Albuquerque Journal Articles
My 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…
In 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…
Feral 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…
Medication 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…
Natural 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…
Surgical 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…
Make 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…
Avoid Fear Triggers & Teach Scared Dog that Strangers are Safe Question: Our 6 year old, mostly red healer, was rescued from an Indian reservation, then rescued again with her companion dog after her owner died, then rescued by us because of dominance issues in her adopted home. She came without her companion. She had serious separation anxiety and some nervous urination. We moved and now she is urinating on the beds whenever she is threatened (emotionally) by visitors, i.e. grandkids or houseguests. We can deal with her anxiety, but we sure would like her to quit peeing on the…
The Doctor Informs & Advises. The Owner Makes the Call Question: Last week you advised an owner of a Great Pyrenees to get expensive tests for her dog’s breathing problems. At 10 years old, that gentle giant is OLD. At what point do advise simple stuff and keeping the dog comfortable? Limiting exercise, losing weight (which you did suggest), maybe symptomatic help like asthma meds or prednisone but just letting nature take its course for a dog who’s near the end of its typical lifespan anyway? The dog didn’t sound that uncomfortable to me. This has been going on without…
Diagnosis may be Complex; Relief is Essential Question: I have a Great Pyrenees dog, 10 years old. For the past 6 months he acts like he has sleep apnea: he tries to get to sleep, but constantly awakes unable to catch his breathe. He’s big. He doesn’t seem to have it worse when he’s running or barking (which he does less and for shorter periods now – but he’s old) he does often seem to be breathing heavier even when just resting. He’s always groaned when he lies down. Likely arthritic, but I don’t give him anything for it. Lung…