Dear Dr. Fox: I've been told that current thinking among some professionals discourages continued vaccinations, booster shots, etc., throughout a dog's life.

I have a healthy Great Dane that just turned 4 years old. She had all necessary vaccinations -- rabies, parvovirus, etc. -- until she was 2 years old and has had none since. Which shots should we keep up with and to what age?

I had another Great Dane that died at age 12 that had no shots after the age of 5. -- T.C.E., Fresno, Calif.

Dear T.C.E.: Veterinary experts who recognize both the risks and benefits of vaccinations have laid out new vaccination protocols. I have posted these on my Web site, tedeboy.tripod.com/drmichaelwfox/id69.html.

The basic or core vaccines are given early in life and then at one year of age should be good for several years. Rather than giving a subsequent annual booster cocktail, either have blood-titer tests done to see whether revaccinations are needed or revaccinate at three-year intervals.

Never vaccinate an animal that is sick and always give the mandated rabies vaccination, separately, weeks later.

Considerable progress has been made recognizing the serious risks of over-vaccination to both dogs and cats. Being one of the first to blow the whistle on this issue several years ago, I was lambasted from various quarters and undoubtedly some newspapers dropped my column as a consequence. Be that as it may, the veterinary profession continues to research safer vaccines and modes of delivery, the use of which I do not oppose, since they can save lives when animals are at risk from exposure to sick and carrier animals.

Dear Dr. Fox: I have a sweet mutt (people say he looks like a Tibetan terrier) that was diagnosed with diabetes. I was shocked and upset. The vet told me that he was overweight.

Is there an alternative diet that might help him? I understand that he'll need to be on insulin for the rest of his life. That's something I really can't afford, but I can't just let him die, either. -- P.L., Redding, Conn.

Dear P.L.: Recently, there has been more publicity in the veterinary literature on the risks of obesity in dogs and cats leading to diabetes and other health problems. That's probably why your veterinarian has raised the red flag.

Major factors in the pet-obesity epidemic (that mirror the human "metabolic syndrome") are lack of regular physical activity and poor diet. The high cereal content in commercial dog and cat food is a major contributing factor.

Transition your dog on to my basic canine recipe (found on my Web site, www.doctormwfox.org) that can be prepared in a food processor (deleting the rice). This will help your dog reduce weight and probably lower his insulin need. Give him up to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon daily -- hidden in a treat, in capsules or mixed in with his food.

Start with small amounts, so he gets used to it. Supplements like Alpha Lipoic acid and L-carnitine may also improve his condition.

Dear Dr. Fox: May I suggest that the "bad smell" and stain from L.H.C.'s cat could be from the anal sacs. My cat smells awful when they are full and I have to take her to the vet to have the sacs emptied.

On another note, my cat Maddy was recently sitting on my lap. I began to whistle and she became quite aroused. She is a very docile cat, otherwise. My other cats react in similar fashion. Is it something in the pitch of a whistle that arouses cats? If so, why? -- L.V.D., Schenectady, N.Y.