DEAR DR. FOX: I was very inspired when I read in your Animal Doctor column that you hoped your writing would ”help people accept that, just as we are spiritual beings experiencing life in human form, so these other organisms are spiritual beings experiencing life in other forms, and treat them accordingly.”

Outside of my own writings, I seldom see such sentiments regarding the Oneness of all life published in a newspaper. I was moved to read it out loud to my wife. Her face turned all soft as she said, “Oh my gosh, there’s hope.”

It is exactly as I said in my book, “Conversations With God”: “All things are One Thing. There is only One Thing, and all things are part of the One Thing There Is.”

Spotting your column in my mother-in-law’s copy of our local paper on an evening visit to her house brought me to my first awareness of you and your remarkable work. Of course, I checked out your website immediately, and found that we are saying so many of the same things to the world. I had to write you then, just to express my gratitude for the messages you are, and have been for some time, bringing to the world.

Thank you, Dr. Fox, for evidencing the courage of your convictions in the things you say and do. You are making it a better place. -- N.D.W., Medford, Oregon

DEAR N.D.W.: I know from some readers’ responses to my syndicated Animal Doctor columns that they find affirmation of their sense of kinship with all life and that we are facing an ethical and, indeed, spiritual crisis culturally and in our evolution as a species.

Others take offense, believing that only we humans are made in the image of God, and that animals and nature were created for man’s exclusive use: God-given dominion, indeed.

My slideshow on my website (drfoxonehealth.com) entitled “Animals, Nature and Religion” and my book “The Boundless Circle: Caring for Creatures and Creation” -- along with the more recent book “Animals and Nature First” -- call for the kind of stewardship of planet Earth that is necessary today, especially if we are to be worthy of the self-anointed title of Homo sapiens, “man the wise”! The “manifest destiny” and pioneer spirit of colonialism, with destructive exploitation being a presumed God-given right, is antithetical to Albert Schweitzer’s view that, “Until he extends his circle of compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.”

As a veterinarian, I feel it is my professional duty to address the ethical and spiritual aspects of our relationships with fellow creatures as part of the great healing, the One Health, that is long overdue.

DEAR DR. FOX: Our beloved yellow Lab will soon be 13 years old and has experienced some incontinence for the past year or so.

This has been kept in check with the prescription of Proin (25 mg, twice daily) until about a month ago. When her nightly bladder leakage reappeared last month, our doctor increased the dosage to 50 mg, twice daily, which seemed to work for a few days. She is now having these occurrences almost nightly again.

Would it be advisable to increase the dosage again, or is there possibly some better alternative? -- S.W., Forsyth, Missouri

DEAR S.W.: I would not increase the dose of Proin for your old dog. Harmful side effects can include vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, excessive salivation, agitation, tiredness, vocalization, confusion, increased water consumption, weight loss, weakness, fever, panting and changes in skin color (flushing or bright pink).

I would have the dog checked for cystitis, purchase doggy diaper pads, and ask your vet to make up a prescription of DES (diethylstilbestrol). This hormonal replacement, given for a few days periodically, can help many dogs suffering from incontinence -- notably, neutered female dogs -- as I can attest with one of our own 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 DrFoxOneHealth.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I have a general question about dogs.

When you or I go to see our doctor, the first thing done is to have your blood pressure taken. So, do dogs suffer from high blood pressure?

In all the times I have taken my dog to a vet, blood pressure is never mentioned nor taken in any way. I am just curious, and would like to see your response. -- L.J., Danbury, Connecticut

DEAR L.J.: I am glad that you asked because, especially with human medicine and the rising costs of general health care, one should be aware of which tests are necessary and which are frivolous or merely profit-driven. Taking cats’ and dogs’ blood pressures is a relatively recent addition to the general wellness examination. As with humans, taking animals’ blood pressure can give valuable information, especially for older animals, which could save their lives.

Both cats and dogs can have heart attacks and strokes with high blood pressure -- often associated with chronic kidney disease, for instance -- and both species respond well to the kinds of medicines used in human patients to help control blood pressure. Low-salt diets are important for all species with hypertension.

DEAR DR. FOX: Thank you for your recent article about vaccinations.

In 2016, my dog Reilly had a rabies shot; seven days later, he was hospitalized. 2019 comes along; I vaccinate him again, and he is in the hospital again. The doctor said it was not from the vaccination.

I was up for three nights. Reilly would not eat, and drank very little water. I took him to the vet and they gave him some liquid under the skin. That did not work, so instead of paying $1,600 for a one-night stay at an animal hospital, the vet said he could do it at his office overnight for half that.

It was 2 a.m. when I was reading your article, and it confirmed that I was not crazy. I wish you lived near here to help Reilly; you are so open-minded when it comes to the truth.

Thank you again and I hope Reilly makes it this time. -- P.F., Brick, New Jersey

DEAR P.F.: I am disgusted by the response of the veterinarian to your dog’s obvious adverse reaction to the anti-rabies vaccination. You should file a complaint with the state’s Veterinary Board of Examiners and the Better Business Bureau. This veterinarian should at least return all money you have paid out, and read the article posted on my website (drfoxonehealth.com) concerning the risks of vaccinations.

In principle, I am not opposed to vaccinations. But when animals (and humans) have adverse reactions, subsequent revaccination should be questioned. You should find a holistic veterinarian in your area: Go to ahvma.org to locate one who might be willing to provide you with a vaccination waiver indicating that your dog is at risk from the anti-rabies vaccination. A blood titer could be taken to add weight to this document, since your dog may not actually need to be revaccinated if the prior vaccination is providing adequate protection.

(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: I wish Jane Fonda, and others who demonstrate and voice concerns about the existential threat of climate change, would link the climate crisis with the extinction crisis.

Rarely is concern for animals expressed. Yet the imminent extinction of indigenous peoples, other species and their ecosystems, by many of the same forces that are driving climate change, will be irreversible. In other words, by the time the climate crisis is ameliorated, especially by reducing carbon emissions from burning various fossil fuels, the extinction crisis will leave future generations with an impoverished and dysfunctional planet.

Planetary CPR (Conservation, Protection and Restoration) of animal and plant biodiversity is of no less, if not greater, importance, than slowing down and reducing climate change/global warming. It is good news that the extinction rebellion is spreading worldwide.

DEAR DR. FOX: I am writing in regard to one of your recent articles, in which you spoke about animals at petting zoos and state fairs. I wish these practices were completely abolished.

I once witnessed a cow giving birth at a fair, and was so upset that I walked away; when I could, I spoke to the vet I use for my dogs. He said the cow was not disturbed by being observed. I think he was wrong -- I believe it puts undue stress on any animal giving birth.

Many years ago, I attended a mini-concert by a fairly popular music group. This concert was at a flea market. I had no idea there would be an animal show there, but there were bears that were doing tricks. I was mortified at the condition of the bears. It was hot, and they were made to sit in the extreme heat. It looked as if they were drugged or suffering from the heat: They were drooling and very lethargic. I spoke to a manager, but was told some nonsense about how well the bears were treated. I did not file a formal complaint right away, but someone else did, and that horrible show was shut down.

As a society, we have to speak up about atrocities against animals. Thank you for your helpful information to all animal lovers. We need to know how to treat our animals, because it tells us who we are as a society. -- L.H., Lantana, Florida

DEAR L.H.: Some people do not feel it appropriate that I should use this Animal Doctor column as a “soapbox for animal rights.” But, save for the occasional letter to the editor in local newspapers or coverage of animal cruelty cases, there is little in the general media germane to protecting the animals in our communities and improving their well-being.

The testimony of one, as per your letter, can wake us all up to what others, desensitized, may not see. This is especially true when the traditional uses of animals in fairs, circuses and other forms of entertainment and exploitation -- from rodeo calf-roping, greyhound and horse racing domestically, to bullfights abroad -- are unexamined, culturally accepted norms.

I have always seen addressing such issues as part of my professional duty and responsibility as a veterinarian since, ultimately, the well-being of animals wild and domesticated is largely determined by our attitudes toward them. They are not commodities, but ensouled beings like us, whose inherent value and interests call for our respect and compassion.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have a 13-pound, 8-year-old Morkie who suffered an injury to her right leg. Our vet diagnosed a tear in her ACL.

The first week, she was given pain medication; after that, the vet wrapped the entire leg for two weeks. But after only five days, I requested to have the wrap removed because of her extreme discomfort. She had a severe yeast infection that responded well to medication, but our vet recommended surgery. I would like your opinion as to the positive or negative results of this type of surgery.

I would also appreciate any suggestion regarding her constant chewing and licking of her paws. Our vet diagnosed allergies, and our dog has been taking Apoquel for years, and this still continues. -- J.A., Boca Raton, Florida

DEAR J.A.: I have followed the veterinary literature here and in Europe with regard to the success rate of cruciate ligament repair in dogs and was involved, as a student, in some of the first surgical interventions to remedy this common condition in dogs.

In my opinion, surgery is of little benefit for older dogs under 25 pounds, provided they are kept in good physical condition and are not allowed to become overweight. Swimming is excellent physical therapy and, as per my book “The Healing Touch for Dogs,” regular in-home massage therapy can also be of benefit. Most important is to provide anti-inflammatory and joint-supporting supplements every day in the dog’s food. Provide a few drops of fish oil, 250 to 500 mg of turmeric, 250 mg of ginger and a good formulation of glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM. Consider the proprietary brands Cosequin or Dasuquin.

Florida is a challenging environment for dogs when it comes to allergies. Regular bathing and giving anti-flea medication can just worsen the problem. One must rule out food allergy/intolerance, and for a start, I would try your dog on my home-prepared dog food (available on my website, drfoxonehealth.com). And give the dog clean cotton sheets to lie on.

(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.)