Question:

What is your opinion about animal circuses? Some say it''s better for them than in a zoo because they get out a lot and kind of have work to do.

C.S., Minneapolis, MN Aug 28, 2005

Answer:

Wild animals do not belong in circuses, where they suffer extreme forms of physical and psychological deprivation, stress and distress, and, on many occasions, cruel mistreatment. They are of no educational value to children attending circus events and, indeed, as performing animals under human domination and control, the wrong message and values are conveyed to the public.Where is the respect for wildlife, the concern for endangered species and the promotion of the rights of all wild creatures to live in freedom in their natural habitats? Certainly not in circuses, which are an ancient, barbaric form of human entertainment from the Dark Ages -- a perverted form of animal exploitation that''s close to pornography (forcing animals to perform unnatural acts in public) and that has no place in any civilized society. This fact is recognized in many European countries, where wild animals in circuses are now banned. A similar ban should be in place in every city and state across the United States, for the good of t

Question:

My niece''s dog had been suffering for years with severe itching on her belly or inner legs. It got so bad that the dog had to have injections as well as all kinds of pills. Nothing helped.Then my niece decided to redecorate her living room, pulled up the carpet and installed beautiful hardwood floors. Almost instantly, the dog''s problems went away! Obviously, she was allergic to the carpet. Too bad the vet had no knowledge of this. Thousands of dollars and years of suffering could have been avoided. Maybe you can pass this info on.

A.S., Westchester, NY Aug 28, 2005

Answer:

Thank you for the reminder to all dog (and cat) caregivers whose animal companions have chronic, unresolved skin problems. One test -- after conducting diet-ingredient deletion and substitution trials to rule out a food allergy -- is to either remove carpets or put down cotton sheets over the carpets (and upholstered furniture that the animals lie on). Also, remove any synthetic or wool blankets that the animal uses.Of course, there are many other allergens (mold, pollen, dust mites, fleas, etc.) and factors in animals'' environments that weaken their immune systems that a holistic approach to treating chronic skin allergies will address. Seasonal allergies are often alleviated by giving dogs locally produced honey and bee pollen -- about 1/2 teaspoonful of honey and a pinch of pollen per 30 pounds of body weight daily in the dog''s food.

Question:

I wrote you previously about coprophagia (eating feces). We had a problem with our 3-year-old mixed-breed dog, who is now 8 years old.A friend told us to give him a tablespoon of MSG on his food for a month -- it tastes good going in, but not coming out. He has never exhibited that behavior since!.

R.F., Sparta, NC Aug 28, 2005

Answer:

There have been many claimed remedies and correctives for coprophagia -- from putting meat tenderizer in the dog''s food to sprinkling stools with cayenne pepper or jalapeno pepper juice. Some dogs cease when given more protein in their diets, such as lightly cooked beef liver, which may reflect an underlying nutritional deficiency. Giving 1 teaspoon of brewer''s or nutritional yeast (a rich source of B-complex vitamins) per 30 pounds of body weight daily can also help.There is no panacea, however. MSG (monosodium glutamate) may work for some dogs, but not others. MSG is an all-too-common ingredient in prepared foods, to which many people have adverse reactions and which may cause seizures in dogs.

Question:

I adopted a 3-year-old male mixed-breed dog from a local shelter nine months ago. The animal has behavioral problems, i.e., separation anxiety and fear of other dogs, although we have a female rat terrier at home, too.We cannot walk this animal if there are other dogs outside, even with a gentle leash on -- he foams at the mouth, moans and tries to bite the leash to get out of it. I''ve called the shelter and a trainer the shelter suggested for help. The trainer thinks the dog should either be sent to the University of Pennsylvania or put on drugs.Can you suggest any homeopathic medication that can be used to help him calm down? We can''t even keep the blinds open in the house, because if he sees another animal he claws at the windows, moaning and shaking. Please help!.

M.S., Brick, NJ Aug 28, 2005

Answer:

I have found that alpralozam (Xanax) works well for a variety of anxiety-related disorders in dogs. The dosage is 0.5 milligrams per 10 pounds of body weight twice daily for 5 to 7 days.Research in Europe has shown that dogs suffering from separation anxiety benefit from having the synthetic formulation Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) spread in their home environment by an electric diffuser. DAP is derived from the skin glands around the mammary area of female dogs who are nursing. Check with your veterinarian for the above possible remedies.

Question:

We finally, and reluctantly, came to the realization that our beautiful, female longhaired Chihuahua is brain-damaged -- there is a good deal wrong with her.She is totally mute. She does not play, kiss or show curiosity. When she is in her kennel she just stands around. She sleeps almost nonstop. An exam at the University of Minnesota Veterinary School showed no problem with her vocal cords.My husband (an internist) and I (a university psychologist) would be much more accepting of this problem if we were working with a human being. However, we are obviously ill-informed about mental incapacity in animals. Our dog has shown no signs of being hurt. She is, literally, a "vegetable."What should we do? We are active people and want the normal activities of a pet. We are sad and regretful that our conclusion has come to us too late. Perhaps our hopes outwitted our judgment.

L.A., Minneapolis, MN Aug 28, 2005

Answer:

Surely they did more than simply check your little dog''s vocal cords at the veterinary college. Wasn''t she given a full neurological examination, including at least an X-ray of her skull to rule out the most likely cause of her malaise -- hydrocephalus, or water on the brain?This is not uncommon in Chihuahuas and other toy and miniature breeds. In relatively mild, non-lethal forms of this congenital disease (where there is no soft spot on top of the dog''s skull), the dog may get along fairly well but seems dull, both mentally and physically -- just like your expensive, helpless little "vegetable" dog, who is more like a rag doll than a feisty Chihuahua. The best that I can advise is for you to accept that you have a mentally challenged animal who may not be able show affection or experience either significant pleasure or pain, but may still enjoy some quality of life. A full neurological examination, including a CAT scan, may help you decide what is best for this poor dog.

Question:

My grandchildren have a dwarf rabbit with floppy ears. I''ve heard that rabbits do not like to be held and prefer to be in their cages. But this rabbit loves to run around and stay out of his cage for hours. He also loves to jump on your lap and be held. Is this unusual, or normal?.

Aug 21, 2005

Answer:

No animal, unless he or she is terrified, prefers to be in a cage. As you have witnessed, rabbits are curious, friendly, intelligent and playful creatures.Children must be shown how to scoop up and properly hold a rabbit (not by the ears!). It''s best to sit on the ground or on a low chair in case the rabbit falls or jumps out of their arms or laps, so as to avoid injury. And always make the room rabbit-safe, with all chewable objects, especially electrical cords, safely out of rabbits'' reach.

Question:

My husband and I have four in-house cats -- all rescued from abuse, neglect and cruelty; all altered; all current on 3-year shots (distemper, rhino, calci and rabies); and all tested for FeLV/FIV.Our vet says to stop feeding all of them dry food, that scientists have now discovered that it is higher in calories and does not keep teeth clean as previously reported. Is this true? If so, how can we do this?Also, we get them the 3-year shots (described above) in case of accidental get-outs, which could happen but never has. Are they necessary? We no longer get them the 1-year boosters.

B.S., Grasonville, Md Aug 21, 2005

Answer:

First, your veterinarian is right to advise against feeding cats dry food exclusively. Unfortunately, some cats become addicted to it. It does little for their teeth -- a raw chicken wing tip to chew on is better. Because it is high in carbohydrates, dry cat food makes cats fat, diabetic and prone to urological problems. So make every effort to wean your cats off of this "cat crack." Veterinarian Dr. Donald Strombeck''s book "Home-Prepared Dog & Cat Diets" (Iowa State Press, 1999) will get you on the right track feeding your cats.Second, your veterinarian is also right about vaccination intervals, but have the rabies shot given at least a month apart from the other vaccinations.SOME CLARIFICATIONSAll dietary supplements in the amounts that I have recommend, like brewer''s yeast and flaxseed oil, should be put in animals'' food once per day.

Question:

Regarding your advice on onions and garlic for dogs (garlic and yeast for pests):My mixed-breed dog became incontinent about the age of four years. She had always eaten primarily dog food, but owning an Italian restaurant, we somehow began giving her a meatball twice a week or so. When she became incontinent the vet gave her medication. After a couple of days on the pills I looked into the dog''s eyes and said, "This doesn''t look right." So I took her off of the pills and decided I was doomed to a life of rubber sheets and bottles of enzyme cleaners.Then I read an article in Prevention magazine about onions affecting a dog''s kidneys and being poisonous to dogs. I immediately stopped the meatball snacks and the problem cleared up about 95 percent within a few days. However, she still bit her back in the area where I assume her kidneys are located.Finally, it dawned on me that onions are lilies; and garlic is also a lily. So I began reading her dog food package labels and found that garlic was a "flavoring" (an

L.A., Fowler, CA Aug 21, 2005

Answer:

I always appreciate letters from readers who, like you, have put their minds to work and conducted a sound, clinical investigation that did not put their animals at risk and, through the power of reason, found a way to make their animals well.You are right -- your dog was hypersensitive to onions and garlic, and other dogs may have this problem, too. Some breeds may be especially harmed. Onions can aggravate high cholesterol levels in dogs with hypothyroid disease and cause anemia. Onions are not for dogs, but most dogs tolerate a little garlic and eggs (although one of mine is hypersensitive to eggs).

Question:

I just read your column about the person trying to keep cats out of her flowerbeds.I have two cats and a dog, and, over the years, have had other cats, including those who liked to dig in my flowerpots. The easiest, most effective, least expensive (often free) way to keep them out is to pile large pinecones in the beds or pots. Usually, two levels of cones will "lock" together so that rain and scratching won''t dislodge them. They have sharp points that are a deterrent as well.I''ve had some pinecones upward of 17 years now, outside in long flowerboxes. The best cones to use are the 5- to 6-inch-long variety. My neighbors are glad to get rid of them! Tell your reader to try these -- they last, look good and work.

A.C., Washington, DC Aug 21, 2005

Answer:

Thanks for the tip! I am sure many readers will appreciate your pinecone solution -- a more aesthetic alternative to my bamboo-cane barrier.

Question:

I have visited your Web site and see that you are an advocate of animal rights.What right do you have to promote this political agenda in your column that, as an "Animal Doctor," surely should deal with pet health issues and provide appropriate advice to pet owners?.

R.M., Minnetonka, MN Aug 14, 2005

Answer:

As Albert Einstein wrote, "Religion without science is blind; and science without religion is lame." I believe that human and veterinary medicine without bioethics is unbalanced and likely to do more harm than good. I see animal rights as bioethical principles of proper animal care, respect, protection, welfare, humane treatment, and physical and psychological health.Animals'' basic rights include:-- The right breeding to avoid/eliminate hereditary diseases-- The right nutrition-- The right rearing (socialization) and understanding of animal''s physical and emotional needs-- The right relationship and respect, which includes appropriate training and handling-- The right environment, like not being caged all day, and being given exercise and freedom to explore and play-- The right veterinary care as needed, including euthanasia when called forThese are the cornerstones of holistic, preventive veterinary medicine and human husbandry for all domesticated and captive, wild species.