DEAR DR. FOX: I have a 4-year-old male tabby cat named Beau. He is loving and friendly to everyone. About a year ago, he surprised me by sneaking up and biting me on the back of my leg. Since then, it has become a weekly event.

I find myself walking backward so I can keep an eye on him. After he bites me, he gets in a crouch position and has a vicious look on his face. The bites are serious -- they bleed and look infected. I have a strong antibiotic that I use on them.

Beau lets me pick him up, he naps on my lap and he purrs. When I have guests, he will come and sit with us. Yesterday, I fell asleep and woke to him charging up the couch and biting my arm. I have tried walking around with a water bottle ready to squirt, but that isn't always handy.

I was thinking of having his teeth removed. Everyone scoffs at this idea until they see my scars. It was so bad one time that I took pictures of the wounds. I truly believe if a vet saw them, he would agree to the dental surgery.

There is no pattern to the attacks, and he doesn't do it when he is hungry or after I have rubbed his belly (which he loves). It is always when I am walking freely throughout the house.

I love this guy, but I am so very frustrated. Can you give me insights as to why and what to do? -- M.O., Naples, Florida

DEAR M.O.: You have a problem cat indeed. This is common in many one-cat homes, which could have been prevented by having another cat so they can play-fight together.

You need to change your relationship in regards to your fear and the cat's uninhibited biting.

Removing the teeth is not the best solution, nor is removing the claws of those who scratch. Cats can learn not to bite hard or scratch.

What you need to do is to get some cat toys and to play with your cat, especially early in the evening when cats are most active. Have Beau chase a laser pointer and a fluffy or feathery lure on the end of a string tied to a cane. Play with him as long as he is receptive, then groom him with a long-handled brush. Also set up a cat condo so he can get up and look down on you and feel secure. Making his environment more stimulating and redirecting his play-fighting behavior with suitable interactive games are steps worth taking before all else.

DEAR DR. FOX: I acquired a two-year old Afghan hound from a breeder who deemed him not to be of show quality and did not want him to breed. He said that neutering would spoil his coat, and instead gave him a vasectomy. This worked very well; he remained a gorgeous dog and was much admired.

Every three weeks I took him to the breeder for grooming, and one day my dog came home very unhappy. He moaned and cried, and he wouldn't eat his food. I couldn't imagine what was wrong. After a week of this, I called the breeder to ask if anything had gone amiss on his visit. He laughed and explained: A female had been sent to him to be bred, and she was present while my dog was there for grooming. He had fallen in love (!) and was pining for her. The breeder said that the mating had been unsuccessful and, compassionately, said, "Bring him back." I did so, and my lucky, infertile dog was able to spend a happy weekend with his lady love before she was sent home. He came back smiling. -- G.J., Silver Spring, Maryland

DEAR G.J.: Your experiences with your vasectomized dog will enlighten and amuse many readers of my column.

There is a reconsideration of routinely neutering male and female dogs because, especially in some breeds, there are significant health benefits of them retaining their ovaries and testicles and related natural hormone levels, according to health surveys by veterinarian Dr. Benjamin Hart and associates at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Removing these glands can disrupt the regulatory functions of other endocrine glands.

Dogs do "fall in love," and I have seen this in dogs who have been neutered and are members of the same sex; my Indian pariah dog Batman screamed with joy when he met with the canine love of his life, a neutered male sheltie, in our local park. They would engage in sex-play, much to the consternation of his owner, who called my dog a pervert!

Some years ago, I read about male dogs in Denmark or Sweden spending time at kennels where there were female dogs in heat, but who were surgically altered so they would not get pregnant (hysterectomy), and the dogs could satisfy their sex drives. But America, with its puppy play groups and doggy day care centers, may not be quite ready for such indulgent canine prostitution.

(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: 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.

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.

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.)

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.

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.)