DEAR READERS: I am concerned that meat from animals testing positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) will be recycled into pet food, which could put pets and humans alike at risk.

In Minnesota, the next deer harvest limit has been set by the state’s Department of Natural Resources at a “harvesting” figure of 200,000, and deer hunting is on the decline. So there soon could be a glut of venison on the market -- some of it disease-free, and some not. (No test is failsafe.) Where will all this venison go, and how many deer will avoid being shot, leading to an overpopulation problem?

We must redouble protection and conservation efforts for wolves and other predators because, as documented, wolves and cougars will selectively cull deer with early signs of CWD. Wolves also help manage the overpopulation of species such as white-tailed deer, mule deer and elk.

The coming deer and elk seasons will see rising populations with habitat degradation from overgrazing, because there will likely be fewer hunters and fewer people wanting to consume venison because of the fear that CWD infection could spread to humans.

CWD is caused by the same family of brain-damaging prions that caused mad cow disease in the U.K., which infected over 200 consumers of contaminated beef. Dogs and cats are not immune to these prions, and the high-heat manufacturing processes used in making pet food do little to destroy them. Pet owners could be at risk of feeding infected venison or veal (used in some popular frozen and freeze-dried pet foods) to their dogs and cats. All such pet foods and treats should indicate on the container: “Contains only venison tested negative for Chronic Wasting Disease.”

State and federal authorities need to put wolves and cougars under permanent Endangered Species Act protection, as advocated by several organizations such as the Center for Biological Diversity (biologicaldiversity.org) and Howling for Wolves (howlingforwolves.org). Also, coyote-killing contests and open-season hunting and trapping should be prohibited for reasons well-articulated by Project Coyote (projectcoyote.org).

For more information on CWD, check my website: drfoxonehealth.com.

DEAR DR. FOX: We have adopted an 8-year-old Welsh terrier, Morgan, from a breeder. Morgan was returned to the breeder when her previous owner died.

Our vet gave her a clean bill of health, and we kept her on the kibble and wet food the breeder sent home with her. After about four weeks, she started dragging her butt every once in a while. Our vet recommended Apoquel (3.6 mg). The med worked to cut down on the butt-dragging, but made our Morgan lethargic. The vet then recommended we give her half of a pill. After a week, she still drags her butt occasionally, but seems to have some of her spunk back.

We live in an adult community, no fenced yards, and she gets walked five or six times a day. She is fed morning and evening. We try to keep to a regular routine, but her scooting on the carpet continues, making me think we might have her on the wrong medicine.

The vet says it is the best product for her problem. Any suggestions from you? We are too much in love with Morgan to even think of returning her. -- T.C., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR T.C.: I am surprised that the veterinarian prescribed Apoquel for your dog’s condition, as I have had several reports of adverse reactions to this medication.

A safer alternative for many skin conditions is vitamin D supplement and fish oil for omega-3 fatty acids. But in your dog’s case (and I had a wonderful Welsh terrier in my youth), most likely the anal glands are either inflamed, infected or the duct that empties out each anal sac is blocked.

The standard treatment is to gently and firmly squeeze these glands, the pressure usually releasing any duct blockage and giving immediate relief to the dog. If this does not work, then the ducts must be opened up and the sacs irrigated with the dog under light sedation. On occasion, a cancerous growth may be detected or an anal fistula may develop if the glands are not properly seen to.

You may wish to seek a second opinion. In some instances, as with chronic ear infections and skin problems, there is an underlying food allergy. Above all, getting plenty of exercise will help -- your dog must run, ideally with other friendly dogs in a safe area. Regular, firm bowel movements will also help. In the process of being voided, they squeeze the anal sacs, releasing the glandular secretions through the two ducts on each side of the rectum.

(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 have a high-spirited, 23-pound, 6-year-old terrier mix, Henry, who has had cabin fever this snowy winter.

We got out recently, and he had a wild run, playing with other dogs at an indoor facility. He hurt his right hind leg. Now he needs surgery, his vet said, for a cruciate ligament tear. It will cost close to $2,500.

I just can’t afford that, with my mother now in assisted living. What can I do for my poor Henry? -- K.L., Fargo, North Dakota

DEAR K.L.: I have addressed this problem many times in the past in this column, and it seems that many veterinarians are bent on offering surgery as the only option for dogs with this all-too-common (and profitable) orthopedic injury.

But for smaller dogs who are not overweight, there are nonsurgical treatments that are cheaper, generally effective and carry no general anesthesia risk.

I would seek a second opinion. The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, of which I have been a member for decades, has a list of veterinarians on its website (ahvma.org) who practice alternative, holistic and integrative medicine, and I would urge you to take this path. If you have difficulties locating one, let me know and I will send some helpful treatment suggestions.

At this time, no running or jumping for Henry, and no gaining weight. And add a half-teaspoon each of fresh chopped ginger and turmeric to his food, twice daily for seven to 10 days.

H5N8 AVIAN INFLUENZA KILLING WILD PENGUINS IN NAMIBIA

More than 500 penguins have been reported dead from H5N8 avian influenza on Halifax Island, Namibia, the second-most important breeding site for African penguins. Scientists are spreading salts, isolating sick birds and collecting carcasses to stop the disease’s spread. (New Era, 3/11/19)

This is saddening news, and a stark reminder of how domestic animals can spread diseases and imperil wildlife. This is another reason why many people are adopting vegetarian and vegan diets. Humans and the domesticated animals they raise for consumption are estimated to now make up 60-70 percent of the warm-blooded animal population on Earth. Various influenza strains from pigs and poultry can also infect us and our animal companions, and put all at risk with antibiotic-resistant bacteria due to the continued feeding of such drugs.

Vaccinating dogs and cats, especially in regions where they can come into contact with wildlife, along with neutering, are critically important in wildlife conservation. Endangered African wild dogs and lions have been decimated by canine distemper; seals and the Florida panther have been hit hard by contagious viruses from domestic cats. The dumping of offal -- the remains of slaughtered livestock and poultry, especially whole animals after a mass killing (”depopulating”) to control diseases like avian influenza and African swine fever -- into ocean ecosystems should be prohibited worldwide.

(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 READERS: Many people will be soon celebrating Easter with chocolate bunnies and decorated eggs. But please resist the temptation of purchasing a fluffy, adorable live bunny, duckling or chick for your children.

This time of ancient celebration of the return of spring and the renewal of life should not involve the suffering and death of these young creatures, all of which require proper expertise in keeping them alive and healthy. Many children learn about death not long after Easter, while burying their Easter animals. And some can infect children with Salmonella, E. coli and other bacteria and diseases.

It is best for all to stick with chocolate bunnies (in moderation). And keep dogs away from chocolate and any xylitol-sweetened consumables, which can be lethal for them.

DEAR DR. FOX: I am looking for the right dog for our young family. I have read your article “Recovering Canine Health and the Natural Dog” on your website, and a friend sent me an article about the cost and complexities of pet health insurance and a list of various breeds associated with 70 genetic disorders. Many of these disorders can cause suffering and are expensive to treat.

What advice can you offer? Some of the smaller breeds we love, but they can have so many problems! -- R.W.McC., Arlington, Virginia

DEAR R.W.McC.: My advice is to first read “Choosing to Live With a Dog” on my website (drfoxonehealth.com). Then read my review on pet health insurance.

I always advise considering adoption from a local shelter, and never buying online. If you want a particular breed, think long and hard and read all about it. Only buy a pup when you can see the parents and assess how they behave and are cared for. Also, many people do best with an older dog who is fully house-trained.

Embrace Pet Insurance has posted the top five most common conditions in dogs, and their treatment costs, based on 200,000 claims filed in 2018. They are:

-- Intestinal issues, average cost of $790

-- Allergies, $390

-- Ear infections, $290

-- Lameness, $620

-- Cranial cruciate ligament tear, $4,160

I strongly advise against people having their pups’ DNA tested and then euthanizing the dog if it carries some inherited diseases. As with our adopted dog Kota (mainly Australian red heeler), these genes are often recessive -- meaning in Kota’s case that she is a carrier, but she is very unlikely to get the disease (degenerative myelopathy) herself. If bred to a male dog with the same recessive gene for that disease, their pups would probably develop this neurological disorder.

DEAR DR. FOX: My male cat, 3 years old, recently started sneezing. A lot. And he didn’t want to play; he would pull away, like it hurt to be touched. We took him to the vet, but they said everything looked great. No temp, no congestion. They gave him an antibiotic shot and a steroid shot just in case, and five days later, he finally got better.

Now our other cat is sneezing -- a lot! Do cats catch colds? And can we do anything to help? -- D.W., Tulsa, Oklahoma

DEAR D.W.: Yes, cats do develop contagious respiratory infections, especially if they get outdoors and contact infected cats. Rarely will they get a respiratory virus, such as influenza, from people.

The most common cat viruses, rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus, can lead to secondary bacterial infections. These can include pus coming out of the nostrils and invading the sinuses, which can then lead to chronic inflammation, difficult to get rid of. More rarely, a fungal infection gets established, which can be very difficult to treat. Since the treatment given to your first cat helped, your second cat should be given the same.

I am concerned about very dusty cat litter contributing to respiratory problems in cats, and to secondary allergic reactions due to excessive grooming and fur-pulling. This possibility should always be considered, especially with indoor-only cats. Many cats spend time digging and raking and covering their excrement in their litter boxes, inhaling dust in the process and grooming it off their paws afterwards. Changing to a low-dust litter, such as paper pellets or washed sand, has helped many cats with recurrent sneezing and other adverse reactions to dusty cat litter.

XYLITOL POISONING MORE PETS AS SUGAR-FREE HUMAN FOODS ABOUND

Ingestion of chocolate, rodent poison, medications and foods containing xylitol (a popular sugar substitute) prompt the most calls to the Pet Poison Helpline, according to Embrace Pet Insurance. And xylitol poisoning is becoming more frequent as more people try to cut sugar from their diets.

Xylitol is highly toxic to animals and is a common ingredient in sugar-free gum, peanut butter, toothpaste, mouthwash, baked goods and beverages. (KSWB-TV, San Diego, 3/13/19)

(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.)