Albuquerque Journal Articles

Question: Our 13 year old cat has stopped eating altogether. He has gone from 15 lbs. down to 13 in two weeks. We took him to a local veterinarian and they ran tests and found he only had a small heart murmur so they put him on Clavamox & enalapril. He’s just wasting away before our eyes.   Dr. Nichol- Rapid weight loss in an overweight cat is a bad sign because fatty infiltrates in the liver can cause that organ to fail. Your kitty must take in nutrition immediately. If he is to have any real hope of long…

Age doesn’t Matter; It’s a Great Move for All Cats Question: My daughter wanted to know if having her cat neutered at one year of age could change his personality.   Dr. Nichol: There is no hard and fast rule that applies to every cat; like all of us, they are individuals. Having said that, most unneutered adult male cats spend their lives prowling the single scene, spraying trees and houses with graffiti, and whipping the snot out of other cats who blunder into their territory. Many are fathers but few of them ever take their kids camping. They tend…

Many Possible Causes Question: What is your recommendation for placing an 11 month old cat who now has all but her canines removed, because of plasmacytic lymphocytic stomatitis, with other cats? I fear that whatever virus that’s involved might be transmissible to certain vulnerable individuals.   Dr. Nichol: This is an important question with a nebulous answer. Feline stomatitis is a painful, debilitating swelling of the gums that can make eating even soft food an excruciating event. The only permanent cure for most affected cats is extraction of every tooth-including the canine (fangs) and incisor (front) teeth. There has been…

Risks and Test Results Assessed in Light of Physical Health Question: Our two adorable kittens have been diagnosed with feline leukemia. We are concerned they will not survive their shots or spaying. Being that they are 5 months old, I’m worried that the female will get pregnant from her brother.  Is there a feline birth control pill or shot?  We love these kittens and have gone through so much with them.   Dr. Nichol: I know what you mean about protecting those babies. Kittens seem so vulnerable. The good news is that feline leukemia infection alone will not increase the…

Most Causes can be Treated at Home Question: Our old cat Spunky (13 years) is a disagreeable animal but I hate to see him decline. Two years ago we let the vet clean his teeth. I decided then I would not subject him to any more tests or treatments. He’s very thin but eats at least 6 times a day. He’s always been an outdoor/indoor cat as we live in a rodent habitat (the North valley). I haven’t seen him with a mouse in ages so what can we do to give him a comfortable retirement?   Dr. Nichol: Spunky’s…

Potentially Deadly: Malignancy & Diabetes are Manageable if Treated Early Question: My cats are brother and sister; they are 14. My female cat has had a small lump near her female parts for 5 months. I am not concerned because she has maintained her weight, happiness and eats and drinks well. Is there anything I should be doing? Also my cats’ litter box has been pretty disgusting lately. I have been changing it every week but the urine smells A LOT and the litter is completely drenched and sometimes there are little tiny bugs.   Dr. Nichol: I am concerned.…

Nose Temperature is Never Reliable; a Thermometer is Much Better Question: Is a cold nose an indicator of health in a cat (like a dog) or is it OK if a cat’s nose is warm? Dr. Nichol: I’ve enjoyed thousands of canine and feline noses in my years of practice but, contrary to folklore, their temperatures have no meaning whatever. Good ways to monitor your pet’s health are to watch for a change in appetite, weight, water consumption, urine, stool, and activity level. Be concerned if your pet consistently breathes fast or with difficulty, coughs, sneezes, wheezes, or develops lumps…

Kidney Failure follows 24-48 hours after Ingestion Easter lilies: This beautiful flower is potentially dangerous. Cats who eat any part of this plant become lethargic as their kidneys fail within 24-48 hours of ingestion. Any cat or dog who has eaten an Easter lily needs emergency treatment, ideally before the onset of symptoms.

Cats are very Different. Human Products are often Risky for Cats Question: My cat is 15 months old and is getting over an allergy attack that affected her eyes. I burned some incense and used an insect repellant with DEET. Can those things be harmful to a cat? Dr. Nichol: Your kitty may have a few good reasons for those unhappy eyes. Incense smoke or allergies could do it but I am highly concerned about that insect repellent. DEET is serious stuff and can be toxic to cats as well as dogs.   Chemicals can be high risk for cats.…

Diagnosing the Cause is Important & usually simple Question: My baby Roo is a little tabby cat we found abandoned in a park. She had little lumps just under her chin on her neck, approximately where humans would have lymph nodes. Her Feline AIDS test came back negative. When the lumps hadn’t gone away another vet prescribed antibiotics and said wait and see. The antibiotics reduced the size of the lumps, but they are still there. Other that this, she appears to be in good health. She is currently about 6 months old. This kitty is the sweetest, most loving…