Albuquerque Journal Articles

Safe in Small Amounts, it can Damage the Health of a Trusting Dog Question: My 5-year-old male lab/shepherd cross “Q ” has picked up beer drinking. He sits next to me when I’m drinking a beer waiting until I give in and pour him some, which I do once in a while. It’s so funny, after he has a good drink he starts sneezing, I always laugh. Could a little beer now and then cause him any harm? Dr. Nichol: A little beer now and then won’t cause most of us any harm. A “little” for a 50 pound dog…

Kidney Damage can be Permanent Question: I read in the ABQ Journal that frozen grapes are a good summer snack for dogs. I’ve been giving them to my dog and she loves them! But the other night I saw on the TV show, Dogs 101, that they might cause liver disease.   Dr. Nichol: Grapes and raisins are poisonous to the kidneys of many, but not all dogs and some cats. Kidney failure can be rapid in onset and is life threatening in some cases.   If the fruit of the vine were to damage your dog’s kidneys she may…

Intestinal Parasites can be a Major Human Health Risk Question: Can you get sick or contract a disease from sharing things, for example a Popsicle or letting them lick your face, with your dog? Dr. Nichol: Peter Rabbit is the Nichol family’s wonderful dog. We really love that boy but, hey, he does things with his mouth that I won’t even mention here. If we eat what he eats then we’re eating everything he’s ever eaten. We believe in safe eating.   Your greatest risk is intestinal parasites. Dogs get infected with these nasty little creatures by licking their feet…

Disorder of the Larynx may be at Fault Question: How can I tell when my black lab, 12 years old, is becoming overheated on our walks?  We walk about 20 minutes daily, about 9:00 AM.  He seems to pant even during the cool of the morning, and heavy panting after our walk.  I don’t want to stress him if we need to adjust our walk.   Dr. Nichol: Your dog is having a tough time. The danger signs to watch for: heavy/labored panting, gums that are darker red or have a purple tinge, and thick, stringy saliva.   Labs are…

Know How to Avoid Serious Risk & What to do in an Emergency Most of us have enough sense not to leave a dog in a hot car, but our pets can still be susceptible to heat stroke. All of us need to know the risks. We should also know first aid.   Dogs who run too hard in the direct sun can easily spike body temperatures above the critical level of 105 degrees. Think ahead when you leave home. If the female dog next door comes into her heat cycle, your love-starved unneutered male may run the fence hard…

A Treatable Disease that is Missing from New Mexico Question: My dog has Lyme disease and an injured spine. Her vet has prescribed prednisone. My concern is a compromised immune system. Are there alternatives? Dr. Nichol: Lyme disease can be a nasty infection that usually causes recurring joint pain often accompanied by lethargy and a poor appetite. Long term it can damage the kidneys and, in some cases, the heart and nervous system. Spinal pain is not unusual; many dogs with Lyme disease walk with a painful arched back. It is a rare disease in cats.   The news isn’t…

Blindness may be Reversible is Treated Soon Question: Is there anything I can do to cure Ehrlichia in my dog?  She only has 1 symptom; she suddenly lost her eyesight about 4 weeks ago. She tested positive. Dr. Nichol: Ehrlichiosis is a blood parasite that is carried by ticks. It is a nasty disease. The symptoms can appear suddenly or creep up so gradually as to be recognized only in their advanced stages. Your dog’s blindness may be reversible if treatment is swift and sure. The drug of choice for most cases is the antibiotic doxycycline. Dogs with severe anemia…

A Potentially Fatal Disease, Most Dogs Respond Well to Treatment Question: I am the “grandmother” of a handsome poodle with a big problem. He has been diagnosed with Ehrlichia platys and has been a very sick boy. We would like clarification of exactly what this disease is and what medical course we should take. The vet has him on antibiotics and has had a course of prednisone. He has responded well but they tell us this is a life long disease. We really do love this boy!   Dr. Nichol: You are right to be concerned about your granddog. Ehrlichia…

Dogs & Cats are Not at Risk Question: Do I need to protect my dogs from the West Nile virus?   Dr. Nichol: This spreading infection is nerve wracking for horses, birds, and humans, but our dogs and cats are way out of the loop. For the latest and greatest on West Nile, I contacted state epidemiologist Dr. Paul Ettestad in Santa Fe. The good doctor pointed out that with carrier mosquitoes spreading this infection as far west as Texas and Colorado, our state is likely to be next. Testing is currently being done on mosquitoes, horses, and large birds…

A Healthy Dog Can Run Longer than a Human Can Ride Question: I was wondering what’s your take on biking with a dog. I’ve got an Aussie that I’ve been biking with a mile or so in the morning and she seems to be doing fine. She has a good sprint the first couple of blocks then an easy pace and a few stops and smell the poops along the way. I use a 6-foot lead with a Halti.   Dr. Nichol: Exercise is important for both of you, but for different reasons. Sedentary people get fat, lazy, cranky, and…