DEAR DR. FOX: If the billions of dollars lavished on Fluffy and Fido's food, toys, dentist and vet bills were spent on humans, the world would be a better place. Massive harm is done by not putting humans first. Please quit hawking the Pet-Industrial Complex's narrative. Dr. Fox, your priorities are totally immoral. -- T.V.H., Tulsa, Oklahoma

DEAR T.V.H.: Many readers may agree with you that some people go overboard in indulging their animal companions, but I do not see how my advocacy for animal health and well-being is "immoral" or that I am "hawking" pet industry products. I am a longtime critic of most manufactured pet foods and treats that often have harmful ingredients, many coming from China.

In reality, the "massive harm" to which you allude of not putting humans first actually comes from putting human interests over those of other species and the natural environment, the COVID-19 pandemic being one consequence. For more details see my book "Animals and Nature First."

Our own health and economic security depend upon us caring for the environment and for animals, wild and domesticated, a fact now acknowledged internationally by advocates of One Health. We have polluted and poisoned the planet and reap the bitter harvest of ever more children with cancer, birth defects and other health problems that could have been prevented. But preventive measures go against the grain of profit-driven industries, including the medical and pharmaceutical. Companion animals provide emotional and various well-documented health benefits which amount to considerable public health cost-saving.

Putting people first, which is the worldview of anthropocentrism, has helped bring on the climate, population and extinction crises. The cultural and cultish influence of author and philosopher Ayn Rand in her 1964 book "The Value of Selfishness," which discusses a theory that she called "rational egoism," regrettably helped sanctify this human-centered world view of Western industrial civilization.

Anthropocentrism is the ultimate blind spot which, biologically, leads to an evolutionary dead-end. This is why putting the eco-centric One Health worldview into politics, business and industry is an ethical and survival imperative -- and enlightened selfishness!

HARMING THE ENVIRONMENT, WE HARM OURSELVES

In the article by Erin Brockovich, "Plummeting Sperm Counts, Shrinking Penises: Toxic Chemicals Threaten Humanity," she discusses a new book called "Countdown," by Shanna Swan, an environmental and reproductive epidemiologist at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, who finds that sperm counts have dropped almost 60% since 1973. "Following the trajectory we are on," Brockovich writes in The Guardian, "Swan's research suggests sperm counts could reach zero by 2045. Zero. Let that sink in. That would mean no babies. No reproduction. No more humans. Forgive me for asking: Why isn't the U.N. calling an emergency meeting on this right now?

"The chemicals to blame for this crisis are found in everything from plastic containers and food wrapping, to waterproof clothes and fragrances in cleaning products, to soaps and shampoos, to electronics and carpeting. Some of them, called PFAS, are known as 'forever chemicals,' because they don't break down in the environment or the human body. They just accumulate and accumulate -- doing more and more damage, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. Now, it seems, humanity is reaching a breaking point."

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/18/toxic-chemicals-health-humanity-erin-brokovich?fbclid=IwAR0gbj15bXNzEl7M6xNw23gabH4sVZZ_NAhWJpFSPmN_I5YVsYHl9iEnutM

Many of these chemicals are leaching from municipal waste landfills into the groundwater and ultimately our drinking water. They're also in the air and rain from incinerating plastics and from microplastics in what we eat and drink that can act like magnets and bind these toxic petrochemicals on their surfaces.

SALMONELLOSIS OUTBREAK TRACED TO PET TURTLES

Pet turtles purchased from roadside or transient vendors have caused a salmonellosis outbreak in Pennsylvania that killed at least one adult, the state health department says. Reptiles shed salmonella bacteria in their feces that easily contaminate objects and surfaces. They should never be allowed where food is prepared or eaten, and close contact with them should be avoided. (Full story: WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Feb. 24)

(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: My cat Sonu died three weeks past. He was only 3 years old. My Sonu was freely roaming, and two dogs attacked him. Then after three days, he died.

If a cat has nine lives, can my cat again come to me? I can't stop crying. I want him back. -- D.P., Pune, India

DEAR D.P.: I am so saddened to hear about your cat's tragic death after being attacked and killed by free-roaming dogs. This is one of the risks of letting cats roam outside their homes, although I know it can be difficult to keep cats indoors. Many cats enjoy spending time in safe outdoor enclosures; at the very least, secure all your doors and keep screens on all your windows when you adopt another cat -- which I advise you to do. This could help you with your grief and provide an outlet for the love you had for Sonu, which I believe would be his wish.

Some people believe that animals have a "group soul," and would say any cat or kitten you adopt in the future will come from that same spiritual Source as Sonu -- and is therefore related to the spirit of your former cat. You may find a cat or kitten who looks and behaves like Sonu, which may reinforce a belief in reincarnation (which is biologically unproven). Many years ago, our Siamese cat Lily got outdoors. After many weeks, an emaciated Siamese came to our home and we took her in, believing her to be Lily. Two weeks later, an emaciated Lily appeared on our doorstep! So we ended up with two look-alike -- and behave-alike -- cats.

The belief that they have nine lives comes from many cats' remarkable ability to avoid being killed, as by traffic and larger animals, and from their ability to land on all fours and sustain minimal injury when they fall from heights that would kill us. Also, when very ill or injured, they may seem to be on death's door, but then they seek seclusion to let their natural healing processes work -- sometimes bouncing back fully recovered.

This is why they have a "nine lives" reputation, but they only have one life. However, on rare occasion, deceased cats will visit their human loved ones in spirit, as I detail on my website: drfoxonehealth.com/post/animal-spirits-companion-animal-communications-after-death.

Do not blame yourself for Sonu's death. Embrace your grief as the noble price of love, and celebrate the good times you had together. Then pass that love on to another cat that you bring into your home and heart. Perhaps go out and volunteer at a local animal shelter in honor of his memory and all he gave to you.

RABBIT PLAGUE WARNING FOR OWNERS, HUNTERS AND BREEDERS

There is a deadly calicivirus disease, rabbit hemorrhagic disease (virus RHDV2), that is decimating rabbits and hares both wild and domestic across North America. Between July 2019 and April 2021, RHDV2 has been detected in rabbits in Washington state, New York City, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Nevada, California, Utah and Oregon.

Health officials say domestic rabbits should be kept indoors and not allowed to roam in yards; rabbits shouldn't be transported, and those that are should be quarantined for 30 days. Hunters should avoid areas where RHDV2 has been found. Flies, fleas, and mosquitoes can carry the virus between rabbits. Predators and scavengers can also spread the virus by shedding it in their feces. A vaccine has been developed in Europe, but is not as yet approved by the FDA for use in the U.S.

A USDA report states that effects of this outbreak "would be felt in the pet rabbit industry; 4-H, National FFA Organization and other hobby groups; exhibitions; laboratories; and the meat, pelt and hunting sectors. ... Viable virus has been found in decaying tissue after 90 days outdoors, potentially serving as a reservoir.”

For more details, see www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/downloads/rhdv2.pdf.

ANOTHER PET FOOD RECALL

J.M. Smucker is recalling two lots of Meow Mix dry cat food due to potential salmonella contamination. The food was distributed in 30-pound bags and sold at Walmart stores in Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Dry kibble is the most frequently recalled type of manufactured pet food. According to Susan Thixton’s analysis of FDA data, kibble accounts for roughly two-thirds of all pet food recalled since 2012. For more details, visit truthaboutpetfood.com/is-kibble-1.

(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: The COVID-19 pandemic has given the public a greater understanding of the nature of compassion fatigue, especially that of front-line health care workers, for whom I have the greatest sympathy and respect.

Compassion fatigue has both physical and psychological consequences, including: protective emotional distancing, exhaustion, frustration, anger, guilt, disrupted sleep and appetite, weakening of the immune system, psychosomatic disorders, anxiety, depression, despair, substance abuse and suicidal ideation. It must be recognized early as a situational and relational psychophysical crisis. Supportive intervention must be provided by understanding staff, friends and relatives, as well as professional stress-management therapists.

While compassion fatigue may include a diminution of empathy, it is the antithesis of the "empathy deficit disorder" I have often described. The latter is an endemic psychopathology of varying degrees of desensitization, objectification, separation and disassociation exemplified by killers, bullies and predators of all stripes.

Compassion fatigue needs to be more widely and sympathetically acknowledged. It has been an issue for decades for many caring souls working in animal shelters and in the veterinary profession, as well as in wildlife protection and conservation. Those caring in-home for a child, parent, spouse or companion animal may also suffer some of the symptoms of compassion fatigue. This can cloud end-of-life decisions, but affordable and effective palliative and hospice care, and support from visiting nurses and veterinary assistants, can be of significant benefit for all concerned.

Coping with the burden of empathy for others, be they human or nonhuman, can be a challenge; it calls for personal vigilance and self-care so we can better care for those we love and those we strive to heal.

DEAR DR. FOX: We are regular readers of your column, having a dog and two crazy cats. My teenage son, taking a break from online school, looked over your website and found your DVDs. We ordered two of them on cat and dog behavior and pet massage therapy, and we really enjoyed them.

Others look interesting, too, and we will look at them later. I wish you would let your readers know about these educational videos! -- D.G., Tulsa, Oklahoma

DEAR D.G.: I am glad you enjoyed these DVDs. I put them together several years ago, after my research and development of a system of massage therapy for dogs and cats -- many of which come to demand it on a regular basis! Here is a synopsis of the DVDs available on my website. They will be of educational value for all ages:

-- "Animals, Nature and Religion." A narrated slideshow that looks at animals and nature from various religious and cultural perspectives, which will interest people of all faith traditions and those who believe in compassion and reverence for all life. This presentation is an excellent classroom discussion point to debate the nature of our duties toward animals and the natural world.

-- "Cat Behavior and Psychology Plus Massage Therapy." A narrated slideshow that explores feline communication, body language, behavior, play and socialization, and looks at various emotional and behavioral problems, along with their prevention and treatment.

-- "Dog Behavior and Psychology Plus Massage Therapy." A narrated slideshow that explores canine communication, body language, behavior, play and socialization, and looks at various emotional and behavioral problems, along with their prevention and treatment.

-- "Eating With Conscience." We are what we eat. As a nation, we are unhealthy, and many of our health problems are due in large measure to the kinds of food we eat and how that food was produced. This DVD takes you into factory farms on a journey to expose animal sickness and suffering, crop diseases and toxic pesticides, and to find solutions. These issues will take generations to resolve. The sooner we act, by eating and farming with conscience, the better.

-- "The New Creation." The advent of genetic engineering biotechnology, with its new crops, foods and drugs, cloned and bioengineered farm animals and organ donor pigs, marks the new millennium. Its profound risks, harmful long-term consequences, and what we can do to stop this corporate insanity are detailed in this narrated slideshow and video presentation.

(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.)