DEAR DR. FOX: I have three beautiful dogs: a 3-year-old lavender female Pomeranian, a 2-year-old male black Pom and a 9-month-old chocolate Lab. It's a crazy house.

My situation is that the female Pomeranian weighs 12 pounds, and the vet says she should lose 2 to 3 pounds, so we feed her 1/4 cup Fromm dog food in the morning and 1 1/2 nuggets of Primal freeze-dried food in the evening. She hasn't lost any weight. She has a very sensitive stomach. Her breath is rancid -- it smells like dead fish. The vet says that her teeth look good and that the smell is probably because of acid reflux. The vet put her on Clavamox, which has helped with her breath, but I'm worried it will return when she stops the medication.

My male Pom can be finicky. Sometimes he turns his nose up to his food. He weighs about 8 or 9 pounds, and the vet says his weight is good.

I just don't know what to do anymore. I was told by a trainer to feed the dogs Primal raw dog food. They liked it (at times). The vet didn't like the frozen version. He suggested the freeze-dried.

There aren't any problems with the Lab except he's hyper and stinky. He eats Orijen Puppy Large Breed. -- D.S., Winston Salem, North Carolina

DEAR D.S.: Orijen is a good brand, but I would transition your Labrador onto an adult dog food, feeding him three small meals daily. What you are feeding him now is for pups, and he may soon become overweight and develop joint problems.

I am disturbed that the veterinarian would prescribe an antibiotic for your dog's halitosis. Instead, try safe chew toys, my buckwheat dog treats (recipe on my website, DrFoxVet.com) and above all, PetzLife Oral Care gel or spray, which has helped thousands of dogs with a variety of oral health issues, including halitosis.

Diet and kidney and liver function can also contribute to halitosis and other health problems, especially in older dogs. I would urge you to give your little Poms digestive enzymes (1/2 teaspoon crushed pineapple) and probiotics (1 teaspoon plain organic kefir) with each meal and transition them onto my home-prepared recipe, which they should thrive on. This, too, is posted on my website. If there is no significant improvement and the halitosis persists, there is a possibility of periodontal and endodontic disease, which calls for radiographic dental assessment.

DEAR DR. FOX: Please educate us feline lovers on polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in cats. I just lost my 3-year-old kitty to this horrible disease.

We had her groomed and shaved for summer, and after losing her long coat, we noticed she was thin. She vomited the next week, quit eating and drinking and hid from us. This was not like her personality.

She was the runt of a rescue litter and always small. I took her to the vet, and he thought she had a virus. Antibiotics did not help. Blood work was drawn on the third week, and she was already in the "red zone" for kidney failure and dehydration. She would not drink and ate only a small amount of wet food. She was put on IV fluids, but they did not help. She continued to lose weight weekly and was finally diagnosed with PKD when her levels had elevated to almost the end of the red zone, renal failure. She became very weak, and I had her euthanized. Please enlighten and educate your readers and me on this terrible disease. She was a rescue black cat, breed unknown, but had moderately long hair. Thank you for your column. -- P.K., St. Louis

DEAR P.K.: My sincere condolences for your loss. It was indeed a sad ordeal for both you and your young cat.

This condition is a degenerative disease of the kidneys that is a genetic defect prevalent in some breeds, such as Persians, but not uncommon in the more genetically diverse cat population. Some genetic diseases are self-limiting, afflicting animals before they reach breeding age, which prevents transmission to offspring. Regrettably, this is not the case with polycystic kidney disease. Some veterinarians have done kidney transplants from healthy donor cats from shelters, and with the addition of immunosuppressant drugs to help stop rejection, some cats have had some life extension. In my opinion, aside from the costs, there are ethical considerations for both donor and recipient animals that lead me to not endorse such transplants. For humans, it is a lifesaver, but cats are not good candidates.

HELP PROMOTE PROPER NUTRITION FOR CATS

DEAR DR. FOX: I wanted to thank you for your continuing mentions of Feline Nutrition and our website, feline-nutrition.org, in your column. We have recently started an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to raise funds to be able to expand our outreach and education efforts. You can take a look at it here: igg.me/at/felinenutrition. The campaign runs through July 26. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 15, Fairfax, Virginia, 22038. Checks should be made out to Feline Nutrition Education Society. If supporters donate through Indiegogo, they can get some great perks! -- Margaret Gates, director

(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 any information on a new product called Pet Protector? It is a metallic disc worn on the collar that is supposed to provide chemical-free tick and flea protection. I have used brewer's yeast as well as PetzLife's Complete Coat, but my dog still gets a few ticks and contracted Lyme disease.

If this product works, it seems like it's a good solution. Any information would be much appreciated. -- E.R., Bowie, Maryland

DEAR E.R.: There is no 100 percent effective way of keeping fleas and ticks off our animals. I am leery of most oral treatments that can kill these insects only when they get the drug from feeding on the treated animal's blood. This is not, therefore, going to stop flea-bite-allergic reactions or stop some tickborne disease like Lyme disease and Powassan virus.

As for your query about the so-called electromagnetic field and energy wave insect repelling Pet Protector for cats and dogs: I did a quick Internet search, and there are several sites claiming the device is simply a money-making hoax. A study by M.W. Dryden published in the Veterinary Parasitology Journal concluded that the "Cat and Dog's Tag" (as this device was known at the time) failed to prevent flea infestation, inhibit flea reproduction or repel existing flea infestations on cats.

DEAR DR. FOX: My 5-year-old Lab mix, Will (aka "Won't"), has been a surprising companion as I recover from recent back surgery. He's a goofy, happy pup who is usually immersed in whatever he is doing, be it chewing a toy, watching the world outside or snoozing.

When I returned from the hospital, he seemed to know every time I was about to stand up, and he would suddenly appear and "brace" so that I could use him for support. This is in spite of the fact that he has only three legs! Now that I'm doing physical therapy, he appears every time and gets right up to me as if he's trying to help. It makes me laugh and takes my mind off the exercises, so I find I'm doing more repetitions and also more often just to see what he will do.

Will is a certified "touch therapy" dog from Support Dogs Inc. in St. Louis, and I know he's brought much happiness and healing to others, but he's never been trained for any of the things he's done for me. Animals bring us such joy! -- S.B., Town and Country, Missouri

DEAR S.B.: Your letter joins many affirming that the empathic nature of dogs enables them to know when we are suffering and need help -- this ennobles them in our eyes. This is not to ignore the fact that some dogs and other animals -- including humans -- simply become fearful and avoid coming close when a particular person is suffering.

It is notable that cats, in particular, will lie against a person's injured or painful body region; their warmth and purring may help the healing process, especially of broken bones.

CORPORATE CONSOLIDATION IN PET FOOD AND DRUG INDUSTRIES

Eli Lilly and Co. announced that its animal drug division, Elanco, will expand after the $5.4 billion purchase of Novartis Animal Health, making it the second-largest global animal drug company -- second only to Zoetis.

Mars Inc. pet food company announced that it will purchase the Iams, Eukanuba and Natura brands in major markets in the Americas and several other countries from Procter & Gamble for $2.9 billion. Mars already owns Pedigree, Royal Canin, Whiskas, Nutro, Sheba, Dreamies and Cesar brands of pet food as well as Banfield Pet Hospitals.

What these monopolistic trends will mean for investors, pet owners and veterinarians remains to be seen. The history of corporate oligopolies does not promise good tidings when it comes to market choices and prices for pet owners. The power and influence through advertising, promotional materials and financial incentives offered by these multinational corporations to veterinarians and veterinary schools are cause for concern.

(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 recently had an appointment for my old dog, Rusty, to get a distemper vaccine, but I canceled. Rusty is 14 years old, and I had a bad feeling about getting it.

My veterinarian's receptionist told me I would not be able to get Heartgard Plus for Rusty because I didn't get the vaccine or his annual checkup. Can Rusty get by without Heartgard?

Also, whenever I take Rusty in, my vet always wants to clean his teeth. I realize this is important, but when Rusty was 13, I was told he has a heart murmur. I think that his age makes it too risky, so I refused to have it done. My vet told me he'd cleaned the teeth of a dog who was 15 years old.

Am I wrong in not getting the teeth cleaned, and is there somewhere else I could get the Heartgard Plus for Rusty? Do I have to get it from the vet? Can Rusty do without the Heartguard?

I really don't know what to do at this point. Rusty is deaf, almost blind and has a weakness in his back legs. What would you advise? -- P.E.S., West Long Branch, New Jersey

DEAR P.E.S.: I occasionally receive letters like yours that make my blood boil. Most veterinarians are ethical and do not resort to this kind of emotional blackmail or client manipulation. Many veterinarians are aware of the urgent need for proper dental care, and some can do a good job without having to give anesthetic to at-risk animals.

Consult with another veterinarian for the heartworm blood test and preventive medication. If there is any question about the need for a distemper vaccination first, ask for a blood titer test to determine if it is needed.

DEAR DR. FOX: We had to have our 23-year-old cat euthanized yesterday. I credit her longevity to drinking water from the kitchen faucet all these years. You've written many times that fresh water is vital for cats' good health.

We brought our beloved Sugar home to be buried. I put her blanket on the ottoman to be buried with her. Our other cats came over and smelled her, and we all said goodbye. This morning, one cat sat on the ottoman and "cried" a strange meow. It was very touching. -- M.D., St. Charles, Missouri

DEAR M.D.: My condolences and appreciation for your letter, emphasizing the importance of cats drinking plenty of fresh water, which, if your municipal water supply was of reasonable quality, probably contributed to her longevity. But check my website, DrFoxVet.com, for the article "Pure Water for Cats and Dogs." In some cases, municipal tap water can make cats sick; you can see it when they improve dramatically when given purified water. Declining potable water quality and availability is rapidly becoming the next global crisis.

Your letter also underscores what I have long advocated: Allow surviving animals to see the body of their companion for "closure." Some may ignore and seem indifferent and never show signs of loss or grief, but many do, just like the rest of us. I believe the strange meow you heard is the cry of a grieving feline soul.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have a 12-year-old domestic shorthair tabby cat. I adopted him when he was a young kitten. He is an indoor cat, and he's one of two in the family.

Tiger is a very sociable cat who loves to be around the family. If someone is coming through the doorway, he runs to the door and waits for him or her to enter. He starts meowing as a greeting and puts his front paws up on your leg so that you will pet him. He has access to all areas of the house.

At night, I shut him out of my room because I am a light sleeper. He now sits outside my door at all hours of the night and meows to get in. Needless to say, I haven't been getting a lot of sleep. When he meows, I open my door, spray him with a water bottle and he runs away. He does this several times a night. It seems like just as I fall asleep again, he'll start meowing. When it gets really bad, I catch him and lock him in a hallway bathroom, where he has access to his litter box and water. I open the door and let him out as soon as I get up in the morning.

I have tried a spray deterrent around the outside of my door to keep him away. He doesn't do it every night, and he always does it by himself. I've never had problems with the other cat. How can I stop him? -- K.H., Springfield, Virginia

DEAR K.H.: You are not the only one having your sleep disrupted by a cat. I wonder why you don't do what he wants and let him sleep with you? Let him come live on your bed, and, like one of my cats, he may really enjoy sleeping beside you under a light blanket or towel.

Make sure he's not hungry before bedtime. He may enjoy some catnip or melatonin before turning in. As they age, some cats develop a pattern of night-restlessness, which can be associated with chronic pain from arthritis or dementia. A few drops of fish oil in his food may help both of these 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.)