DEAR DR. FOX: We just adopted another kitty from a nearby humane society. She is 8 years old and had been at the shelter for four months after being turned in with another 11 cats.

Dolly had diarrhea with blood, and was throwing up her food almost every time she ate. We feed her only grain-free wet food. After four weeks, she had a bowel movement and produced a hard, finger-length, gray piece of stool, which was like clay. She repeated another stool with the same substance a few days later.

Dolly is a very clean cat, and licks herself after eating and using the litter box. We’ve been using a corn-based litter for many years with all our cats, but at the shelter, they used a clay-type litter.

Since expelling this substance, she has not thrown up again and has no blood in her stool. She also had trouble with her eyes, which were full of debris from the old litter. We have told this to our vet and the shelter; neither seems to know about something like this.

Our hope is that, if this was caused by the gray claylike litter, that people will read this and think twice about using it. -- M.K. and D.K., Kansas City, Missouri

DEAR M.K and D.K.: Your letter is important for all cat owners and veterinarians not yet fully aware of the risk of some kinds of cat litters to cats’ health.

Cats with long fur, coupled with a clay-type litter material that clings to their fur, are especially at risk. As they groom themselves, cats pull out some loose fur -- and anything clinging to it -- with the lingual comb of backward-directed rasps on their tongues. They then swallow some of that material. This includes household dust, which is probably more toxic than clay, but of an insufficient amount to cause an intestinal obstruction like clay litter evidently does.

I, too, have used and recommend corn-based cat litter, with the warning that there will likely be some residual glyphosate herbicide -- a probable carcinogen.

DEAR DR. FOX: My dog Louie has allergies. He licks his paws till they’re red or bleeding.

He is on Benadryl and Apoquel from the vet, but nothing is helping. He also has dry eyes, which cause a thick substance over his eyes. Is there something simpler to deal with this allergy situation? -- L.I., St. Louis, Missouri

DEAR L.I.: Your dog and many others are suffering terribly, most probably from multiple chemical sensitivities at the root of this kind of immunological pathology.

Stop the Benadryl, which can cause dry eyes and other problems. Prednisolone can help bring relief and stability, but that is generally temporary if the allergens/triggers that disrupt the immune system are not removed from the patient’s environments. It can be difficult to identify them, in part because there are thousands to consider in the air, food, water, household dust and outdoor lawns and gardens. Various tests may identify specific allergens, but there can be cross-allergenicity and sensitivity to other similar compounds not covered in the allergy test.

Regardless, we must embrace the precautionary principle with regard to chemicals in our shared environments and get rid of most nonessential cleaners and disinfectants. Instead, use natural, biodegradable ones where possible (like vinegar and baking soda), and avoid all synthetic fragrances in products in the home. Avoid pesticides -- in and around the home, but also their topical and oral application to cats and dogs (such as year-round anti-flea pesticides).

Of course, an additive-free, Certified Organic ingredient-rich pet food may also help your dog, as per my recipe on my website, drfoxvet.net. I would use a different animal protein in weekly rotation and see which suits him best. To help reduce possible contact allergies, have him lie on clean cotton sheets, washed with unscented laundry detergent.

COLORADO VMA VOICES CONCERN ABOUT PROPOSED DENVER DECLAWING BAN

A Denver City Council panel advanced a proposal to ban cat declawing, except when medically necessary, over the objections of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA).

“We support the principle that complex medical decisions belong in the domain of the owner and the veterinarian,” said CVMA President Dr. Will French. (Denver Post, Oct. 25)

In my opinion, the CVMA should move into the 21st century and consider veterinary bioethics when addressing “complex medical decisions.” This is the essential heart of veterinary practice, beyond running a business, as per my previous writings. The routine declawing of cats is outlawed in most other civilized countries.

(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 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.)