DEAR READERS: For decades now, local animal shelters/humane societies have been releasing cats considered unadoptable to fend for themselves in communities across America. This so-called TNR -- trap, neuter and release, often including a short-lasting rabies vaccination -- has been documented as not significantly reducing the numbers of local free-roaming cats that prey on songbirds and decimate wildlife. It is a cruel alternative to euthanasia because many of these cats get injured or diseased and receive no veterinary care.

Animal shelters and rescue agencies in every state fill up after every breeding season with cats and kittens needing homes. This includes those whose owners let them roam free, and then they get lost and have to fend for themselves before being rescued. Two of our rescued cats had been released, in winter, by the Animal Humane Society because they were deemed unadoptable. The AHS calls this its “Return to Field (where found) Community Cat Program,” and its annual reports document 4,374 cats being “returned to field” from October 2014 to June 2019.

I am no stranger to the emotional burden of having to euthanize healthy animals that are unadoptable, which I consider a humane alternative to TNR. But there is an alternative for animal shelters: They can build cat sanctuaries -- group-living indoor habitats with access to enclosed outdoor “catios.” The German animal protection organization ProAnimale, with whom I have consulted for decades, has pioneered such enclosures, much to the benefit of cat welfare, wildlife protection and public health. Cat feces can contain parasites and other pathogens that put people at risk when deposited in their gardens, yards, parks and playgrounds.

I am appealing to all readers with cats to keep them safe indoors, to encourage cat sanctuaries in their communities and to send donations to sanctuaries like the one where Marmalade, the last cat my wife and I rescued, is now in recovery (Furball Farm Pet Sanctuary in Faribault, Minnesota, furballfarmpetsanctuary.com).

At this facility, the recovery rate of would-have-been TNR cats -- deemed unadoptable by animal shelters but instead provided sanctuary at Furball Farm -- is a resounding 85% who were eventually adopted out. The 15% who do not become socialized and adoptable are given permanent sanctuary.

DEAR DR. FOX: This is a question for you about a strange thing our dog does. We have a 22-month-old female golden retriever. She has a disturbing habit of wrapping her forelegs around blankets and large pillows, and humping them like a male dog.

We tell her to stop and put the item away, but we just don’t understand these strange actions for a female. Just curious if you’ve seen this before or have any idea what is up with this dog. -- M.M., Medford, Oregon

DEAR M.M.: This is part and parcel of the play repertoire of our canine companions -- also seen in our feline ones, though less often. Certain materials and objects can trigger sex-play in neutered animals regardless of whether they are male or female, indicating a non-hormonal aspect to this behavior.

It is often seen in puppies way before sexual maturity when they are playing with each other and one mounts the other. This indicates a reflex-like element to this behavior of clasping with the forelimbs and executing pelvic thrusts. In adult dogs we see this behavior with un-neutered male dogs mounting neutered male dogs -- which can lead to a fight -- and in neutered dogs of either sex.

There is nothing inherently concerning or “perverted” about this behavior, contrary to comments I often hear; applying our own moral standards on other species is the height of arrogance and ignorance. For more, I suggest reading my book “Dog Body, Dog Mind.”

As for your dog, boredom and a lack of physical activity and opportunity to play with other dogs may be why she is seeking these ways of self-gratifying and relaxing. A more active life outdoors -- especially during this time of the coronavirus pandemic -- is good for all of us, including our animal companions.

(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.)

COMMUNITY’S ANALYSIS CONFIRMS: TNR NOT EFFECTIVE

The City of Saratoga Springs, Utah, conducted an analysis on “The Science of Feral Cats“ to help it understand and effectively address feral cat issues in the community. The report was initiated after Best Friends Animal Society called on the city to implement a TNR program. The 100-page report found that “overwhelmingly, science does not support TNR programs as an effective method to reduce feral cat populations,” and that such programs “fail to adequately mitigate the significant threat to public health or alleviate the negative impacts on wildlife that feral and free-roaming cats pose.” (Full story can be found via abcbirds.org.)

DEAR READERS: The following is an excerpt from a blog post by Susan Thixton (truthaboutpetfood.com/prescription-pet-food-lawsuit-will-continue/).

“An appeals court in California has ruled that a lawsuit against prescription pet foods’ ‘deceptive practice’ will continue. This is a big win for pet owners.

“The California District Court dismissed the lawsuit in 2017, but in July 2020, the California Appeals Court ruled ‘the district court erred in dismissing’ this important lawsuit. An excerpt from the ruling: ‘The panel concluded that under the reasonable consumer test, plaintiffs sufficiently alleged that the sale of the prescription pet food exclusively through vets or with veterinarian approval was a deceptive practice. In addition, plaintiffs satisfied the heightened pleading standard for fraud because they alleged sufficient facts to show that prescription pet food and other pet food were not materially different.’”

Dr. Fox here. For more details about the limitations of many of these costly special prescription diets for dogs and cats, and the irony that most would not be warranted if animals were fed biologically appropriate diets to begin with, see “Not Fit for a Dog: The Truth About Manufactured Cat and Dog Foods.” This book was written by myself and two other veterinarians: former Hill’s pet food company vet Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins and veterinary professor Dr. Marion E. Smart.

DEAR DR. FOX: In regard to the recent column headlined “Agnostic angry, feels called out”: I read your column in the Palm Beach Post, and I find it to be helpful, informative and enjoyable. Please keep up the good work. I would not have written to you except for the column referenced above: It was excellent. It is disheartening to see that K.P. of Naples decided to politicize the Golden Rule. -- P.D., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR P.D.: Thank you for your words of support for some of my opinions, which I feel professionally and ethically impelled to express in these times of socioeconomic, public and environmental health crises.

Some other readers disagree, writing to me that I have been “brainwashed”, and that my “left-wing,” “communist” political agenda is evident in my columns.

It saddens me that people are so set in their points of view that they are cognitively impaired, feeling threatened when their values, actions and harmful consequences of the same are questioned. A life unexamined is a life unlived, and leads to the rationalization and denial of the harmful consequences of one’s beliefs, values and actions as they affect others -- human or not.

I offer a note of optimism in my essay “The Second Coming? Existential Reality of Global Environmental Crisis,” posted on my website (drfoxonehealth.com).

A STEP IN THE RIGHT DRECTION FOR PET SUPPLY STORES

The Reno (Nevada) City Council approved an ordinance banning the sale of dogs and cats at retail stores, though the stores may still provide space for organizations that offer dogs and cats for adoption. Home breeders may also continue selling dogs and cats. (Full story: ThisIsReno.com, 7/29)

DOG IN LOUISIANA TESTS POSITIVE FOR SARS-COV-2

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry has reported that a pet dog tested positive for a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Evidence is emerging that people can, in rare cases, transmit the novel coronavirus to animals during close contact, and anyone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 should avoid close contact with pets. (Full story: TheAdvocate.com, 8/4)

The first animal to test positive for the virus in the U.K. was a cat whose owners had COVID-19, had mild symptoms and quickly recovered. Cats are prone to various coronaviruses and may have some cross-immunity to other strains, as do people.

(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 been reading your Animal Doctor columns for years, and I am so glad you have been showing how politics can harm animals as well as the environment. We should all be involved. You have gotten flak from some readers demanding you just “stick to pet health issues,” but all things are connected! You make the connections and help us think about and see the “big picture.” -- T.U., Minneapolis, Minnesota

DEAR T.U.: I appreciate your words of support. I am sure you would enjoy my book “Bringing Life to Ethics: Global Bioethics for a Humane Society,” wherein I lay the groundwork for what I call trans-species democracy.

Those who advocate for democracy commit the hypocrisy of human-centeredness and supremacy when they put their own interests over the rights and interests of other species. Such speciesism is of the same currency as racism. The political corruption of the ethics and spirituality of such democratic principles is at the root of the cultural, socioeconomic and environmental crises that we face today.

DEAR DR. FOX: Just wondering your thoughts on using CBD oil to manage seizures in dogs. We have a 10-pound dog on phenobarbital to help with her seizures, but she still has several each week. I’m wondering if there are any studies that support the use of CBD oil for dogs. -- W.B., Alva, Florida

DEAR W.B.: There are many reasons why dogs have seizures. In many cases, dogs have fewer or no seizures when given a whole-food diet without corn, wheat or added chemicals, as per the home-prepared recipe posted on my website (drfoxonehealth.com). And recent veterinary reports show some benefits in reducing and even preventing seizures when coconut oil, with its medium-chain triglycerides, is the main fat ingredient in a dog’s food.

My veterinary friend Dr. Rob Silver is perhaps most widely known for his pioneering work on CBD in veterinary medicine. He’s found that CBD can help dogs that suffer from conditions such as anxiety, seizures, pain, inflammation, digestive problems and cancer. (His book, “Medical Marijuana and Your Pet,” is considered an excellent resource on the subject.)

THC content may have some adverse effects for dogs, so pure CBD is advisable. Silver finds that it’s best to start out with low doses of CBD for a few weeks; you can always increase it slightly down the road. Conditions like anxiety, in particular, respond well to low doses of CBD, because it seems to help the brain make better use of serotonin -- the happiness compound.

CANNABIS EXTRACT (CBD) HELPS ARTHRITIC DOGS

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the Journal of Immunology, dogs with osteoarthritis improved after being given cannabidiol for four weeks. Mobility and signs of pain did not improve in dogs given a placebo or a low dose of CBD, but both improved significantly in dogs given the highest CBD dose or a CBD liposomal formulation, said study leader Matthew Halpert. (Full story: Forbes.com, 7/1)

TEXAS A&M RESEARCH PROJECT IDENTIFIES COVID-19 POSITIVE PETS IN BRAZOS COUNTY

The transmission of COVID-19 to pets has been the source of much discussion within the scientific community. Reports have confirmed a small but growing list of positive cases among companion animals and exotic cats in the U.S. Now, new efforts within The Texas A&M University System are beginning to shed additional light on the topic.

A team led by Sarah Hamer, Ph.D., DVM, associate professor of epidemiology at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, is further exploring the degree to which pets are infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

In and around Brazos County (home to Texas A&M), the team has found evidence that the pets of people who have COVID-19 may also become infected. So far, the team has identified two asymptomatic cats that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The cats, from different households, were both living with a person who was diagnosed with COVID-19.

“At the time we collected samples from these cats at their houses, the owners did not report any signs of disease in the animals coinciding with the human diagnosis, but one of the cats had several days of sneezing after we sampled it,” Hamer said.

“Our study was not designed to test the directionality of transmission of the virus (whether pets become infected from owners, or vice versa). But what this does tell us is that pets can become infected in high-risk households,” Hamer said.

“The American Veterinary Medical Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 One Health Working Group emphasize that people who test positive should isolate from their pets or wear a face mask around their pets, just as they should do with other people,” she said. “We know that is probably really hard if you are quarantined at home and just want to snuggle with your pet, but it is important to do.”

Hamer reiterated that the veterinary and scientific consensus still maintains people shouldn’t be afraid if their animals test positive, and there is no indication that infected pets should be surrendered. To learn more about the project, visit tx.ag/BCSCovidResearch.

I hope that veterinary colleges around the world will set up similar projects, which will be of value in the years to come for other zoonotic 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 DrFoxOneHealth.com.)