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November 19, 2009

Mysterious dog death haunts reader

Dear Dr. Fox: Recently, my husband and I had a very painful and heartbreaking experience that we need to find some closure to.

After the recent death of our son, we took over the care of his beautiful female shepherd/husky (age 9). She was our life and such a beautiful, healthy and happy dog. She became tired and lost her appetite. Then, one day, she got hot and vomited. We took her to our vet, and they sent us to an acute-care hospital. We were told she had a disease called Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) -- a disease that has no cause or real cure.

It was so painful to watch a very healthy dog slowly die before our eyes. Most people who saw her a few days before her death could not believe this.

-- P.A.R., Rockville, Md.

Dear P.A.R.: My condolences to you and your husband. Such a double loss must have been emotionally devastating.

The most likely cause of your dog's acute autoimmune disease is vaccinosis -- an adverse vaccine reaction. Some breeds are more susceptible than others. Vaccine-related diseases are being more widely recognized and accepted by veterinarians who are changing their vaccination protocols accordingly. Giving annual rabies vaccinations in combination with a cocktail of other vaccinations is becoming a thing of the past. Advocating annual across-the-board booster vaccinations for dogs and cats is, I believe, tantamount to malpractice.

Check my report on this topic on my Web site: www.twobitdog.com/DrFox.

Dear Dr. Fox: I have a beautiful 3-year-old chocolate miniature dachshund named Mooky. He weighs 10 pounds, is well-behaved and is a close friend.

Mooky has only one testicle. I assume the other one is somewhere in his stomach area. Two vets have recommended that I have him neutered, as both testicles need to be removed. What should I do? -- D.S., Norfolk, Va.

Dear D.S.: My opinion, I am sure, echoes what the other two vets have said. The undescended testicle should be removed. It could turn into a cancerous, Sertoli-cell tumor.

This tumor produces a lot of female sex hormone, essentially feminizing your dog. This will reach a point where his pheromones will attract males. He will then, most likely, get into fights and detest being courted and mounted.

Send your questions to Dr. Fox in care of this newspaper. 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 Web site at www.twobitdog.com/DrFox.

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