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.
Every fearful pet is different. Genetics is often the big culprit but life’s traumas can be another major factor. Dogs who’ve been abused, predictably avoid or react badly to their…
Second in a series Despite her struggles, Evie was a fun dog, throwing her toys around and then treating them like puppies. Vicky and Richard were strongly bonded to her.…
Mick is learning to earn the privilege of a walk. He wants to wear his new Gentle Leader head halter because he knows he’ll have a good time. He’s not…
First in a series Evie was a 5 year old cattle dog when we met. Now she’s 7 but she’s still a cattle dog. Vicky and Richard adopted her from…
Most of us are nervous at the doctor’s office and so are our pets. Some get fearful and defensive. It doesn’t have to be that way.
Question: One of our higher-density foster homes has a cat who had a UTI, which has now cleared up after medication. She is now on gabapentin, but is still not always…
Mick is our family dog, an active Border collie. Like others of his ilk his brain is genetically programmed to herd (normally sheep) by stalking them. This innate behavior is…
Your dog wants nothing to do with fleas because they’d make her itch. What she’s unaware of is that these narrow-bodied little broad jumpers can carry tapeworms and plague. She…
Fear and anxiety are miserable emotions. Whether a threat is real or imagined a freaked-out dog wants drive off the scary monster who might retaliate. But if he could stay…