Question:

In response to a recent letter asking guidance about removing clumped and matted fur on a cat, you suggested various methods, as it''s a difficult problem and often requires shaving. I had an experience with this problem two years ago that still upsets me.

I was caring for my son''s Himalayan cat while he was out of the country. When I arrived, the cat had quite a few large mats, and my son said it was OK to take her to the vet to be groomed. The vet''s office wanted to bathe her first. She had been groomed before, but I was surprised to see the process myself. The groomer did some preliminary grooming, and it didn''t look pleasant.

Within an hour and a half, I received a phone call from the vet saying the cat must have had a heart attack. She died! I can hardly believe that such a thing could happen.

After reading your response to the other grooming question, I think that the groomer hurt her terribly. Would grooming put her into shock and cause a fatal attack? The cat was 8 years old and in good physical condition.

I''m still having trouble understanding this, and I feel so terrible about it. Why would an animal care provider subject a little animal to such treatment? I realize that the cat should be groomed at home regularly, but when you seek help to resolve this matting problem, you don''t expect your pet to die.

G.L., Naples, FL May 15, 2012

Answer:

I am sorry for the shocking experience you had with your son''s poor cat. All involved at the clinic must have been devastated.

Healthy cats can put up with considerable stress and physical discomfort associated with being groomed and carefully clipped to rid them of irritating and incapacitating clumps of matted fur. But cats with a pre-existing cardiac condition such as a congenital heart defect or enlarged and weak heart (cardiomyopathy) can have complications. This is why normally safe and routine procedures such as spaying and teeth cleaning performed under general anesthesia can prove fatal.

Prior to such procedures, a physical examination is normally done to evaluate and reduce the risk of cardiac arrest and other surgical complications. This is not usually done before grooming. Since the cat had been groomed before with no complications, an unexpected tragedy occurred. If she was frightened and struggled to free herself from being physically restrained, she could have gone into shock, which, in more sensitive and experienced hands, can be avoided.

Question:

Murphy is a 10-month-old kitten that I rescued from a shelter. I took him to my vet''s office as soon as I got him. He was checked out and everything seemed fine. At 6 months, he was altered. He eats and plays fine, but I noticed that he had rapid breathing.

I took him back to the vet to have it checked out. She took an X-ray of his chest and found that his heart is enlarged. She recommended that I take him to a cardiologist, which I did. The cardiologist did an echocardiogram. The vet diagnosed Murphy with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. He says Murphy will live only six months to a year. He put him on furosemide (12.5 mg daily).

Is there anything I can do for him? If you looked at him, you would say he is a very healthy kitten. His gray fur is so shiny. Is there any special food or vitamin that I can give him that will help? I want to keep him healthy as long as possible.

M.F., Monroe Township, NJ May 15, 2012

Answer:

This heart disease is rare in a cat so young, and I would suggest a congenital disorder possibly aggravated by poor nutrition early in life caused it.

Benazepril is one prescription drug that may be of benefit. Discuss this with your veterinarian, along with consideration of potentially beneficial supplements such as the amino acid taurine, coenzyme Q10, fish oil and magnesium. With good nutrition and a stress-free environment -- which would preclude boarding your cat if you go on vacation -- he should enjoy a relatively normal life. His heart may even compensate to some degree and his life expectancy be extended considerably. Above all, keep him on a grain-free diet, eating raw or lightly cooked, home-prepared food. For details and links, visit my website, www.twobitdog.com/drfox/. The leaner he stays, the better!

Question:

I have a shorthair Maine coon (according to my grandson). We rescued him as an abandoned cat. He was an indoor/outdoor cat when he came here, and he will not stay in all the time. Because of this, I treat him with Frontline or similar products.

This takes care of fleas and ticks, but not flies and mosquitoes. They bite his ears, and he scratches until he bleeds. He has lost a lot of hair on the ears. I put on antibiotic ointment, but as soon as his ears halfway heal, he gets bitten again. People use Avon Skin So Soft on dogs'' ears to repel insects, but I''m afraid it would be poison to cats because they wash and clean themselves so much.

Do you have a suggestion as to what to use that won''t harm my cat? We would truly appreciate it.

B.M., Chesapeake, Va May 14, 2012

Answer:

Some cats develop a severe hypersensitivity to insect bites, especially mosquitoes. This can become an inflammatory, proliferative skin disease (eosinophilic granulomatosis) that can be difficult to treat. This is one of many reasons to encourage cats to enjoy life indoors and to not let them out during the summer months.

Essential oils such as eucalyptus are good insect repellants but pose some risk when applied to areas that cats can reach to groom. Hydrosols (water-based distillates) are safer for cats. If you can''t find any, dilute one drop of essential oil in 10 drops of olive oil. From that mixture, put one drop on the tip of each ear. Alternatively, put a few undiluted drops on a strip of gauze wrapped around a breakaway collar.

Outdoor cats should wear collars with their ID tags and, as is mandated by law in some municipalities, a valid antirabies vaccination tag. Breakaway collars are advisable since they can pull apart if the cat gets the collar snagged on a branch or fence and might otherwise get strangled.

Question:

I totally agree that this country should outlaw docking dogs'' tails and ears, as they do in the United Kingdom. Can you start this ball rolling?

I volunteer at a shelter and agree with you that these poor animals need good homes today.

J.C., Kitty Hawk, NC May 14, 2012

Answer:

I frequently raise this issue of ear-cropping and tail-docking of various dog breeds and the declawing of cats in my writings. In my new book, "Healing Animals and the Vision of One Health," I detail the adverse consequences of these companion animal mutilations.

Cutting tails and cropping ears are part and parcel of certain breed standards. Breed clubs should phase these out, and there should be a clause stipulating that no altered dogs will be allowed in the show ring after a certain year. People wishing to purchase a particular breed need to let the breeder know that they don''t want a "standard" docked-tail puppy. Ear cropping is done at a later age, and the owners themselves should bear that responsibility and say "no."

As for veterinary practices that do routine kitten declawing without question, I say put animals and ethics before profits and pandering.

Question:

My daughter''s house cat, a 9-year-old spayed female shorthair tabby, has been pooping on the floor and/or rug for the past few months. My daughter has tried all-natural litter, moving the litter box and cleaning the box twice a day. The cat has been checked out by the vet, who ruled out any physical causes. She suggested it was stress-induced and put the cat, Storm, on Prozac. There has been minimal improvement, and giving Storm pills is very stressful. We are at a loss as to what we can do next. We are hoping you may have a suggestion or recommendation.

L.C.H., Silver Spring, Md May 08, 2012

Answer:

I am shocked that the veterinarian prescribed Prozac for a cat who may be suffering from painful constipation or blocked anal glands. You did not say if the veterinarian considered these possibilities, or if she suggested any dietary changes. These are the most common reasons why cats develop an aversion to their litter boxes and poop elsewhere.

Another consideration in older cats is the onset of Alzheimer''s disease (or senile dementia) brought on in part, I believe, by a deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids in their diet.

Whatever the root cause, increasing the water content and reducing the fiber content of the cat''s food should help. Do this by feeding her quality canned cat food or Wellness or Organix dry cat food, plus adding a few drops of fish oil and a tablespoon of raw organic yogurt or kefir.

Question:

Sometimes after petting our new rabbit, I get itchy and wonder if I am allergic to him. I get little red dots. He doesn''t scratch, so it''s not fleas.

What do you suggest? Right now, I wear a long-sleeved shirt that seems to help a bit.

May 08, 2012

Answer:

Even though your rabbit is not scratching himself, he could still have fur mites (Cheyletiella). These pests are commonly called "walking dandruff" because they resemble large, mobile flakes of dandruff. Their eggs adhere to the hair shafts in the animal''s coat. Sometimes, as with your rabbit, there is no evident dermatitis or patchy loss of fur from scratching, though these are common clinical signs of infestation.

These mites can infest people, cats and dogs, causing itching and discomfort. Have a veterinarian examine your rabbit. Ivermectin is the usual treatment choice, along with removing all bedding material and disinfecting the rabbit''s enclosure.

Rabbits can also become infected with other kinds of mites, including those that cause mange in dogs and cats; they can also harbor fleas.

Question:

I have a small reticulated python. After the last time it shed its skin, it seemed like some is left on the eyes. Should I try to take it off myself, or is it best left alone?

W.M., Fort Myers, FL May 07, 2012

Answer:

Any local pet store that sells snakes or the municipal zoo should be able to refer you to a veterinarian who has experience treating snakes. Even though most do not, all "exotic" animals should have professional advice when health issues arise. You could also contact any local veterinary hospital and ask for a referral.

Most likely, your snake has not gone through a normal skin-shedding cycle, which can be disrupted by the snake''s environment being too dry or the animal not having suitable rough surfaces (like rocks and tree branches) to rub against. The modified skin over the eyes (called "spectacles") has been retained. Trying to pull them off could damage the corneas and result in ulceration, scarring and loss of vision.

Purchase over-the-counter human ocular lubricant and apply three to four times daily. Make sure the snake''s enclosure is humid and suitable objects for the snake to rub against are included. If the spectacles have not been shed in 10 to 14 days, a veterinary specialist should examine your snake for possible eye infection causing the spectacles to continue to adhere to the surface of each eye.

Question:

My two female cats, Angel and Melon, have been constantly licking and biting themselves for a number of years, creating bald areas and sores on their legs (and on Melon''s stomach).

They have had blood allergy tests that indicated they are allergic to ragweed, goldenrod, birch and mulberry trees, June grass, penicillium mold, fleas and black ants. Since they are strictly indoor cats, their contact with any of these is extremely low. In foods, they tested at high levels for milk, pork, potato, wheat and barley.

Over the years, their vets have prescribed various medications (amitriptyline, Xanax) that had no effect. A combination of prednisolone and Clavamox has worked in the short term, reducing the amount of licking and healing sores, but when they''re finished, they revert back to licking.

I vary their foods among Natural Balance duck and green pea, Wellness Core turkey and chicken, Evo turkey and chicken and California Natural chicken and rice. Because they are allergic to potato, I will eliminate the Core from their diet.

I would appreciate any suggestions on how to treat Angel and Melon. My male cat (Melon''s brother) does not have this problem.

J.A.W., Annandale, Va May 07, 2012

Answer:

I realize you have spent much time and money trying to find a cure for your two cats. When allergies like these are diagnosed, it is surprising how many allergens in a cat''s environment and diet may be identified. There could be one particular trigger that impaired their normal immune system function, opening the door to allergic reactions to an increasing number of substances.

Contact allergies to various floor cleaners, scented products from cat litter and wool in materials such as upholstery and blankets -- these are all worth addressing. An air ionizer may help.

I would also advise getting your cats used to a few drops of fish oil in their food, increasing the amount to about 1 teaspoon daily -- this is a supplement with almost miraculous benefits for many cats with skin problems. With older cats, a blood test for thyroid disease is advisable since hyperthyroidism can be associated with skin hypersensitivity and excessive licking. Giving them clean cotton sheets to lie on may also give some relief.

Question:

Last year was the worst for fleas for our cats. Frontline has always controlled fleas in the past, but not last summer. We used Frontline as directed, plus flea powder (which we also applied to our rugs), but we still got fleas.

A friend recommended Natural Defense, but is it safe for cats? It contains peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, lemongrass oil, clove oil, thyme and vanilla. If Natural Defense is not safe for cats, what do you recommend? Can you suggest something else?

My cats do go outdoors a little, and we have wild raccoons, opossums and squirrels outside.

P.C.L., Matawan, NJ Apr 30, 2012

Answer:

By all accounts, fleas were a major problem last summer. I am not alone in contending that this epidemic is one of the many consequences of climate change.

One major concern with increasing populations of noxious, biting insects is that the bugs can develop resistance to insecticides. Ticks spreading Lyme disease to humans, dogs, cats and other animals is just the tip of this iceberg.

The best medicine is prevention rather than reliance on insecticides that can have adverse health and environmental consequences. One integrative approach to flea and tick control is available on my website. It is especially important to not allow cats to roam freely outdoors, where they will be magnets for fleas. Getting them used to 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of brewer's yeast in their food every day, along with a daily flea-combing inspection, can help. Safe insecticides for in-home use include Perma-Guard and Fleabusters.

I do not advise using insect repellant products that contain essential oils such as peppermint and lemongrass on cats, but they are generally safe and effective on dogs.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at www.twobitdog.com/DrFox.)

Question:

I hope you can give us some advice, as we are quite confused and frightened for Simba, our beloved 8-year-old Chihuahua-Pomeranian whom we adopted from a shelter when he was only weeks old. He has always been in perfect health, and he is very fit, active and adorable. My mother adopted him a week before her unexpected death. We took him into our home and have loved him ever since. He is our connection to her.

During a routine checkup a few weeks ago, our veterinarian diagnosed a significant heart murmur and took an X-ray that revealed an enlarged heart on the left side. He recommended that we see a cardiologist, which we did immediately. Simba is asymptomatic, but an electrocardiogram revealed that he has moderate degenerative valvular disease with moderate left atrial dilation and mild left ventricular dilation.

We would like your opinion on the medications that the cardiologist has prescribed for Simba: enalapril and spironolactone. Simba has always been fed premium dog food, starting with Innova when he was a puppy and now Before Grain (salmon). We would like to switch to your food protocol, but we need more clarification on how to prepare it correctly. I am so frightened of giving him something wrong. His primary vet prescribed a cardiac nutrient supplement, but we won't start that regimen until we get him on the medications at full dose.

Could you give us your opinion as to whether we are giving him the proper medication? I trust the cardiologist, but we are not big medicine people, and I would rather our dog not have to endure side effects if the medication will not help him.

Simba weighs 10.3 pounds. We free-feed him and he self-regulates -- his weight has always been between 10.3 and 10.8 pounds. He walks three to four times a day, is not coughing and is as hyper as his breed would indicate. We are very concerned about him.

C.S., Kansas City, Mo Apr 30, 2012

Answer:

The kind of heart disease affecting your dog is relatively common in many toy breeds. The treatment protocol and choice of drugs for this problem are eminently appropriate, in my opinion. I would not advise you to change your dog's diet at this time -- salmon is good, but steer toward a low-salt intake. If magnesium and coenzyme Q10 are not in the cardiac nutrient supplement, discuss their inclusion along with a few drops of fish oil.

Your veterinarian is well informed, and I would follow his advice. He needs to take blood samples to monitor Simba's condition and determine if and when the levels of medication need to be adjusted. With careful monitoring, blood tests and general checkups, your dog should enjoy a good quality of life with minimal, if any, harmful side effects from these medications. They will help stop further degenerative changes in your dog's heart -- but not reverse them -- and help maintain normal heart function and