Albuquerque Journal Articles
Reliable Commercial Food is Healthy & Complete The popularity of feeding raw meat to dogs continues. Your pupster can harken to his barbaric roots by ravaging the “genuine article”. Why not? What group of free-living wild dogs has ever barbecued their kill to safeguard against potentially dangerous microbes? It just wouldn’t be natural. Well, I’ve met lots of dogs in my career and have never encountered a credentialed canine expert in microbiology or even intestinal disease. Not a single one has taken a food safety class, has made a cooking fire, or even knows how to light a stove. But…
Science reduces the Guesswork You’ve decided to adopt a kitten and you’ve been a careful, detached observer of a litter. You’re chafing at the bit, just itching to snuggle and cuddle those fuzzy little cuties. OK, it’s time to get physical but remain objective just a little longer. You really want the right cat for the next 18 years. Quietly let each baby sit in your hands. Is he relaxed? Anxious, restless kittens are unlikely to relate well in social situations. Now put the kitten on the ground and walk away. Does he follow? When you stop does he stay…
Kittenhood matters Can you choose a great kitten who will be the excellent companion you’ve always wanted? I think you can if you follow an objective method. That’s easier said than done, we cat lovers being such fools for a cute face. Trusting fate can work OK but you’ll want to avoid the cat who could make your life a living heck (or worse). What’s best for cat parents is important but the wellbeing of the pet matters too. Cats need forever homes. Each year 25% of them get permanently rejected. Only one third of them live with the same…
Kindness will Light the Way Question: All my life I’ve had a dog through every turmoil and problem. I recently began a relationship with a woman who has a wonderful canine partner (let’s call her Nickel to protect identities) who is completely avoidant! We’ve tried the calm, soft voice approach. We’ve attempted the food lure. We’ve cut off escape routes, or mildly contained her in an attempt to get her used to my presence, but this beautiful friend sees me as something to run away from. Sometimes the escape is so dramatic that Nickel has hit her head on walls…
My excellent and, sadly, late colleague Dr. Sophia Yin presents a wonderful method for giving injections to cats. The pet parent with this diabetic kitty can learn to make it a good experience rather than a source of fear. Complications like Urinary Infections Derail Good Control Question: I have a 14-year-old cat who was diagnosed with diabetes about 3 years ago. She was stable; her insulin (glargine) dose was 1 1/2 units. A month ago she became lethargic and indifferent to food. Her fructosamine test showed 400 and there was sugar in her urine. Her insulin was increased to 2…
Ask Questions & Make Informed Choices Question: I am writing to you to vent my frustration toward the excessive fees charged by veterinarians. We took our pet for a routine annual physical and were charged $206.01. (For my last physical, I paid $135.75.) Today, we took her to have her teeth cleaned and paid $276.08 including a ten percent senior discount. (Mine cost $100.46.) Why you see fit to charge more than even we humans pay is beyond me. I am, candidly, beginning to question whether all of the new recommended tests are necessary or are just a means of…
Loss of Territory; Stress with New Indoor Cats Question: I was at my mother’s for her birthday and there was this beautiful cat on her porch. I petted and loved on her and then I learned that she was a stray in the trailer park. Mom suggested I take her home seeing that I am a big cat lover and already have 3 calicos. She is eating and drinking in my apartment but stays close to my door. She will come to me when I call her (Cleo) but she seems to be grieving. She ignores my cats unless they…
Question: I have a 1.5 year old neutered male Yorkie who is exhibiting aggression at all human family members except me, the mom. It doesn’t matter whether I’m holding him or he is just walking around, if anyone comes near he will growl and bark. When I am not home, he is fine with all other family members. Dr. Nichol: Your dog is over-bonded to you, becoming hyper-aroused and protective when your family comes close. Anxiety is likely to be at the root of the problem. Our dogs watch us often for behavioral cues. Any worry that your little…
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.…
Disgusting but most likely Harmless Question: Our large back yard is shared by our Russian tortoise and our 5 pound (11 month old puppy) poodle. Last spring, when “Tortie” came out of hibernation, our puppy started spending a lot of time outside. I then discovered why: the puppy was finding and eating Tortie’s poop!! Gross. Can she get sick? Dr. Nichol: Your poodle puppy, that delicate little flower, has become a tortoise stalker, motivated by her taste for – well, the good news is that her scatological proclivity is most likely benign. For expert advice I contacted reptile specialist…