DEAR DR. FOX: Let me start by saying I am NOT a cat person. My husband has a cat who his first wife adopted shortly before her passing. The cat is now 10 to 12 years old and in good health, so she obviously has many years ahead.

Maisie has always been an indoor cat. She sleeps 23 hours a day, is extremely skittish, tears up upholstered furniture right next to her scratching post, has very poor toilet manners, etc. My husband and his adult children refer to her as the "dud cat."

With the nice weather here, Maisie has shown an interest in going outside for the first time. At first she would step out on our deck for a few seconds and run right back inside. Now she is going a bit further afield, but not out of our yard. Considering that we occasionally have some wild animals (deer, fox, eagles, vultures, snakes) in our neighborhood, is it inhumane to let this house cat outside? Although I don't really care for the cat, I wouldn't want her to become prey for another animal. -- M.H., St. Louis

DEAR M.H.: Your concerns do make you a "cat person" in my estimation. I wish more people with cats who "love" them but let them roam free outdoors were like you!

Just yesterday, my wife and I caught another feral young stray cat who had killed a chipmunk in our backyard the evening before, and we are on the lookout for a probably indoor-outdoor, not-so-skittish cat who killed a bird in our yard right before our eyes two weeks ago.

Cats get into injurious fights with each other or raccoons, and they become dinner for coyotes and large predator birds (raptors). There are also diseases they can get from other cats and, of course, rabies from infected wildlife. Cats can bring diseases into the home, notably rabies, plague and toxoplasmosis.

There are cat fences you can purchase online to keep cats inside your property. One neighbor puts hers out on a long leash attached to a collar and a harness -- double security since cats can wiggle out of some harnesses and pull off their collars. The cat naps in the sun and wanders around the yard while the squirrels sound the predator alarm. Another neighbor has an enclosed "cat house" in the yard where two cats are put when the weather is fine.

Your cat may simply like going for a stroll -- get a long leash and attach it to a harness and neck collar, and do not pull the cat to follow you as you would a dog. Just hold the leash and follow the cat!

DEAR DR. FOX: Thank you so much for printing the letter about sister cats fighting after one was let outside by accident. I had a similar experience with my two animal shelter-rescue cats, a neutered male and spayed female, who had lived quite amicably with me, including a long-distance move, for three years. The female got out and spent six or seven hours outside, huddled under a bush, I think. Shortly after this incident, she and the male went to war with each other. It was horrible.

A veterinarian friend told me to separate them, but to move them back and forth to avoid isolating one cat's odor into a single room or part of my apartment. For weeks, I did the great cat swap twice a day. I was completely distressed and saddened at the thought of having to rehome one of them. After a couple of months, I cautiously opened the door, and the two cats looked at each other, sniffed each other and acted as if they were saying, "Hey, where the heck have you been?" Aside from a few skirmishes now and then, the problem is solved.

Thank you for your explanation of pheromone change. It sounds as if this is exactly what happened with my cat who went on a walkabout. -- C.R., Arlington, Virginia

DEAR C.R.: Thanks for adding another approach to getting two cats to establish a more friendly relationship. One popular and effective approach is detailed, step-by-step, on drfoxvet.net. Cats are deeply affected by certain scents and pheromones, which makes some of their reactions seem senseless to us, but to their psyches can trigger panic and aggression.

The most vivid example that I recall was of a woman who was held at bay in her bathroom by her cat, who became incensed when the woman sprayed herself with some new perfume, which turned out to include civet cat (anal gland) musk -- a disgusting and inhumanely collected ingredient from captive animals that is still put in some of the more costly perfumes.

(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.net.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I have used Frontline Plus on our two Shih Tzus for 10 years with no problems.

Because, apparently, many ticks and fleas have become resistant to the original Frontline Plus, our vet has begun using the new Frontline Tritak. I used the new Frontline Tritak for the first time three weeks ago on our dogs. One experienced mild itching that began about two hours after the application and lasted for two days. However, our second Shih Tzu experienced a horrible reaction.

About two hours after the application, she began itching and scratching herself. Shortly thereafter, she started going after her tail. I thought she may be experiencing some anal gland issues, which she occasionally has. I called the vet and scheduled an appointment for the next morning. As evening approached, she became very hyperactive -- running up and down the stairs, jumping on and off the furniture, digging on the furniture -- and she never settled down. She did not sleep one minute that day or night. I stayed up with her most of the night because I was so worried about her. I took her to our vet first thing the next morning. On the way to the vet, I felt small spasms on her back and knew this was more than an anal glad issue.

Our vet gave her a thorough exam and checked her anal glands, which were empty. He could find nothing wrong with her and believed it was a reaction to the Frontline Tritak. He also noticed the spasms she was having, which were mild at the time. He prescribed tramadol, but asked us to hold off giving it to her until he was able to reach the company that makes Frontline Tritak (Merial) to confer with their veterinarian.

When we got home, I did some online research that suggested bathing our dog to remove any of the oily medication. I did this with Dawn liquid dish detergent, and it seemed to calm her down a little. At this point, she was still hyperactive, and the spasms in her body were getting worse. We knew this had to be extremely uncomfortable for her. I called our vet, and he said to start the Tramadol; he was still waiting for a return call from the veterinarian at Merial. Once the Tramadol started working, she calmed down. Our vet called again to tell us he had reported all of this to the veterinarian at Merial, who confirmed that our dog was having a reaction to the application. He suggested bathing her and applying a vitamin E capsule to the Frontline Tritak application spot.

Our sweet Shih Tzu was able to sleep that night. We had to keep her on the Tramadol for five days because of the spasms. The spasms gradually lessened each day; however, it took exactly one week before they were totally gone.

Given the experience with Frontline Tritak and where we live, I would appreciate any comments you have on what we should do in the future. One thing is for sure: We will never use Frontline Tritak again. -- K.W., Round Hill, Virginia

DEAR K.W.: Climate change, habitat change and lack of natural tick predators (quail and other insectivorous birds and reptiles, millions eliminated by pesticides) have created the perfect conditions for the spread of Lyme and other insect-borne diseases that are in large part anthropogenic (caused by human activities). Insects rapidly evolve resistance to insecticides, just as bacteria do to antibiotics. So we need stronger drugs to combat them, and in the process, harm our animal companions and ourselves. These and other similar drugs are used by the food industry on crops and livestock and finish up in our food. Both are "regulated" by the publicly funded Food and Drug Administration, which is hard torn between two evils making product approvals and market recalls.

I regret your poor dog's adverse reaction and applaud the follow-up to the manufacturer that your attending veterinarian made. This should also be reported to the FDA to add to the thousands of other adverse reactions reported with spot-on anti-flea and tick products.

Property owners can reduce such potentially harmful insects by clearing brush and raising guinea fowl, which are tick-eradicators. Dog owners should put light coats on their dogs going into infested areas coupled with natural essential oil repellents on the dogs and themselves.

DR. FOX'S WEBSITE

I apologize to readers for my website not being available for some time. It has now been rebuilt at DrFoxVet.net in a simple format to enable access to basic information about cat and dog care. It also provides review articles on such issues as vaccinations, pet foods and GMOs; what we can all do to help protect wildlife; biodiversity and the natural environment for our own good and for the good of all -- or as I like to call it, One Earth, One Health!

(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.net.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I am concerned about my longhaired cat, Isabella: She gets matted areas in her fur, which I imagine are uncomfortable for her. In the past, I have taken her to be groomed several times a year, where she was shaved or given a "lion cut." We had a wonderful groomer who let me hold Isabella while she was being shaved. Isabella tolerated it very well. However, this groomer is no longer available. Other groomers want me to drop off my cat and let her wait for hours until it is her turn. They also want to put a collar on her. This is stressful for Isabella, and she often salivates a lot under these circumstances.

I brush Isabella two times a day, in the morning after breakfast and at night before bedtime.

Apparently, though, I've fallen down on the job, as she has a nasty matted area on her thigh. She protests if I approach her with scissors to cut off the affected area. Your advice would be welcome. -- P.D.O., Vienna, Virginia

DEAR P.D.O., Don't give up on your local groomers! They can't all be that insensitive. I have heard some bad accounts about pet groomers who treat animals like commodities and think nothing of keeping them caged and terrified until it is their turn to be groomed. Keeping cats in the same room as yapping and barking dogs is malpractice, in my opinion. Crazy, indeed, and potentially fatal for some cats with heart disease, high blood pressure and other stress-sensitive ailments. I see no logical reason why a groomer should not set an appointment for you to come in and help hold your cat while her coat is untangled and the mats removed safely. Do not try to do it yourself.

When was her last veterinary checkup? Cats who are not well, notably those with dental problems, groom themselves less and less to the point that they give up when the coat becomes badly matted, which pulls on the skin and can be very painful and lead to infection. So a veterinary appointment may be called for, hopefully with someone who will see your cat and not insist on giving a carpet-bombing with booster vaccinations. You may do best with a vet who does house calls or a holistic veterinary practitioner. To locate a holistic veterinarian in your area, a searchable list can be found at holisticvetlist.com.

DEAR DR. FOX: My 14-year-old Siamese cat, Pearl, was a biter when she was young, but she outgrew it with my disapproval and redirection. I understand that biting can be an atavistic play behavior for felines.

Flash forward to last week: While sitting next to me on a sofa, Pearl leapt up, wrapped herself around my left arm and began to bite ferociously from my hand to my elbow, breaking skin as she went. Using my right hand, I grabbed her jaw to stop the biting but had difficulty unwrapping her from my arm. I finally shook her off, and she appeared ready to pounce again.

I was frightened and very annoyed by the fresh wounds and left the room. She has not repeated this behavior, but I am wary and concerned she might hurt visitors or me again. -- L.C., Chevy Chase, Maryland

DEAR L.C.: You have a potentially serious issue because as you no doubt know, cat bites can be dangerous and introduce bacterial infection into the bloodstream. Always squeeze the area to let blood flow, wash thoroughly and apply an antibiotic cream, hydrogen peroxide or iodine; if in doubt, go to the emergency room for professional care, especially if you develop a red flare where you were bitten.

Bizarre behavior like this could be triggered by you wearing a new perfume or skin cream, or by a neurological/cognitive change in your cat that a veterinarian could evaluate. One consideration is early dementia or hyperactive thyroid gland disease, which can trigger sudden aggression in rare instances. The calming cat pheromone Feliway may help, and some cats do become calmer when they eat a little catnip herb, which is akin to Valium.

If the attack was in the early evening, there may be a "sundowner" arousal component, which you may help allay in the future by engaging the cat in some interactive games such as chasing a laser light or a feather on the end of a string tied to a cane. Good luck, and keep me posted!

(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.)