Question:

Our cat was diagnosed with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV , or feline AIDS) about a year and a half ago. He eats well, but he''s constantly sneezing and has a runny, stuffy nose with a lot of mucous discharge.Our vet put him on Zithromax, twice a day for two weeks. His symptoms cleared up initially, but they returned within a few days. We''ve done this about four times over the past year, and the longest he went without problems was six weeks (and this was after four weeks of the Zithromax). This last time the symptoms never cleared up, and our vet says the cat will have to be on antibiotics every day.Can you suggest an alternative to what we''ve already tried? It is a hard decision to "put him down" because he seems fine other than the sneezing and runny nose.

E.C., Conroe, TX Nov 28, 2004

Answer:

Your cat''s chronic viral infection has wreaked havoc with his immune system, which is now so impaired he can''t ward off secondary bacterial infections -- hence the repeated treatment with antibiotics. This is problematic, especially since bacterial resistance may develop and drugs may cause further damage to his immune system by destroying beneficial bacteria in his digestive system.Since he is in good spirits the prognosis is good, but a holistic approach to boosting his immune system is called for. Either discuss this with your cat''s veterinarian or consult a holistic veterinarian.Pure spring water, along with a home-prepared diet including scalded raw meat and poultry, live yogurt, and various antioxidant and other nutraceutical supplements (such as fish oil, vitamins C, E, A and B complex, zinc selenium, CoQ10 and alpha lipoic acid), may help improve his condition. Veterinary monitoring is called for since overdosing can be a problem, especially in cats whose liver enzymes and metabolism can be easily di

Question:

I''ve heard that peanuts can be poisonous to squirrels. They are in the birdseed I put out in my yard, and squirrels and my two dogs sometimes eat them. Please advise.

D.L., Flint, MI Nov 28, 2004

Answer:

Peanuts and other food materials can become contaminated by various molds, the most common of which produces aflatoxin. This can make animals extremely ill and can even be fatal.So make sure you purchase your birdseed mix from a reputable company, and if it looks moldy or smells rancid do not use it. Store the mix in an airtight container, and routinely sanitize birdseed dispensers with a rinse of bleach followed by a thorough wash with clean water. This will also help reduce the spread of disease from dirty dispensers, which some experts believe is an overlooked problem in backyard bird (and squirrel) feeding.

Question:

My beloved Fia, a 50-pound American Staffordshire terrier, became incapacitated with arthritis in her later years. I truly believe that acupuncture treatment gave Fia another year of life that was as pleasant as was possible, and probably extended her life by another six months. She made it to 15.Because of elevated liver enzymes, her pain-medicine choices were limited and she wasn''t a candidate for Rimadyl and such medicines. She did take supplements of glucosamine/chondroitin even before she got started on acupuncture.At first she went for acupuncture treatment every couple of weeks, and then once a month for the rest of her life. Even my husband believed it, since it was obvious that she would move and feel better after her treatments.

N.J.F., Forsyth, IL Nov 28, 2004

Answer:

Thank you for your letters affirming the benefits of acupuncture treatment as an adjunct to other supportive treatments for crippling and painful conditions in our canine companions.I would add regular massage therapy to this treatment as well -- see my book "The Healing Touch for Dogs" (New Market Press, 2004) for details.

Question:

My daughter has a purebred cocker spaniel whose ears are always a problem. She has taken it to a vet and was given antibiotics, but to no avail. Can you recommend something that can help her dog? The vet said the dog had a yeast infection. Even after the ears are cleaned, the smell is still there.

M.T., Royal Oak, MI Nov 21, 2004

Answer:

Cocker spaniels are especially subject to chronic ear infections -- their pendulous ears block natural aeration of the ear canals, creating a moist microenvironment in which bacteria and fungi thrive. Tying the dog's ears up over her head with a ribbon during much of the day may help, along with a douche of 1 teaspoon of white vinegar in a cup full of warm water applied every 2 to 3 days for a couple of weeks. The veterinarian should also address the benefits of providing vitamin A supplement and some selenium and zinc, as well as a whole-food, homemade diet (see my web site for my homemade dog food recipe). These can help dogs considerably in regaining their overall health, and can help put an end to chronic ear infections in which antibiotic medication alone proves ineffectual. In many cases, however, the only remedy is surgical intervention to open up the external ear canals so that they can "breathe" and be kept clean more easily.

Question:

Our 6-year-old male, neutered shorthaired cat developed a reaction (red rash, loss of hair) after two years of applying Frontline drops. The Frontline company advised discontinuing use of the product and mailed us a complimentary spray. After reading the cautionary warnings, we are hesitant to apply this spray.In a recent column, you suggested using essential oils on dogs for flea and tick control. Would any of these oils be appropriate to use on our cat? He is constantly exposed to ticks and fleas, as he comes indoors only at night. What strength and how often should the oil mix be applied?.

D.K., Rhinebeck, NY Nov 21, 2004

Answer:

Essential oils should be used with extreme caution in cats because their livers and associated metabolism are more sensitive than those of dogs and humans.Cats given 1/2 teaspoon of nutritional yeast, or a vitamin supplement containing B complex vitamins that your veterinarian can provide, often seem to be more resistant or unattractive to fleas. A daily grooming with a flea comb to find and remove any fleas and ticks will also make a big difference.Some health stores sell diatomaceous earth, a fine, powdery material of fossilized, microscopic marine life (which is harmless if ingested by animals) that can be dusted into a cat''s (or dog''s) fur. Any fleas that come into contact with the powder are essentially desiccated and die.SPARE THE TURKEY THIS THANKSGIVINGThe symbolic and traditional roast turkey feast on Thanksgiving is worth reflection. Many people now purchase turkeys that have been raised humanely on free-range farms, and who were fed only organically certified feed. Like the president of the United

Dogs are highly sociable "pack" animals, and your neighbor''s wandering young chow chow clearly likes your dogs and wants to spend time with them.I wish that neighbors -- especially those with single dogs -- would get their dogs together (ideally beginning when they''re puppies) for regular playtimes in large, secure backyards or safe and open public spaces where dogs are allowed off-leash. Dogs need and enjoy time together, have "best buddies," and benefit physically and psychologically from having quality time with their own species.

Question:

I''m writing in hopes that you may have some suggestions in treating a 6-year-old calico cat named Callie. Her problem started over a year ago -- she would cry loudly. It sounded like someone had just stepped on her.We took her to her vet after a night where she kept it up for over an hour. The vet thought it sounded like cramps and I agreed. Then we noticed she was not quite making it into her litter box. The loud crying has stopped, but she still has diarrhea. She was losing weight, but she''s been on a special diet that we purchased from the vet. The vet suggests putting a scope into her intestine or seeing a specialist. The cost would be prohibitive for me. Do you have any other suggestions?.

L.G., Hendersonville, NC Nov 21, 2004

Answer:

Your cat most probably has an inflammatory bowel condition that can be difficult to treat and very distressing for all involved. This condition is all too common and calls for a holistic approach -- including antibiotics, steroids, nutrient supplements (to help compensate for malabsorption and both fluid and nutrient loss), and a gradual change in diet that consists of mainly new ingredients (including some raw meat or fish).Also discuss with your veterinarian giving your cat oral doses of aloe vera and acidophilus that can help soothe and heal the intestines and repopulate Callie''s digestive system with beneficial bacteria.

Question:

I''m writing in regards to a recent column of yours on PetsMart and the beta fish in tiny containers.I was recently in a laboratory that my insurance carrier sends its subscribers to for blood work. I noticed flower vases with narrow necks on everyone''s desk. Inside each vase were not only artificial flowers, but also a fish that not only should not have been encased in this small vase but had to compete for the small amount of space available with the stems of the flowers.I didn''t say anything to the lab people, but obtained the address of their head office, wrote to them, and brought to their attention this deplorable and cruel situation. The next time I was in the lab the vases had disappeared.

M.B., Fredericksburg, Va Nov 21, 2004

Answer:

Good for you! If more people voice their concern when they see animals being mistreated others may open their eyes, too, and cease to be indifferent because they have become habituated and desensitized. Why not put colorful plastic fish in the vases rather than treating living fish like disposable decorations?It disturbs me to see creatures like hermit crabs in variety stores, even airport shopping malls, where these living creatures are not given proper care and are treated like inanimate commodities. The same goes for goldfish and turtles in plastic bags of water at fairs and church bazaars. For me, the Golden Rule -- treat others as you would have them treat you -- applies to all creatures, great and small.

Question:

We had a beautiful golden retriever, Clarabelle, who acquired Lyme disease. We lived in a suburb of Detroit and hadn''t taken her to any deer-infested areas. She was perfectly fine one evening and the next morning she was totally crippled. We rushed her to the vet. She was on a regimen of steroids for the next four years and would have several monthly trips to the vet. It was very expensive but worth it, and oftentimes our vet would not charge us. We were blessed to have her for four more years, and at the age of 12 she succumbed to cancer.After looking into it further and consulting with veterinary schools, our vet deduced that Clarabelle had developed Lyme disease from the vaccine. We had started her on the vaccine when it first came out. Our vet found out that the vaccine is only 85 percent effective, and in some cases the dogs could actually acquire the disease from the vaccine. Also, there had never been a case of Lyme disease in our county.

J.T., Harrison, MI Nov 14, 2004

Answer:

Your experience with your dog''s vaccinosis, or adverse reaction to a vaccine, offers an important message for veterinarians and dog owners.It concerns me that too many companion animals are being given vaccinations and various parasite-preventing drugs that they do not need because they are not at risk in the first place.As for the Lyme disease vaccination in high-risk, tick-infested areas, what''s the point for dogs who live indoors, only go out to groomed lawns and tidy sidewalks, and never venture into the woods? Being alert to the possibility of Lyme disease, routinely checking dogs for ticks, having a blood test done if a dog develops suspect symptoms, and -- should a dog acquire Lyme disease -- treating it with appropriate antibiotics (since the vaccine is not fail-safe) may be the best approach when your veterinarian determines that there is a low risk of exposure.

Question:

My cat, Sandy, is about 20 months old. She was a stray I caught and spayed last year. Ever since I''ve had her, her eyes "weep."They are a bit red, and the liquid that I wipe off is sometimes tinted reddish-brown. She blinks a lot but doesn''t seem to rub them. I''ve taken her to the vet twice and we''ve tried some antibiotics. The doctor thought it might be respiratory in nature, although she doesn''t sneeze or have any nasal discharge and has no fever. I''ve even given her lysine, which did help one of my other cats who would occasionally have an eye discharge. There are times when she doesn''t weep as much as others, so could it be seasonal allergies?What else can I do? I don''t want her to continue weeping and I am limited as to the time I can treat her. She''s part of a multi-cat household and it''s hard to provide separate meals.

S.G., Littlestown, Pa Nov 14, 2004

Answer:

During kittenhood, cats -- especially if they are stressed by early weaning or abandonment -- can develop upper-respiratory problems as a result of a viral infection. They are often left with a weakened immune system and chronic bacterial infection in the eyes, sinuses and respiratory system.The tear ducts could also be blocked, thus causing your cat''s eyes to tear down her face. Such a blockage can be flushed clear under a general anesthetic. Herbal extract of eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) can help alleviate your cat''s chronic conjunctivitis. Also, give her a multivitamin/multi-mineral supplement to boost her immune system; your veterinarian can supply one.DOGS AREN''T COLORBLINDBehavioral studies at the University of California have shown that dogs are only partially colorblind. They see shades of blue and violet the same way humans do; yellow, orange and red as shades of pale yellow; and greens as gray.Wolves, the dog''s wild ancestors, have yet to be tested, but probably have a similar visual sensitivi