DEAR READERS: It is shocking that racehorses are routinely drugged with furosemide. This is done to help prevent bleeding in horses suffering from EIPH (exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage), in which their extreme and sustained exertion causes them to literally burst their lungs and even suffocate in their own blood.

Horses given this diuretic medication -- which can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, along with decreased levels of blood potassium and calcium -- may simply collapse, often fracturing one or more bones in the process. A new study of data from the Equine Injury Database has revealed that horses medicated with furosemide on race day were at 62% increased odds of sudden death compared to horses that were racing without having been given the drug (doi.org/10.2460/javma.22.08.0358).

In a 2021 post on the Veterinary Partner website, equine medicine expert Bob Judd, DVM, wrote:

"A recent paper out of Argentina examined the use of phenylbutazone, commonly called bute, and the risk of musculoskeletal and fatal injuries in thoroughbred racehorses. Phenylbutazone is an anti-inflammatory medication that reduces pain and inflammation in horses, and at this point it is not a prohibited substance in the horse's blood while racing in the United States. However, the last dose of bute can be given no less than 48 hours before the race, and a maximum small amount of the drug is allowed in the horse's system after a race. In a study recently published in the AVMA Journal out of Argentina on almost 300,000 race starts, horses that recently received bute were identified as being at a significantly increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries leading to fatalities. The fatalities occurred not from the drug but from injuries received while racing that required euthanasia, and horses given bute before the race were twice as likely to have an injury that led to euthanasia. The study's authors believe that many horses given bute are older ones with chronic disease that may increase their chances of injury."

For more details on drug use by the racehorse industry, along with efforts to "regulate" it, go to nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/racehorse-doping-explained.

DEAR DR. FOX: Our 6-month-old cockapoo nearly breaks her neck on the leash to greet people, then she immediately pees. She does this in the house when visitors come, too. Could she have a weak bladder and need to see the vet? -- F.M., Trenton, New Jersey

DEAR F.M.: This is most likely submissive urination, which pups do when excited and in greeting. Never scold her when it happens, since that will make matters worse. Simply ignore it, and with maturity, she should grow up and no longer do this.

Also, do not make a fuss greeting her when you come home and she has been alone. Simply give her a gentle pat, then ignore her, and advise visitors to do the same. In addition, she needs to learn some self-control, so teach her to sit and stay. The help of a dog trainer or behaviorist may facilitate the process.

I worry about her damaging her neck and windpipe if she is wearing a collar when on the leash. Get her used to wearing a harness instead, and have her greet visitors outside before they come in. Incidentally, Nature's Miracle products, readily available in pet stores, are excellent enzyme cleaners for puppy pee on carpets and rugs.

NEW RECORD FOR OLDEST DOG

Bobi, a dog in Portugal born in 1992, has set a Guinness record as the world's oldest dog at more than 30 years old. Bobi has some mobility issues and his eyesight is declining, but his owner says he still enjoys playing with the four cats with which he shares his home.

DOG FOOD RECALL

Nestle Purina voluntarily recalled specific lots of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental prescription dry dog food that might contain an excessive amount of vitamin D. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient, but too much can cause kidney dysfunction.

(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'm writing to you regarding the environmental catastrophe in East Palestine, Ohio. A massive, fiery train derailment happened on Feb. 3, forcing local officials to evacuate a 1-mile-by-2-mile area surrounding East Palestine. To avoid the chemical explosion of the rail cars, five of which were carrying vinyl chloride, the fire department did a controlled release/burn of the extremely toxic chemical, which broke it down into hydrogen chloride and phosgene gas, which are themselves dangerous substances.

The Ohio National Guard had no evacuation plan for pets, so many animals were left behind during the evacuation. Many people were at work when the explosion occurred and were not able to return home to their pets for several days. As residents return home to pets left alone for five days, many without water or food, they are going to discover how the state of Ohio's complete failure to declare this a disaster and/or implement any reasonable evacuation plan has affected their beloved family animals.

So far, no one is forcing Norfolk Southern or anyone else responsible for this disaster to provide funding for vet care. The entire thing is being portrayed as "successful" because no humans died. Broader pressure must be put on Norfolk Southern and Ohio officials to provide a fund for pets who may need medical treatment.

East Palestine needs support and backing from people and organizations outside of Ohio to keep the spotlight on what is happening. If these types of environmental disasters are going to be handled like this in the future, it will cause needless suffering, including more animals dying horrible deaths. Reasonable plans must be adopted in Ohio (and elsewhere) to allow and assist in the timely evacuation of animals in the case of environmental catastrophes or terrorist acts. The PETS Act (which authorizes FEMA to assist household animals and their owners) didn't apply in this case because, for some unknown reason, no one declared this a federal or state disaster.

Maybe nearby fire divisions and state agencies could have helped rescue animals from East Palestine homes or given protective equipment to local humane societies. But local and state officials were too busy ignoring the animals' situation, focusing only on whether human lives were lost. -- S.T., Bay Village, Ohio

DEAR S.T.: Every community should be prepared for disasters, and this tragic incident underscores the need for all pet owners to make provisions for their animals so they can bring them along to emergency shelters. With ever-more extreme climate events, such preparedness is mandatory.

All cats and dogs should be microchipped for identification and also wear a collar with an ID tag. Owners' emergency kits should include, at a bare minimum, a holding crate or carrier for cats and other small pets. The American Veterinary Medical Association provides more details on caring for animals in emergencies here: avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergency-care/pets-and-disasters.

Aside from local hazardous events such as a fertilizer plant explosion, refinery oil spill or locomotive derailment involving toxic and inflammatory materials, the climate crisis and extreme weather events, I believe, are happening because we have put human interests over those of other animals and the environment for centuries.

In further bad news, reports are coming in of foxes and poultry becoming ill and dying from exposure to the toxic fumes from the Ohio catastrophe. For details, visit nypost.com/2023/02/10/animals-sick-dying-near-east-palestine-ohio-train-crash.

SOME BREEDS SHOULD BE CLOSELY MONITORED FOR CANCER

Mastiffs, Saint Bernards, Great Danes and bulldogs are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at a young age than Bichon frises, West Highland white terriers and American Staffordshire terriers, according to a study recently published in PLOS ONE. The study also found that male dogs and "intact" dogs (ones that have not been spayed or neutered) are more likely to develop cancer at a young age than females and dogs that have been sterilized. The study leaders recommend starting to screen most dogs for cancer at age 7, and screening at-risk dogs even earlier. (Full story: Scientific American, Feb. 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 DR. FOX: I am pleased to say that after six years of work, "Health and Welfare of Captive Reptiles," an updated edition that I co-authored, has been published!

Here is the link: link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-86012-7 -- Clifford Warwick, London, England

DEAR C.W.: This is good news indeed. Congratulations! This book provides an unparalleled overview on animal welfare and work with reptiles in captivity. I consider it essential for all involved in reptile care, including herpetologists, zoo staff, vets and laboratory animal scientists.

It times well with the article by Josh Loeb, “Clamping down on ‘non-traditional’ pets,” published in the British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) Veterinary Record Jan. 7-14, 2023. The BVA has produced a policy document to the effect that owners of exotic animals should be regulated by a new licensing system and must pass a prepurchase test to prove their knowledge of the relevant species and show evidence of same to the vendor before being allowed to own a "non-traditional" animal. Species include snakes, lizards, parrots, frogs, toads, salamanders and a plethora of tropical freshwater and marine fish.

The BVA wants to see an end to the import of wild-caught reptiles and amphibians for the pet trade. As a member of the BVA, I applaud these ethical, humane initiatives; also, as a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, I would like to see similar initiatives here in the U.S. -- the international exotic pet trade lobby be damned! For more details on the issue of owning non-traditional “exotics,” see my website posting: drfoxonehealth.com/post/saying-no-to-wild-and-exotic-animals-sold-as-pets/

BEARDED DRAGONS INFECTING MORE PEOPLE

The CDC has updated investigation details into a salmonella bacteria outbreak connected to bearded dragons. As of Jan. 20, 2023, there have been 32 people infected, 12 with the outbreak strain of salmonella vitkin and 20 people with the outbreak strain of salmonella IIIb. Illnesses have been reported from 20 states. Of the 24 illnesses reported, 10 required hospitalizations. Sick people ranged in age from younger than 1 to 75 years. Eleven of the patients were younger than 1 year old, and 15 were children under 5. No deaths have been reported.

My advice is to resist the temptation to purchase any exotic/non-traditional cage pet; stick with rats, mice, hamsters and gerbils, which are safer. If you already have any kind of cage or aquarium pet, always wash hands after handling and cleaning their enclosure and food and water containers. Potentially harmful bacteria like salmonella can be in their poop and on their bodies.

If you are feeling unwell, have another family member take over these duties since we can infect some species if we have the flu or COVID-19. Bearded dragons and other reptiles are not recommended for children younger than 5, adults aged 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems. These people are more likely to get a serious illness from bacteria that reptiles can carry. If you are unwell and seeking medical help, always inform the doctor about what kind of animals you may have in your home.

LESS AIR TRAFFIC WILL HELP THE PLANET

One fact we have learned from the global spread of the avian influenza virus by migratory birds is that the more we humans travel from continent to continent, the more we spread diseases and create pandemics like the current COVID-19. I will address this avian influenza debacle, which is also infecting foxes, bears, raccoons and other mammals, including humans, in a future column.

Aside from extreme weather conditions and recent computer glitches disrupting millions of people traveling by air, the carbon footprint and atmospheric pollution caused by the airline industry can be reduced only by less travel and fewer shipments of goods by air.

The global air traffic in wildlife for the pet trade should be prohibited for public health, humane and conservation reasons. All airlines should cease and desist except for legitimate conservation purposes.

Carbon emissions from all forms of transportation burning fossil fuels cause acidification and warming of the oceans that supercharge extreme weather. This in turn is beginning to cause food scarcity and rising food prices and transportation costs, compounded by increasing carbon dioxide and other emissions from energy sources used to cool and heat homes and other buildings during heat waves and cold weather.

While some still deny “global warming” as they adjust their thermostats and air conditioning, there is no denying what is now, as demonstrated by devastating floods and tornados across the U.S., climate change. Extreme weather events are predicted to continue and be more intense and frequent. Rebuilding in flood, drought and erosion-prone areas is imprudent. So, we must all be prepared and adapt, but also make every effort to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and reduce carbon dioxide. It is good news that states such as Minnesota are taking steps to require electricity providers to adopt carbon-free solar and wind clean energy sources.

DOG AND CAT OWNERS TAKE NOTE

-- Dogs and cats in Houston must now be microchipped in addition to being registered with the city and vaccinated against rabies. Owners who flout the requirement could be fined as much as $500 under the new ordinance. Full story: Houston Public Media (1/31/23)

-- Apple AirTags should not be used to keep tabs on pets, say veterinarians and Apple itself, because they pose a health threat to animals that chew and swallow all or part of the device, and AirTags are not always helpful beyond a home network. AirTag fragments have been found in the stomachs of dogs, and leaking batteries could cause organ damage, so owners should instead ensure dogs are microchipped and kept on a leash when outside a fenced area. Full story: AppleInsider (1/31/23)

(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.)