DEAR DR. FOX: Your column regarding pets and euthanasia was very touching -- so much so that I felt compelled to write to you.

In July 2011, I had to put to sleep my beloved 13-year-old Shih Tzu, Munchkin. She had severe cardiac issues and was completely blind. It was the most difficult thing I've ever done.

In your column, the writer asked how pets feel about euthanasia. My experience was interesting. When the vet gave Munchkin the initial injection to numb her so she wouldn't feel anything, she started kissing my husband and me.

We thought it was so strange, but in my heart, I knew she was saying, "Thank you. Thank you for releasing me. I love you!" She seemed so happy. It was comforting on a certain level, but still devastating. Her final moments were painless, and my husband and I held her and talked to her. We should all be so lucky. -- L.M., Naples, Fla.

DEAR L.M.: I believe your letter underscores the importance of owners being present when their beloved animal companions are euthanized, either at the veterinary hospital or, ideally, at home in safe and familiar surroundings. Some pet owners are not emotionally up for this final responsibility, just as some veterinarians are leery about occasional adverse reactions to the euthanasia drugs in some animals, which can greatly upset owners in attendance. These vets don't allow owners to witness the termination of life, which almost invariably is accomplished without incident.

We may never know if your little dog, like many others, was licking you to comfort you because she felt your distress and concern or because she knew that her time had come.

The transition to the afterlife or nonbeing was evidently without fear; I wish that for all creatures under our care. Someday, we may enjoy no less for ourselves, provided our culture evolves into one that is more compassionate and more accepting of death and euthanasia.

DEAR DR. FOX: Our 6-year-old male cat has been limping on his left front leg. Not all the time, but enough that it is a concern.

He has a good diet -- no grains and enough fish oil -- and he's healthy and frisky. We've taken him to the vet, who took X-rays. We were told there was nothing wrong with his bones and there were no signs of arthritis. Thinking there might be some muscle strain or soreness, the vet suggested applying a heating pad, but that hasn't made a difference.

Any suggestions? Should we get a second opinion from another vet? -- B.B., Washington, D.C.

DEAR B.B.: Since there is no evidence of arthritis or other joint abnormality and presuming there is no infection in one or more of the claw-beds, I would adopt a wait-and-see approach.

A small heating pad or wrap applied while he's on your lap or lying beside you and very gentle, exploratory massages (as described in my book "The Healing Touch For Cats") may be of benefit. I would discourage him from using a vertical scratching post -- place it on the floor horizontally or keep it out of reach for a while.

Also avoid any vigorous interactive games. A pinch of powdered turmeric, increasing up to 1/2-teaspoon daily, may prove beneficial. If he shows no signs of improvement after six to eight weeks, seek a second opinion and have his neck vertebrae examined.

DEAR DR. FOX: I am writing to get some advice and help dealing with my cat, Timothy.

Ever since my daughter left for college in August, Timothy has become very aggressive during mealtime. If I put food in his bowl and then try to touch his bowl, he growls and attacks my hand. While he eats, he growls until his food is gone.

He is a good-tempered animal and aggressive only at mealtime. I have tried to make him feel more comfortable by sitting with him in the kitchen while he is eating. I have also tried to feed him by hand, but he just becomes more aggressive.

After my daughter left for college, Timothy became depressed and had a urinary tract infection. He also had constipation problems.

When my daughter comes home on her breaks, Timothy is fine. He does not growl or have problems with bowel movements. I do have children come over once a month to visit, and I worry about him becoming aggressive toward them. -- L.P., Clinton, Md.

DEAR L.P.: As the caregiver of your daughter's cat, you deserve better!

My first question to you is: Have you considered the possibility of your daughter finding suitable accommodations where she is going to school so she can keep the cat with her? Clearly, the cat has a strong bond with her. I know of several cats who have become depressed, disinterested in food or more anxious when their human caregivers have left home for college or a job.

In the interim, give poor Timothy space and solitude while he eats, and put him in a separate room when children come.

Have your daughter mail you a T-shirt (in a plastic bag) that she has slept in for a week or so, and give it to Timothy to snuggle into.

(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 very smart but easily bored cat who I would like to stimulate. I looked for your book "Supercat: How to Raise the Perfect Feline Companion" in our one and only bookstore, but I could not find it. Is there a way to order it? I don't have a computer. -- L.C., Waldorf, Md.

DEAR L.C.: I am glad that "Supercat," published by John Wiley and Sons, is still in print. Bookstores can carry only a limited number of titles, but they all surely have computers and can place orders online for books that are not in stock. Some may refuse to do so because they don't get good discounts or deal only with bulk suppliers. They should be reported to the regional Better Business Bureau.

While "Supercat" has all kinds of games and IQ tests for cats, the best stimulation for a cat is another cat. Far too many live solitary, boring lives.

As for ways to stimulate your cat, you can make your own cat toys, including a cane with a long string and a feather on the end or a few pipe cleaners twisted into spirals. This will be entertaining and will stimulate the body and mind. Some cats love to chase after a laser pointer. A French veterinarian, Dr. Thierry Bedossa, interested in enriching animals' environments, told me that many cats will learn to play with an electronic game pad when the screen is placed on the floor and there are moving images to follow and paw at. A laser pointer can be used to attract the cat to the screen on the floor, and there are many children's games that are enjoyed by cats!

VETERINARY MEDICAL MARIJUANA ON THE HORIZON?

Nineteen states and Washington, D.C., have approved marijuana (cannabis) for medical use in humans after the state of California defied the federal prohibition in 1996 by voting in support of a referendum allowing patients to grow or possess the herb under their doctors' recommendation. Now the conservative Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association has published an article about the medical benefits of marijuana to animals, which include helping alleviate nausea and pain, especially in terminal cancer patients, and improving appetite and even separation anxiety and irritable bowel syndrome.

Research has shown that the mammalian brain contains cannabinoid (cannabis-sensitive) receptors, which help modulate neurological and behavioral functions. Other cannabinoid receptors are associated with immune system function. So-called endocannabinoids, which are generated in the body during strenuous physical activity, account for the runner's high and running dogs' euphoria.

Some human medical properties may also be applicable to animals, including anti-glaucoma, anti-epileptic/anti-seizure, anti-spastic, anti-anxiety, antidepressant, anti-nausea, anti-spasmodic, anti-asthmatic, anti-cancer (especially brain gliomas) and analgesia for a variety of conditions, including phantom limb and migraine.

Prohibition has for too long denied suffering human and non-human patients the benefits of this herb. It has also led to the outrageously unjust imprisonment of thousands of people for possession and to the deaths of many more in the drug wars, which the former president of Mexico, Vicente Fox, contends would end with America legalizing marijuana. As a Schedule 1 drug in the U.S., it is illegal for veterinarians to prescribe this beneficial herb to animal patients, a situation that needs to be rectified, from my perspective, by the veterinary profession adding its voice to the mounting pressure on the federal government to change the Schedule classification of marijuana and make it more available, legally, for those in need.

(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 am writing about my 6- or 7-year-old beagle, who I adopted four years ago from a local rescue group. Last year he started lifting his rear leg and walking and running on three legs -- not all the time, but particularly when he would rise from his dog bed to go outside. He seemed to do it consistently after intense playtimes or long walks. I took him to our vet right away, and she could not determine the cause. She worked his leg and knee, but neither seemed to give him any pain. He's been to the vet a number of times for the same issue. A couple of months ago, his back and rear spine were X-rayed and everything looked good.

He continues to raise his leg -- some days more than others. He will hop on three legs until he gets outside, where he then runs like a crazy dog with our two other dogs, chasing squirrels. Most of the time, he is running on all four legs. Our vet's position is that we need to wait for another symptom before we do anything. I appreciate her conservative approach, but I am wondering if further diagnostic tests are warranted. -- B.M., Charlotte Hall, Md.

DEAR B.M.: Your veterinarian's "conservative approach," rather than subjecting your dog to further tests and you to costly fees, is an appropriate wait-and-see response to your dog's intermittent lameness.

There could be a hairline fracture in one of the bones in the foot, for example, that may only show up later if it worsens. Such a lesion, sprain or torn ligament could eventually heal. Not allowing your dog to engage in vigorous running for six to eight weeks would be advisable. Regular swimming in a pool could be good physical therapy, as could going for long, fast walks. Try putting anti-inflammatory fish oil in his food, plus 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric and Cosequin.

Your dog could also have a "trick knee" -- a patella that slips out of place intermittently. The veterinarian should have considered this, and should have shown you where to feel and what to look for when your dog is not putting the leg in question on the ground. If this is the issue, it is best corrected by surgery. Once your dog starts running, his body releases cannabinoids, which have a potent analgesia and feel-good effect on mind and body. Feeling no or less pain could then interfere with the healing process.

DEAR DR. FOX: I am reading your e-book "Understanding Your Dog," and I see that you did research on laboratory animals. What are your views on animal experimentation? I am doing a report on this for school and would like your opinion. -- S.V.K., Miami

DEAR S.V.K.: My opinion on this issue is detailed in my book "Inhumane Society: The American Way of Exploiting Animals." I am opposed to animal experimentation when the primary beneficiaries are not the animals themselves. This rules out using animals to test cosmetics and various consumables. The numbers of animals used in biomedical research could be minimized through greater coordination between surgical equipment manufacturers and drug companies. Veterinarians could treat animals already injured, rather than inducing disease and causing injury in otherwise healthy dogs, cats and other animals in research laboratories.

Healthy animals should not be subjected to intravenous procedures for training human and animal doctors when there are viable alternatives such as dummy surrogates and clinical cases in the supervised veterinary hospital.

DEAR DR. FOX: We adopted two kittens 18 years ago. Both cats were diagnosed with hyperthyroidism several years ago and have been treated with methimazole.

Over the holidays, one of the cats passed away. The other cat continues to be in good health and remains on methimazole. However, since the other cat died, the remaining cat is comfortable around the two of us here at home, but she runs and hides whenever anyone else comes into the house. She has taken on some new characteristics, and we wonder if this is a result of missing her partner or if she may be ill.

She makes a loud guttural meow on and off during the night and will stop only if we rub her tummy. Both the loud meowing and comforting tummy rub are newly acquired behaviors. Previously, she would not sleep with us, as that was her sister's domain. She sometimes continues howling during the day for no reason. She has an ear-piercing yowl that's followed by vomiting. She often eats grass and immediately vomits -- sometimes this happens three to four times a day. She has continued on the same food for all 18 years (Fancy Feast), so we don't feel it's the food.

Any advice you may have will be appreciated. Thank you. -- M.C., Bethesda, Md.

DEAR M.C.: Fancy Feast is not on my list of top-choice cat foods (listed on my website, DrFoxVet.com). But your cat is old and switching to a different, ideally raw, balanced cat food or my home-prepared diet (also on my website) must be done gradually over a seven- to 10-day period. Providing probiotics and a good-quality fish oil is also advisable. The supplement provides some relief if she has arthritis. This is common in older cats and is one reason they become restless.

The loss of her feline companion could play a significant role in her change of behavior. If she were younger, I would advise adopting another adult cat who is healthy and easy-going. She is probably a little too old for that now.

I would take your cat in for a full veterinary checkup. Considering her age and distress of bereavement, she could have suffered considerable physical stress that in turn could have triggered failing kidneys or another more severe impairment.

(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.)