Albuquerque Journal Articles
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…
Research Supports other Alternative Therapies Question: A friend started using CBD oil for her dog that has severe epilepsy and it seems to be minimizing the number of seizures. I wanted to see if it might be a possibility for my dog. He freaks out when he sees strangers and he gets startled sometimes at just regular noises around the house. Dr. Nichol: Cannabidiol (CBD) is derived from hemp and contains only miniscule amounts of the “high” producing chemical THC. There is some published information on CBD’s presumed mode of action for the treatment of human pain, schizophrenia, and…
Our American tradition of conspicuous Christmas consumption isn’t just for humans. Your pet can be a pig even without being a pet pig. Edibles: Alcoholic beverages, chocolate, coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans), spoiled and fatty foods, onions, onion powder, salt, yeast dough and marijuana are all dangerous and potentially deadly for pets. Plants: Lilies are potentially deadly for cats; poinsettias may cause vomiting or nausea; mistletoe can trigger heart problems but usually just stomach upset; and holly leads to vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and lethargy. Drinking fertilized Christmas tree water causes stomach upset. Consuming stagnant tree water (and whose…
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,…
Set Pets Up for Success; then Teach them What to Do Right John received a parrot as a gift, one with a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every utterance was rude, obnoxious, and laced with profanity. John did his best to improve the bird’s demeanor by saying only polite words, playing soft music, and setting a good example of decorum. But it seemed like a lost cause. Finally, John got fed up and he yelled at the bird. The parrot yelled back. John shook that nasty bird, who got angrier and even more rude. In desperation John grabbed…
It’s Easy to Give them a Break & Keep them Safe Thanksgiving is great fun, isn’t it? Family, football, turkey, pie, and beer. 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 political discussions.…
Stressed Cats Struggle Behaviorally and Physically Do you live in a litter pan or suffer through feline caterwauling and brawling? Take a long gulp of coffee just for maintaining your sanity. The story of Larry, Moe, and Curly (not their real names) is sure to help you feel better. Moe was so young when he left his mother that he required bottle-feeding. With no real concept of playing well with others he powered through a youthful bout of kidney failure but then advanced to periodic vomiting and chewing plastic wrappers. Losing his lunch furthered Moe’s social isolation but it was…
Chocolate is Dangerous for Dogs Halloween is great, isn’t it? You can go incognito and so can your dog. And the snacks, oooh, they’re to die for, aren’t they? But if it’s a dog who indulges – even a little- chocolate can be fatal. Of the vast array of goodies consumed in mass quantities during the holidays, chocolate is certainly the most dangerous for dogs. Whether they devour one piece of candy at a time or raid the whole bag you have a medical emergency. Chocolate and cocoa products contain caffeine and methylxanthines, substances we humans handle with no problem.…