DEAR DR. FOX: I recently read your column about how the reader's cat's kidneys might be damaged, and I wanted to tell you about an illness my 2-year-old cat had, called tularemia, or "rabbit fever."

Like the cat described in the column, my cat ran a high fever, lost all desire to eat or drink, stopped grooming himself and would hardly move around at all. He also developed swollen glands in his neck. The first vet I took him to assumed it was an infection, maybe from a bite (since our cat is an outdoor cat) and prescribed antibiotics and administered fluids in the office. My cat didn't get any better; he actually got worse. It wasn't until a couple days later that a second vet examined him and asked if my cat kills and eats rabbits -- the answer was an absolute yes. The vet said she had seen only one other case of tularemia, but it requires a special antibiotic, which she administered by injection three days in a row and then had us give in liquid form after that for a week.

Over the course of three days, our cat's temperature went from 107 to 104 to normal, and his appetite returned (and became voracious). Over a period of about 10 days, he made a full recovery!

I just wanted to tell you about this, in case it would help anyone else; it was almost a miracle that the second vet we saw even recognized the illness for what it was and knew how to treat it. -- T.B.B., St. Louis

DEAR T.B.B.: This disease is more prevalent in some states than others, and veterinarians are on the alert in areas of greater prevalence, especially since this is a disease that people can also contract. With climate change, it is likely to become more prevalent. In your case, it is a warning to not let cats roam free and kill wildlife.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have an 11-year-old schnauzer, Beau, who has survived two episodes of pancreatitis. I am a widow, and he is my baby and companion.

For the last seven years, I have had him on Natural Choice venison food. Once in a while, I cook for him fish (tilapia) with quinoa and green beans. He likes both foods. For snacks, I give three little pieces of banana and three little pieces of apples. For years, I have given him a capsule of omega-3 oil, as recommended by the vet.

For about two years, I have noticed some masses on his body: two about the size of a small orange, and the other about the size of a lemon. I take him to the vet every year for his annual checkup, and the vet told me the masses are not malignant and that they are typical of schnauzers. I have noticed, though, that he cannot climb onto my bed as he used to, so I have to carry him to my bed; he gets out of bed with no problem. Also, when he climbs the stairs, he is not as fast as he used to be. I am concerned that the masses are impeding his movement.

Please let me know what I can do about these masses. I love Beau with all my heart, and I want him to live for many more years. -- P.P., Fairfax, Virginia

DEAR P.P.: These are probably fatty tumors called lipomas, which are common in older dogs. They grow and grow, but they do not spread to the internal organs. Once they become large enough to interfere with the dog's freedom of movement, it is time to consider surgery under a general anesthetic if the dog is otherwise healthy. Discuss this with your veterinarian, who may refer you to a soft-tissue veterinary surgical specialist. This is the step we took with one of our older dogs; she had a new lease on life after successful removal of a large lipoma in her groin.

You dog may have arthritis. There are supplements like Cosequin and Nordic Naturals fish oil for dogs that can help, along with regular massage as per my book, "The Healing Touch for Dogs."

(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 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.)