Albuquerque Journal Articles
There are a Few Routes; All take Education Question: How does a person become an animal behaviorist? Does one need to go through veterinary college or something more like an apprenticeship? Dr. Nichol: There are a few choices. A veterinary behaviorist is a veterinarian (4 years of undergraduate study plus 4 years of veterinary medical school) who has also completed a residency program and passed a national board examination. Veterinarians, whether board certified or not, are the only people legally able to diagnose and treat medical and behavioral problems in animals, including prescribing medications. You could become an…
Read MoreEffective Treatment will Eliminate Pain & Preserve Eyesight Question: My elderly cat has red rimmed crusty eyes. What causes this and how do I treat? Dr. Nichol: Your kitty is really uncomfortable. Cats whose tear glands fail in their job of keeping the eyes moist have dry eye, also called keratoconjunctivitis sicca (abbreviated KCS). It’s somewhat unusual in cats but common in dogs. KCS is a serious problem. Symptoms can go well beyond chronic redness and a pus-like discharge. Many squint and have swelling of the third eyelid. The membranes beneath the upper and lower eyelids may also…
Read MoreMany Possible Causes but Cancer Tops the List Question: Our 12 year old Lab/Border Collie has had back pain for 2 years and is very weak in the back legs. We’ve done a variety of treatments and none has worked. His appetite is seriously declining. All blood tests were normal except for high calcium. Our vet says that indicates cancer of the parathyroid. Surgery and chemotherapy are not options for us. We understand that his condition will lead to renal failure. How can we improve the calcium level? Dr. Nichol: Your dog’s pain and hypercalcemia (CQ) (elevated blood calcium)…
Read MoreMost Dogs Adjust well to Blindness. Brain Aging Changes are More Likely & Treatable Question: We have a 14 year-old, female Japanese Chin who is blind. Sometimes she complains and whines, but she doesn’t seem to be in pain. She can’t run and play like she used to love to do and just walks in little circles for hours on end. She has to be taken outside and taken to her bowl and, of course, she runs into walls and furniture. She is still loving and sweet but are we keeping her alive for us or for her? Dr.…
Read MoreAdverse Reactions Plagued ProHeart but other Good Preventatives Remain Question: I read that ProHeart 6 had been recalled. My poodle was on this medication. What can be used in its place and what is the status of ProHeart 6? Dr. Nichol: The every-six-month ProHeart injection seemed like an easy way of preventing heartworm infection but it appeared to cause adverse reactions in enough dogs that it was voluntarily recalled. Dogs who got the injection don’t appear to have any long term risks. ProHeart may or may not be available in the future. We still have Heartgard and Interceptor.…
Read MoreAn Older Chow’s Blindness may be Reversible with Eyelid Surgery Question: I have a Chow and he is 10yrs old. Lately I have noticed that he runs into things. There’s a thin film on his eyes that wasn’t there before. I hate seeing him not being able to see. I was considering surgery but was told that surgery on a dog his age wouldn’t do any good and possibly make him blind. I would like to fix the problem if it’s possible. Dr. Nichol: Your older Chow is a special friend; it must be hard to see him handicapped…
Read MoreMany are Simple to Manage, Others are a Challenge. Nearly all do Well Question: My 10-year-old spayed lab cross has been hypothyroid for 2 1/2 years. Molly’s thyroid is still not stable and she’s been on different levels of levothyroxine, countless blood work and now on phenobarbital for seizures. She is healthy in every other way. I just don’t understand and would like to get Molly better and stable. Dr. Nichol: Hypothyroidism (low thyroid disease) is common and, in most dogs, similar to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis of humans. Fortunately, the majority of dogs respond well to treatment. The others can be…
Read MoreBrown Pigment on the Surface of the Eyes Can Cause Blindness in Pugs, Boston Terriers, & Lhasa Apsos. Question: I recently adopted a 10-month-old female fawn pug, Phoebe. I was told that she was probably blind and had keratitis pigmentosa. She sees fairly well. Is there anything I can do for her, or to help her with this condition? Dr. Nichol: Phoebe’s eye disease, also called superficial pigmentary keratitis, can be serious business in brachycephalic (pushed-in face) breeds like Pugs, Boston Terriers, and Lhasa Apsos. It’s unnecessary; dogs who look like they’ve been chasing parked cars didn’t result from…
Read MoreA Lab’s Common Sense should keep her Safe Question: I have a 9-month-old female Labrador Retriever that loves water (naturally). Would our hot tub be harmful if the temperature is 90 degrees? Dr. Nichol: Labs love the water regardless of temperature. I’m betting your girl is smart enough to get out if it’s too hot for her, as long as you two aren’t DRINKING while you’re in there together.
Read MoreThere are Multiple Causes. Treatment is Usually Successful Question: I have a female mixed breed terrier (12 yrs. old) named Rosie whom we all love dearly. She has a white cloudiness in her eyes, and has trouble seeing well. She is not yet blind. What are my options for bringing her sight back? And how important is the timing (too late, now, soon, within a year)? Dr. Nichol: You are describing cataracts, a permanent gray/white lens color that prevents light from reaching the retinas. The end result is blindness, often noticed first at night. Cataracts in young dogs…
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