DEAR DR. FOX: I have a female domestic shorthair cat who will barely eat. I have had her for 8 years, and she will be 12 in February. She was a rescue. I did not know she had seizures when I adopted her; the rescue agency did not tell me. I have been able to put up with the seizures because they only happen about every four to six months, although it has now been over a year since she had one.

I think that is because she now does not want to eat. I have been to the vet, who gave me Hill’s to force-feed her. (I forgot to mention, she does not like to be caught, like when I cut her nails or give her pills.) We also tried pills -- prednisone and an appetite stimulant -- but it got harder and harder to catch her. She is very smart.

I have given her every food on the market, expensive and inexpensive. She does not like anything. I was told, after she had an ultrasound and extensive bloodwork, that she might have a slow-growing cancer.

I love her, but do not want to put her through more tests. She seems happy, and does eat her treats at night. The vet said she may have diabetes from the prednisone. I cannot give her insulin because she’s too hard to catch. I am 72 years old and I cannot be running all over the house to catch her, stressing her and me both out.

I weigh her every Sunday, and for the past three weeks she has maintained at 8 pounds. She used to weigh 12 pounds. I also tried cooking chicken and fish for her -- she loves shrimp, but not anything else. Thank you for any advice you can give me. -- J.B., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR J.B.: I commend you sincerely for the time, effort and money you have expended on this poor cat, who has much to thank you for. You have helped her stay alive and enjoy some quality of life.

Many cats can be difficult to handle for treatment, and for some, the stress involved may outweigh any benefits promised. This may be especially true for a cat prone to seizures.

From your account, I would say that your cat’s temperament calls for a minimum of forced handling for medication and veterinary follow-ups. Providing the best possible quality of life for your cat may well mean letting her be. Give her whatever she likes to eat, canned sardines in water being one nutritious and highly palatable food most cats enjoy. Groom her and play with her so she regains her trust.

I hope this helps put your mind at rest. Sometimes it is best with some animal patients to back off, and give the animal’s own natural healing processes a chance to function in a stress-free environment. But not without prior veterinary consultation.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 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’m on my sixth and seventh rescued German Shepherd dogs (GSD). It is clear they are highly intelligent and can be trained to a point that they respond to actual conversational instructions.

The downside is their relative short lifespan: 10 to 12 years. Even with a carefully controlled diet, they can end up with mobility problems and cancer. The benefit of adopting an older GSD is that you can somewhat evaluate the dog to reduce the chance of having to deal with hip dysplasia. But just like humans in their 60s, an 8-year-old GSD may show indications of pain during or after exercise.

Over the years, I have tried alternative medical approaches with my companion GSDs. For example: My 5-year-old male was highly driven to exercise. After a couple of hours in the dog park one day, he developed minor incontinence. He would have a wet spot on his bed or leak as he pushed himself up from the hardwood floor. Regular vet examination, analysis and medication for the incontinence quickly ran up a $900 bill. The medication did nothing to remedy the problem.

I then took him to a holistic vet, who prescribed two Chinese herbs: Cuscuta 15 and Restorative tablets. The incontinence symptoms were gone within 24 hours, and have since been easily controlled with the herbs. This vet reacted positively to hearing I had added blueberries, chopped spinach and other fresh produce to my dog’s meals. He talked about the benefits of the micronutrients in the fruit and vegetables.

My 7-year-old male GSD was developing joint pain, so I tried regular use of Cosequin DS. I was not seeing any improvements so I sought another solution. I had seen information on humans using turmeric to control inflammation, so I followed the recipe I found: Chop up kale and saute it with a light spray of olive oil, then shake a teaspoon of turmeric and a little black pepper over it. After mixing well, spread it on a cookie sheet and bake it at 270 degrees F for about 40 minutes, turning it a couple of times, until it is fully dried.

When preparing my dog’s twice-daily meal of high-quality, grain-free kibble, I mix a quarter-cup of the dried kale mixture with the kibble and soak it with a half-cup of warm water. I have observed a marked reduction in him showing joint pain symptoms.

I recently read about calls for formal scientific studies to evaluate the benefits, if any, of turmeric on humans. I can testify that my GSD is not experiencing the placebo effect, because he doesn’t know that I’m giving it to him, or why. -- T.W., Alexandria, Virginia

DEAR T.W.: Your letter should be noted by all, as it gives affirmation of effective treatments prescribed by a veterinarian practicing alternative and integrative holistic medicine.

As more clinical studies and conferences bring together more such evidence -- especially of the benefits of herbal treatments for various conditions -- more organized veterinary (and human) medicine in the U.S. and abroad will have to take note and reconsider its close financial ties with the big drug companies. Those same companies see such advances as competition to be squashed.

There is considerable literature on the benefits of turmeric for a variety of human ailments, and the same benefits may well be seen in dogs and other animals. The anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties are widely recognized, and in my opinion, there could be synergy when an equal amount of ginger is provided. I would recommend twice-daily doses of 250 mg of turmeric and of ginger (both in powder form), given with food, for a 25-pound dog, along with a few drops of anti-inflammatory fish oil. (Do not use krill oil, since the krill harvesting deprives whales and other marine life of a vital food source.)

I would not cook the turmeric since it is possible that high heat may denature beneficial components.

Yes, GSDs are wonderful dogs, much burdened by hereditary diseases arising from idiotic American breed standards, and all too often they seem far more aware and sensitive than their owners/handlers. Having worked with them in the military Bio Sensor/Superdog project to improve their in-combat performance and stress tolerance during the Vietnam war, I can attest to their many virtues. Their abiding loyalty is rarely seen in our own kind.

MORE ON BRAVECTO

The British government authority that approves drugs for veterinary use in the U.K. has advised that Bravecto chewable tablets of all sizes must have a label that warns: “Use with caution in dogs with pre-existing epilepsy.”

The warning posted in the U.S., from the manufacturer Merck & Co., Inc., does not yet include this. It currently reads: “The most frequently reported adverse reactions include vomiting or diarrhea. Other side effects that may be seen include decreased appetite, lethargy, increased thirst, and flatulence. Consult your veterinarian if you notice any of the above side effects. Bravecto is for use only in dogs.”

Another section of the warning states: “Bravecto has not been shown to be effective for 12 weeks’ duration in puppies less than 6 months of age. Bravecto is not effective against lone star ticks beyond 8 weeks of dosing.”

According to Parasitipedia.net, Fluralaner (the active ingredient of Bravecto) binds to chloride channels in parasites’ nerve and muscle cells, which blocks the transmission of nerve signals. Affected parasites are paralyzed and die. Mammals and other vertebrates use this same nerve- and muscle-receptor system; however, Fluralaner binds much more readily to the receptors of invertebrates than to those of vertebrates. For this reason, it is significantly less toxic to mammals than to insects and other pests.

But “less toxic” is quite different from “not toxic.” Long-term toxicity has not been evaluated, especially chronic neurological and carcinogenic effects. It’s time to stop this foolishness and help bring back the insects to our communities. We must stop using pesticides in and around our homes and communities, and putting these poisons on our pets and into our food (via petrochemical-based agriculture). It is probable that Bravecto in dogs’ feces and urine continues to be active, making treated dogs insect killers with potentially serious adverse environmental consequences.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 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: We have a 5-month-old miniature poodle puppy, and we walk her on a leash in the backyard to urinate and defecate. There are wild rabbits in the area, and they often leave their pellet droppings in the grass. Our puppy gobbles them up like dog treats when she finds them.

Is she likely to contract a disease from this habit? We pull her away quickly whenever we see her doing it, but she likely gets a pellet or two before we can react. -- R.K., St. Louis, Missouri

DEAR R.K.: It is natural for dogs to eat fecal material, a habit called coprophagia, especially from rabbits, sheep, calves and deer. In poor countries, this also includes human poop, especially of toddlers, which endows the dog with an important community hygiene service where there are no diapers. Through this behavior, dogs derive nutrients and potentially essential bacteria (probiotics) for their digestive systems, as well as prebiotic fiber.

Many species engage in coprophagia and geophagia (eating dirt), including humans. Some, like the rabbit, engage in refection, wherein each batch of the animal’s semi-digested poop is eaten again to extract more nutrients.

Dogs indirectly play a role in the spread of beneficial bacteria and associated immunity to other species within the ecosystem. Children from homes with dogs have fewer allergies and shorter duration of infections with fewer antibiotics being prescribed, because they have more beneficial bacteria from their canine companions.

I say “all things in moderation,” and that goes for allowing a dog to eat dirt and the feces of other species, as well. The risk of infection and digestive upset are low, but not improbable. With your dog, consider how many disinfectants you use in and around the home and his virtually bacteria-free diet of cooked canned dog food and baked kibble. He needs to get into some good dirt on occasion. Try some raw foods, and supplements such as good quality probiotics, and bacteria-rich unpasteurized organic plain yogurt and kefir.

Also, it is best to have your dog on a harness when walking: A sharp pull-away command could cause serious neck injury if your young dog is leashed to a collar.

DEAR DR. FOX: My wife and I have just returned from a photo safari in Tanzania. We did see some great wildlife, but also a lot of sad and starving street dogs. Away from the “safe” tourist spots, we were advised that we were more at risk from people than wild animals. You seem to know a lot about what is happening to animals in various countries. What is your take on East Africa? -- L.P., Washington, D.C.

DEAR L.P.: Having given lectures to veterinarians and done field work in Tanzania, I admit to feelings of some deep ancestral connection with this incredible continent, as well as a great sadness for the plight of many people and the demise of the wild. So I offer this brief opinion:

Internecine strife seems inevitable where there is no effective family planning; continued intertribal conflict over natural resources; and disenfranchisement of those resources by corporate colonial agribusiness, mining, energy, timber and other industries. These issues are exacerbated by nonsustainable aid and development projects. Distributing vaccines, antibiotics and antimalarial drugs without food security will only extend human suffering.

The distance between improving the human condition and environmental and wildlife CPR (conservation, protection and restoration) is closed only by enlightened self-interest. The enlightened collective sense of humanity redefines itself as part of the Earth community and not master, slave or owner. Wildlife poaching, illegal trophy hunting, the trade in “bush meat” and land encroachment must all be more effectively policed and prosecuted.

With empathy for indigenous plants and animals and the ecologies shared, a bioethical foundation can be laid for socially just and economically sustainable communities, as I outline in my book “Bringing Life to Ethics.” Eco-tourism can do more harm than good where there is corruption and no local engagement and transparency.

But there are glimmers of hope: There are in-country organizations involved in conservation, wildlife protection, sustainable organic farming and livestock husbandry, as well as the neutering and vaccinating of those wonderful aboriginal village dogs I know well.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 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.)