DEAR DR. FOX: I am writing in reference to a recent letter in your column about a beagle/basset-mix who has a persistent itching/scratching/biting problem.

My cocker spaniel had the same problem a number of years ago. She was chewing herself apart. All four of her legs were chewed down to raw meat -- bleeding, filled with ugly sores and pus, and scaly.

I was at my wit's end watching our beloved pet suffer so much. Her vet didn't know what was causing the problem. I spent a small fortune on medications and shampoos that did nothing to help her. She was unable to sleep, and I would sit up with her, bathing her legs in milk to try to give her some relief.

One night when my husband and I were having dinner, he happened to mention that his boss had gone to the doctor because she was not feeling well. She had a rash and was breaking out with lesions. She learned that she was allergic to an artificial food colorant called Yellow No. 5.

While contemplating what my husband had just told me, it occurred to me that our cocker spaniel could have the same problem. I immediately pulled out her food and treats and started checking the ingredient labels. They were loaded with artificial colorants: Red No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1 and Blue No. 2. I threw out all of her food and started her on new foods and treats that were all natural and had no colorants added.

By that evening, I noticed my dog was not biting and scratching as frequently, and she was able to get some sleep. By the following day, I noticed that she was not biting or scratching at all. Within two weeks, her sores healed, the scales were gone and her fur started to grow back.

I hope you will pass this information on to your readers, and advise them the check labels for colorants. Pet owners must be informed and alert as to what we are feeding our loved ones. It disgusts me to see what the animal food industry has done to our beloved pets. Pharmaceutical companies and veterinarians are also to blame for medications that are killing our animals. Pets and their owners deserve better than this; it's unfortunate that we must learn through word of mouth or trial and error.

Please keep up the work you are doing. I enjoy reading your column every week. -- C.R., Monroe, Conn.

DEAR C.R.: I give your letter five stars for its importance in identifying a significant health issue for all consumers, animal and human, concerning the use of coloring agents in various consumables. The United States government, long under the thumb of the chemical, food and beverage industries, has yet to act responsibly with regard to the various dyes used in manufactured foods. Some are prohibited in Europe because they are classified as carcinogens. Some may play a role in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and may cause seizures in epilepsy-prone dogs. I know of one dog who would have a seizure if given even a small piece of yellow or red cheese -- the natural dye from the tropical "lipstick," or achiote, tree, called annatto, being the culprit. There is a possibility that there was another ingredient in one of the treats or dog foods that caused your dog to develop these distressing allergy or hypersensitivity symptoms, but that would cost a small fortune to identify, and your common sense solution worked.

American pet owners, parents and consumers: Wake up!

DEAR DR. FOX: My daughter has a rescued female pit bull mix. She is a wonderful dog who was trained by the prison dog program in Florida.

The dog has developed a rear leg limp suddenly, and it is obviously painful. The veterinary school at the University of Florida made a diagnosis of detached tendons in both legs. The only solution they offered was surgery -- for $7,000. There is no way my daughter can afford that. She is beside herself. Help! -- B.W., Naples, Fla.

DEAR B.W.: This is a very prevalent affliction, in part related to the angulation of the hind legs, the weight of the dog, that age at which she was spayed and possibly an adverse reaction to distemper vaccinations. For details, see my review in my book "Healing Animals & the Vision of One Health."

The surgery fee at the veterinary college is exorbitant. Your daughter should get price quotes from private veterinary practices, some of which may arrange for payment by an installment schedule.

Smaller, lightweight dogs can get by without corrective surgery, but I see little alternative for an active, muscular dog like your daughter's, unless her weight and strenuous physical activity are kept under control and she is given a daily treatment of massage and physical therapy. Give it a try over a rigorous six- to eight-week period, and provide good joint-supportive supplements such as Cosequin, turmeric and fish oil.

(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: Do you have a homeopathic cure for cat dandruff? I have two beautiful 8-year-old brothers who have developed dandruff suddenly. There has been no change in their environment or diet. Thanks for any advice you may have. -- S.K., Highland, N.Y.

DEAR S.K.: There are many reasons why cats and dogs develop dandruff. In some instances, it is coupled with fur shedding, and not to be an alarmist, it can be an early indication of a serious health problem. But it is a fact that the shedding of skin flakes and fur is a cyclical process that can intensify in winter, when the animal's environment is typically low in humidity.

Cats enjoy sunbathing, which may benefit their skin, so providing carpeted window shelves that get sunlight may be advisable.

Poor skin and coat condition are often associated with omega-3 fatty acid deficiency, especially with dry food diets. A few drops of fish oil may solve your cats' problem, especially since they are eating the same food.

You say there has been no change in what they are fed, but pet food ingredients under the same brand can change. Also, it can take many months for nutritional deficiencies to develop. Since your cats are middle-aged, a full veterinary checkup is advisable, including testing for thyroid function if omega-3 supplementation does not improve this condition after six to eight weeks.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have read that diatomaceous earth can be used to rid horses, cats and dogs of worms. What is your opinion? -- E.L., Fort Myers, Fla.

DEAR E.L.: Food-grade diatomaceous earth is the only form of this product that should be used externally on the animals' coats and as a dust around the house to control fleas and even bed bugs. The pool-grade is dangerously high in silica, which could cause lung damage.

Diatomaceous earth, given orally for several days, has been shown to eliminate various internal parasites, such as whipworms, roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms. The effective dosage is 1 teaspoon per 10 to 20 pounds of body weight mixed in with food once daily for 60 to 90 days -- though 30 days of treatment may suffice. This product is harmless and can contain some beneficial trace minerals. I would like to see a peer-reviewed report of clinical trials on it.

There are other natural products with various medical qualities that are being rediscovered. Silver -- in colloidal form -- can be used to enhance the action of existing antibiotics against gram-negative bacteria, thus strengthening the antibiotic arsenal for fighting bacterial infections. Clay also has antibacterial properties, and can help in the treatment of inflammatory bowel conditions.

(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: My daughter has a 6-year-old female bullmastiff who eats napkins, socks and other clothing. These become impacted in her system and require surgery. Is there a way to break her of this habit? -- G.C., Naples, Fla.

DEAR G.C.: Your daughter's dog has what is called pica -- a depraved or abnormal appetite for nonfood materials. For some dogs, this can include rocks, pebbles and soil.

Have your daughter check my website, DrFoxVet.com, for more insights. She also should consider taking the dog to a veterinarian to rule out a physical cause, such as intestinal parasites, inflammatory bowel disease and tonsillitis/pharyngitis. She can also get a referral to a behavioral therapist. It's quite possible the dog is left alone all day and is bored out of her mind. Is it possible the dog could go to work with your daughter?

Your daughter's home should be tidied, and she should keep all chewables away from the dog, with the exception of a variety of safe doggy chew toys, including a flavored Nylabone and rubber Kong filled with peanut butter.

DEAR DR. FOX: Your thoughts regarding euthanasia were both enlightening and heart-wrenching. I have had several wonderful pets euthanized, and I grieved and wondered if I was doing the right thing, even though there was no hope of them recovering from their aged conditions.

My last experience was totally different. Max was my most beloved, sweet, intelligent, gentle giant of a dog, and when he got so bad he couldn't walk anymore, I felt I knew what I had to do. A second before he took his last breath, he looked up at me as if to say, "Thank you, I won't be in pain anymore, and I'll see you again someday."

That was 15 years ago. I can still see those big brown eyes looking at me with love, and I know I did the right thing. -- R.K., St. Louis

DEAR DR. FOX: Thank you so much for your article on euthanasia. Last June, I had to have my Westie, Holly, put down.

Holly had become so ill I had no other choice. She didn't want to eat, and when she did, she was sick to her stomach. I was afraid she would starve to death.

Holly's regular vet did not want to put her down until $2,000 worth of tests were done, so I had to find a more compassionate vet to help me. When I took her to the second vet, she seemed to be at peace with what was going to happen. I held her when she went to "sleep." I know she is in a better place now. -- M.S., Virginia Beach, Va.

DEAR R.K. and M.S.: Your letters are important because they confirm how beneficial it can be for the beloved animal and the devoted caregiver to be together at the time of departure/euthanasia.

Some veterinarians do not allow this procedure after having had rare instances of animals having adverse reactions to euthanasia drugs or the animal's guardians being emotionally unprepared. A few follow the unethical money-making practice of making people feel guilty if they do not pay for all kinds of diagnostic tests and life-extending interventions, which I have documented in "Healing Animals & the Vision of One Health." As a voice of conscience for the veterinary profession -- by default and not by design, since I have nothing to sell except compassion and bioethics -- I have received some castigating emails. But when we put animals before financial interests and do not shy away from euthanasia when quality of life and the degree of suffering justify a humane death, we may call ourselves civilized and human.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have had three cats over the years, and I recently adopted a stray. She has turned out to be a wonderful pet. I had her spayed, checked out and given all the shots she needed when I got her. But I found out quickly that she liked to use my sofa and chair as scratching posts.

My last three cats were all declawed, and I felt so bad when I had this done, as it didn't seem natural and it left them defenseless from other animals should they escape. And, of course, the vets like to make money! I doubt most would ever discourage one from doing it.

I was determined that I would not do it to the next cat I adopted. And I found a wonderful alternative -- a cardboard scratcher. I poured catnip on it, and she absolutely loves it! She has not touched, scratched or bothered my furniture since. It lasts for quite a long time, so you don't have to replace it often. I believe the one I just threw out was a year old. And she lets me trim her nails with no problem.

So tell your readers to rethink declawing their cats. How sad it is that they have to endure this awful surgery when all the owner has to do is buy a scratcher. I hope it works as well for others as it has for me. -- N.B., Cumberland, Md.

DEAR N.B.: Your letter says it all! Readers, clip this letter and give it to your veterinarian when you take your cats in for whatever reason, especially to those vets who may still declaw kittens without question.

(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.)