Question:

Thank you for your column concerning ridding one''s home of fleas. Off and on, for about a year, we have battled scabies using doctor-prescribed medicine, sulfur, tea-tree oil and flea sprays with some success on our dog. However, the borax you suggested has been very effective. Perhaps you can pass this along to your readers.

S.P., Houston, TX Feb 25, 2007

Answer:

Yes, many people have found that borax helps keep fleas at bay in the home. Sprinkle where animals live and on carpets and cracks in the floor. Let it sit overnight or for at least one to two hours, and then vacuum thoroughly every two to three weeks. Adding Brewer''s yeast and flaxseed oil to your dog''s food every day can also help repel fleas. Work up slowly to 1 teaspoon of each, daily, per 30 pounds of body weight.Scabies calls for nutritional supplements to boost your dog''s immune system. Your veterinarian can advise you on this. And, if you haven''t tried it, give your dog an injection of Ivermectin. This is very effective against scabies but should not be given to collie-type dogs because the drug can harm dogs with that genetic lineage (see www.awca.net/drug.htm). Alternatively, benzyl benzoate shampoo can do a great job.

Question:

I read with interest your article about a deceased pet visiting from the dead.Charles (the name I gave him) appeared at our door on a Sunday morning. He refused to leave, and, as he seemed to be a high-class, intelligent dog, I invited him in. He lived here for nine years and was a lovable, devoted pet, doing everything he could to please.At one point, however, he began to lose weight and was diagnosed with nasal carcinoma. His health continued to decline. I took very good care of him, and, even though the vet advised us to put him to sleep, I refused to do so. To add to his problems, he developed diabetes. He gradually began to lose his sight, and I couldn''t bear to see him suffer. I gave in to the vet''s recommendation, and his body was cremated and his ashes brought home for burial.Shortly after that, I dreamed he met me at the back screen door. He appeared to be so happy. He was wet and covered with sand. From then on, out of the corner of my eye, I could see him romping in the yard. I would turn my head

A., North Miami, FL Feb 25, 2007

Answer:

From other letters that I have received on this subject (and I would welcome more), there does seem to be a consistent pattern. Deceased animals "return," appearing happy and well, either once or repeatedly until there is "closure," insofar as the survivor accepts the death of the animal companion, who is then let go and is never seen, heard or felt again.I interpret the spirit manifestation of the animal as being willed by the animal who returns to comfort the bereaved, rather than it all being a figment of the human psyche trying to heal itself. Sometimes a deceased animal may be "called" by a grieving person and manifest again, I believe, not as a product of the imagination but of pure love and the great mystery that embraces us all.

Question:

My 15-year-old cat has a health problem. He started losing weight and was so hungry he wanted to eat everything in sight. The more he ate, the more he was hungry and still losing weight.I took him to my vet, who did a blood test that showed his pancreas isn''t producing enzymes. The vet gave me some powder to put in his food. I''m to let it sit for 15 minutes to make sure it''s mixed well before he eats it. This isn''t working. He doesn''t want to eat the food with the powder in it.Do you have any solutions to this problem? It''s now to a point where, no matter what I give him, his appetite is not there anymore.

L.C., Minneapolis, MN Feb 25, 2007

Answer:

Your cat''s need for nutrients calls for a multivitamin and multimineral supplement that the veterinarian can prescribe. I suggest additional testing for diabetes and hyperactive thyroid, which can produce similar symptoms.Cats are very sensitive to new ingredients and additives in their regular food, so it is important to mix in about one-tenth or less of the daily dose at first, then add a little more each day. A few drops of fish oil may also be helpful.

Question:

I am writing you concerning a problem I am having with my lovable Pomeranian, who will be 11 years old. In August 2006, I noticed she was limping, so I immediately took her to a vet. He examined her and said he suspected a cruciate tear in her left rear knee. No tests or X-rays were taken. He said she needed an operation. He also prescribed Rimadyl, 25 milligrams. I give this to her once a day, half a pill with her meal in the morning and none at night.She walks on all four legs, but when she is running, she will run on only three legs. She won''t run on the rear left leg, but she shows no signs of being in pain.The vet told me to take her to an orthopedic surgeon and an operation would correct her condition. The operation would cost about $2,500. My biggest concern is her well-being and her age. I don''t want to subject her to an operation and the trauma associated with it. Is there any medication or treatment apart from an operation that can help her? I am a senior living on a very small pension, and the cos

L.E.Z., Toms River, NJ Feb 25, 2007

Answer:

First, for the sake of your old dog''s liver, take her off the Rimadyl. Short-term use for acute pain and inflammation is fine.Small dogs often do best not having any surgery done. But it is imperative the dog not be allowed to run or jump around for three months in order to allow healing and the buildup of stabilizing tissue around the joint.Chondriotin, glucosamine and MSM capsules, plus massage three to four times a day (as per my book "The Healing Touch for Dogs," New Market Press, 2004), will also help, as would a daily swim in a pool or a pond.

Question:

I have a 3-year-old female Australian sheepdog. We also have farm cats. Every time one of these cats has babies, the dog steals them, cleans them and wants to feed them. The dog will also go into the shelterbelt, bring home baby bunnies and do the exact same thing for the bunnies. How can we train our dog not to do this kind of behavior?.

B.W., Edgeley, ND Feb 25, 2007

Answer:

Just do your best to be there when your protective dog gets with the kitties so she doesn''t harm them or disrupt their nursing cycles.It is part of her genetic disposition to be highly protective and nurturing. Rather than try to inhibit these wonderful attributes, which could cause her anguish and confusion, help her refine it. Show her how to be even gentler, if need be, and less concerned. Restrict her access to the kittens, and take her with you when you return any kittens she has adopted to their mothers. She may come to understand that these creatures have their own mothers and that they are not hers for the taking. Give her one or more stuffed toys as substitute. If she is not yet spayed, this could be part of the problem, and she could develop a full-blown false pregnancy and start producing milk.

Question:

I live in a condo, and my condo association arranges for a pest-control company to spray each unit twice a month. I have a cat that walks on the floor where the chemicals are sprayed, and then she licks her paws to clean herself. I worry that the pest-control chemicals used might be toxic.Are there any pest-control chemicals that are safe to use and that will not harm household pets?.

A.A., Miami, FL Feb 18, 2007

Answer:

Pest-control companies may give every assurance the chemicals they use are safe when applied properly, but that''s what the government said about DDT and other pesticides that are now banned for health reasons.You live in a subtropical state where bugs can be an annoyance but are relatively harmless compared to the chemicals used to keep them at bay. Your condo association should wake up and consult with a company that offers an integrative pest-management program that has zero risk to both humans and companion animals.There are, for example, flea-and-cockroach powders and baits that are safe and can be placed where your cat can''t reach. Also, your condo association should pass a resolution to not use toxic herbicides and other harmful lawn-and-garden chemicals around the property.

Question:

When Maggie (Lab/sharpie mix) was around 6 months, she developed severe allergies. She lost almost half her hair and chewed on herself constantly. She also had ear infections. While she didn''t have the ear and anal-gland problem some dogs get, she was miserable.After months of trying many expensive things (not prednisone, which I avoided), I found EQyss shampoo and spray (Micro-Tek). This got her skin calmed down, and I could see that she had hives, which would turn into a big mess with all the chewing. This would begin about a half-hour after she ate, so I began to suspect it was a food allergy. I felt that a lamb-and-rice diet would be a good choice.This food is free of soy, corn, chicken and wheat. Her allergies stopped immediately, her coat grew back beautifully and her ear infections went away. She is now 8 years old and has never had any more problems.I''ve spoken to others who have had animals with similar symptoms as Maggie, and as soon as they switched to a lamb-and-rice dog food, the dog allergies w

L.A., Cape Coral, FL Feb 18, 2007

Answer:

Thanks for sharing your success story getting to the bottom of your poor dog''s problem.Many dogs (and cats, too) suffer miserable lives with skin and ear conditions that cause much irritation and suffering. Too often, this is misdiagnosed as an infection and then overmedicated with steroids. Costly hypersensitivity tests and desensitization injections make this widespread problem in cats and dogs a profitable business.The first step when this kind of skin problem develops is to see whether a hypoallergenic diet or a food with ingredients like rice and lamb will do the trick. The best preventive is to have control over what your dog or cat eats by making home-prepared meals of known whole-food ingredients -- ideally, organically certified.

Question:

I am hoping you can help me with my pet problem.A breeder asked me if I would care for a purebred miniature dachshund, 8 months old. He was in perfect health for 4 months after he was sold. The owner then went on vacation for two weeks, and, when she returned, the dog was depressed, deaf, blind and would not eat.All of his blood tests are normal, and the vet suspects a type of brain/neurological disorder of some sort. He sleeps most of the day, eats very well and is just beautiful, but very thin -- 5 pounds. He is a bit hard of hearing and initially gets very scared when he is picked up. His back legs seem to be getting weaker, and when he shakes himself off, he often loses his balance.We don''t understand what happened to this wonderful creature. Please give us your thoughts on this. Thank you.

K.L.G., Belle Plaine, MN Feb 18, 2007

Answer:

I am glad you sent me a photo of your dog. I wish more readers would include a photo of their companion animals. Seeing the animals may help me better understand the problem.The dog''s head is clearly domed and disproportionately large. This, along with the progressive loss of brain and neurological functions, indicates that he has a congenital disease called hydrocephalus, or water on the brain. Unless an artificial drain is inserted to relieve the pressure inside the brain, the pressure of the accumulating cerebrospinal fluid will cut off circulation and the brain will waste away.One telltale sign of the early onset of hydrocephalus is the presence of one or more soft spots on the head, where the skull bones were prevented from fusing by the swelling brain beneath.My advice is to let him go in peace. He is already far gone. As long as he is kept comfortable and feels secure, he is not likely to experience much fear or pain.

Question:

We have a tomcat that has been diagnosed as being allergic to the enamel on his teeth. He went through several months of steroid therapy, hoping to eliminate the need for extraction. About 10 months ago, the vet extracted all but a few jaw and front teeth. The gums weren''t reacting at that time, but they are now showing signs of reactions in the remaining teeth sites, and steroids had to be given. It hurts him even when the canned food is liquified.Our vet (we have used him for the past five years and trust him) says it''s possible the remainder will have to be removed. He is a good vet, but, as with any doctor, new technology comes up. I know if all have to be removed, the cat can still eat soft cat food, and we will have to take over the grooming. No problem there, but we want to know of other possibilities before a drastic and permanent move is made. The continued use of steroids is dangerous for his system, and he deserves to live his life to his full potential. Otherwise, he is a healthy cat and content.

R.O., Pleasant Hope, Mo Feb 18, 2007

Answer:

I have never heard of a cat becoming allergic to the enamel on his teeth. Perhaps this is your veterinarian''s way of explaining that your cat might have an autoimmune or immune-deficiency disease.The animal doctor should rule out feline AIDS, kidney disease and diabetes, which can underlie chronic oral disease. Continued use of steroids could actually worsen these conditions. Herpes and other viral infections in cats can cause chronic and debilitating lesions in the mouth and impair the cat''s immune system. The holistic approach includes immune-enhancing medications and supplements like vitamins A, C, B complex, essential fatty acids as in fish oil, and zinc and selenium.

Question:

We have no major issues with our 14-month-old Jack Russell terrier except for one that has us baffled.He sleeps on our bed and if, during the night, my husband or I move ever so slightly, he will growl. Sometimes he gets so indignant he will jump off the bed and stomp off in a huff.He reminds me of the expression "let sleeping dogs lie," but his grouchy behavior seems to be limited to nighttime only. In the morning, he is cheerful and affectionate, and he doesn''t growl before naps during the day. We are more curious than concerned about this behavior and would appreciate your insight.

C.P., League City, TX Feb 18, 2007

Answer:

Dogs often become more edgy and alert at night, a behavior that traces back to their ancestors, who feared night-prowling predators. But your pooch is more of a territorial grouch, a bedroom growler. One of my dogs is of a similar disposition, and my wife and I simply ignore him. When he seems especially grumpy and snarls at our other dogs from the bed, we rarely order him off the bed. That''s because it shatters his little psyche and he acts so submissively that he appears traumatized and depressed.So, yes, let sleeping dogs lie.