Albuquerque Journal Articles
Second in a series Quiz: Why did Milo chase and bite his tail? a) He was bored b) Attention-seeking c) He was compulsive d) He needed a different home Milo’s repeated biting of his tail had resulted in a rapidly advancing wound. When I first met this sweet little guy it was immediately clear that his two previous surgeries, while well-intentioned attempts to the eliminate infected tissue, accomplished nothing. His agitation, spinning, growling, and biting at the more recent amputation site only triggered another raging infection. Repetitive behaviors and self-mutilation are not newly recognized in dogs but recent research has…
First in a series Have you ever heard the expression, “Like a dog chasing its tail?” This actually happens. Milo is a handsome miniature poodle who, in his youth, was a happy little guy sporting a fuzzy plume from his derriere. This was no longer the case. As he entered my exam room he often looked back at his rear end and sometimes barked frantically while reaching for the red and swollen stub of what remained. The plastic cone he wore seemed to add to his frustration. Rob, the man who loved Milo, was desperate for help. My practice manager…
Question: Our longtime neighbor got a dog last year, but has not, it appears, had it trained to not bark when it goes out 4 to 6 am, and 11 pm, waking us up. We get along just fine, but the dog wakes us up DAILY from a deep sleep. Our bedroom is on the same side of the house (there is a fence) where her dog goes. What can we do without alienating our neighbor? Dr. Nichol: You sound cranky and you are not alone; barking is among the most common complaints to animal control departments. We all want…
Give ‘em a Break & Keep them Safe Thanksgiving is great fun, isn’t it? Turkey, Tofurkey, pie, football, libations. Keep an eye on your pets. Barking or tense body postures around visitors, hiding, freezing with ears flattened, head low, tail tucked, and startling at noises are important clues. Some scared dogs lick their lips and yawn; cats might over-groom. Our pets need a refuge from the action. Hide boxes for kitties and out-of-the-way resting areas for dogs allow them to sit out the politics. Food toys loaded with canned or dry food will focus your pupster’s brain on natural scavenging…
Question: We are heading to Puerto Vallarta for a two week vacation. We have a sweet 1 year old girl cat. She is extremely bonded with my wife and seems a little anxious when left alone. So far, she has only been left alone for a few hours at a time. We can’t decide if we should board her or have someone come into our home daily to feed her. My wife is anxious about leaving her. Please help us so we can feel our girl is well cared for and we can relax and enjoy our vacation! Dr. Nichol:…
Question: I have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who is nine. Recently over the last two weeks he developed an involuntary what I would call muscle spasm. I can see it in his upper body and through his back when he is sitting and when he is laying down. He doesn’t appear to be in distress. I am not sure what to do. Dr. Nichol: This is worrisome. There are several possible causes for neck and back pain in small dogs but your boy’s genetics may be an important clue. Nearly 100% of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have some degree…
Question: We have a fuzzy cat named Jimmy. He’s 12 years old and he started to hesitate before jumping onto the furniture. His veterinarian shot x-rays of his hips and showed us his arthritis. He got a new treatment called Solensia for his pain. Now, in the last few weeks, he’s had nasty, open, scabby areas on his neck and one on his face. Dr. Nichol: Cats are famous for skin problems but, hey, who isn’t? Those lesions on Jimmy’s head and neck are suspicious for eosinophilic granuloma complex, an itchy allergy symptom. They can also appear on the underside…
Question: I have a one year old, German Shepherd mix, neutered, named Duke. He is a wonderful dog. We also have a 5 year old, female Miniature Schnauzer, Lily. Duke and Lily have been best friends. Two weeks ago, we rescued a 7 month old intact German Shepherd. He has bilateral hip dysplasia, and is extremely thin. Alvis is sweet to humans and to our other two dogs 95% of the time. His aggression leads to fighting over food, water, and toys. Considering we have an endless supply of all three, this concerns me. We think the situation will improve…
Question: Three months ago, I adopted a 12-year-old female cat from a friend who is in hospice care. I was hoping she could be a friend to my 15-year-old female who likes other cats. However, our new girl does not like my cat. They can be in the same room but if they get close, it’s growls, hisses, and claws. I mostly keep them in separate rooms to keep the peace. None of us is happy. Dr. Nichol: You were most kind to welcome your friend’s 12-year-old kitty into your home. If these two feline social security recipients were human…
Zebras are not domestic livestock like horses but they, too, survive in the wild by foraging. That means browsing and grazing. The El Paso Zoo has several of these beautiful creatures in a space far smaller than the grasslands of Africa. And, of coarse, there isn’t much grass. To keep these confined creatures focused on working for their food they are provided hay balls and nets to help them adapt to life in captivity. It’s far from Mother Nature’s methods but it’s a lot better than just standing around waiting for the hay truck.