On March 15, 2019, the acting secretary of the Interior, David Bernhardt, announced the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to administratively delist and remove Endangered Species Act protections for wolves. This would allow for state management of wolves. (A public comment period is open until May 14. To comment online, go to www.regulations.gov/document?D=FWS-HQ-ES-2018-0097-0001 and click on "Comment Now!")

Wolves and other large predators keep "game" species healthy by culling the sick and ending the lives of the infirm and suffering. Their absence across most of their original range -- caused by relentless extermination over the centuries since European colonization -- along with that of mountain lions and lynx, is probably one of the main factors in the current epidemic in 24 states of chronic wasting disease in elk, moose and deer.

This brain disease is similar to mad cow disease in the U.K. that infected several hundred people with Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease. There is legitimate concern that hunters and others who eat infected deer and elk might become infected.

Wolves, along with smaller carnivorous "furbearers" (bobcats, red and gray foxes, pine martens, fishers and mink) who are seasonally trapped and shot, and coyotes who can be killed any time in most states, may help control Lyme disease, which is reaching epidemic proportions along with other tick-borne diseases in the human and companion dog populations.

Vested interest groups from ranchers to trophy hunters, outfitters and trappers are behind this initiative, which flies in the face of sound science and bioethically based ecological wildlife and wildland stewardship. It must be opposed by all, so do contact your congressional legislator to oppose this proposal and share these concerns for our sakes as well as the wolves'.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have a 15-year-old Collie mix that has had a problem with bowel incontinence ever since dental surgery almost two years ago.

Therefore, his problem is my problem. I believe it to be neurological. I've tried diapers and he tears them off. I've tried laying pads on the floor, and he doesn't have sense enough to use them. I believe a little doggie dementia is going on too. A neighbor suggested that CBD oil may help. She uses it for both her and her dog. What do you think? -- M.J.S., South Bend, Indiana

DEAR M.J.S.: Our companion animals enjoy good and longer lives and often quality of life far better than they would in the wild.

So it is no surprise that like many of us living in supportive families and communities, they develop various chronic degenerative diseases that Mother Nature would have nipped in the bud early on and thus prevented escalating suffering, pain, fear, anxiety, cognitive impairment, loss of normal bodily functions, etc.

This is one reason why I urge all people with aging animals to have them checked by a veterinarian at least once a year. More and more physicians now do house calls, which can cost more but make life easier for all concerned.

Since CBD is legal in many states, I am concerned that people will be giving it to their animal companions without prior veterinary consultation, so I am glad that you are asking me.

CBD quality varies widely and could contain THC, which could be extremely upsetting or even terrifying for some animals. People giving recreational cannabis/marijuana to their animals should be prosecuted for animal abuse.

I urge you to see a veterinarian locally first to fully evaluate your dog. With regular veterinary checkups for middle-aged and older animals, many emerging health issues can be nipped in the bud -- but the best healers work with nature and give her credit where credit is due!

Ironically, this communication was interrupted by a friend who had just bought some CBD for her ailing Boxer, who has not been eating and just had a seizure, in the hopes that this will help postpone the inevitable euthanasia that her veterinarian has advised. CBD can do small miracles, especially preventing seizures, along with other medicinal herbs -- which the multinational pharmaceutical companies would rather we know nothing about while they seek to isolate, synthesize, patent and market these gifts from Mother Nature.

After the disruptive dental surgery, where antibiotics were probably prescribed and caused dysbiosis, I would give your dog some probiotics (in capsules, also in kefir and miso) and prebiotics (inulin, not insulin), as in Jerusalem artichokes and digestive enzymes. These are all available in drugstores. Also try my home-prepared recipe on my website www.DrFoxOneHealth.com.

(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 DrFoxOneHealth.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: Our cat, Squeak, was diagnosed with lung cancer over three months ago. Currently she seems to be resting well, but her breathing has accelerated to over 40 breaths per minute. She still spends most of her day on our bed and roams at night, albeit at a slower pace than she used to. She still gets up and down the stairs for the litter box. Recently, she has started making wheezing noises while breathing and she has coughing fits a few times a day. She does not vomit. We are giving her CBD drops three times a day and she also gets 10 mg Palladia two to three times a week. At this time, she has lived past the expectation of two veterinarians.

Our concern, as we watch her each day, is how will we know when life for her becomes uncomfortable and how can we tell if she is in pain? We want to have her in our lives as long as possible, but we do not want her to suffer just because we are selfish in our needs. -- J. & S.D., Mantoloking, New Jersey

DEAR J. & S.D.: I am saddened to hear about your poor cat's fatal cancer and applaud your recognition of how our selfishness in prolonging the life of a loved one can mean extended suffering.

You will know when the time to consider euthanasia has come if she does not die in her sleep or in your lap. She will barely have enough energy to get up and move around, groom herself and enjoy her favorite foods.

Give her lots of tender loving care, grooming/brushing if she enjoys it, gentle full-body massage and whatever she likes to eat. Some cats with little appetite rally when given meaty or fishy human baby foods. She may want to seek solitude, which many animals do before they die. That can be a problem with indoor-outdoor cats who go out and never return.

DEAR DR. FOX: My 2-year-old Australian Cattle Dog/Australian shepherd mix has an odd thing going on with hiccups. When she is upset, she tends to start hiccuping. I always thought hiccups were an automatic response, but I think she can control them. If she wants something, like going outside at 2 a.m., or for me to play with her, she starts hiccupping if I tell her "no."

If this goes on a few minutes, I will usually stop what I am doing and rub her belly until she stops.

I've never had another dog that did this and I think it is odd -- is it? Or is this something some dogs are known to do? Would it be better if I just ignored her? I've tried ignoring her up to 15 minutes, but she just keeps hiccuping. -- A.C.J., Arcata, California

DEAR A.C.J.: Stress can be the trigger for these kinds of autonomous reactions, hiccups and esophageal spasm being common responses in humans. Also, sneezing and blushing. I rarely hear of such conditioned emotional reactions in dogs and would like to hear from readers who have dogs who may have similar issues.

I surmise that your dog at some time got the hiccups and it became a conditioned emotional response associated with general excitement. You cannot entirely rule out the possibility of you having played a role in reinforcing this behavior in your dog in the past, since this habitual reaction persists even when you ignore her.

Rubbing her tummy and getting her calmed down is what I would advise. Teach her to focus her attention by learning to sit and stay for several minutes. This may help re-balance her autonomic nervous system, which we can do consciously for ourselves by breathing slowly and deeply.

A daily massage, per my book, "The Healing Touch for Dogs," would certainly help. You are already doing some of that by helping her relax under your touch.

Conservationists Fight Plan for Border Wall

The federal government is moving forward with construction of a 6-mile steel and concrete barrier along the Texas-Mexico border that will cut through the middle of the National Butterfly Center, owned by the North American Butterfly Association.

The Center for Biological Diversity and Defenders of Wildlife filed a lawsuit in October against the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Butterfly Center has requested a restraining order, according to a Feb. 13 article on NationalGeographic.com.

This wall project is also interfering with the movements of other wildlife species to reach food and water in their normal range. It should be halted until a full environmental impact assessment and risk determination to endangered species has been conducted.

(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 DrFoxOneHealth.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I find it curious that pet owners seem to fixate on proper diet, supplements and socialization for their pets, but rarely mention how much exercise they need. I believe the key to long-term health is EXERCISE!

Walking a dog on a leash is how most people exercise their dogs. But for how long? I'd say the majority of folks walk just long enough to get their dogs to defecate. Many dogs do not get the chance to sniff and mark, which is a natural habit, as is running free.

I am fortunate to live in a neighborhood where my dog can be off-leash (yet under control) for a while. She can run and explore and move freely. Eventually, I put on the leash. The point is, she seems a lot more vital at 12 1/2 years old than other dogs half her age. She maintains her weight and has a happy attitude.

While quality food is important, exercise is equally key to a healthy and happy life. Simply training a dog to retrieve a ball or play "chase" is a fun and easy way to provide the exercise they require and let them blow off a little steam.

My two cents! -- B.G., Hendersonville, North Carolina

DEAR B.G.: You are absolutely correct.

I have long advocated this in my column and posted recent clinical studies that indicate that physical activity helps maintain good bowel health, especially in small dogs who are confined much of the day. It may help protect them from inflammatory bowel disease and other issues such as impacted anal glands.

A sedentary existence is not good for anyone or any dog. One solution is to hire a dog walker for those who cannot get out regularly with their dogs. Another step is to push for local off-leash dog parks or large outdoor enclosures, at least. I see so much public space where I live dedicated to children exclusively, with all kinds of plastic structures, slides and swings. But these playgrounds are rarely used. Why not dedicate some of that space to dogs?

Several dog owners who are relatively confined with their dogs sing the praises of doggy treadmills, details of which I will be posting soon in my column.

The new book, "Unleashing Your Dog: A Field Guide to Giving Your Canine Companion the Best Life Possible," by my former student Dr. Marc Bekoff and bioethicist Jessica Pierce, is a good guide for all caring people who share their lives with dogs.

DEAR DR. FOX: My friend has a senior Cavalier King Charles dog that's overweight and is suffering from arthritis. Do you think laser would be beneficial to poor Oliver? -- K.S., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR K.S.: If your veterinarian can provide laser therapy for your friend's dog, I would certainly advocate such treatment.

In addition, I would give the dog anti-inflammatory supplements in his food every day – namely, one-quarter of a teaspoon each of powdered turmeric and ginger, and a few drops of fish oil. My home-prepared recipe, if your friend is up for home cooking, could help take care of the overweight issue, especially if the dog is eating high starch/grain kibble. The recipe is posted on my new website, www.DrFoxOneHealth.com

Horses Disguised as Zebras Baffle Flies

Fewer flies landed on horses after researchers put zebra-striped cloth coats on them, suggesting that zebras' stripes protect them from insects and insect-borne diseases.

Horse flies fail to decelerate properly when trying to land on zebras (or horses disguised as zebras) and fly past them or bounce off of them, according to a Feb. 20 article on DiscoverMagazine.com.

This is indeed a fascinating observation. Scientists also think the stripes help the zebras when they are moving quickly to avoid predators, who may have difficulty judging distance because the stripes on a moving body interfere with their depth perception.

(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 DrFoxOneHealth.com.)