Albuquerque Journal Articles
Learn about this difficult disease & how best to control it. Question: My 13-year-old cat has recently been diagnosed with diabetes. My doctor has me injecting him twice a day with insulin before his meals. I feed him 1/4 small can of W/D in the morning and 1/4 can at night with some crunchy food on the side. I have talked with another cat owner who only gives her cat one shot a day and less food at night. Do you recommend one method over the other? I would much rather only have to give him one shot a…
Read MorePotentially devastating, it’s nearly always treatable. Question: I have a male cat about 7 years old who was just diagnosed as diabetic. He has been slowly losing weight and has great thirst. Are you aware of any medications for cats to control the diabetes as with humans? Dr. Nichol: While some diabetic cats can be challenging the majority do well with treatment. But if you plan to move ahead with management of his disease you need to proceed with your eyes open. Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) is caused by an inability to get the essential sugars in our…
Read MoreCats who drink & urinate a lot may have diabetes. Some cases are complicated by an additional hormone disorder called Cushings. Both are treatable. Question: My 9-year-old cat was diagnosed with diabetes in May. Now, additionally, she has Cushings Disease. What is it and what is the prognosis? I understand it is rare in cats. Dr. Nichol: You’re smart to ask questions. These two diseases are separate problems for your kitty but they are related. It’s complicated but if treated properly she has a strong chance of doing OK. Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) is common in cats and…
Read MoreAfter Age 13 Well Immunized Pets are considered Protected for Life Question: Our dearly loved cat is 20. She has faithfully had her shots every year. She no longer goes outside. Is it necessary to subject her to shots any longer? Dr. Nichol: You must take mighty good care of your special cat. Old timers (chronologically challenged may be more politically correct) like your kitty can react badly to stresses like vaccines. The good news is that well immunized cats and dogs over 13 are considered to have a lifetime protection. Your cat gets a permanent vacation from vaccinations. The…
Read MoreHow Vaccines Work & the Risks of Too Much of a Good Thing Question: I read your column regularly and respect your advice. What do you think about this perspective? Summary of News Article: Are We Overvaccinating Our Pets? You may get notices from the veterinarian every year or two suggesting you revaccinate your pet for distemper, leukemia or other diseases. But now some vets are wondering whether the repeated doses can do more harm than good. Dr. Nichol: Your question is timely. In the last few weeks most of us have gotten more cautious. It seems like any…
Read MoreWhat do they really need & what’s unnecessary. Question: My kids and my wife and I have decided that we want to have a pet but we can’t agree on a dog or a cat so we got both. We know they need shots but I’ve called a few vet clinics and I’m getting different answers on how many shots they need. Can you advise us on what’s best? Dr. Nichol: Boy, am I glad to hear this question. It is painful for me to recall the number of these babies who have died of preventable diseases only…
Read MoreEven with Less Frequent Vaccinations, Health Exams are Needed every 6-12 Months Question: We understand that the New Mexico legislature was considering a measure that lengthened the time between rabies vaccinations for cats and dogs beyond the current annual requirement. Does my indoor cat still need an annual rabies shot? Dr. Nichol: That’s a good question. Why would a cat with no exposure to other pets need any vaccinations? On the other hand, you could go for maximum safety and immunize against everything possible. The truth is that more vaccinating is not necessarily better. Too much can cause problems like…
Read MoreSome vaccines may be less important for cats without exposure to other cats. Question: I have chosen not to vaccinate my indoor cat. I take my cat outside in the backyard a couple times a day while he is supervised by me every minute. From the research I have done I don’t think there is any chance of him getting Feline Leukemia or Rabies but I need to know about the four diseases that are contained within the Feline Distemper vaccine which are rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, chlamydia, and calicivirus/herpesvirus. Are these airborne viruses, and if so is there much…
Read MoreOur best methods at disease prevention have a down side risk. Here are the facts. 276c Question: When my cat gets her shot series, she seems sick the next couple days, and even has foam coming from her mouth. What causes this, and is it harmful? Dr. Nichol: Your poor kitty is having an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). That drooling is a sign of nausea. Her next vaccinations could cause her to have intense itching of her head and neck, vomiting, or difficulty breathing. She could get dangerously ill. Annual boosters could lead to shock-even death in a sensitized cat…
Read MoreIf They’re a Big Enough Pain in the Rear-Get Rid of those Anal Glands Question: My four-year-old male cat has had anal gland problems since he was a year old. Our vet has expressed them several times. He now wants to remove them as he got blood out (for the second time in two months). I have heard he could loose control of his bowels. He is my best friend and don’t want to lose him. I myself had cancer and he helps me keep going. Dr. Nichol: The subject of anal glands, while a fact of life for…
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