DEAR DR. FOX: We have a 2-year-old Lhasa apso who will not walk on a leash. She's a nice little dog, but all suggestions have failed.

We let her drag the leash around the house when we are home -- it doesn't work. We've tried offering treats -- no, she doesn't like any kind of treats.

She came from a wonderful shelter, but we think she had been kept in a cage before her arrival there. She was bred before she was a year old. During our six months with her, she has learned to play, enjoys a huge yard and seems happy. But we'd like to be able to enjoy walking her. -- P.B., Stephens City, Va.

DEAR P.B.: It is good to know that you adopted this sweet little victim of a puppy mill.

She may have a phobia about going into open spaces and strange places, not of being led on the leash. Patience is called for -- a virtue that you are clearly not lacking after helping her recover from life in a cage.

Be sure she is not wearing a collar attached to the leash. Instead, keep the collar, but fit her with a comfortable, snug harness and attach that to the leash. The pressure on her neck when you try to walk her with the leash attached to her collar could trigger fear and, if she struggles, cause serious damage to her windpipe.

Just yesterday I was driving my car and saw a young woman walking what looked like a longhaired Chihuahua. She suddenly jerked the dog backwards, and all four of the dog's feet left the ground. The pressure of the collar on the dog's trachea could cause permanent damage, especially when repeated as a "no pull" training method.

DEAR DR. FOX: My daughter has a 2-year-old bull terrier who has developed car sickness over the past year. He was always happy to ride in the car on trips that generally did not exceed 1 1/2 hours. However, he now vomits several times after each ride, and it can take up to two days before he recovers.

He is in good health otherwise. Is there a remedy available that you may recommend? -- J.D.F., Springfield, Mass.

DEAR J.D.F.: That your daughter's dog enjoyed car rides rules out any anxiety issues. Hanging a cloth strip soaked in essential oil of lavender or placing a few drops on a bandanna around the dog's neck can produce a small miracle of relaxation for dogs who are anxious in the car.

The vomiting is more a motion sickness issue. Give the dog 1/2 teaspoon of freshly chopped ginger root buried in a couple of balls of cream cheese or peanut butter 30 minutes before going on a long journey. Then make hourly stops to exercise the dog and allow him to relieve himself. Giving a second dose of ginger after two hours in the car should keep his stomach calm and make him one happy puppy.

DEAR DR. FOX: Please tell me something about staph infection in puppies. We have been fostering some pups, and a few got little pustules on their tummies the vet said was Staphylococcus. -- L.B.S., Fort Myers, Fla.

DEAR L.B.S.: Staphylococcus bacteria, of which there are various strains, is arguably a normal "commensal" organism. Along with other kinds of bacteria, it helps keep the skin healthy and resistant to invasive bacterial and fungal infections. But in puppies with poorly developed immunity and animals with impaired immune systems, Staphylococcus intermedius can cause follicular dermatitis -- pustules with a hair shaft protruding from the center. Shampooing with benzoyl peroxide, chlorhexidine or human Selsun Blue medicated shampoo may resolve the problem. Applying essential oils with antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties -- such as frankincense, lavender and tea tree -- diluted in 10 parts almond oil to one part of these oils, applied twice daily may prove effective.

More resistant cases call for oral antibiotics such as erythromycin. Penicillins are not generally effective because of bacterial resistance. Be sure to get the dogs tested and treated for other concurrent disease.

(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'm writing in response to a letter by F.A.V. of Honolulu, who had a 13-pound, 6-year-old Brussels griffon with oxalate crystals in his bladder and urethra. The dog had to have surgery every two years.

Three years ago, our 9-year-old female Jack Russell terrier had the same problem, but only one surgery. After surgery, our vet prescribed Royal Canin Urinary SO dog food. This has solved the problem and keeps her urine clear. She has not had any problems since going on this prescription food. I give her both dry and canned servings of it.

This prescribed dog food might be something that F.A.V. may want to explore as an option. -- N.H., Middleburg, Va.

DEAR N.H.: There is a confounding combination of genetics affecting dogs' metabolism and kidney function. The artificial acidification of some manufactured dog foods, done to help prevent struvite crystal formation, may make dogs prone to developing oxalate crystals in their lower urinary tracts. High dietary calcium and low fluid intake when a dog is fed dry food only may also be contributing factors.

The best prevention is a home-prepared diet, as I offer on my website, DrFoxVet.com. Alternatives to the costly, and for some dogs, unpalatable, prescribed diet foods are available at secure.balanceit.com.

DEAR DR. FOX: What is your opinion on clumping litter and cat eye problems? Thank you. -- D.D., Naples, Fla.

DEAR D.D.: I have received several letters questioning the safety of clumping litter for cats. The most common concern is about them swallowing small particles of the litter that may adhere to their paws or fur and the risk of intestinal blockage. I have found no clinical evidence to support this concern, and I regard its perpetuation as an unfounded fear.

I use World's Best Cat Litter for my two cats, and I believe that it is one of the best. It has very little dust compared to the various clay-based cat litters. Your cat should have no problems with this brand, unless it is allergic to corn.

Any cat with eye issues may experience eye irritation and develop litter box aversion if his box has an odor-trapping cover. Covered cat boxes create an ammoniated and dusty interior space for cats, and I advise against using them.

DEAR DR. FOX: For years, St. Louis has displayed dogs in the dreadful Beggin' Barkus Pet Parade, an annual February fundraiser for the Open Door Animal Sanctuary, a no-kill shelter.

I see no humor in humiliating our furry friends and spraying them with harmful chemicals (paint, etc.). In my opinion, this is animal abuse.

Could you please address this in your column? I find it very upsetting that it seems to become more extreme every year. -- H.S., St. Louis

DEAR H.S.: Having walked our dogs in fundraising and July 4 celebration parades, I can attest to the fact that most temperamentally stable dogs really enjoy the experience. Many seem to enjoy wearing various costumes (like children, they appreciate the extra attention they receive). But I do not like the idea of sprayed-on dyes to color their coats.

The most important considerations are noise and weather. People blowing antique car horns or playing instruments in marching bands should be separated from the dog part of any community parade. I would like to see an end to all fireworks.

In hot, sunny weather, very hot pavements must be avoided and dogs should wear protective boots -- the same goes for very cold weather. Drinking water and evaporative-cooling wet coats can provide comfort for dogs in summer, and umbrellas give shade. Where there is flexibility in terms of setting a fundraising walk, the mild months of spring and fall are wise, humane choices.

Speaking of St. Louis -- a city where I was a psychology professor at Washington University during the 1970s -- I will be giving a fundraising talk for Stray Rescue on May 5, titled "The Great Healing: Animal Feelings and Feeling for Animals." For more details, email jenn@strayrescue.org. For tickets, visit strayrescue.org/UrbanWanderersTailEnd2013.

(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 just read the letter sent to you by a reader called M.D. expressing his opinion on letting domestic cats roam free. The ignorance and stupidity he showed in his attack on you spiked my blood pressure!

First of all, my wife and I enjoy sitting on our front porch in the summer. Many times, we watch the local free-roaming domestic cats stalk and attempt to kill fledgling robins while both parents squawk and do what little they can do to protect the baby bird. Whenever I can, I intervene and run the cat off. These cats also defecate and urinate around our shrubbery. The smell is terrible.

But that is not why I'm writing. I had an experience a few summers ago that I will never forget:

I was working in the yard and had left the outbuilding door open. When I finished, I closed and locked the door. A few days later, I entered the outbuilding for something, and I noticed a few items had fallen from the shelves. Frankly, I was hesitant about entering the building because I thought the upset items might have been caused by a rat or some other animal with an attitude -- I've been down that road, and it isn't a pleasant trip.

The third time I entered the building, I found a dead cat on the floor. The cat had apparently entered the outbuilding to look around and hid when I came back to put my tools away. The cat was emaciated, with one paw up through its collar. For some reason, he had gotten his leg through the collar past his elbow and couldn't get it back out.

There is no doubt in my mind that this poor cat suffered almost a week without water or food and with temperatures in the building well over 100 degrees. I still get upset now, three years later, when I think of the suffering and horrible death this cat endured. I think M.D. lives in some kind of fantasy world of his own design. -- A.T.P, Keyser, W.Va.

DEAR A.T.P.: I hope your letter will convince readers who still let their cats roam free to get them used to life indoors and time outdoors only in an enclosed structure or gazebo.

There are breakaway safety collars for dogs and cats who may get out. If the collar gets caught on a branch or fence, or even another animal's paw or jaw during a fight, it can unsnap. It's also a good idea to get microchip IDs injected under the skin of your pet.

MORE RECALLS OF PET FOODS AND DOG TREATS

I have never seen such a spate of recalls:

-- Natura has expanded the recall of their Innova, Evo, California Natural and Healthwise brands of cat and dog foods because of potential salmonella bacterial contamination.

-- Barf Co. has recalled their Barf Lamb and Barf Combo patties because of possible contamination of salmonella.

-- Growth of mold on Iams Shakeables Turkey and Shakeables Lamb dog treats has lead the parent company, Proctor & Gamble, to launch a recall.

For details on the lot numbers on all the products identified for recall, visit DrFoxVet.com. While dog and cat owners may be relieved to know of these recall initiatives, in part instigated at public expense by state and federal health authorities that are now testing pet food products on a more routine basis, the fact remains that our food chain seems to be increasingly unsafe. For further insights and what you can do, check out the book on this topic that I co-authored with two other veterinarians, "Not Fit for a Dog: The Truth About Manufactured Cat and Dog Foods."

(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.)