Albuquerque Journal Articles
Anal Gland need Maintenance; maybe Removal Question: I had to have my cat’s analog glands taken out. Since then he has been scooching on carpet. I had him checked for worms. I had them put him on meds for a week but he is still doing it. Dr. Nichol: Our pets’ rear ends can be strange and mysterious, so unlike ours. The specialized structures on either side of their anuses, called anal glands, are located in the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions. While this may bring to mind an analog clock face, don’t confuse any of this with a…
One Day Housetraining is Fast & Simple Question: My puppy is 10 weeks old and has been paper trained since 4 weeks. I want him to go outside so I started gradually moving the pads closer to the dog door. I have taken him out on the leash after eating and then he messes inside. He has found some favorite spots in the house. I do not want to settle for a paper trained adult dog. Dr. Nichol: I agree. No adult should settle for being paper trained. Bathroom etiquette and a high school diploma are the bare minimum for…
A Trip to the Doctor means Managing Travel Anxiety Question: We have an older female German shepherd that for the past couple of months has ‘matter’ in both eyes off and on. I wipe off the material and rinse the eyes with “Eye Relief’ but in a few days it returns. She is terrified to leave the yard and go in a car so I hate to cause her the stress! Dr. Nichol: With the summer wind, mixed with dust, pollens, and occasional wildfire smoke, there are plenty of dogs with the same symptoms. The pink tissues beneath your shepherd’s…
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…
Myasthenia 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…
Itchy 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…
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…