DEAR DR. FOX: This isn't really a question, but it does concern the animals. I appreciate your advocacy of spaying and neutering to control pet overpopulation, as well as what you say about the huge farm-animal population and the need to reduce our consumption of animal produce. But what about the ever-increasing human population? -- L.E., Alexandria, Va.

DEAR L.E.: The human species is the worst of all planetary infestations! Human population control, through famine, disease and war, are ancient, arguably biologically natural and ecologically remedial correctives. Costs notwithstanding, pharmaceutical, surgical and educational components of family planning face enormous obstacles, cultural and political. Having many children provides cheap labor and economic security in some cultures. Politics are rarely divorced from corruption and the kind of disinformation that equates family planning with genocide.

There is a delicate balance between stabilizing populations through the economic security of technological industrialization and sacrificing cultural and biological diversity. If the wisdom of America's 19th-century natural philosopher Henry David Thoreau -- "That in wildness is the preservation of the world" -- is incorporated by all who are dedicated to improving the human condition, the relentless conversion of the natural world into a bio-industrialized wasteland may be averted.

Effective advocacy of population control through family planning is to be applauded. Opponents who make fatuous religious and moral claims such as the right to life of the unborn live in denial of the severity of the human infestation and its environmental, economic and health impacts on a planet of finite resources, and, in the process, bring more suffering into this world.

DEAR DR. FOX: Almost 10 years ago, a cat wandered into my parents' yard and had kittens two weeks later. I ended up taking in the mother, Kitty, and a daughter kitten, Dora. Until recently, I thought I had the best cats -- sweet with nice dispositions. I always felt so lucky.

A couple of months ago, Kitty started hissing at Dora. It went on for about three weeks, when I decided to take her to the vet to check on medical issues, since that's what most articles I read recommended. The vet did blood and urine tests and found that she had an ear infection, but the tests came back fine. I gave Kitty the prescribed eardrops. Within four days, things were back to normal, and they were once again snuggled up sleeping next to each other. On the fifth day, Kitty was sneezing a lot. I took her back to the vet. She had an infection. I opted for a shot because I was nervous about how well she would take medications from me. By that weekend, she was really sick. I took her back to the vet on Monday. She was given stronger medicine, and this made her better.

Then Dora came down with a respiratory infection. I took her to the vet, but this time I opted for oral antibiotics since they would be stronger. It was a nightmare trying to give her the meds. After two days, I tried a pate-style cat food, crushed the medicine and mixed it in. That seemed to work. But Kitty went back to hissing, and Dora started hissing and growling.

I took Kitty back to the vet again. The ear infection had not completely cleared, so she was put on eardrops for another 10 days. Sadly, the aggression escalated when I was at work. They must have had a fight -- there were tufts of fur around, and I found small tufts of fur under their claws. That night there was another incident.

Now I separate them when I'm not home and at night when I go to bed. Things are not getting better. I make sure they are not near each other to fight. Dora seems particularly traumatized by all of this. She is fine with me if Kitty is locked up, but she's skittish and a bit nervous. I hope you can assist in guiding me in the right direction. -- K.D., Brick, N.J.

DEAR K.D.: I am so sorry to hear about all the stress in your life dealing with sick and fighting cats. Your reaction to all the stress is probably also affecting your cats, creating a vicious cycle. Don't feel bad about that.

How and why the older cat developed an ear infection is a mystery -- thought it could possibly be an adverse food reaction. Any such discomfort can lead to defensive, aggressive behavior. You were wise to take the cat to the veterinarian. In the future, do try to get an in-home visit, especially for cats who may pick up respiratory infections even in well-run veterinary facilities.

One way to break the aggressive reactions of Kitty toward poor Dora is to try the plug-in pheromone called Feliway. Put this in the room with Kitty and in the room with you and Dora. Get a moist cloth and rub it on both cats repeatedly so they pick up each other's scent. Offer both cats good-quality dried catnip to eat -- I call it cat Valium -- then after they have eaten or smelled and rolled in it and you have rubbed some under their chins, let them be together briefly. Repeat this on a daily basis and be calm and quiet. Have a towel or pillow on hand to put between them to stop any attacks by Kitty.

If these steps do not help, she may need to have a thyroid function test done, since hyperactive thyroid disease can lead to temperament changes, increased irritability, self-grooming and ear and skin infections.

(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: A close friend has a police dog (a German shepherd, bred in Germany for that purpose) with severe health issues.

The major problem is pancreatic enzyme deficiency. His vet has him on pancreatic tabs, but he still has loose stools, is very thin and his coat is dry and lackluster. He also has recurrent ear infections, but I think that is a separate issue.

Is there a natural diet or any type of supplements that could help this wonderful dog? -- C.C., Fallon, Mo.

DEAR C.C.: This is a very prevalent issue for German shepherds, which used to be confused with chronic colitis associated with stress and sensitive temperaments. Chronic disease of the pancreas, producing insufficient digestive enzymes, is a problem more common in certain breeds like your friend's dog and is thought to be a kind of exhaustion due to having to digest a high-carbohydrate diet.

I would advise that the dog be gradually transitioned -- over five to seven days -- onto a grain- and soy-free diet, digestive enzymes (a few pieces of canned pineapple will provide these), plus a twice-daily human dose of good-quality probiotics and a few drops of fish oil to provide essential fatty acids to help improve the dog's coat and overall condition.

Check my website for more details. Let me know how the poor dog progresses.

DEAR DR. FOX: Why do some dogs chase cars and others howl when they hear the tornado test siren? I live in a rural area, and these dogs drive me mad. I have a dog who does none of these things, and I am the only person around who walks him on a leash. Most are chained up or let out to roam. -- I.M., Galesburg, Ill.

DEAR I.M., The answer to both questions is instinct. Dogs chase vehicles and kids on bicycles, which can be a hazard, as a displaced prey-chasing activity. I know of some vehicle-chasing country dogs, along with turtles and any creature on the road, being deliberately run over by some drivers.

People in rural areas should take responsible and appropriate care of their dogs, which means not letting them roam free or live most of their lives on a chain. There is a disturbing undercurrent in rural America of animal, child and spousal abuse -- all connected -- which calls for the ethical revival of a civilization in decline. Living in Minnesota, I am shocked that thousands of mainly rural people apply for permits to shoot wolves and other "trophy" species as a recreational sport.

PET POISONING INCIDENCES

Human prescription drugs came in first place in a recent report on the Top 10 pet poisons in 2013, ranked by call volume to the Animal Poison Control Center. Insecticides took second place, followed by over-the-counter drugs for humans; household products; human food (such as onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate and the sugar substitute xylitol); veterinary products and drugs; chocolate; mouse and rat poison; plants and lawn and garden products. Antifreeze, long overdue for manufacturers to add pet-repelling additives, continues to be problematic, as dogs are attracted to its sweetness. Note: macadamia nuts, bread dough and avocados may also harm animals.

(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 boyfriend and I are getting ready to move in together into a new-to-us home. We each have a pet: I have a 7-year-old formerly feral cat, and he has a 2-year-old golden retriever mix from the pound. Both pets are extremely important to us.

My cat can be grumpy. She loves me and she loves my boyfriend, but it takes awhile for her to warm up to most people -- and forget about dogs. She's met a few in her life, but it usually ends up with her hiding in various places and not showing her face for hours.

The dog is wonderful. She's sweet and well-trained, but she has no experience with cats, and she's very energetic.

I'm nervous about how to introduce them. I'd really like these soon-to-be sisters to get along. My worst nightmare would be that the cat ends up spending her whole life in the basement, trying to keep away from the dog. (We are designating the basement as a cat-only zone, complete with a cat-sized entrance, to ensure that she feels safe.)

Is there anything we can do to make sure our pets like each other? Thank you so much! -- E.P., Roeland Park, Kan.

DEAR E.P.: First, I trust that your cat is a good judge of character. That she gets on with your significant other is an important test!

Several days before the interspecies co-habitation commences:

-- Have your boyfriend bring over a blanket or towel that his dog has been sleeping on for a week, and switch it for one your cat has been sleeping on. This way the animals will get to know each other's scent.

-- Have a tape recording of the dog's barks and play it occasionally at low volume for the cat.

-- Keep the dog on a leash when she first comes in to your home. The cat will probably hiss and run away. Putting a couple of drops of essential oil of lavender on your cat's neck prior to this first introduction may have some calming effect.

-- It is debatable if one should allow the cat to run away and hide rather than facing up to the dog while being held in your arms (protected by a padded coat) or in a harness and leash. This is called "total immersion."

My choice would be to take a weekend before dog and boyfriend move in, ideally the next long weekend, and keep the pets in the same room, one way or another. Leash the dog, but allow her to sniff around and settle down. Groom and pet the dog, and give her treats. Ditto for your cat if she is not too out of her mind. Maybe put on some music or watch TV. Then your boyfriend should leave with the dog and come back after two to three hours for another session and more through the weekend.

Your cat-only basement safe zone may work, but she may hide there forever. If you don't want that to happen, be sure there is no place down there where she may get trapped between wall and pipes because you will have to bring her up to spend time with the dog and overcome her fear. Set up a baby gate with sufficient space beneath it for your cat to slip under so she can get to her litter box. Otherwise, the dog may start cleaning it out.

You may want to set up a separate feeding and drinking area temporarily for your cat with a similar gate set-up to keep the dog out if you are not using the basement for this purpose.

If your cat is not too spooked, leave her drinking water in the usual place (presumably upstairs) and with the dog's water bowl next to it. Eventually, they may share the same bowl.

Initially, after the dog has been fed (and let the cat see this), restrain the dog when it is time to feed the cat in her usual place upstairs. If you opt for basement feeding and litter box for the cat, she may prefer to start living down there.

Best wishes to all of you. Cats and dogs do not have an innate animosity so much as cats have an instinctual, self-protective fear of larger animals, and their flight response triggers the dog's chase reaction. Once these innate reactions are diffused, cats and dogs can be buddies for life. One cat I know of became a seeing-eye guide for her blind canine companion!

DEAR DR. FOX: My 10-year-old cat's appetite has diminished. I tried some dry food, but that helps only for a short time. He seems OK, but I worry. Normally, I feed him a small can of Friskies in various flavors. I have been throwing so much food out, but I am afraid of switching brands at his age. Thank you. -- J.H., Winston-Salem, N.C.

DEAR J.H.: One of the basic rules of knowing when an animal needs to see a veterinarian is when there is any significant change in appetite without any change in what the animal is normally being fed, and in thirst. These behaviors can be easily monitored and quantified. It is advisable to know the weight of the animal, which will help determine, over time, if weight is being lost or gained. This is why an annual physical with the veterinarian is advisable, and for cats, many veterinarians now do in-home visits that are far less stressful.

There are some better-quality and probably more palatable manufactured cat foods that I endorse, posted on my website, DrFoxVet.com. Note that the quality and kinds of ingredients in pet foods from batch to batch can change when companies get different ingredients from different sources and share manufacturing facilities with other companies rather than having their own facility.

Gerber's meaty baby foods often perk up a cat's appetite, but may not be best if proper treatment for some underlying ailment is delayed simply because the cat starts eating again.

Considering your cat's age, the problem could be chronic kidney disease, so I would waste no time and make a veterinary appointment.

(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.)