Albuquerque Journal Articles
Atopic and Zylkene can Help Question: Our cat is a bit of scaredy cat but is also aggressive towards me and my husband. He was poorly socialized as a kitten. I love him to death but am so saddened by him. He can be so mean when all we want to do is love and care for him. His ears are always full of wax. He has scratched the fur off his face and the backs of his ears. Dr. Nichol: Your cat’s reactive aggression is sad for him too. If I had such intense itchies that I damaged my…
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Stem Cells Advance Healing with Corrective Surgery Question: I have a 3 year old cockapoo and she was trying to jump and did something to her leg. She cried for about 30 seconds, it was horrifying. She was born with loose kneecaps. My veterinarian was telling me about stem cells. I’m skeptical with any new procedures. Are there side effects or possibly future problems? She loves to play and I’m afraid it might happen again. Dr. Nichol: If your cockapoo has somewhat bowed rear legs, one or both of her knee caps (patellas) may slip out of its groove at…
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Food Toys & Cord Covers Bring out the Best Question: My cat has a terrible chewing problem. He chewed through my curling iron cord, leaving exposed wires. He chews the plastic top on my water bottle, the plastic on my shoe laces, my computer and printer cords, and cell phone cords. Is there any type of discipline you recommend? I love the cat but I’m so frustrated. Dr. Nichol: Frustrated? You sound positively flummoxed. You’re crashing your hard drive. You might lose control and chew your computer mouse! Step back from the ledge and take a few deep breaths. And…
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Rarely Fatal, Pet Rats can be Tested There is a subset of animal lovers with pet rats. I like these gentle creatures. I’ve have had their genetic cousins, gerbils, myself. What’s new with rats is that the CDC has made us aware of Seoul virus. Originally discovered in South Korea, this infectious organism is found in wild rats all over the world. There is nothing new about the Seoul virus in urban and feral rats, but, according to a recent report, this infectious organism “was recently found in their tamed counterparts in the United States. Since December 2016, 17 people…
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Question: We have a 16 year old Chihuahua with worsening cognitive dysfunction over the past 8 weeks. Early signs started 4 months ago. She has been on SAMe and her house soiling has improved. She walks in circles and gets herself trapped and bumps into things. I have read about resveratrol and ginkgo biloba. Not quite ready to lose her but she is getting closer it seems. Dr. Nichol: Your elderly dog is suffering from common symptoms of cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). This is a difficult problem. Our pets seem to get more dear to us as they age. Treatment…
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High Protein, Low Carb Question: Sometime back you suggested feeding cats over 12 pounds canned kitten food. Our cat weighs about 18 pounds. He eats canned food and dry. You recommended kitten food because of the protein. What brand or brands and how much? I am confused because the amount of calories is what causes weight gain? Dr. Nichol: You are right to be concerned about your cat’s well-being. His generous girth puts him at risk of fatty liver disease, diabetes, and degenerative arthritis. Obesity advances insidiously, leading people to accept their corpulent kitties as “big boned”, bless their little…
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Question: Several people (not veterinarians!) have suggested that it isn’t safe to walk my 11-year-old Boston Terriers in Albuquerque this summer – or even keep them in New Mexico at all – because these brachycephalic dogs are so susceptible to breathing difficulties caused by ash and other particles in the air from the wildfires. They are healthy and haven’t had any respiratory problems other than occasional “reverse sneezing,” Our air quality seems pretty decent despite the fires and we’ve been lucky with the wind direction. Dr. Nichol: Nobody, regardless of species, should be inhaling smoke, first hand, second hand,…
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Reduce the anxiety, improve the home environment Question: I took in a stray kitten back in August, 2012 after being tased and thrown out by a neighbor. Baby Girl isn’t friendly toward visitors. Now we have moved in with my mom and her two cats. Baby Girl spits at my mom’s female cat. She’s been living in my bedroom and has lost 2#, now at 6.8#. Dr. Nichol: Your poor kitty has reason to be distrustful. Like many cats she may have been more bonded to her territory than she to her person. And, as they age, cats are generally…
Read MoreComfort Scared Pets with Good Management Startled by earsplitting blasts, many otherwise stable pets will endure almost continual panic this weekend. Scared dogs may hide, tremble, drool, cry or howl, and even urine soil, vomit or pass diarrhea. Many get clingy but some escape the home and risk getting hit in the road. A freaked-out dog or cat needs reassurance, but shelter from the bombardment is even better. Allow an anxious pet to find relief anywhere she feels better. A bathroom, dark closet, or an open pet crate, located away from windows and exterior walls, should be available. Unpredictable flashes…
Read MoreChronic Nausea is Most Common Cause Question: My dog recently had a lick granulomas removed by laser. He was placed in an Elizabeth (cone) collar. When I take off the collar for him to eat he stops eating to lick the wounds. I have tried to take off the collar and dress the wounds with gauze and duct tape, as well as Boundary. Each time he chewed and licked off the dressings. Dr. Nichol: Your poor dog licks his wounds incessantly partly because they itch like crazy. This isn’t a simple problem. Anxiety may be a factor, possibly leading to…
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