Albuquerque Journal Articles
Third in a series Polly and Holly, our canine pugilist protagonists, were first brought to me for help several years earlier. Their hostility had already become dangerous. Holly the victim was done quaking in her boots when Polly the bully threatened. It was game-on at first sighting. Most people are oblivious to the pecking order among their dogs. And that’s fine. Members of this species communicate among themselves almost continually, nearly all of it with subtle body signals. Those with more stripes on their sleeves quietly require their underlings to step away from the food, toys, or leaders. Ego isn’t…
Second in a series We want our pets to have peaceful lives, getting along well with others in our home. Dog fights are deeply disturbing. Everybody wants these conflicts solved fast, simply, and reliably. Sadly, it’s never that easy. Every situation is different and complicated. Aggression between family dogs, more often among females, is the most common problem treated in veterinary behavior practices. In an earlier life, prior to my residency, I surgically repaired some really heinous wounds. Most of these participants in canine domestic violence survived, a few, often involving big dogs assaulting smaller pets, did not. It’s hard…
First in a series The brain is considered the most complex organ in the body. No one is perfect because, with 86 billion active neurons in the human mind (only 3-4 fewer cell layers in our pets’) there are a whole lot of ways for behaviors to be different or abnormal. Polly is a 10 year old Australian shepherd mix who shares her home with Holly, a dog of similar age and parentage. They’ve lived most of their lives together and have always, sort of, hated each other’s guts. In addition to two doting pet parents, this active family includes…
Question I have a 2 year old intact female Weimaraner with severe anxiety and reactive behavior. She chews bark, material, paper, nuts, plastics, and her crate. She barks in her crate so much that she stands in her drool. She rubs skin off her muzzle. She is dog reactive. Hesitant with touching except with me and my husband. She is extremely affectionate with us. Dr. Nichol: This big girl is blessed with strong human bonds while suffering from a soul-crushing behavior disorder. Separation anxiety, destructiveness, and agitation toward unfamiliar people and dogs are not rare afflictions. Your Weimaraner deserves a…
Last in a series PJ’s aggression started at about the same time he began rubbing his ears. Jenny and Phil also reported that some evenings he would suddenly bolt from the room and burrow into blankets in the closet. An ear exam revealed mites, outdoor video showed coyotes and bobcats near the yard, and, worst of all, there were no indoor rats for sport hunting. Ear pain is commonly overlooked in kitties. Prescription Bravecto quickly decimated PJ’s ear mite population. To reduce his fear of the much bigger predators lurking outside, I advised his people to install a motion activated…
Third in a series Behavior medicine is all about improved quality of life for everybody but there can be limits; our genetics are the cards we are dealt. PJ was an inveterate predator despite the steady flow of healthy food into his dish. Civilization at Jenny’s and Phil’s house just didn’t satisfy his innate programming. Even more than most pussy cats, he had the skills and motivation to thrive in the wild. Sadly, he was rarely allowed outside to function like a real cat. It was Aristotle who observed that, “Nature abhors a vacuum.” Unmet needs get met. All PJ…
Second in a series Quiz: Why would PJ attack his person Jenny? a) He didn’t like the way she smelled b) She was dressed like a sparrow c) PJ is a natural predator who was already agitated d) He blames his mother for his problems Cats are not dogs with short ears nor do their motivations resemble other species, including ours. They follow their own rules, regarded by some as wild animals we keep as pets. Those who fit best in a loving home were genetically programmed to adapt. Exposure to gentle interactions with people and other domestic creatures, since…
First in a series It had been a rough day, topped-off by stop and don’t go traffic on I-25. Jenny was frazzled when she pulled into the garage and came inside through the laundry room. Her husband Phil was already camped-out on the couch, wine glass in hand, watching the 6 o’clock news. Their orange tabby cat, PJ, rested next to Phil, gently rubbing his head on his daddy’s thigh. Chihuahua “Micky” was curled up on Phil’s other side. A placid scene. Jenny kicked off her shoes, poured herself a glass, and headed for her spot on the other side…
Question: How do we stop “Olive” from counter surfing? Besides keeping things off of the counter. Sometimes that’s not possible. If I am making dinner or the phone rings, etc. Dr. Nichol: Naughty Olive. Eating your lunch and believing she’s above the law. And you’ve tried everything, like yelling bad words and swatting. At the end of your rope, you could give her a dose of her own medicine by stealing her kibbles. That won’t work either. Lots of dogs, like Olive, live by Willie Sutton’s law. He robbed banks because, “That’s where the money is.” Your kitchen counter is…
Question: I’ve had my dog Max since he was a baby, 15 years. Lately he’s refused dry food and he shies away when I touch his face. His breath is horrible. His veterinarian showed me his red swollen gums and 4 loose teeth and recommended a dental procedure. I am so worried he won’t survive it. I can’t bear the thought of losing him. Dr. Nichol: You are not alone; there are a whole lot of us who love our pets intensely. We’ll do anything to protect them. And now, Max is suffering. He needs more good time with you.…