All kinds of animals - from cats to cockatiels - are handled with care by syndicated columnist Dr. Michael W. Fox, the well-known author, veterinarian, animal advocate and behaviorist. Dr. Fox's Q&A animal advice column, Animal Doctor, appears twice weekly, providing readers with the latest news in veterinary care and giving important health and safety reminders for all who live with animals. An expert in both medicine and psychology, Dr. Fox's training includes a degree in veterinary medicine as well as doctorate degrees in medicine and animal behavior/ethology. A strong advocate of animal rights, bioethics and environmental protection, Dr. Fox is an international veterinary consultant to various animal-related organizations. A recipient of the Christopher Award for children's literature for his book The Wolf, Dr. Fox has written more than 40 books for adults and children. He has also written more than 2,000 articles for professional journals and consumer magazines. Dr. Fox lectures extensively to an international audience of conservation and animal protection groups. He has appeared frequently on "The Tonight Show" and is as a guest on other network television and radio talk shows and documentaries. He is a member of the British and American Veterinarian Medical Associations, the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights and the American Holistic Veterinary Association. Dr. Fox lives in Minneapolis with his wife Deanna and their animal companions and jointly run India Project for Animals and Nature (IPAN) in the Nilgiris, S. India.

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February 22nd, 2009
2 of 2 columns for Feb. 22, 2009 United Feature Syndicate
EDITORS: For more information on pet care visit Dr. Fox's Web site www.doctormwfox.org.
Forward all mail to DR. MICHAEL FOX in care of United Feature Syndicate, 200 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016.
ANIMAL DOCTOR
Allergies take their toll on canine
By Dr. Michael Fox
DEAR DR. FOX: I have a 2-1/2-year-old female Jack Russell terrier/dachshund mix. Last year, she started having skin allergies. She would break out all underneath her body. She would scratch and chew on her feet and make them raw. Her veterinarian put her on three prescriptions of Prednisone. This year, the same thing happened. So far, she has had six of these prescriptions. As soon as we start lowering the dosage, it starts all over again.
When she's on the Prednisone, she gains weight (started out at 11 pounds, she is now 16 pounds). We limit her food intake, but she is still gaining weight. I am worried about long-term use of Prednisone. ...

February 22nd, 2009
1 of 2 columns for Feb. 22, 2009 United Feature Syndicate

ANIMAL DOCTOR
How to introduce a cat to a dog
By Dr. Michael Fox
DEAR DR. FOX: I have two little Boston terriers. One with fur as smooth as silk, and the other whose fur felt like barbed wire and had itchy skin to boot. I tried many remedies but was not aware of your advice on this until recently. I started giving the second one fish-oil capsules and, sure enough, her fur smoothed out and the itches went away quickly. Thank you so much.
Here's our latest dilemma.
We have adopted our neighbor's cat Shadow, and she is set up comfortably on the back porch. However, it is clear she craves companionship and would love to live indoors. The problem: Getting my two Boston terriers to accept her and vice versa. I d ...

February 15th, 2009
2 of 2 columns for Feb. 15, 2009 United Feature Syndicate

ANIMAL DOCTOR
Homemade diet can relieve canine bladder stones
By Dr. Michael Fox
DEAR DR. FOX: We adopted our Jilly, a longhaired miniature dachshund, four years ago from an animal-rescue group. She is now 7 years old, weighs about 12 pounds, and has brought such joy, laughter and love into our lives. My husband and I are retired so we are able to enjoy lots of time playing with her and taking her for walks. Recently, she was diagnosed with a staphylococcus bladder infection and struvite stones, indicated by ultrasound and urine culture. She is on Clavamox to treat the infection.
Her veterinarian recommended a special diet to increase the acidity of her urine and prevent formation of new stones. We do not ...

February 15th, 2009
1 of 2 columns for Feb. 15, 2009 United Feature Syndicate

ANIMAL DOCTOR
Neutered cat urinates on owner's bed
By Dr. Michael Fox
DEAR DR. FOX: I have a 1-1/2-year-old neutered male cat. For a long time, I had no problem with him, but all of a sudden he started urinating on my bed. I clean the litterbox every day. I haven't changed the type of litter, and I can't understand why he is doing this. The vet says he is healthy with no problems. What can I do to stop this behavior? He is very good in every other way. -- D.M., Greenwich, Conn.
DEAR D.M.: There are many reasons why cats behave this way, and it's not easy to find a solution. First, the vet must check your cat for cystitis and related urinary-tract problems. Often, the only remedy is to put a thick sheet of p ...

February 8th, 2009
2 of 2 columns for Feb. 8, 2009 United Feature Syndicate
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ANIMAL DOCTOR
Helping homeless feral cats
By Dr. Michael Fox
DEAR DR. FOX: Your recent comments with regard to TNR (trap, neuter and release) left me a bit perplexed. In your column, you expressed objection to the TNR approach of controlling the feral-cat population, in that "... it can be extremely detrimental to indigenous wildlife." I have a problem understanding the rationale behind this statement and would welcome further clarification. I recognize that feral neutered cats will prey on wild birds, etc., but would the same not hold true for the rest of the feral-cat population? -- M.M., Springfield, Va.
DEAR M.M.: TNR as a way to help reduce feral-cat numbers is a contentious issue. I stick my neck out by ...

February 8th, 2009
1 of 2 columns for Feb. 8, 2009 United Feature Syndicate

ANIMAL DOCTOR
More evidence of life after life
By Dr. Michael Fox
DEAR DR. FOX: I have been meaning to write ever since I read one of your newspaper columns some time ago in which you responded to a woman who had seen her dog several times after his death. I, too, had a similar experience.
I had a wonderful, beautiful and loving friend in my cocker spaniel, Casey. She was with me through a divorce and several moves. The last four years of her life, she accompanied me to work every day and was dearly loved by everyone. She was with me 24 hours a day, and I considered her my soul mate in dog form. We were so close we could read each other's minds.
When Casey turned 10, she started having medical problems -- ...

February 1st, 2009
1 of 2 columns for Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009 United Feature Syndicate

ANIMAL DOCTOR
Is dog's lip-licking a sign of OCD?
By Dr. Michael Fox
DEAR DR. FOX: I adopted a 2-year-old Shih Tzu/Lhasa apso male mix recently, and he has been a wonderful pet, with one exception: He licks his lips constantly, and the sounds that accompany this are most annoying. I assume the reason is all the small hairs around his lips. I have tried cutting the hairs with scissors but he refuses to hold still, and that has become impossible. The groomer also has the same problem. Is there a solution to this annoying problem? -- G.D., Charlotte Hall, Md.
DEAR G.D.: Before treating this as a purely neurotic, obsessive-compulsive behavior, have your dog examined by a veterinarian. In some instances of ...

February 1st, 2009
2 of 2 columns for Feb. 1, 2009 United Feature Syndicate
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ANIMAL DOCTOR
Even cats need some privacy
By Dr. Michael Fox
DEAR DR. FOX: Every time I see an ad for covered litter boxes, I worry about the poor cats that are forced to use them.
Cats are fastidious animals, always grooming themselves. They do not want to climb into a litter box that is filled with feces and/or urine. And if the box is covered, many pet owners may not be aware that the box needs to be cleaned. The ads state that these covered boxes provide "privacy," which is ridiculous since animals are not embarrassed about relieving themselves. What is your opinion on these covered litter boxes? -- D.Z., Fairfax, Va.
DEAR D.Z.: I agree with you absolutely concerning the foul, ammoniated air inside cove ...

January 25th, 2009
2 of 2 columns for Jan. 25, 2009 United Feature Syndicate

ANIMAL DOCTOR
Geriatric cat care
By Dr. Michael Fox
DEAR DR. FOX: My Blue Point Siamese cat, Frankie, has more personality than most people, and he has been the love of my life for 20 years.
Recently, I began to notice that he'd stopped grooming himself, resulting in hard, matted chunks of fur on his sides that stick out almost like scales. He has always refused to be brushed, and I started cutting out the worst ones. I also decided a complete physical was overdue and, great news, our vet declared his general health to be "remarkable," but had no solution for his unkempt appearance.
Would it be dangerous to anesthetize him at his age in order to shave the worst parts of his coat? He is a contented old gu ...

January 25th, 2009
1 of 2 columns for Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009 United Feature Syndicate

ANIMAL DOCTOR
Feeding fish to cats
By Dr. Michael Fox
DEAR DR. FOX: We are feeding our cat your Homemade Natural Dietary Supplement for Cats. We are also adding some canned mackerel to each meal, and I am wondering whether this is a good idea. Maggie Mae loves it. -- J.S., Circle Pines, Minn.
DEAR J.S.: A small serving (no more than a tablespoon a day) of mackerel is an excellent source of nutritional oil for cats. So are sardines, which are low on the food chain compared to tuna.
Being near the top of the marine food chain, tuna fish contain more mercury and other hazardous contaminants. Avoid canned or farmed salmon, too, because tested samples are often contaminated with manmade chemicals, lik ...