over 10 to 14 days, transition him onto a grain-free food such as Wellness, Orijen or Organix. Discuss the possibility of giving your dog digestive enzymes, probiotics and a source of omega-3 fatty acids in his food. He may enjoy my recipe for buckwheat treats, which you can find on my website, DrFoxVet.com. You can also buy freeze-dried meaty treats like Stella & Chewy's. Don't buy any imported from China!

DEAR DR. FOX: We have a 13-year-old male cat who has started vomiting up his food on a daily basis. He is an indoor cat, and he eats California Natural chicken and brown rice formula and the occasional treat from the vet to clean his teeth.

We take him for walks on a leash daily. If he happens to eat grass while outdoors or if he drinks water after eating his first meal of the day, it will cause the vomiting. We have asked our vet for a remedy, with no solution. We would like to get your take on this because the vomiting is almost constant, and we are concerned about his health. -- G.R., Norman, Okla.

DEAR G.R.: I wish more people would take your initiative and try habituating their cats to a daily walk in a harness. Many cats enjoy such outdoor stimulation.

Ruling out lymphatic cancer (considering your cat's age) and fur ball accumulation in the stomach, I would consider a possible food hypersensitivity or allergy as the cause of his vomiting. Try transitioning your cat onto a different diet of known, whole-food ingredients -- no generic "meat meal" or byproducts. Avoid corn and soy because they may be genetically modified.

Do not allow your cat to eat grass, which can irritate an inflamed stomach. Give your cat small meals four to six times daily, since eating a large meal quickly can make hungry cats vomit.

(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 a neutered 10-year-old orange tabby who is an indoor cat. He is overweight. I have tried so many things over the years to help him.

He has an aggressive personality and can be very defensive. He does not do well at the vet, and he has to be sedated before his checkup. It is difficult and traumatic to take him to the vet for anything at all.

I am concerned about his weight. He was put on Hill's Prescription Diet r/d years ago. I don't think this is the best thing for him, but I don't know where to turn for help. He seems to be hungry all the time and constantly cries to be fed. Sometimes I give in. It's the only way I can get sleep. I don't give him more than the amount he's supposed to have, but I don't see any results. Even though the bag of food says not to use the product long term, his vet still has him on it. I want to switch, but I don't feel like I'm educated in the best possible source of food for him.

I want to help him feel better and lose weight. I feel like I have failed him. I love him and want to do what's right. I've checked into Wellness CORE Grain-Free Indoor Formula and thought of trying it. Can you please advise me on what you think is best for my furry friend? -- D.W., Wilmington, Del.

DEAR D.W.: The main ingredients in the diet food you are feeding your cat are brewers' rice, chicken byproduct meal, corn gluten meal, powdered cellulose, chicken liver flavor and soybean oil. Carnitine is added to "help burn body fat." Your poor cat may develop the feline equivalent of a metabolic syndrome on this kind of diet -- diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney, urinary tract and liver problems.

Your cat needs good-quality animal protein and fats of animal origin to stay full. Visit feline-nutrition.org for more insights, and check out my website, DrFoxVet.com, for a home-prepared diet you may wish to try.

The Wellness brand is good. Feed your cat six to eight small meals daily, weigh him weekly and adjust his diet accordingly. Whatever exercise you can get him to enjoy, such as chasing a lure on the end of a string, will help.

DEAR DR. FOX: I agree with your position against pickup trucks hauling loose dogs (and kids), although the prevalence of this practice in rural areas makes me wonder how dangerous it really is. If hauling a dog in a crate inside a car is all right, why is hauling a dog in a crate atop your car not all right? -- B.W.P.

DEAR B.W.P.: Thanks for asking! I wonder if other readers do not understand the difference between transporting a dog in a crate inside a vehicle or in the rear of a pickup versus on top of the car like a piece of secured luggage.

A dog in a crate on top of a car has no protection from high-velocity wind, which can carry injurious flying particles that could cause blindness. The animal is also exposed to cold and rain that bring discomfort and stress and can potentially lead to hypothermia and pneumonia. The experience could be so terrifying to any animal as to cause a heart attack or self-injury in an attempt to break free. Similarly, chickens and turkeys are transported in crates in open trucks, and those at the front get the brunt of transit stress.

The lack of empathy in transporting any animal in that way is also of concern because it means more than a mere lack of common sense. It could be an indicator of a serious character disorder or defect in an individual's capacity to care responsibly for another living being.

KRILL OIL SUPPLEMENTS

One aspect of veterinary bioethics is the source of various therapeutic products and nutrient supplements and their environmental impact, which must be weighed against their effectiveness and the availability of alternatives. One point in question is the mass marketing of krill oil as a superior nutrient supplement to health-conscious consumers and pet owners.

Krill is the food staple for several whale species and other marine creatures. The justification for krill harvesting is based primarily on profits and is a tie-in with the factory farming of corn-fed livestock and poultry notoriously deficient in omega-3 fatty acid and with excess omega-6 fatty acid. There is hope on the omega-3 supplement horizon with confirmation that cultures of algae could lead to the wholesale production of omega-3 fatty acids, some of which are already being marketed and embraced by vegans and other conscientious consumers. For more details on why I am opposed to krill being taken from the oceans, see my entry at DrFoxVet.com.

FREE-ROAMING CATS DECIMATE WILDLIFE

It is estimated that domestic cats in the U.S. -- including house cats who spend part of the day outdoors, strays and feral cats -- kill a median 2.4 billion birds and 12.3 billion mammals a year, according to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and the Fish and Wildlife Service. An estimated 80 million stray and feral cats do most of the killing.

All cat owners should never allow their cats to roam free, and all municipalities should address stray and feral cat issues.

(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.)