DEAR DR. FOX: What is your opinion about the new "smart collars" being marketed for dogs and cats? They link to a smartphone, track location with GPS and can monitor the animal's activity and well-being (heart rate, respiration etc.). -- B.K., Washington, D.C.

DEAR B.K.: I am, in principle, opposed to such devices. They are no substitute for close personal observation and attention, and could be used as an excuse to let cats wander outdoors.

My primary concern about the use of such devices on animals relates to the potentially harmful effects of electromagnetic field generation and nonionizing radiation, especially around the neck -- close to the animals' brains and over the thyroid and parathyroid glands.

Every living body, whether plant or animal, has a bioelectrical field, which could be disrupted by anthropogenic sources of electricity. Decades of research have revealed that almost every cell in the body has a tiny voltage. Sparks of electricity help with the development of embryos by controlling the placement of eyes and limbs.

For details, see the recently published study "Bioelectricity of non-excitable cells and multicellular pattern memories: Biophysical modeling" by J. Cervera, M. Levin and S. Mafe (Physics Reports, March 2023). Another notable and relevant study is "Low-level EMF effects on wildlife and plants: What research tells us about an ecosystem approach" by B. Blake Levitt, Henry C. Lai and Albert M. Manville (Public Health, November 2022).

The abstract of the latter study provides a good overview:

"There is enough evidence to indicate we may be damaging nonhuman species at ecosystem and biosphere levels, across all taxa, from rising background levels of anthropogenic nonionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF). ... The focus of this Perspective paper is on the unique physiology of nonhuman species, their extraordinary sensitivity to both natural and anthropogenic EMF, and the likelihood that artificial EMF in the static, extremely low frequency and radiofrequency ranges of the nonionizing electromagnetic spectrum are capable, at very low intensities, of adversely affecting both fauna and flora in all species studied. Any existing exposure standards are for humans only; wildlife is unprotected, including within the safety margins of existing guidelines, which are inappropriate for trans-species sensitivities and different nonhuman physiology."

DEAR DR. FOX: I care for an 11-year-old tuxedo cat named Cosmo. He found me when he was 4 or 5 weeks old and is obviously of feral stock. He is healthy except that he has Horner syndrome, which was triggered when we had roofing work done three years ago. (He is a very sensitive cat, and everything terrifies him.)

He has recovered for the most part, but still shakes his head and rubs his right ear frequently. He will go a couple days without shaking his head, then have several days of periodic shaking and rubbing. We have had him examined twice for possible ear infections with negative results. His ears are clean, and the issue is only on his right, which was the side that showed symptoms of Horner syndrome.

I have researched how to manage it, but the literature is silent on this issue. Would you please give me some insight as to how to manage this? -- B.R., Naples, Florida

DEAR B.R.: The cardinal signs of Horner syndrome are: a drooping eyelid; the eyeball set deeper in the socket; the third eyelid coming over part of the eye; a slightly smaller pupil. All these are signs of damage to the sympathetic nerve deep in the neck. This nerve is sometimes damaged when surgery is done to remove a cancerous thyroid gland or when a tumor, such as a schwannoma, develops around the nerve. In some cases, a deep ear infection could be the cause.

In Cosmo's case, the nerve could have been damaged by him running hard into a solid object while frightened from the noise of your roof repair. As a timid cat, he may have had no protective instinct to just go and hide or come to you for comfort and security. Alternatively, Cosmo could have had a stroke.

Whatever the cause, given the long duration of his neurologic problem, he is sadly unlikely to recover. A low daily maintenance dose of gabapentin and/or L-theanine may help reduce his anxiety when he has his head-shaking spells. Discuss this with your veterinarian. Also, a therapeutic massage session morning and evening, as per my book "The Healing Touch for Cats," should help.

From personal experience with this condition after a near-fatal car accident, I would add "dry eye" and "dry ear" to the list of symptoms. You may find your cat is more comfortable after having long-acting eye drops put in twice daily. Every other day, put a few drops of organic olive oil in the affected ear using a dropper or a soaked cotton ball.

Cat owners should learn from Cosmo's reactions to find a safe, quiet place to put their timid cats when strangers come into the home -- or work outdoors -- and make a lot of noise. Simply staying with such cats in the quietest room in the home, with music playing as a buffer for any sudden sounds, can help. If the noise will continue for a considerable time, consider boarding the cat away from home. However, boarding can be very stressful for such cats, so it is a toss-up.

(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: For many, a traditional part of celebrating Easter has been purchasing a baby rabbit, chick or duckling. I wish for a break in this tradition, which may go back to pre-Christian renewal-of-life celebrations. Too often it means the opposite: chicks and ducklings and baby rabbits soon dying from lack of informed care.

Avoid young poultry because of the risk of salmonella and other bacterial infections, which could sicken family members. Stick with chocolate eggs and bunnies -- but keep these away from sweet-tooth dogs, who can become sick and have seizures from consuming chocolate.

Many post-Easter rabbits end up in animal shelters looking for new homes. But if you really want to take on such a responsibility, read up on proper housing and care. Remember, it is more humane to keep two rabbits than just one, and be sure to have them neutered. Make sure they are vaccinated against the virus that causes rabbit hemorrhagic disease, which has decimated domestic and wild rabbit populations in several countries, including the U.S.

DEAR DR. FOX: I am in search of your "Endocrine Disruption Syndrome" article addressing Cushing's. I have a 14-year-old Lhasa Apso who has been diagnosed with Cushing's recently. Initially, he was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and treated with surgery years ago. Although his calcium levels are still high, they are stable.

We were just told by our internal medicine doctors that we cannot treat his Cushing's because Trilostane would make things worse. So I am on the hunt to improve the quality of life of my poor dog. -- S.M., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR S.M.: There is evidence that dogs, especially females, are more at risk from developing this disease if they have been neutered, a consequence I have long suspected due to endocrine imbalance.

I have also recommended melatonin to help dogs with this endocrine disease. Here are some relevant details from a study entitled "Treatment Option Considerations for Hyperadrenocorticism in Dogs" from the University of Tennessee's Clinical Endocrinology Service (part of the College of Veterinary Medicine):

"Melatonin is often used as a first treatment, especially if alopecia is present, since it is cheap, has few side effects and is available in health food stores or via nutrient suppliers on the internet. Typically, a dose of 3 mg is given every 12 hours for dogs of 30 lbs. Regular melatonin is usually used rather than rapid-release or extended-release products. ... Allow at least four months for treatment to be effective. Response time is variable among dogs. Monitor treatment effectiveness by improvement in clinical signs, biochemistries or by repeat of steroid profile."

To read the full document, visit vetmed.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/Treatment-Considerations.pdf.

CANCER RESEARCH HELPING DOGS AND PEOPLE

Dr. Amy LeBlanc, a veterinarian and the director of the Comparative Oncology Program at the National Institutes of Health, says that dogs provide researchers with the "best representation of human cancer aside from humans themselves." This is because they develop cancer naturally, just as we do; share our food and environment; and are vaccinated and occasionally get sick. Canine and human cancers are molecularly similar, says LeBlanc. The NIH now directly funds some canine cancer research, including the Integrated Canine Data Commons repository. The Comparative Oncology Program has led to an experimental vaccine for bone cancer in dogs and children, and a new drug for multiple myeloma that is well tolerated in dogs and may also be in humans. (Full story: AVMA News, March 13)

The NIH's Comparative Oncology Program has been advancing the study of canine cancer, to the benefit of both dogs and people, since it was founded by veterinary oncologist Chand Khanna 20 years ago. "I don't want to use dogs" in research, Dr. Khanna said. "I want to include dogs, so that the dogs and their owners are given the same options for innovation that human cancer patients are given in the form of access to clinical trials." (Full story: AVMA News, March 6)

In my opinion, this is real progress and underscores the fact that dogs are not being given cancer under "controlled" laboratory circumstances being held in small cages for most of their lives, but rather, are patients under veterinary care that become part of the cancer research program. I have long advocated this humane, One Health approach to cancer and other diseases seen in humans and other animals.

(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: Below is a March 9 news release from In Defense of Animals regarding a humane initiative your readers may be interested in supporting. -- L.L., In Defense of Animals, San Rafael, California

CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATIONS URGE POPE FRANCIS TO RENOUNCE ANIMAL CIRCUSES

Catholic Concern for Animals has mounted the Vatican Circus Campaign urging the Catholic Church to rescind its support of circuses that feature animal exploitation. The campaign has been launched in response to the Vatican's recent event at the Rony Roller Circus in Rome. Papal Almoner Cardinal Konrad Krajewski organized and even performed at the event on February 11. The almoner lay down, and an elephant was made to walk over him as part of the performance. Many people are unaware that torturous abuse is required to make elephants and other wild animals perform. ...

Christian and Catholic members of In Defense of Animals' Interfaith Vegan Coalition have contributed and signed on to Catholic Concern for Animals' moving open letter to Pope Francis. The letter describes the egregious conditions elephants endure in the circus and implores the Vatican to update its policy to reflect the pope's progressive and compassionate values toward animals and the environment. ...

While the world awaits a papal response, faith-based organizations and members of the public are encouraged to sign Catholic Concern for Animals' petition urging the Vatican to end its support of animal-based circuses: chng.it/pBmNMtTsNb

Join In Defense of Animals in urging Carson & Barnes Circus to retire its beaten and chained elephants to a sanctuary and shut down all its animal acts: idausa.org/circus

DEAR L.L.: Your communication about the elephants in circuses and association with Catholic Concern for Animals is much appreciated. I hope my readers will respond, whatever their religious affiliations may be.

It is notable that there is an interfaith alliance dedicated to protecting animals and advocating a plant-based diet to hasten the closing of animal factory farms. For details, go to animal-interfaith-alliance.com/campaigns.

I was especially bemused by a March 13 article in the Minnesota Star Tribune by Erica Pearson entitled "St. Patrick's revelers ask: Feast or fast?" This year, St. Patrick's Day fell on a Friday, and Fridays during Lent are meant to be meat-free. But several bishops and archbishops across the U.S. granted a special dispensation to allow their followers to eat corned beef, which, along with cabbage, is an Irish American tradition (but not actually Irish!).

I wonder if there are more non-vegan followers of Meatless Mondays than there are "Fish on Fridays" Catholics. Regardless, the primates of this church must pick up the initiative led by Catholic Concern for Animals and others who are widely advocating vegetarianism and veganism -- for Earth's sake and for the sake of the animals.

EXCELLENT ORAL CARE PRODUCTS NOW AVAILABLE AGAIN

DEAR DR. FOX: I am the founder of PetzLife and VetzLife Products, incorporated in August 2003 as a marketing company of all-natural pet products focused on oral care. We have now rebranded these products with the name Core Pet, which was chosen because of the significance of the meaning of the word "core." Core refers to the central and often foundational part, usually distinct from the rest of the body.

The "core" to cat and dog health is found in their teeth. It has been estimated that up to 90% of all health problems in pets are directly related to the oral cavity.

For more details, please direct your readers to our website: core-pet.com. All ingredients are U.S.-sourced and formulated, and containers made with recyclable materials. -- Bud Groth, Minnetonka, Minnesota

DEAR B.D.: This is good news, since I was a strong advocate for your Petzlife and VetzLife Oral Care products for dogs and cats. I even gave the following testimonial, viewable on the core-pet.com home page: "In my professional opinion, the all-natural-ingredient Core dental and oral health care spray and gel for dogs and cats is the missing link in owner-provided companion animal health and well-being."

Inflammatory and infected conditions affecting the teeth and gums of cats and dogs represent one of the most prevalent, serious, often painful and preventable maladies these animals face today. They can result in secondary health issues involving the heart, kidneys and other organs, as well as impairing immune-system functions.

Good-quality dental care products should be an integrated element of holistic companion animal health care and disease prevention when followed as a routine application to the animals' gums and teeth. And when applied for three or four days prior to any appointment for dental cleaning and extractions, they can help reduce the likelihood of complications and speed recovery and healing.

(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.)