DEAR DR. FOX: I have a 7-year-old Chihuahua who I saved from the local pound. Is it necessary for him to get all of the shots they provide? Please tell me what medicines we need to continue with, as he will be going in for a rabies shot unless you advise differently.

This little one is strictly a house dog. Any suggestions? -- M.N., De Soto, Missouri

Dear M.N.: It is the law in all municipalities for dogs to be given an anti-rabies vaccination every year. More enlightened veterinarians favor the available 3-year interval vaccine. This lowers the risks of adverse reactions associated with annual vaccinations, including autoimmune diseases.

The next step is to evaluate the duration of your dog's immunity from a single vaccination by blood titer testing. Many dogs may need to be revaccinated less often than recommended. I encourage more public support for the Rabies Challenge Fund, which is doing research to determine the amount of time vaccinations last. Trials for the Fund are now approaching the seventh year. Visit rabieschallengefund.org for more information.

Your dog may or may not need other vaccinations, and your veterinarian can take blood samples to evaluate the need for booster shots. One other preventive treatment is antiheartworm medication, which calls for a different blood test prior to medicating. I also advise an annual wellness examination for all of your animal companions.

DEAR DR. FOX: I appreciate your recent article urging readers to stop the torment of animals.

If one wished to give some money to a charitable organization working to end this treatment, whom would you recommend?

I do not buy meat. But how much can one person do to alleviate these processes of pain? -- K.W., Takoma Park, Maryland

DEAR K.W.: I would advise you to go online and visit GuideStar Charity Check for assurance that any animal-protection organization you might consider supporting is putting most of the funds raised into direct action, which is often legislative. The charities all have websites detailing what issues they are addressing. In particular, check out the Humane Farming Association, the Animal Welfare Institute and the Humane Society of the United States. Millions of people, for health and environmental as well as farmed animal welfare reasons, are changing their diets. You are not alone. Check my book "Animals and Nature First" for more details and "sound science" reasons for going vegetarian, as well as bioethical reasoning.

DEAR DR. FOX: In an earlier column, you asked for reader input regarding animal affection. I'd like to share Black Jack's story:

Black Jack (B.J.) is a 5-year-old male cat. I am a charge nurse at a local nursing home and work second shift, getting home between midnight and 12:30 a.m. daily. B.J. comes running to the door and will jump up on the banister, meowing "hello" as he does so. Then, he puts his paws up to be held. Once in my arms, he licks my nose and climbs on my shoulders. He stays there until I get my stuff put away, and then he jumps down to be fed. Once he's done eating and I'm done with the rest of the crew (three other cats and a dog), B.J. jumps up into my lap for some snuggle time.

B.J. is the best masseuse I've ever had (yes, better than some humans). He starts by massaging my stomach, then works his way up to my shoulders, neck and upper back. He'll then snuggle for the rest of the time, unless I tell him I still need his paws. He waits for me on the bed and will massage my lower back as well. He'll do this sometimes for up to an hour.

There are times I think he must get cramps himself. He's knocked out several painful knotted muscles over the years and does it all for the minimal fee of food and lodging. He can sense how stressed I am, and the more stressed I am, the longer and deeper the massages get.

He's one of the best cats I've ever had.

This is all the more remarkable considering he was born feral to a feral mother under my neighbor's abandoned shed! -- T.C., Jefferson City, Missouri

DEAR T.C.: Your letter confirms what other people with certain cats have shared with me: They seem to be able to sense where we hurt and become more attentive, lying against the painful area; or, as in your case, using their paws and body weight to help relax tense areas.

In this realm of empathic somatic sensitivity, many cats are quite remarkable and, as I point out in my book "The Healing Touch for Cats," they themselves enjoy deep massages and can become quite addicted and demanding.

(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 have a mixed-breed pound dog who we adopted a couple of years ago. She might be a Sheltie, and she weighs about 30 pounds. She's a good girl, and we truly love her. The weird thing is, she's an awful car traveler. She's fine at all other times, but I've never seen a dog behave like this.

She will eagerly jump into the car, but once it starts, it's a different story -- she cries constantly and hyperventilates. She won't sit still; we have to hold her the entire time the car is moving. We have tried to get her accustomed to the car, but this seems to be a deep-seated neurosis. We tried putting her in a kennel in the car, but that doesn't help; in fact, it seems worse than just holding her.

Is there anything we can give her (like Valium, for example) to calm her down? -- H.L., Houston

DEAR H.L.: A recent study published by an animal behaviorist in the U.K. showed significant benefit from spraying the inside of the car with a mist of water shaken with a few drops of lavender oil just prior to the ride. An occasional spritz on the dog may also help during a long journey.

Trying to desensitize your dog may be worth a try. This essentially entails sitting in the car with the dog for increasing periods of time with engine off, then with the engine running, then going on longer and longer drives. Give your dog treats sporadically to associate being in the car with a food reward.

She may travel better and prefer the security of a dog crate, or you can secure her in a harness tethered to a backseat. This should be the law in every state.

Treatment with Valium -- or its parent herb, valerian -- 30 minutes before a ride may help. After a few treatments, many dogs settle down and can be weaned off the medication. For dogs who develop nausea and vomit, a small piece of ginger root in a ball of cream cheese can work wonders as a "calmative." Some dogs readily eat crystallized ginger, which also calms the stomach.

DEAR DR. FOX: I enjoy reading your column, even though I have no pets at the current time. Been there, done that.

My daughter and family have a border collie that they adopted from a pet rescue. He is very sweet, smart and lovable. They think he is about 5 years old now.

When I was visiting recently, I noticed that he seemed to be snapping at something in the air, as though he were seeing flies. None of the rest of us saw flies, though, so his behavior seems a little strange.

I'm wondering if he has "floaters" in his eyes, causing him to see spots. My daughter thinks he is seeing small bugs that we don't see. -- M.E., St. Paul, Minnesota

Dear M.E.: This kind of behavior is not usually associated with any eye abnormality, but that would be worth evaluating, especially considering the breed of dog your daughter has.

This is most likely an obsessive-compulsive behavior. It may be associated with prior trauma or stress. It was reported in some dogs during World War 11 in the U.K., and was attributed to bombing and sirens around where they lived. A flood in Pavlov's laboratory in Russia, which apparently terrified the caged dogs, resulted in some engaging in this behavior after the water subsided.

Your veterinarian may prescribe a mild tranquilizer. Regular exercise and interactive play outdoors is essential for this working breed. A bandana around the dog's neck with a few drops of lavender oil may help calm the dog. Also try the herbal product @-Eaze from PetzLife. Try giving him a small amount of over-the-counter melatonin 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: Over the years, we've had several cats. Since I usually took care of their needs, they were always more affectionate with me. They didn't snuggle with my husband very much, and that was OK with him. But the cat we have now is very different.

This cat started out as a stray. Our neighbor took him in and kept him in her garage. The neighbor had him checked by a vet, got all his necessary shots and gave him to us a few months ago.

He's basically an indoor cat (though he sometimes goes out on the porch for a little while), and he has the run of the house. Lately, he has become extremely affectionate toward my husband. He sits in the chair with my husband, wants to be petted and sometimes sleeps on top of his shoes. He even yowls if he's not getting attention. It might sound funny, but my husband's arms are quite hairy, and it seems like the cat is grooming him! He'll alternately lick himself and then my husband, to the point where we have to tell him to stop.

I've never seen this kind of cat behavior. Can you explain it? -- M.D., Scott Township, Pennsylvania

Dear M.D.: Cats are unpredictable and idiosyncratic in many ways. Pheromones can play a big role in their social behavior and emotional bonds.

It is quite possible that your husband's hirsute arms are a stimulus to the cat to engage in affectionate social grooming. But all things in moderation! Cats can become clingy, so try to remotivate and redirect the cat's attention by engaging in interactive play with a lure on a string or a laser light to chase. The cat may enjoy a regular brushing and massage as I describe in my book "The Healing Touch for Cats." But beware: Some cats become touch-aholics!

DOGS ABSORB HARMFUL HERBICIDES

Dr. Deborah W. Napp and associates published a report, "Detection of herbicides in the urine of pet dogs following home lawn chemical applications," in Science of the Total Environment. The researchers found, "Chemicals were detected in the urine of dogs in 14 of 25 households before lawn treatment, in 19 of 25 households after lawn treatment and in 4 of 8 untreated households. Chemicals were commonly detected in grass residues from treated lawns, and from untreated lawns suggesting chemical drift from nearby treated areas. Thus, dogs could be exposed to chemicals through contact with their own lawn (treated or contaminated through drift) or through contact with other grassy areas if they travel. The length of time to restrict a dog's access to treated lawns following treatment remains to be defined."

By my definition of common sense, I would say to avoid herbicides and transform ever more lawns (the green, chemical deserts of America) into natural habitats so that our springs will be less silent -- our drinking water and related health would be all the better for it!

(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 have a mixed-breed hound. We think he's part Rhodesian ridgeback. We have had him since he was 2 months old. He has never been abused or neglected. He is very loving and docile with us, but he is aggressive toward everyone else.

Whenever someone comes onto our property, he barks madly at them; he scares people who come inside with his vicious attitude. He is also aggressive with people on walks, though he has no problem with other dogs. He can no longer be boarded at a pet hotel because he was being very fear-aggressive with the staff.

He is 1 1/2, and we were wondering how we can control this aggressive behavior. Do you think it requires a professional trainer? If so, what kind of trainer do you recommend? What questions should we ask the trainer? -- M.H., Ellicott City, Maryland

DEAR M.H.: It is natural for young dogs to show some aggression toward strangers entering their home-territories when they are of a protective breed or temperament. It can be aggravated by how the handler or caregiver responds to the dog the first time such behavior is manifested. Tugging on the leash, hitting the dog or verbally scolding may simply arouse the dog's fear and anxiety level, leading to more intense defensive aggression the next time. This is where a professionally certified animal behavioral therapist can possibly help. Impulse control through behavior modification may be the solution.

Veterinarian Dr. W. Jean Dodds (author of "Canine Nutrigenomics") has identified acute thyroid dysfunction in many young-adult dogs showing aggressive behavior that is difficult to control. Your veterinarian should consider this possibility, and in the interim, have your dog wear a muzzle in situations where people may be at risk. This will make you more relaxed, and that would be good for the dog.