DEAR DR. FOX: After reading your article about the importance of giving animals the purest possible water to drink, I purchased a water purifying system for my cats and myself. In a few days they were drinking more water and had fewer, if any, episodes of vomiting and loose stools.

Thanks for pointing out this important aspect of health care. We take water for granted, but what comes out of our taps, as my cats confirmed, may not be fit to drink. -- G.C., Duluth, Minnesota

DEAR G.C.: I am not the only veterinarian advocating pure drinking water, especially for cats, many of whom do not drink sufficient water on a regular basis. Some enjoy a bubbling water dispenser, but the water must not come straight from the tap. Surprisingly, "spring water" sold in stores may not be the best, and distilled water lacks essential trace minerals. I use a ZeroWater filter; the reverse ionization method is a good investment for every family.

We are facing a global water quality crisis that is reaching critical mass as governments around the world do little to protect this vital resource. I live in Minnesota, the land of 10,000 (many now seriously polluted) lakes. This state's recent abolition of the Pollution Control Agency's Citizens' Board -- for dubious political reasons -- casts a shadow across the state's image of responsible wilderness management and protection and is a potential national disaster in the making. The business-friendly initiative of abolishing the Citizens' Board underscores the influence of various industries that marginalize long-term environmental risks and costs. Public health consequences are virtually ignored and trumped by the promise of jobs and taxable products and services.

Surely, without containment and immediate environmental remediation of the multiple existing and well-documented harms of Minnesota's major industries (agriculture, mining, energy and forestry), further industrial expansion is imprudent. But this continues virtually unabated, as fracking, sod-busting biomass fuel and livestock feed production, expansion of concentrated animal feeding operations and yet more mining take finite water resources at a non-sustainable rate. And what of the downstream public health costs and irreversible loss of biodiversity?

The worldwide problem of ever-expanding, biodiversity-diminishing and polluting carbon footprint of industrial exploitation gives short-term benefits to a diminishing few. Will it deprive our children's children of their right to purer water, cleaner air and more wholesome food? Climate change, loss of biodiversity and the obesity and cancer epidemics are all interconnected. Land, water and air are part of the global public commons. Minnesota, with fresh water as one of its greatest natural resources, should steward this hydrological ecosystem/watershed as a national treasure. If every governor, aligned chamber of commerce and legislature were to make the waters flowing out of their states purer, we might yet get on the right track for the recovery of democracy, public health and a more viable future.

To tout water quality remediation/purification as the ultimate solution is to continue the tradition of bad, albeit profitable, conventional medicine. It treats the symptom, but does not address the problem. The more we harm the Earth, the more we harm ourselves, and the quality of our drinking water mirrors the quality of our relationship with the natural environment.

DEAR DR. FOX: My 6-year-old dachshund-greyhound mix was recently diagnosed with granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME). She is under the care of a neurologist and is being treated with steroids and antibiotics. When I did research on her condition, medical literature states it is a common neurological disease in dogs. However, no dog owner I know has ever heard of it. We were told the prognosis is poor, even though she is responding well to the medication.

Is there any information you can give me about this disease? Is there anything I can do to extend this period of remission? I was told that the treatments can give her a good quality of life for a certain period of time, but the disease is ultimately fatal. -- J.B., Newark, New Jersey

DEAR J.B.: This is certainly a devastating condition for your poor dog. It is a fairly common condition of unknown origin, affecting smaller female dogs in particular at around 5 years of age.

There is increasing evidence that this is an autoimmune disorder that could be triggered by certain components in vaccines. Treatment with oral procarbazine and prednisone can help subdue the inflammation. I would also explore potentially beneficial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant supplements such as Resveratrol, fish oil, quercetin and melatonin, especially before bedtime.

(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: We adopted Willie, our bulldog mix, four years ago. He had very thin fur, with barely any on his belly and none under his arms. The poor dog has lots of red, raw rashes on belly. My husband began cooking his food, and within months, the change in his skin was amazing. After several months, we noticed what a beautiful white coat he had -- he'd never had a nice coat before. His skin is clear, and he's not itching or chewing his paws. Willie weighs 57 pounds, and the doc says it's "all muscle." He's very active, happy, content and now healthy. We were feeding him costly premium foods, and using shampoos that cost $30 per bottle. Now, he gets only homemade food (meat, veggies and rice), and he's in the best condition ever.

My sister has two Labs. Skin conditions, digestive problems and pale gums always bothered them. She was buying expensive dog food from Colorado. Now she, too, cooks for them, and they're healthy and problem-free. It's a little more work, about the same price and makes an amazing difference in your pet's health. -- A.F.C., Millbrook, New York

DEAR A.F.C.: You are giving the kind of testimony that the mainstream pet food industry does not like to hear. I had a call recently for an interview from a newspaper reporter writing about "humanized" pet foods, a term she apparently picked up from the mainstream pet food industry. The industry is quick to point to studies that show that some home-prepared diets have nutrient deficiencies. In its eyes, that means that the scientifically formulated "complete and balanced" pet foods are superior. But the evidence is clear, as per your experience, that a biologically appropriate, properly formulated diet with fresh ingredients (human-grade and from known sources) is just plain common sense.

DEAR DR. FOX: I read in your columns your opinions about how animals are being mistreated along with your concerns about the environment and wildlife. I wonder if your scope as an "Animal Doctor" for a pet-owning readership is going beyond its purpose, and if you have some political or other agenda. After all, we have God-given dominion over the Earth, and with 7 billion of us, I think we are continuing to do a great job putting food on the table and doing our best to give peace and freedom a chance in the world. -- G.K.M., Reston, Virginia

DEAR G.K.M.: I see my mission as a veterinarian and bioethicist to help heal the broken relationships between humans and the rest of Earth's life-community, which begins with animals we keep as companions and the others whom we choose to eat and otherwise exploit. I disagree with you that I have "dominion" to rule over the animal kingdom and may use the natural world for my own pecuniary and other selfish interests. It is my understanding that the word "dominion" in the Christian bible is derived from the Hebrew verb "yorade," which means "to come down to, to have communion with" -- a call for humane, compassionate planetary care.

For more details, see my book "The Boundless Circle: Caring for Creatures and Creation," the essence of which is embodied in Pope Francis' recent encyclical concerning climate change and the collective, harmful impact of our species on this living planet and all creatures great and small -- which theists see as God's creation and I, for one, see as "ours" only in sacred trust. Peace, freedom and justice have no chance if we cannot exercise self-control over our reproductive and consumptive behaviors and have reverence for all life.

IS IT TIME TO ROUND UP ROUNDUP?

Widely used by homeowners, municipal services and especially by agriculture, the main ingredient of Roundup weed killer is an endocrine-disrupting, chelating (mineral-nutrient binding) herbicide now used worldwide. Glyphosate is classified as a "probable carcinogenic" agent, according to a report recently published in The Lancet Oncology.

I have discussed this issue on my website, DrFoxVet.net, in relation to the use of this herbicide and others on crops that have been genetically engineered to resist these toxic agents. But we have not moved forward! This affects our companion animals, since glyphosate residues have been recently found in some pet foods containing genetically modified organisms, such as corn and soy.

(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 READERS: More women than men now graduate from veterinary colleges -- very different than when I graduated in 1962. After winning a county scholarship, my education in England was free. Today, graduates have student loan debts around $150,000, which is not a secure way to start a professional life dedicated to providing the best and most cost-effective care for cats, dogs and other animals.

The clinical challenges in helping animal patients are many and considerable. Rising costs of medications and essential diagnostics strain vets and owners alike. Most vets' animal patients are neutered, variously confined and often live long hours alone, fed highly processed manufactured foods and given over-the-counter anti-flea drugs on a routine basis. Many dogs and ever-more cats also have genetic abnormalities because of selective inbreeding that make them prone to various diseases and immune to vaccinations and anesthesia, which could mean frivolous malpractice suits and rising liability insurance costs. Add having to address the consequences of declawing, lack of understanding of animals' basic needs and post-traumatic stress disorder in abused and traumatized shelter animals, and vets' jobs are more stressful than ever. Highly trained and dedicated animal doctors are seeing a decline in patient treatment hours as the foundering economy affects more people, and causes pet owners to work longer.

Pet health insurance (for those who can afford it) and franchised veterinary services are now a reality. But in my estimation, the future would be more secure and the greater good better served by the professional veterinary sector becoming more deeply involved in local animal shelter, animal rescue, cruelty and protection concerns. Additionally, community vets should promote preventive health care, animal behavioral counseling and even speak to school children about animals and their proper, responsible care. The many dogs who bark for hours, and the free-roaming cats who kill songbirds and chipmunks are symptomatic of some major animal health, welfare and care issues that have not been fully addressed and rectified, in part because of a lack of veterinary expertise being called for in community relations and the establishment of effective municipal animal care and protection regulations.

A more socialized companion animal veterinarian is called for, and many are responding to this call. There is no group of professionals more qualified to share their experiences through volunteering and offering their expertise by beginning an ongoing educational dialogue with animal lovers in their communities. More veterinary students are also being exposed to this community-based orientation by helping in animal shelters and engaging in behavioral counseling and adoption programs. Others elect to invest in postgraduate specialist training and work in referral practices for those who can afford to see a veterinary dermatologist, neurologist or other specialist.

Fortunately, many health issues may soon be greatly reduced thanks to the advances being made in veterinary preventive and holistic, integrative medicine. Vets also help with public education about microchipping and adopting rather than buying pets. Many people now take their pups to puppy classes to socialize and learn animal communication and control, while those with cats learn how and why to make their cats enjoy life indoors and never need or be allowed to roam free off their property.

The best medicine is prevention, which calls for regular wellness examinations and a more holistic, integrative approach to companion animal health. This has already lead to a re-evaluation of vaccination protocols, of feeding highly processed "junk" commercial pet foods and of overmedicating, especially with so-called preventive medications. For further information, contact a holistic veterinarian in your area. A searchable list can be found at holisticvetlist.com. Veterinarians wishing to learn more are encouraged to become members of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, at ahvma.org.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have a sphynx cat who is 1 year old. Lately, he has been keeping me up at night meowing and begging to go outside -- he's an indoor cat, but I let him out on my patio when I'm outside. Usually, at 3 a.m., he will stand by the sliding glass door in my room and whine, or climb on my chair and scratch it until I wake up, or he will jump on my head. Closing my door doesn't help, as he stands outside and cries and rips up my carpet. Any suggestions? -- H.H., Reston, Virginia

DEAR H.H.: This is a frequent complaint, and many people with this issue have found that vigorous interactive play with the cat before bedtime and putting treats or dry cat food out, some hidden or in puzzle toys, can help. My book "Cat Body, Cat Mind" will give you more insights and solutions. In many instances, two cats are generally happier and healthier than those who must live alone and are in total confinement without even human contact for many hours during the 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.net.)