Albuquerque Journal Articles
A Cleaner Litter Pan can make a Big Difference Question: My female cat pees like a lady when outside, but inside she stands and sprays the wall. I have had to buy an enclosed litter box to protect the walls. I tried new litter but it did not help. Dr. Nichol: You tried new litter? This isn’t really about your cat, is it? It’s OK. Rather than urine marking, a coping behavior of cats living in a stressful environment, your girl’s habit of voiding while standing in her litter pan is suggestive of an aversion to the contents of the…
Appropriate Treatment Pays Off Question: My mostly feral/domestic cat has chin acne very badly. I’ve read stuff on line and am now only giving food and water out of glass/porcelain bowls. I’m not seeing any progress. Would Dinovite help? I hesitate to try witch hazel or any other antiseptics. Dr. Nichol: Your diagnosis is correct. That uncomfortable lumpy swelling results from a complex skin disorder that only affects the underside of cats’ chins. There can be comedones (black heads), papules (little red bumps), crusts, scabs, pustules (white heads), hair loss, and in severe cases, pain. It isn’t pretty. Your cat…
Question: Our German shepherd, Chrysanthemum (6 months old), has fear-aggression issues so we’ve been taking her to Bullhead Park to try socializing. There were 5-6 dogs there and she was doing her barking thing. Suddenly, some guy strode up and grabbed her by the neck, shaking her hard a couple of times before I shoved him away. He pushed me, and Chrysanthemum jumped at him. He kicked her. He claimed he has been a trainer for 40 years. Another person told us he is a regular and has frequently caused altercations resulting in police calls. He further traumatized my dog…
Specific cause unknown The risks to canine health from eating jerky treats are on the front burner again. I shared information on this problem in my Pet Care column back in March, 2012. Now, for an update. Food safety issues are a growing problem in part because of the globalization of this industry for humans as well as animals. Reported by the Veterinary Information (VIN) News Service, Dr. Linda Fleeman and her Australian colleagues published a large case report of 108 pet dogs in the September issue of the Australian Veterinary Journal. Their findings suggested the presence of a toxin…
Basic Obedience Skills will make a Difference Question: I have to ask, how do you improve the quality of life for a blind cat? Dr. Nichol: I am so glad you are caring for this special needs kitty. You can have fun teaching her to follow your lead without hiring a Seeing Eye dog for her. Start with the highest value cat treat, held just a few inches in front of your kitty’s nose. Slowly make a front-to-back arc over her head toward her shoulders. As her nose follows the scent of beluga caviar her neck will arch back and…
Vascular Ring Anomaly can be Surgically Corrected Question: Blue Boy is a Sphynx cat, 13 years old. Ever since he was a kitten he has had trouble with food. He would scoop it up his mouth like a bull dozer and chew it while growling. After he stuffed himself he would regurgitate it and run away. I fed him tiny amounts at a time and he was able to keep that down. He acts hungry all the time. Is my cat bulimic? Dr. Nichol: Blue Boy is not bulimic. Even if he were a fashion model he wouldn’t care what…
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 falling cosmic monsters. Every exposure worsens their fears. The far-off hiss of a propane burner or a multi-colored speck in the distance can trigger overwhelming terror. Phobias are not logical. Dogs saddled 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 distress. You can keep a balloon phobic dog’s brain intact by helping…
There may be a new and ugly infection of dogs that could spell trouble – or maybe not. Confirmed so far in only a handful dogs in Ohio, the organism, called circovirus, has been implicated in cases of severe, sudden onset vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, and physical depression. Speculation is rampant. Here is what we know so far. Circovirus causes, or may be involved in causing, marked inflammation of blood vessels, called vasculitis, potentially leading to tissue death. So far it has largely been considered a secondary infectious agent How prevalent is circovirus? One report showed the virus in 11.3%…
Chewable Anxitane can make a Difference Question: I will retire soon to Ecuador and my two cats will be relocating with me. The plan is for them to travel in their carriers in the aircraft cabin underneath the seat. Unfortunately this will involve several changes in aircraft. Should I break up a very long day of travel with an extra over-night or try to get the trip completed as quickly as possible? I just want to do what’s best for them – they are my best buds and leaving them behind is not an option. The kitties are both 10…
Stomach or Intestinal Causes are Most Likely Question: My oddball cat loves to lick shiny plastic bags, such as Ziplocs and dry cleaning bags. What is that about? Dr. Nichol: It seems that every month or so some new exotic cat breed appears on the scene. Is Oddball one of those high falutin’ designer cats? I want to see photos of oddball cats so I can learn to identify them. Veterinarians should know these things. There can be a variety of reasons for licking behavior, whether directed at skin, metal, concrete, air, or plastic. Oddball is not missing essential nutrients;…