Albuquerque Journal Articles
Question: I have a nonprofit cat rescue, ForeclosurePets, here in Washington State (I am a NM native). I currently have a mom, who is very friendly, and her 3 kittens. They are about 9 weeks. I got them 2 weeks ago. The kittens will play at a distance with a teaser, and I have gotten them to eat wet food with me sitting on the floor near them. I need to get them people friendly. Dr. Nichol: Thanks for doing such important work. The mother cat’s affinity for you indicates that she had positive human exposure prior to the age…
Avoid the Fear Triggers; Reduce the Anxiety Balloon Fiesta is great fun for us, but it’s not much of a party for pets who freak out from those cosmic monsters leering and looming over them. The far-off hiss of a propane burner or a multi-colored speck in the distance can trigger overwhelming terror. There’s nothing logical about phobias. Dogs with this irrational fear haven’t been physically assaulted by balloons but like humans with unfounded anxieties, they need special consideration. Hiding, trembling, and nervous panting are indicators of real misery. Simple avoidance will reduce the risk of a balloon-phobic dog’s head…
Vaginal Foxtail Awns cause Infection & Misery Question: My cat Mystic is a 3 year old spayed female. She scoots on our carpet and leaves a streak. Our veterinarian said that she was too fat to clean herself. Her anal glands were not a problem. She said that Mystic had a vaginal infection and the streak was not poop but vaginal discharge. She gave her a shot of antibiotics and a steroid injection. That was a month ago and Mystic still has the discharge that looks like dried blood. Her bottom looks swollen. Should I try another veterinarian? Dr. Nichol:…
A Bleeding Malignancy: Painful and Life-Ending Question: My 17 year-old beagle was diagnosed with a splenic tumor last week. She has arthritis in her hips and knees. She is too old for surgery. What is her life-expectancy? I’m assuming the tumor is malignant and aggressive since it wasn’t palpable in June and her hematocrit has dropped 12 points, which means it is hemorrhaging. She is eating well and ambulating without assistance. I think my girl is in some discomfort. She doesn’t vocalize much, but groans sometimes when she gets up and down. I’m giving her tramadol and Previcox. Dr. Nichol:…
Allergic Causes respond to Diet + Medication Question: Our 4 year old Maine Coon cat, Pippi, has suffered with indolent ulcers that are under control with Hill’s z/d. In January, she had reddened gums. Our veterinarian put her on an antibiotic. Within three days she had severe loose stools, so we discontinued the antibiotic. Since then she has formed stools for weeks and then loose stools for a few days. Lately, she is experiencing seasonal allergies that cause severe itching. She startles with the itching and then frantically grooms her lower abdomen and the insides of her legs and arms.…
Older Pets Outdoors are at Risk Are you eating your breakfast as you read this? If you don’t have a strong stomach you may want to enjoy a news story on murder and mayhem instead. Today’s Pet Care topic is maggots. They’re not cute and cuddly. No one has them as pets. Despite my love for all creatures great and small I’ve never gotten goose bumps watching them hatch. Maggots are among the most dangerous summertime hazards to our pets. Similar in size to grains of rice maggots are the larvae of the common house fly. They are attracted to…
Almost always a Failure; Uncover & Treat the Cause Instead Last week, on this very page, I advised the owner of a barking dog to conduct a trial of daily exercise. She had considered an electric shock collar because she was desperate. Canine verbal communication is actually normal. Dogs are a highly social species, after all. But some are truly verbose. Canine windbags, like their human counterparts, can be tiresome. Context is important. An active dog, confined to a yard with little in the way of species-typical behavioral opportunities, is stuck in a barren environment. Not just bored, he is…
Question: I have a Pyrenees/Anatolian shepherd who is 1 year old. He barks constantly. If nothing is out there to bark at, he barks at birds and such. My husband is considering an electric bark collar. I know it is in his breed to bark, but are there any other suggestions before the collar? Dr. Nichol- Why in the world is your husband considering an electric bark collar? Isn’t it the dog who’s barking? You need to act fast. The poor man thinks he’s a Pyrenees/Anatolian shepherd. Barking is a normal part of canine communication. Excessive racket is not acceptable…
Get Serious about Pet Proofing Do you know what xylitol is? If you’re a dog owner it’s time you did. Here is the story of a family that understood the risks of this sugar substitute, did their best to pet-proof their house, but their dog “Zoe” outfoxed them anyway. “We were gone for less than two hours. During that time Zoe went into our closet and got a sealed plastic container of Spry gum (containing xylitol) that was on a shelf. She somehow removed the lid and consumed about half the gum. When we got home we saw what she…
Consider Physical or Behavioral Causes Question: Our Siberian husky eats towels, clothes, bedding – had surgery yesterday to remove a hand towel from his small intestine. 3 incisions later and almost losing him show we need help! Dr. Nichol: Eating nonfood items, called pica, is not a rare problem. Your husky is fortunate that his latest dietary escapade ended well. Some dogs are more discriminating, preferring-sorry about this-women’s underwear. Wadded-up fabric can quickly compress intestinal blood vessels, causing tissue breakdown, bacterial leakage, and even death by septic peritonitis. There are multiple possible causes for this high-risk behavior. Some dogs have…