Albuquerque Journal Articles
Kidney Failure & Hyperthyroidism are Major Concerns Question: My 18 year old cat, Milo, is shrinking. She had a geriatric checkup 6 months ago and all tests were normal, just some hip joint wear. She eats (less than she used to), drinks, talks, walks, bathroom and cleaning behavior are all normal. Is there any food or supplement I can give her to keep up her weight? Dr. Nichol: Every medical challenge causes us to wish dogs and cats could speak a human language. Observant pet owners like you are essential to early diagnosis and treatment. The aging process…
Read MoreThorough Diagnostic Work & Careful Treatment Saves Lives Question: Our cat Ginger is 13 or 14 (do you think I’m not protecting him if I use his name?) has lab results that show elevated liver enzymes and BUN indicating that his kidneys are not functioning as they should. He’s not dehydrated and his white count is normal. Since he has improved a little on the Amoxicillin, there’s a possibility that he has a low grade chronic infection that has caused his liver to become inflammed. The plan for now is to keep him on the meds for 3 or…
Read MoreA Thorough Exam is Even More Important than the Vaccinations Question: I have been disappointed with the short visits when I take my 12 year-old kitty for her annual check-up. The last visit took less than 5 minutes, which included only her receiving shots. After the doctor dismissed us, I had to ask him to please check her teeth. What should a doctor check annually–even though our kitty lives indoors and looks healthy? Dr. Nichol: A growing number of people want better health and more good years with their pets. The bar is being raised for what veterinary medicine delivers-as…
Read MoreHow much should it cost? How sick is that kitty anyway? Question: My cat has had all of his shots plus a recent tapeworm shot. He has been lethargic and drool has been pouring from his mouth. He has not lost his appetite and is currently drinking more water than usual. Should I take him to the vet $$$ ? Dr. Nichol: I think I understand your problem. Your kitty is eating but not feeling well. Clearly his drooling and excessive drinking are not normal. But is he really sick enough to justify the expense ($$$) of a…
Read MoreHow to Manage the Feeding Frenzy Question: My 4 year old pug is obsessed with food. She turns into the Tasmanian devil. I tried just filling up the bowl and she gobbled down five bowls and was totally miserable. She would eat herself to death. I have gone back to 1/2 cup morning and night. My pug is a good normal weight. How can I stop the feeding frenzy? Dr. Nichol: Managing food intake is important. Overweight pets live less active lives because their joints break down from the extra load. Obesity also affects the heart, kidneys, and liver.…
Read MoreIt’s Complicated and Risky to try to Duplicate Mother Nature Question: I’ve heard good things about a raw food diet. Are there any negatives to raw food for our cats? Dr. Nichol: In principle it’s fine; cats are true carnivores. They don’t need to build little fires to cook their meat because they eat their kill raw-on the spot, allowing no time for spoilage. For nutritional balance they consume the entire rodent: bones, intestines, you name it. Duplicating Mother Nature in your kitchen won’t be easy. Consider that 20-35% of raw chicken intended for human consumption is contaminated with…
Read MoreA Disaster in the Making Question: In your Journal article on July 30th, you comment about people food for dogs. I have a friend who has a “handicap assistance dog.” It came with a very specific diet that includes raw chicken backs, vegetables and vegetable oil. They were told it would extend the life of the dog. Do you have any comments about this type of diet? Dr. Nichol: Self anointed experts in pet nutrition are not new. Many animal breeders, in the belief that their diet holds the key to health and longevity, require buyers of their…
Read MoreIf the ingredients match & the analysis looks as good, why pay more? Because you won’t get what you don’t pay for. Question: I read an article in last week’s paper that got me to thinking about how much money I spend feeding my animals. The article talked about “designer” pet foods and said that regular food like Dog Chow was just as good but that a lot of people buy the pricier food because it’s recommended by their vet. Isn’t it really all the same? Dr. Nichol: I wish more people asked this question. There is an…
Read MoreLarge Breed Puppy Food Cuts the Risk of Bone & Joint Growth Disorders Question: I have a 7-month old Labrador retriever. How long should I feed puppy food, and at what age should I switch her from three meals per day to two? Dr. Nichol: Important question. More than just managing your puppy’s weight, the diet you feed can influence her risk of skeletal defects. Labs and other big breeds continue growing until they’re 14 months or older. A large breed growth diet is best until they reach full size, although changing to an adult food sooner is…
Read MoreBeing overweight is unhealthy. Here’s how to get it right. Question: How much should I feed my cat? I thought I was doing the right thing by following the recommendations on the bag but when I took “Shalako” for his shots, he weighed over 12 #. Now I feel guilty that he may not get as old because his doctor said that overweight cats usually don’t. How much is the right amount? Dr. Nichol: This is a very good question. Please don’t feel guilty for trying to do the right thing for Shalako. There are many things in…
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