DEAR DR. FOX: My 4-year-old English cocker spaniel has significant folds on the lower side of her mouth. About six months ago, she began leaving dark spots on the furniture, our clothes and the bed. These spots were coming from her mouth, where something seems to gather in the folds. I try to clean her mouth once or twice a day with MalAcetic wipes (suggested by the vet), and my groomer says to use witch hazel on a gauze pad. This has become a chronic problem. I try to keep this part of her face clipped closely. But I would love to figure out how to stop it instead of just treating it.

Do you think a change in diet would help? I am at a loss, and I am wearing out my washing machine! Could I get the residue analyzed to see what it actually is? -- L.B., Vero Beach, Florida

DEAR L.B.: There are bacteria and fungi that live normally on a dog's skin and oral cavity, and when established as a balanced population, like a well-managed garden, help keep the skin and gums healthy and prevent injurious organisms from becoming established. Some of these microflora can produce porphyrin compounds that stain and cause the problems you are facing. Your poor dog probably hates the smell of her stain-making drool.

The stain (pigment) can come not only from some of these microorganisms, but also from artificial dyes in pet foods, some of which are known carcinogens and should be banned.

Did the attending veterinarian closely evaluate your dog's oral health, including teeth and gums? That is a first consideration. I would try PetzLife's oral gel for dogs and my home-prepared diet and treats (posted on my website, DrFoxVet.net) or a dye-free dog food -- I like Sojo's freeze-dried dog foods.

Witch hazel wipes are good, but change to doing it twice daily for three days and then repeating after a three-day break. Your dog may benefit from a vitamin A supplement or Nordic Natural's cod liver oil for dogs, since cocker spaniels can develop a stinky skin condition (seborrhea) and they require more of this vitamin in their diets.

DOGS CAN DETECT POTENTIAL BACTERIAL INFECTIONS

A springer spaniel named Angus is trained to detect Clostridium difficile (C-diff) in the environment, and he'll soon be working full time, allowing staff at Vancouver General Hospital to do targeted disinfection. Angus' success rate is between 95 and 100 percent, and his brother, Dodger, will be trained next, says dog trainer Teresa Zurberg.

DEAR DR. FOX: We had a cat who suddenly started biting around age 4. He would get a wild look in his eye and rush and bite. I took him to the vet after he attacked my daughter. The vet asked if he was a jumper, and suggested an X-ray. It turns out he had a pinched a nerve in his spine. A very short course of steroids and muscle relaxants did the trick. -- D.W., Albany, New York

DEAR D.W.: You are most fortunate to have taken your cat to such a vigilant veterinarian, who must have suspected a pain-trigger for this behavior during the initial physical examination, one sign being hyperesthesia or hypersensitivity along the back. As a preventive measure, a daily massage as per my book, "The Healing Touch for Cats," could help prevent recurrence.

APPRECIATION OF ANIMALS USED IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH

Lisa G. Portnoy, DVM, DACLAM, Animal Care Program director National Institute of Health Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, sent me this announcement:

"The Animal Research Advisory Committee members and the IC Animal Program Directors decided to commemorate the exceptional efforts and contributions made by the animal care staff and research animals to the mission of the NIH and the many health advances that have been supported. The commemoration will be a bronze plaque affixed to a granite boulder to be placed on the south side of the Clinical Center. The boulder will be a quiet spot with two benches along with discrete landscaping elements. The plaque will read: 'With recognition and gratitude to the research animals and the NIH animal care and use community that have contributed to exceptional biomedical research advances. Presented by the Animal Research Advisory Committee.'"

I empathize with both the animals and those involved in their care and pray for the day when there will be more alternatives to using live animals in biomedical research and greater integration of clinical studies of animals already ill as we move toward a better application of the One Health concept and preventive health care for all.

(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: Having just read your column about a deceased dog seeming to have left traces of fur on a cleaned and paper-covered carpet where he used to regularly sleep, I thought you might be interested in two cases where our dead dogs came back to visit us.

Woodrow was a black husky mix with a sweet and loving personality. As he reached the age of 13, he found it difficult to get up because of arthritis. We had to gently pull him from the front to help him get to standing position.

Our oldest daughter and her husband kept him for us while we went away for a few days. Our son-in-law (who doesn't like dogs in general) was impatient with Woodrow, who was under the dining room table while they were eating. He couldn't get out on his own, and my son-in-law became impatient with him, even though the dog wasn't begging for food. Consequently, the dog was yelled at and pushed and shoved at his backside, where he was in pain. The dog bit our son-in-law severely. Given an ultimatum by our son-in-law, we had to put Woodrow down.

Two days after Woodrow's death, his smiling face (head only) showed up to another daughter of ours and me while we were half asleep. It was like he was letting us who loved him know that he was happy and OK.

For years, I thought maybe we both were just dreaming, until our next dog, a Sheltie named Alex, came back to visit. At about 15 years old, Alex, who also had the most loving personality -- and arthritis -- died while being boarded while we were on vacation. I'd had a premonition about it happening, but still wasn't prepared for it when it happened. Three days later we came back and picked up his ashes and a paw-print mold that the vet had ready for us. The next night, I heard his slow footsteps walk into the kitchen and then something drinking water from the bowl we had for our other dog. Alex's chain was clanking against the bowl the whole time he drank. At first I thought it was our remaining dog, but he was sleeping on the sofa, curled up against my wife. Then I heard Alex walking back into the room where the rest of us were.

The same thing happened the next night. I felt that he was showing his love for us in his former life, so I told him how much we loved him and what a wonderful dog he was. Then I explained that in death, he was supposed to be able to run and play and be without pain or any limitation -- so if he saw that he was able to do that if he didn't remain with us, he should know that we still loved him greatly, and that he didn't have to stay with us. My wife also heard all of this.

We never heard from him again. -- R.C., Glenn Dale, Maryland

DEAR R.C.: Your accounts of after-life manifestations do parallel many that I have received from others, which I have published in my book "Animals and Nature First."

So many similar accounts do help confirm the metaphysical veracity of these phenomena to which we may be privy when we have open hearts and minds. Thank you for adding to this documentation. I have received several other accounts from readers who feel the familiar touch or hear the jingling tags of a deceased animal companion, as you did, sometimes by two people at the same time or by another animal in the home responding at the same instant. These new accounts are posted on my website DrFoxVet.net, under "New Evidence of Life After Life."

DEAR DR. FOX: We have a 2-year-old Lab mix. She is crate trained, but we are working on leaving her out more often.

The problem we have is that sometimes we come home, and she has gotten into our trash. At this time, we cannot afford a "pet-proof" can, nor do we have a cupboard we can keep it in. I've read many remedies, including hot pepper spray, vinegar, citrus spray or ammonia. Are any of these truly effective? Do you have any other ideas? -- C.F., Myersville, Maryland

DEAR C.F.: Dogs are scavengers by nature, and those alone all day get bored, which is another reason to invade the trash container. I would buy a cheap tin bucket with a lid and wire handle that flips up and locks the can lid securely -- not expensive. Alternatively, leave your trash container in the bathroom and close the door before you leave.

Safe chew toys for the dog and a hollow rubber Kong filled with peanut butter or cream cheese will occupy your dog for some time after you leave. Leave a radio or TV on and tuned to a talk show to provide him with entertainment.

(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 husband and I live in a house that gets an annual invasion of crickets and spiders when the weather turns cold. We relocate them outside as we find them, alive and unharmed. Spiders do good work in bug control, after all.

This year we adopted two young adult cats from a local rescue group, and they are very feisty! Among other things, they hone their hunting skills on any insect they can find -- they are strictly indoor cats. I never knew we had so many bugs even before the weather turned. Anyhow, I am worried about the coming spider invasion.

What arachnids in the Washington metro area could hurt our boisterous boys, how can we identify them and how do you suggest we protect them? -- C.C., Washington, D.C.

DEAR C.C.: I wish more people would show the kind of respect that you do by putting spiders and other insects you find in the house safely back outdoors. Collectively, insects contribute so much more to the greater good on planet Earth than does the human infestation!

Our always-indoor cats serve as in-home sentinels, alerting us to any insect they find by their obvious focus, pawing and, if we are not quick to intervene, chewing. Some cats are expert fly and moth catchers. In the wild, insects can be part of a cat's diet, and because of their high protein and fat content, some bug species are being developed as an alternative food source for humans, which is probably more sustainable and humane than raising warm-blooded animals for food.

The area around where you live is home to an impressive array of spiders, and only two are poisonous: The black widow has a shiny black body with red spots on the underside and is poisonous, but rarely bites. The other poisonous spider is the brown recluse; it is more often found in other areas of the country, but has become more common in Maryland and Virginia in recent years. The brown recluse is unusual because it has only six eyes (most spiders have eight) and wears a violin-shaped marking on its back.

I would advise being on the alert and keeping a close eye on your cats so you can intervene to rescue any insects they find. I would worry most about wasps in early fall, which can sting cats and dogs and cause an acute reaction that could require emergency veterinary attention.

DEAR DR. FOX: My 2-year-old male cat has developed a pattern of attempting copulation behavior with pillows or with my leg. He has been neutered, so he cannot receive satisfaction, and he is frustrated. After such attempts, he comes over and bites me and acts angry. What can I do for him? -- S.W. Silver Spring, Maryland

DEAR S.W.: Sex play is an activity that is quite common in neutered cats and dogs, which can be redirected into contact play-fighting or prey-chasing using a fluffy toy or feather tied to a string on the end of a cane.

Your cat is not sexually frustrated so much as play-frustrated; many play-deprived cats will give "love bites" and ambush their human companions and scratch and bite. These are aspects of play-fighting and prey-catching behavior that should be modified appropriately by the caregiver learning how to play with the cat or introducing a healthy, compatible cat companion. Two cats living together are generally happier and healthier than one living alone with only human company. See the steps needed to introduce a second cat on my website, DrFoxVet.net.

(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.)