DEAR DR. FOX: A stray kitty adopted me a couple months ago and has since been tamed enough that I have found a vet to neuter him and do some much-needed dental work. My fear is that the poor boy will be so traumatized by this ordeal that he will no longer consider my home his own and strike out on his own. He currently is still an outside cat as I already have four indoor-only cats in a tiny two-bedroom house. Due to the remoteness of where I live, the vet I will take him to is about an hour away. Do you have any recommendations on how to make his first vet visit a success? -- K.B., Snowflake, Arizona

DEAR K.B.: Cats, as you know, are exceptionally sensitive to the stress of being put in a crate and going to the veterinarian. There is no way to avoid such stress when performing neutering surgery and teeth cleaning under a general anesthetic. But first I would advise a blood test for feline AIDS and leukemia because if the cat is infected, you could be putting him at risk. Also, the cat should be scanned for an identifying microchip under his skin.

The bond of trust that you have with this cat will probably be broken because he will be suffering from the equivalent of post-traumatic stress disorder when it is all over. If you plan to bring him in to live with you, check my article on my website, DrFoxVet.com, on the steps to take when introducing a new cat.

Ideally, to avoid additional stress, have the cat given whatever vaccinations are called for at a later date by a home-visiting veterinarian. This is because I do not advise vaccinating cats that are already severely stressed, although the rabies vaccine may have to be given when he goes in to the vet's. It is a good idea to separate giving the rabies vaccination by three to four weeks from the three "core" vaccines of feline parvovirus, panleukopenia, calici virus and herpes virus. These vaccines can often give lifelong immunity. Injecting the vaccines under the skin at the end of the cat's tail is a new protocol veterinarians are following to reduce harmful complications if a fibrosarcoma were to develop at the site of injection.

Dog owners should note that similar long-term immunity has been shown for the "core" canine vaccines -- canine distemper virus, parvovirus and adenovirus -- and it is advisable to separate the rabies vaccination from these others to avoid "carpet bombing" the immune system.

EXOTIC PET HAZARDS: BEARDED DRAGON LIZARDS PUT SOME IN HOSPITAL

I am not an alarmist about people capturing, breeding and selling wild animals as pets and putting people who purchase them at risk from injury, disease and even death. My primary concern is about the plight of these animals being caught up in the international commerce of the exotic pet trade, which ignores the rights of all creatures to live wild and free regardless of the pittance in-field collectors receive and captive breeders may reap. As always, my advice to never purchase a non-domesticated animal is affirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which reports that over the past two years, 132 people contracted a rare form of salmonella bacterial infection, a little less than half of them requiring hospitalization. The source of infection was traced to their Australian bearded dragon lizards.

If you have one or more of these or other wild species held captive in your home, don't go out and dump them in the wild like many idiots have -- in Florida, escaped pythons, monkeys, parakeets and other formerly "exotic" pets are now multiplying in the wild and competing with indigenous species, many already endangered by other human activities. Just keep what animals you may have as healthy and in as enriched, natural-imitating environments as you can -- seek advice from local zoo experts -- and wash your hands well after handling.

TAKING YOUR DOG TO WORK

Many people experienced the fun of bringing their canine friends to work in June on "Dog Friday," when employers across the country opened their doors to workers' dogs. Companies such as Google, Procter & Gamble and Amazon allow dogs every day, and there are reports that workers are happier, healthier and more productive as a result.

Human Resource departments need to have canine resource specialists and move forward to "canidize" the work place! In my estimation, this would be good for most dogs, too, rather than being alone at home during the working hours, which is borderline cruelty that too many cross when they keep their dogs in crates all day.

(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: This letter is in reference to the article about the itchy dog who is costing his owners a fortune, we, too, had a similar experience, but I kept insisting to my vet that there has to be a better, less costly way to resolve this.

She finally told me that she had heard of a medical shampoo and a maintenance spray that has some positive results. Douxo shampoos and sprays by Sogeval can be bought online. Soon after I started using this, following the instructions, my dog had immediate results; if I used too much, it caused extremely dry skin. Also, my vet mentioned to keep my dog on food that has a cooling effect, such as canned salmon. I mixed this with a dry dog food that also has a fish base, and pour capsules of fish oil over her food occasionally. I noticed during my desperate experimenting procedures that chicken was the only food I could not feed her because skin bumps and redness would appear immediately, and she would lick her front paws excessively.

It has been a few years now, and she still appears to be completely cured and has a very shiny coat, too. I feel sorry for dogs and cats who have skin problems. I can relate -- many years ago, I had skin allergies myself, which were eventually resolved. I hope this has helped animal lovers out there. -- B.J., Chesapeake, Virginia

DEAR B.J.: Because of the prevalence of various distressing and costly skin conditions currently afflicting dogs, I appreciate the opportunity to post successful outcomes for canine companions.

There is no one cure, and tests and treatments are costly and can have harmful side effects. Your letter will be added to the archives on my website (DrFoxVet.com). In my opinion, it is the omega-3 fatty acids in the salmon and fish oil that really helped improve your dog's skin and coat. Keep up the good work.

AVMA DEVELOPING POSITION CONCERNING FREE-ROAMING, ABANDONED & FERAL CATS

As an Honor Roll member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, and after sharing concerns from readers about feral cats and trap, neuter, release initiatives in this column, the following excerpt from the AVMA's policy statement on this issue adds significant clarity and helpful standards:

"The AVMA encourages and supports actions to eliminate the problem of free-roaming abandoned and feral cats. As a result of irresponsible societal attitudes, millions of these cats exist in the United States. Unfortunately, most of these cats will suffer premature mortality from disease, starvation, or trauma. Their suffering is of sufficient magnitude that it constitutes a national tragedy of epidemic proportions. These free-roaming abandoned and feral cats also represent a significant factor in the mortality of hundreds of millions of birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. This population of cats also poses a zoonotic disease risk for the public.

"State and local agencies should adopt and enforce ordinances that:

-- Prohibit the sale or adoption of intact cats by humane organizations and animal control agencies.

-- Require licensing, rabies vaccination, and permanent animal identification through micro-chipping of all cats.

-- Encourage that owned cats be kept indoors, in an outdoor enclosure, or on a leash. Cats in rural areas must be confined to the property.

-- Prohibit public feeding of intact free-roaming abandoned and feral cats.

-- Prevent establishment of managed cat colonies in wildlife-sensitive ecosystems."

Further, "The AVMA neither endorses nor opposes appropriately managed cat colony programs. ... Managed colonies should be considered an interim solution to the problem of feral, free-roaming cats -- the first step toward reducing the size of the colony through attrition.

"The AVMA opposes placement of managed cat colonies on public lands or in any area that could threaten at-risk wildlife or in areas that may pose a zoonotic risk to the public.

"Should managed cat colonies be established, natural or artificial restrictive barriers should be employed to protect both cats and native wildlife.

"If sanctuaries for feral cats exist or are to be built, the AVMA encourages properly designed and maintained facilities. High-quality care is imperative and overcrowding must be avoided."

I would add that "high-quality care" must include proper nutrition, preventive vaccinations, anti-parasite treatments and routine veterinary inspection and appropriate treatments as needed.

(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 young 19-pound cavapoo. The dog had an adverse reaction to Vectra -- agitation, rapid heartbeat, bulging eyes, snapping, etc. We took him to the vet immediately, and the vet indicated that it might have had a reaction or a seizure. I asked the vet for a suggestion of a less-toxic brand, and tried Advantix. The dog had a rapid heartbeat and was agitated, rolling on his back to get it off. I immediately bathed him, and he slowly calmed down.

What natural options are there for pest control, as it is clear he has adverse reactions to the chemicals? He had a tick recently, and with his shaggy hair, I'm concerned he'll pick up fleas. -- M.T., Sea Girt, New Jersey

DEAR M.T.: I appreciate you contacting me since your experience with your dog helps reinforce my concerns about these anti-flea and tick products and supports my advocacy of safer alternatives. Pet owners: beware! I am sorry that you and your dog went through such terrifying ordeals with these products. A dog in a borderline seizure state or experiencing rapid heartbeat and having a panic attack are not the kinds of reactions the manufacturers like to know about or make public.

I have written about these biocidal products that you used on your dog that are being widely marketed by veterinarians and via other outlets across the country, even though they are systemic poisons and can have harmful side effects, even causing death.

On my website, DrFoxVet.com, you will find a full review of steps to take in an integrated way to keep ticks and fleas at bay. I also discuss Bayer's Advantix line of products, which I do not consider any safer than Vectra. An Environmental Protection Agency report warns that propoxur, a flea-killing chemical in flea collars marketed by Sergeant's Pet Care Products and Wellmark International, is unsafe for children. However, the products can be distributed until two years from now, and retailers can continue to sell them after that until the stock is gone!

A daily flea combing during the season is a first step. Some people have found that coconut oil -- 1 teaspoon per 30 pounds of body weight -- in the food daily, plus 1/2 teaspoon of brewer's yeast helps significantly. Rubbing diatomaceous earth into the animal's coat every three to four days, and brushing it out well before reapplication will desicate fleas. I have had some good reports about PetzLife's Complete Coat, a quassia-based botanical product that repels and may kill fleas and ticks. I am less familiar with the product Mercola Natural Flea and Tick Defense, available online and containing oils of lemon grass, cinnamon, sesame and castor in purified water and which, according to veterinarians who have used this formula, is safe and effective for cats and dogs.

DOG IN HOT CAR WARNING

In Belmont, California, a German shepherd left in a car in warm weather died, and her owner faces animal cruelty charges as a result. This case is a somber warning to owners to not leave pets in the car. Temperatures inside a car on a 75-degree day can reach 100 in 10 minutes, and 120 after 30 minutes. "Even with cooling down and ice packs and emergency fluids and all these things, you might not be able to save a pet in that situation," said East Bay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals chief veterinarian Michael Sozanski.

BOOK REVIEW

"Animal Madness: How Anxious Dogs, Compulsive Parrots, and Elephants in Recovery Help Us Understand Ourselves," written by Dr. Laurel Braitman. This book should be required reading for veterinary and animal science students and for all who have any professional dealings with animals, wild and domesticated. Anyone concerned about animal rights and well-being and about animal consciousness will gain some insights from this book. Regardless of some serious omissions in her literature research citations and rather limited consultations with veterinarians, Braitman accomplishes her mission of demonstrating that abnormal behavior and emotional distress in animals manifested in various forms of "madness" are a mirror and a consequence of our own madness when it comes to our relationships with and treatment of animals. She analyzes the anthropogenic complex of human-caused animal suffering, even from those who claim to love animals. Having faced the ire, ridicule and denial of many, but not all of those involved in various industries, organizations and professions engaged in domestic and wild animal use -- including some involved in animal welfare and conservation -- this book echoes my long-standing concerns with documented evidence. I think it is tragic that before humans sought to civilize animals and nature, they did not first civilize themselves. Now, as Carl Jung advised, "civilized man must heal the animal in himself and make it his friend."

(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.)