Weekly article archive

The following questions and answers have appeared in my weekly column in the Albuquerque Journal since July, 1996. Each week a new one is added. You'll find information on the physical and behavioral maladies of dogs and cats and a few other species too. I invite you to use the search feature to find the specific answer that you and your pet need.

Toys, junk, and a queasy tummy

Question: We have a yellow Lab, “Tootsie”. She eats leaves, sticks, and other detritus including rocks, gravel, concrete chips, Hot Wheels and Legos. She minds the command to “Drop” but…

Pushy, Demanding, Pesky, Mouthy Dog

Some dogs can be pushy, pesky, and demanding of attention. It’s an annoying problem, often related to anxiety. What begins as attention-seeking can end up as play-related aggression. This causes…

Cheating age

Last in the series The biggest reason Irene developed arthritis is because she’s reached her golden years. This would not have occurred in the wild. As she aged in that…

Aging isn’t for sissy elephants

Third in a series We suspected Irene’s legs were too uncomfortable for her to stay lying down long enough for quality shut eye. But there was more; she’d accumulated additional…

Irene – happy in her work

Second in a series A highly skilled, and tired elephant Will Rogers once said, “I have always felt that the best doctor is the veterinarian. He can’t ask his patients what…

The Vet is in the House

Dr Jeff Nichol joins the dog pound to talk ticks, licks & sticks for your pooch.

Insomnia – It’s complicated

First in a series A big, older girl with a gentle soul was having a hard time sleeping. She laid down during the night but popped back up after a…

Puppy Planning Preventing Panic with Early Socialization

When well-meaning dog lovers approach or reach for your dog, does she tremble, growl, or lunge? Early puppy socialization means exposing them to gentle people and pets. It’s a great…

Child canine leadership

Last in a series As Scott slowly recovered from distemper he began to eat on his own and even play. It was a huge relief; my best friend was going…