DEAR DR. FOX: Kudos to you!

I don’t have a pet, but I read your article regarding President Trump’s environmental plans for our country. I wish you had a larger platform with which to let your thoughts be known. Please run for office somewhere in our country -- we need more people to voice their thoughts and vote in 2020. -- R.A., Bonita Springs, Florida

DEAR R.A.: Your words of support are appreciated.

Every nation must unite for the good of all life on Earth to avert the catastrophic consequences of intensified climate change, which is the result of accelerating the “metabolism” of the planet through the burning of fossil fuels.

More carbon is being put into the atmosphere, whereas a less polluting and more sustainable agricultural and industrial economy would impose carbon limits, capturing and recycling any excess. The challenges are enormous, but must be addressed. For governments to ignore this is a crime against humanity, and would severely compromise the health and quality of life of future generations of many species, including our own. The Trump regime’s move to essentially demolish the Endangered Species Act for the benefit of the oil, gas, fracking and timber industries is a travesty.

Below is a letter antithetical to yours, which shows we are a nation divided.

DEAR DR. FOX: How about sticking to something you know, like animal health, instead of showing your political ideology?

I have enjoyed your articles up to now, but if you continue your political attacks, I will no longer read anything you write.

Please stick to animal care. -- J.W., address withheld

DEAR J.W.: I appreciate your communication and expect that other readers may share your opinion, so allow me to clarify:

Animal health and welfare issues become political at local, national and international levels. Look at the unresolved controversy at the community level over people allowing their cats to roam free. This is an animal health and welfare issue that confronts a virtually unexamined cultural tradition that puts wildlife and public health at risk.

Progress in animal health and welfare has been limited for decades, not simply by a lack of knowledge, but by unchallenged cultural traditions (for instance, it’s OK to let one’s cats roam, but not one’s dogs) and by politics and economics in other sectors of the animal population. Ditto the cultural traditions, at home and abroad, of trophy hunting and whaling. Look at the plight of factory farmed animals, where the economics of scale and profit margins trump the hidden environmental, animal health and welfare costs.

But put under the banner of One Health/One Welfare, where animal health and welfare are linked with environmental and public health, cultural, political and economic obstacles might then be trumped by enlightened self-interest. In the process, the contributions of the veterinary and allied animal welfare science and bioethics professionals would surely find more fertile ground and public acceptance for generations to come.

What’s good for the animals is good for us, and the environment. This truism must be tempered by the reality of over-population of certain species, including humans and domesticated animals, and its adverse impact on biodiversity -- the keystone of sustainable, healthy ecosystems, upon which our own health depends. Good governance and “greener” politics are long overdue, as the climate crisis we now face clearly underscores! For more documentation, see my recent book, “Animals and Nature First.”

DEAR DR. FOX: I am forwarding you a very sad post that was sent to the Black Cat Appreciation Group. I would appreciate your responding to me so I can forward to her. She is asking for advice:

“I am in the U.K. and looking for a very good-quality wet food for Petra. She has heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, arthritis and skin issues, and she is going blind. She is getting really picky with her food, and at the moment will only eat a mouthful or two of Felix (which is not a good food). I am trying to give her the best possible for what is left of her life.” -- A.T.B., Bridgeport, Connecticut

DEAR A.T.B.: I appreciate the photo you sent of this poor cat, who is indeed in failing condition.

Normal saline (100 cc), injected daily under the skin, will help, since she looks dehydrated. This is like dialysis for a patient with kidney failure. Appetite can be boosted with tasty, blended baby food -- beef, chicken or turkey. And if she’s not allergic to fish, a canned sardine in water twice daily will help the sarcopenia (wasting associated with failing kidneys).

Keep the cat warm, and give very gentle, full-body massage, as per my book “The Healing Touch for Cats.” Gently groom her with a soft brush.

ORPHANED WHALE CALF CARED FOR BY DOLPHIN

A female bottlenose dolphin adopted an orphaned melon-headed whale -- something researchers say has never been observed before -- and the calf took on dolphin characteristics, staying with the mother dolphin for about three years.

“We were really excited to be able to witness such a rare phenomenon,” said Pamela Carzon, author of the study published in Ethology. (National Geographic online, 7/30)

This touching story is one of many I have heard of, where wild animals of one species have bonded with an orphan of another -- even a lioness and an antelope, in one case! These unusual bonds are perhaps driven by parental hormones, but also reflect animals’ capacity to empathize and show compassion. At my wife Deanna Krantz’ refuge in India, an orphaned sambar fawn was “adopted” by one very protective resident dog until she was old enough to be successfully released back into the wild.

(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: Pet owners older than 70 who had chronic pain said their pets helped them relax, motivated them to stay active and promoted good habits that can relieve pain. This all suggests that pets may be part of a pain-management toolkit, researchers reported in the Journal of Applied Gerontology.

The survey group also cited expenses, care burdens and grief over losing a pet as sources of stress, and the researchers are studying alternatives to pet ownership, such as regular contact with pets in community settings. (Medscape/Reuters, 7/22)

Assisted-living facilities should allow incoming residents to bring their animal companions, depending on the pets’ condition and age, and provided the animals are seen by a veterinarian every six to nine months. Group-home veterinary services, including companion animal euthanasia, are available in many communities as mobile veterinary services become more popular and much needed for our aging population.

Dogs can be incredible catalysts socially and emotionally, notably in memory care units, where they help bring back happy dog-related memories from residents’ earlier years. Volunteers with their own easygoing dogs may wish to help out in their communities in this regard after securing a certification of good health, stable temperament and anti-rabies vaccination for their dogs from their veterinarians.

As for younger generations, adoption of rescued dogs and cats from local shelters seems to be trumping pure-breed and designer-breed commercial puppy mill purchasing. Much of the latter is stupidly done online, and many people have sent money and been defrauded.

Never buy a pup in a poke with a click of your mouse!

DEAR DR. FOX: I have three rescue chihuahuas -- 12, 12 and 9 years old. We got them all about three years ago. They eat 1/3 cup kibble and a little cooked chicken twice daily.

I have noticed that two of them are getting a little chubby, so after reading in your column about the many people who rave about your homemade pet food, I decided to make it. It made a lot, so I made patties and froze three in a pack.

My guys were transformed. They circled the kitchen cleaning each other’s bowls! And I will make more this week, as the first batch is almost gone! -- L.M., Boynton Beach, Florida

DEAR L.M.: I appreciate hearing how well your dogs have come to accept my home-prepared dog food recipe. (This is available to readers on my website, drfoxonehealth.com.)

Many people have reported increased energy and improved appetites in their dogs after being fed this recipe. Whole foods make for whole dogs!

Most importantly, in addition to regular exercise, there should never be any exertion soon after dogs have eaten (ideally two meals a day); otherwise, there is always the risk of sometimes-fatal gastric torsion (bloat), especially in deep-chested breeds. This condition is probably aggravated, if not triggered, by soy and other ingredients in manufactured dog foods.

A very strict feeding time should be followed, and the dogs be given time outdoors beforehand to evacuate as needed. Any change in their behavior, such as loss of appetite or seeming depressed, can be more easily noted when their daily routines are set by the clock.

Above all, dogs should be weighed every month when transitioning onto a new diet to determine if they need to be fed more or less, after a wellness examination where the veterinarian will determine if the dog needs to lose weight.

Obesity is an endemic human and dog health crisis in most developed countries; so are food allergies and ingredient intolerance-related health problems. When we know what we are eating, and feeding to our animal companions, we may know better health for all.

ANOTHER COMPANY RECALLS PIG EAR CHEWS FOR DOGS

The Lennox Group recalled Rawhide Express brand pig ear chews for dogs that were shipped to distributors and retail stores from May 1 to July 3, becoming the second company to do so amid an investigation into possible salmonella contamination. At least two dogs that ate Lennox’s pig ears became sick, according to a company statement.

The FDA made a strong statement regarding pig ear dog treats, “advising that consumers avoid all pig ear pet treats and retailers stop selling all pig ear treats at this time.” (CBS News, 7/29 and 8/2)

For more, visit: truthaboutpetfood.com/fda-issues-pig-ear-dog-treat-warning/

(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 just wanted to see if there is a place to turn in bad vets, like you can for regular doctors.

My cat had crystals in his urine. I had taken him to this same vet before for this problem. I called, and they said to bring him in right away. I took him at 9 in the morning, and by noon I had not heard anything, so I called and was told that the doc hadn’t had time to see him yet. So I waited, and at 4:40, the vet called and said he was going to give him a pill and check on him in the morning.

By morning, he had died in his little carrier. He had been left to suffer.

This vet should have stayed and taken care of him, knowing what crystals will do to a cat. If he had really looked at my cat, he would have known how bad off he was. He called the next morning and said he was going to do surgery, but that my cat had died before he could. It has made me sick knowing he could have been saved, but this vet did not care. -- D.N., Eagle Point, Oregon

DEAR D.N.: From what details you have shared, I am deeply disturbed by the obvious suffering that your cat must have experienced.

Cats unable to urinate go into agony, then shock, and finally collapse when the bladder becomes fully distended with retained urine.

This is an emergency condition for all cats, and many do get this problem. Owners must be on the alert for it at all times, checking the litter box daily during cleaning and noting if their cats begin to strain, sometimes in front of them, as though to display that they are having problems urinating. Sometimes there is evident blood-spotting.

You should write a full account with times and dates and file a complaint to your state’s board of veterinary examiners, which licenses practicing veterinarians, as well as to the Better Business Bureau. This is very important action to take in order to help other animals who may come to this veterinarian, who could already have a record of other instances of malpractice.

There is surely no legitimate defense in this instance -- there could be no error in diagnosis of your cat’s condition, and no reason to delay passing a catheter and flushing out the crystals and mucous plugs to relieve the distended urinary bladder.

DEAR DR. FOX: My 9-year-old beagle mix is usually easygoing. But for the past week, when he sleeps next to my 13-year-old beagle mix, he growls -- despite the fact that the elder isn’t doing anything or touching him.

What could be causing this growling? -- L.H., Cleveland, Ohio

DEAR L.H.: The easy answer is Grumpy Old Dogs.

Like most of us as we get older, our dogs can get irritable, not wanting to be touched in certain places or struggling when getting up or lying down, especially due to arthritis in the back and joints. Osteoarthritis is very prevalent in dogs and cats today, as discussed in a recent column. I would have this possibility checked out by his veterinarian at his next wellness appointment.

In the interim, try a few drops of fish oil in his food daily (ideally from wild salmon, and certainly not krill, for reasons spelled out on my website) for its anti-inflammatory qualities. Also add up to a teaspoon of chopped fresh turmeric and ginger, or half a teaspoon twice daily of each, if powdered. Start with a small quantity so he gets accustomed to it.

My massage book “The Healing Touch for Dogs” has helped a lot of older dogs, and those who like water benefit from regular swims in safe waters. Look out for toxic blue-green algae this summer!

I doubt that he has early onset dementia, but this is a possibility. If so, the above supplements, plus 1,000 international units (IUs) twice daily of vitamin D3 may help. Increase the dose by 500 IUs each week until you reach 2,500 IUs twice daily, then do the reverse, lowering the dose down weekly to 1,000 IUs.

MOST AMERICANS WANT TO SAVE THE WOLF

Regarding my article about wolves being protected (or not) under the Endangered Species Act -- which reflects the nation’s political and ethical divisions -- I am happy to report that of those who responded to the Trump administration’s proposal to allow renewed hunting and trapping of the gray wolf, the numbers opposing the move came to a staggering majority! More details can be found at earthjustice.org.

HOPE FOR WOLVES AND LIVESTOCK: NONLETHAL CONFLICT PREVENTION METHODS

In an effort to reduce the number of wolf conflicts with livestock, and the number of wolves killed in response, the organization Howling For Wolves has recently partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services, part of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

For details, see the full press release at: howlingforwolves.org/news

(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.)