Subscriber Archive
Mick is learning to earn the privilege of a walk. He wants to wear his new Gentle Leader head halter because he knows he’ll have a good time. He’s not quite ready to walk long distances with it. He’s still getting used to the feel of it on his face but he doesn’t have to think about it much because he’s busy working to earn reinforcers. We want him to forget it’s there. One step at a time.
Read More
First in a series Evie was a 5 year old cattle dog when we met. Now she’s 7 but she’s still a cattle dog. Vicky and Richard adopted her from a foster home when she was 2. Now they needed help. Evie was barking, chasing, and sometimes snapping at Richard when he moved. He’s a good guy. He deserved better. There was more unhappy history. Vicky worked from home and reported Evie being relatively calm – until 3 PM. Like clockwork this dog sat near the door, anxiously anticipating Richard’s arrival. The intense barking and jumping that greeted him daily had been rehearsed many hundreds of times. After about 15 minutes the histrionics subsided. Evie then ran to her bed in Vicky’s home office. Richard could finally approach and safely pet this somewhat less wigged-out dog. Even when the big guy was away, Evie wasn’t truly normal, moving about the…
Read More
Most of us are nervous at the doctor’s office and so are our pets. Some get fearful and defensive. It doesn’t have to be that way.
Read More
Question: One of our higher-density foster homes has a cat who had a UTI, which has now cleared up after medication. She is now on gabapentin, but is still not always using the litter box. They are using Feliway and isolating her from the other cats, but things are slow to improve. Dr. Nichol- There is a flip side to the kindness invested in fostering homeless pets. Cats living with strangers, in a crowded environment, are prone to severe stress. Subtle bullying and intimidation often lead to fighting, house soiling, and physical symptoms like sneezing, eye discharge, and the frequent passing of small urine volumes anywhere. Over 64% of cats with urinary symptoms, including soiling, have feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) – a chronic inflammatory bladder disease caused by stress. The near continual release of adrenalin from their brains damages the integrity of their bladder walls. Symptoms usually last for 3-7 days…
Read More
Mick is our family dog, an active Border collie. Like others of his ilk his brain is genetically programmed to herd (normally sheep) by stalking them. This innate behavior is rooted in predation but these dogs don’t bite or kill. This squirrel didn’t know any of this but it was clear that no silly Border collie was going to drive him into a pen. Not even the squirrel’s feelings were hurt in the making of this video.
Read More
Your dog wants nothing to do with fleas because they’d make her itch. What she’s unaware of is that these narrow-bodied little broad jumpers can carry tapeworms and plague. She doesn’t want ticks either. Those nasty blood suckers are vectors for Lyme disease and several blood parasites. All of this can be avoided with effective prevention but there may be a downside. What if you could made this simpler with a once yearly injection? Get an email reminder and bring your pupster to her doctor. Bravecto Quantum is new and it works. The active ingredient, fluralaner, has a proven record of efficacy but, in a small number of cases, neurological side effects like seizures, muscle tremors, and staggering have occurred. You may already be giving this insecticide, found in the shorter-acting (12 week duration) Bravecto chewable tablets and Bravecto topical (spot-on). Merck Animal Health has conducted multiple studies on Bravecto Quantum,…
Read More
Fear and anxiety are miserable emotions. Whether a threat is real or imagined a freaked-out dog wants drive off the scary monster who might retaliate. But if he could stay occupied… You know that if he eyeballs another alien invader (anyone other than you) he could lose control all over again. You need to keep him working. Put your hungry dog in the bedroom with a food toy prior to your friends arriving. After everybody was seated and settled try bringing your nervous Nellie out on-leash to find – a “lick mat” smeared with whatever she can’t resist. Dogs will labor for extended periods, focusing on the narrow food-packed grooves, to reach every bit of liver pâte, peanut butter, or whatever. And when they’re done, they are tired.
Read More
Question: I have a cat who eats too fast and throws up. I bought a slow feeder bowl, but it doesn’t seem to be working. Are there any slow feeder bowls that are better than others, or should I try feeding him only wet food. Dr. Nichol: Bolting food and then vomiting are important symptoms. This is not a feline eating disorder. Something worrisome is going on. We shouldn’t just treat the symptoms. Your cat has an internal illness that is causing him to eat like a fiend and then toss his cookies. If he is over age 9, benign thyroid tumors may be responsible. The resulting excessive thyroid hormone, surging through his system, can lead to heart and kidney failure if not treated. These big eaters have racing heart rates. They lose weight while racking up serious grocery bills. Vomiting is often seen. The good news is that this…
Read More
Just because you love your dog doesn’t mean they do as they’re told. Frustrating. People yell, jerk the leash, and repeat commands. Any dog can learn to earn its person’s attention, along with tasty snacks. You can have a good time together, like my dog Mick and I do. Have a look at us in Rally competition (like obedience but more fun). Do you notice him watching me with that relaxed tail wag? Sandia Dog Obedience Club in Albuquerque is the place for good dogs to learn better.
Read More