Albuquerque Journal Articles
Correct the Bad Behavior while Reinforcing Correct Human Interactions Question: My kitten is 10 weeks old and is constantly biting and scratching my family’s hands and feet. How we can solve this? Dr. Nichol: Well, you could wear mittens and boots all summer but then your kitten would be in charge. Next thing you know he’ll embark on a life of crime and politics. Take control now. Jack the Ripper may seem like a force of nature but he’s really just an active young hellion with a strong need for social contact. In the absence of his mother and siblings…
Read MoreMyasthenia Gravis may be the Cause Question: Why does my Jack Russell (5 months) get sick when he drinks? Every time the poor little guy gets a drink, especially first thing in morning, he throws it back up. Dr. Nichol: If little Jack (May I call him Jack?) is like others of his ilk, he does everything fast. If he is just guzzling water fiendishly, a Drink Better bowl would be a great way of slowing him down. But there may be much more to his problem. He could have megaesophagus – a bulging of the tube that runs from…
Read MoreItchy Cat with Diarrhea Food and Airborne Allergies Likely Question: Pippi, my 4 year old Maine Coon cat first suffered with indolent ulcers at six months of age that has been controlled with z/d diet. Since January Pippi has formed stools for weeks and then reverts to “little cow pies”. Lately, she startles with itching and then frantically grooms her lower abdomen and the insides of her legs and arms. I know the excessive grooming and diarrhea can have an emotional component. We love this girl and want her to be comfortable. Dr. Nichol: Emotional component? I can only imagine…
Read MoreMy recent exposé of our volunteer efforts to spay and neuter stray cats has turned our contraception conundrum into a veritable feral feline fiasco. Here are the final comments I’ll share on this page. Further discussion is welcome on facebook. · I agree [the feral cat issue] is a hard situation and responsible pet ownership is the answer. As former director of the Houston Audubon Society, I no longer feel the same kind-hearted attitude you do. However, I have never had to be the one to make the lethal decision, so I am simply talking philosophically – and that is…
Read MoreIn last week’s column I explained volunteer efforts to reduce our burgeoning population of feral cats. Here are shortened versions of a couple of reader responses. My wife and I live with two formerly feral cats. Domita had been born wild but in contact with people early on. Ossie (with clipped ear indicating feral neutering) was part of the “collection” of a neighbor, living with 17 cats in a tiny apartment. Ossie escaped from that home. After the next summer we brought [her] inside. I suspect the neighborhood birds breathed a cheep of relief; despite feeding her, Ossie was a…
Read MoreFeral Cat Population Control & the Impact on Wildlife A few times a year I spend a Sunday morning spaying and neutering feral cats at the behest of Street Cat Companions, a branch of the not-for-profit New Mexico Animal Friends. This is a dedicated bunch committed to controlling New Mexico’s growing population of stray cats. How can I say no? I get to connect with a rotating cadre of professional colleagues who also donate their skills to do good. We get paid with doughnuts, apples, and a round of applause. It sounds simple but it’s also controversial. We cat lovers…
Read MoreMedication only needed until Healing is Complete Question: I have a 6 month old foster kitten and she has seizures of unknown origin. She has a healed fracture of her front leg and a crooked tail. Phenobarbital was prescribed twice a day but she is during well on just a night dose. Is it possible she could improve to the point of not being on any daily meds? She is a really personable kitty love bug, is starting to walk, run, jump, and do “kitten” behavior. Dr. Nichol: This little survivor took a major thrashing that I suspect included having…
Read MoreNatural Behavioral Outlets Essential to Well-Being Question: I am a new mom to two wonderful shelter dogs, including Moxie, a 15 month old pit bull/heeler. She has never urinated or defecated in the crate at night, but has consistently urinated in the crate during the day. I have tried making the crate smaller, coming home in three hour intervals, putting the crate away from my other dog, covering the crate, taking all bedding out of the crate, feeding her in the crate. Nothing has worked. I have let her roam in the house, and while she does not have any…
Read MoreSurgical Management is Best for Young Dogs Question: My dog Lola is a happy 3 year old Lhasa-poo. Recently, she eagerly ran down the stairs and hurt her leg. Her diagnosis was ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. I left the animal hospital crying. While researching online, I read non-surgical treatments are possible for dogs less than 30 pounds. Some articles advised against “rushing into knee surgery” and encouraged self-healing by restricting activity. Dr. Nichol: The knee’s anterior (cranial) cruciate ligament (ACL) is a mighty important little strap of tissue because of the front-to-back stability it provides. Any human who has faced…
Read MoreMake Success Easy; Avoid Punishment Question: I have two cats, Puppy and Critter. Puppy uses the Litter Robot to urinate but defecates right in front of it. When I catch him I sharply tell him no and bad. When I catch him defecating in the Litter Robot I pet him, praise him, and give him snacks. I cleaned up his feces for the second time today and out of frustration, pushed his nose into his mess. My girlfriend told me that could have bad consequences and showed me your site. Dr. Nichol: Positive reinforcement matters. Punishment usually fails because it…
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