DEAR DR. FOX: Do you recommend continuing with regular vaccinations for an 8-year-old terrier/Chihuahua mix with a history of internal bleeding, possibly stemming from an autoimmune disease? The dog hasn’t shown any symptoms of internal bleeding for several years, and I was wondering if it’s safe to vaccinate her. -- G.P., Arlington, Virginia

DEAR G.P.: I do not advise vaccinating older dogs who have had the usual spectrum of vaccines earlier in life. The vaccines should not be needed.

Booster vaccinations are risky. If there is any doubt, it’s best to have blood titers taken to determine immunity status and risk of exposure to infective dogs. Anti-rabies vaccination is mandated under the law, however. For basic vaccination protocols for dogs, see the related article on my website at drfoxvet.net.

BREED DOGS WHO CAN BREATHE NORMALLY

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is taking the initiative, long overdue, to encourage conversations among prospective puppy purchasers, breeders and veterinarians on the horrendous issue of the deliberate breeding of flat-faced dogs like American and French bulldogs. Boxers and pugs can also have great difficulty breathing because of this genetic facial deformity.

Many see these dogs’ flattened, short- or no-muzzle faces, with their protruding eyes, as cute and appealing. Advertisers of various products often use such animals as appealing props. When they snore and gag while resting, people think it’s funny. But this deformity, called brachycephaly, is associated with multiple health problems and poor quality of life, along with limited exercise tolerance.

To help get the word out, the BVA has produced a shareable video, available on its YouTube channel, tagged with #BreedtoBreathe.

Breed clubs of these deformed breeds in the U.S., along with the American Kennel Club, need to be more engaged on this issue. They can advocate to change breed standards to reduce the severity of this condition; discourage advertisers using such dogs in the media; and encourage the owners of such dogs to have regular veterinary health evaluations, and corrective surgery as needed, for their afflicted animals. In addition, they should cease breeding these dogs.

(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 am from Mumbai, India. I am unable to decide if I should I vaccinate my 3-month-old puppy or not. I had a bad experience with my previous dog.

There are abundant stray dogs in my city, and they get diseases sometimes. The vet recommended me the following vaccination schedule: 7-in-1, then 9-in-1, then 9-in-1 and anti-rabies -- all at one-month intervals.

I asked many vets. There is no holistic vet near me, no monovalent vaccines and no homeopathic vaccines.

I am scared to give her combination vaccines. What should I do? -- M.R., Mumbai, India

DEAR M.R.: Dr. M. Sugumaran with Prakriti Save Nature Trust in Tamil Nadu, India, can best advise you as to the best vaccinations available in India for your dog.

The schedule of vaccinations proposed by the veterinarian with whom you consulted is absurd: literally carpet-bombing your pup’s immune system with probable long-term impairment of the immune system. Such short intervals of vaccination, with so many combined vaccines, is malpractice -- albeit highly profitable.

Dr. Sugumaran will provide you, via email, the best protocol to follow. And follow the rule of separating the anti-rabies vaccination from other combined vaccines by four to six weeks.

The misuse of vaccines, along with antibiotics, in animals and humans is cause for concern in many countries, India being no exception. For more documentation of these issues and animal health and welfare concerns in India, see the book written by myself and my wife, Deanna Krantz, “India’s Animals: Helping the Sacred and the Suffering.”

DEAR DR. FOX: I read with great interest your response to L.I. in St. Louis regarding her dog Louie and his allergies. I was glad that you pointed out the fact that this is terrible suffering for the dog, and that Benadryl and Apoquel are short-term solutions.

I really wish you would have mentioned the side effects for long-term use of Apoquel. I had a Yorkie-poo that suffered for years with itching, chewing his paws and constant ear infections. After going through all of the medicine and treatments recommended by several veterinarians, I discovered that there is an animal dermatologist located right here in the St. Louis area. I only wish that I had found her sooner.

My poor boy suffered for years and, by the time she saw him, he was diabetic; she was concerned that the medicine that she would’ve normally given him would do more harm than good, and the only solution for him was ear canal surgery. If any of the veterinarians I had taken Buddy to for the previous seven years had even mentioned food allergy testing, or referred me to an allergist, he would’ve been saved all of this misery.

While you touch on the fact that there could be several allergens adding to their discomfort, you don’t mention the absolute basic fact that most dogs are allergic to poultry. Although you say that you would do a weekly protein rotation, I believe you should find one and stay with it for a while. After Buddy’s dermatologist said he was allergic to poultry, I was amazed when I started to read the food labels. Even if they market the food as a select protein, the label will probably mention the fact that chicken by-products or broth were used. I should also mention at this point that eliminating allergens is not an overnight miracle, but takes time.

Thank you for all that you do for the animals and the people who love them! -- T.M., Godfrey, Illinois

DEAR T.M.: Your letter will be appreciated by many readers. I do regret that you and your poor dog went through such a long period of suffering and expense, which might have been avoided at the onset by considering your dog’s diet as the first possible cause.

Until relatively recently, veterinarians have been essentially brainwashed by the pet food industry into believing that cat and dog foods are safe, and certainly not the first thing to consider when presented with patients suffering from ear, skin, anal gland, bowel and other health problems. It has even reached the point of absurdity where special costly (and highly profitable) prescription diets are given to such patients, often leading to a round of other “nutrigenic” health problems. For documentation, see the book “Not Fit for a Dog: The Truth About Manufactured Cat and Dog Food,” which I co-authored with two other veterinarians.

Food intolerance and allergies in dogs can involve dairy products, beef, eggs and soy; in cats, it can be fish and even rice. With discoveries about nutrition in relation to genetics, what the mother ate during pregnancy and the influence of the gut “microbiome” of good bacteria on health and behavior, the science of nutrition is advancing significantly from a decade or two ago. This is against the background of food and beverage industry byproducts and ingredients not considered fit for human consumption that have been recycled into “scientifically formulated and fortified” pet foods.

I was one of the first to advocate human-grade quality ingredients, and even making home-prepared, biologically appropriate diets for cats and dogs. I began this advocacy decades ago, in spite of opposition from the pet food industry and many veterinarians -- who are now fewer in number, since they have come to realize that good nutrition is the best and first medicine.

CLEANING UP: FOR PETS’ SAKES AND YOURS

We are the only animal, to my knowledge, that fouls its own nest, wittingly and unwittingly. While we may not be able to clean up the Earth significantly over the next few generations, we can at least start in our own homes and kitchens. Household dust contains allergenic, carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, especially from fire-retardant and stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, along with various household cleaners and other manufactured chemicals. So vacuum well weekly, and avoid using cleaning and disinfecting agents that are not organic/natural/herbal products. Vinegar, lemon juice and other citrus extracts and baking soda are safe and effective.

If you are using chlorinated and fluoridated municipal tap water, use a good-quality water filter (see zerowater.com) such as reverse ionization or other systems. And check out the report “Pure Water for Cats, Dogs and All” on my website (drfoxvet.net). Much public and well water sources, and even the rain, are contaminated with agrichemical and other industrial pollutants, and even hormones and other drugs discharged from our own bodies and from livestock, many of which can damage cellular DNA that may lead to cancer and other diseases.

(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 just read about the grandfather whose husky rescue, in the family home, began to bark at him after being in the household three months. Although I suspect you are correct with a PTSD diagnosis, I wonder if something could have changed in the gentleman’s health. Our Labrador retriever became very worried just before my husband was diagnosed with bladder cancer.

Hank is an elderly dog now, but eight years ago, he was an exuberant, rowdy clown. For the period shortly before my husband’s diagnosis, however, Hank was subdued, depressed, restless and worried. He did not bark at my husband, as the dog in your column did. He seemed to be looking to us for assurance. Labradors can have an exceptional sense of smell, and I thought perhaps my husband just didn’t smell right to Hank.

My husband did survive, and is now eight years past cancer surgery and doing well. -- N.J.S., Applegate, Oregon

DEAR N.J.S.: Your letter is very much appreciated. In my opinion, any behavioral change in a dog toward one family member, whose attitude and relationship with the dog have not changed, calls for close attention.

A first step would be to have a veterinarian rule out any underlying medical problem in the dog. Then have the person the dog seems so concerned about consult with a physician. Dogs have a highly evolved sense of smell, and some can detect early changes in body chemistry and scent, which can be associated with a variety of health problems.

My wife and I recently joined the millions of others who have been infected with this year’s particularly debilitating influenza virus. Our part-Australian heeler rescue, Kota, stays close to us all the time in bed, keeping a watchful eye on us as we groan and cough, and herding us back to lie down after we’ve gotten up. The empathy of dogs is legendary indeed, and they are certainly blessings in our lives.

SAFER CHEWS FOR DOGS

News item: Hunters say dog chew trend invites antler thefts

The growing popularity of antlers as chew snacks for dogs has fueled a brisk market, but has also led to reported thievery. Police don’t have precise figures, but hunters in Anchorage, Alaska, say they suspect criminals are swiping souvenirs for resale to pet owners seeking the nutritious product. -- Alaska Public Media, Jan. 4

This news item reminds me to advise dog owners not to give such hard materials to their dogs to chew on, because the harder the material, the more likely a dog will crack or fracture a tooth. This is a painful and costly consequence. Avoid all the smoked and otherwise treated animal parts in pet stores that could be loaded with potentially harmful bacteria. Only buy dog chews that do not feel rock-hard and that are clearly manufactured in the U.S., such as rawhide strips, freeze-dried chicken strips for small dogs and PetzLife’s Complete Treats.

Dogs do love to chew bones, but monitor them closely. Try a raw beef shank bone, scalded or microwaved for two minutes to sanitize, and allow your dog to chew on it for only five to 10 minutes a day. Otherwise, there could be excessive tooth wear and damage. This is the only animal bone I recommend, since other kinds could splinter and cause internal damage -- even more so when cooked, poultry and pork ribs in particular.

Our dog enjoys chewing and stripping broken branches from our linden trees, but again, one must monitor such activities. I advise against dogs chasing and catching thrown sticks that could become impaled in their throats; rubber toys and Frisbees are safer.

(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.)