Albuquerque Journal Articles
Risky Chew Toys Question: Our large and lovable but frisky black Lab gets mischievous once in a while. Taking him for walks does wonders; the first half of the trip is letting him ‘mark’ things, sniff and do a little browsing. To keep him further occupied, we got a large Nylabone. We find that he’ll delve into it with vigorous chewing, noise, slobber, etc. outside. Then the bone is nowhere to be found and he has dirt on his nose. What is the purpose of dogs burying bones? Dr. Nichol- Capable of enduring the harshest conditions dogs are predators on…
Can New Cat Succeed? Question: I have 2 other cats and since I’ve brought the new guy home it is a divided household. My 2 established cats are terrified of this guy or just don’t like him. They hide and don’t come out. They hiss and growl. I have to lock up the new cat so the other cats can come out to eat. Now they are even too scared to eat like they are on edge and very stressed. One of the cats has even started using the bathroom out of the litter box. Dr. Nichol: Established indoor kitties…
Keep it Safe I can’t wait for Thanksgiving: Family, turkey, pie, and political football. Well, maybe for you and me. Keep a close eye on your pets. Tense body postures around visitors or startling at sudden noises, hiding, freezing with ears flattened, the head low, and the tail tucked are important clues. Scared dogs may lick their lips and yawn. Stressed cats might over-groom. Pets need a break from the action. Hide boxes for kitties and out-of the-way resting areas for dogs will allow them to sit out the dogmatic discussions. Food toys loaded with canned or dry food will…
Chronic Pain can Dog your Cat Do you know anyone “of a certain age” with chronic pain? Most people don’t keep it a secret. Dogs don’t suffer silently either. You’ll notice them limping, slow to jump, or crying when they get up. But cats don’t say a word. If you think they get a pass on pain you would be wrong. Cats are genetically programmed to hide their vulnerabilities. Rather than belly-aching to their bridge club they get small and quiet to avoid the notice of predators. Never mind that hungry coyotes don’t lurk among your house plants, ready to…
Separation Anxiety is Not Solved by Confinement Question: My dog is so anxious in his crate. Dr. Nichol: Crates have become popular for keeping dogs out of trouble but confinement may lead to problems. Members of any species whose natural choices are restricted can become frantic. If your dog isn’t coping we’ll he’ll need an alternative. Folks with new puppies are often counseled to “crate train.” It makes sense for a dog to learn to relax in a small space for travel. Like their feral cousins, domestic dogs are denning creatures who rely on a snug refuge for security and…
Rx Diet + Lots of Water Question: My Shih Tzu could not urinate because he had stones in his bladder. His veterinarian removed those stones but they are calcium oxalate – the kind that will return without proper diet so they recommended Hill’s c/d Multicare. Can I still give him dog treats? I am sticking to this diet heart and soul, but he likes his treats, so is it OK? I do not want those stones to return. He was in a lot of pain. Dr. Nichol: When crystals in the urinary tract stick together they form stones (calculi). Some…
Toilet Paper Alternatives Question: My name is Courtney and I have a question regarding my cat Remus. My grandmother and I got him a few years ago. He has been causing major problems by tearing up our toilet paper. Do you have any suggestions as to how I can break him of this bad habit? Dr. Nichol: Well, Courtney, you have a cat, a creature whose brain is genetically programmed to scratch stuff in order to split off dead portions of his nails so they’ll be sharper weapons for catching and killing his meals. That’s not all. Research has discovered…
Fear-Free Kidney Care The Nichol family really loves its kitties, Tony and Gaston. They tap into the same part of our hearts as children but there are differences. They haven’t said a word about college. And they don’t speak a human language, which is usually OK. They’ll never blab our personal business but it can be hard to know when they’re not feeling well. Cats are innately tight lipped in the Wild Kingdom. If they appear vulnerable they could become somebody’s lunch. That makes it their caretaker’s responsibility to keep them alive and happy. It takes more than good food…
Special Care is needed for Emotional Abuse Question: We have a Lab mix 2 years old. She’s had issues with trust but has done well, always sleeping inside. While my friend was pet sitting her daughter hid behind the door and when our dog came in she shut the door, scaring the dog. Now she will come up to the door but will not cross the threshold. We have tried coaxing her with treats and toys to no avail. We miss her terribly! The weather will be getting cold and I am fearful for her to be outside. Dr. Nichol:…
Neurologic & Heart Disorders Need Special Care Question: My little girl terrier has been having seizures; that’s what I’m calling them. It’s starts as if she’s losing her balance and then she’ll flop down on her side and start to scream as if someone is standing on her foot. I would immediately pick her up and notice her neck and head are rigid. This lasts for 2 to 4 minutes. She then comes back to normal as if nothing happened. The triggers are giving her a bath and chasing something; the last time was a trot in the park. She’s…