Albuquerque Journal Articles
Thorough Dental Treatment is Essential Question: Our cat is 10 years of age and lately started to salivate a lot, having trouble eating and her tongue slightly protruding. Don’t know if she is in pain but sleeps a lot. My problem now is worrying if it is dangerous to give her anesthesia for dental scaling .Her veterinarian said her gums are severely infected and one tooth appeared to have broken off. Please help me in my dilemma .My daughter is so attached to her and worried. Dr. Nichol: I understand your concern for your cat’s anesthetic safety but there is…
Hip Dysplasia more likely than Spinal Disease Question: Our German shepherd who is 5 years old suddenly jumped down from her (our!) easy chair and fell in a heap! Her legs seemed stiff and she was in pain. She was scared till she got up and wanted to go outdoors. Next day she was chasing around like normal. Last night she came in and collapsed in a heap on the floor! After a few minutes she gradually got up and wanted outdoors again and walked fine. Could this be a spinal problem? Dr. Nichol: I’m glad to hear that your…
More Exercise, especially Herding, would be Perfect Question: I’ve a blue heeler/Lab mix, altered. He tries to herd people and drives me nuts barking when I’ve got to go out. I’ve considered finding someone more active than me because my health prevents me from activity I used to do with him but would miss him so much I’m torn. Heard of Zylkene but unsure of using it. Dr. Nichol: You describe a big active herding dog who came hard-wired, right out of the box, to engage in behavior that is innate to his genetic code. He is a heeler, so…
Time to Cat-Proof for the Holidays Canine dietary indiscretions like chocolate, raisins, grapes, and turkey carcasses are well known. Let’s be fair; cats are sneakier; their Christmastime binging can go unnoticed until they’re sick. Tinsel tops the list. Once swallowed, peristaltic movements usually advance it safety toward the proper exit but if a strand gets hung up, those back and forth gut motions create trouble. Wads of tinsel cause obstructions. Lengths of it saw holes in the intestinal wall. Choose wisely: decorate with tinsel or have a cat. There is no tinsel at the Nichol house. The silica gel packs…
Housing, Litter, and Diet are Crucial Question: I am an 83 year old woman in good health mentally and physically. I would like a pet but don’t want the “baggage” of a cat or dog. I’m considering getting a rabbit. I don’t have a good yard for outdoor activity, however. Dr. Nichol: I know what you mean. If you wanted baggage you’d adopt a politician. I’d vote for a rabbit instead. Be aware that these creatures are different; they are not cats with long ears or little people in furry suits but members of a different species. Your shiny new…
Treat the Patient; the Diagnosis is Secondary Question: A couple of weeks ago you spoke regarding overweight kitties. Smokie is five years old and weighs 13.8 pounds. I have moved him to canned kitten food. My other three are all over 13 years. The tabby is not overweight, healthy. The Siamese has issues with bowel, so he is on the Science Diet for gastro, works great. Sasha is a Siamese with issues and on meds. She refused the prescription food, would rather starve. Really. As these geriatric gang, and not overweight, and Sasha underweight, should I move everyone to kitten…
Teaching Fun Tricks can Desensitize & Heal the Emotional Wounds Question: Our 8 year old hound-spaniel mix (rescued at age 1) is afraid of new shoes/boots. She runs away from us and hides. She shakes, emits a horrible smell, and now checks out what’s on our feet. She won’t accept treats when we are wearing the shoes. We have never abused her. Dr. Nichol: Your dog gets so terrified that her anus puckers, causing her anal sacks (similar to a skunk’s scent glands) to release a vile-smelling fluid. Her fear-based association with footwear may date back to an accidental startle.…
Feline-Specific Outlets for Natural Behavior are Essential Question: We have a 3 year old female cat, “Tuxie”. Our other cat “Merlin” was adopted by a fellow who later hanged himself. Merlin wants to play more than Tuxie. Sometimes the play gets a little rough. Then she’ll run under a bed. Sometimes ears are back on both cats, she’ll hiss at him, and they’ll slap each other. We wonder if he’s got a mean streak. We’ve said No! in a firm voice, or banged a pot and lid together, or used a squirt bottle to make him back off. Other times…
Canned Kitten Food is Best for Healthy Cats of All Ages Are chubby cats cute and happy? As youngsters their bodies can tolerate abuse but like us, as they reach middle age, they pay for the mistakes of their youth. Diet matters. Dry cat foods are marketed on the perception that kitties are just small dogs but with short ears. Kibbles conveniently baked into odorless nuggets make owning a cat almost as convenient as a house plant. But heavy on starch (carbohydrates) and proportionately low in meat (protein) dry diets have created a burgeoning population of muscle wasted, dangerously corpulent…
More than just Freaked-Out Fowl I want to discuss hen hysteria. Don’t get me wrong – this is not a pejorative term; I’m not a politician. Hen hysteria is a genuine behavior disorder, a significant challenge in commercial poultry operations. Stuffed into cages, row upon row, some laying hens suddenly wig-out with no apparent trigger. This syndrome is marked by sudden flying (or attempts at flight), squawking, and searching frantically for a hiding place. Sometimes it happens spontaneously but it can also occur in response to unexpected noises or movements. Hen hysteria is clearly related to crowding. The more densely…