Albuquerque Journal Articles
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…
Read MoreIt may be normal, or maybe not. Get a good physical exam. Question: We have recently acquired a new cat to our household. She is an odd eyed white. The pupil in the blue eye is always larger than the pupil in the yellow eye. Is this normal? She seems to be in good health otherwise. Dr. Nichol: Congratulations on your new kitty. You were smart to examine her carefully. Actually there are lots of white cats with eyes of different colors. Many with one or both blue eyes are deaf. That part’s really OK. But differing pupil…
Read MoreDisorder 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…
Read MoreThird Eyelids can be visible with stress, infection, or foreign material. A good exam is important & essential. Question: I must say that I am very worried about my Maine coon kitten. This morning, when we woke up, we found that one of her eyes had an off-white coating on most of the eye. It doesn’t seem to bother him (he’s not scratching at it or grooming it or anything else) but it really worries me. It looks like the stuff that is usually in the inner corner of his eye. My daughter has said that when other cats…
Read MoreKnow 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…
Read MoreNot just unattractive, chronic eye can result. Surgical correction is best. Question: I just bought a boxer/bulldog mix and he has what you call a cherry eye. What do I do about it? Dr. Nichol: This is a common eye disease but I wish it hadn’t been named after food. It’s an oxymoron like jumbo shrimp and military intelligence. OK, cherry eye. It’s not an emergency but it is important. The eyeball itself is fine. The problem is in the pink membrane that sits just below the eyes of our dogs. This structure, called the third eyelid…
Read MoreA 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…
Read MoreGrey Mucous can be Managed by Simple Eye Cleaning Question: I live in the East Mountains and have a 3-year-old healthy Doberman. Just recently with all of the high winds, I’ve noticed that my dog is getting a white, gooey discharge from her eyes after she wakes up in the mornings. Is this an allergy of some sort? She seems fine and does not paw her eyes or rub her face in the ground. Should I be worried? Dr. Nichol: The only good diagnosis is made on physical exam. That said, it is very likely that your dog has…
Read MoreBlindness 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…
Read MoreA Risky Disease with Long Term Issues Question: I have a feral cat and cannot cage him to get him to a vet. Otherwise he jumps in my lap and is most lovable. He has an eye drainage. I have been using a damp cloth to clear the gunk. Is there any medication that would help? Dr. Nichol: You’re doing the right thing to eliminate his eye discharge; it’s teeming with organisms. That little guy may have a viral disease, like many feral cats, or there could be foreign material like a foxtail awn next to his eye. He…
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