Albuquerque Journal Articles
Cats are Carnivores. They need a Balanced Diet with Meat. Question: I’ve been told about a vegetarian diet that is available for cats. I am thinking of putting my cat on this but I’m not sure that a totally vegetarian diet will be healthy for him. Do you think it would be for the good of my cat to do this? Dr. Nichol: There are hundreds of diets for pets. They seem to come and go every week. A great number of them are marketing fads. What’s important is the health of your cat. Our cats are an…
Elderly cats who fail to eat may have serious illness. But we can help many. Question: We have a 20 year old female cat. She will not eat canned cat food from the pet stores. I have tried many brands but she will go many days before finally eating a little. My wife wanted to know are there any recipes available she could cook up that our cat might eat. We are worried she is not getting enough food. Dr. Nichol: Thanks for writing. You are right to be concerned but please do not try to manage your…
Give Dogs a Structure for Eating Dog Food Question: I’ve tried to find a dog food that will satisfy both of my Chihuahuas but haven’t been successful. As a last resort I started fixing them hamburger, boiled chicken or ground turkey with steamed rice, carrots and scrambled eggs which they love. Is this a healthy regimen; am I doing more harm than good? Dr. Nichol: That’s an impressive menu. I’ll be right over but I’ll leave Maddie, the Nichol family puppy, at home. We love her like a little girl but we feed her like a dog because physiologically…
What’s good, What’s junk, Why it matters Question: For most of my cat’s 12 years she would only eat canned food. She got cat acne and our vet suggested it was due to the wet food. We have tried many varieties of semimoist and dry food and she seems to hate them all. She seems to always be hungry yet she often won’t eat the food we give her. Recently I noticed her eating our dog’s food quite often. As the cat has lost weight I am worried about her. Dr. Nichol: Your cat’s quirky appetite isn’t unusual.…
Variety is the spice of life-but cats can get gas & diarrhea. Pick a good diet & stay the course. Question: I live alone and my cat is my constant companion. I know I spoil her but I can’t help it. She’s 4 years old and I have noticed that she seems to grow tired of a particular food after a while. So, like the doting cat mother I am, I give her something different. The problem is that I often find loose or fluid stool in her litter pan. She smells gassy too. What can I do? …
Kitties love milk-But it’s not part of a balanced diet-Unless you’re a calf Question: I am in first grade and have an assignment that is asking why cats like milk. Why do they like milk? Dr. Nichol: Cats enjoy milk for the same reasons that people do: It tastes great. And that’s because it has plenty of animal fat and protein. Cow’s milk makes a fine diet for baby cows-not really for cats. The best thing to feed a cat is cat food. But you like milk and so does your cat. So I think you can each…
Preventable with Medications, a Diagnosis is still Essential Question: I have a 15 year old terrier cross. She is very healthy, however the last time I had her teeth cleaned, they said her heart beat too slowly from the anesthesia and they had to wake her up and that her teeth could no longer be cleaned. She has a black growth on her leg. In the last six months it has increased to the size of a pecan. Is this something that needs attention? Dr. Nichol: Regardless of anesthetic concerns your dog may have a cardiac problem as well…
Surgery can be a Life Saver Question: Our Keeshond has laryngeal paralysis, acts like he is gagging all the time, and when he gets excited he lies down literally gasping for air and can’t breathe or get up. He is at least 13 years old, has always been in great health. Dr. Nichol: Laryngeal paralysis usually affects large breed older dogs. Most cases are caused by a degeneration of the nerve supply to the larynx, reducing airflow. It is treatable with a surgery called a laryngeal tieback. The problem progresses slowly enough in some to make the procedure…
Heart Disease, the most Likely Cause, may Result in Sudden Death Question: Do dogs faint? Yesterday I noticed my 6 year old female German Shepherd appear to faint twice. We were playing fetch when she suddenly wobbled, then fell over on her side. After 30 seconds she got up. This morning she had another bout. Does this need investigation? Dr. Nichol: Your dog’s fainting problem is serious business. There are many possible causes for a German Shepherd of her age to pass out, but heart disease tops the list. Her worst case scenario could be sudden death if she has…
Premium Quality Clumping Litter is Safest Question: I recently switched from using clay litter to clumping litter. I noticed that it’s extremely dusty when pouring it into the litter box. Is this dust harmful to my two kitties when they dig or to me when I stir and scoop? Dr. Nichol: It can be downright irritating to the lungs of a cat with a history of smoldering upper respiratory disease or asthma. That kind of tissue insult can result in an outbreak of illness. A premium brand (meaning more expensive) should have fewer of those tiny particles and do…