Albuquerque Journal Articles

Insomnia – It’s complicated

By drjeffnichol | March 31, 2025 | Comments Off on Insomnia – It’s complicated
elephant

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 few minutes. She was also getting easily startled. There had been a lot of birthdays along the way, accompanied by a thick medical record. Everybody was worried. Her doctor contacted me for behavioral advice. No, not for herself – for her patient. Jeez. Sleep happens in the brain but problems elsewhere in the body can have an impact. Veterinary behavior medicine includes all of it. So I offered to have…

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Child canine leadership

By drjeffnichol | March 24, 2025 | Comments Off on Child canine leadership
child and dog

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 to be OK. To my parents, though, he was “a dog.” Actually, they were right. We love our pets like little people in furry suits, so shouldn’t they comport themselves like good children? Canine brains are hard-wired differently. Scott was genetically programmed to point and retrieve birds with mental focus, along with a generous helping of physical stamina. Confined to the kitchen, only allowed outside on-leash to prevent damage to…

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Home politics & infectious disease

By drjeffnichol | March 17, 2025 | Comments Off on Home politics & infectious disease
puppy

Third in a series
It was with gravitas that I began young Scott’s feeding regimen. I knew I was up to the task.

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Puppy picking – a life choice

By drjeffnichol | March 10, 2025 | Comments Off on Puppy picking – a life choice
barn

Second in a series Father and son trundled off in the family station wagon to a somewhat dilapidated quasi-farm. In the corner of an ancient barn sat a plywood enclosure of delightful Britanny puppies scampering around their haggard-looking mama. Looking back, it’s clear how badly she needed a break from the unrelenting demands of puppy production. Because I was a boy it somehow made sense to me that a male puppy would be a good choice. The first cuddler to hop into my lap was my immediate BFF. My father’s childhood cocker spaniel was named Scott; my dog would be…

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Childhood puppy – good idea?

By drjeffnichol | March 3, 2025 | Comments Off on Childhood puppy – good idea?
dog

First in a series I’ve always loved pets. I remember watching Lassie and Rin Tin Tin on TV, enthralled with the loyal bond between these dogs and their children. By age 8, I just had to have one of my own. Making it happen was a long shot. My father was not an approachable man but I somehow mustered the courage to ask if I could have a puppy. He intoned, with stark clarity, that I alone would be responsible for all dog-related chores: feeding, training, exercising, and clean-up. I was committed – more than ready, although I had no…

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Overcoming fear of the car

By drjeffnichol | February 24, 2025 | Comments Off on Overcoming fear of the car
dog riding in car

Question: A therapy dog has a developed a phobia of his owner’s vehicle. Maybe something traumatic happened at the groomer, since that’s when it started. It’s a 2 year old collie named “Laddie”, related to the movie dog(s) Lassie. I thought of feeding him in the vehicle for a week or two, tossing hot dogs inside, using a ramp with a line of hot dogs. I’m pretty sure forcing him into the vehicle is a bad idea. Dr. Nichol: Wow – related to Lassie? I’m star struck just answering your question. You have the basics but you’ll need to slow…

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Bird flu and sick kitties

By drjeffnichol | February 17, 2025 | Comments Off on Bird flu and sick kitties
cat and chicken

Egg shortages, bird flu, cat flu, sick people – OMG! We have a serious problem with no end in sight. Here’s an update. Just 12 cats in the US tested positive for avian influenza (H5N1) in 2023. There were 49 last year and 13 already last month. Some of these were barn cats, many more lived in cities and suburbs; a few had never been outside. Bird flu strikes cats fast with lethargy, poor appetite, coughing, sneezing, eye and nose discharges, and in the worst cases, loss of balance, walking in circles, and even seizures. It’s been fatal in 71%…

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Cute but stinky – Missing the love

By drjeffnichol | February 10, 2025 | Comments Off on Cute but stinky – Missing the love
woman holding a dog

Question: My white long hair Chihuahua has body odor.  We’ve always had to groom her often but after only 3 or 4 days her odor is pretty awful.  She loves to snuggle and that becomes uncomfortable in a short time.  We love her but can’t stand her odor. Dr. Nichol: I get it. The affection you share with your little girl is good for both of you. It not only feels great, it serves important physiologic functions. Gentle physical contact triggers the release of oxytocin, often called the “love hormone.” A lot goes on in the brain, considered the most…

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Too much barking – miserable for everybody

By drjeffnichol | February 3, 2025 | Comments Off on Too much barking – miserable for everybody
dog

Question: My son has a boxer, 4 years old, who is barking constantly since they moved into a new home. Already received one citation from Animal Control. They need to stop the barking! They both work and have to leave the dogs every day. Dr. Nichol- Barking is actually a normal part of canine communication but this fellow is way too talkative, indicating a quality of life problem. Frustration with a fence that prevents social interaction with other dogs is a common reason but so is anxiety from crowding in a small yard, driving a good dog #%&*@ crazy! Moving…

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A delicate truce is still a truce

By drjeffnichol | January 27, 2025 | Comments Off on A delicate truce is still a truce
cats in cat beds

Last in a series Larry’s teeth and gums felt much better; modern medicine also lifted his oppressive anxiety. Curley gained confidence and was learning to relax – out from under the bed. They were still kept separated from Moe, while swapping halves of the house with him. Perching on floor-to-ceiling cat trees and venting their predatory proclivities on stalk and pounce toys had all of them feeling like real cats. Fulfilling lives for these former feline foes reduced their collective angst and diminished the risk of nuclear conflict. Keeping the peace, on the other hand. would be a lifelong challenge.…

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