DEAR READERS: New research shows that a combination of B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids can act as a dynamic duo against dementia.

Per a summary on FoodfortheBrain.org: "The research has found that giving older people with the first signs of cognitive impairment supplemental B vitamins (B6, B12 and folic acid), at higher levels than can be achieved through diet, ... produced 73% less brain shrinkage in a year, compared to placebo. This reduction brought brain shrinkage down to the level found in those elderly with no cognitive impairment."

It should be noted that this effect was only seen in participants who already had sufficient levels of omega-3 fats.

These documented findings could help with canine age-related cognitive decline and brain changes in aging cats that are analogous to Alzheimer's disease.

I would also consider taurine as a supplement for aging pets. In a study published in June, researchers examined 250 mice who were roughly 45 years old in human terms. Each day, the mice were either given taurine or a control solution. The mice that were given taurine had an increased lifespan of 12% in females and 10% in males.

In addition, organic coconut oil, given orally, has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties, and is also beneficial for slowing cognitive decline. Coconut oil also helps reduce seizures in epileptic dogs.

For references, citations and other details, go to drfoxonehealth.com/post/low-cost-supplements-help-prevent-alzheimers-disease-and-cognitive-decline-in-cats-and-dogs.

BOOK REVIEW: UPDATED EDITION OF 'UNNATURAL ORDER'

"An Unnatural Order: The Roots of Our Destruction of Nature" by Jim Mason. This fully revised and updated edition of the 1993 original outstrips all other books I have read with its documentation and compassionate conviction that advance the recognition of animal rights.

It is unique in its extensive examination of our inhumanity toward animals, toward our own kind and toward nature over the millennia of recorded history. Mason has coined the term "misothery" -- derived from the Greek "misein" (to hate) and "therion" (beast or animal) -- literally meaning "hatred and contempt for animals." Since animals are so representative of nature in general, misothery can mean "hatred and contempt for nature, especially its animal-like aspects."

For all who want to explore the origins of the current climate and extinction crises and pandemics, and what can and should be done, "An Unnatural Order" is an excellent resource. Read more about the author's philosophy at jimmason.website/why-animals-matter.

Mason makes it eminently clear that our disconnectedness from animals, the land and nature comes from the belief in human superiority -- dominion -- over the rest of Earth's creation, palpably evident in the global industrial system, and agriculture in particular. This is a state of mind most of us were raised with and taught to accept, even Christians and Jews, whose holy texts do not give religious sanction to dominate destructively and harmfully. On the contrary, they instruct believers to assume planetary care -- to "dress and to keep the Garden of Eden."

Under the equalitarian banner of justice for all, Mason links violations of women's rights, notably reproductive rights in the U.S., with the continuing denial of rights for all animals, wild and domesticated. Sexism, racism and speciesism are coins of the same currency.

When we lose our ancient, co-evolved connectivity and no longer feel awe and wonder at the symmetries of plants and insects, and the living communities they help sustain, we destroy more and more and feel less and less. This is because there is less and less to feel for, to empathize with, as biodiversity-impoverished norms are set for the next generation.

This vicious cycle of anthropocentric nihilism is evident in the daily news, from mass shootings to deaths from drug overdoses. Reading "An Unnatural Order" is a good beginning -- first to bear witness, and then to work on establishing a more natural order. This is evident in the countless symbiotic relationships discovered in sustainable ecosystems and provides an ethical basis for humankind to live in accord with the Golden Rule, treating others, human and nonhuman, as we would have them treat us.

GENETICALLY ALTERING PIGLETS TO HELP HUMAN BABIES

MIT's Technology Review reports that a company called eGenesis hopes to transplant gene-edited pig hearts into human babies with severe heart defects as early as next year, once a trial on 12 baboons is complete. The goal is to buy time for these infants while they wait for a rare human donor organ of the right size to become available.

Using the CRISPR gene-editing tool, eGenesis made about 70 changes to the pigs' genome. This involved removing genes for retroviruses and proteins, and inserting seven human genes. The company says that the changes reduce the risk that the recipient's immune system will reject the organ. So far, two infant baboons have received the transplants; neither survived more than a few days. (Full story: TechnologyReview.com, July 17)

How far will we humans go in exploiting other sentient species to help save our own kind, potential profits notwithstanding? The question raises ethical issues that cannot be ignored.

(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: People across the U.S. are currently suffering the health effects of smoke from forest fires, not all of which are caused by climate change. The widespread use of pesticides has decimated insect-eating animals and birds that help protect the forests from invasive tree-killing beetles. Without that protection, beetles destroy the trees, which then become a fire hazard.

Per the U.S. Forest Service (fs.usda.gov), "Recent outbreaks of the mountain pine beetle, spruce beetle and Douglas fir beetle have caused the loss of millions of acres of conifer forests in many Western states." The loss of forest habitat is having a devastating effect on bird populations, especially aerial insectivores, whose prey includes bugs that can transmit diseases to humans and other animals including dengue, chikungunya, the Zika virus, malaria (now resurging in the U.S.) and West Nile virus.

More details from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (fws.gov): "Among the dramatic declines observed in birds, aerial insectivores have shown the highest percentage of species in decline of any taxonomic group: 73% of species are in decline, representing a loss of 156.8 million birds. Aerial insectivores are a guild of land birds grouped by their foraging behavior of primarily capturing insect prey in flight. They include species of swifts, swallows, martins, nightjars and flycatchers, who play an important role in ecosystems and can, along with bats, help reduce pest insect populations in agricultural and urban areas."

FWS has provided a list of ways concerned citizens can help. Actions include planting oak trees -- "Oaks support a greater diversity of insects than any other tree in general," says FWS; reducing the use of pesticides -- instead, "join a local CSA or grow your own organic veggies"; and mowing and raking your lawn less often -- "The insects (and birds) in your yard will thank you!" See the full list at fws.gov/library/collections/aerial-insectivores.

I urge all readers to consider sending a donation to support the good work of the nonprofit organization the American Bird Conservancy (abcbirds.org) to help save birds and their habitats at home and abroad.

It is notable that the mental health benefits of hearing birds singing has been evaluated and confirmed by scientists, as per the reports at nature.com/articles/s41598-022-20841-0 and nature.com/articles/s41598-022-20207-6.

DEAR DR. FOX: I appreciate your frequent comments about the risks of anti-flea and tick products on our pets. I walk our two dogs on the trails where we live, and do not let them run free in the tall grasses and woods around our area. Leash laws have an additional benefit of reducing dogs' likelihood of picking up ticks, which are a real health issue everywhere, it seems. I wish you would emphasize this in your column and give us more details about safer alternatives. -- R.E., Washington, D.C.

DEAR R.E.: I am not the only voice in the U.S. veterinary community sounding the alarm over the widely marketed insecticides, notably imidacloprid and fipronil, being put on companion animals to ward off fleas and ticks. See Dr. Karen Becker's excellent post at barkandwhiskers.com/flea-and-tick-treatments.

These insecticides are a significant animal health and environmental hazard, and there are safer alternatives all can use. I like Alzoo's flea and tick spray, containing cedar and peppermint oils, which I spritz on our dog and myself before going outdoors (alzoo-vet.com). I also like the Herbal Bug Spray and the Skin Defense Chews, both from Nature's Protection (available at earthanimal.com). The chews contain a combination of vitamins, minerals and medicinal herbs that help maintain healthy skin and repel fleas, ticks and biting insects. (For details, see my post at drfoxonehealth.com/post/preventing-fleas-ticks-and-mosquitoes.)

With climate change extending the breeding period for biting insects, and in many regions, more moisture facilitating their multiplication, vigilance and effective repellents are called for. The overuse of insecticides that contaminate the environment will eventually lead to some insects becoming resistant -- and beneficial insects becoming extinct. Birds, bats and other insectivores are the natural insect controls, and they are being poisoned or starved to death.

(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: Climate change deniers cannot dismiss the current heat dome over Western states, nor the escalating incidence of increasingly intense heat waves across the world that put us at risk, along with wild and domesticated animals. Heat stress can be fatal.

I will echo the urgent, ubiquitous warnings not to leave dogs or children in vehicles in hot weather. On a 90-degree day, temperatures inside a car can reach 110 degrees in 10 minutes -- and a fatal 130 degrees in 30 minutes. A police dog in Houston recently died when the air conditioning in a squad car turned off unexpectedly.

I watch the news on TV every day and am shocked that so few people seem to be wearing cooling bandannas. Cooling vests and bandannas have helped save farm workers' lives (see study at pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33357122), and similar gear is available for dogs (and should be provided for all working canines). For a homemade solution, simply wrap crushed ice in a bandanna and put it around your dog's neck, then do the same for yourself. This can increase comfort for you both as it cools the blood going to and from the brain and the rest of the body.

I see many dogs being walked, even jogged, alongside runners and bicyclists on hot pavements that could burn their feet. If you must walk your dogs in such conditions, consider outfitting their feet with insulating bootees. Walk on grass or shaded, wooded trails. Sand, like cement pavements, can burn. Dogs can also get sunburn.

While we sweat to keep cool, dogs pant, losing body water in the process. Dogs may be less at risk from kidney damage than humans because we also lose minerals in sweat, which need to be replaced with electrolytes. But to be on the safe side, when going out with your dog in hot weather, always take water with an added pinch of salt and sugar for your dog -- or ideally, a diluted mixture of plain Pedialyte electrolyte solution for both you and your dog.

Dogs compromised by overheating can become disoriented, feverish, pant laboriously, drool, vomit or have seizures. They may develop bright red, gray, purple or bluish gums, indicating dehydration and possible circulatory collapse. Such signs call for emergency veterinary services, and if such are not close by, the immediate application of water over the head, neck, ears, body and paws. Lower the dog's body temperature by wetting them thoroughly with cool water. Do not use ice-cold water because cooling too quickly can be just as dangerous as heat exhaustion. For very small dogs or puppies, use lukewarm water instead of cool. Allow them to dry off beside a small fan.

Dogs with flat faces, like French bulldogs and pugs, are especially susceptible to heat exhaustion because they cannot pant as efficiently. Also at risk are overweight dogs and those with dark-colored fur and/or heart conditions. If air conditioning is not available at home, a fan on the floor -- and a cold floor to lie on -- can help overheated dogs cool down, along with plenty of water to drink.

DEAR DR. FOX: My dog Sami, a Samoyed mix, likes to roll in anything smelly on our walks when I let him off leash. Why does he do this, and how can I stop him? I can't keep him on the leash all the time, since he needs to run. -- M.F., San Francisco

DEAR M.F.: This is a conundrum for many dog owners. From my observations of wolves, other wild canids and domesticated dogs (as per my book "Behavior of Wolves, Dogs and Related Canids"), this behavior is a "self-anointing" with any organic substances that the animal finds attractive. From their facial expressions while rolling and rubbing into such materials, the activity seems to be very enjoyable. There is no evidence for the idea that canids engage in this behavior to mask their own scent before hunting. Rather, when they meet up with pack-mates or other dogs, they get extra attention by being more thoroughly sniffed.

I see some analogy here with people anointing themselves with perfumes. I have been critical of the perfume industry for decades for not using purely botanical ingredients. And the more costly brands use "musk" -- anal gland secretions from caged wild civet cats -- and ambergris secretions from whales. A cruel industry indeed.

Some cats will roll on certain plants, like catnip, to inhale volatile compounds that can be both stimulating and relaxing. In addition to providing a quick "high" for the animal, these compounds may also help repel biting insects.

Some dogs never engage in what I call scent-rolling behavior. Those who do might best be prevented by anointing them before they go outdoors: Use any volatile organic substance, such as essential oil of cedar, or extract of lemon peel for its citronella (which one can prepare by making a spritz from simmered and filtered sliced lemon in water). This is worth a try for dogs who want to roll in anything odoriferous they find outdoors.

PETITION TO BAN 'CYANIDE BOMBS' ON PUBLIC LANDS

On June 29, the Center for Biological Diversity, Predator Defense and scores of other conservation groups petitioned the U.S. Department of the Interior to ban the use of M-44 devices, commonly known as "cyanide bombs," on lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management. These devices -- used by the USDA's Wildlife Services division to kill "unwanted" predators such as coyotes -- are spring-loaded ejectors armed with cyanide powder and baited to attract animals. They injure people and inhumanely kill thousands of animals every year.

Their use persists despite public support for a nationwide ban. Per an article on biologicaldiversity.org: "Federal agents last year reported using M-44s in 10 states: Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming. The EPA also authorizes state agencies in South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico and Texas to use M-44s.

"According to Wildlife Services' own data, the program poisoned approximately 6,000 animals in 2022 using M-44s. More than 150 of these animals were killed unintentionally, including dogs and dozens of foxes."

As the mega predator on this planet, the human species, in its war of extermination against other predators, has caused potentially irreparable harm to the environment, the consequences of which we are all suffering today.

(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.)