Albuquerque Journal Articles

A nasty parasite, they can also infect humans.   Question: What causes hookworms and what are the symptoms?  Can my kitten be reinfested with them? (She is strictly an indoor cat.)   Dr. Nichol: Hookworms are passed between cats and dogs by microscopic eggs and through the skin. They bite into the inside wall of the intestine and suck blood. They cause weight loss, diarrhea, and anemia. If you fail to dump out your cat’s litter pan after every use your girl can become reinfected as you give her the medication to eliminate those worms. The good news is that…

A grumpy, sleepy cat with fleas is also anemic & sick. Frontline should do the trick.   Question: My cat of eight months, recently has been sleeping a lot, and every time I pick him up, he gets mad, and bites me. My cat is normally very active, and doesn’t mind getting handled. My cat right now is experiencing a lot of fleas.  I don’t know if that has to do with anything.   Dr. Nichol: You make the diagnosis simple. Those fleas are a major nuisance to your cat and, in large numbers, will cause grumpiness. But more importantly,…

Don’t Waste Time with Meat Diets & Supplements. Get a Diagnosis & Save Your Cats’ Lives Question: When my 5-year old sibling cats had a dental cleaning, the vet performed blood tests.  The results indicated less than 50% of normal red blood cell count for one and low normal for the other. He suggested feeding them some red meat. I also have been putting drops the vet prescribed, to prevent anemia, on their food. Both are feisty, active, well-adjusted and affectionate cats. I don’t want to subject them to more blood work, but do not know if their red blood…

Methimazole Helps Many. Consider the Cures Carefully Question: My 10 year old female cat was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism 2 years ago and placed on oral methimazole 10mg. The dose was too high (she wouldn’t eat or play and she was always cold) so she has been taking 5mg. for the past year.  Now our vet is saying that her dose needs to be increased again even though neither her behavior nor weight have changed. I am very concerned about the increase, but I certainly don’t want to shorten her life span. Is a surgical option worth the risks involved?   Dr. Nichol:…

Symptoms are Red Flags; there is Help for Financial Constraints Question: Gritz is an 8 year old cat, weighs 14 lbs. His urine has an overwhelming odor. When he uses the litter box it sounds like a fire hose. It seems sticky. He has a good appetite and drinks plenty of water. He was very sick 1 month ago with severe dehydration, not eating, drinking, or going to the bathroom. He also had a very sticky clear substance that he was drooling. The only thing the vet could find was a high protein level in his urine. He now seems…

Many Feline Diabetes can do Fine Without Expensive  Insulin Question: I have a 14 year old diabetic cat. We’ve always used Humulin U insulin. We now use PZI-Vet at a cost of $100 versus $30.00 for the Humulin that we can’t get anymore. Are there less expensive alternatives? I’m not putting a dollar amount on my kitty’s life-she’s priceless. I’m frustrated and worry about those unfortunate kitties whose owners can’t afford it. Once again the drug manufactures have seen a golden opportunity to increase their profits.   Dr. Nichol: Diabetes is no fun for anybody but for many cats it…