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These Border collie puppies play well with others but there is more to life than fun and games. There is also hiking, snuggling, and fun and games. One of them gets to be the new Nichol family dog
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Second in a series Caesarians in dogs and cats usually go well. Lila, the Boxer mama on my exam table, was not entirely tuckered out; her vital signs were strong. We started warm fluids IV and administered morphine for gentle sedation and pain control. Lila relaxed and accepted the oxygen mask and gas anesthesia. Once she was intubated and her abdomen prepped she was wheeled into surgery. Gretchen Adler, the owner of this nascent Boxer family, knew exactly what she wanted. Reluctantly donning the surgery cap and mask that I had pressed into her hands she stated unequivocally, with added eye roll, that she had assisted in several C-sections and had “never been required to wear a get-up like this.” Taking a moment to look her straight in the eye, I said, “Ms. Adler, we’ll be glad for your help in reviving Lila’s puppies but I will not risk post…
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First in a series Boxers in the Night Semi Pregnancy Who doesn’t love newborn puppies? Veterinarians get to turn difficult deliveries into real joy but it’s often difficult. In the early years we tried to close the clinic at 6 PM but late night emergencies were common. It was just after Christmas, at about 9:30 – near bedtime. The Rolling Stones, blasting ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ on my stereo, were interrupted by a call from the answering service. A boxer was struggling to pass her first puppy. I scribbled down the phone number of a dog breeder I had never met and made the call. The Stones’ lyrics replayed in my brain later that night. Before I could finish, “This is Dr. Nic—”a hard-edged voice broke through, “My bitch needs a C-section. She’s been pushin’ for 3 hours and nothin’s passed. How soon can you operate?” Who…
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What does it take? The holidays are great fun, aren’t they? Singin’, dancin’, and carryin’ on. For you and me, sure, but badly unsettled pets can engage in some unhealthy behaviors because they’re nervous or scared. Be observant. Tense body postures around visitors or startling at sudden noises, hiding, freezing with ears flattened, the head low, and the tail tucked are important clues. Scared dogs may lick their lips and yawn. Highly stressed cats might over-groom. Worried pets need a break from the action. Hide boxes for cats and out-of-the-way resting areas for dogs can help. A food toy loaded with your dog’s favorite treat will focus her brain on something enjoyable. Consider a Twist & Treat, a Toppl or a Kibble Nibble. Give her the food-loaded toys in another room before your guests arrive and pick them up when they leave so your dog learns that great things happen…
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Canine Coping Skills for Twins Question: I have a female Doberman, 5 years old, and a female mixed breed dog, age 10. And 8 months ago I became mom of twins. Other dog is great with them from the day one. Dobermann on the other hand is extremely nervous. She continues to cry and go around me in circles when I have a baby in my arms. More time passes, worst she is. That behaviour is provoking other dog and then I have a war between them. We are from Italy. Dr. Nichol: This is a common problem; many dogs who were raised without children can wig-out when alien pink wrigglers suddenly arrive in their home. Your twins must be great fun but I’m betting that they’re a whole lot of work too. You know what to do with them but your Doberman hasn’t a clue. This dog is not…
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Last in a 4 part series Managing Herd Size Facing down this dual feline epidemic (leukemia virus plus herpes) I felt overwhelmed until I made another visit to the Peabody home. Armed with physical exam findings and test results on each of their 24 cats I again toured the house and yard, this time to strategize. Eye and nose discharges are little toxic pools of bacteria and virus. I coached Briana and Nettie on gentle handling of each cat (some were fussier than others) for snot removal and medication. Some needed special feeding. Isolation from the symptom-free, leukemia negative cats was a must. Both of these infectious diseases had to be contained. I really liked these people; I would never be condescending but I needed to be clear. Once we all agreed on housing which cats in which specific rooms and who would stay together inside and keep their distance…
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Finding a Way to Save Lives Pet lovers can mistakenly assign human emotions to members of a different species. Firmly believing that cats want everything we do doesn’t make it so. Cramming 26 of them into one household caused behavioral and physical stresses that weakened their immunity. The Peabody cat family was sick. A growing number were discharging from their eyes and noses, spiking fevers, and eating poorly or not at all. Worse still, their feline herpes virus (FHV-1) epidemic was advancing. Nasal fluid was aerosolized by sneezing for sure, but there were behavioral factors too. Cats are not little people in furry suits. In some respects they are wild animals we keep as pets. They can certainly form strong bonds but they are genetically programmed for outdoor survival in loose social groups. For some, a solitary life works best. Indoor crowded communal cohabiting made Briana and Nettie Peabody’s cats…
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Part 2 in a series At-Home with the Feline Herd Crowded Eccentricity Cattle, pigs, and sheep, rubbing shoulders in large groups, risk spreading infectious diseases, leading veterinary medicine to the concept of herd immunity. A crowd of 26 cats with discharges from their 52 eyes and nostrils presented a serious herd health debacle. No loses were acceptable. In the exam room and in their home I noticed Brianna and Nettie handling each of their kitties in its own special way. They delighted in sharing stories about their antics. At the outset of the upper respiratory outbreak I needed to figure out how in the world to get my arms around this gathering storm. So I made a home visit. These folks were no strangers to pet loss. Each kitty who transitioned, rather than being cremated, was embalmed by Brianna the mortician. Remains were lovingly arranged, each with its own memorial.…
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Morbid Fascination? Cats are interesting and entertaining creatures; their people maybe even more so. I’m rather fond of these folks, being part of this societal subset myself. The 1959 Cadillac hearse that rolled up in front of my veterinary clinic drove home the point. Brianna Peabody and her mom Nettie shared a house, and a decent sized yard in Albuquerque’s North valley, with no fewer than 26 cats. Hoarders? No. Doting pet parents of a generous sized family – yes. Some people with innumerable pets can’t or don’t care for them. The Peabodys did everything necessary for Melody, Malady, Milhous (affectionately called Mr. President), Joan the Uninteresting, well, the individual personalities and their fitting monikers went on. Nettie, a retired lady with a magnanimous personality, managed the household. Brianna worked full time as a mortician. Since death doesn’t take evenings, weekends, or holidays off, those who care for the departed…
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