DEAR DR. FOX: I volunteer with a local animal rescue, and as you can well imagine, with all the different volunteers who come and go, there are always treats being given to the dogs. In the course of a day, people give all different kinds of dog treats, as well as people food like cheese, chicken, hot dogs, liverwurst -- the list goes on. I asked a volunteer about it, and she got very defensive and said that she asked if she could give treats and was told she could. While we are not prohibited from giving the dogs treats, we should be wary of all the stuff they get over the course of the day. I pointed out obesity and loose stools they have because of all the different crud they're eating. I suggested putting a list on each dog's cage where volunteers have to write down what they give on that day. Then we really will know how much the dogs are getting. The problem is that volunteers would have to be honest.

Treats should be used for rewarding, not to calm a growling or barking dog, which reinforces that behavior. Yet people give treats thinking they will shut the dog up. They give treats because they like giving treats, and they also give treats because they feel sorry for the dogs being in a kennel, even though these dogs get an amazing amount of human socialization. Maybe you can enlighten us to your experience on this issue. -- V.B., Howell, New Jersey

DEAR V.B.: I agree with you absolutely, but volunteers can be difficult to deal with diplomatically; many become defensive when their intentions and affections are questioned. But you can show affection in other ways than giving treats. It might be best to prohibit all treat-giving except for those provided by the shelter in set amounts.

Giving treats can help establish trust and reward desired behaviors, but all things in moderation!

You are correct that giving treats to barking dogs can reward them for barking, as I have mentioned earlier in my column. Some dogs may need to be on a fat- or grain-free diet, and some treats, notably those imported from China, have made dogs ill and even killed them.

The recipe for my home-prepared dog treats, made primarily with buckwheat, is posted on my website, DrFoxVet.net. A volunteer could make batches for the shelter to be given appropriately and in moderation.

DRINKING WATER CONCERNS

As a veterinarian, I am concerned about the quality and safety of drinking water people provide for their animal companions. Older animals -- who drink more water because of kidney and other health issues -- and cats -- who may be finicky drinkers and not maintain adequate hydration, especially when fed only dry food -- are of special concern. Water purification is needed to remove pollutants in most water supplies anywhere in the world. For details, see my article on DrFoxVet.net.

The most effective water-purification methods (such as reverse osmosis and distillation) and filter systems (Zero Water) remove not only contaminants but also minerals from water, including essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which are normally present in drinking water in electrolyte form. These mineral electrolytes are needed for optimal hydration. This is not necessarily achieved when these essential minerals are only present in food. It is for these reasons that I put a few drops of EMDROPS in our filtered, demineralized drinking water for my family, including our animals. For more details, visit watermins.com

(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: I recently received an email of complaint from an official of Monsanto Co., which also communicated with the newspapers that printed my report concerning the discovery of their herbicide, glyphosate, in some cat and dog foods. The complaint alleged that my concerns were not based on "sound science." This seems to be the latest defense when companies face accountability for their various products and activities. The World Health Organization's cancer agency, IARC, which relies solely on sound science and reason, concludes that glyphosate is a "probable carcinogen" in its report on this herbicide (see monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol112/mono112-02.pdf). So I repeat: Users beware; consumers, support organic farming practices that do not use such chemicals on their crops; and governments, cease and desist from pandering to corporate interests at home and abroad that put the public, the environment and animals at risk.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have been following with great interest the discussions regarding people who love pets but cannot afford them or become ill and can't care for them. I began a free service that addresses this exact issue. I founded Caregiver Canines in 2009 to provide free weekly in-home therapy dog visits to the elderly and those with dementia. It is part of a larger nonprofit agency, Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey. The joy and companionship that these in-home visits bring is tremendous and reduces the temptation to get a dog a person cannot care for. We get many calls thanking us for these visits, telling us of the psychological boost and impact they make. Recently, we partnered with the National Volunteer Caregiving Network to expand Caregiver Canines nationwide, so there are programs beginning in many states.

I encourage you and your readers who are interested in learning more or beginning this program in their own towns to check us out on Facebook (facebook.com/caregivercanines) or at caregivercanines.org. Hopefully, this will reduce the number of dogs being brought back to shelters! -- L.W., Toms River, New Jersey

DEAR L.W.: This is good news, indeed, for the elderly in the communities that your volunteers and good dogs serve. I trust that many of your volunteers are senior citizens, and that your organization does background checks on all your volunteers because so many elderly and homebound are at risk from those who would exploit and even abuse them, as is the case in many nursing homes.

DEAR DR. FOX: I agree, a program like ours is part of the larger picture of giving pet lovers the benefits of interactions with dogs without the onus of caring for one in their home, similar to seniors volunteering at shelters. The people we serve are homebound and often disabled, therefore, not able to get out to a shelter and volunteer.

Especially with the holidays coming up, many well-meaning family members purchase a dog for their elderly parents in the hopes they will ease their loneliness. After about three to four months, these dogs are returned to shelters because they could not be cared for properly.

Our agency is based on "neighbors helping neighbors," and you're absolutely right -- most of our volunteers are in their 70s and 80s! We do criminal background checks on all our volunteers to address the important issues you bring up.

I hope that more programs like ours spring up around the country, and I'd be happy to get folks started. -- L.W.

DEAR DR. FOX: Our active 13-year-old Lab mix has been diagnosed with vestibular disease. It has really taken the wind out of her sails.

She is progressing with cortisone, meclizine and gabapentin. Also tramadol as needed.

Any recommendations? Will she fully recover? Relapse?

She eats a varied and decent diet, but we would really like to help her. She loves fruit and vegetables and picks fresh tomatoes for herself from the garden! She also gets milk thistle and Glyco Flex 3. -- C.M.

DEAR C.M.: Sorry to hear about your dog's issue. Sounds like a great canine companion.

Many old dogs recover gradually. In some instances, you can try a short course of fresh chopped ginger root mixed in with food -- up to a teaspoon for a dog of her size, daily for 10 to 14 days to alleviate the nausea and inflammation. Add a few drops of fish oil to her diet forever.

Powdered turmeric is another miracle, like a safe herbal steroid. Give her a teaspoon daily in her food. Begin both ginger and turmeric supplements with a small daily dose so your dog gets used to it. Mix with moist canned dog food if you feed dry dog food only. These two herbs also help old dogs and people, too, with arthritis and other chronic inflammatory conditions.

BLUE BUFFALO KITTY YUMS CHICKEN RECIPE CAT TREATS RECALL DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF PROPYLENE GLYCOL

Blue Buffalo is voluntarily recalling a limited production of Blue Kitty Yums Chicken Recipe Cat Treats that may contain low levels of propylene glycol, which is not permitted by the Food and Drug Administration for use in cat food. One feline illness associated with the treats has been reported. Propylene glycol toxicity causes depression, muscle twitching, loss of coordination and excessive urination and thirst in 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.net.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I would like some help. My vet is a very good vet, but not informed on my problem.

I have a small Yorkie. She was born with both male and female reproductive organs. Where they operated on her, some skin is coming out. It has a discharge and swells. The vet gave me EnteDerm ointment, which takes the swelling down. She is such a sweet, special dog -- healthy, active and spoiled -- and I wouldn't trade her for anything.

Is there anything else I can do? I have enclosed some photos. I just hope you don't think I'm crazy. -- V.W., Jackson, Missouri

DEAR V.W.: I do not think you are crazy. You are clearly a devoted caregiver of a beautiful little dog. From the photos that you sent, it does seem that your dog is a hermaphrodite (endowed with genitals of both sexes). If she is excessively licking the part where she urinates, this could be preventing proper healing. What appears to be a small cyst requires surgical correction by a veterinarian skilled in soft tissue and reconstructive surgery. I would seek a second opinion without delay.

DEAR DR. FOX: Please help me with a problem my husband and I are having with our male cat Sidney, who turned 2 years old in August.

We adopted him from the Human Society when he was 1 month old. He was cute, loving and full of energy. We treat him with loving care and kindness. We play with him, groom him and feed him well with Fancy Feast wet food. He also gets regular checkups with our vet.

Within the past six to eight months, however, he is becoming more and more aggressive in his behavior. He bites (drawing blood), his ears go up, he growls in a high-pitched voice and chases after you. He used to spend time with us, but now he seems to want to be alone.

What's happening to him? He's like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. My husband will hold him in his arms for a minute or so, then Sidney will stare at him and suddenly become aggressive.

I am seriously thinking about giving him back. My husband and I are in our 70s and have very thick skin, which happens when people get older. We have had cats all of our married lives and have never had a problem like this before. -- N.A.G., Naples, Florida

DEAR N.A.G.: Consult with your regular veterinarian and with the Humane Society. A full wellness exam is called for whenever there is this kind of change in behavior. The advice of an animal behaviorist might be helpful; you might also consult my book "Cat Body, Cat Mind."

Interactive games early in the evening and a calming grooming session on a regular basis may be the best therapy. I would also transition gradually onto a better, ideally raw or home-prepared cat food. Treats of freeze-dried turkey and PetzLife's calming supplement @-Eaze may also help. Visit petzlife.com for more details.

(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.)