Question:

What is your opinion on using boric acid to eradicate fleas? My father applied boric acid to carpets, pet bedding and fabric furniture, let it set for several hours, and then vacuumed. The fleas were never again a problem. The boric acid was not applied to the dog, just his surroundings. This was a onetime treatment that has lasted for many, many years. This was after years of treatment using other "prescribed" methods of various insecticides, extermination, etc., to no avail.

J.A., St. Paul, MN Jul 30, 2006

Answer:

It''s good to have your confirmation of the effectiveness of this safe method of flea control. Since animals pick up fleas when outdoors, repeated, weekly indoor sprinkling with boric acid is often necessary during the flea season, and all year long in warmer states.Do not put it directly on the dog. Use a flea comb to check and catch any fleas. The borax works well as a carpet, upholstery and floor flea-killer. Simply sprinkle it around, let it sit overnight and vacuum it up thoroughly the next day, as your father did.It is ridiculous to give potentially poisonous drugs to dogs and cats to control fleas when there are so many cheaper, safer, albeit more labor-intensive, tried-and-true alternatives.

Question:

My good friend and neighbor loves animals and would very much like to get a dog. Unfortunately, she suffers from allergies when she is around animals.I''ve heard that certain breeds of dogs are hypoallergenic. Is there any truth to this and, if so, what breeds are these?.

L.S., Springfield, Va Jul 30, 2006

Answer:

People with severe allergies to dogs get no relief around so-called hypoallergenic dogs. These dogs are those purebreeds like the poodle, Beddington terrier, Old English sheep dog and other breeds and mixes that never shed.People with mild reactions to dogs often get on fine with this type of no-shed dog. But these dogs do need regular appointments at the groomer''s to keep their coats trim so they don''t become a tangled mess.

Question:

My question is about Satchi, my Shiba Inu-husky mix, female, 8 years old.She persists in eating poop, no matter whether she has been fed recently or not. She eats her own, the poop of other dogs, etc. She seems obsessed with it, and she can''t stay away from it in the yard and on walks. She was abandoned as a puppy and found living on the street. I''ve always assumed she learned to eat poop to survive and therefore became conditioned to view it as food.I am a psychologist and have tried all I can think of to alter this behavior, obviously without success.You mentioned in a recent column something to the effect that this sort of behavior may actually be caused by a nutrient deficiency, and the more I think about it, the more it seems to fit with Satchi''s behavior. Can you refer me to anything you''ve written about this problem? Would using your canine nutritional supplement be the next step?Thank you for your time. I strongly support your bioethical approach, even though I''m sure you get flak for it. Keep up the

D.S., Minneapolis, MN Jul 30, 2006

Answer:

Try giving your dog plain yogurt (1/2 cup with live, nonpasteurized culture, every other day) and acidophilus pills according to the package''s directions for two weeks. Also give the dog Brewer''s yeast (1 teaspoon daily in her food), a digestive-enzyme pill containing papain, one human multivitamin/mineral capsule daily (it must contain zinc) and 1 teaspoon each of powdered kelp/seaweed and flaxseed oil for six to eight weeks. The homemade dog-food recipe on my Web site (www.doctormwfox.org) may also help.Muzzle the dog when outside to prevent coprophagia (feces eating), but be cautious in hot weather when the dog needs to pant. You can, after a few days, try aversive training by taking the muzzle off in the yard after you have covered some feces with hot chili pepper or jalapeno-pepper juice.Good luck. This is a common problem in dogs with psychological and physical problems. The supplement approach, gleaned from the positive results from other readers of my column, may help. It certainly will not cause any

Question:

Our cat Scooter-Pie has been gone for about three years, but she and our black Lab/golden mix dog, Red, now 14, used to play/fight together. She''d come at him and take a swipe for no reason, just enough to signal playtime. He''d lunge and grab her head in his mouth, never harming her, and she''d hook her claws into his muzzle and he''d let her go. They''d circle around before plunging back at each other, all the while with what looked like smiles on their faces! Sometimes he''d get a paw over her and "knock" her to the ground -- she''d fall first. Then they''d roll around and tussle again. It was like a dance and went on for five minutes or so. Outside, he''d chase her across the yard, never really trying to catch her, until she scooted up a tree.It was all such a game to them. They did it about once a week. On her last night with us (kidney failure; we had to put her down), she slept between Red''s paws up against his belly. She did that a lot, actually. We miss her, and I''m sure Red does, too.

A.B., Monroe, CT Jul 30, 2006

Answer:

Thank you for your vivid description of your cat and dog playing together. I''m sure Red misses Scooter-Pie.Play is the best medicine, since it brings on a state of euphoria due to the release of feel-good neurochemicals, some of which also boost the immune system. This is why I encourage people to have more than one dog or cat in the home. Solitary dogs and cats need to be played with regularly and receive a daily massage, as per my "Healing Touch" (Newmarket, 2004) books for dogs and cats.

Question:

My dog is a 4-year-old Westie/Bichon mix. She can go eight to 10 hours without urinating in our heated basement while I am away at my part-time job two days a week. My wife is handicapped and cannot take care of Misty, but she says the dog doesn''t make a peep while in the basement. However, at night she will start whining to go outside after five or six hours. I have her on a health-maintenance plan, so she gets all her shots and checkups with good reports.Any thoughts on what I can do? It would be nice to get eight hours of sleep again.

D.L.S., Minneapolis, MN Jul 30, 2006

Answer:

It would be ideal if you could get someone to come over and walk your dog and give her some exercise when you are away at work. She needs physical activity and social stimulation. The stress of holding her urine for up to 10 hours could have serious complications.I sympathize with your family situation and appreciate your concern for your little dog. Surely, your wife is not so handicapped that the dog can''t be with her and must rather be in the basement all day. Such empty days all alone may well make the dog restless at night, and seeing to her daily needs may give you all a better night''s sleep. Have you considered letting the dog sleep with you?

Question:

I am a lifelong owner of parakeets and have never before encountered my current problem. I don''t know if it is prevalent enough to warrant your interest.I have two male parakeets, both about 16 months old. Eero (who is gray with normal parakeet markings) has a pale blue cere (the area just above the beak) with a little white around the openings. But, about once every two months, it begins to turn reddish-brown. This continues for two to three weeks until about 80 percent is that color, with only the edges remaining blue. During this time, the bird is relatively quiet (instead of his usual very active self). Once the cere "peaks," with the reddish-brown, the color then begins to fade until it is completely blue again. At this point, he is back to his normal self -- active and eating everything in sight.I can''t find information on this in any books, nor have I had similar experiences with any of my other birds. I queried a pet store that specializes in birds, and they suggested it might be hormonal but had no

J.Z., Columbia, Md Jul 23, 2006

Answer:

As your parakeet matures, his cere coloration should stabilize into true blue -- the male parakeet''s flag of sexuality. Many factors can influence cere coloration and its maturation: lack of companionship, domination by another male, testicular tumor, thyroid disease complex, genetic inter-sex (very rare), estrogen-mimicking pesticides and other chemical contaminants of his (and our) food and water.I suggest you feed the boys organically certified bird food and spring water, and give them the biggest cage possible (and a safe room for flying free). More space and freedom mean more pleasure and less stress.

Question:

I have a Great Pyrenees/golden retriever mix with allergy problems. I''ve taken him to two different veterinarians. One suggested it was an outdoor allergy, and the other mentioned food allergies. He scratches day and night in the hindquarters, legs, feet, tail and near his ears. His skin is pink and irritated, and he is losing hair.At our last visit to the vet, they put him on 20 miligrams of prednisone (which does work) and hydroxyzine PAM. He has gained close to 25 pounds on the prednisone and has had little relief from the hydroxyzine. We have also tried the catfish and rice diet along with the prednisone. He has had this condition since I adopted him at eight weeks; however, it has gradually gotten worse. Please help!.

M.S., Washington, DC Jul 23, 2006

Answer:

Your poor dog will get only temporary relief from the prednisone, and then his thirst and appetite will increase, along with the possibility of diabetes and other health problems -- including weakening of his immune system, which is already impaired because of his allergy problem.I would suggest feeding your dog a simple, homemade diet (see my Web site at http://DrFoxVet.com/info/Dr-Fox-Homemade-Dog-Food) or a hypoallergenic diet, like venison and potato. Try antihistamine pills as a safer alternative to prednisone. Put cotton sheets (laundered in hot water only) over his sleeping and resting places. A source-contact allergy may be at the root of the problem. An air filter and ionizer may also help. Some dogs suffering from seasonal allergies show considerable improvement when given a daily teaspoon of honey and bee pollen that is produced locally.

Question:

Recently, you asked about fun games that pets can play.My male cat Luke and I like to play "bottle-cap hockey." Luke hides behind a bedroom or closet door, and I "shoot" a plastic bottle cap under the door that he quickly and deftly sends back. His speed and coordination are amazing, and we get some very intense volleys going back and forth under the door. Then, without warning, Luke will pick the cap up in his mouth and saunter off to parts unknown, having declared himself the winner once again.My husband and I suspect that, if we ever move out of our house, we will one day find Luke''s secret stash of "hockey pucks." -- K.A.O''C., Arlington, Va.DEAR K.A.O''C.: Thanks for describing the game that you and your cat have enjoyed together. A little creativity and inventive trial and error are called for in discovering what one''s dog or cat will respond to playfully.Play is good medicine and is a socially and emotionally bonding activity for all animals, including humans. Many dogs and cats love catching a moving f

P.G., Arlington, Va Jul 23, 2006

Answer:

Your young dog was probably terrified or experienced abandonment and acute separation anxiety after being dropped off at the shelter. She may have been abused before that.Be extremely patient and calm. Sit in the car with her and in the park while she is leashed. Talk to her and reassure her when whatever she sees disturbs her. Coax her to relax with the occasional treat as a reward. Encourage her to play, to run, chase a ball, tug on a rope -- the best therapy to give shy dogs more self-confidence and enthusiasm. Play and petting are euphoric experiences. If you could find her an older, easygoing buddy-dog playmate to meet up with on a regular basis, your dog should recover quickly. If not, a short course of treatment with a psychotropic medication prescribed by her veterinarian to help reduce her fear and anxiety may prove beneficial.

Question:

I have had many cats through the years, and they have always lived inside. I would like to bring this to your attention.Indoor cats don''t get the chlorophyll they may need, so they will sometimes eat indoor plants. Thus, I''ve been giving both cats pureed green beans (baby food) in the evenings with their meals. The 6-month-old gets 1/4 teaspoon, and the 3-year-old gets 1/2 teaspoon. Since I''ve been doing this, there have been no more "plant casualties." Before giving them the green beans, I checked with three different vets to make sure there was no risk, and I was told it would be OK.If you agree with the vets, perhaps you can share this with your other readers. My plants have never looked healthier, and the cats seem to be doing just fine. If you think differently, however, please let me know, as I love both of them very much.

H.S., Bethesda, Md Jul 23, 2006

Answer:

Your advice will help many cat owners whose felines like to nibble on indoor plants and cut flowers (some, like lilies, which are poisonous).Any green, edible plants (spinach, asparagus, green beans, etc.) should be cooked lightly, chopped finely and mixed with the cat''s regular food. Giving your cats 1 teaspoon daily will provide not only some chlorophyll (chopped raw alfalfa or wheat sprouts being preferred by some cats) but also fiber (something many cats lack in their regular diet), and various trace minerals and vitamins.Cats are more carnivorous than dogs, but many enjoy some plant material in their meals. Many enjoy sweet potatoes, green beans and lima beans, but don''t give them onions or garlic, which can cause a form of anemia.

Question:

We travel frequently between our primary and secondary homes. How can we successfully take our 10-year-old cat back and forth with us? He is an indoor/outdoor cat while at his primary home of 10 years. We have put him in a travel cage and taken him on the one-way three-hour trip. He seems to tolerate the car ride.Will he ever adjust to the other house and be allowed to go in and out without us fearing that he will not return? How would you suggest the ideal goal be reached, and how long will it take?.

C.H.J., Suffolk, Va Jul 16, 2006

Answer:

There is no way of knowing if your cat might get the impulse to go from the new home back to his old haunts.I would not let him out anytime except in a walking harness and leashed, or in a cat-proof porch or outdoor "cat house."Letting him go in and out at your primary residence does not mean he will never get an infection from a free-roaming sick cat, be killed by another animal or harm wildlife around your first home -- and at your secondary residence, if he is allowed to go outdoors there, as well.