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.

Ears and Rear – No End in Sight

Third in a series We’d put an end to those ear infections, whatever it took, but unless we controlled Chase’s scratching and rubbing, the population of normal organisms in her…

Showered in Discharge on the Way to Ear Redemption

Second in a series Miss Manners did a fine job of holding “Chase” on the exam table. After evaluating this big shaggy dog’s skin I examined her teeth and gums.…

Ladder of Aggression

Click graphic to open a larger version as a pdf   Don’t be surprised by reactive aggression. If a dog even begins showing the body signals from this text book…

Itchy Ears & Body – Where does it End?

First in a series Poking my head into the reception room, my gaze fell on a nicely groomed Old English Sheepdog – my next patient. As I invited her and…

Avoiding Conflict – Living Gracefully

A peaceful existence is difficult for a lot of us in today’s world. Strife and acrimony should be rare. For a canine senior called Grace, getting up and around is…

Missing the Litter Pan – Not Bad Aim

Question: Our family has a 19 year old “Heinz 57 variety” female cat who has taken to urinating outside her box. This happens only at night. Her box is pristine…

A Ferret in a Haystack

Last in a series Following her uneventful spay procedure, and prior to her mysterious disappearance, our ferret patient Miss Ellie had been resting in a cage in the treatment room.…

Ferret on the Run; Are We Having Fun Yet?

Third in a series One fine day, early in my career, a colleague called in a panic. A staff member carrying trash to the dumpster had left their rear door…

My Dog Is Scared Of Men

A pet owner wonders how to address her dogs fear of men.