Subscriber Archive
The Nichol Family dog, our wonderful “Miss America”, has passed away, just shy of her 14th birthday. Always cheerful she herded our cats, derailed their squabbles, and found them for us in the yard by happily running to each one and touching him gently with her nose.
You are invited to get my help with a behavior problem by participating in a Zoom group behavior conference. Visit https://www.drjeffnichol.com/zoom-group-conferences/ to sign up. Age is Not a Factor for Improved Quality of Life Question: My Chihuahua is 13 years old. Last week he started limping on his rear leg. We took him to the veterinarian and she said that his knee is popping in and out. She said he is actually too old for surgery. Is there something we can do? Dr. Nichol: Luxating patellas (dislocating knee caps) are common in small dogs. This problem is caused by abnormally shaped rear legs but it may be years before a dog starts skipping. Your Chihuahua’s knee cap slips out of its groove, then after a few seconds, it snaps back to where it belongs, allowing him to resume his normal gait. His knee has been one step away from this…
Dogs seem to believe that famine is imminent. Some will fight tooth and nail with their housemates for the tiniest tid bit. Do you stand guard, yell or punish? Everybody can eat in peace.
“You are invited to get my help with a behavior problem by participating in a Zoom group behavior conference. Visit https://www.drjeffnichol.com/zoom-group-conferences/ to sign up.” A colleague of mine recently treated a couple of tiny homeless feline littermates. One baby had a fractured leg, the other a back injury. These kittens were found in bad condition and, since neither speaks a human language (all they’ll say when asked is “meow, meow, meow”), we can only guess at what happened. Baby bones heal fast. Within a couple of weeks the girl kitty with the leg fracture was a fully functioning curtain climber. Her brother’s back, while not painful, has improved slowly. The little guy’s rear legs don’t operate normally. He ascends the furniture by spar pole climbing, showing potential as a lineman. Both kittens are happy, playful, and living permanently with their doctor and her significant other. They have a…
Does your dog need to stop a bad behavior? She doesn’t do what you want either, does she?
Acne isn’t a Heart Breaker Question: I am wondering how cats develop feline acne. Dr. Nichol: We used to think that these unsightly carbuncles and blackheads on cats’ chins were infections and that some of these pets, despite their excellent upbringings, had questionable personal hygiene. With further research it turns out that feline acne is related to a dysfunction of the hair follicles. It does not reflect a flawed character. There can be comedones (black heads), papules (little red bumps), crusts, scabs, pustules (white heads), hair loss, and in severe cases, pain. Some kitties face only one bout of chin acne, others endure recurrent outbreaks. The outer “keratinized” skin layers, oil glands, and possibly the local immune system are involved. It isn’t pretty. This a complex skin disorder that is not yet fully understood. Some cats react to their food, their stainless steel bowls, or to other allergic causes. Mange,…
Sharing your life with a great dog is like any important relationship. Start out on the right paw and everybody has a shot at success. Behavioral research shows that puppies do better if they stay with their mothers and litter mates until at least age 5-7 weeks. Picking the right breed is important but remember that puppies are unique individuals. You’ll want to pay attention to the different temperaments within each litter you consider. They’re not appliances that roll off an assembly line. I recommend first choosing the racy appearance of your shiny new dog-that’s the breed. Then carefully sort through the applicants. If this is going to be your dog you will need to be the puppy picker. Dogs respond differently to different people, so don’t allow a breeder/litter owner to select your soul mate. Stand firm on this point. A puppy who reacts fearfully to one person may…
Simple Oral Medication Ends Bed Wetting Question: I have a 3 year old blue heeler female. She is house trained. Lately in the evening just after her supper while she is sleeping in her bed she urinates laying down. She seems to not realize it. Dr. Nichol: This is a stressor for your heeler; dogs have an innate need not to foul their sleeping area. Assuming that your girl is in good health, and spayed, she is most likely leaking urine because of a weak bladder sphincter muscle. Before starting treatment your veterinarian needs to rule-out internal problems, like bladder disease, diabetes, an adrenal disorder, or even organ failure. We want the physical exam, serum chemistries, blood count, and urinalysis to deliver a clean bill of health for your pupster. When a dog or cat is spayed she has an ovariohysterectomy. This means that her uterus and ovaries are removed.…
She may be Telling you She is Sick Question: A Facebook friend just adopted an 8 year old female cat who she says is perfect for her. The cat seems happy, plays and purrs. The problem is this poor woman is exhausted. The cat talks a lot all day and all night. When Catherine described her new cat on Facebook she is so tired she can hardly string three words together. Dr. Nichol: Chatty Cathy Kitty has plenty of opinions, including that she is perfect for your friend Catherine. Keeping this loquacious cat occupied with feline-specific behavioral opportunities could reduce some of her verbosity but I advise having her health evaluated first to rule-out internal problems. She may have lied about her age just to get the gig. Her old joints may be suffering. Safe prescription pain medication could make a difference. Your veterinarian can make the diagnosis. There may…