Albuquerque Journal Articles
Cats, with only Two Blood Types have Good Success with Kidney Transplants Question: One of my students asked me if animals of the same species have different blood types like humans. For example: if you needed to give a cat a blood transfusion would you need to find another cat with the same type of blood (for example type A or B etc.) for the transfusion to be successful? Dr. Nichol: Yes, other species have blood types too. Dogs are known to have eight; cats have two. Determining the specific blood type is only important if a pet has…
101.0 F (+ or – 0.5 degrees) Question: I’m curious as to the normal body temperature of a dog. Dr. Nichol: 101.0 degrees Fahrenheit plus or minus 0.5 degree is the official answer, but 100 to 102 is fine. REALLY excited, but normal, dogs can sport rectal temperatures of 103.5. Forget using ear thermometers, though. It will annoy your dog and the darn things don’t even play music.
Dramamine or a prescription medication given before the car ride will prevent nausea. Question: My 6-month-old Silky Terrier is plagued with carsickness. We have tried traveling on an empty stomach to no avail. We’ve also only taken very short trips–so far 10- to 20- minutes traveling time. Part of our reason for getting a small breed was so he could join in on family vacations. Is there anything we can do to prevent the carsickness or a medication to help? Dr. Nichol: Sorry to hear about all that terrible traveling terrier trauma. The motion sickness that is hounding your…
Leave out food & water? Friends who visit your home? Expensive kennels? Here’s how to choose. Question: Soon our children will be back in school and our family has one last vacation planned. We have a cat and a dog but we don’t know where to turn for reliable pet care while we’re gone. Please advise us. Dr. Nichol: You show real concern for those other family members-your pets. Here are some bad ideas first. Do not leave a pet home alone (indoors or outdoors). It’s Murphy’s Law: anything that can go wrong will. The water bowl gets…
Get Advice from a Reliable Source Question: Conflicting advice for older dogs and parvo vaccination. I’ve recently been advised by a pet supply outlet that my older dogs (8 year old golden and 13 year old heeler) do not need annual parvo if they have regularly been vaccinated up to this point. The exception they noted was if they were to be kenneled. Is this correct or would you always do a parvo vaccination? Dr. Nichol: Gone are the days when all veterinarians recommended annual boostering. Vaccines have improved and so has the ability to accurately measure immunity. Infectious…
What 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 because…
Health means more than just ‘Start out slowly, then taper off’. Question: I have a beautiful 8-month-old Bichon Frise puppy who loves to go running with me. I started her off on 10-minute runs, and she has now done one 30-minute run. (She’s always in front of me, pulling on her flex leash!) Am I doing any damage to her puppy joints by having her run with me? And how long do you think it’s safe for her to run? Could she do 10K with me? Don’t tell me I should have gotten a bigger dog – this little sweetheart…
Why that funky body style? Are they all loveable? Question: What are basset hounds good for? Dr. Nichol: That depends on who’s asking and why. Originally Bassets were bred to hunt rabbits. Their short legs allowed them to get into small places like rabbit holes. They are really tenacious hunters. Once they’re on a scent they are be oblivious to everything-all the while howling their little brains out. But that’s their original purpose. What are they good for in contemporary American culture? I asked Basset owners in my family and others who I know well. They’re good…
There are several useful tools; each has its place. All are safe if used properly. Question: Do you know of any health problems related to either prong/pinch collars or head halters? I am doing some research for our training club. Dr. Nichol: I’m glad to get this question because there is a great deal of concern and misinformation about training methods and devises like these. The truth is that, yes they are safe, but there is always a way to misuse and mistreat a dog during training. Most often these problems occur through genuine ignorance from a loving…
Carefully consider the maturity of the primary caretaker before adding a new pet to your home. Question: I’m thinking that a pet is a good way to teach responsibility to my children. One is 5 and the other is 3. Do you think they are old enough? Dr. Nichol: Do I look like Dr. Joyce Brothers? (Please say no.) The truth is I see a lot of parents making this decision at various times in the development of their children. And having a couple of bambinos myself, I can add a personal perspective. Number one: Even some…