Question:

I have a 2-year-old Cairn terrier that was given to me at 7 months by a working mother who had kept her locked in a bathroom while she was at work. Since she had no training, it took me several months to get her to go outside. I also spent six weeks at puppy-training classes.Recently, she has started to hide under my bed for most of the day. I''m home all day, and it seems she is avoiding me. I don''t understand why she is doing this. Any advice for me? I take her for walks about four times a day.

H., Silver Spring, Md Mar 26, 2006

Answer:

You have clearly put a lot of time and effort into rehabilitating this little terrier, and I take my hat off to you. I wonder whether she is really hiding from you or whether she likes the security and feels that the space under the bed is her den.What do you do all day in the house? Bored dogs sleep a lot. She may benefit from play therapy. Get a squeaky toy to draw he attention, call her to you and give her a treat, then encourage her to play with you. Do this several times a day. Also, groom her and massage her all over -- a wonderful way to bond with a dog, as I describe in my book "The Healing Touch for Dogs" (Newmarket, 2004).Terriers like chasing toys, "killing" fluffy toys and tugs of war with a knotted rope or towel. Rough play (warming up slowly) will make her more outgoing and self-confident, and she will enjoy being with you.

Question:

Thank you for your wonderful column. I''m so pleased with your approach to animal care using holistic/natural remedies rather than using so many drugs.I appreciate your support on minimizing vaccinations for animals, especially house pets. I hope you will continue writing about natural diets for animals, as I am learning a lot from your column on how to feed my cats.I had a recent experience that might be helpful for others to hear about. My cat has had recurring ear infections, which could be mistaken for ear mites. Luckily, I knew enough to have my vet check his ears for mites before treating them. It would have been horribly painful if a tender, infected ear was treated with the harsh ear-mite medicines available in stores.My vet repeatedly diagnosed my cat with an ear infection, and for seven years my cat got ear antibiotics two or three times a year. Then I found a holistic vet who immediately recognized the ear discharge as an allergy. She recommended that I eliminate all grains in my cat''s diet and use

N.B., Blaine, MN Mar 26, 2006

Answer:

Thank you for your kind words and important confirmation of what I have emphasized in my column. Cats and dogs with chronic ear and skin infections that won''t go away (despite antibiotic and steroid treatments, which often make things worse) often have a food allergy or hypersensitivity that is disrupting their immune systems. Cats are especially sensitive to corn, wheat gluten and related byproducts. Antihistamine treatment helps in some cases but does not correct the root of the problem. In dogs, sometimes the thyroid gland is not functioning properly.I am glad you found a veterinarian who is up-to-date in applying holistic principles to animal patients.

Question:

I have a male cat, 8 years old. I had him declawed and neutered when he was about 6 months old. I had never had a problem with him as far as being skittish or afraid until after that. When I went to pick him up (he had to stay three nights), the nurse said, "You''ve got a mean kitten. He hissed at us all the time." From then on, he jumps at any sound and hisses at anyone he doesn''t know or like.I read in your column about pheromone spray and was wondering whether it is something that could work for Sidney, and could you tell me more about it?.

J.R.M., Pinnacle, NC Mar 26, 2006

Answer:

Declawing cats is cruel, unnecessary and, in my opinion, unethical. Many cats suffer from chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder, which can be compounded when the dissociative anesthetic Ketamine is used. Cats occasionally show quasi-psychotic behavior after Ketamine. They become fearful, aggressive, unpredictable and disoriented.Your cat may benefit from a course of analgesics and psychotropic drug therapy. Valium or Xanax can be effective in helping cats recover from physical and psychological trauma. Patience and tender, loving care will also go a long way in helping your poor cat recover from his ordeal. This should be a warning to all who are considering having their cats declawed, an operation that actually entails removing part of the toe or finger at the first joint, and not simply the nail itself.

Question:

I have a 3-year-old adopted miniature poodle, Mikey, who runs around in circles making small barking sounds and biting up into the air. If I try to stop him, he bites me. If I''m in his way, he trys to bite me or anyone else who gets in his way. (He does change his direction from time to time, from circles to figure eights to reversing his direction.)The only way I can get him into the house is to pick him up, holding the side of his neck to prevent the biting. I also have to call his name and talk to him and make clapping sounds. Nothing gets his attention until he is ready to stop -- not even a cat!I do give him Phenobarbital because when I first got him he was having seizures, which have stopped.Mikey loves to eat and will eat anything I give him. With the exception of his circling, he is fine. He went from 3 pounds when I got him to 9 pounds now. He is very affectionate, sleeps on a pillow on his back and is a very sound sleeper.

M.A., Hollywood, FL Mar 26, 2006

Answer:

Miniature poodles are susceptible to developing seizures or so-called idiopathic epilepsy. Many factors can trigger seizures in dogs, including corn or other food ingredients, overexcitement and adverse drug reactions, especially to vaccinations and pesticides.Your dog''s obsessive-compulsive behavior of rapid circling and spinning is tied to excitement, and could have developed early in life as a result of being caged or crated for long periods -- an all-too-common practice that I deplore.Discuss with your veterinarian putting your dog on a high-protein, high-tryptophan diet -- i.e., lots of home-cooked turkey. You may also want to try putting him on Prozac, which can work wonders for dogs suffering from various OCDs.

Question:

I have two cats: a gray tabby from a local shelter and a black cat from a shelter in Arizona. The tabby is fine, but the cat from Arizona is constantly under attack by mosquitoes.I''ve tried Frontline, Avon Skin-So-Soft and collars, but none of them has been effective for more than a few days. Short of keeping the cat inside all summer, is there anything I can do to keep the mosquitoes from biting her along the bridge of her nose? I''m worried about her discomfort but also about West Nile disease.I''m curious to know whether you think local cats have natural resistance to mosquitoes. Cats from a place without mosquitoes always suffer from bites here.

M.F., Miami, FL Mar 26, 2006

Answer:

Mosquitoes may also transmit heartworm disease and cause a severe chronic skin disorder.Don''t use Frontline (it will not repel mosquitoes) or other pesticide-releasing collars that your cat may inhale or absorb through the skin. Giving your cat 1 teaspoon of Brewer''s or nutritional yeast daily in her food may help repel mosquitoes and other insects.Some essential oils, like lavender, eucalyptus and peppermint (just one drop diluted in five to 10 drops of almond or olive oil), rubbed lightly on your cat''s nose and head may help. Switch oils weekly. Lemon oil is also effective (even homemade, sugarless lemonade may work) but can be irritating to some cats. Greater caution is needed using essential oils on cats than with dogs or humans, and they should not be allowed to lick the oil or be exposed for long periods in a closed room to these volatile substances that have many medical benefits when administered correctly.

Question:

I just want to thank you for warning people about the potential risks of using flea-and-tick control products for dogs and cats, and for promoting pesticide-free alternatives.My dog almost died from seizures after I used a popular flea-and-tick control product on him a few years ago. I created a Web site about it and have received e-mail (posted on my Web site at www.elversonpuzzle.com/biospot.html) from many people whose dogs and cats have had similar adverse reactions to these products.Within the past three years, about 73,000 people have visited my Web site, many of whom found it by searching for information on flea products and adverse reactions.

J.T.B., Elverson, Pa Mar 12, 2006

Answer:

Thank you for your efforts to curtail the misuse and overuse of pesticides, which are harmful to companion animals, the environment and potentially to family members.There are many safer alternatives for controlling fleas, ticks and other insects, which I detail on my Web site, www.doctormwfox.org. I am particularly enthusiastic about applying diluted sprays or rubs of essential oils like eucalyptus, lemon, pine, cinnamon, lavender and geranium (with much caution when applying to cats). These essential oils are generally safe and have no known harmful environmental consequences. But the most important preventive is a holistic approach, including good nutrition and health maintenance. Animals in poor health seem to be more attractive to pests and parasites.

Question:

My 7-year-old, 14-pound shih tzu is wonderful and in great health. She''s outside only under supervision. I take her on planes with me when we go to Florida during the winter. She stays in her carrier and never whines, cries or barks. She is my love.Please advise whether you think she needs a heartworm test every year. She gets Heartgard and Frontline each month. Thank you for your advice.

J.E., Westport, CT Mar 12, 2006

Answer:

I understand that you and your little dog live in two places and that wintering in Florida can increase your pet''s risk for heartworms and fleas. If you were staying north for the winter, your dog would not need these preventive medications during the cold months.But since she doesn''t get outdoors in Florida without supervision, you might want to consider not giving her the Frontline if the areas where she goes are open and sunny and not heavily trafficked by other dogs. Give her a rub or spritz with a little essential oil of lavender, lemon and pine or eucalyptus. This will help repel fleas and mosquitoes. Simply make a tea of one sliced lemon soaked in boiling hot water. Allow it to sit overnight, then filter and apply some on a sponge to your dog''s coat. This will keep all kinds of bugs away.Heartworm disease is far more serious; thus, I would continue giving her the heartworm preventive medicine every month throughout the year.

Question:

I have been made aware that millions of dogs and cats euthanized yearly at shelters and veterinarian offices often finish up at rendering plants. The end product, which can include traces of the chemicals used during euthanizing, is used by the cosmetic and pet-food industries, among others. Might you have input on health repercussions from this practice on our pets and ourselves? Aside from the obligatory cloak of secrecy due to the public's squeamishness in acknowledging certain unpleasant realities, are the moral implications of rendering unwanted domestic animals different from that of the cows, sheep, goats and horses that pass daily through our slaughter yards? Much as the pharmaceutical industry courts the medical community, do you believe veterinarians are pressured by commercial pet-food manufacturers to recommend their products, and can they do so in good conscience? If anyone would have the integrity and courage to address these delicate issues, I thought most likely it would be you. Thanks in advance.

B.B., Alexandria, Va Mar 12, 2006

Answer:

Ann Martin's book "Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food" (NewSage, 2003) provides many documented revelations about what goes into many, but not all, commercial cat and dog foods. No industry -- food, drug, petrochemical, etc -- is totally transparent, with the exception of most makers of organic foods and cosmetic manufacturers that clearly label products "not animal tested" and/or "no animal ingredients." Lack of transparency is often justified on the grounds of "proprietary information" -- a kind of denial that is rationalized by profit margins and market competition. This ethical corruption can be rectified only if consumers demand their right to know, and there is proper labeling of all products, more effective FDA monitoring, law enforcement and punitive fines for deliberately false and misleading claims and labeling. I do not believe that most veterinarians "are pressured by commercial pet-food manufacturers" (or drug companies) as much today as a half generation or so ago.

Question:

Please remind people to be patient when taming stray cats. We''ve trained several stray cats, and in some cases it took us six months, but we finally earned their trust. They are now spayed/neutered and strictly indoor cats. They love their safe and comfortable environment. After being outdoors during very cold winters, they now love watching the snow fall while they''re warm and cozy.For all the animals you have helped and will help in the future, thank you very much.

L.S., Niagara Falls, NY Mar 12, 2006

Answer:

Thank you very much for your kind words and for being a Good Samaritan toward homeless cats.I wish more people who care would do more to help animals. Those who do not care would open their minds and hearts to animals in need -- in their neighborhoods and in the world, where there is so much animal cruelty and suffering. This world would be a better place for all of us if we could rid our own kind of ignorance, selfish indifference and denial. And every community should have a well-funded and operated animal shelter.KEEPING THEIR TAILSThere may be good news coming for dogs across the water. Calling the docking of dogs'' tails for cosmetic purposes "painful, unnecessary and unethical," the British Veterinary Association, along with the British Small Animal Veterinary Association and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, is moving to have this practice outlawed in the United Kingdom. For more info, go to www.bva.co.uk.

Question:

I recently adopted a 2-year-old miniature pinscher. I don''t know all of his history, as he was rescued from a bad situation before he came to me. He is a wonderful little guy, well behaved and good-natured. The only problem is, I believe he is a racist.Just like a child would, I think he learned prejudice from his former owners. When I have African-American friends over, he barks, bares his teeth and growls. He also does this to people he sees in the street, but not as seriously.We have tried curbing his behavior by having some of our black friends give him treats, talk to him and try to pet him if he allows it. Do you have any suggestions?.

A.A., Washington, DC Mar 12, 2006

Answer:

In addition to what you are doing, encourage your friends to play with your dog, trying to entice and remotivate him with a squeaky chew toy or a ball, and take him for walks with you as they are holding his leash so he becomes better socialized.I doubt that your dog''s previous owners made him a racist. Dogs who grow up in white homes in predominantly white neighborhoods often show fear and suspicion toward people of color. For dogs, a direct stare can be threatening. And I theorize that human eyes set off against a dark rather than pale face can be more intimidating for many dogs.Dogs also pick up on people''s fear of them. Cultural differences in body language and voice intonation can also trigger fear, an extreme example being many dogs'' reactions to severely handicapped people. Unusual clothing, uniforms and hats also disturb some dogs. They are simply afraid of the unfamiliar. Black friends have told me that in predominantly black neighborhoods, their dogs bark at white people.