DEAR DR. FOX: One often-overlooked cause of tachycardia (rapid heart rate) in animals, as well as of other heart arrhythmias and high blood pressure, is wireless radiation in the environment -- or attached to an animal's body, like GPS trackers. This is because the voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) in cell membranes are affected by these human-made frequencies.

Medications such as amlodipine can reduce blood pressure in affected animals, but making the environment safe is the better option since long-term use of such drugs can impair kidney and liver function. The heart, brain and reproductive organs have the most VGCCs, so they are the most affected by non-ionizing radiation. Aside from heart issues, such radiation can deform sperm, harm DNA, cause inflammation, suppress the immune system, disrupt hormone production and cause sleep disturbances -- to name just a few of the problems.

Pet parents should make sure their animal's beds or resting areas aren't anywhere near routers (people shouldn't be, either). If people aren't willing to simply use ethernet cords to connect to the internet, they should at least turn routers off when not in use. Don't use or keep cellphones and tablets near animals (or children).

These radiation levels are not safe for anyone's health. On Aug. 13, the D.C. Court of Appeals ruled that the 30-year-old FCC guidelines on this issue were not based on "reasoned decision making" (Environmental Health Trust et al. vs. FCC). Obviously, when one-third of the population is being made sick from wireless radiation, the guidelines need to be changed! Please look on ehtrust.org for more information on the lawsuit, as well as on the adverse effects of radiation on people, animals and the environment. -- N. Van Dover, DVM

DEAR DR. VAN DOVER: Thank you for this warning; I hope readers will take your concerns to heart and address the risks of electronic devices in their homes. For more details, see the article on electropollution on my website (drfoxonehealth.com).

There is mounting scientific evidence that this problem is increasing as we get further into the "information age" of telecommunications and cybertechnology, with its electromagnetic fields, non-ionizing radiation and escalating energy demands. The electropollution generated globally may cause as much, if not more, harm to life on Earth than pesticides and other products of the "chemical age."

Some forms of electromagnetic field exposure can, however, be therapeutic. For instance, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy is being used by the Veterinary Emergency Response Team at the University of California, Davis, to treat wild and domestic animals with forest fire burns and injuries. The beneficial effects of some energy frequencies affirm the reality of electro-sensitivity.

BUMBLEBEE CRISIS

The American bumblebee (a species different from the honeybee) has declined by nearly 90% across the United States, according to the Center for Biological Diversity. It has disappeared entirely from eight states and is critically endangered in several others. Two species of bumblebees are already considered extinct.

DOG FOOD RECALL ALERT

Tuffy's Pet Foods recalled approximately 1,600 cases of Pure Vita Salmon Entree dog food in 12.5-ounce TetraPak cartons with best-by dates of June 29 and Sept. 1, 2023. The recalled product might contain too much vitamin D, which can cause vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst and urination, drooling, weight loss and renal dysfunction. (Full Story: KIRO-TV Seattle, 10/12)

(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 am a licensed massage therapist who has been doing massage therapy on humans for over 25 years. I am semi-retired now, but would love to use my massage skills on animals on a volunteer basis. I am not sure where and how to begin! I would be willing to study on my own so I can be prepared. -- M.S., Jupiter, Florida

DEAR M.S.: I think it would be wonderful for you to offer your skills to cats and dogs in animal shelters in particular, as well as in boarding facilities and for those living with elderly owners confined indoors. You might also take the dogs for a good walk!

You can adapt your skills to give beneficial massage therapy to cats and dogs following the instructions in my two books, "The Healing Touch for Cats" and "The Healing Touch for Dogs." Also, check out the two DVDs on my website (drfoxonehealth.com) that give a brief introduction to massage therapy for dogs and cats. I received training and certification in human massage therapy before I developed and applied veterinary massage therapy for companion animals.

DEAR DR. FOX: What are your thoughts on end-of-life decisions for dogs with advanced dementia? Our 16-year-old Shih Tzu is either sleepwalking or wandering with confusion through the house. She doesn't seem to be in any pain, but is taking Lasix for an enlarged heart. -- M.L., Bartlesville, Oklahoma

DEAR M.L.: Quality of life assessments can best be determined by those who live with the animal in concert with a caring veterinary consultant. But beware of the few who may seek to extend an animal's life just for the money. If in doubt, seek a second opinion.

Dementia in humans and other animals is a progressive, degenerative disease which cannot yet be reversed. But it may be prevented, and mental deterioration slowed to some degree, by regular exercise, games, exploring outdoors and good nutrition. Food should be high in free-radical-scavenging antioxidants. Melatonin is one excellent antioxidant, and I would give your dog 3 mg at bedtime and 1.5 mg around noon. Couple this with a twice-daily full body massage, as per my book "The Healing Touch for Dogs." Massage therapy has been shown to help prevent hospitalized patients from developing hospital psychosis/dementia, a dissociative and disoriented mental state.

If you see no signs of improvement within five to seven days, I would say it is time to say goodbye to this dear little soul.

DEAR DR. FOX: I want to thank you for an earlier column where you advised retired seniors to consider adopting an older dog. I did just that, taking in 8-year-old Max, an Australian heeler mix whose owner could not take him into assisted living.

Max rescued me from depression and thoughts of suicide since my wife had died, and we never had any children. Max is my devoted savior. I have someone to get up for every morning to care for -- and he cares for me, too, starting my days with a wild wagging tail and a happy face! He gives me a sense of purpose in living. -- G.L., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR G.L.: Thank you for sharing your story. Max gives you a reason to get up in the morning, and no doubt gets you outdoors for walks in addition to keeping you company in-home! For a fine collection of stories about how rescued animals have helped people, see Richard D. Rowland's book "A Glimpse Behind the Veil: Stories About the Human-Animal Connection" and the touching book "Mutual Rescue: How Adopting a Homeless Animal Can Save You, Too" by Carol Novello and Ginny Graves.

SMALL DOG BREEDS PRONE TO DENTAL PROBLEMS

Extra-small dog breeds -- those less than 14 pounds -- are up to five times more likely to develop periodontal disease than giant breeds weighing more than 55 pounds. Age, weight and history of preventive care are also risk factors, according to a study in The Veterinary Journal. The researchers say smaller dogs' proportionally larger teeth cause overcrowding, which allows more plaque and tartar to accumulate. And little dogs' alveolar bones are small in proportion to their teeth. (Full story: VetSurgeon, Oct. 6)

(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've been in the veterinary care business, including emergency, for going on 20 years now, and I want to caution your readers about one problem with Banfield as a veterinary care provider.

Banfield, as a company, mandates what vets can and cannot do when it comes to testing and procedures for pets with a given set of symptoms. This greatly limits a veterinarian and, in my opinion, turns them into glorified vending machines. You put in the coins, you get the test the company says you can have -- not what a veterinarian's own skills and experience tell them a pet needs.

If at all possible, I recommend small, private vet clinics. There are plenty of online reviews for all but the smallest these days. A smaller practice will develop an ongoing relationship with owners and pets that may not be present at a corporate chain where veterinarian turnover is high. This relationship becomes crucial for pets as they age.

Also, a note on Blue Pearl: They're buying up local emergency practices as fast as they can, and they also enter the market with low pricing in order to "starve out" local competition. We're fortunate that here in Virginia Beach, there's a long-established practice that had the funds to withstand this until Blue Pearl racked up more negative reviews. Unfortunately, Blue Pearl still has the bankroll to afford diagnostic equipment that the other practice cannot provide. They also offer monetary incentives for specialists such as cardiologists and oncologists to use their space.

This leaves pet owners with only one choice in emergency veterinary care for all but the most common procedures. Again, working with a small, local practice will give pet owners the benefit of having someone who knows the ins and outs of all possible choices, and can give them an expert opinion of how the emergency hospitals have handled prior, similar cases. -- J.L., Virginia Beach, Virginia

DEAR J.L.: I agree wholeheartedly with what you are advocating. A major problem is that smaller, independent veterinary practices, both here and in the U.K., are burdened with rising costs. Some practices are staying independent but have large veterinary and support staffs, while smaller practices provide basic services and are tightly linked with second-opinion referrals for special services such as surgical, cardiac, ophthalmic and dermatological.

As consumer incomes fluctuate and demographics change, local veterinary services may wax and wane, but animals' needs do not. This is a challenge for all who care. Every community should have at least one basic veterinary hospital with emergency services provided at cost (and subsidized by charities for those who need additional assistance). This is all enlightened self-interest, since our animal companions contribute so much to the greater good -- especially the mental health of those who are socially isolated. A healthy animal population means a healthier human community.

GUIDANCE ON INDOOR/OUTDOOR CAT LIFESTYLES

The American Animal Hospital Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners recently put forth a joint publication entitled "AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines." Below is some helpful information from the publication's Lifestyle Choices section:

"An indoor-only lifestyle may decrease the risks of injury, predators, poisoning and exposure to infectious and parasitic agents. At the same time, it may increase risks of compromised welfare, illness, obesity and behavior problems due to environmental limitations. Appropriate environmental enrichment is thus essential for maintaining the mental and physical well-being of cats.

"An indoor/outdoor lifestyle may allow a cat to express normal feline behaviors and provide a stimulating environment, but it also may increase the risks of infectious and parasitic agents, injury, poisoning, and exposure to wildlife and predators. Supervised or controlled outdoor access (e.g., during leashed walks or via cat-proof enclosures) may reduce some of the risks otherwise associated with access to the outdoors."

For more information, refer to the AAFP Position Statement "Impact of lifestyle choice on the companion cat: indoor vs outdoor," available at catvets.com under "Practice Guidelines." Additionally, I helped develop a website on TNE -- trap, neuter, enclose -- that has some good information for cat owners/guardians, which you can visit at trapneuterenclose.com.

CANNED DOG FOOD RECALL

Fromm issued a recall for about 5,500 cases of canned dog food that might contain an excessive amount of vitamin D. This can cause vomiting, loss of appetite, thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling, weight loss and renal dysfunction if consumed in very high amounts. Cans of Four-Star shredded beef, pork, chicken and turkey with a best-by date of August 2024 were recalled. (Full story: WEHT-TV, Henderson, Kentucky, Oct. 2)

(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.)