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Constant Misery needs Immediate Attention Question: My 15 year old male orange tabby started pulling his hair out 10 months ago. We started him on steroids 8 months ago. It does not seem to help. His tummy in almost bald. There does not seem to be a skin issue. Poor Max is quite miserable if he gets this sudden itch. He’s ok otherwise, sleeps well and even plays with a toy now and then. What can cause this constant hair pulling and what can we do? It makes us sad to see our sweet kitty so miserable. Dr. Nichol: It’s…
Dementia is Treatable Question: We are having a big problem with our Pekapoo. He is 15 1/2 and seems to be hyperactive at night due to Sundowning Syndrome where he very restless. He is going out 3-4 times per night. We have him in a calming vest, have given him Rescue Remedy and a Kong with peanut butter. Nothing is working and his agitation is increasing. We do not want to get him on tranquilizers. Dr. Nichol: You must have taken mighty good care of this little guy for him to have reached such an advanced age. It is likely…
Stinky dog needs a diagnosis & treatment Question: My 8-year-old male pit bull literally stinks, even a day after a bath. His teeth seem fine. He seems to feel ok, but is on the skinny side, even with feeding more. His coat looks fine and he does not scratch or lick himself. Just noticed the smell a few months ago. Dr. Nichol: Please understand that I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck; I’ve written this column–every single week-since 1996. I’ve heard it all. When I get questions on personal hygiene, I have to wonder. Is this one of those…
Avoid Poisons & Injury Conspicuous Christmas consumption isn’t just for humans; our pets eagerly indulge in dietary indiscretion too. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center provides the following list of holiday hazards. There are bound to be others. Edibles: alcoholic beverages, chocolate, coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans), moldy or spoiled foods, onions, onion powder, fatty foods, salt, yeast dough. Plants: Lilies are potentially deadly for cats, poinsettias may cause vomiting or nausea, mistletoe can cause heart problems but usually just stomach upset, and eating Holly leads to vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and lethargy. Christmas tree: Drinking fertilized tree water…
Maybe they could Feel Better Question: Are my two 15 year old cats harmed if they don’t play? When they were younger they would play until midnight. Now they sleep most of the day. Their only exercise is sitting in my yard and munching on grass. I’ve given them toys like catnip rolls and “mouse-chasers” but they soon tire of them. Both are normal weight, have good appetites, and healthy on recent physical exams. Dr. Nichol: This sounds like a sedentary feline version of retirement; just sit around and chew the grass with a friend. I agree that your two…
Non-stop Misery is Curable Question: Is my cat’s plasma cell stomatitis contagious? Can it be passed from a cat to a human? Dr. Nichol: Mouth pain, swelling of the gums, reduced appetite, and excessive salivation-it’s miserable What we now call chronic oral inflammatory disease can go on for a lifetime. There are lots of possible causes including an immune reaction to dental plaque, an upper respiratory infection called calicivirus, and feline AIDS. Behavioral stress may be a factor for some. It’s complicated. Erosive damage (resorptive lesions) of the teeth, chronic gingivitis, and smoldering bacterial infection can stir this pot but…
Question: I have an eleven month old Malinois and a year old Pomeranian, both neutered males. My pom seems to be a healthy body size and weight, and my Malinois is very, very skinny. I can see his hips and his ribs. He eats all his food and doesn’t throw it up. His stools are normal, and he doesn’t have worms. Is there any way to get some weight on him? Or is he just a late filler since he is so active? Dr. Nichol: I share your concern. It’s possible that your Malinois puppy is just an energetic, gangly…
Punish? Set him up for Success Question: We bought a blue heeler puppy for my son for his 13th birthday. “Bucky” is deaf. He is spunky- too much so. We’re getting creative with training (lights, gestures) but he’s a monster. He’s destructive to no end and I’m not sure how to let him know when he’s been bad. I trained other puppies with loud noises (newspaper on the nose… “NO”.) What do you do for a deaf dog? Dr. Nichol: Bucky is missing-out on canine-specific opportunities to make friends and burn energy. He doesn’t have too much spunk nor is…
Not Ready for Boot Camp Question: My new puppy, Buddy, arrived yesterday. He has been socialized with other dogs on a regular basis because the breeder has a doggy daycare. He was subdued when he first arrived but wherever I was, he was there, practically on my feet. He whines almost like a child when he wants to be picked up. I’ve tried to engage him in play and he will wag his tail and act like he’s interested but then immediately climbs into my lap. I love holding Buddy but I can’t spend all day doing it. Dr. Nichol:…
Treat with Empathy & Kindness Question: My sweet little six year old cat, Pepper, had a ‘boyfriend’, Fluffy, who lived in the home in back of us. They had both yards and two acres of open space for frolicking. Fluffy, at 16, was euthanized several weeks ago and Pepper seems to be badly missing him. She goes to Fluffy’s back door each morning to wait for him to come out. As that doesn’t happen she comes home and cries and whimpers for my attention. She wanders around nearby homes, seemingly searching. When she is indoors she needs picking up and…