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.

Pets who Dread Thanksgiving

Give ‘em a Break & Keep them Safe Thanksgiving is great fun, isn’t it? Turkey, Tofurkey, pie, football, libations. Keep an eye on your pets. Barking or tense body postures…

Wild & Exuberant – Punish? Yell? A New Skill?

Out-of-control behavior in a dog of any age can drive you crazy. Reprimands and physical corrections teach nothing, except more intense agitation. Instead, you can “redirect” your kid to earn…

Cat wigged-out when home alone

Question: We are heading to Puerto Vallarta for a two week vacation. We have a sweet 1 year old girl cat. She is extremely bonded with my wife and seems…

What if King Charles is your dog with neck pain?

Question: I have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who is nine. Recently over the last two weeks he developed an involuntary what I would call muscle spasm. I can see…

Cat skin lesions & arthritic pain

Question: We have a fuzzy cat named Jimmy. He’s 12 years old and he started to hesitate before jumping onto the furniture. His veterinarian shot x-rays of his hips and…

Lunging and barking on leash walks?

There are so many things to see and sniff outside the home territory. It’s more than just natural for dogs to investigate everything; reading the bulletin boards and posting messages…

Dog fights don’t solve themselves

Question: I have a one year old, German Shepherd mix, neutered, named Duke. He is a wonderful dog. We also have a 5 year old, female Miniature Schnauzer, Lily. Duke…

Escaping the yard

Young Mick Nichol enjoys his daily jaunts along the irrigation ditches because, well, because he’s a dog. Leaving the home territory to sniff, investigate, read the bulletin boards, and post…

Senior cats hate each other’s guts

Question: Three months ago, I adopted a 12-year-old female cat from a friend who is in hospice care. I was hoping she could be a friend to my 15-year-old female…