Albuquerque Journal Articles

It’s fatal in 50% of dogs who have it. It must be treated quickly & aggressively   Question: What is done to treat Hemolytic Anemia?  My 9 year old Airedale- Shepherd mix Dog has been diagnosed with Hemolytic Anemia and I searching for treatment options.  Thank you in advance for your help.   Dr. Nichol: The problem that has beset your dog is complex and quite delicate to treat. The full name for this disease is Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA). It means that your dog’s immune system is building antibodies against the surfaces of her red blood cells and…

Some abnormal heart sounds are dangerous but early, thorough diagnosis is key to good outcomes.   Question: I’m a proud owner of a beautiful Siberian Husky who is eight weeks old and is suspected to have a heart murmur.  If that is true what will happen to my puppy and will she be able to live a long life? I’m worried to death.   Dr. Nichol: I understand how you feel. If you learn more about heart murmurs you’ll feel better. Using a stethoscope we can hear the extra heart sounds that are called murmurs. It’s a shhh sound during…

Umbilical hernias are common in puppies. Most are insignificant. A few can be dangerous.   Question: We have a 10 week old white German Shepherd puppy and I just noticed a lump about the size of the tip of a pinky finger on her tummy below her rib cage.  What could it be?   Dr. Nichol: You describe an umbilical hernia. This is a birth defect that is usually quite minor. The lump you are noticing is likely to be a small amount of normal fat that has slipped into the location of the umbilicus (belly button). The hernia, an…

Treat year ‘round with once monthly chewables.   Question: We moved 6 months ago and our vet there didn’t heartworm test our dog after he was 9 months old because the dog was on the heartworm preventive year ’round. Our new vet says that the dog needs to be blood tested every year. Why? It’s so expensive and I’m a senior citizen on a limited income.   Dr. Nichol: You have raised an important question. Here are the basic facts that you must know to protect your dog. There are two types of heartworm preventive tablets. One is give daily,…

Anal Glands are a common cause of rear end discomfort. It’s usually easy to remedy.   Question: Is it an old wife’s tale or a fact that if a dog chases its tail that it will go crazy and have to be put to sleep?  This sweet little Spitz also loves to chase her tail. I would appreciate any help in these two areas.   Dr. Nichol: Tail chasing: Sometimes I feel like my live could be described that way. Will I go crazy and have to be put to sleep? If that happens this column won’t grace this newspaper…

Give OTC Meds Prior to Travel Question: Lu Lu, the 4 month old miniature poodle, has responded well to your house breaking tips and continues to be a happy, energetic, entertaining puppy but she doesn’t do well on road trips.  She frequently vomits and doesn’t appear to be enjoying herself at all.  Is there anything we could do to ameliorate her symptoms so we can get on with our ‘new life on the road with Lu Lu’?   Dr. Nichol: Please say Lu Lu isn’t driving when this happens. Gripping a steering wheel without opposable thumbs is hard enough; it has to be a…

Long toenails make for painful arthritic feet. Black nails are hard to trim safely. Here is the how-to.   Question: I’ve recently acquired my deceased mother’s dog. I’m taking her to the vet soon to have her checked out and to get shots updated. My main question is her toenails are so long that they curve and lay to the side. Can I trim them back to the normal length without causing her any harm? I’m really concerned about her.   Dr. Nichol: Caring for your mother’s dog is a genuine act of love. Your compassion for that little girl…

No Need for Concern-No Toxic Risk Question: When our shelter rescue dog joined our family recently, we noticed shotgun pellets imbedded in several locations on his body.  He must have led a colorful life before coming into our family.  If these pellets are lead, is there any danger long-term of them leaching lead into his body and causing harm?  Should they all be removed?  Any danger if they are steel pellets.   Dr. Nichol: Remember the old Western movies when a wounded gunslinger would take a belt of whiskey and then bite a bullet while his comrade sterilized a knife…

Surgical removal is only necessary for field dogs.   Question: We recently adopted a 6-month-old German Shepherd-mix puppy from an animal shelter.  He is “double dewclawed” on his hind legs.  Do they need to be removed?  One vet said they should be removed; the other said it’s optional. I’m planning on walking him every day in fields and on forest trails, also some rugged hiking in New Hampshire. I understand that removing dewclaws is more of a prophylactic measure–“just in case” they get snagged–as well as cosmetic.  (Personally, I don’t care what his feet look like!)  What are the chances…

Diet, Internal Illness are possible Causes Question: I have a 15 year old boxer beagle mix. He is in great health except he is getting gas worse and worse. It really smells bad and can clear the room. I have had to purchase a small fan to put at his rear end to blow the fumes out of the room. I have had all blood work, urinalysis, and fecal tests done and he is good. Also, he drinks about a gallon of water a day. He does not have diabetes. He will even “wet” the bed at night sometimes.  …