Albuquerque Journal Articles
This Gut Wrenching Decision is an Essential Last Gift Question: My 16 1/2 year old cocker spaniel suffers from dementia, rear leg myelopathy, food sensitivity, abnormal kidney levels, a cataract, hearing impairment, and multiple benign lumps. Recently the dementia symptoms require ‘round the clock care. He’s lost all interest in food and I’ve had to force feed him by shoving food in his mouth. He’s been skin and bones for a month. I’m frustrated and don’t know if I’m doing the right thing by keeping him alive. I can’t bear the thought of euthanizing him. Dr. Nichol: Your love and…
Read MoreFeline Senior Citizen needs a Thorough Geriatric Workup Question: I have a senior Siamese going on 17 years. She has eaten Iams dry food all her life, turning her nose up at anything else including chicken and fish. All of a sudden she quit eating and it seemed that her mouth was bothering her. I had her teeth cleaned and was given antibiotics for possible mouth problems. She seemed to feel better, but wants to now eat canned food and she begs for food while I am eating, which she never did before. She does not seem sick, but she…
Read MoreImpacted A/G may be Sore following Expression Question: I have a 5 year old female Pomeranian, who was expressed yesterday. She is still whipping her head around to get to her bum. She can’t reach there because she is soo tiny. Is she supposed to still be irritated there? And is there something I can do to help her? Dr. Nichol: Anal glands are a real drag. An evolutionary vestige, similar to the rear end accessories of skunks, they are standard equipment on all dog and cat models. Your Pomeranian’s anal glands may have been impacted, meaning that the naturally…
Read MoreHeart Muscle Disease a likely Cause Question: My poor Abby who is still a youngin at 5 years old is having severe problems walking. She is an indoor only cat and has not sustained any trauma. Her problem has been going on for 2 months. She is unable to jump and her walking has gotten progressively worse as she drags her hind legs and frequently stumbles. She does not seem to be in any pain and her temperament, eating/drinking and toileting habits have not been altered. We have tried a pain killer and prednisone and her problems are getting worse.…
Read MoreAllergies are the #1 Cause Question: We have a Red Bone Coon Hound who is 18 months old. He chews his ears and toenails. He was a rescue dog about six months ago. What can we do to stop this behavior and why does he do it? Dr. Nichol: Dogs who lick, chew, or scratch themselves are miserably itchy. Among many possible causes allergies are the most common. Your big red hound dog could be reacting to airborne particles like house dust and pollens or to his diet. Other considerations include scabies (a type of mange), which can affect the…
Read MoreDetermine that Neutering was Complete Question: My cat is ten years old. This last year he has been climbing on the back of another male cat that we have (who is more subservient) and biting his neck. He holds him still and grinds and sometimes cries out. He has also been growling and hissing at our dog who he has known since a kitten. Now my dog seems to be afraid of him. Dr. Nichol: Nobody is having a good time at your house, including the tough guy. Some would consider his bullying a punishable crime; others might advocate allowing…
Read MoreEverybody is at Risk; Dogs should Sleep on Floor Question: I have 2 male Chihuahuas, father and son. They have always slept with us. The older one growls when the younger one is near him and starts prancing around on the bed so the younger one prances behind him eventually growling back and then they fight and my husband and I have to break it up. This has affected our sleep and they are causing each other stress, pain, and injuries. Dr. Nichol: Are we having fun yet? This nightly fiasco is putting all creatures great and small at risk.…
Read MoreEnrich the Environment for a Full Feline Live Question- I have 5 cats and 5 months ago, I saved 3 kittens that were 3 days old. I just adopted 2 of them together to a home and we are keeping the third. Well, the poor little guy is bored, lonely, and depressed. None of my butt head cats will play with him, let alone curl up with him. I feel so bad for him and am trying everything I can to play with him and cheer him up. It’s just so sad to watch Dr. Nichol: Five butt head cats?…
Read MoreEffort Underway to Outlaw Trapping on Public Lands A few weeks ago in this column I posted a letter telling the story of a dog who spent 3 days caught in a coyote trap. “Bailey” ended up doing fine but the trapping issue continues to smolder. The Journal published some letters on the Op-Ed page. Here are a few of the responses from my facebook page. “In this day and age, that we allow these mindless and cruel devices especially on our public lands is unconscionable. On the trapfree nm web page, there is a petition that welcomes your signature…
Read MorePrevent Arousal Triggers; Treat Anxiety, Nausea Question: I need help controlling my Sunny in a car. I have had big dogs all my life but never had this problem and it’s getting scary to travel and worry about the distraction. In all other situations he responds to speech commands and treats. In this he is oblivious to my existence! Dr. Nichol: Oblivious to your existence, eh? I’ve been to that movie. You might as well be raising children. Out-of-control pacing and barking in the car is a common problem. Many dogs have a strong need to interact with everything they…
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