Question:

I have an interesting question you might address. I have a 9-year-old Bichon named Daisy who loves to jump in bed with me at night. She places herself at my head and begins to lick my face, lick my head and lick my ears. She does this, on average, 832 licks for about 20 minutes each night.Is she doing this because:-- she loves the oil on my skin?-- she loves my aftershave?-- she loves my shampoo? Or just because-- she loves me?.

D.G., Fenton, Mo Nov 26, 2006

Answer:

Your dog is showing caregiving behavior, grooming you as she would one of her puppies. To lick is to love.Some dogs like to lick and lick, and become quite fixated/obsessed, so it is up to the one being groomed to let the dog know when enough is enough.Certainly, body oils, sweat, skin lotions, etc., can attract dogs (and cats, too) and may trigger their desire to start grooming/licking their human companion. Some animals do it for attention -- the element of caregiving being linked with care-soliciting, just as with many humans!

Question:

I am writing about our beautiful Lab. She is 9 years old and was in good health until last December, when she developed an infection in her liver and ran a temperature of 105 F. Our vet tried four different antibiotics: ampicillin, amoxicillin, tetracycline and cephalexin. I cooked a lot of chicken and rice to get her to eat. This went on for five to six weeks.She has gained back most of her weight. We are now cutting down on portions and goodies, and she is slimming down some. Her problem now is what I call "agitated breathing." This occurs when she is excited or getting up and moving around. She does not seem to be in any pain (no limping), but she does have to work to get up on all fours. Our vet is treating her for arthritis with Rimadyl.Do you have any idea what would be causing the agitated breathing? We are desperate to get her well again.

C. & J.G., Republic, Mo Nov 26, 2006

Answer:

I am glad to hear that your veterinarian helped find a solution to your dog''s liver problem, but prescribing Rimadyl, which can damage the liver, is unwise considering your dog''s history of liver disease.The agitated breathing could be caused by a number of things and calls for a thorough physical (heart and lung examinations, especially).Her difficulty in getting up could be caused by muscle weakness associated with hypothyroidism and/or Cushing''s disease, so more tests, still!

Question:

I''m writing to you in the hope that you can help me find a treatment for my two collies.They are 2 years old, brother and sister, and they have been diagnosed with Demodectic mange and are being treated with Mitaban dips. They''ve been having these dips for two years. First it was every week, then every other week, then once a month. They seem to get better, but then it starts getting worse again. They are now back to being dipped every week. Our vet said there was something that would cure it, but it would kill collies. I don''t want to hurt them, but I''m hoping you know of something that might help them. They scratch all the time, and I know they are miserable.

C.B., Bryan, TX Nov 26, 2006

Answer:

Check out the article entitled "Endocrine-Immune Disfunction Syndrome" on my Web site at http://DrFoxVet.com/info/Endocrine-Immune-Disruption-Syndrome. This will help you apply various measures to boost your dogs'' immune systems, which is the first step in a holistic approach to treating Demodectic mange and other chronic skin diseases in dogs.Your veterinarian is correct: The chemical used to treat mange in dogs, namely Ivermectin, is toxic to breeds like yours.Twice daily (morning and evening), apply five or so drops each of frankincense, myrrh and either neem, sandalwood or cedar essential oils in 30 drops of almond oil (make up a small bottle of oils in these proportions and store them in a dark, cool place). These oils may help kill these deeply burrowing parasites. You can find the oils at health-food stores or online.HELP SAVE INDIA''S ELEPHANTSReaders are invited to sign on to a letter being sent by conservationists to several Indian government agencies to act immediately to protect elephant habitat in the Nilgiris, South India,

Question:

We have a male indoor cat. We were recently told that having a cat (male or female) indoors will cause our daughters to become infertile.We are very worried and concerned about these allegations. We think you are a very reliable expert in this field. Please advise us on this concern.

The Leon Family, Miami, FL Nov 19, 2006

Answer:

It is amazing what strange rumors can spread from community to community and from generation to generation. It was once thought by many that the touch of a king would cure any disease and that seeing a black cat meant bad luck.Your rumor is a new one to me, and my educated guess is that it has come from people ill-informed and hysterical about the disease called toxoplasmosis, which cats can carry occasionally. This disease is more likely to harm a developing fetus if your daughters get pregnant than it is to make them infertile.Put your mind to rest. Have your veterinarian test the cat for the disease. Cats can pick up the disease from eating raw meat or getting outdoors and killing and eating an infected rodent -- yet one more reason to not let house cats roam free.While being an advocate of birth control myself, the only role that cats may play in this regard is to serve the emotional needs of singles and couples as their surrogate children -- a situation I embrace, considering the human overpopulation pr

Question:

Your warning about essential oils did not go far enough. Pet owners must be fully aware of the effects of any oil they use on their pets, its dosage and its potential side effects.I use a number of home remedies to keep my 11-year-old chocolate lab healthy. I learned that tea tree oil could be used as a flea repellent and decided to try it on my loyal, faithful and trusting companion, who was plagued with particularly resilient fleas. I put five to eight drops onto his fur around his neck (so he could not digest it) and rubbed it in. To my horror, when I woke up the following morning, my beloved pet was partially paralyzed! It took three days for him to gain full mobility. It was shortly after that point where he came to show his age, too.The guilt I carry continues through today as I look at him and realize his complete reliance on my ability to prevent harm to him. I understood at that moment my serious obligation to his health. I now thoroughly investigate any new ideas and take steps very slowly and grad

C.W., Highland, NY Nov 19, 2006

Answer:

Your words of warning are appreciated. Extreme caution is called for when using any medication, be it a natural herbal product, essential oil or synthetic prescription drug.As I advise, most essential oils must be diluted in five to 20 times the initial volume in a carrier oil, like almond oil.When properly administered, tea tree oil is good for fungal and other skin conditions. I do not recommend it as a flea-and-insect repellent. Make your own by soaking a sliced lemon in a 1/4 pint of boiling water, allowing it to cool overnight, and mashing the peel to extract the oils. Drain and store the raw lemon juice (organically grown only) in the fridge. Apply by rubbing a rag or sponge soaked in the juice lightly over the dog''s back, sides and legs. Do not allow your dog to lick it.

Question:

I have a 2-year-old female mix (part bulldog), which I got from a rescue organization. About every two months, she exhibits some disturbing behavior.She will start pacing around, licking the carpet, sofa, etc., and you can tell she is in great distress. Her eyes water and run down her face. If let outside, she eats grass and then vomits it up. One day, after one of these spells, she pooped out a good-sized artificial plant leaf. She has been observed trying to eat plants, real and artificial. She seems very desperate. All plants have now been moved out of her reach. She follows a healthy diet, including Missing Link and Nu-Greens, no table scraps, etc.Do you have any suggestions as to what might be causing this distress and/or a remedy? It is very painful to watch her when she is experiencing this problem. My veterinarian doesn''t know what causes this distress.

S.J., Bedford, TX Nov 19, 2006

Answer:

Dogs react differently when they have abdominal pain and nausea. One of mine would stare in front of her, neck extended, walking very slowly with stiff legs. Eventually, she would usually vomit and then all would be well.As a species, dogs are unusually prone to periodic vomiting, often stimulated by eating grass and whatever else they can find small enough to swallow. I see this as being part of the dog''s own self-care. Grass, for example, stimulates salivation and the emetic reflex. Periodic vomiting may clear out excess bile and help to keep the liver and digestive system healthy.By periodic, I mean every one to two months, more or less. Any more frequently, or intense vomiting that continues periodically for more than 20 minutes or so -- especially if the animal is showing weakness and lack of coordination -- calls for immediate veterinary attention.

Question:

This flea-and-tick season I am using only natural products on my 4-year-old female Yorkshire terrier (who weighs 11 pounds), but I can''t find any information on potential side effects of these products.I am giving her Brewer''s yeast tablets with garlic (one per day). The shampoo and spray we use contain "neem oil, lemongrass, catnip, citronella and other essential oils." Is there a downside to using these products?I have a theory that the powerful insecticides in Frontline may have caused seizures in my 8-year-old Yorkie several years ago, and I don''t want to take the chance with this puppy. We live in a woodsy area, so fleas and ticks are an issue during spring, summer and fall.Also, do you have any tips on removing/preventing tooth tartar?.

E.A.U, Annapolis, Md Nov 19, 2006

Answer:

The downside with the insect-repellent product (other than ticks not being repelled) is your dog licking it off her fur. Over time, this could become a problem. So don''t put the repellent on easy-to-reach areas if she does lick herself a lot. Use a flea comb, and check her all over every evening during the flea-and-tick seasons.A raw 1-inch to 2-inch beef marrow or shank soup bone should be a great source of chewing pleasure for your dog, and it is the best tooth cleaner. Remember that cooked bones splinter easily.An annual health check is still called for, at which time her dental needs will be determined.SELF-AWARENESS IN ANIMALSA captive elephant at the Bronx Zoo used a mirror to touch, with her trunk, a mark on her head that she could see only in the mirror. Behavioral scientists are telling the press that this finding puts elephants in the "cognitively elite" -- with only humans, chimpanzees and maybe dolphins -- because they can recognize themselves before a mirror. Relying on such a simplistic test as

Question:

I was hoping you could address again your thoughts on vaccinations. What do you feel is necessary and what is not? Why do the majority of veterinarians promote yearly immunizations?I have four indoor/outdoor, well-cared-for cats, and the yearly vet bill for exams (which are not nearly thorough enough for my liking) and the vaccines comes to more than $400. The money is not the primary issue, but if I am giving something to my cat unnecessarily, I would like to avoid that.

S.M., Westerly, RI Nov 19, 2006

Answer:

One reason (or excuse) that some veterinarians give to justify annual booster vaccinations is that this is the only way to get clients to bring their animals in for a full annual physical. The latter I agree with, but not, as you know, with across-the-board annual booster vaccinations (with the exception of rabies, which is required by law).Veterinarians who insist otherwise need to update themselves on the relatively new vaccination protocols published by the American Animal Hospital Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Association of Feline Practitioners.

Question:

Molly, our 2-1/2-year-old female cat, is terrified that someone may come into the house. Any noise near the house sends her into hiding. She appeared to have been thrown from a moving car at 10 weeks. Her hip was dislocated, her chin was skinned and a tooth was chipped. She showed all signs of having been an indoor kitten with no indication of mistreatment.Any suggestions for calming her fears? She is healthy now. She races down the hall, through the office, den, kitchen, living room and back down the hall.

T.H.P., Fort Worth, TX Nov 12, 2006

Answer:

You may well be correct in attributing Molly''s fear/paranoia to a traumatic experience earlier in life and a painful, slow recovery. A short (three- to four-week) trial treatment with a low dose of valerian or passion-flower herbal extract (under veterinary supervision) would be worth considering.Adopting an easygoing, older, healthy cat on a trial basis from your local shelter (to see if they are compatible) may be the ultimate solution. Being around a friendly, stable animal can do much to help skittish animals feel more secure and be less fearful.

Question:

I have a problem with my 5-year-old peekapoo eating dog food. At one time he enjoyed Alpo beef and chicken; now he won''t even touch it unless there''s some chicken or steak in it. I tried putting in a dog-food enhancer, but he just sniffs and walks away. The other day I cooked up some ground turkey and added some cooked rice. He gobbled it up! Is there any other food I can use apart from turkey or beef that I can add to his diet?.

J.P., Troy, NY Nov 12, 2006

Answer:

Dogs (and cats, too) will often refuse to eat their regular processed commercial pet food once they have a taste of real (whole, fresh) food, like beef and turkey. While they may be expressing nutritional wisdom, their selective eating could well lead to a nutritional-deficiency disease by disrupting the balance of essential nutrients in a complete diet. So, if your dog won''t eat his regular commercial "complete and balanced" diet and only picks out the goodies you have added, you should prepare a compatible and balanced home-prepared diet. The basic recipe on my Web site (www.doctormwfox.org) would be a good start for your picky pooch, which may be brighter than you think.