Albuquerque Journal Articles
Obesity is Dangerous Question: Hermione, our 11 year old long haired calico, was diagnosed with hepatic lipidosis. She received a month of treatment per our veterinarian. We then made a tough decision to stop all treatment. Two weeks later Minie has increased energy, is eating somewhat better, and is again engaging in household life. But all of the fur under her head and all the way down her front has all dropped off. Dr. Nichol: I’m delighted that Hermione is feeling better but she may not be out of the woods. Hepatic lipidosis (aka fatty liver disease) is serious business.…
Coyotes may be Responsible. Rule out Involvement of Dogs Question: We raised two LGD puppies with sheep — neither of them showed aggression toward anything — not chickens, cats, sheep, nor people. Early today, we found a cat torn to shreds. There are three cats still lying in the sun purring and weaving. It sounds more like a coyote’s work, but I haven’t seen any (we do hear them). We can’t find evidence — blood, fur, skin on the dogs. We’re afraid to even let the kids go out. Dr. Nichol: This is a tragic situation that needs to be…
Idiopathic Facial Paralysis is a Lifelong Condition Question: One of my tenants has a heartbreaking situation with her precious 8 year old golden retriever mix. Half of the dog’s face has become paralyzed. His left eye will not close and neither does the left side of his mouth. He has been in this state for 4 weeks. Otherwise he seems pretty healthy. Dr. Nichol: I’m sorry about what’s happened to this dog’s face. It must be really unsettling for his owner. A nerve disorder called idiopathic facial paralysis is a strong possibility. Degeneration of the seventh cranial nerve leads to…
Add Feline-Specific Activities Question: Stinky, at the age of 5 months, adopted us by walking in the back door. The weird thing is his habit of waking me at 3 AM. He will come back every five minutes to stare me in the face and give his little pathetic meow. It does no good to lock him out of the bedroom, because he will sit outside and sing the song of his people. We are convinced that he just wants me to get up and play, and what better time to play for a nocturnal animal? Dr. Nichol: There’s really…
Ask Questions & Make Informed Choices Question: I am writing to you to vent my frustration toward the excessive fees charged by veterinarians. We took our pet for a routine annual physical and were charged $206.01. (For my last physical, I paid $135.75.) Today, we took her to have her teeth cleaned and paid $276.08 including a ten percent senior discount. (Mine cost $100.46.) Why you see fit to charge more than even we humans pay is beyond me. I am, candidly, beginning to question whether all of the new recommended tests are necessary or are just a means of…
GI Disease Underlies Most Question: My dog recently had a lick granulomas removed by laser. He was placed in an e-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. Using the e-collar until the wounds heal seems cruel, especially since he will start licking anyway. Dr. Nichol: Your poor dog is obsessed with licking his wound in part because it itches…
Quiet Enticements and Anxitane can Help Question: We got our 2nd cat last August, a beautiful female calico about 3 years old. Her name is Sweety. She has been abused in the past by the way she shies away from everyone but she will play with our other cat. We have finally got her to come out from behind the couch but she still won’t let anyone pet her. The last time my wife tried to pick her up slowly Sweety ran like hell. She’s got to have her shots but we don’t know how to get her to the…
Taurine is a Critical Nutrient Like humans thriving on a healthy diet, properly fed pets feel better and live longer. If you have a creative bent with nutrition or a restricted budget you’ll need to be careful. Cats whose diets are deficient in the organic acid taurine can end up blind or facing life-threatening heart disease. Taurine is essential for all of us. Humans can manufacture their own but cats must get it from their diets. A kitty eating cheap food or a homemade concoction without supplemental taurine can develop feline central retinal degeneration. FCRD is a disease of the…
Heal well with Careful Treatment Question: We have a Rhodesian ridgeback, chow, Sheppard mix. I made the error of shaving his coat. Now these red bloody abrasions keep appearing. Dr. Nichol: As with any medical problem, attempting to diagnose a skin disorder without a physical exam would be a serious gamble. Having said that, I suspect clipper burns. Without frequent lubrication the friction between the rapidly moving blades generates serious heat. Clipper burns are seldom severe but they can take a few weeks to heal. Cleaning the wounds twice daily with a moist wash cloth is the safest way of…
Early Extraction is Safest Question: I discovered that Rocky (5 month old Jack Russell) is growing his adult canine teeth however his baby teeth are not coming out. Will they come out on their own later? Dr. Nichol: Retained baby (deciduous) teeth is a common bump in the road of adolescence for small breed dogs. Those little choppers will not fall out on their own. If they’re allowed to stay beyond the toddler phase, the much bigger permanent teeth will arrive right next door. Food particles, hair, and even plant material can get jammed in the gap between them. This…