Albuquerque Journal Articles

Good Hygiene is Essential but other Humans are the Greatest Risk Question: When the Europeans came to America they brought diseases that we as a people only scarcely survived. Because of the Europeans’ close association with their animals they were immune to most of the diseases that we were not. My question: A lot of people kiss and do other questionable things with their animals, the animals kiss and lick other animals’ butts and parts, is this how diseases were and still are transmitted to humans?   Dr. Nichol: Zoonotic diseases are central to our concerns about worldwide epidemics. There…

Hidden problems like joint pain, organ disease, & thyroid trouble can be found with lab testing. Proper treatment can improve life quality & life expectancy.   Question: My 14 year old Brittany Spaniel, Beckett, is beginning to show her age, a lot like her owners. Cataracts, hearing loss, and arthritis are among her maladies. She has gone from a very frisky youngster to a timid little baby in the last year or so. Her latest quirk is chattering her teeth, both when she is awake and asleep. I don’t think she is cold, since she has decided to become a…

Associate the Name with Obedience & Food Rewards Question: I’ve been perusing the available dogs at various shelters and found a gorgeous white shepherd, but his name doesn’t suit the quite regal fellow he is. How difficult is it to change a dog’s name?   Dr. Nichol: Not hard at all if you pick a name that sounds like dog food hitting the bottom of a bowl. Start on day one teaching simple commands. Say “George, Sit!” as you move a treat in a front-to-back arc over his head. When his cheeks hit the floor say, “Good dog, George!” and give him…

Avoid the Ire of Neighbors by Rewarding your Dog for Eliminating at her Territory’s Boundary Question: I used to be a professional dog sitter and when a dog lifts his leg on a fence post I’ve had screaming banshees run out & shoo us away. When a dog defecates on a neighbor’s rock garden, do you drag the dog to the street as he’s performing his dirty work? How do you train a dog to eliminate in an appropriate place?   Dr. Nichol: It’s easy to forget that our neighbors have to live with our pets’ deposits. We do have…

Vinegar & Diatomaceous Earth are In; Round-Up is Out Question: I have two dogs, George & Gracie, whom I love dearly.  I am working under the assumption that there are no safe products to kill weeds and insects that would be safe to use around G&G.  Is this correct? Dr. Nichol: Your question stimulates my brain; we veterinarians are taught how to recognize and treat chemical poisonings but we know little about safe alternatives. For reliable information I contacted entomologist Richard Fagerlund, the Albuquerque Journal’s very own “Bug Man” columnist. For starters, commercial weed killers like Round-Up may not be…

Numerous Health Risks plus Overpopulation Make Spaying the Right Choice Question: A friend recently got a lab X puppy.  When I asked if he was going to spay her – he said he wanted to let her have a litter first because it makes a “better dog”.  I’d like to be able to argue that point.   Dr. Nichol: It can be tough debating folks who are sure of things that aren’t so. Start by explaining that mixed bred puppies (and often their purebred brethren) can be difficult or impossible to place in good homes. It’s easy to get excited…

More Effective ways of Keeping a Dog at Home are also Safer Question: I was appalled to find that my wife’s adult son had left his dog chained to a clothesline pole.  He had no food or water and very little shade.  I gave him food and water, and he seemed SO GRATEFUL. I considered it animal abuse but my wife said that this was a country dog, and when he learned not to run away her son would let it off of the chain.  I think I know the answer, but is my wife right? Is it OK to chain a…

It’s Happening Fast-But is it the Right Thing to Do? Question: My dog’s 10 and is a great friend. What’s the latest on dog cloning (how/cost/etc.)? Dr. Nichol: Cloning of nonhuman animals is on the fast track. Remember Dolly the sheep back in ’97? She didn’t end up doing so well but her short life was followed by the successful cloning of a cat, a guar, a rabbit, cows, mice, goats, pigs, mules, and recently a horse. Soon primates, dogs, and endangered species are expected. Companies like Genetic Savings & Clone, Lazaron, and Perpetuate will stamp out replacement pets for…

Question: I have a wonderful Boxer who is 4 years old. Cookie has had this unusual habit since she was a puppy. Before she eats she roots in the dry food, then moves her head to the side and seems to push down, then she roots again. She gets a primeval look in her eyes. At first I thought she was mentally ill but she is a sweet, fun loving, highly intelligent dog. Have you ever heard of this strange but true behavior?   Dr. Nichol: Such primitive antics might be abnormal for some dogs, but Cookie is a Boxer.…