Community ClicksDear Dr. Fox,
A big coyote has been spotted in our neighborhood.
This is a dangerous animal, and I worry about my grandchildren visiting and it killing my cats who get out on the yard.
— R.M., Silver Spring Md.
Dear R.M.,
Rest assured that coyotes are fearful of humans, but they have been known to kill small pets left unsupervised.
The war against the coyote, with traps, poisoned bait, shotguns, cyanide guns and the like — along with state bounties and millions of dollars of public funds misspent in attempts to control their numbers — have not deterred this wily survivor from spreading across much of the nation.
For more details, and ways to live in harmony with this cousin of wolf and dog, check out www.projectcoyote.org.
Many municipalities have found successful ways to reduce coyote and other wildlife-human conflicts.
Regarding coyotes, keep all garbage secured or shut away in a shed.
Do not put food out unless it is in birdfeeders and never let cats and small dogs outdoors unsupervised.
Always keep pets on a leash when off your property, which is an animal-control ordinance in many communities, along with rabies vaccinations and collar tags.
Alternatives to pricey foods
Dear Dr. Fox,
I have a 3-year-old male Labradoodle who has experienced bouts of diarrhea, gassiness and vomiting.
After a CAT scan to rule out blockages, our vet diagnosed the dog with irritable bowel syndrome.
After a steady course of Flagyl for over a year, the dog is getting the medicine every two days now and is doing much better.
He can eat only expensive prescription ultra-low-allergen dog food.
We are happy that the dog is doing well, but we would rather not pay the price for the expensive dog food.
— L.R., Rumson, N.J.
Dear L.R.,
So-called irritable bowel syndrome is one of the more common and costly canine afflictions.
Generally, there is an underlying dietary ingredient or food hypersensitivity that is best prevented and treated by feeding dogs a wholesome, whole-food diet of known ingredients, ideally organically certified.
For details, see my new book, Healing Animals and the Vision of One Health, which is available at www.amazon.com.
Home-prepared diets (for recipes go to www.balanceit.com; 888-346-6362) can be as effective, less costly and more palatable than manufactured prescription/therapeutic dog foods.
During acute episodes of diarrhea, treatment with Tylosin, aloe vera liquid, glutamine or aluminosilicate/kaolin and pectin medication can provide soothing and healing relief.
Replacement fluid therapy is called for when there is dehydration and loss of electrolytes.
Probiotics (pills or powder containing beneficial bacteria) and digestive enzymes can help many afflicted dogs.
Peppermint is one herb that has been shown to help provide almost immediate relief during acute episodes of this condition in humans, and therefore should work well on dogs.
Messengers of hope
Dear Dr. Fox,
I read with great interest your column about birds and your request for other stories that involve the appearance of birds during an emotional or sensitive time.
I had an unusual bird event on the day that my mother died.
My mother had stopped talking and was in a sleeping state.
I was alone with her in her
bedroom on the second floor of
her house.
The room was very quiet, until I heard a chirp at the window.
This by itself was unusual.
I walked to the window and saw the most amazing sight: The tree outside was filled with birds, and not just a flock of one kind.
There were representatives of all types — cardinals, robins, crows, chickadees, purple finches, goldfinches, mourning doves, sparrows and one tufted titmouse.
Our minister came to deliver last rites later that afternoon.
I told her what had happened, and she said she’d heard of such a gathering before.
Nature knows when something extraordinary is happening, and these birds were gathering for the event.
The arrival of these birds continues to amaze me and has given me hope that there really is a spiritual world beyond the living.
I ponder this nature mystery and hope that sharing this experience will give hope to others.
— J.K., Bethesda, Md.
Dear J.K.,
Readers may remember my earlier account of an event virtually identical to what you describe that occurred around the time of my mother’s death thousands of miles away.
Skeptics speak of mere coincidence, but we should not lose our sense of awe and wonder.
In the metaphysics of such coincidental events may be deeper truths that we mortals do not fully comprehend.
Those whose hearts and minds are open to nature are surely more receptive to such messages or unusual animal phenomena, especially during the passing of a loved one, than are those who are not mindful of a possible spiritual connection between humans and fellow creatures.
