Albuquerque Journal Articles

Older Cats need Special Care Question: I have a 17 year old long haired female cat that was diagnosed with chronic renal failure two years ago. She has received 100 ml subcutaneous fluids twice a week. She has dropped from 9.5lbs to 7.4lbs. In the last week I have been finding clumps of her hair on the floor and mats in her coat. Should I take this as a sign of end stage renal failure or just seasonal shedding and mats?   Dr. Nichol: You must have taken really good care of your kitty for her to have reached 17.…

Declawing is so ‘90s (actually ‘60s) Question: I am 72 and have had cats since I can remember. We recently lost our last cat and I feel lost without another companion but my wife insists that any new cat be declawed. I just can’t agree to that. What is your advice?   Dr. Nichol: I feel the same way about removing normal anatomy. The two Nichol family cats remain clawed and generally well-behaved but they aren’t perfect. The chair I’m parked in as I write this missive has been injured by those naughty boys. It would seem logical to correct…

I recently shared the story of Sherman, a well-loved cat with long-standing defensive-aggression in veterinary clinics. It was so bad that his people quit taking him for routine wellness exams. As a result his kidney failure wasn’t diagnosed until its advanced stage. Cats have become the most popular pets in America because busy people assume that they’re low maintenance. That badly flawed notion is widely believed because cats hardly ever complain. These pets are actually very different than you and I. Sometimes referred to as socially asocial, cats certainly form relationships but they don’t rely on them for survival. Except…

Medication can make the Difference In last week’s column I introduced Sherman, a cat who did fine in the doctor’s office as a youngster but later became frightened and reactive/aggressive. This turned into a big problem when he got truly sick. His folks had thought that cats needed little, if any, medical care. It’s a common mistake. Sherman had lost his appetite and significant weight. A thorough exam and blood and urine tests would be essential to an accurate diagnosis but any kind of restraint had historically caused him to panic and fight. Cats who struggle, especially those who are…

Cats who Hate the Doctor When I met Sherman he was a sporty little black and white feline youth of about 8 weeks. I vaccinated and neutered him, events that left our professional relationship unscathed. Sherman was also treated well at home, on his way to an excellent life. Every time I encountered Sherman I found him to be cooperative and enjoyable. His folks, Bonnie and Rick, wanted only the best for him.  Then there was a job transfer to California.  I really liked that little family; I was sad to see them go. One day, about 8 years later,…