Albuquerque Journal Articles
Symptoms are Red Flags; there is Help for Financial Constraints Question: Gritz is an 8 year old cat, weighs 14 lbs. His urine has an overwhelming odor. When he uses the litter box it sounds like a fire hose. It seems sticky. He has a good appetite and drinks plenty of water. He was very sick 1 month ago with severe dehydration, not eating, drinking, or going to the bathroom. He also had a very sticky clear substance that he was drooling. The only thing the vet could find was a high protein level in his urine. He now seems…
Read MoreNew Insulin & Better Diets Question: Please write about feline diabetes and its management. Every owner I meet has been told something different by his/her vet. Food is a biggy, but what brands? Wet? Dry? Carbs vs. protein? What types of insulin are best? Dr. Nichol: There are good reasons for the differing information. Some diabetics require a change in treatment because they stop responding. To further muddy the waters some reliable forms of insulin are recently no longer available. We still have good choices. Many newly diagnosed cats with uncomplicated diabetes do very well on glargine insulin.…
Read MoreMany Feline Diabetes can do Fine Without Expensive Insulin Question: I have a 14 year old diabetic cat. We’ve always used Humulin U insulin. We now use PZI-Vet at a cost of $100 versus $30.00 for the Humulin that we can’t get anymore. Are there less expensive alternatives? I’m not putting a dollar amount on my kitty’s life-she’s priceless. I’m frustrated and worry about those unfortunate kitties whose owners can’t afford it. Once again the drug manufactures have seen a golden opportunity to increase their profits. Dr. Nichol: Diabetes is no fun for anybody but for many cats it…
Read MoreWhen to Feed, What type of Insulin Question: My 14 year old cat has just been diagnosed with diabetes. She is getting 2 units of insulin once a day in the morning. Everything I read on the internet says it should be given after she eats. She nibbles her dry food all day and gets canned food at night. She does not like any change in her routine. If I feed her the can in the morning, she will expect another at night, and she is already overweight. If I don’t give it to her, she will be spiteful, and…
Read MoreLearn about this difficult disease & how best to control it. Question: My 13-year-old cat has recently been diagnosed with diabetes. My doctor has me injecting him twice a day with insulin before his meals. I feed him 1/4 small can of W/D in the morning and 1/4 can at night with some crunchy food on the side. I have talked with another cat owner who only gives her cat one shot a day and less food at night. Do you recommend one method over the other? I would much rather only have to give him one shot a…
Read MorePotentially devastating, it’s nearly always treatable. Question: I have a male cat about 7 years old who was just diagnosed as diabetic. He has been slowly losing weight and has great thirst. Are you aware of any medications for cats to control the diabetes as with humans? Dr. Nichol: While some diabetic cats can be challenging the majority do well with treatment. But if you plan to move ahead with management of his disease you need to proceed with your eyes open. Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) is caused by an inability to get the essential sugars in our…
Read MoreCats who drink & urinate a lot may have diabetes. Some cases are complicated by an additional hormone disorder called Cushings. Both are treatable. Question: My 9-year-old cat was diagnosed with diabetes in May. Now, additionally, she has Cushings Disease. What is it and what is the prognosis? I understand it is rare in cats. Dr. Nichol: You’re smart to ask questions. These two diseases are separate problems for your kitty but they are related. It’s complicated but if treated properly she has a strong chance of doing OK. Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) is common in cats and…
Read MoreAfter Age 13 Well Immunized Pets are considered Protected for Life Question: Our dearly loved cat is 20. She has faithfully had her shots every year. She no longer goes outside. Is it necessary to subject her to shots any longer? Dr. Nichol: You must take mighty good care of your special cat. Old timers (chronologically challenged may be more politically correct) like your kitty can react badly to stresses like vaccines. The good news is that well immunized cats and dogs over 13 are considered to have a lifetime protection. Your cat gets a permanent vacation from vaccinations. The…
Read MoreHow Vaccines Work & the Risks of Too Much of a Good Thing Question: I read your column regularly and respect your advice. What do you think about this perspective? Summary of News Article: Are We Overvaccinating Our Pets? You may get notices from the veterinarian every year or two suggesting you revaccinate your pet for distemper, leukemia or other diseases. But now some vets are wondering whether the repeated doses can do more harm than good. Dr. Nichol: Your question is timely. In the last few weeks most of us have gotten more cautious. It seems like any…
Read MoreWhat do they really need & what’s unnecessary. Question: My kids and my wife and I have decided that we want to have a pet but we can’t agree on a dog or a cat so we got both. We know they need shots but I’ve called a few vet clinics and I’m getting different answers on how many shots they need. Can you advise us on what’s best? Dr. Nichol: Boy, am I glad to hear this question. It is painful for me to recall the number of these babies who have died of preventable diseases only…
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