DEAR DR. FOX: We recently adopted a rescued female beagle who is about 8 or 9 years old. Shortly after we adopted her, she started to develop a slight limp in her front right leg for no apparent reason. It was very minor for a couple of weeks, but we monitored it and scheduled an appointment with our veterinarian. Before we could get her to the appointment, she awoke one night in an obvious state of extreme pain. Because we have other beagles who have neck and back problems, we suspected a disc problem might be the cause.

We took her to our vet, who prescribed tramadol and Rimadyl, but when that didn't help control the pain, we took her to a neurologist. She performed an MRI, and we all expected to see a disc herniation; instead, the MRI showed inflammation of a nerve root (there was some very minor disc degeneration in another area, but she felt that would not cause the problem).

Our dog was prescribed prednisone and other painkillers to address the immediate pain and control inflammation. The limp lessened, but it was still apparent. Otherwise, she showed no signs of pain or discomfort, so we reduced the painkillers to only gabapentin, and we have maintained the dosage of prednisone twice a day. When we tried to reduce the prednisone to once a day, the limp became more evident, so we increased the dose again to twice daily. The neurologist also prescribed cyclosporine to see if it would help and maybe replace the prednisone eventually. Our dog seems to be tolerating that drug, and we will have her rechecked again this week.

Have you seen this type of condition in other dogs? Do you have any insights for us to explore that we and our excellent vet may not have considered? For example, have you seen other treatments such as acupuncture help with what appears to be some sort of pain syndrome? The limp is confounding because it came on so gradually that it almost seems to me like it may be a separate issue altogether, but I'd appreciate your thoughts. -- R.M., Alexandria, Virginia

DEAR R.M.: You certainly have received the best of veterinary diagnosis and medical care for your poor dog.

She may have a condition similar to chronic regional pain syndrome in humans, which can follow trauma. In addition to the medications prescribed, I would add a daily dose of anti-inflammatory fish oil or half a can of sardines in water, plus a tablespoon of brewer's yeast mixed in with her food. Add these supplements gradually, first in small amounts so she gets used to them.

A skilled veterinary acupuncture therapist may be able to provide some relief. You can also try electrical stimulation using the Alpha-Stim system, which effectively alleviates various painful syndromes in humans; some veterinarians have found it to be effective in various cases of chronic pain and lameness in animals. Lameness throws the whole body off-kilter so whole-body massage, as in my book "The Healing Touch for Dogs," could be beneficial.

DEAR DR. FOX: Many months ago, you wrote an excellent article directed to people who leave their dogs locked up all day while they're at work.

You mentioned how this could cause cancer of the bladder, and you stated that dogs should be taken out every two hours. I know a few dogs who got this terrible treatment, and I want to send the owners copies of your articles. Where can I find the column? -- J.R.W., Norfolk, Virginia

DEAR J.R.W.: I appreciate your concern. However, I do not recall ever stating that keeping dogs locked up all day can cause them to develop bladder cancer.

Pups and old dogs with kidney problems and other health issues that make them drink more water need to be taken out to urinate every three or four hours. Mature dogs should be walked and given a chance to urinate before being left in the home, and they should have time outdoors after four to five hours of confinement. Six to eight hours alone during the weekday is pushing it.

Stress, extreme discomfort from retaining urine and possible bladder inflammation and infection are to be avoided. Some dogs can be trained to use a pee pad -- small dogs in high-rise apartments most notably. But spending long hours all alone is no life for any dog, and a dog-walker should be hired.

(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 read your article in which you said that after radiation for hyperthyroidism in cats, the cat would need continuing medication.

In 2010, my 14-year-old cat developed hyperthyroidism. Our vet said that she could either take medication for the rest of her life or go to Radiocat for a one-time treatment (at a cost of $1,300), after which she would never need treatment for that disease. We opted to do that at Radiocat in Baltimore. She spent four days there. She has been fine for five years, and has never taken medication for that problem again.

I feel that you misled the person who wrote to you. Her cat could have many more years of good health with no need for additional medication. I understand that Radiocat is available in many parts of the country. -- C.L., Frostburg, Maryland

DEAR C.L.: Thank you for comments and confirmation of the effectiveness of radioactive iodine (RI) treatment for thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism in cats, giving me the opportunity to clarify my earlier response.

It is actually very rare for cats to need supplemental thyroid hormone medication after the mutated cells in the thyroid gland are selectively destroyed by RI. (That is not the case when put on anti-thyroid drug medication such as methimazole, which is also not without some potentially harmful side effects.) Periodic monitoring of blood thyroid hormone levels following RI treatment is advisable. This treatment is costly, and in all diagnosed cases of hyperthyroidism-associated heart disease, hypertension and age-related kidney disease must also be considered.

Signs of thyroid disease include increased appetite and thirst, weight loss, hyperactivity or apathy (depends on the case), irritability/aggression, excessive grooming, loss of fur on flanks, vomiting and/or diarrhea, panting, heat avoidance and seeking a cool place.

Mixed-breed cats seem more susceptible to the disease; there is a lower incidence in Burmese, Siamese and Persian purebred cats. The risk of this disease increases with age, thus reflecting possible accumulating environmental factors and chronic exposure to goitrogens (thyroid-inhibiting foods). Suspected factors that may disrupt thyroid activity and cause cellular damage and genetic mutation include soy products in many cat foods; erythrosine (red dye No. 3), especially in some canned pet foods; high iodine content; high concentrations of heavy metals and biphenyls in foods containing fish; bisphenol A (BPA) lining in canned foods; external anti-flea medications; and flame-retardant chemicals (polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs) in carpets and other in-home materials. PBDEs are found in household dust. It gets into cats' fur, which they swallow in the process of grooming. Contaminants and additives in municipal tap water, fluoride in particular, given to cats to drink may also be contributory factors to this now-common endocrine disease in older cats.

DEAR DR. FOX: I was thinking about getting a collar for my newly adopted kitten, but then I remembered that my two previous cats lost their fur under the collar. The vet said the collars have chemicals in them. Is this true? If so, why do they sell them, and are there any safe collars I can get? -- D.L., Maryland Heights, Missouri

DEAR D.L.: Some cat collars come with an elastic insert so the cat can break free if he or she gets the collar snagged. Don't let your kitten roam off your property, and train him or her to enjoy going for a walk in a tight, escape-free harness with a leash attached to a regular collar around the neck. As I know from personal experience, some cats can wriggle out of their harnesses when they are scared.

The loss of fur on cats' necks could have been due to an allergic reaction to the material used to manufacture the collar, or more likely was an inflammatory response to anti-flea pesticides in impregnated collars, which are idiotic to purchase and totally unsafe -- imagine what the cat is inhaling and absorbing through the skin! I have been against flea collars for decades.

(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: We have a German shorthaired pointer-Lab mix puppy; she is not quite 5 months old. She has had two urinary tract infections. When she developed the second one, our vet did a urinalysis and said she had crystals in her urine. He prescribed Hills Prescription c/d dog food for her as a preventative for future problems, i.e. kidney stones.

Is this the treatment you would recommend? What causes this condition? Her infections both cleared up after a course of antibiotics. -- L.D., Alexandria, Virginia

DEAR L.D.: It is not unusual for young female dogs to develop lower urinary tract infections, and they usually develop some immunity as they mature. But once a bacterial infection becomes established, inflammatory reactions in the lining of the bladder and urethra cause pain and straining, often with the passing of blood.

Cellular debris becomes the nuclei for urinary crystal formation, most usually struvite crystals associated with abnormally alkaline urine, caused in large part by a high-cereal diet. So in an emergency, adding acidifying cooked organic tomato pulp was a popular remedy, but now d-mannose (found in cranberries) is another preventive suggestion. Try a dietary change, and encourage your dog to drink lots of water, even flavored with some home-prepared low-salt beef or chicken bullion.

Give your dog probiotics with low-grain or grain-free food, a selection of which is posted on my website (DrFoxVet.com). I would finish whatever antibiotic treatment cycle your dog is on and then stop. Phase out the costly manufactured prescription diet, and transition onto a raw or freeze-dried dog food if none on my website appeals to you.

DEAR DR. FOX: Our Dice (a 14-year-old male kitty) just left us, and we're heartbroken. He was diagnosed with kidney failure. I can't help thinking it may have been what we fed him for so many years.

In the last three years, we switched to Blue Buffalo wet and crunchy food, but he favored his Fancy Feast crunchies and Gravy Lovers wet food. Dice left behind our Bella, a 2-year-old female, who does not drink water but will eat Fancy Feast Gravy Lover's canned food.

Are we doing her more harm than good? Can you suggest any other food? There are so many on your website it makes me crazy! We do not want her to go through what our beloved Dice went through ... or any other kitty for that matter. -- T.G., Fort Myers, Florida

DEAR T.G.: There are many factors that contribute to renal failure in cats, and also in humans.

So many things can trigger autoimmune diseases, including kidney disease: the nutrition of the pregnant mother, what animals are fed, what contaminants in the environment animals are exposed to (especially in water and foods) and any infections and vaccinations they may have. We have disrupted and poisoned the planet and have a lot of housekeeping and cleanup to see to. Carnivores like cats living high up on the contaminated food chain are especially at risk. Organically certified whole food ingredients, raw food and freeze-dried are the wave of the future for cats.

I get crazier than you checking all the ingredients and sources of origin of various pet foods, and the best that I have found are posted on my website and by Susan Thixton on her website, truthaboutpetfood.com. Also check with feline-nutrition.org for more leads on feeding your future cats.

(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.)