DEAR DR. FOX: I read with interest the letter from L.H. in Cleveland, Ohio, regarding a 6-year-old rescue dog that attacked her during the night. I had the exact same situation with an English bulldog I rescued.

Suki insisted on sleeping in my bed and could not be convinced to sleep elsewhere. If I moved or touched her during the night, she would snarl and snap at my offending body part. At the time, I had an exceptional veterinarian, who also practiced homeopathic medicine. He prescribed a course of treatment with something called Lachesis. Of course, I was skeptical, as I had tried everything I could think of. But within a week, she was "cured." For the remainder of her nine years with me, I never experienced a repeat episode.

I cannot begin to explain the science behind this cure, but I thought it was worth sharing. I know how difficult it is to have a dog you love, but cannot trust. -- M.E., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR M.E.: I am not opposed to homeopathic treatments for humans and other animals, but I have no clinical experience in this field. Philosophically, it is based on "like treats like," with the aim being to help balance physical and mental reactions to infection, trauma and various emotional and psychosomatic conditions.

Homeopathic Lachesis is a hyper-diluted preparation of the venom from the bushmaster snake; there is a considerable amount of literature on this for the treatment of a number of maladies in humans. I am glad to hear that it benefited your bulldog, but my first step would have been to consider airway obstruction and sleep apnea caused by the pushed-in facial deformity in the breed. This could have caused your dog to panic during the night. In many instances, surgery to help make breathing easier is a practical and reliable solution.

It is challenging when the animals under our care suffer from a failure to thrive. Failure to thrive is associated with a weakened will to live, whether by disease, injury, poor nutrition, exhaustion or other factors. It can be relieved by whatever inspires the spirit without harming the psyche, interactively healing mind and body. (For details, see this post on my website: drfoxonehealth.com/post/mental-effects-on-physical-health-the-mind-body-connection.)

I equate such inspiration of the life force as awakening what Albert Schweitzer called the physician within, saying, "Each patient carries his own doctor inside him. They come to us not knowing that truth. We are at our best when we give the doctor who resides within each patient a chance to go to work."

M.E. REPLIES: Thank you for your prompt response and for sharing your opinion regarding the facial deformity in bulldogs.

I purchased two French bulldogs in my early years of dog ownership (1990s). Both had breathing issues, and one of them had surgery to improve his breathing. Although I loved the breed, I resolved to never own one again because I refused to contribute to the breeding and selling of dogs who have no chance of a normal life.

I did, however, continue to rescue bulldogs; it was one of these rescues who received the Lachesis. She had been terribly abused, chained to a tree in the Florida heat. If she had a breathing issue, it was not obvious to me at the time. I was just grateful that after the Lachesis, she and I could coexist in the same space!

A BOOK TO HELP HEAL AND RESTORE A GREENER AMERICA

Book review: "Prairie Up: An Introduction to Natural Garden Design" by Benjamin Vogt.

The author is the owner of Monarch Gardens in Lincoln, Nebraska, and has also written the groundbreaking book "A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future." His new book, "Prairie Up," is richly illustrated with over 150 color photos. It is an inspiration and a practical guide to enable landowners, including corporations and municipal authorities managing public spaces, to rewild with selected indigenous plant varieties that are good for pollinators, birds and other wildlife. Creating more natural habitat and needing to mow just once a year would be a major contribution to increasing biodiversity and ameliorating climate change.

In my opinion, this is an ethical imperative for all who own land, from those living in gated communities (where mowing chemically treated lawns is mandatory) to farmers who can create wild strips of prairie and buffers to protect our increasingly polluted rivers and lakes.

Vogt should be given a Nobel Prize for his work in putting the tools for conservation and nature restoration right into our hands. It is our responsibility to pick them up, beginning with the purchase of this book.

(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: 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.)