DEAR DR. FOX: My cat Boris has a serious hairball problem. He is a compulsive washer, but his fur is short and really shouldn't contribute to this problem. I comb him every other day or so, and collect a bit of fur, not much. I can't comb the belly, for obvious reasons. I bought hairball medications at PetSmart, which he dutifully eats, but that doesn't seem to help. -- E.J., Trenton, New Jersey

DEAR E.J.: Fur balls can be a serious health issue in some cats, filling up part of the stomach or blocking the intestines.

Cats normally swallow some fur in the process of grooming themselves. Excessive grooming and excessive shedding can be associated with stress/anxiety, hyperactive thyroid disease or lack of omega-3 fish oil in the diet -- especially with most dry kibble cat food. Pet store remedies rarely work, nor do special diets in most instances -- readers who have found success with such products need to let me know!

I advise adding a few drops of olive oil and mashed green, butter or lima beans to your cat's food, the combination of which will help the smooth passage of fur balls in the stools, or facilitate regurgitation.

A full abdominal palpation by a veterinarian may reveal a stomach filled with one or more trichobezoars (tight wads of swallowed fur), which can be confirmed radiologically. Too large to be voided either way, surgical removal under general anesthetic is the only solution.

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER HARMS DOGS

A recent Food and Drug Administration warning emphasized the danger posed to dogs by the artificial sweetener xylitol. The sweetener is found in many products, but the agency warned pet owners to check the label of nut butters in particular, which many owners use to coat pills or as treats for dogs.

Xylitol is also found in some ice creams, sugar-free gelatin products, yogurts, puddings, toothpaste, lip balm and gum, among other products. Dog owners with a suddenly sick dog who suspect ingestion of xylitol should take the product packaging and dog to a veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital immediately.

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT BANS WILD ANIMALS IN TRAVELING CIRCUSES

The government of Scotland is taking a significant step for animals, backed by a statement from the British Veterinary Association and its Scottish branch: "As the leading representative body for veterinarians, we have long campaigned on this issue. The welfare needs of non-domesticated, wild animals cannot be met within a traveling circus in terms of housing not being able to express normal behavior."

(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 a 2-year-old male yellow tabby. In February, he became very ill, and we took him to the vet -- his kidneys were shutting down, and he had an infection.

The first thing the vet asked me was what kind of houseplants we had -- we have none. The vet thinks our cat might have ingested something from the trash, possibly something that was poisonous. The vet prescribed antibiotics and a liquid vitamin. Four days later, we took him back to the vet, and he was dehydrated and had a fever. They put him on an IV and kept him for the night. In this time, he had dropped at least a pound, was lethargic and was not eating. Now he will eat canned chicken, drink water and urinate OK, but he is still very lethargic and super thin; he does not groom himself.

He used to play and kept his coat clean. Now he sleeps most of the day. My dogs used to play with him, and they don't even go near him now. We did try all-natural yogurt, and he seemed to feel a little better, but there is obviously something still wrong. -- S.D., St. Louis

DEAR S.D.: Your cat is awfully young to develop renal (kidney) failure, the acute nature of which your veterinarian was right in thinking a poisonous plant, such as any member of the lily family, could have caused. But the fever suggests possible infection.

It is imperative that your cat keeps well hydrated. Make salt-free boiled chicken juice to encourage drinking, even using a dropper in the cat's mouth if he will accept it. I would break open some probiotic capsules and add a couple to this liquid. Many cats will eat Gerber baby food (the meaty and fishy kind), and a teaspoon or two of canned sardines will provide protein and beneficial oils. Your veterinarian may consider prescribing cyproheptadine to stimulate appetite. Regular gentle body massage will help stimulate circulation.

Your veterinarian should take a blood sample to evaluate kidney function. Chronic kidney disease may be evident and require special treatment and monitoring. Avoid high-fish-content cat foods containing tuna, because the levels of mercury contamination could possibly harm your cat's damaged kidneys.

DEAR READERS: The fundamental problem in seeking justice for animals is that our laws view them as mere "property." The nonprofit Animal Legal Defense Fund has been working to change that. The Oregon Supreme Court just issued a landmark ruling in State v. Newcomb that will give animals more of the protections they deserve.

It all started with Juno, an emaciated dog seized by law enforcement. Once seized, Juno received routine veterinary care, which included drawing his blood for tests. However, Juno's owner argued that because Juno is his property, the blood draw should be considered a "search" under the Oregon Constitution and Fourth Amendment, which prohibit unreasonable searches.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund fought back, filing an amicus ("friend of the court") brief urging the court to consider that animals are "sentient beings capable of experiencing pain, stress and fear," according to legislation the nonprofit helped enact in the state in 2013. The court rejected the owner's argument. In a win for all animals, the court emphasized that sentience matters in cases like these, and this dog should not be considered a mere object. The purpose of a blood test is medical diagnosis and treatment, and now investigators in Oregon do not have to go through the long process of securing a separate warrant before a veterinarian can treat an abused or neglected animal who has been lawfully seized as part of a cruelty investigation.

For more information about the Animal Legal Defense Fund and how you can support it and the animals it defends, visit aldf.org.

DEAR DR. FOX: I had a similar experience to many of your readers with a vet regarding Frontline. My dog would significantly react for a day or two after administration of this product, hardly moving and drooling. When I told my vet about this as it related to this product, he said that it was not possible.

My previous dog died at the age of 8 from a cancerous tumor that formed near the site of Frontline administration. After the second dog reacted badly to this medicine, I stopped using it. I am not a fan. -- L.L., Berryville, California

DEAR L.L.: Every summer, I receive letters like yours concerning the adverse effects of some anti-flea products. There are several safer and more effective anti-flea products and preventive steps to take to deal with these nasty external parasites, which you can read about on my website, DrFoxVet.net. Avoid over-the-counter insecticidal products without consultation with a veterinarian who should do more than sell you a product.

MEDALS OF COURAGE FOR DOGS

In July on Capitol Hill, four dogs received the K-9 Medal of Courage for their military heroism. Matty, Fieldy, Bond and Isky all received the nation's highest military honor for dogs due to their bravery in war zones, where they detected explosives and provided protection and comfort.

Perhaps next year there will be some police dogs given this medal after being shot and stabbed in the course of doing their service. Better still, in the War Memorial area near Capitol Hill, it is surely time to put up an epitaph in commemoration of all the various kinds of animals who have served in times of war: horses (in the millions), mules, dogs, pigeons, pigs, dolphins and elephants. And near the National Institutes of Health, another memorial is overdue for all the chimpanzees, monkeys, cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, rats, rodents and other creatures, many of whom children keep as pets, who have variously suffered and died to help find cures for the diseases of civilization.

(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 to address the response you received from Brandi Hunter, vice president of public relations for the American Kennel Club, which you printed in your column recently.

Hunter states, "The AKC is dedicated to the well-being of all dogs; it in no way condones or supports substandard care..."

Would you consider the painful and systematic ear and tail docking the AKC insists certain breeds have to maintain their vision of how a dog looks under the widely accepted "dog standard" substandard? The AKC inflicts a selfish vision of how some breeds should look, which is not the way they are born to look. The maiming of these helpless animals is animal abuse and absolutely unethical.

Hunter also mentions a H.E.A.R.T. program and various breeder education courses. Do they mention in these courses that the tail is actually part of the animal's spine, and dogs' ears are full of nerves? I cannot begin to imagine the pain these dogs experience and the potential health and emotional issues caused by these procedures.

What is your opinion on the docking of dogs' vital body parts so their humans can follow the AKC "dog standard"? With your voice, we can better educate the public on this issue. -- J.R., Arlington, Virginia

DEAR J.R.: I sent your letter to the American Kennel Club. This is the reply that I received:

"Canine Legislation Position Statement: ear cropping, tail docking and dewclaw removal

"The American Kennel Club recognizes that ear cropping, tail docking and dewclaw removal, as described in certain breed standards, are acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character and/or enhancing good health. Appropriate veterinary care should be provided."

This "position statement" is ethically unacceptable except insofar as removal of extra, non-functional dewclaws on the hind legs, which is not cosmetic but needed to stop them being torn when the dog runs.

Tail docking and ear cropping should be phased out and breed standards changed, but the AKC is clearly pandering to breed clubs and those dog show judges who see nothing wrong with such mutilations. For more details, see my article "Dog Mutilations," posted on my website, DrFoxVet.net.

In more dog-friendly (and in my opinion, less barbaric) cultures, such as in the United Kingdom, veterinarians amputate dogs' tails only for medical reasons, and certain "breed standards" that involve ear cropping and tail docking are not evident in dog shows.

DEAR DR. FOX: I was happy to see you remind us that captive animals are not necessarily pets. In this case, it was regarding reptiles and amphibians. Do you consider birds captive animals as well? I've never understood why it is acceptable to take a creature with the awesome ability to fly, clip its wings, cage it and call it a pet.

The only captive animals I've kept were "fancy" mice during my daughter's childhood. We tried to keep their habitat as natural as possible, and we endeavored to keep them busy hunting for food and nesting materials. We always kept a wheel available, but it was rarely used. I always hoped that meant they were not going stir-crazy enough to need it! -- S.P.K., Louisville, Kentucky

DEAR S.P.K.: For many people, bringing any animal into the home is like taking in a new family member to be treated with respect and understanding. For others, regrettably, they are disposable commodities -- live toys for the kids who too soon lose interest when there is a lack of parental supervision and example.

In general, animals adapt best to living with us if they have no fear. In the process of domesticating animals like white mice, rabbits, ferrets, canaries and parakeets, there are genetic changes that mean less hypervigilance and less fearfulness and fright-flight-fight reactivity, therefore less stress and potential suffering. This makes these animals easier to socialize, and they develop an emotional bond with people. Freedom from fear is a basic animal right.

Another right is a proper, safe environment. For any bird, captive and wild but not releasable, such as an Amazon parrot, or domesticated, like a canary, this means a safe place to fly -- preferably a large flight cage or room. Clipping or pinioning their wings is more for convenience than their safety, and it amounts to a cruel and unnecessary mutilation. Yet another right for highly social avian species like parakeets is group housing so they have the security and enrichment of each other's company.

Any bird in a cage -- except briefly for medical purposes -- is an abomination. Many suffer, developing stress-related diseases, physical problems from lack of activity and behavioral problems such as feather-pulling and self-mutilation.

(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.)