Albuquerque Journal Articles
Scent Glands, Diet, and Environmental Enrichment Question: This x-ray is of my pet skunk. He is a neutered male, 10 months old. He has gone off his back legs. Dr. Nichol: Your skunk’s x-ray (posted on facebook.com/drjeffnichol) shows a couple of bright ovals near his rear end, suggestive of impacted anal (scent) glands. They are large enough to interfere with normal movement and may be causing significant pain. It’s time to have them removed. The ambience of your home is also at risk. Skunks, I am told, can make rather engaging pets, behaving a lot like ferrets-playful and entertaining. Some…
Life is Short; Do Whatever it Takes Question: I have an 8 year old mixed breed (old yeller, lab looking beauty) with arthritis in her right ankle. It swells up with a knot on it and causes her a lot of pain. Our veterinarian recommended Rimadyl, but we want to treat with natural products if possible to avoid long term complications. Dr. Nichol: Dietary supplements can help but they are seldom potent enough to control serious joint pain and inflammation. At some point your sweet dog’s degenerative ankle disease will worsen and she will need more help. Her doctor prescribes…
Observant Owners & Thorough Medical Care Saves Lives Cats are America’s favorite pet, yet they are seen less often than dogs in veterinary clinics. Why? I thought you’d never ask. It’s because of the widely held belief that cats are lower maintenance pets. They can stay indoors, munch as-needed from a brimming bowl of non-stinky dry food, and then poop in a box. They pretty much take care of themselves-right? Sadly, this hands-off attitude has led to needless suffering and early death for well-loved kitties. Just last week veterinary internist Dr. Phil Ries gave an excellent presentation to local veterinarians.…
Forget Punishment; Guests mean Good Things Happen Question: We have an 8 month old mix breed dog who is timid but aggressive. We have had her since she was 8 weeks old. There are 3 other dogs. When people enter the house her hackles go up and she barks, all the time backing up. She has nipped at people who she deems “scary”. We do not let visitors back down. We have also tried being dominant. Dr. Nichol: This really is a scared puppy, overwhelmed and feeling deeply threatened when confronted by strangers. Her hostile reactions, intended to drive off…
Some Disorders may be More Prone to Occur To neuter or not to neuter: That is the question. Really? Wasn’t that settled a long time ago? As a veterinarian, obliged to reduce animal suffering, shouldn’t I, of all people, vigorously beat the spay/neuter drum? The oversupply of pets has not gone away. The behavioral benefits of spaying and neutering are clear. Roaming, urine marking/spraying, and aggression between intact (unneutered) males are greatly diminished. The best reason for continuing early-age sterilization prior to adoption is to reduce the glut of unwanted pets. During the 1980s shelters in the United States euthanized…
A Good Plan can make Veterinary Expenses Affordable A dog or cat who is sick or injured needs competent medical care but the cost can be a serious problem. Research has given us more diagnostic accuracy and some astonishing cures but it doesn’t come cheap. Like most veterinarians I’ve struggled with providing state-of-the-art medicine while keeping fees affordable but advanced training, new equipment, and drugs, added to the costs of running a small business (insurance, rent, and wages) increase every year. It’s reached the point where not everybody can afford it. Pet medical insurance can help. Sick pets can be…
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…